A View to a Kill

A View to a Kill Review

A View to a Kill is a great score from the legendary John Barry, who has done pretty much all of the James Bond films up until 1989. I wish he'd come back and do the score to the next James Bond film. A few pieces of music are missing though from the movie, such as when Bond is attacked in Siberia and escapes but they never finish the music. Another piece missing is where Bond and Tibbett arrive at the Zorin's chateau in France. I think the most important piece that's missing is when Stacy gets taken by Zorin for a ride in the blimp and Bond hangs on to the rope going to the Golden Gate Bridge. The music that leads to the climax is always important! The best part of the album is that the music is very much James Bond and incorporates, at the time, a more modern theme to the music. Duran Duran's song is still awesome to this day and can still hold a candle to any crappy song out there today! Overall, a great job well done!

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Baby Sounds for Pets

Baby Sounds for Pets Review

I bought this CD because one of my dogs is a very anxious dog and thought that it may help ease her during all the changes with a new baby. I also thought that maybe she wouldn't notice since she is use to hearing noise come from the CD player. I was wrong. Both of my dogs came running upstairs once I turned the Baby Sounds CD on and they were trying to figure out where the crying was coming from; looking outside, etc. I did as the CD instructed by giving treats to them while playing it and they handled it very nicely. Now we will just wait and see what happens when the real live baby comes!

Baby Sounds for Pets Overview

A revolutionary training aid to help your pet adjust to the arrival of a new baby.Model/actress Kristen Overdurf has created BABY SOUNDS FOR PETS to ease pets, and pet owners, from the stress, anxiety and jealousy that can arise when a home changes with baby's new arrival. So why not start weeks, even months ahead, with the sounds your pets will hear on a daily basis. These are the authentic recordings of infants and toddlers you often read about in magazines, but can never seem to find! Finally they are all here on one CD - laughing, cooing, gurgling and crying! Even the dreaded temper tamtrum.1 Intro from Kristen & Fred 2 Baby Talk 3 Baby Crying 4 Baby Cooing/Gurgling 5 Baby Temper Tantrum 6 Baby Laughter 7 Nursery

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Have a Nice Day 13

Have a Nice Day 13 Review

Super Hits of the '70s: Have a Nice Day, Vol. 13 gives us ten great hits from the 1970s that really made the airwaves hot! These songs still sound great today on this very well digitally produced CD; and the artwork is pretty good as it always is in this multi CD series.

Maria Muldaur begins the tracks set with her hit entitled "Midnight At The Oasis." "Midnight At The Oasis" has a romantic, attractive melody that catches your attention and never lets it go. Maria sings this with a lot of sensitivity and that's probably a big reason why this song went so far the way it did in the `70s. The guitars work well and the percussion adds to the beauty of the number--awesome! Jim Stafford follows with another hit entitled "My Girl Bill." "My Girl Bill" hints at an alternative lifestyle--before turning into a song about two men who both love the same woman! I think "My Girl Bill" is very neatly done and I really like that number.

Bo Donaldson & The Heywoods turn in a bubblegum flavored anti-war song with "Billy, Don't Be A Hero;" this tune has a great melody as well. The guitars and percussion enhance the natural beauty of the song, too. Listen also for Paper Lace doing "The Night Chicago Died." The singing and percussion marking the beat stuns me with its creativity and good sound; and they play and sing "The Night Chicago Died" to perfection.

Bo Donaldson & The Heywoods return for another awesome hit--in my opinion--that they called "Who Do You Think You Are." "Who Do You Think You Are" sounds great and this is clearly a highlight of this album. Andy Kim also does a great job on "Rock Me Gently;" Andy sings this flawlessly with ladies doing backup harmonizing; and the guitar arrangement makes this number shine! First Class also does "Beach Baby." "Beach Baby" always makes me smile; this is easily one of my favorite tunes from the entire 1970s. First Class sounds a bit like The Beach Boys on this number but they hold their own well; and the musical arrangement uses the guitars and percussion really well. Billy Swan's "I Can Help" rocks with just enough of a country twist to make this number memorable; and Billy sings this one out like a pro!

Overall, this is one major installment in this multi CD series of great hits from the `70s. I highly recommend this for people looking for high quality controlled music from the `70s; and newcomers to this type of music will find this to be a great starter CD.

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Good Vibrations: Thirty Years Of The Beach Boys

Good Vibrations: Thirty Years Of The Beach Boys Review

Some of the other reviews are correct. If your an audiophile and want the original recordings in their original sound you may not find it here. Also, if your wanting to find only the Beach Boy hits you remember you might want to buy one of the Greatest Hits albums. This box set has many songs never released to the public I believe. If you want the hits, plus some, and the recording method doesn't bother you then this is good buy. Personally, I do not have the high end equipment I didn't mind if there were songs I had never heard before. I am glad I bought this box set and enjoy it.

Good Vibrations: Thirty Years Of The Beach Boys Overview

Beach Boys Photos

More from The Beach Boys

Sounds of Summer	Pet Sounds	20 Good Vibrations, The Greatest Hits
More Good Vibrations, Greatest Hits: Vol.2	Endless Harmony	Sunflower/Surf's Up

Good Vibrations: Thirty Years Of The Beach Boys Specifications

From "Surfin'" to "Kokomo," the first four discs of this box chart the Beach Boys' inimitable 30-year course. Here are all the hits and key album tracks, and an assortment of unreleased material that illuminates Brian Wilson and company's immense contribution to the development of pop music. (Especially fascinating are the assembled fragments from Wilson's abandoned 1966 masterwork, Smile.) A fifth disc features demos, radio spots, live tracks, and studio goodies for the hardcore fan. The set confirms Brian's hardworking genius, but also gives each member his due, especially the late Carl Wilson. Rock & roll music grew up with the Beach Boys, and this box is rock's best family album. --Ben Edmonds

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Stars & Stripes: America's Greatest Hits

Stars & Stripes: America's Greatest Hits Review

I have the CD at home and the songs sound fabulous. I've heard the Houston Symphony's version of the Star Spangled Banner many times on TV as this anthem has been used at sign-off (when this was happening). It's as powerful a version you'll hear. Probably the finest patriotic music CD you can find out there.

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Zappa in N.Y.

Zappa in N.Y. Review

I also was fortunate to see this concert tour. In fact it was my first experience with Zappa live (4 more times to follow). I remember beiing awestruck by the musicianship while laughing MAO at the lyrics and stage antics. I am a drummer so this album is particularly important because it contains the first recording of The Black Page, a notoriously difficult drumset arrangement and the piece that really put drummer Terry Bozzio on the map. The other high point for me on this recording is the astonshing brilliant vocals of Ray White on The Illonois Enema Bandit. It's something like a perverted gospel clasic.

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The Anna Russell Album

The Anna Russell Album Review

I first bought the 90-minute cassette tape of this some years ago, and then bought the CD. I've discovered, from comparing the tape with the CD, that there are two pieces on the cassette tape that are missing from the CD (hence the 4-star rating, rather than a 5). The two missing pieces are: "Contemporary music for the tone-deaf singers: My Heart is Red", and "For the untrained singer: I Gave my Love a Cherry." Why the CD doesn't contain these two pieces is beyond me.

Other than that, it's a wonderful example of Anna Rusell at her best. Hopefully, you won't die laughing while listening to this, so that you can listen to it over and over again.

The Anna Russell Album Feature

• Includes Russell's most famous and hilarious routines.

The Anna Russell Album Overview

Anna Russell combines her excellent knowledge of and training in opera with her brilliantly satirical wit to create hilarious send-ups of Wagner's The Ring cycle, Gilbert & Sullivan, and more. Whether you love opera or couldn't care less, Russell will have you in stitches.

The Anna Russell Album Specifications

This set of Anna Russell's inspired satirical monologues should be labeled with a warning notice. Why? Because after listening to her whirlwind explication of Wagner's Ring Cycle, even the most confirmed Wagnerite will be unable to listen to the Ring for weeks to come. Just listening to Russell declare in an incredulous voice: "I'm not making this up, y'know" is enough to induce you to shed bucketloads of laughter-induced tears. Gilbert and Sullivan fans will find their heroes savaged in her concoction of a typical G&S product, complete with a soprano lead who "loves below her station." Other targets include "the nymphs and shepherds" style of quavery English singing, complete with "hey-nonny-nonny's," coloratura mad scenes, and much else, including Russian folk songs, like her "Da, nyet, da, nyet." This disc is packed with laughs, chuckles, smiles, and everything. --Dan Davis

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Ron White: You Can't Fix Stupid

Ron White: You Can't Fix Stupid Review

This is one funny fellow. People say that some of the material on this cd is found on other cds. Of course, this is true. It is like any other musical group or other genra, you just don't always have enough material to fill up a new album, so you fill it with some old stuff. If you want to laugh, and haven't heard this cd, this is one to buy.

Ron White: You Can't Fix Stupid Overview

Irreverent bad boy Ron White will crack you up with a nonstop stream of hilarious jokes and clever observations. In this brand-new stand-up performance, Ron explores the pitfalls of marriage, offers some hysterically funny advice on picking a spouse and introduces the unforgettable "Squirrel Man," plus much more. A well-loved Comedy Central favorite, star of the popular DVD They Call Me "Tater Salad" and the bestselling CD Drunk in Public, this extraordinary comedian will keep you laughing till your sides ache!

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Dream A Little Dream: Original Soundtrack From The Vestron Motion Picture

Dream A Little Dream: Original Soundtrack From The Vestron Motion Picture Review

11 great songs that transport us back to a time of innocence and mischief too. Track #2. Time Runs Wild is my favorite! It's a song of pure joy and so uplifting. Track #5. Into The Mystic is full of nostalgia and is another of my favorite songs in this album. The music was well chosen and it blends perfectly well with the movie. A great album that always brings back so many wonderful memories.

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Cruisin 1958

Cruisin 1958 Review

I own the entire set of the "Cruisin'" series. Most of the discs are entertaining, while a few are so poorly edited and full of replacement songs they're more aggravating than entertaining to listen to. From a production standpoint, "Cruisin'
1958" is the best this series has to offer. From beginning to the end, the presentation is seamless and flows beautifully. If any portion of this 35-minute segment was edited, I certainly couldn't hear it.
The program is great! Legendary personality Jack Carney of Wonderful WIL radio in St. Louis is your host for this Cruisin' installment. His smooth, friendly-sounding demeanor adds a lot to this pleasurable trip back to the summer of 1958.
The collection of songs on "Cruisin' 1958" is second to none: "At The Hop" - Danny and The Juniors; "Tequila" - The Champs; "Book Of Love" - The Monotones; "Rock And Roll Music" - Chuck Berry; "Short Shorts" - The Royal Teens; "Chantilly Lace" - The Big Bopper; "Get A Job" - The Silhouettes; "Rebel Rouser" - Duane Eddy; and a brand new song on WIL's Silver Dollar Survey, "Rockin' Robin" - Bobby Day. GREAT STUFF!

If you collect "Cruisin'" discs and have yet to purchase this one, what are you waiting for? If you're planning to start a "Cruisin'" collection, this is a good place to start!

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Diana Princess of Wales Tribute

Diana Princess of Wales Tribute Review

Princess Diana died too young and tragically in 1997. She is one those iconic figures who young like Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, and others. If she had lived, she would be in her fifties and still looking fabulous. She had a terrific sense of humor that comes across, a love and compassion for humankind, and deep love for her sons, William and Harry. In response to her tragic loss, the stars came out in force to remember her. The Chicken Shed Theatre has children serenading the lost princess with "I am in Love with the World." The Chicken Shed Theatre is not as well know as it should be but it's one of the finest theatres in London. The other songs like "Pavane," sung by the divine British soprano, Lesley Garrett CBE, inspired me to buy one of her compilations and she's brilliant singer. There is Queen's classic, "Who Wants to Live Forever," as well as so many others like Pavarotti, Annie Lennox, Eric Clapton CBE OBE, Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, and so many others. I hope the money for this collection goes directly to charity because that's probably Diana would have wanted in the first place.

Diana Princess of Wales Tribute Overview

Given the multimedia frenzy that accompanied Princess Diana's untimely death, it's somehow appropriate that the tragedy should inspire this album--a 2 CD set featuring 36 old and new tracks by an array of international stars--with a portion of the proceeds going to a Memorial Fund established in the late Princess' name. But, with Diana's death as the only unifying thread (and a tenuous one at that), it's not a particularly consistent or cohesive listen. But it's hard to argue with such an impressive array of stars including Celine Dion, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, the Spice Girls, Barbra Streisand, Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Puff Daddy, Aretha Franklin, R.E.M., Sinead O'Connor, Seal, George Michael, Des'ree, Bryan Ferry, and Michael Bolton (joining opera star Placido Domingo to perform "Ave Maria"). --Scott Schinder

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Sandwich

Sandwich Review

This album is probably the best humorous metal album I've ever heard. The lyrical theme surrounds the subject of food, with song titles like "The Hunger Within", "Orange", and the semi-title track, "This Is Not A Song, It's A Sandwich". There are other songs that shine more even than the food-related ones. "Caffeine" is hilariously hyperactive take on coffee and energy drinks, and sounds as if they'd had a few before they recorded the song. "#1 Radio $ingle" is a song that narrates itself with its own lyrics, but happens to be so catchy it probably could be played on the radio. There are funky crawling slap bass portions in "Shower" and "Girl Directions". The four short skits are pretty funny, and there are several bonus tracks after the main album is over with, including an epic older-song medley that replaces lyrics with names as a tribute to the 373 people who donated 50+ dollars for the album to be funded (I donated ), an outtakes reel, and a very pretty, incredibly random acoustic song at the end that gets cut off prematurely by the apparent limitation in CD space. Overall a very good album, and it is worth many listens in its entirety, if you insert your tongue into your cheek for 75 minutes at a time.

Sandwich Overview

This is "humorcore" - metal/hard rock with a sense of humor.

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*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Aug 16, 2010 18:44:05

Schoolhouse Rock: Multiplication Rock

Schoolhouse Rock: Multiplication Rock Review

I remember when these were first reissued, at least the videos.... My friend (7 or 8 year younger than I am - he hadn't really sen them) and I were in a huge media superstore, and they were playing them on the monitor. I was watching "Figure Eight" and my friend, finished with his shopping, came up to me and said "Why are you crying?"
I hadn't noticed that I was, but there was something very wonderful about seeing it again, always thinking it was a forgotten footnote of my childhood. It's wonderful to know that I'm not alone and that these are still pertinent enough to still be teaching kids something all these years later. I don't know if it's the chords or the little daydreaming girl, but "Figure Eight" still moves me to tears every time I see or hear it now. It's nice to know we don't have to let everything go as we grow older. We're so lucky to have recorded media as part of our culture. So much of it is awful, but there are priceless gems mixed in. Schoolhouse Rock is one of them.

Schoolhouse Rock: Multiplication Rock Overview

Mathematics is a particularly sensitive educational area in the United States (and, for that matter, the world in the digital age). This set is tremendously simplistic but appropriately so, rooting through numerical issues but also introducing the gist of so many "story problems" that kids have encountered since at least the 1970s. The music has a distinctly '70s feel, sounding a touch like Paul Simon backed by some more-staid offshoot of the Staple Singers. "Ready or Not, Here I Come" is a rambling blast, shuffling quickly and soulfully and showing the depth of jazz vocal veteran Bob Dorough's command of language and rhythm. Things are spry--maybe a bit too much--but single-digit kids (mostly the 4-and-over range) will catch the snappy groove easily and ask for more. --Andrew Bartlett

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American IV: The Man Comes Around [Vinyl]

American IV: The Man Comes Around [Vinyl] Review

It seems that the previous reviewer who paned this record did not receive the same pressing as Tyler Alexander and myself. If it was me, I would re-purchase the record so as not to miss out on such a great gem.

I was already familiar with the music from this album, I have the CD but this vinyl record recently received a mention in Absolute Sound magazine (issue 197 'Best Audiophile Recordings') hence I made the purchase. The first track 'The Man Comes Around' is a hair raiser for sure. I do not have a high end system by any means but WoW !

This Lost Highway release does sound fantastic and will be treasured for many years to come.

At the twelve bucks and change for a new record of this quality it is a huge bargain considering that some 'Audiophile recording' records cost three plus times more than this one did.American IV: The Man Comes Around

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20 Greatest Hits 1960

20 Greatest Hits 1960 Review

I had a 60's party and people really loved the music. This cd was pretty good.

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Quebec

Quebec Review

Why are you here. Maybe because you have sampled other music from Ween or maybe your lost. I won't labor on the subject, lets get straight to the album. These guys have so much universal talent that only could allow for a production like this, yet not enough virtuosity to keep them from being stuck on one formula. Its to our benefit. These guys can ape just about any popular music genre and beat the originals at their own game. Be prepared to change gears at times. If you listen to the first track, you would think you would have stumbled across a long lost Motorhead masterpiece.... ah..what. Keep going... you will find traces of everything under the sun here. If you are a musichead in general and are open to all sorts of music, you will be saying 'hey that sounds like' so many times it becomes a mute point. The songs stand on their own merits. Look out for sounds of Marcy Playground, Electronic Chill, Yo Gabba Gabba, Steely Dan.... and on and on. And yet in its entirety its just our friends Ween. With Ween there is always some tounge in cheek stuff going on, but there is also pure beauty and heart. Not something most people frequently consume because of its broad range. I don't want to compare Ween to the Flaming Lips, but for Lips fans, if you remember a quazi-punk group turning into a lush music making machine.... this is... to me... the same sort of process... raw entity evolves into lush music landscapes...and they have long since arrived. Not sure if we can call Motorhead Lush tho... forget it. Just check it out.

Quebec Overview

How does one encapsulate the mischievous musical conceits of Aaron Freeman and Mickey Melchiondo, aka Gene and Dean Ween? Infinitely less self-conscious than the smirky They Might Be Giants, yet possessed of a downright Zappa-esque sense of the perverse, Ween returns here from the problematic, if illusory, mainstreaming that characterized 2000's White Pepper to embrace an artistic tack that seems as focused as an errant cluster bomb. While eclecticism for its own sake has often yielded painful self-indulgence, G&D's is sublime enough to seem virtually pre-conscious. The white-trash thrash of "It's Gonna Be a Long Night" dispenses with the expected parody quotient early on, shrewdly clearing the stage for moody doses of psychedelia that are variously driving ("Transdermal Celebration"), dirgy ("Among His Tribe"), and languorously eerie ("Captain"). But, perhaps conscious of reputations to be maintained, those dreamy, chem-friendly spells are variously broken by the perfect '70s country-pop of "Chocolate Town," the pocket epic "The Argus," and tracks that somehow recall both Captain Beefheart and their own haphazard side-career scoring cartoons and other TV fare. There's something here for everyone, to be sure--but closer to Ween's antic hearts, something to annoy everyone as well. --Jerry McCulley

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G4 & Friends

G4 & Friends Review

Well G4's second album is just lovely-wonderful production and includes some stunning vocals from the talented G4.There is not one track that I skip over.All excellent but just to give my favourites a mention ..
Barcelona (With Lesley Garrett) -wonderful collaboration my favourite track on the album.
Yellow G4 have gave such positivity to what I think was a pretty dark song by Coldplay-massive song.
Miss You Nights (With Cliff Richard) This collaboration is kept pretty and simple-excellent.
La Donna E Mobile -just love this.More classical songs on the next album please Sony.
Another Day -lovely brand new pop song.More new songs on the next album please Sony.
Last Song -aww Jon puts such emotion into this lovely ballad.
You're The Voice -not a fan of this John Farnham song usually but G4 have brought something extra to you're the voice-big track.
Beautiful -the Christina song..just Beautiful.
Remember Me -this song is so pretty and sad ..lovely vocals.
Au Fond Temple Saint -another favourite..just beautiful vocals.

Well worth buying.

G4 & Friends Overview

Classically trained, this four-piece vocal group, wowed a captivated audience week after week on The X Factor. Their highly original takes on seemingly untouchable pop classics established them as true one offs and despite coming out of the competition in second place, the act were undoubtedly one of the artistic success stories of the series. This is their second album and looks set to reward the group with even more success. 15 tracks. Sony. 2005.

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Simply the Best Classical Anthems

Simply the Best Classical Anthems Review

"Simply the Best Classicial Anthems" is exactly what the title indicates. This is a collection of what the CD says are "36 of the most powerful classics on Earth". My review of this CD comes from someone who is a Classical Music Novice. I'm familiar with some of the composers, musical styles, musical periods, and some of the terminology that is key to understanding Classical Music. By no means am I an expert. I have basically popped in this two CD collection into my player and have enjoyed the sounds it produces. If you are in the same category as I am or maybe just wanting to be introduced to Classical Music - this is going to be a very good CD to have in your collection. For the more seasoned Classical Music fan, this could be either enjoyable or overkill.

The CD contains 36 songs composed by the legends of Classical Music Composers from the past. The bulk of the works come from Composers in the the 19th and 20th century, but there are works from the Romantic and Classical eras of the late 18th and early 19th century (such as Beethoven and Mozart). In general you will find most of the major names of Composers you would expect to find - names such as Tchiakovsky, Handel, Verdi, Strauss, Elgar, and Bach are all there. The only major composer who I would have expected to see on this CD that I don't see is Frederic Chopin. The composers of the late 20th century are not included on this collection - so you won't see Leonard Bernstein or John Williams on this set. While these Composers are excellent, I do think style of the tracks on this collection pre-date their style.

The recordings themselves are done by the great Orchestras around the world. For the most part, European Orchestras were used to deliver the tracks. There are a few exceptions: The Chicago Symphony Orchestra delivers "The Ride of the Valkyries"; The Toronto Symphony Orchestra delivers "Dance of the Knights"; and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra delivers Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture". Some of the European Orchestras that are well known include: BBC Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic, Bolshoi Symphony Orchestra, Choeur Philhamonique de Strasbourg, and more. Also included are performances by well known names in the Classical space such as Marie-Claire Alain (Bach's "Toccate and Fogue in D Minor" and Saint-Saens' "Symphony for Organ No 3"), Piero Toso (Vivaldi's "Allegro From Spring - Four Seasons"), and Placido Domingo appears on Puccini's "Nessun Dorma".

The 2 Disc collection contains a total of over 2 hours and 6 minutes of music. The selections that are included in the set will sound very familiar to you when you play them. You probably have both heard and seen the names of tracks such as: Oref's "O Fortuna"; Copland's "Fanfare for the Common Man"; Beethoven's "First Movement from Symphony Number 5" and "Ode To Joy"; Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance", and Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture". Many of the other tracks will also sound familiar, but maybe not so much by name - such as Wagner's "The Ride of the Valkyries", Strauss' Also Sprach Zarathoustra"; Grieg's "Piano Concerto", and "Dies Irae" (versions included by Mozart and Verdi - you can compare the two and judge for yourself). As for the Discs themselves, I think most of the casual fans will like the selections on Disc Two better, but Disc One is still very good. On a sidebar, the Israel Philharmonic's version of "1812 Overture" is by far the best you will hear - particularly at the end, the booming drums create almost a 3 dimensional vision of fireworks being launched into the air.

There one big negative on this collection is some of the recording quality. The clarity of the recording is there, but some of the recording levels leave a lot to be desired. On some of the softer parts, it is barely audible without significantly turning up your volume. This is very evident on "O Fortuna" where you will hear almost dead silence during from the 30 second to 1:30 mark of the track unless you crank your volume up. Same with the first few seconds of Strauss' "Also Sprach Zarathoustra" and Tchiakovsky's "1812 Overture". When the volume is cranked up you will hear them - but then the other sections will be way too loud. I'm surprised with modern technology that this couldn't be addressed better.

The liner notes are pretty thin. You do get the Composers, Performers/Orchestras, and recording dates. There isn't any more details than that and you won't learn anymore insight on the tracks than this information. Despite some of the shortcomings of the liner notes and recording volume, I still think this is an excellent place to start and do recommend this CD if you are a novice to Classical Music and are looking for a great place to start listening to what the Classics have to offer.

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Fiedler's Favorite Marches

Fiedler's Favorite Marches Review

This is a good collection of popular marches, and the word "march" is fortunately extended to include more than military marches. Most performances are top-notch. I bought this for the French Military March (from Algerian Suite) and Procession of the Sardar (from Caucasian Sketches), and was pleasantly surprised at the other tracks. I was especially surprised by de Sambre et Meuse, which I knew by another name, Le Regiment.

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Music From the Motion Picture Josie And The Pussycats

Music From the Motion Picture Josie And The Pussycats Review

This album is so much FUN. The singer of the soundtrack is lead vocalist "Kay Hanley" of the 90's band "Letters To Cleo". "Kay Hanley" does no appearances in the movie nor is she on the artwork to this CD. She just did the singing voice of the chick who plays "Josie" the lead of "Josie & The Pussycats". She does a good job on all the songs. The only songs that I DO NOT like on this album are the two Ralph Dujour songs we really couldv'e done without those pathetic songs. The CD is predominatley "Kay hanley" so you might forget it's an actual soundtrack until you come across those two songs. This Soundtrack is another one of the CD's that made my "Straight Through Collection" because I USUALLY enjoy playing it all-the-through and every "Kay Hanley" track is #1 hit in my book. All the songs are upbeat & power-pop except for the acoustic song "You Don't See Me" which is also a favorite of mine and it shows a completely different side to "Kay", It's very "Mandy Moore". It's so cool of her to have done this soundtrack, I enjoyed every minute of it. If you enjoyed this soundtrack check out the "10 Things I Hate About You" Soundtrack which features more vocals from "Kay Hanley" in her band "Letters To Cleo" on songs like "I Want You To Want Me" and The HOT cover of Nick Lowe's "Cruel To Be Kind" She sounds exactly how she sounds on this soundtrack, You'll love it. I hope she does more fun stuff like this in the future.

Music From the Motion Picture Josie And The Pussycats Overview

With the likes of Fountains of Wayne's Adam Schlesinger, former Letters to Cleo singer Kay Hanley, and Matthew Sweet on board, the soundtrack album for the live-action update of the beloved Archie Comics spinoff boasts some of the best rock & roll made for a Hollywood flick since Schlesinger wrote That Thing You Do's title tune. Fast, guitars-cranked power pop with Hanley's voice-of-Josie supplying the songs' sassy attitude, the music puts across a sisterly stance that fans of the Donnas and the Go-Go's will recognize. Program out the two frighteningly realistic boy-group pastiches by the fictional DuJour and maybe the Pussycats' sole draggy moment (Couldn't the producers at least have sped up the lame love ballad "You Don't See Me"?) and this is one feisty howl of a CD. Hope for a volume 2. --Rickey Wright

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Home for Christmas

Home for Christmas Review

I usually associate Barlowgirl with rock (think "She Walked Away", "Never Alone"), and bought this CD after hearing their version of "O Holy Night" (not on this CD) on Air1. That had a hard rock edge, and I expected more of the same here. Boy, was I wrong.

Instead of a rock interpretation they went for straight up beautiful. As in hauntingly, jaw-droppingly beautiful. Carol of the Bells, Hallelujah, Angelic Proclamation (a seamless mix of Hark the Herald Angels Sing and In Excelsis Deo), and O Come Emmanuel all had classical-style orchestration, with pure melodies and tight harmonies in the vocals. I'd never seen Panis Angelicus on a Christmas CD, but have a recording from a traditional Catholic music CD; Barlowgirl's version blew that one away. Made me think of stained glass and Mass and Communion, and brought tears to my eyes.

The more modern songs, I'll Be Home for Christmas and It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, were traditional in the Bing Crosby sense; if you like those particular songs (which I don't), these are nice arrangements of them. O Little Town of Bethlehem, What Child is This, and Go Tell It on the Mountain got the R&B treatment; not a good fit for the first two in my opinion, and those were the only disappointing songs on the CD.

In short, if you're a die-hard rocker, you're going to be disappointed, as this is vastly different from their usual sound. If you're a closet traditionalist like me, you'll be pleasantly shocked. Pity most traditional music lovers won't be looking to buy a Christmas CD from a Christian rock group.

Home for Christmas Overview

Spend the Christmas season with sisters Rebecca, Alyssa and Lauren Barlow as they recapture their childhood memories through music. Home For Christmas is a timeless Christmas recording of songs perfect for ushering in the Christmas season. The eleven tracks are bursting with seamless harmonies and beautiful instrumentation and arrangements of Christmas favorites, along with an original recording.

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Stan & Judy's Kid

Stan & Judy's Kid Review

7 foot man, the chanuka song part 2, she comes home to me, cool guy, the peeper....and on it goes.
Don't miss this one. The reason why i wouldn't give this one a five stars review, is because it doesn't include more songs.
Adam Sandler is great, not only for what he performs, but for enjoying every single minute while doing it...

Stan & Judy's Kid Overview

Is Adam Sandler maturing? First there was The Wedding Singer, now there's the ambition he displays on his fourth album, Stan and Judy's Kid. The bittersweet character sketch "Whitey" is the best example of Sandler's stretching here; most surprising is that the 16-minute piece never gets boring. Another lengthy track, "The Psychotic Legend of Uncle Donnie," is more akin to the '90s' Saturday Night Live's endless bits, though it's impressive to hear such a grisly conceit on a comedy disc. Sandler succeeds with pure absurdity on the opening "Hot Water Burn Baby" and five brief "Cool Guy" vignettes. Still the finest thing here is a sequel to Sandler's classic "Chanukah Song," which reminds us that "Lenny Kravitz is half-Jewish / Courtney Love is half, too / Put them together / What a funky, bad-ass Jew." --Rickey Wright

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Lost Hits of the '60s: 40 Solid Gold AM Radio Classics

Lost Hits of the '60s: 40 Solid Gold AM Radio Classics Review

This is an import version of a set that was originally available from Sound Exchange, a Time Warner direct marketing music operation that has since folded. Though, since its original issue, some of these tracks have become available on CD elsewhere, there are several here that made their CD debut with this set and are still hard-to-find. Four Jacks and a Jill's "Master Jack", the Association's song from the movie, "Goodbye Columbus", Leapy Lee's "Little Arrows" and "Don't Just Stand There" by Patty Duke are among the rarities found here. Sound quality is quite good overall with all tracks except disc 1, tracks 4,14,16,17,19 and 20 and disc 2 tracks 7 and 20 appearing in their stereo version. While it may seem a bit pricey, with 40 tracks on two discs, it represents a reasonably good value. This is a surprisingly interesting collection of mostly substantially charting, yet seldom-found 45's from the later 60s. Since track listings are not supplied at the time of this review, they are as follows:
DISC ONE: Lazy Day - Spanky and Our Gang; The 59th Street Bridge Song - Harpers Bizarre; Master Jack - Four Jacks and a Jill; Western Union - Five Americans; Morning Girl - Neon Philharmonic; Brand New Me - Dusty Springfield; Turn Down Day - Cyrkle; Shame, Shame - Magic Lanterns; Baby, I'm Yours - Barbara Lewis; I Got Rhythm - Happenings; Son Of A Preacher Man - Dusty Springfield; Bowling Green - Everly Bros.; Don't Just Stand There - Patty Duke; Sweet Inspiration - Sweet Inspirations; Goodbye Columbus - Association; Pied Piper - Crispian St. Peters; Best Of Both Worlds - Lulu; Will You Be Staying After Sunday - Peppermint Rainbow; Next Plane To London - Rose Garden; Bottle Of Wine - Fireballs. DISC TWO: Games People Play - Joe South; Baby The Rain Must Fall - Glenn Yarbrough; I'm A Fool - Dino, Desi and Billy; Apricot Brandy - Rhinoceros; Crying Game - Brenda Lee; And Suddenly - Cherry People; Malibu U - Harpers Bizarre; Alice's Rock and Roll Restaurant - Arlo Guthrie; D.W. Washburn - Monkees; Classical Gas - Mason Williams; Indian Lake - Cowsills; Action - Freddy Cannon; Mr. Bojangles - Jerry Jeff Walker; Nashville Cats - Lovin' Spoonful; Come On Down To My Boat - Every Mother's Son; I Love You - People; Little Arrows - Leapy Lee; Mr. Dieingly Sad - Critters; Long Lonesome Highway - Michael Parks; Let It Out - Hombres.

Lost Hits of the '60s: 40 Solid Gold AM Radio Classics Overview

The best rare '60's collection ever! 40 solid gold AM radio classics like, 'Morning Girl', Neon Philharmonic, 'Apricot Brandy', Rhinoceros, 'Bottle Of Wine', Fireballs, 'Best Of Both Worlds', Lulu, 'Son Of A Preacher Man', Dusty Springfieldand 'Mr. Bojangles', Jerry Jeff Walker and more. Standard jewel case. 1999 release.

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The Best of Al Jolson: 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection

The Best of Al Jolson: 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection Review

Like the title says, "The Best Of Al Jolson"! He was & is one of the best all around singer/entertainer of the 20th century!!! This compilation is just fantastic, I love the back & forth diatribe between Al & Bing Crosby on "The Alexander Rag".

The Best of Al Jolson: 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection Overview

Al Jolson, The Best of Al Jolson: 20th Century Masters--The Millennium Collection

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Chantmania / Theme From Monkees / We Will Rock You

Chantmania / Theme From Monkees / We Will Rock You Review

This EP is a parody of the fad from about ten years ago when Gregorian chants briefly became popular. Here we have rock songs chanted Gregorian style. This is so absurb that it's funny. With only five songs it doesn't overstay it's welcome. I would imagine that a whole album of this stuff would get pretty repetitive. But the concept is amusing enough for the 16 minute length of this CD. Fans of novelty music should enjoy this one.

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MUTEMATH

MUTEMATH Review

Probly one of the best debut albums i have ever heard. ive had this cd for years now and never get tired of listening to it.

play this at my wrk every once in a while and constantly get asked who this band is


went to there last show in cincy with a friend that had never listen to them and they were completly obsesed with them after the show. so obssesed that they got 10 of their friend and we all went to go see them in columbus the next month.

dont listen to any one who has the rating of 3 or less on here...they are have know idea what the F the are talking about

buy buy buy this album !!!

MUTEMATH Overview

Every now and then a band explodes from the grassroots. Thanks to phenomenal Internet exposure that led to soldout shows across the country, Mute Math is just such a story. Playing this summer at Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza and on the Warped Tour has resulted in the group’s major-label debut with a selftitled album. An inspired Alt-Rock band from New Orleans, Mute Math melds hip-hop–styled beats, moments of beauty and grandeur, big hooks, and vocals that pay homage to classic rock.

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Freestyle Funhouse 1

Freestyle Funhouse 1 Review

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El Diablo Suelto - Guitar Music of Venezuela

El Diablo Suelto - Guitar Music of Venezuela Review

This album has already received great praise from other reviewers here (deservedly so), so I'm just going to add my brief remarks. Anyone who loves acoustic guitar music, classical music and/or music of Spanish origin must listen to this disc. I just ripped it to my computer and have been listening to it the past week. It is just great! Most of the works on this disc are based on Venezuelan dance forms, and the booklet helpfully describes all of them. Some of the tracks are very lively -- you will want to stand up and start dancing, even if you don't know how!! Other tracks are slower and more meditative, but it all adds up to one amazing acoustic guitar album and another fantastic contribution from maestro Williams.

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Tuscany

Tuscany Review

Andre is just classic as always, Andre is here also seen as the creator of classic music who can bring this to all people with his presentation and witt. 100% suggested to all.

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*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Aug 11, 2010 15:25:05

So Many Memories

So Many Memories Review

Frances was an extremely popular singer-actress of the thirties and forties, although this is not reflected in the pop charts. Much of her popularity was gained via radio broadcasts, movies (usually in a supporting role - she was rarely cast in the starring role) and (later), visits to troops. She only had six hits, but was voted most popular female singer in 1938 despite not having a hit record that year.

So there were a lot of other singers who made more records, but Frances made up for that by the sheer quality of the records she did make. Mostly, Frances recorded ballads - this is what she enjoyed and what she did best, though she could pick up the tempo when required to good effect.

This particular CD from Jasmine includes her biggest hit, the classic song Harbor lights. Claude Thornhill was actually the first to have a hit with this, reaching number 7. Frances' beautiful version (incredibly, not included on any of her other CD's) charted higher, number 6, a couple of months later. The song became much more popular in 1950, when several versions hit the top ten (Sammy Kaye's version was number one), and a few years later the Platters further boosted the song's popularity.

Other songs here include her next hit, So many memories, plus several songs from her movies, notably Silhouetted in the moonlight and Swingin' the jinx away (one of the few uptempo songs here). There are also great covers of Pennies from Heaven and Night and day. Her duet with Bing Crosby, I'm falling in love with someone, is a real treasure.

This is a wonderful CD in it's own right, but also a great companion to the two Flare CD's (Serenade and Sweet Heartache). Only three tracks from those CD's are included here. There is more duplication with the ASV collection (I'm in the mood for love) but that CD includes several tracks not available elsewhere, including some of her hits.

Frances might be better remembered today if she had spent more time in the recording studio, but the music she did record is pure magic !!!!

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*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Aug 11, 2010 11:23:06

Music From the O.C. Mix 2

Music From the O.C. Mix 2 Review

THE OC MIX 2.

By now, I'm sure most are aware you can usually count on The OC Soundtracks to contain some pretty good indie music. This is a good soundtrack to pick up if you're a fan of indie, or even if you're just a fan of the show and you enjoyed the music throughout the season. Pick it up, It's a good decision.

SATURDAY MORNING - Good track by the Eels. This number gives a good start to the entire soundtrack. Definitely a song that will make you want to get up and dance.
HELLO SUNSHINE - One of the wider known tracks on the soundtrack. Some might think its been played too much, but I think a great song and I'm glad they put it on here.
SMILE LIKE YOU MEAN IT - Who doesn't love the Killers by now? Another great track from their album, Hot Fuss.
A LACK OF COLOR - I knew of Death Cab long before the OC..But I think to some people, this show definitely gave them exposure to this marvelous band. A good song choice by them as well.
SPECIALIST - This is not one of the better Interpol tracks.
SOMETHING PRETTY - I think this is one of those "most remembered" songs played on the show.
YOU GOT ME ALL WRONG - Definitely a favorite to most on this album. Its one of those songs you never get tired of hearing on repeat.
IF YOU LEAVE - Remake from the 80s song we all know and love. This was a pretty decent remake, but I think most would still prefer the older version.
BIG SUR - The Thrills! A marvelous band. Definitely one of the most fun songs on the entire CD.
LITTLE HOUSE OF SAVAGES - The Walkmen. This song is very reminiscent of late 80s music.
TROUBLE SLEEPING - Personally, my favorite on the entire soundtrack. You'll catch yourself smiling and thinking of that 'certain' person in your life.
SO SWEET - Another one of the better tracks on this CD. A rock song with a slight folk influence.
POPULAR MECHANICS FOR LOVERS - A definite folk song. I love it. Beulah is another great band to check out if you've grown into this genre of music.
WALNUT TREE - This song doesn't really stick out on the soundtrack. It's pretty forgettable.
MAYBE I'M AMAZED - Another remake by a beautiful voice, Jem. Of course once again, most of us will probably prefer McCartneys version, but you've got to admit, she did a good job.
EASTERN GLOW - A pretty calm, peaceful song. One of those songs best to lay in bed and listen to.

Music From the O.C. Mix 2 Overview

The OC, the phenomenally successful Fox Television series has pioneered the creative use of storytelling through song and, in the process, become a showcase for some of the most innovative and original artists in music. Music From The OC Mix 2 follows the inaugural release of Mix 1 which debuted earlier this year to critical and popular acclaim. The compilation features music from the second half of the first and early episodes of the second season and boasts three exclusive tracks: Jem's cover of Paul McCartney's "Maybe I'm Amazed" and Nada Surf's cover of OMD's "If You Leave," both recorded specifically for the series, plus The Walkman's live version of "Little House of Savages." Mix 2 highlights the program's trend-setting approach to music with songs from an extraordinary variety of new and emerging artists including Interpol, The Killers, Death Cab For Cutie and more.

Music From the O.C. Mix 2 Specifications

It's impossible to listen to Music From the O.C. Mix 2 without wondering what the 16 acts represented think of being associated with the show. These, after all, are largely the kind of too-cool-for-school indie bands--Nada Surf, Death Cab for Cutie, Eels, Interpol--you'd normally expect to run screaming from anything so heavily soaked in mainstream reek. Credit the show's exceptional music supervisor Alexandra Patsavas, then, with rounding them up and wrangling them into contributing, and also for choosing her selections carefully. More than a collection that would slip effortlessly into any hipster's car CD player for its left of the dial leanings, 2 showcases many of these emerging bands' best songs yet: The Thrills' "Big Sur" is a sun-soaked slice of pop heaven, "Maybe I'm Amazed" makes elegant use of a cover to capture the dreaminess of the darkly talented Jem, and "You Got Me All Wrong," by Dios Malos, is maybe the most ravishing rainy day rock song ever written. As with the first O.C. mix, 2 is enhanced with scenes from the show. Pop it into your computer and hum along as the drama unfolds; if anyone catches you, tell them it's the coolness of the music you're captivated by. -Tammy La Gorce

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Sleep Dirt

Sleep Dirt Review

I try to keep my ears open for Zappa, and as a result I purchase something from his catalog once or twice a year. I'm sure I'm never get it all. Regardless, it's almost always a joy. Initially, though, I had some negative reactions to "Sleep Dirt." It seemed highly random and disparate. It's necessary to keep in mind, though, that Zappa was always as eclectic as he was prolific. As a collection, "Sleep Dirt" reveals many aspects of his rock output in the late 70s. As I have become more familiar with it, "Sleep Dirt" has revealed its strengths and cohered quite well into its own listening experience.

Inevitably, for me, more context almost always results in more appreciation. "Sleep Dirt" is intertwined with the Lather recordings, and teasing out their convoluted relationships helps to bring a better understanding. My experience with all of the Lather-related recordings predates that recording's release. I owned "Orchestral Favorites" for years before its release, and saw it as a strong recording on its own merit. "Sleep Dirt" is the same, but it represents a different cross-section of Zappa's work.

Zappa has a bit of the George Lucas syndrome in that he liked to alter his recordings in order to offer "definitive" editions. Many people lament his decisions to rerecord drums or add vocals to albums that were already accepted as canonical. Apparently, "Sleep Dirt" is such an instance. I have never heard the original, all-instrumental versions of "Spider of Destiny" and the like. While I think the vocal performances are just fine, the lyrics belong to Zappa's unfinished space opera "Hunchentoot." When Zappa veers into sci-fi themes his lyrics are often nonsensical to the extreme. On "Sleep Dirt," however, this theme helps the album to cohere.

Bizarre alien invasion themes notwithstanding, Zappa's sonic playfulness is in full effect. Zappa the improviser and Zappa the composer are, as ever, in conflict on "Sleep Dirt." In his A&E biography, Zappa said that without certain cues, jazz just seemed like "noodles" to him. Considering his soloing style, this is a little ironic.

The guitar work on "Sleep Dirt" is very harmonically aloof, and in the course of getting into it, I began to wonder if Zappa was using xenochronus techniques during these sessions. However, the energetic "jammy" band interactions with Bozzio and O'Hearn on "The Ocean is the Ultimate Solution" and the rare acoustic guitar duet that is the title track confound this possibility. Later in his career, his xenochronus experiments would influence Zappa to play in a similar (but even more aloof) style in live settings. Perhaps the recordings represented on "Sleep Dirt" predict that late 80's shift. Zappa the composer, however, is strongly represented throughout the collection, my favorite example being "Regyptian Strut."

THE LOWDOWN: Someday I'll get "Lather" and really confuse myself. For now, each of the recordings that came from these sessions have become meaningful to me. "Sleep Dirt" is a good snapshot of the many sides of Zappa's musical conception in the late 70s. It is perhaps not his most definitive work, but it is still an important part of Zappa's overall oeuvre.

Sleep Dirt Overview

Japanese exclusive reissue of 1979 album. Limited to 2,000 pieces, it's packaged in a miniature LP sleeve.

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Sunday Morning Coffee II: Day Parts

Sunday Morning Coffee II: Day Parts Review

This is a CD that works for every occassion. I was bothered, when searching for it in a local record store, by the fact that it was labled with New Age music. Folks, this is great soft jazz. Not wood winds or brass, rather piano and guitar which comes in an autumn breeze through an open window. I had never heard of Chip Davis much less the other artists but it was recommened to me as a junior in college, and 11 years later it still gets its spin on a monthly basis. Not a bad song on the disc.

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*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Aug 09, 2010 21:23:05

Tyler Perry's: Why Did I Get Married

Tyler Perry's: Why Did I Get Married Review

I love this album, I love "flaws and all" by Beyonce and "You belong to me" by Anita Baker. Gerald Leverts "Dj Don't remix" is good, and Tyresse did a good job with "One".I would have to aggree with others that the Michael Buble song did kind of put a dent in the soundtrack. All in all I recommend this album to anyone that wants a good easy listen to CD.

Tyler Perry's: Why Did I Get Married Overview

Original soundtrack to the 2007 film from Tyler Perry. A big screen adaptation of Perry’s hit stage play of the same title, WHY DID I GET MARRIED? Is an intimate (yet very funny) story about the difficulty of maintaining a solid love relationship in modern time. During a trip to the snowcapped mountains of Colorado, eight married college friends have gathered for their annual seven-day reunion. But the cozy mood is shattered when the group comes face-to-face with one pair’s infidelity. As secrets are revealed, each couple begins questioning the validity of their own marriage, taking a hard look at one another, their lives as they seek a way forward. Movie stars Tyler Perry, Sharon Leal, Janet Jackson, Jill Scott, Malik Yoba, Michael Jai White, Richard Jones, Denise Boutte, Lamman Rucker and Tasha Smith.

Tyler Perry's: Why Did I Get Married Specifications

Though Janet Jackson and Jill Scott both star in this movie, they aren't on the soundtrack, which is piled high with contemporary, adult-friendly R&B tracks. Surprisingly, there isn't any classic old material either (unless you count Jennifer Holliday's "Givin' Up" from 1987). With songs pulled from other albums, the CD functions like a mix-tape conceived by Tyler Perry for your very special candlelit moments. Highlights include a cover of the Michael McDonald/Carly Simon 1977 hit "You Belong to Me" by Anita Baker (still the queen of bedroom tunes) and Beyoncé's classy, understated "Flaws and All." But the more appealing tunes come from lesser-known quarters, like Musiq's organic, old-school "Betterman" (this guy needs a better agent; he deserves to be huge), and Amel Larrieux's pared-down, piano-driven "No One Else." However, what Michael Bublé does on this CD remains a mystery. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

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The Golden Age of the Andrews Sisters

The Golden Age of the Andrews Sisters Review

The Golden Age Of The Andrews Sisters is an excellent four CD set that gives us many standards by this trio of sisters--and many rarities as well. The quality of the sound is generally excellent; and the artwork is also very nicely done.

There are 101 songs on these four CDs; I scarcely know where to turn first in describing this to you! The first two CDs have many songs listeners will recognize if they are familiar with big band music and The Andrews Sisters already. The remaining two discs are full of lesser known tunes by The Andrews Sisters; this increases the value of this set. I'm very impressed!

The first CD has many good ones: listen for their huge hit "Bei Mir Bist Du Schöen;" this tune features them back in '37 harmonizing to perfection. "Bei Mir Bist Du Schöen" is a sweet love song that still charms people (including me) today. "Scrub Me Mama, With A Boogie Beat" has the sisters singing in harmony ever so sweetly and I really enjoy the big band boogie flavor of this number! There's also the slower tempo ballad entitled "Don't Fence Me In" that they sing with the great Bing Crosby; this ends the first CD very strong. The musical arrangements are all very solid.

The second CD continues the hits. "Rum And Coca-Cola" has great tempo changes and this was always one of my favorites. My dad loves this one too! "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive" features the sisters doing a great job with Bong Crosby; the melody is grand. The arrangement for the piano reflects good forethought. "I Can Dream, Can't I" shines like gold when The Andrews Sisters perform it; and "I, Yi, Yi, Yi, Yi (I Like You Very Much" is excellent, too.

The second two CDs have songs that are great but less often heard. "Tuxedo Junction" features great horn work and when the sisters come in, this number takes flight! They sing this so well, too. "Beatin', Bangin', `N Scratchin'" features the sister with the great Danny Kaye; the Latin beat is excellent! "I'm Gonna Paper All My Walls With Your Love Letters" has great big band flavor and The Andrews Sister never sing a superfluous note! "Pack Up Your Troubles" has The Andrews Sisters doing it up right with Dick Haymes--great!

The final CD is equally good. "Run, Run Run" has a slightly Latin feel to it with a great horn arrangement; and there's also "The Money Song." "The Money Song" is a fun song and I predict you'll enjoy this tune. "The Bride And Groom Polka" is one of the best polka numbers I've ever heard; and the sisters handle this like the pro they always were!
The album ends with a great rendition of "Don't Sit Under The Apple Tree (With Anyone Else But Me)."

Overall, this fine for CD will easily appeal to fans of this great sister act; and persons who like classic pop vocals with big band arrangements will want this also.

The Golden Age of the Andrews Sisters Overview

The title says it all - 101 original recordings from the greatest sister singing group of the 1940s, The Andrews Sisters, who remain a huge favourite to this day. This superb, digitally remastered set includes every one of their chart successes on the first two CDs, and lots of rarities on the other discs carefully chosen to complement JASMINE s Hidden Gems From The Vaults double CD on JASMINE JASCD 387. Over four-and-a-half hours playing time, featuring many duets with Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Dick Haymes, etc.

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Celebrating 70:A Collection of Personal Favorites

Celebrating 70:A Collection of Personal Favorites Review

I have many of the performances on this CD on previous releases. However, when I read that Galway was going to release a comprehensive CD to celebrate his 70th birthday, I decided to add this one to my collection. I'm glad I did. I can now sit and listen to all of James' great performances on one disc. The music is lovely. He gathers melodies from all over the world, and this is a CD worth having.

I am a lover of flute music of all kinds and having a man of this talent is a gift to all of us who love this instrument.

Celebrating 70:A Collection of Personal Favorites Overview

James Galway celebrates his 70th birthday with an all-new selection of his favorite recordings - over 75 minutes of music, with 19 tracks that range from works by Bach, Mozart and Vivaldi to "Danny Boy" and the The Pink Panther theme.

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Daydream Nation

Daydream Nation Review

If you're one to follow along with the music critics and read those painfully subjective "Best Albums of all Time" lists, chances are you have seen "Daydream Nation" listed pretty high on some of them. Sonic Youth have always been a critics' darling, and at times it's difficult to understand why. If you listen to Sonic Youth prior to "Daydream Nation", you'll find a complex, almost confusing catalogue of songs crafted around what is essentially noise - feedback and distortion are featured quite prominantly in a number of SY's songs, and although there is no denying the originality and uniqueness of this approach to songwriting, it is certaintly an acquired taste.

"Daydream Nation" still features these destortion-laden tracks, but they no longer feel as formless or frustratingly complex as they once did. On the contrary, SY managed to merge this once chaotic sound seemlessly together with both structure and melody, and the results are nothing short of staggering. It is obvious from the very beginning of "Teen Age Riot" that you are in for quite an experience. The fast-paced, energetic guitar riff and snare rim clicks that follow Kim Gordon's dreamy vocal introduction is, for me, one of the single most amazing musical moments I've ever experienced, and it always manages to bring a smile to my face. Although "Teen Age Riot" is, without a doubt, the greatest song off this album (it's just the greatest song period), the remaining 13 tracks are still worthy of your undivided attention. "Silver Rocket" is a fantastic high-energy number that shows you that this album has no intention of slowing down. "The Sprawl" features some amazing guitar work from Thurston Moore and Lee Ranaldo, and "Cross the Breeze" is a testament to the dynamic nature of the album itself, beginning with a beautiful, slow-paced guitar riff just before transitioning seemlessly into a fast-paced punk rock track.

Another thing that makes this album great is the fact that every member is at the top of their game. Thurston Moore, as usual, delivers the best tracks available on the album - Teen Age Riot, Silver Rocket, Total Trash, but the other members definitely hold their own. Lee Ranaldo is a force to be reckoned with, and he is better represented here than on any other SY album - tracks like "Rain King", "Hey Joni", and, one of the highlights of the album, "Eric's Trip", demonstrate his enormous skill as a songwriter. Even Kim Gordon shines on tracks such as "Kissability" and "Cross the Breeze". And of course, one of the greatest elements of SY is the tremendous skill of Steve Shelley, who's high-energy and innovative drumming provides the fuel that pushes these tracks along.

As is obvious, I have nothing but praise for this album. Not only is this Sonic Youth's most accessible work, but it is, without a doubt, their greatest accomplishment. That being said, I say this as a huge fan of indie and alternative rock. This album is NOT for everybody (the exception being "Teen Age Riot" - every person on the planet should hear that song), and I would use caution before purchasing it. If you are a fan of indie or post-punk, then by all means get Daydream Nation. I would even recommend it to those who are simply curious and want to expand their musical borders - Daydream Nation and Sonic Youth opened up a whole new world of music for me, and despite the many wonderful artists and albums I have discovered since my first listen of Daydream, I still find myself returning to it again and again. The fact is this is simply one of the greatest albums ever made, and as long as people continue to listen to music with guitars, this album will always have a place.

Daydream Nation Overview

Japanese only SHM-CD (Super High Material CD - playable on all CD players) pressing. Universal. 2008.

Daydream Nation Specifications

The essential New York rock band of the post-punk era, Sonic Youth care as much about the quasi-symphonic, microtonal art-guitar music of composers like Rhys Chatham and Glenn Branca as they do about the rock-song form, and with Daydream Nation, they struck their greatest balance between the two. The songs hover gorgeously for extended lengths, letting guitarists Thurston Moore and Lee Ranaldo intertwine fragile tonalities as carefully as it's possible to do at wall-shaking volume, while Moore and bassist Kim Gordon's untutored voices disaffectedly intone words that flirt with pop stupidity, high-art eloquence, and urban cool. When they bear down and rock, they do it with a blurry intensity that finds gorgeousness at the heart of discord. --Douglas Wolk

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Colonial America

Colonial America Review

I first heard the "Colonial America" CD by Hesperus when I visited Monticello recently (the home of Thomas Jefferson) where they were playing the songs in the gift shop. Imagine my dismay to find that only one cassette tape was left of the fabulous music of Hesperus; however, that tape held me spell-bound all the way home, from Virginia to North Carolina.

It was an incredible journey from the past that has stayed with me since, and every day I drive that one hour back and forth to work. This music has changed everything about the trips, and I can't wait for more.

Thanks to Amazon.com I was able to buy all three CD's, including "Early American Roots," "Colonial America" and the incredible "Celtic Roots" with the most beautiful violas imaginable.

Thank you Hesperus! Please play more!

Colonial America Overview

Spirited new sounds from across the sea to the shores of the New Land. From the first colonists to the American Revolution and the birth of our republic Hesperus Early Music Ensemble’s music reflects a time of new ideas, freedom and vitality. In town and village, parlor and ballroom, from the Appalachians to the great concert halls hear the musical pulse of early American music performed on a wide variety of folk and early music instruments. Includes: lively country-dance tunes, evocative Shape Note Hymns, old time Appalachian fiddle tunes, graceful European parlor music, French cotillions, divisions and improvisations. Introduction -The English Colonies in America were a patchwork-not just of territories whose boundaries became state lines, but of people from different places and classes with widely different values and experiences. This recording presents music from that patchwork; from England, the Colonial homeland; Scotland and Ireland, the homes of the largest groups of immigrants outside England; and France, the ally of the Patriots, and music written in the United States. More recordings by HESPERUS from Maggie's Music are Celtic Roots featuring Scottish fiddler, Bonnie Rideout and Early American Roots. Hesperus Ensemble is THE sought after musical group for period music that is both authentic, and most important fun, lively and spirited. They are frequent performers at the Smithsonian’s Institute of American Music and can be heard on the soundtrack or the Paramount film with Johnny Depp entitled Sleepy Hollow! Excerpts from liner notes:2.A Set of English Country Dance Tunes: Maiden Lane, Jack O'Lent, Chestnut, Bonny Broom - The visionary London music publisher John Playford first published his English Dancing Master in 1651. It was reprinted 18 times over the next 77 years and is still popular today. 3. Parting Friends/Primrose - These tunes have come down to us in choral arrangements called shape-note hymns .

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*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Aug 08, 2010 16:16:04