The Sound of Light (Solo Piano)

About the Artist
REVIEW by Kathy Parsons, SoloPianoPublications.com Steven Cravis' second album is an excellent collection of thoughtful and peaceful piano solos. Many of the pieces are more classically structured than the music of other artists in the genre, and indicate a very well-trained and creative pianist-composer (he attended the prestigious Berklee School of Music). The music is peaceful, but is complex enough to allow the listener to hear something new after repeated hearings. The quiet tone of the CD makes it suitable for a lovely backdrop, but many of the songs deserve to be given ones full attention to hear and appreciate the beauty of this music.

The CD opens with "Through The Kaleidoscope", a sparkling and swirling piece, full of musical colors. One of my favorite pieces on the CD is "Dancing Spirits". It opens in the upper registers of the piano, and works its way down, gently building momentum on the way. The improvisation in the middle section suggests the freedom of a spontaneous dance. "The Shining Star" and "My Precious One" are beautiful and tender love songs. "Reunion" is a bit more impassioned and turbulent - the strength of the emotions comes through loud and clear, making it a very powerful piece. "Holiday Slumber" is a cozy and delicious depiction of those wonderful, lazy days when it feels so good to just keep snuggling under the covers and dozing back to sleep.

"The Sound of Light" is a very fine solo piano CD.

Product Description
A peaceful, uplifting solo piano album which can also be previewed and download on web sites such as iTunes, Sony Connect, MusicMatch and Rhapsody.

The Sound of Light (Solo Piano),Steven Cravis,StevenCravis.com,If you like Yanni, you will like this CD - It's a New Age Romantic mixture of Jazz and Classical, Soulfully performed on Acoustic Piano

Average customer rating: A blast of brass Old school Wynton fabulous Amazing talent

Wynton Marsalis - Baroque Music for Trumpet Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Purcell, Henry | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | 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 Trumpet | Brass | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Marsalis, Wynton | ( M ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Odes | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music $7.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Purcell, Henry | ( P ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Marsalis, Wynton | ( M ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Sony | Computers Brands | Computers Features | Electronics | Desktops | Monitors | Networking | Notebooks Similar Items: Classic Wynton Wynton Marsalis: In Gabriel's Garden Baroque Trumpet Concertos Kathleen Battle · Wynton Marsalis ~ Baroque Duet / Anthony Newman · Orch St. Luke's · Nelson Trumpet Concertos ASIN: B0000025XP Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Trumpet Concerto In D Major - 1. Allegro
2. Trumpet Concerto In D Major - 2. Largo
3. Trumpet Concerto In D Major - 3. Allegro (moderato)
4. 'Let the Bright Seraphim' From Samson
5. Sonata A 5 For Trumpet & Strings, T.V. 3
6. 'Sound the Trumpet' from Come Ye Sons Of Art
7. 'Chaconne' from Come Ye Sons Of Art
8. 'Entrada' from The Indian Queen
9. 'Trumpet Air' from The Indian Queen
10. 'Trumpet Tune' from King Arthur
11. 'Trumpet Overture' from The Indian Queen
12. Sonata A 5 For Trumpet & Strings, T.V. 7
13. 'Eternal Source Of Light Divine'
14. For Solo Trumpet And Strings, Concert No. 2 - 1. Allegro
15. 2. Adagio
16. For Solo Trumpet And Strings, Concert No. 2 - 3. Allegro

Customer Reviews:

A blast of brass.......2005-08-18

I first encountered this on cassette, quite by accident. It later became the background for my work at morning at the easel painting watercolours. But this is no wallpaper music. The technical genius of matching separate recordings of different trumpet parts is surpassed only by Marsalis's bright and lively technique. The masters would be pleased. As for the watercolours, I can now stand before them and see the music's influence on paper. Well worth the listening...

Old school Wynton.......2005-08-12

This cd features a lot of Wynton's earlier piccolo playing, which, while perhaps not as brilliant as you'd hear on his Gabriel's Garden album, is slightly more refined and appropriate to the repertoire. That isn't to say he doesn't embellish; The Fasch concerto has some tastefully inserted ornaments. "Let the Bright Seraphim" is as well played with soprano Edita Gruberova as it is in Wynton's later recording with Kathleen Battle. The Purcell selections on the album are probably the best examples of good piccolo playing I've found, particularly the trills. One only need listen to the "Entrada" to see how delicate and refined the playing on the whole album is.

fabulous.......2003-09-28

Marsalis' prodigious talent coupled with the greatest of Baroque brass composers is a combination that cannot be beat! Of course, Anthony Newman takes everything (less the slow stuff, of course) at his characteristic "lively" pace, but Marsalis keeps up. His execution of the ornamentation is awesome! Gotta have this one!

Amazing talent.......2001-04-22

Without doubt, the birthday ode to Queen Anne (Eternal Source of Light Divine) is one of the loveliest pieces ever. Couple that with two of the most accomplished talents in the world, you have a near spiritual moment. Even those with even a passing interest in the classics will find this a stirring expierence. this is true candy for the ear and food for the soul.

Average customer rating: Hmmm, interesting... It really grows on you THIS CD GIVES ME A HEADACHE Music, it ain't, but... THERAPEUTIC SOUND - Great for Massage!

SOUNDS OF LIGHT: The Pure Tones of Crystal Singing Bowls Crystal Voices Manufacturer: Crystal Voices ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | New Age | Styles | Music Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music Healing | New Age | Styles | Music Relaxation | New Age | Styles | Music Minimal Techno | Techno | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Seven Metals Singing Bowls of Tibet Chords of the Cosmos: Harmonies of the Zodiac with Crystal Bowls for Chakra Balancing, Meditation & The Healing Arts Travelling the Sacred Sound Current: Divine Chants & Sacred Tones for Healing & Meditation CRYSTAL VOICES: The Harmonic Vibrations of Crystal Singing Bowls Journey To Wholeness - Singing Crystal Bowls for Healing and Wholeness ASIN: B00000G1SO Release Date: 1998-01-01

Tracks:

1. Octaves of Light
2. Soundings of the Planets
3. Angelic Rays

Album Description

SOUNDS OF LIGHT embodies you with glistening tones of transcendent beauty"...Jonathan Goldman

A deeply transformative sound experience! You will love this higher-vibrational crystal sound. Flow on a mystical river of sound into the crystal tone-world of Light and Sound. These entrancing harmonies bathe the listener in a seamless weaving of harmonic crystal tone waves of fifth intervals and octaves, providing a powerful vibrational therapy for healing and meditation. This CD is pure crystal bowls throughout and is used extensively by Massage Therapists, Reiki Practitioners and Yoga Instructors to provide a vibrational healing background for their practice.

If you enjoy SOUNDS OF LIGHT, explore the newest sound healing tools offered by Deborah Van Dyke. Her new book and companion CD "TRAVELLING THE SACRED SOUND CURRENT" (also available through Amazon.com) provide an extensive gathering of spiritual sound wisdom exploring the use of sound as a vibrational tool for self healing, sacred creation and higher consciousness. It includes sound exercises for inner attunement through voice & breath, toning of vowels, mantras & chants, harmonic overtones, a guide to the use of Crystal Singing Bowls and ancient Peruvian Whistling Vessels as instruments for expanding awareness, healing and transformation. An energy-shifting, soul-enriching experience. The CD is a treasure of timeless sacred chants & mantras, along with crystal bowls, drums, didjeridoo & nature sounds for a deep journey with Sacred Sound. For detailed information search Amazon.com for "TRAVELLING THE SACRED SOUND CURRENT" under "BOOKS" and "MUSIC".

Deborah's NEWEST CD RELEASE UPDATE***** Now available on Amazon.com - CHORDS OF THE COSMOS: Harmonies of the Zodiac for Chakra Balancing, Meditation & the Healing Arts. Provides a whole new level of therapeutic sound healing for the chakras! Employs the complete 12 note musical scale which provides the fullest spectrum of harmonic combinations for fine-tuning the entire body.

Customer Reviews:

Hmmm, interesting..........2006-12-26

Some of the tracks make for quite transcendental experiences, although turn down the volume if you're listening on headphones - the tones won't suit everyone. The sound quality is true to life, I was doubting if the 'goosebumps' quality of real crystal bowls would be evident in a recording, but they seem to be.

It really grows on you.......2005-10-19

At first when I got this CD I popped it into my stereo CD player at work and listened for a few minutes. I thought... "Damn... this is crap." But then, later in the evening I went home and decided to give it another try. This time listening to it using my headphones. Then I thought "Damn... this is GOOD!"
Conclusion: "Sounds of light" doesn't make good ambient background music, it's best listened to using headphones. I also found it to be surprisingly mentally calming while doing "breath watching" meditation.

The recording is very well done, (you can hear the sound of the friction mallets as they draw them around the inside of the bowls) and is very clear. However the sound of the mallets does sound a little like a shop saw cutting a pipe a long way away, if you think this will bother you then, don't buy it.
In the liner notes is an interesting story:
"In preparing to record Octaves of Light we set our intentions to anchor in the energies of illumination and enlightenment. As we began, our pinon incense sparked into a flame and, at the same time, the halogen light over head mysteriously went out, so the only remaining source of light in the room was a circle of candles. Continuing our session by candle light, suddenly and unexplainably the overhead light turned back on. This switching off and on of the light repeated for the duration of the recording. We felt the presence of angels."

THIS CD GIVES ME A HEADACHE.......2005-09-08

I usually don't like to write negative reviews, and I'm sure that for many people this cd is wonderful. If you enjoy it I think you should get it. But as for myself, I find it very unpleasant. The crystal bowls produce a kind of low pitched hum that gives me a headache every time. There are pleasant sounds too, some higher pitched tinkling sounds but the hum is almost continuous and really ruins it for me. I bought this one with Seven Metals, Singing Bowls of Tibet about two years ago. Seven Metals I love, I listen to it almost every day. I practice meditation and love good meditation music, especially Tibetan bells.But Crystal Singing Bowls I really can't take. So before you order do listen first if you can.

Music, it ain't, but..........2005-08-04

I first heard this while lying on my back having a nuclear scan. The tones were so soothing that I found myself completely relaxing.
I asked the technician what those wonderful sounds were, and he showed me the CD label.

I purchased a copy for myself and a friend, who is often frazzled at the end of the day. I highly recommend this, but don't expect music as such, just pure tones to set you afloat on a cloud.

THERAPEUTIC SOUND - Great for Massage!.......2004-06-15

I have had my own set of crystal bowls for about ten years now and sometimes play them directly on the body with my massage clients. But during hands on massage, the Sounds of Light CD is my (and my clients) all time favourite crystal bowl CD to have playing as a background. The thing I have noticed about people's reaction to crystal bowls is that they either "love 'em or hate 'em", there seems to be no middle ground. That's because the bowl's alpha sine waves penetrate through the multiple layers of the body. The vibrational effects stir things up - and if the listener isn't ready to do this release work, they may have quite a strong reaction. The tones of these bowls are not just nice sounding "la la" new age music, it is therapeutic sound that augments my healing sessions. If you are familiar with what crystal bowls sound like and enjoyed the experience, then you WILL love this CD. It's healing combinations of fifth intervals and octaves help outside distractions to disappear as you become one with the tone. This flawlessly recorded healing ceremony, is a fantastic tool for deep relaxation, destressing and attunement.

Average customer rating: Ethnic musical loungy electronic work of genuis, this is Dakini Lounge better than buddah bar Dharma Dogz are amazing!

Dakini Lounge: Prem Joshua Remixed Prem Joshua Manufacturer: White Swan ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Yatri Dance of Shakti Shiva Moon (Prem Joshua Remixed by Maneesh de Moor) Water Down the Ganges Sky Kisses Earth ASIN: B0000CERM1 Release Date: 2003-09-16

Tracks:

1. Bolo Hari (The Blue God Comes to Town) (Niraj Chag Remix)
2. Himalaya Trance (Cosmic Rocker Remix)
3. Mangalam (Chillums at Dawn Remix) (Sean Dinsmore for Dum Dum Project)
4. Dakini (Monsoon Remix) (Aram Ram)
5. Secret Place (Karsh Kale Remix)
6. Shiva Moon (Moon Nectar Remix) (Prem Joshua and Maneesh de Moor)
7. Sky Kisses Earth (Remixed by Sean Dinsmore for Dum Dum Project)
8. Water Down the Ganges (Joi On the Ganges Remix)
9. Bolo Hari (Instant Pudding Mix) (Dharma Dogz)
10. Lahore Connection (Toires Remix)

Album Description

Dakini Lounge marks Indo-Jazz innovator Prem Joshua's first encounter with DJ science. Here, an eclectic collection of cutting edge mixologists including Karsh Kale, Sean Dinsmore (The Dum Dum Project), Joi and Dharma Dogz (of Waterbone) shed new light on Joshua's signature sound, translating his East-West alchemies into stunning dub, chill and dance floor masterworks.

Prem Joshua has come a long way from the 18-year-old German rocker, mind blown by a Ravi Shankar performance, answering a mysterious call from a faraway place. While spending the better part of 20 years in India (where he has sold well over 50,000 records), Joshua has developed a unique musical style employing sitar, Indian flutes, saxophone, electronica and tarana-style singing that artfully—and skillfully—bridges the gap between traditional Eastern sounds and Western jazz forms, prompting the Times of India to dub him "the new guru of East-West fusion music."

Dakini Lounge marks the next logical progression in Prem Joshua's storied career. Placing the master musician's songs in the able hands of these modern day studio mavens presents new interpretations and directions for the many listeners already in love with Prem Joshua's music while introducing him to an ever wider audience.

Album Description

Dakini Lounge marks Indo-Jazz innovator Prem Joshua's first encounter with DJ science. Here, the fusion sitar master's music is reinterpreted and redirected by an eclectic collection of cutting edge mixologists, each translating Prem Joshua's East-West alchemists into stunning dub, chill and dancefloor masterworks. White Swan. 2003.

Customer Reviews:

Ethnic musical loungy electronic work of genuis, this is.......2007-02-26

Very deep, musical journey. One of the best of my collection of electronic music compillations. Very beautiful, I cannot recommend this album enough. I've explored other titles by prem Joshua, but for some reason, they are totally different, and cannot compare to THIS CD. layers upon layers of sound and really chill, very COOL, ethnic, east indian melodies. What can i say, it's one of the best.

Dakini Lounge.......2005-08-13

Loved it! Still love it! Very cool loungey music with a great Indian/Jazz twist. Great listening power. Buy it and see!

better than buddah bar.......2003-10-23

love the moon nectar remix of shiva moon, and the dharma dogz instant pudding mix blows me away, these guys take chill to the next level

Dharma Dogz are amazing!.......2003-10-07

The whole album is great, but the remix by Dharma Dogz is worth the price. A masterpiece. Anyone into chill, relaxer or cool world music MUST pick this one up!

Average customer rating: SOUND OF LIGHT-STEVEN CRAVIS Beautiful Solo Piano Album

The Sound of Light (Solo Piano) Steven Cravis Manufacturer: StevenCravis.com ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: True Reflections (Solo Piano) Lavender Dreams ASIN: B00063MDC4 Release Date: 1995-01-01

Tracks:

1. Through the Kaleidoscope
2. Candelight Tranquility
3. Dancing Spirits
4. The Shining Star
5. Reunion
6. My Precious One
7. Aqua Blue
8. Apricot Sunset And Cinnamon Skies
9. Radiant Love
10. Snowfall Sunrise
11. Holiday Slumber

Album Description

A peaceful, uplifting solo piano album which can also be previewed and download on web sites such as iTunes, Sony Connect, MusicMatch and Rhapsody.

Customer Reviews:

SOUND OF LIGHT-STEVEN CRAVIS.......2007-05-13

Delightful melodies, charming and catchy. You'll be humming them over and over again in your head. This album makes me smile. It is childlike in its simplicity yet clever twists and turns keep your from being bored. The listener feels like they are gently gliding in the air over hills and dales as the melodies rise and fall. As a pianist, his technique is good but rather straight forward - could feel more sensitive but a wonderful addition to any instrumental collection. Highly recommend!

Beautiful Solo Piano Album.......2004-10-26

Steven Cravis's "Sound of Light" is a sonic delight in which he interprets beautiful colors and shades of light as music in sparkling brilliance for the pleasure of our ears and the exuberance of our spirit. Splashes of "color" resonate on the first track of the album "Through the Kaleidoscope" setting the scene for the broad spectrum of shades and shadows on the rest of this collection of pieces. Each one evokes a distinct mood, some grey and moody like the third track "Dancing Spirits" and some soft as romantic candlelight such as my favorite track on the album, "The Shining Star". "Radiant Love" shines with the warmth of a heart filled with true devotion and opens into an interesting bridge that sounds almost classical. "Snowfall Sunrise" shines with the hope of a fresh new day washed in the crystal pure reflections of white snow. I highly recommend this album. (By Laura Sullivan, Recording Artist)

Average customer rating: A Beautiful Collection of Russian Liturgical Music

Russian Chant for Vespers Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Sacred & Religious | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems Vocal & Song | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Chants | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Russian Divine Liturgy Chants de la Liturgie Slavonne Russian Medieval Chant Russian Easter Orthodox Chants from Russia ASIN: B00000144O Release Date: 1995-05-01

Tracks:

1. Bells
2. Christ Is Risen From The Dead
3. Christ Is Risen From The Dead
4. Christ Is Risen From The Dead
5. Psalm 103 Of The Kievan Lavra Tradition
6. Blessed Is The Man
7. O Lord, I Have Cried Unto Thee
8. The Joy Of Those Who Mourn
9. The Lord Is My Light And My Salvation
10. Joyful Light
11. Processional Znamenniy Chant
12. Lord, Now Lettest Thou Thy Servant Depart In Peace
13. Hail Mary
14. Glory To God In The Highest
15. Praise Ye The Name Of The Lord
16. Troparia For Amomos
17. From My Youth
18. We Have Seen Thy Resurrection
19. Christ Has Arisen From The Tomb
20. Christ Is Risen From The Dead
21. The Angel Cried
22. O Lord, Save Thy People
23. The Lord Is With Us
24. Christ Is Risen From The Dead
25. Many Years

Customer Reviews:

A Beautiful Collection of Russian Liturgical Music.......2004-04-20

Russian liturgical music from the monasteries is a combination of a number of different styles. Since the Church id from the orthodox tradition, the music is influenced partly by Greek liturgical music. It also has a bit of a western Gregorian flow to it, though this is not as strong as other influences. It also has a bit of Russian folk music flair to it. Musically it is interesting, but it also has a spiritual quality to it. Perhaps because it has survived against tremendous odds during the Soviet years, it has strength to it as well.

This recording by the Novospassky Monastery Choir contains liturgical music primarily for Easter but contains other prayers and psalms as well. The CD has liner notes but no translation for the music, but for the price, this is not a complaint. The choir is strong and is able to convey both the majesty and beauty of the music.

Once again, Naxos has provided a unique quality musical experience and a budget price.

Average customer rating:

Handel: The Masterworks (Box Set) Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Concerto Grossi | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Trio Sonatas | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Flute | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Oboe | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Recorder | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Cantatas | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Anthems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Hymns | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Passions | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Blowout Box Sets | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Brilliant Classics | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Vivaldi: The Masterworks (Box Set) Haydn: The Masterworks [Box Set] Mendelssohn: The Masterworks [Box Set] Dvorák: The Masterworks [Box Set] Schubert: The Masterworks [Box Set] ASIN: B00062FLI8 Release Date: 2004-11-30

Average customer rating: Ladies & gentleman: The Lord'n Savior, God Almighty So Fashionable, and So Disappointing A nice combination of period nad tradiitonal Wait! Before you buy... La mas bella y fidedigna interpretacion que se pueda obtener

Handel - Messiah / Augér, von Otter, Chance, Crook, Tomlinson, English Concert, Pinnock George Frideric Handel , Arleen Auger , Anne Sofie von Otter , Trevor Pinnock , The English Concert & Choir , Michael Chance , Howard Crook , and John Tomlinson Manufacturer: Archiv Produktion ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD 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 Pinnock, Trevor | ( P ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Otter, Anne Sophie von | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Opera & Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Blowout Box Sets | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Pinnock, Trevor | ( P ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Otter, Anne Sophie von | ( O ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Handel - Messiah / Ameling · A. Reynolds · Langridge · Howell · Marriner Belcea Quartet ~ Debussy · Dutilleux · Ravel Beethoven: Symphony No 9 /ORR * Gardiner Handel: Messiah /Nelson * Kirkby * Watkinson * Elliott * Thomas * AAM * Hogwood Haydn: Lord Nelson Mass / Willcocks, King's College Choir ASIN: B0000057DB Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Messiah: Part One - 1. Sinfony (Grave - Allegro moderato)
2. Messiah: Part One - 2. Accompagnato : Comfort Ye My People
3. Messiah: Part One - 3. Air : Ev'ry Valley Shall Be Exalted
4. Messiah: Part One - 4. Chorus : And The Glory Of The Lord Shall Be Revealed
5. Messiah: Part One - 5. Accompagnato : Thus Saith The Lord Of Hosts
6. Messiah: Part One - 6. Air : But Who May Abide The Day Of His Coming
7. Messiah: Part One - 7. Chorus : And He Shall Purify
8. Messiah: Part One - 8. Recitative : Behold, A Virgin Shall Conceive
9. Messiah: Part One - 9. Air and Chorus : O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings
10. Messiah: Part One - 10. Accompagnato : For Behold, Darkness Shall Cover
11. Messiah: Part One - 11. Air : The People That Walked In Darkness
12. Messiah: Part One - 12. Chorus : For Unto Us A Child Is Born
13. Messiah: Part One - 13. Pifa (Pastoral Symphony)
14. Messiah: Part One - 14. Recitative: There Were Shepherds Abiding In The Field - Accompagnato: And Lo, The Angel Of The Lord - 15. Recitative: And The Angel Said Unto Them - 16. Accompagnato: And Suddenly There Was With The Angel
15. Messiah: Part One - 17. Chorus : Glory To God In The Highest
16. Messiah: Part One - 18. Air : Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter Of Zion
17. Messiah: Part One - 19. Recitative : Then Shall The Eyes Of The Blind
18. Messiah: Part One - 20. Air : He Shall Feed His Flock
19. Messiah: Part One - 21. Chorus : His Yoke Is Easy, His Burthen Is Light
20. Messiah: Part Two - 22. Chorus : Behold The Lamb Of God
21. Messiah: Part Two - Air : 23. He Was Despised

Tracks:

1. Messiah: Part Two - 24. Chorus : Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs
2. Messiah: Part Two - 25. Chorus : And With His Stripes We Are Healed
3. Messiah: Part Two - 26. Chorus : All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray
4. Messiah: Part Two - 27. Accompagnato : All They That See Him
5. Messiah: Part Two - 28. Chorus : He Trusted In God
6. Messiah: Part Two - 29. Accompagnato : Thy Rebuke Hath Broken His Heart
7. Messiah: Part Two - 30. Arioso : Behold, And See If There Be Any Sorrow
8. Messiah: Part Two - 31. Accompagnato : He Was Cut Off Out Of The Land
9. Messiah: Part Two - 32. Air : But Thou Didst Not Leave His Soul
10. Messiah: Part Two - 33. Chorus : Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates
11. Messiah: Part Two - 34. Recitative : Unto Which Of The Angels
12. Messiah: Part Two - 35. Chorus : Let All The Angels Of God Worship Him
13. Messiah: Part Two - 36. Air : Thou Art Gone Up On High
14. Messiah: Part Two - 37. Chorus : The Lord Gave The Word
15. Messiah: Part Two - 38. Air : How Beautiful Are The Feet
16. Messiah: Part Two - 39. Chorus : Their Sound Is Gone Out
17. Messiah: Part Two - 40. Air : Why Do The Nations So Furiously Rage
18. Messiah: Part Two - 41. Chorus : Let Us Break Their Bonds Asunder
19. Messiah: Part Two - 42. Recitative : He That Dwelleth In Heaven
20. Messiah: Part Two - 43. Air : Thou Shalt Break Them
21. Messiah: Part Two - 44. Chorus : Hallelujah
22. Messiah: Part Three - 45. Air : I Know That My Redeemer Liveth
23. Messiah: Part Three - 46. Chorus : Since By Man Came Death
24. Messiah: Part Three - 47. Recitative : Behold, I Tell You A Mystery
25. Messiah: Part Three - 48. Air : The Trumpet Shall Sound
26. Messiah: Part Three - 49. Recitative : Then Shall Be Brought To Pass
27. Messiah: Part Three - 50. Duet : O Death, Where Is Thy Sting?
28. Messiah: Part Three - 51. Chorus : But Thanks Be To God
29. Messiah: Part Three - 52. Air : If God Be For Us
30. Messiah: Part Three - 53. Chorus : Worthy Is The Lamb That Was Slain --- Amen

Amazon.com essential recording

This is a terrific performance of Messiah. Not only are the soloists all superb, but Trevor Pinnock completely contradicts the image of many period instrument performances as small-scale, scrappy affairs. Indeed, he invests the choruses with as much genuine Handelian pomp as Beecham at his most extravagant. The trumpets really blaze, and the timpani thunder, and everyone simply has a great time. A joyous performance, just right for the holiday season. --David Hurwitz

Amazon.com

Trevor Pinnock meets with mixed success in this account of the Messiah with the English Concert & Choir and soloists Arleen Auger, Anne Sofie von Otter, Michael Chance, Howard Crook, and John Tomlinson, recorded and released in 1988. Its strengths are the strengths of the early-music movement in general. The size and distribution of the instrumental and vocal forces are optimal, which means that textures are clear and balances apt. Rhythms are nicely pointed, though often, in Pinnock's case, not quite well enough sprung. Tempos are well chosen; for example, "All we like sheep"--which turns out to be one of the set's best numbers--is a real bourré, and Pinnock animates it in just the right way. But the performance often seems workmanlike and unemotional, weighed down in too many instances by the humdrum work of the chorus. The alto section in particular, which is half male and half female, sings timidly and is constantly swallowing its entrances. Bass soloist John Tomlinson is a further drag on the effort. He has the right idea--that there's an Italian opera hiding behind all this biblical imagery--but his cottony sound is out of place, a misguided attempt to mimic Nicolai Ghiaurov. His usable range is less than a tenth (he croaks the low G's and F-sharps), and his diction is horrible. "Thus spake the Lord" is strangled, and when, in "The trumpet shall sound" Tomlinson gets to the words "we shall be changed," one can't help wishing that he had been changed too, right before the sessions started. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

Ladies & gentleman: The Lord'n Savior, God Almighty.......2007-06-13

Handel's Messiah is my favorite piece of classical music. Of the two versions that I had I only have left this one, and it is not the best (the other had been a cheap recording whose author's name I forgot too). This version seems to lack a little enthusiasm from the voices; too melancholic. Anyway, this is the first review of any music that I write, and probably will be the last too, so I just want to leave my impression of how I feel when I hear these solemn and heavenly sounds. One feels so raised to the heavenlies... I can almost sense the presence of the Lord Almighty up yonder among the clouds, and me being carried in solemnity to meet Him. Far away are the buzzing sounds of earthly chores. The air is fresh and clean as we are raised above the valleys, and we come to meet God's elected amid the singing, stronger and stronger. Jubilant, bathed in the glorious rays of the Savior's Light, we come together and sing: Glory to God, glory to God, praise and glory for He is coming...

So Fashionable, and So Disappointing.......2007-02-01

This would be a great 21st Century Reader's Digest version of Messiah, if such a thing existed any more. Handel did as much as he could, but really, the performers still have to do something besides posture, which, by the way, seems to me to characterize many performances these days. Fashionable, but musically deficient.

Specifically: John Tomlinson sings like he thinks he IS God, instead of singing about Him. Heavy, cumbersome, and overblown. May I add boorish?

Arleen Auger has a very sweet voice. And??

Despite the program notes insisting that certain segments of this Messiah are given to "the contralto", Anne Sofie von Otter is NOT a contralto. Not even close.

The male alto can barely sustain a legato line - why he insists upon throwing in those complicated, badly-performed embellishments I can't figure. Well, I can, but I'd really rather not say.

Wake up, choristers!! It's 'For Unto Us A Child Is Born," not "Oy, I have to go to the grocery store today."

Boy do I regret having spent almost $40 on this one. Thank goodness I have the Colin Davis to console me.

A nice combination of period nad tradiitonal.......2006-12-17

This 1988 recording sits between the euqally English, euqally period-ifnluenced Hogwood and Garidner. Of the three, Hogwood sounds more 'authentic' because it uses boys in the chorus and singers schooled period practice. By comparison, Pinnock's soprano, Arleen Auger, and mozeeo, Von Otter, are essentially modern singers--gorgeous ones, of course, Gardiner is far more anemic in his conducting and uses a scrwny-sounding orchestra, so if that's more authentic, so be it. Of the three, Pinnock gives us more traditional music values in his emotional expression and instrumental timbres.

The competiiton is mushc stiffer now than in 1988, but Pinnock's reading has survived the test of time. He is not a genuinely inspired conductor--sadly, Messiah has become a cottage industry that excludes most big-name talents--but neither are Gardiner and Hogwood. (For sheer musicality, I tend to put my money on Andrew Parrott, Robert King, Marc Minkowski, Niklaus Harnoncourt, and Rene Jacobs.) But he's certainly good eough. The reason I haven't given five stars is that the male soloists aren't first-rate, and in particular the Wotan voice of John Tomlinson sounds cavernous in the bass arias. Add to that Pinnock's tendency toward tepidness, and what you end up with is a very good but not great performance.

Wait! Before you buy..........2006-05-28

... This Messiah has recently been re-released at a much cheaper price. Go back and look for the DG "The Originals" release, which is being sold new for under $12.

La mas bella y fidedigna interpretacion que se pueda obtener.......2004-12-29

Soy uno de los mas fanaticos seguidores de Handel y de su obra El Mesias... He escuchado muchas versiones de esta genial e impresionante obra del maestro Handel y, sencillamente no me queda mas que recomendar esta interpretacion, bajo la batuta del maestro Trevor Pinnock. Se nota la exigencia con que esta version se interpreto, dentro el contexto del arte barroco y la magnificencia de la pronunciacion del ingles de la epoca. La orquesta se luce impresionantemente desde la obertura... y le da a cada movimiento, toda aquella fuerza y a la vez delicadeza requerida en el sentimiento que aplica en cada uno de los textos biblicos escogidos por el guionista Jennens. El Coro del English Concert es arrebatador y demuestra maestria en la interpretacion de cada una de las arias que le corresponde. La soprano Arleen Auger, la puedo definir como un angel cantando y resulta ser una caricia a los oidos, a la vez que es capaz de arrancarle a uno las lagrimas por lo excelso de su magia interpretativa. El tenor Crook, aunque no es un tenor con tesitura para canto barroco, es realmente habil y agil al momento de interpretar los melismas caracteristicos de este brillante periodo musical. El contratenor Michael Chance, es fenomenal y quiera Dios que yo tenga el honor de conocer a este genio del canto: "But who may abide..." interpretado por Chance en esta version, es como para caer en extasis. La contralto Anne Sophie von Otter..., tiene una voz oscura y redondeada..., tambien resulta una caricia a los oidos y su "If God be for us..." es desbordante, capaz tambien de hacerle a uno derramar lagrimas por su belleza interpretativa. El bajo Tomlinson..., es barbaro!!! (Soy bajo-baritono en el Coro de la Orquesta Sinfonica Nacional de Costa Rica...) A pesar de su voz tan oscura, es tremendamente agil cuando le toca cantar los melismas y es genial al alcanzar la tonalidad brillante en las partes de notas altas y agudas...; por ejemplo: "The people that walked in darkness..." y "Why do the nations..." Tengo seis años de experiencia, interpretando musica coral y tengo que decir que espere esos seis años, desde 1999, para felizmente cantar esta obra "El Mesias". Ha sido fantastico finalmente lograr este objetivo..., la espera valio la pena y debo admitir que mi inspiracion ha sido sin duda alguna, la version que puede usted encontrar en este disco compacto. Doy gracias a todos los que intervinieron en esta grabacion (al maestro Trevor Pinnock, al English Concert and Choir y a los solistas ya mencionados), en nombre mio y en nombre del maestro Handel.

Average customer rating: Classic - Hold the Chills Packed with creepy stuff A real work-out for your system...... Great stuff!

Chiller Manufacturer: Telarc ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Berlioz | Berlioz, Hector | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Grieg, Edvard | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Herrmann | Herrmann, Bernard | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mussorgsky | Mussorgsky, Modest | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mancini | Mancini, Henry | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Waxman | Waxman, Franz | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Character Pieces | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Tone Poems | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Cincinnati Pops | ( C ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music Orchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | 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 All Bargain Titles | Easy Listening | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Soundtracks | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Classics from the Crypt Scary Music Fright Night: Music that Goes Bump in the Night Time Warp Very Scary Music: Classic Horror Themes ASIN: B000003CVF Release Date: 1989-08-10

Tracks:

1. Opening Sequence
2. Overture To The Phantom Of The Opera
3. Night On Bald Mountain
4. Danse Macabre
5. March To The Scaffold From Symphonie Fantastique
6. Pandemonium From The Damnation Of Faust
7. In The Hall Of The Mountain King From Peer Gynt
8. Synthesizer Effects
9. Theme From The Twilight Zone
10. 12,000 Volts
11. 1. Prelude/2. Minuet/3. Pastorale & March
12. Sleigh Ride From The Devil And Daniel Webster
13. Prelude
14. The Mad House
15. Murder
16. Overture To Sleuth
17. Television Noise
18. The Light From Poltergeist
19. Super Sleuth From Without A Clue
20. Funeral March Of A Marionette

Customer Reviews:

Classic - Hold the Chills.......2006-06-25

This is a fine collection of mostly classical themes.
Some of them have nice creepy moments, but on the whole, it's just some solid music. Not something to buy if you want really "spooky" music, but worthwhile for some interesting listening.

Packed with creepy stuff.......2000-12-16

This is an awesome album. It starts off with thunder crashing, running footsteps, a gate creaking, the wind howling, a cat screeching, a door opening, a woman crying that she needs help....and then SCREAMING! And then straight into track 2, the overture to 'The Phantom of the Opera'. Wow! The rest of the cd also features 'creepy' music from various sources, such as Alfred Hitchcock films, like Psycho, various classic works like Rimsky-Korsakov's 'Night on Bald Mountain', and also some other creepy sound effects. A good album not only for Halloween but I dare you to listen to it during a dark night with a thunderstorm raging outside.

A real work-out for your system.............1999-12-11

I've owned the "Chiller" CD since it's release in '89. At the time, I was working for a local Audio/Video/Music dealer, and was looking for 'demo' CD's containing not necessarily heavy bass, but ones displaying incredible dynamic range, and sharp transient peaks. I already owned a copy of "Time Warp", also on Telarc, and was intrigued when I read about "Chiller. Needless to say, I was extremely pleased with this disc. Not only did I get a disc containing some great treatments of classics, but the re-make of the "Psycho" suite is wonderful (the shower sequence is very faithful to the original)! A word of warning.....the dynamic range of this disc is not to be underestimated.....I drove an older amplifier into thermal shutdown VERY quickly with track #1. I haven't tried it since I've upgraded my home system....hmmm....might have to scare the neighbors tonight (or at least rattle a few dental fillings)!

Great stuff!.......1999-10-09

This CD contains tons of great classic Halloween tunes. Even though the names might sound unfamiliar, you probably know most of the music on here through cultural osmosis. Heck, it's worth it just for "Funeral March of a Marionette" (the Alfred Hitchcock show theme.)

Average customer rating: 60's pop I Can't Stop Playing This CD!!! Good First Effort... California sunshine distilled into intelligent pop songs Surprisingly great debut

Kind of Light The 88 Manufacturer: Mootron Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Over and Over The Coast Is Never Clear Loneliness Knows My Name Costello Music Oh No ASIN: B00009B8F3 Release Date: 2003-06-03

Tracks:

1. All the Same
2. Afterlife
3. Elbow Blues
4. How Good It Can Be
5. Kind of Light
6. No Use Left for Me
7. God Is Coming
8. Hate Me
9. I'm a Man
10. Melting in the Sun
11. Sunday Afternoon
12. Something Had Me Good
13. Hard to Be You

Customer Reviews:

60's pop .......2007-02-10

Oh no..this should be 3 stars...Amazon won't let me change it and I have submitted already...Oh well read away and you will see what I think...

I hear a definate Beatles influence, especially in their choruses - more so than The Kinks. Each song has new and interesting ideas that keep you intrigued with what starts as straight forward power pop twisted mid way into psychadelic pop bliss. Recommended for lovers of Wilco (I really hear Summerteeth similarities here), The Flaming Lips (in the choruses and Track 2, Afterlife), Brendan Benson, Beulah and The Elephant 6 collective.

I Can't Stop Playing This CD!!!.......2006-08-31

I've been listening to this CD constantly. It's absolutely addictive. They have such a cool, unique sound. I don't agree with some reviews comparing them to The Kinks. I think they are totally unique. I can't compare them to anyone else, really. They just have their own sound. And it's GREAT!

Good First Effort..........2006-03-01

This CD is a good effort by an up and coming LA band. A lot of the songs are similar in style, but that doesn't make them bad. This is a good, upbeat CD. The last song,'Hard To Be You' is reminiscent of the Beatles. Other songs will have you asking yourself, "Who do these guys sound like". It's not my favorite, but it's pretty good.

California sunshine distilled into intelligent pop songs.......2004-07-24

This is an excerpt from my review for Scoot! Quarterly Magazine:

The 88 was voted Best Pop/Rock Band by LA Weekly and I can see why. The album reminds me of a long summer weekend I spent in Venice Beach and the resulting rooftop party. The 88 sounds as if it has distilled whatever SoCal sunshine has been reverberating since 1960 into a solid collection of catchy rock and roll. Yet, the sunshine doesn't render it pop fluff. I imagine a youthful Ray Davies transplanted to a funky beach bungalow. Songwriter and lead singer Keith Slettedahl even sounds a bit like the Kinks' front man and utilizes bits of slide guitar and melodious vocals reminiscent of what made the Kinks stand apart from their peers. This is especially evident in the song No Use Left For Me, which deftly incorporates an accordion. My favorite song is Sunday Afternoon (not to be confused with the Kink's Sunny Afternoon) which can turn any car into a virtual Chevy Malibu convertible. I defy you not to sing along...even if its lyrics mention both God and prostitutes.

Surprisingly great debut.......2003-12-21

This really is a fantastic CD. There's a pretty major Kinks (circa Something Else)influence hanging over Kind of Light and the lead singer can sound eerily like Ray Davies at times. It'll be a shame if it gets lost in the shuffle due to lack of publicity. Possibly one of the best of 2003.

Average customer rating: Certainly elusive, but worthy? Decent, But It's Just Not Enough Not for the average listener At long last -- the "Crossroads" duel! Heartless Fretboard Magic

Elusive Light & Sound 1 Steve Vai Manufacturer: Favored Nations ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock Guitarists | Rock | Styles | Music Shred | Rock Guitarists | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Rock Guitarists | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Crossroads: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Crossroads The 7th Song: Enchanting Guitar Melodies - Archive Sex & Religion Fire Garden ASIN: B000066AZS Release Date: 2002-06-04

Customer Reviews:

Certainly elusive, but worthy?.......2006-07-22

Just had to pick this album up after seeing Vai blaze away as the devils own six stringer in Crossroads, an otherwise horrid jumble of a movie. And you know what? It's actually pretty good in places.

What holds this release back is the fact that it's just a bunch of utterly unconnected snippets of music, I mean it's one CD and yet it has 40 tracks on it which should give you an idea of the length of many of the pieces. Beyond that there is also the fact that with such short tunes there isn't exactly much foom for development or for the release to hold together as more than the sum of its' parts. Of course if you've actually seen some of these films then you may (or may not) get more out of it depending on your impressions of the films.

On the positive side is the undoubted talent of Mr Vai himself. Having seen him live I can attest to the fact that he can pull all this off in a live setting too which increases the esteem in which I hold him. Of course it's two different things to be a great musician and to be able to write great music.....

This is a neat little grab bag of cool tracks, cameos and curiosities and for the casual rock fan is utterly dispensable. For guitar/shred fans this is probably not a bad buy and for Vai devotees it's probably required listening to fill in the blanks in your collection, especially as some of the tracks here didn't make the soundtrack albums of some of the movies this stuff is from.

Just to close off this review, the flims these tracks are from or inspired by are;

Crossroads, Dudes, Bill & Teds Bogus Journey, Encino Man and PCU.

Decent, But It's Just Not Enough.......2006-01-03

This Steve Vai compilation has songs from and inspired by movies includin Encino Man and Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey. Steve is an amazing guitar player and it really shows on this disc. Possibly the best songs are the first two. They are a cover of Celluloid Heroes by the Kinks, and Love Blood. Also his version of Amazing Grace is beautiful and will bring a tear to your eye. Fans of Joe Satriani and Eric Johnson will like this cd.

Not for the average listener.......2005-07-29

This CD contains hard to find Vai treasures that any Vai fan should have. Notice I say fan, i say this because if you just "like some of Vai's music" then you may not like this CD, you should buy an actual album of his instead. The first two previously unreleased tracks are okay. Celluloid Heroes is light and Love Blood is heavy. My only dissapointment with the two tracks is that he sings on them. Tracks 3-6 from Crossroads are great, Steve Vai and Ry Cooder do excellent guitar work on these blues based tracks. Tracks 7 & 8 are nothing special, but an alright listen. Tracks 9-16 from Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey are very fun guitar tracks and contain great, but also wierd (air guitar hell), songs. Tracks 17-18 from Encino Man sound very alike but both of them are really good guitar tracks and all around cool rock tracks. Tracks 19-40 are where you might want to stop listening. These songs are (mostly) very short and pointless, there's nothing much to see here. Some of the tracks contain really cool little guitar solos, but other than that you can just stop after track 18. So, if you're a Vai fan then you will probably not be dissapointed with this CD, if you are just getting into Vai or not a "fan" then you might wanna pass this one up.

At long last -- the "Crossroads" duel!.......2004-08-24

This one's worth it just for the "head-cuttin' duel" between "Jack Butler" and "Eugene Martone" from the "Crossroads" movie. The duel scene from "Crossroads" was my favorite part of the movie, and the music from the duel was not included in the original soundtrack. So after nearly 20 years, the duel finally makes it to CD.

Heartless Fretboard Magic.......2004-04-22

Frank Zappa once called Steve Vai "The master of impossible guitar parts." Occasionally on this haphazard collection Vai proves he has incredible technical ability and virtousic chops. His rendition of a Mozart piece(taken from the movie Crossroads)is as transcendent as Jimmy Paige's version of "Greensleaves". Unfortunately Vai's strengths turn out to be his greatest weaknesses, hes a wicked guitarist but not much of a musician, Example: The first two tracks he tries his hand at singing......in other words you might want to pass those up. Most of the time his playing has the air of an athlete showing all the girls how much he can bench press rather then a musician making a statement.

Melodies are rare in Vai's world and he attempts to blind with speed rather then bare his heart. In conclusion Vai could learn some lessons from one of his own songs, "Celluloid Heroes"

Rock Music:

1. The World of Italia Amore Mio [Import]
2. This Day This Means [Import]
3. 'Tit Galop Pour Mamou
4. Together as One [Import]
5. Tranquility Gold: Best Of [Import]
6. Traveler '03
7. Tribal Groove
8. Tu [Import]
9. Une Historie d'Amour [Import]
10. Vodou Adjae

Rock Music

rock music

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Handshakes for Bullets [Import]

Heartbreak Hotel [CD-single]

I Miei Successi [Import]

Greatest Hits [Import]

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Formative Years [Import]

Espejos Del Alma

Eternamente 16 Grandes Exitos

Worl-A-Girl

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