This Is Chris [Import]

Product Description
Part of the 'Super Bit Jazz Classics Vol. 2' series. Japanese exclusive reissue of 1955 album packaged in a limited edition miniature LP sleeve.

This Is Chris,Chris Conner,Jazz

Jazz

Music

jazz

music

Average customer rating: Priceless, at any price Good overview Great Music!!!!!!!!! Very nice for a Danny Elfman collection Bring on Volume 3

Music for a Darkened Theatre, Vol. 2: Film & Television Music Manufacturer: Fontana Mca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Elfman, Danny | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Similar Items: Music for a Darkened Theatre, Vol. 1: Film & Television Music Serenada Schizophrana So Lo Sleepy Hollow: Music from the Motion Picture Edward Scissorhands: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack ASIN: B000002P4P Release Date: 1996-12-03

Tracks:

1. Edward Scissorhands Suite: Main Titles
2. Edward Scissorhands Suite: Storytime
3. Edward Scissorhands Suite: Suite
4. Edward Scissorhands Suite: Suburbia-Barber
5. Edward Scissorhands Suite: The Grand Finale
6. Dolores Claiborne Suite: Main Titles
7. Dolores Claiborne Suite: Vera's World
8. Dolores Claiborne Suite: Flashback
9. Dolores Claiborne Suite: Sad Room
10. Dolores Claiborne Suite: End Titles
11. To Die For Suite: Main Titles
12. To Die For Suite: Suzie's Theme
13. To Die For Suite: Busted
14. To Die For Suite: Wheepy Donuts
15. To Die For Suite: Finale
16. Black Beauty Suite: Main Titles
17. Black Beauty Suite: Baby Beauty
18. Black Beauty Suite: Jump For Joy
19. Black Beauty Suite: Frolick-Sick
20. Black Beauty Suite: Bye Bye Jerry
21. Black Beauty Suite: Memories
22. Black Beauty Suite: End Titles
23. Batman Returns Suite:Birth Of A Penguin
24. Batman Returns Suite: Trouble Suite
25. Batman Returns Suite: The Finale
26. Batman Returns Suite: End Titles

Tracks:

1. Mission Impossible Suite: Trouble
2. Mission Impossible Suite: Looking For Job
3. Mission Impossible Suite: Betrayal
4. Sommersby Suite: Main Titles
5. Sommersby Suite: Return Montage
6. Sommersby Suite: Finale-End Titles
7. Dead Presidents Suite: Main Titles
8. Dead Presidents Suite: Daughter
9. Dead Presidents Suite: Montage
10. Dead Presidents Suite: Nam
11. Dead Presidents Suite: Nightmare
12. Nightmare Before Christmas Suite: Overture
13. Nightmare Before Christmas Suite: Jack And Sally Suite
14. Nightmare Before Christmas Suite: Christmas Eve Montage
15. Freeway Suite: Main Titles
16. Freeway Suite: On The Road
17. Freeway Suite: Back In The Car
18. Shrunken Heads Suite: Main Titles
19. Television Odds 'N Ends Suite: Amazing Stories 'Family Dog'
20. Television Odds 'N Ends Suite: Amazing Stories 'Family Dog'
21. Television Odds 'N Ends Suite: Amazing Stories 'Mummy, Daddy
22. Television Odds 'N Ends Suite: Barkley Superhero 'Nike Commercial'
23. Television Odds 'N Ends Suite: The Flash 'Theme'
24. Television Odds 'N Ends Suite: Pee Wee's Playhouse
25. Television Odds 'N Ends Suite: Beetlejuice - Animated Tv Series 'Theme'
26. Untitled
27. Untitled
28. Untitled
29. This Is Halloween (Original Demo For Nightmare Before Christmas)

Amazon.com

A delightfully buoyant, mock-creepy collection of film scores from Hollywood's first and best call for quirk, strangeness, and charm. Focusing on Elfman's post-1992 work (much of it for director Tim Burton), this 2 CD set features excerpts from Edward Scissorhands, To Die For, and Batman Returns, among other lesser items. -- Jeff Bateman

Customer Reviews:

Priceless, at any price.......2007-07-06

Years ago, watching peter Jennings cover the funeral procession of Princess Diana, my soul was captured by some hauntingly beautiful music that at times played in the background. So began my mission to find out what it was, who wrote it and how I could get it. After some correspondence with the network I was put in touch with the woman who "put together" that part of the programming. All she could remember is that it came from the movie "Black Beauty". THEN I found out how many versions of that had been made lol. With determination, I finally found it, and had a local music store order it for me.
There are no words to describe what this music does to me. I did try listening to some of the other tracks, but they didn't even come close. I rate this music right up there with the 1971 score for "Jane Eyre" by John Willams... and that's pretty high :D

Good overview.......2007-04-18

Very nice overview of Elfman work. Insufficient by itself but worth having along with the full soundtracks. Bonus disc is a nice extra.

Great Music!!!!!!!!!.......2005-09-08

I Love Danny Elfman's music so much that I have started my own collection of the soundtracks that he composed. For a while, I was trying to find the "Beetlejuice" theme song from the TV show, but thanks to this release, I finally have it!!! Keep up the good work Elfman!

Very nice for a Danny Elfman collection.......2005-08-02

Music For A Darkened Theater, Vol.2 is a great cd!!! I love all of the tracks on both cd's,but my fav. ones are the t.v. scores and the This Is Halloween demo!!! If you love this,then i recomend looking at all the actually albums on this cd and his other works!!!! good job,Danny Elfman.

Bring on Volume 3.......2005-05-04

The liner notes and "This is Halloween Demo" on this compilation are well worth the CD price by themselves. Danny comments on each of the tracks on the CDs which is a rare and ego-free look at what a composer thinks of his own work.

Edward Scissorhands is magical, Black Beauty is a rollercoaster of emotion, and Dolores Claiborne makes me want to find the nearest piano. This is not a "Most Popular" compilation, rather it aptly showcases Danny Elfman's (and Orchestrator, Steve Bartek's) brilliance and wide range of style.

Every suite has an Elfman signature, such as the layered complexity which never sounds overdone, or the use of a choir as an instrument.

This (and Volume 1) are examples of the work of a modern day composer who consistently stands out as one of the best.

If you like this and have the spare cash, grab the individual scores from some of the movies he has worked on, including "Men In Black", "Spiderman", "Batman", "Batman Returns", "Nightmare Before Christmas", "Edward Scissorhands", "Mars Attacks" and so many more.

Average customer rating: A really Fine Romance A Musical Treat

Menuhin & Grappelli Play Berlin, Kern, Porter & Rodgers & Hart Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Porter | Porter, Cole | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music European Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Very Best of Grappelli and Menuhin Menuhin and Grappelli Play "Jealousy" and Other Great Standards Menuhin & Grappelli Play... Anything Goes, With Yo Yo Ma Jazz in Paris: Oscar Peterson-Stephanie Grapelli Quartet, Vol. 1 ASIN: B000002SDR Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Cheek To Cheek
2. Isn't This A Lovely Day?
3. The Piccolino
4. Change Partners
5. Top Hat
6. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
7. Heat Wave
8. The Way You Look Tonight
9. Pick Yourself Up
10. A Fine Romance
11. All The Things You Are
12. Why Do I Love You?
13. I Get A Kick Out Of You
14. Night And Day
15. Looking At You
16. Just One Of Those Things
17. My Funny Valentine
18. Thou Swell
19. The Lady Is A Tramp
20. Blue Room

Customer Reviews:

A really Fine Romance.......2007-07-05

It doesn't get any better than these two playing these guys! Some of it was recorded at Abbey Road Studios. Use your imagination... It's all just swell.

A Musical Treat.......2006-01-08

"The true mission of the violin is to imitate the accents of the human voice, a noble mission that has earned for the violin the glory of being called the king of instruments." ~ Charles-Auguste De Bériot ~

Yehudi Menuhin and Stéphane Grapelli together had made some of the most beautiful music ever-recorded. And I believe that this is one of the many successful albums they recorded together. In this recording, both violinists have showed their excellent musicianship and interpretative eloquence as well, making it one of my most cherished CDs from my collection.

These are the main ingredients of a perfectly-made CD for your listening pleasure: mix violins, piano, bass and drums together, combine two terrific violinists, season with the best melodies in the 20s, 30s and 40s from Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, Cole Porter and Rodgers & Hart. Add the musical talents of Nelson Riddle, Max Harris, Martin Taylor, Eddie Tripp, Alan Clare and the rest of the studio musicians. Now all you have to do is to sit back, relax and savor these stunning melodies coming from your CD player. Listen to it in full-volume and fill your music room with the sheer beauty of these classics.

One of my favorite musical instruments is violin. With its four strings, it gives a whole wide range of musical versatility and I simply love the fascinating sound it produces.

My personal highlights are the best tunes from Jerome Kern - "The Way You Look Tonight" (Nelson Riddle arranged this particular track and conducted the Woodwind and Brass section), "A Fine Romance," "Pick Yourself Up," "Why Do I Love You?" and "All The Things You Are."

My choices from Irving Berlin's gems are - "Isn't It A Lovely Day?" featuring the great artistry of Nelson Riddle in arranging and conducting, "Cheek To Cheek" and "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm."

The Cole Porter repertoire represented his musical sophistication in "Night And Day," "I Get A Kick Out Of You" and "Just One Of Those Things."

The choice cuts from the talented and creative team of Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart are "My Funny Valentine" and "Thou Swell."

Listening to this CD is so delectable and equivalent to having my favorite dessert - be it Tiramisu, New York Cheesecake, Black Forest Cake, Chocolate Soufflé, Créme Brulee, Chocolate Mousse or Chocolate-Coated Strawberries! ;)

A musical treat.

Average customer rating: Chris Michie's Music Is A Beautiful Partner To The Film Inspirational Music Touches the Heart Thumbs Down For Max The music is GOOD Great Music

The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill Chris Michie Manufacturer: Catch a Rabbit ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill: A Love Story . . .with Wings The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill Tough Love Elsewhere in the Land of Parrots Parrots in the City: One Bird's Struggle for a Place on the Planet ASIN: B00081U66O Release Date: 2005-03-29

Tracks:

1. Cherry Blossoms
2. It's Magic
3. El Coto
4. Grasshopper
5. North Beach
6. Canary Wings
7. Canary Wings Two
8. Going Home
9. Connor Intro
10. The Gardens
11. Connor's Theme
12. One Whole
13. Connor and Sophie
14. Man of the Year
15. The Great
16. The Mansion
17. Sand Hill
18. The Flying Dutchman
19. Palo Alto
20. The Count
21. The Sanctuary/Take Me Alive

Album Description

The soundtrack, written and performed by Chris Michie, to the remarkable movie that is the true story of a Bohemian St. Francis and his remarkable relationship with a flock of wild red-and-green parrots. Mark Bittner, a dharma bum, former street musician in San Francisco, falls in with the flock as he searches for meaning in his life, unaware that the wild parrots will bring him everything he needs.

"I watched them for several years with tremendous curiosity. What were wild parrots doing in San Francisco? Then one day a few of them flew to my fire escape, and my whole life changed." From Mark Bittner's memoir "The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill" Published in January, 2004 by Harmony Books.

Customer Reviews:

Chris Michie's Music Is A Beautiful Partner To The Film.......2007-04-16

This sound track is a beautiful, sensitive, lovely dance partner to Judy Irving's film, "The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill." From "Cherry Blossoms", to "Connor's Theme" and "Sophie and Connor", each melody transcends and compliments the film maker's art, one blending into the other perfectly. That Judy and Mark dedicated the film to Chris Michie and his music says so much about the quality, the personification, and the magic the music brought into focus. Contrary to the negative review, I can't think of a more appropriate kind of music than this moving, serene yet evocative guitar playing that blends so well with the key elements of the film: a parrot flock in flight; human interaction with nature; and preservation of the natural order. In a life filled with music, this sound track has to be considered Chris Michie's most significant work. When you listen to the music, you feel the musical interpretation of the events captured in the film-the highest compliment to give. Five stars for this one!

Inspirational Music Touches the Heart.......2006-07-21

The subject of the movie in the trailer drew me in first and motivated me to see it right away - Awesome work, Judy! Well investigated, well documented, and well shared. And thank you, Mark! You are an inspiration! I must say though, the music motivated me to take the next step: I want the soundtrack! It fit the movie so well and created a remarkable atmosphere. I want Chris' music in my home!

Was I surprised by Max's comments! So much so I went to check him and his taste out. Sorry, what a waste of time! Max likes to hear himself write. Too bad he stopped by...

Thumbs Down For Max.......2006-03-18

Max - what does "realistic dialogue (corrected your spelling)" mean, in a documentary? Are you mixing your metaphors? ALL dialogue in a documentary is realistic, or it is not a documentary. Get your terms straight before you start slagging something. And HOW, pray tell, did the editing ruin the movie? There is no meat in your argument, let alone brain tissue! Try to make your thoughts cogent, and worth the time to read. Did you have a different kind of composer's music in mind, and who and what. Etc. ad nauseam.

If you have not heard the album, and need a "similar" tag, my wife says Chris Michie's music is akin to a wilder form of Craig Chaquico, who I thought had been the guitar player for the opening sequence of film.

The film was dedicated to Chris Michie, who died after making this wonderful music. If the filmmaker and the subject of the film are satisfied with Michie's product, pay more attention to that. Mark was too kind.

The music is GOOD.......2006-02-23

I'm Mark Bittner, the human subject of "The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill. I want to clear up the reason Judy (with some input from me) chose Chris Michie's music for the film: We LIKED it--a lot. To give it only one star and call it cheesy and campy is ludicrous. No matter what he thinks of the music, one star demonstrates "attitude," which makes Miller-loran's review untrustworthy. I especially love the opening track "Cherry Blossoms." Fluid playing, good melody, integrated parts, interesting harmonies. It's great stuff, sincere stuff. I've played professionally, and I've listened to everything from Buell Kazee to Ornette Coleman, and I know that all that really matters in music (or any other art) is sincerity. I avoid like the devil commercialism and hipness, equally useless qualities. I'm guessing that Max has a hipness problem.

Great Music.......2006-01-31

Unless you have heard the soundtrack and agree with the previous reviewer don't pay any attention to it. Chris Michie was a great talent as anyone who is framiliar with his music and bio would know.

This is a great soundtrack.

Average customer rating: Isn't It Romantic? Chris Bennett is fantastic! Gorgeous, lush vocals! What a great C.D.!! Very romantic! Contemporary jazz at it's finest!

Less is More Chris Bennett Manufacturer: Chartmaker ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: "Until The End Of Time" Bennett on Broadway ASIN: B000009CKJ Release Date: 1998-07-14

Tracks:

1. Drifting
2. Where Do You Start?
3. Isn't It Romantic?
4. My Foolish Heart
5. Make Me New For You
6. People Will Say We're In Love
7. Dindi
8. Theme From Midnight Express
9. Feels Like A Heartbreak
10. You Never Saw Me Dance
11. Less Is More
12. Some Other Time

Customer Reviews:

Isn't It Romantic?.......2000-02-19

I purchased this album after hearing the title cut just once on the local jazz station here in Denver, it was that good. Ms. Bennett's voice is like cool silk, i.e., it feels good, but gets you all heated up. When she says "I'll be your wife" on the title track, you want her to be saying it to you. Her best songs on this album are the ones she wrote herself, particularly "Drifting" (the first few chords of the song are electric) and the title track, but "Feels Like a Heartbreak" and "You Never Saw Me Dance" are great cuts as well. The lyrics of these songs seem simple but are never trivial, and are always original. E.g., "Walk through life, suffer fools, handed junk, but fought for the jewels..." Buy the CD already, what are you waiting for?

Chris Bennett is fantastic!.......1999-09-10

"Less is More" is a promise fulfilled. I especially liked Chris's sensitive treatment of "Dindi" . . . she has a remarkable voice and ear for both her originals and covers! I highly recommend this CD!

Gorgeous, lush vocals! What a great C.D.!!.......1999-04-26

Chris Bennett has finally recorded the C.D. her fans from the Munich Machine days have been waiting for. Beautiful originals and standards utilizing the musical talents of Wayne Johnson, Eric Doney, and Bobbye Hall. The best C.D. I've heard all year! Romantic!

Very romantic! Contemporary jazz at it's finest!.......1999-02-14

Jazz Times gave this C.D. a rave review, and Bird compared Chris Bennett to Morgana King. Sultry vocals, beautiful, sparse arrangements. Dindi with Wayne Johnson and Bobbye Hall is a classic. Beautiful C.D.!!

Average customer rating:

Thirteen Stories Robert Deeble Manufacturer: Pete Records/Fractured Discs ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Folk | Styles | Music ASIN: B000AQG4RW Release Date: 2004-04-06

Tracks:

1. Boy with the California Sun
2. Secret Life of Emily Dickinson
3. Peter and the Lion (V. 2 Premix)
4. Blue
5. Chinese Fighter Girl
6. Jack's Diary
7. Formal Apology
8. 911 to Orson Welles
9. Eclipse
10. I'll Be Your Mirror
11. Joe and the Space Program
12. Russian Murder Ballad

Average customer rating: David M. Bailey - "Life" is worth hearing (& living) Heart Stirring

Life David M. Bailey Manufacturer: David M. Bailey ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Love the Time One More Day ASIN: B000062TUC Release Date: 2000-07-04

Tracks:

1. Summer Song
2. The Hard Way
3. Swan Song
4. The Painter and the Poet
5. What the Rainbow Sounds Like
6. Hey!
7. She's Got Style
8. So Much More
9. On a Day Like Today
10. Only love
11. Life
12. If I had Another
13. Already

Album Description

In his sunny, sanguine fourth release, david's guitar talents are wonderfully complemented by rich instrumentation and background vocals. You'll dance with Summer Song, sing along to Hey, and heed the challenge of On a Day Like Today, as you embrace this remarkable celebration of life.

Customer Reviews:

David M. Bailey - "Life" is worth hearing (& living).......2002-10-19

David Bailey is an inspiration to anyone who's ever felt scared, discouraged or depressed. Being a brain tumor survivor himself lends credence to the words he says. "Hey!" is a celebration of giving every haughty health care provider an enthusiastic, "Oh Yeah?" "The Hard Way" encourages perseverence when things are rough and "Already" gives strenghth and comfort when one feels bereft of both. His tunes are beautifully melodic and his lyrics stand alone as evocative poetry. His style is reminiscent of Cat Stevens' work in the 70's, but David's work is completely original. As a brain tumor survivor myself, I own all of his CD's, but I have shared them with numerous friends with numerous difficulties. They all agree that his music and poetry are special gifts that can be very helpful in bad times, and very pleasant in good times. I highly recommend this CD, not only for its message, but also for its excellent music.

Heart Stirring.......2002-07-26

Every song stirred emotions in my heart. David is incredibly tuned in to Life and Death and all the moments in between. If you need a good cry or want to remember the longings of your soul, buy this album and FEEL!!!

Average customer rating: Short & Sweet This is great A WONDERFUL VOICE

This Is Chris Chris Connor Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Cool Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Traditional Jazz General | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Cabaret | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Rhino Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music ASIN: B00005AVE1 Release Date: 2001-04-17

Tracks:

1. Blame It On My Mouth
2. It's All Right With Me
3. Someone To Watch Over Me
4. Trouble Is A Man
5. All This And Heaven Too
6. The Thrill Is Gone
7. I Concentrate On You
8. All Dressed Up With A Broken Heart
9. From This Moment On
10. Ridin' High

Customer Reviews:

Short & Sweet.......2002-12-08

This was Connor's last album for Bethlehem before she moved to Atlantic: it's very much of a piece with the Atlantic albums, with basically the same personnel. Chris's lovely voice, which always conveys warmth, maturity & above all an impish intelligence & subtle musicality (like Billie Holiday, she doesn't scat, simply interprets the lyric according to her own light), is set to work on a classy but not overobvious pick of blue-chip songs. The arrangements are by pianist Ralph Sharon, & exploit the colours of guitar, flute, & (on several tracks) paired trombones (the popular JJ Johnson/Kai Winding duo). There's a few cute touches ("Blame It On My Youth" ends with a tag lifted from "Young at Heart"--ah, got it...), & some nice surprises in the arrangements' abrupt shifts of tempo & texture. The repertoire draws heavily on Cole Porter (four tracks), including his wonderfully wry ode to infidelity & love on the rebound, "It's All Right With Me", & two swingers which Connor handles very adroitly, "From This Moment On" & "Ridin' High" (probably the highlights of the album). The adult subject-matter & the sophisticated chromaticism & minor/major-key ambivalence of Porter's tunes suit Connor superbly (& contrast with Gershwin's rather more thematically & harmonically straightforward compositions, the body of work she's often associated with, & which she touches on here with a version of "Someone to Watch Over Me" that is an interesting point of comparison to her work on the Atlantic Gershwin album). Alec Wilder's "Trouble Is a Man" is an interestingly out-of-the-way pick here, as is "All This and Heaven Too". The trombonists are basically used to fill out the sound of the arrangements, & it's Sharon, flautist Herbie Mann & guitarist Joe Puma who are most prominently featured in the arrangements & who turn in some nice solos & obbligatos. (I'd just been listening to Sarah Vaughan's almost contemporaneous _With Clifford Brown_, & it seems to me that Mann's rather better here than he was on that album--his solo on "All This and Heaven Too" is a bit clumsy but he's otherwise quite good on the disc.)

It's a very brief disc (29:45), & perhaps the reissue could have been paired with something else or otherwise beefed up. Nonetheless, there's no complaints with what's here, & fans of Connor or of jazz singing in general will want this disc.

This is great.......2001-05-18

"This Is Chris" was Connor's third LP for Bethlehem, a 12-incher following two 10-inchers ("Lullabys of Birdland" and "Lullabies for Lovers"). Two more 12-inchers followed, "Lullabys of Birdland" and "Chris," composed of tracks from the 10-inchers mixed in with some big band sessions prevously unreleased. Connor was always too big a talent for what Bethlehem could deliver in terms of packaging, presentation and concept (all of Burt Goldblatt's cover photos show her with a contorted mouth at what appears to be the other end of a terrible windstorm), not to mention recording quality. But this opus comes mighty close to what followed, Connor's astounding debut on Atlantic, "Chris Connor," the crystal-clear cover of which reveals her to be a blonde beauty much in the Doris Day vein. "This Is Chris" (the liner notes say it was to have been titled "Cocktails and Dusk" but that was the title of later reissue) has Connor's voice deeper and richer than on her first Bethlehem outings, with an eclectic program and toprate accompaniment (made possible by the fact union rules reqwired all musicians accompanying vocalists be paid at the same standard wage). It's a tasty album start to finish, but it surprising this C.D. reissue sticks to the lean original 10 tracks when bonuses easily could have been added. My Connor collection goes back to radio transcriptions with the Claude Thornhill band which show her to be a flawless performer who can take pop stuff such as "Wish You Were Here" and make it classic jazz. It took her a long time to get discovered, but once she broke through Connor was a top seller for Atlantic for a decade and a major international star. Great to have "This Is Chris" finally on CD.

A WONDERFUL VOICE.......2001-04-29

Chris Connor was only a vague jazz name to me when I saw this recently released CD in a music shop. I love all the songs she recorded for it and so I bought it.

What a wonderful voice Connor has. Every one of the ten standards is tops--from the gentle, torchy Gershwin's "Someone To Watch Over Me" to the brash, belting "Ridin' High" by Cole Porter. (I assume that Porter must have been a favorite of Connor's since four out of ten numbers were written by him.) Connor's voice is smokey and lush, deep and honey-coated. There are not too many singers who can swing back and forth between intimate jazz and musical comedy, but Connor does it with ease and never makes you believe that she is "slumming."

She is accompanied by some of the finest jazz instrumentalists-- Herbie Mann, and J.J. Johnson, among them. Ralph Sharon (Tony Bennett's accompanist for 4 decades) is on the piano.

This is a terrific album which has the kind of liner notes that actually give you needed information: they tell you who Connor is and what she did and when. These sessions were originally recorded in 1955, but the remastering makes them sound like they were recorded yesterday. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Average customer rating:

Coyotebanjo Chris Smith Manufacturer: Coyotebanjo ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Folk | Styles | Music Irish Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Celtic | International | Styles | Music Traditional Jazz General | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music ASIN: B000BGQWAK Release Date: 2005-09-01

Tracks:

1. The Peeler’s Jacket/The Flogging Reel/The Abbey Reel
2. Short Jacket and White Trousers
3. Star Above the Garter/ Denis Murphy’s/ Denis O’Keeffe’s
4. The Sligo Maid/Hand Me Down the Tackle/Come West Along the Road
5. The Rose in the Heather/Langstrom’s Pony/Tatter Jack Walsh/The Newport Lasses
6. Planxty Sir Festus Burke
7. The Rambling and Sporting Pitchforks
8. Poll Ha’penny/The Old Bush/Within a Mile of Dublin
9. Na Ceannabhain Bhan/Hardiman the Fiddler/Drops of Brandy
10. The Princess Royal
11. Gallagher’s Frolics/The Pipe on the Hob/The Hag at the Churn
12. The Chicago Reel/The Humours of Ballyconnell/Father Kelly’s #2
13. Chief O’Neill’s Favorite/Kitty’s Wedding
14. So Early in the Spring
15. Pat & Mike/As I went out upon the ice/Knocknaboul
16. The Old and New Copperplates
17. Up Sligo/Dr. O’Neill/Tom Billy’s #1
18. The Union Reel/ The New Mown Meadow/The Boys of Malin

Product Description

Recorded live in the studio, this is a performance of traditional Irish dance music and songs--classic jigs, reels, slow airs, and funny tales--played with fire by three American masters.

Average customer rating: New American Classicism

Michael Dellaira: Five Manufacturer: Albany Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music ASIN: B00005YDQ7 Release Date: 2002-01-29

Customer Reviews:

New American Classicism.......2004-01-17

Michael Dellaria's compositions influenced by the minimalist composers and the neo-romantics, but with a stronger connection to American pop and folk music.

The three-part "USA Stories" is the strongest work on the album: sexy, compelling, and moving, these three pieces evoke the excitement and danger of the increasingly fast-paced America of the early 20th Century.

Dellaria's music should appeal to anyone who is interested in contemporary vocal music, as well as pop and folk fans who want to try out some of that new fangled art music.

Average customer rating: Symphonic bluegrass from Burchland is a classy combination

Burchland Manufacturer: Artist One-Stop ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music General | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music ASIN: B00015YVEK Release Date: 2004-01-06

Tracks:

1. Friends
2. Pickin' Party (Burchland)
3. Roses In The Snow
4. Summerfly
5. Four Days Of Rain
6. Blue Kentucky Girl
7. Happy Together
8. Cherokee Shuffle
9. Home
10. There Is A Time
11. This Heart Of Mine
12. White Freight Liner Blues

Customer Reviews:

Symphonic bluegrass from Burchland is a classy combination.......2004-02-24

A dozen musicians in black and white formal attire take the stage, the concertmaster sounds an "A" note, and the strings tune. Some additional players in plaid shirts saunter out to some mics aligned in front. Conductor Jeffrey Reed raises his baton, and the orchestra launches into a fiddle tune like Tommy Jackson's "Cherokee Shuffle." Symphonic bluegrass is nothing new. In 1974, guitarist Mason Williams first introduced his Concert for Bluegrass and Orchestra with the Wolf Trap Symphony and Denver Symphony. Thirty years ago, the introduction of a bluegrass section into an orchestra was considered a cultural revolution of sorts. Now, the Bowling Green Chamber Orchestra has collaborated with resophonic guitarist Curtis Burch and seven bluegrass friends to produce "Burchland."

Dr. Charles W. Smith, professor emeritus at Western Kentucky University, was commissioned to compose a work. He knew little about bluegrass and virtually nothing of fiddling as compared to playing the violin. Spending more time learning about the instruments and style than writing the work, Dr. Smith then set to work composing the two movements of "Burchland." The first movement, "Friends" spans eight minutes and is based around a love tune written for his granddaughter. The second movement, "Pickin' Party," is about the same time length and was inspired by bluegrass musicians' love for jamming. The orchestral introduction, borrowed from a piece called "Cumberland Gap" which was written in 1996 for saxophone ensemble, evokes a pioneer spirit and feelings of happiness and optimism. The remainder of "Pickin' Party" allows the pickers to do some things, and the orchestra others, in a kind of amusing and competitive "bluegrassical" dialogue. The result is a synergy, something better than either could do alone.

Curtis Burch, born in 1945 in Montgomery, Alabama, is well known in bluegrass circles. He's played with Sam Bush, Courtney Johnson and John Cowan in the New Grass Revival in the 1970s. He's toured with artists like Leon Russell and John Hartford. Burch has recorded on many projects and is featured on Sugar Hill Record's Grammy award-winning "Great Dobro Sessions." More recently, Curtis and Norman Blake recorded "You Are My Sunshine" on the soundtrack of "O Brother, Where Art Thou?," and Curtis appears on an innovative band project called "Soulgrass." On "Burchland," he is joined by Ruth Burch (guitar, vocals), Ricky Burch (banjo, vocals), Chris Brandstatt (guitar), Paul McCoy (bass), David Roemer (mandolin), Joel Whittinghill (fiddle), and Sharon Whittinghill (guitar, hammered dulcimer).

The Bowling Green Chamber Orchestra's mission is to "change lives...one note at a time" through music education and exciting concerts featuring a wide variety of music from the classical repertoire to Ragtime, Beatles, Bluegrass and Broadway. They attempt to "wow" their audiences. I was particularly impressed with Julianna Waller's violin, Mark Berry's and Webb Hendrix's percussion, Charles Smith's flute, John Cipolla's clarinet, Janet Bass Smith's piano, and Michael Thurman's horn in the orchestral bluegrass arrangements.

Following the debut of the commissioned and studio-recorded title piece, the remainder of the album includes live cuts of covers from Ruth Franks, Johnny Mullins, Karla Bonoff, Rodney Dillard, Townes Van Zandt and others. Some, primarily the slower numbers, work better than others for the motley mix of musicians and orchestral arrangement. Kudos go to Pam Thurman for most of the orchestration. Although hard to categorize, "Burchland" demonstrates creativity, and a willingness to experiment and take risks. It doesn't fit the standard sideboards of bluegrass, but it instead presents the music in a different light. The album puts a different context to the genre. Because "Burchland" is a hybrid, akin to a cultural exchange project, both bluegrass and orchestral snobs might have a difficult time understanding or appreciating it. That would be unfortunate. In reality, bluegrassers should like hearing their favorite and familiar music in an unusual setting. Classical music fans should like the frolicking, fun-filled, and festive atmosphere of this disc. Symphonic bluegrass from Burchland is a classy combination. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

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