Illusions

Editorial Reviews
About the Artist
Kim Buchanan, a songer/songwriter from NC, creates an intimacy with her audiences through her music, lyrics, and the emotion she conveys with her powerful, yet soulful, vocal abilities.

Her second CD, released 4/1/2002, is a strong follow-up to her nationally recognized debut CD, "Will I Ever Know?".

"Will I Ever Know?" was chosen by the Independent Weekly as one of 1998's best releases of the year, and received international airplay on acoustic and folk based radio stations. During 1999-2000, Kim's music was featured on mp3.com and ranked #1 that wek, and remained in the top 25 for close to a year.

Album Description
This is a lushly produced collection of songs, with violin, flute, bass, guitar, and Kim's percussionist, Jubal. It is a collection of moods, from sad to outraged to searching. She offers versions of "White Rabbit" and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" here, as well as a few instrumental pieces. Very nice, and quite different from a lot of what's out there.

Illusions
Average customer rating:

Tim the Bassist' review

One Of His Best!!!

Textured Modern Grooves

Possibly the most representative Album of George Duke

exceptionally cool

Illusions
George Duke
Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000002MUI
Release Date: 1995-01-24

Tracks:

Genesis
500 Miles To Go
411
Love Can Be So Cold
Illusions
The Simple Things
Life And Times
Look What We Started Now
C'est La Vie
Buffalo Soldiers
Money
No Greater Love
So I'll Pretend

Customer Reviews:

Tim the Bassist' review.......2007-04-02

George Duke is unbelievable on keyboard. For those who like smooth r+b lyrical content with hot funky jazz music for support, this is good easy listening music.

One Of His Best!!!.......2005-12-26

George Duke is a very underrated musician...Yet, he can do it all!!! He gets very little airplay anymore and is virtually unknown except to those who can appreciate this type of music. My favorite cuts on this CD are C'est La Vie, Life And Times, and Illusions. This CD stands out as one of his best!!!

Textured Modern Grooves.......2003-09-30

If theres one little problem with "Illusions" it's that it
tried way too hard to blend contemporary,plastic drum machines
with Duke's everpresent moogs and electric piano grooves but that's only a minor complaint-Duke is in pretty fine form on
"500 Miles To Go",the tital track,"Life And Times" and the unusally topical "Buffalo Soldiers",featuring the narration in
fine jazz-rap style.The beats tend to have the influence of
contemporary jazz and R&B artists like Rachell Farrell (who is on
this album),Diane Reeves (ALSO here) and even a little TLC (not
here) but considering all these acts have a funky foundation AND
all the musical underpinnings provided by Duke are in full
effect "Illusions" comes closest to fully recapturing George
Duke's late 70's funk-styled music then anything to date.Worth
putting time into!

Possibly the most representative Album of George Duke.......2000-11-13

The man is a complete musician : good songwriter, arranger, producer and...performer. Wether he hoes on the Grand piano or through his massive samples library, Duke has fully integrated sixty years of Jazz music into one album. Some of the songs are pure jazz rock, instrumental beauties(specially "No greater love" with Dennis Chambers on drums), some others are funk grooves with vocals, but lean towards nicely harmonised melody lines (check "411" and "money"). If you like Quincy Jones's "Back on the block", then you'll love this CD.

exceptionally cool.......1999-02-07

george duke would have to be one of the foremost innovators of cool emotional music that touches the soul.

Average customer rating:

One of my favorite all time albums
Come on Sergio, Where is the rest of the group?

Crystal Illusions
Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66
Manufacturer: A&M
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Brazil | South & Central America | International | Styles | Music

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Samba | Latin Music | International | Styles | Music

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Bossa Nova | Latin Music | Styles | Music

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Ye-Me-Le
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Equinox
Fool on the Hill
Look Around

ASIN: B000HEV82S
Release Date: 2006-09-26

Tracks:

(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay
Viola
Song Of No Regrets
Salt Sea
Empty Faces
Pretty World
Dois Dias
You Stepped Out Of A Dream
Crystal Illusions (Memorias De Marta Sare)

Customer Reviews:

One of my favorite all time albums.......2007-04-06

I have always enjoyed this recording. The orchestrations by Dave Grusin are fantastic and shows why he was in demand for movie and television scores. The song selection is very eclectic from easy tempo to fast tempo, from soft to dramatic. The selections "Dock Of The Bay" and "Pretty World" got the most airplay as singles but one could sometimes hear "Crystal Illusions" in it's entirety on AM radio. "Viola" is a beautiful tune with a romantic flair. It contains a lot of basic percussion and guitar and Grusin's arrangement fits it beautifully. "Dois Dias" harkens back to "Roda" from "Look Around" with it's fast tempo. "You Stepped Out Of A Dream" might have been a good choice for a single with it's uptempo beat but it languished as an album cut. "Song Of No Regrets" and the title cut both have a very dramatic flair to them and, along with "Salt Sea" and "Empty Faces," have lyrics by Lani Hall. Lani was writing lyrics starting with the album "Look Around." Lani continued writing lyrics for some of the Brazillian writers but more appeared on this album that any of the other Brasil'66 recordings.Even though "Dock Of The Bay" and "Pretty World" got a tremendous amount of airplay in 1969, both failed to chart into the Top 40. The latter is my favorite selection from the album. It combines the key elements of all the member's instrumentation and Grusin's backing arrangements. I still have the LP record of this and now that it is on CD, my Brasil '66 collection,with the exception of "Stillness" is complete. This is a good solid purchase.

Come on Sergio, Where is the rest of the group?.......2007-01-17

First of all, this album consists of excellent songs with beautiful arrangements. Unfortunately, it is not what is is purported to be. This is supposed to be an album by Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66. For the most part, it is not. What it is instead is an album of solos by Lani Hall with orchestra backings. There are only 2 songs on the whole album that sound like Brasil '66. They are "Dock of the Bay" and "Pretty World", which were previously released as singles. With the possible exception of "You Stepped Out of a Dream", I cannot hear Karen Phillip on any of the other songs. If she or any of the other group members were included in these recordings, they are hopelessly buried under all the orchestrations. I am not saying that Lani Hall wasn't a good singer, but I do think she was pretty much a glory hog. I remember hearing her being interviewed on the radio sometime in the mid-70's. The interviewer asked her what it was like blending her sound with the rest of the group. She replied in no uncertain terms that she was the "Lead Singer" and she didn't blend with the group, the group blended with her.

This album reminds me of a lot of mid to late 60's albums where people thought they were getting recordings by their favorite groups when they were really getting the lead singer with studio musicians.

If you are looking for a Lani Hall solo album, this will do nicely. If, on the other hand, you are looking for a real Brasil '66 album, pass this by and go for "Herb Alpert Presents", "Equinox" or "Pais Tropical".

Average customer rating:

Recipient of this gift very pleased
Classic prog of the ELP style - not a weak moment
I Bought This CD For One Song!!!!
Simply Dimply
"Hello, I'd like a double dimple..."

Illusions on a Double
Triumvirat
Manufacturer: EMI Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000068QEM
Release Date: 2002-09-30

Tracks:

Illusions On A Double Dimple
Mister Ten Percent
Dancer's Delight (Non Album Track)
Timothy (Non Album Track)
Dimplicity (Edit)
Million Dollars (Edit)

Album Description

2002 remastered reissue of the German progressive rock act's 1974 album. Includes 4 bonus tracks that were originally released as 7'' singles 'Dancer's Delight', 'Timothy', 'Dimplicity' & 'Million Dollars' (edit). EMI.

Album Details

DIgitally remastered progressive rock classic.

Customer Reviews:

Recipient of this gift very pleased.......2007-02-13

I was satisfied with the speed of delivery and my daughter-in-law who wanted it is equally pleased.

Classic prog of the ELP style - not a weak moment.......2006-11-30

I have to agree with some of the other reviewers that this is an album for prog rock fans. Others will likely be put off by the time signature changes, synthesizer and piano solos and just the sheer length of the two major suites. The last couple of songs on the album - Lucky Girl and Millionaire - really have more of a pop structure, though and I would say are very accessible. Don't be scared off by the mention of choirs - it's just a couple of brief interjectioins and some background ala ELO. The musical style is, in my opinion, borrowed directly from ELP. I could see where ELP fans might just call it a rip-off, but for me, it rates up there with their best. The piano and drums are especially good on this one. Very little guitar - really just a 12-string on Lucky Girl, zero solos. Also, the synthesizer parts sound dated, but what do you expect for prog? Forget about the lyrics, as with most prog - it's all about the music. If you somewhat like the ELP style and if you're a prog rock fan, I'd have to rate this as a must have. There really isn't a dissappointing moment on the whole album. As a point of reference for my tastes, some of my favorite music is from Gabriel-era Genesis, early Yes and early Tull. One of the all time great album covers, too.

I Bought This CD For One Song!!!!.......2005-12-26

I bought this CD for the title track. I owned it on vinyl when it first came out and really missed hearing that song. Even though the whole concept of this CD is rather silly, it still helps to remind me of a time when music didn't have to be so commercial and have to appeal to crossover audiences. Only progressive rock fans will appreciate this CD.

Simply Dimply.......2004-10-07

Triumvirat's second album was both a progression and an improvement over MEDITERANEAN TALES. The two suites comprising the original LP each have some nice passages, and each is marred by clumsy transitions and musical non-sequiters . . . pretty typical of a lot of bands of the era (you know who I mean). 'Illusions On A Double Dimple' (the allusion is hazily alchoholic) in particular has some fabulous parts. Much has been made of similarities to (all right, I'll say it) ELP, and at the time as many ELP fans lauded Triumvirat as berated them as imposters to ELP's throne. There were similarities to be sure, both in format and in the music, but to my ears Triumvirat was earthier and closer in spirit to rock-as-rock'n'roll than their English counterparts, which makes for a far more pleasurable listening experience. Jurgen Fritz may not quite have had Emerson's technical prowess, but Triumvirat were decidedly less flashy and a hell of a lot more fun. Besides, ELP could never have released a series of such un-self-consciously brilliant singles as are included as extra tracks on this series of reissues, of which ILLUSIONS ON A DOUBLE DIMPLE is the second. 'Dancer's Delight' merges 'Crocodile Rock'-era Elton with The Sweet, and sounds like 1978 English pop-punk years before its time; and while its B-side 'Timothy' may have copped its acoustic-guitar chord progression from Steve Winwood's 'Can't Find My Way Home' and is similarly doleful, it boasts a most offhandedly catchy middle-eight and fade-out. Good album, great single and awesome remastering. Cute little dude on the cover, too.

"Hello, I'd like a double dimple...".......2004-01-09

Contrary to belief, a double dimple is not LSD. The "illusions" are on a double of Dimple Pinch as experienced by a poor dude in a bar lamenting on his misfortunes in life. Starting with childhood, "So sorry teacher, I don't know the things you made me learn for today. We've got ten kids at home, our living room's full, our daddy's gone away..." We then learn our poor sap is out of a job and reflects to himself, "mine is the road to nowhere. No light, no signs to guide me. Who could describe my anger, when I was sacked last Friday..." We later are treated to similar grievances about the music industry "Hands off, Mr. Ten Percent, we've got a gig tonight! Do ya think we're gonna pay your rent? How could you say you're still a friend? You'll make it fifty in the end!..."
Jurgen Fritz has created a concept album dedicated to the working class. Anyone who has ever felt underpriveledged or gets a feeling of worthlessness upon receiving a paltry paycheck has an excellent album just for them. Anyone in a gigging band or signing a contract with Capitol records. Anyone driven to drink after being sacked at work, anyone not born with a silver spoon up their butt.
This album is just fantastic. The idea was to make a BALANCED album that would please on musical levels as well as finding favor with a more traditional pop audience without venturing far from the progressive parameters. Not 40-odd minutes of uninspired technical musical self-indulgence, and not a bunch of boring balladry. There are melodic moments where true songwriting genius is exemplified mixed with competent progressive song structure and a few moments that, without fail, are guaranteed to spike my adrenaline levels. Quite a rush! Many of the ideas are sort of trippy, in a euphoric way.
Unfortunately, the progressive rock audience, being very opinionated, are just too hard to please. Either a piece of music is too bombastic or overwrought, or it is too commercial sounding, or God forbid, features a choir! Or reminds them of another band. (Face it, music is all about emulating things. Other music, other styles, other techniques. Live with it.)
Double Dimple is a target for criticism because it is the epitome of all those things. The final analysis is what happens when one puts on those headphones and hits play. And something really special happens with Illusions. A musician's job is to make you like their product using whatever tools they feel like using. When an album is simply entertaining using very plain or common ideas, that is a good album. When something has more focus, detail or that special magic about it, that is a great album. And a great album will always withstand more repeated listenings and invoke more awe and respect. I can listen to Illusions for a millionth time and notice something I did not notice before. Not specificaly in the notes played, but in the emotion or in the feeling a song may give off. I want to FEEL something when I listen, not just HEAR something. Triumvirat certainly hits bullseye with Illusions. One of my personal favorite albums, not just because I like it, but because it is clearly meticulously written, performed, and delivered in a way that makes the PUNCH work. This one's good start finish. (NOT regarding the bonus material, but the original LP release.) I would say that Illusions ranks as one of progressive rock's top ten best albums.

Average customer rating:

NOT AS BAD AS SOME SAY...
Highly recommended
Diverse, exciting, innovative
I'll wait...
Steve, please stop singing!

Real Illusions: Reflections
Steve Vai
Manufacturer: Red Int / Red Ink
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0007GADZO
Release Date: 2005-02-22

Tracks:

Building The Church
Dying For Your Love
Glorious
K'm-Pee-Du-Wee
Firewall
Freak Show Excess
Lotus Feet
Yai Yai
Midway Creatures
I'm Your Secrets
Under It All

Customer Reviews:

NOT AS BAD AS SOME SAY..........2007-04-30

Let's get one thing straight: Each artist have a peak on its career,one album or series of albums that put them in the top of the lists (personal and professional ones)

Led Zeppelin have a career based on awesome,solid albums. Metallica almost made it: they put out terrible albums such as "St.Anger" and destroyed their credibility.Joe Satriani has put out things like "Is there love in Space?" that pale in comparison with other albums.

You can't always be Led Zeppelin. Metallica has "The Black Album". Satch has "Surfing". Truth is that you can't reach some levels of creativity every time.I'm not an artist, but I can understand that they are not divine. They CAN FAIL.

Cut to the chase: This is not "Passion and warfare".Not even "Fire Garden" (another favorite of mine).But it represents a well-known facet of Steve: weirdness.This is his most "Zappesque" album of all time. And this is a compliment.I love Frank Zappa,and Steve is the 1st admitting that his playing is wildly influenced by the moustached genius.

Real Illusions is a "kind" of "conceptual album".Yes, something like "The Wall" or "The lamb lies down on Broadway".But it's more disjointed and surreal,kind of a fever dream.It's a story of a voyager that founds a town in another dimension. Very weird!

The music.

If you like the "regular Steve sound" listen carefully to songs like "Building the church" (a new classic), "Midnight creatures" (acrobatics on the fret), "Km-Pee-Du-Wee" or the wonderful "Lotus Feet" (a song recorded with a orchestra in Holland-Those shows will be available on CD and on DVD soon!)

"I'm your secrets" remind me a lot of "Burning up the mountain",it's like the latter with lyrics.But is a terrific, haunting song.It's melody can elevate your soul almost inmediately.

"Under it all" is the final song, with plenty of references of the storyline.It's a grand finale, I liked it a lot.

Keep in mind that songs like "Glorious" or "Yai Yai"(yes,that's really guitar,it's all about pedals) are WEIRD.But,as some reviewer said before me,"Steve is weird and he'll always be".That's the main trait of his personality.If you don't like it go listen to Green Day and their "down to earth" sound.

In essence,this is not a classic, nor the hideous album some may claim.It's a beautiful album,listen to it,carefully.I repeat, this is not a Green Day record. I love this CD.Give it a try.

Oh,for those who claim that Steve has not a good voice, I'll tell you something about emotion and feeling.Has Ozzy a good voice technically speaking? Or Mike Jagger? Or even Johnny Rotten? You really like those singers, don't you? Listen carefully and try to understand.

Highly recommended.......2007-04-29

I am the proud owner of every studio cd Mr. Vai has ever released and I can honestly say that this may be my favorite. Overall the guitar playing is amazing as always. Steve has total command over not just his speed, like some of the other "shredders" he's often classified with, but the perfect tone and grace of every note he plays, no matter how fast or slow.
The whole "concept" of this concept album is kind of interesting, although somewhat difficult to follow. but it's cool how the whole album, as you follow it, sticks with a mood and gradually takes you down this strange musical path. His song-writing on this album is fantastic and very melodic.

Building the Church starts with an insane 2-handed tapping intro in a style I'd never really heard before, then continues into a very well written melody that, to me, never gets old.

Dying For Your Love is a vocal song, without much flashy guitar. One of the weaker songs, in my opinion, but kind of pleasant.

Glorious is quite cool. The lead guitar line is played on a fretless guitar with a wah-pedal. Kinda sounds like a cat that can really sing. A nice solo in the middle of this one too.

K'm-pee-du-wee is a slow yet very tender ballady song that was meant to sound like a guitar singing a lullaby. beautiful guitar phrasing in this one.

Firewall was another vocal song, which, again, is not my favorite side of Steve. But it's tolerable and the solo, makes it worth it.

Freak Show Excess speaks for itself. It's kind of a fun song and the outro solo is insane-absolutely insane.

Lotus Feet is done with just Steve and an orchestra. Steve really uses the guitar as his voice in this song. You can almost hear it speaking, rather than playing.

Yai Yai is interesting, kinda weird. Completely done with the "yah-yah" feature.

I'm Your Secrets is all acoustic and although Steve sings in this one too, I find it quite lovely. The accoustic melody is really captivating.

Under It All is the most interesting if you're following the storyline of the cd. It has all the characters making little speeches and like the rest of the cd, the melody of the song itself is rather captivating.

Overall, like I said, it's not his flashiest playing, but it's definitely enough that guitar players will be happy. I consider it his most melodic song writing he's ever done. And yes; Steve is weird. He's always been weird, he'll always be weird. If you like his weirdness, you will love this cd. Enjoy, friends.

Diverse, exciting, innovative.......2007-01-17

The negative reviews here are a sad commentary on the extent to which most people want an artist to go on doing whatever he did before. Vai is one of those rare musicians who is truly versatile. After a crowdpleasing opening track (very stereotypically metal) this compilation explores many moods and directions; there's even a quasi-Zappa solo. Vai does have a slight tendency to be facile, but there are substantial compositions on this album. It's a very fine and thoughtful piece of work.

I'll wait..........2006-12-11

Simply put, steve isn't the best singer on the music scene, although at a concert his singing seems to blends in well with the environment, but as far as recordings go he should stick to instrumental. Vai is one of my favourite musicians, but this album, for me just isn't worth listening to in my opinion except for maybe two tracks.
Other than that the man is an absolutely amazing guitarist and the majority of his work is timeless.

Steve, please stop singing!.......2006-09-27

I am like the rest of most people in here. I believe Steve Vai is as talented as any guitar player ever, ever! Nobody shreds faster or can get the same sounds out of an Ibanez. HOWEVER, he has 1/10 the musical intelligence of Joe Satriani. I can listen to Satriani anytime, each album is unique and exciting. However, with Vai, you get these hit and miss CDs with some creative playing and some awful heavy metal tracks featuring terrible singing. Here is hoping that Steve gets some direction, so his musical genius can be recorded for the ages.

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy: Songs Without Words

Average customer rating:

Lovely Piano Miniatures
Excellent, delightful, colorful
Not professional quality playing
Ravishimg songs without words!
A lot of listening

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy: Songs Without Words

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Songs Without Words
Brahms: Works for Solo Piano
Chopin: The Complete Nocturnes And Impromptus
Mendelssohn: Piano Trios Op. 49 & Op. 66
Grieg: Lyric Pieces (Performed on Grieg's Piano)

ASIN: B00000417E
Release Date: 1994-02-15

Tracks:

Op.19: Sweet Remembrance
Op.19: Regrets
Op.19: Hunting Song
Op.19: En La Majeur
Op.19: Restlessness
Op.19: Venetian Gondola Song
Op.30: En Mi Bemol Majeur
Op.30: En Si Bemol Mineur
Op.30: Consolation
Op.30: En Si Minieur
Op.30: En Re Majeur
Op.30: Venetian Gondola Song
Op.38: En Mi Bemol Majeur
Op.38: Lost Happiness
Op.38: La Harpe du Po te
Op.38: En La Majeur
Op.38: Appassionata
Op.38: Duetto
Op.53: En La Bemol Majeur
Op.53: The Fleecy Cloud
Op.53: En Sol Mineur
Op.53: Sadness of Soul
Op.53: Folk Song
Op.53: La Fuite
Andante con Variazioni in E flat major, Op.82: En Mi Bemol Majeur

Tracks:

Op.62: May Breezes
Op.62: En Si Bemol Majeur
Op.62: Funeral March
Op.62: Morning Song
Op.62: Venetian Gondola Song
Op.62: Spring Song
Op.67: En Mi Bemol Majeur
Op.67: Lost Illussions
Op.67: En Si Bemol Majeur
Op.67: The Bee's Wedding
Op.67: The Shepherd's Complaint
Op.67: Cradle Song
Op.85: En Fa Majeur
Op.85: Adieu
Op.85: En Mi Bemol Majeur
Op.85: Elegy
Op.85: En La Majeur
Op.85: En Si Bemol Majeur
Op.102: En Mi Mineur
Op.102: En Re Majeur
Op.102: Tarantelle
Op.102: En Sol Mineur
Op.102: The Joyous Peasant
Op.102: Belief
Andante Cantabile e Presto Agitato in B: En Si Majeur
Variations in B flat major, Op.83: En Si Bemol Majeur

Customer Reviews:

Lovely Piano Miniatures.......2006-06-13

Felix Mendelssohn's "Songs Without Words" will always have a special place in my heart because one of the "Venetian Boat Songs", opus 19 no. 6 was the first work of serious music that I performed in a piano recital as a child. I have returned to the collection many times over the years, both to hear the music and on occasion to practice some of the pieces.

Mendelssohn composed eight sets of "Songs without Words", each consisting of six pieces, over a course of 12 years (1835, 1837, 1841, 1844, 1845, and two posthumously published sets in 1847). These works are romantic miniatures, characterized by their lyricism (the title of "songs" is apt), elegance, polish, grace, and imagination. Each piece is intended to capture for the listener a specific mood or emotion; they are of the type of romantic piano music sometimes referred to as a "character" piece, as are the individual sections of Schumann's Carnaval and Scenes from Childhood, Scubert's Impromptus, and Moments Musicaux, and much of Chopin. Many of the pieces in the collection have acquired nicknames over the years, but Mendelssohn himself only gave titles to five: the three "Venetian Boat Songs", the "Duetto", opus 38 no. 6, and the "folksong", opus 53 no. 5.

Mendelssohn's Songs were highly popular during the mid-19th Century but have subsequently been criticized by many for their alleged superficiality, their generally cheerful tone, and their lack of intense passion. I find the criticism misdirected. These pieces were composed for amateurs to play in their own homes. They have a flow and a beauty to them that I would not part with. It is sad that domestic music-making, people playing for themselves for the sheer joy of it, is becoming an endangered art.

This two-CD mid-priced Phillips set includes the complete Songs without Words performed by Ilse von Alpenheim. In addition, the compilation includes three of Mendelssohn's other piano works: two sets of variations and an andante cantabile. Ms. von Alpenheim was the wife of conductor Antal Dorati. Her recorded output was not extensive, but it includes the Haydn piano concertos with Dorati at the podium. Ms. von Alpenheim is a near-ideal pianist for Mendelssohn's Songs. She has an exquisite, polished, touch, a singing melodic line and flexible but controlled rhythm. She plays without mannerism. She neither prettifies these works nor attempts to find profundities in them. She offers the type of performance that one can imagine hearing in a home or in an intimate hall. I enjoyed relistening to these performances, score in hand.

Listeners will each find their own favorities in this collection. My favorites include the three Venetian Boat Songs, the first song in opus 62, the opus 62 no. 3 "funeral march" and the the first, and surprisingly romantic, work of opus 67,

Rehearing Mendelssohn's Songs brought me happy moments and made me want to turn to some of these works, including the Venetian Boat Song I played as a child and its two companions, on the piano. Amateur pianists and those who love the piano will enjoy this recording.

Robin Friedman

Excellent, delightful, colorful.......2005-03-21

This is a very expressive and colorful, but not overstated recording. I picked it up a number of years not knowing anything about the performer, but it was the only complete recording in the store at the time. I was impressed the first time I played it, but since then, my enthusuasm grows for it every time I hear it. Only later did I learn that in addition to being Antal Dorati's widow, that she has recorded all of Haydn's piano works and just a few other albums--I will surely be on the lookout for them. I only wish she had recorded more widely.

Not professional quality playing.......2005-02-03

I would avoid this set, despite its price and the fact that it includes all the Songs without Words. Alpenheim is simply not a professional quality pianist and was likely only recorded because of her husband, the great conductor Antal Dorati. Alpenheim doesn't have the technical proficiency or range of textures one would expect from a first-rate pianist but what is most annoying is her inability to shape the music's melodic line into an expressive whole. Look elsewhere.

Ravishimg songs without words!.......2004-12-17

Antal Dorati `s wife was an exquisite pianist wrought in the purest roots of the late Romanticism . Her Mendelssohn texture reveals the wide scope she had . Despoiled of that slender refinement which weakened seriously the score, she is more interested in extracting the dramatic nucleus instead the possible fireworks and the sweet charm of every piece .

The other three recommended versions would be in this precise order : Walter Gieseking , Annia Dorffman and Daniel Barenboim.

Pitifully Guiomar Novaes that incredible brazilian pianist just recorded several pieces but never as whole .

A lot of listening.......2002-09-13

This CD began a serious exploration of Songs Without Words for me that has included the Barenboim recording and others. I heartily don't recommend the latter as being incredibly fast and lacking any sensitivity. By contrast, this interpretation has kept me thinking and holds interest after many months. In fact, I'm on this space to purchase a replacement disc. I should also mention that it is very well recorded and retains the bass without boosting. If you appreciate Songs Without Words, this is the best recording I've found.

Average customer rating:

A Magnificent Band---*Both* Versions!
Pre Annie Haslam Renaissance

Innocents & Illusions
Renaissance
Manufacturer: Castle Us
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Blues | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
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Illusion - The Island Recordings
Song for All Seasons
Novella
Scheherazade & Other Stories
Ashes Are Burning

ASIN: B0007TFHXO
Release Date: 2005-02-15

Tracks:

Kings and Queens
Innocence
Island
Wanderer
Bullet
Island [Single Version][*]
Sea [*]

Tracks:

Love Goes On
Golden Thread
Love Is All
Mr. Pine
Face of Yesterday
Past Orbits of Dust
Shining Where the Sun Has Been [*]
All the Fallen Angels [*]
Prayer for Light [*]
Walking Away [*]

Customer Reviews:

A Magnificent Band---*Both* Versions!.......2006-07-03

Every once in a while you come across a band whose music blows you away *so* completely, that you're left dumbfounded that more people don't know about them. One such band I've come across in my musical travels is Renaissance, and I want *everybody* to know about them. They were founded by former Yardbirds guitarist Keith Relf and drummer Jim McCarty in 1969 as a progressive band that blended rock with classical & folk---definitely a radical departure from the Yardbirds. Also in the band at the beginning were Keith's sister Jane Relf on vocals, keyboardist John Hawken and bassist Louis Cennamo. This first incarnation of Renaissance recorded two albums, in 1969 and 1971 respectively, titled "Renaissance" and "Illusion," and this 2-CD set, "Innocents & Illusions," collects them both along with some equally-precious bonus tracks. I'll get straight to the point: Renaissance were (and are) a *phenomenal* band. Their musical blend of classical/folk/rock is truly entrancing, their musical chops, songwriting, arrangements and vocals (including Jane Relf's lovely falsetto, and, later on, Annie Haslam) absolutely stunning. From the moment I first played "Innocents & Illusions," I was simply floored by what I heard. I thought, "GOD, this band is good!" And they are. The majestic beauty, power, and passion of such songs as "Kings And Queens," "Island," "Bullet," "Love Goes On," "Mr. Pine," "Past Orbits Of Dust," and bonus tracks like "Shining Where The Sun Has Been" and "All The Fallen Angels" will knock you out, I guarantee it. Sadly, after releasing "Illusion," creative differences pulled apart this first version of Renaissance. But all was not lost for this very unique band, for, with Keith Relf & Jim McCarty's blessing, an all-new version of Renaissance---with a completely different line-up no less, including the one-and-only Annie Haslam on lead vocals---rose out of the first group's ashes in 1972 with the release of "Prologue." This new Renaissance would go on to cult status success & record eight more studio albums and tour consistently until 1983 (plus a reunion studio album & tour in 2001). But it all started here with the original Renaissance. Led by Keith, Jim and Jane, they laid down the blueprint for the later Renaissance to follow, and "Innocents & Illusions" is an outstanding introduction to this group's incredible music. Do you like progressive rock? Then have I got a band for you---Renaissance! A magnificent band---*both* versions. Start your Renaissance collection today with "Innocents & Illusions."

Pre Annie Haslam Renaissance.......2006-03-17

This was originally a project of Yardbirds lead singer, Keith Relf, his sister Jane, and Yardbird Jim Mc Carthy. This is their first 2 albums on one set and it's pretty good. The success of this was a lot below the Yardbirds and the 3 moved on after this while Annie Haslam, John Tout, Michael Dunford took over and their first release was "Prologue". This is much more in the spirit of "Prologue" than later Renaissance works. The vocals are shared and not dominated by one voice here and it's good progressive rock. Fans of Annie's version of the band and progressive rock fans in general should enjoy this. With Yardbirds fans, they may not as it really nothing like a Yardbirds set.

Average customer rating:

One Of Bobby's Greastest.

Natural Illusions

Manufacturer: Liberty
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music
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Happenings

ASIN: B0008KLMY0

Product Description

Tracks: When You're Near/The Thrill Is Gone/Sophisticated Ladies/Rain Every Thursday/The Folks Who Live on the Hill/Lush Life/Shirl

Customer Reviews:

One Of Bobby's Greastest........2006-07-09

These recordings were done during the seventies for Blue Note Records. The Orchestrations are excellent and the recording was fine originally but the remastering for this budget priced cd leaves a little to be desired. The musical performances here are excellent, and Bobby Hutcherson and company are magnificent. 'Folks Who Live On The Hill' and 'When You Are Near' are standout performances. This music speaks volumes by itself.

Average customer rating:

A great CD
A nother Good Album
Fast Fun Punk Rock

Crossroads & Illusions
Strung Out
Manufacturer: Fat Wreck Chords
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Punk Revival | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Punk-Pop | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | CD Singles | Pop | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Alternative Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
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The Element of Sonic Defiance
Another Day in Paradise
Skinny Years: Before We Got Fat
Exile in Oblivion
An American Paradox

ASIN: B000005Z3W
Release Date: 1998-04-07

Tracks:

Crossroads
Mind of My Own
Barfly
Ghost Town
Open Mic

Customer Reviews:

A great CD.......2001-10-28

This cd has really inspired me in many ways.Its because of theremelodies and there guitatrists and singer. This is a great album.It might only have four songs but that doesnt make a difference. This band is going to inspire you also.Its such a great band with fast melodies and also slow ones.

A nother Good Album.......2001-08-30

Strung Out's fast punk sounds great and there melodic stuff is awesome.The second song is one of my favortie's from this whole album.The drums are hella cool and the guitars are great.I reccomend you buy this cd.All strung out's other cd's are excellent too.Plus Twisted BY Design.That one is my favorite.I have all the Strung Out cd's plus the newest one and I listen to them everyday.

Fast Fun Punk Rock.......1999-01-23

First song good. Second has good lyrics but is slow. The next 2 I like because of the melodies and the last sounds like the Desendents, but in a harder punkier way.

Average customer rating:

Faces Forms & Illusions
Excellent album

Faces, Forms and Illusions
Delerium
Manufacturer: Cleopatra
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Ambient Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Alternative Dance | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Ambient | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

House | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music
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Euphoric EP
Mindphaser
Nuages du Monde
Archives, Vol. 2
Corroded Disorder: The Collection

ASIN: B000006Y4V
Release Date: 1997-02-25

Tracks:

Monument of Deceit
Mecca
Inside the Chamber
Sword of Islam
New Dawn
Certain Trust
Strangeways
Subvert/Wired Archives/Siege of Atrocity
Dark Star [*]

Customer Reviews:

Faces Forms & Illusions.......2005-04-09

Old Delerium sounds nothing like their current sound. There are no live vocals (some sampled vocals), and it is all based on synths instead of a mix of accoustic and electronic. This is more of a mix between early Jarré, a tad of Kraftwerk and some Enigma. One can say that this is more laid back new age music then their recent pop/electronica. One can not say that one is better then the other since the music is so very different. This album is awesome for relaxation and great to study to whilst the recent albums have a more dance oriented theme. This is a very nice album that shows how much Bill Leeb and company have tinkered and changed Delerium through the years and shows his genius.

Excellent album.......2002-07-02

This is an awesome Delerium album. I would recommend this album simply for the song Dark Star. It is one of the moodiest songs that Leeb has ever done. Very dark and eerie...it's perfect. I highly recommend this album for all Delerium fans.

Average customer rating:

Sexy, groovy, and well produced.. What more can you ask for?
Good Investment
Ah! Hot!
Awakening of the Soul
Awakening of the Soul

Mixed Illusions
Soulstice
Manufacturer: Om Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Trip-Hop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

House | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

General | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Electronica | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Techno-House | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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Illusion
Strange Flower
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Late Night With Andy Caldwell
The Pearl

ASIN: B00005OBSM
Release Date: 2001-10-12

Tracks:

Lockdown
Fall Into You
Colour - Atjazz
Fall Into You - Landslide
Tenderly - Pepe Braddock
Lovely - Johnny Fiasco
Illusion - J Boogie
The Reason - DJ Spinna
Wind - Fila Brazillia
Not Alone
Fall Into You - Miguel Migs
Tenderly - Kevin Yost

Customer Reviews:

Sexy, groovy, and well produced.. What more can you ask for?.......2005-06-20

A great remixed version of the original CD. The quality of the remixes here is superb !!! You will find elements of HOUSE, TRIP-HOP, DRUM N' BASS, and BREAKS all wrapped inside an incredibly sexy voice. You don't come across this kind of quality very often. Your lounge/downtempo collection needs this CD. Get it !

Please note that the only reason I gave this CD 4 stars (and not 5) is the fact that I liked the original version better than this remixed one.

Good Investment.......2002-08-23

This is a great CD. It's worth it for the Johnny Fiasco remix of "Lovely" alone. But believe me, the other tracks are awesome, too.

Ah! Hot!.......2001-12-10

Soulstice has been rocking my world VERY recently. I just got into them and heard this remix album, LORD it is soooo tight. Every song on here bumps, and almost every single track has refreshing, very NEW ideas. The production is sooooo amazing. Wow. JEEPERS!
I flip out so much because of the garage-2step stuff goin on in Lockdown, that first track, which as far as I can tell is NOT a remix, just a little gift that Soulstice threw in because they are so nice. A couple of the other later tracks we've got crazy syncopation in the rhythm, which is what I'm all about at this point in time. And as far as hiphop goes, anything with dj spinna on it gets me going crazy.
Get the original too just to understand the beauty of Soulstice, plus their respective remixers.

Awakening of the Soul.......2001-10-29

This album is a definate must have. Overall the vocals are hipnotic and the mellow instrumental musicianship is awesome! I recently got the chance to see Soulstice at the DNA Lounge in San Francisco and I must say it was a very moving experience. Get this album now! And if you can see them live...don't miss the chance to do so.

Awakening of the Soul.......2001-10-29

Music:

Music

Music from the Earliest Times [Box set]

Meet Danny Haller/Driving Blind

The Last Time [Import]

Landscapes - Bass Meets Voice

Manilow Sings Sinatra

germanbooks88.com Music: 1st Recordings / Symphony 2

Honky Tonk Amnesia: The Hard Country Sound Of Moe Bandy

Midnight Special [Import] [Limited Edition]

Imperfectly

New Age Music: 30 Ans De Passion [Import]

In the Mood to Swing

Vivaldi: Soprano Cantatas

Glazed Popems