Voyage [Import]

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Voyage,Malice Mizer,Malice Mizer Records,World Music

Average customer rating: Great as yoga music Angelic Voice that brings me peace and calmness Grace Snatam Kaur Khalsa Divine Perfection - A Soundtrack for my Life

Grace Snatam Kaur Manufacturer: Spirit Voyage Music ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD India | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Reggae | International | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music Relaxation | New Age | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Shanti Prem Dakshina Kirtan: The Art and Practice of Ecstatic Chant The Essence ASIN: B00068G8KC Release Date: 2004-10-01

Tracks:

1. Ong Namo
2. Ray Man Shabad
3. Hari Har
4. Ra Ma Da Sa
5. By Thy Grace
6. Long Time Sun

Album Description

This is Snatam Kaur's latest release and it is a joy to behold. Snatam has woven a magnificent tapestry of Gurmukhi, English, violin, guitar and flute and produced an album that is both spiritually moving and foot tapping at the same time.

Like every Kundalini Yoga class, the album begins with the chant Ong Namo and unfolds with Snatam's flawless voice dancing over gentle flute, Indian violin, nylon string guitar and subtle keyboard. She weaves in devotional English lyrics such that one experiences the essence of the Gurmukhi chant with simple clarity.

With deeply-moving music composed jointly by Thomas Barquee and Snatam Kaur, the second track, Ray Man, seduces listeners into a state of sublime meditation. The lyrics translate to "Oh my mind, practice yoga in this way."

The third track, Hari Har, is the liveliest song Snatam has ever recorded. A fast-paced, drum-filled mantra that gets you up on your feet, this track introduces us to a much stronger side of Snatam's vocals.

The next track, a simple and beautiful version of the healing meditation Ra Ma Da Sa, is accompanied by slow and soft classical guitar and keyboards with the flavor of a lazy river, gently flowing by on a summer afternoon.

The final two tracks reveal the true cross-over nature of this album. Both in English, they are two songs very near to Snatam's heart. The first, By Thy Grace, has been a favorite at her live performances over the last year. This track sheds light on the title of the album, opening with the line "It is by the Grace that I sing Your Holy Name." Closing with an original composition of the Irish blessing, May the Long Time Sun Shine Upon You … a sweet and grace-filled farewell prayer.

Customer Reviews:

Great as yoga music.......2007-02-11

I heard this music during my yoga class at the local recreation center and asked the instructor what it was. I then purchased it on Amazon and have been listening to it in the car and at home. My daughter even listens to it before going to bed to wind down. I love the first song particularly and the title song.

Angelic Voice that brings me peace and calmness.......2006-12-23

I had no idea if I would like this CD and Singer, but now that I have recieved the CD, her voice is so smooth and sweet as honey, calming, peaceful, and makes me feel like everything is good in the world. It's great for relaxing to, background music, massage, yoga, driving, and graceful or slow flow-like dancing. It would be good as a cool-down music after a good work-out too. If it were sound track to a movie, it would be great for beautiful landscape or the uplifting feel good end of a movie when everything turned out the way you were hoping it would. My husband is very sound-sensative and auditorily tuned-in, and remarked, "Her voice is beautiful!" He says the about very few voices. I am glad I took the chance on this CD, and don't regret it at all. I will definately order some more of her CDs, now that I hear how great she is. I am pleased with my purchas!

Grace.......2006-04-05

Lyrical and lovely, I find myself humming these as I walk into the pasture to bring in my horse. What a wonderful way to meditate!

Snatam Kaur Khalsa.......2006-01-14

Devine beauty delivered in a soul revitalizing blend of eastern and western harmonics. She is even better live if you get a chance to see her.

Divine Perfection - A Soundtrack for my Life.......2005-03-27

With an extensive music library, I find myself returning almost exclusively to Snatam Kaur. I have every one of her CD's on constant rotation in my home, car, and office. Not only do I absolutely love listening, meditating, and living to her music. But I've come to realize that I operate from a better and more loving place when I have her playing in the background while at my demanding and high-profile job in the corporate offices of a fortune 50 company.

With so much gratitude, thank you Snatam for becoming the soundtrack to my life.

Paul
Denver, Colorado

Average customer rating: Voyage Maravilhoso Out of this world in music INDIA.ARIE Voyage to India Delivers and I Receive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Voyage to India India Arie Manufacturer: Motown ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music Similar Items: Acoustic Soul Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship Baduizm Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds, Vol. 1 ASIN: B00006ISBT Release Date: 2002-09-24

Tracks:

1. Growth
2. Little Things
3. Talk to Her
4. Slow Down
5. The Truth
6. Beautiful Surprise
7. Healing
8. Get It Together
9. Headed In The Right Direction
10. Can I Walk With You
11. The One
12. Complicated Melody
13. Gratitude
14. Good Man
15. God Is Real

Amazon.com

India Arie seems comfortable in her own body. She told us as much on both "Video" and "Brown Skin" from her stunning debut album, Acoustic Soul, which celebrated the diversity of feminine beauty, self-acceptance, and spirituality. She addresses similar themes on her second outing, although much of her original soul-scouring fire is gone. While she still preaches self-empowerment, many of her lyrics veer toward the trite, and that's not where we expected to go on this Voyage to India. In fact, there are very few self-revelatory moments like the ones on Soul. Arie seems bent on journeying to the center of womankind's mind, rather than unearthing more of her own autobiography, casting herself as adviser to the disempowered. But that is not where Arie shines. When she strips her voice down to its unvarnished essence--leaving all the imperfections in the mix--she is a lithe, ethereal presence. She's capable of raising chills, as when she sings of a man who foretells his death on "Good Man." Or on "Complicated Man," where she lets her voice run ragged, brimming with raw emotion while describing her imperfect love. Despite some glibness, this is still a voyage worth taking. --Jaan Uhelszki

Customer Reviews:

Voyage.......2007-07-12

This is by far one of the Best CD's of all time. Great lyrics and sound!

Maravilhoso.......2007-07-03

Como tudo que ela produz.
É o meu cd preferido da India.Arie.
Todas as faixas são fantásticas...

Out of this world in music.......2007-05-18

Look, as a lover of music I began to give up on music because of the same old topics being sang over and over, how may times can you say I miss you or don't leave me or sex me!!!. India Arie helps to save music for me, she has alot of new topics like 2. little things 3. talk to her 4. Slow down, to name a few. Every song, I mean every song is good !!!!
Please note.. I am not the best reviewer in the world and what I say may or may not help you but, I know good music...so if you like India, check out Raul Midon's State Of Mind...he also sings about positive thing and love...I gess if you know of India you know of Donnie's The Colored Section...if not check him out also.

This question is asked at times..who is your fovorate singer and I never had an answer because I did not fell any artist earned my vote, as they come out with one or two albums, the first one is good then they go down hill (or more importantly, she has her own style of song writing)... but with India, she gets better...making her a real artist.......you see for example when India Arie wins say a Grammy and she says.. I would like to thank God..he says....Your Welcome, with some of these so called artist say.. I would like to thank God..he says...What You Thanking Me For, I did not help you with that s..t..(oops forgive myslef)...you came up with.

INDIA.ARIE.......2007-05-14

THIS IS INDIA SHE HAS A WAY OF MAKING YOU LOOK AT YOURSELF THOUGH MUSIC. AND I LOVE THAT. HER MUSIC MAKES YOU WANT TO GROW WITH HER

Voyage to India Delivers and I Receive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2007-03-22

This album really surpriced me coming from a secular artist. I admire the soul connectin that is clearly felt in her music. I liked this CD so much that I gave it to a teenage female friend of mine. It's a coming of age CD with wisdom written all over it and I know she'll appreciate it. Its the(older) women teaching the younger women. I appreciate her wisdom and boldness to speak it!

Average customer rating: Great jazz album Good, but Empyrean Isles is so much better... Fantastic Voyage would be closer to the truth.. Review is simple GET IT!! I Can't Help Myself...

Maiden Voyage Herbie Hancock Manufacturer: Blue Note Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Funk | R&B | Styles | Music Blue Note Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music Modern Post Bop | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | R&B | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Speak No Evil Somethin' Else Moanin' Empyrean Isles The Sidewinder ASIN: B00000IL29 Release Date: 1999-04-20

Tracks:

1. Maiden Voyage
2. The Eye Of The Hurricane
3. Little One
4. Survival Of The Fittest
5. Dolphin Dance

Amazon.com essential recording

In the mid-'60s, a distinctive postbop style evolved among the younger musicians associated with Blue Note, a new synthesis that managed to blend the cool spaciousness of Miles Davis's modal period, some of the fire of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, and touches of the avant-garde's group interaction. Maiden Voyage is a masterpiece of the school, with Hancock's enduring compositions like "Maiden Voyage" and "Dolphin Dance" mingling creative tension and calm repose with strong melodies and airy, suspended harmonies that give form to his evocative sea imagery. Trumpeter Freddie Hubbard was at a creative peak, stretching his extraordinary technique to the limits in search of a Coltrane-like fluency on the heated "Eye of the Storm," while the underrated tenor saxophonist George Coleman adds a developed lyricism to the session. --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews:

Great jazz album.......2007-07-11

Great jazz album from the '60s. This one belongs high up in the pantheon of jazz albums that include Miles Davis's Kind of Blue, John Coltrane's Blue Train, and Speak No Evil by Wayne Shorter. If you feel that these other albums are essiential jazz listening, then you will certainly enjoy 'Maiden Voyage' by Herbie Hancock, and you will see why people still rave about this album today.
If you are an experienced jazz fan then you will most definately already have an opinion on this album, but if you are just getting into jazz then this album should certainly be on your 'to buy' list. Firm five stars from me!

Good, but Empyrean Isles is so much better..........2007-05-26

What we have here is an album that fails to live up to the standards that the first two and last tracks set. I'd rather hear Miles Davis' version of Little One found on E.S.P. - this one just plods along for a seeming eternity. So does Survival of the Fittest. Both okay songs - neither of them are bad, that's for sure - but they could've seen to be shorter. That's why I don't see Maiden Voyage as being on the same level of Empyrean Isles. It's just not.
Now for the good news. The three well-known pieces on this album make it worth the buy. The title track is the token easygoing blues groover (i.e. Watermelon Man and Canteloupe Island) with a simple theme that's hard to get out of your head nonetheless. Next up is the frenetic Eye of the Hurricane, which provides a perfect contrast. Third and final is the quiet ballad Dolphin Dance, a gorgeous thing that rules as much as the other two I mentioned. And that Hancock covers such a wide range of emotions on this record is another point towards it.
So I like this album, and like many others this was my first exposure to Herbie Hancock. But he's put out at least one better record, arguably two (Headhunters also makes the list).

Fantastic Voyage would be closer to the truth.........2006-11-06

I feel the salty smell of the sea when I listen to this album.

My family and myself heard an interpretation of the title
track in a cafe, in a small town on the "Pacific Coast Frontier".
The wave of the melody swept over me like the evening fog.

Absolutely amazing..

Review is simple GET IT!!.......2006-09-06

Why go to a lot of trouble to discuss in depth one of the greatest jazz albums ever crafted?

Well, let me just say:

If you consider yourself a Jazz Fan. . .then you NEED this album.

It is not the ONLY ALBUM . . .or anything like that. . .but this continues to be an influence on anyone serious about jazz.

It is one of the twenty greatest jazz albums of all time.

Chris Tune

I Can't Help Myself..........2006-08-30

"The emperor has no clothes!" There, I said it - finally. I have been wanting to say that about Rudy Van Gelder's stereo recordings for quite some time now. His stereo recordings lack ambiance and have very small soundstages with no depth. This should come as no surprise since most were recorded in his parents living room, but even those that were recorded in a proper studio are no better. Of all the jazz available on CD today, the Blue Note label represents the bottom of the sonic barrel. That's too bad since Blue Note owns most of the greatest jazz performances ever put to tape.

This album was recorded in a real studio, but it suffers the same problems as most of Rudy's other stereo recordings. To make matters worse, it has distortion that isn't normally present in RVG's work, perhaps it's due to problems related to the tape's magnetic coating flaking off. Suffice it to say this is no audiophile quality CD.

All ranting about the sound quality aside, this is an excellent jazz performance. I don't need to tell you how good it is - just read all the other reviews.

Average customer rating: Essential Crosby Joel Bernstein, Graham Nash, John Nowland, Stanley Johnston, and Bernie Grundman - TAKE NOTE! Missing Track From Disc 1 Excellent David David Crosby's "Voyage"

Voyage David Crosby Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Rhino Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: If I Could Only Remember My Name (CD + DVD-Audio) Since Then: How I Survived Everything and Lived to Tell About it John the Wolfking of L.A. Blue Alert Live at Massey Hall (CD/DVD) ASIN: B000GUJYAQ Release Date: 2006-11-21

Tracks:

1. Eight Miles High -- The Byrds
2. Renaissance Fair -- The Byrds
3. Everybody's Been Burned -- The Byrds
4. Wooden Ships -- Crosby, Stills, & Nash
5. Guinnevere -- Crosby, Stills, & Nash
6. Long Time Gone -- Crosby, Stills, & Nash
7. Deja Vu -- Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young
8. Almost Cut My Hair -- Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young
9. Talapais High (At About 3) -- David Crosby
10. Laughing -- David Crosby
11. Music Is Love -- David Crosby
12. Song With No Words (Tree With No Leaves) -- David Crosby
13. What Are Their Names? -- David Crosby
14. I'd Swear There Was Somebody Here -- David Crosby
15. Where Will I Be? -- Crosby & Nash
16. Page 43 -- Crosby & Nash
17. Critical Mass -- Crosby & Nash
18. Carry Me -- Crosby & Nash
19. Bittersweet -- Crosby & Nash
20. Naked In The Rain -- Crosby & Nash

Tracks:

1. Shadow Captain -- Crosby, Stills, & Nash
2. In My Dreams -- Crosby, Stills, & Nash
3. Delta -- Crosby, Stills, & Nash
4. Compass -- Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young
5. Tracks In The Dust -- David Crosby
6. Arrows -- Crosby, Stills, & Nash
7. Hero -- David Crosby
8. Yvette In English -- David Crosby
9. Rusty And Blue -- CPR
10. Somehow She Knew -- CPR
11. Breathless -- CPR
12. Map To Buried Treasure -- CPR
13. At The Edge -- CPR
14. Through Here Quite Often -- Crosby & Nash
15. My Country 'Tis Of Thee -- David Crosby

Tracks:

1. Long Time Gone (demo) -- Crosby & Stills
2. Guinnevere (alternative mix) -- David Crosby
3. Almost Cut My Hair (demo) -- David Crosby
4. Games (demo) -- David Crosby
5. Deja Vu (demo) -- Crosby & Nash
6. Triad (demo) -- David Crosby
7. Cowboy Movie (studio version) -- David Crosby
8. Kids And Dogs (unissued song) -- David Crosby
9. Have You Seen The Stars Tonite? (alternative mix) -- Paul Kantner/Jefferson Starship
10. The Lee Shore (live) -- Crosby & Nash
11. Traction In The Rain (live) -- Crosby & Nash
12. King Of The Mountain (demo) -- David Crosby
13. Homeward Through The Haze (alternative mix) -- Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young
14. Samurai (studio version) -- David Crosby
15. Climber (studio version) -- Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young
16. Dream For Him (live) -- Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young

Amazon.com

He's always received second billing to Stephen Stills in Crosby, Stills, and Nash, and once played third fiddle to Roger McGuinn and Gene Clark in the Byrds, but there is no doubt that David Crosby is one of the true originals of a folk-rock style that has paralleled his 40-year career, which is celebrated on this three-disc set of hits and near misses, demos, and outtakes. The first two CDs run chronologically, from the Byrds' "Eight Miles High" (which Crosby co-wrote) through his '70s and '80s solo records to "Through Here Quite Often," from his 2004 album with Graham Nash. Crosby was the draftsman of the transcendental harmonies that defined both of his bands, his plaintive vocals generally serving as a complement to the others'. But he takes the lead on this 52-song collection's greatest moments: his chilling falsetto on "Music Is Love" (from his 1971 debut solo release); a call out to his dying mother on "Carry Me" (1975's Wind on the Water, with Nash), and "Yvette in English," a 1993 collaboration with Joni Mitchell (Thousand Roads). Some selections swing and miss--"Hero," co-written with Phil Collins in 1993, and a few recorded in the late '90s with CPR, featuring his son James Raymond--but Voyage recuperates with disc three's 16 previously unreleased tracks. The jewel? "Cowboy Movie," a 10:57 opus from 1970 featuring both Neil Young and Jerry Garcia on lead guitar. --Scott Holter

Album Description

Career spanning 3-CD David Crosby box spotlighting the 2x Rock and Roll Hall of Famer's solo stand-outs and classics with legendary groups including the Byrds, CSN, and CSNY! Plus one full disc of previously unreleased material.

Customer Reviews:

Essential Crosby.......2007-07-12

If you are a fan of CSN&Y you'll love this 3 CD set, the third disc "Buried Treasures" is worth the price alone, especially the guitar jams with Jerry Garcia, Neil Young and Stephen Stills. The audio quality of David's most familiar songs on discs 1 & 2 are the best ever released. The included booklet is excellent as well.

Buy it or miss out on some tasty nuggets.

Joel Bernstein, Graham Nash, John Nowland, Stanley Johnston, and Bernie Grundman - TAKE NOTE!.......2007-06-20

... Joel Bernstein, Graham Nash, John Nowland, Stanley Johnston, and Bernie Grundman - TAKE NOTE! ...

...Dear Gentlemen who produced this masterful anthology of music by David Crosby: you need to make ammends! ... "Almost Cut My Hair," track #8 on DISC #1, contains not one, but two, click-pops at exactly 2:29 and 2:30 on the CD. This is unacceptable! I want a replacement CD - as should everyone. Also, the song - as well as "Wooden Ships" - does not sound like it was remastered from the original master tapes. What gives? Why such low fidelity (and lower compressed and normalized volume) on some of the songs on DISC #1? ... Please, gentlemen, correct this immediately! David Crosby's wonderful and passionate music deserves much better care.

... As for the music? ... It's great! DISC ONE is great. DISC TWO is good. DISC THREE is fantastic! I like DISC THREE the best of all. The whole package is a beautiful artistic production and a labor of love. David Crosby deserves it. God bless his big beautiful heart and soul. I always knew that he would rise from the ashes like the phoenix and come back to life again to achieve greatness.

... Thank you for this great musical anthology. I cannot stop listening to it. ... YOWZA! - The Aeolian Kid

Missing Track From Disc 1.......2007-04-27

Amazon just can't get anything right. . . . There is actually a 21st track on Disc 1 -- "Dancer" by Crosby & Nash. It is left off of the track listings for this CD.

Excellent David.......2007-04-11

Nice and well done package for this complete DC anthology. A must for CSNY lovers

David Crosby's "Voyage".......2007-03-17

This box set is nearly perfect. If you are a fan of David Crosby,(which I have been for more than 40 years now)then this box will please you immensely. It follows David's career chronologically beginning with the Byrds to CSN, CSNY, Crosby-Nash, solo and CPR. Although I have everything he has recorded on other CD's and records, it was nice to have this collection. The first two discs contain previously released material which was remixed and produced by Joel Bernstein and Graham Nash. The songs are some of Crosby's best. There are some things I wish had been included that were left off ("Lady Friend", "The Wall Song"), but it is still a wonderful collection and representation of David Crosby. The third disc is a collection of unreleased gems covering all phases of his musical career. This was a really nice addition. One absolutely outstanding feature included here is the enclosed booklet with liner notes, song commentary, previously unseen photos (several of Croz as a child), and comments by fellow musicians and friends. This is amazing box. I only hope that the future planned box sets from Graham Nash and Stephen Stills are of the same quality...if Nash and Bernstein have anything to do with these projects, then I'm sure they will be superb!!

Average customer rating: Real class Great set MENDELSSOHN: 5 Symphonies/7 Overtures (LSO/Claudio Abbado) DG 471 467-2 Great Concept but Not So Great Execution! More of Mendelssohn to Love

Mendelssohn: 5 Symphonies; 7 Overtures Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Octets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mendelssohn | Mendelssohn, Felix | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Bargain Box Sets | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Schubert: 8 Symphonies Schumann: The 4 Symphonies Dvorák: The Symphonies Johannes Brahms: The Symphonies Mahler: The Complete Symphonies ASIN: B00005ONMP Release Date: 2002-05-14

Tracks:

1. Symphony No.1 In C Minor, Op.11
2. Octet In E Flat, Op.20
3. Overture "A Midsummer Night's Dream", Op.21
4. The Hebrides, Op.26 (Fingal's Cave)
5. Meeresstille Und Glkliche Fahrt, Op.27
6. Symphony No.2 In B Flat, Op.52 - "Hymn Of Praise"
7. Symphony No.3 In A Minor, Op.56 - "Scottish"
8. Overture "The Fair Melusine", Op.32
9. "Trumpet Overture", Op.101 - Allegro Vivace
10. Ruy Blas, Op.95 - Overture To Victor Hugo's Play
11. Symphony No.4 In A, Op.90 - "Italian"
12. Symphony No.5 In D Minor, Op.107 - "Reformation"
13. Overture For Wind Instruments, Op.24 (F Harmoniemusik)

Customer Reviews:

Real class.......2007-06-24

Abbado has created an excellent anthology of Mendelssohn's symphonic output - rich, lush and balanced. A+

Great set.......2007-05-18

By my calculations, this is the single best set of Mendelssohn symphonies out there today. Though better versions of the "Reformation," "Scottish," and "Italian" Symphonies exist in other disks, I still like the interpretations offered by Abbado and the LSO.

For the "Reformation", and "Italian" Symphonies, I'd recommend John Eliot Gardiner and the Vienna Philharmonic's DG set.

For the Scottish Symphony I'd go with Karajan's recording with the BPO (that CD also comes with the best "Hebrides Overture" recording available, and a pretty good "Italian Symphony" interpretation, too).

All of the overtures in this set are performed very well, both in technical execution and musical interpretation. The Hebrides (a work far ahead of its time), in particular, is a fine recording. So is "Overture 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'." I really have grown fond of the "Ruy Blas" overture as well.

Another reviewer complained that the interpretations in this set are "too Classical." I think they are correct in saying the set is Classically performed, but I think that works with Mendelssohn, as he was "the Romantic Mozart."



Overall this is a great set, and a good way to become familiar with the music of Felix Mendelssohn, or build your Mendelssohn library.

MENDELSSOHN: 5 Symphonies/7 Overtures (LSO/Claudio Abbado) DG 471 467-2.......2006-07-13

Unlike many all-digital compilations offered by one orchestra and conductor, this collection of Mendelssohn favorites is outstanding in performance and interpretation throughout. Maestro Abbado shows a genuine affection for the composer and his genius by the sequence of selections on each disc, and I find no weak performances anywhere in this remarkable recording.

Charlie Hastings
Falls Church, VA

Great Concept but Not So Great Execution!.......2006-06-14

First, the good: Great box design for packaging, great booklet in various languages describing the history of all the performed works, great value for money, excellent representation of the great Mendelssohn's best works.

Now, the bad: the problem with compilations like this is that the material tends to have been recorded at different times and places and frequently by different personnel on various recording equipment of varying quality. What this means is that some tracks within each disc sound much better then others and even whole discs come in varying sound qualities.

Fortunately, the best disc, disc one starts out very well with the great first symphony and ends with the composer's best Overtures and the quality of the sound recording is very good. Then we get to disc 2 and the sound quality can only be described as abysmal. The difference in the sound is like night and day when compared with the first disc. The third disc sounds much better but is still not as good as the first disc while the last disc comes somewhere in between the second and third.

There's no doubting the quality of the performances though by Claudio Abbado and the LSO and of course the choice of material but too bad about the inconsistency of the sound quality from track to track and from disc to disc.

Still, the 3 stars are for the good points listed above and for the great disc 1.

More of Mendelssohn to Love.......2005-11-08

I had heard all the music on here before interpreted by other conductors and other symphonies but Claudio Abbado proved to be the most efficient for me. Thanks to the world's leading classical music label- Deutsche Grammophone -we are able to hear a complete set of Mendelssohn's symphonies and overtures with the acclaimed London Symphony in a beautiful and surprisingly afforadable album. For music that is this good, I was surprised that it wasn't a little more expensive. But good, right ? Just more of Mendelssohn to love. On this album: his symphonies 1-5, Scherzo in G Minor from the Octet for Strings, the Overture to A Midsumer Night's Dream incidental music and Hebrides Overture. These are the most famous Mendelssohn creations. His Fourth Symphony is the "Italian" symphony, with lyrical, bouncy rhythms and classical harmony. The Midsummer Night's Dream overture encompasses romanticism at its peak, with sprightly strings representing the mischievous fairies that figure prominently in the Shakespeare comedy. The Hebrides Overture is evocative of wintery landscapes and sea breezes, a fine example of a tone poem and musical painting at its best. Its haunting melody is instantly recongizable. Abbado is clearly suited for this kind of music and it's refreshing to see him stray from the usual Italian repertoire he is most famous for. Still, inescapably, his Italian soul stands out but this gives this music more color, more volume and lyricism than what can often succumb to stale, cold English interpretations like Andre Previn's conducting. No offense to Mr. Previn, who has produced some brilliant music.

Average customer rating: Too busy good product and fast service what a road trip Mesmerized and moved mom to tears Daughter loves it

Mozart's Magnificent Voyage Manufacturer: Children's Group ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Allegri | Allegri, Gregorio | ( A ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Divertimentos | Serenades & Divertimentos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Sonatinas | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Classical | Symphonies | 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 General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Cantatas | Romances Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music French Horn | Brass | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music | Cantatas | Romances German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Psalms | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Children's Music | Styles | Music Similar Items: Mr. Bach Comes To Call Beethoven Lives Upstairs Tchaikovsky Discovers America Classical Kids: Hallelujah Handel! Vivaldi's Ring Of Mystery ASIN: B0000061XU Release Date: 1998-10-13

Tracks:

1. Horn Concerto, K.495, Movt 3
2. Clarinet Quintet, K.581, Movt 2
3. Symphony No.1, K.16, Movt 2
4. Piano Sonata In F, K.332, Movt 3
5. Medley: We Are Three Spirits ('Drei Knabchen')/Magic Flute, K.620
6. Overture, Marriage Of Figaro, K.492
7. Arrival At Court: Child's Minuet in C
8. Medley: Symphony No.1, K.16, Movt 1/Variations On 'La Ci Darem,' By Beethoven
9. Evening Falls ('Abendempfindung'), K.523
10. Flute Quartet, K.285, Movt 2
11. Symphony No.40, K.550, Movt 1
12. Arrival In Rome
13. Miserere Mei, By Allegri
14. Cassation in C, K.63
15. Minuet, Don Giovanni, K.527
16. Medley: Barrel-Organ Var On 'Deh Vieni,'/Don Giovanni, K.527
17. Variations On 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,' K.265
18. Letter Duet, ('Canzonetta Sull'aria'), Marriage Of Figaro, K.492
19. Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, K.525, Movt 4
20. Ave Verum Corpus, K.618
21. Medley: Waldstein Sonata, Op.53, By Beethoven/Piano Concerto in C, K.467, Movt 1...
22. Medley: Piano Sonata in A, K.331, Mvt 1/Gran Partita, K.361, Movt 7
23. Blow Softly, You Breezes ('Soave Sia Il Vento'), Cosi Fan Tutte, K.588...

Product Description

GENERAL FEATURES: The Dream Children are about to be written out of Mozart's most famous opera. Hoping to change their fate, they enlist the help of the composer's young son Karl. Together the children embark on an incredible journey that takes them back in time to Mozart's childhood as well as far into the future. Along the way, Karl learns much about his father and comes to understand his legacy of timeless music. Educational entertainment for all ages.

Customer Reviews:

Too busy.......2006-07-14

I was hoping for more music - there's just too much storytelling for my and my kids' taste. We love the Beethoven's Wig series and were hoping this would be similar.

good product and fast service.......2005-09-11

Product arrived in ample time overseas and was pleased with quality of product!

what a road trip.......2005-02-21

i bought this item after reading some of the reviews on amazon for my nephews who are 2 and 4 years of age. two months after christmas their mom was explaining how they request the cd everytime they are in the car. she groaned when i was in the car and they boys wanted to show me how much they liked the cd. during the trip i witnessed a mother humming along to the music with her children, the boys singing to excerpts, and an overall execptional learning experience about music, culture, and history. if you are looking for something that all children will like, passes the time on a road trip, and teaches important lessons about life without being pretentious then get this cd, it is a guaranteed crowd pleaser.

Mesmerized and moved mom to tears.......2005-01-26

This CD is awesome, the music great, the story captivating. But it's Mozart, you already know about the music. Other reviewers have already discussed the story and I agree with their assessments that it's very good. The reason for this review is to say that my very active, never stopping, constantly in motion 5 year old SAT DOWN AND LISTENED without fidgeting or fiddling for a full 20 minutes and then sat but fiddled for the remainder of the CD. Maybe this is not a big deal to moms of "normal" energy level children -- but this simple act of being still for 20 minutes moved me to tears. I said nothing before putting the CD in, I just put it in while he was doing his running around. Within seconds of hearing the story start he sat down on the floor, crossed his legs, and listened while looking at the speakers. I have never seen this behavior from my child before, ever. Please note that this is a child who is not ADD, he just cannot be still. He listens to hundreds of hours of stories we read to him -- while he's doing something else. He "watches" videos -- while he's doing something else. He reads, while clapping or tapping out the beat of the syllables. I cannot remember my child ever stopping what he was doing to JUST LISTEN. When it was over he said, "That was a cool story," and got up to run around. That was it, but that's high praise from this child. To see my child sitting still for a full 20 minutes, you cannot begin to imagine my awe. I am running right out to get the rest of the series! Bravo to the producers!

Daughter loves it.......2003-03-27

My daughter is 5 and loves to hear this CD over and over in the car.

Average customer rating: Yes, it is THAT bad More victory at sea Victory At Sea More Victory at Sea Victory at Sea Volumes 1 and 2

Rodgers: More Victory at Sea Manufacturer: RCA Victor ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Television Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Similar Items: Victory at Sea (Music from the Original Television Series) Victory at Sea - The Legendary World War II Documentary (History Channel) Victory at Sea Selections from Victory at Sea and Other Favorites Grofé: Orchestral Works ASIN: B000003F8B Release Date: 1992-08-11

Tracks:

1. More Victory At Sea: Allies On The March
2. More Victory At Sea: Voyage Into Fate
3. More Victory At Sea: Peleliu
4. More Victory At Sea: The Sound Of Victory
5. More Victory At Sea: Rings Around Rabaul
6. More Victory At Sea: Full Fathom Five
7. More Victory At Sea: The Turkey Shoot
8. More Victory At Sea: Ships That Pass
9. More Victory At Sea: Two If By Sea
10. More Victory At Sea: The Turning Point
11. More Victory At Sea: Symphonic Scenario

Customer Reviews:

Yes, it is THAT bad.......2007-06-08

Why, why is it so difficult to reissue the originals, in full? The music is wonderful--well, if you're a fan, you know that already--but the sound effects really are laughably bad. And as the sound effects were integral to the atmosphere of several tracks, it really does matter. Now, instead of the jungle sounds that accompanied the original track, you get to listen to some house sparrows chirping and flitting cheerfully from tree to tree, as if you were sailing toy boats in the park instead of slogging through the jungles of New Guinea. If the original sound effects are missing, minimal effort from RCA could have secured at least reasonably realistic substitutes. Instead, we get this pathetic garbage. Really a shame. That second star is only because the original music is so good.

More victory at sea.......2007-03-26

It's ok, but much of it was cut from the original album. I have the complete set of 33 1/3 albums,there were three, the cd is ok but lacks the original sounds put on when recorded.Sounds were added that were not originally there.It can't compare to the original.

Victory At Sea.......2007-03-09

This time honored musical composition is without a doubt the best in its depiction of war in the Pacific. The music tells the real story!!

More Victory at Sea.......2007-01-04

The quality of the digitally remastered music on this CD is far and above what I was expecting. The entire CD plays flawlessly without so much as a hint of unwanted background noise. My experience in purchasing this CD was very good. Shipment was almost immediate and delivery prompt. I can find absolutely nothing to complain about and am very happy with my purchase. Thanks a million.

Victory at Sea Volumes 1 and 2.......2006-12-14

What an utter disappointment. I've got the originals on vinyl, and this sad excuse for a reissue was not worth the money I spent. Most of the sound effects from the original have been left out, and the final 10-minute-plus piece, "Symphonic Scenario", bears not even a passing resemblance to the original. Don't waste your time and money.

Average customer rating: wont buy without listening sample! Very disappointing - Doesn't even rate 1 star wholeness happens Shanti Peace and Tranquility Abound!

Shanti Snatam Kaur Manufacturer: Spirit Voyage Music ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music Relaxation | New Age | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Grace Prem Celebrate Peace Anand To Heaven and Beyond ASIN: B0000DYGAR Release Date: 2003-06-01

Tracks:

1. Ek Ong Kaar (Destiny)
2. Dayndaa Day (Infinity)
3. Aakhan Jor (Acceptance)
4. Hariaa (Strength)
5. Suni-ai (Listening Meditation)
6. Suni-ai (Listening Celebration)
7. Guru Ram Das (Healing)
8. Ong Sohung (I am Thou, I am Peace)

Album Description

Many of the chants and mantras in this album are written by Guru Nanak, the First Guru of the Sikhs who lived from 1469 to 1538. Guru Nanak traveled on foot with his disciple, Mardana, throughout much of India and other countries in Asia. Mardana came from a long lineage of master musicians. Mardana played the rebeck, a simple stringed instrument of Persian origin. Guru Nanak would settle in an area perhaps under a tree, or by a river, and begin to sing with Mardana accompanying him. People would come from miles away attracted by the pure sound current and soon many people would be gathered around them in absolute rapture and love. Guru Nanak's songs have amazing rhythm and poetry, and his message speaks to the Soul.

One of Guru Nanak's most well known gifts to our planet is the sacred composition called Japji. It is recited daily by hundreds of thousands of Sikhs throughout the world today. Japji has forty "pauris" or stanzas. In the words of Yogi Bhajan, " Each pauri addresses different aspects of the relationship between man and God and each has a specific power and gift that comes with it. The particular power of each pauri in Japji lies in the combination of sounds which creates the chemical and magnetic change in and around the being who recites it."

The awareness imparted in these stanzas is simple, practical, and uplifting for anyone on a spiritual path. Japji means meditation of the Soul. It is for all people, as this was Guru Nanak's way.

Customer Reviews:

wont buy without listening sample!.......2006-10-12

the description is interesting, but nowhere to find a listening sample. wont buy a cat in a box! more customer service please!

Very disappointing - Doesn't even rate 1 star.......2006-08-17

The thought that came to mind as I listened to this album was that this is music to which one might suicide or have a drug overdose. Ms. Kaur's voice and instrumentation is monotonous and irritating. If you have tin ears, have had a lobotomy, or are seeking to have one, the voice of Ms. Kaur may give it to you for the price of her album. Ms. Kaur's westernized "inventive melodies and instrumentation" are a definite impediment to any value gained from this sacred composition.

wholeness happens.......2006-07-06

Snatam Kaur's music first enchanted me in a recent couples yoga class. Her delicate sense of melody, her seamless blend of western and eastern instrumentation and composition, and the purity of her voice all merge to offer a rich, luxurious aural context for meditative pleasure on many levels.

Shanti, on its own merits, transports, soothes, and inspires; two of her other CD's offer context. The predecessor Prem (2002) brings a more traditional, more conventional eastern sensitivity; Grace, which followed in 2004, still speaks eloquently and exquisitely, with a slightly more western feel and structure. Shanti evokes, for me, the richest balance. Gently powerful repetition and variation facilitate trance-like consciousness; lyrics in Gurumukhi, the sacred language of the Sikhs, often find complements in brief English phrases. By the time you let the repetitions of "I am in peace/Peace is in me" soak through you in Ong Sohung, you'll feel it truly, deeply, exquisitely. You may even begin to see the world differently.

As the CD ended upon my first listening, I felt moved to say to Snatam Kaur what I said to my beloved partner in our yoga class: "Thank you. Sat nam."

Shanti.......2006-04-07

I recently discovered Snatam Kaur by way of her GRACE album and her music transports me to a finer place. I wanted more, but was apprehensive that the albums would be too similar or not have the type of music I hoped for. Not so in this case. Her SHANTI album is lovely and unique from Grace, and NOT a disappointment! Yipppeee! More beautiful music to sing on my way to work and in the pasture. (OK, I don't know the words on ALL the songs, but she does offer the words on the insert.)

Peace and Tranquility Abound!.......2005-06-03

Shanti is an amazing CD! I first heard it in (surprise, surprise) yoga class and have been absolutely hooked. It is a recording that will permeate your life in a profound and healing way. I listen to it in the car, while practicing yoga and when I simply need peace. Snatam Kaur has a beautiful gift in her voice that comes through in a divine way.

Average customer rating: Got me up and running A First Class Learning Aid FABULOUS-

Vol. 54, Maiden Voyage: Fourteen Easy-To-Play Jazz Tunes (Book & CD Set) Jamey Aebersold Play-A-Long Series Manufacturer: Jamey Aebersold ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | Instructional | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Music Instruction | Instructional | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Music Instruction | Miscellaneous | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Vol. 2, Nothin' But Blues: Jazz And Rock (Book & CD Set) Vol. 3, The II/V7/I Progression: A New Approach To Jazz Improvisation (Book & CD Set) Vol. 70, Killer Joe (Book & CD Set) How to Play Jazz & Improvise, Volume 1 Vol. 76, How To Learn Tunes: A Jazz Musician's Survival Guide (Book & CD Set) ASIN: B000009CO6 Release Date: 2000-06-28

Tracks:

1. Turning Notes
2. Impressions
3. B Flat Blues
4. Solar Flair
5. Summertime
6. Watermelon Man
7. Song For My Father
8. Satin Doll
9. Maiden Voyage
10. F Blues
11. Cantaloupe Island
12. Footprints
13. Doxy
14. Autumn Leaves
15. III/VI7/V7

Customer Reviews:

Got me up and running.......2000-12-27

I'm an intermediate level bass player backing up a praise band at church and a company sponsored big band, but I'd never soloed or played a melody till I took a jazz class that used this book.

Melody lines in the tunes are very readable, even though I did not know most of the songs, and had never played any of them. Tempos are moderate for a productive learning experience--our jazz band performs "Impressions" a lot faster than Aebersold teaches it. And his improv technique got me up and playing pretty quickly. Now I know what in improv solo is and how to get there. It improved my backup skills as well, and overall improved my confidence to step out more even in the backup role. Had a great time, and I'm headed back for another class with another Aebersold book.

A First Class Learning Aid.......2000-05-26

This is a terrific purchase for intermediate level players. The selections are in relatively slow tempos and there is a wealth of information if you are a multi-instrumentalist. The CD recording is good and allows you to mute either the bass or piano acoompaniment as they are recorded on separate channels. There is a recommended discography for each track. My only criticism is that it would be better to have the tracks recorded twice, once with just piano,bass and drums (what you get now) and recorded again with a lead instrument playing the notated themes in the supplied booklet.

FABULOUS-.......1999-11-10

Professional backup for you to solo in whatever key- c, bflat, eflat, your instrument is in. really fun to improvise and learn the "art" of jazz. This is a must for anyone wanting to learn how jazz musicans improvise.

Average customer rating: Imaginary Voyage Classic Jean-Luc A great album of jazz rock with proggy overtones A Fantastic Voyage Enjoyably undemanding fusion

Imaginary Voyage Jean-Luc Ponty Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Bebop & Post-Bop | Compilations | Jazz | Styles | Music Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Jazz General | Jazz | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Jazz General | Jazz | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Progressive Rock | Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Progressive Rock | Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Jazz | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Enigmatic Ocean Cosmic Messenger Mystical Adventures Civilized Evil A Taste for Passion ASIN: B000002I93 Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. New Country
2. The Gardens Of Babylon
3. Wandering On The Milky Way (Violin Solo)
4. Once Upon A Dream
5. Tarantula
6. Imaginary Voyage Part l
7. Imaginary Voyage Part ll
8. Imaginary Voyage Part lll
9. Imaginary Voyage Part lV

Customer Reviews:

Imaginary Voyage.......2007-07-23

Excellent production and great quality.one of the best violinist in the world I have listened to him for 30 years Just love it I have sang and tried to play violin for 40 years sang for bucks Love the music of Jerry Goodman and Jean Luc Ponty

Classic Jean-Luc.......2006-11-10

Had this on vinyl ages ago. Recently purchased the CD and it is as great as the first time I heard it all those years ago. If you like this kind of music, you will love Jean-Luc Ponty. I must for any decent collection.

A great album of jazz rock with proggy overtones.......2006-07-20

This 1976 album opens with the track New Country, which has somewhat of a country hoedown feel to it - complete with a "foot-stomping" bass drum/bass guitar pattern and the lightning fast picking of the acoustic guitar and Jean Luc Ponty's "country music on speed" fiddling style. An odd way to open this otherwise proggy jazz rock album perhaps, but the track is pretty neat. The rest of the album however, is really fantastic and blends elements of jazz with rock, along with an admixture of prog rock and a tiny pinch of psychedelic rock too (the spacey and heavily echoed/phased violin solo instrumental "Wandering on the Milky Way" is a good example of this). As a huge prog fan and a casual jazz rock fan I found the blend to be very listenable and extremely enjoyable.

The musicians on this album include virtuoso violinist and band leader Jean Luc Ponty (he played on Frank Zappa's Hot Rats album (1969) and a few mid-70s Mahavishnu Orchestra albums), bassist Tom Fowler (he played on Frank Zappa's One Size Fits All album (1975)), solid studio musician Daryl Stuermer on guitars, Billy Cobham inspired drummer Mark Craney, and keyboardist Allan Zavod (mini-moog, string synthesizer, acoustic piano). I should note that Jean Luc also played Hammond organ and synthesizers too. Come to think of it, synthesizers are featured pretty heavily on this album. All of the musicians are fantastic and although I generally like Daryl's approach and playing, he sometimes "overplays" on the electric guitar (he also did this with Genesis during their live shows). It is not distracting mind you; I just do not feel that his "fast" playing has the same organic feel that virtuoso guitarists John McLaughlin or Alan Holdsworth got when they were burning up and down the fretboard.

The griping aside, the music on this album is just fantastic. It is a perfect blend of jazz rock and prog with enough dynamic contrast, melodic development, and above all else, unchecked virtuosity to keep any proghead thoroughly entertained. My favorite piece of course is the 19'55" multi-movement "Imaginary Voyage" suite. This really is a great track that covers a range of moods and features some excellent playing by all of the band members along with extremely intricate ensemble work - I won't bother going into the numbers of meter shifts per measure but there are a lot.

All in all this is a great album of jazz-rock with an admixture of proggy elements that features the violin as a solo instrument and would make a fine addition to the jazz rock or prog rock album collection. Highly recommended along with the excellent follow-up album Enigmatic Ocean (1977) and other jazz rock albums such as Romantic Warrior (Return to Forever, 1976), Birds of Fire (Mahavishnu Orchestra, 1973), and Cross Collateral (Passport, 1975).

A Fantastic Voyage.......2005-11-17

Long ago, I got the LP "Imaginary Voyage," and played it until it was worn out. Then I got the cassette tape and played that until it was worn out. Right now, I'm working on the CD version of the album, and am far from tired of listening to it. This is, in my opinion, the best album that Jean-Luc Ponty has recorded: the best variety of music and the best that he has written. Starting with "New Country" and moving into the dreamy "Gardens of Babylon" and "Wandering On The Milky Way," into the urgencies of "Once Upon A Dream" and then into the sharp "Tarantula," Ponty displays a variety of emotions with his mastery of the electric violin. He then tops that with the epic 4-part "Imaginary Voyage," which culminates in the wonderful eight-minute "Part IV." Jean-Luc Ponty has been around a long time and has a lot of recordings, and if you haven't heard this album before, get it. It's definitely worth buying.

(As an aside, I had heard about this album from watching "Soundstage," an old PBS show from long ago, when they had an episode called "Fiddlers Three," featuring Doug Kershaw, Itzahk Perlman and Jean-Luc Ponty. A wonderful show, showing three different types of violin performances: Ponty, so smooth and even in using the bow, even in fast songs, it seemed like he wouldn't break a sweat. Perlman played classical music, his movements so precise, sharp and clean, carefully and exacting in his bow work. Kershaw played Cajun country music, all elbows and movement, the strings on his bow breaking from his sawing motions on the violin, it appeared so sloppy compared to the other two but sounded so good. At the end, all three combined on one song, playing various parts in their own style. A great show with great talent using the same instrument but playing diverse ways.)

Enjoyably undemanding fusion.......2005-04-09

The violin had a bit of an image problem in rock music. Despite the best efforts of Darryl Way and Eddie Jobson in Curved Air, and that annoying Graham Smith fellow in Van Der Graaf, it could never quite shake off its associations with the school orchestra and the tedium of compulsory music lessons.

Jean-Luc Ponty made the instrument cool with his participation on one of the coolest rock albums made, Frank Zappa's HOT RATS of 1970. After this brief spell in the limelight, we assumed he had returned to his jazz roots, inspired by Stephan Grapelli. Then suddenly in 1976, just as jazz-rock hit maturity, UK radio presenters such as Alan Freeman and Derek Jewell were playing tracks from a new Ponty solo album -- IMAGINARY VOYAGE. Of course, they didn't have time to play more than a couple of tracks, but helpfully, the first two tracks on this album were very radio-friendly. Even once you knew the album well, those were the two tracks you selected when you wanted to make compilation tapes.

That remains my view today, pretty much. Actually one of the advantages of CD is that, if you've always been a lazy type, you get to hear what was Side Two on the LP that you could rarely be bothered to turn over. Of a similar structure to Focus's MOVING WAVES, the LP put five concise tracks on Side One, and then a single extended instrumental piece on Side Two.

This is all crossover jazz-rock stuff. If you like early Bill Bruford (e.g. ONE OF A KIND) or Return to Forever (NO MYSTERY), you'll find much to like about IMAGINARY VOYAGE, although this album doesn't quite meet the same standard set by Bruford and RTF.

The backing musicians include the usual high-calibre performers of the 1970s: e.g. Tom Fowler from Zappa's band on bass, and Daryl Stuermer is very good on sparkling guitar (before he went all commercial by joining Phil Collins).

The packaging is without extras: Rhino have simply copied across the LP's cover art, and re-typed the album information. It's not remastered, and the bass is pretty murky.

The album did pretty well in 1976/77, and most of us who bought it went on to buy his next, ENIGMATIC OCEAN, but stopped there.

This is about as enjoyably undemanding as jazz-rock got, and well worth adding to your collection.

World Music:

1. Voyager Series: Bavarian Favorites
2. Who Knows...
3. Y Los 5 Caballeros
4. 24 Grandes Exitos [Import]
5. 4 Round [Import]
6. Acustica [Import]
7. Ah L'amore Quante Cose Fa Fare L'amore [Import]
8. Amores E Boleros V.2 [Import]
9. Angola Minha Namorada [Import]
10. Apogiosi [Import]

World Music

world music

World Music

Havana Moon [Import] [Limited Edition] [Original recording remastered]

Suite de danses pour piano

Symphony 1 / Turkish Fragments & Marches

Hot Comb & Tin Can

The Perfect Beats, Vol. 2

Top Tunes Karaoke CDG Pop Vol. 12 TT-027

Torfrock Ofer Watt?

The Hustler Way

The Edge - David Axelrod at Capitol Records 1966-1970

Spanish Recital, Works for Two Guitars

The Poll Winners Ride Again

The Club New Yorker

That's Right [CD-single]

Beyond All the Limits

Aguaplano