Popular Light Classics

On this CD:

1. The Prince of Denmark's March (Trumpet Voluntary in D major) for brass, winds, & percussion (or keyboard or trumpet & organ)
Composed by Jeremiah Clarke
Performed by Salzburg Mozart Soloists

2. Slavonic Dances (8) for orchestra, B. 83 (Op. 46)
Composed by Antonin Dvorak
Performed by Vienna ORF Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Milan Horvath

3. Prince Igor, opera (completed by Rimsky-Korsakov & Glazunov) Polovtsian Dances No 08
Composed by Alexander Borodin
Performed by Ljubljana Radio Orchestra
Conducted by Laurence Gordon Siegel

4. Prince Igor, opera (completed by Rimsky-Korsakov & Glazunov) Polovtsian Dances No 17
Composed by Alexander Borodin
Performed by Ljubljana Radio Orchestra
Conducted by Laurence Gordon Siegel

5. España, rhapsody for orchestra, also arranged for 2 pianos
Composed by Emmanuel Chabrier
Performed by Ljubljana Radio Orchestra
Conducted by Anton Nanut

6. Dichter und Bauer (Poet and Peasant), overture to the operetta Poet and Peasant Overture
Composed by Franz von Suppe
Performed by London New Philharmonia Orchestra
Conducted by Alfred Scholz

7. Hungarian Dances (21) for piano, 4 hands (or piano solo or orchestra), WoO 1
Composed by Johannes Brahms
Performed by London Festival Orchestra
Conducted by Alfred Scholz

Tracks:

Ave Maria (new recording)
La Wally (from Time To Say Goodbye)
Winter Light (new recording)
Anytime, Anywhere (from Eden)
Alhambra (new recording)
Lascia Ch'io Pianga (from Eden)
Dans La Nuit (new recording)
Serenade/How Fair This Place (from La Luna)
O Mio Babbino Caro (new recording)
La Luna (from La Luna)
Pie Jesu (new recording)
Figlio Perduto (from La Luna)
Nessun Dorma (new recording)
Bailero (from Eden)
Time To Say Goodbye (New solo version--previously unavailable)

Amazon.com

Have some friends who still haven't discovered what the Sarah Brightman fuss is all about? You'll find the perfect introduction to make converts of them all in Classics, so they'll have no more excuses to remain clueless. Sporting a Botticelli-inspired image of the platinum-selling soprano on the cover, Classics is a classy anthology including highlights from three of Brightman's chart-topping releases along with seven new tracks. Songs personally selected by the diva as her favorite classical interpretations are culled from her previous blockbusters: Time To Say Goodbye, Eden, and La Luna. And whether you're a fan already in the fold or one in the making, the new material here shows the diva at the top of her form, in new renderings of "O Mio Babbino Caro" and "Nessun Dorma" (accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic)--fascinating displays of the operatic confidence she's developed over her career. Other new offerings include a touching version of Schubert's "Ave Maria,' "Winter Light," a fresh take on her signature song "Pie Jesu" (from Andrew Lloyd Webber's Requiem). "Alhambra" and "Dans La Nuit"--a real treat, bathing the listener in Brightman's silky, sensuous vocalism--add two original titles to her famous adaptations of classical melodies to new lyrics (using Chopin's haunting E major Etude in the latter case). All told, a lovely affirmation of the directions Brightman has boldly taken in her career to date. -Sarah Chin

Amazon.com

Sarah Brightman Photos

More from Sarah Brightman

Time to Say Goodbye
Diva: The Singles Collection
Eden

Diva: The Video Collection
Live from Las Vegas
La Luna (Live in Concert)

Customer Reviews:

Sarah's Best Easy Listening CD.......2007-03-15

Sarah Brightman's talent is limitless. Her soprano and/or alto voice is among the best and she lets it show in 'CLASSICS'. CLASSICS is a beautiful, easy listening, and peaceful CD. CLASSICS is one to listen to in tranquil or relaxing moments. "CLASICS" is a collection of great pieces of music written by great composers (Shuburt, Handel, Chopin, Puccini, and the like). I have listened to CLASSICS about 15 times now and it always puts me in a quiet and peaceful mood (I am ~50 years old).

Best Brightman CD.......2007-02-07

A classical composition which showcases the beautiful voice of Sarah Brightman. A timeless CD which will continue to be a favourite over the years.

Sarah Brightman is a Classic.......2007-01-02

Sarah Brightman is at her best in "Classics." From Dvorak's "Rusalka" (Opera B.203) to Beethoven's haunting Op 52, slow movement (Symphony #7), Brightman's voice and lyrical style are a joy. I particularly enjoy her performances of Schubert's Ave Maria and Andrew Lloyd Weber's Pie Jesu. This is a great add to my collection of serious music.

Not The Best - Not the Worst - From Sarah Brightman.......2006-12-30

After purchasing this CD for my iPod for iTunes, I must say that I'm a little bit dissapointed. 7 new recordings and 8 old ones, ones that I already happen to have. I do like the fact that they're all on one CD! Some of her new recordings, including, "Ave Maria", "Winter Light", "Alhambra", "Dans La Nuit", and the new recording of "Pie Jesu" are just too breathy for my taste. It seems as with every changing CD, Sarah's voice changes. I'm not saying that the result is bad; it actually gives the songs more of a dream like quality, but I'm used to the younger, more Andrew Lloyd-Webber integrated Sarah. Scooping continually occurs in new recordings of "O Mio Babbino Caro", and "Nessun Dorma". In some tracks from La Luna, like "Figlio Perduto", Sarah's voice is TOTALLY dominated by harmonizing recordings that sound almost mechanical.

OVERALLY - The new songs sound O.K. and the old recordings are just as good as they were back then. This album is still a great buy!

Nice Cover.......2006-12-27

I'm a heterosexual guy who's not an opera aficionado - I only mention these facts because I seem to be right in the bull's-eye of the target market for this product. Sarah B. has a nice voice and she's pretty. Both of these are featured prominently on this CD. The cover and several pages in the insert are devoted to what must have been a very long and expensive photo shoot (and Photoshop) of a semi-clad Sarah looking marvelous. (The CD also comes with a flyer so you can buy various Brightman "Classics" apparel - perhaps not for the heterosexual male).

As far as the music goes: not bad, not great. I don't claim to have the most discerning ears for this sort of music, but everything was OK by me. However, the pieces on the CD with which I'm somewhat familiar, such as "O Mio Babbino Caro," didn't sound quite as good as other versions I've heard (and that includes by Charlotte Church, not just opera stars). Also, the solo version of "Time to Say Goodbye" didn't sound nearly as good to me as the duet with Bocelli.

In sum, there were 3-4 songs I liked enough to rip to MP3s - which is enough so that I didn't feel ripped myself...

Kathleen Battle & Christopher Parkening ~ Pleasures of Their Company

Average customer rating:

Enjoying The Pleasures of K. Battle & C. Parkening
Great blending of the talents of two top-notch artists in their respective fields. Parkening on the guitar and Battle singing.
Superb technique, emotionally flat, but enjoyable even so.
ONE OF MY FAVOURITES
Fans will be delighted!

Kathleen Battle & Christopher Parkening ~ Pleasures of Their Company
John Dowland , Manuel de Falla , Charles Gounod , Heitor Villa-Lobos , Enrique Granados , Fini Henriques , Jaime Ovalle , Joaquim Antonio Barroso Neto , Franz Xaver Richter , Anonymous , William Levi Dawson , Robert MacGimsey , Kathleen Battle , and Christopher Parkening
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Battle, Kathleen | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Solo Instrumental | New Age | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Angels' Glory
Kathleen Battle · Wynton Marsalis ~ Baroque Duet / Anthony Newman · Orch St. Luke's · Nelson
The Best of Kathleen Battle
So Many Stars
Kathleen Battle Sings Mozart

ASIN: B000002RNM
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Music By John Dowland: Come Again! Sweet Love Doth Now Invite
Music By John Dowland: Allemande (Guitar Solo)
Music By John Dowland: What If I Never Speed?
Music By John Dowland: Galliard (Guitar Solo)
Music By John Dowland: Fine Knacks For Ladies
Ave Maria
Bachianas Brasileiras No.5: Aria
Coleccion De Tonadillas: La Maja De Goya
Three Brazilian Songs: Boi-Bumba
Three Brazilian Songs: Azulao
Three Brazilian Songs: Para Ninar
Three Spanish Folk Songs: Cancion
Three Spanish Folk Songs: Nana
Three Spanish Folk Songs: Seguidillia Murciana
Six Spirituals: Ain't Got No Time To Die
Six Spirituals: I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray
Six Spirituals: Ain't That Good News!
Six Spirituals: Sweet Little Jesus Boy
Six Spirituals: This Little Light Of Mine
Six Spirituals: Ride On King Jesus

Customer Reviews:

Enjoying The Pleasures of K. Battle & C. Parkening.......2007-05-06

Whether you are very familiar with these two artists or have never heard either one, you will delight in this musical collaboration. Only a guitarist of Christopher Parkening's stature could be the ideal accompaniment to the perfection of Kathleen Battle's voice. The music ranges from selections by John Dowland to American spirituals, Bach/Gounod, Villa-Lobos, Granados and some Spanish folk songs. The result is a coherent, soothing and utterly delightful listening experience. You will revisit this album often, and always be glad that you have it. For fans of Kathleen Battle and Christopher Parkening, I think it is a must.

Great blending of the talents of two top-notch artists in their respective fields. Parkening on the guitar and Battle singing........2006-01-31

We always enjoyed seeing and hearing Battle in concerts, usually on the television and Parkening has been a favorite guitarist. To listen to these two fine artists in concert is a real treat.

Superb technique, emotionally flat, but enjoyable even so........2005-05-25

I can't imagine these songs being performed with any greater technical brilliance than they are by Parkening and Battle on this CD. Both are virtuosos, him in the guitar, her the voice. Their skill is particularly apparent in the Dowland songs, the "Ave Maria", and the Bachianas brasileiras no. 5 (for me, the high point of the recording), which are all in a formal style well suited to the talents of the performers.

I compare the Brazilian songs to the version recorded by Salli Terri with Laurindo Almeida in the late '50's on "Duets with Spanish Guitar", which I have listened to repeatedly since I first heard it in 1959. Battle's phrasing, enunciation, and vocal skill are far superior to Terri's, but Terri brought a level of emotion to her singing that Battle seems to lack. Where Battle's perfection enhances her superb performances of the Dowland and Villa-Lobos pieces, it seems to detract from her performance of the Brazilian folk pieces.

I find this to be true again in the spirituals - vocal perfection and control detracting from the "soul" required to bring out the "spiritual" feeling. Imagine these same pieces sung by Mahalia Jackson or Aretha Franklin and you'll understand my point.

Parkening's performance has the same quality - technical virtuosity, especially noticeable in his lute-like technique in the Dowland solo - but lacking in emotional depth.

The classical selections are highly recommended, the folk pieces a bit disappointing, but overall an enjoyable recording.

ONE OF MY FAVOURITES.......2004-03-19

THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVOURITE BATTLE ALBUMS, HER SWEET VOICE IS ACCOMPAINED BY THE GUITAR VIRTUOSO CHRISTOPHER PARKENING, TOGETHER CREATE A TENDER, DELIGHTFUL & BEAUTIFUL LISTENING EXPERIENCE. BACHIANAS BRASILEIRAS N- 5 HAS IT`S BEST PERFORMANCE IN THIS CD.

Fans will be delighted!.......2003-08-25

Fans, maybe, but I must say I'm not a huge fan of Kathleen Battle or opera or songs in different languages, either. My mom is, though. And through her I have heard Kathleen's best. And her very best (if you ask me) is one of the tracks ON THIS CD titled "Ain't that good news," even though it should be called "Ain'ta dat good news," since that is how its sung. It is a really good song (ask anybody) with a little surprise high-note at the end. If I were you I would (if not buy this CD right here and now) then go to [a book store] and see if their computers will let you hear "Ain't that good news" because that song is great.

Average customer rating:

Andy Williams is the best!
Greatest of Andy Williams Works! I give it 5+++++stars!!
This is Andy Williams finest work!
One of Andy's best albums. Andy has never sounded better!!
it's a great collection !

Greatest Love Classics

Manufacturer: EMI
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Classic | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

Broadway & Vocalists | Imports | Stores | Music

Pop | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Love Theme From "The Godfather"/The Way We Were
The Andy Williams Show/You've Got a Friend
Alone Again (Naturally)/Solitaire
B-Sides and Rarities
Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head/Get Together With Andy Williams

ASIN: B00000JR10
Release Date: 1997-03-11

Tracks:

Romeo And Juliet (Based On-Romeo And Juliet Fantas
Love Made Me A Fool (Based On Rhapsody On A Theme
Vino De Amor
A Different Light (Based On Barcarolle By Tchaikov
Another Winter's Day
The Vision (Based On The Swan From Carnival Of The
Journey's End (Based On Theme From Spartacus By Kh
A Twist Of Fate (Based On Serenade By Schubert)
Home (Based On Nocturne No 2 In E Flat Major By Ch
Brave New World (Based On The Pathetique Sonata By
She'll Never Know (Based On: Fur Elise By Beethove
In My World Of Illusion (Based On - Poeme By Fibic
Words (Based On Last Movement Of Symphony 9 By Bee

Album Description

Mid-priced compilation featuring 13 of the beloved vocalist's finest recordings, including his interpretation of 'Romeo & Juliet', plus 'Vino De Amor' & 'Love Made Me A Fool'. 1999 release.

Customer Reviews:

Andy Williams is the best!.......2007-02-01

Just saw Andy Williams at Branson this Christmas! Fabulous! What a great man and entertainer! We purchased this album because Andy sings the song "Words" at his concert but he no longer sells this album in Branson. Amazon is the only place to get this great album! Classic!

Greatest of Andy Williams Works! I give it 5+++++stars!!.......2000-08-22

I just want to second the motion that reviewer Jennifer Leskala has written here on behalf of this album of truly wonderful music. I think it's Andy's best ever. And, I guess I have a soft spot in my heart for it because, I, too, witnessed the dance performance Natalia Melony gave to Andy's work of art. Perhaps you will be able to envision in your mind a beautiful long-haired blonde goddess dancing divinely, and twirling about to this beautiful music.....and I think you WILL see the "Vision" of her as you listen to these incredible pieces of music, done as only Andy Williams can do. Truly one of my favorite albums of all time. It is one you will treasure and want to listen to time and time again. Thanks, Andy, for the wonderful entertainment you continue to give the world. Al Reinking

This is Andy Williams finest work!.......2000-08-13

I happen to believe this is Andy's best album. I can listen to it over and over, it is so beautiful, the words written for the classical melodies are perfection. I also love this album so much because I once saw a lessor-known entertainer by the name of, Natalia Melony, do an entire show of dancing to this entire album of songs. She was something to see. The combination of Andy's music with Natalia's beauty and incredible dancing, was breathtaking. It was so incredible it gave me chills up my spine. In case you are wondering who she is, you can join her fan club on Yahoo. Just punch in her name in the Clubs search box. To my amazement, I just found her name listed and joined her club! To anyone thinking of purchasing this CD, you will not be disappointed. It's one of the best albums in my whole collection of music. Thank you. Jennifer Leskala

One of Andy's best albums. Andy has never sounded better!!.......1999-10-30

This album, recorded in London in 1984, is the finest Williams album of the past several years. The unique blending of classical melodies with lyrics makes this album unlike any other you will find. Andy truly did something magical here. With albums like this it is no wonder that Andy has been a world wide favorite for over forty years. This album is a MUST HAVE for any fan of ANDY WILLIAMS. In addition, any lover of classical music will find this an excellent addition to their collections. Thank you ANDY!!!

it's a great collection !.......1999-09-01

my late mother used to have the older release of this great album (andy williamsw/royal philharmonic orchestra). I love the songs, especially In my world of illusion,Another winter's day,Home..I'd like to buy this album but unfortunately it's always out of stock.While waiting for the album,can anybody please send me the lyrics of those songs or tell me how to find them ? Thanks ...

Average customer rating:

Las Comparaciones son Tediosas
Can't miss
"Enoch Light tries on The Beatles for size"

Beatles Classics
Enoch Light Orchestra
Manufacturer: Varese Sarabande
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Lounge | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Little Things Mean a Lot: Great Hits of the Fifties
Provocative Percussion

ASIN: B00005B6AS
Release Date: 2001-04-17

Tracks:

Hello Goodbye
Suite: Hello, Goodbye/Something/Penny Lane
Penny Lane
Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
Yellow Submarine
Fool on the Hill
Michelle
Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds
Eleanor Rigby
Get Back
Hard Day's Night
Hey Jude
Let It Be
With a Little Help from My Friends

Customer Reviews:

Las Comparaciones son Tediosas.......2004-02-08

Comparar esta joya de la musica instrumental con el grupo original The Beatles es al menos una total falta de conocimiento de lo que significa la música, fue realmente hermoso recordar la placa de vinilo original lanzada hace unos 40 años atrás, excelente cd.

Can't miss.......2002-08-24

Two clasics meet. An inovator that kept the big band sound alive and the timeless sounds of the Beatles. Some people will call this elevator music, but if your a big band fan and a Beatles fan this is a can't miss addition.

"Enoch Light tries on The Beatles for size".......2001-05-19

Remember Enoch Light from the '50s and '60s with his laid back mellow style and blend of sophistication ~ Enoch's big label back then was Project 3 and Command Records experimenting with a new sound called "Stereo" ~ arrangements and selections are outstanding in concept, Beatles tunes with an easy listening blend and full spectrum in quality recording from the 1971 collection.

Of course there are stand outs ~ "PENNY LANE", a bouncy tune ~ "NORWEGIAN WOOD", always a favorite ~ "FOOL ON THE HILL", a standby hit, as always ~ "LUCY IN THE SKY (WITH DIAMONDS)", can always hear the words ringing in my head ~ but my all-time favorite is "ELEANOR RIGBY, this arrangement is simply awesome, a perfect fit for an easy listening project anywhere or anytime.

The entire recording is very good ~ just missed a 5 star rating ~ but still worth the price-of-admission ~ good to hear this one-of-a-kind collection from the man who was there when audio was coming into its own ~ ENOCH LIGHT!

Tracks:

Hello Goodbye
Suite: Hello, Goodbye/Something/Penny Lane
Penny Lane
Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
Yellow Submarine
Fool on the Hill
Michelle
Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds
Eleanor Rigby
Get Back
Hard Day's Night
Hey Jude
Let It Be
With a Little Help from My Friends

Average customer rating:

Fast service but no cigar
An Electric Light Orchestra masterpiece
ELO at their peak
This album is like Eldorado
Cool pop symphony

Eldorado
Electric Light Orchestra
Manufacturer: Dcc Compact Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Face the Music
A New World Record
On the Third Day
Out of the Blue
The Pretender

ASIN: B000000172
Release Date: 1993-08-10

Tracks:

Eldorado Overture
Can't Get It Out Of My Head
Boy Blue
Laredo Tornado
Poor Boy
Mister Kingdom
Nobody's Child
Illusions In G Major
Eldorado
Eldorado Finale

Customer Reviews:

Fast service but no cigar.......2005-09-27

What a surprise- I received my package only days after ordering my CD. First big problem: the jacket was correct but contained the wrong CD inside. Second big problem: my selection was no longer available. Silver lining: they promptly credited my account and didn't even request I send the wrong CD back.

An Electric Light Orchestra masterpiece.......2005-09-26

Eldorado (1974.) Electric Light Orchestra's fourth album.

INTRODUCTION:
In the mid-seventies, things were starting to come around for Electric Light Orchestra, whose humble beginnings gave a questionable outlook of what was to come for the band. While the group's self-titled debut album was good (it was called No Answer in America), it didn't do too well on the charts, and following its release co-frontman Roy Wood left the group. Electric Light Orchestra II was the first release to see Jeff Lynne as the group's lone frontman, and it showed that he still had a lot of work to do to find the band's sound. And with their third release, On The Third Day, the band came of age. Though not a massive success, it showed that Jeff Lynne had brought the band around. He planned to follow up the third album with something even more ambitious and intriguing - a concept album about fantasy and dreams. Electric Light Orchestra released the Eldorado album in 1974. Read on, and see how Lynne's fourth album with ELO measures up!

OVERVIEW/REVIEW:
Eldorado is not one of Electric Light Orchestra's better-known albums, which is a damn shame, because this one is EXCELLENT. This is an extremely difficult album to review, so bear with me here. While the ELO albums that followed would have more emphasis on the tracks as separate entities (with the hit singles and all), Eldorado focuses more on the album itself as a whole. Of all of the albums ELO released, this is probably the one that has the most of a classical feel to it, since it's more about the album as a whole than separate tracks. The album is more heavy on orchestration and keyboards and synthesizers, and this really does make it feel somewhat like a symphony, as the front of the album implies it is. One major hit did emerge from this album, the classic Can't Get It Out Of My Head. Most of the other songs have a sound similar to one another, but are just different enough that they all blend together beautifully. My personal favorite song would have to be Boy Blue, which is definitely one of the group's most underrated tunes of all. Also excellent is Illusions In G Major, which seems more like rockabilly than classical/pop rock fusion. This song is similar to Rock And Roll Is King, the classic hit the group would score about a decade later. From its humble beginnings right down to the very end, Eldorado stands as one of ELO's finest efforts.

EDITION NOTES:
This album was reissued, and the reissued version features remastered sound quality, expanded liner notes, and bonus tracks! As far as bonus tracks go, you get an instrumental medley of various pieces of music from the album, and a short demo sequence called Dark City. These bonus tracks aren't essential by any means, but they do make a nice addition.

OVERALL:
Eldorado rules. With this album, Electric Light Orchestra's classical/pop-rock fusion dream is fully realized, perhaps better than on any other of their recordings. While this isn't really an album I'd recommend to new fans of the group (the next three albums make for better starting points than this one), it is certainly one of the group's finest efforts, and any true fan of the band will appreciate it greatly. Final verdict? I highly recommend this album. Five stars.

ELO at their peak.......2005-06-17

Electric Light Orchestra peaked with this album. This is the pre-sellout Electric Light Orchestra, before they started going by their initials, ELO. I love the songs and I love the lyrics, but most of all, I love the emotion and the feel of the whole album. Sit back in an easy chair with a glass of wine, or a doobie, and be transported to Eldorado by this timeless classic concept album.
Joe Davis

This album is like Eldorado.......2004-09-07

This album, ELO's second, is a concept album of the dream world, Eldorado. It's amazing. It contains two of the most amazing slower songs of all time, as well as great upbeat songs. It's well-rounded, and, on one's third or fourth listen, one will realize that there is more to the album than meets the eye.

1) Eldorado Overture: Great beginning to the album. The strings used are perfect, as well as the poem in the beginning. Marvelous song.

2) Can't Get it out of my Head: After three or four listens to this song, you will not be able to get it out of your head. One of the more remarkable songs ever.

3) Boy Blue: Classic song. Something new is discovered on every listen. Plucking on the violin is used perfectly.

4) Laredo Tornado: Another fantastic song. Somewhat slow, and just great guitar riffs.

5) Poor Boy (The Greenwood): Possibly the most overlooked song on the album. However, it's another great ELO song. Fits perfectly on the album.

6) Mister Kingdom: A most fantastic song. The first time I listened, I remember thinking, "Whoa, this song is pretty good!", as I had skipped over it for the longest time. Great ELO.

7) Nobody's Child: This song shows the diversity of ELO. They have such a wide range of songs that they are capable of performing.

8) Illusions in G Major: Another example of ELO's diversity. Such a different personality, but works perfectly. Fantastic.

9) Eldorado: My favorite song on the album. Possibly rhe most amazing song. Ever. On the fourth listen, this kicks in.

10) Eldorado Finale: Just like the Overture, but different in many ways. Great conclusion.

If you own later ELO albums, like A New World Record and Out of the Blue, it's worth going back and buying this. It shows part of ELO's evolution, but it's also a great collection of music.

Cool pop symphony.......2003-06-12

ELO was already a well-established group when this album came along. What set El Dorado apart from earlier works is that, rather than being a collection of singles, it devoloped and kept a central theme. Along the way there are some enormously popular songs (ie "Can't Get It Out of My Head"). But what makes this album fun is the constant return to the El Dorado Theme. It's a near perfect union of power band and strings. Speaking of power, the bass drum gets a bit overbearing on this CD version, but it's still a great romp.

Thrown in as a nice bonus at the end is an extended, instrumental piece in which the major musical themes, without vocals, are smurshed together into sort of a mini-suite. Since I was always frustrated with the shortness of the symphonic sections on the original album, this truly improves the album instead of simply filling up dead CD space, as is usually the case on re-releases.

Tracks:

Les Pieces De Caractere: Fest Im Harem
Les Pieces De Caractere: Funkheizelmanns Geburtstag
Les Pieces De Caractere: Froschkonigs Fackelzug
Les Pieces De Caractere: Fairy On The Clock
Les Pieces De Caractere: The Wedding Of The Garden Insects
Les Pieces De Caractere: The Wedding Of Mr. Mickey Mouse
Les Pieces De Caractere: Tee Bei MaiKafers
Les Pieces De Caractere: The Watermill
Les Pieces De Caractere: Coucou
Les Pieces De Caractere: Der Kreuzfidele Kupferschmied
Varietes Et Musiques De Films Des Annees 30: Lady Of Spain
Varietes Et Musiques De Films Des Annees 30: Schoner Gigolo
Varietes Et Musiques De Films Des Annees 30: New-York
Varietes Et Musiques De Films Des Annees 30: Fiesta
Varietes Et Musiques De Films Des Annees 30: Reve De Valse: Piccolo! Piccolo! Tsin, Tsin!, De L'Oper
Varietes Et Musiques De Films Des Annees 30: Ronny: Marche De Perusa
Varietes Et Musiques De Films Des Annees 30: Le Capitaine Craddock: Une Nuit A Monte-Carlo
Varietes Et Musiques De Films Des Annees 30: 14 Juillet: A Paris, Dans Chaque Faubourg, Du Film Tobi
Varietes Et Musiques De Films Des Annees 30: Le Chemin Du Paradis: Avoir Un Bon Copain
Varietes Et Musiques De Films Des Annees 30: La Guerre Des Valses: Valse Tendre, Valse Blonde
Varietes Et Musiques De Films Des Annees 30: Vive Paris!: Vous, Qu'avez-Vous Fait De Mon Amour?
Varietes Et Musiques De Films Des Annees 30: Le Congres S'amuse: Serait-Ce Un Reve?