Second Choice

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
Second Choice is the debut solo effort from Brock Pytel, best known as songwriter and drummer of Montreal pop-punks the Doughboys. Once called "the hidden trump card" of that band, Brock contrasts the energetic guitar rock they were known for with intimate acoustic tracks, harmonium, ambient e-bowed guitars, and Hammond organ. The twelve song CD features guest appearances by former bandmates John Kastner and Jon Asencio plus veterans of Big Drill Car, SNFU, and Robert Fripp's League of Crafty Guitarists.

Tracks:

First Booke Of Songes: I. Unquiet Thoughts
First Booke Of Songes: II. Who Ever Thinks Or Hopes Of Love
First Booke Of Songes: III. My Thoughts Are Wing'd With Hopes
First Booke Of Songes: IV. If My Complaints Could Passions Move
First Booke Of Songes: V. Can She Excuse My Wrongs
First Booke Of Songes: VI. Now, O Now, I Needs Must Part
First Booke Of Songes: VII. Dear, If You Change
First Booke Of Songes: VIII. Burst Fourth My Tears
First Booke Of Songes: IX. Go Crystal Tears
First Booke Of Songes: X. Think'st Thou Then By Thy Feigning
First Booke Of Songes: XI. Come Away, Come Sweet Love
First Booke Of Songes: XII. Rest Awhile, You Cruel Cares
First Booke Of Songes: XIII. Sleep, Wayward Thoughts
First Booke Of Songes: XIV. All Ye, Whom Love Or Fortune Hath Betray'd
First Booke Of Songes: XV. Wilt Thou Unkind Thus Reave Me
First Booke Of Songes: XVI. Would My Conceit
First Booke Of Songes: XVII. Come Again: Sweet Love Doth Now Invite
First Booke Of Songes: XVIII. His Golden Locks
First Booke Of Songes: XIX. Awake, Sweet Love
First Booke Of Songes: XX. Come, Heavy Sleep
First Booke Of Songes: XXI. Away With These Self-Loving Lads

Tracks:

Second Booke Of Songs: I. I Saw My Lady Weep
Second Booke Of Songs: II. Flow My Tears
Second Booke Of Songs: III. Sorrow, Stay
Second Booke Of Songs: IV. Die Not Before Thy Day
Second Booke Of Songs: V. Mourn, Mourn, Day Is With Darkness Fled
Second Booke Of Songs: VI. Time's Eldest Son
Second Booke Of Songs: VII. Then Sit Thee Down
Second Booke Of Songs: VIII. When Others Sing Venite
Second Booke Of Songs: IX. Praise Blindness Eyes
Second Booke Of Songs: X. O Sweet Woods
Second Booke Of Songs: XI. If Floods Of Tears
Second Booke Of Songs: XII. Fine Knacks For Ladies
Second Booke Of Songs: XIII. Now Cease My Wand'ring Eyes
Second Booke Of Songs: XIV. Come Ye Heavy States Of Night
Second Booke Of Songs: XV. White As Lilies Was Her Face
Second Booke Of Songs: XVI. Woeful Heart
Second Booke Of Songs: XVII. A Shepherd In A Shade
Second Booke Of Songs: XVIII. Faction That Ever Dwells
Second Booke Of Songs: XIX. Shall I Sue
Second Booke Of Songs: XX. Toss Not My Soul
Second Booke Of Songs: XXI. Clear Or Cloudy
Second Booke Of Songs: XXII. Humour Say What Mak'st Thou Here

Tracks:

Third Booke Of Songs 1603: I. Farewell, Too Fair
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: II. Time Stands Still
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: III. Behold A Wonder Here
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: IV. Daphne Was Not So Chaste
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: V. Me, Me, And None But Me
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: VI. When Phoebus First Did Daphne Love
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: VII. Say, Love, If Ever Thou Didst Find
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: VIII. Flow Not So Fast, Ye Fountains
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: IX. What If I Never Speed?
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: X. Love Stood Amazed
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XI. Lend Your Ears To My Sorrow
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XII. By A Fountain Where I Lay
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XIII. O What Hath Overwrought
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XIV. Farewell, Unkind
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XV. Weep You No More, Sad Fountains
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XVI. Fie On This Feigning!
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XVII. I Must Complain
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XVIII. It Was A Time When Silly Bees
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XIX. The Lowest Trees Have Tops
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XX. What Poor Astronomers Are They
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XXI. Come When I Call

Tracks:

A Pilgrimes Solace: I. Disdain Me Still
A Pilgrimes Solace: II. Sweet Stay Awhile
A Pilgrimes Solace: III. To Ask For All Thy Love
A Pilgrimes Solace: IV. Love, Those Beams That Breed
A Pilgrimes Solace: V. Shall I Strive Wih Words To Move?
A Pilgrimes Solace: VI. Were Every Thought An Eye
A Pilgrimes Solace: VII. Stay, Time, Awhile Thy Flying
A Pilgrimes Solace: VIII. Tell Me, True Love
A Pilgrimes Solace: IX. Go Nightly Cares
A Pilgrimes Solace: X. From Silent Night
A Pilgrimes Solace: XI. Lasso vita mia
A Pilgrimes Solace: XII. In This Trembling Shadow Cast
A Pilgrimes Solace: XIII. If That A Sinner's Sights
A Pilgrimes Solace: XIV. Thou Mighty God
A Pilgrimes Solace: XV. When David's Life
A Pilgrimes Solace: XVI. When The Poor Cripple

Tracks:

A Pilgrimes Solace: XVII. Where Sin Sore Wounding
A Pilgrimes Solace: XVIII. My Heart And Tongue Were Twins
A Pilgrimes Solace: XIX. Up Merry Mates
A Pilgrimes Solace: XX. Welcome Black Night
A Pilgrimes Solace: XXI. Cease, Cease These False Sports
Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Lachrimae Pavane
Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Can Shee
Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Paduana
Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: The Frogge
Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Frog's Galliard
Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Pavana And Galiarda
Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Paduana Lachrymae
Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Can She Excuse
Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Pavion Solus cum sola
Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Dowland's Almayne
Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Piper's Paven And Galliard
Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Pavan Lachrymae

Tracks:

Mr. Henry Noell Lamentations: I. The Lamentation Of A Sinner
Mr. Henry Noell Lamentations: II. Domine ne in furore
Mr. Henry Noell Lamentations: III. Miserere mei Deus
Mr. Henry Noell Lamentations: IV. The Humble Suit Of A Sinner
Mr. Henry Noell Lamentations: V. The Humble Complaint Of A Sinner
Mr. Henry Noell Lamentations: VI. De profundis
Mr. Henry Noell Lamentations: VII. Domine exaudi
Lachrimae: Lachrimae Antiquae
Lachrimae: Lachrimae Antiquae Novae
Lachrimae: Lachrimae Gementes
Lachrimae: Lachrimae Tristes
Lachrimae: Lachrimae Coactae
Lachrimae: Lachrimae Amantis
Lachrimae: Lachrimae Verae
Lachrimae: Mr. John Langton's Pavan
Lachrimae: Mr. Nicholas Gryffith His Galiard
Lachrimae: Sir John Souch His Galiard
Lachrimae: Semper Dowland Semper Dolens
Lachrimae: Mr. Giles Hobies Galiard
Lachrimae: The King Of Denmark's Galiard
Lachrimae: Sir Henry Umpton's Funerall
Lachrimae: Mr. Henry Noell His Galiard
Lachrimae: The Earl Of Essex Galiard
Lachrimae: Mr. Bucton His Galiard
Lachrimae: Mr. George Whitehead His Almand
Lachrimae: Captain Digorie Piper His Galiard
Lachrimae: Mr. Thomas Collier His Galiard
Lachrimae: Mrs. Nichols Almand

Tracks:

Sacred Songs: Sorrow, Come!
Sacred Songs: I Shame At Mine Unworthiness
Sacred Songs: An Heart That's Broken And Contrite
Psalms: Psalm 100: All People That On Earth Do Dwell
Psalms: Psalm 38: Put Me Not To Rebuke O Lord
Psalms: Psalm 130: Lord To Thee I Make My Moan
Psalms: Psalm 104: My Soul Praise The Lord
Psalms: Psalm 100: All People That On Earth Do Dwell
Psalms: Psalm 134: Behold And Have Regard
A Prayer For The Queen's Most Excellent Majesty
Instrumental Music: Solus cum sola pavan
Instrumental Music: Lachrimae
Instrumental Music: Galliard
Instrumental Music: Pipers Pavan
Instrumental Music: Lachrimae
Instrumental Music: Lady Rich Galliard
Instrumental Music: Earl Of Essex Galliard
Instrumental Music: If My Complaints
Instrumental Music: Lachrimae Doolande
Instrumental Music: Lord Willoughbie's Welcome Home
Instrumental Music: My Lord Chamberlaine His Galliard
Instrumental Music: Comagain
Instrumental Music: Pavan Lachrymae
Instrumental Music: Sorrow Stay

Tracks:

Lute Music: Preludium
Lute Music: Lachrimae
Lute Music: Can She Excuse
Lute Music: Dr. Case's Pavan
Lute Music: Melancholy Galliard
Lute Music: Sir John Smith, His Almain
Lute Music: Fantasia
Lute Music: A Dream
Lute Music: Almain
Lute Music: The Queen's Galliard
Lute Music: Coranto
Lute Music: Resolution
Lute Music: Mrs. Vaux Galliard
Lute Music: Almain
Lute Music: Mr. Dowland's MIdnight
Lute Music: Fantasia
Lute Music: Loth To Depart
Lute Music: The Most Sacred Queen Elizabeth, Her Galliard
Lute Music: The Earl Of Essex, His Galliard
Lute Music: Pavan
Lute Music: John Dowland's Galliard
Lute Music: Aloe
Lute Music: The Lady Clifton's Spirit
Lute Music: What If A Day
Lute Music: Mr. Giles Hobie's Galliard
Lute Music: Come Away (Song arrangement)
Lute Music: Galliard
Lute Music: Fancy (Fantasia)

Tracks:

Lute Music: Lachrimae (Basic Version)
Lute Music: Galliard To Lachrimae
Lute Music: [Jig]
Lute Music: Galliard On 'Wasingham'
Lute Music: Complaint (Ballad Setting)
Lute Music: Mignarda (Galliard)
Lute Music: Semper Dowland Semper Dolens (Pavan)
Lute Music: The Frog Galliard
Lute Music: A Fancy (Fantasia)
Lute Music: Fancy (Fantasia)
Lute Music: Piper's Pavan
Lute Music: Captain Digorie Piper's Galliard
Lute Music: Lady Laiton's Almain
Lute Music: Dowland's Galliard
Lute Music: Dowland's First Galliard
Lute Music: Tarleton's Jig
Lute Music: Walsingham (ballad Setting)
Lute Music: Lord Willoughbie's Welcome Home (Ballad Setting)
Lute Music: Sir Henry Guilforde, His Almain
Lute Music: Pavan (Related To 'Lachrimae')
Lute Music: Mr. Langton's Galliard
Lute Music: Mrs. Clifton's Almain
Lute Music: Galliard
Lute Music: Lady Hunsdon's Puffe (Almain)
Lute Music: Galliard
Lute Music: Go From My Window (Ballad Setting)
Lute Music: Fancy (Fantasia)

Tracks:

Lute Music: Pavana Johan Douland
Lute Music: Mrs. Brigide Fleetwood's Pavan (Solus sine sola)
Lute Music: La mia Barbara
Lute Music: Sir Henry Umpton's Funeral (Pavan)
Lute Music: Lachrimae
Lute Music: Farewell Fancy (Chromatic Fantasia)
Lute Music: Farewell (On The 'In Nomine' Theme)
Lute Music: The King of Denmark's Galliard
Lute Music: Mrs. Vaux's Jig
Lute Music: Mrs. Nichol's Almain
Lute Music: Galliard
Lute Music: Lord Strang's March
Lute Music: Mrs. Winter's Jump
Lute Music: Can She Excuse (Galliard)
Lute Music: The Shoemaker's Wife, A Toy
Lute Music: Mrs. Norrish's Delight
Lute Music: Galliard
Lute Music: Mrs. White's Thing (Almain)
Lute Music: Mrs. White's Nothing
Lute Music: The Frog Galliard
Lute Music: Solus cum sola
Lute Music: The Lord Viscount Lisle, His Galliard
Lute Music: Orlando Sleepeth (Ballad Setting)
Lute Music: Robin (Ballad Setting)
Lute Music: Galliard (On A Galliard By Daniel Bacheler)
Lute Music: Forlorn Hope Fancy (Chromatic Fantasia)

Tracks:

Lute Music: The Lady Russell's Pavan
Lute Music: Fancy (Fantasia)
Lute Music: Sir John Langton's Pavan
Lute Music: Earl Of Derby, His Galliard
Lute Music: A Coy Toy
Lute Music: Fortune My Foe
Lute Music: [Almain]
Lute Music: Mr. Knight's Galliard
Lute Music: Sir John Souch His Galliard
Lute Music: Tarletone's Riserrectione
Lute Music: The Lady Rich, Her Galliard
Consort Music: Lachrimae Pavan
Consort Music: Can She Excuse Galliard
Consort Music: Captain Piper's Pavan And Galliard
Consort Music: The Frog Galliard
Consort Music: Round Battell Galliard
Consort Music: Fortune My Foe
Consort Music: Dowland's First Galliard
Consort Music: Katherine Darcie's Galliard
Consort Music: Tarleton's Jigge
Consort Music: Almain a 2
Consort Music: Mistress Nichols Almain a 2
Fullsack And Hildebrandt: Auserlesener Paduanen und Galliarden: Susanna Fair (Galliard)
Haussmann: Rest von polnischen und andern Tanzen: Mistress Nichols Alman a 5
Opusculum: Mr. John Langton Pavan And Galliard
Opusculum: La mia Barbara Pavan and Galliard
Opusculum: Lachrimae Antiquae Novae Pavan and Galliard

Tracks:

Consort Music: Mistress NIchols Almain
Consort Music: Volta a 4 ('Ioh. Douland')
Consort Music: Were Every Thought an Eye
Consort Music: Lady If You So Spite Me
Consort Music: Pavan a 4
A Musicall Banquet: I. My Heavy Sprite (Anthony Holborne)
A Musicall Banquet: II. Change Thy Mind Since She Doth Change (Richard Martin)
A Musicall Banquet: III. O Eyes, Leave Off Your Weeping (Robert Hales)
A Musicall Banquet: IV. Go, My Flock, Go Get You Hence (Anon.)
A Musicall Banquet: V. O Dear Life, When Shall It Be? (Anon.)
A Musicall Banquet: VI. To Plead My Faith (Daniel Bacheler)
A Musicall Banquet: VII. In A Grove Most Rich Of Shade (Guillaume Tessier)
A Musicall Banquet: VIII. Far From Triumphing Court
A Musicall Banquet: IX. Lady, If You So Spite Me
A Musicall Banquet: X. In Darkness Let Me Dwell
A Musicall Banquet: XI. Si le parler et le silence (Pierre Guedron)
A Musicall Banquet: XII. Ce penser qui sans fin tirannise ma vie (Pierre Guedron)
A Musicall Banquet: XIII. Vous que le Bonheur rappelle (Pierre Guedron)
A Musicall Banquet: XIV. Passava Amor su arco desarmado (Anon. Spanish)
A Musicall Banquet: XV. Sta notte mi sognava (Anon. Italian)
A Musicall Banquet: XVI. Vuestros ojos tienen d'Amor (Anon. Spanish)
A Musicall Banquet: XVII. Se di farmi morire (Domenico Maria Megli)
A Musicall Banquet: XVIII. Dovro dunque morire? (Giulio Caccini)
A Musicall Banquet: XIX. Amarilli mia bella (Giulio Caccini)
A Musicall Banquet: XX. O bella piu (Anon, Italian)

Customer Reviews:

A musical treasure-box.......2006-09-10

Both the music and this actual product are masterpieces. John Dowland's collected works here - covering 12 compact discs - exhibit the depth and power of this composer, a composer who many now regard as suffering from clinical depression. I doubt that the issue of the diagnosis of Dowland's depression can ever be settled, however, it is certainly obvious from his music, so completely on display here, that he was a man with very dark depths and corners in his mind. Dowland's various manifestations and "takes" on his own tune, "Flow my tears"/"Lachrimae" are here. This tune has haunted me ever since I first heard it when I was a child. It seems to sum up Dowland's feelings - at least Dowland seems to have thought so.

The First, Second, Third and Fourth Bookes of Songes, A Musicall Banquet, the keyboard transcriptions, all the lute music, consort music are here and virtually everything else written or supposedly written by John Dowland. Anthony Rooley and The Consort of Musicke perform this music with style and feeling throughout. This 12 CD set is something of a monument to the ensemble - I only wish they'd finished their collection of Monteverdi madrigals, which was equally good (La Venexiana are currently doing a magnificent job of recording all Monteverdi's books of madrigals for the GLOSSA label).

This is an expensive set, however, you will probably never need to buy another John Dowland CD again after buying and listening to this collection.

I bought this CD set on a mild Summer evening of 1998 and listened to it while sitting in my sun room - which a glorious orange sunset in progress, and a glass of wine. It brought back so many memories.

a beautiful journey into melancholy.......2001-06-15

I'm amazed at how many people tend to associate John Dowland's music with a tragic sense of drama. While no doubt this is art highly based on sadness, the "tragic" sense of it is more a legacy from the Romantic period. During the Renaissance, however, sadness was undestood as a very aesthetic way of approaching life. That is also the reason why Shakespeare's tragedies appear more sophisticated than his comedies.

Tracks:

A Piece Without Title - Dowland
Pavana - Dowland
Mr Knights Galliard - Dowland
My lord willobies wellcome home - Dowland
The frogg galliard - Dowland
A Fancy - Dowland
My Ladie Riches galyerd - Dowland
The Lady Laitons Almone - Dowland
A Dream (Lady Leighton's Paven) - Dowland
Galliard - Dowland
Orlando sleepeth - Dowland
What if a Day - Dowland
Mrs Winters Jumpp - Dowland
Galliard - Dowland
M. Giles Hobies Galiard - Dowland
Dr Cases Pauen - Dowland
Mellancoly Galliard - Dowland
Galliard - Dowland
Mistris Whittes thinge - Dowland
Go from my windowe - Dowland
Almain - Dowland
Mrs Whites Nothing - Dowland
Pavan - Dowland
Galliard - Dowland
Farewell - Dowland

Tracks:

My lady hunnsdons puffe
Solus cum sola
Suzanna Galliard
Sir John Smith his Almain
Sweet Robyne
Dowlands first galliard
Master Pypers Pavyn
Captain Digorie Piper his Galliard
As I wen to Walsingham
Monsieur's Almaine
Mrs Brigide fleetwoods paven alias Solus sine sola
Dowlands Galliard
Farwell (As
Captain Candishe his Galyard
Aloe
Can she excuse
A Coye Joye
Mrs vauxes Gigge
Mrs vaux Galliarde
Sir Henry Guilforde his Almaine
Mignarda
Lachrimae
Sir John Souch his galliard
Fantasia

Tracks:

The most high and mightie Christianus, the fourth King of Denmark, his Galliard
Sir John Langton his Pavin
Mr. Langtons galliard
A Fancy
A Pavan
The most sacred Queene Elizabeth, her Galliard
Mrs. Cliftons Allmaine
The Right Honourable the Lady Cliftons Spirit
tarletones riserrectione
Tarletons Willy
fortune my foe
The Queenes galliard
Wallsingham
A Galliard (on Walsingham)
Dowlands Adew for Master Oliver Cromwell
The Right Honourable Ferdinando Earle of Darby, his Galliard
Lord Strangs March
Mistresse Nichols Almand
forlone Hope fancye
Mr. Dowlands Midnight
Semper Dowland semper dolens

Tracks:

Preludium
A Fancy
Lachrimae
Galliard to Lachrimae
A Fantasia
An Almand
Pavana
The Right Honourable Robert, Earl of Essex, his Galliard
A Galliard (on a galliard by Daniel Bachelar)
My Lord Wilobies Welcom Home
The Shoemakers Wife. A Toy
The Right Hounourable The Lord Viscount Lisle, his Galliard
Coranto
A Galliard
The Lady Russells Paven
Galliard (on Awake sweet love, set by Fr. Cutting)
The Frog Galliard
Come Away
La mia Barbara
Loth to Departe

Tracks:

A Fancy
Pavana Dowlandi Angli (Mylius #2)
Doulands rounde battell galyarde
Pavin
The Erle of Darbies Galiard
Mistris Norrishis Delight
A Jig
The Erle of Essex Galliard
Galliard
Une Jeune Fillette
Gagliarda
Pavana Lachrimae
Squires Galliard
A Fancy
Hasellwoods Galliard
Sir Thomas Monson, his Pavin
Sir Thomas Monson, his Galliard
Almande
Sir Henry Umptons Funerall
Captayne Pipers Galliard
A fantasie

Amazon.com

Dowland did for lute music what Haydn did for the string quartet and Beethoven the piano sonata. The finest lutenist and songwriter of his age--he composed several of the greatest hits of the late 16th and early 17th centuries--the surviving lute works constitute a sort of encyclopedia of the possibilities of the instrument. There are song arrangements, dance pieces, tributes to the composer's friends, even a musical self-portrait. Much of the music is fashionably sad. Lute songs generally deal with the agony of lost love, and Dowland's most popular tune was called Lachrimae (Tears). Paul O'Dette is simply the best lutenist alive. These five discs are available together at a special price, or separately. A reference edition. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Outstanding.......2007-03-31

If you are a fan of the music of John Dowland, you must own this CD. The playing is outstanding to say the least.

It's not heavy breathing.......2006-08-22

It's great that O'Dette gives us the complete solo works, of course. I have the common reaction to O'Dette: his technique is flawless, his performance unengaging.

Others have remarked on the "heavy breathing" noticeable on the recordings -- it's not heavy breathing, but the movement of his fingers on the gut strings making that sound.

Technically good, emotionally bland. .......2006-04-11

Considering the extreme paucity of (especially solo) lute recordings currently available worldwide,
but especially in the US, this set becomes an essential "must have" for all lovers of the lute.
Yet it somehow disappoints.
I am sure that Paul O'Dette is brimming over with virtuousity and a technical expertise
that I am hardly one to pass sound judgement upon.
But the recordings have a flatness and monotony;
the songs are rendered with precision, but seem to lack feeling, empathy, or enthusiasm throughout the offering.
It is an impressive compendium, and I'm glad I purchased it.
There are very few lutenists out there producing any music at all, so Mr. O'Dette should certainly be praised
for delivering such a substantial feast to our ears.
It just should have had more flavor.
Where is Konrad Ragossnig when you need him?

Highly recommended.......2005-10-23

I bought Volume 1 of this set a couple of years ago. It has become one of my favorite CDs, so I thought I would enjoy the full set. I have not been disappointed. I find the sound quality excellent, the playing superb. The included booklet has a lot of interesting background material. The music is great as background for a dinner party or intimate conversation, but has depth aplenty for concentrated listening. I often listen to it while working at the computer where I swear it improves concentration and productivity!

A few tunes appear more than once as Dowland reused some work, but the arrangements are sufficiently different to be interesting. It is his complete lute works, after all. Some might criticise the set for sounding too much in the same style. It is the work of one composer, and if you happen to like the style, as I do, this is a pro rather than a con.

Another reviewer mentioned obtrusive breathing on the recording. I had listened to Volume 1 for two years before reading the review and had not noticed this. On listening carefully, there is breathing audible, but I do not find it a problem. Perhaps it depends whether one listens to the music or the background.

just a warning..........2005-10-14

Beautiful music, but... you can hear Paul's heavy breathing throughout. Apparently a lot of other reviewers either don't hear the heavy breathing, or aren't bothered by it, but for me, it's a near deal-breaker. Go ahead and mark my review as unhelpful, but I had to put the warning out there.

Average customer rating:

November 13, 1971
Good As New
a few additions to previous reviews
The river sweats oil and tar...
Good!

Second Album
Curved Air
Manufacturer: Collector's Choice
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000584UR
Release Date: 2001-02-13

Tracks:

Young Mother
Back Street Luv
Jumbo
You Know
Puppets
Everydance
Bright Summer's Day '68
Piece Of Mind

Product Description

1. Backstreet Luv
2. Young Mother
3. Jumbo
4. You Know
5. Puppets
6. Everdance
7. Bright Summer's Day
8. Piece Of Mind

Format: CD

Customer Reviews:

November 13, 1971.......2006-11-20

It was November 13, 1971. It was my 19th birthday and a group of my hippie friends bought tickets to a Jethro Tull concert in Cleveland, Ohio. With the help of an alka-seltzer size pill and a travelers fifth of Old Crow Whiskey, I had prepared my mind for one of my favorite bands. However, playing before Ian Anderson and company was the up-till-then-unknown group Curved Air. My mind became a floatation device upon hearing the incredible vocals of Sonja Linwood (Christina) and the pulsating synthes and streaming violins of the other members of the band ( Way, Pilkington, etc. ). I loved this band thereafter and have owned all of their material for decades. All of the albums are really good but, the Second Album with songs such as Backstreet Love and Everdance are so very outstanding that one should purchase it on cd immediately. You won't need a pill or whiskey to like the sounds of Curved Air's Second Album; it is a Classic, without a doubt. Let me add that the song "Envoy" found on Darryl Way's album Night Music is one of the all time great Progressive Rock songs ever recorded; buy it if you can find it.

Good As New.......2006-06-26

I have the vinyl version of this and I loved it so much when it was new that I would have worn it out if I hadn't committed it to cassette tape early on. Therefore, my LP is in mint condition. When I finally located a CD of it, it was only available as a Japanese import, and I paid nearly $30 for it, and I paid the same price for PHANTASMAGORIA as well (still have three Curved Air vinyl records in my permanent collection). For something this good, I will gladly shell out the bucks if an expensive import is all I can get ... The music? Well, the above comments should tell you how fantastic I think it is. This is among the great psychedelic albums of all time, along with AIR CONDITIONING and PHANTASMAGORIA. None of the other Curved Air efforts are as wonderful as these three records, of which SECOND ALBUM is the absolute best (although I've noticed that others disagree with me on this). "Piece Of Mind," the over twelve-minute long final track is a marvel, as are "Jumbo" and "Puppets." These songs remind me of Pink Floyd, Moody Blues, Yes, Jean Michel Jarre and Mike Oldfield all rolled into one with touches of It's A Beautiful Day and Zephyr. In other words, it is a wall of sound full of influences and yet quite original at the same time. Swirling electronics, ethereal singing, pulsating rhythms, and constant, unexpected turns make this a spacey, addicting slice of ear candy. To me, it sounds as fresh today as when it was new. If you're not into synthesizers, this CD probably won't convert you, but if you like a really intense, eclectic mix of sounds, and you enjoy experimental yet melodic music, this could be your bag.

a few additions to previous reviews.......2006-02-26

I heard this music well after the fact but well before today. I was 19 in 1982 when i discovered this, and it is the only Curved Air album i've heard. Am so happy to see it is available now on cd and will be ordering right after i finish this comment.

It is so rooted in the period that it may be hit or miss for younger folks, but on the other hand it is such strong music it may still crash through 35 years of music evolution to some degree as it did strongly for me after 10 years of music evolution by the time i heard it the first time.

As far as her voice, yes, when i first heard it, i was comparing everything to mainstream production values and i though it sounded odd and vaguely weak. But the musical virtuosity and the more kinetic tracks like "Everdance" (pretty sure it is called that, even tho Amazon has it listed as "Everydance") hooked me long enough to just let the album play on a number of times. The song on the other side of that album that tricked me into letting that side play was "Bright Summer's Day '68", previously described as silly in here, but to me it was a wonderful blend of happy bouncy bluesy music with a light-hearted casual singing style about all kinds of awful things that happen, with cool conscious-penetrating filtered voice inserts, etc. A real delight. Backstreet Luv is brooding and musically takes you down to an alley-level feeling even though it is progressive and not derivative. Her voice is alternatively creepy and kind of sexy-lecturing-unison.

But after hearing the whole album a few times, the other songs really started getting under my skin and wouldn't get out of my head, and a big part of it was her voice. Of course, i've since been exposed to the whole range of musical expression, of which bands like Jethro Tull and Genesis are but a tiny sliver. Against the whole backdrop of it all, Sonja Kristina had a wonderful quirky jazzy breathy sexy slightly-disjoint delivery that fits perfectly into this kind of music. It would absolutely kill it to have someone more traditionally technical singing these parts.

Even "the slow song" that i skipped right over many times at first (because i was 19 and had way too short of an attention span for a SLOW song) wormed deep into my subconscious and years later, even today, though i haven't heard that record in decades, i still think the dreamy, floating "Jumbo" is one of THE most haunting, subtle, emotionally yearning while simultaneously disconnecting pieces i've ever heard, and nothing has ever come as close for me to capturing the feeling of reflection and ambivalence and travel weariness and fondness for home while on a long jet flight as this song. It is amazing.

The river sweats oil and tar..........2005-11-28

As the liner notes indicate, this group named itself after American composer Terry Riley's 1969 minimalist masterpiece "A Rainbow in Curved Air", although the music on this 1971 release is anything but minimalist. This is an album of full-blown prog and the eight pieces on 2nd Album display use of odd time signatures, virtuosic playing by all musicians (in fact, keyboardist Francis Monkman and Darryl Way studied briefly at the Royal Academy of Music), some fairly intricate ensemble playing, and great vocals from alto Sonja Kristina. Keyboardist Francis Monkman used the VCS-3 synthesizer quite heavily in addition to the Hammond organ, mellotron, and piano on this recording. Interestingly, he was also a decent electric guitarist and utilized both distorted and "clean" tones. Violinist Darryl Way is also excellent and along with Sonja Kristina authored the first five tracks, while Francis Monkman composed three tracks including the energetic Everydance, the somewhat silly Bright Summers Day '68, and the excellent 12'53" Piece of Mind suite. It is worth noting that Piece of Mind features Sonja Kristina reciting a passage from T.S. Eliot's epic "Wasteland". In fact, "highbrow" references to literature were not unusual around this time, i.e., Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane wrote a piece influenced by James Joyce's radical Ulysses. Percussionist/drummer Florian Pilkington-Miksa is excellent and displays a stylistic range that spans virtuosic and thunderous rave ups on Everydance to the hypnotic conga parts on the quiet piece Puppets. The bass slot was filled by the superb Ian Eyre on 2nd Album, although the bass position was in a constant state of flux with several bassists coming and going over the space of a few years. Although Curved Air was plagued by personnel changes, they managed to forge a distinctive sound over the course of three great and highly recommended albums including Air Conditioning (1970), 2nd Album (1971), and Phantasmagoria (1972).

Good!.......2005-10-26

I live in Japan.
It is possible to order at ease because of foreign countries.
GOOD!

Average customer rating:

The Purcell Manuscript

Manufacturer: EMI Records [All429]
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Minuets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Airs | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00002677J
Release Date: 2001-03-06

Tracks:

Ste in a, Z 663: Prld
Ste in a, Z 663: Almand
Ste in a, Z 663: Corant
Ste in a, Z 663: Jig
Miscellaneous Pieces: Prld
Miscellaneous Pieces: Minuet
Miscellaneous Pieces: Air
Miscellaneous Pieces: The Fairy Queen: 'Thus Happy And Free'
Miscellaneous Pieces: Air
Miscellaneous Pieces: Minuet
Miscellaneous Pieces: Tpt Minuet
Miscellaneous Pieces: Minuet
Miscellaneous Pieces: Hornpipe
Miscellaneous Pieces: Air
Miscellaneous Pieces: Hornpipe
Miscellaneous Pieces: Hornpipe
Ste in C, Z 665/666: Prld
Ste in C, Z 665/666: Almand
Ste in C, Z 665/666: Corant
Ste in C, Z 665/666: Sarraband
Prld in G
Ste in A: Prld
Ste in A: Allmand
Ste in A: Corrant
Ste in A: Saraband: Slow
Ste in A: (Passepied)
Ste in A: Jigg
Ste in g: Prld
Ste in g: Allmand
Ste in g: Corrant
Ste in g: Air
Ste in g: Jigg
Ste in c: Prld
Ste in c: 'Ye Double Of Ye Prld
Ste in c: Alemande
Ste in c: Aire
Ste in G: Prld
Ste in G: Allmand
Ste in G: The Hunting Tune

Average customer rating:

a voice teacher and early music fan
A marvelous interpretation!

Dowland: Lute Songs

Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Songs from the Labyrinth (Music by John Dowland)
Three Ravens

ASIN: B0000AOVOL
Release Date: 2003-10-14

Customer Reviews:

a voice teacher and early music fan.......2006-10-29

John Dowland is valued today as the first English composer of solo songs, mostly because no one in England has exceeded his output; he may have been equalled by Purcell. However, his distinctive blend of poem, melody and harmony remains unsurpassed. In addition, by underplaying the role of the voice, the listener's attention is directed to the poem. This de-emphasis of the voice was favoured by Elizabethans who relished the new-minted language of Shakepeare's contemporaries. Dowland has his brighter side, but his music is preponderantly melancholy. "Lachrimae" became his signature tune. The accompanying group 'The Consort of Six' was a peculiarly English invention of the 1580's. Six different instruments-treble and bass viols, flute, lute, cittern and bandora; it was in fact the first orchestra. The titles of the instrumental pieces give us some idea of the wide range of society in which Dowland moved; very "upper class". John Dowland was typical of composers of that time in that he earned his living by playing, and he was very much sought after by both amateurs and professionals. Alfred Deller, the most legendary of countertenors issued the very essence of melancholy of the 17th century English songs. One has to mention that he was a primary influence in the development of the countertenor voice and as such was a performer who traveled all over the world showing to all that this voice was to be looked upon and accepted as an authentic and singular entity in itself, to which I totally agree. Therefore, he paved the way for an entire generation of singers such as James Bowman, Michael Chance, David Daniels, Gerard Lesne and Phillipe Jarousky to name only a few. This recording is a landmark in music; the singing is skilled; the accompaniment superb and the song selection significant.

A marvelous interpretation!.......2005-07-05

This is a superb CD set. Deller is amazing and the Lute Songs have deep feelings, that send us to immemorial ages... If you love old sacred music you must have this Set.

Average customer rating:

Henry Purcell: Fantasias & Suites

Manufacturer: Vanguard Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Septets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Sextets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0001Z499W
Release Date: 2004-06-08

John Dowland: Complete Lute Works, Vol. 1

Average customer rating:

To "A music fan".
Heavy breathing?
5-star music
reflective and open
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

John Dowland: Complete Lute Works, Vol. 1

Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Solo Instrumental | New Age | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

John Dowland Complete Lute Work, Vol. 2
Dowland: Complete Works for Lute, Vol. 4
Songs from the Labyrinth (Music by John Dowland)

ASIN: B0000007F5
Release Date: 1995-06-20

Tracks:

A Piece Without Title
Pavana (Mylius, 1622)
Mr Knights Galliard
My Lord Willobies Wellcome Home
The Frogg Galliard
A Fancy
My Ladie Riches Galyerd
The Lady Laitons Almone
A Dream (Lady Leighton's Paven)
Galliard
Orlando Sleepeth
What If A Day
Mrs Winters Jumpp
Galliard
M. Giles Hobies Galiard
Dr Cases Pauen
Mellancoly Galliard
Galliard
Mistris Whittes Thinge
Go From My Windowe
Almain
Mrs Whites Nothing
Pavan
Galliard
Farwell

Customer Reviews:

To "A music fan"........2003-07-11

What you are hearing is NOT breathing. It's fret and string noise. It's very noticeable when you have a guitar, lute, or string solo.

This CD is fascinating. It's very well done. When I heard it on my public classical station, I just had to order the real thing.

Heavy breathing?.......2003-01-28

Okay, two stars for this work isn't really fair... but I just want people to be aware that through most of this disc, you can hear the performer breathing. It's very low-pitch, and always seems to happen during the crescendos of the music. Another reviewer likened it to a 'hum'... I disagree... a constant hum wouldn't bother me at all, but the intermittent gutteral sounds drive me up the wall. Couldn't they have digitally edited that out? As for the music on the disc, it's excellent (5 stars). Call me paranoid, but I find myself focusing on the breathing, and it really jars me. I've found the only time I can listen to this disc is when I'm in my car, and the drone of the road (hey, I drive a Civic) cancels out the breathing noises. Then I love this disc.

5-star music.......2002-11-09

I don't get the 4-star ratings. I have the complete 5 volume set, and I'm overjoyed. The range of emotions, etc., etc., and the playing is fantastic. I hear Mr. O'Dette groan or moan or whatever sometimes, but it's a hundred times less disturbing than Glenn Gould's humming. If O'Dette has to utter a few sounds to play this well, so be it. Act now: buy all 5 volumes.

reflective and open.......2001-07-05

As an early music fan I have walked with Paul O'Dette through his often faithful and always insightful recordings of John Dowland's complete lute works with great expectation and wonder. Dowland's repertoire was not a small one; and Mr. O'Dette deserves great credit for this massive undertaking.

Volume one is a perfect example of all the things that characterize the rest of recordings in the series...It contains delightful songs (some standouts here are: "Mistris Whittes Thinge"; "A Dream"; and "Mr. Knight's Galliard"). All of songs are played masterfully by Mr. O'Dette. In fact, I would go so far as to say that what we have here are songs written by a master composer and in turn played by a musician who is a master of his craft.

Dowland's music is great for "slipping into." It is the kind of music that is both reflective and open. This is great stuff for thinking, meditating, or for playing in the background during good conversation among friends.

If you are a fan of Early Music, or someone who enjoys lovely, introspective music--this recording is for you. I recommend it highly.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm..........2001-06-11

Despite some shoddy production--the hum of a ventilation system (or something) is quite audible at the opening of this record--COMPLETE LUTE WORKS VOL. 1 is a fine recording, and a tempting inviation to buy the rest of the series.

Average customer rating:

Alfred Deller - Portrait of a Legend

Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

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

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

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0001L1B7Y
Release Date: 2004-06-08

Second Banana Symphony -- Singing Comedians from TV

Average customer rating:

Second Banana Symphony -- Singing Comedians from TV
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Collector's Choice
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000095IWV
Release Date: 2003-07-08

Tracks:

The Ho Ho Song
Strange Things Are Happening
OhMy Mother-In-Law
The Buttons Bounce
Daniel, The Cocker Spaniel
Swedish Rhapsody
Practice, Darling, Practice
My Mother's Lullaby
Song Of The Sewer
Va Va Va Voom
That's Falling In Love
I'm Just A Vagabond Lover
Sheesh, What A Grouch!
She Never Left The Table
A New Face On The Barroom Floor
A Little Beauty
Silly Signs Song
Oh Boy, Ain't It Great To Be Crazy
Cheese And Crackers
Calliope Pete

Product Description

1. Strange Things Are Happening
2. Ho Ho Song, The
3. Oh My Mother-In-Law
4. Buttons Bounce, The
5. Daniel The Cocker Spaniel
6. Swedish Rhapsody
7. Practice, Darling, Practice - (with Molly Goldberg)
8. My Mother's Lullaby - (with Molly Goldberg)
9. Cheese And Crackers - (with Morey Amsterdam)
10. Calliope Pete - (with Morey Amsterdam)
11. Song Of The Sewer - (with Art Carney)
12. Va Va Va Voom - (with Art Carney)
13. That's Falling Love - (with Art Carney)
14. I'm Just A Vagabond Lover - (with Art Carney)
15. Sheesh, What A Grouch! - (with Art Carney)
16. She Never Left The Table - (with Art Carney)
17. New Face On The Bathroom Floor, A - (with Art Carney)
18. Little Beauty, A - (with Art Carney)
19. Silly Signs Song - (with Art Carney)
20. Oh, Boy Ain't It Great To Be Crazy - (with Art Carney)

Format: CD

Second Song...Dancer's Choice
Average customer rating:
Second Song...Dancer's Choice
Northern Cree Singers
Manufacturer: Canyon Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music
Native American | North America | International | Styles | Music
General | Rock | Styles | Music
General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music
North America | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000050HXZ
Release Date: 2000-11-14

Tracks:

Stylin' (Chicken Dance)
Limited Edition (Crow Hop)
Battle Cry (Sneak Up)
Living The Ways (Side Step)
Ballad By Melvis (Round Dance)
Razzle Dazzle (Southern Style Fancy Dance)
Makwa #9 (Chicken Dance)
Old Smoothie (Side Step)
The Big Bopper (Crow Hop)
Home Of The Warriors (Sneak Up)
Twister (Southern Style Fancy Dance)

Product Description

1. Stylin
2. Limited Edition
3. Battle Cry
4. Living The Ways
5. Ballad By Melvis
6. Razzle Dazzle
7. Makwa #9
8. Old Smoothie
9. The Big Bopper
10. Home Of The Warriors
11. Twister

Format: CD

Music:

Music

music

Music

The Portable Atmospheres

Bryn [Import]

Concertos for Piano Duet

Das Beste aus Gottes Beitrag und Teufels Werk [Import]

Collector's King Crimson, Vol. 7 [Box set] [Import]

Christmas in Chicago [EP] [CD-single]

Car Tunes (Blister)

Brahms: Waltzes Op39; Piano Sonata in C No1, Op1

Country

Bachatahits 2001

Contact Kid

Caça à raposa [Original recording remastered] [Import]

Black & Rap: the Singles V.2 [CD-single] [Import]

Rare Tracks

True Democracy