Adore [Extra tracks]

Run, don't walk, to get their 2000 release, 'Amazing' (rightly named), where the band ARRIVES at the top of their inspiration/craft. (Amazon doesn't have it, but it can be found.)

Love and Adore.......2002-04-25

You could select any of the songs on this 2CD album and not go wrong. The Parachute Band are "the absolute best" at praising and worshipping. I take them with me into my closet to help me reach my Lord and Savior. They assist me in calling out to Him! Please Walk Beside Me touches the humility of prayer. I have never heard the "Parachute Band" do anything, I didn't like. Their songs grow on you and in you!

WOW!!! What a worship experience!!!.......2000-09-14

This album is packed with great songs of praise to God! What I like most about the Parachute Band is that they have such a wide range of music styles on their albums. From contemporary to gospel to even some alternative thrown in, this album will certainly get you closer to God every time you listen to it! I highly recommend this one!!!

Average customer rating:

Good coloratura work by Elizabeth Futral
At Last a Solo Recital on CD
An Interesting display

Great Operatic Arias

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Sweethearts
Diana Montague Sings Great Operatic Arias, Vol. 2
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Pasión!
The Very Best of Régine Crespin

ASIN: B00009AQMF
Release Date: 2003-06-24

Tracks:

Come Take Me In Your Arms
My Soul Is Filled With Love For You
What Are These Tears And Sighs
How I Loved Him!
A Maiden Adorning
He Has Come Back
See Here, Dorabella
Ah! Let me Live In This Dream
He's The God Of Youth And Springtime
The Silver Moon Was Shining
Ain't It A Pretty Night!
Take Me Away To The One I Adore
Oh Sleep, Why Dost Thou Leave Me?

Customer Reviews:

Good coloratura work by Elizabeth Futral.......2007-05-27

This is an interesting CD from soprano Elizabeth Futral. The theme of this is a set of operatic arias sung in English, not in the original French or Italian or. . . . I'm not sure how sold I am on the concept, but, after all, it's the singing and musicality that is most important. And, by that measure, Elizabeth Futral does very nicely.

The accompanying booklet begins by noting that (page 8) "The voice of the light soprano has enchanted listeners for centuries." Futral's singing is characteristic of this type of voice.

In this era, any coloratura soprano has two challenges: first, to compare with the past generation's astonishingly talented practitioners, well exemplified by Joan Sutherland and Beverly Sill. Second, though, there are some wonderful coloratura sopranos today against whom others will be compared, with Natalie Dessay and Sumi Jo among the most adept. Thus, Futral will almost automatically be compared with such exemplars. I do not think one could say she is the equal of those four just mentioned, but she does not compare badly either.

From the Wikipedia: "In musical notation, the Italian word staccato (literally detached, plural staccatos or staccati) indicates that notes are sounded in a detached and distinctly separate manner, with silence making up the latter part of the time allocated to each note. The rhythm is not affected. Notes identified as staccato should be played or sung abruptly and short." This is worthy of comment, since the "Bell Song" from "Lakme," one of the selections on this CD, features many such notes. Futral sings them well. Her performance in this work is well done (although it is somewhat jarring, again, to hear it sung in English). She begins with a nice high note and a bang up following trill. She displays good agility and features nice technique on staccato notes. Overall, this is well done. Toward the end, which calls for great ornamentation, she seems a bit hesitant at time, but she concludes with a nicely sung high note.

Other examples of her singing. From Handel's "Alcina," she sings "Come take me in your arms." Her voice is a light, standard coloratura voice (although not all coloratura sopranos have such a voice, of course). She displays considerable agility, a decent trill, and good ornamentation. There is a bit of harshness on a high note toward the close, but hardly fatal to the overall positive effect of her singing.

From Donizetti's "Linda di Chamounix," there is "My soul is filled with love for you" (otherwise known as "O luce di quest'anima"). Her version is not too shabby when compared with such greats as Sutherland and Jo. The cabaletta shows off, again, her agile voice. Good staccato high notes. Nice trills and a well nailed final high note.

Then there is the charming "Son vergin vezzosa" from Bellini's "I Puritani," here entitled "A maiden adorning." Again, nice agility, good trills, well done florid singing technique. While there is some harshness in the penultimate high note, overall, well done.

In short, Futral adds to a currently rich supply of coloratura sopranos, and compares well with the best of them.

At Last a Solo Recital on CD.......2005-03-19

Elizabeth Futral is one of those rare sopranos who seems to put pacing of her career, care of the voice, and commitment to repertoire range ahead of the too early media blitz that can hamper a singer's career. Clearly she has it all - beauty of voice, beauty of physical presence, fine acting skills, intelligence, and interpretive insights.

Having seen her Cleopatra in LA Opera's GUILIO CESARE and in SF Opera's production of Previn's STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE put her high on the list of important new sopranos. This rather strange recording gives samples of her foray's into all styles from Handel to Previn and does a fine job in capturing the beauty of her phrasing and quality of her seamless soprano voice. It is somewhat distracting to place a first recital recording before the public being sung entirely in English, especially for those who are unfamiliar with Futral's gifts. But credit Chandos with the courage to try something different, something that may introduce new audiences to the opera field.

Surely after the recent successes of Futral performances in the opera houses more recordings will follow. Meanwhile this is a tasty sampler of just how versatile - and special - Elizabeth Futral is. Grady Harp, March 05

An Interesting display.......2003-07-23

Coloratura-soprano Elizabeth Futral is a remarkable artist with a beautiful instrument and a most impressive technique. Her appearences in record stores are mostly on lesser known and up and coming labels such as Opera Rara and CHANDOS; with a few performances on DG.

This CD has an unusual semi-personal package. Duets, trios and quartets are featured. The title of the program is called Great Operatic Arias which seems rather broad for a soprano recital disc.

Futral sings well as always, however the content seems to lack a bit of intricacy and polish. Each aria, duet etc leaves you wondering whether or not a bit more time could have been put into this. The arias range from baroque to 20th century; covering four languages.

The entire program is performed in English and this is interesting... Although some of the arias just sound plain strange in English! It is a very nice thing to actually completely and instantly understand what is being sung. I was most impressed with the CHANDOS Lucia di Lammermoor. Futral probably gave her best performance on record in that role. She is astonishingly good on that recording. Her mad scene is awesome!

Overall this is a pleasing recording and Futral dazzles her listeners with her crystal clear high notes and vibrant tone. I look forward to more recordings of her. Hopefully she'll have a chance to record some more opera in its original language. I think that its time for a new Puritani or Sonnambula. Wouldn't she be the perfect candidate?

Ave, Ave!: 20th Century Music for Women's Voices
Average customer rating:
Ave, Ave!: 20th Century Music for Women's Voices
A. Emmett Adams , Pablo Casals , Katherine Dienes , Alberto Favero , William Hawley , David MacIntyre , Theodore Morrison , Einojuhani Rautavaara , Michael Sitton , Nancy Telfer , and Spiritual Traditional
Manufacturer: Pro Organo CD 7095
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Anima Mea! New Music for Women's Voices

Sacred Places

Amazing Day!

ASIN: B0000520TQ
Release Date: 2006-01-25

Tracks:

Ave Maria by David MacIntyre
Nigra Sum by Pablo Casals
Cancion de jinete (Song of the Horseman)
El grito (The Scream)
La luna asoma (The Moon Rises)
Malaguena
Te Quiero (I Adore You) by Alberto Favero
Kyrie
Gloria
Sanctus
Agnus Dei
Ubi Caritas by Michael Sitton
Ave Maria by William Hawley
Ave Verum by Katherine Dienes
La Biche (The Doe)
Puisque tout passe (Since all things pass)
Un Cygne (A Swan)
Amazing Grace arr. by Ron Jeffers
Ezekiel Saw de Wheel arr. by J. David Moore
The Bells of Saint Mary's arr. by Raymond Sprague

Product Description

The first in a series of recordings of new works for women's voices on the ProOrgano label by the Saint Mary's College Women's Choir (Notre Dame, Indiana), Nancy Menk, conductor.

Average customer rating:

Valuable compendium
Rareties available on CD at last!
Heavenly
WHO ELSE CAN SING LIKE THIS TODAY?

The Art of Joan Sutherland

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Joan Sutherland: BBC-Recitals 1958, 1960, 1961
The Art of the Prima Donna
La Stupenda ~ The Supreme Voice of Joan Sutherland
Bellini - Norma / Sutherland, Tourangeau, Bonynge
The Voice of the Century

ASIN: B000654OUQ
Release Date: 2005-03-15

Customer Reviews:

Valuable compendium.......2007-01-24

This set is extremely valuable, not only as an overview of Dame Joans career but because it contains three complete LP sets that have been very hard to find. The sets are the 2 LP French opera (operetta) set, the Mozart album and the Wagner album. Although some of these do not show her to her best advantage (the Wagner set) they all have some very beautiful things and the French items are superb. The annotations and photos are interesting as well and there are some piano songs with Bonynge that are released here for the first time along with a scene from a live Covent Garden Norma.

Rareties available on CD at last!.......2006-03-29

While Joan Sutherland has recorded a number of impressive aria collections throughout the many years of her recording career, they tend to get lost in the shuffle of the countless reissues Decca/London has endlessly repackaged. While some of the original collections have appeared intact on CD--"The Art of the Prima Donna," "The Age of Bel Canto," "Love Live Forever" (her operetta collection that was originally titled "The Golden Age of Operetta"), to name a few--others are currently represented in the CD catalogue by only a few selections on discs that also include excerpts from complete opera recordings or duplicates of selections from other original collections. As a result, it has been impossible to assemble a CD collection of her recordings without a LOT of duplication, and some of the most interesting collections are still unavailable (e.g. "Command Performance" and "Serate Musicale").

While this newest set does include a lot of bits of this and that, ranging from her very first LPs to excerpts from complete recordings most Sutherland fans already have and a few "live" performances, what is perhaps most significant about it is that it features the complete contents of the "Sutherland Sings Wagner" LP--a real repertoire departure for her--and the double-LP album called "French Opera Gala" (in the U.S.--the British title was "Romantic French Arias"), neither of which, to the best of my knowledge, has been available on CD before. "Opera News" magazine once ran an article in which they asked various stars to name the one album that they felt best represented their artistry for future generations, and Dame Joan selected the "French Opera Gala," so for Sutherland fans, this is a long-awaited treat.

I'm not going to waste space saying how miraculous I consider Dame Joan's artistry. If you are familiar with her work already, you know whether you adore her or not; and if you aren't, this massive set is probably not the best place to start (that would be "The Art of the Prima Donna" album that introduced her to most listeners decades ago)--especially since this newest set doesn't contain the lyrics, a must for newcomers. Let's hope Decca/London gets around to releasing the rest of her recordings intact instead of endlessly scrambling and repackaging the same selections over and over.

Heavenly.......2006-01-31

I first heard of Dame Sutherland while on the internet while listening to a internet radio station. I was instantly a fan, her control, technique, and tone is perfectly executed and rivals the equally fantastic Maria Callas. She has a powerful voice and presence that will evoke every emotion from her listeners. Highly recommended to all Opera Diva fans.

WHO ELSE CAN SING LIKE THIS TODAY?.......2005-04-10

This is Decca's second multi disc evaluation of this fantastic singer's long career and many recordings. True that a lot on the first set is duplicated here, but there are a few exceptions here and there that make it a worthy addition. Of particular interest are the very early items of Handel and Italian baroque arias, some forgotten song recordings and a live performance of the duet from Norma. It can't be said too many times - who can sing like this today? For sheer vocalism it's hard to find anyone on the same wavelength. This set will give very young opera goers an idea of what they missed.

Boy George's Taboo (2002 Original London Cast)

Average customer rating:

Jolly Good!
Bravo Boy George!
holy crapper!
A Very Pleasant Surprise
No words to describe this

Boy George's Taboo (2002 Original London Cast)
Boy George , and Euan Morton
Manufacturer: First Night (Red)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0001I2BQW
Release Date: 2004-03-23

Tracks:

Ode To Attention Seekers
Safe In The City
Freak
Stranger In This World
Genocide Peroxide
I'll Hve You All
Love Is A Question Mark
Shelter
Pretty Lies
Guttersnipe
Talk Amoungst Yourself
Do You Really Want To Hurt Me
Touched By The Hand of Cool
Everything Taboo
Petrified
I See Through You
Independent Woman
Ich Bin Kunst
Out Of Fashion
IL Adore
Pie In The Sky

Amazon.com

Boy George's musical-theater debut has been unfairly maligned. Set in the glamorously decadent London nightlife of the early 1980s, the show is unquestionably hampered by a weak book. But Boy George's original score (which is credited to his actual birth name of George O'Dowd) boasts several strong pop songs and generously spread-out tour-de-force numbers among a handful of performers. The plot follows the rise to fame of Boy George (impeccably channeled by Euan Morton) and his interaction with lovers and hangers-on, friends and foes. One of the most striking characters is Australian-born performance artist Leigh Bowery, confusingly played by Boy George and Matt Lucas, who took turns during the London run and who both appear on this cast album (George sings "Everything Taboo," for instance, but Lucas gets the striking, Cabaret-like "Ich Bin Kunst"). Confused yet? Well, that's Taboofor you. But never mind the plot: There's plenty of cool, theatrical tunes on this CD, which is more than you can say about most contemporary shows. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

Jolly Good!.......2006-06-16

Boy George may be to blame for the failure of his musical in the United States, though he would rather fault Rosie O'Donnell. Still, critics praised him for his lyrical skills here. There are catchy songs with various gay themes here. I enjoyed it though I've never seen the musical. I think musical fanatics will appreciate having this piece in their collection.

Bravo Boy George!.......2004-05-26

Don't hate me, but I saw the Broadway production five times including closing night. I'm still unclear why this tremendous production did not catch on, it was truly amazing. It's the first time that I've seen a Broadway show more than once. I received my Broadway CD today, as I ordered it the day after the show closed - I understand that it will be available in July, 2004, hopefully sooner in time for the Tonys. The soundtrack CD is absolutely brilliant, completely capturing the fire and energy of the live production. My favorites from the show are still my favorites here, especially Euan Morton's haunting Stranger In This World and his beautiful Pretty Lies; Liz McCartney's unbelievable take on Talk Amongst Yourselves; Guttersnipe (so funny and cute live); I See Through You; Raul Esparza's heartbreaking Petrified plus the opener Freak; Out Of Fashion and the finale, Come In From The Outside. My fingers are crossed that the Tony's are generous to this show and hope Rosie O'Donnell keeps her promise for a return for this show! Get a copy, you won't regret it, even if you are not a Boy George fan, his lyrics and beautiful melodies are his best ever - everything here is eons above so many Broadway shows that run for years. I guess I'll just keep wondering why mass audiences didn't get it, although the show did receive a standing ovation every performance.

holy crapper!.......2004-05-18

well first off, being a huge boy george fan... i was interested in his musical... i bought this cd... and i must admit most of the songs are written well and are catchy.... the most touching song is STRANGER IN THIS WORLD... euan morton's voice is soothing and the lyrics are sad and beautiful... and i recommend this album to all boy fans... although this is the london recording.... (as i patiently wait for the broadway score)... this album is good.... although george only sings on one song its still being rotated in my stereo.... get this album now....

A Very Pleasant Surprise.......2004-04-23

I did not see the Broadway Musical, but I am curious why it failed. I bought the cd just out of curiosity and absolutely love it. The songs are witty and the ballads are especially beautiful. I would highly recommend this cd.

No words to describe this.......2004-04-12

My review is going to be short and i'll get right to the point. Buy the soundtrack. The singers are beyond anything you've ever heard before. Euan Morton, be still my heart. His voice is mesmerizing. The song STRANGER IN THIS WORLD will leave you breathless. Just listen to it and you'll be transfixed, I know I was and am everytime.

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Classic Hymns

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

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Glorious Pipes

ASIN: B000A2UBXO
Release Date: 2005-08-09

Tracks:

Now Thank We All Our God
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Doxology
Thine Is The Glory
Be Still, My Soul
O Sacred Head Now Wounded
Shall We Gather At The River?
O For A Thousand Tongues
Lord, Speak To Me
Praise To The Lord, The Almighty
Glorious Things Of Thee Are Spoken
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee

Average customer rating:

Great sounds
My All-time Favorite!

Christmastime
Swingle Singers , Irving Berlin , Franz Xaver Gruber , and Christmas Traditional
Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Swingle Singers - Bach Hits Back ~ A Capella Amadeus
Swingle Singers
Jazz Sebastian Bach, Vol. 1

ASIN: B000051W4G
Release Date: 2007-04-26

Tracks:

Jingle Bells/IlEst Ne Le Divin Enfant/Es Ist Ein Ros' Entsprungen
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/The First Nowell/Go Tell It On The Mountain
Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht (Silent Night)
Deck The Halls With Boughs Of Holly/What Child Is This? - (Greensleeves)
O Jul Med Din Glede/Komt, Verwondert U Heir Mensen/Away In A Manger
Les Anges Dans Nos Campagnes/Oh Tannenbaum/Bel Astre Que J'Adore
El Noi De La Mare/Hanej, Nynej, Jezisku - (Rocking Carol)/Canzone Dei Zampognari
We Three Kings Of Orient Are/The Holly And The Ivy/La Peregrinacion
White Christmas
Stchedrivka - (Carol Of The Bells)/Dag Visen/O Sanctissima

Customer Reviews:

Great sounds.......2007-01-13

My mother had this on vinyl when I was growinf up over 30 years ago. It is timeless Christmas music that you just do not hear the likes of anymore.
I thoroughly enjoyed hearing all these songs again performed in this funky, jazzy a capella manner.

My All-time Favorite!.......2005-10-19

This Swingle Singers album is my very favorite Christmas music. I grew up with Swingle Singers music in the house. If you're not familiar with them, you'll be surprised by the "no words" jazzy style of singing. This is a great "background music" holiday CD, since lyrics can be distracting. However, don't be surprised when you start scatting along with every song.

"Christmastime" features music you'll recognize, like "White Christmas" and "Silent Night," performed in original Swingle Style. There are also beautiful foreign carols, some of which you'll know despite their unfamiliar names.

This album was remastered and released on CD in 2003. Alas, Amazon didn't have it linked to a "Swingle Singers" search, so I wasn't aware if it until now, Fall of 2005. I am so happy I'll be able to Swingle in the car this Christmas! Along with "A Charlie Brown Christmas" music by Guaraldi, and "The Christmas Album" by The Manhatten Transfer, and other favorites, my holiday music collection is nearly perfect!

Music: