His First Recordings

1. Cavalleria rusticana, opera in 1 act O Lola
Composed by Pietro Mascagni
Performed by La Scala Theater Orchestra with Tito Schipa
Conducted by Carlo Sabajno

2. Cavalleria rusticana, opera in 1 act Viva il vino
Composed by Pietro Mascagni
Performed by La Scala Theater Orchestra with Tito Schipa
Conducted by Carlo Sabajno

3. La Gioconda, opera in 4 acts Ciela e mar
Composed by Amilcare Ponchielli
Performed by La Scala Theater Orchestra with Tito Schipa
Conducted by Carlo Sabajno

4. Tosca, opera Recondita armonia
Composed by Giacomo Puccini
Performed by La Scala Theater Orchestra with Tito Schipa
Conducted by Carlo Sabajno

5. Tosca, opera E lucean le stelle
Composed by Giacomo Puccini
Performed by La Scala Theater Orchestra with Tito Schipa
Conducted by Carlo Sabajno

6. Lucia di Lammermoor, opera Tu che a Dio
Composed by Gaetano Donizetti
Performed by La Scala Theater Orchestra with Tito Schipa
Conducted by Carlo Sabajno

7. Rigoletto, opera Ella mi fu rapita - Parmi veder le lacrime
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Performed by La Scala Theater Orchestra with Tito Schipa
Conducted by Carlo Sabajno

8. Faust, opera Salve dimora
Composed by Charles Gounod
Performed by La Scala Theater Orchestra with Tito Schipa
Conducted by Carlo Sabajno

9. La Traviata, opera Libiamo nei lieti calici
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Performed by La Scala Theater Orchestra with Tito Schipa
Conducted by Carlo Sabajno

10. Manon, opera Ah! dispar vision
Composed by Jules Massenet
Performed by La Scala Theater Orchestra with Tito Schipa
Conducted by Carlo Sabajno

11. La bohème, opera Che gelida manina
Composed by Giacomo Puccini
Performed by La Scala Theater Orchestra with Tito Schipa
Conducted by Carlo Sabajno

12. Zazà, opera Ed ora io mi domando
Composed by Ruggiero Leoncavallo
Performed by La Scala Theater Orchestra with Tito Schipa
Conducted by Virgilio Ranzato

13. Il barbière di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville), opera Ecco ridente in cielo
Composed by Gioachino Rossini
Performed by La Scala Theater Orchestra with Tito Schipa
Conducted by Virgilio Ranzato

14. Pagliacci, opera O Colombina
Composed by Ruggiero Leoncavallo
Performed by La Scala Theater Orchestra with Tito Schipa
Conducted by Virgilio Ranzato

15. Rigoletto, opera Questa o quella
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Performed by La Scala Theater Orchestra with Tito Schipa
Conducted by Virgilio Ranzato

16. Tosca, opera Recondita armonia
Composed by Giacomo Puccini
Performed by La Scala Theater Orchestra with Tito Schipa
Conducted by Virgilio Ranzato

17. Tosca, opera E lucevan le stelle
Composed by Giacomo Puccini
Performed by La Scala Theater Orchestra with Tito Schipa
Conducted by Virgilio Ranzato

18. Rigoletto, opera La donna è mobile
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Performed by La Scala Theater Orchestra with Tito Schipa
Conducted by Virgilio Ranzato

Tracks:

Jesus Christ Superstar: Overture - Andrew Lloyd Webber
Jesus Christ Superstar: Everything's Alright - Yvonne Elliman/Murray Head/Ian Gilllan
Jesus Christ Superstar: I Don't Know How To Love Him - Yvonne Elliman
Jesus Christ Superstar: Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say) - Steve Balsamo
Jesus Christ Superstar: Superstar - Murray Head
Evita: Oh What A Circus/Sing You Fools - Antonio Banderas
Evita: I'd Be Surprisingly Good For You - Elaine Paige/Joss Ackland
Evita: Another Suitcase In Another Hall - Barbara Dickson
Evita: Don't Cry For Me Argentina - Julie Covington
Evita: High Flying, Adored - Mandy Patinkin/Patti LuPone
Cats: The Jellicle Ball - Andrew Lloyd Weber
Cats: Memory - Elaine Paige
Cats: Gus: The Theatre Cat - Susan Jane Tanner/John Mills
Cats: Mr Mistoffelees - Paul Nicholas
Song And Dance: Take That Look Off Your Face - Marti Webb
Song And Dance: Tell Me On A Sunday - Marti Webb
Song And Dance: Unexpected Song - Sarah Brightman
Song And Dance: Nothing Like You've Ever Known - Sarah Brightman
Song And Dance: Introduction - Andrew Lloyd Webber
Song And Dance: Variations 1 -4 - Andrew Lloyd Webber

Tracks:

Starlight Express: Starlight Express - El Debarge
Starlight Express: Crazy - Greg Ellis/Reva Rice/Caron Cardelle/Samantha Lane/Voyd
Starlight Express: Next Time You Fall In Love - Reva Rice/Greg Ellis
Starlight Express: I Am The Starlight - Lon Satton/Ray Shell
Starlight Express: Light At The End Of The Tunnel - The Company
Requiem: Hosanna - Placido Domingo
Requiem: Pie jesu - Sarah Brightman/Paul Miles-Kingston
The Phantom Of The Opera: The Phantom Of The Opera - Michael Crawford/Sarah Brightman
The Phantom Of The Opera: The Music Of The Night - Michael Crawford
The Phantom Of The Opera: All I Ask Of You - Sarah Brightman/Steve Barton
The Phantom Of The Opera: Entr'acte - Andrew Lloyd Webber
The Phantom Of The Opera: Masquerade - The Company
The Phantom Of The Opera: Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again - Sarah Brightman
Aspects Of Love: Aspects Of Aspects - Orchester Der Vereinigten Buehnen Wien
Aspects Of Love: Love Changes Everything - Michael Ball
Aspects Of Love: Seeing Is Believing - Michael Ball/Ann Crumb
Aspects Of Love: The First Man You Remember - Kevin Colson/Diana Morrison
Aspects Of Love: Anything But Lonely - Sarah Brightman
Aspects Of Love: Chanson D'Enfance - Sarah Brightman

Tracks:

Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Any Dream Will Do - Jason Donovan
Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Joseph's Coat - Maria Friedman/Richard Attenborough/Donny Osmond
Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Close Every Door - Donny Osmond
By Jeeves: Travel Hopefully - John Scherer/Martin Jarvis/Don Stephenson
By Jeeves: When Love Arrives - Steven Pacey/Diana Morrison
By Jeeves: Half A Moment - Sarah Brightman
Sunset Boulevard: With One Look - Glenn Close
Sunset Boulevard: New Ways To Dream - Glenn Close/Alan Campbell
Sunset Boulevard: The Perfect Year - Glenn Close/Alan Campbell
Sunset Boulevard: Sunser Boulevard - Alan Campbell
Sunset Boulevard: As If We Never Said Goodbye - Glenn Close
Whistle Down The Wind: Whistle Down The Wind - James Graeme/Lottie Mayor
Whistle Down The Wind: Cold - Everly Brothers
Whistle Down The Wind: No Matter What - Children/Adult Chorus
Whistle Down The Wind: The Nature Of The Beast - Marcus Lovett/Lottie Mayor
The Beautiful Game: Overture - Andrew Lloyd Webber
The Beautiful Game: The Beautiful Game - The Company
The Beautiful Game: Our Kind Of Love - Hannah Waddingham
The Beautiful Game: Dont Like You - Josie Walker/David Shannon
The Beautiful Game: Let Us Love In Peace - Josie Walker/Omagh Youth Community Choir

Tracks:

Oh What A Circus - David Essex
Memory - Betty Buckley
The Phantom Of The Opera - Sarah Brightman/Steve Harley
All I Ask Of You - Sarah Brightman/Cliff Richard
Love Changes Everything - Michael Ball
Any Dream Will Do - Donny Osmond
Amigos Para Siempre (Friends For Life) - Sarah Brightman/Jose Carreras
As If We Never Said Goodbye - Barbra Streisand
The Perfect Year - Dina Carroll
With One Look - Petula Clark
You Must Love Me - Madonna
The Heart Is Slow To Learn - Kiri Te Kanawa
A Kiss Is A Terrible Thing To Waste - The Metal Philharmonic Orchestra
Whistle Down The Wind - Tina Arena
No Matter What - Boyzone
The Vaults Of Heaven - Tom Jones
Try Not To Be Afraid - Boy George
Pie Jesu - Charlotte Church

Tracks:

Make Believe Love - Wes Sands
Down Thru' Summer - Ross Hannaman
I'll Give All My Love To Southend - Ross Hannaman
Believe Me I Will - Sacha Distel
Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1969 Radio Luxembourg Commercial) - Joseph Consortium/Pete Murray
Try It And See - Rita Pavone
Come Back Richard Your Country Needs You - Time Rice And The Webber Group
Goodbye Seattle - Paul Raven
John 19:41 - The Andrew Lloyd Webber Orchestra
What A Line To Go Out On - Yvonne Elliman
Disillusion Me - Gary Band
The Ballad Of Robert And Peter - Tim Rice
Christmas Dream - Maynard Williams
It's Only Your Lover Returning/All Through My Crazy And Wild Days/Don't Cry For Me Argentina - Julie Covington
It's Easy For You (1977 Jungle Room Session Version) - Elvis Presley
Magdalena - Tony Christie
Buenos Aires - The Roja Rockers
Pollicle Dogs And Jellicle Cats - Andrew Lloyd Webber
Mungojerrie And Rumpleteazer (Live At The Sydmonton Festival 1980) - Gemma Craven
I Could Have Given You More - Petula Clark
I've Been In Love Too Long - Marti Webb
Benedicite - The Stephen Hill Singers

Album Description

Disc 1: Selections from Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Cats, and Song and Dance

Disc 2: Selections from Starlight Express, Requiem, Phantom of the Opera, and Aspects of Love

Disc 3: Selections from Joseph nad the Amaziong Technicolor Dreamcoat, By Jeeves, Sunset Boulevard, Whistle Down the Wind, and The Beautiful Game

CD 4: 1. "Oh What a Circus" --David Essex 2. "Memory" - Betty Buckleey 3. "The Phantom of the Opera" -Sarah Brightman, Steve Harley 4. "All I Ask of You" --Sarah Brightman, Cliff Richard 5. "Love Changes Everything"--Michael Ball 6. "Any Dream Will Do"--Donny Osmond 7. "Amigos Para Siempre (Friends for Life)"--Sarah Brightman, Jose Caerras 8. "As if We Never Said Goodbye"--Barbra Streisand 9. "The Perfect Year"--Dina Carroll 10. "With One Look" --Petula Clark 11. "You Must Love Me" 12. "The Heart Is Slow To Learn" --Kiri Te Kanawa 13. "Whistle Down the Wind"--Tina Arena 14. "A Kiss Is a Terrible Thing To Waste"--The Metal Philharmonic 15. "No Matter What"--Boyzone 16. "The Vaults of Heaven"--Tom Jones and Sounds of Blackness 17. "Try Not To Be Afraid"--Boy George 18. "Pie Jesu"--Charlotte Church

Disc 5: (All tracks available for the first time) 1. "Make Believe Love"--Wes Sands 2. "Down Thru' Summer"--Ross Hannaman 3. "I'll Give All My Love to Southend"--Ross Hannaman 4. "Believe Me I Will"--Sacha Distel 5. "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: 1969 Luxembourg Radio Commercial--The Jospeh Consortium, Pete Murray 6. "Try It and See"--Rita Pavone 7. "Come Back Richard Your Country Needs You"--Tim Rice and the Webber Group 8. "Goodbye Seattle"-- Paul Raven 9. "John 19:41"--The Andrew Lloyd Webber Orchestra 10. "What a Line To Go Out On"--Yvonne Elliman 11. "Disillusion Me" --Gary Bond 12. "The Ballad of Robert and Peter"--Tim Rice 13. "Christmas Dream" --Maynard Williams 14. "It's Only Your Lover Returning/All through My Wild and Crazy Days/Don't Cry for Me Argentina--Julie Covington 15. "It's Easy for You" (1977 Jungle Room Session version)--Elvis Presley 16. "Magdalena"--Tony Christie 17. "Buenos Aires"--The Rioja Rockers 18. "Pollicle Dogs and Jellicle Cats"--Andrew Lloyd Webber original demo 19. "Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer" (Live at Sydmonton Festival 1980)-Gemma Craven 20. "I Could Have Given You More"--Petula Clark 21. "I've Been in Love Too Long"--Marti Webb 22. "Benedicte"-- Stephen Hill Singers

Customer Reviews:

I waited for this for five years.......2006-06-30

Between Amazone, Ebay and Napster, I don't usually buy CDs anymore, and I usually wait till I can buy them cheaper "new and used". When this set came out, I was excited, mainly by Disc 5, but wasn't going to spend $70 on it. I waited till it was cheap enough, and got it for Father's day this year.
It was worth the wait.

The concept is great. The packaging is great. The recording is great. Disc five is really cool for an ALW aficionado. There are a few real gems on it; my favorites are Petula Clark's "I Could Have Given You More" and "Benedicite."
I've always thought "Gus the Theatre Cat" made a great medley on the piano with "Unexpected Song" and "I DOn't Know How to Love Him," but wished there was an alternate lyric to match the other two songs. Now that I know there *is*, and it's a good lyric, it's a dream come true.
The melody of "Benedicite" is one of my favorites from _Sunset_ (the book mis-identifies it as "SUrrender"; it's actually "The Lady's Paying" and "Eternal Youth is Worth a Little Suffering"). The lyrics are the canticle from Daniel 3, which comes up every odd Sunday in the Divine Office, so it's nice to have cool music to sing it with.

I haven't bought _By Jeeves_ or _THe Beautiful Game_ yet, to it was great to sample them.

There are other parts of the CD taht aren't found in my collection. I like CD 4 "The Hits."

But the selections on CDs 1-3 don't make sense.

First, any self-respecting ALW fan has the Original London Cast of _Phantom_, so six tracks are totally useless. Why not draw from the Canadian cast with Colm Wilkinson? Or pull out some obscure recordings never published.

Why two different tracks with Michael Ball singing "Love Changes Everything", yet they're hardly any different?

On Disc 5 is "It's Only Your Lover Returning," sung by Julie Covington. It's an early draft of the song (Lloyd Webber and Rice went through several suggested titles) and quite nice. The very thing one expects on a Boxed Set.
So why have the Julie Covington "Don't Cry for Me" on disc 1?? The only difference is a few words, but it's otherwise identical. Why not Elaine Paige or Patti Lupone or Madonna?

The _Evita_ section is otherwise the best, choosing a sample from each major recording, though I'd have chosen slightly differently (as above).

There is a great selection of "Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer" from the Sydmonton festival, using the original music that was changed when _Cats_ went to Broadway_. It would have been nice if they'd included more recordings from Sydmonton, like the original lyric of "All I Ask of You" shown on the second DVD to the _Phantom_ movie.

With so many great actress-singers who've played Norma Desmond, why does the collection beat us over the head with Glenn Close?

Paul Miles Kingston must be set for life in royalties, for the number of albums the original recording of "Pie Jesu" has appeared on. "Amigos Para Siempre" is nice, but it reminds me of Shari Lewis's "The Song that Doesn't End," especially when it's been used on so many compilations.

In short, this is a great collection for the obscure material, if you can get it cheap. But for a boxed set, it's a poor sampling, drawn mostly from the most familiar recordings.

Excellent collection but BIG PUBLISHING MISTAKE! .......2006-01-10

Please beware they made a mistake on this. It's actually the shortened Ray Shell version of STARLIGHT EXPRESS from the original 1984 London cast - NOT the El Debarge single from 1987 like it says on the box. I don't know how they let that goof pass. Sorry to Ray Shell. Having said that, this is an outstanding compilation of Lloyd Webber's greatest hits.

ONE OF LLOYD WEBBER'S BEST COMPILATIONS, DESPITE A FEW FLAWS.......2005-03-21

Regardless of the fact that some of his latest efforts (most notably, The Woman in White) are disappointing, there can be little doubt that Andrew Lloyd Webber is one of the greatest composers ever to work in the musical theatre. Ever since his "Jesus Christ Superstar" hit the stage in the early 70-is, it was clear that the conception and perception of musicals are never going to be the same again. Many of his songs became standards not only in the theatre history, but also as tops on the charts. Even though he's British, his influence on the shape of the modern musical theatre expanded over the West End boundaries long ago and has thus made an enormous impact on Broadway. Two of his shows ("Cats" and "The phantom of the opera") hold the record as two the longest running shows in the history of Broadway. He has also been the only composer to have three of his shows running at Broadway concurrently. Some of his awards include three Grammies, a Golden Globe, an Oscar and a bunch of Tony awards. But perhaps most of all, Lloyd Webber is responsible for bringing the musicals and the theatre appealing to the wide audiences, who in different circumstances would not consider seeing a musical. The secret of his success is probably the mixture of beautiful and catchy melodies, interesting subject matter (though some, like Starlight Express, are too thin) and grandiose staging.

Over the years many compilations of his work have emerged. In the late 80-is and early 90-is it was the "Encore" series and lately the one-disc collection called "Gold". The one in question here can be considered one of the best currently on the market. First, it includes a 3-disc selections from all of his shows, minus the latest one, i.e., "The Woman in White", which, considering the triviality of the score, is no great lost. The fourth disc covers some of his most known songs sung by the famous artists. Then, there is the fifth disc with previously unreleased material, most of which are the songs ALW wrote with Tim Rice for various artists during the 70-is. The disks are all neatly packed in a hardcover book that features 67 pages of pictures and text with information about each of ALW's shows. One of the other assets here is the perfect sound quality, since all of the tracks have been digitally remastered.

Here are my basic impressions and comments regarding the material on the discs:

* Disc #1 has the selections from "Jesus Christ Superstar", "Evita", "Cats" and "Song & Dance". The Superstar material mostly comes from the Concept Recording. Although the songs sound beautiful as always, their orchestration is a bit dated now. Only Steve Balsamo's "Gethsemane" from the 1996 revival cast has a modern rock sound. "Evita" comes with the material from all of the major recordings: London, Broadway and the movie productions, as well as the Concept album. No objections here; since this is one of ALW's most satisfying works, every song is just perfect, although Patti LuPone, the Broadway and overall the best Evita, is left with only a couple of lines. With the selections from "Cats", however, I have some doubts. A plus to the choice of the "Jellicle ball" impressive orchestral sequence from the 1998 movie version and "Mister Mistoffelees" from the 1981 London cast. One of the best known ALW's songs, "Memory", also comes from that album. It's a pretty version and Elaine Paige's rendition cannot be matched, but why include this when the definite version, featuring an 80-piece orchestra and Elaine Paige with much better interpretation, can be found in the same movie version. Thusly, one has to buy Elaine Paige's latest 2-disc compilation "Centre Stage: The very best of Elaine Paige" to get that one. And "Gus the theatre cat" is more a recital than a song, so there was not much point in including that. Marti Webb brings her vocal charm to the "Song & Dance" sequence, Sarah Brightman sings "Unexpected song" with her famous soprano, but as much as I like her version, Bernadette Peters, who was in this show on Broadway is strangely left out here.

* Disc # 2 starts with "Starlight Express". This was never one of my favorite ALW's shows; the plot is even lighter than in "Cats" and the 1984 original cast recording is terribly dated. Yet, here we have one terrific duet, "I am starlight" from the original together with three songs from the later revivals and it seems that fresh orchestrations were just the thing Starlight needed. My favorite remains a touchy ballad, "Next time you fall in love". "Requiem" is the most solemn of all ALW's compositions, written in 1985 to commemorate the death of his father. Placido Domingo's tenor rides together with the chorus all the way through the strong "Hosanna", only to be joined by Sarah Brightman in the final moments of this song. She then gives an echoing deliverance of "Pie Jesu". What can be said of ALW's next show, "The Phantom of the Opera"? A phenomenon in its own right, it's easy to see from the six numbers included here why this is one of the best and most beloved musicals of all time. The cast, the music, the story - everything is perfect. Although "Aspects of love" was never a popular hit, it does have some of the most beautiful love melodies ALW has ever written. "Love changes everything" sung by Michael Ball is probably one of the best tunes ever about love. The rest of the selected material here has a dreamy love flavor and the melodies find their way into your brain in the best Lloyd Webber way.

* ALW's first musical, "Joseph and the amazing Technicolor dreamcoat" was more successful in its revival form than the original from the 70-is. The three songs included here are sung by the show stars, Jason Donovan and Donny Osmond. Maria Friedman was not a lucky choice to play the narrator, as the track from the 1998 movie version shows. "By Jeeves" was ALW's only big flop when it came to the stage in the 70-is. The 1995 revival sounds much better though, full of funny numbers in the best manner of the musical comedy. "Travel hopefully" remains one of the show's highlights on this compilation. "Sunset Boulevard" comes next. "Sunset" remains for me one of Webber's best scores; lush and beautiful. I listen to the original cast recording with Patti LuPone all the time. However, here most of the songs are performed by Glenn Close. A big mistake. If you've ever listened the American premiere recording with her, you'll know what I am talking about. She may have a strong stage presence, but her vocal abilities are too limited, and her aggressive approach to the role lacks any subtlety. Therefore, the two big numbers from this show, "With one look" and "As if we never said goodbye" are ruined by the fact she can't sing. The same goes for the American Joe Gillis, who was played by Alan Campbell. Luckily, Patti LuPone and Kevin Anderson, the original Norma and Joe from the London production, make their brief entrance here with the "Perfect year"; enough to show how better they are. The funny thing is, on the jacket and inside of it, Glenn Close and Alan Campbell are credited as performers in this song as well. If this was a mistake on ALW's part, it was a good one. The next ALW's show, "Whistle down the wind" was never a critic's dear and yet the audiences rushed in to see it in London. The score brings back ALW to his rock and roll roots of the seventies and the story is quite interesting. But the selections here are not the happiest, since the cast recording boasts with much better songs. And finally, "The Beautiful Game". Again, we have one of those ALW's shows that is worth in its individual parts rather than as a whole. "Our kind of love" and "Let us love in peace" are two catchy ballads. The latter is a nice amalgam version not available elsewhere. The two other tracks here I could live without.

* Disc # 4 has the songs from all the above shows performed by different artists. The assembled tracks have their pros and cons. For example, we have some previously unreleased stuff, like Dame Kiri Te Kanawa's operettic rendition of "The heart is slow to learn", or a stunning and epic "A kiss is a terrible thing to waste" from "Whistle down the wind", performed by The Metal Philharmonic Orchestra. Then again, what was the point in including almost identical tracks as the ones on the previous disks? So we have Michael Ball again singing "Love changes everything" with only a bit different orchestration; Sarah Brightman comes out again with the same Phantom duets, but only with the different male singers. It would be much more appropriate to include tracks from the Toronto Cast of the Phantom, with Colm Wilkinson. Other pop deliverances (Tina Arena's "Whistle down the wind", Barbra Streisand's "As if we never said goodbye", Boyzone's "No matter what" and many more) were wisely chosen. Patti LuPone is again nowhere to be found and Petula Clark's "With one look" sounds too worn-out.

* The last disc is probably the one that will be of most interest to Lloyd Webber aficionados. It consists of entirely previously unreleased material ALW for the most part wrote for various artists during his early years, with Tim Rice. Some of these tunes, not successful as a singles, were later used in his shows. Thus "Down thru' summer" became "Buenos Aires"in Evita, "Try it and see", an unsuccessful attempt for the Eurovision was used for "King Herod's song" in "Superstar" and so on. Some of these songs are nicely made pop songs: "Make believe love", ALW's first recorded composition, for which he provided the lyrics; "Goodbye Seattle", sung by Paul Raven, who later became Gary Glitter; "Come back Richard, your country needs you", from a never made musical, sung here by Tim Rice, or Latin flavored "Magdalena", with Tony Christie singing. My all time favorite here is a song called "It's easy for you", sung by none other than Elvis Presley himself. Lloyd Webber and Rice sent him a demo recording that he accepted and recorded this live version a couple of weeks before he died. It's amazing to hear how his voice remained in the perfect shape. Also, there is a track of Andrew Lloyd Webber singing "Policle dogs and Jellicle cats" while plying the piano. His voice doesn't sound bad at all.

Taken as a whole, this compilation makes a perfect birthday or Christmas present to any fan of Andrew Lloyd Webber shows, or just anybody interested in some of the best tunes from the modern era of the musical theatre; despite the flaws I mentioned above. To the former, it may just be the final addition for the Andrew Lloyd Webber collection.

SUCH MAGICAL MUSIC OF THE NIGHT!.......2003-01-19

"Evita." "Sunset Blvd." "Starlight Express." "Jesus Christ Superstar." "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." "Requiem." "Aspects of Love." The man who is the most recognized composer in the history of the musical theatre, the man who has won more Tonys than any other composer, the man who boasts the best-selling show of all time ("The Phantom of the
Opera") and the longest-running show of all time ("Cats"), the man whose homes are filled with three Grammys, five Oliviers, a Golden Globe, and Oscar and too many other honors and hosannas to mention, the man knighted in 1992 certainly doesn't need an introduction. Now Decca Broadway pays tribute to Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber with "Now and Forever," a spectacular 5-CD set compiled and produced by Sir Andy himself. It's cheaper than a
ticket to "The Producers" ... and more much exciting. This treasure trove contains highlights from all of Webber's shows, and a bonus disc of tunes sung by Betty Buckley, Barbara
Streisand, Jose Carreras, Boy George, Charlotte Church, Madonna, Tom Jones, Petula Clark, even Elvis! A must for lovers of theatre---and good music.

A Must Have for Sir Andrew fans.......2002-05-21

This five-CD collection of Andrew Lloyd Webber's career is fantastic. It leaves virtually no stone unturned. I have no doubt that diehard Webber fans will love this, especially for the 5th disc entitled "From the Vaults." This disc alone is worth the price as it contains tunes never before heard by the typical fan. Who knew Elvis did a Lloyd Webber tune?!? I didn't! Also the tune "Benedictine" which the composer wrote for his most recent marriage is not only pretty, but it has the same medley as "The Lady's Paying" from "Sunset Blvd." which I found highly enjoyable. Another great track is the composer himself singing a cut song from "Cats" entitled "Pollicle Dogs and Jellicle Cats" which has the same tune as "Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats," but to hear Sir Andrew sing is a blast...he sounds a lot like Al "Year of the Cat" Stewart.
The cuts from the musicals are great but are likely owned by ALW fans as they are on the original cast albums. And I'm glad that there were tunes included from the composers most recent efforts which have yet to make it beyond London (Whistle Down the Wind, Beautiful Game).
My only complaint is the inclusion of way too many tracks by Sarah Brightman. She must've received a great divorce settlement that included having tunes on any ALW collection until the end of time!! Her interpretations of some of the tunes were limp and uninspired. I would've much rather heard casts from around the world rather than yet another song by this disdainful soprano! How about Colm Wilkinson's version of "Music of the Night" from the original Canadian cast of "Phantom"? Or Michael Crawford's version of "Unexpected Song"? What? No Betty Buckley from "Sunset Blvd."? And of course there are songs you KNOW are going to be on the collection before you even listen to it as they have been on EVERY ALW collection for the past decade or so.
A great collection but too much Sarah Brightman!

Average customer rating:

One of the best CD's out there!
a voice teacher and early music fan
Prelewd to Postlewd
Sounds like they're singing Christmas carols
A sly and rollicksome good time!

The Art of the Bawdy Song

Manufacturer: Dorian Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Orchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

The Mad Buckgoat - Ancient Music of Ireland
Watkins Ale: Music of the English Renaissance
La Rocque 'n' Roll - Popular Music of Renaissance France / The Baltimore Consort
Penny Merriments: Street Songs of 17th Century England
The Ladyes Delight

ASIN: B000001Q93
Release Date: 1993-02-11

Tracks:

Aniseed Robin
Cuckolds All A-Row
I Gave Her Cakes And I Gave Her Ale
Taking His Beer With Old Anacharsis
Fye, Nay, Prithee John
Cold And Raw
The Miller's Daughter
Will Said To His Mammy
The Old Fumbler
Walking In a Meadowe Greene
Celia Learning On The Spinnet
Tom the Taylor
My Lady's Coachman John
The Irish Jig Or The Night Ramble
Come Sirrah Jacke Hoe
Dainty Fine Aniseed Water
Most Men Do Love the Spanish Wine
Argreers
Gathering Peascods
My Lady And Her Maid
As Roger Last Night To Jenny Lay Close
Pox On You
Ladie Lie Near Me
'Tis Women Makes Us Love
Sir Walter Enjoying His Damsel
My Thing Is My Own
Here Dwells a Pretty Maid
My Man John Had a Thing That Was Long
When First Amyntas Sued For a Kiss
More Palatino
Poor Owen
Where They Drank Their Wine
Come, Come, Let Us Drink

Customer Reviews:

One of the best CD's out there!.......2007-05-10

All ages and musical backgrounds love this CD. The Baltimore Consort are amazing. One really feels one is in a smoky pub in the 14oo's getting plastered with England's best musicians! Don't miss "Pox on You;" my kids absolutely howl with glee at the "bass fartophone." I haven't heard laughter like that come out of my little boy since he was a toddler. "Sweet Sir Walter" features one of the guys singing in a falsetto that sweeps lustily down into a Tim Curry-esque (think Dr. Frank-n-furter)gutteral guffaw of delight. So outrageously fun one forgets one is listening to Renaissance madrigals.

a voice teacher and early music fan.......2007-03-25

These bawdy catches and ballads take us on a journey to the taverns and other social gathering places of the the real 'Merry Old England'. Some of us may be mildly shocked by the directness and earthiness of the text, but everyday life in the 17th century was much more 'down-to'earth- and forward. These texts-some blatant and other euphemistic-fully explore the spectrum of humor from the sly smirk to the back-slapping guffaw.
The singing of both ballads and catches belongs to a long and venerable tradition in England. The natural habitat of the of the catch was the tavern, while the ballad was known in a wider variety of social settings as well as the stage. By the end of the 17th century, ballads were collected by connoisseurs of popular culture and published in anthologies. The main source for this recording, 'The Catch Club, or 'Merry Companions', was printed in 1762.
A quote from the catch-philosopher (of 'Come, come let us drink') is offered by the Baltimore Consort: "...wine and good cheer will in spite of our fear inspire our hearts with mirth..the time we live, to wine let us give, since we all must turn to earth...."
This is an excellent collection of songs; quite interesting and varied. The instruments are played skillfully, and the voices, for the most part, are good quality. However, as with all 'folk-like' songs, the diction is not always clear, and that is very true of several of these on this disc. The female voices were more difficult to comprehend much of the time. The text is printed out, so ultimately familiararity will make them easier to understand. I do like the disc, and think that it needed to be done.As to a previous criticism concerning the fact that it wasn't 'true' barroom singing. Of course, it's not!!!If it were, you would not understand any of it!!!!!Enough said.

Prelewd to Postlewd.......2005-09-28

The Baltimore Consort, an ensemble of six players, was founded in 1980 with the purpose of performing 'broken consort' pieces of Elizabethan origin. 'Broken' here refers to the instrumentation - treble viol/violin, flue/recorder, lute, cittern, bandore and bass viol. Their repertoire expanded beyond these beginnings to include broader British fare, as well as French and Italian music of the time. This is a happy expansion, as it made this disc of older, bawdy (for its time) music possible.

The Baltimore Consort play with life and vigour, with a good deal of improvisational flair, not being bound to texts and going through the production of notes as if mechanically. This is true to the spirit and nature of the early music, in which performers often had to 'play by ear', neither being able to read music nor having printed music even if they could. This is particularly true of the songs on this disc, where many are derivative of anonymous jokes and stories, and much of the music is likewise folk-tune and anonymously composed.

Some of the songs can be rather shocking. As Mary Anne Ballard writes in the accompanying notes, 'We must remember that in the days before indoor plumbing and pooper-scooper laws, everyday life was of an earthier flavour than it is today.... The men of the singing clubs and the ladies of stage poked fun at themselves and their companions with wit, pleasantry and contrivance.'

The names of many of the composers of these pieces have been lost to history, particularly the more folk-song oriented ones. However, some well-known composers are represented among the pieces here - Purcell, D'Urfey, Aldridge, and others.

The regular players include Mary Anne Ballard (viols), Mark Cudek (cittern, guitar, recorder and bass viol), Custer LaRue (vocalist/soprano), Larry Lipkis (recorder, viols), Ronn McFarlane (lute), Chris Norman (flutes), Webb Wiggins (tambourine and 'virginals'). Some artists are known from other Dorian productions, such as Ronn McFarlane on the lute in the collection 'Greensleeves'.

Added to the regular consort players are the Merry Companions, including Peter Becker (baritone), Alexander Blachly (baritone), Paul Shipper (bass, belch-canto), and James Weaver (baritone).

One more addition includes a guest artist, Lorenzo Labbrobacio, playing of all things, the 'fartophone', a rather mysterious instrument indeed. Labbrobacio defies identification on the internet other than references to this disc, and so the mystery deepens.

This is music that is interesting, truly fun to listen to, entertaining and has a quality about it that makes it a joy both in musical and humourous tones.

Sounds like they're singing Christmas carols.......2004-11-09

This recording is professionally produced - perhaps too much so. I've been in a few taverns and heard my share of bawdy songs. I am used to hearing them sung with gusto, with a wink and a naughty smile, to the raucous and enthusiastic appreciation of the audience. The songs on this CD are performed entirely straight. The results are technically competent but fail utterly in conveying the spirit and fun that make this genre worth listening to.

A sly and rollicksome good time!.......2002-11-29

On this recording, the Baltimore Consort and the Merry Companions are full of fun, both blatant and tongue-in-cheek. Soprano Custer La Rue and the instrumentalists of the Consort are joined by a quartet of classical male singers (Peter Becker, Alexander Blachly, Paul Shipper and James Weaver) with quite a theatrical sense of humor. The two groups take turns presenting ribald tavern songs of merry old England, interspersed by light, catchy instrumentals listed in the credits as the "Prelewd", the "Interlewd" and a "Fresh Ayre". Drinking, sex and other bodily functions are both celebrated and ridiculed in songs that are cleverly worded and enthusiastically sung, and in at least one case, accompanied by a mysterious instrument (reminiscent of P.D.Q. Bach) called a "fartophone". Especially amusing are the "catches" or rounds, and the new meanings that result from the staggering of words when several different verses are all sung together. It sounds silly, and is silly, but that's the point of it all--celebrating the "earthier flavor" of life 17th and 18th century England. My copy came with a parental advisory sticker stuck fast to the case, but my mother didn't seem overly concerned, and in fact enjoyed it too when I played it for her! For more fun Renaissance vocals, both salacious and serious, try "All At Once Well Met: English Madrigals" by the King's Singers, and "The King's Singers' Madrigal History Tour: Italy, England, France, Spain, Germany" by the King's Singers and the Consort of Musicke.

Average customer rating:

You don't need a Wayback machine
A Very Good Compilation of Elizabethan Music
Light classics with historical charm

Elizabeth's Music

Manufacturer: Dorian Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

The Mad Buckgoat - Ancient Music of Ireland
The Ladyes Delight
Tunes From the Attic
La Rocque 'n' Roll - Popular Music of Renaissance France / The Baltimore Consort
Panorama: Dances of the Renaissance

ASIN: B00000IGPC
Release Date: 1999-03-23

Tracks:

Jane Pickering Lute Book: The Queen's Treble
Consort Lessons: O Mistris Mine (Twelfth Night)
Consort Lessons: My Lord Oxenfords Maske
Robin Is To The Greenwood Gone
Why Ask You
Paduana - Lachrymae
The Fifth Galliard (My Lady Nevell's Book)
Shall I Come Sweet Love To Thee?
In Darkness Let Me Dwell
Packington's Pound
Never Weather-Beaten Sail
It Was A Lover And His Lass
Howells Delight
Green Garters
There Were Three Ravens
(Ballet Lute Book c.1590): Greensleeves
(Thysius Lute Book c.1600): Greensleeves
Greensleeves
See, See The Shepherd's Queen
Willy Prithee Go To Bed
Now Is The Month Of Maying
Weep You No More, Sad Fountains
Beauty, Since You So Much Desire
Fine Knacks For Ladies
Captain Digorie Piper's Galliard
My Lord Willoughby's Welcome Home
Melancholy Galliard
My Lady Hunsdon's Puffe
Fortune My Foe
Queen Elizabeth's Galliard
Mrs. Winter's Jump

Customer Reviews:

You don't need a Wayback machine.......2001-12-05

Just get a CD like this one to get a broad brush review of the popular hits of the late 1500s. While I would have liked a few more recorder pieces, almost every cut was interesting in its own way. If you want just one early music CD with English songs, this is probably the one to get.

A Very Good Compilation of Elizabethan Music.......2001-09-27

"Elizabeth's Music" is a great cd to listen to if you are an enthusiast of ballads, the lute or old fashioned jigs. This cd really puts you in the alehouses, courts and courtyards of the Elizebethan age. The music is preformed well and the voices are very authentic and beautiful. The CD loses one star because most of the songs are on other Dorian-released CDs! I got the cd and found out most of the songs were the exact same ones on my "Shakespeare's Music" CD and other Dorian CDs. Ah well. All Elizabethan enthusiasts will enjoy this eclectic collection.

Light classics with historical charm.......2000-01-07

Really enjoyed this CD. Light and pleasant, without being too pretentious. Great background music for home or office.

Average customer rating:

ha ha ha
And I got my own theme song...
Hands down one of the best releases of 2005!
Yo, yeeeaaa it ma-ma-ma-ma-ma-majik most!
Top 10 album for 2005 in all music

Molesting Hip Hop
Majik Most
Manufacturer: Domination Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Where's Your Album?!!
Junk Planet
The Gatalog: A Collection Of Chaos
No Place Like Chrome
Every Hog Has Its Day

ASIN: B000A5FA7I
Release Date: 2005-07-01

Tracks:

Majik's Theme 2005
Skinny Girls (Eat Some Food)
Just A Feelin' feat. Celph Titled
Deranged Barber
Stuck Up (Stick 'Em Remix) feat. Celph Titled & Eternia
Chicks Don't Mind feat. louis logic
Chum the Skrilla Guerilla (Skit)
Baldwin Brothers feat. Celph Titled
Nasty Toes
Florida Celebrities feat. Jade Foxx
Welcome to Hell (Skit)
Real Villains feat. Celph Titled, Guttamouf & Lord Digga
The Show With No Name Promo
Extra Thug Sauce (J-Zone Remix) feat. Guttamouf & Celph Titled
Ap's Intermission
All That
Who What When Where feat. Celph Titled
Stick 'Em (Onyx Mix)
Shit is Real (Skit)
Pause Tape Champion Outro
Majik's Theme
Forget You
Mother Molesters feat. Apathy, louis logic & Celph Titled

Product Description

Creative powerhouse, long time Demigodz affiliate, and Equilibrium group member, Majik Most slams back hard on the scene with his incredible first full length CD + DVD "Molesting Hip Hop". The CD features beats and rhymes from Celph Titled, Apathy, J-Zone, Louis Logic, Lord Digga, JJ Brown, Eternia, Jade Foxx, Get Large and many more. Jam packed with certified bangers, hilarious concepts, and insane skits, this instant classic is no doubt one of the most solid underground releases to hit the scene in years. The DVD features over 2 hours of non stop entertainment - Including Music videos, behind the scenes/show footage, Video freestyles, skits and hilarious outtakes. Appearances from J-Zone, Vinny Paz, Celph Titled, Apathy, Louis Logic, Gutta Mouf, JJ Brown, Rise, Big Scoob, Dutch Massive and many more. Solid independent hip hop!

Customer Reviews:

ha ha ha.......2006-04-05

this dude is nutts on the mic, can't say I knew much about him prior to this album. Had heard him on 1 or 2 songs, and knew he was down with Celph Titled. This album is really solid. It's way over the top, and really fun. A lot of people might find it tasteless and disrespectful, but the content is so obviously aggerated one should be able to laugh at it. Skits are almost always a low point for me, but this album has some outstanding skits. The one where he's dreaming the Devil was talking to him and telling him "you're album's not coming out!" kills me. It's so rediclious and stupid! Lyrically Majik is much like his homie Celph Titled, and always saying something unexpected. The talk of Russian Mafia dudes on ski's shooting at them is beyond explination. Him & Celph get busy togeather over the same beat Dre & Ren flipped over almost 20 years ago. There's not any real touching moments, no songs about his mom, love or whatever. This is just a really retarded record, and it works.

And I got my own theme song..........2005-12-20

Oh man where does one start trying to sum up Majik Most? Maybe his personal website complete with links to XXX rated websites? Or his over the top claims such as slapping Suge Knight? Or maybe its the wacky skits about his streets being so being so real that you're liable to get attacked by russians armed with machine guns on skis or diseased outbreak monkeys? That's getting closer but its probably his bio that best summarizes his personality when at the tender age of 2 "made a karaoke machine explode" and " at the age of 5 one of his metaphors made and elderly man flip out of a wheelchair'. "

While it almost sounds ridiculous to describe Majik Most to anyone who's never heard of him, he's one of the more entertaining rappers around connected to some extra talented friends, such as the always amazing Louis Logic, battle vet Apathy or the incredibly underrated Celph Titled whom all make guest appearances.

As the album title implies, the entire album is done tongue and cheek, and probably at that, tongue and cheek as in tongue and that other cheek. Its completely offensive and completely entertaining. As if that wasn't enough, there's a DVD complete with Majik Most and Dutchmassive talking crap to tourists and Majik kicking a free style while a girl strips naked in the background. One has to wonder what this cat would do if he had production money. Molesting Hip Hop is a Mixtape... so its not meant to be taken as an official album, which generally puts an album to second rate standards (a trend that is starting to wear hip hop heads out listening to C material or horrid remixes). While there's a little beat jacking and short songs lasting a verse or two, it feels more like an album except with an over abundance of skits. If I were to hold this to mixtapes standards, this quite possibly is the greatest mixtape ever created hands down. If it were a stand alone album I'd be a little more critical and probably give it a four star rating. Its a toss up but given the fact I keep coming back to this album and re-listening as it keeps growing on me even that's arguable.

There's also a strange air of intelligence as Majik Most parodies a bit of the all already ridiculous rap life, that's been ripe for a lot of bland stand up bits and bad skits. Instead of succumbing to the usual tired jokes, Majik Most fully embraces rap/hip hop (as he's obviously a fan) and uses humor to subtly criticize some negatives by just pushing the envelope too far. Other clever moments include the should-be-famous JJ Brown's sampling of the Austin Power's soundtrack (without being obvious) on the album's most listenable joint, Chicks Don't Mind, with an attitude much in line of Mr Powers himself (read again, no direct references to Austin Powers) and skits that are self parody of his own skits, that often include bloopers of those who are supposed to be making the skits. It becomes a strange juxtaposition of then-and-now when comical rap skits that used to make fun of rap skits have become so cliched that it takes a voice actor scratching her head "What am I supposed to say?" when trying to perform parody of a comical rap skit making fun of a comical skit. Its convoluted, genius and funny. Just buy the damn album already.

Hands down one of the best releases of 2005!.......2005-11-02

I can't describe how much I love this CD! It is just non-stop entertainment from start to finish. You can let it play all the way through and not feel the urge to skip anything. The way the skits and interludes are intertwined throughout the songs is comedy genius. The production & sound quality on this CD is astounding. Majik Most is a true entertainer and it really shows through on amazing tracks like "Deranged Barber", "Skinny Girls", "Nasty Toes", and "Chicks Don't Mind". Not to mention the insanely dope guest appearances from the likes of Celph Titled, Apathy, Louis Logic, Guttamouf and many more - every MC seemed to have put forth their best effort.

If you're a fan of hip hop from the likes of the Beatnuts, Alkaholiks, J-Zone, Demigodz, etc. Then it's guaranteed you will enjoy this release. I can't say anything more other than to make sure you pick this CD up... it's a must have.

Yo, yeeeaaa it ma-ma-ma-ma-ma-majik most!.......2005-10-08

Most of the beats where made by Celph Titled of the Demigodz.. Celph and Majik are very close, but there were plenty of other producers on there too.

And as for me, well I love Majik. He goes to HCC with my boy Good Feezie and the man is a lyrical genius. Glad to see some support from across the whole US..

And yea, I posted up the customer graphic.. (On mama's account though)

Top 10 album for 2005 in all music.......2005-10-01

The Lyrics and the beats are above average but what makes this album so good is it ever lasting replay value and very good song structure and formating on this LP.I have not heard of Majik Most and it is a shame that only 2 people have reviewed this album because it is fun and will take you back.
If is not a pure classic it is very close to it.

Greensleeves: A Collection of English Lute Songs

Average customer rating:

Graceful music
Not what I wanted
Greensleeves (Baird/McFarlane)

Greensleeves: A Collection of English Lute Songs

Manufacturer: Dorian Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

The English Lute Song
The Art of the Bawdy Song
Watkins Ale: Music of the English Renaissance
English Mad Songs and Ayres
The Mad Buckgoat - Ancient Music of Ireland

ASIN: B000001Q89
Release Date: 1993-08-31

Tracks:

It Was A Lover And His Lass
Author Of Light
Lute Solo: Watkin's Ale
So Beauty On The Waters Stood
When Laura Smiles
Lute Solo: Galliard
In Darkness Let Me Dwell
Lute Solo: Bonny Sweet Boy
Greensleeves
Wand' ring In This Place
Lute Solo: Packington's Pound
Shall I Come Sweet Love To Thee?
Sorrow Stay
Sweet Youth Go Bruise Thy Pillow
Lute Solo: Kemp's Jig
It Fell On A Summer's Day
Come Again
Lute Solo: Wilson's Wild
Awau With These Self Loving Lads
Mark How The Blushful Morn
Never Weather-Beaten Sail
Lute Solo: The Cradle Pavan
If Thou Longst So Much To Learn
Lute Solo: Robinson's May
TIme Stands Still

Customer Reviews:

Graceful music.......2005-09-27

The lute is a string instrument with a fretted neck and a deep, round back. In many ways, it is related to later similar instructments such as the guitar and banjo. It descends from a Middle Eastern instrument similar to the oud. The lute was one of the major musical instruments of the Middle Ages, and much music was composed for the lute, both as a stand-alone instrument as well as an accompaniment for singers.

This disc has some samples of both. Some songs are anonymous compositions, often derivative of much older folk tunes. Others are original compositions whose composers are known by name. Among these names are John Dowland, Thomas Morley, Alfonso Ferrabosco, Michael Cavendish, Thomas Campion, Nicholas Lanier, and Anthony Holborne, all of the 1500s/1600s. The music here involves both the 8-course lute and the 10-course lute (during the later Baroque time, lutes could have as many as 28 strings!).

The lute was eventually displaced by keyboard and other instruments, so in many ways its life is that of the music of the past. However, with recordings such as these, the lute lives again in vibrant form. Ronn McFarlane learned to play on a cheap steel-string guitar, but continued to study in a rather eclectic fashion, eventually studying at the Shenandoah Conservatory and the Peabody Conservatory prior to settling upon the lute as his primary instrument. In this recording, he is paired with Julianne Baird, a soprano with significant recording experience.

McFarlane and Baird emphasise the simplicity and lightness of the songs here; while some lute music and some folk tunes can be very elaborately arranged, here the performers strive for a more direct elegance. The particular period emphasised is Elizabethean; McFarlane and Baird sound as if they have come directly from the Queen's court directly.

This is a beautiful recording.

Not what I wanted.......2002-02-13

i should have read the description more clearly...this is partially vocal, not all instrumental. Nothimg wrong with the CD, but I only like instrumental.

Greensleeves (Baird/McFarlane).......2000-09-30

Incredible! Stunning musicianship from beginning to end. For fans of Dowland, this recording is a gem. The blend of lute and voice on 'In darkness let me dwell' is downright haunting. This recording is an absolute pleasure. 5 stars just might be an understatement here...

Average customer rating:

New Born
Calvin Newborn
Manufacturer: Yellow Dog Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Goes Blue
The Duke Meets the Earl
Up City
Thelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane at Carnegie Hall
The Best of the Capitol Masters: 90th Birthday Edition

ASIN: B0009HBPC6
Release Date: 2005-05-10

Tracks:

When Kingdom Comes/Sho' Nuff
The Streetwalker's Stroll
Newborn Blues
Spirit Trane/Omnifarious
Lush Life
Restorations
After Hours Blues
Blues & Beyond

Album Description

Meet guitar legend Calvin Newborn: He played on B.B. King's first recordings, taught Elvis how to dance, and tore up the Big Apple in the heyday of bop. Now Calvin - brother of jazz virtuoso Phineas Newborn - is hot on the comeback trail with New Born, a brand-new album chronicling his distinctive mix of Memphis blues and jazz.

Born and raised in Memphis, in the heart of the city's gutbucket blues scene, Calvin paid his dues on Beale Street when R&B was king. His impeccable jazz pedigree was honed at New York City recording sessions (and in smoky after-hours joints) alongside players like Jimmy Forrest, Hank Crawford, Charles Mingus, and Earl Hines.

Tracks:

Intro: Coming Quietly
Self-Imposed Exile
You Got Me Anyway
Pretty Vacant
First Love Song
Interlude 1
Natural Beauty
A Flower Opens
Black Lace Shoulder
Toys Take Over
Interlude 2
Ships That Pass In The Night
From Me To You
Le Ballet
Sexual Terrorist
Outro: Going Gently

Album Description

Mike Thorne retired from commercial record production four years ago, having delivered many innovative and successful recordings, from Tainted Love to Voices Carry. Sprawl, his own first album, features huge vocal arrangements contributed by Kit Hain, Sarah Jane Morris, Lene Lovich and the three-woman downtown New York group BETTY. The instrumental sound centers on keyboards from Mike Thorne, intense and unusual horn arrangements powered by the Uptown Horns, and raucous drums from Allan Schwartzberg. The result is a sound heard nowhere else. Tracks include two unrecorded Marianne Faithfull songs(from her rock+roll period), Pretty Vacant (the Sex Pistols, 1976) and an exclusive translation of Le Ballet (originally a seductive French language song from Cline Dion).

Average customer rating:

Exciting Early Warren
A voice unmatched

Leonard Warren: His First Recordings

Manufacturer: Video Artists Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Legendary Voices: Leonard Warren II
Robert Merrill: Arias from Otello, Un Ballo in Maschera, Il Trovatore
Lebendige Vergangenheit: Leonard Warren
Opera Arias & Concert Songs
Robert Merrill

ASIN: B000003LIQ
Release Date: 1995-11-06

Tracks:

I. Pagliacci: Prologue
La Traviata: Act II, Scene 1 Pura siccome un angelo
La Traviata: Act II, Scene 2 Di sprezzo degno se stesso rende to end of scene
Rigoletto: Act I, Scene 1 Ah, piu di Ceprano importuno non v'e!
Rigoletto: Act II Cortigiani, vil razza dannata
Rigoletto: Act II Tutte le feste...Piangi, fanciulla, piangi...Si, vendetta
Rigoletto: Act III Bella figlia dell'amore (Quartet)
Aida: Act II Che veggo! Egli? Mio Padre! to end of scene
Aida: Act III Rivedrai le foreste imbalsamate
Carmen: Act II Votre toast (Toreador Song)

Customer Reviews:

Exciting Early Warren.......2007-01-16

Leonard Warren must have been electric in person. His ended tragically on stage in 1960, but these recordings, made in 1940, show his voice at its most youthful. The highlight, for me, is the prologue from Pagliacci. Several of the other excerpts feature less-than-ideal soloists (except for Eleanor Steber in Traviata who is terrific) and faster than normal tempi (perhaps because of timing constraints of 78rpm recordings), but if you want to hear Warren at the beginning of his career, this is the recording to get.

A voice unmatched.......2004-11-24

The 29 year old baritone made some of his very first recordings on behalf of the New York Post--the Post was recording opera excerpts as a way to beef up its cultural reputation around the area. This CD contains opera excerpts from this recording series and reveals Warren's voice in its most glorious form. The magnificent size of his voice can be heard on any of his recordings. However, here, his voice has a ring and brilliance to it that he lost in later years. He had the tendency to cover more and not always use the core of his voice during his later, more common recordings. But in these excerpts, his voice is consistant all the way through his incredible range. And his "Cortigiani, vil razza dannata" is the most heartfelt, believable rendition I have heard to this day (he puts more popular renditions--like Sherrill Milnes'--to shame). His voice is so exquisitely beautiful, but yet torn and angry at being unable to find his daughter, Gilda. No doubt his time in Italy several years earlier had something to do with his completely assimilating the role of Rigoletto (he spent some time there learning huge Verdi roles through his own study...simply to prepare them for later life). His voice is unique not for its size, but for its remarkable consistency throughout and for the fact that--especially in this recording--he is able to capture that same brilliance in his voice that other mere mortals must push and force out at the expense of their technique and depth. His technique is remarkable at such a young age. No one on these recordings can really begin to compete with the presence inherent in his voice. However, his voice blends very well with most sopranos and his ensemble numbers often contain his best singing. His Traviata excerpts with a young Eleanor Steber are quite exquisite. Warren's voice really is the most magnificent ever bestowed on a baritone.

Average customer rating:

His First and Last Recordings
Sr. Don Santiago Jimenez
Manufacturer: Arhoolie Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music

Mexico | International | Styles | Music

General | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Tejano | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Norteno | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Conjunto | Latin Music | Styles | Music

General | Latin Music | Indie Music | Stores | Music

South & Central America | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Viva Seguin

ASIN: B0000001K3
Release Date: 1994-02-04

Tracks:

La Duena De La Llave
La Tuna
Eres Un Encanto
Antonia De Mis Amores
El Satelite
Ay Te Dejo En San Antonio
El Primer Beso
Las Godornises
Vive Feliz
Los Gallineros
Zulema
Que Bonito Este Querer
Dices Pescao
La Tuna
La Luisita
Atotonilco
Marfa
Gran Polka Moderna
Calabazas A Mi Negra
Comadre, Tengame El Nino
Sal Si Puede
Vengo A Ver Unos Ojos
El Aguacero
La Madera
Tenmela Hay

Amazon.com

The title says it all. These are Don Santiago's best tunes from his early days to his later collaborations with his son Flaco and veteran upright bass player Juan Viesca. Like Narciso Martinez, considered the founding father of conjunto, Jimenez was a first-tier pioneer. And like Martinez, his first hits were instrumental polkas. His best are included here--"El Aguacero," "Sal Su Puedes," and "Atotonilco." The sound quality may seem primitive--after all, they were recorded five decades ago--but the inherent old-world charm still carries through. The Jimenez original "Ay Te Dejo en San Antonio" is pure gold. It was this song, albeit re-recorded, that won his son Flaco a Grammy in 1986 for an album by the same name. --Ramiro Burr

Average customer rating:

Excellent Shakespeare Compilation
Evocative Shakespeare

Shakespeare's Music

Manufacturer: Dorian Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00004RJMZ
Release Date: 2000-05-09

Tracks:

My Lord Of Oxenfords Maske
Robin Is To The Green Wood Gone
Bonny Sweet Boy
Greensleeves
Take, O Take Those Lips Away
Where The Bee Sucks
Full Fathom Five
O Death, Rock Me Asleep
Fortune My Foe
Robin Is To The Greenwood Gone
Light O' Love
O Mistress Mine
The Dark Is My Delight
Packington's Pound
There Were Three Ravens
Pavane D'Espagne
Green Garters
Kemp's Jig
Come My Celia
Have You Seen But A White Lily Grow
Care, Charming Sleep
Satyrn Dance
Come Away, Hecate
The First Witches Dance
The Second Witches Dance
Tarleton's Resurrection
Now The Lusty Spring Is Seen
The Jewes Dawnce
It Was A Lover And His Lass
Lavolto
La Coronto
Fortune My Foe
The Willow Song

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Shakespeare Compilation.......2001-09-27

This CD has it all: Shakespeare period music for mood and background music, Songs actually written into Shakespeare's plays and talent infused into every track. Every song is done well by talented musicians and vocalists and the selection is great. If you are looking for the songs you see featured in your favorite Shakespeare play and would like to hear them, or would like background music to play while you peruse "The Merry Wives of Windsor" or any other plays from that time period, I recommend this CD.

Evocative Shakespeare.......2000-08-31

To your joy you can find beautiful old english songs of he shakespeare era. Nice selection but incompleet. Recomended for those intrested in Shakesperean plays as well.

Track Listings:

Track Listings

All Star Jazz Concert [Live] [Original recording remastered]

Instro Hipsters a Go-Go, Vol. 4 [Import]

Got to Find a Way

Four Seasons: Autumnsongs

Fritz Kreisler-Early Recordings

Fast Girl

I Feel Biddy

Live in Philadelphia 1978 & Dallas 1980 [Import] [Live]

Hoist

Holding Onto Nothing, Pt. 2 [CD-single] [Import]

Christian Escoude Group Featuring Toots Thielemans

The Jazzmasters I