Barbara [Import]

1. Il Me Revient

2. A Force De

3. Le Couloir

4. Le Jour Se Leve Encore

5. Vivant Poeme

6. Faxe-Moi

7. Fatigue

8. Femme Piano

9. John Parker Lee

10. Sables Mouvants

11. Lucy

12. Les Enfants De Novembre

Barbara,Barbara,Universal/Mercury,World Music

Average customer rating: A Little Sorry, but Grateful Nonetheless Raul...WOW Company Do yourself a favor Revival Musical Hits the Mark

Company (2006 Broadway Revival Cast) Manufacturer: Nonesuch ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Similar Items: Spring Awakening (2006 Original Broadway Cast) Curtains (2007 Original Broadway Cast) Grey Gardens - A New Musical (2006 Original Broadway Cast) 110 in the Shade (2007 Broadway Revival Cast) A Chorus Line - The New Broadway Cast Recording (2006 Broadway Revival Cast) ASIN: B000LV6R4G Release Date: 2007-02-20

Tracks:

1. Opening
2. Company
3. The Little Things You Do Together
4. Sorry-Grateful
5. You Could Drive a Person Crazy
6. Have I Got a Girl for You
7. Someone Is Waiting
8. Another Hundred People
9. Getting Married Today
10. "What did I just do?"
11. Marry Me a Little
12. Side by Side by Side
13. What Would We Do Without You?
14. Poor Baby
15. Barcelona
16. The Ladies Who Lunch
17. "You have a good third husband, Joanne"
18. Being Alive

Amazon.com

There may be no original Broadway cast recording more iconic than 1970's Company, with its funky organ sound and Elaine Stritch's not-quite-there high notes, but the December 2006 Broadway revival makes its own mark. For Stephen Sondheim and George Furth's piece about a single man observing the benefits and follies of marriage, director John Doyle borrows the same controversial concept he used for his 2005 Sweeney Todd: the actors playing instruments on stage (now referred to in many circles as "Doyle-izing," and not always with affection and delight). But when you're listening to a cast recording, as Bobby would say: What do you get? For one thing, you'll have to adjust to some different sounds created by Doyle and his music supervisor, Mary-Mitchell Campbell. It's a benefit in "Side by Side by Side," which begins with a jazzy double-bass line. It's a drawback in "You Could Drive a Person Crazy," in which the trio's doo-doots are replaced by their saxophone lines. You also get "Marry Me a Little," cut from the original show but by now very familiar and welcome, as well as a lot of the contextual dialogue before, between, and even within numbers. Finally, the strong cast led by Raul Esparza makes this the best-sung Company we've ever gotten (and they play very well too), and Stephen Sondheim's score is still a landmark in musical theater. There will never be a replacement for the original Broadway cast recording, but this revival recording can stand on its own and in some respects may be more flat-out enjoyable to listen to. --David Horiuchi

Album Description

Maverick British director John Doyle, a 2006 Tony Award winner, enjoyed a surprise Broadway hit last year with his radical reworking of Sweeney Todd. He dispensed with the pit orchestra and handed all the instruments over to his on-stage performers, who doubled as musicians in between their turns acting and singing. Doyle has taken a similarly unorthodox approach to his revival of another Stephen Sondheim classic, the revered yet notoriously difficult to stage Company. As with Sweeney Todd, the results of this theatre-as-concert have entranced both critics and audiences. Linda Winer of Newsday called it "the very best revival that Broadway has ever seen of Stephen Sondheim's landmark 1970 musical."Variety described it as "striking, revelatory and thoroughly compelling." For Sondheim fans, the recorded score to Company has long been as much an object of adoration as the six-time Tony-winning play itself. Company on disc functions as a deeply moving song cycle, even apart from George Furth's libretto, about the vicissitudes of marriage and the joys and trials of the single life, seen through the eyes of the coolly dispassionate Manhattan bachelor Bobby on the occasion of his 35th birthday. This is truly the stuff of sex and the city - wry, sophisticated, painfully honest and deeply melancholy, even in a comic seducing-the-stewardess duet like "Barcelona." As with Sweeney Todd, which featured a bravura performance from lead actor Michael Cerveris, Doyle has found in rising star Raúl Esparza (Cabaret, Taboo, The Normal Heart) an extraordinary singer and actor who, in the words of the New York Times' Ben Brantley, gives Company "the most compelling center it has probably ever had." "Mr. Doyle and his invaluable music supervisor and orchestrator, Mary-Mitchell Campbell, have shaped Company into a sort of oratorio for the church of the lonely," says Brantley. He also praises the work of the entire ensemble - playing five married couples, three single women and one deeply ambivalent, unmarried man: "It's their work as a team that sounds new depths in Company in ways that get under your skin without your knowing it." Variety's David Rooney concurs: "Angel Desai's `Another Hundred People' nails that quintessential New York song; Heather Laws lands every laugh in the mile-a-minute `Getting Married Today' with amazing speed and clarity; and Barbara Walsh is bone-dry as brittle, world-weary Joanne. She reveals the emotional hunger beneath the character's hard shell and adds fresh nuances to `The Ladies Who Lunch,' a song indelibly associated with Elaine Stritch." As Time Out New York put it, "Sondheim's expert musical etchings, his acid craftsmanship, remain unmatched." Sondheim fans will note that this new version of Company, to be released by Nonesuch and PS Classics, restores the original act one closer, "Marry Me A Little," which was dropped from the show before its 1970 Broadway debut; the song has since taken on a life of its own as an orphaned Sondheim gem. The Company cast album is produced by PS Classics co-founder Tommy Krasker (Sondheim's The Frogs, Saturday Night, Assassins, and Sweeney Todd, among others). Along with Company, Nonesuch has also released the original cast album to Doyle's 2006 production of Sweeney Todd and the Tony-nominated A Light in the Piazza, which features a score by Nonesuch artist Adam Guettel.

Customer Reviews:

A Little Sorry, but Grateful Nonetheless.......2007-08-06

While I do enjoy this cast version better than the OBC, I was disappointed with a number of songs. Most of it had to do with the added dialogue. Although the dialoge is in the middle of the songs in the show, this is a CD, and I wanted to HEAR the songs not imagine the dialogue as it is being said in the middle of a great song. It kills the momentum of the songs on the CD! An example being Another Hundred People where the listener gets a sneek peek (audibly) into the lives of the women in Bobby's life. I wanted to HEAR the song, but instead the song was interrupted by the dialogue. Another is Being Alive. There should have been a bonus track with Raul Esparza singing this through without interruption.

I dont get why there just couldnt be the music and songs without dialogue when the show is being recorded for PBS anyway!

My second gripe is Barbara Walsh's version of The Ladies Who Lunch! She just howls it out, screaming, whailing - it's just awful. The best version of this song is on the Camp Soundtrack with Alana Allen and Anna Kendrick.

Great CD. A must for your collection. And Raul is A - MA - ZING!

Raul...WOW.......2007-07-25

I LOVE the original cast recording of COMPANY. However I am too young to have enjoyed it on Broadway. When I heard John Doyle was adding his "double duty" magic and bring one of favorite current Broadway voices, Raul Esparza I couldn't wait! The wait was worth it. Raul is FANTASTIC. Being Alive is probably my favorite American musical theatre song in our lexicon, and Raul KNOCKS IT OUT OF THE PARK! It's worth it just for this number. The supporting cast is great too. It would have gotten five stars if the finale number was included in this recording. this one ends with Being Alive. Whatever, it's great!

Company .......2007-07-25

Of the 3 recordings of Comapny that I have, the latest Broadway revival is far and away the best. The extra dialogue brings back the focus much more than either the OBC or The Donmar recording of the mid 90's. It has hardly been off my cd player since getting back from Broadway, and has pride of place on the iPod. A must for any Sondheim fan.

Do yourself a favor.......2007-07-14

Don't think, just because you have all the other versions of 'Company', you can do without this version. It has additional dialogue and superior sound. Highly recommended!

Revival Musical Hits the Mark.......2007-07-13

Raul Esparza's performance in this revival makes the album a must have. What a talent! What a show! Well worth the cost.

Average customer rating: NO ONE IS ALONE barbara better thab barbra Perhaps the most exquisite recording of her career The Beauty of Musicals The best

No One Is Alone Barbara Cook Manufacturer: Drg ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Curtains (2007 Original Broadway Cast) 110 in the Shade (2007 Broadway Revival Cast) Company (2006 Broadway Revival Cast) Barbara Cook at the Met with Special Guests Face the Music (2007 Encores! Cast Recording) ASIN: B000NI3FKG Release Date: 2007-05-22

Tracks:

1. Something's Coming
2. Never Never Land
3. The Surrey With the Fringe On Top
4. Medley: Long Before I Knew You/I Fall In Love Too Easily
5. Nobody Else But Me
6. Some Other Time
7. No One Is Alone
8. You're What I Need
9. Medley: One More Kiss/Goodbye For Now
10. I Wish I Could Forget You
11. Lover, Come Back To Me!
12. No More
13. Make Our Garden Grow

Customer Reviews:

NO ONE IS ALONE.......2007-07-19

For those of you who have never seen or heard Barbara Cook, I urge you to get out there and discover this talent. She performs consistently with sensitivity and passion. She IS the ultimate performer. This album will tempt you to get all her other CD's. Just get this CD, put it on, turn down the lights and have a little wine, relax and let yourself go........! I've seen her live over a dozen times now and each year she seems to get better and better....if that is possible. Better than perfect? Enjoy!!!

barbara better thab barbra.......2007-07-13

Now in her mellow old-wine years, Barbara Cook continues to amaze. She weaves her voice through well=chosen songs with honey-sweetness leaving the growls and bombastics to the "other" barbra.

Perhaps the most exquisite recording of her career.......2007-07-07

Forget the fact that Ms. Cook is celebrating her 80th birthday in October. This recording is breathtaking for its vocal and emotional artistry and integrity, and any student of the vocal art will be blown away by her total mastery of this baker's dozen group of songs. Impossible to pick the highlight; perhaps Sondheim's "No More," or her amazing connection of his "One More Kiss" and "Goodbye for Now" (two songs that have sadly had few recordings). Certainly the final duet with the equally remarkable Kelli O'Hara of "Make Our Garden Grow" from CANDIDE, Ms. Cook's triumph of over 50 years ago, should bring chills and tears to the hardest of souls.

The Beauty of Musicals.......2007-07-05

Barbara Cook wraps her gifted voice around a number of favorites from the world of musicals, everything from Passion to Peter Pan. The arrangements are simple but heartfelt and will stay in your ear long after the CD has stopped playing. A must buy for fans of Barbara Cook or musicals!

The best.......2007-07-05

This is the best Barbara Cook CD in a long time. The choice of material is outstanding and Barbara is in great voice.

Average customer rating: AWESOME!! MacRae and Jones soar in this tragic R&H musical Great Music Response to David Pabian's review below Gummed up an Original

Carousel (1956 Film Soundtrack) Shirley Jones , Claramae Turner , Robert Rounseville , Cameron Mitchell , Barbara Ruick , Robert Rounseville , Richard Rodgers , Oscar Hammerstein II , and Gordon MacRae Manufacturer: Angel Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Similar Items: Oklahoma! (1955 Film Soundtrack) The King and I (1956 Film Soundtrack) South Pacific (1958 Film Soundtrack) The Music Man (1962 Film Soundtrack) Camelot (1960 Original Broadway Cast) ASIN: B00005A7XD Release Date: 2001-03-13

Tracks:

1. Introduction - Gordon MacRae/William Le Massena
2. Main Title: The Carousel Waltz - 20th Century-Fox Orchestra/Alfred Newman
3. You're A Queer One, Julie Jordan - Barbara Ruick/Shirley Jones
4. When I Marry Mr. Snow - Barbara Ruick
5. If I Loved You - Shirley Jones/Gordon MacRae
6. June Is Bustin' Out All Over - Claramae Turner/Barbara Ruick
7. June Is Bustin' Out All Over Ballet - 20th Century-Fox Orchestra/Alfred Newman
8. Soliloquy - Gordon MacRae
9. Blow High, Blow Low - Cameron Mitchell
10. When The Children Are Asleep - Robert Rounseville/Barbara Ruick
11. A Real Nice Clambake - Barbara Ruick/Claramae Turner/Robert Rounseville/Cameron Mitchell
12. Stonecutters Cut In On Stone - Cameron Mitchell
13. What's The Use Of Wond'rin - Shirley Jones
14. You'll Never Walk Alone - Shirley Jones/Claramae Turner
15. Ballet - 20th Century-Fox Orchestra/Alfred Newman
16. If I Loved You (Reprise) - Gordon MacRae
17. You'll Never Walk Alone (Finale) - Shirley Jones
18. Carousel Waltz (LP Version) - 20th Century-Fox Orchestra/Alfred Newman

Amazon.com

Richard Rodgers always considered Carousel his favorite score, even though it didn't generate the number of popular hits of some of the other shows he produced with lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II. Their adaptation of the Ferenc Molnar play Liliom is marked by three especially sublime moments. "The Carousel Waltz," Rodgers's alternative to the traditional Broadway overture, serves as an orchestral backdrop to the opening scene and is one of the best miniatures ever written for the theater. "If I Loved You," which establishes the romance of carnival barker Billy Bigelow (Gordon MacRae, a late replacement for Frank Sinatra) and nice girl Julie Jordan (Shirley Jones), is a musical minidrama in which the pair's discussion of how they are not in love reveals just how much they are in love. "Soliloquy" is Billy's powerful solo that foreshadows the action to come in Act II. Add the inspirational anthem "You'll Never Walk Alone," and you have Rodgers and Hammerstein's most extraordinary, near-operatic score. On the soundtrack for the 1956 film, MacRae and Jones are in exceptional voice (following their success in 1955's Oklahoma) and the orchestra sounds glorious, but unfortunately some of the numbers were shortened, most notably "If I Loved You." Extensive production notes, an interview with Jones, and a synopsis are included. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

AWESOME!!.......2007-05-12

LOVE SOUND TRACTS FROM OLD MOVIES - SING ALONGS AND THE BEST ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE TRAVELING AND CAN SING LOUD. IT IS A KEEPER

MacRae and Jones soar in this tragic R&H musical.......2007-02-11

This film adaptation of Carousel came shortly after the Oklahoma! film and reunited Gordon MacRae and Shirley Jones. Although the film was not well-received at the box office, the soundtrack shows MacRae, Jones and the superb cast performing their roles to their heart's content. Their performance helps bring out the pathos in this tragic R&H musical, which Rodgers himself considered his favourite of all his works.

MacRae shines vocally as Billy Bigelow, bringing an open-hearted musicality and sincerity to his stout-hearted portrayal. MacRae stands out in Billy's pivotal Soliloquy, which some reviewers have considered one of the finest vocal performances of the 20th century. He is well-partnered by Shirley Jones, who lends her tender voice and personality to her portrayal as Julie. Listen to the chemistry they exude during the pivotal If I Loved You duet, as if they're overcoming their shyness and drawing sustenance from each other with their love. The supporting cast also gives its all in performing their roles. Claramae Turner's hearty Nettie brims with sincerity, warmth and tenderness, and she leads a rousing rendition of June is Bustin' Out All Over and renders You'll Never Walk Alone touchingly. Barbara Ruick and Robert Rounseville are superb as Carrie and Mr. Snow, although I admit I would have liked a little more humour. I also admit I would have liked Cameron Mitchell as Jigger to sound more sinister, like Fisher Stevens did in the 1994 Broadway revival recording. But even as it is, everyone sings gloriously and is given sumptuous backing from Alfred Newman's superb arrangements and the 20th-Century Fox Orchestra, when it shines out in the ballets.

If I'm adding to the praise of these critic-proof performance, you'll wonder, why am I giving only 4 stars? Well, it's because the extra sound effects from the unreleased sequences tend to jar after a while. I know some of you are complaining that the dance sequences are plagued by extraneous sound effects and noise. I share the same feelings too and also wish that the producers had utilised the original studio pre-recordings for a sumptuous listening experience. However, let us at least be grateful that Didier Deutsch and his production team have made these unreleased sequences available on a soundtrack CD reissue. At least it's a step in the right direction before the entire canon of R&H film soundtracks (yes, including South Pacific and The Sound of Music) gets its due as deluxe 2-CD sets, complete with underscore.

However, don't let this gripe dissuade you from buying this soundtrack. It offers a complete musical experience that one could only dream of in the previous CD reissues of the soundtrack. And it demonstrates the element that Rodgers & Hammerstein were discovering in their musicals.

Great Music.......2007-01-04

Rogers and Hammerstein were in a different league when it came to writing musicals. Their music, lyrics and story are never alike. These two partners were exceptional and their music shows it. Carousel is a tragic story but also shows that human nature can rise above adversity. The music is wonderful and the characters believable. A great movie.

Response to David Pabian's review below.......2004-06-30

Response to David Pabian's review:

My review was not in error, as Mr. Pabian expects. The review was for the original CD release, not this expanded version. Amazon lifted it out of that spot and dropped it here, which of course makes it anachronistic. Why they did it without reading it is certainly an inept decision.

Gummed up an Original.......2003-06-10

This overblown "completeitis" has got to stop. The original soundtrack album Carousel Waltz is now relegated to Appendix status, and terrible sonics accompany dancers' footstomping in the "new" expanded musical sequences, taken directly from the soundtrack rather than from still-existing musical tracks. There was a reason soundtrack recordings were studio performances. The proportions were right, the timings were correct for an overall BALANCED listening experience. These gawdawful expanded editions, often with dialogue thrown in, completely throw off those balances. An argument might be made for expanded sequences appropriate to a CDs longer playing time than the standard L.P. 45min., but possibly only if those sequences are from their original studio-recorded, pre release-print mix -- which could have easily been done in this case. A quick word on one of the above reviews: This is not the first time the complete Carousel Waltz is heard in stereo. There were two previous CD remasterings of the original soundtrack whereon it was included. And the reprise of "If I loved You" was part of every soundtrack release, mono and stereo.

Average customer rating: Different -- delightfully so Simply awe inspiring and amazing Ecstatic Music, Ecstatically Performed. canticles of Ecstay Hildegard von Bingen: Canticles of Ecstacy

Hildegard von Bingen: Canticles of Ecstasy Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Hildegard of Bingen | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music $7.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Hildegard of Bingen | ( H ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Feather on the Breath of God Hildegard von Bingen: Voice of the Blood Vision: The Music of Hildegard von Bingen Hildegard von Bingen: Heavenly Revelations Luminous Spirit ASIN: B000001TYF Release Date: 1994-12-13

Tracks:

1. O vis aeternitatis - Sequentia
2. Nunc aperuit nobis
3. Quia ergo femina mortem instruxit
4. Cum processit factura digiti Dei
5. Alma Redemptoris Mater
6. Ave Maria, O auctrix vite
7. Spiritus Sanctus vivificans vite
8. O ignis spiritus Paracliti
9. Caritas habundat in omnia
10. O virgia mediatrix
11. O virdissima virga, Ave
12. Instrumental
13. O Pastor Animarum
14. O tu suavissima virga
15. O choruscans stellarum
16. O nobilissima viriditas

Amazon.com

Although Hildegard von Bingen's music has been around for 900 years--and recordings of her music for decades--it seems that only now, as we approach the turn of another millennium, the time is right for the world to pay attention. In this first-rate traversal of her music--the most popular of several volumes released by the early-music ensemble Sequentia--we hear music that resulted from Hildegard's legendary visions, which often included song texts that she subsequently collected and dispensed to her religious community of women. As rendered here by the voices and instruments of Sequentia, her music invokes an unobscured sense of mystery, conforming to Hildegard's belief that music was our bridge to the harmonies of the heavens. Whether or not we're experiencing that "heavenly harmony" here, the simple, direct, beautifully turned melodies, sung by pure, finely tuned, warm-colored women's voices, often eerily accompanied by an instrumental drone, is heavenly enough. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews:

Different -- delightfully so.......2007-08-03

I didn't get a chance to read all the reviews posted for this album, so if someone already said this I apologize for the repetition. Are you aware that this is the de facto first opera ever written in Europe? Hildegard was a visionary in so many ways! Her music is very different and unique when compared to other operas. I highly recommend it.

Simply awe inspiring and amazing.......2007-05-20

One would have to listen to this music to understand the power it will hold over you. Ethereal and almost eery, yet full of power, grace and triumph, this will be a mainstay in your collection. The only thing resembling it that the mass public would be aware of is Gregorian Chant, although this is it's own beast and so much more. It's not expensive, buy it and see for yourself.

Ecstatic Music, Ecstatically Performed........2007-05-13

I had first heard this performance of St. Hildegard of Bingen's "Canticles of Ecstasy" on sound cassette and loved it.

The music is sublime. The female voices are heavenly, without a hint of sentimentality.

When you listen to "Canticles of Ecstasy" you will know how this medieval nun and composer felt about things.

Caution. They could make a believer of you.

canticles of Ecstay.......2007-03-23

This is a very good CD I highly recomend it if you love chant. I am glad to have it in my collection.

Hildegard von Bingen: Canticles of Ecstacy.......2006-07-25

This CD will transport you to another space and truly put you in touch with the sublime! If you are a massage therapist,I recommend it for use during your sessions. Anyone can use it as part of his or her meditative spiritual practice regardless of your particular faith.

Average customer rating: Beethoven Lives upstairs beethoven lives Such lovely memories come back.... You won't regret this purchase You will not regret this purchase

Beethoven Lives Upstairs Manufacturer: Children's Group ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Children's Music | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Mr. Bach Comes To Call Mozart's Magnificent Voyage Mozart's Magic Fantasy: A Journey Through 'The Magic Flute' Vivaldi's Ring Of Mystery Tchaikovsky Discovers America ASIN: B00000212L Release Date: 1995-03-20

Tracks:

1. Symphony #7, Mvt.2
2. Symphony #5, Mvt.1
3. Medley: Piano Sonata, Op.90, Mvt.2/Flute Serenade, Op.23, Mvt.3/Violin Romance #1, Op.40/Symphony #2, Mvt 4
4. Medley: Pathetique Sonata, Op.13, Mvt.2/Contradanse #1 In C
5. Medley: Symphony #5, Mvt.2/Piano Sonata, Op.14 #2, Mvt.2/Flute Serenade, Op.23, Mvt.1
6. Medley: Polonaise/La Marmotte/Country Dance In A/Fur Elise/Flutnuhr
7. Medley: Sonatina In G/Minuet In G/Violin 'Spring' Sonata, Mvt.1/Ecossaise
8. Moonlight Sonata, Op.27 #2, Mvt.1
9. Flute Serenade, Mvt.2
10. Symphony #6, Storm Scene
11. Nel Cor Piu Variations
12. Medley: Piano Concerto #1, Mvt. 1/Piano Concerto #5, Mvt.2
13. Medley: Bass Excerpts From Symphony #9/Violin 'Spring' Sonata, Mvt.4/Rage Over A Lost Penny/Symphony #6...
14. Symphony #9, Mvt.4
15. Sonata Opus 49 #2, Mvt.2
16. Symphony #6, Shepherd's Theme

Product Description

CLASSICAL KIDS: Beethoven Lives Upstairs -- a tale of genius and childhood THE STORY: Young Christoph exchanges letters with his uncle about the chaotic arrival of Mr. Beethoven into his house. In the end, he is won over by the music and true incidents from the great composer's life. THE MUSIC: Over two dozen excerpts, including Symphonies#5-9, the "moonlight and pathetique" Sonatas, Violin "Spring Sonata", Flute Serenade, and pieces children play: Sonatina in G+, Minuet in G+, Fur Elise.

Customer Reviews:

Beethoven Lives upstairs.......2007-05-12

I bought this product as we the whole family are spanish spoken and we find this type of products very helpfull to maintain and further develop our english language skill continue to growth while entretained.

beethoven lives.......2007-01-10

the cd brings the power of beethoven's music and life story to all who will listen. you don't even need to be a musician!

Such lovely memories come back...........2006-11-21

I owned this on cassete as a kid and I am so sad to have lost it. I fell asleep to this tape as a kid, and now Beethoven has an almost nostalgic feel about him. WONDERFUL album!! :D

You won't regret this purchase.......2006-04-07

This is a wonderful CD. It's narrative is quite pleasing and of course the music is fantastic. We listen to this in the car and my 7 yr old daughter just loves it. It has sparked some interesting conversations. I am very pleased with it and will most definitely purchase others in the series.

You will not regret this purchase.......2004-09-11

I bought this CD and the others in the series - Mr. Bach Comes to Call and Mozart's Magical Adventure and my oldest son, who is 4, will put this CD in first thing in the morning and listen to it and all the others 2-3 times a day. They all are charming and intelligent enough that I don't mind listening to it over and over again with him. All of the CDs in the series have well told stories that integrate the music beautifully and give you a brief but complete history of these musicians and what life was like for them. Enjoy!

Average customer rating: This should never have worked at all A GREAT AND OFTEN OVERLOOKED MUSICAL FROM THE 80-IS Chess One of my favorites! Concepts get better with practice

Chess Bjorn Ulvaeus , and Tim Rice Manufacturer: Decca Broadway ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Contemporary Musicals | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Chess (1988 Original Broadway Cast) Miss Saigon (Original 1989 London Cast) Evita (1978 Original Broadway Cast) A Little Night Music (1973 Original Broadway Cast) Sweeney Todd (2005 Broadway Revival Cast) ASIN: B000002GLR Release Date: 1996-07-23

Tracks:

1. Merano - The Ambrosia Singers/Anders Eljas/Murray Head
2. The Russian And Molokov/ Where I Want To Be - The Ambrosia Singers/Anders Eljas/Tommy Korberg/Denis Quilley
3. Opening Ceremony - The Ambrosia Singers/Anders Eljas/Bjorn Skifs
4. Quartet (A Model Of Decorum And Tranquility) - Elaine Paige/Tommy Korberg/Denis Quilley/Bjorn Skifs
5. The American And Florence/Nobody's Side - Elaine Paige/Murray Head
6. Chess - LSO/Anders Eljas
7. Mountian Duet - Elaine Paige/Tommy Korberg
8. Florence Quits - Elaine Paige/Murray Head
9. Embassy Lament - Tommy Korberg/The Ambrosia Singers/Anders Eljas
10. Anthem - Tommy Korberg

Tracks:

1. Bangkok
2. One Night In Bangkok
3. Heaven Help My Heart
4. Argument
5. I Know Him So Well
6. The Deal (No Deal)
7. Pity The Child
8. Endgame
9. Epilogue: You And I / The Story Of Chess

Amazon.com

Chess is a musical that sounds like it shouldn't work but instead succeeds surprisingly well. This is the original concept album that was recorded before the musical was staged in London. Chess is the story of a love triangle told against the backdrop of an international chess tournament during the height of the cold war. The composers are Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus (the Bs in ABBA) and the lyrics are by Tim Rice, who supplied the words for Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita, as well as Disney's Aladdin (with Howard Ashman), The Lion King, and Beauty and the Beast. The six-member cast does a beautiful job with the songs, which are a combination of ballads, rock, and operatic choruses. Murray Head's version of "One Night in Bangkok" became a surprise hit in the mid-'80s and it still turns up on the turntables in dance clubs around the world. --Michael Simmons

Customer Reviews:

This should never have worked at all.......2007-06-18

And on that basis alone, you've got to cut it some slack. Fortunately, not all that much slack turns out to be necessary.

While "Chess" may be a document of an era that no longer exists, there's a lot more going on than the surface metaphor. It holds up very well indeed. When it aims for humor, it generally succeeds, and likewise when it aims to devastate. What more can you ask for?

A GREAT AND OFTEN OVERLOOKED MUSICAL FROM THE 80-IS.......2007-03-04

`Chess' is a musical that should be counted among the best of what the 1980-is had produced: side by side with `Cats', `The Phantom of the Opera', `Les Miserables' or `Miss Saigon'. The score as heard on this concept album, written by Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson (formerly of ABBA) and with the exceptional lyrics written by Tim Rice, stand proof to this. And yet, due to various reasons, like the changing of the director half way through London staging; a heavy rewrite for Broadway and a pan review from Frank Ritch (a.k.a. `The Butcher of Broadway'), `Chess' seems to be unjustly neglected.

This concept album is the main reason why the show has so many ardent fans until this day. Tim Rice wanted to write the show with the main plot revolving around chess for years and after his long time partner Andrew Lloyd Webber remained uninterested, he found the new collaborators in Ulvaeus and Andersson. The subject matter follows two international chess players in a championship, a Russian (Tommy Körberg) and an American (Murray Head) and a woman called Florence (Elaine Paige) who is a manager to the American but falls in love with the Russian. The story also draws a parallel between the game of chess and the cold war/real life situations.

This concept album was recorded in 1984, two years before the original London production took place. As the authors noted in the accompanying booklet, it was a work in progress and thusly the story is not quite readable here from the musical numbers alone. Despite that fact (which is amended by the synopsis included in the booklet), this album remains a winner. The score (played here by the London Symphonic Orchestra) itself makes an intriguing bland of the famous ABBA sound, the classical; the rock and the pop enhanced by the orchestral solo passages and the strong choral parts. The lush orchestrations add an epic touch to it and on the whole it is melodic and hummable, packed with great tunes. Some of the songs achieved huge success outside the musical: `I know him so well', a duet between Elaine Paige and Barbara Dickson, held the number one spot on the UK singles charts for 4 weeks in February 1985 and won Ivor Novello Award as the Best Selling Single; Murray Head's `One night in Bangkok' became one of the biggest dance hits of its time, often heard today. Some other notable tunes include `The Anthem' (Russian's deliberation on his homeland); the soaring rock songs `Where I want to be' and `Pity the child' (in the former, the Russian reflects upon his life under the spotlight; in the latter, the American ponders about his own unhappy childhood) or the gentle `Heaven help my heart' (in which Florence weighs up her relationship with the Russian).

A special reference must be made to Tim Rice's excellent lyrics. With `Chess' he managed to keep up to the high standards he set himself in `Jesus Christ Superstar' and Evita'. Again in this case he shows he is a lyrical wizard, with his familiar cynical touch. `The story of chess', in which he gives a history of the game in a couple of crafty verses, is a pure masterpiece. The same can be said of the song `I know him so well', where the two women reexamine their relationship with the same man. As a whole, `Chess' owes a lot of its appeal to Tim Rice's written word.

The cast on this album ranks the high standard of the material. The principal parts (sung by Elaine Paige, Tommy Körberg and Murray Head) are delivered in a strong and impeccable fashion.

This 2-disc edition comes with a booklet containing a note from the authors, a text about chess, a full synopsis and a libretto, together with the photos of the principal singers.

Anyone interested in the modern musical theatre should find `Chess' to be a great score with great lyrics, which should be enough to satisfy any aficionado.

Chess.......2007-01-15

A magnificent musical, i have enjoyed the music since i first heard it and read the storyline. Had been unable to find it in our local music stores.Very pleased to find it on your site.

One of my favorites!.......2007-01-12

I love "Chess"! I still remember the first time I heard the single "One Night in Bangkok" on my car radio. I thought it was so unusual and so very cool, so I tracked down the album and bought it. Then I taped it onto a cassette, which is what I've been listening to for years, so I finally broke down and got it on CD. Of course, it's on my iPod now. I've seen the musical, and I loved that, too.

Concepts get better with practice.......2006-11-27

I love this show! That said, I do not care for this version of it. The inclusion of the word "concept" in the title means it is just that. This was, thankfully, not the final version of the show that would later spawn the hit song, "One Night In Bangkok".

With most Broadway musicals, the musical numbers tell the basic story of the show. If you listen to the recordings of Phantom, Mama Mia, Beauty and the Beast, you can discern the basic storyline of the show. Listening to this particular recording of Chess, though, will leave you wondering "What was that?" The Broadway arrival of Chess saw a much needed reworking of the storyline and arrangement of the musical numbers. This recording seems too much like a mish-mash of songs that don't really relate to each other.

For musical fanatics (like myself), I say "yes, you should have this recording in your collection", if only to understand how much work went into the show before it opened on Broadway.

If you are only buying the album because of "One Night In Bangkok", purchase the Broadway recording instead; you'll be much happier with the performance by Phillip Casnoff rather than Murray Head.

Average customer rating: Wonderful!!! Relaxes your mind. Relaxing music from a great composer Better than just an introduction Great CD

Grieg: Greatest Hits Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Grieg, Edvard | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music $6.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Grieg, Edvard | ( G ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Debussy's Greatest Hits Sergei Rachmaninoff: Greatest Hits Saint-Saëns: Greatest Hits Rimsky-Korsakov: Greatest Hits Schubert: Greatest Hits ASIN: B000002A21 Release Date: 1994-08-09

Tracks:

1. Peer Gynt Suite No. 1: Morning Mood
2. Peer Gynt Suite No. 1: Ase's Death
3. Peer Gynt Suite No. 1: Anitra's Dance
4. Peer Gynt Suite No.1: In The Hall Of The Mountain King (Peer Gynt Suite #1)
5. Piano Concerto In A Minor, Op. 16: I Allegro molto moderato
6. Norwegian Dance, Op. 35 No. 2
7. Sigurd Jorsalfar: Homage March
8. Jeg elsker dig, Op. 5: Jeg elsker dig, Op. 5 (Ich liebe dich)
9. Lyric Suite, Op. 54: No. 3: Norwegian March
10. Two Elegiac Melodies, Op. 34: No. 1: Heartwounds
11. Two Elegiac Melodies, Op. 34: No. 2: The Last Spring
12. Lyric Suite, Op. 54: No. 4: March of the Trolls
13. Peer Gynt Suite No. 2: I The Abduction of the Bride - Ingrid's Lament (Peer Gynt Suite No. 2
14. Peer Gynt Suite No. 2: II Arabian Dance
15. Peer Gynt Suite No. 2: III Solvejg's Lullaby
16. Peer Gynt Suite No. 2: IV Peer Gynt's Return Home

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful!!!.......2007-05-14

I bought this for my husband but fell in love with it myself. I had never heard of it but now consider Edvard Grieg my favorite composer. It is magnificent.

Relaxes your mind........2005-12-30

The peer gynt suite is very delicate and it relaxes me. Whenever I hear the first movement of Peer Gynt, I feel as if I am walking along the forest at dawn with sunshine passing through the tall trees. It calms me and I usually close my eyes to imagine Grieg's creative masterpiece. What also interests me the fourth movement. It starts with slow and quiet and then slowly the music accelerates with power. Like the title, "Mountain King," says itself, you can feel the grandness of the music toward the end.

The piano concerto in a minor is my favorite. This music seem to convey the full spectrum from quiet and delicate or gracious feel of music to more powerful and magnificent all proportionally adequately. It is very enjoyable. Whenever I listen to this music, I feel as if I am resting in the high mountainn looking at the full panorama. Anyway, that's just my imagination I feel from his music and of course, yours can be very different from mine.

As for the CD quality, I hear no distraction sound and it is recorded well, I think. The little cover booklet can be informative about Grieg. Also nice price from Amazon.

Relaxing music from a great composer.......2005-08-02

I absolutely loved the string music on Track 3. I remembered it from an old PC RPG called Quest for Glory IV. I was disappointed to find out that Track 4 was only a minute and a half long, because I grew up loving that song from the various places I heard it (Fantasia and a kid Detective PC game from the late 80's).
Overall, though, Grieg's greatest hits is a must-have for collectors of classical music. Grieg is revered as Norway's greatest composer of all time and he certainly has a knack for creating imagery of bustling fjords and majestic mountainsides with interlaced river ravines.

Better than just an introduction.......2004-04-28

This CD goes beyond just introducing Grieg. It is a truly beautiful and for me, invaluable collection of this excellent composer. Grieg had an inimitable gift for exploring emotion, often sadness and nostalgia. However, he also had a large touch of the virtuoso, as demonstrated by the famous Piano Concerto. True, the last 2 movements are not included here; however, the first is still stunning. The Peer Gynt Suites are wonderfully played, and Ase's Death and Heartwounds are especially noteworthy - the lush orchestral sounds of these gorgeous pieces unfold exquisitely. Homage March is a nice change of pace, upbeat and with a memorable theme, and Leonard Bernstein moves at a devilish pace in March of the Trolls. This CD will not disappoint you - buy it today!

Great CD.......2002-01-29

For an intro to Greig, this is great. The "hall of the mountain king" is done very well.

Average customer rating: Music Man One of This Country's Finest Musicals Beautifully Re-Mastered We need a new remaster, nonetheless Accept no substitutes! Preston and Cook are the best ever

The Music Man (1957 Original Broadway Cast) Manufacturer: Capitol ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Classic Musicals | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Similar Items: My Fair Lady (1956 Original Broadway Cast) South Pacific (Original 1949 Broadway Cast) Camelot (1960 Original Broadway Cast) West Side Story (1957 Original Broadway Cast) Guys & Dolls: A Decca Broadway Original Cast Recording (1950 Original Broadway Cast) ASIN: B00000DQTY Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Overture/Rock Island
2. Iowa Stubborn
3. Ya Got Trouble
4. Piano Lesson
5. Goodnight My Someone
6. Seventy Six Trombones
7. Sincere
8. The Sadder-But-Wiser Girl For Me
9. Pick-A-Little/Goodnight Ladies
10. Marian The Librarian
11. My White Knight
12. Wells Fargo Wagon
13. It's You
14. Shipoopi
15. Lida Rose/Will I Ever Tell You
16. Gary, Indiana
17. Till There Was You
18. Finale

Amazon.com

Although Robert Preston and Barbara Cook put in stellar performances, it's the music that's the star of this hugely successful document of the 1958 Broadway smash. Written entirely by Meredith Willson, it drew from memories of his childhood in a small Midwestern town. Preston plays a traveling salesman/con artist, while Cook is the dull spinster "Marian the Librarian," whose love for Preston's character makes her come alive. "Seventy-Six Trombones" has become a marching band standard, while "Ya Got Trouble" (featuring dizzying fast-talk from Preston) and "'Til There Was You" (with a gorgeous vocal from Cook) remain well known even among those who have never seen the show. The latter was also a favorite of the Beatles, who covered it on their first album. --Dawn Eden

Customer Reviews:

Music Man.......2007-02-09

The original cast recording brings back the memory of the live production I saw which will always be superior, in my opinion, to the movie version. However, the movie was one of the better "reproductions" of this genre.

One of This Country's Finest Musicals Beautifully Re-Mastered.......2006-11-23

THE MUSIC MAN opened on Broadway on December 19, 1957 to rave reviews from the critics, adulations from the captivated audiences, and the beginning of a long run. This wondrous musical is an 'opera' of sorts in that the piece is not a series of songs connected by the usual musical comedy spoken dialogue. Meredith Willson wrote the music and lyrics in such a way that there is not an extraneous note or word that doesn't contribute to the totality of the work.

Despite the multiple reincarnations of this brilliant show both on film and recording, none of them compares to this original cast. Imagine Barbara Cook (lithe, and new) as Marian the Librarian: Cook still reigns as one of our finest voices on the stage and cabaret rooms today. Robert Preston is not only rich in personality he also delivers the immensely complex patter songs with deft authority. And the Buffalo Bills add the multiple barbershop quartet numbers with authentic sound and professionalism.

This musical holds all of the joys and imaginations and longings that we all hold so dear in our memories of how things used to be - and it is so terrific to return to that stage of ecstasy again. This is a must own CD. Grady Harp, November 06

We need a new remaster, nonetheless.......2006-10-22

A very interesting photo on the liner booklet's back cover demonstrates the one real flaw in this otherwise classic recording: it shows Robert Preston at the album sessions singing at two mikes, a fat Neumann with a Capitol flag and a skinny one, probably an AKG. This can only mean Capitol recorded this in simultaneous mono and stereo takes. With all that knob twiddling the balance had to go off, a problem not entirely corrected by the reissue engineer Bob Norberg, whose remasterings of Ol' Blue's Capitol mono output have earned scorn from some Sinatraphiles for their slight fake echo and stereo effects. (He remastered just about every album in the Broadway Angel series; the monos all appear to have the echo and stereo.) I guess we should be happy to have this in any form at all given how the other majors turned it down. Capitol was late and indifferent to the cast album trade, and it only had three hits before making its monumental closing botch of "Follies." However the label approached it it's still a great and exciting score perfectly performed. Who could have imagined a hit musical with a barbershop quartet? And if only all women could sing like Barbara Cook! Who says you can have too much of a good thing?

With the show's fiftieth anniversary coming up (!) now would be a good time for a remaster. (I know, I know, I'm tired of paying repeatedly for the same product too, but this deserves it.) It should include a second disc with the 1959 Capitol documentary LP "And Then I Wrote 'The Music Man'", where Meredith Willson and his wife Rini detail the eight years of trials and rewrites behind the show. Nor would it hurt to have bonuses like Willson's original take on "Till There Was You" (called "Till I Met You," which Fran Warren evidently first sang on "The Big Show") or a few licensed pop balladeers of the day -- and maybe examples like the 70s jingle for the late lamented Oldsmobile ("Oh ho the new Oldsmobile is a -- comin' down the line...."). It must also include Willson's contentious JFK physical fitness tune "Chicken Fat", recorded about the time "The Music Man" was filmed and available only on oddball Web music sites, where Preston yells and grunts himself into an athletic -- passion. (I keep thinking Allan Sherman recorded a full version of his notorious parody "76 Sol Cohens", but I guess he didn't.) The whole thing should end with a live public-radio performance from 1980 or 1981 where Willson led the superb Detroit Concert Band in "76 Trombones" and "The Stars and Stripes Forever" -- an apt and brilliant finish.

No, I have not forgotten the Beatles, but I fear neither have their lawyers.

Accept no substitutes!.......2006-08-22

This the best version of "The Music Man" available, especially if you're looking for the Broadway cast. The performances here are all terrific, the recording and mastering are great, and the liner notes are informative and thorough. "The Music Man" is available in several other versions and forms, including other releases of the same original cast recording, but without the good mastering or liner notes found here. My wife and I, hoping to listen to this great show with our kids, first purchased other versions that were easier to find (e.g., on iTunes) and those were major disappointments. Buy this CD (Broadway Classics from Angel) and accept no substitutes.

Preston and Cook are the best ever.......2006-07-15

Yes, the film is a delight, and Shirley Jones is certainly good as Marian. But the original cast album of this wonderful musical remains the best version ever, mostly thanks to Barbara Cook, whose voice was and remains a miracle of rare device to listen to.

For years I thought I was the only person who was in love with her voice, wearing out vinyl LPs of this musical with replaying. Then, in the early 80s I saw Cook in a one woman show in London, and discovered I was part of a fanatical following! The other reviews here on Amazon confirm the truth: there is only one truly great Marian, Madam Librarian.

Watch the movie, which is a terrific adaptation of the stage show, go to professional and amateur revivals of the musical, but buy this recording of the score for repeated listening. There is nothing better.

Average customer rating: Hartman Johnny Hartman - the gold in the dross Takes you back to a special time and place The Bridges of Madison County all time favourite album - but put it in the vault !

The Bridges Of Madison County: Music From The Motion Picture Dinah Washington , Johnny Hartman , Hal Mooney and His Orchestra , Barbara Lewis , and Irene Kral w/ the Junior Mance Trio Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Compilations | Jazz | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music 1990s | By Decade | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Classic | Vocal Pop | Pop | 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 | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Vocal Pop | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Vocal Pop | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Soundtracks General | Soundtracks | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Soundtracks General | Soundtracks | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Broadway & Vocalists | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Jazz | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Soundtracks | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Bridges of Madison County Hartman for Lovers Collection: 1947-1972 John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman The Bridges of Madison County ASIN: B000002MZS Release Date: 1995-05-30

Tracks:

1. Doe Eyes (Love Theme From The Bridges of Madison County) - Lennie Niehaus
2. I'll Close My Eyes - Dinah Washington
3. Easy Living - Johnny Hartman
4. Blue Gardenia - Dinah Washington
5. I See Your Face Before Me - Johnny Hartman
6. Soft Winds - Dinah Washington
7. Baby, I'm Yours - Barbara Lewis
8. It's A Wonderful World - Irene Kral
9. It Was Almost Like A Song - Johnny Hartman
10. This Is Always - Irene Kral
11. For All We Know - Johnny Hartman
12. Doe Eyes (Love Theme From The Bridges of Madison County)(Reprise) - Lennie Niehaus

Customer Reviews:

Hartman.......2007-02-28

The real reason to get this cd and the follow up cd is to get the tracks of Johnny Hartman. I've also been trying to find tracks w/ the underrated guitarist Al Gafa; he backs Hartman on some of these tracks -- a real find. Any jazz junkie should attempt to score these two cds.

Johnny Hartman - the gold in the dross.......2007-02-26

The best thing about Clint Eastwood's 1995 tearjerker, "The Bridges of Madison County," is the soundtrack. Although most of the album (other than Eastwood's syrupy "Doe Eyes" which appears twice on the disk) is listenable, it's the recordings of Johnny Hartman that make this disk indispensable. Hartman, who has to be considered on the short list of the greatest male vocalists of all time, recorded the material heard here for the now out-of-print album, "Once in Every Life," on the Bee Hive label in 1980, three years before his untimely death at age 60. The album, a late masterpiece surpassed only by his 1963 collaboration with John Coltrane, has never been released on CD but Eastwood has done us all a huge service by releasing the entire content of the album spread out over two disks (this one and its sequel "Remembering Madison County"). Hartman's voice, a smoky baritone, is perfectly suited to the mature romantic ballads he performs here with a very complementary sextet. Hartman recorded some of the tracks, notably "I See Your Face Before Me," earlier in the mid 50s also. On the soundtrack he sings the song at a slower tempo, shading it with nuances earned over the many years he had lived with the lyrics. His renditions of the aforementioned song, "It Was Almost Like a Song" and "For All We Know" may well be the definitive versions.

This is an essential purchase for anyone who loves male jazz vocals.

Takes you back to a special time and place.......2007-01-10

This CD is filled with many warm memories of a great movie and a great time.There are no weaknesses in this collection of songs;just pure pleasure.

The Bridges of Madison County.......2006-08-24

My husband and I have watched this movie over and over and we have listen to the music driving along and I'll turn to him and say "RRRRObert....you wanna F_ _ _ on the linoleum one more time" We just laugh..If you seen the movie as much as we have you will understand. Great cd. It definatly sets a mood you cannot, nor ,want to escape. Pour a brandy,sit close and the music will do the rest.

all time favourite album - but put it in the vault !.......2006-01-25

I bought this album after seeing the movie( what 10 yrs ago?) We were only 30 at the time and still listening to Inxs and George Michael etc... so had never even heard of Johnny Hartman!!) Well 10 years and 3 kids later we are completely addicted to this album. My husband knows that if this is on when he gets home it will be in a very nice evening indeed.About two years ago we lost this cd - probably on a weekend away - and spent another year trying to replace it. There wasnt a single music store in Australia that had a new or second hand copy in stock. Where did they all go ?? I ended up ordering it from the U.K. - it took 3 months and cost $30 ( approx $50 us). Needless to say we have several copies of it now and continue to play it constantly. We now own various Hartman/Washington albums but the mix on this album ( plus we are big fans of Clint's) just seems to be perfect. Sublime.

Average customer rating: Barbra Streisand: Memories (1981) Memories of a Fantasic Voice Streisand for Those Who Don't Like Streisand A rehash, but a good rehash. Talented

Memories Barbra Streisand Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Contemporary | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Classic Vocalists | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Sony | Computers Brands | Computers Features | Electronics | Desktops | Monitors | Networking | Notebooks Similar Items: Barbra Streisand's Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 Guilty Barbra Streisand - A Collection: Greatest Hits...and More Barbra Streisand - Greatest Hits The Way We Were ASIN: B0000025OY Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Memory
2. You Don't Bring Me Flowers
3. My Heart Belongs To Me
4. New York State Of Mind
5. No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)
6. Comin' In And Out Of Your Life
7. Evergreen
8. Lost Inside Of You
9. The Love Inside
10. The Way We Were

Customer Reviews:

Barbra Streisand: Memories (1981).......2005-08-18

In November of 1981, Barbra Streisand released her twenty-seventh album entitled MEMORIES. This album is actually another greatest hits compilation, her third greatest hits package if you count them one by one. This is a greatest hits compilation with the inclusion of two new songs that seem to have fit this album perfectly.

MEMORY
New song. This song is actually the theme song to the Broadway musical play, CATS. This is such a beautiful song and Barbra sings it so beautifully.

YOU DON'T BRING ME FLOWERS (Duet with Neil Diamond) (Duet version)
From the album BARBRA STREISAND'S GREATEST HITS VOLUME 2 (1978). Original version from the album SONGBIRD (1978). Great song.

MY HEART BELONGS TO ME
From the album STREISAND SUPERMAN (1977). Amazing song.

NEW YORK STATE OF MIND
From the album STREISAND SUPERMAN (1977). Not a favorite, but still a good song.

NO MORE TEARS (ENOUGH IS ENOUGH) (Duet with Donna Summer) (Single Version)
Original version from the album WET (1979). 12" Version from Donna Summer's albums ON THE RADIO: GREATEST HITS VOLUMES 1 & 2 (1979) & THE DANCE COLLECTION (1987). This song is just the best Diva duet I have ever heard. I wish that Madonna & Cher would team up for the second-best Diva duet.

COMIN' IN AND OUT OF YOUR LIFE
New song. Great song.

EVERGREEN
From the original motion picture & motion picture soundtrack A STAR IS BORN (1976). A beautiful song. This is such a beautiful song.

LOST INSIDE OF YOU (Duet with Kris Kristofferson)
From the original motion picture & motion picture soundtrack A STAR IS BOWN (1976). This is another beautiful song, but I think that Kris Kristofferson needs to stick to acting, rather than sing. Don't get me wrong, Kris' voice is not bad, but I like him better as an actor than a singer.

THE LOVE INSIDE
From the album GUILTY (1980). Not bad.

THE WAY WE WERE
From the album THE WAY WE WERE (1974). From the original motion picture & motion picture soundtrack THE WAY WE WERE (1974). Another beautiful song.

MEMORIES is another album that all Barbra Streisand fans should have by now. If not, then make sure you buy this album because it is very enjoyable. I really do enjoy hearing this album because it is one of Barbra's best, so take my advice and buy this album. I promise that you will not regret it. If you do regret it, then I can say that I tried.

Memories of a Fantasic Voice.......2005-06-06

Barbra Streisand's rendition of Memory is by far the best song ever song. I only wish the Video was released in the US. Barbra your FANTASTIC.

Streisand for Those Who Don't Like Streisand.......2003-11-09

Let's get this straight up front. I don't like Streisand much; either her songs or her politics. It amazes me that people would pay hundreds of dollars for tickets to a concert of hers, even if she rarely gives concerts. That being said, this is a great album that has some beautiful songs and is very listenable. (It was given to me; I didn't buy it.) Several reviewers said there are too many repeats from other albums, but if you don't own any other albums of Streisand's, this is a good one to start with. The first song (Memory) and the last (The Way We Were) are two of her best efforts and songs you can listen to over and over without getting tired of them. The duet with Neil Diamond (You Don't Bring Me Flowers Any More) is also a gorgeous song and Diamond and Streisand sound great together. This album surprised me as I didn't expect it to be as good as it was. In good conscience I can't give it 5 stars because I think there are many better singers and better albums out there. Barbra gives it her all, but sometimes I think she overdoes it and gets too loud, especially noticable on "Comin' in and Out of Your Life". I think she does better on slower, softer songs. The cover art is nice too and shows what an attractive women she is in spite of her rather large nose.

A rehash, but a good rehash........2003-06-10

All of the songs on MEMORIES, a love song compilation, are first-rate, however there seems to be little reason why any fan would need to own it now. Barbra had won over a whole new legion of pop fans with the phenomenal success of 1980's GUILTY, but was working on the film YENTL full time by 1981 and didn't have time to record a follow up release. Columbia wanted to release something, so they decided to release a basically revamped version of the multi-platinum GREATEST HITS, VOLUME TWO, and get Barbra in the studio to record two new songs to reel in her long time fans.

The strategy worked: MEMORIES hit the Top Ten and reached Quintuple Platinum status in sales, but it irritated her longtime fans who had to buy material they already owned on other albums just to get the new songs. For the record, the two new tracks both rank among her finest work. The hit single "Comin' In and Out Of Your Life" (#11 Pop, #2 Adult Contemporary) is a sentimental classic, and Barbra's stunning rendition of "Memory" is the definitive recording of the phenomenal CATS theme. Also, MEMORIES does spotlight a couple terrific album tracks ("New York State Of Mind," "The Love Inside") that causal fans may not have been familiar with, and contains a previously unreleased solo recording of "Lost Inside Of You," which is superior to the original duet version from the A STAR IS BORN soundtrack.

But three of these ten tracks were making their third appearance on a Streisand album, and four of the cuts had just been released GREATEST HITS, VOLUME TWO a scant three years before. Now that "Comin' In and Out Of Your Life" and "Memory" are available elsewhere, there is no reason that anyone but the most casual of fans would need to own this album. The material is great and the photos of the front and back covers are beautiful, but you can basically find everything here on other albums that provide a better value.

Talented.......2002-07-10

There is no one who can compare to this talented singer. She is one of the best natural singers that I have ever heard with a style all of her own. She is simply wonderful. Her songs have such warmth and feeling. The songs on this particular cd are some of her best work.

World Music:

1. C'est Beau La Vie [Import]
2. Cajun Spirit
3. Cerisier Rose Et Pommier Blanc [Import]
4. Chatelet 93 [Live] [Import]
5. Chatterton [Import]
6. Classic Irish Songs
7. Confessions Publiques [Import]
8. Das Beste [Import]
9. Destiny
10. Die Grossten Hits [Import]

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