Black Diamond

Amazon.com
During the mid-'80s to the mid-'90s, the "smooth jazz" or "adult-alternative" sound has been the fastest growing format in radio, and the Rippingtons, who released their first album in 1986, have grown right along with it. However smooth this format may be, it has very little to do with jazz. It's essentially easy-listening pop instrumentals, and the Rippingtons have prospered within the genre thanks to the pleasant melodies, breezy rhythms, and unobtrusive solos conjured up by guitarist/keyboardist Russ Freeman, the founder, composer, arranger, producer, and only unchanging member of the group. Freeman celebrated the Rippingtons' 10th anniversary with the band's 10th album, Black Diamond.

According to the liner notes, Freeman's nine new tunes and one new song were inspired by his experiences skiing in Colorado. It's easy, in fact, to imagine this music as a soundtrack for those montages the networks like to put together during the Winter Olympics. How much you will enjoy this album will largely depend on how often you like to sit around and listen to TV background music. Mark Williamson, recently signed to Freeman's new label, Peak, sings lead on the sentimental ballad, "If I Owned the World," and lends wordless background vocals to six other tracks. Percussionist Steve Reid, the only member to stick with Freeman since 1987, is present on only two tracks. The closest the album gets to real jazz comes on "Angelfire" when Cuban trumpeter Arturo Sandoval and Mexican-American percussionist Pete Escovedo add embellishments to Freeman's easy-going Latin theme. --Geoffrey Himes

Black Diamond,The Rippingtons,Windham Hill Records,Crossover Jazz,Instrumental Pop,Jazz,Jazz Music,Jazz-Pop,Pop,Smooth Jazz

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Average customer rating: A good start, but.... Black Diamond Everyday!! A Black Diamond, No doubt! Good luck just like a black diamond

Black Diamond Angie Stone Manufacturer: Arista ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Contemporary Blues | Blues | Styles | Music Contemporary R&B | R&B | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music Neo-Soul | R&B | Styles | Music Similar Items: Mahogany Soul Stone Love Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds, Vol. 1 Stone Hits: The Very Best of Angie Stone Floetic ASIN: B00001O2UV Release Date: 1999-09-28

Tracks:

1. Freedom (Intro)
2. No More Rain (In This Cloud)
3. Green Grass Vapors
4. Everyday
5. Coulda Been You
6. Visions
7. Life Story
8. Just A Pimp
9. Trouble Man
10. Bone 2 Pic (Wit U)
11. Man Loves His Money
12. Love Junkie
13. Black Diamonds & Blue Pearls (Interlude)
14. Heaven Help
15. Bonus Track 1

Amazon.com

There's been a lot of attention given to the so-called neo-soul sound, most of it focused on male artists. So how come the folks making the best records are women? One spin of ex-Vertical Hold leader Angie Stone's solo debut and it's clear you are listening to a grown-ass woman, not some kid with stars in her eyes who's dictated to by a producer or three. No, the deeply felt grooves and offhand sexiness that make Black Diamond sparkle are things that can only come when you've lived a little. Like Macy Gray's On How Life Is and N'dea Davenport's criminally ignored self-titled disc, this is the wondrous sound a woman makes when she's free to create her own music but smart enough to keep the status quo satisfied. On tracks like the smoky "Green Grass Vapors" and "Everyday," Stone, with her rich Gladys Knight-like voice and finger-popping élan, conjures up soul's past without making herself a prisoner of it. Not surprisingly for this key collaborator on D'Angelo's Brown Sugar, Stone kicks a laid-back, fluid vibe, but her clear tone and off-kilter way with a melody make you sit up and pay attention. --Amy Linden

Album Description

Import pressing of her debut solo album features two bonus tracks. 17 tracks in all. BMG.

Album Details

Sugar Hill Records'first Femal Rapper, Sax Player for Lenny Kravitz and Songwriter for Mary J Blige, this is her Low-key Debut Album.

Customer Reviews:

A good start, but...........2007-05-20

only three tracks, No More Rain, Bone 2 Pic(witu)and Life Story are good on this cd, the rest are just ok. Check out Mahogany Soul.

Black Diamond.......2006-12-06

I can't believe it took me so long to pick up a disc by Angie Stone. I always love her released singles & videos but until this year, never bought one of her solo albums. I love the statement in the Amazon review that listeners must recognize the fact that we're listening to a "grown-azz woman" who is in control of her sound & song content.

I love her soulful voice and the fact that obviously she tried to incorporate the old school '70s sound throughout the album. The tracks that I've grown to love are:

NO MORE RAIN - love the reworking of the sample

LIFE STORY - very melodic track

COULDA BEEN YOU - nice duet

BONE 2 PIC WIT U - really pretty melody throughout the track

GREEN GRASS VAPORS - makes me dance around the room (although the lyrics are a tad bit monotonous)

Overall I'd highly recommend this disc to those seeking neo-soul music sung by one of the better voices in r&b today.

Everyday!!.......2006-04-08

I feel so ashamed that I didn't know who Angie Stone was until I saw the music video for "I Wanna Thank Ya", I loved the song so much I bought it on iTunes. Then I decided to buy her first album, Black Diamond. It's such a great album! I love every song, but especially "Everyday" and "Trouble Man". If this album is this good, Mahogany Soul must be just as good, if not better, so now I'm going to buy that album.

A Black Diamond, No doubt!.......2005-10-10

Even though I purchased this CD recently, I know that I should've bought it earlier. Angie is very talented, and she truly has a wonderful voice. No doubt, the woman has the power of soul music.

Good luck just like a black diamond.......2005-08-08

This album is full of soul and is a wake up call to me. Where did she come from? I love the vibe that this album carries, so sacred yet in perfect reach for the public, personalized yet generalized. I look forward to keeping my eyes peeled for all next moves of hers. Please Ms.Angie Stone, keep it coming.

Average customer rating: JUBILATED ABOUT THIS DIAMOND ! The Holy Spirit is ever present on this album!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jubilation, indeed! A truly vibrant recording; BIG fun; completely uplifting. Great God A'Mighty!

Diamond Jubilation: 75th Anniversary The Dixie Hummingbirds Manufacturer: Rounder / Umgd ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music Rounder Records | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: The Best of the Dixie Hummingbirds The Dixie Hummingbirds: Millennium Collection The Best of the Blind Boys The Best of the Sensational Nightingales Music in the Air: 70th Anniversary Celebration ASIN: B0000CERLK Release Date: 2003-10-07

Tracks:

1. God's Radar
2. He Watches Out For You And Me
3. Too Many Troubles
4. Someday
5. When I Found Jesus Christ
6. When I Go Away
7. I've Been Born Again
8. City Of Gold
9. Nobody's Fault
10. I Bid You Godnight
11. Rasslin' Jacob

Amazon.com

When gospel quartets age--and hey, this is the Dixie Hummingbirds' 75th anniversary here--they're required to make crossover records that match them up with a wide array of pop musicians. Since the Dixie Hummingbirds already did that for their 70th anniversary on Music in the Air, this time they match themselves with a sure-footed backing band of rock and soul all-stars including Dr. John, Larry Campbell, Garth Hudson and Levon Helm. "God's Radar" clues the listener in that something different is going on here: it starts off like a bluegrass tune, then the guitars kick in and they're pure honky-tonk, while the bridge is a Cajun riff. The weirdest thing about the song is how well it works. The same can be said for the entire album, which mixes contemporary songs with traditional classics. "Too Many Troubles" matches swampy blues-rock to a mournful song written by Buddy and Julie Miller, with a nice, golden-age-style lead vocal by William Bright. The sole survivor of the original group is lead baritone Ira Tucker, who joined the `Birds in 1938 at the age of 13, and he still delivers rich bursts of inspired shout-singing that's absolutely goose bump-inducing. Gospel is more than the root of soul music, it's a vital, wholly American and very alive music; this expertly-produced and laidback album presents sweet proof. --Mike McGonigal

Customer Reviews:

JUBILATED ABOUT THIS DIAMOND !.......2005-10-17

IRA TUCKER IS HANDS DOWN THE MOST VERSATILE FRONT MAN OF MODERN AMERICAN MUSIC. THE HUMMINGBIRDS HAVE DONE IT AGAIN. THE MUSICIANS FEATURED HERE ARE MASTERS OF THEIR CRAFT! DON'T WAIT...GET IT NOW!

The Holy Spirit is ever present on this album!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2004-12-28

The Dixie Hummingbirds capture the joy and peace of the Holy Spirit!!! This is spirit filled joyous gospel music, that sounds like happy blues and party music, great harmonies and classic tunes(some new too)!!!

Great gospel music, classic music!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jubilation, indeed!.......2004-03-13

If the voice of Ira Tucker doesn't give you chills on "Too Many Troubles" and "When I Go Away", you may beyond hope. The whole album exudes warmth, and truth, and sincerity. Hats off to Larry Campbell's production, which surrounds the Hummingbirds with some top shelf talent. Here you have Campbell (guitarist with Bob Dylan), and the rest of the core of Dylan's mighty touring band, plus Garth Hudson, Levon Helm, and Dr. John. I particularly liked the Delta blues flavor of "Too Many Troubles" and "Nobody's Fault."

Slip it into the CD player; crank it up; feel better about life. It's that simple.

A truly vibrant recording; BIG fun; completely uplifting........2003-11-19

..
Occasionally and too-infrequently I stumble across some music so good that it reminds me of why I got into music in the first place, way-back in the fuzzy past. Well this Dixie Hummingbirds record does just that. It's completely alive in spirit and music.

I picked it up sight unseen because I always liked the classic Hummingbirds stuff, and because the CD's backup band is really intriguing. What a pleasant surprise. This record is flat-out exciting and even dance-able. Hats off to Larry Campbell for the production, and hats off too, of course, to Ira Tucker, Sr. and the rest of the Hummingbirds for their incomparable virtuosity, energy, and commitment to excellence.

Song Number 6, "When I Go Away" is my favorite, an example of just how rhythmically inventive and totally exciting classic gospel vocal arrangement can be. Everything's great though. Mr. Tucker, Sr. joined the Hummingbirds so long ago... His rich baritone voice is as strong as ever. This really IS roots music, performed by the actual originators. Don't think twice about this one... it is all meat and no gristle. Well worth the investment.

Great God A'Mighty!.......2003-11-14

This is the first and only album by the Dixie Hummingbirds I've listened to, and all I can say, as someone who's not really very experienced with gospel, is Oh, My, God. This is INCREDIBLE. It works on so many levels that at times you might not even realize you're tapping your foot like mad to a GOSPEL song. If I ever see that this band is scheduled to perform within 500 miles of me, I'm jumping in a car and heading out!

Average customer rating: Black Diamond Review Somewhat Of A Comeback!!!! A few good tracks a disappointed fan Back to the good times

Black Diamond The Rippingtons Manufacturer: Windham Hill Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Orchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Sahara Moonlighting Welcome to the St. James' Club Kilimanjaro Weekend in Monaco ASIN: B000000NNK Release Date: 1997-09-16

Tracks:

1. Black Diamond
2. Deep Powder
3. Seven Nights In Rome
4. Soul Seeker
5. In Another Life
6. Big Sky
7. If I Owned The World
8. North Peak
9. Angelfire
10. Jewel Thieves
11. Black Diamond (Acoustic Version)

Amazon.com

During the mid-'80s to the mid-'90s, the "smooth jazz" or "adult-alternative" sound has been the fastest growing format in radio, and the Rippingtons, who released their first album in 1986, have grown right along with it. However smooth this format may be, it has very little to do with jazz. It's essentially easy-listening pop instrumentals, and the Rippingtons have prospered within the genre thanks to the pleasant melodies, breezy rhythms, and unobtrusive solos conjured up by guitarist/keyboardist Russ Freeman, the founder, composer, arranger, producer, and only unchanging member of the group. Freeman celebrated the Rippingtons' 10th anniversary with the band's 10th album, Black Diamond.

According to the liner notes, Freeman's nine new tunes and one new song were inspired by his experiences skiing in Colorado. It's easy, in fact, to imagine this music as a soundtrack for those montages the networks like to put together during the Winter Olympics. How much you will enjoy this album will largely depend on how often you like to sit around and listen to TV background music. Mark Williamson, recently signed to Freeman's new label, Peak, sings lead on the sentimental ballad, "If I Owned the World," and lends wordless background vocals to six other tracks. Percussionist Steve Reid, the only member to stick with Freeman since 1987, is present on only two tracks. The closest the album gets to real jazz comes on "Angelfire" when Cuban trumpeter Arturo Sandoval and Mexican-American percussionist Pete Escovedo add embellishments to Freeman's easy-going Latin theme. --Geoffrey Himes

Customer Reviews:

Black Diamond Review.......2007-06-19

This was the very first Rippington's CD I ever owned. Fell in love with the group and it's sound. Have been a fan ever since.

Somewhat Of A Comeback!!!!.......2005-12-30

After two miserable studio CD's in a row (Sahara and Brave New World) The Rippington's are back with somewhat of a comeback CD. They also switched record labels to Windham Hill...perhaps, that is the reason for all the new material...instead, of a several lousy remakes just to fill a CD. The tracks Black Diamond, Deep Powder, Seven Nights In Rome, and Big Sky are the best ones. This CD is rather Latin and guitar-based, but it sure is an improvement.

A few good tracks.......2005-10-04

It's an okay album. A good addition to any Ripps fan's collection.

a disappointed fan.......2004-06-21

contrary to the above masses who all voted this a 'must have' i just gotta say this ones less than ordinary- too much production, not enough musicianship. it seems to me russ freeman and whats left of the ripps have succumbed to becoming just another sad smooth jazz group without any memorable melodies or excitement. any of their earlier grp stuff is great particularly 'weekend in monaco' and 'sahara'.
so cmon russ, dont become a product of technology, bring back the ripps of old with a full band recording please...

Back to the good times.......2004-02-03

This was my first studio album of the Ripp's and I consider it in the top three of their career. In fact, I think Russ hasn't done it better after Black Diamond.

Of course the sound is dramatically improved, as they moved to another company, Windham Hill which is very close to New Age. But the thing is that the material is diverse, smooth and rich. With the exception of "If I owned the world" (Ripp's shouldn't go into vocal experiences), the album has only GOOD music.

"Black Diamond" and "Jewel Thieves" got a great melody, "Soul Seeker" and "In Another Life" can really be described as SMOOTH, "Angelfire" is a surprise and a latin masterpiece.

Rippingtons are back here to the quality and the punch of late 80's and first 90's albums (Curves Ahead, Saint James' Club,...). And it sound really new. A must-have.

Average customer rating: Magnificent "Bjorling" Frederick's Understatement. Remastering is not perfect THE ultimate singing voice

Jussi Björling Rediscovered Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Umberto Giordano , Georges Bizet , Jules Massenet , Edvard Grieg , Jean Sibelius , Carl Leopold Sjoberg , Pietro Mascagni , Francesco Paolo Tosti , Giacomo Puccini , Stephen Foster , Jussi Bjorling , and Frederick Schauwecker Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Foster, Stephen | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Grieg, Edvard | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mascagni | Mascagni, Pietro | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Massenet | Massenet, Jules | ( M ) | 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 Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sibelius | Sibelius, Jean | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Strauss | Strauss, Richard | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Björling, Jussi | ( B ) | 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 Schubert, Franz | Q to T | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Vocal Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | 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 General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | 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: Artists Of The Century - Jussi Bjorling, The Ultimate Collection The "Pearl Fishers" Duet Jussi Bjorling: Opera Arias Jussi Björling: Opera Arias Jussi Björling Edition: Studio Recordings 1930-1959 ASIN: B0000C0FB4 Release Date: 2003-09-09

Tracks:

1. Applause
2. Adelaide, Op. 46
3. Frulingsglaube, D686 (Op. 2 No. 2)
4. Die Forelle, D 550
5. Standchen, D957/Op. Posth. No. 4
6. Die Bose Farbe, D795/Op. 25 No. 17
7. Traum Durch Die Dammerung, Op. 29 No. 1
8. Cacilie, Op. 27 No. 2
9. Standchen, Op. 106 No. 1
10. Il Mio Tesoro
11. Amor Ti Vieta
12. Flower Song (From 'La Fleur Que Tu M'Avais Jetee')
13. Encore: The Dream 'Instant charmant; En Fermant Les Yeux'
14. The Swan, Op. 25 No. 2
15. The Dream, Op. 48 No. 6
16. Diamond On The March Snow, Op. 36 No. 6
17. Rushes, Whisper, Op. 36 No. 4
18. Black Roses, Op. 36 No. 1
19. Enocre: Visions
20. Addo Alla Madre
21. Encore: Ideale
22. E Lucevan Le Stelle
23. Encore: L'Alba Separa Della Luce Ombra
24. Encore: Jeanie With The Light Brown Hair
25. Encore: 'Come Un Bel Di Di Maggio'
26. Encore: 'Che Gelida Manina'

Amazon.com

Before there were the Three Tenors there was Jussi Björling, the great Swedish tenor who died in 1960 at the age of 49. His bright, sunny tone had a slight, emotion-laden tear in it that conveyed feeling as well as, or more than, any number of sobs and effects that other tenors use. His Carnegie Hall recital of September 24, 1955 has long been available; in addition, this CD features nine never-before released selections from that recital which either did not fit on the original LP or were omitted for some other reason. He can sing at any dynamic level, the voice is always secure, and his taste and musicianship, as always, are impeccable. I doubt we'll ever hear Tosti's Ideale sung more tenderly or "Che gelida manina" sung with such poetic abandon; the newly discovered Grieg, Sibelius, and Sjoberg songs are sung with an opera singer's--rather than a Lieder singer's--style, but it's doubtful anyone will complain. Björling fans should race to hear this; for those who came to opera after his heyday (or during the reign of other tenors), this will be a stunning ear-opener. A must have. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Magnificent.......2005-09-02

Some years ago I met an elderly gentleman who'd served as a co-pilot on a B-24 bomber during WWII. During a raid on a North German site their aircraft was badly damaged and they were forced to crash-land it in Sweden. The shaken but uninjured crew was picked up by the Swedish authorities and immediately interred (Sweden being a neutral country). They were sent to a dreadful and notorious Swedish internment camp--the largest and lushest hotel in Stockholm--and given something of an expense account. It just happened to be the same hotel where Jussi Bjorling had his digs.

Through a variety of happenings, the vet ended up befriending Bjorling, who he described to me as "one hell of a nice guy" and they became drinking buddies. He and his fellow aviators had front row seats at any and all recitals and apparently became society figures in cultured Stockholm. To my wonder and astonishment, this old Regular Joe fellow, no opera fan before Sweden, told me he was the guy who taught Jussi Bjorling the song "Pistol Packin' Mama." Now wouldn't we all pay good money to have heard him sing that!!

There's nothing more terrific than a great voice attached to a great guy who'd sit and drink with downed aviators and happily learn their favorite pop songs. This disc of music is as wonderful as the guy who recorded it.

"Bjorling".......2005-01-05

In a word - superb. This brings to mind the review of Bjorling's RCA LP "Bjorling in Opera" by Stereo Review's critic George Jellinek, shortly after it's release in 1959, which he ended by saying "highly recommended, especially for other tenors".

Frederick's Understatement........2004-12-22

It was 50 years ago that I met and fell in love with
the accompanist at the voice studio where I studied
for love of singing (i.e., mine was a modest voice).
She in turn introduced me to some of the great singers
then active, or who came through, Chicago. And also, her
own teachers and colleagues, including Dr. Rudolf Ganz and
Frederick Schauwecker. One day, when the topic of melody
came up, Dr Ganz suggested that all piano students should
hear Jussi Bjoerling deliver legato melody. And when Lynn
asked Mr. Shauwecker, who little praised anyone, even a client,
how Jussi did on the trip they were just back from, she was
astonished to hear him grudgingly admit that "Jussi is singing
like an angel. It can't possibly continue at such a level, even
for him." It didn't. As we found out a couple of weeks later
when we heard this recital live, it didn't "continue", it got
better. At the time I found it the greatest listening experience
of my life. Today, 50 years later, it still is. Whatever vocal
records you have by anyone, this is better. There are no equals.
"Like an angel" is one of Frederick's understatements.

Remastering is not perfect.......2004-07-20

This CD is a recording of one Carnegie Hall recital on September 24, 1955. Many composers are represented, including Beethoven, Mozart, Bizet, Grieg and Sibelius to name a few. There is even a Stephen Foster - Jeannie with the Light Brown Hair. The accompanying literature has all the lyrics.

Jussi Bjorling is obvious a tenor in top form, but this recording forty years later omits the higher overtones of his voice. Nevertheless, this is a recording of the highest caliber that does justice to this talented man who died too young.

THE ultimate singing voice.......2004-05-22

This live concert cd contains some of the most fantastic singing ever by a human being and that goes both for the lyric and the dramatic repertoire. Why RCA have denied us this fabulous sound for all these years really beats me. I have long cherished Bjoerlings Troubadour recording with RCA, but compared to the Bjoerling sound on this cd, his Manrico sounds like a light Wiener Sänger. The sound on this cd is simply the most ravishing sound I have ever heard.

Average customer rating: 2 for the price of 1 is always good. Oh yeah!! guitarist supreme Good 2 For Value nothing soft here!

Black Diamond/Crosscut Saw The Groundhogs Manufacturer: Bgo - Beat Goes on ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Blues | Styles | Music Blues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Who Will Save the World? Two Sides of Tony (T.S.) McPhee Thank Christ for the Bomb Split Live at Leeds '71 ASIN: B0000011MA Release Date: 1991-03-30

Tracks:

1. Crosscut Saw
2. Promiscuity
3. Boogie Withus
4. Fulfilment
5. Live A Little Lady
6. Three Way Split
7. Mean Mistreater
8. Eleventh Hour
9. Body Talk
10. Fantasy Partner
11. Live Right
12. Country Blues
13. Your Love Keeps Me Alive
14. Friendzy
15. Pastoral Future
16. Black Diamond

Customer Reviews:

2 for the price of 1 is always good........2007-05-07

The hogs put out 2 in '76. Here you get both. Crosscut Saw is the gem, one of their best, featuring Eleventh Hour, but every song on it is good. Black Diamond is not near as good, but I like the title track, and really like Body Talk, although it sound like nothing else Tony McPhee has done. Buy this for the very underrated cd Crosscut Saw and then enjoy a couple of good cuts on Black Diamond. Jerry.

Oh yeah!!.......2001-12-04

Crosscut Saw is the album wherein T.S. McPhee launches you INTO the universe. Beautiful, powerful guitar work that grasps the mind and bends the consciousness. In an era of Jean Luc Ponte's Moog violin work and Pink Floyd's lazy psychedelia, Mr. McPhee gives muscle to an otherwise too-sweet genre. Bravo for voicing the masculine male's malaise in that last gasp of white boy angst fueled by too much speed, acid, smoke and wine!!!!! A vocalization that is truly a definitive chapter in American rock and global master craftsman guitar musicianship!!!

Misogynist? Sure. But it is all true. The deep feelings of betrayal, the resentment of abandonment, the love/hate of unrequited or "dis"requited affection is all there. The man must have truly loved his woman with a furious passion in order to disaffect with such vehemence. I respect his words and have for nearly 20 years. His pathos and telling tales of the women he has known, as portrayed in this work, should give pause to all men and make us mindful of the power of woman. T.S. McPhee surely was totally aware of their incredible power and communicates it quite effectively through his instrument.

guitarist supreme.......2001-04-22

crosscut saw / black diamond were mcphee's final run with his synthi-hifli guitar synth - he took it farther than anyone !!! -his over the top guitar work on crosscut saw can acutally scare people - 3 way split, promiscuity and fulfillment are some of the most dynamic in your face guitar you'll ever hear.

black diamond actually contains better material but isn't quite as aggressive as crosscut saw - friendzy, fantasy partner, live right , black diamond are all exceptional tunes - not a bad one on the album - this is probably mcphee's most under-rated lp. highly recommended!!!

Good 2 For Value.......2000-11-01

Crosscut Saw And Black Diamond, both released in '76, were done in a period when McPhee actually wanted to bill himself as a solo act, like Rory Gallagher did after Taste split, but was advised against the move by his mananger. Tony put a new Hogs together which featured a second guitarist for the first time.Crosscut is overall the better of the two, with some over the top effects laden solos from T. S. (check our "Fulfillment", totally an ear splitter)."Mean Mistreated" is a good acoustic bluesey diversion from the mayhem. Black Diamond is a weaker album (think of it as bonus tracks), especially in terms of production (thought it was just the vinyl mastering that didn't sound so hot), the guitar sounds a little too peaked out at points (scratchy). It's not without a few good tunes though like the title cut and the gorgeous instrumental(rare for Mcphee) "Pastoral Future" as well as "Live Right" and "Your Love Keeps Me Alive", both played live by this band on the tour (documented by a Swedish radio broadcast, partially available on the Boogie With Us collection).

nothing soft here!.......2000-06-24

I'm not sure I understand the previous review. I've got all the Groundhogs albums, and Crosscut Saw has got to be the heaviest, most distorted, twisted, sick guitar that TS ever played. I mean that in a good way, of course. There is an air of menace to TS's guitar/keyboard playing and singing that, in its own way, is more ominous that any Black Sabbath recording (and I love classic Sabbath). TS doesn't minch words in his lyric writing (not very PC on the mysogeny front, as he acknowledges on the song which is a pun on the term) or his guitar playing. He has an extremely bitter outlook on life, and he means it in these songs. I wouldn't want to mess with this guy. This factor gives the album the same harsh realism of a brutal football game, and is worth experiencing for the same reason--there can be no question that it is REAL. Not staged, not done for commercial gain, not pandering to any goal other than the animalist expressions of the tortured insides of one Tony TS McFee. Somewhere in his past, TS must've had the mother of all breakups.... Hair-raising stuff. Black Diamond is a good album too (though "Body Talk" is so mysogenistic that it's kind of hard to take in this day and age), but Crosscut Saw is the THING YOU MUST HAVE.

ps. if there's ever a snow-ski slope that you're afraid to try, crank up "Eleventh Hour" on the headphones, scream loud and bloody, and head straight down...

Average customer rating: Soulful punk blues

Every Damn Time Black Diamond Heavies Manufacturer: Alive Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Garage Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Radio Moscow Buffalo Killers Lonely Road Revival Who to Trust, Who to Kill, Who to Love Because of the Times ASIN: B000LP5FNQ Release Date: 2007-01-23

Tracks:

1. Fever In My Blood
2. All To Hell
3. Leave It In The Road
4. Let Me Coco
5. Poor Brown Sugar
6. Stitched In Sin
7. White Bitch
8. Signs
9. Might Be Right
10. Guess You Gone And Fucked It All Up

Album Description

BLACK DIAMOND HEAVIES are a unique punk-ass blues duo from Tennessee, a soulful rock'n'roll outfit born in the junkyards of the South. The Heavies are John Wesley Myers (bass keys, Fender Rhodes, organ, and voice) and Van Campbell (drums and vocals). Van is from Louisville, Kentucky and comes from a family of bourbon distillers. He also holds a degree in Mandarin Chinese and has drummed professionally on three continents. John Wesley, the son of a Baptist preacher, was born in Port Arthur, Texas, and has been shaking his "testimony" all over the South, playing gospel as a child until the devil got hold of him. Although they hail from the Southern States of America the Heavies see themselves as vagrant citizens of the world. They have spent the last two years on the road, living in vans, and sleeping on floors. They bring their countless hours of live experience onto their debut album; EVERY DAMN TIME is a punk rock album full of sweat, noise and soul. Another amazing duo from the label that brought you the debut albums of the BLACK KEYS and TWO GALLANTS.

Customer Reviews:

Soulful punk blues.......2007-01-28

Like their labelmates, Radio Moscow, this Tennessee band is a multitasking duo, with vocalist John Wesley Myers doubling on Fender Rhodes and providing the bottom end with bass pedals, and drummer Van Campbell also providing backing vocals. Unlike Radio Moscow's psych-turned-heavy rock, Black Diamond Heavies are closer to the blues and several rungs lower on the hi-fi scale. Myers' electric piano carries the melodic and rhythmic loads in place of guitars (there are none!), and his vocals cross Tom Waits bowery growl with Oscar the Grouch's bark.

The Heavies share a lo-fi sensibility with other Bomp/Alive artists such as The Coffin Lids and Milky Ways, but rather than punkishy raw, the combination of electric piano and overdriven vocals is soulful. The 8-minute "All to Hell" adds gospel touches of Hammond and horns, and the ring of the Fender Rhodes adds a funky Southern flavor to "Signs" and "Might Be Right." This is grungy cellar blues, best heard with a beer in one hand and a beer in the other hand, as well. [©2007 redtunictroll at hotmail dot com]

Average customer rating: Mercyful Purple 3 and 1/2 stars An awesome album Deep Purple with King Diamond Style Organ-Playing Prog Shock from the King

Black Rose: 20 Years Ago-A Night of Rehearsals King Diamond Manufacturer: Metal Blade ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Metal | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Give Me Your Soul...Please The Spider's Lullabye Voodoo Into the Unknown Dead Again ASIN: B0000584W8 Release Date: 2001-02-06

Tracks:

1. Locked Up In The Snow
2. Holy Mountain Lights
3. Crazy Tonight
4. Virgin
5. Kill For Fun
6. The End
7. Road Life
8. Soul Overture
9. Doctor Cranium
10. Disgrace
11. I Need Blood
12. Radar Love

Customer Reviews:

Mercyful Purple.......2006-12-25

The only problem with unleashing a cd like this on the world is that it makes you wish the band had actually put out an album or two instead of fizzling away. I guess there's no real need to complain coz at least we got something from these guys. Black Rose is the kind of band you throw on when you're jamming out to Black Sabbath and Deep Purple albums as opposed to King Diamond and Mercyful fate ones. Little hints of Diamond's vocals and Fate's sound are found, but not much. Diamond seems to be finding himself, shifting from his snarly vocals to a flat out Alice Cooper impersonation and just a pinch of his falsetto. The album's obviously been remastered and touched up, but seems to have the production sound of an old Deep Purple album. In between(and sometimes in the middle) of the tunes are talk between band members....in Danish of course. Hardcore King fans will certainly pick this up, and some will be disappointed. Folks who aren't big on King Diamond but dig that Purple sound might find this surprisingly good. Either way it's worth the time.

3 and 1/2 stars.......2004-08-19

I agree with most of the positive reviews of this album. Only in addition to the Prog and Early Metal influences, I also hear a little glam and post-punk as well. Like maybe the more psychedelic moments of the Damned or the Stranglers were an influence as well. Anyhow, an ear-opening experience for the King's fans.

An awesome album.......2004-05-26

Black Rose: 20 Years Ago - A Night Of Rehearsals (2001.) A 1981 rehearsal album by Black Rose, King Diamond's pre-Mercyful Fate band.

When we think of the legendary Danish metal star King Diamond, we generally only think of his material that he recorded with Mercyful Fate or the solo material that he recorded as the years progressed. What many people (even fans of King Diamond) don't know is that he played in a band BEFORE Mercyful Fate! He was once in a band called Black Rose. Sadly though, that era of his career was all but forgotten - until now. A set of Black Rose rehearsal recordings has been released! Read on for my review of 20 Years Ago - A Night Of Rehearsals.

PROS:
-If you want to hear what King Diamond sounded like before he joined the legendary Danish metal band Mercyful Fate, this compilation will answer your questions - and may leave you wanting more!
-The sound that Black Rose had was a sort of classic rock/power rock/classic metal hybrid, similar to the sound that made Deep Purple popular. Accordingly, if you're a Deep Purple fan, you may want to consider checking this set out.
-The band plays very well during the rehearsal session that is captured on this album.

CONS:
-The only real complaint that I have with this set is that the sound quality isn't that good. This is because this was a rehearsal recording that was never intended for commercial release, and it was recorded twenty years before it was released. But if you can get through the bad sound quality, you're probably going to be impressed.
-The sound featured on this album is very different from that of Mercyful Fate and King Diamond's solo material. Accordingly, many fans of the King may be turned off by it.

OVERALL:
Overall this is an excellent compilation that demonstrates beautifully that King Diamond was rocking hard even before his Mercyful Fate days. If you're a fan of the King, don't hesitate to pick up this release. Listen with an open mind, though - It may end up not being what you'd expect!

Deep Purple with King Diamond Style Organ-Playing.......2004-03-04

This is a great raw raw recording of a practice session for King's first band in 1980. Expertly remastered to hi-fi! The musicians are very good, and the music is great. Just what I thought it would be. The baroque-esque organ really makes the transition from this band's Deep Purple influences to King Diamond's style.
King's vocals are undeveloped at this point, rarely using his falsetto. Based on musicality, he was probably the weak-link in the band, but that makes the album even more authentic. Great guitar-work.
Great original songs, very catchy. Difficult to make out the lyrics, through heavy Dannish accents, some songs might be in Dannish, so only 4 stars.
Lots of goofing around, and the sound of beer bottles being opened during the songs makes for an environmental listen.
They cover "Radar Love" by Golden Earing, and it sounds pretty sweet!

Prog Shock from the King.......2003-01-10

In the late 70's there appeared a totally bizarre and depraved shock rock band in Denmark. Their frontman was none other than present day Metal icon King Diamond. What this disk contains is what it says. Over an hour of rehearsal time laid down on tape and surprisingly clear and professional sounding. Nothing is edited out here, so you get to hear all the between song antics within the studio. (some of which are pretty funny) Also you'll hear the band mess up and start over. The actual songs themselves are played excellently with hardly any mistakes.
If you like Merciful Fate and King Diamond but have never heard of the King's first band, you may be a bit surprised. The band's style lies somewhere between 70's style Prog rock and Heavy Metal. I hear elements of Early Judas Priest, Kiss, Alice Cooper, Early Genesis, Kansas, Yes, Deep Purple, Uriah Heep and Black Sabbath. King's voice hadn't developed into the psychotic animal we know and love today. He sounded more like a a hybrid of Alice Cooper and early Rob Halford.
Also the lyrics, while dark, twisted and quite morbid (try Kill For Fun, or I Need Blood), they didn't touch on satanic themes at all. In the liner notes King talks about some of their on stage theatrics, including pig's eyes, blood, and entrails; stabbing baby dolls, setting off bombs, and other disgusting and loony things. So if you like shock rock, prog, or are a major King Diamond fan, check out Black Rose. You'll be enlightened for sure.

Average customer rating:

Country's Got Heart Various Artists Manufacturer: Time Life ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Similar Items: Country's Got More Heart Country's Got Heart ASIN: B000J4MUU0

Product Description

2 CDs, 32 Tracks.

Average customer rating: Return to Valhalla OhValhalla Goddess Birgit Nilsson Now Sings In Heaven Ave Atque Vale, Birgit Nilsson RIP BIRGIT NILSSON - 5/17/1918 - 12/25/2005

Ritorna vincitor! - The Legandary Birgit Nilsson (2 CDs) Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Grieg, Edvard | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sibelius | Sibelius, Jean | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Strauss | Strauss, Richard | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Nilsson, Birgit | ( N ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra | ( V ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Wagner, Richard | U to Z | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Wagner: Opera Arias & Duets Nilsson Sings Verdi ASIN: B00008MLU4 Release Date: 2003-05-13

Tracks:

1. Ritorna Vincitor! - John Pritchard
2. O Don Fatale - Aregeo Quadri
3. Pace, Pace, Mio Dio! - Argeo Quadri
4. Nel Di Della Vittoria Io Le Incontrai... Ambizioso Spirto... Vieni T'affretta! - VIRGILIO CARBONARI
5. Vissi D'arte - Lorin Maazel
6. Einsam In Truben Tagen - Edward Downes
7. Starke Scheite Schichtet Mir Dort - Sir Georg Solti
8. Allein! Weh, Ganz Allein - Sir Georg Solti
9. Ein Handwerk Verstehst Du Sicher Nicht - Walter Berry
10. Ah! Du Wolltest Mich Nicht Deinen Mund Kussen Lassen, Jokanaan!... Sie Ist Ein Ungeheuer, Deine Tochter... Ah! Ich Habe Deinen Mund Gekusst - Gerhard Stolze

Tracks:

1. Dich, Teure Halle - Edward Downes
2. Mild Und Leise Wie Er Lachelt - Hans Knappertsbusch
3. I Der Engel - 'In Der Kindheit Fruhen Tagen' - Sir Colin Davis
4. II Stehe Still! - 'Sausendes, Brausendes Rad Der Zeit' - Sir Colin Davis
5. III Im Treibhaus - 'Hochgewolbte Blatterkronen' - Sir Colin Davis
6. IV Schmerzen - 'Sonne, Weinsest Jeden Abend Dir Die Schonen Augen Rot' - Sir Colin Davis
7. V Traume - 'Sag', Welch Wunderbare Traume' - Sir Colin Davis
8. Var Det En Drom? (Was It A Dream?) - Bertil Bokstedt
9. Flickan Kom Ifran Sin Alsklings Mote (The Tryst) - Bertil Bokstedt
10. Svarta Rosor (Black Roses) - Bertil Bokstedt
11. Sav, Sav, Susa (Sigh, Rushes, Sigh) - Bertil Bokstedt
12. Diamanten Pa Marssnon (The Diamond On The March Snow) - Bertil Bokstedt
13. Hostkvall (Autumn Evening) - Bertil Bokstedt
14. Varen Flyktar Hastigt (Spring Flies Fast) - Bertil Bokstedt
15. En Svane (A Swan) - Bertil Bokstedt
16. Fra Monte Pincio - Bertil Bokstedt
17. Varen (Spring) - Bertil Bokstedt
18. Melodi (Melody) - Bertil Bokstedt
19. Bon Till Natten (Prayer To Night) - Bertil Bokstedt
20. Skoldmon (Valkyrie) - Bertil Bokstedt
21. En Gammal Dansrytm (An Old Dance Rhythm) - Bertil Bokstedt
22. I Could Have Danced All Night - Herbert Von Karajan

Customer Reviews:

Return to Valhalla OhValhalla Goddess.......2006-03-11

Birgit Nilsson was without a doubt the most powerful soprano of the 20th century, even a greater singer than Maria Callas, despite the fact that audiences loved Callas a lot more. Since her death on December 25th, 2005, I've listened to many of her recordings (and there are plenty, she was well-documented on recording). Nilsson was a versatile singer, and not just a Wagnerian specialist. This recording album of various arias represent her versatility and flexibility and even with all these arias of diverse repertoire, it's still not enough to capture her vast prowess. Not featured on here are her accounts of the Baker's Wife in Strauss' Die Frau Ohne Schatten and Minnie in Puccini's La Fanciulla Del West, or Agathe from Weber's Die Freischutz, not to mention her interpretation of Beethoven's heroine Leonore in Fidelio and Venus from Tannhauser. She was known for her ability to sing both Elisabeth (soprano) and Venus (mezzo-soprano) in Tannhauser!!

What we have here are wonderful accounts of arias from diverse operas. Let's analyze some of them, in hopes you can get hooked on Nilsson and check out her full-length opera recordings.

Wagner: Ring Des Nibelungen: Every opera connoisseur knows that Birgit Nilsson was the heir to Kirsten Flagstad's throne when it came to singing Brunhilde. Possessing a superhuman and radiant voice, she found a bit of her Swedish self in the mythic character of the Valkyrie Brunhilde. To me, there is no greater Brunhilde. She had a heroic voice so that the Immolation Scene in Gotterdammerung (featured here) is by far the best account. She appears in the Karl Bohm recordings of the Ring and the studio engineered Ring under the baton of George Solti. TRISTAN UND ISOLDE: Her debut role at the Metropolitan Opera was as Isolde. She masters the role, which is possibly the most difficult in Wagner opera, and essays the high tessitura with great aplomb. Not featured here is the great Curse Aria. The Liebestod was a piece of cake for Isolde, and it is featured here. She sings this well, no doubt, but her only fault is that she could never quiet her voice the way some sopranos could. If anyone had trouble hearing Nilssons' mega voice, something was wrong with their hearing! TANNHAUSER: She was able to sing Elisabeth and Venus, and she got into the character's romantic nature. The Hall Aria is on here and it's great.

STRAUSS: As excting as her Wagner heroines were, her Strauss heroines were just as impressive. She understood the intensity of the music and delved into the character's psyches, even more so than the Wagner roles. As such, her SALOME is largely regarded as the best on record. While she could not physically convince us as a teenage nubile princess who inflammes the passions of her pagan father, she was able to sing the role with electrifying power and frightening madness. If you listen to the Solti recording, you will note how she could get into Salome's twisted mentality starting from the scene in which she asks for Jochanaan's head and the finale in which she kisses the severed head. This final scene is on here, thank God. Her interpretation of ELEKTRA set the bar high for all subsequent sopranos. She once again got into the character's depravity and lunacy. The intensity of the role never took its toll on her and she tirelessly sings the part in a combo of dramatic power and beautiful singing. Please check out her Elektra recording under Solti again, where she is paired with Regina Resnik.

PUCCINI: Yes, Birgit Nilsson sang Puccini and she did a damn good job of it too. Very few critics gave her credit for her superb Puccini heroines. At the Met in the 60's, audiences saw her stage performances of Tosca, Turandot and Minnie from La Fanciulla Del West. Her TOSCA is powerful, unsubtle but dramatically compelling. In the Lorin Maazel recoding opposite Franco Corelli, she was able to make her voice sound more round, warmer and more "Italian". Here we have her "Vissi D'Arte" but she could really deliver in such moments as the Death of Scarpia, the Torture/Interrogation Scene and the Finale. In fact her cry "O Scarpia Avanti Addio!" is possibly the best on record. She sang TURANDOT at the Met opposite Franco Corelli in riveting performances, rivaling any other soprano who sang Turandot at the time. The size of her voice, her regal presence (fashion designer Cecil Beaton made a Chinese Empress costume, complete with a decorative crown, especially for her) and her command of the music made for a stunning Turandot. Check out the EMI recording with Corelli and Scotto.

Verdi: She sang Verdi, though it was not a repertoire she followed up on extensively. Audiences saw her as Lady Macbeth, Princess Eboli, Elisabeth Di Valois (from Don Carlos) and Leonora from Forza del Destino. And of course as AIDA. Her Aida is not the most beautifully sung or the warmest, but in sheer volume and grandness she takes the crown. There is a studio recording she sang opposite Franco Corelli and Grace Bumbry. At the Met, audiences saw her paired with Jon Vickers' Radames. Ritorna Vincitor! Aida's first great aria in Act 1 is on here and it's the title of the album. Her LADY MACBETH is by far her greatest Verdi role. The cold, icy, unfeeling way she sings the part makes her Lady Macbeth by far the most wicked and dramatically convincing. Even without the Italian fire in the belly, she could get into character as good as the rest of them.

SWEDISH SONGS, BROADWAY AND MOZART: Her account of her native Swedish folk songs are lovely, and in her time, legendary, and even in her heyday as an opera singer she would sing Swedish songs on Swedish radio. As a girl growing up in her father's farm, she sung these folk songs which eventually drew the attention of Conservatory instructors and operatic voice coaches. Broadway ? I'm sorry. This is cute and experimental of her to sing "I Could Have Danced All Night" from My Fair Lady but this is not her forte. Her voice is too big for the role of Liza Doolittle and the waltz-like/operetta song is way out of her league. On a final note, Nilsson sang Mozart, namely the part of Dona Ana in Don Giovanni, which is found on at least two studio recordings, the famous one being the one with Cesare Siepi as Don Giovanni and Leontyne Price as Elvira under the baton of Erich Leinsdorf. Her Dona Ana is neither beautiful nor mannered, she sings with the usual Nilsson bravura and attempts to soften her voice but she shows no real command for the Mozart reperotire and again this was purely experimental for her.

LONG LIVE BIRGIT NILSSON! I WILL FOREVER REMEMBER HER AS BRUNHILDE, SINGING WITH SUPERHUMAN POWER AND PASSION IN THAT CLIMATIC IMMOLATION SCENE AT THE END OF GOTTERDAMMERUNG. NO ONE CAN MASTER THAT GRAND SCENE "Fleight Hom, Ih Rabens (Fly home you Ravens!) .."GRANE..MEIN ROSS (Grane My Horse!) HER VOICE GETS STRONGER, HIGHER AND MORE INTENSE, FLYING, FLYING EVER UPWARD TO VALHALLA.

Birgit Nilsson Now Sings In Heaven.......2006-01-22

On December 25th, 2005, the great soprano Birgit Nilsson passed away, and an era went with her. She was singing at a time in the mid 20th century just after World War II when other golden-age singers had made it big at the Met- among them Maria Callas, Renata Tebaldi and Victoria De Los Angeles, the latter two which also died only recently. Nilsson will forever be remembered for her Wagnerian heroines- the Valkyrie Brunhilde, Isolde, and for her outstanding Turandot. But Nilsson sang a variety of repertoire, though critics snubbed her in such terrific roles as Beethoven's Leonore in Fidelio, Verdi's Lady Macbeth and Puccini's Tosca, roles which I think suited her well and she sang wonderfully. She also sang Mozart's Dona Anna, though this role for me was not suited to her voice. This album is a tribute to her supreme artistry. Here we have Aida's great aria Ritorna Vincitor! - an aria which is more stentorian and heroic sounding than the lush, lyrico-spinto renditions of such fine Aidas as Renata Tebaldi and Leontyne Price. The aria " O Don Fatale" belongs to Princess Eboli in Verdi's Don Carlo and should rightly be sung by a dramatic mezzo soprano. Nilsson handles the music to this quite well, however. Although she never performed Leonora in Forza Del Destino, the "Pace Pace Mio Dio" in this album is sublime. The rest of the arias include arias from Strauss' Salome, Elektra and Wagner's Gotterdammerung and Tristan And Isolde. Her distinctive voice is well captured on this album and any true fan of the late diva will want to buy this.

Ave Atque Vale, Birgit Nilsson.......2006-01-13

Every opera lover in the world met the news today of the December 25, 2005 passing of Birgit Nilsson with sadness. She was surely one of the greatest opera singers of the 20th century, and in Wagnerian roles alone she was the equal of the great Kirsten Flagstadt. From her beginnings as a simple farm girl in Sweden she rose to the top of all of the international opera houses in the three decades when her voice was in full bloom. Her last public performance was in 1984 but she continued her legend in her masterclasses. She was a phenomenon whose glorious voice and presence will be much missed, but at least she has a huge recorded legacy that adds to her immortality.

This 2 CD set is a gathering of excerpts form many recordings and while it does not have the impact of, say, a full performance as Isolde or Brunnhilde or Turandot or Salome, it does offer a generous sampling of the many roles she mastered. Included on this set are arias form 'Macbeth', 'Aida', 'La Forza del Destino', 'Don Carlo', 'Tosca', 'Lohengrin', 'Die Götterdämmerung', 'Elektra', 'Salome', 'Die Frau ohne Schatten', 'Tannhäuser', 'Tristan und Isolde' and songs by Wagner ('Wesendonk Lieder'), Sibelius, Grieg, and Ture Rangström, and yes, even Frederick Lowe! She performs with various orchestras and conductors and pianists.

Not usually one for these 'best of' albums, this one is special, especially with the news that this extraordinary artist whose voice could reach the heavens is gone. An aptly titled memento -Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, January 06

RIP BIRGIT NILSSON - 5/17/1918 - 12/25/2005.......2006-01-12

The opera world mourns the passing of the great dramatic soprano. I never had the fortune to experience her performances live, but her many complete opera recordings and recitals are part of my CD library. This set is a perfect introduction to this diva's art and versatility.

Thank you for the music, Madame Nilsson.

Average customer rating:

Common Thread - The Songs of the Eagles Travis Tritt , Little Texas , Clint Black , John Anderson , Alan Jackson , Suzy Bogguss , Vince Gill , Diamond Rio , Trisha Yearwood , and Billy Dean Manufacturer: Giant ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music ASIN: B000BA44AQ

Product Description

Common Thread - The Songs of the Eagles // 1. Take It Easy - Travis Tritt 2. Peaceful Easy Feeling - Little Texas 3. Desperado - Clint Black 4. Heartache Tonight - John Anderson 5. Tequila Sunrise - Alan Jackson 6. Take It To The Limit - Suzy Bogguss 7. I Can't Tell You Why - Vince Gill 8. Lyin' Eyes - Diamond Rio 9. New Kid In Town - Trisha Yearwood 10. Saturday Night - Billy Dean 11. Already Gone - Tanya Tucker 12. Best Of My Love - Brooks & Dunn 13. The Sad Cafe - Lorrie Morgan

Jazz Music:

1. Blue Train
2. Blues for Fred
3. Body Language
4. Cedar!
5. Chris
6. Crazy Clarinets Raucous Reeds
7. Desafinado: Bossa Nova and Jazz Samba [Original recording remastered]
8. Discovery Channel: Great Chefs Dinner Music
9. Echoes of Swing: Complete Hamburg Concert [Live]
10. Exquisite Fine Funk

Jazz Music

jazz music