The Best of James

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Talk about your oblique strategies. With a stealth that would make the most cunning panther proud, in its serpentine career the English collective James has accumulated one of the most impressive song catalogs around. It hardly matters that few of these singles have been stateside hits. James's specialty is the chapel-chiming alterna- track, borne on majestic guitar hooks and the breathy, breathtaking vocals of sensitive-guy frontman Tim Booth. Thus, this gorgeous anthology may come as a shock to Yanks familiar with the group only via its quasi-novelty number "Laid," or maybe the whooping "Born of Frustration." Material-wise, the old ("Sit Down") shimmers as brightly as the new ("Tomorrow," "She's a Star"). Booth is such a likable, commanding presence, and his combo such an exhilarating, optimistic force, that you only want to hear more from James once this album ends. Hit the repeat button or explore their catalog--it's your call. --Tom Lanham --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Album Details
18 Track Best of Compilation. Tracks: Come Home, Sit Down, She's a Star, Laid, Waltzing Along, Out to Get You and More. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Tracks:

Something In The Way She Moves
Sweet Baby James
Fire And Rain
Country Road
You've Got A Friend
You Can Close Your Eyes
Long Ago And Far Away
Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight
Walking Man
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)
Mexico
Shower The People
Golden Moments
Steamroller (Live)
Carolina In My Mind
Handy Man
Your Smiling Face
Up On The Roof
Only A Dream In Rio
Bitter Sweet (Previously Unreleased)

Amazon.com

Any good singer can interpret a song, but it takes a stylist to make it his own. James Taylor is a stylist. This 20-track anthology obviously can't chronicle much more than the hits and high points of Taylor's career, but it nonetheless captures the artistic essence of a performer who's become a virtual synonym for "singer-songwriter" since his emergence in the late '60s. A lot of ink has been spilled ruminating about Taylor's role in soothing a '60s-burned generation, but given his own well-known demons (depression, addiction) his gentle voice often sounds like the physician wisely healing himself. His muse seems fully formed from the opening "Something in the Way She Moves," a track cut for the Beatles' Apple label in late `68 (and one that seems to share some symbiotic relationship with George Harrison's own classic "Something" from the period), its tone at once familiar and inviting--if ripe for a few decades of parody--as it wends its way from his seminal early '70s hits through a slate of later originals, R&B ("How Sweet It Is," "Handy Man") and pop ("Up On the Roof") covers. Tellingly, he delivers those chestnuts with an offhand confidence and illumination that makes them his own, a sense that informs even his jazz and Brazilian ("Only a Dream a Rio") flirtations. The set's newly recorded bonus cut, John Sheldon's "Bittersweet," is a pleasant pop confection that showcases Taylor's knack for being laconic and upbeat in the same breath. --Jerry McCulley

Album Description

20 of his greatest singles and most popular album tracks released on Apple, Warner Bros. and Columbia/Sony. Slipcase. 2003.

Album Details

Packaged with UK Only Slipcase Artwork.

Customer Reviews:

James is the BEST.......2007-04-04

If you are a James Taylor fan, you have to own this one, if not, get it. You will love it. If you ever get a chance to see him in concert (no matter what the price)DO IT!! The best show you will ever see.

Great Compilation.......2007-03-20

This CD has all of James Taylor's hits. I reccomend this for anyone who wants an all-in-one CD with the best of the best from Taylor. Great music!

Best of James Taylor.......2007-01-16

All the best of James Taylor - just like it says. I'm in love!

Mellow and cheerful holiday songs........2007-01-09

James Taylor's voice is as amazing and as enjoyable as ever. Hard to believe that one can enjoy this album as much as one did 35 years ago in college. This guy is timeless and even my own college kids now enjoy his music.

James Taylor Will Always Be . . . "Sweet Baby James".......2006-12-01

"These songs come from a dozen different albums, recorded over a 35-year stretch. I never thought they'd be collected like this; I never thought much at all beyond one tune at a time `till you've got an album's worth. Then in you go, and out they come, so you can begin again." ~ James Taylor ~

Last night, November 29, 2006, I watched the PBS television special presentation of a concert tribute to an exceptional singer/songwriter/guitarist and one of my all-time favorite musicians, James Taylor, honoring him as the 2006 MusiCares "Person of the Year." My deepest congratulations to Mr. Taylor for a well-deserved recognition.

It was a very enjoyable show and he was honored by some of the renowned contemporary singers of today namely: Sting, Bruce Springsteen, Bonnie Raitt, Dixie Chicks, Keith Urban, Sheryl Crow and Carole King, among others. Each of them marvelously rendered a James Taylor song to the enjoyment of the audience and home viewers as well. I especially like the performance of Carole King singing "You've Got A Friend" while playing the piano and JT joined her in the middle of the performance for a much-applauded duet. Another moving moment is the finale "How Sweet It Is to Be Loved by You, which JT described as the song that "summed up his feelings for that night." He was backed by his brother, Livingston, while his cute twin young sons joined them on stage dancing and jumping. JT re-appeared for an encore and he sung one of his hit songs, "Fire And Rain." After watching the show, I was so touched and it prompted me to pull this CD out from my collection and listened to it before turning in to bed. It also moved me to write a review on this CD, which was being offered by PBS together with the DVD of the show as pledge gift with a donation of $150.00.

Flashback: I became a fan of Sweet Baby James when I first heard "You've Got A Friend" and was totally hooked with his music and ever since I've been a faithful fan. Some of my very favorites are compiled in this collectible album such as "Sweet Baby James," "Don't Let Me Be Lonely," "How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You," "Fire And Rain," "Long Ago And Far Away," "Up On The Roof," "Shower The People," "Your Smiling Face" and "You've Got A Friend."

This CD is a collector's item and very essential to any Sweet Baby James fan. You'll take pleasure in listening to some of his biggest hits of all-time, which are all self-penned. He is joined by a great line-up of musicians and guest singers, who are all his long-time collaborators during the three decades of his musical career, the likes of Carole King, Joni Mitchell, David Sanborn, Michael Brecker and Ralph McDonald, to mention a few.

"Surprising how casual it all was. Mostly, we were just amusing ourselves, with little concern for how the thing would be received in the great world. It was lucky that some of you liked some of it enough to listen. Enough to allow it to continue. Don't think I'm not grateful." ~ James Taylor ~

Yes, I'm one of the myriad of fans who loved all of his recordings, enough to listen to it and enough to allow the recordings to continue. And I just wish he will continue recording for as long as he can - standards, maybe. Why not? I've truly enjoyed his renditions of "My Romance," "The Way You Look Tonight" and "The Nearness of You." And he delivers so well. An album of standards coming soon? ;)

Average customer rating:

Here's what the fuss was all about!
Beverly Sills - The Best
Beverly Sills' highs are breathtaking!
THE 2005 OPERA CD OF THE YEAR
EMI Does It Again: Beverly Sills - A Tribute

The Very Best of Beverly Sills

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Great Recordings
Beverly Sills: Made in America
Art of Beverly
Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor: Complete Opera (with full libretto and translation)
Verdi: La Traviata / Sills, Gedda, Panerai; Ceccato

ASIN: B0006VYELE
Release Date: 2005-04-26

Tracks:

Una Voce Poco Fa - Sherrill Milnes
Dunque Io Son - Sherrill Milnes
Contro Un Cor - Sherrill Milnes
Ah, Qual Colpo Inaspetatto! - Sherrill Milnes
E Il Sol Dell'anima... Addio! Speranza Ed Anima - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
Gualtier Malde... Caro Nome - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
Tutte Le Feste Al Tempio... Compiuto Pur Quanto... Si, Vendetta - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
V'ho Ingannato... Lassu In Cielo - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
Quel Guardo Il Cavaliere... So Anch'io La Virtu Magica - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
Pronta Io Son... Vado, Corro - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
Via, Caro Sposino - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
Tornami A Dir Che M'ami - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
La Morale In Tutto Questo - Ambrosian Opera Chorus

Tracks:

Vilia - Beverly Sills
Ah! Je Suis Seule... Dis-Moi Que Je Suis Belle - Beverly Sills
Cielo! Che Diverro?... Si, ferite... Dal Soggiorno... Ah! Che Spiegar - Beverly Sills
Libiamo Ne' Lieti Calici - John Alldis Choir
Un Di Felice, Eterea - John Alldis Choir
E Strano... Ah, Fors'e Lui... Follie! Follie!... Sempre Libera - John Alldis Choir
Pura Siccome Un Angelo... Ah! Dite Alla Giovine - John Alldis Choir
Che Fai? - John Alldis Choir
Addio Del Passato - John Alldis Choir
Parigi, O Cara - John Alldis Choir

Amazon.com

Beverly Sills hardly needs an introduction. She sang on the radio as a child and on the operatic stage as a teenager; her meteoric international career was launched by appearances in several virtually unknown bel canto operas at the New York City Opera. This compilation of arias and ensembles from some of her signature roles, recorded in the 1970s, with splendid partners like Nicolai Gedda, Alfredo Kraus, and Sherrill Milnes, displays her unique vocal and dramatic artistry at its peak. Her voice, effortlessly produced over an enormous range, is bright, pure, infinitely variable in color, inflection and intensity. Her intonation is impeccable even in huge leaps, and her breath is endless. The coloratura roulades are like strings of perfect, luminous pearls, clearly articulated in seamless legato. But this stunning technique (whose only flaw is a sometimes wide, wobbly vibrato) is never used for show; every note has life and expression, serving the music and the dramatic situation. Indeed, her characters are flesh-and-blood human beings, whose thoughts, emotions and interactions, from inwardness to ecstasy, from lamentation to overflowing joy, she projects with riveting concentration. Rosina in Rossini's The Barber of Seville is a charming, mischievous minx who succumbs to delighted tenderness; Pamira's great scene from his Siege of Corinth shows clearly why her Metropolitan Opera debut in that role was a sensation. In Verdi's Rigoletto, Gilda's hopeful innocence turns into hopeless despair: she dies, palpably, on a floating, celestial pianissimo. In his La traviata, Violetta's initial cool, hesitant restraint gradually melts as she opens herself (and her voice) to Alfredo's ardor and the bliss of love. The vocal balance in their final duet is uncanny; its tremulous tenderness in the shadow of death breaks the heart, as does her duet with Germont. Massenet's Thais is sensuous; Donizetti's Don Pasquale and Lehár's The Merry Widow provide comic relief. --Edith Eisler

Album Description

Details TBA. EMI. 2005.

Customer Reviews:

Here's what the fuss was all about!.......2007-07-17

It would have been even better if they had included at least one Cleopatra aria and something from Baby Doe, but it doesn't really matter, because this collection will allow younger listeners especially to hear what the fuss was all about! There are moments listening to Sills, especially from Traviata or Manon, that are so beautifully sung and so genuine that they are heartbreaking. I feel so fortunate to have heard her Queen of the Night, Manon, Violetta, and Baby Doe. She was so generous as a performer and as a humanitarian, and she really brought opera into the American mainstream.

Beverly Sills - The Best.......2007-04-01

What a voice. No coloratura can compare, and she makes it seem so easy.

Beverly Sills' highs are breathtaking!.......2006-09-18

Adio del Passato is incredible! Beverly's high, floating coloratura is no less than ethereal which takes you to another world. Her voice has given me so much joy that it is hard to say one recording is better than another because I love her Mozart album equally with her Bellini/Donizetti. It is so wonderful to have these recordings captured on CD! Enjoy!

THE 2005 OPERA CD OF THE YEAR.......2006-08-19

THIS CD WAS THE BEST OPERA CD ISSUED LAST YEAR, AND HAS CAUGHT THE WORLD'S EAR IN NO TIME. I WAS BUSY WRITING IN SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL, WHILE THE STATEOWNED FM RADIOSTATION, DEDICATED TO CULTURE, WAS SOFTLY PLAYING OPERA ARIAS IN THE BACKGROUND. SUDDENLY I HEARD THE MOST FANTASTIC RENDERING OF "SEMPRE LIBERA" FROM "LA TRAVIATA". I GOT UP, SAT BY THE RADIO AND WAITED TO KNOW WHO WAS SINGING... THEN GOT BACK TO THE COMPUTER TO ORDER THIS CD FROM AMAZON! INCREDIBLE: ONLY 17 BUCKS FOR THIS, WHILE QUITE A BIT OF TRASH IS SOLD FOR 30.40 AND MORE...
A LADY FRIEND ONCE TOLD ME SHE COULD NOT LISTEN TO THE DUET IN "MADAMA BUTTERFLY" WITH MIRELLA FRENI AND LUCIANO PAVAROTTI (RECORDED IN 1974, BY VON KARAJAN) WITHOUT CRYING. WELL, YOU CANNOT LISTEN TO SILLS IN "LA TRAVIATA" DRY-EYED, NO MATTER WHO THE TENOR IS. SHE PROJECTS THE SAME DRAMATIC FEELING OF "LA DIVINA" CALLAS WITHOUT THOSE SHRIEKED HIGHNOTES; SHE OFFERS THE SAME COLORATURA VOCAL GYMNASTICS AS "LA STUPENDA" SUTHERLAND BUT WITH WARMTH... WHEN BEVERLY SANG, AS IN EVERYTHING ELSE SHE DID, SHE ALWAYS GAVE HER UTMOST. SHE WAS "LA GENEROSA" TO BE SURE.
DON'T JUST SIT THERE READING WHAT OTHERS THINK.
ORDER THIS CD NOW AND MARVEL AT HOW THIS GREAT AMERICAN LADY, IN SO MANY OTHER WAYS, ALSO COULD SING!

EMI Does It Again: Beverly Sills - A Tribute.......2005-07-22

EMI's "Very Best Of" series are perfect introductions to operatic singers of the 20th century. Once you hear these artist tribute albums (much like The Singers series) you will get hooked on the singer and seek out their full-length studio recordings. Beverly Sills was the first truly famous American opera star. One may argue that she was not, that she was merely a continued tradition of American divas such as Mary Garden and Lily Pons and which still continues today with Renee Fleming, Elizabeth Futral and Susan Graham. Beverly was raised in New York City, which is still her home, and which is the home of the New York City Opera and the Met, opera houses which rocketed her to fame. Her first success (not featured in this recording...UH WHY ?) was Cleopatra of Handel's Julius Caesar, a performance she sang opposite the illustrious baritone Norman Treigle. Those performances were legendary because coincidentally at the same time the Met was opening its new theatre and season with what became a disastrous Samuel Barber's Antony and Cleopatra starring Leontyne Price in an overblown, big-budget, epic fiasco. The great roles that followed the 1965 Cleopatra were Manon, Queen Elizabeth I in Roberto Deveraux, Maria Stuarda and Anna Bolena in the Donizetti Tudor Queen operas, Pamira in The Siege of Corinth (which were Sill's La Scala and belated Met debut. None of the Queens are featured in this recording, though its supposedly the Very Best Of. An aria from Rossini's Siege of Corinth is featured here however. What we are treated to however are fine lyric roles- Beverly Sills shone brightly and acted convincingly as Gilda in Rigoletto (the final scene is featured here) as Violetta in La Traviata, Thais, The Merry Widow (the beautiful Vilja is featured here)and the ingenue role of Norina in Don Pasquale is also showcased here. To each of these roles, Beverly Sills delivered an authenticity and dramatic interpretation, not ot mention beautiful, sweet tone. I love her pianissimos, her high notes, her chest register. It was the voice of Beverly Sills who first hooked me into opera. For a recording that should showcase her best work, Manon is not featured nor any of her prized French heroines- Marie in The Daughter of the Regiment and the heroines in Tales of Hoffman. Also not in here is the role that was her first success- the Broadway opera Ballad of Baby Doe. Even as such, the arias here are gorgeous. The Barber of Seville is in here and as Rosina she is playful and charming. Sills was a modern singer, with a voice that was beautiful but willing to sacrifice beauty for the sake of dramatic content. When Sills was once asked what she thought of the supposed rivalry with Joan Sutherland (which was never real and only gossip from partisan fans) Beverly said something to this effect -Joan and I are apples and oranges in our take on opera, we are Picasso and Monet. She would do anything for the effect of beauty and tone, I'd sacrifice beauty for the sake of dramatic text. Even as such, I see no ugliness to any of the roles here. All of them are beautiful to hear, full of rich floating celestial tones. It would have been nice to hear the roles that did call for Sills to step up the tense drama - Norma, will her recording ever be reissued by EMI ? Also, few people know that Beverly Sills sung role most would consider dangerous for her voice (though she sang them long before her career even took off)- Aida and Carmen!!

Average customer rating:

A must have for all James Bond's fans
A must for fans of Bond music!
The Best of Bond
Those Great Bond Songs...
everything I had both wanted and expected

Best of Bond James Bond
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

The Best of James Bond 30th Anniversary
Never Say Never Again
The Ultimate James Bond Collection (4CD BOX SET)
Casino Royale (Two-Disc Widescreen Edition)
James Bond Ultimate Edition - Vol. 3 (GoldenEye / Live and Let Die / For Your Eyes Only / From Russia With Love / On Her Majesty's Secret Service)

ASIN: B00006I0BO
Release Date: 2002-09-23

Tracks:

James Bond (From Dr. No) - John Barry & Orchestra
Goldfinger (From Goldfinger) - Shirley Bassey
Nobody Does It Better (From The Spy Who Loved Me) - Carly Simon
A View To A Kill (From A View To A Kill) - Duran Duran
For Your Eyes Only (From For Your Eyes Only) - Sheena Easton
We Have All The Time In The World (From On Her Majesty's Secret Service) - Louis Armstrong
Live And Let Die (From Live And Let Die) - Paul McCartney & Wings
All Time High (From Octopussy) - Rita Coolidge
The Living Daylights (From The Living Daylights) - A-Ha
Licence To Kill (From Licence To Kill) - Gladys Knight
From Russia With Love (From From Russia With Love) - Matt Monro
Thunderball (From Thunderball) - Tom Jones
You Only Live Twice (From You Only Live Twice) - Nancy Sinatra
Moonraker (From Moonraker) - Shirley Bassey
On Her Majesty's Secret Service (From On Her Majesty's Secret Service) - The John Barry Orchestra
The Man With The Golden Gun (From The Man With The Golden Gun) - Lulu
Diamonds Are Forever (From Diamonds Are Forever) - Shirley Bassey
Goldeneye (From Goldeneye) - Tina Turner
Tomorrow Never Dies (From Tomorrow Never Dies) - Sheryl Crow
The World Is Not Enough (From The World Is Not Enough) - Garbage
James Bond Theme (From Tomorrow Never Dies) - Moby
James Bond Theme (Goldeneye Trailer Version) - Parodi/Fair

Amazon.com

James Bond themes tend to be just as memorable as their movie counterparts and, to a certain extent, just as time sensitive. While many fans can remember the Monty Norman Orchestra's steamy Dr. No theme or Shirley Bassey's "Goldfinger," how many of us remember Rita Coolidge's dated "All Time High" from Octopussy or A-Ha's theme from The Living Daylights? Yes, just as we all have our favorite Bonds, we all have our favorite eras of Bond movie music. But surprisingly, whether they're New Wave, soul, or just Euro-pop inspired, most are still worth hearing. There are some real gems on this compilation: On Her Majesty's Secret Service's "We Have All the Time in the World" by Louis Armstrong, the Thunderball theme sung by Tom Jones, and the spunky theme to The Man With the Golden Gun by Lulu. Just overlook those sporadic lean years and you have a pretty stiff soundtrack cocktail here. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

A must have for all James Bond's fans.......2007-06-12

A must have for all James Bond's fans

A must for fans of Bond music!.......2007-05-17

Fabulous Bond soundtracks from Day One of the Connery movies, well worth the price. Digitally remastered in Dolby Stereo, listening to them will get you ready for an ice cold vodka Martini, shaken not stirred, deadly action and scintillating adventure, beautiful, seductive and untrustworthy women, and a thrilling ride at near-suicidal speeds in the 1964 Aston Martin DB5, the pride and joy of Q-Branch...

The Best of Bond.......2007-05-14

Excellent CD but needs to be updated. Does not have songs from Die Anouther Day or Casino Royale. Dave

Those Great Bond Songs..........2007-03-28

75% of the tracks on this CD are great. Takes you back to all the first times you saw the new bond film. Great insert, nice CD.

everything I had both wanted and expected.......2007-03-13

I am thoroughly satisfied with this CD--it is everything I had both wanted and expected. Its premise is simple: get all the theme songs from the James Bond films on one disc. This is a quote-unquote official release, so it neglects "Never Say Never Again," and the unofficial odd-jobs associated with 007. Although it was released in 2002, for some reason it lacks the Razzie-winning "Die Another Day," which was released that year. And since it was released in 2002, don't expect to find "You know My Name" from "Casino Royale."

This collection definitely gets Five Stars for including "We Have All the Time In The World." Since this was in Lazenby's solo, we seldom hear it; yet it is one of the best songs to come out of the franchise.

Like I said, this CD is everything I expected, down to the liner notes. I have only two criticisms. First, the songs are not chronological, so we miss the evolution from the early brassy Rat Pack themes to the toned-down anthems epitomized by "For Your Eyes Only" and then on to the techno/hip-hop lite of the later films. Arraigned the way they are, you get a better overall presentation. Either way you arrange the tracks, you will always have shuffle.

The second is more of a criticism of the franchise as opposed to the CD (have I mentioned how well I liked the product?). Included are two remixes of the James Bond Dr. No Theme--from Moby and Parodi/Fair. Now a remix by definition is just the same music with an underlaying drum machine, and it is done solely to be played at dance clubs and those annoying subwoofers on wheels--and nothing more. I think this was done to keep up the gala spirit of the film, and also to revamp the franchise for younger audiences

The problem is that there was nothing wrong with the franchise--the six year hiatus was due to a legal quagmire and the geopolitical shake up associated with the end of the Cold War. So doing remixes like these really do not contribute to the Bond experience. Personally, I thought they were both condescending and obvious.

(Then again, where else would you put them?)

So other than these two critiques, I happily recommend this disc for the Bond fan, and for the pleasant memories this music will bring.

Average customer rating:

Nice songs from this album
Not bad
The best from the three greatest...
Just Like the Real Thing!
Powerful and moving!

The Best of the Three Tenors
Luciano Pavarotti , Placido Domingo , Jose Carerras , Zubin Mehta , and James Levine
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

The Three Tenors Christmas
Carreras · Domingo · Pavarotti ~ the three tenors in concert / Mehta
Romantica: The Very Best Of Luciano Pavarotti
The 3 Tenors in Concert 1994
Pavarotti: Greatest Hits

ASIN: B00004UB8A
Release Date: 2002-06-11

Tracks:

'O sole mio
Funiculi, funicula
Libiamo ne' lieti calici (Brindisi)
Sous le ciel de Paris
Torero quiero ser
Parlami d'amore, Mariu
Manha de Carnaval
Lolita
Dicitencello vuie
Core 'ngrato
Because
You'll Never Walk Alone
Singin' In The Rain
Maria
Tonight
'O paese d' 'o sole
Cielito lindo
Ochi tchorniye
Caminito
La Vie en Rose
Mattinata
Wien, Wien, nur du allein
Amapola
Lippen schweigen
Brazil
Sous les ponts de Paris
Torna a Surriento
Nessun dorma
La donna e mobile

Amazon.com

Back in 1990, three of the world's most celebrated tenors--namely, José Carreras, Plácido Domingo, and Luciano Pavarotti--combined forces to create the Three Tenors, now celebrated on a best-of CD. They gave their first concert in Rome. The event was recorded and went on to become one of the best-selling classical titles of all time.

This latest release brings together tracks from that night in Rome (including "Nessun dorma" and a competitive rendition of "O sole mio") with music performed in a 1994 concert in Los Angeles and at the 1998 event in Paris where the Three Tenors sang to an audience of thousands with the Eiffel Tower as their backdrop.

The 22 tracks making up The Best of the Three Tenors range from operatic standards, such as the joyful "Brindisi" from La Traviata, to popular songs like "Singin' in the Rain" and "You'll Never Walk Alone" (from Carousel). There are no solos on this disc; each piece is performed by all three singers. And with plenty of applause and cheering to be heard, not to mention the sense of fun in the singers' voices, the disc captures the atmosphere of these extraordinary musical events. --Rebecca Agnew

Customer Reviews:

Nice songs from this album.......2007-07-22

This is the first album I have acquired of the Three Tenors, and it was wonderful. The selections were easy to listen to and familiar to me. None of the heavy operatic selections. It is the best. I will buy more albums of them.

Not bad.......2006-03-18

This is a good recording. If you don't like the 3 tenors, then look else where. It's that simple. These are recordings from concerts where they WERE supposed to show off. This ain't opera. If you want opera, go out and attend one.

The best from the three greatest..........2005-08-11

The first thing we must establish here is that this is not meant to be opera. This is three exceptionally talented tenors enjoying themselves and giving tremendous joy to those listening by singing mostly popular "evergreens" and also some operatic arias. The beauty in music lies in the diversity, in my opinion. One can better appreciate one type of music when one knows about the others. And why should we limit ourselves to listen to just one genre in music. It would be the same as having steak for dinner every day for the rest of your life, wouldn't it? So why should we limit three wonderful tenors to only sing operatic arias for the rest of their lives? If so we wouldn't have "Maria", "You'll never walk alone", "Singing in the rain" or any of the evergreens on this recording and that would be a shame.

There are no solos on the cd. I think I've read somewhere that they felt there had been enough "three tenors cd's" and if they were to release yet another one it would be one containing what the audience demands, the three of them joining forces and performing together in the songs.
The result, in my opinion is highly recommendable. The three voices blend perfectly together. I have to admit that I have a personal favourite among the tenors and that I would never buy an entire recording featuring only one of the two others, but I recognize their talents and -as stupid as it may sound- since they are performing together I can also appreciate the other two. (I like them too, but in smaller doses....)Some people have commented on their problems with mastering the english language. If anything, I think it just adds to their charm. By the way, who is perfect??

The songs on this cd is a mixture of beautiful songs, heartwrenching songs, toe-tapping songs and powerful songs. It's wonderful to just listen to the beauty in the three voices. It's fun hearing Pavarotti pushing his "high-note-button" in "O sole mio" and Carreras and Domingo copying his stunt. I have no idea what they're singing about in "Manha de Carnaval", but boy does it sound romantic...... And "Dicitencello vuie" brings tears to my eyes (even if I'm still left in the dark when it comes to understanding the meaning of the words...) In "Because" Carreras takes my breath away when singing "because God made thee mine, I'll cherish thee...through light and darkness, through all time to be, and pray his love may make our love divine...." (What woman wouldn't like to hear those words..??!?) Their rendition of "You'll never walk alone" should satisfy some of the soccer-fans since it's the anthem of a European football-club and "Nessun Dorma" will probably satisfy the rest of the soccer-fans, being the antheme of the 1998 world soccer championship. In short, there should be something for every taste on this cd.

It's a very "versatile" cd. You can play it almost everywhere. You can sing along to it in the car, you can dance around the house to it while doing your chores, you can put your feet up and unwind after a hectic week. Or you can write an Amazon review while listening to it.... (Feel free to add suggestions of your own here.....)

To make a long story short - a very enjoyable cd!

Just Like the Real Thing!.......2005-07-14

A few years ago I was lucky enough to actually see a Three Tenors concert. The experience was amazing. Later I bought this CD. I was so happy when I listened to it because the CD captures the mood of being present at the concert. I like the variety and every time I play it, I am taken back to my personal experience at the concert. Hearing the audiences on the CD really gets you excited about hearing this amazing trio.

Powerful and moving!.......2004-10-21

I got this CD as a gift and it changed my life! I was always a rocker and liked classical music, but never was much into this genre of music. This album changed all of that. Since getting the three tenors I've found a whole new world out there. Thank you guys!

Average customer rating:

Insulting to fans
Awesome
James at Their Best
Excellent James
Listen in your car

The Best Of James
James
Manufacturer: Fontana Island
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Laid
The Very Best of the Stone Roses
21 Singles
Seven
The Collection

ASIN: B000007Q8H
Release Date: 1998-06-30

Tracks:

Come Home
Sit Down
She's A Star
Laid
Waltzing Along
Say Something
Born Of Frustation
Tommorow
Destiny Calling
Out To Get You
Runaground
Lose Control
Sometimes
How Was It For You?
Seven
Sound
Ring The Bells
Hymn From A Village

Amazon.com

Talk about your oblique strategies. With a stealth that would make the most cunning panther proud, in its serpentine career the English collective James has accumulated one of the most impressive song catalogs around. It hardly matters that few of these singles have been stateside hits. James's specialty is the chapel-chiming alterna- track, borne on majestic guitar hooks and the breathy, breathtaking vocals of sensitive-guy frontman Tim Booth. Thus, this gorgeous anthology may come as a shock to Yanks familiar with the group only via its quasi-novelty number "Laid," or maybe the whooping "Born of Frustration." Material-wise, the old ("Sit Down") shimmers as brightly as the new ("Tomorrow," "She's a Star"). Booth is such a likable, commanding presence, and his combo such an exhilarating, optimistic force, that you only want to hear more from James once this album ends. Hit the repeat button or explore their catalog--it's your call. --Tom Lanham

Album Details

18 Track Best of Compilation. Tracks: Come Home, Sit Down, She's a Star, Laid, Waltzing Along, Out to Get You and More.

Customer Reviews:

Insulting to fans.......2007-05-14

Whether you're a James fan or not, why praise a greatest hits album without any new material? If a band gets back together, it should ONLY be because they have something new to offer us. Anything else screams financial greed. Considering the high quality of Tim Booth's recent solo album compared to ANY of his work with James, it's easy to conclude that Tim is currently choosing financial incentive over artistic. I am a gigantic fan of Tim as a musician, but his bandmate on his recent solo album put it best when he stated that he was never a fan of James' music (didn't think there was any groove, among other things) but still wanted to work with Tim. I am in full agreement... Tim greatly inspired me in his work with Angelo Badlamenti and on his solo album, but outside of a couple good songs per album, each James record, to me, contains way too much filler. I realize the band has awesome chemistry, but I think Tim needs to move forward, and rehashing a bunch of tired songs isn't the way to grow as a musician.

Awesome .......2006-03-27

This CD was amazing. I knew James before buying it but now I realize that they have so many more amazing songs. This CD is awesome.

James at Their Best.......2005-08-04

If you're even slightly wary of albums with "Best of.." in the title, abandon any such reticence with this. It really is the best of this British Indie band and they're on top form with both the classic singles (Lay Down/Born of Confusion/How Was It For You? etc)and the lesser known material. And eighteen, thumpingly good tracks for the princely sum of under thirteen dollars is darned fine value. If it's a choice between this and a square meal, go for the CD. (Most of us could do with losing a bit of weight anyway!) This more than warrants its four out of five stars.

Excellent James.......2004-11-21

This album is superb. I play it every morning in the past months and still love it very much.

Listen in your car.......2004-10-10

I drive 45 minutes to work every day, and my sister-in-law gave me this cd because she thought it'd be a great cd to listen to in the car -- fun, upbeat, songs you can sing along to. I had never heard of this band, but I gave it a try. And now I just love it!

If you're considering getting this cd, do. I kind of think there's something for everyone on it. It sort of reminded me slightly of one of my favorite bands, REM. But it's definitely different so if you don't like REM, don't let that discourage you. My favorite songs on the cd are Sometimes, Born of Frustration, and Tomorrow, but I really have enjoyed every single song on the cd. It's pop-y, but in a crazy, insane sort of way. I mean, Hymn From a Village? What's that about? I don't know, but I love it. It's just all very refreshing, in a familiar sort of way.

Americana Master Series: Best of the Sugar Hill Years

Average customer rating:

Solid, lovely to listen to (yes, I said "lovely")

Americana Master Series: Best of the Sugar Hill Years
James McMurtry
Manufacturer: Sugarhill [Country]
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Where'd You Hide the Body
Too Long in the Wasteland
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West
Americana Master Series: Best of the Sugar Hill Years

ASIN: B000MGBS94
Release Date: 2007-03-13

Tracks:

Sixty Acres
Every Little Bit Counts
No More Buffalo
Gulf Road
Tired of Walking
Lobo Town
Broken Bed
Paris
Walk Between the Raindrops
Fast as I Can
Out Here in the Middle
12 O'Clock Whistle
Choctaw Bingo

Customer Reviews:

Solid, lovely to listen to (yes, I said "lovely").......2007-06-09

I can see planets moving in the cosmos when I listen to James McMurtry. This is an album full of great tracks. I've got other recordings of some of them, and I wouldn't prioritize any over others, because James McMurtry is so emotive that ...any particular day, even if you get a different sound, it's a good one. But for a good set of recordings on a single CD you can leave in the player or take on a trip, this is nice. I am enjoying it time and time again, and will most likely listen more to this album than my older ones, unless I'm on a huge James kick, and want to hear more of a range.

Average customer rating:

007 forever and ever
The Best of James Bond 30th Anniversary
Good effort...
A CD No James Bond Fan Should Be Without.
If you like the movies, you'll like the music

The Best of James Bond 30th Anniversary
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Best of Bond James Bond
Goldfinger
On Her Majesty's Secret Service
You Only Live Twice
Thunderball

ASIN: B000002V0S
Release Date: 1992-09-08

Tracks:

James Bond Theme - The Monty Norman Orchestra
From Russia With Love - Matt Monro
Goldfinger - Shirley Bassey
Thunderball - Tom Jones
You Only Live Twice - Nancy Sinatra
On Her Majesty's Secret Service - The John Barry Orchestra
Diamonds Are Forever - Shirley Bassey
Live & Let Die - Paul McCartney & Wings
The Man With The Golden Gun - Lulu
Nobody Does It Better - Carly Simon
Moonraker - Shirley Bassey
For Your Eyes Only - Sheena Easton
All Time High - Rita Coolidge
A View To A Kill - Duran Duran
The Living Daylights - A-Ha
Licence To Kill - Gladys Knight

Tracks:

James Bond Theme - The John Barry Orchestra
007 - The John Barry Orchestra
Goldfinger - Anthony Newley
Pussy Galore's Flying Circus - The John Barry Orchestra
Golden Girl - The John Barry Orchestra
Death Of Tilley - The John Barry Orchestra
The Laser Beam - The John Barry Orchestra
Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang - Dionne Warwick
Thunderball Suite - The John Barry Orchestra
Mr. Kiss-Kiss Bang Bang - Shirley Bassey
You Only Live Twice: (Demo Version) - N/A
You Only Live Twice: Radio Spot - N/A
We Have All The Time In The World - Louis Armstrong
Thunderball: Radio Spot - N/A
Live & Let Die: Radio Spot - N/A

Amazon.com

Released in 1992 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the release of Dr. No, this two-disc set still stands as the ultimate Bond music collection. Disc one includes all of the hit songs from the Bond films, including Shirley Bassey's "Goldfinger," Tom Jones's "Thunderball," Paul McCartney & Wings' "Live & Let Die" and Sheena Easton's "For Your Eyes Only." Disc two includes Louis Armstrong's lovely "We Have All the Time in the World," as well as a nice collection of rarities (Anthony Newley's demo of "Goldfinger"), lesser-known orchestral cuts from Goldfinger and Thunderball, and radio ads for You Only Live Twice, Thunderball, and Live & Let Die. The perfect accompaniment for a martini built for two. Shaken not stirred, of course! --Dan Epstein

Customer Reviews:

007 forever and ever.......2007-05-13

whether played by Sean CONNERY, Roger MOORE, George LAZENBY, Timothy DALTON, Pierce BROSNAN, Daniel CRAIG, or even by David NIVEN in the sixsties comedy 007 CASINO' ROYALE (1967), James BOND is the greatest spy ever!!! So it's his music!!!!

The Best of James Bond 30th Anniversary.......2007-02-11

Wonderful music, an enjoyment for any James Bond fan.

Good effort..........2007-02-09

The 1st cd is the most enjoyable (vocal track's)...the 2nd start's out listenable and then seem's to bog down with very repetative formula's.

A CD No James Bond Fan Should Be Without........2007-01-13

As someone who has been a huge James Bond since before he could walk, you can bet I love every aspect of the films, including the music. Many of the theme songs to the films are classics, while the ones that have slipped under the radar remain awesome underrated numbers.

In 1992, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of 1962's "Dr. No", the 2 cd "The Best Of James Bond" was released. Itr included all the theme songs for the movies from 1962's "Dr. No" up to 1989's "License To Kill", as well as a second disc of rarities.

This is an excellent compilation that all 007 fans must have in their collection. You get all the classic Bond themes, such as Shirley Bassey's "Goldfinger", Paul McCartney & Wings' "Live And Let Die", Carly Simon's "Nobody Does It Better", Sheena Easton's "For Your Eyes Only", and Duran Duran'a "A View To A Kill", as well as some lesser heard but equally great songs, such as Nancy Sinatra's luscious theme for "You Only Live Twice", Bassey's sexy rendering of "Diamonds Are Forever" and her mysterious, sweet "Moonraker", Lulu's thrilling "The Man With The Golden Gun", Rita Coolidge's glorious "All Time High", and a-ha's excellent "The Living Daylights". There are a few rough spots (Tom Jones' over the top "Thunderball" and Gladys Knight's awful "License To Kill"), but other than that, it's a nearly flawless compilation.

The second disc is a great treat for hardcore Bond fans. For starters, you get several radio spots for "You Only Live Twice", "Thunderball" and "Live And Let Die", some great instrumental scores, two different recordings of the scrapped "Thunderball" theme song "Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" (sung by Dionne Warwick and Shirley Bassey, respectively), Anthony Newley's boring but coll to have early demo of "Goldfinger", and best of all, Louis Armstrong's absolutely beautiful "We Have All The Time In The World", one of the loveliest songs in music.

It's true that there were Bond films made after 1992 (five to be exact). But as far as their theme songs go, only Tina Turner's theme for "Goldeneye" and Chris Cornell's "You Know My Name" (from the recent "Casino Royale"), are worth having. My advice is to get this excellent two cd and download the 2 later numnbers. Then, you will truly have all the best of James Bond.

If you like the movies, you'll like the music.......2006-08-27

Bought this as a gift for my son who loves James Bond & has all the DVD's. He loved it.

Her Best : The Chess 50th Anniversary Collection

Average customer rating:

I like this cd
A DECENT MIX OF ETTA
the real queen of the blues
Great Tunes
Etta James-50th Anniversary Colcection

Her Best : The Chess 50th Anniversary Collection
Etta James
Manufacturer: Chess
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

At Last!
Blues to the Bone
Love Songs
Mystery Lady: Songs of Billie Holiday
All the Way

ASIN: B000005KQE
Release Date: 1997-03-25

Tracks:

At Last
All I Could Do Is Cry
If I Can't Have You
A Sunday Kind Of Love
My Dearest Darling
Something's Got A Hold On Me
Trust In Me
Next Door To The Blues
Don't Cry Baby
Fool That I Am
Two Sides To Every Story
Pushover
Stop The Wedding
In The Basement, Part One
Baby, What You Want Me To Do (Live)
I'd Rather Go Blind
Security
Loser's Weepers, Part One
All The Way Down
Tell Mama

Amazon.com essential recording

Whether she sings string-laden pop ballads, lively soul, or gritty electric blues, James's high-powered, enormously expressive voice displays a knack for passionate blues inflections. Emotionally charged ballads including "At Last" and "All I Could Do is Cry" find James blasting through the orchestra with unearthly wails and moans. "If I Can't Have You," a duet with Harvey Fuqua, drops the orchestra in favor of horn-driven R&B and "Something's Got a Hold On Me" is a gospel-flavored romp reminiscent of Ray Charles. A live version of Jimmy Reed's "Baby, What You Want Me to Do" shows her raunchiest Chicago-blues style, and "In the Basement," with Sugar Pie DeSanto, is a funky workout. Also here are three classics from her soul-drenched 1967 Muscle Shoals sessions. --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews:

I like this cd.......2007-05-14

I liked this cd there are a few good songs. Everyone knows the classic At Last and there are a couple others that are similar to that sound. If you like a bluesy soulful sound you will like this cd.

A DECENT MIX OF ETTA.......2007-01-31

now i prefer her earlier stuff, but a lot of that later stuff is pretty enjoyable to listen to. if you wanna get into what etta did, i would recommend this one. however, if it was me, i would go for either her early albums when she was starting out and was hungry (ROLL WITH HENRY). however, if you become an instant fan by her more recent stuff, then check this out and see why people see her as an icon (who should get more credit along with ruth brown and baby washington).

the real queen of the blues.......2006-04-19

probably the best album from Etta. She is a legend

Great Tunes.......2006-03-24

Etta is in a class of her own and she tells a story with her music
Loved it

Nan

Etta James-50th Anniversary Colcection.......2006-03-05

I preferred her earlier works and CD's. While she will always be great, the quality just isn't the same. Louise London, UK

Average customer rating:

Good compilation- of bits and pieces
Good and inexpensive collection

Best Classics 100 Volume 1

Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Best Classics 100 Volume 2
100 Best Opera Classics
100 Best Film Classics
100 Best Piano Classics
100 Best Baroque

ASIN: B000GPIPQA
Release Date: 2006-08-29

Tracks:

The Arrival Of The Queen Of Sheba - Sir Neville Marriner
I. Allegro - Yehudi Menuhin
Toccata In D Minor BWV565 - Wayne Marshall
III. Rondo (Allegro Vivace) - Barry Tuckwell
I. Allegro Con Brio - Philharmonia Orchestra
1812 Overture - Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra
Symphony No.9 In D Minor Choral Op.125 - The Westminster Choir
I. Allegro Molto Moderato - Cecile Ousset
Alla Marcia - Halle Orchestra
Jupiter, The Bringer Of Jollity - Philharmonia Orchestra
I. Allegro Non Troppo E Molto Maestoso - Horacio Gutierrez
Symphonic Poem, Op.26 - Halle Orchestra
Gloria All'egitto - Chorus Of The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
Montagues And Capulets - The Philadelphia Orchestra
Radetzky March - Willi Boskovsky
Pomp And Circumstance March No.1 - Royal Choral Society
I. Allegro Ma Non Tanto - Mikhail Rudy
Symphony No.3 In C Minor Organ Op.78 - Mathias Eisenberg

Tracks:

Air On The G String - Sir Neville Marriner
Dance Of The Blessed Spirits - New Philharmonia Orchestra
Canon In D - Sir Neville Marriner
II. Adagio - Sabine Meyer
Aria - Julia
Adagio In G Minor - Sir Neville Marriner
I. Adagio Sostenuto - Dame Moura Lympany
II. Andantino - James Galway
II. Andante - Yehudi Menuhin
II. Andante - Stephen Hough
II. Largo - Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra
II. Adagio - Yehudi Menuhin
Nimrod - London Symphony Orchestra
II. Adagio - Julian Bream
The Lark Ascending - Migel Kennedy
IV. Adagietto - New Philharmonia Orchestra
Variation 18 - Cecile Ousset

Tracks:

Au Fond Du Temple Saint - Nicolai Gedda
Song To The Moon - Lucia Popp
Dome Epais - Mady Mesple
La Fleur Que Tu M'avais Jetee - Nicolai Gedda
Che Faro Senza Euridice - Agnes Balsta
Casta Diva - Maria Callas
Che Gelida Manina - Roberto Alagna
O Mio Babbino Caro - Angela Gheorghiu
Bailero: Chants D'Auvergne - Victoria De Los Angeles
Vogliatemi Bene - Carlo Bergonzi
Va, Pensiero - Chorus Of The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
Es Lebt' Eine Vilja - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
Ombra Mai Fu - Richard Lewis
Ave Maria - Gerald Moore
Minuit, Chretiens - Roberto Alagna
Nessun Dorma - Jose Carreras

Tracks:

Overture - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Jesus Bleibet Meine Freude - Sir Neville Marriner
I. Allegro - Emil Gilels
Trumpet Voluntary - Maurice Andre
Judex - Halle Orchestra
Overture - Polish Chamber Orchestra
Sarabande - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
Waltz Of The Flowers - Andre Previn
Troika - London Philharmonic Orchestra
Fantasia On Greensleeves - Sir John Barbirolli
Clair De Lune - Dame Moura Lympany
Scene Act II, No.10 - Andre Previn
Cavatina - Manuel Barrueco
II. Romance (Larghetto) - Garrick Ohlsson
My Heart Will Go On - Orchestra
Time To Say Goodbye - Orchestra
Walzer, Op.314 - Berliner Philharmoniker

Tracks:

Cavaleria Rusticana - Philharmonia Orchestra
II. Adagio Sostenuto (Opening) - Cecile Ousset
Morning - Sir Neville Marriner
Romance - Piers Lane
Adagio For Strings - Philadelphia Orchestra
The Story Of The Kalender Prince - Philadelphia Orchestra
Meditation - Anne-Sophie Mutter
Prince Igor - Beecham Choral Society
Adagio Of Spartacus And Phrygia - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Fantasy Overture - Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra
II. Allegretto - Philharmonia Orchestra
II. Largo Ma Non Tanto - Yehudi Menuhin
Schindler's List Theme - Tasmin Little
Dance Of The Reed Flutes - Andre Previn
V. Allegretto - The Philadelphia Orchestra

Tracks:

Zadok The Priest - Royal Choral Society
Zion Hort Die Wachter - Suddeutscher Madrigalchor
Miserere Mei, Deus - Stephen Cleobury
Sanctus - Chor der St. Hedwigs-Kathedrale
Panis Angelicus - Halle Choir
L'Enfance Du Christ - Choeurs Rene Duclos
Sanctus - Heinz Hoppe
In Paradisum - Peter Barley
Laudate Dominum - Edda Moser
Cantique De Jean Racine - MONKS AND CHOIRBOYS OF DOWNSIDE ABBEY
Ingemisco - Luciano Pavarotti
Ave Verum Corpus K618 - Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
I Know That My Redeemer Liveth - Elizabeth Harwood
The Heavens Are Telling - John Shirley-Quirk
Pie Jesu - Victoria De Los Angeles
Lacrimosa - David Bell
Hallelujah Chorus - Ambrosian Singers

Customer Reviews:

Good compilation- of bits and pieces.......2007-07-02

I was excited to see such a great collection of classics, but I was really disappointed to listen and discover that many tracks are shortened dramatically. A fraction of Rhapsody in Blue- a ridiculously short fragment of Bethoveen Ninth Symphony- "Ode to Joy" a tiny part of the first movement of Rachmoninov's Piano Concerto no.3.

I'd rather have fewer tracks and the complete movements.

Good and inexpensive collection.......2007-03-17

EMI's Best Classics 100 provides six CDs with seven hours of selected classical music. The cover does a poor job of portraying who does the selecting and who performs the piece -- information inside however does detail the symphonies being recorded. Recordings from the Polish Chamber, Berlin Symphonies, Royal Philharmonic etc are mentioned. The recording quality is good and the price is low, representing a good purchase for a general collection.

The Very Best Of Tommy James & The Shondells (Rhino)

Average customer rating:

Never get tired of listening to Tommy James
Not worth it.
Okay Sample of Tommy James and the Shondells
This group does the Hanky Panky...
Matchless inventiveness; a near-perfect blending of sound

The Very Best Of Tommy James & The Shondells (Rhino)
Tommy James & the Shondells
Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

The Grass Roots - All Time Greatest Hits
Tommy Roe - Greatest Hits [MCA]
The Very Best of the Rascals
Gary Puckett & the Union Gap - Greatest Hits
The Association's Greatest Hits

ASIN: B0000032ZW
Release Date: 1993-04-20

Tracks:

Hanky Panky
Say I Am (What I Am)
It's Only Love
I Think We're Alone Now
Mirage
I Like The Way
Gettin' Together
Out Of The Blue
Mony Mony
Do Something To Me
Crimson And Clover
Sweet Cherry Wine
Crystal Blue Persuation
Ball Of Fire
She
Draggin' The Line

Amazon.com

Tommy James and his band, The Shondells, not only racked up plenty of hits with their songs, but also had covers of the same material reach No. 1. With a plaintive croon reminiscent of 1950s teen idols, Tommy James wrote and sang a string of bubblegum pop gems that were staples at every high-school dance through the '60. "Hanky Panky," "Mony Mony," and the anthem of forbidden love, "I Think We're Alone Now" all had James's instantly memorable melodies and dramatic breaks. With "Crimson and Clover" and "Crystal Blue Persuasion," James and the Shondells traded in their sugary innocence for a more psychedelic sound. The Very Best of Tommy James & The Shondells contains only 12 tracks and, like the group's songs, is enjoyably short and sweet. --Steve Gdula

Customer Reviews:

Never get tired of listening to Tommy James.......2007-01-25

Hanky Panky has got to be one of my all time favorite songs and there's plenty more great material on this CD. Tommy James writes and performs songs that always make you feel good and make you remember those good times of long ago. He has that same ability as the Beatles. You never get tired of listening to a Tommy James song.

Not worth it........2006-12-12

This is called the "greatest" hits and granted there are some great hits on this CD but it is chocked full of 60's bubble gum that are definitely not hits. I found myself hitting the fast forward button more times than a "greatest" hits CD should require.

Okay Sample of Tommy James and the Shondells.......2006-04-09

Tommy James and the Shondells were one of the better groups of the 60s, yet do not seem to get the recognition they deserve. This group created a string of hits beginning with "Hanky Panky" through "Draggin' the Line," from 1966 to 1971, though Tommy James originally released "Hanky Panky" in 1963 and re-recorded it in 1966.

Several of the songs by this group that are among the most enduring are the psychedelic songs: "Crimson and Clover" and "Crystal Blue Persuasion"; black light music for sure. Both songs were big hits for the group, and remain among my favorite songs to this day. Some of the songs here do verge on bubblegum. But these songs also are creative and introduce effects that at the time were novel.

For those who are less familiar with Tommy James and the Shondells, the songs you might recognize if you heard them, in addition to those mentioned above, are "I Think We're Alone Now," "Mony Mony," "Do Something to Me," and "Sweet Cherry Wine," which is also somewhat psychedelic. While the other songs on this CD were released either as an A or B side single, these songs received a lot of air play in the 60s. A few of these songs are somewhat forgettable, but better to have more than less.

Perhaps the biggest miss on this CD is "Crimson and Clover." The version for this CD is the single version, and not the much longer and better album version. The album version had an extended bridge with some of Tommy James and the Shondell's best guitar work. If you have an opportunity to hear the album version of "Crimson and Clover", or better yet, buying any album that contains the full-length version, it is worth it.

This CD is okay, but there is another CD that is better for Tommy James fans. "Anthology" was released earlier than this CD and contains 27 tracks to this CD's 16 tracks. While "Anthology" has a few weaker songs, it also has "Sugar on Sunday." You decide. You should also consider trying to find the album "Crimson and Clover" to have the extended version of that excellent song. Enjoy!

This group does the Hanky Panky..........2004-01-21

In the brief four-year span when they were prominent, Tommy James and the Shondells seemed an anomaly in an era where the current music arose from what the Beatles wrought with Revolver and Sgt Pepper and what the psychedelics like Iron Butterfly and hard-rockers/blues groups like Steppenwolf produced. The Shondells' eclectic oeuvre covered many genres: garage rock, early sixties pop reminiscent of the Mersey Beat, bubblegum pop, party-rockers, a protest song, and even a shot at psychedelia.

Naturally, the compilation starts off with the song from Snap Records that was bootlegged and sold over a million copies, reaching #1. All together now: "My baby does the hanky panky!" Yes, his cover of the Raindrops' "Hanky Panky", with its crisp garage sound, hit big by the time Tommy James had broken up the Shondells.

A new Shondells was put together and they signed on to Roulette Records. "Say I Am (What I Am)" has a beat and sound similar to the Kingsmen's "Louie Louie" until the rollicking racing guitar comes on, accompanied by "shake shake shake," until it returns to the original sound.

The upbeat "It's Only Love" features horns, maraccas, and a softly tooted flute; a nice number, but compared to their other Top Ten hits, it's understandable why this only hit #31.

Three of their big hits were resurrected in the 1980's, two of them hitting #1, one making the Top Ten in the US, all different styles. The catchy bubblegum pop of "I Think We're Alone Now" was an example of James bringing in the songwriting/producing team of Richie Cordell and Bo Gentry. Cordell co-wrote this song. The prominent bassline can be felt in the softly sung chorus and inbetween "running just as fast as we can" and "holding on to one another's hand." Crickets can be heard during the pause before the final chorus. Redheaded mall teen queen Tiffany took this to #1 in 1987, beating the original's #4 peak.

With those familiar opening drums, and James' rough "yeahs" and the responding "yeahs" from the other Shondells, "Mony Mony" belongs in the party-rock category like "Louie Louie" and "Hanky Panky". A #3 hit, Billy Idol's version hit #1, also in 1987, giving further royalties to James, Cordell, and Gentry. Ironically, Joan Jett and her producer were considering recording this song instead of "Louie Louie", but the latter prevailed.

And finally, James' only other #1, the lyrical "Crimson And Clover", which sold five million copies, with distorted guitars, and later even the words, yet with enough pop sensibilities to take something psychedelic to the top. Yes, "crimson and clover, over and over..." Joan Jett took this to the Top Ten in 1982.

Cordell also wrote "Mirage", a #10 hit which recalls an early Beatles sound and has a high-pitched whistle or keyboard, and the racing keyboards and clapping of the happily romantic "Gettin' Together."

The flower-power like "Out Of The Blue" mixes early Beatles with some doo-wop styled harmony. And this only got to #43???!

The pulsating anti-Vietnam and love song "Sweet Cherry Wine" is one of my favourites: "Yesterday my friends were marching out to war/oh yeah, listen we ain't a marchin' anymore/we ain't gonna fight/only God has the right/to decide who's to live and die." I'll have several bottles of it, please.

The leisurely languid ballad "Crystal Blue Persuasion" peaked at #2 during Woodstock week, and echoes the "love is the answer and that's all right" feel of the times.

Songs like "She" used strings and a more lovey-dovey 5th Dimension-type sound. Also included Tommy James' solo single "Draggin' The Line", incorporating a bluesy sound with a prominent pulsing bassline.

The songs are presented in chronological order, and as this is a Rhino compilation, presents the peak position of each single and the date released. A good intro for those wanting to know about the many sounds and singles of this mid to late 60's group.

Matchless inventiveness; a near-perfect blending of sound.......2003-09-25

This is one amazing band as far as their ability to reinvent themselves on every release of a single - kind of the way the Doors did on every song of their 'Strange Days' album, though of course in a very different way.

They started out with the lanky, strongly original proto-garage tune "Hanky Panky" - at about the same time the Young Rascals launched their smoky, similarly styled "I Ain't Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore". [Gritty, intensely moving and sonically astounding as it was, the (Young) Rascals' song crashed and burned on the charts, though not in the minds of forward-looking listeners. But they tamed their sound a bit on "Good Lovin'", went straight to the top, and stayed there for several years.]

The Shondells' (as they were announced by DJs at the beginning of their equally long run) had a second hit with "Say I Am" - which didn't grab me during its short tenure on the charts (I later realized my mistake). This one is amazingly inventive in terms of melody and vocal delivery; and with those jazzy riffs/rhythms that accompany the lyrics, the song moves through its paces relentlessly, confidently buoyant throughout.

"I Think We're Alone now" was the obvious follow-up to the Turtles' "Happy Together". [This is especially true since the Turtles' own next effort "She'd Rather Be With Me", was such inferior product - a very bad-sounding song possessing none of the gorgeous guitar playing of their short-lived folk-rock phase - early in their career the Turtles were among the best in the world.]

"I Think We're Alone Now" tugged at the heartstrings and told a very familiar story in a novel musical fashion - its pop-rock sonic pallet was colorfully descriptive - its arrangement was rich but uncrowded. In "Mirage", their follow-up in a similar vein, Tommy's vocal (during verses, not choruses/bridges) added a twinge of the jazzy R &B influences the band was [secretly?] absorbing, eventually exploding full force into their music ("Crystal Blue Persuasion").

"Gettin' Together" I suppose was one of their rare mistakes (along with "I Like the Way"); in bowing to the likes of Tommy Roe, Garry Lewis and other proto-bugglegum artists, they temporarily displaced themselves from the main thrust of their ongoing musical experiment/evolution. Sentimentality can be a creative force, but these two songs are obvious instances of poor songwriting and stylistic meltdown.

"Mony Mony" I hated this song, convinced at the time the group was going in a really bad direction, but later changed my mind, and give it almost a 4 out of 5. Even today people get really happy dancing to this one.

"Crimson and Clover" was called 'psychedelic' by one reviewer. Ouch! Sure it was squarely in the midst of that era, and fit in very well, but the average groovy hippie freak (myself included, at the time) didn't pay it much mind. On the other hand, slow dancing in high school and beyond was never greater than when this was playing. Still solidly rock, but with a lot of soul - it was maybe a forecast of Bob Seger on the far horizon - who knows? But this richly energetic outburst owed more to the Kingsmen than to Jefferson Airplane - a severely/serenely updated version of the Kingsmen nonetheless, and like when they did their occasional ballad-like song.

"Sweet Cherry Wine" The way this begins in the middle of a phrase is formula-shattering (Motown was famous for launching into songs in this fashion, ditto Paul Revere and the Raiders). Gorgeous overall sound, gorgeous singing executed with extreme aplomb - even with such minimal melodic movement! Tommy sings his way into and all around the melodic contour - great lead singers know how to gently release and channel their overtones - he lets loose in a stunning manner here.

[Still decidedly "rock", but with some kind of almost unexpressed R &B flavor moving/flowing underneath/inside it.]

With the song "Crystal Blue Persuasion" Tommy James and the Shondells completed their temporary transition into the royal echelon of blue-eyed soul, taking their place amongst earlier-arrived luminaries such as the Righteous Brothers, the Rascals, and dare we say it - the Fifth Dimension. We hear horns - and a gloriously reedy, buttery combo organ for the first time - the musical arrangement is full to the brim, and tasty to the core. The songwriting is emotionally appealing, inventive to a fault - this song is both musically and poetically priceless!

Pop songs, appealing as so many seem to be, are rarely so powerful, memorable, enlivening, and even "healing" - as is this collection of gems.

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