Tales of Heaven & Hell [Enhanced]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Carlos wrote and recorded this atmospheric album for those twentysomethings who feel shunned by the modern corporate music mentality, and she proves once again that she has her own special artistic merits. The epic 18-minute "Clockwork Black" is a sequel to her Clockwork Orange work and maintains an appropriately sinister air, recontextualizing the soundtrack's classical motifs into a more gothic brew. Tales contrasts dramatic crescendos with ambient placidity, ominous themes with more optimistic ones. All manner of sound is brought in--strange Gregorian chants, synthesized orchestrations, subliminal effects, eerily processed voices--all to aurally balance good with evil, shadow with light. For younger listeners weaned on three-minute pop ditties, the intriguing Tales of Heaven and Hell will be challenging listening, but in the end there is much to discover from it. --Bryan Reesman

Tracks:

Fascination
The Dancing Years: Waltz Of My Heart
Sweethearts
The Firefly: Giannina Mia
Rose Marie
Rose Marie: Indian Love Call
The Student Prince: Serenade
Maytime: Will You Remember
Paganini: Comes Too Late - Richard Tauber/Evelyn Laye
Paganini: Nobody Could Love You More - Richard Tauber/Evelyn Laye
Paganini: Beautiful Italy
Paganini: Girls Were Made To Love And Kiss
Lehar Memories: Merry Widow Vilia/GypsyLove/Maiden My Maiden
Don't Ask Me Why
The Blue Danube
Whisperings Of The Vienna Woods
I Love Thee
Der Obersteiger: Don't Be Cross
Jealousy
Old Chelsea: There Are Angels Outside Heaven - Richard Tauber/Nancy Brown
Old Chelsea: Music In My Heart
Old Chelsea: If You Are In Love - Richard Tauber/Nancy Brown
Old Chelsea: My Heart And I

Customer Reviews:

Tauber for the first buyer.......1999-01-02

Richard Tauber was, in my opinion, the most seductive and complex singer of this century. His voice was excellent, but not in itself, just as a vehicle for an infinity of shadings, in a plethora of styles. He was arguably the greatest ever operetta singer but his gifts were perfectly expressing themselves in lied, in popular song and in a great part of the opera repertoire ("heldentenor" excepted). Like Kreisler in violin playing, Tauber represented the essence of the Viennese spirit. His vocal specialties included the sweteest mezzavoce or headvoice one could hope for. He was accessible and highly refined in the same time. For the very low price of this Gala CD, you can taste the complex artistry of Richard Tauber, both in his German (better) period and in the "English" one. The reason I'm giving 4, not 5 stars to this CD is that I believe his all-German CD concotions to be more valuable. But for this price...

Average customer rating:

Tales of Heaven & Hell
Wendy Carlos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000KGGHJM
Release Date: 2007-01-30

Tracks:

Transitional
Heaven Scent
Clockwork Black
City of Temptation
Memories
Afterlife
Seraphim

Album Description

Wendy Carlos is one of the pioneers of Electronic music and has been since the debut of the Switched On Bach album was released in 1968. The album was a huge critical and commercial success and won many awards including three Grammys. On Tales Of Heaven and Hell, Carlos explores the dark side with characteristic sonic depth and brilliance. Meticulously mastered by Wendy herself in Hi-D sound, this enhanced CD includes additional notes and other material from her website. Rediscover a Pioneer in electronic sounds and modern composition. East Side. 2007.

Average customer rating:

Wendy Carlos - 'Tales Of Heaven & Hell' (East Side Digital)
A musical classic
my apologies for getting it wrong the first time.
trippy?Indeed,sir!
Sonic bliss squared!

Tales of Heaven & Hell
Wendy Carlos
Manufacturer: East Side Digital
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

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Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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Digital Moonscapes
Beauty in the Beast
Sonic Seasonings + [Enhanced CD]
A Clockwork Orange: Wendy Carlos's Complete Original Score
Rediscovering Lost Scores, Vol. 1

ASIN: B00000DCVY
Release Date: 2003-11-04

Tracks:

Transitional
Heaven Scent
Clockwork Black
City Of Temptation
Memories
Afterlife
Seraphim

Amazon.com

Carlos wrote and recorded this atmospheric album for those twentysomethings who feel shunned by the modern corporate music mentality, and she proves once again that she has her own special artistic merits. The epic 18-minute "Clockwork Black" is a sequel to her Clockwork Orange work and maintains an appropriately sinister air, recontextualizing the soundtrack's classical motifs into a more gothic brew. Tales contrasts dramatic crescendos with ambient placidity, ominous themes with more optimistic ones. All manner of sound is brought in--strange Gregorian chants, synthesized orchestrations, subliminal effects, eerily processed voices--all to aurally balance good with evil, shadow with light. For younger listeners weaned on three-minute pop ditties, the intriguing Tales of Heaven and Hell will be challenging listening, but in the end there is much to discover from it. --Bryan Reesman

Customer Reviews:

Wendy Carlos - 'Tales Of Heaven & Hell' (East Side Digital).......2006-08-30

As HARD as I really tried to get into this work by composer Wendy Carlos,I simply could not. 'Tales Of...' is JUST too strange. Just call the music on this CD 'weird electronic'.Liked the reissue for the 'Clockwork Orange' movie soundtrack SO much better(see my review). It's obvious that the music here is classically influenced.Two cuts here I thought were so-so are "Transitional" and "City Of Temptation". Seven tracks,duration is 57:27. I mean if you enjoy several of Carlos's other releases,you get nearly a full hour of true oddness here. Just might appeal to patient fans of Tomita,Kraftwerk,Mother Mallard's Portable Masterpiece Co. and Carl Craig.

A musical classic.......2005-04-28

I recently purchased TALES OF HEAVEN AND HELL by WENDY CARLOS and it is a true classic of music. I truly adore listening to this cd. Any work by Wendy Carlos is wonderful but this is exceptonal. I have purchased this cd for my friends too and they all savour it.

my apologies for getting it wrong the first time........2004-07-29

When I first heard this album a few years ago, I honestly was a little disappointed. To summarize the review I posted at that time (which Amazon was kind enough to remove at my request), I felt the album to be a little contrived. It felt "overworked" to my ears, as it was something of a contrast to the (seeming) simplicity of many of Ms. Carlos' earlier efforts. I also felt the more "humorous" aspects of some pieces detracted from the overall emotional continuity (or "mood") of the album.

I do agree with at least one of the reviewers here that most American listeners do not have an appreciation for "serious humor". I would include myself in that category. However, I've since learned to recognize the "tongue in cheek" aspect of the album as a desirable part of the album's character. And I will also admit that I allowed the "tongue in cheek" aspect of the album (particularly in the first piece, 'Transitional'), to color my judgment for the entire album. This was obviously not an intelligent response on my part, but most of all, it was clearly not fair to Ms. Carlos.

If I have any real complaints about this album, I would level them almost exclusively at the piece 'Clockwork Black'. There are segments in this (nearly 18 minute long) composition that are nothing short of the very best sound "collages" I have ever heard. This piece contains some amazing musical material as well, but even these are sometimes dwarfed by Ms. Carlos' astounding technical prowess. (I guess I still feel this particular piece is over-worked.) Which brings me to my main complaint about many of the musical transitions in this piece. While I believe these are intended to bring the listener to one part of hell to another, instead, I find that they do a good job of repeatedly interrupting the emotional "flow" of the piece. At these points, my attention is drawn to the "mechanics" of the music itself, and I am temporarily taken away from my emotional journey. I am also not at all fond of some of the voice acting, which by itself is not convincing, but taken in the context of the piece, does not feel (to me) "in tune" with the emotional mood of the piece. (I found myself annoyed by the "crying" people, particularly by the woman at the end of the piece.) However, I found the "latin"-spoken passages very effective. And as I said, parts of this piece are as immersive and lush as anything I've ever heard. (Please do not listen to it without a good set of headphones...)

Apart from that, I get a firm impression that the pieces 'Clockwork Black' and 'City of Temptation' contain subtle commentary on the state of our society/civilization. There is a tragic aspect that I believe Ms. Carlos basically alludes to, that states that humanity, as a whole, has created a hell here on earth through attitudes we hold that encourage/perpetuate suffering in both our own lives and those of others. I am sure you could accuse me of looking too deeply into this, but I am not sure the vocoder-spoken lyrics in 'Clockwork Black' ("Let us prey -- on those who are different. Let us pray -- we never are wrong.") and the liner notes for 'City of Temptation' ("This is music of a large, populous city of our era, or perhaps in the near future.") could be interpreted in any other way.

I am particularly fond of the pieces 'Afterlife' and 'Seraphim' (which are the final two tracks on the album), which I feel are both inspired and superbly well-crafted without being at all contrived. In 'Afterlife', Ms. Carlos appears to work effortlessly with the unusual temperament(s?) used in this piece, and creates, at least to my ears, a piece that is both beautiful and genuinely haunting. The musical transitions, unlike 'Clockwork Black', are first-rate, which gives this piece an immersive flow that is lacking in the former. 'Seraphim' is a powerful answer to the emotional "uncertainties" of 'Afterlife', and I agree with Ms. Carlos' assessment that this piece is certainly the most sublime of any piece on the album. It is an excellent and fitting end to this album.

Overall, I am ashamed that it took me three years to recognize this album for what it is, and that instead, I chose to neatly itemize it with the prevalent social misconception that Ms. Carlos' artistry was waning in lockstep with her increasing age. This album is among Ms. Carlos best work to-date. And while I still very much enjoy her early/"immature" work (from the first twelve or so years of her career), Ms. Carlos' artistry and technical mastery has indeed matured with the digital technologies that have so enabled her.

Through my serious misjudgment of Ms. Carlos' work, I have also become aware of the true nature of the devoted critic. The critic, sometimes in the safety of his/her own home, can assume the role of a destroyer. And while not ever capable of creating anything of his/her own, will, for whatever reason, repeatedly and thoughtlessly indulge themselves in wrecking havoc on those who assume the role of creators.

But, please do not misinterpret what I am saying. There is a definite need for the critic, and there is a definite time and place to be a merciless destroyer. But in this era we are living in, which by definition is an artistic famine, there appears to be no shortage of critics! (Just consider the sheer quantity of harsh/blasting reviews on a site like Amazon.com.) Watch how politicians get "off the hook" after subverting the law and destroying the rights of the common man time after time. Yet, nothing is said or done. But, apparently, we have no qualms about keeping our own "in check", and will happily throw dirt on the tiny embers of creativity that is expressed publicly/commercially by innocuous and generally well-intentioned people.

Either way, I again apologize to Ms. Carlos. I hope she has continued on her way since the release of this album, and was not discouraged from doing more work in this vein by the many unfortunate reviews (like the one I originally offered).

trippy?Indeed,sir!.......2004-05-12

this is every bit as good as the Clockwork Orange score,and it doubles as a great halloween album that won't scare the kiddies TOO much.(I had some visitors last year that found the "death cube k" cd a bit too frightening though,unfortunatly.) I like putting on this cd while the backlight and strobe are going in my room for a cool effect.also,"trendy"folks that think old 60,70,80's electronic music is lame should steer clear of this,cause trippy as it is,I could see how some could find it cheesy-stick with bill laswell,paul van dyke,etc if you do.otherwise,the only complaint I have about the album are the robot voices at the start of "clockwork black",but they only go on for about a minute or two and the track is perfect other than that(and 17 minutes long to boot!)

get it if you're a true "tripper"!

Sonic bliss squared!.......2002-01-25

If you liked the music from A Clockwork Orange, then you should enjoy this CD. Wendy Carlos is a master of the synthesizer and creates enveloping soundscapes. My favorite tracks are 1, 3, 6 and 7. The other are decent but don't stand out as much. Get this CD if you have any interest in this type of music, even if only for her 17+ minute opus, Clockwork Black. Visit her website to learn more about her. ...

Poor Man's Heaven: Blues & Tales of the Great Depression

Average customer rating:

Exellent cd in a terrific series... Secret History Of R&R!

Poor Man's Heaven: Blues & Tales of the Great Depression
Various Artists
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Blues | Styles | Music

Traditional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

General | Compilations | Blues | Styles | Music

Acoustic Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000092Q48
Release Date: 2003-05-06

Tracks:

Eddie Cantor's Tips On The Stock Market - Eddie Cantor
A Tale Of The Ticker - Frank Crumit
Brother, Can You Spare A Dime? - Leo Reisman
Remember My Forgotten Man - George Hall
It Must Be Swell - Alex Bartha
Raising The Rent - Roy Bargy
Sittin' On A Rubbish Can - Julia Gerity
Ten Cents A Dance - High Hatters
Poor Man's Heaven - Carson Robison
The Rich Man And The Poor Man - Bob Miller
Hallelujah, I'm A Bum - Harry 'Mac' Mcclintock
All In Down And Out Blues - Uncle Dave Macon
Taxes On The Farmer Feeds Them All - Fiddlin' John Carson
How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times And Live? - Blind Alfred Reed
The Farm Relief Song - Vernon Dalhart
Dusty Old Dust (So Long Its Been Good To Know Yuh) - Woody Guthrie
35 Depression - Daddy Stovepipe
California Desert Blues - Lane Hardin
It's Hard Time - Joe Stone
President Roosevelt Is Everybody's Friend - Rev. J. M. Gates
CWA Blues - Joe Pullum
Jimmy Shut His Store Doors - Cedar Creek Sheik
Welfare Store Blues - Sonny Boy Williamson
Poor But Ambitious - Wilmoth Houdini

Customer Reviews:

Exellent cd in a terrific series... Secret History Of R&R!.......2004-05-17

The entire series is exellent, and it features great and well known blues artists as well as obscure and forgotten ones, who either influenced rock'n'rollers of another generation, or performed songs that rock'n'rollers covered in the 60's onward. These recordings are generally from the 20's all the way to just before WWII.

Tracks:

Stars Were Brightly Shining (From "Tosca")
Come In The Gondola (From "Night In Venice")
Because
Open Road (From "The Gypsy Baron")
Merry Widow Waltz
Count Your Blessings
All Through The Night
Maidens Of Cadiz
Tristesse
If You Were The Only Girl In The World
Silver Threads Among The Gold
Deep In My Heart, Dear (From "The Student Prince")
Songs My Mother Taught Me
Torna A Surriento
Over The Rainbow (From "The Wizard Of Oz")
Parted
Bachelor Gay (From "Maid Of The Mountains")
Trottin To The Fair
White Wings
Lost Chord
Creed
Drinking Song (From "Merry Wives Of Windsor"
De Glory Road
Ol Man River (From "Showboat")
Changing Of The Guard
Blue Danube
Huguette (From "Vagabond King")
If I Were A Blackbird
ILl Sing A Song Of Love To You
Intermezzo
Panis Angelicus
Berceuse De "Jocelyn"
WeLl Gather Lilacs (From "Perchance To Dream")
Holy City
O For The Wings Of A Dove
Goodnight (From "Cousin From Nowhere")
Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms
Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes
ChElla Mi Creda Libero ( From "Girl Of The Golden West")
Loves Old Sweet Song
Last Rose Of Summer
River Stay Way From My Door
OSilver Moon (From "Russalka")
La Marseillaise
Nessun Dorma (From "Turandot")
Who Tied The Knot (From "Gypsy Baron")
They Call Me Mimi (From "La Boheme")
Rosary
Song Of India (From "Sadko")
Serenade
My Heart & I (From "Old Chelsea")
Smilin Through
Sanctuary Of The Heart
Vilia (From "Merry Widow")
ILl Take You Home Again, Kathleen
I Love You Truly
Road To The Isles
Eriskay Love Lilt
Vivere
Old Father Thames
Tales From The Vienna Woods
Oriental Prayer (From "Lakme")
My Song Goes Round The World
I Love Thee
On The Road To Mandalay
Wiegenlied (Cradle Song)

Album Description

3 CD set from the Rajon 'Great Series'. 66 tracks. 2005.

Average customer rating:

Richard Tauber: In Concert, 1937-1947

Manufacturer: Archipel
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000056VBT
Release Date: 2001-01-23

Average customer rating:

Gems of the Concert Band

Manufacturer: Walking Frog
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Ecossaises | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Polkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Czech | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0001DMVB2
Release Date: 2004-02-24

Average customer rating:

Richard Tauber in Concert, 1937-1947

Manufacturer: Eklipse Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00004VT6M
Release Date: 1994-06-15

Average customer rating:

Great Prog from Denmark

Tales Of Ardour And Deceit

Manufacturer: Musea/Record Heaven
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000W65MU
Release Date: 2003-10-31

Tracks:

The Song Of Marsh Stig (I. Premonition/II. Deceit/III. Despair/IV. Outlaw)
Songs
Kentish Suite
The lady Of Castela (I. Ines De Castro/II. Dom Pedro)
The Ghost Of Yang - Part One (I. Ardour/II. Nepotism/III. War And Escape)
The Exit
The Ghost Of Yang - Part Two

Album Description

The history of Progressive rock proves there were few bands coming from Denmark. Between the veterans of SAVAGE ROSE and the heavy-metal orientated ROYAL HUNT, there was a big place left for a first-rate band. It seems we've found it: ETCETERA ! Multi-instrumentist Frank CARVALHO, drummer Johnnie McCOY and their guests had enchanted us with their first album "Fin De Siecle" (1998), "Tales Of Ardour And Deceit" (2003) is much more than a confirmation ! This band has now a really personal style, even if some influences remain, like keyboards sequences ala Keith EMERSON or Tony BANKS. The symphonic pieces are generally long and sophisticated, a bit like YES ones. Moreover, if you think Scandinavia, as far as Progressive rock is concerned, you automatically refer of ANGLAGARD or ANEKDOTEN, and then KING CRIMSON... But the whole stuff is perfectly strong, original, solid: one more essential album !

Customer Reviews:

Great Prog from Denmark.......2004-02-01

There's not very much prog coming out of Denmark these days, but ETC really hit the spot. Production is great and the vocals are very well done and in English, although there is not alot of them. The songs are for the most part long and based on historical figures or legends. While there is some Genesis feel in parts, Tales of Ardour and Deceit stands very well on its own. I heartily recommend this release to prog fans of all styles.

Music Review:

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