Masquerade [Import]

1. Love for Sale

2. Masquerade Is Over

3. There Will Never Be Another You

4. All Blues

Masquerade,George Benson,Thunderbolt,Contemporary Jazz,Crossover Jazz,Hard Bop,Jazz,Jazz-Pop,Pop,Quiet Storm,R&B,Smooth Jazz

Jazz

Music

jazz

music

Average customer rating: Music of the Night???????? Great short version! A long time favorite The Best Recording of this Show Available Great CD

Highlights From The Phantom Of The Opera: The Original London Cast Recording (1986 London Cast) Manufacturer: Decca Broadway ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Contemporary Musicals | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Brightman, Sarah | A to B | Featured Performers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music $9.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Soundtracks | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classical | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music $9.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Les Miserables (Highlights from the 1987 Original Broadway Cast) The Phantom of the Opera (Two-Disc Special Edition) The Very Best Of Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Broadway Collection The Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection Selections From Cats (1982 Original Broadway Cast) ASIN: B000001FLQ Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Overture
2. Think Of Me
3. Angel Of Music
4. The Mirror (Angel Of Music)
5. The Phantom Of The Opera
6. The Music Of The Night
7. Prima Donna
8. All I Ask Of You/Reprise
9. Entr'acte
10. Masquerade
11. Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again
12. The Point Of No Return
13. Down Once More.../Track Down This Murderer

Amazon.com

Highlight versions of cast recordings are by definition a compromise, and this reduction of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera is no exception. Weighing in at 59 minutes, it's over 40 minutes shorter than the two-disc version, excising many musical scenes that convey the flow and impact of the show (which include, admittedly, a lot of patter and screaming). On the other hand, all the hits are here--"Think of Me," "Angel of Music," the title tune, "The Music of the Night," "All I Ask of You," "Masquerade," and "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again"--and Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman are still on hand to make their distinctive contributions to the original London cast. So if you're looking for a convenient, inexpensive single disc that will let you enjoy Lloyd Webber's scrumptious melodies without having to immerse yourself in the action, this just might be for you. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

Music of the Night????????.......2007-02-28

I really liked the idea of a highlights cd; however, The Music of the Night is not the same one that is on the original two-disc cd. The words aren't even the same. If you enjoy Music of the Night, skip this cd. Otherwise, this cd would be 5 stars.

Great short version!.......2006-12-06

If you only want to hear the songs from this musical, this one is for you. But if you want the full version, get the 4-disc version. I listen to this version in my car when I'm on the road, but I listen to the 4-disc version at home. Both versions are worth the purchase.

A long time favorite.......2006-08-26

This is one of my most treasured CDs. The voices of the cast are incredible! "Think of Me" and "All I Ask of You" are 2 of my favorites. If you enjoy the story behind Phantom, yu will like this soundtrack.

The Best Recording of this Show Available.......2006-04-21

I think that this is the best PHANTOM soundtrack out there:

1)It has the original Broadway cast, the best.
2)It cuts out the more risqu? parts of the show (believe me, there are some), making it "appropriate for the whole family."
3)The entire CD is on one disc, so you can go through the show w/o switching discs.
4)The only song that the movie soundtrack has on it that this doesn't is "Learn to Be Lonely," which appears in the credits, and isn't really a great song anyways.

Great CD.......2006-03-14

I bought this CD as a birthday gift for my boyfriend. We had misplaced the one that we had and needed a new one. This is one of our favorite cd's. Such beautiful music.

Average customer rating: Danni's back to her country roots and better than ever! Danni's fourth and best album!!

Masquerade of a Fool Danni Leigh Manufacturer: Universal ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items: One of the Boys Big Dog Daddy 5th Gear I Don't Need All That Crazy Ex-Girlfriend ASIN: B000OIOG9O Release Date: 2007-05-14

Tracks:

1. Quarter Over You
2. I Thought Forever Was a Long, Long Time
3. History Will Decide
4. I Can Help You Find Your Heart
5. Masquerade of a Fool
6. Shame on Me
7. So Called Friend
8. Damned If I Do
9. Was It Worth It to You
10. Day by Day
11. Unfinished Kiss

Album Details

With her New Album "Masquerade of a Fool" Danni Leigh Returns to her Roots. With her Patented Whiskey Drenched Vocal Delivery Echoing Country Music's Greatest Traditionalists Danni Continues with the Neo-honky-tonk Album Where "29 Nights" (Decca/Universal) Ended. Danni Leigh Put Together a Collection of her Favorite Original and Unreleased Songs, Recorded in Nashville, Tn. All Songs Are Co-written by Danni Leigh Together with Some of the Finest Songwriters of Today's Country-scene Such as Big Kenny (Big and Rich).

Customer Reviews:

Danni's back to her country roots and better than ever!.......2007-07-10

What a fantastic cd this is. If you are a fan of Danni's you have to add this to your collection. True country music at it's best. Danni has a such a beautiful, sultry voice and every song on this cd is sung with so much emotion you can feel the heartbreak. Her voice really stands out loud and clear. The arrangement of her songs are great too. My favorites are "Quarter Over You", "Shame On Me", "Mascarade of A Fool", "So Called Friend", "Damned If I Do" and " I Can Help You Find Your Heart". " Damned If I Do" has a touch of jazz. Big Kenny (of the great Big & Rich) co-wrote "Day By Day" which has a smooth, lighter feel to it than the others . "Unfinished Kiss" (the last song on the cd) has a bluesy, chuggin' whiskey, southern hard rock feel to it, kind of like the Allman Brothers Band. WOW... what a great song to finish the cd with. You will want to get up and dance to some of the turbo tonkin' tunes, and some of the slow songs may remind you of a past love. I am a HUGE fan of Danni's and have been for many years. I have all of her cds and this is already my favorite! Country on forever Danni Leigh!

Danni's fourth and best album!!.......2007-07-07

Wow!! Danni's fourth album is nothing short of awesome. Her attempt to return to true country music has been realized. The songs on this album have ringings of Patsy Cline and famous others of days gone by. While her first three albums will continue to be cherished, this one is a distinctly different Danni; one her fans (you know who you are!!) as well as other true country folks will want to add to their collections. Thanks Danni for a long overdue cd (you can come home now!!!!).

Average customer rating: Four Enjoyable Performances A Classic! Get It To Listen Masquerade Suite (Others Are Alright...) Simply BEAUTIFUL! A rollicking good time

Khachaturian: Masquerade Suite; Kabalevsky: The Comedians; Tchaikovsky: Capriccio Italien; Rimsky-Korsakov: Capriccio Espagnol / Kondrashin Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Kabalevsky | Kabalevsky, Dmitri | ( K ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Khachaturian | Khachaturian, Aram | ( K ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Khachaturian: Spartacus / Khachaturian, Vienna Philharmonic Offenbach: Gaite Parisienne; Rossini-Respighi: La Boutique Fantasque Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade/Capriccio Espagnol Offenbach: Gaïte parisienne; Rossini-Respighi: La boutique fantasque [Hybrid SACD] Favourite Piano Concertos, Vol.2 ASIN: B00000GV4H Release Date: 1999-01-12

Tracks:

1. Masquerade Suite: Waltz
2. Masquerade Suite: Nocturne
3. Masquerade Suite: Mazurka
4. Masquerade Suite: Romance
5. Masquerade Suite: Galop
6. The Comedians, Op. 26: Prologue
7. The Comedians, Op. 26: Comedians' Galop
8. The Comedians, Op. 26: March
9. The Comedians, Op. 26: Waltz
10. The Comedians, Op. 26: Pantomine
11. The Comedians, Op. 26: Intermezzo
12. The Comedians, Op. 26: Little Lyrical Scene
13. The Comedians, Op. 26: Gavotte
14. The Comedians, Op. 26: Scherzo
15. The Comedians, Op. 26: Epliogue
16. Capriccio italien, Op. 45
17. Capriccio espagnol, Op. 34: Alborada
18. Capriccio espagnol, Op. 34: Variazioni
19. Capriccio espagnol, Op. 34: Alborada
20. Capriccio espagnol, Op. 34: Scena e canto gitano
21. Capriccio espagnol, Op. 34: Fandango asturiano

Amazon.com

Kondrashin came to the U.S. in 1958 to conduct concerts for Van Cliburn. While he was recording the Tchaikovsky First Piano Concerto with Cliburn, RCA also had him make these recordings (originally two LPs) with pickup musicians in New York's Manhattan Center. The nucleus of the orchestra was composed of members of the old NBC Symphony, and the ensemble plays splendidly, with violinist Oscar Shumsky earning his solo credit. Kondrashin leads spirited performances of these warhorses, mostly music so vulgar we should be ashamed of enjoying it as much as we do. RCA's famous "Living Stereo" sound has transferred splendidly to this CD, making it an exquisite, guilty pleasure. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Four Enjoyable Performances.......2005-10-06

This CD has four pieces from four composers, all performed by Kiril Kondrashin and the RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra.

The opening brass fanfare of Tchaikovsky's Capriccio italien is precise and impressive, making it my favorite recording of this work.

The performance of Rimsky-Korsakov's Capriccio espagnol is as good as anyone else's, with a full sound.

The real reason to have the disk is the inclusion of two obscure pieces, Masquerade Suite by Khachaturian and The Comedians by Kabalevsky. The former shows the surface gaiety and underlying tensions at a costume party. The latter is music depicting a troupe of clowns. Both get a lively, engaging treatment.

All four pieces are played with brio and are a joy to hear.

A Classic!.......2005-06-19

If you enjoy lighter classical music and everybody needs a break every so often, this magnificent CD is for you. Wonderful music, great performances that do not sound like they came from a studio and incredible sound. The Amazon reviewer calls this music vulgar. I totally disagree, however this music is great fun. And what in the world is wrong with a little bit of fun? Recordings of this quality are extremely rare. So go ahead and buy it. You will not regret it. I can guarantee that.

Get It To Listen Masquerade Suite (Others Are Alright...).......2004-02-17

This is a rare gem that many people will probably miss. If you listen to your local classical radio station, you might actually catch this really great piece by Khachaturian. All the movements have been done with gusto and enthusiasm. It will definitely get your attention with its rich melodies. I would characterize it as almost Tchaikovsky with romantic influences.

The CD leaflet is quite informative to describe the life of Khachaturian in writing the Masquerade Suite. So, it is worth the price of the CD since it provides more information about a relatively obscure composer. I think the music really got my attention and interested in learning about where Khachaturian got his influence.

The other pieces are a mixed bag and probably depends on what your tastes are. I personally found Kabalevsky not to be quite memorable since there are no distinct theme. It's a different style which takes time to appreciate. To me, it sounds very modern like Aaron Copland which doesn't appeal to me. It is really a progression from romatic to modern music.

Tchaikovsky is much more like what you are used to from him. Expect lush and some beautiful tunes. It is not played often so you will not be humming this immediately. So, you just have to listen to it a while. It is pretty slow with highs and lows which means more patience to detail.

Rimsky-Korsakov is more exciting and probably what you expect in this CD. This probably would make sense if the entire CD would focus on strong movements like this one. I guess that is the drawback when a CD album comes out. You are sure to really want to hear one piece but the others are not up to par. However, even popular CDs you buy is a mixed bag so this is not unlike in this regards. So, I would recommend listening to the samples and then decide to buy it. You will love Khachaturian but probably won't feel the same about the others.

Simply BEAUTIFUL!.......2003-02-06

Many do not know Aram Khachaturian's moving, romantic music, but they would likely recognised the Sabre Dance, used everywhere commercials and cartoons or the Adagio used by Stanley Kubrick in 2001: A Space Odyssey. That frantic, almost comical Sabre Dance comes from the oh so romantic Gayne Ballet Suite along with the Adagio made famous when Kubrick chose it for his film.

But it's his Masquerade Suite I love the most. Khachaturian's music has a feel as if it should come from a contemporary of Saint Saens, instead of one living and composing in the 20th century (he died in 1978). I danced to this as a ballet dancer, and I don't know any music quite so filled my heart and soul.
Few composure can imbue their music with so much passion. The Masquerade Suites' Waltz, Romance and Nocturne are just breathtaking.

I had to hunt and hunt to find this on a record, so I so delighted to see it on CD!!

Just is nothing as beautiful! To think this same composure also gave us the Gayne Ballet and Spartacus is simply amazing.

So discover the beauty of Khachaturian!

A rollicking good time.......2000-10-17

This is a fun CD. Yes, I think 'fun' is the best word to describe these works. They are all delightful (and by no means trivial) romps through the world of orchestral color. And the sound- it sounds as if it was recorded in '98 rather than '58! Add the brilliantly exuberant playing of the orchestra led by the incomparable Kondrashin to the mix, and you have a potent concoction. Don't pass on this one.

Average customer rating:

The Orphans Kristeen Young Manufacturer: Test Tube Baby ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items: In the Future When All's Well, Pt. 1 Back to Black ASIN: B000PRGN36

Product Description

11-track CD on Test Tube Baby, 2006.

Average customer rating: great performance, substandard recording One Of Gil Shaham's Best Concerti Recordings Excellent music.....Excellent performance..... Barber/Korngold - Shaham/Previn, REALLY GOOD! Great recording of the best lydian melody ever written

Barber: Concerto for violin Op14; Korngold: Much Ado about Nothing Op11 Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Barber | Barber, Samuel | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Korngold, Erich Wolfgang | ( K ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Incidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Korngold, Erich Wolfgang | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Shaham, Gil | ( S ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Sibelius/Tchaikovsky: Violinkonzerte Korngold: Concerto; Rózsa: Concerto; Tema con variazioni; Waxman: "Carmen" Fantasy Violin Romances Paganini: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra No.1/Saint-Saëns: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra No.3 Fauré: Piano Quintets ASIN: B000001GLX Release Date: 1994-08-16

Tracks:

1. Concerto For Violin And Orchestra Op. 14: 1. Allegro
2. Concerto For Violin And Orchestra Op. 14: 2. Andante
3. Concerto For Violin And Orchestra Op. 14: 3. Presto in moto perpetuo
4. Concerto For Violin And Orchestra In D Major Op. 35: 1. Moderato nobile
5. Concerto For Violin And Orchestra In D Major Op. 35: 2. Romance: Andante
6. Concerto For Violin And Orchestra In D Major Op. 35: 3. Finale: Allegro assai vivace
7. Much Ado About Nothing - Suite Op. 11: 1. The Maiden In The Bridal Chamber - Lento - Molto moderto, With Charm And Grace
8. Much Ado About Nothing - Suite Op. 11: 2. Dogberry And Verges. March Of The Watch - In The Tempo Of A Grotesque Funeral March
9. Much Ado About Nothing - Suite Op. 11: Scene in the Garden - Molto espressivo
10. Much Ado About Nothing - Suite Op. 11: Masquerade: Hornpipe - Animato

Amazon.com

There have been so many great recordings of all of the important masterpieces that critics and listeners are often justified in thinking that there's no point in recording them yet again. Then along comes a recording like this one, which revives one's faith in the future of classical music. Gil Shaham is competing with classic performances by Isaac Stern in the Barber, and Jascha Heifetz in the Korngold. And he's as good as either of them, not to mention far more impressively recorded. In particular, the Korngold Concerto--a masterpiece just now coming into its own--has never sounded so resplendent. What a great disc! --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

great performance, substandard recording.......2006-10-15

While I would agree with the other reviewers that this performance is excellent, there are definitely some issues with it. Let me preface this with that I am a classical sound engineer, and have much experience with this repertoire in the recording environment.

To begin, there are some real dynamics problems with this recording. Its as if the orchestra was recorded using overzealous compression while the soloist was placed front and center with artificially exaggerated levels. I am sure the other reviewers would have to admit that Mr. Shaham was placed way to forward in this recording. His violin sounds enormous!

Second, and this is very curious considering this was a studio recording, Mr Shaham's violin begins to go out of tune in the second movement. It is only the lower strings, but it is very evident to my ears-this resolves itself as the music climbs higher, but I am shocked that no one stopped the recording session to address this.

I will say that the performance is excellent, particularly the conducting, as the dynamics in the score, especially at the end of the second movement, are very well articulated by Mr. Previn. While Mr. Shaham is excellent, I feel the emotions of this piece, for whatever reason, are better served by a female player. I have seen Hilary Hahn perform this piece live, and I believe she understands the intentions of Barber to the letter.

All in all, a very good effort by the performers, a seriously questionable effort by the recording company and especially those overseeing this recording session.

One Of Gil Shaham's Best Concerti Recordings.......2004-02-15

Without question this is one of Gil Shaham's best recordings of violin concerti. Historically it may be the most important since he makes a very persuasive case for including Korngold's violin concerto as part of the standard repertoire of stellar solo violinists of which he is unquestionably one. Both violin concerti are among the most lyrical ever composed, and Shaham brings both immaculate technical skills and soulful, graceful playing in his highly commendable performances of both work. Andre Previn leads the London Symphony Orchestra in superb performances of the orchestral scores. However, the real treasure on this recording has to be Previn's duet with Shaham in the Korngold score that concludes this CD. It's some of the most inspirational playing of 20th Century music by a violinist and pianist I have heard. The sound quality is absolutely first rate.

Excellent music.....Excellent performance............2003-12-28

This is the third cd that I had a chance to feel Barber's sentimental music...First was the Adagio for Strings..second was the songs of Barber and the last one the violin concerto...the cd that follows the other always made my love stronger for the Barber's music...But this violin concerto has a different place in my heart...it is a modern era music but you feel it like you are listening a late romantic era composer's music...the work is based on Lyricism and virtuosity...music is wonderful especially in the second movement...and I offer you to listen carefully the 1st movement's 3rd minute's 31st second...a bow pulled with a lot of sentiment...he is not pulling it with his hand...he is doing it with his heart...Gil Shaham is a very talented young violinist...technique is perfect...he plays so clean...no dirty notes heard...and his feeling adds more to his perfect performing...There is not too much to say about the orchestra and the conductor...I think you know about them...If you don't??? meet them in this performance...
even if you are not a fan of Barber or you are not into his music this Cd is highly reccomended...

M. Can EL

Barber/Korngold - Shaham/Previn, REALLY GOOD!.......2003-09-05

Yes, FIVE-STARS but I warmed up to this album slowly. I knew I liked SOME of Barber's music but I had to listen to the violin concerto several times before I really heard it. THEN, I realized it is such a wonderful work, played uncommonly well. The Korngold concerto is VERY inventive, as well. However, the work that just KNOCKED ME OVER was the "Much Ado About Nothing" suite by Korngold. The combination of some of the loveliest composing EVER with Previn's dead-on accompanying and Shaham's uncanny genius was SOOOOO satisfying. You won't EVER hear anything more lovely than that "In the Garden" section. Because of the composers but also because of the musicians, I think a music-lover would LOVE and even ADORE this CD!

Great recording of the best lydian melody ever written.......2003-04-12

Ahh the Korngold, a work written for Huberman but premiered and champoined by the great Heifetz. This has to be the most incredible melody ever written in the lydian mode, a major scale with a raised 4th (tritone). The raised 4th has such a haunting sound giving this wonderful and original concerto a sence of freshness, unlike anything you have heard before yet still melodic enough to hold your attention.

I love the Heifetz recording and respect it because he has that sound that no one can come close to but I much prefer this recording because of the great tone and because I like Shaham's vibrato alot more. There is so much more warmth and expression when I listen to this recording of the Korngold.

The concerto by Barber is also a terribly fresh and original work. The third movement has intense energy like a tornado forming and shaham plays with a great sence of control and maturity in his playing. I have several recordings of the Barber concerto and this is a good one but I dont really think I have a favorite recording because I like my other recordings by Kogan, Oliveira, Hahan, and Perlman. The Barber is a great concerto and should not be ignored.

I play this CD when I want to hear the Korngold but I still play the Heifetz also, both recordings are important to me. I don't really think that Heifetz played it any better.

I understand there is a DVD of Kavakos playing the Korngold but only available in foreign countries, how sad.

Average customer rating: Top of the line 5 stars superb masterpiece Fantastic progressive music

The Masquerade Overture Pendragon Manufacturer: Snapper Classics UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: The World The Window of Life Not of This World Believe The Visitor ASIN: B0007YNRRM Release Date: 2005-05-31

Tracks:

1. The Masquerade Overture
2. As Good As Gold
3. Paintbox
4. The Pursuit Of Excellence
5. Guardian Of My Soul
6. The Shadow
7. Masters Of Illusion
8. The Last Man On Earth (Live)

Customer Reviews:

Top of the line.......2007-01-05

I never thought I would find these days a CD of a new group made with such a high quality music. It reminded me so much of the 70's and 80's great groups in this type of music such as the old Genesis, Pink Floyd, Trace, Jethro Tull. I am very excited to find out how the rest of their CDs are. From begining to end, the concept of the CD, the lyrics and the music are fantastic and the performance is outstanding.

5 stars.......2006-02-25

This is an excellent CD. From start to finish the music is awesome. Great musicianship. I highly recommend it, as well as "The World" and "Window of Life". If you like Marillion or IQ you will like this.

superb masterpiece.......2005-06-14

I bought the album in 1997 and I still enjoy it a lot. This has become for me a classic album like Pink Floyd Wish you were here or Genesis Trick of the Tail if you know what I mean. You have 2 fantastic music composers here: Clive Nolan and Nick Barret. Thus, very strong compositions and accessible enough even for non prog lovers too. Long tracks with catchy sections.

This is symphonic melodic prog music from the first piece to the last. For those who already know Pendragon, this album is as good as "The World" or "Window of life". This is also their best selling album (at least before "Not of this world" come out).

See on the DPRP progressive music site for critical review and more details.

Fantastic progressive music.......2005-06-13

I bought this album in 1997 and I still listen to it because the music is incredible from the beginning to the end.If you like progressive music like I do you will NOT be disappointed. Long very melodic songs with very talented musicians (who play also in another prog bands from time to time). For those who knows already Pendragon, Maquerade overture compares with "the World" and "window of life" CDs. Go to http://www.dprp.net/reviews/pendragon/index.html#mo for more on Pendragon albums review...

Average customer rating: Iffy Rebecca Caine is what made me buy this album. Very Nice!!!! NOT AS GOOD AS THE LONDON CAST RECORDING I liked Colm Wilkinson better in Les Miz

The Phantom of the Opera (Highlights from the 1989 Original Canadian Cast) Manufacturer: Decca Broadway ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Contemporary Musicals | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Stage Heroes Fantasma De La Opera / O.S.R. The Phantom of the Opera (Original German Cast) Highlights from Phantom of the Opera The Phantom Of The Opera (1999 Japanese Cast) ASIN: B0000072VS Release Date: 2002-11-26

Tracks:

1. Prologue-The Stage Of The Paris Opera House, 1911
2. Overture
3. The Dress Rehearsal Of Hannibal
4. Think Of Me
5. The Mirror... (Angel Of Music)
6. The Phantom Of The Opera
7. The Music Of The Night
8. Notes/Prima Donna
9. All I Ask Of You
10. I Gave You My Music...
11. Entr'acte
12. Masquerade
13. The Graveyard
14. Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again
15. Wandering Child.../Bravo Monsieur...
16. The Point Of No Return/Down Once More
17. The Phantom's Lair

Amazon.com

A few years after The Phantom of the Opera debuted in London, Harold Prince unveiled Andrew Lloyd Webber's gothic musical in Canada, in 1989. It was so good that this recording of highlights from the Canadian cast is--dare we say it?--more enjoyable than the equivalent London cast highlights album. No, it doesn't have the authenticity of London principals Sarah Brightman (for whom then-husband Lloyd Webber wrote the role of Christine) and Michael Crawford, but it doesn't have their idiosyncrasies, either, and it does have the richer voices of Colm Wilkinson and Rebecca Caine (who played Jean Valjean and older Cosette, respectively, in the 1985 London cast of Les Misérables). At 69 minutes, the Canadian album is also 10 minutes longer than the London, allowing inclusion of the prologue and dress rehearsal for Hannibal. Of course, Lloyd Webber's melodies--"Angel of Music," "The Music of the Night," "All I Ask of You," "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again"--are scrumptious on any continent. --David Horiuchi

Album Description

1990 Polydor release featuring highlights from Andrew Lloyd Webber's epic musical by the Original Canadian Cast, including Colm Wilkinson and Rebecca Caine. Directed by Harold Prince, it features 17 tracks, including 'Think Of Me', 'Notes/ Prima Donna', 'Masquerade' and 'Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again'.

Album Details

Contains highlights from the Andrew Lloyd Webber brainchild performed in Ottawa, Vancouver, Montreal & Calgary during April, 1991 through September, 1992. Stars Colm Wilkinson & Rebecca Caine in leading roles.

Customer Reviews:

Iffy.......2007-01-22

I've only listened to clips here and online, but I personally would not buy this entire album. Why? Well, I would LOVE to have Rebecca Caine's "Think of Me" and "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" - she has a beautiful voice, much stronger than either Sarah Brightman or Emmy Rossum, and much better trained. But what I have heard of the Raoul annoys me. He's supposed to be the good guy, not a dork!

And Colm Wilkinson as the Phantom? Whose idea was that??? I really do not like his voice, even as Valjean in Les Miz. I highly doubt he's a strong enough singer to pull of "Music of the Night" the way Michael Crawford or Hugh Panaro (best Phantom EVER) can.

If, however, this was on iTunes, I'd jump at the chance to get Rebecca's songs!

Rebecca Caine is what made me buy this album........2006-12-04

Rebecca Caine is my favorite Christine. I think that she has one of the most amazing voices, and I loved her in the title song.

As for everything else...
Honestly, Colm Wilkinson cannot sing. His voice is just too weak for the role. Like one of the reviewers before me said, he's no Michael Crawford, not even Gerard Butler. Maybe I should hear him sing in Les Miserables to appreciate his voice.
As for Byron Nease, he's okay, but I've easily heard better.

In all, the album's okay, but there are many better recordings.

Very Nice!!!!.......2006-08-25

Although this is a specatcular Disc, I find it very hard to appreciate fully Colm Wilkinson's voice in the role of the Phantom after being so used to Michael Crawford's for that role (and being used to mr. Wilkinson's as Jean Valjean in Les Misérables). Don't get me wrong I very much like Colm wilkinson, but not so much as the phantom.
Apart from that Rebecca Caine is a stunning Christine!!!! And at times seems to me to be...dare I say.... better than (my personal favourite singer) sarah brightman, Ms. Caine's "Think Of Me" blew me away, it was very inspiring....

Overall the rest of the cast is very good as well and if you are a true "phan" this is a must have CD very much worth its price!!!!

NOT AS GOOD AS THE LONDON CAST RECORDING.......2006-07-02

Today, after Phantom of the opera became the longest running musical in history of Broadway, and being one of the most produced of Andrew Lloyd Webber's work around the world, we can only agree with the statement of "The Times" reviewer which appeared on October 10, 1986, a day after the premiere in London, who wrote: "One thing is clear: Gaston Leroux's famous story is God's gift to the musical theatre. It wraps up the legends of Faust, Svengali, and Beauty and the Beast into a grand final death rattle of the romantic agony. It turns a theatre--the Paris Opera--into a replica of the universe, from the Statue of Apollo above the city's rooftops down to the infernal regions with their furnaces and stygian lake. And, musically, not only does it unfold to an accompaniment of the operatic repertoire, but also features a protagonist who is himself a great composer."

Phantom, with its operatic and lush melodies, intensive story and grandiose staging, remains one of the best and most beloved musicals of all time.

The musical is based on the Gaston Leroux's novel of the same title. It is set in the second part of the 19th century Paris and its famous opera house. The young soprano, Christine, is discovered as a talented young opera singer in the opera house. She is noticed by an old childhood friend, Raoul, and they fall in love. However, we find out that a third person, the mysterious Phantom, hiding behind a mask, is a musical genius who had been giving Christine singing lessons and who has developed a mad passion for his young pupil. He hides in the catacombs of the opera house, lurking on the outside world. He is determined to keep Christine for himself and the story evolves from here.

Apart from this interesting plot, the audiences were swept away by Lloyd Webber's tremendous score, which probably remains his best work. It combines the beautiful love songs and sweeping operetta-like arias, with numerous orchestral leads and crescendos. You can't help but being charmed by this beautiful and haunting score. The large numbers, especially, the last one, will probably move you deeply. The most popular numbers are "The phantom of the opera", a vibrating duet between Christine and the Phantom; "All I ask of you", a lovely love duet between Christine and Raul; Phantom's mesmerizing voice will hold you till the end in "The music of the night", Christine in "Wishing you are somehow here again" will evoke sadness, and many more.

One of the main reasons for the early success of this show and this recording was its original London cast. All of the three principals: Sarah Brightman as Christine, Michael Crawford as The Phantom and Steve Barton as Raoul gave the performances of their lives. Michael Crawford's take on the role of The Phantom became stuff legends are made of, due to his amazing vocalisation and the powerful, almost hypnotic attraction in his voice and performance, exactly how the Phantom is supposed to sound.

The lyrics by Richard Stilgoe and Christopher Hampton are the weakest link here, but they manage to convey the basic story.

After the show's success in London and on Broadway, the Canadian production was mounted and it premiered in Toronto's Pantages Theatre in September 1989. This CD captures the highlights of that production. All the important musical numbers are here, however, the problem is the cast, that is, some of them. Colm Wilkinson is a great singer, his interpretation of Jean Valjean being the best example. Unfortunately, he doesn't have what it takes to play the Phantom. His interpretation lacks the depth of Michael Crawford and he struggles to stretch his voice, especially on the high notes. Overall, he sings too deep for the role, sounding as if he is still in Les Miserables. Still, he is much better than the mediocre performance Gerard Butler gave in the 2004 movie version. Rebecca Caine is a fine Christine, her soprano has no problem of getting into the character. Byron Nease, who plays Raoul, also fails to deliver, sounding too old and squeaky. The unwritten rule of the musical theatre, that the miscasting can affect the best of materials, is regrettably evident here. There is also a minor problem with the orchestrations, since some parts have a faster tempo than in the original. The aficionados will notice small lyrical changes in comparison with the original cast recording.

The CD comes with a synopsis (a rear treat in the Andrew Lloyd Webber's cast recordings), the lyrics and production photos.

This recording works best as an addition to the existing Phantom collection. For the first time listeners, I highly recommend the 2-disc 1986 London Cast Recording. Not only does it feature almost the entire musical, but also the cast is much, much better, as well as the orchestrations, which have a more classical touch.

I liked Colm Wilkinson better in Les Miz.......2006-05-12

Not to say that he doesn't do a good job in this role as well, but often times it just sounds like Jean Valjean singing the Phantom. He does have some great moments but I think the Christine is the best thing about this recording. I don't know why, but I find her voice incredibly sexy. It's easy to see why the Phantom would want to seduce her and foster her talent. Raoul's line (and vocal) delivery is a little too "Dudley Do Right" for my tastes. It sounds almost comical at times. I dunno, maybe that's what he was going for. The London Cast recording is probably still the gold standard simply because the actors have become so synonymous with the roles they played, but you should pick this one up if you want a more up-to-date version of the orchestrations and, subsequently, the libretto.

Average customer rating: Oh those things I saw in dreadful masquerade... An acclaimed masterpiece REALLY HARD TO PUT IN ANY truly beyond metal Progressive Black

La Masquerade Infernale Arcturus Manufacturer: Candlelight ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Metal | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Alternative Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Death Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Sham Mirrors Aspera hiems Symfonia/Constellation/My Angel Sideshow Symphonies Bergtatt Empiricism ASIN: B00009Z4JO Release Date: 2003-08-12

Tracks:

1. Master of Disguise
2. Ad Astra
3. Chaos Path
4. Masquerade Infernale
5. Alone
6. Throne of Tragedy
7. Painting My Horror
8. Of Nails and Sinners

Album Description

Reissue of this long out of print and very astonishing album (originally released in 1997). Dark, evocative and symphonic, this album created a new level not just for metal but music altogether. This is essential! Candlelight.

Customer Reviews:

Oh those things I saw in dreadful masquerade..........2006-11-06

The great Arcturus, made up of members of famed Black Metal bands such as Mayhem, Emperor, and Ulver stretched their creative muscles and turned out a decidedly non Black album. This was a drastic shift of gears from their previous work, but Arcturus always had a non-traditional take on BM anyhow, so why not write a avant-garde concept album?

As the album is dedicated to: "The Perilous Quest of the Faustian Spirit" the themes of infernal deception and damnation take center stage and permeate everything about the music. The approach taken is rather novel, they make everything from the vocals to the samples as evil as possible without using any of metal's usual bag of tricks. The vocals are clean, although delivered in doomed operatic odd tones and at times sound truly like a chorus of the goats of Hell. Perhaps the only BM trait Arcturus retain is the thin guitar low in the mix, making the bass drive the rhythm while the guitar paints the landscape. This technique is used to maximum effect since the keyboards make up the most of mix anyway, you really appreciate the great riffs and climactic solos more when they're a secondary device. Sverd's keyboard work is really something special, using looping to maximum effect you'll hear so many symphonic elements going on I promise you'll lose count of how many layers he must be using, and this coming from a man who usually cringes when he hears keyboards in metal. The final coffin nail is the legendary Hellhammer, for the most part issuing restraint and focusing on precision, yet still pounding out ferocious double bass and grinding blast beats in sparse amounts.

All these elements come together in dark, cinematic, and ultimately beautiful compositions. La Masquerade Infernale is rightfully regarded as their best work, a recording that defies genre and convention to this day. Playfully menacing and casually evil, Arcturus take you to Hell and make you never want to leave.

An acclaimed masterpiece.......2005-05-04

Arcturus' first album "Aspera Hiems Symphonia" was a collaboration of "superstars" from the Norwegian Black Metal scene like Garm (Ulver,Borknagar) , Hellhammer (Mayhem,Thorns,Kovenant,Winds) , Samoth (Emperor,Zyklon B) and others . "Aspera Hiems Symphonia" was an album of cold symphonic black metal similar to bands like Emperor or Limbonic Art with a few clean vocals by Garm. While "Aspera Hiems Symphonia" was a very good album for the time's standards no one could expect that the band who released that album could write such a masterpiece like "La Masquerade Infernale". "La Masquerade Infernale" has little to nothing at all to do with metal music. The basis of the music played here is classical music and opera while the symphonic elements of their previous album are still there. The music is consisted of symphonic keyboards, mostly soft guitars and Garm's alternating but ever so colorful voice. The whole album also seems to inspire a theatrical sense to its music. Garm's performance is amazing especially on tracks like "Alone" and "Painting My Horror" where he reminds me of a madman singing. I must also comment on the magnificent instrumental "Ad Astra", a superb example of how neoclassical and metal music can co-exist, with Sverd showing his colleagues how keyboards should be played. I will not waste any more words on this masterpiece since the only thing they do is reduce its greatness. I will just add that if you plan on buying one music CD in your life...well then...buy this one!!!

REALLY HARD TO PUT IN ANY .......2004-12-29

FOR LACK OF A BETTER NICHE,I'D SAY THIS IS LATTER-DAY "METAL".THOUGH,ITS NOT PARTICULARLY HEAVY IN THE TRADITIONAL SENSE.AS OTHER REVIEWS HAVE MENTIONED,IT HAS THIS PECULIAR "CARNIVALESQUE" THEATRICAL PRESENCE,HARD TO DESCRIBE.THE LYRICS ARE GREAT,THOUGHT PROVOKING "SATANIC" IMAGERY,BUT AGAIN NOT IN THE TRADITIONAL OVERT BLACK METAL WAY.MORE SUBTLE.
IF YOU ARE A "METAL"FAN LOOKING FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT,AND ARE OPEN MINDED AND CAN LOOK PAST THE LACK OF BLAST BEATS,COOKIE-MONSTER VOCALS AND TOTAL DOWN-TUNED [...] GUITAR,THIS JUST MAY BE ONE OF YOUR NEW "FAVORITE CD'S OF ALL TIME".

truly beyond metal.......2004-08-14

what a strange and amazing band Arcturus is! i first heard the song "Wintry Grey" on a compilation and it stood out from all the other songs so much that i went out the next day and bought "Aspera Hiems Symfonia." which is a unique, albeit raw black metal album.but as many fans of Arcturus know, the weirdness found on that album is only the tip of the iceburg for this band. things get much much stranger...maybe a little *too* strange sometimes...which leads up to "La Masquerade Infernale." to those out there who have never heard this album and are about to listen to it for the first time, i recommend that before pushing "play"...take a deep breath. now sit down and forget every single pre-conceived notion you may have about metal or much of music in general. now...push play. now that you've pushed that button now take a minute and hit the rewind button until your cd counter will read -1:26. that's how weird this album is...you have to rewind it before the beginning of the first song to start the album. (or is just a matter of the hidden bonus track being at the beginning of the cd rather than at the end?) i don't know. in fact...most of the time i listen to this cd, i have no idea what is going on. it's all a dizzying display of carnival sounds, proggy keyboards, a few industrial-styled beats, spacey melodies, trip hop, and the singer singing like he's in a stage play...and all of this hapenning sometimes all at once in the songs! if you can get a handle on it all and keep up with all the musical ideas that are popping up all over the place, then you can enjoy it for the twisted masterpiece that it is. but be warned...it may take a few listens. there is not really any trace of black metal here on this album. which is neither a good thing or a bad thing...but it is interesting considering that the last Arcturus album contained so much high-pitched shrieking and heavy dark guitars. the closest track to something like that on here would be "Throne of Tragedy" or "Painting My Horror." but this band does their own thing and this album is pretty much the pinnacle of their extreme experimental period. in other words...this is their weirdest album yet. Arcturus' next offical album after "La Masquerade..." is "The Sham Mirrors" which is much more of a subdued affair. but this is the one for those with a taste for the very outrageous and undefineable metal...well....not quite metal...but something great.

Progressive Black.......2004-01-21

This work is based on the premise of satan as the trickster (you could also supply any similar god from any mythos, ie. Loki from Asatru, etc.). The music is an incredible blend of black metal, trip hop, carnivale with progressive stylings (that is progressive in the since of prog rock and not the electronic d.j. variant). This is definitely not for the hard core true black metal fans since these musical themes are rather subdued and few and far between. The music is quite melodic, but the cacophonous vocals will probably make most prog metal fans cringe. However, no collection should be without this unique metal album that will compliment anyone's extreme metal collection with some near brilliant musical and lyrical writing as well as the virtuoso performances including Garm's vocals.

Average customer rating: A lovely potpourri of Nielsen outside the symphonies Excellent Recordings 2 Great Pieces and a Few Good Ones Fleshing Out the Library of Carl Nielsen's Works on a Shoestring Superb Shorter Orchestral Pieces by Nielsen

Nielsen: Aladdin Suite; Pan and Syrinx; Saga Deam; Maskarade Overture; Helios Overture Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Nielsen | Nielsen, Carl | ( N ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Incidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Tone Poems | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Scandinavian Languages | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Kurt Weill: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 2; Lady in the Dark - Symphonic Nocturne William Alwyn: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 William Alwyn: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 5; Lyra Angelica (Harp Concerto) William Schuman: Symphonies Nos. 7 and 10 William Schuman: Symphonies Nos. 4 and 9; Orchestra Song; Circus Overture ASIN: B000A17GDS Release Date: 2005-08-16

Tracks:

1. The Festival March
2. Aladdin's Dream And Dance Of The Morning Mist
3. Hindu Dance
4. Chinese Dance
5. The Marketplace In Isaphan
6. Dance Of The Prisoners
7. Negro Dance
8. Cupid And The Poet (Amor Og Digteren), Op. 54
9. Saga - Dream ( Saga-Drom) Op. 39
10. Helios Overture, Op. 39
11. Overture
12. Prelude To Act II
13. Pan And Syrinx (Pan Og Syrinx), Op. 49

Customer Reviews:

A lovely potpourri of Nielsen outside the symphonies.......2006-02-07

Something must be right in the world when the South Jutland Symphony Orchestra can play this well. Naxos has employed a lot of provincial orchestras, and there's no doubt that the musicians in Jutland, like their confreres in Slovakia and Ukraine, are not first-rate, but they play here wiht great enthusiasm and commitment under Niklas Willen. I think Nielsen peaked as a composer with his Sym. #3, 4, and 5, along with the violin, flute, and clarinet concertos. But this very enjoyable omnium gatherum of shorter works has some surprises in store.

The two pieces that deserve to be promoted to the level of Sibelius's best tone poems are the Saga-Dream, which is both static and ecstatis, and the tone poem Pan and Syrinx, which despsite a title that would baffle most modern listeners unfamiliar with the crannies of Greek mythology, is as spicily varied as Nielsen's mature symphonies. I expected more from Cupid and the Poet, but it came off as bits and pieces from the anarchic Fifth Symphony. The two best-known works, the Helios and Maskarade Overtures, have been much better performed by Esa-Pekka Salonen and his Sweidsh orchestra on Sony. South Jutland isn't ready for the world stage, but it's given Nielsen lovers everywhere a valuable colleciton.

Excellent Recordings.......2005-12-28

This is a great collection of Carl Nielsen's incidental and shorted orchestral works. His music for Aladdin has been recorded in its entirety by Chandos but the suite captures the best of the music, including the evocative The Marketplace in Ispahan. The many dances in the suite are tuneful and memorable. Cupid and the Poet is also incidental music but differs from Aladdin in that it comes from Nielsen's later period prior to his Fifth and Sixth symphonies, which this music is akin to. Saga Dream is a tone poem is a mood piece, somber and contemplative in its music. The piece is somewhat reminiscent of Sibelius' tone poems but with the playful melodies of Nielsen. The Helios Overture was written after a journey to Greece and is beautifully evocative of the azure blue Aegean Sea, taking us from the dawn to dusk and darkness. The Overture has a lively middle section the perhaps was influenced by the spirit of the heroic Greek past.

The overture to the opera Maskarade has enjoyed much more success than the opera itself. The sprightly music is very ear-catching and literally bursts on the audience like the Marriage of Figaro. Pan et Syrinx was composed following the Fourth Symphony and reflects the advances in orchestration the Nielsen reached in the symphony. The extended percussion section makes use of the xylophone, tambourine and glockenspiel.

The music is beautifully recorded and played by the South Jutland Symphony Orchestra and makes a fine introduction to Carl Nielsen's music or a nice addition to ones collection.

2 Great Pieces and a Few Good Ones.......2005-12-06

Nielsen's Helios Overture is one the greatest tone poems ever written. Even people who hate Nielsen love it. It really leaves you feeling that you have just witnessed a sunrise from the Acropolis. This piece alone is worth the price of the CD.
"Fantasy Voyage to the Faroes" is a beautiful seascape piece that you will want to play again and again. Both of these great tone poems are well preformed.
The other pieces on this CD are good, but they are mostly for lovers of Nielsen's music.

Fleshing Out the Library of Carl Nielsen's Works on a Shoestring.......2005-10-26

While more and more conductors are regularly programming the gorgeous symphonies of Danish composer Carl Nielsen (and justly so), the other works by this inventive yet resolutely romantic composer appear only as filler on recordings of the symphonies. This fine recording by Niklás Willén conducting the South Jutland Symphony Orchestra of Denmark should change all that. The wealth of beauty and creative ideas in these five shorter works flesh out the thoughts of a composer difficult to categorize.

Nielsen's opera 'Maskarade' receives performances in Denmark and now some smaller opera companies and universities are giving it presence, and if the entire opera follows the pleasures of the Overture, we should hope for greater exposure. The 'Helios Overture' is more of a tone poem then overture in its structure: it makes sonically visual the play of the sun on the sea both at sunrise and sunset. 'Pan and Syrinx' while short suggests some of the wonderful percussion writing found in 'The Inextinguishable' symphony without the overtones of war. 'Saga Dream' is simply Nielsen at his best and for those who know the symphonies, this will conjure the majesty of the 'Sinfonia Espansiva' and the 5th, while for those unfamiliar with the symphonies will gain a quick course on why they are so well loved.

This very affordable album is a must for those who love Carl Nielsen and also a very fine introduction to those for whom this will be an introduction to an important 20th Century master. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, October 05

Superb Shorter Orchestral Pieces by Nielsen.......2005-09-02

We are used to thinking of Carl Nielsen as one of the great symphonists of the twentieth century and there are multiple sets of recordings of them. But he also wrote a fair amount of orchestral music not in symphonic form, and many of those jewels are included in this wonderful issue from Niklás Willén leading the South Jutland Symphony Orchestra, a very fine regional Danish orchestra. Included here are the Aladdin Suite, Cupid and the Poet, Saga-Dream, the Helios Overture, the Overture and Act II Prelude to his opera 'Maskarade,' and Pan and Syrinx.

All are given really quite good performances. Clearly this orchestra and its Swedish chief conductor have this music in their bones. My own favorite of these is the evocative 'Helios Overture' that Nielsen wrote after he and his wife took a trip to Greece; it portrays the sun rising and setting over the Aegean Sea, and unlike some tone-poems, it actually conjures up in sound those phenomena. I'm particularly fond of the contrapuntal section that always makes me think, 'Aha, a fugue of sunbeams.'

The jolly 'Maskarade' Overture is another favorite of mine, but perhaps best of all is the contemplative 'Saga-Dream' ('Saga-drom'), Op. 39, that has some of Nielsen's most beautiful melodies, including some really quite Brucknerian writing for the horns. 'Pan and Syrinx', Op. 49, is thought by some to be Nielsen's finest short tone poem but it doesn't quite measure up, in my books, to that assessment. Still, it contains reminders of Nielsen's unique approach to orchestral timbre, and it includes one of Nielsen's characteristic raucous outbursts from the percussion section (similar to that in his Clarinet Concerto).

Most intriguing of all, though, is the 'Aladdin Suite.' Written in 1919 as incidental music for a play by Adam Oehlenschläger, it has all the gestures that later came, via movie music, to be associated with music from the mysterious Middle East, including the most amazing section, called 'The Marketplace at Ispahan,' that out-Iveses Charles Ives in its overlay of four distinct musics in different keys and meters; it quite effectively calls to mind the multifarious activities of a busy marketplace. It really must be heard to be appreciated. Willén and his orchestra manage to keep all four planes of sound quite distinct and yet they meld into a glorious whole.

Considering that this is a budget issue, and that is contains masterful performances of some of Nielsen's finest music, this CD is a must-buy.

TT=67:56

Scott Morrison

Average customer rating: The original vinyl is an ancient memory... If Buddy could hear the music now Honky Tonkin' Terrific Texas Music and Essential Joe Ely's Country-Rock Masterpieces

Joe Ely/Honky Tonk Masquerade Joe Ely Manufacturer: Bgo - Beat Goes on ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Alt-Country & Americana | Country | Styles | Music General | Country | Styles | Music Outlaw & Progressive Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Country Rock | Rock | Styles | Music Country | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Live at Antone's Love & Danger Lord of the Highway Old No. 1/Texas Cookin' West Texas Waltzes & Dust-Blown Tractor Tunes ASIN: B00004U682 Release Date: 2000-09-11

Tracks:

1. I Had My Hopes up High
2. Mardi Gras Waltz
3. She Never Spoke Spanish to Me
4. Gambler's Bride
5. Suckin' a Big Bottle of Gin
6. Tennessee's Not the State I'm In
7. If You Were a Bluebird
8. Treat Me Like a Saturday Night
9. All My Love
10. Johnny's Blues
11. Cornbread Moon
12. Because of the Wind
13. Boxcars
14. Jericho (Your Walls Must Come Tumbling Down)
15. Tonight I Think I'm Gonna Go Downtown
16. Honky Tonk Masquerade
17. I'll Be Your Fool
18. Fingernails
19. West Texas Waltz
20. Honky Tonkin'

Album Description

UK reissue combines the country outlaw's first two albums, ' Joe Ely' (1977) and 'Honky Tonk Masquerade' (1978), together on one CD. 2000 release. Standard jewel case.

Album Details

Digitally Remastered 2-On-1. One of the Clash's Favorite Rocker's First Two Brilliant Albums from his Progressive Country Days. Includes 'I Had My Hopes Up High', 'Fingernails' & 'West Texas Waltz'. Features Butch Hancock.

Customer Reviews:

The original vinyl is an ancient memory..........2006-03-04

...but Joey's early music is timeless. Alternately simple and musical, toe-tapping and lyrical, or occasionally loud and rockin', Ely's early band did a little bit of it all. But the predominant styles are rockin' honky-tonk and ballads.

Looking back on it now, living in Lubbock when Joey and the boys first took flight was a distinctly treasured time. Whether at the old Cotton Club on Highway 84, or the long defunct (and always funky) Fat Dawg's on 4th Street, his band never failed to bring the house down. Just like Stevie Ray Vaughn at Stubb's B-B-Q on east Broadway, as good as Joey's early recorded music is, it only hints at the foot-stomping jaw-dropping good-timing sessions his crew could lay down in a small club atmosphere.

As mentioned elsewhere, Jesse "Guitar" Taylor and Lloyd Maines each made their presence well-felt while Joey belted out the vocals. Lloyd's pedal steel wailed when called upon. Before hearing Lloyd, I used to think the only electrified guitar worth listening to hung from a shoulder. And the accordian-squeezing land surveyor P. Bone always added just enough funkiness to the mix so that you didn't completely lose your head. Guest appearances by other local talent, including my ex-boss, Tommie Anderson (may he rest in peace), always added a little bit of variety to make each show unique. You always knew where you were eventually gonna' get to with Joey, you just never quite knew exactly how.

It's too bad they won't let you listen to the samples here. This studio disc captures what it can of that early Ely music, and it's still a favorite. The two-fer is a great deal. Buy it, listen to it a couple times with a beer or two in tow, and just try not to smile. Go ahead and sing along...it won't hurt ya'.

If Buddy could hear the music now.......2006-02-26

Rockabilly/Country-Western-Swing/Tex-Mex. It's all here. Combining the past with the present. It's like Bob Wills teaming up with Buddy Holly and Doug Sahm. And anybody can dance to it, even if you don't have rhythm in your heel's. Texas music at it's best

Honky Tonkin'.......2005-07-14

Ex. Flatlander Joe Ely is one of the most important country artists ever. When the Flatlanders (Butch Hancock, Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Joe Ely) broke up, he went solo and first two albums that are featured on this cd (Joe Ely and Honky Tonk Masquerade) are fabulous. Ely wrote most of the songs and included few songs of Butch and Jimmie Dale. So here you can find such classics as Hancock's She Never Spoke Spanish To Me, Tennessee's Not The State I'm In, If You Were A Bluebird (later covered by Emmylou Harris), Gilmore's Treat Me Like A Saturday NIght and Ely's own compositions like Fingernails, I Had My Hopes Up High...
Honky Tonk Masquerade was picked by Rolling Stone as one of the best albums of the 1970s. This disc contains some of the best work Joe Ely has done.

Terrific Texas Music and Essential.......2003-07-28

This disc is a great bargain because you get two fantastic albums on one. The out-of-print album "Joe Ely" contains a number of fine songs, including "If You Were a Bluebird," "Treat me Like a Saturday Night," and "Tennessee's Not the State I'm In." Several songs were written by Butch Hancock and one was written by Jimmie Dale Gilmore, both of whom were in the Flatlanders with Ely. A great album!

"Honky Tonk Masquerade" is even better, though. It's songs are full of rich imagery and a sound that mixes honky tonk, Tex-Mex and rock and roll into a satisfying brew all its own. I never get tired of listening to these albums. And with both on one disc, it makes it even sweeter. You can't go wrong getting this disc!

Joe Ely's Country-Rock Masterpieces.......2001-02-07

These two late-Seventies albums (his 1977 debut and 1978 follow-up) are watershed marks in Joe Ely's career. Ely and his band combine country, honky-tonk and Tex-Mex sounds with a rock 'n' roll attitude and churn out an exciting blend of country-rock music.

On both albums the band included lead guitarist Jesse Taylor and steel guitar player Lloyd Maines. Accordian player Ponty Bone was brought on board for the second album (tracks 11-20). While these two albums may not have quite the same energy level as 1981's Live Shots, these two albums come awfully close.

In addition to being a powerful singer, Ely is an excellent songwriter. He wrote ten of the tracks here, including the rocking "Cornbread Moon," the plaintive "Honky Tonk Masquerade" and the Jerry Lee Lewis-inspired "Fingernails." Except for the Hank Williams classic "Honky Tonkin'," the other nine tracks were written by his former Flatlanders bandmates and fellow Texans Butch Hancock and Jimmie Dale Gilmore. Hancock wrote the gorgeous "She Never Spoke Spanish To Me" and the hilarious "West Texas Waltz," among others. [Note: On 1995's Letter To Loredo, Ely recorded Hancock's follow-up song "She Finally Spoke Spanish To Me."] Gilmore contributes "Treat Me Like a Saturday Night" and "Tonight I Think I'm Gonna Go Downtown."

While Ely's record sales never matched his critical acclaim, these are essential purchases. Almost twenty-five years later, Ely still is making quality music--his latest is last year's Live At Antone's--but this is the place to start. ESSENTIAL

Jazz Music:

1. Meets the Rhythm Section
2. Memorial Album
3. Memorial Album: Recorded Live At The Five Spot
4. Midnight Slows
5. Modern Jazz Giants
6. Most Much!
7. Move Your Hand [Live]
8. Nice Moves
9. Off the Beaten Path
10. Other Voices

Jazz Music

jazz music