Farewell

1. Beautiful Love

2. Monk Life

3. Ralph's Piano Waltz

4. Mother of Pearl

5. I Mean

6. Opus 25

7. Opal

8. Farewell

Farewell,John Abercrombie & Andy Laverne,Musidisc,Jazz,Pop,Post-Bop

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Average customer rating: Excellent live album full of energy and killer songs for Crowdies Beyond great! A Wonderful "Farewell" The World Where They Lived Were they really this good?

Farewell to the World Crowded House Manufacturer: Capitol ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Time on Earth Crowded House: Farewell to the World Live Meet the Smithereens! Imaginary Kingdom Imaginary Kingdom ASIN: B000G8NW6K Release Date: 2007-01-16

Tracks:

1. Mean To Me
2. World Where You Live
3. When You Come
4. Private Universe
5. Four Seasons In One Day
6. Fall At Your Feet
7. Whispers And Moans
8. Hole In the River
9. Better Be Home Soon
10. Pineapple Head
11. Distant Sun
12. Into Temptation
13. Everything Is Good For You

Tracks:

1. Locked Out
2. Something So Strong
3. Sister Madly
4. Italian Plastic
5. Weather With You
6. It's Only Natural
7. There Goes God
8. Fingers Of Love
9. In My Command
10. Throw Your Arms Around Me
11. Don't Dream It's Over

Amazon.com

If there ever was a farewell album could make one long for a reunion, this is it. Crowed House had their own personal hegemony of the airwaves in the '80s and '90s, and their final show on the steps of Sydney's Opera Plaza in 1996 shows you exactly why. This two-CD package overachieves as a live document, capturing both the high emotion of the crowd (120,000 strong) and stoicism of the band members, except for the final two songs, which find Neil Finn with a catch in his throat, fumbling over words. The entire recording is filled with memorable moments, brimming with humanity, heart, and the group's irreverent sense of humor--from dedicating song to the full moon, to inviting former band members onstage. "A Hole in the River," the gothic tune about Finn's aunt's suicide continues to haunt, while "Something So Strong" has grown up to be a self-help anthem. Farwell to the World is engaging, smart, philosophical, and sometimes even prophetic on songs like "Weather with You," when Neil Finn cautions, "You can fight the sleep, but not the dream." --Jaan Uhelszki

From the Label

Crowded House Photos

More from Crowded House

Recurring Dream: The Very Best Of Crowded House

Crowded House

Temple of Low Men

Album Description

Two CD set containing the final live performance by this Australian band fronted by Neil Finn (also of Split Enz and the Finn Brothers) finally released on the 10th anniversary of it's recording. In Novermber of 1996, Crowded House played their final gig in front of 120,000 fans in Sydney, Australia. Farewell To The World is the offically released recording of that bittersweet concert. All the Crowdies hits are here including 'Don't Dream It's Over', 'World Where You Live', 'Weather With You', 'Something So Strong', 'It's Only Natural' and many more. 24 songs total. EMI. 2006.

Album Details

2006 Legitimate Issue of the Most Sought after Concert Recording by the New Zealand Foursome. Previously Available for a Very Short Time Only on Videocassette, this was the Band's Final Performance as the Sydney Opera House. While a Bittersweet Occasion, it was One of the Most Impassioned Performances Ever Delivered by the Group. All the I's were Dotted and the T's Crossed, featuring Final Renditions of all their Hits, Capped off with an Impassioned, "Don't Dream It's Over". While Neil, Nick and Paul Would Later Perform at a Few Charity Concert Appearances, this was the Group's Final Formal Sendoff, Making it all the More Poignant for Fans in the Wake of Paul Hester's Subsequent Passing. One More Time, Relish the Joy that was One of the Great Phenomenons in Modern Pop Music History.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent live album full of energy and killer songs for Crowdies.......2007-07-15

Ok true confessions first--I'm a huge Neil Finn fan and also had this when it was released 10 years ago as part of the Crowded House Fanclub live releases. This release improves on the original in one way--we get two discs instead of one. I really haven't compared this to my fanclub CD (hey, it's the only fanclub I belonged to and I did**honest**for the CDs)but this does seem a bit louder with less dynamic range. Nevertheless, I'm going with the five stars here for the performances.

I can't say I've done a head-to-head of late between this and the previous single disc edition so I don't know if any overdubbing was done. If it was, they did a masterful job of hiding it--the band sounds terrific (and yes, on a great night they sounded this good--heck even on a bad night they outclassed the competition). The only new material here is a cover of the Hunter & Collector's tune "Throw Your Arms Around Me" but it's one of the few places to also get a stunning live version of "Everything Is Good For You" (which appeared on their last release as a band the "Recurring Dream" Best of set). It's also one of the few CDs in print where you can hear live versions (many of them stunning)of the tracks for their albums "Woodface" and "Together Alone". The band DID release a live EP with some of the material here but that's long out of print and probably fetching high prices on Ebay and here as well.

Even my LEAST favorite track the humorous "Italian Plastic" by the late Paul Hester is enjoyable to listen to here. Luckily for fans, the Dream isn't over as the band has since released a new album and is touring the world. Let's hope that they get back in the studio quickly as Neil's indicated that he'd like to put together another album of new material ASAP.

Beyond great!.......2007-05-07

I have been a Crowded House / Finn Brothers fan for a long time, but this live CD is amazing. Neil Finn is such a talented and gracious musician and performer. If you are already a fan, this would be a great addition to your collection. If you are new to them, it is a great represenation of their talent and will make you want more. One of the best music purchases I have made this year.

A Wonderful "Farewell".......2007-03-20

Of course, with the news that Neil Finn, Nick Seymour, and Mark Hart will be touring again with a new drummer, this isn't really a 'farewell' as it were, but for hardcore CH fans, it is, and with the recent death of drummer Paul Hester, this recording attains an added bit of ironic melancholy and increased appreciation.

This is a great double CD, and for even casual fans of the band, it is well worth purchasing. The production is fabulous, and the performances are excellent. One will find so many of the "greatest hits" ("Distant Sun", "Weather With You", "World Where You Live", "Don't Dream It's Over", and my personal favorite, "Fall At Your Feet") done well, especially "Don't Dream", the last song of the show, complete with crowd-sung chorus and deafening applause at the conclusion. But fans will also enjoy other non-single album tracks like "Whispers And Moans", "Fingers of Love", and "When You Come", songs that are terrific but didn't make the Greatest Hits cut. Also included are some elements of the personality of the band, something that separated them from the majority of bands who take themselves way too seriously. Neil adds alternate lyrics in "Into Temptation" when he realizes the crowd in front needs water; during "Sister Madly", Paul does an imitation of Tina Turner, and the songs ends with the line, "Climb every mountian...". The guys are fully enjoying this last show, and you can tell it is not just for the 100,000+ fans there and the MTV Europe audience watching it live, but for themselves as well, and this recording captures that nicely.

I will say this: I bought a VHS copy of this show a few years ago before this CD was officially released, and this recording takes out some of the in-between song banter that made the concert feel even more like a concert. But on the up-side, more songs from the show were included in this 2 CD set than on the original film, especially a few more songs with neil's brother Tim, and the Hester-penned song "Italian Plastic".

I highly recommend this release.

The World Where They Lived.......2007-03-15

This CD has not only brilliant sound quality, but the performances are incredible. Neil's singing is as good as ever, and you definitely feel that you're there with rock and roll's greatest audience listening to what are collectively some of the best songs ever written. The beauty of a live Crowded House show is not only in the world's most beautiful instrument, Neil Finn's voice, but it's just as much in the audience participation in singing along to very cool tunes.

This is an amazing CD that will probably leave most of us wondering, gee, why didn't you make it a four-disc set?

Were they really this good?.......2007-02-23

Yes, the Crowdies were easily the best band to come out of the '80's. I first read about them in a rave review of their 1st album in the pages of Musician magazine (circa '86), bought the c.d., and have followed their brilliant but less than prolific output ever since.

Those who are reading this review are probably somewhat familiar with the band's history (Split Enz, etc.), but one fact bears repeating for U.S. listeners: Only here were they known as one hit wonders; the rest of the world quickly figured out how good they were and the band's star rose accordingly. In fact, the Very Best of Crowded House (from '96) entered the charts at number one in both England and Australia.

This live c.d. is a welcome addition to their catalogue capturing the band in 1996 in front of 100,000+ in a perfect display of the dual professionalism and looseness of their live shows.

I can't help but recommend the DVD too. In fact if you can only plunk down for one, then get the DVD. I recommend both.

Average customer rating: Rush reaching their Musical peak Top 3 Another Great Effort By The Boys From Toronto Excellent progressive hard rock/metal Excellent album and follow up to the classic "2112"

A Farewell to Kings Rush Manufacturer: Island / Mercury ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Canada | North America | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Metal | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Arena Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Pop General | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Progressive Rock | Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Progressive Rock | Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music $7.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classic Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Alternative Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music International | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music $7.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Classic Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Hard Rock & Metal | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 International | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Hemispheres Permanent Waves Fly by Night 2112 Caress of Steel ASIN: B000001ESJ Release Date: 1997-05-06

Tracks:

1. A Farewell To Kings
2. Xanadu
3. Closer To The Heart
4. Cinderella Man
5. Madrigal
6. Cygnus X-1

Customer Reviews:

Rush reaching their Musical peak.......2007-06-28

Although I am a new fan to RUSH I do believe with this album 'A Farewell to Kings' is where the band started to reach their Musical peak along with their next 'Hemispheres'. Before "A Farewell.." RUSH released '2112' and I don't think it compares to 'A Farewell to Kings' at all. This one has more matured songwriting.
I say that I am a new fan because years ago I never cared for Geddy Lee's voice. I remember turning the Radio off or changing the station when a song like "Tom Sawyer" from 'Moving Pictures' came on.
Over time and with recent purchases I have learned to appreciate Geddy Lee's incredible vocals. No one sings like this guy. I now think he truly does have an amazing voice.
The first two songs on 'A Farewell to Kings' are pure classics and favorites of mine -title track- and the epic "Xanadu" -transporting me into another world (of paradise) filled with immensely superb prog rock scailing the Mountain Tops of sound to enlighten your pleasure dome. A full 11 minutes of monumental scope and sound quality. Apocalyptic intensity!
Next is "Closer to the Heart" and another RUSH song I remember hearing on the Radio years ago. Alex Lifeson does some really good acoustic work on this one. Simple lyrics, but direct and highly felt.
"Cinderella Man" is a pleasant heart felt song including Top-notch bass playing.
"Madrigal" is the shortest track out of the six on 'A Farewell..' at 2:33. It's a song of love lost, my least favorite on this, but it's still better then anything found on '2112' besides the title track.
"Cygnus X-1" is out of this World at over 10 minutes and truly a spacey prog-rock Masterpiece.

~ Glad I finally got into RUSH after all these years after not paying much attention to them. I knew my Music collection was lacking something, so I filled it with two incredible prog-rock bands with YES and now RUSH.
- I highly recommend 'A Farewell to Kings' to anyone who likes progressive Rock or is thinking about buying a RUSH record.

Top 3.......2007-06-25

Farewell is classic Rush. Xanadu is one Rush's best songs of all time. The title track, Farewell to Kings is also outstanding and shows the bands versatility. I would rank this release as a top 5 in the bands long history. My ranking would be Hemispheres and 2112 are 1 and 1A. With Farewell coming in at 3rd or 4th at the worst if youre going to go with Moving Pictures in 3rd. Either way, this is one of Rush's best, and should not be missed by any Rush fan.

Another Great Effort By The Boys From Toronto.......2007-06-13

After the initial success of 2112, Rush took another step forward with A Farewell To Kings. Where 2112 was ambitious and sprawling, Kings is more concise and less gradiose, but still better musically than it's predecessor. You can feel Rush getting more mature, more comfortable with themselves, more cofident to honing their sound. The compositions here have reached a point where their song construction is clever, adept, and precise. The classical guitar on Kings, the intro to Xanadu, the acoustic phrasings of Closer To The Heart. You can feel Rush has evolved.



A Farewell To Kings - I quoted this song in my High School yearbook back in the day. Great tune. Very mature. Alex shines.



Xanadu - Epic! The intro is great with the birds and all the different percussion instruments Neil throws in. One of my personal favorites. Excellent. I scaled the frozen mountaintops of Eastern lands unknown....



Closer To The Heart - A Rush classic along the lines of Spirit Of Radio or Tom Sawyer. Short, sweet and to the point. Perfect.



Cinderella Man - An often overlooked song. Geddy wrote the lyrics to this tune and it works well. Solid.


Madrigal - Probably the weakest song on the album. Not bad, just short and very reflective. Moody. Sounds like side two of 2112 Lessons or Tears. Not filler, just not spectacular Rush.



Cygnus X-1 - The ten and a half minute vastly superior bastard son of The Necromancer. In the last few years Rush has started to perform this song live again. It is a killer tune, just throws me off a little bit with the distorted intro voice that makes me flash back to Caress of Steel. Defiinitely jams.





Overall, you can feel that Rush has reached a point in their career where they actually feel in control of themselves and their music. The polished feel of these songs speaks volumes for them as perfectionists and muscians. One of the string of truly great Rush albums that span from 2112 to Moving Pictures on the older side of the Rush catalog.



Dig it!

Excellent progressive hard rock/metal.......2007-04-15

I really enjoyed this 1977 album (way back when) and along with the excellent Hemispheres (1978), Farewell to Kings finds the band at a proggy peak. The overall sound of Farewell to Kings borrows heavily from English progressive rock, yet with a healthy dose of hard rock and heavy metal styles. Overall, I find the combination pretty exciting and the album makes for a great listen.

The lineup on Farewell to Kings includes Geddy Lee (lead vocals, Rickenbacker 4001 bass, Taurus bass pedals, mini-moog synthesizer, and 12-string acoustic guitar); Neil Peart (drums and percussion); and Alex Lifeson (6 and 12 string electric and acoustic guitars, classical nylon guitar, and Taurus bass pedals). I think that of all the bands in the progressive hard rock/heavy metal genre (e.g. Kansas, Styx), Rush had the finest musicians. Geddy Lee is a superb bassist and along with incredible drummer Neil Peart made up one of the finest rhythm sections around. I recall listening to Neal's drumming in particular and loving the thunderous fills on his roto toms and the excellent double bass drum attacks here and there. Neal also happened to be a superb lyricist and his lyrics on Farewell to Kings are exceptional.

The six tracks on the album range in length from 2'33" to the lengthy 11'05" Xanadu suite. Musically, this album borrows heavily from English progressive rock and the epic length pieces, odd time signatures, dense ensemble work, virtuoso performances, vaguely experimental sections, and sharp acoustic/electric contrasts are plastered all over the album. Synthesizers are used a lot too, which makes the comparison with the English prog bands unavoidable. There is also a prominent hard rock/heavy metal element present too - Geddy's vocal style really makes this come across, but the heavily distorted electric guitar also contributes. Although I really enjoy all of the tracks, my favorites include Xanadu and the lengthy 10'21" Cygnus X-1 suite (which was continued on Hemispheres). This track, along with Xanadu features some nice spacey, acoustic passages and the muscular riffs that featured prominently in a lot of their compositions. Cygnus X-1 also has it's crazy moments too, particularly on the frenzied closing passage whereby "sound and fury drowns my heart, every nerve is torn apart..." Of course, although I have been obsessing over the prog component of the album, there are some nice "songs" on the album too including Closer to the Heart and the delicate track Madrigal. The title track and Cinderella Man are concise, yet complex prog statements.

This remastered album feature great sound quality and restored cover art.

All in all, this album is highly recommended along with the excellent Hemispheres. Other albums that might prove enjoyable include a few by Kansas including Song for America (1975); Leftoverture (1976); and Point of Know Return (1977).

Excellent album and follow up to the classic "2112".......2007-03-26

With "A Farewell to Kings", Rush achieved a new level of maturity in their songwriting, arrangements, and recording that they lacked on their previous albums. Every song on this album is very good, with "Xanadu" and "Closer to the Heart" being the best of the group. Most bands can't follow up a classic album this well, and Rush deserves a lot of credit for putting out a strong record like "A Farewell to Kings" after "2112". If I had to find one negative about this album, it would be that it doesn't have the same raw intensity of "2112". Every Rush fan will already own this, but still a strong recommendation to non-hardcore fans that want to own a few Rush albums.

Average customer rating: Beautiful Awesome Excellent Music tracks from Movie Complete? Great Collection, Poor Packaging

The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring - The Complete Recordings Howard Shore Manufacturer: Reprise / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Box Sets at 30% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Soundtracks | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classical | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers - The Complete Recordings The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Ringers - Lord of the Fans The Lord of the Rings Sketchbook The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Theatrical and Extended Limited Edition) ASIN: B000BNI90O Release Date: 2005-12-13

Tracks:

1. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Prologue: One Ring ...
2. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/The Shire
3. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Bag End (Featuring ...)
4. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Very Old Friends
5. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Flaming Red Hair
6. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Farewell Dear Bilbo
7. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Keep It Secret, Keep ...
8. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/A Conspiracy Unmasked
9. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Three Is Company
10. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/The Passing of the Elves
11. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Saruman the White
12. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/A Shortcut to Mushrooms
13. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Strider
14. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/The Nazgul ...

Tracks:

1. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Weathertop
2. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/The Caverns of Isengard
3. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Give Up the Halfling
4. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Orthanc
5. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Rivendell
6. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/The Sword That Was ...
7. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/The Council of ...
8. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/The Great Eye
9. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Gilraen's Memorial
10. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/The Pass of Caradhras
11. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/The Doors of Durin
12. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Moria
13. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Gollum
14. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Balin's Tomb

Tracks:

1. Khazad-Dum
2. Caras Galadhon (featuring Lament for Gandalf, performed by Elizabeth Fraser)
3. The Mirror of Galadriel
4. The Fighting Uruk-hai
5. Parth Galen
6. The Departure of Boromir
7. The Road Goes Ever On (part 1)
8. May It Be (composed and performed by Enya)
9. The Road Goes Ever On (part 2. featuring In Dreams, perfomed by Edward Ross)
10. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Khazad-D
11. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Caras Galadhon ...
12. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/The Mirror of Galadriel
13. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/The Fighting Uruk-Hai
14. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Parth Galen
15. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/The Departure of Boromir
16. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/The Road Goes Ever ...
17. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/May It Be
18. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/The Road Goes Ever ...

Amazon.com

As fans of Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy know, each film exists in two versions: the theatrical one and the extended one that appeared on DVD. This luxurious box set--which also comes with a detailed essay on the movie's musical themes--features the full extended score, so many cues not on the CDs of the individual movies are included. Granted, the majority of listeners will be perfectly happy with the shorter versions of the scores--it's a safe bet that most people can live without hearing, say, Ian McKellen's 35-second-long ditty "The Road Goes Ever On" at the beginning of "Bag End," or Viggo Mortensen's performance of his own composition, "The Song of Lúthien," within the track "The Nazgûl." But if you're a completist and/or a devotee of Howard Shore's pounding tympani and overwhelming choral compositions (featured particularly prominently on disc 3, a large chunk of which is devoted to a battle scene), then this set is a dream come true. Audiophiles should note that the fourth disc, a DVD, offers the score in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. Fire up those speakers so the whole shire can hear. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Album Description

An epic film score receives epic treatment with The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring/Complete Recordings. Released for the first time on CD, the complete score for the first film in the Lord of the Rings trilogy contains more than 180 minutes of music on three CDs plus a DVD-Audio disc of the entire score in Surround Sound. Breathtaking and majestic, the 2001 Oscar and Grammy winning score compsted by Howard Shore also includes Enya's Oscar nominated "May It Be." For fans of any of The Lord of the Rings films, the Fellowship of the Ring/Complete Recordings is an essential experience.

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful.......2007-06-15

I picked up this set because I am both a LOTR fan, movies and books and I need music to help me work. There are some tracks that I skipped over, like the short little ditties in the bar, but many of the songs, such as the Elvish chants are easy to get lost in - its just too bad they don't last longer. The packaging really is well done, though the DVD disc was loose when I received it in the mail, but unharmed. I will have to wait until the price on the second set comes down a little more, but I can't wait for ROTK.

Awesome.......2007-06-12

This is by far the editon to get if you loved the lord of the rings soundtrack. It has every song on it from the extended edition. and the DVD-A version is very nice.

Excellent Music tracks from Movie.......2007-05-03

Brings the movie back as you listen to the full version of the track.

Complete?.......2007-04-07

This CD collection is wonderful; it has much of the material from the movie that was only included in the extended edition DVD, but it is far from complete. While it does have the complete version of "The Passing of the Elves" and two versions of "The Road Goes Ever On", many of the songs are highly incomplete and inferior to the originals. "Aniron," the theme for Aragorn and Arwen performed by Enya, is incomplete and the lyrics are hard to match to what is being sung. The sound quality for this song is even worse on the accompanying DVD, which is supposed to have all of the music in "superior sound". The song "Prophecy" is reduced to two barely-audible lines and "May It Be" is shortened and different than the original. $60 for this when there are more complete songs on the original soundtrack is ridiculous.

Great Collection, Poor Packaging.......2007-04-03

I realy can't add to what others have said about this set, the music is simply the best LOTR soundtrack collection out there! It is all here, and the contents of this set will make any LOTR fan happy and the music DVD is a great one disc addition if you want to hear the entire score in one sitting (to which I have done a number of times already).
My only complaint is the somewhat flimsy cardboard box that houses the contents of this musical treasure. Mine came damaged, and considering the price, I expected better packaging. This is a minor quabble on my part and NO, I havent returned it due to the fact that the music itself Is what I truly treasure, It just would have been nicer to have recieved it undamaged.

Music-5
Packaging-3

*for the record I had rated this Item 5 stars not the 3 stars that is showing at the top of my review*

Average customer rating: Luciano Pavrotti: The Best (Farewell Tour) Luciano Pavorotti Luciano is the best!

Luciano Pavrotti: The Best (Farewell Tour) Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Flotow | Flotow, Friedrich von | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Meyerbeer | Meyerbeer, Giacomo | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works Featuring Luciano Pavarotti | Pavarotti, Luciano | ( P ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music National Philharmonic Orchestra London | ( N ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Bixio, Cesare Andrea | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cardillo, Salvatore | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Capua, Eduardo di | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Curtis, Ernesto de | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: The Best of the Three Tenors Romantica: The Very Best Of Luciano Pavarotti Pavarotti: Greatest Hits Amore: Romantic Italian Love Songs The Best of Luciano Pavarotti: 20th Century Masters/The Millennium Collection ASIN: B0007V5WB4 Release Date: 2005-09-13

Tracks:

1. La donna obile
2. Una furtiva lagrima
3. "Libiamo ne'lieti calici (Brindisi)
4. Donna non vidi mai
5. Che gelida manina
6. O soave fanciulla
7. Mi batte il cor...O Paradiso!
8. M'appari
9. Quando le sere al placido chiaror d'un ciel stellato
10. Se quel guerrier io fossi!..Celeste Aida
11. Forse la soglia attinse
12. Recitar! - "Vesti la giubba"
13. Come un bel di maggio
14. Ah mes amis - Pour mon
15. Di quella pira
16. Nessun dorma!

Tracks:

1. Torna a Surriento
2. Santa Lucia luntana
3. La Danza
4. L'ultima canzone
5. Non t'amo pi
6. Mattinata
7. 'O sole mio
8. 'A vucchella
9. Core 'ngrato
10. Nel blu, dipinto di blu
11. Vivere
12. Il Canto
13. Caruso
14. Buongiorno a te
15. Ti adoro
16. E lucevan le stelle
17. Questa o quella (Ballata)
18. Parmi veder le lagrime

Customer Reviews:

Luciano Pavrotti: The Best (Farewell Tour).......2007-06-27

Wonderful Pavarotti sings the best of the best. His voice never ceases to amaze me. Listening pleasure at it's finest.

Luciano Pavorotti.......2007-02-17

All the songs are wonderful, can never become tired of listening to his songs. Excellent.

Luciano is the best!.......2007-01-20

I can't speak more highly of this collection of Pavrotti's songs. I keep this two CD pack in my car so I can enjoy it on my way to and from work. Even after I have arrived, I find myself sitting in my car waiting for a song to end. Walking out on a song seems sacriligious. While I grew up listening to Caruso and Lanza, there is no question that Pavrotti is the Master! Although, I do have to admit Pavrotti has the greater advantage of modern recording technology to better present his talent than Caruso and Lanza had. However, Lanza definitely didn't have the power that Pavrotti has. With Caruso, we will never know... I highly recommend this collection of Pavrotti's, if you are a Pavrotti fan. If you aren't, buy it anyway and become one:)

Average customer rating: Beautiful score A gorgeous film score GREAT MUSIC. Never Gets Boring Great !!

House of Flying Daggers Shigeru Umebayashi Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Movie Scores | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Hero Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000 Film) Memoirs of a Geisha House of Flying Daggers The Last Samurai ASIN: B0006HC0R8 Release Date: 2004-11-30

Tracks:

1. Opening title
2. Beauty Song (Jia Ren Qu)
3. The Echo Game
4. The Peonyhouse
5. Battle in the Forest
6. Taking her hand
7. Leo's Eyes
8. Lovers - Flower Garden
9. No way out
10. Lovers
11. Farewell No. 1
12. Bamboo Forest
13. Ambush in 10 directions (Shi Mian Mai Fu)
14. Leo's Theme
15. Mei and Leo
16. The House of Flying Daggers
17. Lovers (Mei and Jin)
18. Farewell No. 2
19. Until the end
20. Lovers (Title Song)

Amazon.com

The films of director Zhang Yimou have a panoramic sweep to them that deftly creates a fantastical vision of ancient Chinese culture for the screen. Yimou's eye for color and sense of drama demands a score that conveys the emotion, tradition and action of his movies. Here Shigeru Umebayashi tells each part of the story with a mix of traditional flute, drums, string instruments and, to a lesser degree, orchestra and moody-sounding synthesizers. The lilting melody of "Lovers" is particularly effective, simmering with a passion that leaves no doubt about the tone of the scene; it comes back to dramatic effect at other times in the film as well--the soundtrack closes with a soaring version of it by soprano Kathleen Battle. Similar to but not as heavy as Tan Dun's occasionally overbearing work on Yimou's film Hero, Umebayashi leans toward the subtle for this love story, and the film is better for it. - Tad Hendrickson

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful score.......2006-11-13

I truly enjoy this CD. The music is enchanting, emotion-evoking, and powerful. I love to listen to it in order to relax before going to bed. I recommend this CD to anyone.

A gorgeous film score.......2006-09-24

"House of Flying Daggers" is one of my favorite Asian films from the past five years. One of the main reasons I love the film is the sumptuous classical film score by Shigeru Umebayashi. The classical score reminded me a great deal of the score for "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon". The operatic ballad by Kathleen Battle is stunning. I don't normally like most opera music but I definitely enjoyed listening to Kathleen Battle. This is a lovely cd to relax to with a hot cup of tea and a good book.

GREAT MUSIC........2006-05-18

Not only was House of Flying Daggers a wonderful movie, but the music was breathtaking. If for no other reason purchase the CD and enjoy Kathleen Battle's rendition of Lovers.

Never Gets Boring.......2005-12-25

This album has everything good music needs. It's driving, subtle, powerful and soft. It is a truly amazing work of art. It gets the emotions of the characters and the events of the story out perfectly. A ballet could be performed to this score.

Great !!.......2005-07-19

The music is wonderful, the two songs are one of the best I've heard...

Average customer rating: Soviet Army Band & Chorus aren't taking any prisoners! Good music. Magnificent! I loved it! The ultimate collection

Best of the Red Army Choir Red Army Choir Manufacturer: Silva America ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Soviet Army Chorus & Band Russian Favourites The Hunt For Red October: Music From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Best of Communism: Revolutionary Songs Echoes of a Red Empire ASIN: B000066RMJ Release Date: 2002-06-25

Tracks:

1. Kalinka
2. Partisan's Song
3. Souliko
4. Korobelniki
5. On The Road (A Soldier's Song)
6. My Country
7. The Red Army Is The Strongest
8. Moscow Nights
9. Along Peterskaia Street
10. Smuglianka
11. Troika Gallop
12. Ah Nastassia
13. Echelon's Song
14. My Army
15. Civil War Songs
16. Bella Ciao

Tracks:

1. National Anthem Of The USSR
2. Oh Fields, My Fields
3. The Cliff
4. The Cossacks
5. In The Central Steppes
6. Gandzia
7. Cossack's Song
8. The Roads
9. Song Of The Volga Boatman
10. Dark Eyes
11. Let's Go
12. The Birch Tree
13. The Road Song
14. The Samovars
15. Varchavianka
16. Slavery And Suffering

Customer Reviews:

Soviet Army Band & Chorus aren't taking any prisoners!.......2007-05-12

If you enjoy a good stiring martial male chorus then spend some time with these guys. They're all graduates of Soviet musical acadamies and any one of them could have graced the top opera houses of the world. You don't have to know any Russian to appreciate this CD. The songs are glorious (just don't translate them -- machine guns, death to foes, etc.), and will make you want to march on Berlin all over again.

Good music........2007-03-09

I had heard a few songs by the Red Army Choir in the past and happened upon this CD set a while back, I found it to be far better than I had hoped and would reccoment it to anyone who enjoys Russian folk music, choir in general, and cultural items from when Russia was still the Soviet Union.

Magnificent!.......2007-02-27

I'm so glad I stumbled onto this.

Spirited, committed, manly singing. Soul-shaking stuff! The ensemble is incisive; soloists are marvelous. The folk melodies are enchanting. The songs--and the singers--are bound up in the cultural fabric of the Cossacks, Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, Tolstoy, Dostoevsky...on and on.., Chekhov, Trotsky, Nabakov... This music conveys the great romantic, dignified, boistrous soul of the Russian People. (Loosely speaking. Some members of the chorus were presumably of other nationalities once part of the Soviet Union. And some of the songs are not Russian).

I don't speak Russian, but listening to this makes me wish I did. What a beautiful-sounding language it is.

I loved it!.......2007-02-22

Even though I cannot speak Russian, the quality of this choral group is beyond excellent. Many of these pieces are extremely moving and stirring. The rendering of the Soviet anthem and the song "Let's Go" (V'put) come to my mind. "Let's Go" became a huge hit in Russia when it was featured in a movie about the Great Patriotic War, and indeed, hearing it - you can well imagine ranks upon ranks of hard-eyed, grim-faced Soviet soldiers striding into battle against the Wehrmacht.

The ultimate collection.......2004-06-15

Excellent performance by the choir and the orchestra. The grandeur, the charm, and the romance! Great collection of songs, sure to bring back memories!

Average customer rating: I hate to be rude, but . . . Outstanding Sacred Songs My favorite of Fleming's CDs so far Inspiring and beautiful

Sacred Songs Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Berlioz | Berlioz, Hector | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Bernstein | Bernstein, Leonard | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Fauré, Gabriel | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Franck, César | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Humperdinck, Engelbert | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Poulenc | Poulenc, Francis | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Reger, Max | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Requiems | Forms & Genres | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Reger, Max | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | 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 | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Cantatas | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Berlioz, Hector | ( B ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Bernstein, Leonard | ( B ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Fauré, Gabriel | ( F ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Franck, César | ( F ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Humperdinck, Engelbert | ( H ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Poulenc, Francis | ( P ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Reger, Max | ( R ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Cecilia Bartoli ~ Opera Proibita (Handel · Scarlatti · Caldara) / Les Musiciens du Louvre · Minkowski Haunted Heart The Inner Voice : The Making of a Singer Bryn Terfel - Simple Gifts HOMAGE: The Age of the Diva ASIN: B000AM6OXK Release Date: 2005-09-27

Tracks:

1. Ave Maria
2. Jesu bleibet meine Freude
3. Dank sei dir, Herr
4. Ave Maria, D839
5. Laudamus te
6. Panis Angelicus
7. Air: "He shall feed his Flock"
8. Simple Song
9. Pie Jesu
10. Domine Deus
11. Laudate Dominum omnes gentes
12. Air: Rejoice greatly, o daughter of Zion
13. Abends will ich schlafen gehn
14. L'Adieu des bergers
15. Mariiegenlied, Op.76/52
16. Amazing Grace

Amazon.com

This lovely CD features Renée Fleming singing religious music in an unaffected, lovely manner. Many favorites are here: both the Bach/Gounod and Schubert versions of "Ave Maria," each offered with long breaths and soft tone; "Rejoice Greatly" from Messiah, delivered with virtuosity and gleaming sound, and "He Shall Feed His Flock," also from Messiah, sung in a smooth, laid-back manner. Bits of the Fauré Requiem and Poulenc Gloria are welcome, as is the gorgeous "L'Adieu des Bergers" from L'Enfance du Christ. In the prayer from Humperdinck's Hansel und Gretel, Fleming is joined by the splendid Susan Graham, and a version of "Amazing Grace" features Mark O'Connor on violin. Two excerpts from Mozart's Mass in C Minor, pieces by Reger and Franck, and a few surprises round out this devotional CD. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

I hate to be rude, but . . ........2007-05-06

As stated earlier, I hate to be rude. However, Renee Fleming is not one of the greatest singers that I have heard. At many times, it sounds as if she is drunk, sliding into her notes at times. She also has a habit of hitting a note, and then quickly moving up or down for "dramatic effect". I'm sorry, but I just cannot listen to this. I know that everyone has their own opinions, and this is mine.
She is still a beautiful woman, and always will be. I have seen her concerts online, and she ISN'T bad, it's just that she doesn't have what I'm looking for in an opera singer!

Outstanding.......2007-03-07

I had seen this program on PBS and wanted the CD. Wonderful selection
of music and Renee Fleming's outstanding voice.

Sacred Songs.......2007-01-21

I always look for new presentations of Christmas songs. Rene Flemming did an excellent job in this recording. She has a super voice but sometimes the words of the song get lost in her singing style

My favorite of Fleming's CDs so far.......2006-12-07

There are only two cuts on this CD I tend to flip past (Amazing Grace and the Leonard Bernstein cut), but other than them, I totally love the rest! The cuts in German are divine! I could listen to this CD over and over again.

Inspiring and beautiful.......2006-07-20

I've always loved Renee Fleming's singing and this most recent album is just beautiful in every way. A rich voice, beautiful singing and a devout and magnificent artist. She makes even the most notorious evergreens come to life anew. I enjoyed it very much.

Average customer rating: No Fistful of Ennio I would call some of these pieces "newage"... Simply a 'Must Purchase' for those with a passing interest in Morricone's work ENNIO MORRICONE - FILM MUSIC, VOL. 1 A collection of Morricone's most popular and entertaining

Ennio Morricone - Film Music, Vol.1 Manufacturer: Virgin Records Us ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Similar Items: Film Music, Vol. 2 Very Best of Ennio Morricone The Mission: Original Soundtrack From The Motion Picture Ennio Morricone, Vol.3: Main Titles Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone ASIN: B00000DR51 Release Date: 1992-06-29

Tracks:

1. The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
2. Maddalena: Come Maddalena
3. The Sicilian Clan: The Sicilian Clan
4. The Life And Times Of David Lloyd George (BBC TV): Chi Mai
5. Investigation Of A Citizen Above Suspicion: Investigation Of A Citizen Above Suspicion
6. Moscow Farewell: Moscow Farewell
7. Espion Leve Toi: Marcia In La
8. Lady Caliph: Lady Caliph
9. Battle Of Algiers: The Battle Of Algiers
10. The Infernal Trio: The Infernal Trio
11. La Banquiere: Dedicace
12. For Love One Can Die: For Love One Can Die
13. Sacco And Vanzetti: Sacco And Vanzetti
14. The Tragedy Of A Ridiculous Man: La Tragedia Di Un Uomo Ridicolo
15. Quartiere: Romanza Quartiere
16. Once Upon A Time In The West: Once Upon A Time In The West
17. The Mission: On Earth As It Is In Heaven (Remix)

Customer Reviews:

No Fistful of Ennio.......2007-01-31

Ennio Morricone wrote great soundtrack music, that's for certain. But no retrospective of his work is complete without the inclusion of more than one lone example from the three mid-60's "spaghetti westerns" he scored for Sergio Leone and Clint Eastwood. Anyone familiar with the UNITED ARTISTS label LPs of "Fistful Of Dollars," "For A Few Dollars More" and "The Good, The Bad And The Ugly" might agree with this.

As for what's here-- most of ENNIO MORRICONE * FILM MUSIC Volume 1 is forgettable incidental stuff. Except for "The Battle Of Algiers (Theme)," the opening and closing tracks are the best. They bookend what turns out to be a disappointing collection, lacking in both liner notes and the brilliance Morricone demonstrated over a 30 year span.

I would call some of these pieces "newage"..........2006-08-02

Moscow Farewell is definitely my pick of the lot. Sacco And Vanzetti was a pleasant surprise once I listened to it a couple of times. It is lively and could be played on a wedding dance floor for the whole family. This is great album to listen to while in bed!

Simply a 'Must Purchase' for those with a passing interest in Morricone's work.......2005-09-13

Arguably one of the greatest (if not the greatest) Film composer of the 20th Century. Not only has he scored some of the most influential and instantly recognisable pieces of film music during his roughly 50 years of composing atmospheric film scores. Whether he's providing the spooky dramatics for a spaghetti Western" or constructing the ingenious use of classical arrangements of brooding cinematic pieces, he has (in most cases) consistently delivered contemporary music that has provided the atmospheric foil for the picture in question. And with a collection of musical influences that were as far ranging as: classical, jazz, pop, rock, electronic, avant-garde, and Italian music, he is able to deliver a variety of film scores that are as diverse as they are beautifully composed.

This compilation is collection of some of the seminal, gritty, theatrical, and dramatic film music, that would go on to define his career, via reflective orchestration and memorable motifs, ingenious use of diverse arrangements and instrumentation. There is a majority of his highlights on this disc, with the magnificently brooding "The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly" opening the disk. what follows is a truly sublime collection of music that is in parts truly beautiful and utterly atmospheric, so tracks such as "Once Upon A Time In The West", benefit from the haunting melodies and stirring volins, that are possibly more in tone with orchestrated music than contemporary music. Or the quiet piano introspection and melancholic arrangements that make up "Moscow Farewell", are simply deserving of being placed amongst the finest soundtrack compositions ever. "Dedicace", contains some of the most litting melodies in recent memory, impossibly sad and affecting, it is a haunting bittersweet composition that is both organic & reflective, over which the volins provide the musical backdrop. And that's without the mention of "For Love One Can Die", the autumnal orchestrated track, that pulls from Italian sweeping gangster original film scores, and makes a hushed and dissonant recording, that feels like a sublime throwback to the mafia-related shenanigans of 60's chicago via the use of restrained piano, that really is quite lovely and adds substantial weight to the composition.

If you are looking for a Ennio Morricone compilation....short of buying a boxset, you'd be hard pressed in beating this for value for money. It's a fantastic summary of his work and covers a fair amount of material. And is the perfect introduction to his work, (especially if you just want to buy one compilation of his work). This is highly recommended to fans both old and new, and is boosted by the compilers making a great job of the selection. So if you don't want to have to splash out on an expensive disk, to hear his influential work...this really is the first place you should start.

ENNIO MORRICONE - FILM MUSIC, VOL. 1 .......2005-08-16

HAVING HEARD EXERPTS OF THE MUSIC BEFORE, IT WAS EXACTLY WHAT I
WANTED.

A collection of Morricone's most popular and entertaining.......2005-07-31

Volume I of III, of this 'best of' Morricone trilogy, is the best of the three. This volume consists of music that can be listened to alone and socially, with some of the most catchy and minimalist rhythms you'll ever hear. You'll listen to this album and wonder what movie you've heard that song from before(Morricone's canon being primarily for film scores). If you're hear because you're trying to get the song from a movie, and you've never really heard of Morricone before, then you've luckily stumbled upon some of the best music I've ever heard. Or, if you're a Morricone fan and you'er looking for a good compilation, since Morricone has done too many film scores to even possibly own them all, then this is good to have. I wouldn't really reccommend Volume II and III unless you're looking or a very comprehensive collection of Morricone, since Volume I seems to me to carry his most absolute best. Definetely buy this album, it's very good.

Average customer rating: A dream Perfection at its Best Tranquil Beauty Beautiful! Tranquility, Serenity, Beauty, and Superb Asian Movie Soundtrack

Hero Tan Dun Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Movie Scores | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: House of Flying Daggers Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000 Film) The Last Samurai Memoirs of a Geisha Hero ASIN: B0002S945W Release Date: 2004-08-24

Tracks:

1. Hero: Overture
2. For the World - Theme Music
3. Warriors
4. Gone with Leaves
5. Longing
6. At Emperor's Palace
7. In the Chess Court
8. Love in Distance
9. Spirit Fight
10. Swift Sword
11. Farewell, Hero
12. Sorrow in Desert
13. Home
14. Above Water
15. Snow
16. Yearning for the Peace

Amazon.com

Tan Dun straddles the very different worlds of concert music and film scores, winning admirers in both. He's perhaps best known for his score to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, which shares with Hero a visual poetry that transcends the sword-filled action film genre. In Crouching Tiger, Tan Dun's music was often striking. In Hero he often lapses into repetition and cliché, a failing compensated for by several appealing cues. The Overture, for example, begins with the mournful wail of ancient Chinese instruments set against pounding drums, a promising start that evokes ancient China and the struggles to come. There's a mournful soprano vocalise in "Gone With the Leaves," and the "Warriors" cue recalls Prokofiev's Alexander Nevsky. The plucking of the ancient Chinese lute in "In the Chess Court" evokes a timeless, peaceful mood, contrasting with the thrilling kodo drummers showcased in "Swift Sword." Itzhak Perlman gets cover billing for violin solos any competent studio fiddler could have handled. Tan Dun's admirers will want this, and audiophiles will love those kodo drummers. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

A dream.......2007-05-29

A magistral execution... close your eyes and dream.... a perfumed atmosphere will pervade you

Perfection at its Best.......2007-01-05

I received the Hero CD in mint condition and in a timely fashion. There's a plethora of things one could complain about, and when something works how it should, sometimes it gets overlooked. Not this time! I would just like to commend Amazon.Com on a job well done...

Tranquil Beauty.......2006-08-08

After seeing Hero, one of the (many) things that stuck with me was the evocative soundtrack. It set a perfect backdrop to the artistry and beauty of the story.

After purchasing the soundtrack, I was reminded of many of the scenes I enjoy, especially the tracks for the fight in the chess house ("In the Chess Court"), and in the yellow wood ("Gone with Leaves"). "Longing" is one of the most hauntingly serene pieces of film music I have heard.

This is not, obviously, a CD to listen to while you do step aerobics.
The theme is repeated and varied often, evoking the way the film's story is repeated from different perspectives, but those with short attention spans may perceive it as merely repetitive.

Beyond its association with the film, this soundtrack is an incredibly calming work of art. To be enjoyed with a good cup of hot tea.
5 stars.

Beautiful!.......2006-03-19

Interesting way to present some Chinese history by convoluted storytelling. Jet Li provides a subtle, challenging performance. It's a visually stunning movie to look at, as well. In a way, it's a lot like some classic Westerns in that the gorgeously stark landscapes of China become just as much a "star" as the players.

One of the real draws is the music. Tan Dun's compositions are beautiful, sad and celebratory at the same time, and haunting. I think it was pure genius to pair his compositions with Perlman. I had to wait a few months for the DVD, but I went out and bought the music CD immediately after seeing this gem of a movie.

Tranquility, Serenity, Beauty, and Superb Asian Movie Soundtrack.......2006-02-25

When I want to reconnect with my inner self and take a "time out" from my rat race life, I play either this CD or the sound track from "The Last Samurai". The theme from this CD stays in your head all day. If you like soundtracks, asian style muusic, classical music, and beauty, this CD has it all. I sometimes end up watching the movie again later in the week. I collect movie soundtracks and this is in my top ten.

Average customer rating: Puccini Withour Words Wonderful! I don't care much for opera, but the music is great! Enchanted by Puccini Without Words Nice CD Great arrangments and music!

Puccini Without Words Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | 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 CDs $7 - $10 | Operas | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Operas | Opera & Vocal | 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 Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Opera without Words Verdi without Words: Grand Opera for Orchestra Pops Plays Puccini Opera Without Words Carmen Without Words ASIN: B000002761 Release Date: 1991-07-01

Tracks:

1. Gianni Schicchi: O Mio Babbino Caro
2. La Boheme: Act I: Che Gelida Manina
3. La Boheme: Act I: Si, Mi Chiamano Mimi
4. La Boheme: Act I: O Soave Fanciulla
5. La Boheme: Act II: Christmas Eve In Paris
6. La Boheme: Act II: Quando M'en Vo' (Musetta's Waltz)
7. La Boheme: Act III: Farewell Duet & Quartet
8. La Boheme: Act IV: O, Mimi, Tu Piu Non Torni
9. La Boheme: Act IV: Final Scene: Death Of Mimi
10. Madama Butterfly: Act I: Entrance Of Butterfly
11. Madama Butterfly: Act I: Love Duet
12. Madama Butterfly: Act II: Un Bel Di Vedremo
13. Madama Butterfly: Act II: Humming Chorus
14. Madama Butterfly: Act II: Pinkerton's Farewell And Death Of Butterfly
15. TOSCA: Act I: Recondita Armonia
16. TOSCA: Act I: Love Duet
17. TOSCA: Act II: Vissi D'arte
18. TOSCA: Act III: E Lucevan Le Stelle

Customer Reviews:

Puccini Withour Words.......2007-07-11

This is one of my favorite CD's. Puccini wrote such beautiful music but it is often overshadowed by the diva or tenor who sing the aria. This is pure music and so enjoyable.

Wonderful! I don't care much for opera, but the music is great!.......2007-05-11

This is a fantastic album. I love classical music, but have never enjoyed opera. Some choir or chorus with classical is good, but the opera in general has never been entertaining for me. But the music is so good, so what to do?

Here you go. Get the music without the vocals.

Puccini's musical prowess was amazing. Madama Butterfuly is some of the most intricately composed classical I have ever heard. The vocals don't let you hear the true genius of the composition. La Boheme is equally enjoyable; delicately intertwined harmonies that relax and arrest you at the same time. Tosca is strong; again, truly enjoyable.

But, for me, the best piece on the album is the opener; "O Mio Babbino" from Gianni Schicchi. I must admit that I have never heard of this opera or this composition, but when I played this CD, this song came alive for me.

The entire album is mixed well, with very little background noise and very good sound editing. Considering the price, you really can't go wrong with this album.

A definite positive addition to my classical library.

Enchanted by Puccini Without Words .......2007-05-08

As a newcomer to opera, this disc of Puccini without words is an ideal introduction, to listen to as I paint. The music can go directly to my heart without worrying about words or voices to interrupt the creativity. Now I'm becoming interested in buying some Puccini with words and other operas as well. Now I'd like to hear an entire opera instead of exerpts.

Nice CD.......2007-01-08

Not what I expected but nice background music for a special occasion. If I had the choice again to buy it or now, I wouldn't have. Many other's out there with better selections.

Great arrangments and music!.......2006-12-23

It's a pleasure to listen to the music of the familiar arias. But what was shocking for me is to find out that "Bring Him Home" tune from Le Misserable is based on Madama Butterfly: Act II: Humming Chorus.
Wow, so it's not only A.L.Webber is using classical tunes for his musicals. Well, Puccini would be very proud to find out that these people made millions of $$$ with their help.

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