My Claim

Track Listings

1. Method to Madness

2. Giddy Up

3. Skywalker's Here

4. Pimp Skit

5. Pimped Out

6. No Escape

7. O.D.E. - Tame One, Y@K Ballz

8. Gulliest

9. Queens Life

10. Nerd Wars

11. My Claim

12. Moving on...

13. Spy on You

14. Drill

15. Above and Beyond

My Claim,Y@K Ballz,Eastern Conference,Pop,Rap,Rap & Hip-Hop

My Claim

Customer Reviews:

It's wonderful to have Bernstein back, but the performances fall short.......2006-11-26

These 1953 mono recordings catch Bernstein a decade after his famous debut with the NY Phil. and five years before he became their youngest-ever condcutor. It's great to hear that warm, comforting voice again, although his analyses--especially the longest one devoted to the Brahms Fourth--aren't as polished as they would become. He gets pedagogical at times and runs us through a rote example-and-explanation formula. Even then, howeer, colorful Bernstein touches peek out, and we are reminded of the man who taught an entire generation to venerate classical music.

For me, the performances themselves fall short. They were often recorded in a rush, sometimes late at night after a summer concert. I know that the Stadium Sym. is actually the NY Phil., but they don't sound particularly fine, and Bernstein's interpreatations, though vigorous, often border on the slapdash. Plowing through Beethoven's 3rd, Dvorak's 9th, Schumann's 2nd, Brahms' 4th and Tchaikovsky's 6th, I found few sparks of originaity, much less genius. This is a tough admission from one of LB's geat admirers, but there you are. The original recorded sound is also a bit thin and harsh.

Come back Lennie, we need you.......2006-02-22

This box is worth its price just for the five talks. Bernstein at this stage had a teaching style rather more stilted than the chatty sage of later years, but the combination of authority, insight and infectious enthusiasm is unique. Entertainingly offhand about the New World, he's at his best on the music he reveres most, i.e. Beethoven, Schumann, and Brahms, the first movement of whose Fourth Symphony gets a particularly in-depth analysis that left me yearning for more. Practically anyone could enjoy and learn from these talks - they're fascinating fun without a whiff of down-dumbing. When the classical and the popular cross over nowadays, the results are usually compromised and crass, but with Bernstein there doesn't even seem to be a gap to be crossed over - just a passion to share these wonders with as many people as possible. We need his all-embracing talent and vision today more than ever.

Then there are the performances. I'm not the biggest fan of mono symphonic recordings, but these positively leap down your ears, unmannered, committed and electric. It's hard to believe what was achieved under the hasty recording conditions described in the booklet. The sound is a little fierce, but good enough to make this set a wonderful gift for any open-minded but symphonically ignorant acquaintance. I can easily imagine it turning someone on to classical music.

For Bernstein enthusiasts, it's like owning a gold mine.......2005-06-19

This new album set is something that I had heard of, but never dared to hope would be released on CD. It consists of Leonard Bernstein's very first recordings of Beethoven's Symphony No. 3 (the "Eroica"), Dvorak's "New World Symphony", Schumann's Symphony No. 2, Brahms' Fourth Symphony, and Tchaikovsky's "Pathetique" Symphony. They are all conducted by Bernstein and played beautifully by an orchestra which bills itself as the New York Stadium Symphony Orchestra, but which is really the great New York Philharmonic, using the name that they gave themselves during summer concerts.

The performances are a revelation, because they demonstrate conclusively that Bernstein did not always "exaggerate" or "overinterpret" great music, as critics frequently claim. His performances here are very, very direct and straightforward, more like Fritz Reiner or Toscanini than like Bernstein.

If this album contained only Bernstein's early performances of these symphonies, it would be interesting, but it might not really attract that much attention, since he re-recorded all of these pieces in stereo in later years, and with the same orchestra.

What makes this set so valuable is that it contains his long out-of-print lectures on these symphonies, and far from what the previous reviewer claims, they never become boring and monotonous. No musician in our time, or maybe even in the history of music, was a better or more articulate and sensitive lecturer on music than Leonard Bernstein. His legendary appearances on the "Young People's Concerts" did more for the appreciation of classical music than all the "Beethoven's Wig" albums combined. (If you don't know what "Beethoven's Wig" is, check it out and shudder at how far music appreciation has fallen since Bernstein's death.)

Bernstein had a unique ability to make classical music accessible to everybody, without ever condescending to the listener or cheapening the music. His lectures on this album, previously only available to 1950's Book of the Month Subscribers (except for part of the Beethoven lecture, which is the only one that Bernstein did re-record in stereo), are invaluable both to music students and to those who are willing to listen. All of the lectures included cover all four movements of the symphonies discussed, except for the Brahms; that one is just as extensive as the others, but it covers only the first movement of the symphony.

However--be warned, the lectures do have a flaw that the symphonies themselves do not, and that is why I have subtracted one star.

The symphony recordings are obviously remastered from magnetic tape, but the lectures have been transferred from LP's. Thus, you will be able to hear an occasional click or pop from time to time, and there is a clearly audible "skip" on the Brahms lecture. It is NOT the CD being defective, or the laser beam on your player skipping; it is clearly the lecture recordings themselves. Deutsche Grammophon, which released this CD set, is very honest about the source of the transfers to compact disc, and is to be commended for this. (They mention it in the last page of the accompanying booklet.) But this shouldn't deter anybody from buying this enormously important Bernstein set.

Bernstein's Early American Recordings.......2005-04-02

The most recent batch of DG's "Original Masters" box sets boasts several titles that will leave classical collectors rejoicing, "Leonard Bernstein: The 1953 American Decca Recordings" foremost among them. This 5CD set features Lenny in his earliest recorded performances of some of his trademark works -- Beethoven's 3rd, Dvorak's 9th, Schumann's 2nd, Brahms' 4th and Tchaikovsky's 6th Symphonies. Bernstein would later re-record all of five these symphonies with the NYPO (btw, the Stadium Symphony Orchestra of New York IS the NYPO) to greater acclaim for Columbia, but these early accounts capture a brilliant young conductor at the threshold of greatness. Also after each performance, Bernstein offers a musical analysis, simplifying what the listener just heard as only he could, which is again something the conductor would become famous for in years to come. Well then, if this is such a great set, why the four-star rating? First, while the performances sound very good, these are 1953 mono recordings and the casual fan needs to be aware that analog and digital stereo recordings of these works by the conductor do exist, and are generally preferable. Second, the musical analysis is a nice touch, but certainly does not warrant repeated listenings, as does the music. In fact, nearly half of the contents of these five discs is LB talking, and it could have been filled with music instead, or simply sold as a less expensive 3CD set. However, these shortcomings aside, "Leonard Bernstein: The 1953 American Decca Recordings" is another outstanding release in a fine series.

Average customer rating:

Wack Ballz
Y@k Ballz "My Claim" Review
Yak It Up
MY CLAIM
Great Lyricist

My Claim
Y@K Ballz
Manufacturer: Eastern Conference
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
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The High Exhaulted

ASIN: B0001DMUEU
Release Date: 2004-02-24

Tracks:

Method to Madness
Giddy Up
Skywalker's Here
Pimp Skit
Pimped Out
No Escape
O.D.E. - Tame One, Y@K Ballz
Gulliest
Queens Life
Nerd Wars
My Claim
Moving on...
Spy on You
Drill
Above and Beyond

Customer Reviews:

Wack Ballz.......2006-06-20

I recently saw Yak open for Mr. Lif in Philly and my friend and I couldn't believe how aweful the lyrics where. Yak's voice is not for everyone, and his delivery and flow are skillful, but he was spitting about the most moronic stuff I've heard in a while. Lines referring to "sipping on" alcohol and "not giving a #@!$" were thematic of his whole attitude---he was preoccupied with conveying some measure of 'badness' (he probably mentioned his 'crew' about 20 times) and completely negating the opportunity to rap about something culturally clever, conceptual, socially-engaged, et cetera. He seems like the kind of guy who hangs out with people who start fights and have pencil-thin mustaches/flat-brimmed baseball caps. I was embarassed for him, by him, and wished desperately that he'd stop rubbing his pinky finger against his pectorals in that stroke-victim/hood-rat gesturing sort of way. I can't believe Def Jux associates themselves with him...

Y@k Ballz "My Claim" Review.......2005-10-17

First off Yak isnt white...he is Iranian... of course that doesnt make to much of a difference to me he is the dopest m.c on the planet!!!!!!But for all those that are used to Y@ks freestyles and all his earlier realeases like "Where my dogs at" and "True City Killers" his subject matter was alot more fun and imaginative than his debut big release "My Claim" not to say "My Claim" was wack...far from it...its definitly a must have for any Y@k Ballz or Weathermen fan....Its jus that Y@k went threw a evolution and you can tell that he went from the hardcare backpacker to where he has losend up the bcakpacking straps and has more of a bar sipping pimped out approach to life and he expresses that with his rymes in "My Claim"...to be honest id put him up against any m.c

He is the dopest m.c on the planet right now bar none.The only way I could describe him is a Persian Camron mixed with a bit of MF Doom.

enjoy

Yak It Up.......2004-08-17

Yak Ballz isn't your typical mc. Hell, Yak Ballz isn't your typical mc from Queens, either. For one, he's white, and for two, he rhymes with a very thick (almost kool g rap-esque) lisp. His voice is kinda odd, but it sticks in your craw and works well (except when he's trying to scream wack-ass choruses, as on "Nerd Wars"). His rhymes are occasainally clever, always well put, and his flow is above average. The beats on this record (produced all in house by Mondee and Mighty Mi) are mostly incredible (except on the terrible "The Gulliest" which has a bland beat posing as underground textures). "The Drill" is the obvious standout, along with the Camu Tao produced banger "No Escape". The previously mentioned "Nerd Wars" finds Yak experimenting with his flow (which happens all of three times on this record, but somehow, it doesn't seem TOO repitive), and Mondee producing a solid banger, but Yak insisting how much he "hates all you f*cking nerds." Blah, to say the least. Cage impresses on the untypical (for Cage, anyway) and bass heavy "Pimped Out", and Tame One pops up for some of that old-school tribute (...) on "O.D.E.". Yak Ballz does change up his topics (a great thing) on songs like "Spy On You", "The Queens Life", and the aforementioned "The Drill", giving you some insight into this very underground mc. Hopefully, his work with The Weathermen will be of this caliber, and I'm praying for at least a couple of those Mondee-type bangers.

MY CLAIM.......2004-04-04

Basicly in my opinion this album is avarage @ best. I liked Yak's singles from fondle em and def jux, and even his ish from The Conspiracy, but his 1st solo album just doesnt cut it. His flows are decent, but his voice just gets kinda annoying after awhile. My other complaint is on the beats, Mondee is an okay producer but his beats are typical for lack of a better word. Highlites are "Pimped Out" Ft. Cage, "Spy on You", and "O.D.E." Ft. Tame One. The rest of the album is easily forgetable, nothing amazing here. 3 dope tracks out of 15 = waste of money.

Great Lyricist.......2004-03-21

1.Method of Madness-this sounded awesome Rap-and Beat wise 10/10
2.Giddy Up-Sounded good 8/10
3.Skywalkers Theme-Sounds just awesome 10/10 Classical Music
5.Pimped Out f Cage,Bobby Atlas-Sounds Awesome 9/10
6.No Escape-Fresh Beats this one is tight 10/10
7.O.D.E. f Tame One-again fresh Beats great rapping 10/10
8.The Gulliest-rap on every song 10/10
9.Queens Life-Again tight Beats by Mondee & Mighty Mi 10/10
10.Nerd Wars-All underground Beats I need this album 10/10
11.My Claims-Tight 10/10
12.Moving On-THis Guy is awesome 10/10
13.Spy on you-great 10/10
14.The Drill-Ineed to rap with this guy this sonds like ice 10/10 All sick
15.Above and Beyond-sad awesome beat 10/10
The Outcome
Lyrics 10 Production 8 X Factor 6 Style 10 Voice 10 Music 10
Guest 10 Innovative 7 Classic 8 Blends in 10
wich is a 87 Borderline classic lower level 4.5 stars ****^

The Best Of James Wells: My Claim To Fame

Average customer rating:

VERY POOR QUALITY

The Best Of James Wells: My Claim To Fame
James Wells
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
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Bombers
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Rice & Beans Orchestra

ASIN: B000001QKC
Release Date: 1995-04-04

Tracks:

Double Dose Of Love
Baby I'm Still The Same Man
All I Ever Need Is Music
If You Lead Me Into Temptation
Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow
My Days Are Numbered
Never Let Go
My Claim To Fame
True Love Is My Destiny
That's The Way The Wind Blows
Explosion
R.S.V.P.
Mirror Image
Great Minds Think Alike
No Cure For Me

Customer Reviews:

VERY POOR QUALITY.......2005-11-21

While this is a "Bargain" CD it's really not worth the price.

The CD is mastered very poorly and the songs are all radio versions. There has yet to be a definitive CD on Mr. Wells and only "Hot" productions has released material on him.

Hot productions CD's tend to have very poor quality and as of late are releasing CD's that are transferred from vinyl!

Not worth the money.

Average customer rating:

phenominal if you can stand the slow tempo and English

Wagner Twilight Of The Gods

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000000AA5
Release Date: 1994-07-26

Tracks:

Introduction-You Drove The Game Away From Us
Mime Was A Hideous Dwarf
Brunnhilde! Holiest Bride!
Interlude-Siegfried's Funeral Procession
Was That His Horn?
Ah! If Siegfried Were Back!
Peace With Your Cries Of Useless Lament!
Sturdy Branches, Building His Pyre
The Sun In Radiance Shines From His Eyes
My Heritage I Claim From The Hero
Fly Home You Ravens!
Grane, My Horse!

Customer Reviews:

phenominal if you can stand the slow tempo and English.......2000-04-07

Opinion is very sharply divided on Reginald Goodall's Wagner conducting, people either find it revelatory or insufferable. I personally found it very difficult to listen with sustained attention to his complete Ring, but it was worth the effort. This issue presents only the last two scenes of Act III of Twilight of the Gods, but still takes a full hour under Goodall's direction. It is a studio performance and has fewer lapses in intonation than his live recording of the complete opera. The singing is excellent; Rita Hunter has a classic Brunnhilde voice and the rest of the cast is very strong too, although they require prodigious breath control to match Goodall's tempo. The orchestral playing is beautiful and many details in the woodwind, which often get buried elsewhere, are clearly heard. The finale, although again very slow, has crushing power. I first heard this recording on the Unicorn-Kanchana label, both on record and on cassette, and thought it had some of the best sound engineering ever for this music, it really is quite enthralling. For those who object to the translation of the original text into English, I would say that Wagner himself authorized the Ring to be performed on tour after the 1876 Bayreuth Festival (by Angelo Neimann as I recall) and the translation was approved if it meant the difference between getting his music performed or not. Andrew Porter's translation comes as close to the German text as possible in rhythm and word meaning; it does lack some poetic subtleties. The singers enunciate the English text well and for a change it is nice to hear and understand everything that is sung without a libretto. The documentation is very good too. Overall, this is a fine release, although it may not appeal to everyone.

Average customer rating:

Just Claim 'N My City

Manufacturer: Montana Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000GHLDX0

Product Description

11 Songs Canada Import 1. Pockets up n smoke 2. I give it all I got 3. Claimin my city 4. Pop gotta brand new funk 5. Respect 6. P(op) funk 7. And u don't stop 8. Pump it up 9. I think I picked a winner 10. Wide awake 11. Dedication

Average customer rating:

A Fine Example
Beware!!!
Excellent, excellent!
Excellent, excellent!
A true heart pleaser

Hymns Through the Ages

Manufacturer: Gothic Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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Praise to the Lord - Hymns From St. Paul's Cathedral
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ASIN: B000003J9D
Release Date: 1995-10-17

Tracks:

Christ Is Made The Sure Foundation
The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, Is Ended
Christ, Mighty Savior
Lo! He Comes, With Clouds Descending: Lo He Comes, With Clouds Descending
Ye Who Claim The Faith Of Jesus
Of The Father's Love Begotten
A Stable Lamp Is Lighted
Alleluia, Song Of Gladness
Cross Of Jesus, Cross Of Sorrow
There's A Wideness In God's Mercy
I Am The Bread Of Life
Lift Your Voice Rejoicing, Mary
The Head That Once Was Crowned With Thorns
King Of Glory, King Of Peace
Like The Murmur Of The Dove's Song
Father, We Thank Thee
Come, We That Love The Lord
O Love Of God, How Strong And True
I Want To Walk As A Child Of The Light
O Praise Ye The Lord
Holy Spirit, Ever Living
All My Hope On God Is Founded
O Day Of Peace

Customer Reviews:

A Fine Example.......2006-03-29

This has many wonderful examples of Anglican Hymnody performed by a lovely parish choir. I have recommended this to many musician friends, all whom have enjoyed it thoroughly. Of particular interest is Calvin Hampton's tune St. Helena set with the text "There's a Wideness In God's Mercy." This is rarely recorded, yet is regarded as one of the finest hymn tunes of the 20th century. It's a fine example of how the tune can dramatically shape the text. Compare this to the tune "Beecher" sometime and observe the profound difference in how the text comes to life.

Beware!!!.......2004-06-24

Although the perforamnces are reasonable, the other reviewers failed to warn potential buyers that the track "Jerusalem - And did those feet in ancient time" credited to Blake and Parry only uses Parry's music. Some genius in the mid 20th century decided he could improve upon Sir William Blake's inspirational poem and replaced his words with his own puerile rubbish - that (for some bizarre reason) is the version recorded here (hence the different track names in the listing).

Excellent, excellent!.......2002-08-23

This is a marvelous CD and the hymns are elegant and sumptiously performed. A must-have CD for home or for listening to in rush hour traffic.

Excellent, excellent!.......2002-08-23

This is a marvelous CD and the hymns are elegant and sumptiously performed. A must-have CD for home or for listening to in rush hour traffic.

A true heart pleaser.......2002-03-08

A truely fine collection of Episcopal/Anglican Church Hymns that have been nicely recorded by a 'fine' choir. It has been one of my favorite discs that I often replay!

Average customer rating:

Great Album Of Soulful Disco
A Classic Is Back In Stock And Better Than Ever!

My Claim to Fame
James Wells
Manufacturer: Hot Productions
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Disco | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

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Rice & Beans Orchestra

ASIN: B000001QVC
Release Date: 1994-12-01

Tracks:

My Claim To Fame
I Guess That's Life
That's The Way The Wind Blows
True Live Is My Destiny

Customer Reviews:

Great Album Of Soulful Disco.......2003-04-17

This album is solid from beginning to end. It's too bad that Hot Productions wasn't like Unidisc in including the 12" mixes like the previous reviewer noted. I was lucky enough to get an AVI compilation (called '54' or 'Studio 54' I believe) that had the 12" mix to 'True Love Is My Destiny' which sounds a tad better than this version for some reason. I don't know what the 12" mix sounds like for 'My Claim To Fame' so I can't comment on that. But despite that 'beef' of mine, this album is worth getting. All the cuts are well done and long. If you listen to the sample, you can tell there's one midtempo groover on the album. It's still a really good song and doesn't detract from the overall feel at all. Too bad this thing is out of print. If you find it used on CD or vinyl, it's highly recommended.

A Classic Is Back In Stock And Better Than Ever!.......2001-07-22

Continuing the momentum established by his stable of other artists (Seventh Avenue, Evelyn Thomas, Barbara Pennington, etc.)producer Ian Levine and fellow writer/arranger Fiachra Trench work their magic on Mr. James Wells. In a side note James Wells was NOT part of Mr. Levine's original cache of Chicago artists like Thomas, Pennington, and L.J. Johnson. This compact disc follows the "formula" popular at the time, high energy (120+ bpms), pre-mixed songs (blended together), catchy vocals, great instrumentation (actually played by musicians) and club length recordings. All this added up to a number one (on the dance charts) album. Of the four cuts on this offering the stand out hits were: "True Love Is My Destiny" and the title track "My Claim To Fame". Both of which were remixed on a 12" "club-only" release. This compact disc contains the longer versions and are digitally remastered (for that "clear as a bell sound"!). Unfortunately Mr. Wells follow up did not fair as well on the charts, perhaps due to the timing of the disco-backlash that started around 1980. However in the mid-1980's James (along with his wife, Susan) hit the british charts once again. Most notably with the smash "R.S.V.P.". A few 12" singles preceded and followed but as of the dawn of the 1990's Mr. Wells seems to have diasppeared from the musical landscape. Too bad that there's not a market today for such a talented performer, however through the magic of rereleasing and Hot Productions you can once again know what James Wells' "Claim To Fame" was!

Average customer rating:

TRACK LISTINGS

Explosion / My Claim to Fame [2 CD]

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000BZWAWU

Customer Reviews:

TRACK LISTINGS.......2005-11-06

"EXPLOSION"
1. Explosion
2. More To Me Than Meets The Eye
3. Double Dose Of Love
4. There's Nothing Sweeter Than Success
5. A Case Of Mistaken Identity
________________________________________________________________
"MY CLAIM TO FAME"
1. My Claim To Fame
2. I Guess That's Life
3. That's The Way The Wind Blows
4. True Live Is My Destiny

Soul Music:

Soul Music

soul music

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