In It for the Money

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
In many ways Supergrass are the Britpop superstars who best embody the youthfulness and positivity supporters generally claim for the movement. Their 1995 debut album, I Should Coco, offered "Alright," as purely feel-good an anthem as even Noel Gallagher had written. Two years later Supergrass are still in their 20s but eager to let us know they've grown. Their follow-up to Coco, In It for the Money, does contain "Tonight," an unambiguous anthem to partying. At the same time, while they haven't transformed themselves into an earnest outfit like the later Manic Street Preachers, Money's more measured approach is accompanied by a heightened sense of drama, if not a newfound gravity. Small helpings of horns and keyboards aid in communicating a finesse, even on a raver like "Richard III," that the earlier record barely acknowledged. While the acoustic-guitar-based "Late in the Day" is burdened by lines about "searching my mind," their larger passions are successfully communicated on "Sun Hits the Sky"--which, tellingly, is more rocking. This is, after all, Supergrass, whose sense of self-deprecating humor is still in force on In It for the Money: in the CD booklet, a potted plant is depicted as their fourth member. --Rickey Wright --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Album Details
Japanese Version of Supergrass's Forthcoming New Album, featuring Exclusive Bonus Track. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Tracks:

Are You Hung Up?
Who Needs The Peace Corps?
Concentration Moon
Mom & Dad
Telephone Conversation
Bow Tie Daddy
Harry, You Are A Beast
What's The Ugliest Part Of Your Body?
Absolutely Free
Flower Punk
Hot Poop
Nasal Retentive Calliope Music
Let's Make The Water Turn Black
The Idiot Bastard Son
Lonely Little Girl
Take Your Clothes Off When you Dance
What's The Ugliest Part Of Your Body? (Reprise)
Mother People
The Chrome Plated Megaphone Of Destiny

Amazon.com essential recording

The Mothers of Invention answer the sentiments of the suits, the suburb dwellers, and flower children of the 60's with a big fat raspberry. Considered by many to be the Mothers' (and some would say Zappa's) best album, We're Only in it for the Money deals with harsh subject matter in a seemingly glib and light-hearted fashion (eventually a Zappa trademark), sparing no targets with catchy melodies and high-pitched vocals. Zappa applies the same aggressive studio techniques he did on Lumpy Gravy, creating a jarring collage of sound that still sounds avant-garde today. Highlights from this flawless album are numerous and include the hippie bashing "Who Needs thePeace Corps," the bedroom science of "Let's Make the Water Turn Black," the anthematic "Mother People," and the perfect payoff of "What's the Ugliest Part of Your Body?" Quite simply one of the best rock albums of all time. --Andrew Boscardin

Customer Reviews:

Did Anyone Else Notice This?.......2007-07-03

I was listening to We're Only In It For The Money in my basement and I realized:
Phase 1: We're Only In It For The Money
Phase 2: Lumpy Gravy
Phase 3: Civilization (Phase III)
Frank even put it on the album in a speech bubble "Is this Phase 1 of Lumpy Gravy?" and on Lumpy Gravy "Is this Phase 2 of We're Only In It For The Money?" We're Only In It For The Money and Lumpy Gravy Have a song in common, "Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance" (Just "Take Your Clothes Off" on Lumpy Gravy)

If you are a Zappa fan and you don't have any of these albums BUY THEM NOW! and listen to them, back to back to back.

For the money..........2007-04-09

In college, our "hippie" friend Lowell W... introduced our group to Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention. Soon, I was adding Mothers LPs (They came on vinyl, you know) to my ecclectic record collection. So, what was this stuff anyhow? Political comment? Rock N Roll? It certainly was not Country & Western! What a puzzle! (However, it might have been poltical satire because Zappa seems to have written a song about my family friendly congressman before he was even elected. "Just have your fun, you old son of a gun, and drive off in your Lincoln..." So, Lowell up and writes Frank about what's it really mean anyhow and signs it Lo W... Now, Zappa was not one to waste a stamp on a fan. But, a few months later a full page ad appeared for the newest Mother's album in "The Rolling Stone." The headline read: "Dear Lo: We're only in it for the money!" and there was a large photo of the album cover and some other stuff. Well, we still did not know what it was all about, but I enjoyed the album. I cannot speak for the entire listings of the Mothers on Amazon, but "We're only in it for the money" is my favorite Zappa CD. I still do not know what the goofy thing is all about, but I think the title is telling the truth.

Zappa at his best, if you don't mind the baggage.......2007-01-12

Frank Zappa's best work is often weighed down with his insistent brand of humor, and this album, perhaps the best of his early period, is no exception. Some of his studio mastery is already at work with the story of an intruder in the studio somehow messing with the tapes weaving through the songs. And the acerbic look at the hippie scene is devastating. Anybody who ever thought about going to San Francisco with flowers in their hair should have been forced to listen first. And doesn't that sound dated; there's the rub - stuff like that drags down the timeless quality of this music. It becomes a "period document" instead of just a great musical listen.
But don't let that stop you - this is a textbook example of how rock music was already becoming a melting pot for every genre imaginable. And in this album, it's in the hands of a master. In multiple styles, brilliantly executed, the Mothers create a rich sonic landscape of memorable melodies, creative instrumentation, daring rhythmns, and superb playing. Don't miss this one.

Zappa's Finest Hour.......2006-12-20

Some of this album is snarky, hilarious satire (Who Needs the Peace Corps?; Flower Punk; Absolutely Free; the Idiot Bastard Son), some of it's unabashed, unironic protest singing (Mother People; Concentration Moon; Mom and Dad; What's the Ugliest Part of Your Body?; Take off Your Clothes When You Dance), some of it's comic relief (Harry, You're a Beast; Let's Make the Water Turn Black), and some of it's more avant-garde (Are You Hung Up?; Hot Poop; Nasal Rentetive Callipoe Music; The Chrome Plated Megaphone of Destiny), but every part of this forty minute suite (pretty much what it is) is unadultred brilliance that'll make your head spin. The best Zappa album out there, at least out of what I've heard.

Some of the best music ever created.......2006-09-03

We know he was a genius. Beneath all the arrogance and cynicisim. Past all the 6th grade bathroom humor. Beyond the anger - there was in Frank Zappa a heart which cared for his fellow man, and the soul of a musician.

I didn't know what to make of this album when I began listening to it in 1968, till I heard The Chrome-Plated Megaphone of Destiny at the end. To my mind, this is a musical masterpiece equal to the works of any great composer.

Zappa was complex and didn't make it easy to see the beauty in his work. Don't take the bait - keep a very open mind, listen with your heart, and this album will reward you time and time again.

Average customer rating:

You'll be disappointed
Pretty good musical mix

Greatest Songs from the Musicals
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Soho
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Very Best Of Broadway Musicals
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ASIN: B000077JS0
Release Date: 2002-10-21

Tracks:

Aquarius [From Hair] - Steve Brooker, NSO Ensemble, , Caroline O'Connor
If I Can't Love Her [From Beauty and the Beast] - Ethan Freeman, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
I Could Have Danced All Night [From My Fair Lady] - Katrina Murphy, National Symphony Orchestra
Can You Feel the Love Tonight? [From The Lion King] - John Barrowman, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
What I Did for Love [from a Chorus Line] - National Symphony Orchestra, Catherine Porter, Martin Yates
This Is the Moment [From Jekyll and Hyde] - Gary Mauer, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
All That Jazz [From Chicago] - Paulette Ivory, Julian Kelly, Katrina Murphy, National Symphony Orchestra, Sally Ann Triplett
Impossible Dream [From Man of La Mancha] - Ethan Freeman, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
America [From West Side Story] - National Symphony Orchestra
Written in the Stars [From Aida] - Simon Bowman, NSO Ensemble, Sally Ann Triplett, Martin Yates
Mame [From Mame] - Jerry Lanning, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
Some Enchanted Evening [From South Pacific] - Thomas Allen, John Owen Edwards, Philharmonic Orchestra
I Am What I Am [From LA Cage aux Follies] - Janet Glazener, Leslie Uggams
One Song Glory [From Rent] - Sean McDermott, Martin Yates

Tracks:

Phantom of the Opera [From The Phantom of the Opera] - Ethan Freeman, Claire Moore, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
I Dreamed a Dream [From Les Miserables] - National Symphony Orchestra, Jacqui Scott, Martin Yates
Bui Doi [From Miss Saigon] - Ethan Freeman, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
As Long as He Needs Me [From Oliver!] - National Symphony Orchestra,
Time Warp [From the Rocky Horror Picture Show] - Anita Dobson, NSO Ensemble, Martin Yates,
Memory [From Cats] - Kim Criswell, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
Why God Why [From Miss Saigon] - Graham Bickley, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
I Know Him So Well [From Chess] - Katrina Murphy, NSO Ensemble, Sally Ann Triplett, Martin Yates
One Day More [From Les Miserables] - National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
Peggy Sue [From Buddy Holly Story] - Dominic Curtis
Empty Charis at Empty Tables [From Les Miserables] - Graham Bickley, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
Dancing Queen [From Mamma Mia!] - Julian Kelly, NSO Ensemble, , Caroline O'Connor
All I Ask of You [From The Phantom of the Opera] - Andrew Halliday, , National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
We Will Rock You [From We Will Rock You] - Martin Yates

Tracks:

It's a Grand Night for Singing [From State Fair] - National Symphony Orchestra
If I Were a Rich Man [From Fiddler on the Roof] - Jerry Lanning, National Symphony Orchestra
I Talk to the Trees [From Paint Your Wagon] - Ethan Freeman, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
Over the Rainbow [From The Wizard of Oz] - Gillian Bevan, , John Owen Edwards, , Royal Shakespeare Company
Bless Yore Beautiful Hide [From Seven Brides for Seven Brothers] - Hal Fowler, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
Grease [From Grease] - John Barrowman, NSO Ensemble, Martin Yates
Woman in Love [From Guys and Dolls] - Gregg Edelman, , Emily Loesser, National Symphony Orchestra
Secret Love [From Calamity Jane] - Debbie Gravitte, National Symphony Orchestra
Quintet [From West Side Story] - National Symphony Orchestra
I Will Always Love You [From the Best Little Whorehouse in Texas] - Salena Jones, John Pearce
Money, Money [From "Caberet"] - Maria Friedman, National Symphony Orchestra, Jonathan Pryce
If My Friends Could See Me Now (Sweet Charity) - Jacqueline Dankworth, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
Thank Heaven for Little Girls [From Gigi] - Ron Moody, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
Singin' in the Rain [From Singin' in the Rain] - Craig Barna, National Symphony Orchestra, Paul Robinson

Customer Reviews:

You'll be disappointed.......2006-09-02

Not the original artists. Very weak versions of beloved songs by marginal to downright bad vocalists.

Pretty good musical mix.......2006-03-10

Lots of great and clear vocals. I was looking for a musical mix and this has a nice sampling of many major songs but also some more recent stuff. I haven't purchased an import before but I would do it again if the opportunity presented itself. It is somewhat annoying to have three cds when I think it could have fit onto two. Still, more than I have complaints, I have compliments about it.

Average customer rating:

Just Flat Out Great
My current favorite.
surprise from the past

Ain't in It for the Money
Micky & the Motorcars
Manufacturer: Smith Music Group
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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MICKY AND THE MOTORCARS : CARELESS
Reckless Kelly Was Here
Rollercoaster
Lost Hotel
Wicked Twisted Road

ASIN: B0004Z307G
Release Date: 2004-10-26

Tracks:

Little Baby
Follow You Down
July, You're a Woman
Other Side of Town
Baby Tonight
Million Miles
Miserable Year
Wasted Time
Goodbye Lady
Ain't in It for the Money
Pointless Love
Holdin' on, Long Gone

Description

Little Baby, Follow You Down; July, You're a Woman; Other Side of Town, Baby Tonight; Million Miles; Miserable Year; Wasted Time; Goodbye Lady; Ain't In It For The Money; Pointless Love; Holdin' On, Long Gone

Customer Reviews:

Just Flat Out Great.......2005-12-01

This is one of the most listenable, infectious, toe-tapping CDs I've heard in years. Like others, I was a Reckless Kelly fan and discovered Micky through a link on the RK website. It was one of the best random links I ever clicked on. If you like driving rhythms, jangly guitars and vocals with just enough twang to add a touch of country to your rock and roll, you'll love this CD. Hard luck and road-weary never sounded so good.

My current favorite........2005-09-07

Wow. I bought this CD because I'm a huge Reckless Kelly fan- for those who don't know, Reckless Kelly and Micky and the Motorcars both feature two members of the same incredibly talented Braun family. I knew they'd be good, but I certainly didn't expect that I'd end up liking the younger brothers' band every bit as much as that of their older brethern, if not more. There simply isn't a bad song on this album. I haven't taken it out of my CD player in my car since I bought it a couple weeks ago. Like RK, their music is hard to classify. While most will put them in the alt-country genre, to me they're more of a country influenced rock band. Whatever you call it, its just great music.

surprise from the past.......2005-08-02

Bought this for the cover of "July you're a woman".....A song from my not-so-recent past which I couldn't find on any John Stewart material. Other stuff was pleasant and quite a sleeper for me. The cover song was fabuloso and worth the price of admission!! Thanks for bringing back such a great song.

Average customer rating:

a defining album....
In it for the Money - Supergrass
Supergrass defy "sophmore slump" with second release
In It For The Money (1997)
Can't get these songs out of my head

In It for the Money
Supergrass
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

I Should Coco
Life on Other Planets
Supergrass
Road to Rouen
Supergrass Is 10: Best of 94-04

ASIN: B000002UJO
Release Date: 1997-05-06

Tracks:

In It For The Money
Richard III
Tonight
Late In The Day
G-Song
Sun Hits The Sky
Going Out
It's Not Me
Cheapskate
You Can See Me
Hollow Little Reign
Sometimes I Make You Sad

Amazon.com

In many ways Supergrass are the Britpop superstars who best embody the youthfulness and positivity supporters generally claim for the movement. Their 1995 debut album, I Should Coco, offered "Alright," as purely feel-good an anthem as even Noel Gallagher had written. Two years later Supergrass are still in their 20s but eager to let us know they've grown. Their follow-up to Coco, In It for the Money, does contain "Tonight," an unambiguous anthem to partying. At the same time, while they haven't transformed themselves into an earnest outfit like the later Manic Street Preachers, Money's more measured approach is accompanied by a heightened sense of drama, if not a newfound gravity. Small helpings of horns and keyboards aid in communicating a finesse, even on a raver like "Richard III," that the earlier record barely acknowledged. While the acoustic-guitar-based "Late in the Day" is burdened by lines about "searching my mind," their larger passions are successfully communicated on "Sun Hits the Sky"--which, tellingly, is more rocking. This is, after all, Supergrass, whose sense of self-deprecating humor is still in force on In It for the Money: in the CD booklet, a potted plant is depicted as their fourth member. --Rickey Wright

Album Details

Japanese Version of Supergrass's Forthcoming New Album, featuring Exclusive Bonus Track.

Customer Reviews:

a defining album...........2006-06-23

after the 'grass's first album, a fun, sarcastic romp through the britpop weeds, i was uncertain where they would go next, and that was based on the assumption they actually *would* go somewhere. for as fun as 'i should coco' was, it was two or three steps away from being a novelty album. with songs like 'caught by the fuzz,' 'man-sized rooster,' and 'sofa for my lethargy,' i feared the 'grass was a band of perpetual teenagers and frat-boys who happened to write great rock 'n roll tunes with goofy subject matter.

happily, the second album, 'in it for the money,' a tongue-in-cheek album title, destroyed any notion that the 'grass were a one-album-wonder and that they would wade in their own goofiness. 'money,' instead, proved that the 'grass were 1st rate musicians--you'd be hard-pressed to find an album of solid and interesting songcrafting and musicianship. they defy any conventional songwriting techniques. top to bottom sure they look like planet of the apes redux, but don't let the looks fool you -- gaz *shreds* on the guitar. he's one of rock's great frontmen, and nowhere is more evident that on 'in it for the money. furthermore, the rhythm section is tight, melodic and prodigiously talented. 'richard iii' is a huge song, as its follower 'tonight.' they're classic rock songs in the true sense. 'late in the day' starts off as an acoustic ballad before exploding into a piano-driven, rollicking song. 'the sun hits the sky' is another husky, sunny guitar number complete with a dizzying organ solo courtesy of gaz's brother. 'cheapskate' is another infectious three-minute single, and 'you can see me' is yet another great example of the 'grass relentlessly interesting songcrafting.

what makes 'in it for the money' so great, aside from it's impeccable songs, is the sense of energy, fun, and even a bit of danger. the trio, now a four-man group, is criminally underrated--both at home and in the u.k. they never became the britpop pastiche so many of their peers did. they never brought out the brass and strings. they never wrote about laddism. they never drifted into broody, cinematic territory. straight up rock 'n roll. nothing more, nothing less. twelve years into their career they continue to make great rock 'n roll. let's hope they do it another twelve years. and to think they made 'in it for the money' while still in their early twenties is nothing short of a marvel.

if you can get 'in it for the money' with the bonus disc, do. 'sex' is one of the funniest songs i've ever heard. ever.

In it for the Money - Supergrass.......2006-03-20

Just wnet to a concert here and it was the best of my life. This is a classic Supergrass CD and has all of the sounds and beats they are known for.

Supergrass defy "sophmore slump" with second release.......2005-09-11

In It For The Money, a riff on the Montey Python-esque Beatles spoof of the same name, has been hailed as Supergrass' masterpiece. I Should Coco, their first album, was a masterpiece that displayed brilliance albeit sophmoric brilliance. In It For The Money abandons most of the punk silliness of its predecessor in favor of melody driven alternative pop. Many have compared Supergrass to Green Day; a comparisson I have never quite understood. You see, Supergrass, on only their second album, achieve a maturity that Green Day hadn't until their most recent album, American Idiot. Supergrass opens the album with the song of the same name. The droning opener establishes what has become a Supergrass trademark -- coming out fast from the gates -- and the album rarely lets up from here on in. This is most evident on the anthemic Richard III. While frontman Gaz Coombes has never been a lyrical master, on this track he pens a slogan (I know you wanna try and get away, but its the hardest thing you'll ever do) for the post-modern, technology-driven age of alineation that is today. Other strong tracks that will drive you insane because they'll be stuck in your head for days are Late In the Day, Sun Hits The Sky, Its Not Me, and You Can See Me. Unfortunately, the third track, Tonight, returns Supergrass to their Coco days of youth and as a consequence, I feel it is one of the weakest tracks on the album. On the flip side, you must check out one of the most insanely catchy songs ever written, Cheapskate, which basically embodies everything that makes Supegrass a great band. Supergrass is an amazing band, with their ability to sound retro and contemporary at the same time. This is one of the strongest albums in their cannon and although I Should Coco and LOOP are better, I recommend this album as essential to your record collection.

In It For The Money (1997).......2005-04-14

When the British press go on about BritPop, and that ever expected re-invasion of American shores by a wave of British bands 'par excellence', the names Oasis, Blur and Pulp are always pushed forward as the Great White Hopes of their generation.

Personally, the only band I ever bought albums by in that wave of groups, was Supergrass.

To me they were the only band writing truly creative, innovative pop, while harnessing all the tools of the trade that other British invasions proved were successful. With an Oasis song, I always heard the song it previously was by another band or two. With Blur, I could always pull out the David Bowie or XTC album the song[s] were reminiscent of, or blatantly inspired by. With Pulp, I just truly found them a bit boring, nothing that The Kinks hadn't done 10x better back in the 60's. But with Supergrass, even if I could name the influence (and The Kinks are certainly in there), I absolutely thought the song[s] were incredibly catchy, totally Supergrassed, and most bands would love to have at least 3 songs of that quality on an album, let alone issue album after album of strong material track to track.

Supergrass, to me, is Britain's Great White Hope. Their style and influence comes from the Bowie's, Bolan's, Pink Floyd's and Davies' of the pop world, but its the absolute quality of the songs one after the other that says Supergrass takes, but gives back. And its very rare that a group's 2nd album outshines their debut, but this album does this. Their 3rd and 4th albums push that envelope even further, but its wiser to start off with their debut album, or this one, to get what it means to get Supergrassed.

It's sheer pop, and I have never minded the 'slightly kooky' nature of the Supergrass material or its members, because underneath all of that is a band who is immensely creative with their studio time, plants hooks galore in its songs (and there's always something placed in a Supergrass song that is instantly latchable), and mixes their albums with diverse, and always interesting material. The 60's, 70's, and 80's are all covered, sometimes within one song, but it always sounds like Supergrass. One could say that of any of the Britpop bands, especially with Liam Gallagher's ''vocal'' stylings in Oasis (not particularly a fan), but with Supergrass it sounds unique. It sounds different, and not so reliant on The Hype, but more on The Music, and the creativity of the writers.

And ''Richard III'' is an anthem. Maybe in 20 years time, it'll be recognised as that anthem, or at least nostalgically remembered as the anthem that could've been, but from beginning to end, the song screams 'make me a standard', 'play me incessantly until people get sick of me', 'make me an institution'. From its theremin guided Bridge section, to its hard driving opening, ''Richard III'' sets the Supergrass standard above its more celebrated peers. Unfortunately for Supergrass's peers, there's a lot more material on this album that matches that standard. Basically, Supergrass's only competition is itself. And that's what being creative is 50% about. The other 50% is enjoying it.

Can't get these songs out of my head.......2004-12-01

Simply one of the best releases in the last ten years. This is unarguably Supergrass' magnum opus, their brilliant masterpiece. If you like infectious melodic British pop-rock with retro '60s and '70s references (yet at the same time freshly modern), you will LOVE Supergrass. Head-scratchingly all but ignored in the U.S. (but then again--not surprising, given Capitol's slow-upgrade treatment of The Beatles' rich catalog), the talented band remains one of Britain's finest in recent years. The 2-CD version (with 9 bonus tracks) is worth seeking out.

We're Only in It for the Money (Limited Edition Japanese Mini LP Sleeve CD)

Average customer rating:

We're Only in It for the Money (Limited Edition Japanese Mini LP Sleeve CD)
The Mothers of Invention
Manufacturer: Rykodisc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000A2H5BK
Release Date: 2005-07-19

Tracks:

Are You Hung Up?
Who Needs The Peace Corps?
Concentration Moon
Mom & Dad
Telephone Conversation
Bow Tie Daddy
Harry, You're A Beast
What's The Ugliest Part Of Your Body?
Absolutely Free
Flower Punk
Hot Poop
Nasal Retentive Calliope Music
Let's Make The Water Turn Black
The Idiot Bastard Son
Lonely Little Girl
Take Off Your Clothes When You Dance
What's The Ugliest Part Of Your Body? (Reprise)
Mother People
The Chrome Plated Megaphone Of Destiny

Album Description

Imported from Japan by Rykodisc.

Tracks:

No. 6 from Hermit Songs, Op. 29: Sea-Snatch
I Hear An Army
Sure On This Shining Night
Bessie Bobtail
If You've Only Got A Moustache
Gentle Annie
Don't Bet Your Money On The Shanghai
Evening Song
An Old Song Re-Sung
No. 1 From Three Poems, Op. 11: The Lament Of Ian The Proud
Song Of The Dagger
A Damsel In Distress: Nice Work If You Can Get It
Shall We Dance?: They All Laughed
Girl Crazy: Embraceable You
The Goldwyn Follies: Just Another Rhumba
They Cannot Stop Death - Blue Mountain Ballads
Heavenly Grass
Lonesome Man
Cabin
Sugar In The Cane
Anything Goes: Blow, Gabriel Blow
Jubilee: Begin The Beguine
Seven Lively Arts: Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye
FIFTY MILLION FRENCHMEN: The Tale Of The Oyster

Customer Reviews:

a voice teacher and early music fan.......2007-02-26

This is such a great collection of 20th century songs, that it behooves me to say something brief about each composer on this disc. I think that by doing so the listener gains more insight and thus more appreciation of all aspects of the song material.

The music of Samuel Barber (1910-1981), whether his symphonies, concertos,operas, chamber music or songs, is notable above all for a pronounced and refined lyricism. Barbr wrote songs thruout his career, and his published vocal output, though relatively small, is perhaps the most distinguished of an American composer. He preferred lyrical , romantic poetry, and his word-setting was perfect.
Stephen Foster (1826-1864) published his first song when he was 18 and by dint of hundreds more became, in the words of Aaron Copland,"our own national hero (who) had a naturalness and sweetness of sentiment that transformed his melodies into the equivalent of folk song." He was truly a songwriter rather than a composer, for he wrote no concert works or operas.
Charles Tomlinson Griffes (1884-1920) assimilated Debussian impressionism and,somewhat later, Oriental exoticism. During his brief career, he composed 64 songs, including four song-cycles.
George Gershwim(1898-1937) began his career in Tin Pan Alley and eventually, with works such as 'Rhapsody in blue' for piano and orchestra and some other works, brought Jazz into the concert hall.
Paul Bowles (1910- ) has long enjoyed celebrity status as an author,a writer of novels, short stories and essays. After a brief study with Aaron Copland, he made a considerable reputation as a composer of incidenal music. Virgil Thompson once described Bowles's songs as "enchanting for their sweetness of mood, their lightness of texture, for in general their way of being wholly alive and right".
Cole Porter (1891-1964) had the rare ability to invent superior catchpenny tunes; deceptively simple, often elegant melodies that stay in the ear. Consequently,he became one of the most successful American songwriter of his era.

As to Samuel Ramey's performance of these songs, one can only say 'business as usual', and that means great sound, great diction, great interpretation and always with that extra something that only a few bassos have!!!!The variety of works is varied and interesting and, if you please, is NOT a cross-over album. There are too many songs that denote the classical element. He was wise enough to vary his selection to avoid that particular situation. I really like this disc!!!!!

The greatest American bass.......2007-01-10

Ramey fans will not be disappointed by this charming collection of vocal gems.

Good, but one dimensional.......2000-04-26

Samuel Ramey is undoubtedly one of the finest and most versatile opera singers of his generation. However, these songs do not show his voice off at his best. One of Ramey's main faults is a lack of variety and vocal colour which is ABSOLUTELY needed in a song recital. This lack of colouring means that most of the songs come out sounding the same. The other major concern is that Mr Ramey's vibrato is quite pronounced. Most opera singers can get away with this when singing with an orchestra, but when he just has piano accompaniment it is much more noticeable. Still, it is good to have a recording of some of these lesser known songs and it is still an enjoyable cd.

Primo basso assolutto!!.......1998-11-17

Having attended Mr. Ramey's recent recital in Chicago where he sang a number of the songs on this recording, I can say that there is simply no bass today to rival him for sheer vocal glory. Whether it is the bel canto repetoire, baroque decorations, or as here, the American literature, Ramey is THE bass of the day. Unlike the former days when bassos were relagated to either buffoon, rich uncle, or some other supporting role, Ramey has almost single-handedly elevated the basso to star status. Roles that languished for years because there was no one up to their demands are now staples of Ramey's catalogue. Warren Jones is a sensetive and intelligent accompanist. In fact he played the entire recital from memory.

12 Songs From Call Me Madam (1950 Studio Cast) With Selections From Panama Hattie (1940 Original Cast Recording)

Average customer rating:

Ethel Deserved Better Than This

12 Songs From Call Me Madam (1950 Studio Cast) With Selections From Panama Hattie (1940 Original Cast Recording)
Ethel Merman , and Irving Berlin
Manufacturer: Decca U.S.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Call Me Madam
A Tree Grows In Brooklyn (1951 Original Broadway Cast)
The Golden Apple (1954 Original Broadway Cast)
Allegro (1947 Original Broadway Cast)
Bells Are Ringing (1956 Original Broadway Cast)

ASIN: B000002OJO
Release Date: 2001-05-15

Tracks:

Call Me Madam: The Hostess With The Mostes' On The Ball
Call Me Madam: Washington Square Dance
Call Me Madam: Lichtenburg (Cosmo's Opening)
Call Me Madam: Can You Use Any Money Today?
Call Me Madam: Marrying For Love
Call Me Madam: The Ocarina
Call Me Madam: It's A Lovely Day Today
Call Me Madam: The Best Thing For You
Call Me Madam: Something To Dance About
Call Me Madam: Once Upon A Time Today
Call Me Madam: They Like Ike
Call Me Madam: You're Just In Love
Panama Hattie: My Mother Would Love You
Panama Hattie: I've Still Got My Health
Panama Hattie: Let's Be Buddies
Panama Hattie: Make It Another Old Fashioned, Please

Customer Reviews:

Ethel Deserved Better Than This.......2001-06-22

There may indeed be no business like show business. RCA was a major backer of this musical, and fully expected to record the original cast album. Decca, Merman's recording label, wouldn't allow her to appear. The solution the two compnaies decided on was an original cast album on RCA featuring Dinah Shore doing Merman's numbers, and this mediocre studio album.

Decca was never a winner when it came to modern recording techniques. Merman's voice has no echo or reverb to enhance her performance. The arrangements are by Gordon Jenkins, which fit Ethel's style like it was a dress bought in a bargain basement. It is a shame that in the later years of her life, Ethel didn't choose to revisit this score and re-record it, as she did with Annie Get Your Gun twice.

Tracks:

Are You Hung Up?
Who Needs the Peace Corps?
Concentration Moon
Mom & Dad - Mothers of Invention
Telephone Conversation - Mothers of Invention, Mothers of Invention
Bow Tie Daddy - Mothers of Invention, Mothers of Invention
Harry, You're a Beast
What's the Ugliest Part of Your Body?
Absolutely Free
Flower Punk
Hot Poop
Nasal Retentive Calliope Music
Let's Make the Water Turn Black
Idiot Bastard Son
Lonely Little Girl
Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance
What's the Ugliest Part of Your Body? (Reprise) - Mothers of Invention, Mothers of Invention
Mother People
Chrome Plated Megaphone of Destiny

Customer Reviews:

Alex Zappa Fan.......2005-12-12

This remaster is simply great. Sound quality is all why you are paying twice the price for this cd, buy if you are Zappa fan, this should not matter. This is the milestone for MOFI to release gold Zappa remaster.
Needless to say that several noises missed from 90's remaster will not substitute for overall picture of superior hi-fi sound.

Censored? Not really........2005-08-20

This isn't really a review so much as a response to Zappafreak's claim that this CD is censored. Having just listened to it, I can assure readers that this disc is identical to the original 1968 LP. I'm guessing that Zappafreak is referring to the omission of a few bits that were restored on the heavily remixed and overdubbed version of We're Only In It For The Money that was released in the '80s on a disc paired with Lumpy Gravy. While I agree that it would have been nice to hear these censored portions included (particularly in the album's original mix), I believe that MFSL's primary goal is to restore--to the best of their ability--the *original* album. Therefore, I think it's pretty unfair to accuse these guys of bastardizing Frank's work. In fact, this CD has the same content as the "FZ approved" edition that Ryko released in 1995. And say, I just noticed that the front cover of this version actually has all the black bars removed from the people's faces. How 'bout that?

As for the sound quality, MFSL did pretty good job given the source material. While there is still some noticeable distortion and fuzz here and there, the album certainly sounds crisper and cleaner than the current Ryko version. Whether or not it's worth the upgrade mainly depends on how much of an audiophile you are. The sound quality most likely won't blow you away, but I can't imagine this album sounding any better. I definitely won't be needing my old CD anymore.

WARNING/GUARANTEE:.......2005-08-12

"This album contains material which a truly free society would neither fear nor suppress.

In some socially retarded areas, religious fanatics and ultra-conservative political organizations violate you First Amendment Rights by attempting to censor rock & roll albums. We feel that this is un-Constitional and un-American.

As an alternative to these government-supported programs (designed to keep you docile and ignorant). Barking Pumpkin is pleased to provide stimulating digital audio entertainment for those of you who have outgrown the ordinary.

The language and concepts contained herein are GUARANTEED NOT TO CAUSE ETERNAL TORMENT IN THE PLACE WHERE THE GUY WITH THE HORNS AND POINTED STICK CONDUCTS HIS BUSINESS.

This guarantee is as real as the threats of the video fundamentalists who use attacks on rock music in their attempt to transform America into a nation of check mailing nincompoops (in the name of Jesus Christ). If there is a hell, it's fires wait for them, not us."

-FZ

BEWARE!!! This recording has been CENSORED!!! I am STUNNED BEYOND BELIEF!!! How could this have been allowed?!! Too bad Frank isn't still around to make sure EVERYTHING is done CORRECTLY!!! Who are the "nincompoops" responsible for THIS blasphemy?!! I still can't believe I'm sitting here listening to a CENSORED Frank Zappa cd, UNBELIEVABLE!!!

Average customer rating:

Another great trip down the MFU memory lane
The best of the three Double CDs ORIGINAL soundtrack release

The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Vol. 2

Manufacturer: Film Score Monthly
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

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The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Vol. 3
Man from U.N.C.L.E.
The Saint/Secret Agent
In Like Flint / Our Man Flint: Original Motion Picture Soundtracks

ASIN: B0006SSQ7U
Release Date: 2005-01-04

Tracks:

First Season End Title
Vulcan Affair (Suite No. 2)
Iowa-Scuba Affair
Shark Affair
Deadly Games Affair (Suite No. 2)
Meet Mr. Solo
Giuoco Piano Affair
King of Knaves Affair: Suite No. 2
First Season Main Title [Revised]
Deadly Decoy Affair
Spy With My Face
Second Season Main Title
Alexander the Greater Affair
Ultimate Computer Affair
Very Important Zombie Affair
Dippy Blonde Affair
Seadly Goddess Afair
Moonglow Affair

Tracks:

One of Our Spies Is Missing
Third Season Main Title
Sort of Do-It-Youself Dreadful Affair
Galatea Affair
Pop Art Affair
Come With Me to the Casbah Affair
Off-Broadway Affair
Concrete Overcoat Affair
Napoleon's Tomb Affair
Alternate Fourth Season Main Title
Fourth Season (End Title)
Test Tube Killer Affair
Prince of Darkness Affair
Seven Wonders of the World Affair

Customer Reviews:

Another great trip down the MFU memory lane.......2005-10-19

Volume 2 (comprised of 2 CDs) is another first rate compilation of the series' original music and not to be missed by U.N.C.L.E. fans. The liner notes are wonderful and add a lot to ones appreciation of the music.

My only problem is that THE CDs ARE COPY PROTECTED! Considerable work is needed to get the music onto your iPod, if you really want the music in your mp3 collection. This is a major hassle and a surprise, since the first set in the series was not copy protected.

The best of the three Double CDs ORIGINAL soundtrack release.......2005-07-12

Many of us have always thought The Man From UNCLE had the best music for a TV series ever, and this three double CD release confirms this. Wow! I'd be just happy with one CD, but having SIX (three double CDs packages) is absolutely out of this world, I mean, a lifetime wait come true.

Indeed, this is an unbelievable collection of three double CDs packages with the complete series soundtrack, and I mean the complete music, not a tune is missing.

And this is the ORIGINAL Man From Uncle music. Let me stress the point: this is the four years ORIGINAL soundtrack with the original recordings as they were heard throughout the series, not a no-name orchestra doing personal versions of the stuff. The audio transfer is very, very good, the music from late episodes is even in stereo.

Each individual CD carries over 70 minutes of music. All in all there you have the four TV seasons main titles and all, absolutely all of TMFU unforgetable music.

This is not a chronological release, meaning, all CDs have a mix of music from all four TV seasons. Volume 1 is heavier on early TV seasons stuff, fans of Jerry Goldsmith will love it. Those of us who prefer what Gerald Fried and later Richard Shores did with TMFU music, then volume 2 is mandatory. If you are a fan, you can't miss any of these six CDs. However if buying all three double packages is too much for you, you must go with Volume 2, no questions asked. Volume three is the weakest of them as it brings "suites" and a whole CD with "The Girl From Uncle" soundtrack, but you have a bonus "Open Channel D" beeper.

Each package is gorgeous, each with a glossy color booklet with extensive liner notes with details on how each tune was written to a specific TV series episode and how it was used onwards. You have bios on the composers, on how the recordings were made, even an overview on how many instruments were available in each of the years the music was recorded.

So, throw away your Hugo Montenegro Man From Uncle CD, this is the REAL thing.

We're Only in It for the Money/Lumpy Gravy

Average customer rating:

closest thing to Zappa's vision
Frank's worst blunder: poorly re-recorded masterpiece
The Crazy Re-done versions

We're Only in It for the Money/Lumpy Gravy
Frank Zappa
Manufacturer: Rykodisc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Fillmore East: June 1971
Absolutely Free
Uncle Meat
Freak Out!
Hot Rats

ASIN: B000008MLU
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Are You Hung Up?
Who Needs the Peace Corps?
Concentration Moon
Mom and Dad
Telephone Conversation
Bow Tie Daddy
Harry, You're a Beast
What's the Ugliest Part of Your Body?
Absolutely Free
Flower Punk
Hot Poop
Nasal Retentive Calliope Music
Let's Make the Water Turn Black
Idiot Bastard Son
Lonely Little Girl
Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance
What's the Ugliest Part of Your Body (Reprise)
Mother People
Chrome Plated Megaphone of Destiny
Lumpy Gravy I
Lumpy Gravy II

Customer Reviews:

closest thing to Zappa's vision.......2006-04-07

Yes, Zappa rerecorded the bass and drum tracks because he was not happy with the original perfomances. BUT- and this is a big but- it's uncensored. It's the only version I'm aware of that does not censor this album in some way. Verve conservatively returned to the censored, original released version of the album for the more recent reissue.

I would like to quote the following from [...] I hope the authors don't mind.

"The old CD, which was coupled with Lumpy Gravy, was a complete remix with major 1980s overdubs, but the 1995 CD is like the original, US vinyl. There were several original vinyl versions, with different amounts of censorship - "offensive" bits were cut out from them. The old, remixed CD was not censored, but the 1995 CD has all of the "original" censorship inherent in the US vinyl release. There is no such thing as a version of the original mix with intact "Mother People" and "Harry, You're a Beast" verses, although there is a Canadian pressing with the "Velvet Underground" line in place."

So what do you want, original bass and drums with censored lyrics, or Zappa's own attempt to salvage the album with lyrics intact? It's his music, I trust his judgment. And I don't approve of any form of censorship. So I prefer this version, and the so-called "purists" who would rather listen to a gutless corporate cowpie- enjoy.

Frank's worst blunder: poorly re-recorded masterpiece.......2005-07-14

Frank Zappa isn't exactly known for treating his back catalogue very well, with remixes, poor remasterings, and other "tamperment" dotting his reissue programme. The infamous 1984 remix of We're Only In It For the Money--originally released as part of the "Old Masters" boxed-set, and later coupled with "Lumpy Gravy" on this 1986 CD--is *the* example of why certain artists clearly don't have the best judgement when it comes to their old masterworks. "We're Only In It For the Money" is one of the greatest records of all time, but in this form it is a masterpiece diluted. Yes, the bass and drums are re-recorded; yes, the entire thing is remixed; yes, parts on the original that were "censored" (although more often than not by Zappa's own hand) are restored. Yet what's far more important is how slipshod the entire effort is.

A bit of history. In the early 1980s, Frank finally seized control of much of his back catalogue, acquiring for the first time many of the masters used to make his earliest albums. Two things occured simultaneously: Frank discovered that many of the older Verve masters were not in optimal condition, suffering from years of neglect in MGM's storage facility; and Frank, enthralled with the promise of 80s technology in general and digital technology in particular, came to the conclusion that the 60s-era fidelity of these recordings was simply unsuited to the new digital climate. Most of the resulting "Old Masters" LPs were simply "digitally tweezed," but Frank used the "damaged tapes" stories as a pretense to remix "Money," "Lumpy Gravy," and "Cruisin' with Ruben and the Jets." This may not have been controversial in and of itself (Zappa would produce a perfectly suitable remix of "Freak Out!" in 1987), but Frank *also* decided to re-record the drum and bass tracks on much of Money, Ruben, and Lumpy Gravy (although the remix of "Gravy" was never released in its entirety). Later, Frank would admit that this particular decision was motivated less by practical concerns and more by a dislike for the sound quailty and performance of the original tracks.

Whatever the case, the result was disastrous. A previous reviewer points out that the new bass tracks, played by the otherwise-excellent Arthur Barrow, don't sound anything like a 1960s bass track, which is completely true. I find the new drums by Chad Wackerman to be more problematic, however. The drum sound is directly from the Them or Us/Thing Fish era (in other words, digital, likely direct-inject) and sounds terribly freeze-dried. Worse, Chad's tendency to "play along" with melody lines totally changes the beat of many of the tracks. Zappa's total disregard for the heart and soul of his most celebrated album adds insult to injury, as while the re-record of "Ruben" is at least competently assembled, "Money" is marred by off-key instruments (dig the bass during "Harry, You're a Beast"), poor digital edits complete with "clicks" attempting to replicate the originals, faders accidentally left up, and the bizarre decision to speed up several tracks ("Concentration Moon," "Let's Make the Water Turn Black"...perhaps done to alter the drum sound?) to levels of chipmunkdom that far surpass the original's helium-voiced tendencies. It sounds like the sort of rough mix that should have never escaped someone with such a reputation for perfectionism.

And yet, for some reason, this version of the album was the only one in print for nearly ten years. The 1995 issue of the album isn't a sonic wonder, but it at least captures the spirit that makes the album what it is. I didn't think the 1980s re-record could possibly be as bad as I read, and if you don't know what the original's supposed to sound like you may very well find it to be perfectly enjoyable.

Anyway, enough about "Money." The draw of this twofer is the pairing with "Lumpy Gravy," "Money's" sister album and the first Zappa solo disc. I really like the thing, but I know some people who've never warmed to its bizarre mixture of spoken word inanity, orchestral pieces, and...well, whatever Frank had lying around. While the sound quality of "Gravy" on this disc isn't too hot (it, like all of Zappa's 1986 discs, is mastered at an absurdly low volume), it's the only place on CD to find the original mix of the album. The 1995 re-release beats the sound quality of this one by a long-shot, but incorporates some raw mix segments that occasionally vary from the original in mix content and edits between sections. Essential for completists, in other words.

Verdict: I picked up the twofer of "Money/Gravy" out of morbid curiosity; I had read about the horrors of the remix, but figured it couldn't possibly be that bad. In my opinion, it *is* that bad, but you very well may disagree. That said, the current stock discs are simply a better idea; unless you're a completist who absolutely needs the remix and the totally-original version of "Gravy," you're better off avoiding this release.

The Crazy Re-done versions.......2003-05-29

Okay, so the story is, the Ryko 2-fer of these albums is rather odd. Lumpy Gravy is fine-sounding, but is only two tracks, making finding your favorite section rather difficult. The newer, single-disc version is the better choice.

But We're Only In It For The Money is really odd. Zappa chose to re-record the drums and bass for the entire album, and then remix it. The plus side is that the sound is rather clean, and all the previously censored bits are all back in force.

The negative is that, while the drums aren't too bad, the bass is ridiculous. It sounds NOTHING like a 1967 bass should, either tonally or melodically. ANd it just clashes with everything else. The drums have their own problems, sometimes sounding too 80's like, and sometimes just not mathing the rhythms of the music.

Luckily, the original version has been re-issued as a single disc from Ryko. This 2-fer version is interesting, but not really how most fans originally heard this album.

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