Truce

Editorial Reviews
LA Independent, June 26, 2003
"World, get ready for Jamie Green...[she] isn't a big star-- yet. But she will be. Count on it."

About the Artist
Having won critical praise and numerous songwriting honors for her 1999 debut, "My Crime," (including the "Outstanding Independent Pop Album" award and a nomination for "Outstanding Female Singer-Songwriter" from the 2000 Los Angeles Music Awards), alt-pop songwriter, Jamie Green shows her immense growth as a writer, producer and artist with her follow up CD, "Truce."

Album Description
Using organic and sometimes retro instrumentation, loops and light electronica to present her well-crafted, thoughtful songs, Jamie forges her own brand of contemporary pop that is funky, folky, moody, meaningful and soulful. About half of the album was written in New York City, where Jamie lived for five months following the World Trade Center Tragedy. "Soul Connected" tells the story of an unlikely pair who meet in the subway and fall in love, only to be separated for reasons beyond their control. "Taximan" starts off where Tracy Chapman’s "Fast Car" left off, musing on the American Dream from an immigrant’s perspective in post-9/11 NYC: Where are you from? they ask/and he always dreads the question/He came to NYC to git with Lady Liberty/and the flag he displays prominently/shields him from the vigilantes/they don’t know that he sings with Tracy/and he has a dream like you and me.

Two beautiful and haunting odes to unconditional love between close friends appear on the album, as does the stirring social protest song, "Mantra," and the rockin’ title track, "Truce." Much of the rest of the record explores the various stages and forms of romantic love: "Don’t Even Waste My Time" (a modern girl’s love song), "Birdz & Beez" (a trip-hoppy lust-song); and "Daddy’s Grace" (a shockingly honest testimonial), to name just a few.

Two songs on this CD have received honors from the John Lennon Songwriting Contest—"Don’t Even" in the Rock category in 2001 and "Mantra" in the Folk category in 2002.

Truce

Average customer rating:

"Take Good Care Of Yourself" and purchase this!
Robin Trower BLT/Truce
Take a bite of Robin Trowers BLT
Superb "BLT" Along With So-So "Truce" - Still A Bargain!
BLT soars, TRUCE wilts

B.L.T./Truce
Robin Trower
Manufacturer: Bgo - Beat Goes on
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Long Misty Days/In City Dreams
Caravan To Midnight/Victims Of The Fury
For Earth Below/Live
Twice Removed From Yesterday/Bridge Of Sighs
Back It Up

ASIN: B00000AF85
Release Date: 1991-04-13

Tracks:

Into Money
What It Is
Won't Let You Down
No Island Lost
It's Too Late
Life on Earth
Once the Bird Has Flown
Carmen
Feel the Heat
End Game
Gonna Shut You Down
Gone Too Far
Thin Ice
Last Train to the Stars
Take Good Care of Yourself
Fall in Love
Fat Gut
Shadows Touching
Little Boy Lost

Album Description

Digitally remastered reissue featuring both of Trower's Chrysalis albums with Jack Bruce on one CD, 1981's 'B.L.T.' & 1982's 'Truce'. A combined total of 19 tracks, including the AOR hit 'Into Money'. Also features additional sleeve notes and faithfully restored artwork. 1998 BGO release.

Album Details

UK Twofer CD of Classic CDs Teams Trower with Ex-Cream Bassist/Vocalist Jack Bruce.

Customer Reviews:

"Take Good Care Of Yourself" and purchase this!.......2007-06-03

Hi there:

As the author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" I am asked often to review and talk about rock and roll recordings from the 60's and 70's.

The idea of a double package (Giving the fan both "BLT" & "Truce") is a great marketing tool. Almost everyone that owns the 2 albums enjoy "BLT" more, thus you can look at "Truce" being included as a bonus.

There is a lot of positive musical events that went on during the idea of Robin Trower teaming with one time Cream bass-player Jack Bruce. You not only have two musicians that can improvise on any tune but be tasty on the three minute rockers as well. Joined by drummer Bill Lordan (Played on many Trower recordings) the trio works well and can push each other. Something that has often times been forgotten is Robin Trower employed the services of the former lyricist he worked with in Procol Harum (Keith Reid). The foundation was set on both the music side and the lyrical content.

The song that got the airplay from "BLT" is "Into Money." It happens to be the first track and puts you in the proper frame of mind in helping to digest the rest.

When "BLT" is finished (Last song has the fitting title "End Game") do not let any previous reviews of "Truce" turn you off to the recording before it starts.

Be prepared to listen to "Truce" two or three times before you can sink your teeth into the material. It is a win win situation. If you like even one tune on the album you are that much more ahead of the game. If you only think "BLT" gives you the flavor you crave, you didn't go out of your way to get "Truce" anyway. There is a good chance you will find it better than you were told it would sound.

These guys rock and you can be along for the ride.

Always be well,
Craig Fenton
Author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent"

Robin Trower BLT/Truce.......2007-01-10

This is a biased review because I love this artist and I knew the music well before choosing the purchase. It is great!

Take a bite of Robin Trowers BLT.......2005-12-28

If your a R. Trower fan and you don't have this one, your not a fan! Jack Bruce,Bill Lordin,Robin Trower. This is simply his best, and Re-mastered too.

Superb "BLT" Along With So-So "Truce" - Still A Bargain!.......2005-01-25

The chemistry between the extraodinary electric blues-rock guitarist, Robin Trower and the remarkable clear tenor bluesy vocal of the legendary Jack Bruce combines fantastically on the first "album" on this digitally remastered "2-fer" CD as "BLT" is a classic, 5-star, 10-song collaboration. Drummer Bill Lordan (The "L" in "BLT") compliments both Trower and Bruce wonderfully as this trio provides an inspired, listener accessible, cohesive mix of rolling power-blues rockers and slower tempo, absolutely flowing catchy blues ballads as Bruce's flawless vocals and Trower's energetic licks are right on target throughout. "BLT" standouts although every track is enjoyable are my personal favorites "Life On Earth", "Into Money", Once The Bird Has Flown", "Carmen" and "End Game".

"Truce", the second "album" of this CD is on the other hand a disappointment in comparison. It is an uninspired overall effort and lacks consistent staying power. To sum it up, this is a 2-star effort (a 3-star for devoted Bruce and Trower fans who still can get a feel for the music and musicianship - it's not all so bad).

Overall, the good news is that the sound is super with the digital remastering throughout both albums and since it is a "2-fer" it is a nice bargain to have. Besides, I have yet to see "BLT" on CD by itself here readily in the USA to date. Do yourself a favor and grab this.

Overall rating: "BLT">5 stars "Truce"> 2-3 stars
>Round off to 4 stars overall................................

BLT soars, TRUCE wilts.......2002-07-27

It was a good experiment; get Cream's vocal and bass powerhouse teamed up with one of the most sonic guitarists since some guy named Hendrix and sparks, well, sparks mostly fly. Except when they don't, which is the case with the second Trower/Bruce team-up, TRUCE. That one sorta lays down and rolls over. But the first album, BLT, is a smoker! From the opening riff of "Into Money," through the power blues of "No Island Lost" and the balladry of "Won't Let You Down" and "Carmen," heck, throughout the entire ten tracks, B(ruce) L(ordan) and T(rower) restore the good name to "power trio." Dunno what happened the second time out, but, to be fair, TRUCE is a relatively pleasant if sleepy album. If you can find BLT by its' lonesome on CD without taking out a second mortgage, snap it up! Otherwise, this is still a good purchase to make. I might even grow to like TRUCE as much as BLT with a few more spins.

Average customer rating:

A discovery of pleasure
We don't get to see recordings like this issued anymore
Beautiful!

Boito: Mefistofele

Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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ASIN: B000006M8U
Release Date: 1985-06-17

Customer Reviews:

A discovery of pleasure.......2005-08-27

I found this opera becuase I was tracking Caballe's recordings... Alas! I listened to it once, and twice and a million times! I didn't know anything about this opera and it is now one of my favorites... I've read about its shortcomings, etc... Who cares! It has the geat prologue, the coral parts, and the great solos and duets... Everything is here if one wants to enjoy, I guess.
This was my first MEFISTOFELE, I got many more afterwards, but I keep coming back to this and to the DVD from San Francisco Opera (thanks for that visual feast!).
What can I say about the singers here? First rate! Sound is great too.

We don't get to see recordings like this issued anymore.......2003-11-26

In our day and age when corporate interests, contracts, and big egos prevail over the interests of Art, can anyone imagine a collaboration of four megastars for a complete opera recording? The most we're ever likely to get is a tired husband-and-wife cutesy that EMI supplies in abundance lately - a venture that attests to corporate interests before anything else. However, back in 1985, when Decca wasn't busy recording another installment of the Watson tragedies, it issued this incredible complete recording of Boito's most known opera with two leading lyric sopranos - Montserrat Caballé and Mirella Freni as Helen of Troy and Marguerite respectively. To make the set better still, Nicolai Ghiaurov and Luciano Pavarotti, both in very good voice, are cast as Mephistopheles and Faust. Sadly, this recording wasn't available for the longest time, and people turned to inferior versions instead. Well, you have got to hurry and get this set before it becomes unavailable once again.

For me personally, the purchase decision was mainly influenced by the fact that conductor Oliviero de Fabritiis cast the most demonic-sounding basso in history - Nicolai Ghiaurov - to sing the title role. Well-known for his several recordings of Gounod's version of the devil, Ghiaurov's recordings of Boito are scarce. His interpretation is of larger-than-life, no-holds-barred type; he fires all the canons of his huge basso for the maximum effect. His Mefistofele is definitely a ruler of its own kind, defiant and triumphant. As the title character, he holds the action together and forcefully propels it forward.
Mirella Freni's gorgeous silky soprano is incredibly suited for the role of Marguerite, Gounod's or Boito's equally. Boito's version is more touching and less rebellious than Gounod's, and there's a great achingly beautiful verismo-style aria "L'altra notte in fondo al mare". She also looks the part, and I can't wait until Decca opens up its vaults and we get to see her Marguerite on video. Freni isn't afraid to make an "ugly" sound when the situation calls for it, Marguerite's plight is vividly depicted and her nobility shines as she resist the love that's tingled with evil.
In a brilliant stroke of luxury casting, Montserrat Caballé (an equally good Marguerite in Rudel's EMI recording) is cast as Helen of Troy. While great diva's heyday is often said to be 1960's and 70's, this 1982 recording finds her in excellent vocal shape, easily gliding over Helena's difficult tessitura. Unlike most of her heroines, Helena is very seductive and even ethereal. Needless to say, Caballé's mesmerizing voice is a perfect vehicle for conveying these qualities of a love goddess.
Luciano Pavarotti's bright silvery tenor can sound a bit too youthful at times to portray a world-wary, chivalrous, and seductive Faust. But he heavily draws on the ardent and cajoling resources (familiar to his fans from "Rigoletto") to present a convincing, if not particularly likable character. Boito deliberately keeps Faust in the shadow of Mephistopheles to show that the latter acts like a puppeteer to the former. It's obvious that Faust cannot resist the devil's temptations and plunges into his new feelings heart and soul. The duet "Lontano, lontano", and aria "Dai campi dai prati" are absolutely lovely and sang gloriously.
A lot of critics said that Act IV seems like a strange add-on and takes away from the opera's central story. Well, with these singers, it makes for a great listening experience, regardless of the Act IV relevance.
Oliviero de Fabritiis works up a storm with National Philharmonic Orchestra, and the choruses are first rate.
The recording is early DDD and it's actually pretty good, save for just a couple of moments when singers' voices overwhelm the equipment. Most buyers' choice will be between this set and EMI budget set with Normal Treigle in title role. While the latter set is very good, it does not have a) digital recording, b) a Helen of Caballé's caliber, c) Nicolai Ghiaurov (although Treigle is an excellent, if smaller, basso), and d) Decca's wonderful presentation with 186-page booklet and slip case. These factors combined swayed this customer in favor of Decca's set.

Beautiful!.......2003-04-06

This is a vastly underrated opera. Filled with some of the most beautifully melodic music, this recording is a must for all Italian opera lovers. Yes, the story may lack focus, with a rather strange trip to Helen of Troy in the last act.
The orchestra is in top shape under the baton with Fabritiis. He conducts with strength and sweep.
Freni is the star here. In her long scene in act II she sounds like the crazed Margarita, full of passion, anger, tenderness and great breath control. She is so dramatic, dropping into chest register frequently, never covered by the orchestra as so many sopranos are (who don't use chest). Her spoken "Taci" in act II gives me shivers and goose bumps. The death scene is breath-taking!
Pavarotti also gives a magnificent recording, done well before he sang as if he doesn't care. Golden tone and excellent diction help him build the character of Faust. He and Freni blend beautifully in their "Lontano" duet, some of the most incredible singing I've ever heard.
Ghiaurov sings very well, as well. His voice is HUGE and so well suited to devils. A few moments of strain add to the dominance of the character.
Caballe is Elena of Troy. I've never been a great fan of her singing but she is dramatic and passionate. Her duet with Pavarotti is one of my favorite all time melodies that always makes me smile. Her high C at the end is less that perfect (I wish Freni had taken the role as well).
Great recording of a great opera! Highly recommended

Average customer rating:

Rare delights

Thomas Stevens, Trumpet

Manufacturer: Crystal Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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Thomas Stevens Trumpet Sonatas
Thomas Stevens, Trumpet

ASIN: B000003J60
Release Date: 1993-12-29

Tracks:

Signals
Encounters III: Strategy
Encounters III: Truce Of God
Encounters III: Tactics
Soliloquy Of A Bhiksuni
Var Movts: Theme
Var Movts: Very Fast; Attacca To Fast And Marked
Var Movts: Slow, In A Lyrical Style
Var Movts: Fast And Rhythmic
Two Little Serious Pieces: Allegro
Two Little Serious Pieces: Tempo Di Valse
B flat Tpt Solo: Good Times (Alla Marcia)
B flat Tpt Solo: Hard Times (Interrupted Blues)
B flat Tpt Solo: Time To Go
The Fires Of Prometheus

Customer Reviews:

Rare delights.......2000-06-07

Comtemporary music for trumpet, alone and accompanied, is not always the most accessible idiom for listeners. However, this recording contains works that are exciting, dramatic, and poetic at times. Tom Stevens, the great Principal Trumpet of the Los Angeles Philhamonic for many years, performs with amazing facility and imagination. A portion of the works on the disc are Stevens' commissions and are standard reference recordings for the works. Well worth a listen.

Average customer rating:

Winter Truce (And Homes Blaze)
Django Bates
Manufacturer: Winter & Winter
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Autumn Fires (And Green Shoots)
Summer Fruits (And Unrest)

ASIN: B0009KADZ8
Release Date: 2005-09-13

Tracks:

You Can't Have Everything
The Loneliness Of Being Right
And A Golden Pear
New York, New York
Early Bloomer
X = Thingys X 3 / MF
Fox Across The Road
Powder Room Collapse
Kookaburra Laughed
You Can't Have Everything Reprise

Album Description

The Monty Python of music, Django Bates has a wicked sense of humor not unlike the medieval minstrels of yesteryear. This album features Django Bates on the keyboard and piano, Julian Arguelles on the baritone & soprano sax, Iain Ballamy on the soprano, alto & tenor sax, and Chris Batchelor on the trumpet.

Average customer rating:

"Truce" review

Truce
Jamie Green
Manufacturer: Red-Haired Creeper
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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My Crime

ASIN: B00009ZWAH
Release Date: 2003-04-22

Tracks:

Not Ok
You'll Never Know
Taximan
Truce
Not Gonna Make Believe
Soul Connected
For You
Daddy's Grace
Don't Even
I'll Never Give Up On You
Good Enough?
Birdz & Beez
Mantra

Album Description

Using organic and sometimes retro instrumentation, loops and light electronica to present her well-crafted, thoughtful songs, Jamie forges her own brand of contemporary pop that is funky, folky, moody, meaningful and soulful. About half of the album was written in New York City, where Jamie lived for five months following the World Trade Center Tragedy. "Soul Connected" tells the story of an unlikely pair who meet in the subway and fall in love, only to be separated for reasons beyond their control. "Taximan" starts off where Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car" left off, musing on the American Dream from an immigrant's perspective in post-9/11 NYC: Where are you from? they ask/and he always dreads the question/He came to NYC to git with Lady Liberty/and the flag he displays prominently/shields him from the vigilantes/they don't know that he sings with Tracy/and he has a dream like you and me.

Two beautiful and haunting odes to unconditional love between close friends appear on the album, as does the stirring social protest song, "Mantra," and the rockin' title track, "Truce." Much of the rest of the record explores the various stages and forms of romantic love: "Don't Even Waste My Time" (a modern girl's love song), "Birdz & Beez" (a trip-hoppy lust-song); and "Daddy's Grace" (a shockingly honest testimonial), to name just a few.

Two songs on this CD have received honors from the John Lennon Songwriting Contest—"Don't Even" in the Rock category in 2001 and "Mantra" in the Folk category in 2002.

Customer Reviews:

"Truce" review.......2003-06-27

Inspirational, funky, deep, light, meaningful, soulstress. These are only some of the words that come to mind when i listen to Jamie Green's second album, "Truce". If you are intrigued by talent and music that makes you move from the core, there is no missing out on this album. But it today, you won't regret it!!! And while you are at it, check out her debut album, "My Crime". Jamie Green is a non miss!!

Average customer rating:

Winter Truce (And Homes Blaze)
Django Bates
Manufacturer: JMT
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000021L4
Release Date: 1996-08-27

Tracks:

You Can't Have Everything
Loneliness of Being Right
...and a Golden Pear
New York, New York
Early Bloomer
X = Thingys X 3
Fox Across the Road
Powder Room Collapse
Kookaburra Laughed
You Can't Have Everything (Reprise)

Vissi d'arte: The Magnificent Voice of Montserrat Caballé

Average customer rating:

One of the very best Caballe recital albums
A CLEAR, BEAUTIFUL, POWERFUL VOICE.
Beautiful!

Vissi d'arte: The Magnificent Voice of Montserrat Caballé

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Very Best of
French Opera Arias (Dig)
Caballé sings Verdi, Puccini, Ponchielli, etc. [Germany]
Montserrat Caballé: Ultimate Collection
Donizetti - Lucrezia Borgia / Caballé · Vanzo · Paskalis · Perlea

ASIN: B00008CLII
Release Date: 2003-04-08

Tracks:

Temerari! Sortite...Come Scoglio Immoto Resta
Ei Parte, Senti, Ah No!
Per Pieta, Ben Mio, Pardona
Ne Sulla Terra Creatura Alcuna - Jose Carreras
Ah Conforto E Sol La Speme - Jose Carreras
La Terra, Il Ciel M'Abborrino - Jose Carreras
Venerabile O Padre
Lo Sguardo Avea Degli Angeli
Qual Mare, Qual Terra
Quant'e Grato All'Alma Mia
Questo Cor Ben Lo Comprende
O Beau Pays De La Touraine
Signore, Ascolta! - John Alldis Choir
Tu Che Di Gel Sei Cinta - John Alldis Choir
Suicidio! - Luciano Pavarotti
La Barca S'Avvicina - Luciano Pavarotti
La Mamma Morta - Luciano Pavarotti
Vicino A Te - Luciano Pavarotti
La Nostra Morte E Il Trionfo Dell'Amor! - Luciano Pavarotti

Tracks:

Ecco L'Orrido Campo - Jose Carreras
Ma Dall'Arido Stelo Divulsa - Jose Carreras
M'Ami, M'Ami! - Jose Carreras
Padre, Ricevi L'Estremo Addio - Luciano Pavarotti
Notte Cupa, Truce
Vissi D'Arte
Depuis Le Jour
Ah! Verrano A Te Sull'Aure - Jose Carreras
Il Dolce Suono Mi Colpi Di Sua Voce! - Jose Carreras
Ardon Gli Incensi - Jose Carreras
Mi Chiami, O Norma!
Deh! Con Te, Con Te Li Prendi
Mira, O Norma
Si, Fino All'Ore Estreme
Es Ist Kein Laut Zu Vernehman (Closing Scene)

Amazon.com

Montserrat Caballé had one of the great voices, tonally radiant and technically amazing, able to spin the most ravishing pianissimos as well as effortless fortissimo high notes. This well-filled two-disc collection includes a good cross-section of her recordings from the 1970s and early 1980s when she was at her peak. That alone should send admirers of great singing into a feeding frenzy. The set's title selection, "Vissi d'arte" (from Puccini's Tosca), is done with such tonal beauty and refinement of detail as to silence any criticism about its being too slow. She's as magnificent in bel canto arias like those from Lucia di Lammermoor and the Norma duets, where she's Adalgisa to Joan Sutherland's Norma, as she is in verismo roles from La Gioconda and Andrea Chenier. This set makes a terrific starter pack for those who may not be familiar with Caballé's art, and it's a welcome addition to the collections of those who do. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

One of the very best Caballe recital albums.......2005-04-28

Ditto to the other reviewers. I have lots of Caballe's recordings, and yet very little from my LP and CD collection was duplicated on this two-disc set. It is an absolute must-have for Caballe fans. She outdoes Callas for emotion in the Chernier aria, and she is simply spectacular in Salome's final scene, dazzlingly conducted by none other than Leonard Bernstein.

A CLEAR, BEAUTIFUL, POWERFUL VOICE........2004-03-25

MONTSERRAT CABALLE POSSESES ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL, POWERFUL,& UNFORGETTABLE VOICES IN OPERA, HERE WE FOUD THE BEST OF THE DECCA YEARS A VERY GOOD ALBUM, AND IF YOU WANT MORE ABOUT THE MARVELLOUS CABALLÈ (I`M SHURE YOU WILL) GO AND GET "THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION" (RCA YEARS), "THE VERY BEST OF MONTSERRAT CABALLE" (EMI/ANGEL YEARS) AND "ETERNAL CABALLE" A BEAUTIFUL COLLECTION OF SONGS AND OPERA ARIAS. VIVA CABALLÈ!

Beautiful!.......2004-01-26

This double CD is another prove of the singing art of Caballé. Tecnichs, passion and beautiful.

Average customer rating:

The decca tribute to Montserrat Caballe
SEPULCHRAL SUBLIMNITY
CORRECTION!
Wide-ranging selection of great singing

The Great Voice of Montserrat Caballé

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
ASIN: B000026BVD
Release Date: 2000-09-12

Tracks:

Luisa Miller: Tu puniscimi, o Signore
Luisa Miller: Padre, ricevi l' estremo addio
Norma: Sgombra e la sacra selva
Norma: Deh! proteggimi, o Dio!
Norma: Eccola! va, mi lascia, ragion non odo
Norma: Va, crudele, al Dio spietato
Mefistofele: Notte cupa, truce
Mefistofele: O incantesimo! parla! parla!
Turandot: Signore, ascolta!
Turandot: Tu che di gel sei cinta
Andrea Chenier: La mamma morta
Andrea Chenier: Vicino a te
Andrea Chenier: La nostra morte e il trionfo dell'amor!
La Gioconda: E un anatema!
La Gioconda: Il mio braccio t'afferra!
La Gioconda: Suicidio!
La Gioconda: La barca s'avvicina

Customer Reviews:

The decca tribute to Montserrat Caballe.......2001-08-05

This is one of Caballeýs great collections. She is one of the three vocal wonders in the world of opera, the other two being Renata Tebaldi and Victoria De Los Angeles (Caballe herself regarded Tebaldiýs as the most perfect voice ever to be heard and Tebaldi considered Caballe the last true diva).

Most of Caballeýs decca recordings were made later in her carreer (late 70s-80s). Even if the voice had lost some of its freshness and flexibility, she still managed to give great performances. Such examples are her Margherita in Mefistofele, her Maddalena in Andrea Chenier and her Gioconda. To me, Tebaldiýs vocal caliber, pathos and beauty are unsurpassed in her recordings of the same roles but Caballe gives these roles her own touch, so different but not less memorable. Her Adalgisa, a role rarely performed by a soprano, is among the finest on records. Having heard Horne, Cossotto and other sublime mezzos in this role, I realise now that itýs Caballeýs phrasing, gentle singing that I like the most. Let me not forget her lovely Luisa Miller. Her best moment on this set is her Liu. Recorded in 1972, displays Caballeýs famous pianissimo, amazing breath control at their finest. One believes that this woman needs no air at all! If only, we could hear such singing by the new operatic generation today!

Concluding, this may not be Caballeýs best collection (her best are available on amazon) but this one is certainly worth listening.

SEPULCHRAL SUBLIMNITY.......2001-05-31

Representative of Montserrat Caballe's recordings for the Decca catalogue, this album features arias, duets and scenes from many staples of the repertoire. While not exactly familiar favourites or starter-kits, these operas none the less have great music that we would be the worse off, without.

Caballe's legendary breath control and floated pianissimi are more or less expected and we are justly rewarded in this present selection. In many of the set pieces, she astounds us with the above qualities and justly shows her mettle and that her fame and celebrity was not without reason.

I simply love the scene from Norma which is featured here. As Adalgisa this time round (she recorded the role of Norma earlier in her career for RCA), she agreed to the role as a mark of respect for and friendship with Sutherland. While many were sceptical of the results initially, due to the advanced stage of her career when she was recording it, the results are top-notch.

She spins her notes with a delicacy and intrigue unlike no other as she is soon joined by the bright clarion voice of Pavarotti as Pollione. Caballe is one of the few soprano Adalgisas recorded and she excels in the scene, matching and even stealing the show from Pavarotti.

In the arias from Turandot, Signore, ascolta and Tu che di gel sei cinta, she displays her breath control and pianissimi when she seemingly sings the arias in just a matter of a few breaths. The melody goes on and on and is hardly interrupted by intakes of breaths. She holds on to the dying last note Signore, ascolta for almost an eternity. The result may be less than perfect but is still remarkable.

In Andrea Chenier and La Gioconda, Caballe lets rip and shows us how powerful her voice can be. La mamma morta is touching and well sung, with an intensity that is unmatched. Perhaps she even betters Callas. In her voice, we can picture the fire that is burning in the narrative she is giving. Suicidio is no less captivating. From the start, she throws down the gauntlet with a benchmark reading that is both dramtically and musically correct.

In a nutshell, this is an album to get for any lover of the soprano repertoire and especially for lovers of great singing and of Caballe.

CORRECTION!.......2000-12-13

I made an error in the review found (hopefully) above. Caballe does not hit an e-flat in the selections from "Mefistofele" as mentioned above. Oops!

Wide-ranging selection of great singing.......2000-12-13

This admirable disc brings together snip-its from Caballe's full-length recordings made for Decca from the early 70's and the early/mid 1980's. This is important because we get a taste of the singer's output during her vocal prime and her mature years, between which time her voice obviously (and naturally) changed. The disk is also a fabulous sampler of Italian opera from the "biggies" of Bellini and Puccini to the rarer Verdi opera and rarer still work by Boito.

The selections from "Luisa Miller" and "Turandot" show off the vocal lushness of the younger Caballe, and expose her wonderful attention to musical detail. The final moments of the "Luisa" trio are magnificent with Caballe floating a beautiful, silvery high note over the wonderful Pavarotti and Milnes. The selections from "Turandot", while oddly enough not my favorite (the vibrato is a little wobbly for my taste), are still musically sound.

What is the most interesting facet of this disk is that her mature voice is captured, a voice that became heavier with age, more dramatic (during this period she went on the record a disc of Wagner arias that included Isolde and Brunnhilde with Zubin Mehta with CBS Records). I would not have thought that assuming the role of Adalgisa would work, but it does. Her mature voice is luxurious and spot-on in terms of hitting notes. The same goes for the selections from "Andrea Chenier"; while the solo aria ("La mamma morta") is not her best recording, there is something quite stirring about it and is probably the best interpretation I have heard (though I have yet to hear Scotto's). The duet with Pavarotti is golden. The selections from "Mefistofele", though not always flattering to the voice, are still fascinating. Also we get to hear her hit a rare E-flat.

The best singing from this mature period comes in the selections from "La Giaconda", where the voice is at its best and clearest. (the minor exception is a little wobbliness in the "Suicidio!"). Otherwise the singing is radiant, sure-footed, and characterful, with a silvery edge to the instrument that is exciting. The scene with Pavarotti ("Il mio braccio") is stunning, with the power of Caballe's voice proving to be a marvel.

Other contributions are also quite good. All of the operas in the collection were recorded with Pavarotti (though he does not appear in the selections from "Turandot") and he is a mellifluous if a bit characterless addition to the line-up. His turn in Luisa Miller is particularly beautiful. Agnes Baltsa is simply terrific in the Giaconda/Laura duet from "La Giaconda". In all instances the conducting is expert.