Help! [Soundtrack]

Track Listings

1. Help!

2. Night Before

3. You've Got to Hide Your Love Away

4. I Need You

5. Another Girl

6. You're Gonna Lose That Girl

7. Ticket to Ride

8. Act Naturally

9. It's Only Love

10. You Like Me Too Much

11. Tell Me What You See

12. I've Just Seen a Face

13. Yesterday

14. Dizzy Miss Lizzy

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
How John Lennon's confessional song became the title for a silly James Bond spoof I really don't know. The funny thing is, it works both ways--as a young man's personal statement about learning to open up to others, and as the frantic theme for an exotic espionage chase comedy starring those lovable mop-tops (this time in color). Like A Hard Day's Night, only the first "side" of this album actually contains songs from the movie--the biggest hits being the eponymous cry for assistance and "Ticket to Ride." But part 2 has a few nice tunes as well, like "It's Only Love," "I've Just Seen a Face," and a little ditty called "Yesterday." And I always love it when they do an all-out screamer like "Dizzy Miss Lizzy," which sounds like John's raucous answer to Paul's "Kansas City/Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey" vocal on Beatles for Sale. Of course, it's essential--as are all the Beatles' soundtracks (all the Beatles' albums), with the possible exception of Yellow Submarine. --Jim Emerson --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Tracks:

Help!
The Night Before
You've Got To Hide Your Love Away
I Need You
Another Girl
You're Going To Lose That Girl
Ticket To Ride
Act Naturally
It's Only Love
You Like Me Too Much
Tell Me What You See
I've Just Seen A Face
Yesterday
Dizzy Miss Lizzie

Amazon.com

How John Lennon's confessional song became the title for a silly James Bond spoof I really don't know. The funny thing is, it works both ways--as a young man's personal statement about learning to open up to others, and as the frantic theme for an exotic espionage chase comedy starring those lovable mop-tops (this time in color). Like A Hard Day's Night, only the first "side" of this album actually contains songs from the movie--the biggest hits being the eponymous cry for assistance and "Ticket to Ride." But part 2 has a few nice tunes as well, like "It's Only Love," "I've Just Seen a Face," and a little ditty called "Yesterday." And I always love it when they do an all-out screamer like "Dizzy Miss Lizzy," which sounds like John's raucous answer to Paul's "Kansas City/Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey" vocal on Beatles for Sale. Of course, it's essential--as are all the Beatles' soundtracks (all the Beatles' albums), with the possible exception of Yellow Submarine. --Jim Emerson

Customer Reviews:

The Beatles don't need any help........2007-07-18

Obviously, The Beatles need no help producing great album after great album. Awesome album - great songs, wonderful lyrics. I can say no more. (See the movie. It's hilarious!)

Great album; wanted to straighten out a few things for other reviewers........2007-06-14

First off, this is not the Beatles' best ablum, even from this period. There are good songs (Help!, The night Before, Yesterday, It's Only Love, Dizzy Miss Lizzy, etc.) But I really came here to clarify things for an other reviewer who was wondering why their "ORIGINAL" LP track listing differed from that on this CD. This CD is the original British release, on the Parlaphone label, approved by the Fabs themselves. As such it is the only version that I, or any other self-respecting Beatle fan/purist, will accept or call real. The other reviewer's LP was obviously Capitol's US issue. It featured a different track listing, including incidental music from the film, rather than sticking with the UK's formula of 'Soundtrack side', featuring Beatle tunes from the film, and non-soundtrack side, featuring more Beatle songs recorded at the time. If that review or any other should, for some absurd, unthinkable reason, want the US releases, all they need do is buy the Captiol Albums Volumes 1 & 2. There they will find the albums Meet The Beatles, The Beatles' Second Album, Something New, Early Beatles, Beatles' 65, Beatles VI, and the versions of this and various other albums up through Rubber Soul, all in the way they remember them. For the rest of us- those with any apprecation for artistic domain/integrity- these British, ORIGINAL, REAL, AUTHENTIC versions will do just nicley. Thank you very much!

Good, but not great.......2007-06-12

This is a good album, but it is nowhere close to "Rubber Soul," the other Beatles Album I own (I also own "Love," and "Beatles 1," but those were put together by record companies using some of their best hits). Most people seem to agree with me- The first seven songs on "Help!" are very good, but the next seven after that are "meh" (Yes, I am the same kid who wrote that review in the Rubber Soul Section, and no, my parents are nopt helping me with this one either....let's just say I barley missed the age cutt-off).

I like three of the songs on the second half of the album. These songs are "It's Only Love," "You like Me Too Much," and "Dizzy Miss Lizzy (which the Beatles didn't even write)." The other four are mediocre at best.

I give this album four stars because of the outstanding first seven songs (which were in the movie, as you probably know). "The Night Before,' and "You're Going to Lose That Girl" especially stand out in my mind.

As for calling this the "Transitional Album," I think that title more belongs to "Rubber Soul," but you can see shades of "Norwegian Wood" in both "It's Only Love" and "You've Got To Hide You're Love Away," so I see why people ar saying that.

Overall this is a good album, but if you are looking for a good Rock & Roll Album by The Beatles (as opposed to a slower one released in 1967 or later), I would suggest "Rubber Soul" ahead of "Help!"

Their transition album.......2007-06-10

While I have always enjoyed this album, while never holding it as a top favorite, lately I've come to feel that it's not quite a 5-star effort. It's a very good and solid pop/rock album, though overall not something that's a top-notch classic or indispensible. Taken as a whole, this collection of songs aren't incredibly memorable or deep. For me personally, it doesn't wear as well over too many listenings in a short period, compared with how I can easily play an album like 'Revolver,' RS, or AHDN twice or even more in a row, or once every day, and not get tired of it nearly that soon.

All that said, though, there is quite a bit going for this album. It begins with a burst of energy with the first note of the title track, one of only two songs (the other being "SFF") which John felt qualified as honest songs he'd written, songs which were deeply autobiographical on such a deep level. The album is peppered with other nice little rockers, such as "Ticket to Ride" (considered by some to be the closest thing to heavy metal in 1965) and "Dizzy Miss Lizzy" (though it's a rather odd selection for the closing track). This is really their transitional album, what with a combination of songs in their established style (wild energetic rock and well-crafted pop songs) and ones showing some more experimentation, maturity, and complexity, harbingers of things to come from RS forward, such as the beautiful haunting "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away," the folksy "I've Just Seen a Face," and "It's Only Love" (lame lyrics or not, it does have a very pretty melody and very neat sounds). And though they might not be as essential or high-quality as some of their other pop love songs, "The Night Before," "Another Girl," and "You're Gonna Lose That Girl" are all catchy fun tunes, showing a more mature side of love and relationships than an earlier song such as "All My Loving" or "Love Me Do." Of the two George songs, my favorite is "I Need You"; I've always loved this song and found it to really tug at the heartstrings, even though it's no "Within You Without You" or "Something." If I had to pick the weakest song on here, it would probably be "You Like Me Too Much" or "Tell Me What You See," though I don't find any of these songs to be sub-par except when compared to their other songs from this era. (And I'm sorry, but I've never cared for "Yesterday.")

In spite of the album not quite stacking up against some of the others in their catalogue, it's still nothing to sneeze at, as a transitional album or just as an album in general, and it's still a good sight better, quality-wise and consistency-wise, than most other albums from 1965. And while one could do a lot worse, and as well-crafted as it is, it's not an album I'd recommend as the most ideal first Beatles' album.

Yes! It's among the Beatles' best!.......2007-05-16

I am a huge Beatles fan - have been since seeing them on the Sullivan show at age 11. But I couldn't afford more than a couple of the albums when I was a kid. So it was a real treat for me to start getting all of the CD's as an adult and playing them for my kids. Indeed, in the car, pretty much the _only_ music that my wife, my three kids (at that time - grade school, junior high, high school) and I could agree on were the Beatles. And while we listened to nearly all the Beatles albums, the one that we kept coming back to as the all around favorite, was, oddly enough, "Help."

I realized then that "Help" stands as the culmination of the early Beatles - it contains simple Beatles songs honed to perfection - it's appeal is very simple: great songs, great singing and great production. Next would come "Rubber Soul" and the start of a incredible new era.

Average customer rating:

Very professional, great intro to meditation
Excellent guided meditation
Soothing and comforting
Excellent
Excellent meditation instrument

The Soul of Healing Meditations
Deepak Chopra M.D. , and Deepak Chopra
Manufacturer: Rasa Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Accessories:

The Journey to Wild Divine Biofeedback Software & Hardware for PC & Mac: The Passage

ASIN: B00005TZSK
Release Date: 2001-11-20

Tracks:

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Heart Meditation
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Heart Sutra Meditation
Envoking the Gods of Healing
Inviting the Spirit of Healing
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Amazon.com

Featuring the soothing narration of Deepak Chopra over the trancelike music of Adam Plack, The Soul of Healing Meditations serves as an introduction to meditation for neophytes and as a more advanced tool to help overcome a physical ailment and/or emotional toxicity. That may make it sound like a digital elixir, but as Chopra says in his liner notes: "We like to tell our patients (at the Chopra Center for Well Being) that the body is the best pharmacy in the world and is capable of making wonder drugs." His message here is that one can naturally prevail over serious life challenges by becoming more attuned to one's body--by relaxing and filtering out the external world, focusing on and influencing internal sensations and biorhythms, and banishing negative thoughts and focusing on the positive aspects of life. This CD is not meant as a cure-all for physical or emotional ills. Rather, it's a supplemental experience to other treatments or programs, and it shows how enlightening and empowering meditation can be when practiced properly. Its actual effects will depend upon the receptiveness of the listener. Plack's accompanying soundtrack ranges from delicate ambient tones to more active Indian music, appropriately serving the mood of each of the album's eight tracks. --Bryan Reesman

Customer Reviews:

Very professional, great intro to meditation.......2007-07-18

I settled on this after looking for an introduction to meditation. I am peculiar in that I find some people's voices/accents really distracting to the relaxation process. Every guided meditation album I listened to was either too nasal or too twangy or the music was too lame or... well, you get the picture.

For me, Deepak Chopra's voice is the only one I find soothing! This is a great album, and the music is relaxing - not too silly-keyboardy airy-fairy. It's very professional.

I listen to this while tucked in bed and unfortunately I usually fall asleep before the end! (I like to imagine that my subconscious is still getting the benefit even if I am zonked out 2/3rds of the way through!)

I would recommend this to anybody looking for an introduction to meditation. I have no real previous experience in meditation, eastern philosophy or similar and I found this to be very accessible.

Excellent guided meditation.......2007-06-04

This is an excellent guided meditation for beginners or more advanced meditators. I have used it many times and it has helped me through some tough times. Deepak Chopra is great, and his voice is beautiful and soothing. Highly recommended.

Soothing and comforting.......2007-05-13

This CD helps me each time I listen to it. The comfort I receive is confirmation to me that it truly is healing! Dr. Chopra's voice and the different meditations is completely soothing and relaxing. I enjoy the music they have included on the CD also.

Excellent.......2007-05-07

Excellent tape. I use it a lot. Soothing, healing. I would recommend it for anyone who is serious about utilizing guided imagery for healing.

Excellent meditation instrument.......2007-03-09

The narrator's voice maintains the meditator's attention and focus. The words, music, chants and poetry utilized on this cd are exactly what is needed to slow down and bring your focus inward. If you are looking for a guided journey type cd, this is not it. This cd focuses on healing, breathing, the mind/body connection and the ability of the meditator to generate healing via meditation practice.

Average customer rating:

not sleepy enough
Great CD For Falling Asleep
ZZzzzzz is right!
works wonderfully for the little ones too
Didn't sleep soundly......

Sleep Soundly
Steven Halpern
Manufacturer: Inner Peace Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ambient | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Effortless Relaxation
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ASIN: B000003IU8
Release Date: 1996-10-29

Tracks:

Brahms' Lullaby
Comfort Zone (Delta)
Subtle Energy Balancing
Light As A Feather
Sleep Soundly (Part 1)
Sleep Soundly (Part 2)
Eventide (Part 1)
Eventide (Part 2)

Amazon.com

One of the fundamental criticisms of New Age music is that it puts people to sleep. Here, Steven Halpern, one of the founding fathers of New Age, makes that his mission and, as you might expect, does an effective job of it. Drawing on catalog material from the early 1980s, Halpern builds an attractive collection of delicate, lighter-than-air sonic textures that nicely serves the intended purpose--to fill the silence with something prettier than white noise. Halpern does so by blending electric and acoustic piano, plus additional keyboards, to create soothing, improvisational, cloudlike musical abstractions that often convey the tranquil randomness of wind chimes in a soft breeze. The liner notes also promise your subconscious will be exposed to a series of subliminal, sleep-encouraging affirmations along the quiet, unstructured way. This may sound like so much frou-frou to the unconverted, but for anyone sincerely interested in a sleep aid, Halpern's disc is a certified snoozer, a New Age music box. Other New Age discs may accomplish the same purpose as Sleep Soundly, but few will do it as persuasively. --Terry Wood

Customer Reviews:

not sleepy enough.......2007-03-02

Too repetative, made me want to speed up the Brahams lullaby. Just made me agitated. However my 8 yr. old daught listens to it many nights a bedtime and loves it. I like his Chakra CD much better and find it more relaxing.

Great CD For Falling Asleep.......2007-02-09

We have purchased several CDs to help us sleep, but this one is by far the best. My husband and I was able to fall asleep pretty much before the first track is finished or at most the beginning of the second track. I don't think I can even recall what the third track sounds like... It plays Brahms Lullaby in several versions (trio, duet, solo) along with some other songs, but it does it in a way that is very soothing.
I have strongly recommended the CD to other family members and my collegues.

ZZzzzzz is right!.......2007-01-13

During the first 5 minutes I told myself this is rediculous how is this going to get me to sleep?

Well after another 5 minutes I checked out and went straight to dreamland.
I woke up refreshed and full of energy. I always suffered from not being able to fall asleep, worrying about little things. The cd is great, I can't hear my own thoughts.
I'm a dj and since using this cd my ears are no longer tired and I can mix my music properly. Love it

works wonderfully for the little ones too.......2007-01-12

We have had trouble with our 2 year old staying in bed. She seems to think night time is a good time to bounce off the walls :) We started playing this CD and within 2 nights she was sleeping soundly without trouble. She shares a room with her 4 year-old sister who loves the CD as well. She will ask to have it played every night. It is very soothing background music.

Didn't sleep soundly.............2007-01-12

I found this cd very UNrelaxing, didn't lull me to sleep as promised. Very dissappointed and would not recommend.

Average customer rating:

This should never have worked at all
A GREAT AND OFTEN OVERLOOKED MUSICAL FROM THE 80-IS
Chess
One of my favorites!
Concepts get better with practice

Chess
Bjorn Ulvaeus , and Tim Rice
Manufacturer: Decca Broadway
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000002GLR
Release Date: 1996-07-23

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The Russian And Molokov/ Where I Want To Be - The Ambrosia Singers/Anders Eljas/Tommy Korberg/Denis Quilley
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Quartet (A Model Of Decorum And Tranquility) - Elaine Paige/Tommy Korberg/Denis Quilley/Bjorn Skifs
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Bangkok
One Night In Bangkok
Heaven Help My Heart
Argument
I Know Him So Well
The Deal (No Deal)
Pity The Child
Endgame
Epilogue: You And I / The Story Of Chess

Amazon.com

Chess is a musical that sounds like it shouldn't work but instead succeeds surprisingly well. This is the original concept album that was recorded before the musical was staged in London. Chess is the story of a love triangle told against the backdrop of an international chess tournament during the height of the cold war. The composers are Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus (the Bs in ABBA) and the lyrics are by Tim Rice, who supplied the words for Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita, as well as Disney's Aladdin (with Howard Ashman), The Lion King, and Beauty and the Beast. The six-member cast does a beautiful job with the songs, which are a combination of ballads, rock, and operatic choruses. Murray Head's version of "One Night in Bangkok" became a surprise hit in the mid-'80s and it still turns up on the turntables in dance clubs around the world. --Michael Simmons

Customer Reviews:

This should never have worked at all.......2007-06-18

And on that basis alone, you've got to cut it some slack. Fortunately, not all that much slack turns out to be necessary.

While "Chess" may be a document of an era that no longer exists, there's a lot more going on than the surface metaphor. It holds up very well indeed. When it aims for humor, it generally succeeds, and likewise when it aims to devastate. What more can you ask for?

A GREAT AND OFTEN OVERLOOKED MUSICAL FROM THE 80-IS.......2007-03-04

`Chess' is a musical that should be counted among the best of what the 1980-is had produced: side by side with `Cats', `The Phantom of the Opera', `Les Miserables' or `Miss Saigon'. The score as heard on this concept album, written by Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson (formerly of ABBA) and with the exceptional lyrics written by Tim Rice, stand proof to this. And yet, due to various reasons, like the changing of the director half way through London staging; a heavy rewrite for Broadway and a pan review from Frank Ritch (a.k.a. `The Butcher of Broadway'), `Chess' seems to be unjustly neglected.

This concept album is the main reason why the show has so many ardent fans until this day. Tim Rice wanted to write the show with the main plot revolving around chess for years and after his long time partner Andrew Lloyd Webber remained uninterested, he found the new collaborators in Ulvaeus and Andersson. The subject matter follows two international chess players in a championship, a Russian (Tommy Körberg) and an American (Murray Head) and a woman called Florence (Elaine Paige) who is a manager to the American but falls in love with the Russian. The story also draws a parallel between the game of chess and the cold war/real life situations.

This concept album was recorded in 1984, two years before the original London production took place. As the authors noted in the accompanying booklet, it was a work in progress and thusly the story is not quite readable here from the musical numbers alone. Despite that fact (which is amended by the synopsis included in the booklet), this album remains a winner. The score (played here by the London Symphonic Orchestra) itself makes an intriguing bland of the famous ABBA sound, the classical; the rock and the pop enhanced by the orchestral solo passages and the strong choral parts. The lush orchestrations add an epic touch to it and on the whole it is melodic and hummable, packed with great tunes. Some of the songs achieved huge success outside the musical: `I know him so well', a duet between Elaine Paige and Barbara Dickson, held the number one spot on the UK singles charts for 4 weeks in February 1985 and won Ivor Novello Award as the Best Selling Single; Murray Head's `One night in Bangkok' became one of the biggest dance hits of its time, often heard today. Some other notable tunes include `The Anthem' (Russian's deliberation on his homeland); the soaring rock songs `Where I want to be' and `Pity the child' (in the former, the Russian reflects upon his life under the spotlight; in the latter, the American ponders about his own unhappy childhood) or the gentle `Heaven help my heart' (in which Florence weighs up her relationship with the Russian).

A special reference must be made to Tim Rice's excellent lyrics. With `Chess' he managed to keep up to the high standards he set himself in `Jesus Christ Superstar' and Evita'. Again in this case he shows he is a lyrical wizard, with his familiar cynical touch. `The story of chess', in which he gives a history of the game in a couple of crafty verses, is a pure masterpiece. The same can be said of the song `I know him so well', where the two women reexamine their relationship with the same man. As a whole, `Chess' owes a lot of its appeal to Tim Rice's written word.

The cast on this album ranks the high standard of the material. The principal parts (sung by Elaine Paige, Tommy Körberg and Murray Head) are delivered in a strong and impeccable fashion.

This 2-disc edition comes with a booklet containing a note from the authors, a text about chess, a full synopsis and a libretto, together with the photos of the principal singers.

Anyone interested in the modern musical theatre should find `Chess' to be a great score with great lyrics, which should be enough to satisfy any aficionado.

Chess.......2007-01-15

A magnificent musical, i have enjoyed the music since i first heard it and read the storyline. Had been unable to find it in our local music stores.Very pleased to find it on your site.

One of my favorites!.......2007-01-12

I love "Chess"! I still remember the first time I heard the single "One Night in Bangkok" on my car radio. I thought it was so unusual and so very cool, so I tracked down the album and bought it. Then I taped it onto a cassette, which is what I've been listening to for years, so I finally broke down and got it on CD. Of course, it's on my iPod now. I've seen the musical, and I loved that, too.

Concepts get better with practice.......2006-11-27

I love this show! That said, I do not care for this version of it. The inclusion of the word "concept" in the title means it is just that. This was, thankfully, not the final version of the show that would later spawn the hit song, "One Night In Bangkok".

With most Broadway musicals, the musical numbers tell the basic story of the show. If you listen to the recordings of Phantom, Mama Mia, Beauty and the Beast, you can discern the basic storyline of the show. Listening to this particular recording of Chess, though, will leave you wondering "What was that?" The Broadway arrival of Chess saw a much needed reworking of the storyline and arrangement of the musical numbers. This recording seems too much like a mish-mash of songs that don't really relate to each other.

For musical fanatics (like myself), I say "yes, you should have this recording in your collection", if only to understand how much work went into the show before it opened on Broadway.

If you are only buying the album because of "One Night In Bangkok", purchase the Broadway recording instead; you'll be much happier with the performance by Phillip Casnoff rather than Murray Head.

Average customer rating:

I have used this CD for TEN YEARS...
Welcome to the warm embrace of angels!
Gift of Angels
This is truly music from the angels
life saving music

Gifts of the Angels
Steven Halpern
Manufacturer: Inner Peace Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ambient | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

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Self-Help | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music

Healing | New Age | Styles | Music

Relaxation | New Age | Styles | Music

Electronic | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Self-Help | Miscellaneous | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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ASIN: B000003IVB
Release Date: 1994-10-18

Tracks:

Gifts Of The Angels
Radiance
Ode To Orpheus
Celestial Prophecy
Eternally
Awakening
Pachelbel's Canon
Sand Dance
Angels On High
Inner Peace
Earthrise
Higher Ground
Crystal Suite
The Light In Your Eyes
Starborn Suite

Amazon.com

Steven Halpern has more than 60 recordings in circulation, including audio projects ostensibly designed to enhance memory, wealth, and weight loss. He even has his own trademarked slogan--the Halpern Effect(tm)! (Take that, Mozart.) Thus, it's easy to view Halpern's high-volume output since 1975 less as art and more like a commodity. Gifts of the Angels, a 68-minute compilation (sampling eight albums and adding two original pieces), offers a few nuggets that suggest Halpern's music at times can stand on its own merits, detached from all of its deep-bliss, New Age pretensions. "Celestial Prophecy," is a nicely detailed (which is not to say complex) excursion on solo piano that briefly stirs the senses, and the title track from Higher Ground is a delicate space-music standout. Meanwhile, the 1970s-flashback tonality of Halpern's electric piano (one piece, "Earthrise," can be traced to Halpern's debut release, Spectrum Suite) dates several of the tracks included here. Nevertheless, the disc's pace, which drifts deeper into the ether on each of the last five tracks, is nicely constructed for those aiming to nod off into a state of contented nothingness. --Terry Wood

Customer Reviews:

I have used this CD for TEN YEARS..........2006-12-23

As a massage therapist, this is the ONLY CD I have used consistently in my practice over the past TEN years. There is something about this particular CD that I absolutely love and that has not been duplicated in other CDs I have used (literally hundreds!) Steven Halpern comes up with awesome music! I have many of his other CDs as well, but NOTHING comes close to "Gifts of the Angels". I am now using my 3rd copy and will buy another when this one is worn out. Many of my clients ASK me to use it in their massage sessions and ask me where to find Halpern's music. Superb.

Welcome to the warm embrace of angels!.......2006-08-31

When much of modern day's rock music and the civilization's pressure on people's lifestyle has a stressful and bad influence on the well being Steven Halpern's music is a blessing. The Godfather and inventor of the New Age music that has a healing and relaxing purpose makes music that puts the body in it's own rhythm and leads into a state of balance and inner peace. Gifts of Angels does all this, but adds an extra dimension with its beautiful angel song, making this an absolute world class New Age album. The music puts the brain waves in an alpha state and sometimes my heartbeat even gets down to 40 beats per minute, leading to a sense of peace and relaxation at the same time as its get me ready to meet my everyday life as a more balanced and happier human being. To have the opportunity to lie down and do nothing, just listen to this beautiful music, and let it fill your entire body with peace and comfort is a luxury that I think every human being should have the opportunity to do and that everybody needs to do once in a while. Unfortunately many people don't have the knowledge about New Age and the way it helps us to a better life. Bands like Rush, Journey and Def Leppard gives us the rush and entertainment that we need to be energetic while going to the gym or driving the car fast on a sunny summer day. Steven Halpern's music gets the body in a state of balance and peace and helps us to get more concentrated and focused. The price of this CD is not just the price of another CD, it's an investment in a better life, like buying a miracle pill that gets you healthier and helps you get away from illness and an unhealthy life, a pill that never will end.

Gift of Angels.......2006-08-21

The music is just that! It sounds like you're in Heaven. Halpern scores again!

This is truly music from the angels.......2006-03-24

I listen to this CD when I am meditating and while I am taking a bath. It allows me to relax and truly be in a state of heaven. I love it.

life saving music.......2006-03-07

I did not expect this but I was really buying this for myself, turns out my daughter likes this at night so she can fall asleep. My daughter is 4 and very active, she never seems to know when to rest and relax.
I decided to play this one night just to ease the mood of the night and she was asleep by the 4th song. We play this cd every night. thank!, you thank!, you thank you!

I love this cd because now I can have her go to sleep at a time that is normal for her age instead of an adult time.

Thanks, I recommend this cd for every one that is tense and needs a good easy winding down. I love it

Average customer rating:

Outstanding CD
Effortless Relaxation
Not very impressed
Relaxation!
Unique, the Best I've Heard

Effortless Relaxation
Steven Halpern
Manufacturer: Inner Peace Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Sleep Soundly
Inner Peace
Sound Medicine: Music for Healing
Letting Go of Stress
Ocean Suite

ASIN: B000003IUA
Release Date: 1994-03-28

Tracks:

Pachelbel's Canon In D Major
48 Hours
Dawn
Crystal Suite
Comfort Zone 1
Comfort Zone 2
In The Flow
Hush
Eventide

Customer Reviews:

Outstanding CD.......2007-06-05

I can't say enough about this CD. It is great to meditate to. If you just want to take a 20 minute nap, it is possible with the help of Steven Halpern's music and sounds on this CD. I have it uploaded to my iPod and on a difficult migraine night I just pop the ear peices in and go to sleep listening to this over and over again on shuffle. Highly recommended!

Effortless Relaxation.......2007-03-11

This is a very relaxing CD. My husband and I play it while we are working outside or relaxing in the lanai and it fits perfectly with the nature sounds around us (birds). We also use it for background music when friends are over. Everyone enjoys it and wants to know what it is. It would be a great tape to play in the quiet of the evening to fall asleep to, or to play in a guests room for a relaxing ambiance. It is very well spent money. Thank you, Steven

Not very impressed.......2007-02-14

I got this CD with the hope it would help me relax while I meditate. I didn't care for it. Not my kind of music.

Relaxation!.......2006-11-03

I really enjoy every Cd from Steven Halpern, but this one is really my favorite. It always helps me relax and I use it a lot to drift off into a restfull sleep. I put my MP3 on shuffle because I always fell asleep and never remembered hearing the end of the CD. I would highly recommend this for relaxation. It really melts away the stresses of the day.

Unique, the Best I've Heard.......2002-09-08

Dr. Halpern's talents shine on this CD. I had many relaxation CD's, but after hearing this one, I threw away all but this one. Everyone needs relaxation for good health. This CD is the best of the best!

Average customer rating:

Excellent Score -- Very Unique
One of the few good things about this wretched film
The score elevates the film
Good Soundtrack!
Nice...but a little overrated,

The Village

Manufacturer: Hollywood Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Signs (Score)
Lady in the Water
Unbreakable
The Sixth Sense: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
The Village (Widescreen Vista Series)

ASIN: B0002IQJSC
Release Date: 2004-07-27

Tracks:

Noah Visits
What Are You Asking Me?
The Bad Color
Those We Don't Speak Of
Will You Help Me?
I Cannot See His Color
Rituals
The Gravel Road
Race To Resting Rock
The Forbidden Line
The Vote
It Is Not Real
The Shed Not To Be Used

Amazon.com

In the wake of his Sixth Sense triumph, young director M. Night Shyamalan shrewdly marketed himself as a marquee draw, a thriller auteur in the vein of Hitchcock and DePalma. In the process he's also run headlong into one of Hollywood's truest adages: There's no such thing as a sure thing. But while his tale of an isolated hamlet ringed by mysterious, threatening 'others' met with tepid reviews and disappointing box office, it also underscored another filmmaking truism: So-so films can still be blessed with magnificent musical scores. This hauntingly beautiful, yet thoroughly contemporary orchestral soundtrack by James Newton-Howard distinguishes itself at every turn, becoming a clear standout in the ongoing collaboration between the composer and Shyamalan. While similar fusions of minimalist and post-modern musical influences can sometimes seem not much more than hollow intellectual exercises, Newton-Howard inhabits his hypnotic arpeggios and droning rhythms here with an evocative undercurrent of the mysterious and mystical. The composer leans heavily on solo violin to conjure a mock folk tradition of indistinct origins, wedding it to a contemporary classical sense that's as seamless as it is distinguished. -- Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Score -- Very Unique.......2007-02-22

I have long been a film-score aficionado. My favorite composers are Hans Zimmer, James Horner, Jerry Goldsmith, John Williams -- only the best of the best. I had always known about James Newton Howard and his work, and always respected his unique abilities and talents.

It was with this score that he really caught my attention. The central theme of the film is a love story, and the characters just happen to be caught up in a nightmarish scenario. The score reflects this perfectly; some of the pieces are classically romantic, quiet pieces, while others are thunderous and frightening to reflect the danger and terror portrayed in the film.

James Newton Howard's later works, like "King Kong" (2005) and his co-score with Hans Zimmer on "Batman Begins" (2005) continued to show that he is rightly considered one of Hollywood's A-list composers for big films.

One of the few good things about this wretched film.......2006-11-05

I admit I absolutely hated "The Village". The film started out rather good. The build up in suspense was flawlessly executed but then the second half of the film totally went downhill for me. One of the few things I enjoyed about "The Village" is the film score by James Newton Howard. The combination of the orchestral film score and dark cinematography was perfect. Both complimented each other. Violinist Hilary Hahn was what really gravitated me to the music. A lot of film scores have a terrible tendency to be loud and bombastic (like John Williams and Hans Zimmer) but James Howard Newton's score is subtle and never overwhelming to a person's ears.

The score elevates the film.......2006-08-09

'The Village' was panned pretty harshly in critical circles, but whatever you think of the film, James Newton Howard's score for it is a beautiful piece of work. It lends a haunting, lyrical quality to the film, and it is wonderful to listen to by itself, whether or not you like or have even seen the movie.

While there are a couple pieces in the score that are a little more high-octane in terms of suspense, most of the music is very low-key. Still suspenseful, even spooky at times, but in a very understated and thoughtful way. In some ways similar to Howard's score for 'Signs', which also used repeated rhythms and themes throughout in different ways, the music for 'The Village' differs from the standard "scary movie" score by having pieces which establish a real emotional depth and presence. 'The Village' is a film about love and loss, and much of the music expresses those themes perfectly.

A big part of how the music gets to the depths of emotion is the solo violin performances of Hilary Hahn, present to some extent in almost every piece. From the opening strains of "Noah Visits," the first piece on the CD, her violin speaks the language of the heart and draws the listener into a beautiful world of haunting music, inescapable and compelling. I am amazed by her versatility here. From the fast rhythmic notes of "The Gravel Road" to the high strains of "I Cannot See His Color" to the final, bittersweet tones of "The Vote," Hahn's violin creates a steady thread through the whole score, unifying it and making it unique at the same time. I've listened to several of Hahn's classical performances as well, but I have to say that of what I've heard, her performance for 'The Village' may be her most unique and most compelling yet.

The combination of James Newton Howard's compositions and Hilary Hahn's lush performance have created some beautiful music for 'The Village'. Whether you love the movie or hate it, or even if you're just looking for some rich orchestral music with a beautiful violin performance, this score is well worth owning and listening to many times over.

Good Soundtrack!.......2006-08-03

I'll admit I bought this soundtrack for the music that played during the rescue scene when Phoenix grabbed Howard's hand---that part alone was worth the buy--beautiful music. Anyway, if you like scary music, there's plenty of that on here, but I usually skip those. So let's get down to it---how many tracks do I play over and over and never get sick of them? Numbers 9, 8, and 4's second half-- it switches from scary to the scene mentioned above. Those three are hauntingly beautiful. Numbers 1 and 5 are also very pretty if you are in a very relaxed state. The rest I don't really listen to simply because they're scary. But, if I can find a cd with at least 3 songs I really like, I consider it worth buying...so I recommend this soundtrack. Plug--- recommend the movie even more, even though the music is scarier than the movie itself. That movie has the best chic flic moment I've seen (guess which scene I'm talking about). Also, "Good afternoon Lucius..."--- that part is hilarious!

Nice...but a little overrated,.......2006-06-08

I'm a sucker for film scores. I can't get enough of em'. I've listened to a lot, and based on the reviews James N. Howard's score was getting for "The Village", I decided to buy it.
I have mixed feelings--the music is definitely very pretty, very soothing (or agressive when needed), but I never really felt like I was listening to anything but just 'another' score here. There really isn't anything especially beautiful or stand-out, and I have heard orchestral scores from independent films (see 2002's "Stranded", a low-budget sci-fi film made for only about four million clams that boasts one of the most gorgeous scores you will ever hear)that are more memorable and evocative.
This, I hate to say it, just kinda felt "blah" to me.
Not bad.
Just...kinda..."Blah".

Average customer rating:

Wonderful, but not my first choice
THE BEST recording of the BEST oratorio ever...
Too bad there are so few recordings of Elijah

Mendelssohn: Elijah

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Franz Joseph Haydn: The Creation
Mendelssohn - Elijah / Terfel, Fleming, Bardon, Ainsley, Fulgoni, Paul Daniel
Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde
Brahms - Ein Deutsches Requiem (A German Requiem) / Auger, Stilwell, Atlanta SO, Robert Shaw
Brahms: Ein deutsches Requiem [A German Requiem]

ASIN: B0002XV31A
Release Date: 2005-02-15

Tracks:

Introduction: As God The Lord Of Israel Liveth
Overture
No.1 Help, Lord! Wilt Thou Quite Destroy Us?
No.2: Lord! Bow Thine Ear To Our Prayer!
No.3: Ye People, Rend Your Hearts
No.4: If With All Your Hearts
No.5: Yet Doth The Lord See It Not
No.6: Elijah! Get Thee Hence
No.7: For He Shall Give His Angels Charge Over Thee
Recitative: Now Cherith's Brook Is Dried Up
No.8: What Have I Do To Do With Thee?
No.9: Blessed Are The Men Who Fear Him
No.10: As God The Lord Of Sabaoth Liveth
No.11: Baal, We Cry To Thee: Hear And Answer Us!
No.12: Call Him Louder, For He Is A God!
No.13: Call Him Louder! He Heareth Not!
No.14: Lord God Of Abraham, Isaac And Israel!
No.15: Cast Thy Burden Upon The Lord
No.16: O Thou, Who Makest Thine Angels Spirits
No.17: Is Not His Word Like A Fire?
No.18: Woe Unto Them Who Forsake Him!
No.19: O Man Of God, Help Thy People!
No.20: Thanks Be To God!

Tracks:

No.21: Hear Ye, Israel; Hear What The Lord Speaketh
No.22: Be Not Afraid, Saith God The Lord
No.23: The Lord Hath Exalted Thee
No.24: Woe To Him, He Shall Perish
No.25: Man Of God, Now Let My Words Be Precious
No.26: It Is Enough; O Lord Now Take My Life
No.27: See, Now He Sleepeth
No.28: Lift Thine Eyes To The Mountains
No.29: He, Watching Over Israel, Slumbers Not
No.30: Arise, Elijah, For Thou Hast A Long Journey
No.31: O Rest In The Lord
No.32: He That Shall Endure To The End, Shall Be Saved
No.33: Night Falleth Round Me, O Lord!
No.34: Behold! God The Lord Passed By!
No.35: Above Him Stood The Seraphim
No.36: Go, Return Upon Thy Way
No.37: For The Mountains Shall Depart
No.38: Then Did Elijah The Prophet Break Forth
No.39: Then Shall The Righteous Shine Forth
No.40: Behold, God Hath Sent Elijah
No.41: But The Lord, From The North Hath Raised One
No.41a: O Come Everyone That Thirsteth
No.42: And Then Shall Your Light Break Forth

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful, but not my first choice.......2007-04-07

I believe this was the first recording of Elijah in English that used an "international" conductor and some international singers. Fruhbeck gives a good, dramatic sweep to the piece, with some wonderful dramatic moments. This is an old fashioned performance, with only a solo quartet, and if there is a semi-chorus, I can't tell the difference. This means that the soprano is the Widow, and an Angel, the mezzo the Angel and Queen Jezabel, etc. You really should have a libretto, but you don't get one at this price.
Fischer-Dieskau roughens up his voice for the role, and therein lies a problem. The voice spreads and his diction suffers because of it; that and his unidiomatic pronounciation, with far too many rolled "r"s. He does the drama well, but what works well in lieder works here less well on the large scale. Odd, given his success as on opera singer (check out his Iago), that here he frequently comes off blustery.
Dame Gwyneth Jones belies her reputation and gives a contolled, dramatic performance, using her "edge" to advantage in "Hear Ye, Israel". Gedda's diction is amazing, with exactly the right color for this literature, and projecting a little more blood than an English tenor.
Dame Janet Baker is my star in this performance. Dramatic, heart-rending when need be, and in wonderful voice. She'll chill your blood when she tells the people of Baal to "slaughter him, do what he hath done!".
And as for the people of Baal, the Philharmonia Chorus is wonderful. Incisive and dramatic, with beautiful tone. I could do without the trick of the boy choir for "Lift Thine Eyes", and I miss the small ensembles, but all in all a fine performance, and good recording, circa 1968.
First choice in English, Daniels/Terfel: better Elijah in Terfel, better recording, more authentic orchestra, small vocal ensembles (as per the score) but inferior women (including Fleming: beautiful tone, but where's her head?). In German, it's Sawallisch/Adam all the way.
But if you're singing Elijah, and have a score, this is a good choice.

THE BEST recording of the BEST oratorio ever..........2006-08-15

Okay, I'm gonna admit I'm biased- I first sung in the chorus of Elijah when I was 14 and it made a BIG impression on me!
This recording is in every way wonderful. Starting with Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau. He IS Elijah to me. His singing is perfection. He has amazing phrasing and his diction makes it possible to understand the lovely, inspired libretto to this heavenly music. There are so many pieces that are ephemeral, but a couple of my favorites are: #14, Lord God of Abraham and #37, For the Mountains shall Depart. Dieskau does a great job of what I think of as compassionate, heartfelt singing. His interpretation sounds like the voice of God himself. It has a quality of kindness and yet he sounds just as convincing reprimanding the people of Baal. He is the true highlight of this recording.

That said, the rest of the cast is wonderful as well. Gwyneth Jones has a lovely, silvery voice that has a clarion bell-like tone that rings over the large orchestra with ease. She has occasional "misfire" but is a consistent performer. Dame Janet Baker and Nicolai Gedda both perform at a consistently lovely level. The orchestra and chorus are both wonderful. #15, Cast thy Burden upon the Lord, #32 He that Shall Endure to the End, and #38 Then Did Elijah are all highlights.

All said, for me the main reason to get this recording is Dieskau's Elijah- after all, he's the main character. But don't forget the lovely music. This story is exciting and passionate and sacred all at the same time. For me, it's the best oratorio that has a moving story and great music too.

Too bad there are so few recordings of Elijah.......2006-07-03

This is a good recording of an oratorio that deserves more attention. The chorus and soloists are very good--I just wish Fischer-Diskau wouldn't slide around so much in singing the title part!

Average customer rating:

Bleck!
Voice of an Angel!!
fun cd
Good? Yes. Great? No. Over-rated? HECK YES!
Enchantment Indeed!

Enchantment
Richard Rodgers , Michel Legrand , Leo Delibes , American Traditional , Erik Satie , British Isles Traditional , Jerome Kern , Johann II Strauss , Lucy Simon , David Foster , Sian Edwards , John Clark , Eric Rigler , Frank Ricotti , John Parricelli , Mark Hammond , Paul Keogh , and Michael Thompson
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Prelude: The Best of Charlotte Church
Voice of an Angel
Charlotte Church
Dream a Dream
Tissues and Issues

ASIN: B00005OWEJ
Release Date: 2001-10-09

Tracks:

Tonight
Carrickfergus
Habanera
Bali Ha'i
Papa Can You Hear Me?
The Flower Duet
The Little Horses
From My First Moment
The Water Is Wide
Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man
The Laughing Song
If I Loved You
A Bit Of Earth
Somewhere
The Prayer

Amazon.com

Of course, we couldn't expect time to freeze its relentless path and forever preserve the Welsh sensation Charlotte Church in a chrysalis of precocious youth. And yet, at 15 and now taking bolder steps into expanding her repertory on Enchantment, the soprano remains a marvel of a prodigy. Here, she scours a wider range of sources than on her previous albums. Church moves with breathtaking ease from classic Broadway (West Side Story, Show Boat, South Pacific) to traditional Celtic, film ballads, and even a couple of high-operatic numbers. Church's straightforward approach to the melody of "La Habanera" may not exactly be what Bizet had in mind for his Carmen, but fans will get double pleasure out of the singer's exquisite duet with herself on the haunting "Flower Duet" from Delibes's Lakmé. What's more, there's a greater freedom of expression and sense of how to shape a phrase in many of these tracks--notice how much there is to savor, for instance, in "The Water Is Wide" and "Carrickfergus." It all adds up to a widely varied course, demonstrating the continued growth of a singularly gifted young artist. --Sarah Chin

Customer Reviews:

Bleck!.......2007-05-30

Charlotte has a producing voice, not quite mature, but it's bearable. I don't really appreciate opera unless your name is Sarah Brightman, Hayley Westenra or Holly Stell. Carrickfergus and Somewhere are decent for her voice, but "The Prayer" and "The Water is Wide" is very damaging to my ears due to the fact, her Italian sucks, her range is not wide enough in "Water".

Voice of an Angel!!.......2007-02-05

I enjoy listening to this cd by Charlotte Church! She has such a lovely voice. I especially love listening to Habañera and The Flower Duet as both are sung beautifully by Ms. Church!!

fun cd.......2006-12-29

I love this cd and have had it quite a while. I was just enjoying it again today and thought I'd write a review because I do enjoy it so much. It's just a fun, enjoyable album. Pretty orchestration, a lovely voice, nice to sing along with. Especially at the top of my lungs in the car (alone when no one can hear me!)
I really don't know why one would NOT enjoy this cd.

Good? Yes. Great? No. Over-rated? HECK YES!.......2006-12-15

I bought this CD when I was still in high school, singing soprano I & II in choir. It's not bad but she does much better than even some older kids attempting soprano. I think due to the popularity she gained this poor girl has endured much harsh criticism. True, we can't cut her slack JUST because she is a little girl but on the other hand for someone to sing opera at that age her work IS superb. Whether she's a prodigy or victim of over-ambitious parents & media, she deserves credit where it's due. At least she DID break out as some-what of a mainstream artist & exposed this type of music to those who stereotyped it as fat ladies w/powder-white make-up belting out notes that would shatter glass. Some say the same for Josh Groban who broke into the scene as a mainstream tenor/baritone vocalist. As far as skills & talent, he not the greatest either but many people adore his music. The same credit should go to Charlotte Church.

As far as feedback on the quality...
It's VERY hard to believe the deliverance of her performance. A 15-year-old (even younger on her debut cd) singing songs about love & being able to see the world seems silly. Cracking voice? Yeah, you can really tell she had a difficult time hitting the high note in The Laughing Song because it got all air-y. Honestly, some trained sopranos over-shoot their high notes too & get extremely SHARP so I didn't mind her air-i-ness. I think she did a great job on The Flower Duet though. It still has the same relaxing quality as some other versions I've heard from various movie soundtracks. But compare this to the likes of professionals - real professionals - she's merely tolerable. Try Sarah Brightman if you want to listen to some nice musical sopranos. She even has some pretty remakes of modern songs.

Enchantment Indeed!.......2006-08-20

This CD is simply amazing! However, I am sick and tired of people pressuring her to be someone that she's not! Trying to fit into today's popular music scene, Charlotte has turned to pop, and her career isn't flying well because of it! Her voice is simply amazing for opera, and I will not hear another insulting word about her!

Anyways, the CD is genius! Tonight from "West Side Story" is beautifully sung. Carrickfergus, Habanera, and Bali Ha'i are sung with a hypnotizing beauty. Papa, Can you Hear Me and The Flower Duet are amazing as well!

However, on The Flower Duet, Church's vocals seem strained a bit. The Little Horses is a decent piece, a remake of the standard English folk song. I prefer it straight instead of a varied beat, so that Church's voice could soar on and on.

From my First Moment is a fairly nice song, but The Water is Wide is simply amazing! Her vocals are soaring and mezmerizing!

Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man is NOT the song for her, because she puts a weird accent on the song, like she's trying to sound like a hoodlum! The Laughing Song is something that SHOULD NOT be tried by children, because the vocals are so strained! If I Loved You is a simple yet wonderful piece!

A Bit of Earth and Somewhere are both beautiful pieces, with excellent work from the orchestra.

Overall, this CD is very beautiful! BUY IT!

Show Boat (1988 Studio Cast): Von Stade; Hubbard; Hadley; McGlinn

Average customer rating:

An American Treasure
DON'T DESPAIR. IT'S BEEN REISSUED!!!!!
An American tragedy....
Gorgeous!
Defective disc.

Show Boat (1988 Studio Cast): Von Stade; Hubbard; Hadley; McGlinn
Frederica von Stade , Jerome Kern , Jerry Hadley , Bruce Hubbard , Teresa Stratas , David Garrison , Leslie Fyson , John McGlinn , and London Sinfonietta
Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Carousel (1987 Studio Cast)
Pal Joey: 1995 Original New York Cast Recording
Lady, Be Good! (1992 Studio Cast Recording)
Kiss Me, Kate (1948 Original Broadway Cast)
Oh, Kay! (1994 Studio Recording)

ASIN: B000002SJL
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Overture
Show Boat: Act One, Scene One - Cotton Blossom: Niggers all work on d Mississippi... (Stevedores, Gals, Queenie, Steve, Pete, 1st Mincing Miss, 2nd Mincing Miss, Beaux, Girls & Boys)
Show Boat: Act One, Scene One - Cotton Blossom: 'Andy!!!...' (Parthy, Windy, 1st Mincing Miss, 2nd Mincing Miss)
Show Boat: Act One, Scene One - Cap'n Andy's Ballyhoo: 'Here comes the Show Boat parade!...' (Boy, Girls, Boys, Andy, Parthy)
Show Boat: Act One, Scene One - Cap'n Andy's Ballyhoo: 'Hey Julie...' (Pete, Julie, Steve, Parthy, Andy, Ellie)
Show Boat: Act One, Scene One - Cap'n Andy's Ballyhoo: 'It's a man...' (Ellie, Ravenal, Vallon)
Show Boat: Act One, Scene One - Where's the Mate for Me?: Who cares if my boat goes upstream... (Ravenal, Magnolia)
Show Boat: Act One, Scene One - Make Believe: Only make believe I love you... (Ravenal, Magnolia, Vallon)
Show Boat: Act One, Scene One - Ol' Man River: 'Oh, Joe!...' (Magnolia, Joe, Men)
Show Boat: Act One, Scene Two - Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man: 'What cher doin' all by yourself, Miss Nola?...' (Queenie, Magnolia, Julie, Joe, Servants)
Show Boat: Act One, Scene Three - Life on the Wicked Stage: Why do stage struck maidens clamor... (Ellie, Girls)
Show Boat: Act One, Scene Three - Till Good Luck Comes My Way: The man who ventures with chance... (Ravenal, Men)
Show Boat: Act One, Scene Four - Mis'ry's Comin' Aroun': Mis'ry's comin' aroun'... (Queenie, Women, Joe Magnolia, Julie, Men, Solo Bass)
Show Boat: Act One, Scene Four - Mis'ry's Comin' Aroun': 'Take her up, Rubberface!...' (Andy, Julie, Steve, Magnolia, Parthy, Ellie, Windy)
Show Boat: Act One, Scene Four - Mis'ry's Comin' Aroun': 'Hello, Windy...' (Vallon, Andy, Magnolia, Steve, Julie, Windy, Ellie, Parthy)
Show Boat: Act One, Scene Four - Mis'ry's Comin' Aroun': 'You needn't all look at us...' (Steve, Colored Chorus, Andy, Parthy, Magnolia, Ellie, Frank)
Show Boat: Act One, Scene Four - Mis'ry's Comin' Aroun': 'Looks like a swell...' (Andy, Parthy, Frank, Ravenal, Julie, Magnolia, Steve, Joe)

Tracks:

Show Boat: Act One, Scene Five - I Would Like to Play a Lover's Part: Her face is fair to look upon... (Boys, Girls, Ellie, Frank)
Show Boat: Act One, Scene Five - I Might Fall Back on You: Little girl, you are safe with me... (Frank, Ellie, Girls)
Show Boat: Act One, Scene Five - Queenie's Ballyhoo: 'Is de theatre fillin' up, Cap'n Andy?...' (Queenie, Andy, Colored Chorus)
Show Boat: Act One, Scene Six - Villain Dance
Show Boat: Act One, Scene Seven - You Are Love: 'That you, Nola?...' (Ravenal, Windy, Magnolia, Parthy)
Show Boat: Act One, Scene Eight - Finale Act One: Oh tell me, did you ever!... (Firls, Boys, Chorus, Andy, Women, Men, Negro Women, Magnolia, Parthy, Vallon, Pete)
Show Boat: Act Two, Scene One - At the Fair: When we tell them about it all... (All, 1st Barker, Boys, Girls, Chorus, 2nd Barker, Men, 3rd Barker)
Show Boat: Act Two, Scene One - Why Do I Love You?: I'm walking on the air, dear... (Magnolia, Ravenal, Chorus, Andy)
Show Boat: Act Two, Scene One - In Dahomey: Dyunga doe!... (Dahomey Villagers, White Chorus)
Show Boat: Act Two, Scene Three - Convent Scene: Alma Redmptoris Mater... (Nuns, Mother Superior, Ravenal, Kim)
Show Boat: Act Two, Scene Four: 'All right, Jake...' (Jim, Jake, Julie)
Show Boat: Act Two, Scene Four - Bill: I used to dream... (Julie)
Show Boat: Magnolia's Audition - Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man (Reprise): Fish gotta swim, birds gotta fly... (Magnolia)
Show Boat: Magnolia's Audition - Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man (Reprise): 'Whaddaya say, boss?...' (Frank, Jim, Magnolia, Jake)
Show Boat: Act Two, Scene Six - Trocadero Opening Chorus: Let's make the new year... (Chorus)
Show Boat: Act Two, Scene Six - Apache Dance
Show Boat: Act Two, Scene Six - Goodbye, My Lady Love: So you're going away... (Frank, Ellie)
Show Boat: Act Two, Scene Six - After the Ball: 'Ladies and Gentlemen...' (Jim, Drunk, Andy, Magnolia, A Man, All)
Show Boat: Act Two, Scene Seven - Ol' Man River (Reprise): Ol' Man River... (Joe)
Show Boat: Act Two, Scene Seven - Hey, Feller!: When you yen for a gent... (Queenie, Chorus)
Show Boat: Act Two, Scene Eight - You Are Love (Reprise): 'That you, Nola?...' (Ravenal)

Tracks:

Show Boat: Act Two, Scene Nine: Cottom Blossom (Reprise): Cotton Blossom... (Chorus)
Show Boat: Act Two, Scene Nine - It's Getting Hotter in the North: Now up in the northern land... (Kim, Chorus)
Show Boat: Act Two, Scene Nine - It's Getting Hotter in the North: 'Say, Cap'n Andy...' (Frank, Ellie, Andy)
Show Boat: Act Two, Scene Nine - Finale Ultimo: 'Hello, Gay...' (Andy, Hope, Ravenal, Girl, Man, Magnolia, Old Lady, Chorus)
Show Boat: Appendix - Pantry Scene (Act One, Scene Two; deleted - 1927): 'What cher doin' all by yourself, Miss Nola?...' (Queenie, Magnolia, Julie, Joe, Servants)
Show Boat: Appendix - Waterfront Saloon Scene (Act One, Scene Three; deleted - 1927): 'Number four, black!...' (Voice (off), Ravenal, Loungers, Gambler)
Show Boat: Appendix - Yes, Ma'am (Act One, Scene Three; unused - 1927): Bet your hat... (Girls, Ellie)
Show Boat: Appendix - Kim's Imitations (Why Do I Love You?): (Act Two, Scene Nine; Ziegfeld Production - 1927): Why do I love you?... (Kim, Chorus)
Show Boat: Appendix - Dance Away the Night (Act Two, Scene Nine; London - 1928): Music in the air... (Kim, Girls, Boys)
Show Boat: Appendix - A Pack of Cards (Act One, Scene Six?; unused - 1927): One night as I sat by my fireside so weary... (Magnolia)
Show Boat: Appendix - The Creole Love Song (Act One, Scene Seven; unused - 1927): 'That you, Nola?...' (Ravenal, Windy, Magnolia)
Show Boat: Appendix - Out There in an Orchard (Act Two, Scene Four; unused - 1927): There was a sun sinking slowly in the west... (Julie)
Show Boat: Appendix - Gallivantin' Aroun' (Universal Film - 1936): Liza Matilda HIll... (Magnolia, Chorus)
Show Boat: Appendix - I Have the Room Above Her (Universal Film - 1936): 'Seems to me I've seen that stocking someplace...' (Ravenal, Magnolia)
Show Boat: Appendix - Ah Still Suits Me (Universal Film - 1936): 'Joe! Dere you go again!...' (Queenie, Joe)
Show Boat: Appendix - Nobody Else But Me (Act Two, Scene Nine; 1946 Revival): I was a shy, demure type... (Kim, Chorus)

Amazon.com

John McGlinn's sprawling, monumental three-CD set is about all the Show Boat any listener could ever ask for. In an obvious labor of love, McGlinn reconstructs the show as it ran on opening night, November 15, 1927, including every song, the original orchestrations, and all underscored dialogue. The most significant restoration is the dark choral number "Mis'ry's Comin' Aroun'," as Show Boat's serious subject matter helped establish its place as the most important turning point in the history of American musical theater. McGlinn also adds an appendix that includes songs cut before opening night and every song subsequently written for the show's many productions, most notably the love duet "I Have the Room Above Her," written for the 1936 film. (The recording is also available in a one-disc reduction called the "Broadway Show Album.")

Rest assured this 221-minute blockbuster is not just dry scholarship; it's also terrific listening, with McGlinn conducting a dynamic London Sinfonietta and a strong cast including Frederica von Stade as Magnolia, Jerry Hadley as Ravenal, Teresa Stratas as the tragic Julie, Bruce Hubbard as the worldly wise Joe, Karla Burns as Queenie, and David Garrison and Paige O'Hara as the comic couple Frank and Ellie. And of course the songs by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II are among the most glorious ever written: "Ol' Man River," "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man," "Make Believe," "Why Do I Love You," "Bill," "You Are Love," and "Life upon the Wicked Stage." Also included are exhaustive production notes, a history of the show, a detailed synopsis, and a libretto. John McGlinn's Show Boat is a staggering achievement and a recording for the ages. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

An American Treasure.......2007-03-03

When PBS showed the 1989 Paper Mill Playhouse production of Showboat, my five year old daughter fell in love with musical theater. To this day we never miss a production of Showboat, West Side Story, Music Man, Oklahoma or the rest of the great American musicals. These 3 discs are the closest you can ever hear to the original in 1927 and the recordings are leaps and bounds above any movie version or revival cast. Listening to Bill or Make Believe you almost want to cry at what Kern and Hammerstein were able to create.

I defy anyone to come up with another Broadway production that has three songs in a row better than Make Believe, Ol' Man River and Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man (West Side Story's Maria, America and Tonight are the best three in a row of a movie musical) and it's a shame that no movie version of Showboat can compare to this version. The first act is full of songs that are as good as any ever sung on a stage and I can't think of another production with a first act that compete against the big 3 plus Cotton Blossom, Where's The Mate For Me, Life On The Wicked Stage, Till Good Luck Comes My Way, Misry's Comin' Aroun', You are Love, Act One finale and Why Do I Love You?. You just don't want to have the music stop.

If you don't like opera you won't like this version. Sung the way Kern and Hammerstein wrote them, you can't help but feel the operatic nature of these songs. Tough noogies because Showboat is above all an opera disguised as a Broadway play and no sweetening should be allowed.

The four leads are all superb, Frederica von Stade as Nola especially. The booklet contains the complete libretto and allows a different way to appreciate the music.

If you buy just one version of Showboat you need this one. If you have other versions of Showboat you need this one. As a matter of fact, anyone with ears to hear needs this version. A true American treasure.

DON'T DESPAIR. IT'S BEEN REISSUED!!!!!.......2006-11-16

One of the great recordings of musical theatre ever. Although it's no longer available on EMI Angel, it was reissued in October, 2006, as an EMI Classic's "Great Recordings of the Century." It's been "Digitially Remastered at Abbey Road Studios from the Original Masters" and "noise-shaped via the Prism SNS system for optimum sound quality." If ART remastering does for this recording what it has done for other EMI Classics in my library, then it should sound superb. However, I understand the booklet is not as detailed as the one in the original 3-disc release.

Thank you, EMI.

I would hope other labels would follow suit and remaster and reissue other examples of classic American musical theater. It would be a pity if our children, grandchildren, and future generations were unable to savor "110 in the Shade" or "Little Mary Sunshine" or . . . . . . . . . (fill in the blanks.)

An American tragedy...........2006-02-06

This is the first of the great American musical plays, and probably remained unchallenged until the mid-1950s when West Side Story appeared. The term "musical comedy" does not apply. The few laugh lines are subsumed by the terrible sense of loss and disaster that work throughout the story. At its core is homelessness, the destruction wrought by racism, bad choices, human weakness, and reconciliation. The cast?--this was one of the few crossover recordings I've ever heard that actually worked. The trio of Jerry Hadley, Frederica von Stade, and Teresa Stratas is a marvel; Stratas in particular seems to have had a patented Dark Cloud that shadowed her. It's perfect for Julie Dozier Laverne. And the late Bruce Hubbard brings a magnificent dignity and voice to Joe--his singing of "Ol' Man River" amy not efface Paul Robeson, but can stand beside it.

Gorgeous!.......2005-08-26

Simply gorgeous! The most unforgetable music and the best voices! An album for all time!
M. J. Conrades

Defective disc........2005-08-15

I received this item on July 27, 2005. I played it on my portable CD player and found out that Disc 2 of the set was defective. It kept on skipping on my CD player. So, I returned it for a refund.

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