Into The Blue

Editorial Reviews
About the Artist
This is the solo debut for Seattle songwriter and musician Mark David. David was previously known in the Cleveland area rock scene as the frontman for the high-impact pop fusion band Mr. Sensible and the outrageous synth guitar implosion Mad Money. David, who apprenticed with performance artist Laurie Anderson, has left behind some of that trademark insanity, but he holds onto enough quirkiness to impart true originality to his blend of pop and psychedlic hooks.

Album Description
Mark David redefines psychedelic pop, deftly combining memorable lyrics, melodic guitar-driven choruses and rich synthetic textures. Into the Blue is an eclectic yet cohesive collection of songs in which David explores alternating currents: the lures of life lost online, in the "dark casino" and waiting for the last call for "al-co-ha" contrasted with the search for warmth, human connection and visions of a world beyond.

Tracks:

Bright Side Of The Road
Full Force Gale
Stepping Out Queen
Troubadours
Rolling Hills
You Make Me Feel So Free
Angelou
And The Healing Has Begun
It's All In The Game
You Know What they're Writting About

Amazon.com essential recording

This 1979 release marked both a restoration of Van Morrison's full arsenal of powers as writer, performer, and bandleader after five years of uneven albums and a turning point toward the more interior works that would dominate his next decade. Gone is the lack of direction behind A Period of Transition as well as the commercial pragmatism of the sleeker but shallower Wavelength, replaced by an appealing synthesis of Celtic, gospel, and blues accents that mirror Morrison's own array of earthly joys and spiritual yearnings. On highlights like "Full Force Gale" and "Bright Side of the Road," the sense of revival is palpable, echoed by the lively paean of "You Make Me Feel So Free" and the welcome optimism that brightens "And the Healing Has Begun." Added luster is supplied by a superb studio cast augmenting Morrison's own band, featuring Mark Isham and Pee Wee Ellis in the horn section, with Robin Williamson's evocative Irish whistles and Ry Cooder's guitars. --Sam Sutherland

Customer Reviews:

Takes me to the Bright Side.......2007-07-12

In March of 2000, I was strolling the historic streets of the McKinney Square when this song was piped out into the street from one of the eclectic shops. It stopped me in my tracks and made me want to spin to the music! I did not recognize the artist (don't know WHERE I was during the 70's & 80's when his music first came out...guess I was busy having babies!), so I had to ask the shop owner about it. When she told me it was Van, I immediately sought it out to purchase and have been hooked ever since. Now I listen to ALL VAN, 24/7!

Into Van..........2007-07-06

Angeliou is like chocolate, I crave it when I'm happy and when I'm sad. Tracks 8, 9, & 10 are classic Van also. I wore the cassette out, my CD is badly scratched and now it's on my ipod. Yes, I really love this collection.

Neither his best nor his worst..........2007-06-14

This was supposed to be Van's "comeback" - come on, how many people honestly have anything to say about A Period of Transition or Wavelength? Are either of them even in print anymore? Anyway, if this is a return to form, those two must be really bad. Because this never comes anywhere near the heights of Astral Weeks, Moondance, Tupelo Honey, His Band and Street Choir or Veedon Fleece. Even the hit Bright Side of the Road, catchy and fun as it is, is also totally lightweight, insubstantial, and not even remotely profound. Besides, isn't Van supposed to be a total misanthrope? Then what's he doing singing, "help me, share my load"? He always struck me as the kind of guy who would punch you if you came up to him on the wrong day. Similarly, Full Force Gale is given a strong vocal and an enjoyable fiddle part, but I don't buy the preachy message. Now, my favorites come a bit later on, in the form of the two longest songs: Angielou and And the Healing Has Begun, the latter being my top pick. I'm not praising either for their lyrics, though: both are just simple love songs. But simple love songs stretched out to epic proportions, with atmosphere that's hard to beat. If Van was saying something original with either of them (as he did with Madame George and You Don't Pull No Punches, But You Don't Push the River), I'd praise them to no end. But as of now they're both just good. Not great, neither of them classics or anything.
And some of this is just... what the hell? Like Troubadors, with its silly impression of an Olde Englishe Fanfare. Or Rolling Hills, AKA Full Force Gale without ANY musical merits. Or It's All in the Game, a cover of some age-old #1 hit that is probably the most boring song Van ever recorded.
You get a good mix of the good and the bad on Into the Music, and there's no Wild Night, Sweet Thing, Caravan or Domino here to save the day. If you can find it cheap (I'm thankful it was on sale for $10 - anymore, and I would've probably felt like I wasted money), go for it. But is it a masterpiece? No way.

Good Album.......2007-05-14

This has been a breath of fresh air for a Morrison starved fan. Somehow I had overlooked this album in the past years. I have several others from Van Morrison and have dearly loved them. But I'm not a complete fanatic about all his music but enjoy all his chameleon like song writing that seems to paint the present with a spectrum of the past.

This album will be kept in the CD carousel mix for a long time...

Van's Best.......2007-04-02

I'm cruising in the Karman Ghia with a Marlboro dangling from my lip and this cassette tape blasting to further my melancholy mood. Looking for his car. This Van Morrison plays to move me and sway me and I actually croon and I think it's his best!

Average customer rating:

Music we all need to hear once in a while.
A very good CD
Revision of history
Lovely CD--shameful misspelling on the song titles
The Ultimate Patriotic Album

God Bless America: Ult Patriotic Album

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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God Bless America
Music of the U.S. Armed Forces
America's Favorite Patriotic Songs
Stars & Stripes Forever, Vol. 2
The Military Band: Salute to the Services

ASIN: B000068C7V
Release Date: 2002-06-11

Tracks:

Yankee Doodle
Star Bangled Banner (vocal)
God Bless America
Battle Hymn Of The Republic
Shenandoah
Amazing Grace
America The Beautiful
Simple Gifts
America (My Country 'Tis Of Thee)
Over There
You're A Grand Old Flag
Thru The Years 1776-1969
Semper Fidelis
Washington Post
American Patrol
Star Bangled Banner (instrumental)
The Caissons Go Rolling Along
Anchors Aweigh
Semper Paratus
The Air Force Song
The Marines' Hymn
The Stars And Stripes Forever

Customer Reviews:

Music we all need to hear once in a while........2007-01-04

This album is well put together and I enjoy the old standards. Music is an integral part of our heritage. Often when I listen to this album, I think about what our country has been through and how very, very important it is to appreciate what we have. I spent 3 years living in France in the 60's and I cannot tell you how much all Americans looked forward to going "Home!"

Enjoy!!

A very good CD.......2005-06-16

If you like a mix of songs and marches very well played, this CD is for you. The voices of the singers are good, the music support the lyrics and it is easy to listen or to sing along. Also, nearby half of the tunes are played by the Band of the Grenadier Guards and for me, this Band is the best band to play Sousa marches and military marches. The precision of the execution is perfect, the sound is lovely and the technical quality of the recording is perfect. When I listen Anchors Aweigh, I always hear the sound of the waves and it is one of the only bands that gives me this feeling. If you have just one CD of military music to buy, you may buy this one; it is a best buy.

Revision of history.......2005-03-27

As usual, "Dixie," "The Bonnie Blue Flag," and other songs of a Southern genre are conspicuously absent. Why not throw in a couple of rap tunes to make this album truly "American?"

Lovely CD--shameful misspelling on the song titles.......2002-11-22

I do not own this CD--though it appears it would be a wonderful album to listen to. I was compelled to write my review because of the misspelling of our national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner (as opposed to "The Star Bangled Banner" as it appears not once but twice on the song list). I do hope this error is corrected.

The Ultimate Patriotic Album.......2002-07-20

For all those patriots out there who want to listen to classical patriotic music, then get this album. This has a lot of tracks from yankee doodle march to the Washington post march. Even Amazing grace is here. The orchestras and the chorus here, gave there best performance ever.

Tracks:

Reveille
Salute To The Services: The US Field Artillery March
Salute To The Services: Anchors Aweigh
US Marines On Parade
Salute To The Services: US Air Force Song
Salute To The Services: Semper Paratus
Salute To The Services: The Stars & Stripes Forever
Salute To The Services: Semper Fidelis
Salute To The Services: National Emblem
Salute To The Services: El Capitan
Salute To The Services: Washington Post
Salute To The Services: The Thunderer
Salute To The Services: Under The Double Eagle
Salute To The Services: American Patrol
Salute To The Services: The Star Spangled Banner
Taps

Customer Reviews:

Marching along.......2007-05-12

I am a walker..(up to 15 miles per week) Having made this purchase... I now march along with Sousa and the other greats on this fine album....I heartily recommend it to all....as well as Amazon's timely and fairly priced services...

Traditional American marches.......2007-03-22

These are traditional American marches well played and stirring. The CD and case are of good quality, and the sound is excellent.

GREAT MUSIC!.......2007-03-11

This is an unusual Music CD to a great price.
Something to celebrate July 4 and our nation.
Highly recommended.

Why not ZERO? .......2007-01-27

I would give this one ZERO.....absolutely waste of money. The sound quality is terrible on my Made in Japan SONY / Kenwood / Panasonic CD / MP3 Players. Also, the collection of the noise is not all that impressive, I have seen much better calming peaceful MUSIC. Do not waste money, I think it is rediculous to have a band for military, How about a band for PEACE?

Great Military Music.......2007-01-11

The CD was just what I needed for a special memorial tribute to our service people that have passed on. The recording was clear and bright. The music selections were well performed and TAPS was especially evoking.

Average customer rating:

The Mystical Quality
Edgy Ambient Fusion
album leaf
!
A great album

Into the Blue Again
The Album Leaf
Manufacturer: Sub Pop
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Lifetime or More
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Desert Ocean

ASIN: B000H7JA98
Release Date: 2006-09-12

Tracks:

The Light
Always For You
Shine
Writings On The Wall
Red Eye
See In You
Into The Sea
Wherever I Go
Wishful Thinking
Broken Arrow

Album Description

Jimmy LaValle's varied experience includes stints with Tristeza, The Locust, GoGoGo Airheart, The Blackheart Procession, and Sigur Ros. "Into The Blue Again" sees LaValle handling the bulk of the vocal and instrumental duties. After tracking, he took the concentric billows of feathered keyboards, filmy strings, and chiseled drums to Iceland for three weeks of mixing to tape to maintain Brian Eno-informed translucence. Having shared so much time and space with others on the road, LaValle proves, with this personally charged release, that The Album Leaf resonates most profoundly when he goes it alone.

Customer Reviews:

The Mystical Quality.......2007-06-23

In William James' classic The Varieties of Religious Experiences, buried deep in the 400 page work is a passing comment concerning music's appeal to one's mystical sensibility. Into the Blue Again is a great album that captures nearly flawlessly that mystical quality that is so attractive to some people. What I enjoy about it the most is that it captures this quality without being barbaric, eccentric, or abrasive. Into the Blue Again is peaceful and transcendent while at the same time powerful, both familiar and new at the same time.

Edgy Ambient Fusion.......2007-01-11

Shimmering ambient meets translucent edge in a creative fusion with artistic appeal. An escape into satisfaction that leaves you filled with anticipation. The warmth is exciting and the casual coolness leaves you in mystery.

"The Light" purrs into life and then washes into liquid solitude in a reverberating perfection that opens up into "Always For You."

"Shine" is rigid and dreamy like ice melting into hot chocolate and wolves running through snow. "Writings on the Wall" is moody and revelatory with solitary violin haunting an emotional landscape with indistinct vocals. This song melts into "Red Eye" as notes echoes through cavernous underground chambers splintering off stalactites and diving into deep luminous pools. Crystalline textures dance with warm ambience echoing out in all directions. Once this haunting track takes hold of you it doesn't let you go and takes you on an edgy ambient fusion.

"See in You" continues the instrumental mood with snappy rhythmic beats that seems to blur out into a mellow soul tuning introspection. More like poetry than music, at times this is a study of tone.

"Into the Sea" is slightly more reticent than the previous selections and this creates an element of tension throughout as the track tries to break free. As if seeking a destiny, the song finally moves from swirling in circles to an exciting flourish. Ancient voices seem to be calling from faraway lands and then they dissipate into a silky wave.

"Wherever I Go" arrives and takes over in a moody orchestration and mellow vocals. The instrumentation is striking and ecstatic with an intriguing ending that makes your head spin.

"Wishful Thinking" is soothing classical piano in delicate notes echoing off concert hall walls and then this solitary intimacy warms to sweet winter lullabies. The violin is especially relaxing and this track seems to embrace a momentum that moves out of the deep cold earth into a sky of crystalline beauty. "Broken Arrow" has hardly ended when you feel you want to begin the experience all over again. Slightly addictive!

"Into the Blue Again" is exciting and ambient with worlds of textures and creativity to absorb.

~The Rebecca Review

album leaf.......2006-12-27

i cant stand his singing on this album, i dont know if im being hypercritical.

!.......2006-10-19

jimmy lavalle does it again...i really like the way he recorded this. and where he recorded this (Iceland) it really adds to the feel..

A great album.......2006-09-20

The new Album Leaf album Into the Blue Again was released last week to relatively little fanfare with an advance track that I liked but didn't love, so it took me over a week to actually purchase the new CD. I'm not sure why. I've loved each of their previous releases, from the completely wordless but beautiful One Day I'll Be on Time to the more filled-out arrangements (and Sigur Ros influence) of In a Safe Place. And this collection does not disappoint. The Album Leaf started as a side project to Jimmy LaValle's Tristeza, which is more electronic based, but LaValle has really expanded his sound into an ambient masterwork, somewhat similar to Sigur Ros, and approximating some of the lighter sounding tracks of Mogwai.

LaValle does some more singing on this new album, and while I thought the vocal tracks on In a Safe Place were the highlights, creating a welcome change of pace to the same-ness that plagued One Day I'll Be on Time, the sung songs are unfortunately the weak points of this album. But those minor down points are more than made up for on the rest of the album, which features some of the most beautifully melodic tracks I've heard this year. Opener "The Light" kicks this off with understated brilliance and is followed by the aforementioned "Always for You", a good but not great song. Then "Shine" hits you and it takes a while to recover. Just an almost perfect song as LaValle confidently applies his craft, creating shimmering beauty out of several instruments that blend together into a seamless form. According to the liner notes, "Shine" uses violins, Rhodes piano, keyboards, synthesizers, bass guitar, glockenspiel, drums, and drum programming, all but the violin performed by LaValle himself. How he creates such wonderful music by basically programming a machine is amazing to me.

The rest of the album includes other highlights, almost equally as wonderful, including instrumental tracks "Red-Eye" and "Into the Sea". Of the ten songs, LaValle sings (or mostly sing-speaks) on three of them and the other seven are all just about perfectly rendered. Closing track "Broken Arrow" brings back memories of older Album Leaf tracks, with the beeps and bits emerging amongst the minor-key piano strumming. That works well too. A great, great album. Well done, Mr. Lavalle.

Three Hit Albums from the U.S. Military Bands

Average customer rating:

Bicentennial Military Music
Disappointed listener
Classic US Service Band Recordings!

Three Hit Albums from the U.S. Military Bands

Manufacturer: Collector's Choice
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00020QWXW
Release Date: 2004-09-07

Tracks:

Marines' Hymn (From The Hall Of
Montezuma)
Semper Fidelis
Bugler's Holiday
Commando March
March Of The Women Marines
March Of The Olympians
Stars And Stripes Forever
The Chimes Of Liberty
American Patrol
America The Beautiful
The Star-Spangled Banner
Anchors Aweigh
El Capitan
The Jack Tar Match
U.S. Navy March
Allies On The March (from "Victory At
Sea")
The Thunderer
Washington Post March
National Emblem
The National Cultural Center March
King Cotton March
The Star-Spangled Banner
The U.S. Air Force
American Salute
Boys Of The Old Brigade
Oh, Men Who Fly
Fairest Of The Fair
Seventy-Six Trombones
Liberty Bell
U.S. Air Force Blue
Bullets And Bayonets
Falcons' Victory March
The Star-Spangled Banner

Product Description

Disc 1:
1. Marine's Hymn
2. Semper Fidelis
3. Bugler's Holiday
4. Commando March
5. March of The Women Marines
6. March of the Olympians
7. Stars and Stripes Forever
8. Chimes of Liberty, The
9. American Patrol
10. America the Beautiful
11. Star-Spangled Banner, The
12. Anchors Aweigh
13. El Capitan
14. Jack Tar March, The
15. U.S. Navy March
16. Allies on the March

Disc 2:
1. Thunderer, The
2. Washington Post March
3. National Emblem
4. National Cultural Center March, The
5. King Cotton March
6. Star-Spangled Banner, The
7. U.S. Air Force, The
8. American Salute
9. Boys Of The Old Brigade
10. Oh, Men Who Fly
11. Fairest of the Fair
12. Seventy-Six Trombones
13. Liberty Bell
14. U.S. Air Force Blue
15. Bullets and Bayonets
16. Falcons' Victory March
17. Star-Spangeld Banner, The

Format: CD

Customer Reviews:

Bicentennial Military Music.......2007-03-28

The music from these three US Military Bands was originally released in 1977 as single Long Playing Records to celebrate the Nation's Bicentennial Celebration. It is missing the US ARMY BAND (which I regret) but otherwise the music is GREAT and the Bands are FIRST CLASS as you might expect. Except for the different services renderings of THE NATIONAL ANTHEM, no marches are duplicated. If you enjoy good foot tapping Martial Music...this 2-CD set is worth the price.

Disappointed listener.......2006-05-13

I have been listening to military band music for years, and am rarely disappointed. However, this compendium of music by the U.S. Navy, Army, and Marine bands and associated choral groups is not to my taste. Many of the arrangements are strange, and there is much too much vocal music when what I want to hear is the bands play. I would not have bought this album hhad I known beforehand what I know now.

Classic US Service Band Recordings!.......2005-08-10

Its nice to see these old RCA recordings brought out on CD. These were originally released on LP back in the early 1960s to help finance the Kennedy Center in DC. They were popular recordings then. Unfortunatley only three out of the original four are offered here. Missing is the US Army Band which also recorded as part of this series. The sound qaulity has been left largely as it was, which wes pretty good for early 1960s. The only problem with the original recordings was that they tended to sound poor on the inner tracks of the LP. Fortunately that problem no longer exists on CD. Due to the format there tends to be some repeat material here. How many times do we have to hear the national anthem played by each band! Still, there are some good selections played when these bands were in their prime and larger than they are today. Its good to see recordings being re-issued on US service bands other than Altissimo! which tends to use just in-the-can material from band libraries. Here we have the original stuff played in a manner which is no longer done today. For those seeking vintage recordings of US service bands you can't go wrong here.

Stars & Stripes: America's Greatest Hits

Average customer rating:

worth money
Great Patriotic Music
A good choice of tunes with good quality
Brilliant!!!
Best Patriotic Music I've Found

Stars & Stripes: America's Greatest Hits

Manufacturer: Compendia
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000000BMS
Release Date: 1997-02-25

Tracks:

The Star Spangled Banner
George M. Cohan Medley: Yankee Doodle Dandy/Harrigan/Mary's A Grand Old Name/You're A Grand Old Flag
American Salute
The Washington Post
El Capitan
Armed Forces Medley: The Army Goes Rolling Along/Anchors Aweigh/Semper paratus/The U.S. Air Force...
God Bless America
Colonel Bogey
National Emblem March
Americans We
Manhattan Beach
Deep In The Heart Of Texas
The Yellow Rose Of Texas
Hoe-Down From 'Rodeo'
Shaker Melody from Appalachian Spring

Tracks:

Fanfare For The Common Man
Overture To 'Strike Up The Band'
America The Beautiful
76 Trombones
Victory At Sea Suite
America From 'West Side Story'
Liberty Bell
Variations On 'America'
The Stars And Stripes Forever

Customer Reviews:

worth money.......2007-05-24

this cd set is definately worth the money spent. i haven't heard some of the music before but was willing to give it a try.

Great Patriotic Music.......2007-02-21

Beautiful music perfect for feeling patriotic. Received CD promptly and in great condition.

A good choice of tunes with good quality.......2005-06-30

If you like military tunes and marches, this 2-CD is a good choice. The orchestration is good, it is well played and the quality of recording is good. If you like this kind of music, it is a good choice to buy.

Brilliant!!!.......2003-08-11

I have the CD at home and the songs sound fabulous. I've heard the Houston Symphony's version of the Star Spangled Banner many times on TV as this anthem has been used at sign-off (when this was happening). It's as powerful a version you'll hear. Probably the finest patriotic music CD you can find out there.

Best Patriotic Music I've Found.......2001-09-20

Loved the CD! I am buying it to use with a Musical Freestyle Ride for a Quadrille. A horse oriented endeaver. The music will be perfect to bring positive patriotism to fairs and fund raisers for NYC.

Average customer rating:

This Lonesome Song

Manufacturer: Becky Schlegel
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Country | Styles | Music

General | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music

Country Folk | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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Red Leaf

ASIN: B00008ZA1H
Release Date: 1998-01-01

Tracks:

This Lonesome Song
If You Leave Me
Carolina Rain
Don't Come Running
Mr. Man in the Moon
I Think I'll Leave
Jenny Lynn
Used to Be
'Til the Answer Comes
You Beat All I've Ever Seen
Fireball Express
Sunny Side of the Mountain
I Can't Go on Loving You
Alone With The Lord

Album Description

THIS LONESOME SONG is the first CD by bluegrass superstar Becky Schlegel. The CD established Becky and her band True Blue as one of the Midwest's most accomplished and acclaimed bluegrass groups.

Average customer rating:

Irving Berlin at his best
Get's my vote!
Jazzy and Beautiful
I love it!
Simply Dreadful

Kiri Sings Berlin
Irving Berlin , Jonathan Tunick , Abbey Road Ensemble , and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa
Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Kiri! Her Greatest Hits Live

ASIN: B000002RYP
Release Date: 1998-01-20

Tracks:

Let's Face The Music And Dance
I Got The Sun In The Morning
How Deep Is The Ocean?
What'll I Do?
Blue Skies
It's A Lovely Day Today
They Say It's Wonderful
Say It Isn't So
Cheek To Cheek
Isn't This A Lovely Day?
Always
The Song Is Ended
I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
It Only Happens When I Dance With You
Easter Parade

Amazon.com

After several recordings of American popular music, Te Kanawa has become a very effective crooner, phrasing with heretofore missing panache. The easy, jazzy Riddle-like arrangements are bouncy and appealing. But after 15 selections, the mysterious dissatisfaction of eating Chinese food and feeling hungry an hour later remains. Tunick writes in his program notes that "the waltz ballads ... are poignant and moving, but never stray into sentimentality." But why not? A little mushiness would serve this recording well, and also contribute to a desperately lacking variety of interpretation. Still, the voice is consistently gorgeous; it would just be nice to distinguish the happy songs from the sad. --Barbara Eisner Bayer

Customer Reviews:

Irving Berlin at his best.......2007-06-26

Kiri's glorious voice interprets Irving Berlin masterpieces beautifully with expression and respect for these American favorites.

Get's my vote!.......2004-04-03

OK. Full disclosure: I'm one of those helpless souls who is just madly in love with the sounds that emanate from Dame Kiri Te Kanawa's vocal chords. I suppose there are many artists who can interpret Irving Berlin's songs with more, what's the word, authenticity?

And I've heard many of them, and I love their work.

But Kiri Te Kanawa is different. She was given one of the most beautiful instruments in the history of sound recordings. Thank God the recording companies figured out what they had and put her in front of a microphone early and often.

We have had a rare opportunity to experience a great artist from almost the start of her career clear through to what now must be it's final stages.

I, for one, feel privileged.

Thank you, Dame Kiri. The world is a little better place because of you.

Jazzy and Beautiful.......2002-09-01

This album exemplifies Kiri's amazing, vast dose of talent for musical interpretation. Though I tend to enjoy mostly classical music, this album has opened doors to a wonderful world of classical-jazz, which I find quite beautiful! Perhaps for some, it is an aquired taste...yet I was hooked the moment I heard track one...and have since become quite the "modern Kiri" fan!~Brava once again~

I love it!.......2002-05-14

If you like Irving Berlin and Kiri Te Kanawa you'll probably enjoy this album as much as I do!

I can imagine Nick and Nora Charles listening to this at one of Nick's favorite dives! It will transport you to a sophisticated time and place that may have never existed except in literature and debutante coming out parties.

Gatsby would have loved it, and surely would have invited Kiri to all his parties!

Simply Dreadful.......2001-01-17

Just terrible! Although her voice has mellowed and is quite beautiful, Ms Te Kanawa has absolutely no instinct or feel for this distinctly American music. She's just lost in her own peculiar Kiwi wonderland. She is not aided but what have to be some of the worst arrangements of this music ever recorded.