Black Sea [Import] [Original recording remastered]

Editorial Reviews
Album Details
Digitally Remastred Japanese Version. Features Three Bonus Tracks: "Smokeless Zone", "Don't Lose Your Temper", and One More.

Tracks:

King Cotton
The Gladiator
Semper Fidelis
The Belle Of Chicago
The Invincible Eagle
Manhattan Beach
The Liberty Bell
El Capitan
The Washington Post
The Crusader
The Black Horse Troop
The Fairest Of The Fair
The High School Cadets
The Stars And Stripes Forever
The Pride Of The Wolverines
Hail To The Spirit Of Liberty
From Maine To Oregon
The Diplomat
Powhatan's Daughter
Kansas Wildcats
Sound Off
The Thunderer

Tracks:

Hands Across The Sea
The Royal Welch Fusiliers
The Legionnaires
Daughters Of Texas
The Gallant Seventh
Golden Jubilee
Solid Men To The Front
Marquette University
The Beau Ideal
The Rifle Regiment
The Northern Pines
Nobles Of The Mystic Shrine
New York Hippodrome
The Gridiron Club
The Charlatan
The Lambs
The National Game
On The Campus
La Flor De Sevilla
Jack Tar
The Glory Of The Yankee Navy

Customer Reviews:

Sousa.......2007-07-25

I love Sousa marches but this recording while comprehensive and cheep lacks much to be desired in the musical rendension. It lacks the spark and musicality of Sousa.

Sousa By the Royal Marines.......2007-03-31

This is a great CD re-issue of the Band of the Royal Marines School of Music under Graham Hoskins. This band did a three LP series on Sousa marches some years ago that was better than most on this very well covered topic. Sousa march recordings will always come and go, but some like this stand out more than others. For one, there is nothing like the panache of a Royal Marines band. Their sound is a time honored development that gets passed from one generation to the next. Even as the number of RM bands continues to change and downsize, there are now about four bands left in the service, their sound quality continues to be superb.

When these recordings were made RM bands were still at their height in the British service and their quality was amazing. Most bands numbered over 60 in this period, and that is why many Americans may be surprsed at the volume of music produced here. This is not one of your small, though excellent regimental bands! Americans tend to think that British military band instrumentation is on the thin side. Not so here! Of course Sousa always sounds best with either the Allentown band or the US Marine band.

This CD is evidence of how popular Sousa has always been in the UK, and with RM bands in particular. The selection here on two CDs covers most of the standard Sousa fair, with a few different selections here and there. Unfortunatley there are none of Sousa's fine transcriptions for classical music, or selections from his operettas. This music is always wonderful to have in combination with the marches as it shows how much variety he was capable of in his compositions. For that kind of concert the reader is referred to the very fine collection of Sousa music being done under the Naxos label by the Band of the Royal Artillery.

Here you will find a solid collection of Sousa's great marches. Roughly a third of those 136 compositions are contained here. The Royal Marines give a sharpe and clear sound to these works which should certainly inspire. You will also get a very nice idea how RM bands sounded back in the 1980s. Graham Hoskins was a fine director of music, typical of the inhouse genius of the Royal Marines Band Service at that time. He took this band on a USA tour in 1985 with the Arygll & Sutherland Highlanders. Devotees of Sousa should enjoy these spirited versions of the march king's music as performed across the pond.

Still Among the Best.......2006-06-01

I bought two audio casettes with these marches back in the 1980's and wore them out. These performances are hard to beat for virtuosity, enthusiasm, and sparkle. The sound quality is outstanding. And there are some marches that are rarely, if at all, available.

How Sousa Should Sound.......2006-03-07

Great value 2 cd disc set cut in the early 1980's & remastered the sound of the Royal Marines Band is nothing short of terrific. Judging by the sound would not be surprised for this to be a combined double RM band. These 1st chair players give Sousa's great marches that extra kick that takes the "March Kings" music to that higher level. By the center quick march!!!!

Average customer rating:

Probably Their Best
The last (and best) early XTC album.
All Hail The Amazing Crash-Boom-Band
pure genius
"I would have made this instrumental but the words got in the way"

Black Sea
XTC
Manufacturer: Caroline
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music

New Wave | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Drums and Wires
English Settlement
Skylarking
Mummer
The Big Express

ASIN: B00005ATHH
Release Date: 2002-06-25

Tracks:

Respectable Street
Generals And Majors
Living Through Another Cuba
Love At First Sight
Rocket From A Bottle
No Language In Our Lungs
Towers Of London
Paper And Iron (Notes And Coins)
Burning With Optimism's Flames
Sgt. Rock (Is Going To Help Me)
Travels In Nihilon
Smokeless Zone
Don't Lose Your Temper
The Somnambulist

Amazon.com essential recording

The 1980 release Black Sea represents the last stand of the punchy, angular new wave that had won XTC strong critical and college radio support. Still arranging with an ear toward the stage they'd soon retire from, they continued working in the "drums and wires" style that had christened their previous release. Black Sea brims with XTC trademarks: engaging guitar hooks, cleverly rendered lyrics, and frenetic, creative melodicism. The material represents the pinnacle of XTC's early incarnation--a counterpoint to contemporary punk imbued with style, rhythmic punch, and melodic charm. --Todd Gehman

Album Description

Remastered reissue of 1980 album features the classic 'Generals And Majors'. Virgin Records. 2001.

Album Details

One of XTC'S Most Commercial Albums, features Three Bonus Songs: "Smokeless Zone," "Don't Lose Your Temper," and "The Somnambulist."

Customer Reviews:

Probably Their Best.......2007-01-25

When Andy Patridge retired from touring, it "set the stage" for his exploration of the lush chamber pop that has defined the second half of XTC's career (though it's far more than half by now). Black Sea is not the last album on which they sound like a "real" band--that would be the exellent follow-up, English Settlement--but it is the best single expression of XTC as angular, subverisve pop rockers with a two guitar attack that is unique in rock history. Black Sea finds them dreaming up catchy Beatle-esque melodies only to deface and agitate them with odd time feels, strategic dissonance, and Patridge's unmistakable "barking seal" vocals. This is certainly one of the most balanced and gratifying of their albums, and the best showcase of their unusual and inimitable approach to standard two-guitar bass, drums instrumentation.

In fairness to the boys, they never could have done Skylarking WITH Terry Chambers on drums, but it is equally apparent that they would never again approach this kind of barely stable energy WITHOUT him (although--word to the wise--the criminally underappreciated The Big Express comes close).

Finally, the influence of this album is prevalent today, and is explicit in the work of Hot Hot Heat and Futureheads, among others: Not just the XTC influence but the BLACK SEA influence in particular. That's because--song quality aside--no other ensemble has ever played smart rock quite like XTC at their road-tested best.

The last (and best) early XTC album........2006-07-20

A continuation of the direction they were heading in on "Drum and Wires", "Black Sea" finds XTC charging full steam ahead, and again finding ways to tighten and improve. The songwriting is a step up-- the sort of forgettable material on the previous album is largely absent here, particularly in the compositions of Andy Partridge-- and the expanded arrangements made possible by the presence of guitarist Dave Gregory again are brought forth to bear. But with this album really has that makes it a whole lot better than the previous albums is a sense of confidence in the vocal deliveries.

At its best, the album is straightforward and aggressive, putting together tightly wound pieces that feel like they're ready to explode but never quite get there (opener "Respectable Street", "Paper and Iron"), with some superb details into pop (the simply fantastic "Burning With Optimism's Flame", which points distinctly to the future's swirling pop arrangements), jangly new wave (Moulding's "Generals and Majors", with one of the most forceful and venomous choruses in pop music) and something wholly inconceivable-- closer "Travels in Nihilon" is quite unprecedented in the band's catalog-- a slice of avant-rock, with odd textures, a bubbling, neo-tribal beat, and a hint at Middle Eastern strains, plus Partridge over the top as confident as he's ever sounded doubled by a whisper that's as haunting as no doubt it was intended to be.

Admittedly, it's not all fantastic, there's a couple pieces that are somewhat middle of the road-- "Rocket from a Bottle" is a nice enough piano-driven piece but it's somewhat forgettable and while "Towers of London" seems to be popular with a lot of folks, I've always found it a bit overlong. But the record shines a lot more than it disappoints.

This reissue has been remastered and sounds fresh and clean-- a consistent problem with other recordings from this era. It's also been augmented with a trio of bonus tracks-- "Smokeless Zone" and "Don't Lose Your Temper" are both somewhat extraneous, but "The Somnambulist" is something totally different-- a quiet, almost unintelligible vocal over a throbbing drum and synthesizers, it ends up being one of the more intriguing pieces in the early XTC catalog.

"Black Sea" brought XTC's days as a post-punk/new wave band to a close. It shows signs of growth beyond the band's early sound and points to the future, but it is really the culmination of the band's early works. Recommended.

All Hail The Amazing Crash-Boom-Band.......2005-10-22

Andy Partridge had an idea. Take all the advances made in dual-guitar chord shapes and interlocking rhythm/bass/lead playing over the last three albums, apply them to effortlessly melodic, Beatlesque songs and arrangements, and ADD SOME REALLY LOUD DRUMS. I don't just mean "loud," I mean *LOUD*. Blow-your-ears-back loud. Loud like a used-car salesman's tie loud.

Black Sea is the type of album The Beatles would have made had they been frustrated, nerdy intellectuals rather than suave handsome Liverpudlians: painstakingly crafted, catchy songs stuffed with over-literate lyrics and matched to an awe-inspiring crash-boom-bang rhythm section (courtesy of drummer Terry Chambers and producer Steve Lillywhite).

The spectacular VIOLENCE of much of this album is a phenomenon of sound, precisely because even at its most apoplectic (the white-hot "Travels In Nihilon," "No Language In Our Lungs") or even EPILEPTIC (no word better describes the immortal "Burning With Optimism's Flames," which stutters and spits and crams so many lyrics into each phrase that Partridge has to literally stop the band each time before starting into the next one) it's still extremely controlled. The sound concept never overtakes the melodies, or the songwriting, and none of the songs ever escape from their authors.

XTC, at their best (and this is probably their best), were like delightfully gregarious mad scientists: witty and talkative, more than a little insane in their willingness to fuse avant-garde musical concepts with old-fashioned songcraft, but always in complete command of the science and technology of their art. Black Sea therefore represents more than just a platter full of sharp, clever songs - it represents the achievement of an intellectual ideal. To the benefit of us all.

pure genius.......2005-09-11

I just want to throw my 2 cents in because I've read the reviews. I've seen some people on here say they like this song and not that song and so on and so forth. For me, this album is totally complete. I LOVE every song on it. This is one of my favorite albums ever made. The first couple of times, I didn't get it. I thought they sounded weird, and inaccessable. Then the veil rolled back, and my eyes were opened and I could see the light. These guys are crazy smart! That's the only way I can describe them/the album. I've listened to it over and over and it never gets old. So needless to say I highly recommend it. Yes, it can be weird. If you are a person who listens to popish-bubble gum disposable music like the Mariah Carey, then you won't get it. But fans of rock should definitely check it out.

"I would have made this instrumental but the words got in the way".......2005-09-02

XTC's fourth album is easily their finest as
XTC: Influental touring rock quartet. They hinted at the greatness that is this album with 1979's masterful Drums & Wires. Let's examine shall we? The LP opens with their best-ever opener, "Respectable Street"- a dig at suburban prentiousness. The song may in fact be their most rockest (is that even a word?) song ever. Followed by the chiming dual guitar attack of "Generals & Majors" which succeeds in making cold war paranoia ultra hummable (or whistle-able if you will). Possibly Colin Moulding's finest single, it also features the now very popular disco/new wave hi-hat action inluenced by Terry Chambers. "Living Through Another Cuba" is cold war paranoia to dance to. "Love At First Sight", another fine Moulding single, is perfect psychedelic new
wave with it's echoing refrain, quirky chorus, stuttering guitar
solo and the always inventive drumming of Chambers. "Rocket From A Bottle" and "Buring With Optomism's Flames" are both upbeat,
optomistic songs with some great, great playing. The former
sounds like The Kinks backing Paul McCartney - tuneful but rocking. "No Language In Our Lungs" may in fact be one of XTC's all-time greatest songs (a feat in itself). The "I would have made this instrumental" & the repeating "way" parts still give me goosebumps. Ouch! "Towers Of London" provided XTC with yet another English folk (folk as in folklore) classic. "Paper & Iron
(Notes & Coins)" points to where people like Damon Albarn & Blur learned a few tricks. It's subject of working-class struggle is common subject matter but this song is above and beyond others
like it as we listen in on a band truly WORKING. "Sgt. Rock", a hit single in England is fun catchy fluff complete with mock hard-rock riffs. "Travels In Nihilon" is possibly XTC's most haunting song. The repetitive thundering drums and spooky bass line create an atmosphere not accomplised often in popular music.
It sounds like stumbling upon a tribe of early homosapiens on a foggy shore or something. The bonus tracks are nice as well "The Somnabulist" is interesting an exceptional. "Don't Lose Your Temper" is a nifty throwaway (with The Jam's Rick Buler on Handclaps for what it's worth) and "Smokeless Zone" is a sub-par Moulding contribution. The Rhythym section of Moulding and Chambers are at the height of their powers. As were Dave Gregory and Andy Partridge's dual guitar attacks. The Album went U.S. Top 40 and spawned five, yes five singles. Melodic, atonal, inspired, inspiring and great/complex/clever arrangements. Complex and intelligent rock never sounded so easy except for maybe that band from the sixties. What were they called again?
Oh yeah The Beatles.

Average customer rating:

Stephen Foster
Terrific choral renditions
Make the exquisite into the mundane
Great Drinking Music!
One of my favorite CDs

Stephen Foster Song Book

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Swanee: The Music of Stephen Foster
American Dreamer: Songs of Stephen Foster; Thomas Hampson; Jay Unger; Molly Mason
Sea Shanties
Songs by Stephen Foster, Vol. 1-2
Battle Cry of Freedom

ASIN: B000003FAZ
Release Date: 1993-05-11

Tracks:

Ring de Banjo
Beautiful Dreamer
Gentle Annie
Way Down in Ca-i-ro
My Old Kentucky Home
Old Black Joe
Dolcy Jones
Thou Art the Queen of My Song
Old Folks At Home
Come Where My Love Lies Dreaming
Oh! Susanna
Gentle Lena Clare
Nelly Bly
Some Folks
Laura Lee
Camptown Races
Traditional:Steal Away
Traditional:Nobody Knows (duh Trouble I See)
Traditional:I Want to Die Easy
Traditional:Dere's No Hidin' Place

Customer Reviews:

Stephen Foster.......2007-05-13

I saw a program on OPB about him so I got this. But, I didn't like it and don't listen to it. It is now under my bed collecting dust.

Terrific choral renditions.......2006-01-27

I own this CD and am especially fond of it for the solos by Thomas Pyle and Clayton Krehbiel, particularly the latter's singing of "I Want to Die Easy." All other soloists and choristers are equally superb, but those two gentlemen, sadly since deceased, were personal acquaintances and musical influences. If you don't have a taste for great choral arrangements, then pass, but you'll be missing out on something special. Enjoy it, you who adore the finest.

Make the exquisite into the mundane.......2004-07-21

Oh, puleeze, this is the sappiest rendition of these gorgeous songs ever recorded, right up there with sing-a-long with Mitch Miller.

I always hate when songs that are meant to be sung intimately as solos or duets are done by 7,000 harmonized voices.

I recommend this recording only to be listened to in a nice comfortable elevator

Great Drinking Music!.......2002-07-20

This CD Kicks ...! BR>The trombone riff in "Camptown Races" is incredible. The screaming axe in "Oh! Susanna" is mind-blowing. The fantastic jamming on this CD reminds me of HMTT. This CD is one monster hit after another. "Steal Away To Jesus", is a real kicker, although not quite as good as "Will You F'n Give Me Jesus".......

Just sit back, pop a cold one, maybe a whiskey shooter , pop this
baby on the victrolla and enjoy.......

Here's to ya Hawks...........

One of my favorite CDs.......2000-08-09

This is one of the best recordings of historic American music that I have heard, along with Joel Cohen's "Liberty Tree." The arrangements and interpretations of the songs are very beautiful. Some of the banjos are cheesy, but it is much much better than every other Foster recordings that I have heard. If you are in the mood to hear great music of Antebellum America, than I highly recommend this CD to you. You won't regret it!

Average customer rating:

Excellent intro to Foster and Sousa
march review

Stories Of Foster And Sousa

Manufacturer: Vox (Classical)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Children's Music | Styles | Music

Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

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

Story Of Johann Strauss In Words And Music
The Story Of Brahms
Story Of Verdi In Words And Music
The Story of Tchaikovsky
The Story Of Handel

ASIN: B000001KDF
Release Date: 1995-04-16

Tracks:

Old Folks At Home
Oh ! Susanna
Old Black Joe
Jeanie With The Light Brown Hair
My Old Kentucky Home
Old Folks At Home
Camptown Races
Massa's In De Cold, Cold Ground
Come Where My Love Lies Dreaming
Beautiful Dreamer
The Stars And Stripes Forever
The Crusader
Offenbach: La Vie Parisienne
The Belle Of Chicago
The Gladiator
Semper Fidelis
Washington Post
High School Cadets
The Thunderer
Semper Fidelis
Washington Post
Hands Across The Sea
El Capitan
Stars And Stripes Forever
Semper Fidelis
Washington Post March
The Thunderer
High School Cadets
El Capitan

Customer Reviews:

Excellent intro to Foster and Sousa.......2007-02-25

This is a tremendous value considering the price and the number of tracks that you get. The renditions are not bad, but I have heard better Foster. There is a lot of narration, which makes this a great teaching tool to introduce Foster and Sousa. The narration is a bit more for Foster than Sousa. Some of the Foster songs seem to be cut a little short, giving you what is really more of a sampler than a rich collection of complete Foster songs. The Sousa marches seem to be a little longer and don't have quite as much narration. Even though both men were well known American composers, their type of music was quite different, so it's kind of an odd paring on this album. It's a pleasant listen, but not a "must have" item unless you don't have much Foster or Sousa in your music collection; it's a good starter album. Great for kids who might be interested in learning about these two famous composers.

march review.......2001-05-10

this cd gas a great selection of music on it. the sound of the music is perfectly clear and i definately reccomend it. it is an ideal disc for all march fans. two of the greatest american composers on one disc. this is also a great deal considering the amount of songs on this disc. definately but this cd.

Average customer rating:

mysterious funeral doom.......... a masterpiece
To the last, I grapple with thee; From Hell's heart, I stab at thee; For hate's sake, I spit my last breath at thee!
"It's the White Whale I Say!"
Amazing