Mark II

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
For 2003, Epsilon Minus returns with Mark II, a thicker, slicker techno assault. Enhanced by the experience gained over a year of remixing and gear-tweaking, Mark II features more instrumental electronics, bigger club anthems, and a sense of humour.

Tracks:

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

Amazon.com

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

Customer Reviews:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Overall, this CD is very beautiful! BUY IT!

Average customer rating:

Wonderful worship with Robin Mark
I really love this album
My least favorite Robin Mark CD
Better than the last
Blah

Revival in Belfast II
Robin Mark
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

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

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Revival in Belfast
Come Heal This Land: Live Worship From Northern Ireland Featuring Robin Mark
Take Us to the River
Celtic Psalms
Celtic Worship

ASIN: B0002Y4TZ6
Release Date: 2004-09-21

Tracks:

Killavil
I Heard The Sound Of Voices
Kings And Nations
Blessed Be Your Name
Perfume
Miracle In My Heart
Some Kind Of Love
My Song Is Love Unknown
Soul's Desire
There's A Cry
Oh Jerusalem
The Wonders Of Your Cross

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful worship with Robin Mark.......2007-03-30

Revival in Belfast II is a wonderful worship experience. Mark has a gift for bringing his listeners into the presence of God to worship our God with music.

I really love this album.......2007-03-24

I had to revise my comments after listening to this CD more. I heard the song Killovil an Irish instrumental. I thought the CD was going to have Irish type music or Irish/Worship music. This was the only Irish instrumental on the CD. After playing the album a few times there are worship songs with the whistle and Irish flavor. I have come to love this CD. There are many good songs on it. My favorite worship song is "Some Kind of Love" and "Miracle in My Heart". Miracle in My Heart has the Irish whistle in. The CD music and songs are uplifting. I tried to change the rating from 3 to 5. I now want to rate this CD a 5

My least favorite Robin Mark CD.......2006-12-09

I really like all of Robin Mark's CDs, except for this one. I think that on all his other CDs you hear a musician who puts his whole heart into his music. This CD is still good and I myself could not sing nearly as well, but Revival in Belfast II somehow seems to be "a little more flat" and "just another Christian CD" whereas the others were more special.

Better than the last.......2005-08-14

This cd is filled with passionate songs written by a very humble man. I was thrilled to hear that Robin put out a "sequel" to Revival in Belfast and this did not disappoint. I love it even more than the first. For one thing, Robin wrote more of the songs on this one than the last. For a second, they are still filled with the great sounds of the old country - pennywhistle and uileann pipes. Finally, it is encouraging to hear such great music from such a humble musician. I have met Robin and he is inspiring because he views his work as nothing more than any other servant would do.

Blah.......2005-06-13

After a hit comes the sequel, which is usually quite bland. Same with this CD. Revival In Belfast was outstanding, but Revival In Belfast II is quite different. Gone is the Celtic beat. Even Robin Mark seems to have lost his Irish brogue. This CD sounds like a million other Christian CCM CD's. Sorry, but if you want a Celtic Christian music CD, this one is not it.

Average customer rating:

Mad about Baroque
The beauty of the songs brings tears to my eyes
Brilliant
Be Welcome then, great Sirs (and Mesdames).
Brilliant Purcell Disc

Essential Purcell
Henry Purcell , New College Choir Oxford , King's Consort , Robert King , Roy Goodman , Charles Daniels , John Mark Ainsley , James Bowman , Peter Buckoke , Jane Coe , Rogers Covey-Crump , Gillian Fisher , Michael George , Miles Golding , Jane Norman , Barbara Bonney , Mark Caudle , William Carter , King's Consort Choir , Helen Gough , Paul Nicholson , Angela East , Barry Guy , Tessa Bonner , Jerome Finnis , Rupert Bawden , Lucy Howard , Richard Campbell , Susan Addison , James O'Donnell , and Stephen Saunders
Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

Bonney, Barbara | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music

$6.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Purcell: Odes for St. Cecilia's Day - Music for Queen Mary / Taverner Consort
Purcell: The Fairy Queen
Purcell: Songs & Airs / Argenta, North, Boothby, Nicholson, Toll
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas / James, Lewis, Baker, Herincx
Purcell: Full Anthems & Organ Music

ASIN: B000002ZDU
Release Date: 1995-04-10

Tracks:

Complete Odes And Welcome Songs Vol. 5: Welcome, Welcome Glorious Morn. Symphony And Opening Chorus
Complete Odes And Welcome Songs Vol. 3: Be Welcome Then, Great Sir
Complete Secular Solo Songs Vol.1: Oh, Fair Cedaria
The Choir Of The King's Consort: Hear My Prayer, O Lord
Great Baroque Arias: When I Am Laid In Earth ('Dido's Lament')
Complete Anthems And Services Vol.1: Let Mine Eyes Run Down With Tears (Part 1)
Complete Odes And Welcome Songs Vol.4: The Sparrow And The Gentle Dove
Complete Secular Solo Songs Vol.1: If Music Be The Food Of Love (First Setting)
Complete Anthems And Services Vol.5: Rejoice In The Lord Always ('The Bell Anthem')
Complete Anthems And Services Vol.3: Hosanna To The Highest
Complete Anthems And Services Vol.7: Thou Knowest, Lord, The Secrets Of Our Hearts
Mr. Henry Purcell's Most Admirable Composures: Fairest Isle, All Isles Excelling
Complete Odes And Welcome Songs Vol.6: Mark, How Readily Each Pliant String
Complete Odes And Welcome Songs Vol.8: Sound The Trumpet
Complete Secular Solo Songs Vol.3: She Loves And She Confesses Too
Complete Odes And Welcome Songs Vol.8: O How Blest Is The Isle
Complete Anthems And Services Vol.3: Remember Not, Lord, Our Offences
Complete Anthems And Services Vol. 11: An Evening Hymn
Complete Church Music Vol.2: Vouchsafe, O Lord, To Keep Us This Day
Complete Odes And Welcome Songs Vol.2: With Rapture Of Delight... Hail Bright Cecilia

Amazon.com essential recording

The "Essential" Purcell? Well, you could get a bunch of critics to argue about that for a few days, but in the meantime, here is a sampler of highlights from the King's Consort's three admirable Purcell series: the Complete Odes and Welcome Songs, Complete Anthems and Services, and Complete Secular Solo Songs. There are, of course, some of Purcell's most-performed pieces (which probably are "essential"): Dido's Lament from Dido and Aeneas, "Sound the trumpet" from Come, ye sons of Art, Rejoice in the Lord alway (the "Bell Anthem," named for the string figure at the opening that sounds like pealing bells), the gently patriotic "Fairest isle, all isles excelling" (sung by a miscast James Bowman), and a selection from the funeral music for Queen Mary. There are also some delightful surprises--particularly among the little-known secular songs and church music. The plaintive "O fair Cedaria" gets a lovely performance by Barbara Bonney (a singer not usually associated with Purcell); tenor Rogers Covey-Crump (possibly the ideal high tenor for Purcell) sings the enchanting "If music be the food of love"; the church anthems "Let mine eyes run down with tears" and "Remember not, O Lord, our offences" have some startling harmonies as daring as any Monteverdi ever wrote. If you're unfamiliar with Purcell, this reasonably priced disc is a good place to start exploring without a big initial investment. --Matthew Westphal

Customer Reviews:

Mad about Baroque.......2007-02-12

This is a terrific CD. The music is breathtaking. Just buy IT !!!!!

The beauty of the songs brings tears to my eyes.......2002-08-21

Absolutely beautiful baroque music! The arrangament, singing and instrumentation is superb. It is too bad that Henry Purcell is not as widely known as Bach, because he should be recognized equally well."The Sparrow and the Gentle dove" is alone worth the price of the album! I can not stop playing it!

Brilliant.......2001-10-31

Like in his renditions of Handel's oratorios, Robert King manages to bring a freshness and strenght to Purcell's music that I had seldom heard before. This CD also features some of the best performers of early music in the world. My favourite tracks are Oh, Fair Cedaria, sung by the multi-talented Barbara Bonney; Dido's Lament from Dido and Aeneas, sung by Gillian Fisher; She Loves and she Confesses too, sung by the wonderful Susan Gritton; and Welcome, Welcome Glorious Morn, sung by Rogers Covey-Crump. The only track I didn't find absolutely wonderful is Fairest Isle, sung here by James Bowman. Don't get me wrong, I generally love Mr Bowman, I think that his performance in Mr Purcell's Most Admirable Composures (also conducted by Robert King) makes it another essential Purcell recording; but I find that Fairest Isle was much better done elsewhere, particularly by Christopher Hogwood and Barbara Bonney.

These songs aren't only beautiful, they're also poignant, sweet and unpretentious. I think that it will be very clear to anyone who listens to this recording that Mr Purcell was one of the finest composers that ever lived.

Be Welcome then, great Sirs (and Mesdames)........2001-10-20

If anyone has benefitted from the reversion in the last three or so decades to period instruments and historical reconstruction, it is Henry Purcell. Before, he was merely great, the peerless word-setter in the English language, a virtuoso of boundless range, a professional composer whose offical commissions were always imbued with personality and invention. But period instrumentation has added to this a greater depth, an other-worldly texture of sound. With his intricate, multi-part vocal writing, his preference for low, rumbling instruments such as the bass viol and the strange and remarkable theorbo, as well as his often sombre and low-key subject matter and treatment, Purcell creates a round, glowing, humming sound as pregnantly full as dub reggae.

This has an extraordinary effect on the listener. Whereas Bach, with his mathematical abstractions, sounds universal and timeless, Purcell's music takes the listener back 300 years, back to different ways of thinking about, feeling about and addressing things we still think etc. about today - death, love, friendship. The emotion is timeless, but the music's beauty is alien, THEIRS, hence its preciousness.

A lot of intelligence has gone into the unity of this compilation, beginning with two Welcomes (to the dawn and to the listener, in this case a King), and ending with thoughts of evening, death and a Baroque 'Thank you for the music'. These are bright, fanfare-like works, but the predominant mood is slow, ruminative, quiet. The selection covers the wide range of Purcell's oeuvre, from opera and funeral marches to secular songs and odes, and includes his most famous vocal works - Dido's Lament from Dido and Aeneas, sung by Gillian Fisher, and never more evocative of pagan loss and death; the massive 'Bell Anthem', with its ingenious opening symphony and joyful antiphon; and a miraculously serene 'Evening Hymn', Dido's opposite, death indicating hope, the treble voice swirling over the heavy ground bass like the soul released from the inert body.

it might seem quixotic to choose highlights from an exemplary collection of highlights, but the entry of the strings washing over the serene repetition of 'Be Welcome then, great Sir' always makes my heart stop still, while the musical picture of 'Bold Honour', the 'noisy Nothing, stalking shade', blocking the poet's amorous intentions in 'She loves and confesses too', adds a chilling hint of life's transience to a bouyantly bawdy song.

Brilliant Purcell Disc .......2000-11-30

With this album director and Purcell expert Robert King provides the listener with an excellent introduction to the composer's vocal works. The pieces presented here were taken from Mr. King's recordings of 'The Complete Odes and Welcome Songs', 'The Complete Anthems and Services', 'The Complete Secular Solo Songs' and diverse anthology discs. King, his wonderful soloists and musicians do the brilliance of Purcell's music fully justice. Whether he was commissioned by royalty, the church or theatre, Purcell shone in all areas. This disc certainly demonstrates the variety and originality of his craft, not to speak of his uncanny ability of setting words to music.

An outstanding Purcell offering. With a beautiful perfomance by Barbara Bonney of 'Oh, fair Cedaria'. Susan Gritton is equally captivating in 'She loves and she confesses too'. Gillian Fisher's rendition of the famous 'Dido's Lament' is haunting and poignant. Further an intelligent and brilliant 'Hosanna to the highest' by Michael George. James Bowman and Michael Chance sparkle in the countertenor duet 'Sound the trumpet' (from 'Come Ye sons of Art away'). And I should not forget to mention the joyous, luminous performance of the beautiful 'Bell Anthem'. To name but a few favourites, only James Bowman's 'Fairest Isle' was a disappointment.

Those who are familiar with Purcell's music will get an excellent disc with some of his most beloved works. If you are new to Purcell, this is, as already said a great introduction. Which might be the incentive to further explorations of Purcell.

by stardustraven

Kern & Hammerstein II: Show Boat - Frederica von Stade, Teresa Stratas, Jerry Hadley, Bruce Hubbard, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta & Ambrosian Chorus

Average customer rating:

Yup, it's great
The historic set reissued at a "popular" price

Kern & Hammerstein II: Show Boat - Frederica von Stade, Teresa Stratas, Jerry Hadley, Bruce Hubbard, John McGlinn, London Sinfonietta & Ambrosian Chorus

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Chabrier: L'Etoile - Colette Alliot-Lugaz, George Gautier, Gabriel Bacquier, John Eliot Gardiner, National Opera Orchestra & Chorus, Lyon
Enchanted Evenings: The Broadway Musical from Show Boat to Sondheim
Jerome Kern's Roberta (1952 Studio Cast)
Bernstein: Candide
Show Boat (1988 Studio Cast): Von Stade; Hubbard; Hadley; McGlinn

ASIN: B000I2ISLS
Release Date: 2006-10-03

Tracks:

Show Boat/Overture
Show Boat/Act 1. Scene 1. Cotton Blossom
Show Boat/Act 1. Scene 1. Andy!!! Drat That Man, He's Never Around!
Show Boat/Act 1. Scene 1. Cap'n Andy's Ballyhoo
Show Boat/Act 1. Scene 1. Hey Julie! That's a Hell of a Thing to Do
Show Boat/Act 1. Scene 1. It's a Man...
Show Boat/Act 1. Scene 1. Where's the Mate for Me?
Show Boat/Act 1. Scene 1. Make Believe
Show Boat/Act 1. Scene 1. Ol' Man River/Oh, Joe! Did You See That ...
Show Boat/Act 1. Scene 2. Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man/What Cher ...
Show Boat/Act 1. Scene 3. Life on the Wicked Stage
Show Boat/Act 1. Scene 3. Till Good Luck Comes My Way
Show Boat/Act 1. Scene 4. Mis'ry's Comin' Aroun'
Show Boat/Act 1. Scene 4. Take Her Up, Rubberface!
Show Boat/Act 1. Scene 4. Hello, Windy
Show Boat/Act 1. Scene 4. You Needn't All Look at Us Like We Were ...
Show Boat/Act 1. Scene 4. Looks Like a Swell

Tracks:

Show Boat/Act 1. Scene 5. I Would Like to Play a Lover's Part
Show Boat/Act 1. Scene 5. I Might Fall Back on You
Show Boat/Act 1. Scene 5. Queenie's Ballyhoo/Is de Theatre Fillin' Up,
Show Boat/Act 1. Scene 6. Villain Dance
Show Boat/Act 1. Scene 7. You Are Love/That You, Nola?
Show Boat/Act 1. Finale. Oh Tell Me, Did You Ever!
Show Boat/Act 2. Scene 1. At the Fair
Show Boat/Act 2. Scene 1. Why Do I Love You?
Show Boat/Act 2. Scene 1. In Dahomey
Show Boat/Act 2. Scene 3. Convent Scene/Alma Redemptoris Mater
Show Boat/Act 2. Scene 4. All Right, Jake - Call 'em at Twelve
Show Boat/Act 2. Scene 4. Bill
Show Boat/Act 2. Scene 4. Magnolia's Audition/Can't Help Lovin' ...
Show Boat/Act 2. Scene 4. Whaddaya Say, Boss?
Show Boat/Act 2. Scene 6. Trocadero Opening Chorus
Show Boat/Act 2. Scene 6. Apache Dance
Show Boat/Act 2. Scene 6. Goodbye, My Lady Love
Show Boat/Act 2. Scene 6. After the Ball/Ladies and Gentlemen - I ...
Show Boat/Act 2. Scene 7. Ol' Man River (Reprise)
Show Boat/Act 2. Scene 7. Hey, Feller!
Show Boat/Act 2. Scene 8. You Are Love (Reprise)/That You, Nola?

Tracks:

Show Boat/Act 2. Scene 9. Cotton Blossom (Reprise)
Show Boat/Act 2. Scene 9. It's Getting Hotter in the North
Show Boat/Act 2. Scene 9. Say, Cap'n Andy, Sorry We Couldn't Stay
Show Boat/Act 2. Scene 9. Finale/Hello, Gay. She'll Probably Come ...
Show Boat/Appendix. Pantry Scene (Act 1. Scene 2; Deleted - 1927) What
Show Boat/Appendix. Waterfront Saloon Scene (Act 1. Scene 3; Deleted -
Show Boat/Appendix. Yes Ma'am (Act 1. Scene 3; Unused - 1927) Bet Your
Show Boat/Appendix. Kim's Imitations (Why Do I Love You?) (Act 2. ...)
Show Boat/Appendix. Dance Away the Night (Act 2. Scene 9; London - ...)
Show Boat/Appendix. A Pack of Cards (Act 1. Scene 6; Unused - 1927)
Show Boat/Appendix. The Creole Love Song (Act 1. Scene 7; Unused - ...)
Show Boat/Appendix. Out There in an Orchard (Act 2. Scene 4; ...)
Show Boat/Appendix. Gallavantin' Aroun' (Universal Film - 1936)
Show Boat/Appendix. I Have the Room Above Her (Universal Film - ...)
Show Boat/Appendix. Ah Still Suits Me (Universal Film - 1936)/Joe! ...
Show Boat/Appendix. Nobody Else But Me (Act 2. Scene 9 - 1946 Revival)

Customer Reviews:

Yup, it's great.......2007-05-06

Having just acquired this album and listening to it in one (l-o-n-g) sitting, I have to agree with everything stated by other Amazon reviewers. (I didn't think too much of Jerry Hadley, though.)

One other thing that struck me was the original spoken dialogue that contains quite a few references that are NOT AT ALL "politically correct" in today's social environment. I wonder how controversial it was when EMI was putting this production together; did they consider making changes to the original dialogue? Maybe it's like Mark Twain's Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer: a classic's a classic. Still, I doubt many school music programs are using this recording as a reference demonstration of American musical theater!

The historic set reissued at a "popular" price.......2006-10-30

In the fall of 1988, EMI made history by releasing a note-complete recording of Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein's immortal musical SHOW BOAT.

Surprisingly, the original 1927 version had never been recorded complete. Those in search of the entire score were forced to assemble it themselves from a number of available recordings.

The record labels were not making full original cast albums in 1927, although a few of the original stars made singles of their hit songs. Brunswick issued an album of highlights from the 1932 revival but only 3 of the six selections were by members of the Broadway cast.

Columbia's album of the 1946 revival was closer, but limited to five 12-inch 78 it covered only nine songs and the new Overture created for the revival.

Columbia re-recorded essentially the same program for a studio cast disc headed by Barbara Cook and John Raitt.

Cook starred in the 1966 Lincoln revival, recorded by RCA Victor but again it is a fairly truncated album covering little more than the key hit songs.

It seemed strange no one tried a 2- LP set, but when the show was revived in London in 1972 the cast album for that production was issued as a single LP in England and a special 2 LP set in the U.S. Still, it did not contain the entire score.

Dozens of other SHOW BOAT discs had been issued over the years, but none of them included the complete score with the original orchestrations.

That is what made EMI's set so historic. John McGlinn conducts the most authentic reading of the score ever laid down. Two very full Cd's cover the opening night score (and quite a bit of dialogue.) A third CD includes cut songs, alternate versions and new songs added to later productions. All of this was accompanied by a very thick booklet (134 pages!) that contained essays on the reconstruction, a detailed synopsis, all the lyrics and text as included on the recording and dozens of photographs.

The album was a huge, expensive gamble that paid off handsomely: The recording went to #1 on the Billboard Classical charts, was a steady best-seller for years and then just as interest was starting to wane, a new stage production premiered to rave reviews in Toronto and then moved to Broadway where it won the Tony as Best Revival of 1995 (it was, after all, the season's best musical) and enjoyed a long run.

Now, EMI has reissued this recording at a budget price. No, you don't get the same detailed booklet but you do get the wonderful performances by Jerry Hadley, Frederica Von Stade, Teresa Stratas, Bruce Hubbard, Karla Burns, Dave Garrison, and Paige O'Hara. If I have any quibbles with this set - and I am not completely sure it even qualifies as a quibble - it is the somewhat mannered readings of some of the dialogue. On the other hand, SHOW BOAT is about a theatrical family so there's no reason why they would not play broadly when off stage as well.

In the end, it's the music that matters here and the fine performances supplemented by McGlinn's bright conducting make this an essential disc for any theatre fan's collection.

Average customer rating:

Beautiful choral work + great jazz
Lackluster Effort
A Worthy Effort
A Celebration of Dave Brubecks Works

Brubeck: To Hope! A Celebration
Dave Brubeck , Nancy Bittner , Mark Bleeke , Judy Davis , and Cathedral Choral Society
Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Cool Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Brubeck - The Gates of Justice (Milken Archive American Jewish Music)
Classical Brubeck
Into The Light: Symphonic Expressions Of The Spirit
Vince Guaraldi at Grace Cathedral
Second Sacred Concert

ASIN: B000003D1X
Release Date: 1996-07-23

Tracks:

I. Processional
II. Lord, Have Mercy
III. The Desert And The Parched Land
IV. The Peace Of Jerusalem
V. Alleluia
VI. Father, All Powerful
VII. Holy, Holy, Holy
VIII. While He Was At Supper
IX. When We Eat This Bread
X. Through Him, With Him
XI. Great Amen
XII. Our Father
XIII. Lamb Of God
XIV. All My Hope
XV. Gloria

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful choral work + great jazz.......2007-02-09

This music may throw some people for a loop, as it did me at first, because it is a choral Mass and most of us don't realize that Dave composed choral pieces, with his wife doing the lyrics. This Mass was commissioned by 'Our Sunday Visitor' many years ago. It is absolutely beautiful! The operatic choral sections move into the jazz sections and are truly inspirational. My favorite songs are 'the Desert and the Parched Land/The Peace of Jerusalem' and 'All My Hope', which I can't get out of my head all day! Give them a listen.

Lackluster Effort.......2004-05-05

I was very disappointed in this CD. This piece in no way compares with Brubeck's "Gates of Justice", which is spectacular. There are a few worthwhile moments for the soloists, but for the most part, the writing is uninspired.

A Worthy Effort.......2002-07-23

"To Hope!" is Dave Brubeck's attempt at composing a mass, or Christian liturgy. The result is mixed. Unlike Vince Guaraldi's masterpiece "Grace Cathedral Concert," this is not a jazz piano mass. Instead, it is largely a contemporary-classical work, focused on vocals and traditional arrangements. It does, however, include several jazz passages, including one that swings almost like a '50s surf-rock record. Not everyone will like this recording, but every fan of jazz or contemporary sacred music should listen to it.

A Celebration of Dave Brubecks Works.......2000-03-15

This CD truly shows the diversity of the genius composer Dave Brubeck. Also credit should to be given to Russell Gloud, the conductor for this CD. This working is one of the greatest pieces by Mr. Brubeck. I recommend this CD to any classical music or jazz fan

Music from the coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Average customer rating:

By Appointment of Her Majesty
Music from the Queens Coronation
Magnificent!!
One of the Greatest Ceremonies the World's Seen
Grand and Glorious

Music from the coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Samuel Sebastian Wesley , Ralph Vaughan Williams , Charles Villiers Stanford , William Walton , Martin Neary , Martin Baker , Andrew Crowley , Roger Cleverdon , Andrew Giles , Leigh Nixon , London Brass , Mark Bennett , Thomas Sneddon , Christopher Tipping , and Lawrence Wallington
Manufacturer: Griffin (Qualiton)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

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

Te Deum | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Rule Britannia and Other Music from Last Night of the Proms
Rule Britannia
Royal Salute
Royal Golden Jubilee: Music of 50 Royal Years
Praise to the Lord - Hymns From St. Paul's Cathedral

ASIN: B00004U0S8
Release Date: 2000-06-28

Customer Reviews:

By Appointment of Her Majesty.......2007-05-12

I heartily recommend the purchase of this exalted collection of music from the Elizabethan coronation ceremonies of 1953. The music represents an outstanding selection of the music of English christendom at the mid-20th Century. The performance quality of a variety of ensembles are commensurate with the quality of the selections themselves.

Music from the Queens Coronation.......2005-08-21

If one word was allowed it would be MAGNIFICANT.
I have listened to the whole disc several times now and am still thrilled by the music

Magnificent!!.......2002-04-01

I purchased this CD at the Tower of London gift shop while on a trip to England a few years ago. This album is superb, with beautiful digital re-recordings of the music from Queen Elizabeth II's coronation. I have listened to it countless times. This wonderful music reminds me of the great heritage we in America share with Great Britain. Breathtaking, inspiring and uplifting, this album will not disappoint.

One of the Greatest Ceremonies the World's Seen.......2002-01-14

The Coronation of HM Elizabeth II in June 1953 was one of the most spectacular public events the world has seen before or since. At the Queen's request, the Coronation was televised live on the BBC, the first coronation to receive such treatment. This is not a recording of the actual Coronation Service itself, but rather a recording, made in Westminster Abbey, of the actual music (with much of the same arrangements) that was used at the Coronation.

You will not be disappointed with this album!

Grand and Glorious.......2001-08-15

This CD contains some of the most beautiful music ever written. The music performed at Queen Elizabeth's 1953 coronation was recorded in 1993 and released on CD. If you like high church music and you have an appreciation for what was probably one of the most spectacular public pageants of the 20th Century, you will love this CD.

Berlioz - Requiem · 5 pièces sacrées / Ainsley · Choeur et Orchestre Symphonique du Montréal · Dutoit

Average customer rating:

Lackluster conducting spoils this one
A masterpiece still in search of a truly great reading
Superb!!
Berlioz Regained

Berlioz - Requiem · 5 pièces sacrées / Ainsley · Choeur et Orchestre Symphonique du Montréal · Dutoit
Hector Berlioz , Charles Dutoit , and John Mark Ainsley
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

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

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
ASIN: B00002R2T3
Release Date: 2000-01-11

Tracks:

Requiem (Grande Messe des morts), Op.5: I Requiem et Kyrie (Introitus)
Requiem (Grande Messe des morts), Op.5: II Dies irae (Prosa)
Requiem (Grande Messe des morts), Op.5: III Quid Sum miser
Requiem (Grande Messe des morts), Op.5: IV Rex tremendae
Requiem (Grande Messe des morts), Op.5: V Quaerens me
Requiem (Grande Messe des morts), Op.5: VI Lacrymosa
Requiem (Grande Messe des morts), Op.5: Offertorium

Tracks:

Requiem (Grande Messe des morts), Op.5: VIII Hostias
Requiem (Grande Messe des morts), Op.5: IX Sanctus
Requiem (Grande Messe des morts), Op.5: X Agn289848us Dei
Requiem: Veni creator
Requiem: Tantum ergo
Requiem: Pater noster
Requiem: Adoremus
Requiem: Resurrexit

Amazon.com

This set has macabre appeal for collectors of worst recorded performances, since this failed Berlioz Requiem is a perfect example of the ghastly breed. Dutoit sleepwalks through one of music's most thrilling scores, leading what sounds like a first rehearsal run-through. Even the Dies irae and Tuba Mirum, which never fail to strike terror, are soporific. Most of the music is, of course, more contemplative, but Dutoit utterly fails to capture its mystery and intensity--it's just slow and choppy. Fine engineering can't save this, nor can the good performances of the choral works that fill out the discs. Get Bernstein on Sony or Munch on RCA to hear what this piece is all about. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

Lackluster conducting spoils this one.......2005-09-18

Decca stuck by Dutoit for a decade as their house French onductor, but his recodings, though spectacular in sound, never amounted to the real thing emotionally. He is a cool, detached leader even in Berlioz, where that kind of aloofness makes no musical or dramatic sense. Despite the excellent sonics and the skilled performers, this isn't a memorable version of the Requiem.

A masterpiece still in search of a truly great reading.......2002-12-10

OK, I know you can't say things like this, but I'm going to say it anyway: this is the greatest Requiem ever written. If I could own only one requiem I would gladly chuck out Mozart, Fauré, Britten and Brahms, and Verdi's ridiculously overestimated version on top, and hang on to this one. You may think of Berlioz as the composer of bizarre, unbalanced and bombastic works ("So you are the man who writes music for 500 performers", said Fürst Metternich on meeting the composer; "Oh no, your excellency," replied Berlioz, "sometimes I write for only 450"). This work cannot but change that view. Though very large forces are called for, these are used to diversify rather than amplify sound. The full contingent of brass and percussion is only used twice in the 90 minute span of the piece. This is intensely sombre and serious music. Berlioz had a strange affinity with death, and knows to communicate it (there is a harrowing scene in his memoirs where he describes in detail the exhumation of the body of his dear Harriet many years after her death - that same sense of the futility of life, and the sheer horror and loneliness of death, pervades much of this piece). The music is dictated by psychological insight, not melodic inspiration. The Kyrie for instance is hardly music at all, only a quiet, desperate muttering. Nor does the Dies Irae open with a cheaply effective 'coupe de theatre' à la Verdi, but with a quiet, sad melody on cello's and double basses, and a pianissimo unison line of soprano's and flute wandering forlornly through a vast empty space. From this a march gradually emerges, which then slowly builds up to the tremendous outburst of the Tuba Mirum.
The orchestration is an absolute work of genius and often way ahead of its time. In one place, the orchestral accompaniment is reduced to mere alternating chords of three flutes, high up, and eight trombones in their lowest register, creating a sense of musical vertigo, if such a thing exists; in another, the choir sings the same two notes throughout while a marvellous set of orchestral variations is developed simultaneously. The Lacrymosa is simply mind-boggling, undoubtedly one of the most overwhelming pieces of choral music ever written. The Agnus Dei picks up some threads heard earlier in the work and then ends with a series of serenely comforting 'Amen's', strings playing luminous slow arppeggio's while six timpani emulate something like a tired, irregular heartbeat.

Though some decent recordings of this work are available, it has not been as lucky on disc as it deserves, and none of the existing recordings that I'm familiar with does it full justice. Previn and Davis are serviceable and at times impressive; Ozawa is bland and forgettable, nor did the Levine reading stick in my memory long; I'm still curious about the much lauded Shaw, though my experiences with his Mahler 8 also engender some doubts; this Montréal recording, finally, is easily the most beautiful of those I know. Dutoit takes a relaxed and moderate view of the work, very much concerned with bringing out its many beauties. In doing so he renders it less confronting than it should be, but it remains a very moving experience indeed. The two Big Moments are powerful, though they don't convey the feeling of so many drums rolling at full force as the score shows there are (Previn succeeds best in this passage). The singing and playing are beyond criticism throughout, and the recorded sound, if at times slightly blurry and a bit underpowered, is pleasantly mellow and generally excellent. Still, dear John Eliot Gardiner, could you be persuaded to please, please, round up all period instrument players in Europe and expand your Monteverdi choir a bit for the occasion to give us the definitive account of this sublime work?

Superb!!.......2002-07-26

Before I rave about this well-played and well-recorded Requiem, I can see why many people would not cling to this recording. This is because Charles Dutoit takes an approach to this piece like no conductor before him. Whether you agree with the interpretations or not, new ways of performing a piece should always be applauded. Dutoit lets this piece shine with the highlight not being the actual forces that make up this huge work, but by the quality of the playing. Each meoldic line and harmonic note is brought out to give the listener something new to listen for. When I first heard it, I noticed many colors and effects that I never noticed before, especially in the Sanctus (which is probably the best track in this recording). The Montreal Symphony has excellent intonation in relation to the chorus. The balance between the singers and orchestra is terrific, and probably the best out of any Berlioz Requiem recording. Listen for yourself and enjoy what you hear, because I bet you'll be surprised by what you have never noticed before.

Berlioz Regained.......2000-07-03

Allow me to dissent from Amazon's reviewer. When, many years ago, I was in college, the Requiem was a "high-fidelity" item. That is, the more sound you could produce without actually blowing your speakers, the better recording. Dutoit's performance does not go in for gratuitous noise and reminds me that this is the same Berlioz who wrote L'Enfance du Christ.

The power is still there: the Lacrymosa and the Benedictus still roll to thundrous climaxes. But most of the Requiem is lyrical and, although Berlioz is said not to have been a believer, approaches being liturgical. The work itself has some dull spots (so does Les Troyens) but not many.

Throughout this performance everything is clear--my Latin is not good enough to comment on the diction, but the music is articulated with loving care. Counterpoint, harmony, and inner voicing are all audible and balanced.

The five sacred pieces, rarely heard, are a worthwile bonus. The last, the Resurrexit from an earlier mass, is particularly interesting because Berlioz used part of it in the Requiem, improving it greatly. Some of the rest of it sounds like failed Rossini, and Berlioz was clearly correct in deciding not to go farther in that direction.

Excellent, but different from what you have heard before.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Average customer rating:

ah-HA ... Quite a pleasure, really.

A Pleasant Surprise

That's It --- I'm Voting for Beeblebrox!

So long, that's all

Zarquad! What A Hoopy Soundtrack!

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Manufacturer: Hollywood Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Widescreen Edition)

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Charlie & The Chocolate Factory

Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

ASIN: B0007Z9RDY
Release Date: 2005-04-26

Tracks:

The Dolphins
So Long & Thanks For All The Fish
Arthur Wakes Up
Shoo-Rah! Shoo-Rah! - Betty Wright
Here I Am (Come And Take Me) - Al Green
Destruction Of Earth
Journey Of The Sorcerer
The Hitchhikers's Guide To The Galaxy: Original Soundtrack
Inside The Vogon Ship
Vogon Poetry
Space
Vogon Command Centre
Trillian & Arthur Reunited
Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster
Ten In Space
Deep Thought
Infinite Improbability Drive
Viltvodle Street Music
Huma's Hymn
Capture Of Trillian
Vogcity
Love
The Whale
Planet Factory Floor
Earth Mark II
Magic Moments - Perry Como
Shootout
Finale
Blast Off
So Long & Thanks For All The Fish (Reprise)
Careless Talk
Vote Beeblebrox
Reasons To Be Miserable (His Name Is Marvin)

Album Description

Joby Talbot began writing and performing in the early '90s, working with artists such as Tom Jones, Paul McCartney, and producer Nigel Godrich. In 2000, his score to the primetime British comedy "The League of Gentlemen" won the Royal Television Society Award for Best Title Music. The British Film Institute commissioned Talbot to compose a new score for Alfred Hitchcock's silent classic "The Lodger." As a classical composer, he has worked with all the major U.K. orchestras and has been commissioned by the prestigious BBC Proms Festival.

Customer Reviews:

ah-HA ... Quite a pleasure, really. .......2006-03-05