Live: The Last Concert [Enhanced] [Limited Edition] [Live] [Original recording remastered]

Amazon.com essential recording
With so many products still flooding the market to commemorate--and cash in on--the tragic death of Tejano queen Selena, it's easy to forget what made her so special in the first place. Beneath all the books, movies, documentaries, and failed musicals, however, is the music. Selena's energy, talent, and joyous spirit are perfectly captured on Live, the Last Concert, the seventh posthumous release from EMI Latin. (A collection of remastered early recordings was released in February by Selena's father, Abraham Quintanilla.) The concert took place February 26, 1995, as part of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and it has been meticulously remastered for this release. From the introductory "Disco Medley" to the bittersweet cumbia "Como la Flor," Selena works the crowd effortlessly, who respond with thunderous applause and enthusiastic sing-alongs. Every moment on this stellar disc is infused with a thrilling urgency, thanks to Selena's rich, throaty vocals and passionate delivery. The lighthearted "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom" is surprisingly solid in the live format; and Selena transforms "La Carcacha," a fun cumbia about her boyfriend's clunker of a car, into a full-throttle Latin pop epic. There's never a false moment here, and Live, the Last Concert stands as a testament to the light that still illuminates the hopes of Selena and the hearts of her unwavering fan base. It's also one of the year's best releases--in any language. --Joey Guerra

Amazon.com
With so many products still flooding the market to commemorate--and cash in on--the tragic death of Tejano queen Selena, it's easy to forget what made her so special in the first place. Beneath all the books, movies, documentaries, and failed musicals, however, is the music. Selena's energy, talent, and joyous spirit are perfectly captured on Live, the Last Concert, the seventh posthumous release from EMI Latin. (A collection of remastered early recordings was released in February by Selena's father, Abraham Quintanilla.) The concert took place February 26, 1995, as part of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and it has been meticulously remastered for this release. From the introductory "Disco Medley" to the bittersweet cumbia "Como la Flor," Selena works the crowd effortlessly, who respond with thunderous applause and enthusiastic sing-alongs. Every moment on this stellar disc is infused with a thrilling urgency, thanks to Selena's rich, throaty vocals and passionate delivery. The lighthearted "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom" is surprisingly solid in the live format; and Selena transforms "La Carcacha," a fun cumbia about her boyfriend's clunker of a car, into a full-throttle Latin pop epic. There's never a false moment here, and Live, the Last Concert stands as a testament to the light that still illuminates the hopes of Selena and the hearts of her unwavering fan base. It's also one of the year's best releases--in any language. --Joey Guerra

Live: The Last Concert,Selena,EMI International,Adult Contemporary,Dance-Pop,Latin,Latin Continuum,Latin Pop,Latin Pop/Rock,Mexican,Tejano

Music

jazz

music

Jazz

Average customer rating: The penultimate collection ... Muisic of the Spheres The Ulllllltimate Sci-Fi Music Collection SciFi Album gift Away From to be a Collectible Peace

The Science Fiction Album Various Artists Manufacturer: Silva America ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Star Wars | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Star Trek | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Science Fiction Album, Vol. 1 Sci-Fi Channel - Sci-Fi's Greatest Hits, Vol. 1: Final Frontiers Fantastic Journey Sci-Fi Channel - Sci-Fi's Greatest Hits, Vol. 4: Defenders Of Justice Sci-Fi Channel - Sci-Fi's Greatest Hits, Vol. 2: The Dark Side ASIN: B000066HE5 Release Date: 2005-02-08

Tracks:

1. 2001: A Space Odyssey
2. Aliens
3. Sound Effect - The Nostromo
4. Alien
5. A.I.
6. Armageddon
7. Sound Effect - Apollo 13 Lift-off
8. Apollo 13
9. Back To The Future
10. Battle Beyond The Stars
11. Battlestar Galactica
12. The Black Hole
13. Contact
14. Capricorn One
15. Close Encounters of the Third Kind
16. The Day The Earth Stood Still
17. Dune

Tracks:

1. Galaxy Quest
2. Sound Effect - Dogfight in Space
3. Enemy Mine
4. Ghostbusters
5. Gremlins
6. Heavy Metal
7. Independence Day
8. E.T.
9. Judge Dredd
10. The Last Starfighter
11. Lifeforce
12. Sound Effect - Crash Landing
13. Lost In Space
14. Mars Attacks
15. The Matrix
16. Predator
17. The Right Stuff

Tracks:

1. Moonraker
2. Robocop
3. Silent Running
4. Sound Effect - Alien Organism
5. Species
6. Stargate
7. Starship Troopers
8. Starman
9. Star Trek - TV Theme
10. Star Trek: The Motion Picture End Title
11. Klingon Attack
12. Sound Effect - Warp Drive
13. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
14. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
15. Star Trek: Generations
16. Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

Tracks:

1. Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
2. Sound Effect - Transporter Crew
3. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Main Theme
4. Star Trek First Contact
5. Star Wars
6. The Empire Strikes Back
7. The Empire Strikes Back
8. Return of the Jedi
9. Sound Effect - Battle Stations
10. Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace - The Flag Parade
11. Anakin's Theme
12. The Adventures of Jar Jar
13. Duel of the Fates
14. The Time Machine
15. Things to Come
16. The Thing From Another World
17. War of the Worlds
18. When Worlds Collide
19. Total Recall
20. You Only Live Twice
21. Superman

Customer Reviews:

The penultimate collection ..........2006-12-07

Generally I agree with Strategos in his ecstatic Spotlight Review above. It is a joy to here some of the most memorable themes and cues from some of the most memorable science fiction and fantasy movies (re)recorded in great sound and in lavish (re)orchestrations, played by renowned classical orchestras, namely the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and the Philharmonia Orchestra, no less.

I have always had a weak spot for (good, or maybe even intelligent) science fiction/fantasy and film music, especially its way of evoking mystery, grandure and wide open spaces. Call it a weakness if you want. But it was maybe really kick started off, for as far as I can remember, with Star Trek. But especially Star Trek II, III and IV - essentially a trilogy - because of their very romantic but very warm, human core, set on the broadest canvasses of unlimited and mysterious outer space. But then there was the music for adding that essential extra dimension of emotion and atmosphere. I am happy that much of the music on this album is from the Star Trek series and films, often equaling or sometimes even outclassing the original recordings.

This kind of music (for the movies) should be seen as an art on its own rights with its own merits and qualities. As such, the musical sequences on these CD's are a beautifully played cross section of some of the most evoking orchestral music for science fiction/fantasy film ever created. And I very much like the nicely blended, wide and deep orchestral soundpicture with enough reverberation to evoke a sense of wide open spaces.
I am quite thrilled by tracks like the evocative music from Dune, truly transporting one to the vastly sands of Arrakis (the music is wonderful, but to my great regret I think the movie itself is a flawed masterpiece at best, alas.). And then there is the very different, goofy music for Ghostbusters (memories of childhood), the spoofy but electrifying music from Mars Attacks (lovingly parodist music, this, with not a little touch of irony) and the happily adventurous, forward driving Theme from Galaxy Quest ('Never give up, never surrender!'), now also used for the internet-based fan-series Star Trek: The Hidden Frontier. On the other side of the spectrum we have the atmospheric music for Enemy Mine (an underestimated 'little' movie), the Theme from The Right Stuff (actually science FACT, not fiction, this film, just like Apollo 13, of course), the eerily attractive music for Species, the original End Title for Alien (not used in the theatrical version of the movie, where it was replaced by music from howard Hanson's Second Symphony), the exquisitely exotic music for Stargate, the sweet and warmly sympathetic, beautifully re-orchestrated, theme for Starman, the title cue for Star Trek: TOS (much more melodiously played than the original! If only a series nowadays could continue to be as thought provoking and as original as Star Trek was during its launch, fourty years ago ...) and a truly overpowering End Titles Suite from Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. I especially like the thrillingly grandiloquent rendition here of the music for Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. And how nice it is to hear the (thematic) similarities between James Horner's music for The Wrath of Khan, his great break-through as a film music composer, and his (two years) earlier music for Battle Beyond the Stars (which did indeed help him earn the job for writing the music for Star Trek II) ...

But on the 'down side', if one is looking for - for example - the gorgeously expansively played End Titles from Cocoon, it is not included here: one has to acquire the album that 'kicked it all off', so to say, namely 'Space and Beyond', also on Silva Screen. I was very pleased also with the inclusion on that album of some of the music from the series Star Trek: The Next Generation, namely where one of the characters, Tasha Yar, in one of the episodes (Skin of Evil) is saying goodbye to her crewmmates: sweetly sentimental and simple music which I have always wanted to own on CD. I guess that a few cues from the other two sequals ('Alien Invasion: Space and Beyond II' and 'Space3: Beyond the Final Frontier') didn't make it onto this 4 CD collection-album as well, but I guess that it would be the 'better part of the bargain' to opt to buy this 'The Science Fiction Album' instead of buying all three albums separately. Well, of course it is for yourself to ultimately decide what you really want ;-)

If I were to nitpick (which is not easy with such a marvellous project as this one), then I would say that while all music is performed with magnificent grandure and with style, some of it is not performed as crisply and as technically 'on the spot' as some of the original recordings: ensemble is a little slack and the playing somewhat stilted sometimes, losing some of the edge and the originality of the writing. ET and Star Wars spring to mind, but then the soundtracks for Star Wars are traditionally recorded with the magnificent London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by maestro John Williams himself, and these superior recordings (especially the ones for Episode I, II and III) can't really be bettered, IMHO. Likewise for the music from Star Trek: The Motion Picture, I believe that in the end one really has to resort to the ultimate reference, namely the original recording (which is true in many other instances of 'original recordings'), and then the 20th anniversay colector's edition of this soundtrack on Columbia/Legacy (truly unmissable, this veritable classic of sci-fi/film music soundtracks!).

But all in all this 4CD-collection amounts to probably being the penultimate high quality sci-fi music album collection (I certainly know of no other project that comes as close quality as well as quantity wise), with some of the most memorable musical moments from classic to modern sci-fi/fantasy film captured in lavish orchestrations.
Collection-wise: five *stars*. Playing: generally four *stars*, sometimes more. The recording quality: five *stars*. The music (qualified on its own merits as film music) and its (re)orchestrations: generally five *stars*. In the end this is all highly recommended, and certainly not to be missed by science fiction and fantasy film music fans. Klaatu barada nikto.

Muisic of the Spheres.......2006-11-06

You wonderful four disk collection of SF music. It startsa up the the grand master of SF music, 2001: A space Odyssey all the way to Superman. This is all American SF music and several themes I would have liked to have included are not there. All in all though, a collection you will enjoy.

The Ulllllltimate Sci-Fi Music Collection.......2005-10-23

If one person gives great gifts, it's the illustrious Codemaster Talon. I've received a fair number of gifts in my lifetime, but so far, my older sister's take the cake. Take this one for instance. I'm real big on orchestral music, to the point where I listen to them more than any other kind of music. I've got orchestral versions of video game themes, orchestral soundtracks to truck-loads of anime shows (Big O, Escaflowne, and Giant Robo are incredible), and could probably spend the rest of my life just trying to study the nuances of all the classical music I've got. Being such a huge fan of orchestral music, I also have come to believe that orchestra music produced for movies and television is the new classical music (or as someone once said, Mozart would be making music for movies if he were alive today). Being a huge sci-fi fan, that kind of music has always been particularly near and dear to my heart. But were I to buy each and every soundtrack for every sci-fi I liked it would cost quite a bundle, and would include a lot of sub-par music along with the grandiose and fantastic main and memorable themes. That's where this beauty comes in.

The moment I ripped off the shrink-wrap and popped it into my cd player was a moment of great trepidation. Believe me when I tell that I've seen my fair share of sub-par orchestral recording in my lifetime. Very often they are in those big super-packs of music, and suffer from poor direction, improper mastering, and sometime even pathetic orchestration (or worse yet have something sounding like a cheap synthesizer and a kazoo in place of a full orchestra). I needn't have worried though. This sucker is fantastic.

Many people who are not audiophiles will probably miss the point of this cd collection. It is not the original versions of the pieces. It is re-orchestrations, mostly by the phenomenal Prague Symphony Orchestra. Many of these themes didn't sound all that hot in there original versions because they were low budget films or were not recorded in high-fidelity. Here they are given the full treatment, mastered with the most loving care imaginable. Often the version found in these cds is SUPERIOR to the original.

Remember the theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey? Of course you do. But how many times have you heard a cheap imitation of the original version from the movie, starting too low in volume and ending too high (and missing the essential pipe-organ that gives it that extra oomph)? Well, this first track in the entire collection is not only everything it should be instrumental and timing-wise, but it also has been oh-so-carefully adjusted during the mastering process so that at no time is the music either too low or too high in volume (surely a benchmark for every other recording ever to be made of the piece).

Or what about the theme from the (at-the-time) uber-creepy The Black Hole? The orchestration of this piece of music goes from tiumphant to terrifying and back again, with a splendor and cleanness that I CERTAINLY don't remember being in the original recording.

Then there's the new version of the theme from Independence Day, complete with a violin solo, a far more electrifying ending climax, and a chorus so thunderous that you feel like applauding at the end. Simply indescribable. Kind of like the MIND-BLOWING rendition of the theme from The Last Star Fighter. This has been one of my favorite themes for a long time now, but I've never heard it played like this. I think the original version of the theme is something like 1 minute long, but this new version doesn't just fade out (HAHAHAHA!!!!) THIS version is THREE minutes long, goes through the main theme THREE times, with the final strains being so triumphant and joyous I could not help but feel an electrifying charge the first dozen or so times (come to think of it, I still feel that way). This is superior to the original in EVERY way. AWESOME.

And let's not forget the incredible new rendition of Stargate with it's heavy use of clarinets (for Egyptian effect!) and a triumphant new ending (completely lacking the chanting from the original version. This version is so different that for the first minute it is very hard to tell that it is in fact Stargate. But then the main theme kicks in, and then you get this incredible flute solo for my favorite part of theme (the whole thing is played slower, but arguably more powerfully than the original). My goodness. At first I found the thing so different I didn't like it. But then I listened to it again. And again. And again.

I could go on and on, talking about the fantastic new rendition of Moon Raker, the ear-popping Battlestar Galactica, the classic Star Trek (First Contact has a minute or two of the theme from Star Trek:The Motion Picture before going into the main theme), or the sweet renditions of music from the Star Wars movies (or the music from E.T.).

I have to mention though that this collection was not picked based merely on what people want, or on what is popular. No, the people who made it obviously thought a GOOD music collection was better than a popular one. That's why you get a heartbreakingly beautiful theme from A.I. instead of the main theme. It's why you get music from movies that you probably never gave a second thought to the music (because the movie was lousy). It's why you get Armageddon, Judge Dredd, and Robocop (who would have guessed their music was so COOL when there was all that crazy action and bad-acting going on on-screen).

I said it before and I'll say it again. This cd-set was mastered with tender-loving-care, and it shows BIG-TIME. High-fidelity the likes of which I have not seen since the days when cds were brand-new in the world. Dolby Surround. Perfectly balanced. BEAUTIUFL orchestrations. About the only thing that makes me scratch my head is the weird sound-effect tracks (Oooookay.....). Other than that, it's PERFECT. Obviously they could not include every sci-fi theme ever (no one can), but this collection is REALLY GOOD. A lot of great themes that got away (forgotten gems :), new versions of old favorites, and under-appreciated classics aplenty, but ALWAYS the full and complete versions with nothing cut-out (the theme from Dune is quite extended).

If you love movie music (and sci-fi movie music in particular) you MUST buy this awesome collection). It is not the original recordings. Almost always the new ones are better (if they aren't better they're just equal). This is what you have been waiting for. I for one am going to be buying quite a few cds from this company in the future. Give your ears the treat they deserve. Buy it NOW.

SciFi Album gift.......2005-07-20

I bought the Science Fiction Album as a gift for my son who is twenty-one years old. He is a musician, and also a huge fan of many SciFi shows and movies. I thought this would be the perfect thing for him and I was right. He loves it!

Away From to be a Collectible Peace.......2004-12-16

If you like Sci-Fi movies and want a compilation of their important scores, this is the CD-set to buy. But let me warn you about that very few songs in the cds are from the original soundtracks. Most of them is re-recorded by The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. But the sound quality of cds are very good, because they have HDCD and Dolby Surround labels. This set is away from to be a collectible peace, but it is a good general compilation of favorite Sci-Fi movie scores.

Average customer rating: Arguably "The Best" English "Merry Widow "

Léhar: The Land of Smiles; The Merry Widow; The Count of Luxembourg (Highlights) Manufacturer: Class. for Pleas. Us ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Lehár, Franz | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Johann Strauss II: Die Fledermaus; The Gypsy Baron (Highlights) Offenbach: La Belle Hélène; Orpheus in the Underworld; La Vie Parisienne (Highlights) Music of Sigmund Romberg Offenbach: Orpheus in the Underworld / Burgess, Watson, etc (Highlights) The Best of Operetta, Vol. 3 ASIN: B00009KHY2 Release Date: 2003-09-02

Customer Reviews:

Arguably "The Best" English "Merry Widow ".......2006-09-12

This is the "Merry Widow" with English translation by Christopher Hassel sung by June Bronhill. I loved this rendition ever since I first heard it in about 1960. What's to love? First the translation is the best I've heard. The language doesn't sound "stilted" as some others. And, you can understand almost every word sung. Plus, the famous song, "Vilja" has some wording that moves me every time I hear it: The soprano sings, "Love me and I'll DIE for you!" with the word "die" somewhat emphasized. I don't know, there's just something "powerful" about someone saying they'd "die" for love! AND, at the end of "Vilja" the chorus and soprano raise to a crescendo hitting a high note together. In many renditions the chorus is heard but not the soprano on the final high note. In THIS version, the soprano, June Bronhill, can be heard rising to the final high note with an incressing crescendo and fortissimo louder than the chorus and holding the final high note---which gives a very thrilling effect as she holds that final note, I assure you!

The "problem" is that this June Bronhill, Reid, and Hassel version is hard to find on CD. For example, this CD is made in Holland and "there is one left" so it says on Amazon. But, if you can find it, I think it would be very much worth a listen. Then, after hearing it, if you think there's a "better" Merry Widow, please let ME know! Thanks. Email:boland7214@aol.

Average customer rating:

Captain's Last Live Concert Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band Manufacturer: Ozit Records UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Experimental Rock | Rock | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Blues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Amsterdam '80 Live in London: Drury Lane '74 Under Review 21st Century Mirror Men Dichotomy ASIN: B000F8NKF4 Release Date: 2006-05-01

Tracks:

1. Hair Pie Bake III [Bass Solo]
2. Hair Pie Bake III [Full Band Version]
3. Nowadays a Woman's Gotta Hit a Man
4. I Wanna Find a Woman That'll Hold My Big Toe
5. Hot Head
6. Ashtray Heart
7. Dirty Blue Gene
8. Smithsonian Institute Blues (The Big Dig)
9. Best Batch Yet
10. Band Intro
11. Safe as Milk
12. One Red Rose That I Mean
13. Sue Egypt

Tracks:

1. Doctor Dark
2. Bat Chain Puller
3. My Human Gets Me Blues
4. Sheriff of Hong Kong
5. Kandy Korn
6. Suction Prints
7. Big Eyed Beans from Venus
8. Orange Claw Hammer [Rare Studio Version][*]
9. Captain Beefheart Speaks [*]
10. Ry Cooder Talks About Working with the Captain and the Magic Band [*]

Average customer rating: Technical virtuosity! GREAT STUFF A Walk in the Park A Master shines !!! Supreme artist and virtuoso playing spellbinding music!

Midori - Live at Carnegie Hall Ludwig van Beethoven , Richard Strauss , Claude Debussy , Heinrich Wilhelm Ernst , Fryderyk Chopin , Maurice Ravel , Midori (Goto) , and Robert McDonald Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Chopin | Chopin, Frédéric | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ernst, Heinrich Wilhelm | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ravel, Maurice | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Strauss | Strauss, Richard | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Debussy | Debussy, Claude | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Nocturnes | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Midori | ( M ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | 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 Classical Instrumental 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 Musicals | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Midori ~ Encore! French Violin Sonatas Midori ~ Sibelius - Violin Concerto · Bruch - Scottish Fantasy / Israel PO · Mehta Mendelssohn, Bruch: Violin Concertos Dvorák: Violin Concerto, Op.53 ASIN: B0000027CW Release Date: 1991-04-19

Tracks:

1. Sonata for violin & piano No. 8 in G major, Op. 30/3 No.3
2. Sonata for violin & piano in E flat major, Op. 18
3. Nocturne for piano No. 21 in C minor, B. 108
4. Variations on "The Last Rose of Summer" for violin solo
5. Beau soir ("Lorsque au soleil couchant les rivihres sont roses"), song for voice & piano, L. 6 Transcribed for violin & piano
6. Tzigane, rhapsodie de concert for violin & piano (or orchestra)

Customer Reviews:

Technical virtuosity!.......2005-11-26

I'll preface this review by saying that I've been disappointed in the past with some of Midori's recordings. She was never lacking in technical skill, and RARELY does she have intonation problems. I did have issues with her musicalty. It is in technically difficult pieces (like the Paganini caprices) that her skills shine.

This recording is a dazzling display of technical ability and artistry. Midori has the audacity to attempt Ernst's 6th polyphonic etude (The Last Rose of Summer) in a LIVE recital. She pulls it off without error except intonation issues on a few notes (easily forgiven!). The CD is worth owning for this one piece alone.

The Beethoven and Strauss sonatas are played with wonderful clarity and.. dare I say... musicality. The sound quality is excellent save a few audible coughs from the audience which come with live recordings.

GREAT STUFF.......2003-11-02

This CD is ample evidence of Midori's virtuosity, coupled with first-rate musicality. However, I have to disagree with one reviewer's assertion that she is non-pareil. Indeed, her Ernst is not perfect, though it comes very close. Careful listening will pick up slight intonation errors.Ricci performed with more facility. It is utterly ridiculous to place her above Heifetz, or even Perlman. And it is even more ridiculous to suggest that those two violinists were afraid to record the Ernst. Midori is great, but not as great as Heifetz or Perlman or Ricci.

A Walk in the Park.......2001-08-07

Not to toot my own horn; I play four instruments for over forty years. So what? Don't just listen to the music. Listen to the notes. Midori miss a note? I rather doubt it. The orchestra may be taking a day off for a walk in the park; but, Midori's persisting drive brings them back time and time again. All of the artists seem to be a bit stiff in their presentation. It's noticeable if you listen. One never knows if their review will be implemented. Mine will always deal with the worlds of difference between hearing the work and listening. This reviewer is not concerned with Midori's ability to equal or surpass another's work. I am interested in what her presentation does for me on it's own merit. Frankly, I am surprised that she doesn't catch her instrument on fire much like the rubing of sticks together until the heat brings forth fire. Midori is fire.

A Master shines !!!.......1999-06-12

What can be said about Midori that a fan doesn't already know ? Again, her unique, beautiful style is on display.

I've listened to this Strauss Sonata many many times and I feel Midori has created a miracle on a CD. Such emotion, timbre, richness of tone... a violin can NOT sound better...

I luv Midori..... !!

Supreme artist and virtuoso playing spellbinding music!.......1998-09-10

Four days before her nineteenth birthday, standing for the first time on the stage of a legendary building, in front of a sellout crowd (3000), Midori delivers an extraordinary 100-minute long program, from memory. Unfortunately, the CD version can only include 75 minutes of it, and thus excluded Mozart's sonata K.301 and a resplendent tour de force of Sarasate's Zapateado. Therefore, I sincerely exhort anyone who's interested in Midori to buy the LD or VHS version.

The second piece of the program is the magnificent, hyper-romantic, yet seldom recorded sonata by the young Richard Strauss. In contrast with the previous piece, this ultra-dramatic sonata is marvellously rich in content and expressive opportunities, and one can scarcely imagine it being played more effectively by someone else. Midori's technical finesse and enchanting tone, governed by a contemplative mind and a feverishly ardent heart, ready to pump out into the rapt audience at any moment, culminate in an immensely moving rendition. The listener must also credit the pianist Robert McDonald's spirited and sensitive playing. One can't help wondering why one so rarely hears this splendid piece.

This enigma is not so confounding after one listens to Heifetz's 1954 studio recording of the same piece. Seasoned critic Henry Roth declares that the Strauss Sonata "belongs" to Heifetz in the sense that few would dispute his supremacy. Indeed, Heifetz championed this work throughout his career, yet apparently to little avail; were Midori in Heifetz's position, she would positively have widely popularized the work.

Midori begins the second half with Beethoven's Sonata No. 8. She captures the gaiety and animation of the outer movements as well as anyone else, yet they are not fully gratifying. In the first movement, the exposition is repeated, later recapitulated, but unbelievably, her interpretations-though individually superb-of these three times are virtually the same, lacking in variety. In the third movement, her pursuit of wanton vivacity in a certain passage sacrifices the tone quality. Yet her slow movement is super-sensitive, particularly in transitional passages; it is the finest rendition of this movement I've ever heard--even superior to Szeryng's.

The following piece--Ernst's Variations on "The Last Rose of Summer"--I consider to be one of the three most technically demanding pieces ever written for the violin, together with Paganini's variations on Nel cor piu non mi sento and God Save the Queen.

The most horrendous part is about halfway through the middle, when the left hand plucks the celebrated theme, and the bow plays legato arpeggios across all four strings as an accompaniment at the same time. Don't forget that the left hand also has to press the swift arpeggio notes! Then the left-hand pizzicato is exchanged for artificial harmonics, singing the melody while the arpeggios still whirl around. The pizzicato returns to repeat the dumbfounding passage, and then she heads into the final variation, designed to exhibit the violin's kaleidoscopic tone colors: Harmonic staccatos-one of the ultimate tests in precision and coordination of both hands-juxtaposed alternately with a blizzard of double-harmonics, huge octave leaps, full-pelt runs up and down a single string, fingered octaves, pizzicato, etc.

Midori audaciously elected to play in her New York debut this terrifying piece which, as far as I know, only Ricci, Kremer and Vengerov to date have recorded in history; Heifetz and Perlman undoubtedly have never dared to take up its stratospheric challenge. Double-harmonics often make a good violinist sound like two bad ones, but Midori, with her exceptionally lengthy, slender, and agile fingers, effortlessly negotiates these intricacies and makes them sound as if they were played by two fine flutists. This will no doubt render multitudes of violinists, such as Heifetz, green with envy. The fiendishly difficult fireworks are all tossed off with lithe gracefulness and seeming ease; the left-hand pizzicatos are articulate, the harmonics pellucid, the octave shifts pure in intonation, and the tone quality immaculate. To be relentlessly critical, in this live concert, there were a paltry two or three fleeting notes that weren't of perfect pitch. See if you can find an edited studio recording closer to perfection.

Midori's prodigious prowess lies not only in her ability to make the most herculean pieces sound easy, but make them sound musical. We can try to forget about all the pyrotechnics; rather than marvel at her unprecedented instrumental mastery, we can immerse ourselves in the wonderfully beautiful music, and savour the bountiful nuances.

Anyone would badly need a respite after performing such a strenuous piece, and Midori gave her hands--but not her mind and heart--a brief relief in Chopin's Nocturne in C-sharp minor. Here's another meticulously thought out and superbly expressive rendition that, complemented with a most sympathetic tone, can hardly fail to melt the attentive listener's heart.

Ravel's Tzigane [gypsy] begins with a long oration of the solo violin, the first part of it entirely on the G string. In some other versions, e.g. by Francescatti, the solo part sounds inert, mundane, and monotonous; certainly that is not what I expect from Midori. Even solely on one string, Midori, by dint of divergent bow pressures, portamentos and vibrato, plus rubato, creates a most colorful, elastic, luscious, bewitching, yet doleful tone. Throughout the piece, she perpetually captivates the audience with her breathtaking technical wizardry, variegated and multi-dimensional tone, boundless array of expressive devices, stark dynamic contrasts, and subtle phrasing.

Due to the limited space here, I cannot pinpoint several startling details of Midori's innovative rendition. To sum up, one can only be awe-struck by her sophisticated mind, natural gypsy spirit, and dazzling virtuosity, which results in a performance that brought the house down.

It seems that the 19-year-old Midori has nearly reached the pinnacle of violin art. Every rational, experienced and impartial person who had the privilege to witness this unforgettable concert will have to concede that, at least in expressive and virtuosic music, Midori is already a nonpareil.

Average customer rating: Historic Coltrane, Badly Recorded Though. It's not just that it's a poor recording... Pure & brutally honest music Way better than I expected in terms of sound quality THE OLATUNJI CONCERT: blazing!

The Olatunji Concert: The Last Live Recording John Coltrane Manufacturer: Umvd Labels ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: Live in Seattle Live in Japan Stellar Regions Drums of Passion: The Beat One Down, One Up: Live at the Half Note ASIN: B00005MAWI Release Date: 2001-09-25

Tracks:

1. Introduction - Billy Taylor
2. Ogunde - John Coltrane
3. My Favorite Things - John Coltrane

Amazon.com

Recorded just a few months before John Coltrane's death on July 17, 1967, the importance of this document cannot be overstated. It captures the legendary tenor and soprano saxophonist live in concert at the Olatunji Center of African Culture in Harlem. Backed by an ensemble featuring his wife, pianist Alice Coltrane, bassist Jimmy Garrison, drummer Rashied Ali, and saxophonist Pharoah Sanders, Coltrane unleashes his most impassioned and complex performance on disc. The two extended compositions on this date, the Afro-Brazilian folk tune "Ogunde" and "My Favorite Things," are taken to their harmonic and rhythmic limits by Coltrane and company. Coltrane quite simply went where no musician had gone before. --Eugene Holley Jr.

Customer Reviews:

Historic Coltrane, Badly Recorded Though........2007-03-30

Historically speaking, John Coltrane's final live recording from April 1967 at the Olatunji Center in Harlem is one of extreme significance. It was the next to last time Coltrane ever performed live. Within three months, he would pass away from liver cancer.
The CD release of Coltrane's Olatunji Concert is unfortunately only recommended for the utmost Coltrane die-hard. Musically, the concert is one of extreme power and great musicianship. However, the sound quality of the recording is way below standard almost to the point of being unlistenable. This reviewers theory is that this was the only copy of this recording available so Impulse Records had no choice but to use it.
When listened to with the proper set of ears (ie: if you can filter through the distortion), the Olatunji Concert displays Coltrane's ensemble at their very best. Here, we get to hear Coltrane expand the percussive pallette by bringing in two percussionists to augement drummer Rashied Ali. Pharoah Sanders screeching tenor sax never sounded so violent yet so beautiful. Although he was obviously ill, John Coltrane himself was at his very best here as well. His multi-directional soprano sax work on the concert mainstay "My Favorite Things" is probably as far out as he has ever gotten. Granted, even if this was a high quality recording, it still would not be categorized as 'easy listening'.
The essay that's in the CD booklet is very informative offering an historical insight to the Olatunji Concert and its recording. There are many historic photos taken from Coltrane's late period including one from the Olatunji performance itself.
Because of the poor fidelity of this recording, it would have been nice if there were a warning label on the outside cover. Unfortunately, there isn't nor is there any mention of questionable sound quality in the CD booklet either. However, as mentioned above, this is an important and historical document that is recommended for the avid COltrane die-hard. For everyone else, this is definitely not recommended.
For more historic live Coltrane recordings of this late period with more listenable sound quality, I definitely recommend the four-disc "Live In Japan" from 1966 as well as the double-disc "Live In Seattle" from 1965.

It's not just that it's a poor recording..........2006-11-16

...it's that it is pretty much unlistenable (at least on headphones) because of a high-pitched whine throughout. Add that this is an adventurous performance even by Coltrane's standards and you have a splitting headache for all but the most dedicated completists.

Obviously this is a great pity given the recording's great historical significance.

Pure & brutally honest music.......2006-10-19

Despite the low sound quality, this is some of the most transcending music ever created in my opinion. It's abstract, it's sharp, it's whatever you want it to be. Above it all, it is very pure and brutally honest music performed by someone (John Coltrane) who has gone through many transitions throughout his life, and is simply expressing himself through the art of improvisation by going through any means possible to make his emotions as blatently obvious as he can. He goes beyond the limits of playing the saxophone, but making the instrument a part of himself; body, mind, and spirit.

This album isn't supposed to make you feel comfortable. It's supposed to change how you view life, how you listen to music, and essentially, what your potential can be, as well as your limits. John Coltrane understood that music was to be taken very personally. If at first you don't like this album -- which I can understand -- come back to it some other time. It really is a historical document of music in its purist state.

Way better than I expected in terms of sound quality.......2006-03-14

I waited a while to get this one (this was probably close to the 50th Coltrane CD I have purchased), and I was initially very reluctant to order this, mostly because I had heard negative comments about the recording quality. While it's true that the sound quality is not great, it's really not that bad either. At times the distortion that I hear even complements the music somehow. Pharoah Sanders really doesn't even sound like he's playing tenor, more like an electric guitar combined with human screaming, and he is, by the way, on fire this particular evening. This may be my favorite live recording of this group; it certainly made me fall in love with this era of Coltrane all over again. The two percussionists backing Ali also add to the power of this performance.

This is probably not the place to start if you're just getting into Coltrane, but I would certainly highly recommend this CD to anyone who already feels passionately about the music of John Coltrane.

THE OLATUNJI CONCERT: blazing!.......2005-09-22

many listeners will be put off by the low sound quality of this live concert, but i love it. i think it adds to the raw and fiery performance. i like the fact that drums are beaten so loudly that the sound levels go up a little bit into the red, or when Coltrane's playing soars to the shrieking side of the spectrum, you can almost feel the building shaking. personally, i think this is Coltrane's most important live record ever made. not just because it is the final concert, but because it shows his spirit of exploration and search for a musical truth were values that he never let go of. that fact, and his absolutely stunning and passionate playing on this record are life-affirming confirmation of the stamina and personal triumph of John Coltrane.

Average customer rating: Selena Live the last concert WHAT'S BEST RECORDED IS BETTER LIVE out of this world DYNAMIC Need to know before you buy!

Live: Last Concert Selena Manufacturer: EMI Latin ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Latin Music | Styles | Music Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music Tejano | Latin Music | Styles | Music Mexico | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Live Albums | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Amor Prohibido Selena Ven Conmigo Mis Primeros Exitos Selena ASIN: B00006I0DB Release Date: 2002-09-24

Tracks:

1. Disco Medley: I Will Survive/Funkytown/Last Dance/The Hustle/On The Radio
2. Amor Prohibido
3. Baila Esta Cumbia
4. Tus Desprecios
5. Cobarde
6. Techno Cumbia
7. La Carcacha
8. No Me Queda Mas
9. Bidi Bidi Bom Bom
10. Si Una Vez
11. El Chico Del Apartamento 512
12. Ya Ves
13. Como La Flor
14. Spoken Liner Notes By The Band And Family

Amazon.com essential recording

With so many products still flooding the market to commemorate--and cash in on--the tragic death of Tejano queen Selena, it's easy to forget what made her so special in the first place. Beneath all the books, movies, documentaries, and failed musicals, however, is the music. Selena's energy, talent, and joyous spirit are perfectly captured on Live, the Last Concert, the seventh posthumous release from EMI Latin. (A collection of remastered early recordings was released in February by Selena's father, Abraham Quintanilla.) The concert took place February 26, 1995, as part of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and it has been meticulously remastered for this release. From the introductory "Disco Medley" to the bittersweet cumbia "Como la Flor," Selena works the crowd effortlessly, who respond with thunderous applause and enthusiastic sing-alongs. Every moment on this stellar disc is infused with a thrilling urgency, thanks to Selena's rich, throaty vocals and passionate delivery. The lighthearted "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom" is surprisingly solid in the live format; and Selena transforms "La Carcacha," a fun cumbia about her boyfriend's clunker of a car, into a full-throttle Latin pop epic. There's never a false moment here, and Live, the Last Concert stands as a testament to the light that still illuminates the hopes of Selena and the hearts of her unwavering fan base. It's also one of the year's best releases--in any language. --Joey Guerra

Amazon.com

With so many products still flooding the market to commemorate--and cash in on--the tragic death of Tejano queen Selena, it's easy to forget what made her so special in the first place. Beneath all the books, movies, documentaries, and failed musicals, however, is the music. Selena's energy, talent, and joyous spirit are perfectly captured on Live, the Last Concert, the seventh posthumous release from EMI Latin. (A collection of remastered early recordings was released in February by Selena's father, Abraham Quintanilla.) The concert took place February 26, 1995, as part of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and it has been meticulously remastered for this release. From the introductory "Disco Medley" to the bittersweet cumbia "Como la Flor," Selena works the crowd effortlessly, who respond with thunderous applause and enthusiastic sing-alongs. Every moment on this stellar disc is infused with a thrilling urgency, thanks to Selena's rich, throaty vocals and passionate delivery. The lighthearted "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom" is surprisingly solid in the live format; and Selena transforms "La Carcacha," a fun cumbia about her boyfriend's clunker of a car, into a full-throttle Latin pop epic. There's never a false moment here, and Live, the Last Concert stands as a testament to the light that still illuminates the hopes of Selena and the hearts of her unwavering fan base. It's also one of the year's best releases--in any language. --Joey Guerra

Customer Reviews:

Selena Live the last concert.......2003-08-10

this shows the eletricfing performance of Selena, this disc also inclueds Selena's last perfromance before March 31, 1995 the day of Selena's death.

WHAT'S BEST RECORDED IS BETTER LIVE.......2003-04-29

While it's no secret that Selena posessed intense vocal talent,there is no other record besides "Live: The Last Concert" that encompasses this so well. Selena's live vocals are just as emotionao, searing, firey and heart-felt as they are recorded, and maybe even more so. The energy surrounding this live recording is not only the energy in Selena, but in her fans as they sing along. You get caught up in the moment as this living piece of time plays.

Some of the most stunning and memorable tracks are the "Disco Medley." By anyone else, this would be known as nothing but a "re-make" but by Selena old disco standards are suddenly brought back to life. Her Live version of "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom" is better than it is recorded, with the lilting emotion of both her and the audience envigorating the spirit. "Si Una Vez" is both heart-breaking and angering, but only because you can feel in her vocals this is how she felt (or at least she's so convincing that it seems that way). The only track on this record that is a little below the bar is this live recording of "Como La Flor". Selena seems short in her words, but not in her emotion. This song is better performd on the first "Live" album, but is definetly not flat.

This album is a must-have for A Selena fan or any fan of truly great performing, vocal talent or just plain great music.

out of this world.......2003-04-16

Selena is the best and this is her at her best go buy it now.

DYNAMIC.......2002-12-27

This cd is like a piece of history. It can never be duplicated and remains a recorded example of the life of one dynamic individual. The songs are a collection of her choice ,in music, and sings them with all the excitement and emotion one could ever hope for. This is a "feel good" cd and will leave you with a smile of satisfaction on your face.

Need to know before you buy!.......2002-12-15

Im geting sick of them puting out stufe we already have, Now Im not saying that I don't like this cd I do, But I think That they should put out songs that we have not herd before, Like put all her old lps on cd remasted?

Average customer rating:

Live: The Last Concert Selena Manufacturer: EMI Latin ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Latin Music | Styles | Music Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music Tejano | Latin Music | Styles | Music Mexico | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Live Albums | Pop | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Similar Items: Selena ¡Vive! Selena - Greatest Hits Selena Live - The Last Concert Unforgettable: Ultimate Edition (2 CDs + 2 DVDs) Ones (CD & DVD) ASIN: B0007QS3XS Release Date: 2005-03-15

Tracks:

1. Disco Medley a) I Will Survive b) Funkytown c) Last Dance d) The Hustle e) On The Radio
2. Amor Prohibido
3. Baila Esta Cumbia
4. Tus Desprecios
5. Cobarde
6. Techno Cumbia
7. La Carcacha
8. No Me Queda Mas
9. Bidi Bidi Bom Bom
10. Si Una Vez
11. El Chico Del Apt. 512
12. Ya Ves
13. Como La Flor
14. Spoken Liner Notes By The Band And Family

Average customer rating: Beck's new trio - a winner! An electrifying set by the Gordon Beck Trio!

Not the Last Waltz Gordon Beck Trio Manufacturer: Art of Life Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Gyroscope Thoughts of Dar Es Salaam ASIN: B0001JXQHY Release Date: 2004-02-18

Tracks:

1. Einbahnstrasse
2. Miss Day
3. Everything I Love
4. Not The Last Waltz
5. Announcements
6. This Heart Of Mine
7. Race Against Time
8. Blues in 'G'
9. First Trip

Album Description

Recorded live at the Appleby Jazz Festival in Cumbria, England on Sunday July 27, 2003. This is the debut recording featuring Gordon's new trio. Featuring Bruno Rousselet on acoustic bass and Philippe Soirat on drums. This 74 minute live recording features 60 minutes of music from the Appleby Jazz Festival and a 14 minute bonus track recorded live at the Petit Opportun Club in Paris, France on January 10, 2003. This recording was digitally recorded and digitally mastered with 24-bit technology.

Customer Reviews:

Beck's new trio - a winner!.......2004-04-21

Was at the Appbleby jazz fest last year, had the great pleasure in catching Gordon's new trio, the other two lovely french geezers really suit his playing, so consequently a trio that plays tremendous jazz (as she should be played).

An electrifying set by the Gordon Beck Trio!.......2004-02-24

An electrifying set by the Gordon Beck Trio, with french musicians Bruno Rousselet and Philippe Soirat on bass and drums, brought some of the most ecstatic reactions of the weekend at the Appleby Jazz Festival. Beck, a fearsome keyboard player, played long, fast runs as if every note was in sharp focus in his mind. He had a startling unity of purpose with his partners and played a repertoire of powerful, resonant, and often engagingly bluesy themes. - John Fordham - Guardian Newspaper U.K.

Average customer rating:

Captain's Last Live Concert Plus ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music ASIN: B000FKO57Y Release Date: 2006-05-09

Average customer rating:

Last Concert Live Manufacturer: Ballin In The Trunk ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music ASIN: B000CSQ7CA

Product Description

Features DJ Screw, ESG, Big Pokey, and Al-D. High Quality Underground Manufactured On CD-R.

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3. Mas 30 Albums de Coleccion
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8. No Fear 4: Sin Miedo
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