P.A.I.N.

Track Listings

1. Intro

2. The Rain pt II

3. Life On These Lines

4. Let Me Tell Ya

5. Cold Dark Streets, feat Shelisa

6. Money, feat J-Money

7. 2-Nite, feat DJ Smoke

8. Hold Up

9. What I Stand 4, feat Nino, & Da Loop Clique

10. Get It, feat Down-n-Dirty

11. These Streets

12. Friend or Foe, feat CIG, & A-Wall

13. 4-U

14. Da Weed, feat JIE, Nino, & Silky

15. PAIN, feat B-Dubb

16. Whup 'Em, feat Da Prophet & A-Wall

17. 4 my Thug

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
The one and only Mr. Numbaz has returned with his 3rd release on D.T.O. records/ Blac Mafia Productions. P.A.I.N.-{PowerfullyAggravatedIrritatedNiggaz}, 17 tracs from some of the realest new underground rappers today. Produced, recorded, mixed & mastered by C.E.O. of D.T.O. records B-Dubb, this is possibly one of the hardest albums of the new year by the south's new underground hit-man 1504.

P.A.I.N.,1504,Bcd Music Group,Pop,Rap,Rap & Hip-Hop,Some of the hardest new gangsta shit of the year...., deep down south style.

P.A.I.N.

Tracks:

The A-Team - Nic Raine
The Addams Family - Nic Raine
The Adventures Of Robinson Crusoe - Nic Raine
Airwolf - Derek Wadsworth
The Avengers - Mike Townend
Barnaby Jones - Jerry Goldsmith
Batman - Nic Raine
Battlestar Galactica - Nic Raine
Baywatch - Derek Wadsworth
Beverly Hills 90210 - Derek Wadsworth
Bewitched - Nic Raine
Between The Lines - Mark Ayres
The Bill - Nic Raine
Bonanza - The Philharmonia Orchestra
Brideshead Revisited - Derek Wadsworth
Buck Rogers In The 25th Century - Nic Raine
Burke's Law - Derek Wadsworth
Cagney And Lacey - Derek Wadsworth
Captain Scarlet And The Mysterons - Mark Ayres
Casualty - Mark Ayres
Cheers - Mark Ayres
Dallas - Nic Raine
Dangerman (Secret Agent) - Mike Townend
Doctor Who - Mark Ayres
Doctor Kildare - Jerry Goldsmith

Tracks:

Doogie Howser, M.D. - Derek Wadsworth
Dynasty - Nic Raine
The Equalizer - Derek Wadsworth
Falcon Crest - Derek Wadsworth
Fireball XL-5 - Derek Wadsworth
The Fugitive - Nic Raine
Hawaii 5-0 - Mike Townend
Hercules: The Legendary Journeys - Nic Raine
The High Chaparral - Nic Raine
Highway To Heaven - Derek Wadsworth
Hill Street Blues - Derek Wadsworth
The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy - Mark Ayres
The Incredible Hulk - Derek Wadsworth
Jason King - Mike Townend
Jesus Of Nazareth - Paul Bateman
Joe 90 - Derek Wadsworth
Johnny Staccato - Derek Wadsworth
Knight Rider - Derek Wadsworth
Kojak - Mike Townend
L.A. Law - Derek Wadsworth
Land Of The Giants - Nic Raine
Little House On The Prairie - Derek Wadsworth
Lonesome Dove - Nic Raine
Lost In Space - Nic Raine
Lou Grant - Derek Wadsworth

Tracks:

Magnum, P.I. - Derek Wadsworth
A Man Called Ironside - Mike Townend
The Man From U.N.C.L.E. - Derek Wadsworth
M*A*S*H - Nic Raine
Miami Vice - Mark Ayres
Mike Hammer - Derek Wadsworth
Mission Impossible - Mike Townend
Monty Python's Flying Circus - Nic Raine
The Munsters - Derek Wadsworth
Murder She Wrote - Derek Wadsworth
Newhart - Derek Wadsworth
North And South - Derek Wadsworth
Northern Exposure - Derek Wadsworth
NYPD Blue - Mark Ayres
The Outer Limits - Nic Raine
Perry Mason - Mike Townend
The Persuaders - Mark Ayres
Peter Gunn - Mike Townend
Police Squad - Nic Raine
The Prisoner - Mike Townend
Quantum Leap - Derek Wadsworth
Randall And Hopkirk (Deceased) - Mike Townend
Red Dwarf - Mark Lambert
The Rockford Files - Mike Post
Roseanne - Dan Foliart

Tracks:

The Saint - Mike Townend
Seaquest DSV - Nic Raine
Space 1999 - Derek Wadsworth
Star Trek - Mike Townend
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Derek Wadsworth
Star Trek: Voyager - Nic Raine
St. Elsewhere - Derek Wadsworth
The Streets Of San Francisco - Nic Raine
Stingray - Barry Gray
Taxi - Derek Wadsworth
Thunderbirds - Derek Wadsworth
Thirty Something - Derek Wadsworth
The Time Tunnel - Nic Raine
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy - The Philharmonia Orchestra
The Twighlight Zone - Nic Raine
Twin Peaks - Derek Wadsworth
U.F.O. - Derek Wadsworth
The Virginian - Nic Raine
Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea - Nic Raine
Wagon Train - Paul Bateman
The Waltons - Jerry Goldsmith
The Wild Wild West - Derek Wadsworth
Young Riders - John Debney
Xena: The Warrior Princess - Paul Bateman
The X-Files - Mark Ayres

Customer Reviews:

Two tracks I really like.......2007-07-21

The Mission Impossible theme is performed well.
The Fireball theme is actually much improved on this version. I prefer the orchestra and the vocals over the original.

Quantity Over Quality.......2007-01-15

As a musician myself, I know too well that one of the most important ingredients in ANY performance (live or recorded) is passion. The recordings here generally lack the same passion and sheer drama of the originals. Much of the instrumentation has been reduced to a cheezy, thin, plastic synthesized replica. The performances are simply a watered-down lackluster version of the classic originals. If it were not for the sheer volume of tracks compiled here, I would have rated the comp only "one star".

Mediocre.......2006-05-17

The sound quality for this collection isn't much better than the samples offered by Amazon.

One Hundred Greatest TV Themes.......2005-08-06

I have watched almost all the shows that are on these 4 cd's. Many were made before I started watching TV. Most I've seen once or twice before.

Pretty close to original recordings.......2005-07-24

Definitely not as good as the originals. You'll probably notice the slight differences since it's stuff you saw and listened to every week or everyday in reruns growing up, but it's still an amazing collection.

Average customer rating:

Another great trip down the MFU memory lane
The best of the three Double CDs ORIGINAL soundtrack release

The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Vol. 2

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

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Vol. 3
Man from U.N.C.L.E.
The Saint/Secret Agent
Honey West

ASIN: B0006SSQ7U
Release Date: 2005-01-04

Tracks:

First Season End Title
Vulcan Affair (Suite No. 2)
Iowa-Scuba Affair
Shark Affair
Deadly Games Affair (Suite No. 2)
Meet Mr. Solo
Giuoco Piano Affair
King of Knaves Affair: Suite No. 2
First Season Main Title [Revised]
Deadly Decoy Affair
Spy With My Face
Second Season Main Title
Alexander the Greater Affair
Ultimate Computer Affair
Very Important Zombie Affair
Dippy Blonde Affair
Seadly Goddess Afair
Moonglow Affair

Tracks:

One of Our Spies Is Missing
Third Season Main Title
Sort of Do-It-Youself Dreadful Affair
Galatea Affair
Pop Art Affair
Come With Me to the Casbah Affair
Off-Broadway Affair
Concrete Overcoat Affair
Napoleon's Tomb Affair
Alternate Fourth Season Main Title
Fourth Season (End Title)
Test Tube Killer Affair
Prince of Darkness Affair
Seven Wonders of the World Affair

Customer Reviews:

Another great trip down the MFU memory lane.......2005-10-19

Volume 2 (comprised of 2 CDs) is another first rate compilation of the series' original music and not to be missed by U.N.C.L.E. fans. The liner notes are wonderful and add a lot to ones appreciation of the music.

My only problem is that THE CDs ARE COPY PROTECTED! Considerable work is needed to get the music onto your iPod, if you really want the music in your mp3 collection. This is a major hassle and a surprise, since the first set in the series was not copy protected.

The best of the three Double CDs ORIGINAL soundtrack release.......2005-07-12

Many of us have always thought The Man From UNCLE had the best music for a TV series ever, and this three double CD release confirms this. Wow! I'd be just happy with one CD, but having SIX (three double CDs packages) is absolutely out of this world, I mean, a lifetime wait come true.

Indeed, this is an unbelievable collection of three double CDs packages with the complete series soundtrack, and I mean the complete music, not a tune is missing.

And this is the ORIGINAL Man From Uncle music. Let me stress the point: this is the four years ORIGINAL soundtrack with the original recordings as they were heard throughout the series, not a no-name orchestra doing personal versions of the stuff. The audio transfer is very, very good, the music from late episodes is even in stereo.

Each individual CD carries over 70 minutes of music. All in all there you have the four TV seasons main titles and all, absolutely all of TMFU unforgetable music.

This is not a chronological release, meaning, all CDs have a mix of music from all four TV seasons. Volume 1 is heavier on early TV seasons stuff, fans of Jerry Goldsmith will love it. Those of us who prefer what Gerald Fried and later Richard Shores did with TMFU music, then volume 2 is mandatory. If you are a fan, you can't miss any of these six CDs. However if buying all three double packages is too much for you, you must go with Volume 2, no questions asked. Volume three is the weakest of them as it brings "suites" and a whole CD with "The Girl From Uncle" soundtrack, but you have a bonus "Open Channel D" beeper.

Each package is gorgeous, each with a glossy color booklet with extensive liner notes with details on how each tune was written to a specific TV series episode and how it was used onwards. You have bios on the composers, on how the recordings were made, even an overview on how many instruments were available in each of the years the music was recorded.

So, throw away your Hugo Montenegro Man From Uncle CD, this is the REAL thing.

Average customer rating:

old school from h-town

Psychic Thoughts
Ganksta N-I-P
Manufacturer: Priority Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | R&B | Styles | Music

Gangsta & Hardcore | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Southern Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Paid the Cost

ASIN: B00008FLSJ
Release Date: 1993-06-24

Tracks:

SPC Shoutout
Trance
Psychic Thoughts
Reporter from Hell
Set up Bitches
Only Nip Can Do It
Now Watch 'Em Drop
Strictly for the Club
Come into My World
That's How It Is: Psychic, Pt. 2
**** You

Customer Reviews:

old school from h-town.......2005-11-04

this is an early rap-a-lot release and is super rare.I have 2 UNOPENED i will sell for decent price as well as other rare rap.email if interested.

The Essential Songs of Andrew Lloyd Webber

Average customer rating:

Okay, but kind of disappointing
Not quite what I expected...
Some great performances, some not so great...
Disappointed
Musical Talent at Its Best

The Essential Songs of Andrew Lloyd Webber

Manufacturer: Metro Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Lounge | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

Instrumental Pop & Lounge | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | Soundtracks | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Musicals | Soundtracks | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

The Very Best Of Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Broadway Collection
Gold: The Definitive Hits Collection
Swings Cole Porter
Reflections From Broadway

ASIN: B00005Y47E
Release Date: 2002-02-22

Tracks:

Any Dream Will Do
Close Every Door
Heaven On Their Minds
Everything's Alright
Gethsemane
I Don't Know How To Love Him
Jesus Christ Superstar
Could We Start Again Please?
Don't Cry For Me Argentina
Another Suitcase In Another Hall
Buenos Aires
Rainbow High
High Flying Adored
Memory
Jellicle Cats
Mister Mistofeles
Unexpected Song
Last Man In My Life
Rolling Stock
U-N-C-O-U-P-L-E-D

Tracks:

Only You
Starlight Express
There's Me
Pie Jesu
Angel Of Music
Masquerade
Wishing Somehow You Were Here Again
All I Ask Of You
The Phantom Of The Opera
Music Of The Night
Love Changes Everything
The First Man You Remember
Seeing Is Believing
As If We Never Said Goodbye
Sunset Boulevard
With One Look
Too Much In Love To Care
Half A Moment
Whistle Down The Wind
Our Kind Of Love

Album Description

Full title, 'Essential Songs Of Andrew Lloyd Webber'. UK budget-price compilation. 40 superlative performances featuring songs from every one of Andrew Lloyd Webber's hit musicals. Guest artists include John Barrymore, Issy Van Randwyck, Dave Willetts, Maria Friedman, Kim Criswell, Graham Bickley and the National Symphony Orchestra. Housed in a slipcase. 2002.

Customer Reviews:

Okay, but kind of disappointing.......2006-04-17

This isn't a bad recording, but the tracks are not the actual performances off of any cast recording of any of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musicals. The reditions of the songs on the disc are of varying quality. Some are pretty good. Some are borderline awful.
It is a good collection for inexpensively getting a lot of Andrew Lloyd Webber's most popular songs in one place and having them there to be able to listen to get the idea of what a certain song sounds like and is about. It isn't the collection of definitive recordings for certain roles. In fact in a couple examples, I wonder if the performer fully understood the context of the song he or she was singing &/or what it was about. Overall, the album is good, for the most part, if not excellent.

However, the liner notes for "The Essential Songs of Andrew Lloyd Webber" is another matter. I don't mean to be unkind, but the author of the comments on the different tracks (one Rexton S. Bunnett) is blatantly WRONG in multiple instances. I don't mean just in nit-picky details, but in major plot details/context of songs, like the fact that Bunnett identifies "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" as being sung by "our heroine" (who he does not even identify by name as Christine Daae) as she thinks about her lover, not as being sung about Christine's dead father. He also says that the Phantom has found his perfect love and "Angel of Music" in Christine... because HE is the Angel of Music who Christine believes has been sent to her by her dead father, and because although the Phantom is obsessed with Christine, that relationship is far from "loving" (even if Christine shows him compassion. I feel like these (and a couple other mistakes) are major plot points to get wrong. A good amount of the commentary reads as if Bunnett might have written it at the last minute, fudging his way through entries on musicals of which he had little knowledge; like what an essay I might write on a book I never read for my college class but had quickly looked up on Cliff's Notes would sound like. In terms of sheer editing, there are spelling mistakes, run-on sentences and spacing errors ("Any DreamWill Do")in the liner notes. Where was the copy editor?
And the most frightening fact of all, under Bunnett's credentials, it says "Harper Collins has just published his revision and updating of the Collins Book of the Musical."
I am being very critical, but I think that for a widely-released CD it is reasonable to expect the liner notes to be at a professional level, as they were most likely supposed to be.

Not quite what I expected..........2005-04-23

I was looking for a CD of the original performances and this CD doesn't have them. I suppose it was my fault for not looking closer, but the songs just weren't the same. Personally, I was not impressed. If you don't care that they aren't the originals then it is nice to listen to.

Some great performances, some not so great..........2005-04-18

This CD is actually pretty good, considering you get 40 songs for less than $16. Let's evaluate the pros and cons.

Pros:

Two classic songs that are performed excellently are Phantom of the Opera and I Don't Know How to Love Him.

Of course you want to compare Phantom to the classic Michael Crawford/ Sarah Brightman version. Well, guess what? This version is BETTER. The woman has a deeper voice than Brightman, and her singing style is just awesome. The ending of this version (you know, the "Sing, my angel of music, sing for me!") is different, but in a good way... I think.)

And of course, the standard for I Don't Know How to Love Him is Yvonne's version. This version is different, but it grew on me quickly. This version has a country feel to it, almost. Somehow it works and sounds great.

There are a lot of great performances in this collection. My favorites include: Heaven on Their Minds, Everything's Alright, Could We Start Again Please, Another Suitcase in Another Hall, Buenos Aires, Rainbow High, Only You, Starlight Express, Angel of Music, Masquerade, All I Ask of You, Half a Moment, and Whistle Down the Wind. I think they're all great versions of their more famous counterparts.

Cons:

First of all, there are some technical problems that are kind of disappointing. A few of the songs have a very echoey sound. Any Dream Will Do, Another Suitcase in Another Hall, Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again, and There's Me are the songs that come to mind that are the worst in this regard. It isn't really bad, just enough to be slightly annoying, more so when the volume is turned way up on your CD player.

A few songs are worthy of skipping over when listening to this collection. In my opinion, Superstar, Sunset Boulevard, and Gethesmane are the biggest disappointments.

Superstar just doesn't cut it for me. The singer really overdoes it, making it overstylized... really makes you yearn for Murray Head. I can't stand listening to it. Just my opinion.

Sunset Boulevard is one of my very favorite musicals, so I was really hoping that the singer would do justice to its title song. Unfortunately I don't think he did. You can't help but compare it to Alan Campbell's fantastic version. This guy has a very choppy way of singing, when I'm used to it being sung so smoothly. Maybe it would grow on me, but I don't think I'll give it a chance to. However, that last note is much stronger than Alan Campbell's. It doesn't make up for the rest of the song, though.

Finally, Gethsemane. The inevitable fact is that NO ONE can sing this song like Michael Ball. This guy tries, he really does. But he doesn't have the right voice or the right style. So please listen to Michael Ball's performance of Gethsemane if you want to know how breathtaking of a song it can be. It's on the Royal Albert Hall DVD, and I'm sure he's got it on one of his CDs.

Anyway, overall, this is a good CD if you like quantity over quality. Don't buy it for the classics, you'll probably end up disappointed with many of them. Buy it for the lesser known songs. You probably won't like every song, especially if you're a big ALW fan, but for the price, it's worth it.

If you want classic versions of classic ALW songs, you might prefer something like "The Very Best of Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Broadway Collection".

Disappointed.......2005-03-11

The singer(s)does not do justice for the lyrics. It was grating to the ears. Save your money for the originals.

Musical Talent at Its Best.......2003-01-03

What a pleasure to hear a collection of Andrew Lloyd Webber's beautiful music from such wonderful voices accompanied by an outstanding symphony. This sensational CD is a treasure to own.

Average customer rating:

Track listing

P.A.S.S.I.O.N.
Rhythm Syndicate
Manufacturer: Mca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
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Rhythm Syndicate
Natural Selection
The Lover in Me
Sweet Dreams
24/7

ASIN: B000002PLT
Release Date: 1991-07-16

Customer Reviews:

Track listing.......2005-11-19

1. Hip House Mix 6:12
2. New Jack Mix 5:48
3. LP Version 4:13
4. House Mix 6:55
5. Extended Power Mix 6:44
6. Ghetto Mix 5:12
7. Acappella 3:12

"C'est ca la vie, c'est ca l'amour": French Operetta Arias

Average customer rating:

Enchanté, Mlle Graham!
excellent singing, not so great programming
A CD full of scrumptious French chocolates!
REYNALDO AND SOME LIGHT STUFF
C'est magnifique!!

"C'est ca la vie, c'est ca l'amour": French Operetta Arias
Reynaldo Hahn , Andre Messager , Susan Graham , Yves Abel , and City of Birmingham Symphony
Manufacturer: Erato
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Susan Graham - La Belle Époque (The Songs of Reynaldo Hahn)
Susan Graham ~ Berlioz - Les nuits d'été
Poèmes de l'Amour
Susan Graham - Mozart & Gluck Arias ~ Il tenero momento
Artist Portrait: Susan Graham

ASIN: B00005UW0Z
Release Date: 2002-04-02

Tracks:

"C'est ca la vie, c'est ca l'amour" (Moises Simons, from Toi c'est moi, 1934)
"J'ai deux amants" (Andre Messager, from L'Amour masque, 1923)
"Yes" (Maurice Yvain, from Yes, 1928)
"Si vous saviez" (Arthur Honegger, from Les Aventures du roi Pausole, 1930)
"O mon bel inconnu" (Reynaldo Hahn, from O mon bel inconnu, 1933)
"Je ne vois rien..Lorsque je n'etais qu'une enfant" (Andre Messager, from Fortunio, 1907)
"Les hommes sont biens tous les memes" (Andre Messager, from Coups de roulis, 1928)
"Air de la Lettre" (Reynaldo Hahn, from Brummell, 1931)
"L'amour est un oiseau rebelle" (Andre Messager, from Passionnement, 1926)
"Vois-tu, je m'en veux" (Andre Messager, from Les P'tites Michu, 1897)
"Etre adore" (Reynaldo Hahn, from Mozart, 1925)
"Je regrette mon Pressigny" (Andre Messager, from la Petite Fonctionnaire, 1921)
"Amour, amour, quel est donc ton pouvoir" (Andre Messager, from Les Dragons de l"Imperatrice, 1905)
"Mon reve" (Andre Messager, from L'Amour masque, 1923)
"C'est tres vilain d'etre infidele" (Reynaldo Hahn, from O mon bel inconnu, 1933)
"C'est pas Paris, c'est sa banlieue" (Reynaldo Hahn, from Ciboulette, 1923)
"Vagabonde" (Moises Simons, from Toi c'est moi, 1934)

Amazon.com

This record presents the esteemed opera singer and French music specialist Susan Graham in a new light. French operetta began with Jacques Offenbach (creator of The Tales of Hoffmann) in the 1850s; his ability to blend sweet lovely melodies with bitter political satire made him and the form famous, and composers all over the world have emulated him ever since, including those represented on this disc. Most of them, though popular during their lifetime, are hardly known today. The most familiar are Arthur Honegger and Reynaldo Hahn, though not primarily as operetta composers; the latter contributes some of the loveliest music.

The arias on this program are thoroughly appealing and very different, ranging from frothy creampuffs to almost operatic dramas, from ingenuous simplicity to ironic sophistication. As one might expect, the texts, all written from a woman's point of view, focus on the relationships between men and women in all their infinite, subtle variety. Susan Graham uses her very beautiful voice and captivating charm to bring out the teasing humor, the intimacy, passion, joy, and regret in words and music. One song is a trio, but since no other singers are mentioned, one assumes that she covers all three parts! The first song is the only one in which the singing is artificial and exaggerated, as if Graham were feeling her way into the style. The orchestra is very good, but some of the arrangements are overloaded. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

Enchanté, Mlle Graham!.......2004-11-13

Though it's fair to say that the stunning title track reaches a creative standard unmatched by any of the later items (no wonder it comes first), this is still refreshing stuff, which will bring out the slumbering Maurice Chevalier in us all. Anyone who can hear it without wanting to grab the nearest straw hat and proclaim "Zank 'eaven for leedle girrrrrlz" is a tougher man than I am, Gunga Din.

Refreshing stuff, but seldom flippant. Other than the X-rated Honegger song (who'd have thought sober-sided Artur H had a bawdy streak in him?) and the subtler but still eyebrow-raising Maurice Yvain number "Yes", the prevailing atmosphere is often surprisingly operatic. Surprising at any rate to me, since I can't recall hearing most of this material before. Reynaldo Hahn sometimes does a rather good Richard Strauss impersonation, as in "O mon bel inconnu", which suggests a Gallic version of ROSENKAVALIER's final trio.

Presumably Miss Graham sings all the vocal parts of this piece in a multi-tracking arrangement, but it would be nice to have been told in the booklet note whether this was the case. The short playing time deplored by Joy Fleisig is also a nuisance, since one wants even more of the same. Miss Fleisig rightly censured, in addition, the white-print-on-purple-background design which some graphic-design-school genius decided to employ for the lyrics' translations. So no fifth star for this review. The release remains a pretty enchanting (not to say enchanté) production, even if a native French singer would have cultivated - as native French singers will - an edgier, more acidic timbre than Miss Graham's warm, sonorous, very slightly cloudy tone. Altogether a splendid supplement to heftier and more austere listening.

excellent singing, not so great programming.......2002-10-02

A delightful album by Graham, who has apparently been cast as a French expert...but I wish there had been a few more uptempo numbers on here, so many of them are slow that it almost detracts from the sparkle of her singing. Great performances and sound, though.

A CD full of scrumptious French chocolates!.......2002-09-03

When one thinks of 'French operetta', the composer that most often springs to mind is Jacques Offenbach. However, the generations of operetta composers that came after him also produced some wonderful music. Unfortunately, although these works were very popular in their time, they are virtually forgotten today. Apart from Andre Messager, the best known names on this anthology, Reynaldo Hahn and Arthur Honneger, are better known for other types of work, and most of the other composers are unknowns. Susan Graham, perhaps the finest American mezzo-soprano of our time, is to be commended for bringing these sweets out into the open once again.

Graham is a singer very much in the mold of Frederica von Stade - like von Stade, she is best known for trouser roles such as Octavian and Cherubino, but she has done some wonderful work in French music, especially as a recitalist. Her voice is firm and lustrous with an easy, sopranoish top, her phrasing is exquisite, and her French is excellent. By turns Graham is funny, ironic, sensual, wistful, charming, and heroic.

Most of the music on this CD was written between 1920 and 1935, although one selection here is from as early as 1897. The music actually has greater similarity to 'modern' musical comedy than to traditional operetta. Of course, the primary theme of these works is the travails of women in love - either they struggle with their (often illicit) passions - in one case attempting to invoke Joan of Arc! - or muse on the perfidy of men. My favorite song on the disc is the title track, a delightful samba take on 'Carmen' (from Cuban-born Moises Simons' 'Toi c'est moi') with a verse that sounds quite a bit like the 'Habanera' - only in this version, Carmen murders Escamillo! It actually occurred to me while listening to this disc that Graham might make an excellent Bizet Carmen on records or in a small theater. By the way, the 'Carmen' connection shows up again in a song entitled - you guessed it - 'L'amour est un oiseau rebelle'!

Other tracks which I love are `Yes', wherein a French woman goes to England knowing only that word and gets her self married - and more, and `O mon bel inconnu', where three women get letters from the same man (their husband, father, and employer respectively) through the lonelyhearts column. Thanks to the miracle (?) of multi-tracking, Graham gets to sing all three roles, and her `voices' blend together gorgeously. And in the final track, 'Vagabonde' (also from 'Toi c'est moi') is a delightfully whirling 'impatient, quivering, impulsive' plea from a woman who wants to find a man willing to marry before her 'orange-flower' wilts (wink, wink).

Despite the light tone of most of this music, there are several moments of high drama. `Lorsque je n'etais que enfant' is an aria from Messager's `Fortunio' where the heroine, berating herself for toying with her boyfriend, reminisces of her purer and more innocent childhood. Graham is back in her usual trouser-role territory for the heroic `Etre adore' from Hahn's `Mozart', where the composer effuses over Paris and willingly sacrifices his soul to be adored by its people. There is also sweet nostalgia and regret, such as in 'Je regrette mon Pressigny', 'Vois-tu, je m'en veux' and 'C'est pas Paris, c'est sa banlieu'.

Actually, the only track that I don't like is 'Si vous saviez' from Honneger's 'Les Aventures du Roi Pausole', which ironically enough is Graham's favorite. The aria, where the wife of a polygamous potentate begs her husband to sleep with her more than once a year, is meant to be sensuous but just drags. I suspect this his Honneger's fault, not Graham's.

The French-Canadian Yves Abel is an ideal conductor for this repertory. He has a strong affinity not only for French opera but also for comedy and light music in general; the latter two qualities were very evident at a Metropolitan Opera `Il Barbiere de Siviglia' this year. I also remember a fine performance of `La Grande-Duchesse de Gerolstein' he conducted with his company L'Opera Francais de New York and Stephanie Blythe. Under his baton the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra plays just like a French ensemble.

The documentation has full texts and translation of all the material and a fine essay on the works and the composers by Patrick O'Connor. Unfortunately, there is no biographical information for either Graham or Abel. Also, some people might have problems reading the white type on purple background for the translations (the type for the essay is the normal white-on-black), although I did not. As usual, my complaint about many modern CDs, especially those produced by Erato, applies here - there is less than an hour of music on a medium that can hold almost 80 minutes. I think it is unlikely that Graham and Abel couldn't find more good music in this vein, or even that they ran out of recording time. And speaking of Erato, I think it is a crime that that parent company Warner Classics dismissed not only Graham but many other fine operatic artists like Jose Cura, Daniel Barenboim, and Barbara Frittoli. At least the man now in charge of Warner regrets Graham's dismissal and is negotiating a new contract with her.

I am glad that so many star singers today are championing French rarities - not only Graham but also Roberto Alagna and Vesselina Kasarova, among others. I would recommend this not only to lovers of opera and operetta but also to fans of more 'popular' French music like Edith Piaf's and Jacques Brel's, or even to admirers of the American musical. It doesn't matter by which road you come to it - this material is delightful and the presentation is flawless. Most importantly, it is clear that everybody involved with the making of this disc had a great time, and anyone who listens to it will as well.

REYNALDO AND SOME LIGHT STUFF.......2002-08-02

SUSAN GRAHAM had me an addict of her voice with her marvelous songs of REYNALDO HAHN,a treasure that i cherish.This FRENCH OPERETTA ARIAS is still a good cd,but lighter and fluffier.Not surprizingly, i consider the HAHN arias the highlight of this record.It seems to me that SUSAN has real affinities with the composer of CIBOULETTE and O MON BEL INCONNU.O MON BEL INCONNU and ETRE ADORÉ are wonderfully sung and are worth the price of the cd.I did not completely enjoy the first 4 numbers,although i should say that they are correctly done.Maybe i simply can't accept the fact that SUSAN can sing humourous stuff.Well that's my problem isn't it?I have the original version of J'AI DEUX AMANTS sung by YVONNE PRINTEMPS and the comparaison gives advantage to SUSAN.

C'est magnifique!!.......2002-06-29

Graham has never been better in this disc of delightful French operetta arias. A must for fans of the artist. And I dare you to get that opening track out of your head!!

Average customer rating:

P.I.a.N.O. Set

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock & Metal | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000K4X59O
Release Date: 2006-11-14

Average customer rating:

"Bad dreams of a child being tossed threw a window pane..."
time is money
Ganksta NIP/Psycho NIP are 2 different people!

Psychic Thoughts
Ganksta N-I-P
Manufacturer: Virgin Records Us
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

Gangsta & Hardcore | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Southern Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000000W7M
Release Date: 1995-04-25

Tracks:

SPC Shoutout
Trance
Psychic Thoughts
Reporter From Hell
Set Up Bitches
Only NIP Can Do It
Now Watch 'Em Drop
Strictly For the Club
Come INto My World
That's How It Is: Psychic Part II
_____ You

Customer Reviews:

"Bad dreams of a child being tossed threw a window pane...".......2006-04-29

Ganksta NIP's musical sophmore attempt is outstanding. Often times artists lose a step or two after creating a great album (The South Park Psycho) but NOT Ganksta NIP, he just keeps right on going with his madness!

time is money.......2001-12-28

i will be glad to rate this cd as soon as it finds the way to Biloxi MS. P.S real reec

Ganksta NIP/Psycho NIP are 2 different people!.......2001-12-10

This is probably NIP's best CD! It assaults you on so many different levels, it literally takes the listener on a voyage through the mind of a Psycho...Ganksta NIP....as if that werent enough, he shows the duality of his mind, in his alter EGO Psycho NIP....while one raps the other can be heard at almost inaudible levels encouraging the listener to do God knows what...the music on this CD is the best on any NIP release, keeping the listener on edge with bad dreams of a child being tossed through a windowpane, for starters.

Average customer rating:

Absolute Insanity
Dopest album ever recorded!
Soooo good
The only one

The South Park Psycho
Ganksta N-I-P
Manufacturer: Priority Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | R&B | Styles | Music

Gangsta & Hardcore | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Southern Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Psychic Thoughts
No Mercy
There's One in Every Family

ASIN: B00008FLTR
Release Date: 1992-02-26

Tracks:

Intro
Horror Movie Rap
Get out of the Game
Rough Brothers from South Park
Black Godfather
Psycho
Action Speaks Louder Than Words
Ganksta Mac
Smokin Amp
Digusting
H-Town
Slaughter
Paranoid
Damned Shame

Customer Reviews:

Absolute Insanity.......2007-08-02

South Park Psycho is the most psychotic, deranged, outrageous album I've ever heard, of any genre. Each song is a horror movie in itself, and if you have the humor and disassociation to not take it too seriously you are in for a wild ride through Houston's mean streets of 5th Ward and the park. I've been listening to it ever since it was released and I still crack up laughing at some of the craziness.

Other than being entertaining, SPP is also one of the hardest bassing CD's I own, lower your gains if you have subs, and make sure your nose/ear hairs are trimmed and tooth fillings secure. Sure there's harder out there, but this one will challenge any system and shine.

I believe Nip started as a body guard for Geto Boys, and when they heard him playing around on the mic - they knew he had to `put it on wax' (or CD). As a result you'll here a few Bushwick & Scarface samples in the background and a very similar style of music. If you enjoy Geto Boys, then this CD belongs in your library (although the price is outrageous now... if you can find it).

And finally, I'd like to add that I personally don't care for Nip's other works, they are almost embarrassing to listen to much less play for anyone else. This album is so much different than his following work, it is brilliant and raw. A lot of people like his later stuff (it sold much better) but I just couldn't get into it myself, not after being blown away with South Park Psycho.

A few notable song reviews...
"Horror Movie Rap" - This is a nice intro for the album, sets the mood and pace perfectly.
"Rough Brother From South Park" - The anthem of the album, lots of guest rappers and probably the smoothest sounding bass of the CD.
"Smokin Amp" - Charming account of a drug-induced raging killing spree, from shooting the cashier for a `40' to driving on the sidewalk hitting people.
"Action Speaks Louder Than Words" - The most refined song on this album, lots of guests, also appears on Geto Boys - Uncut Dope.
"H-Town" - Houston pride at its finest, one of the coolest songs on the CD.
"Paranoid" - Awesome sample of Ted Nugent's "Stranglehold" gives this song some rock flav and a familiar background to unfamiliar violence.

Dopest album ever recorded!.......2003-11-20

Ganksta Nip's south park psycho is easily one of tha best most unique albums ever recorded in horrorcore/hip hop history! If your lookin for a dope ass cd! this is tha one! Well worth more then peeps are selling it for! tha track psycho alone blows your mind! Easily 5 stars!!!

Soooo good.......2003-09-14

This is the best rap album I've ever heard. Listening to it makes me think that he is psychotic in real life. I have another of his albums and it is okay, but this is complete craziness. I got this album for .99. It's funny to see it going for 58 dollars.

The only one.......2003-04-14

THis is the most insane, schizophrenic thing ever recorded. You just need to hear it to understand. Good luck finding it, but if you do, buy it. All of NIP's other albums blow - this one is MUCH better than all the others combined.