Old Tears

About the Artist
Kelarova is hardly oblivious to modern jazz and pop sounds from North America or Western Europe. Kelarova, who's work can be very dark and sorrowful, is essentially a Czech Republic version of a torch singer.

Product Description
Sometimes, when you will be sad, do not run away from your sorrow, but live through this power and deepness. Emotions, sadness and belief are tin that in many layers.

Tracks:

Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears
My Wild Irish Rose
Love Thee Dearest
Forty Shades of Green
Courtin' in the Kitchen
The Stone Outside Dan Murphy's Door
I'll Tell My Ma
Macushla
Slievenamon
The Green Fields of France
Trasna Na Dtonnta (Over The Waves)
Oro Se Do Bheatha Bhaile (Long Life to You on Your Homecoming)
An Poc Ar Buile (The Mad Goat)
The Rose of Tralee
The Old Bog Road
How Are Things In Glocca Morra
The Croppy Boy
A Nation Once Again
Let There Be Peace
Danny Boy
God Bless America

Product Description

1. Isle Of Hope, Isle Of Tears
2. My Wild Irish Rose
3. Love Thee Dearest
4. Forty Shades Of Green
5. The Courtin Medley
A. Courtin, In The Kitchen
B. The Stone Outside Dan Murphy s Door
C. I ll Tell My Ma
6. Macushla
7. Slievenamon
8. The Green Fields Of France
9. The Irish Medley
A. Transna Na Dtonnta (Over The Waves)
B. Oro Se Do Bheatha Bhaile (Long Life To You On Your Homecoming)
C. An Poc Ar Buile (The Mad Goat)
10. The Rose Of Tralee
11. The Old Bog Road
12. How Are Things In Glocca Morra
13. The Croppy Boy
14. A Nation Once Again
15. Let There Be Peace
16. Danny Boy
17. God Bless America

Format: CD

Amazon.com

The Irish Tenors' fourth album sees the trio of Anthony Kearns, Ronan Tynan, and Finbar Wright paying a sentimental musical tribute to Ellis Island, the hallowed landmark that met the majority of immigrants entering the United States at the beginning of the 20th century. Needless to say, the Tenors' repertoire this time around is full of reflective ballads of love, loss, and homesickness, including the original "Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears" that opens this disc. Throughout this studio recording, the Irish Tenors are in fine form and backed by a soft-hued orchestra that never interferes with their soaring vocals. Traditional tunes include "My Wild Irish Rose," "How Are Things in Glocca Mora," and, of course, "Danny Boy" (the last sung by all three tenors, with refreshingly simple solo piano accompaniment). Thankfully, the threesome didn't forget that the immigrants had fun, too, as evidenced by some lighthearted fare; "The Courtin' Medley" features the Tenors at their most upbeat and comical. Ellis Island is a moving aural portrait of the struggles and triumphs of the Irish émigrés and a must-have for fans of the threesome. Newcomers may enjoy the Tenors' debut disc even more, as the earlier live album is a slightly more upbeat and spirited affair. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

Three Cheers for the Irish!!!.......2007-05-30

A glorious concert in a historic setting, with all involved in top notch form. Finbar finds a great old Johnny Cash number, Ronan sings a Glocka
Mora to end all, and Anthony Kearns sings murderously difficult versions
of Macushla and The Croppy Boy like an angel. And their Courtin' and Irish
Medleys, and their "Nation Once Again" trios are simply glorious glees.

With the benefit of a grand theme, this is perhaps the best, and best balanced, of all their programs.

Ellis Island song brings tears to my eyes.......2006-03-17

This magical album crosses oceans and centuries and puts me in touch with my Irish ancestry. The title song tells a story similar to my greatgrandmother's and even though I've heard it many times now, I still weep for her.

How Are Things In Glocca Morra?.......2004-04-16

Long a fan of Irish music, I have turned to a series of artists to satiate my appetite. Bing Crosby and John McCormick have been succeeded by the Irish Tenors.

This CD has a bit more of an Irish American theme as "Isle Of Hope, Isle Of Tears" and "God Bless America" illustrate. Interspersed among these tunes are traditional Irish tunes such as "Macushla" and "Croppy Boy", along with newer songs, such as "The Green Fields Of France" and "How are Things In Glocca Morra?"

The singing is excellent, the words understandable. I appreciate the inclusion the lyrics of the songs contained on the insert of the cover. These are songs you will want to learn, whose stories you will want to research. I have. Listen again and again!

How Are Things In Glocca Morra?.......2004-04-16

Long a fan of Irish music, I have turned to a series of artists to satiate my appetite. Bing Crosby and John McCormick have been succeeded by the Irish Tenors.

The Best Historical CD Ever!.......2003-11-21

I think this is best CD since Live in Belfast! it also has 2 songs not included on the video! it's a unique album of how the immigration to Ellis Island and New York turned out. It also has songs of the war such as The Green Fields Of France (The Best One) or, the croppy boy. I would recommend this to anyone!

Average customer rating:

Great Hits from Sigmund Romberg

Great Hits from Sigmund Romberg

Manufacturer: Pearl
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Music of Sigmund Romberg
Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life: The Songs of Victor Herbert
A Victor Herbert Showcase: The Greatest Hits of the Father of American Popular Song
Deep in My Heart
The Desert Song / The New Moon

ASIN: B000000X26
Release Date: 1992-06-12

Tracks:

The Desert Song: It
Maytime: Waltz Medley
Girl Of The Golden West: Who Are We To Say?
The New Moon: Introduction - Stout Hearted Men - Lover Come Back To Me - Girl On The Prow - Try Her Out At Dances - Wanting You - Softly As In A Morning Sunrise - One Kiss - Finale
Nina Rosa: The Gaucho March
The Desert Song: Waltz
Viennese Nights: Introduction - I Bring You A Love Song - Here We Are - You Will Remember Vienna - Regimental March
Blossom Time: Song Of Love
My Maryland: Introduction - Dixie - Boys In Grey - Mother - Silver Moon - Your Land Is My Land
Bimbo: In Old Granada
The Desert Song: Introduction - Riff Song - One Flower In Your Garden - Waltz - The Foreign Legion - Romance - One Alone
Maytime: Farewell To Dreams
Nina Rosa: Your Smiles, Your Tears
The New Moon: Marienne
The New Moon: Softly As In A Morning Sunrise
Nina Rosa: My First Love, My Last Love
Viennese Nights: I Bring A Love Song
The Night Is Young: When I Grow Too Old To Dream
The Student Prince: Intorduction - Arrival Of The Prince - Serenade - Deep In My Heart, Dear - Drinking Song - Just We Two - Students' March Song

Customer Reviews:

Great Hits from Sigmund Romberg.......2007-01-04

Excellent audio product, especially considering its age and the state of technology.

Average customer rating:

Beautiful melody but lacks variety

Being Julia
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Varese Sarabande
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Being Julia
The Queen
Ladies in Lavender
De-Lovely
Memoirs of a Geisha

ASIN: B00065U0NG
Release Date: 2004-11-16

Tracks:

Curtain Up
Real World - The Mills Brothers
Lift
Bei Mir Bist du Sch
Farewell My Love
Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherries
Never Seen Them Shine Like That Before
Birthday Presents
It Will Only End in Tears
They Didn't Believe Me
Charades
I Saw the Light On
Am I Late
Not That Sort of Girl
Take a Break
Yes, Yes - Alison Jiear
Avice Gets the Part
Reunion - The Andrews Sisters
Play for the Other Side
Mad About the Boy
Jimmy's Magic
Avice Takes a Bow
For Old Times' Sake
Laird O'Drumblair
Stage Is Set
Curtain Call
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
Quite Alone

Amazon.com

Based on Somerset Maugham's middling novel Theater, Annette Bening stars as the title character, an aging star of the London stage whose life and the melodramas she performs have come to mirror each other. Composer Mychael Danna sets those conflicts to a score that emphasizes theatrical surfaces and rigid role-playing, utilizing a finely honed classical pastiche approach with parallels to his previous period-evoking work on Vanity Fair. His cues here are rooted in the light romantic chamber music of the 19th century, though they frequently bristle with a more contemporary energy and aplomb. Offering counterpoint to Danna's dignified, oft-precious classical confections and mining the story's more sensual human dimensions are pop chestnuts from the era (The Andrews Sisters' saucy "Bei Mir Bist Du Schon" and Mills Brothers' jaunty "Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherries"), as well as fine contemporary takes of "They Didn't Believe Me" and Noel Coward's "Mad About the Boy" by Denzel Sinclair and Alison Jicar's elegant read of "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes." --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful melody but lacks variety.......2005-04-11

Being Julia OST has a beautiful main melody which occurs over and over again throughout the tracks. I especially like "Curtain Up" and "Quite Alone". However, Being Julia OST doesn't have other strong melody to show along side with the main melody which seems a little too simple for a complete album. The movie is great too. Annette Bening's performance is outstanding.

Average customer rating:

Inspirational!
hymns we sang in church

Abide With Me

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Hymns Through the Centuries
Hymns Triumphant 1 & 2
Praise to the Lord - Hymns From St. Paul's Cathedral
Be Still My Soul: The Ultimate Hymns Collection
The Music of St. Paul's Cathedral

ASIN: B000024236
Release Date: 1996-06-10

Tracks:

Praise, My Soul, The King of Heaven - Choir of King's College, Stephen Cleobury
Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation - Choir of King's College, Stephen Cleobury
All Glory, Laud and Honour - Choir of King's College, Stephen Cleobury
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross - Choir of King's College, Stephen Cleobury
Day of Resurrection - Choir of King's College, Stephen Cleobury
O God, Our Help in Ages Past - Choir of King's College, Stephen Cleobury
Dear Lord and Father of Mankind - Choir of King's College, Stephen Cleobury
Praise to the Holiest in the Height - Choir of King's College, Stephen Cleobury
Praise to the Lord - Choir of King's College, Stephen Cleobury
Church's One Foundation - Choir of King's College, Stephen Cleobury
Crown Him With Many Crowns - Choir of King's College, Stephen Cleobury
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling - Choir of King's College, Stephen Cleobury
Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty - Choir of King's College, Stephen Cleobury
Now Thank We All Our God - Choir of King's College, Stephen Cleobury
Abide with Me - Choir of King's College, Stephen Cleobury
O Praise Ye the Lord - Choir of King's College, Stephen Cleobury
Drop, Drop, Slow Tears - Choir of King's College, Sir David Willcocks
Glory Be to Jesus - Choir of King's College, Sir David Willcocks
There Is a Green Hill Far Away - Choir of King's College, Sir David Willcocks
According to Thy Gracious Word - Choir of King's College, Sir David Willcocks
Holy Father, Cheer Our Way - Choir of King's College, Sir David Willcocks
Glory to Thee, My God, This Night - Choir of King's College, Sir David Willcocks
Day Thou Gavest, Lord, Is Ended - Choir of King's College, Sir David Willcocks
Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding - Choir of King's College, Sir David Willcocks
On Jordan's Bank the Baptist's Cry - Choir of King's College, Sir David Willcocks

Tracks:

Onward, Christian Soldiers - Huddersfield Choral Society, Wyn Morris
Lord's My Shepherd - Huddersfield Choral Society, Wyn Morris
Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah - Huddersfield Choral Society, Wyn Morris
All People That on Earth Do Dwell - U.S.A.F. Protestant Chapel Choir, West Ruislap, England,
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel - U.S.A.F. Protestant Chapel Choir, West Ruislap, England,
Forty Days and Forty Nights - U.S.A.F. Protestant Chapel Choir, West Ruislap, England,
O Sacred Head, Now Wounded - U.S.A.F. Protestant Chapel Choir, West Ruislap, England,
Christ the Lord Is Risen Today - U.S.A.F. Protestant Chapel Choir, West Ruislap, England,
Head That Once Was Crown'd With Thorns - U.S.A.F. Protestant Chapel Choir, West Ruislap, England,
Rock of Ages - Choir of King's College, Maurice Vinden
Eternal Father, Strong to Save - Choir of King's College, Maurice Vinden
All Things Bright and Beautiful - Choir of Paisley Abbey, George McPhee
Be Thou My Vision - Choir of Paisley Abbey, George McPhee
Be Still, My Soul - Choir of Paisley Abbey, George McPhee
King of Love My Shepherd Is - Choir of Paisley Abbey, George McPhee
Let Us With a Gladsome Mind - Choir of Paisley Abbey, George McPhee
For All the Saints - Choir of Paisley Abbey, George McPhee
O Worship the King - Choir of Paisley Abbey, George McPhee
Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus - Choir of King's College, George Guest
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence - Choir of King's College, George Guest
Spirit of Mercy, Truth, And Love - Choir of King's College, George Guest
Lead Us, Heavenly Father, Lead Us - Choir of King's College, George Guest
Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise - Choir of King's College, George Guest
Jesu, Lover of My Soul - Choir of King's College, George Guest
Jerusalem - Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Choir of King's College, ,

Album Details

Compiled Here Are Fifty of the Most Beloved Hymns Performed by Three of England's Most Distinguished Choirs. Every Selection Here is Sung in an Appropriately Dignified Manner and If You're Up for Over Two Hours of Consistently Well-rendered Quintessentially English Treatments of These Vernacular Favorites it Simply Doesn't Get Any Better Than This.

Customer Reviews:

Inspirational!.......2004-10-08

Majestic hymns sung with British accents. A great combination! I haven't noticed any objectionable sounds on my copy.

hymns we sang in church.......2003-02-16

i grew up in a traditional presbyterian church that had a pipe organ. i wanted a cd of many of the hymns that we sang in church sung by a choir and accompanied by a pipe organ. this cd fulfilled my wishes perfectly. the hymns are performed in a very straight-forward fashion with no show-boating or excess flourishes which is exactly what i wanted. this is not gospel music but what i refer to as liturgical music to indicate that it is religious music but not gospel music. i would give it 5 stars but there is a slight hiss. other than that the recording quality is very good.

Average customer rating:

Let some pleasing dreams beguile all my fancies...
Disappointing

Severn Meadows: Songs by Ivor Gurney

Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Songs by Roger Quilter

ASIN: B00005MGAF
Release Date: 2001-08-14

Customer Reviews:

Let some pleasing dreams beguile all my fancies..........2006-07-31

I'm sorry the reviewer below felt it necessary to concentrate on the programme notes of this recording rather than the recording. Leaving aside any question of how or what caused the miserable end of Gurney's life, it is an inestimable pleasure to know that he left to the world a quanitity of songs which are gem-like in their miniature of human emotion, memory and almost calm imagery. They are indeed very English songs, but English artsong has nothing of which to be ashamed.

The songs on this album include the perfect "Sleep" as well as many other, more unfamiliar, Gurney songs. Listening to the very, very beautiful tenor voice of Paul Agnew sing these songs with delicacy and sincerity is a wonder. (I cannot fathom why the reviewer below found anything at which to cavil in the superb singing of these songs!) Agnew's voice is somewhat difficult to describe - it is of a pure sweetness that is yet very masculine, like the smooth trunk of a birch. It has an almost woody quality to it, that nearly reed-like purity of an oboe, perhaps, yet with the sonorousness of a cello in its upper register. It is an instantly recognisable timbre, a haut-contre voice that is not only immensely attractive but controlled in such a masterful and intelligent way.

Paul Agnew's approach to these songs is well-nigh perfect. I have played this particular CD several times, sighing with pleasure each time at the tone, the feeling and the beautiful phrasing.

Recommended without hesitation.

Disappointing.......2002-04-14

Unfortunately Severn Meadows ý Songs by Ivor Gurney is a disappointing recording, particularly since it is the first CD devoted entirely to Gurney's music. Gurney was a master of the song setting but this release does not do his splendid contributions to song literature justice. It is too similar in tone throughout and lacks the sparkle, color and intensity that other interpreters draw from Gurney's music. More disappointing and disturbing than the recording, however, are Michael Hurd's program notes in which he feels it necessary to repeat the irresponsible suggestion the Gurney suffered from syphilis. This information was presented to the public in 2000 without being carefully researched or documented and has, unfortunately, found its way into print too often as an explanation of Gurney's mental illness. Gurney did not suffer from syphilis or shell shock or paranoid schizophrenia. He suffered, as did Robert Schumann, from severe untreated manic-depressive illness. ...

Average customer rating:

Late in the 20th Century, Vol. 2

Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Fugues | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000005IZT
Release Date: 1992-05-27

Tracks:

Different Trains - Electric Counterpoint: Different Trains (excerpt)
Le Mystere Des Voix Bulgares, Vol. II: Stani, Mi Maytcho
The Gospel At Colonus Original Cast Album: How Shall I See You Through My Tears - The Gospel At Colonus
J. S Bach: The Well - Tempered Clavier, Book II: Prelude in E major
The Thin Blue Line - Original Soundtrack: Interrogation, Part One
Guitarra Portuguesa: Cancao Verdes Anos
The Rakes Progress: No Word From Tom
Winter Was Hard: Fratres
The President: Bring Yr Camera: Philip (excerpt)
Different Trains - Electric Counterpoint: Electric Counterpoint (3rd Movement) excerpt
World Saophone Quartet: Rhythm & Blues: For the Love of Money
Spy Vs Spy: John Zorn Plays Music Of Ornette Coleman: Good Old Days
AKIKO YANO: Highland
Before We Were Born
Gypsy Kings: Un Amor

Just Plain Country / Tears & Heartaches Old Records

Average customer rating:

THE COUNTRY SIDE OF KAY STARR

Just Plain Country / Tears & Heartaches Old Records
Kay Starr
Manufacturer: EMI Gold Imports
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Classic | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

Broadway & Vocalists | Imports | Stores | Music

Pop | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Julie/Love on the Rocks
Jazz Singer / Fabulous Favourites
The Cool School/Do Re Mi
From Broadway with Love/Tender Loving Care
One: The Only & Blue Starr

ASIN: B000DNVJPE
Release Date: 2006-02-13

Tracks:

Pins And Needles (In My Heart)
Crazy
Four Walls
My Last Date With You
Blues Stay Away From Me
Walk On By
Oh, Lonesome Me
I Can't Help It (If I'm Still In Love With You)
I Really Don't Want To Know
Singing The Blues
Don't Worry
Tears And Heartaches
Talk, Talk, Talk
I Waited A Little Too Long
Never Dreamed I Could Love Someone New
Make The World Go Away
Flowers On The Wall
Old Records
I Don't Care (Just As Long As You Love Me)
I Know That You Know That We Know That They Know
Standing In The Ruins
I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry

Album Description

2-on-1. Kay Starr gained a reputation of being able to turn her hand to any type of song, and on Just Plain Country she proves that even country music isn't beyond her vocal talents. She zips through the classics like 'Crazy', 'Four Wall', 'Walk On By', 'Oh, Lonesome Me' and 'Singing The Blues' with real ease. Tears And Heartaches Old Records also contains a few classic country tunes; 'Make The World Go Away' and 'I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry' to name a few. Tears And Heartaches Old Records were both big US hits for Kay, and tracks like 'Flower' On The Wall' and 'Talk, Talk, Talk' became standards. EMI Gold. 2006.

Album Details

Kay Starr Gained a Reputation of Being Able to Turn her Hand to Any Type of Song, and on "Just Plain Country" She Proves that Even Country Music Isn't Beyond her Vocal Talents. She Zips Through the Classics Like "Crazy", "Four Wall", "Walk on By", "oh, Lonesome Me" and "Singing the Blues" with Real Ease. "Tears and Heartaches Old Records" also Includes a Few Classic Country Tunes Like "Make the World Go Away" and "i'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" to Name but Two. "Tears and Heartaches Old Records" were Both Big Us Hits for Starr, and Tracks Like "Flower on the Wall" and "Talk, Talk, Talk" Became Standards.

Customer Reviews:

THE COUNTRY SIDE OF KAY STARR.......2006-03-10

Kay Starr remains one of the most underrated female vocalists of her era, but this collection should bolster her stock once again (as do the other two such collections of two albums on one disc from EMI). Blessed with a warm, rich voice suited for any type of music, Kay foraged into the gold of Nashville for these two albums and the results are fantastic. The pathos in her voice on the ballads is, at its best, a tip of the hat to the true C&W vocalists such as Patsy Cline, Tammy Wynette and Loretta Lynn. The weepy FOUR WALLS is one such example. Kay's vocals soar over the sad tale with ease. A cover of the aforementioned Ms. Cline's CRAZY (an early writing from country music's best pal, Willie Nelson) is a nice substitute for the real thing without stealing or 'borrowing' from the original.
Still another standout is this disc's opener, PINS AND NEEDLES (In My Heart). This one's an urgent cry to anyone who's ever been in love and lost. Heartbreakingly gorgeous, complete with orchestra and chorus (as most of the tunes are) to abet Ms. Starr's poignant vocal. Kay also stamps another hit of the time, MY LAST DATE (WITH YOU) with her own style. The hit version was an instrumental by Floyd Cramer, and should be recognizable at once. WALK ON BY is a sly cover and Kay has fun with this number. Speaking of fun, how about her spin on FLOWERS ON THE WALL? The staples are all around here, with I CAN'T HELP IT, SINGING THE BLUES, and I'M SO LONESOME I COULD CRY, and again, Kay's own warm style is conveyed throughout. But other lesser know country gems, such as OLD RECORDS, TEARS AND HEARTACHES and the scorching country torch ballad I WAITED A LITTLE TOO LONG get the royal treatment here. (It's unknown the arranger/conductor of the 2nd part of the program here, but the arrangements are all top notch) But don't think it's all just those lonesome country wailers here, Kay swings her way through I DON'T CARE (Just As Long As You Love Me) and duets with herself on the choruses of the gentle swinging OH LONESOME ME. There is an even mix of uptempo songs and slow ballads. A very enjoyable new release from EMI in their usual wonderful fashion.

Average customer rating:

Important Historical Recordings: the First Great Trombonist!
a great find
a fantastic example
Arthur Pryor Forever
One of the greats

Trombone Soloist of the Sousa Band

Manufacturer: Crystal Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Herbert L. Clarke: Original Recordings 1907-21
Trombonastics
Cornet Favorites

ASIN: B000009M2N
Release Date: 1997-09-30

Tracks:

Blue Bells Of Scotland
Intermezzo-Forever
We Won't Go Home Until Morning
Stay In Your Own Back Yard
Parisian Melodies
Prince Of Pilsen: Message Of The Violet
Little Nell
Stabat Mater: Cujus Animam
My Old Kentucky Home
The Patriot-Polka
Stabat Mater: Inflammatus
Love's Enchantment
The Holy City
One Sweetly Solemn Thought
Nancy Brown: Congo Love Song
Non E Ver
Love Thoughts Waltz
The Low Back'd Car
Navajo
Sergeant Brue: Dearie
Aida: Celeste Aida
Come Down From The Big Fig Tree
Oh, Dry Those Tears
Pagliacci Selection
Love Me And The World Is Mine
Polka Fantastic

Customer Reviews:

Important Historical Recordings: the First Great Trombonist!.......2004-09-17

This CD is a compilation of only a very few of the literally thousands of recordings Arthur Pryor made as a trombonist during a span of about 20 years. Since they date to the earliest days of recording technology--all of the works here are from 1901-1911--the sound quality is terrible compared to our modern recordings. Although all sorts of manipulations were used to improve the sound, including the combining of two different copies of the same recording, there is still a significant amount of hiss, crackle, and pop--it's more like a bowl of Rice Crispies than a newly recorded CD. If you can think of it like listening to an old Victorola it has a certain amount of charm, but surely some listeners will be immediately put off by the distortion, which admittedly lessens in the later works. Add to this the logistical problems of recording at the turn of the last century--only a limited amount of players could gather around the equipment--and it becomes clear that we aren't really hearing what an audience member at the time would have heard during a live performance of Sousa's Band. In fact, the band comes off quite poorly here--in The Blue Bells of Scotland they can barely keep up with Arthur Pryor, and their ensemble playing is poor in many places to an extent that's hardly credible for what was widely believed to be the best band in the world.

But of course one doesn't buy a CD like this to hear the accompaniment, or to listen to the sound quality. The only reason is to hear Arthur Pryor, surely the first great trombone soloist, in what is a wonderful piece of turn-of-the-century Americana. Pryor was the son of a bandmaster and learned to play all sorts of instruments (violin, cornet, alto horn, string bass, and valve trombone!) at an early age and was given his first slide trombone some time after his 11th birthday. He became a trombone virtuoso in the face of overwhelming difficulties--not only did a kick from a mule result in partial paralysis of his face, but also the trombone he'd been given was damaged and could only use the first two positions. In overcoming these seeming adversities through an astonishing work ethic he developed many of the features which made his performance so special: his characteristic constant shimmery vibrato created by "waving" his jaw; and an amazing embouchure (lip muscle strength) which allowed him to play every chromatic pitch using only those two positions (normal trombone technique employs 7!). Pryor revolutionized trombone technique and set a new standard, not only at home in America, but also abroad during his many European tours with the Sousa band and his own ensemble. One of his trombones, covered in engraving and with the characteristic unusually small bore he favored, can still be seen on display at the Interlochen School of the Arts outside of Traverse City, Michigan.

Featured on the CD are 26 Pryor performances, a few with piano, 10 with the Sousa Band, and 12 with Pryor's own ensembles. The music ranges from Italian opera arias (Verdi's Celeste Aida) to American popular songs of the day (Foster's My Old Kentucky Home) and contains a good portion of Pryor's own compositions and arrangements. Among my favorites are Pryor's The Patriot-Polka and Polka Fantastic, both clever pieces with amazing trombone performances. A real oddity is We Won't Go Home Until Morning (known to me as The Bear Went Over the Mountain) "played in four octaves"--it's exactly what it says it is. After a short piano introduction, Pryor plays the melody unaccompanied and unadorned in a high octave, then an octave lower, another octave lower, and finally in pedal tones. The whole thing has a real carny atmosphere, as if P. T. Barnum were hiding just around the corner. Van Alstyne's Navajo also captures this air of a time long gone, when Americans were wide-eyed and innocent and the world was never far from a Saturday afternoon near the bandstand.

Of special note are the unusually thorough notes in the programme booklet. Daniel E. Frizane supplies terrific biographical notes, from which I gleaned much of the information above; articles about the recordings and the Arthur Pryor performances are supplied, as well as an engineer's note describing the equipment and techniques used to restore the recordings. It's clearly a labor of love from all concerned.

a great find.......2002-11-10

If you're a trombonist, you've heard of that crazy song, Blue Bells of Scotland, and you may have noticed the name of the composer, Arthur Pryor. You may not know that he was a trombonist himself(!) and played in the John Philip Sousa band for many years, and then had his own band afterwards. Pryor was a famous name in the trombone world, and he wrote many pieces featuring a solo trombone; most of them are featured here.

If you want to buy this album to hear fantastic trombone playing so fast it'll blow your socks off or so pretty in a ballad you fall right to sleep, this is not the album for you. It is a recording produced from an OLD master (you may recall the Sousa band was at the turn of the 20th century), and with trombone playing that is not the style thought of as 'pretty' by today's ear. If this describes you, look for some of these same songs (blue bells, thoughts of love, fantasic polka), recorded by some of today's trombone virtuosos - Christian Lindberg, Mark Lawrence, Joe Alessi, etc. to find a more modern sound.

If, however, you want authentic period music, this is about as authentic as you can get. The trombone style is choppy when fast, and not as connected for slow tunes also, and the band accompaniment is the same way; that was the popular style of the time. It is nice to hear these pieces and realize how the composer intended them to be played (because he's the one playing them).

So, good for novelty purposes, bad for high quality recording of highest quality trombone playing

a fantastic example.......2002-07-17

Arthur pryor's trombone playing in this exellent assortment of pieces recorded in the late 1800's gives both beginner and expert players fastastic insight on how to improve their playing. Arthur pryor will undoubtedly go down as one of the world's greatest trombonists of all time....and to actually hear him play is an awesome experience.

Arthur Pryor Forever.......1999-12-17

I play trombone, and I have listened to this album, and I think it's wonderful. The sound is not very good, as it is a VERY VERY VERY old original recording, but it is an absolute must have for any trombonist. What can I say, I love it.

One of the greats.......1999-12-17

This is a must buy for any trombonist. I play trombone, and Arthur Pryor is, in my opinion, the all-time best trombone performer, and song writer that I have yet encountered. I have played the Blue Bells of Scotland, and it is wonderful.