Key to making sense of the Ryan Cabrera craze is the can't-argue recognition that chicks dig him: A gig opening for Jessica Simpson and a rumored romance with her sister Ashlee secured early interest in this debut disc. Fortunately for his record company, behind the cute-boy looks and the teen-driven hype hums something more substantial. Careful listeners will hear it not only in the jangly guitars of the MTV hit "On the Way Down," but also throughout the misty-eyed, mournful "She's"; the bite-off-a-lyric-and-spit-it-out rocker "Illusions"; and the sexy, Carlos Santana-styled "Shame on Me." The CD's producer, lead Goo Goo Doll John Rzeznik, gets credit for sparing Cabrera the career-blowing "It Boy" tag--in addition to pitching in background vocals on a couple of tracks, he steers the set in a Goo-inspired, sunny but still rocking direction. Listeners prone to emotional ODs may take issue with the lyrics, which are often searching and self-involved, but the brightness of the melodies and the loverboy voice rush up to redeem them. Find fault with Cabrera where you will, in other words, but title aside, you can't take it all away from him. --Tammy La Gorce
Product Description
Ryan Cabrera's budding career has grown quickly from hobby, to local star status in his Dallas hometown, to the very real promise of international acclaim. And while that might seem like a leap at this early stage, it doesn't seem so far from reality when you see the fan websites that have dedicated themselves to the singer for over a year now. It's this grassroots word of mouth that has been buzzing of late with the release of Take It All Away, the 21-year-old's Atlantic debut. Produced by the Goo Goo Dolls' John Rzeznik and Cabrera, the album features irresistible pop-rock punctuated by one undeniable chorus after another, lifted by the liberal use of soaring vocal harmonies. In addition to songwriting contributions from Rzeznik, Cabrera was joined by Sabelle Breer and Curt Frasca, who penned two tracks on Avril Lavigne's multi-platinum debut; Guy Chambers, who has written for Robbie Williams; and more. Cabrera is managed by Joe Simpson, manager and father of popstar Jessica Simpson.
Take It All Away,Ryan Cabrera,Atlantic / Wea,Pop,Pop/Rock,Rock,Rock/Pop,Singer/Songwriter
Take It All Away [Enhanced]
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Take It All Away
Ryan Cabrera Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000255J2M Release Date: 2004-08-17 |
Tracks:
- Let's Take Our Time
- On The Way Down
- True
- Exit To Exit
- 40 Kinds of Sadness
- Echo Park
- Take It All Away
- Shame On Me
- She's
- Illusions
- Blind Sight
Amazon.com
Key to making sense of the Ryan Cabrera craze is the can't-argue recognition that chicks dig him: A gig opening for Jessica Simpson and a rumored romance with her sister Ashlee secured early interest in this debut disc. Fortunately for his record company, behind the cute-boy looks and the teen-driven hype hums something more substantial. Careful listeners will hear it not only in the jangly guitars of the MTV hit "On the Way Down," but also throughout the misty-eyed, mournful "She's"; the bite-off-a-lyric-and-spit-it-out rocker "Illusions"; and the sexy, Carlos Santana-styled "Shame on Me." The CD's producer, lead Goo Goo Doll John Rzeznik, gets credit for sparing Cabrera the career-blowing "It Boy" tag--in addition to pitching in background vocals on a couple of tracks, he steers the set in a Goo-inspired, sunny but still rocking direction. Listeners prone to emotional ODs may take issue with the lyrics, which are often searching and self-involved, but the brightness of the melodies and the loverboy voice rush up to redeem them. Find fault with Cabrera where you will, in other words, but title aside, you can't take it all away from him. --Tammy La GorceAlbum Description
Ryan Cabrera's budding career has grown quickly from hobby, to local star status in his Dallas hometown, to the very real promise of international acclaim. And while that might seem like a leap at this early stage, it doesn't seem so far from reality when you see the fan websites that have dedicated themselves to the singer for over a year now. It's this grassroots word of mouth that has been buzzing of late with the release of Take It All Away, the 21-year-old's Atlantic debut. Produced by the Goo Goo Dolls' John Rzeznik and Cabrera, the album features irresistible pop-rock punctuated by one undeniable chorus after another, lifted by the liberal use of soaring vocal harmonies. In addition to songwriting contributions from Rzeznik, Cabrera was joined by Sabelle Breer and Curt Frasca, who penned two tracks on Avril Lavigne's multi-platinum debut; Guy Chambers, who has written for Robbie Williams; and more. Cabrera is managed by Joe Simpson, manager and father of popstar Jessica Simpson.Customer Reviews:
very deep.......2006-12-09
DRAKE BELL is another artist i recommend because he also writes his music like ryan and i think thats very important in the music industry cuz that means the youre really into being a musciian. I DEFINITLY RECCOMMEND DRAKE BELL. and this ryan cd.
Whatever You Do, Don't "Take" or Buy A Copy Of This!.......2006-10-21
Despite help from Johnny Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls on the production boards, much of this album comes off as bland, predictable, unambitious, unbelievably fake and boringly characterless. To make things worse, there's no diversity in the subject matter or the actual sound of the songs. Almost everything is a combination of rushed Rock guitar riffs, deliberately fake (and sometimes cheesy) lyrics and (mostly) emotionless vocals.
Thankfully, there are highlights. Lead single "On The Way Down" is unquestionably the album's best track - a catchy Pop-Rock guitar ballad where Ryan's sense of joy and gratitude towards his special girl (at the time, Ashlee Simpson) is portrayed through heartfelt vocals and strongly honest lyrics. "True" is an acoustic guitar ballad that doesn't take any risks, but its mellow vibe & Ryan's light, mesmerizing vocals allow the song to stand out from the rest of the album's tracks. "Exit To Exit" is your typical heartbreak ballad, and "Illusions" stands out because it sounds loving and sentimental at the same time with its lyrical content.
Unfortunately, everything else on this album falters. Third single "40 Kinds Of Sadness" is brought down by a disastrously lacklustre hook; The title track shows promise with its theme of knowing that materialism doesn't define and won't change his true self, but claiming to "follow the sound of your heart" comes off as so cheesy and fake; and the piano-guitar ballad "Lets Take Our Time" & the simple guitar ballad "Shame On Me" are coated with lustful which, instead of breaking down Ryan Cabrera's good-boy image, come off as unrealistic, somewhat-sleazy and graphically disturbing. As much as I enjoy "Echo Park", the song can hardly hold on to my attention long enough for me to understand what it's really about.
I wish I could say that this album was great, but I know that it wasn't. If you're into the more bland type of Pop music that generally rules over today's radios, be my guest and grab a copy of this. Otherwise, skip it. Grab his sophomore effort "You Stand Watching" and try your luck with that album, because I know for a fact that it's better than this. 2 stars!
Ryan Cabrera.......2006-04-23
[Learning his songs will also help you get better on your guitar and if you happen to be able to sing then it will get you laid when you sing it to the ladies!]
If you are looking for a good pop album, this is it.
Also check out his newest album!
PEACE!
Ok, buy this instantly.......2005-12-10
Nice debut!.......2005-10-23
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Pure Gershwin
Michael Feinstein Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000002H4W Release Date: 1990-10-25 |
Tracks:
- S' Wonderful
- Our Love Is Here To Stay
- Liza
- The World Is Mine
- They Can't Take That Away From Me
- Isn't It A Pity?
- Let's Call The Whole Thing Off
- Embraceable You
- What Causes That?
- He Loves And She Loves/How Long Has This Been Going On
- They All Laughed
- The Girl I Love
- Someone To Watch Over Me
Amazon.com
Pure Gershwin was Michael Feinstein's first album, and it remains one of his best. It may not have the production values of his later Gershwin tributes, Nice Work if You Can Get It (1996) and Michael & George (1998), but it simply and directly presents Feinstein in his piano-bar days, singing to his own tasteful accompaniments with occasional contributions from bass and drums and a second piano. Establishing the patterns for his later albums, he sings unjustly neglected verses to familiar songs, uncovers some never-before-recorded gems ("The World Is Mine," "What Causes That"), and provides song-by-song notes. Longtime friend Rosemary Clooney guests on "Isn't It a Pity?" --David HoriuchiCustomer Reviews:
you cant beat an Ira lyric........2007-01-05
A Wonderful CD.......2005-05-19
Quiet and elegant.......2003-04-20
Disappointed.......2003-04-10
I was extremely disappointed. Feinstein seems to suck the life out of Gershwin's compositions, a feat I would have previously thought impossible. Though I concede that vocalists are free to reinterpret songs (many to a great success, as in Louis Armstrong's and Ella Fitzgerals's enjoyable versions of Gershwin), I think Feinstein's lazy tempos "loungy" voice make the tracks on this album boring and annoying.
I have loved to listen to and sing these songs my entire life. I just wanted to warn listeners who perhaps, like myself, enjoy George Gershwin's music for its beautiful clarity and energy (as easily experienced through Gershwin's own recordings, early interpretations by artists such as the Astaires, and even recent broadway "Crazy For You") that they will not experience any feeling of the sort from Michael Feinstein.
Amidst all the gushing that has recently been done over him, I found Michael Feinstein to have attempted to murder "Liza" and the other songs on this album. He merely displays a very unexceptional voice and poor interpretive taste. Fans beware, Feinstein proves that it is possible to make a bad cd of Gershwin songs. I'd recommend listening elsewhere.
they can't take that album away from me.......2002-05-09
the listenability of this album may stem from the fact that it is a bare-bones arrangement, with two pianos, a bass and drums, a la a jazz trio, with no embellishment, so michael feinstein's then sincere and unsophisticated voice is the featured instrument.
i heartily recommend this album, as every song on it is a gem and feinstein's voice is more appealing than on the two later albums, when he jazzed it up with what sounds like an echo chamber and other electronic enhancements and he seems to be doing the songs by the numbers.
feinstein's version of "liza," slowed down to ballad form and plaintively phrased, is the best i have ever heard. the duet with rosemary clooney on "isn't it a pity," again brings out the best of feinstein's then-new voice and shows why george's (clooney) aunt is rightfully considered a jazz legend.
the combined "he loves and she loves/how long has this been going on" is another melodic/poignant highlight, while the album's finale, "someone to watch over me," is a stirring anthem to wanting and needing someone and is done with vocal and instrumental passion; it brings this collection of songs to a fitting crescendo.
for a lawyer's kid from columbus, ohio who started out cataloguing gershwin estate material for the reclusive ira and then began singing the songs for family and friends, michael feinstein has done all right for himself. he has become the recognized interpreter of the gershwin legacy, sort of the same way his pseudo-cousin, john, jr. feinstein, has become the recognized interpreter of the bob knight legacy... .
michael feinstein may have hit a home run his first time up with this album, and it may be his best, as it is the purest and most joyful celebration of gershwin tunes, while the others are fancier, more jazzed up and ponderous and less appealing.
the other albums are certainly not bad, though, and i recommend buying them to fill out a feinstein or gershwin collection, but this one is by far the best one to get if you are only going to get one as a sample of either's work. it is nice work, and you can get it.
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The Michael Feinstein Anthology
Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000065DVH Release Date: 2002-05-21 |
Tracks:
- Nice Work If You Can Get It
- Isn't It Romantic
- Swinging On A Star
- Ask Me Again
- Rhode Island Is Famous For You
- 'S Wonderful
- Wonder Why
- Too Marvelous For Words
- Where Do You Start
- Theme From The Bad And The Beautiful
- Easy To Love
- Alexander's Ragtime Band
- Who Are You Now?
- You're An Education
- You Are There
- Sophisticated Swing
- Love Can Change The Stars
- Come Out, Come Out Wherever You Are
- Half Of April (Most Of May)
- Marianne
- They Can't Take That Away From Me
- I Love A Piano
Tracks:
- That's Entertainment
- My Favorite Year
- Ten Feet Off The Ground (With Rosemary Clooney)
- I Never Felt Better
- Someone To Watch Over Me
- Kiss Her Now
- The Ugly Bug Ball
- For You, For Me, Forever More
- The Mole People
- And So To Bed
- You're All The World To Me
- Old Friend
- Isn't It A Pity (with Rosemary Clooney)
- Pattisserie
- Open Your Eyes
- For Love Alone
- I Won't Send Roses/Time Heals Everything
- Get Out And Get Under The Moon (with Page Cavanaugh)
- My Romance
- Love Is Here To Stay
- Violin (with Liza Minnelli)
Amazon.com
The line between evangelist and entertainer has always been somewhat indistinct. But as showcased on this 43-track, double-disc collection culled from his '87-'96 recordings for Elektra/Nonesuch/Atlantic, Michael Feinstein's dedication to spreading the gospel of the American song often blurs it beyond recognition. While the singer's pedigree for the task is impeccable (a long-term stint as Ira Gershwin's assistant and early career sponsorship by Liza Minnelli), his interpretations often succeed by playing off a tense axis of fervent emotionalism and a joyous sense of irreverence.If his readings of romantic standards can sometimes tend toward the precious, they're often balanced here by sheer dramatic power and telling insights ("Isn't It Romantic" fairly bristles with ironic chauvinism) and a few loopy curves ("The Mole People," the Sherman Brothers' "The Ugly Bug Ball," and the previously unreleased "Rhode Island Is Famous for You"). Feinstein's dedicated song archaeology is also showcased on several gems: "Violin," a duet with Liza Minnelli; "My Favorite Year," a rejected ballad for the film of that name; the sublime "lost" Gershwin classic "Ask Me Again."
Sprinkled with live performances (the forum where Feinstein's talents seem most energized) and studio outtakes and featuring a lengthy print interview with the singer, the set chronicles both the pioneering efforts of one of pop music's most successful revivalists and, crucially, the cream of his beloved American songwriters, from stalwarts Gershwin, Berlin, and Porter to later legends like Herman, Styne, Lane, Martin, and Mercer. --Jerry McCulley
Album Description
The definitive collection of performances by the Grammy nominated singer features 43 tracks from 14 albums released by Elektra, Elektra Nonesuch, and Atlantic labels from 1987-1996. Plus 8 previously unreleased live tracks only available here 'Rhode Island is Famous For You', 'S Wonderful', 'Alexander's Ragtime Band', 'I Love A Piano', 'Patisserie', 'Get Out And Get Under The Moon' (with Page Cavanaugh), 'Love Is Here To Stay' & 'Violin' (with Liza Minnelli). 2 Digipacks housed in a slipcase with a booklet. Rhino Records. 2002.Customer Reviews:
Mixed feelings.......2005-10-05
Your love for this superb collection will be here to stay..........2002-07-18
He's done it again.......2002-07-15
This is perfect background music for a dinner party for a whole group but especially for two. Light, romantic and just gorgeous. You just can't go wrong when Michael Feinstein is your musical choice.
Way to go Michael, you've done it again!
Absolutely 'S WONDERFUL!.......2002-06-10
This collection not only contains all the favorites one would expect, but a neat group of surprises too. I especially love the duets with people like Liza Minnelli and Rosemary Clooney, and the various collaborative efforts with songwriters like Jule Styne and Burton Lane accompanying Michael at the piano.
This collection is a classic to be treasured. Bravo Michael!
Bravo Rhino!
A beautiful 2 disc CD-another hit for Michael.......2002-06-09
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Authentic George Gershwin, Vol. 1-4
Manufacturer: Asv Living Era ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0001Z2RSC Release Date: 2004-08-24 |
Tracks:
- Swanee
- Come To the Moon
- I Was So Young (You Were So Beautiful)
- Tee-Oodle-Um-bum-Bo
- Nobody But You
- Limehouse Nights
- Drifting Along With The Tide
- Rhapsody In Blue
- Oh Lady Be Good!
- Fascinating Rhythm
- Hang On To Me
- I'd Rather Charleston
- The Man I Love
- The Half Of It, Dearie, Blues
- So Am I
- Kickin' The Clouds Away
- Concerto In F
Tracks:
- Sweet And Low-Down (I)
- That Certain Feeling (I)
- Looking For A Boy
- When Do We Dance?
- Sweet And Low-Down (II)
- That Certain Feeling (II)
- Irish Waltz
- Do, Do, Do
- Someone To Watch Over Me
- Clap Yo' Hands
- Maybe
- Three Preludes: I. No.1: Allegro Ben Ritmato E Deciso / II. No.2: Andante Con Moto / III No.3: Allegro Ben Ritmato E Deciso
- Meadow Serenade
- My One And Only
- 'S Wonderful/Funny Face
- He Loves And She Loves
- An American In Paris
- Liza
- Strike Up The Band
- Embraceable You
- I Got Rhythm (I)
- I Got Rhythm (II)
Tracks:
- Of Thee I Sing
- Jilted
- Second Rhapsody
- For You, For Me, For Evermore
- Cuban Overture
- Isn't It A Pity?
- Variations On 'I Got Rhythm'
- I. Catfish Row: Introduction - Jazzbo Brown - First Chorus, 'Summertime'
- II. Porgy Sings: 'I got Plenty O' Nuthin' - 'Bess, You Is My Woman Now'
- III. Fugue: Murder Of Crown, Act III Scene 1
- IV. Hurricane: Introduction, Act II Scene 3 - Hurricane, Act II Scene 3
- V. Good Morning, Brother: Occupational Humoresque, Act III Scene 3 - 'Good Morning, Brother' - Children's Song 'Sure To Go To Heaven' - 'I'm On My Way' (Finale)
- They Can't Take That Away From Me
- Let's Call The Whole Thing Off
- Our Love Is Here To Stay
Tracks:
- Girl Crazy Overture
- French Ballet Class
- Dance Of The Waves
- Slap That Bass
- Walking The Dog
- I've Got Beginner's Luck
- They All Laughed
- They Can't Take That Away From Me
- Shall We Dance
- By Strauss
- I Can't Be Bothered Now
- The Jolly Tar And The Milkmaid (1st Version)
- Put Me To The Test
- The Jolly Tar And The Milkmaid (2nd Version)
- Stiff Upper Lip
- A Foggy day (In London Town)
- Nice Work If You Can Get It
- Things Are Looking Up
- I Was Doing All Right
- Love Walked In
Customer Reviews:
Excellent performer.......2007-03-09
I'm fascinating.
A unique project.......2006-11-23
Gershwin historical, manic, perfect, archival.......2006-06-12
Second: Jack Gibbons plays (and has recorded) the Alkan op 39 etudes (he probably plays a lot more Alkan than that). For those of you not in the know, this is to say he has world-class chops, indeed history-class (Liszt, who never played his friend Alkan, at least in public). But it's also to say that Gibbons knows how to interpret and personalize fantastically difficult piano music. For me, his Alkan op 39 is personal and passionate and real (contrast the facile and over-pedalled Hamelin and the just-the-notes-ma'me Ringeissen). An appreciation of Gibbons' Alkan is important here because while his Alkan is uniquely personal (as such music must be, no matter how hard it is to play) his Gershwin is deliberately impersonal...which is to say: no pianist, no singer would want to reproduce what Gibbons has given us in these 4 cd's, and in fact few listeners will be able to listen for long to these 4 cd's without a respite, a break , some silence, some minimal styling from somebody (anybody) else...which brings me to
Third: This is an archive, not a recital. This is a library, not a program. There is no track-by-track contrast of moods here, no track-by-track concession to easy listening, varied delight, any more than a library shelf of novels is alphabetized by authors' last names as a concession to mood or fancy or taste of the searching patron. This is the documented Gershwin in his recording mode: manic, notey, clever, "on", and never, as generations of stylists found in him, ravishing, tender, longing, sweet, glad, hopeful...person-to-person, in a word. I can listen to these cd's about half an hour at a time, max. This is Gerwhsin, not Gibbons. And this is just one side of Gershwin. He died at 38, in the summer. Brain tumor. A lot of pain.
Finally, Jack Gibbons has given the world a uniquely valuable and easily available resource. Gibbons could now do us a service by playing us some Gershwin as he feels it, as it hits him and makes him sing (as Gershwin, our American Schubert, does to all of us, and as I think Alkan has done to Gibbons). I would love to see a Gershwin stylings by Gibbons now that Gibbons himself has made sure Gershwin in his authenticity is safe and sound.
Definative.......2005-07-23
Gibbons, according to a family friend and biographer Edward jablonski "recreates Gershwin's style." I'll never know. I can say this is a lively recording and has the perfect balance. It's neither stuffy and plodding or cute.
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Great Operatic Arias
Manufacturer: Chandos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
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
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
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
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?
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George Gershwin Memorial Concert
Manufacturer: North American Class ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000006PDF Release Date: 1998-04-28 |
Tracks:
- Opening Comments
- Prelude #2
- Commentary
- An American In Paris
- Commentary
- Eulogy
- Swanee
- The Man I Love
- They Can't Take That Away From Me
- Station Identification : Commentary
- 1st Movement : Allegro
- 2nd Movement : Andate con moto
- Concerto In F: 3rd Movement : Allegro con brio
Tracks:
- Intermission : Mrs. Leiland Atherton Irish; Oscar Hammerstein Tribute; Edward G. Robinson Tribute; Commentary
- Introduction To The Second Half
- Anthology : The Man I Love, Liza, Lady Be Good, Somebody Loves Me, Do It Again, I Got Rhythm, Wintergreen For President, Strike Up The Band
- Commentary
- Porgy And Bess: Introduction And Summertime
- Commentary
- Porgy And Bess: My Man's Gone Now
- Porgy And Bess: The Buzzard Song
- Porgy And Bess: The Train Song
- Porgy And Bess: I've Got Plenty O' Nuttin'
- Porgy And Bess: Bess, You Is My Woman Now
- Porgy And Bess: I'm On My Way
- Commentary
- Rhapsody In Blue
Customer Reviews:
An Absolute Must For Lovers of Music and History.......2001-01-20
A real collector's item, especially for old-time radio buffs.......2000-09-24
This was broadcast on CBS Radio in September,1937, barely two months after the composer's shocking and untimely death from a brain tumor at the age of thirty-eight. All of his most famous pieces for concert hall are heard here,and the advantage of hearing them in a live performance is that they are not edited, as they often would have been in recordings made during that era. (Gershwin's own recording of the "Rhapsody in Blue",made in the 1920's in a recording studio,is rather severely cut.)
Many of the performers, such as Fred Astaire and Oscar Levant, give memorable performances,but there are a few clinkers. The great German conductor Otto Klemperer may be brilliant in Beethoven and Bach, but he was not the man to conduct Gershwin's Second Prelude, heard here in an orchestral arrangement. He has no feel for jazz idioms whatsoever, and he makes this slow, blues-like piece sound like a dirge out of Mahler or Bruckner. It is,sad to say, the worst performance of the Prelude I have ever heard. And whatever possessed the producers of this concert to get Lily Pons,with her pronounced French accent,to sing "Summertime", rather than an American soprano,which they could have gotten easily? It throws the whole "Porgy and Bess" segment out of whack.
That "Porgy" segment, however, is one of the most valuable historical documents ever recorded. It presents members of the original 1935 cast of the opera performing unedited versions of several arias,duets and ensemble pieces from the opera, conducted by Alexander Smallens, the original conductor. And it presents perhaps the only surviving recording of Ruby Elzy,the original Serena, singing "My Man's Gone Now". (Miss Elzy was NOT featured on the so-called Broadway cast album; Anne Brown,the original Bess,sang Serena's music on that one,as well as singing Bess and Clara's arias.) And we finally get to hear Todd Duncan perform "The Buzzard Song", which was cut from the opera for a very long time.
Fred Astaire's spoken tribute to Gershwin is very moving, and at one point, his voice is heard cracking with emotion. The announcer and narrator, however, speaks in that overenunciated, dramatic, actorish style which was apparently the norm for radio announcers of that period. He sounds as if he were getting ready to either impersonate Orson Welles, or audition for "Hamlet", and his style of speaking is almost quaint nowadays.
But this album is still irreplaceable.
An update to this review - This edition of the memorial concert is apparently out of print, and the concert itself has been reissued as part of the ongoing CD series "The Radio Years". DO NOT BUY THAT VERSION. It is vastly inferior to this one. This version has spectacular sound for its time, and the new reissue sounds as if had been recorded through a tin can. And not only is the sound bad on the reissue, but there is tons of surface noise and the program itself seems to be abridged.
We can only hope that the edition listed on this page will be re-issued some day. This historic concert deserves no less.
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Carmen (Sung in English)
Bizet , Bardon , Gavin , Plazas , Magee , and Parry Manufacturer: Chandos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00007JGRN Release Date: 2003-03-11 |
Tracks:
- Prelude
- In The Plaza
- Just Look At That Delicious Morsel
- Here Come Our New Soldier Boys
- Jose! There Was A Girl Here Looking For You Just Now
- Off With You Old Soldier Boys
- Corporal! Sir!
- We Have Heard The Bell Summon Us To Meet Here
- Ah, Just Look!
- But Why Hasn't She Come, Our Carmencita?
- Love's A Bird Wild As Any Rebel
- Carmen! We Will Follow You High And Low!
- The Cheek Of It!
- Give Me News Of My Mother!
- Your Dear Mother And I Were Leaving Church This Morning
- I See My Mother's Face!
- Wait A Moment - I'm Going To Read The Letter
- Come And Help
- So, Corporal: Tell Me What Happened
- Well, Carmencita: What Do You Have To Say For Yourself?
- Where Are You Taking Me?
- There's An Old Bar In The City
- Careful - It's Lieutenant!
- Entr'acte
- From Far Away Mysterious Sounds
- Bravo, Bravo! More! Keep Dancing!
- Hurrah! Hurrah! The Torero!
- Who's That? It's Escamillo, The Bullfighter From Granada
- Hurrah! Hurrah! The Torero!
- You're Most Kind
- We'll Come With You, Senor Torero
- Toreador, Be Ready!
- At Last! We Got Rid Of Them As Quickly As We Could
- There's A Little Job That We're Starting!
- Being In Love Is Not A Reason
Tracks:
- To Bid You Welcome To Our Bar
- La La La La La La La La...
- Back To Camp!... Go At Once!
- That Flow'r You Threw To Me I Treasured
- No, It's Not Love At All!
- Hello! Carmen!
- Lieutenant Fair, It's True
- The Sky Above The Open Road
- Entr'acte
- Keep Going, Dear Old Friend, Kep Going!
- Right! Let's Stop For A While
- Shuffle! Cut Them!
- In Vain You Would Avoid The Bitter Things They're Saying
- You're Back!
- As For That Man, It Should Be Easy!
- Is This The Place?
- I Say That There's Nothing To Fear
- It's Him! I'm Sure It's Him Over There!
- Escamillo Is My Name, And I Come From Granada
- She Had A Lover Here
- Hola! Hola! Jose!
- You Should Take Care, Carmen
- Alas! Jose, Your Mother Is Ill
- Entr'acte
- A Few Cuartos! A Few Cuartos!
- Here They Come! Here They Come!
- If You Love Me, Carmen
- It's You! It's Me!
- Viva! Viva! What A Corrida!
Customer Reviews:
English is an asset and a drawback.......2004-07-20
Unfortunately, the performance suffers from being sung in English. The singers declaim their parts with such proper British diction that Carmen comes across as a school marm. The spoken dialog is delivered beat for deliberate beat and is dripping with reverb. It makes the plaza, tavern and mountain pass all sound like a sewer pipe.
This is a good first Carmen for someone trying to understand the work. The libretto itself is a good investment for further listening. For an enjoyable performance with an emphasis on character and action, I recommend Regina Resnik on the London Double Decker set.
You Will Love Opera After Hearing Carmen In English.......2004-02-09
The real strength of this version is the dynamic drama. With the advantage of being sung in English, we get better insight on characters' emotions and motives, and we understand the drama a lot better. Carmen is all about great drama. Bizet drew the plot from the French writer Prosper Merimee's dark short story. Carmen is the ultimate femme fatale- a devil-may-care, sexy Gypsy living in Spain, seduces the conservatively raised soldier Don Jose, stealing him away from his fiancee, the passive Micaela, living a life of underground smuggling and rowdy taverns. "Habanera" and "The Gypsy Song and Dance" are very expressive of Carmen's extraordinarily liberal lifestyle. Don Jose, however, has fallen deeply in love- as he shows us in his song/aria "The Flower Song". But Carmen soon becomes tired of his constancy. Don Jose wants a committed, monogamous relationship with Carmen. But Carmen will not submit to love, since she is first and foremost a carnal creature. Eventually, she falls for the handsome Toreador Escamillo. Don Jose, consumed by jealousy, stabs Carmen at a bullfight after Carmen declares her love for Escamillo and rejects Don Jose's love. Don Jose's crazed, obscessive personality shines through in the English version as well. This tragedy has been done in English before so don't think this is the first time. Back in the 50's, there was a film, starring black actors "Carmen Jones" which was treated the same way as this opera- more like an English Broadway musical and with the dubbed singing voice of Marilyn Horne as Carmen. All in all, this recording is excellent.
A wholly credible "Carmen" -- finally!.......2003-09-17
I love Carmen!.......2003-08-15
And what of this recording? Carmen sits well in English, so it is good to hear in translation, although some of the detais in the text jar. Escamillo refers to Jose as "my dear", which sounds rather peculiar, and the guide's line to Micaela: "it's not exactly inviting, is it?" sounds distinctly Middle England rather than Rural Spain. Some of the performers, not least Carmen herself, make the words work, although there are long tracts, especially with the chorus, where the language is distinctly indistinct.
The soloists are, by and large, strong. Patricia Bardon's deep, Handel-friendly voice adapts well to Carmen and she colours the music with phenomenal detail, sounding sexy and provocative from the start with an edge of pride and anger that emerges as the show goes on. She is out of her depth above the stave, though, and some extra top notes in the second act don't show her off to her best advantage. I have previously said that Julian Gavin is poorly served by recordings, though here he sounds much more even and gives a thrilling and musical performance (but his wooden spoken lines let him down). Mary Plazas is a lovely Micaela, rich-voiced and sincere (and word-perfect), but Garry Magee sounds miscast as Escamillo, lacking the ballast at the bottom of the voice to do justice to this tricky role.
The supporting cast is good (Mary Hegarty seems to do nothing but Frasquita these days!) but the really treasurable thing is the conducting. Stepping out of Italian Ottocento, David Parry turns his hand to this French Comedie with an appropriate lightness of touch. His pacing and handling of the set pieces is exemplary and the enrtractes go with a real swing.
A pleasure, then, for the Carmen naive or a novelty for the Carmen-acquainted. I nearly wrote Carmen-weary - but I don't think it's possible.
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Essential Gershwin
Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000088E4C Release Date: 2003-02-11 |
Tracks:
- Rhapsody In Blue - Andre Previn
- Symphonic Portrait Of Porgy & Bess - Robert Russell Bennett
- Cuban Overture - Howard Hanson
- An American In Paris - Lorin Maazel
Tracks:
- 3 Preludes For Piano Solo - Werner Haas
- 3 Preludes For Piano Solo - Werner Haas
- 3 Preludes For Piano Solo - Werner Haas
- Lullaby - Riccardo Chailly
- Variations On I Got Rhythm - Bernard Herrmann
- The Man I Love - Barbara Hendricks
- Oh Kay! - Overture - Arthur Fiedler
- Walking The Dog From Shall We Dance - John Mauceri
- They All Laughed From Shall We Dance - John Mauceri
- Let's Call The Whole Thing Off From Shall We Dance - John Mauceri
- They Can't Take That Away From Me From Shall We Dance - Barbara Hendricks
- A Foggy Day From A Damsel In Distress - John Mauceri
- Nice Work If You Can Get It From A Damsel In Distress - Barbara Hendricks
- Love Walked In From The Goldwyn Follies - John Mauceri
- Love Is Here To Stay From The Goldwyn Follies - Barbara Hendricks
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The Tao of Cello
Manufacturer: Valley ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000088EH9 Release Date: 2003-04-08 |
Tracks:
- Restraint Begins With Giving Up One's Own Ideas
- Man Follows The Earth
- When Men Lack A Sense Of Awe, There Will Be A Disaster
- The Tao Of Heaven Is To Take Form Those Who Have Too Much And Give To Those Who Have To Little
- Man Follows The Earth. Earth Follows Heaven. Heaven Follows The Tao. Tao Follows What It Natural
- Knowing Others Is Wisdoms
- The Further You Go, The Less You Know
- It Is Not Wise To Rush About
- Returning Is The Motion Of The Tao
- See Simplicity In The Complicated
- In Dealing With Others, Be Gentle And Kind
- He Who Is Filled With Virtue Is Like A Newborn Child
- Yield And Overcome
- What Is Firmly Grasped Cannot Slip Away
- Tao Follows The Earth
- Become As A Child Once More
- Sometimes One Is Up And Sometimes Down
- Just Do What Needs To Be Done
- That Is Why A Victory Must Be Observed Life A Funeral
- All Men Will Come To Him Who Keeps To The One
- The Valley Spirit Never Dies
- Heaven And Earth Last Forever
Product Description
1. Restraint Begins With Giving Up One's Own Ideas
2. Man Follows The Earth
3. When Men Lack A Sense Of Awe, There Will Be A Disaster
4. The Tao Of Heaven Is To Take From Those Who Have Too Much And Give To Those Who Have Too Little
5. Man Follows The Earth, Earth Follows Heaven, Heaven Follows The Tao, Tao Follows What Is Natural
6. Knowing Others Is Wisdom
7. The Further You Go, The Less You Know
8. It Is Not Wise To Rush About
9. Returning Is The Motion Of The Tao
10. See Simplicity In The Complicated
11. In Dealing With Others, Be Gentle And Kind
12. He Who Is Filled With Virtue Is Like A Newborn Child
13. Yield And Overcome
14. What Is Finally Grapsed Cannot Slip Away
15. Tao Follows The Earth
16. Become As A Child Once More
17. Sometimes One Is Up And Sometimes Down
18. Just Do What Needs To Be Done
19. That Is Why A Victory Must Be Observed Like A Funeral
20. All Men Will Come To Him Who Keeps To The One
21. The Valley Spirit Never Dies
22. Heaven And Earth Last Forever (Improvisation On Bach Suite II, Praeluium)
Format: CD
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Gershwin: Fascinating Rhythm
Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B00009KHYL Release Date: 2005-03-01 |
Tracks:
- Fascinating Rhythm
- Soon
- Summertime
- Nice Work If You Can Get It
- Embraceable You
- Liza (All The Clouds'll Roll By)
- A Foggy Day
- 'S Wonderful
- The Man I Love
- I Got Rhythm
- He Loves And She Loves
- The Can't Take That Away From Me
- They All Laughed
- Funny Face
- Love Is Here To Say
- Oh, Lady Be Good
Rap Music:
- The All-American Rejects [Enhanced]
- The Bangles - Greatest Hits
- The Body Acoustic
- The Futureheads
- The Paul Simon Collection: On My Way, Don't Know Where I'm Goin'
- The Reason [Enhanced]
- The Sound of White
- The Spirit Room [Enhanced]
- The Trinity Session
- Thirteen Tales From Urban Bohemia [Enhanced]
Recommended Music:
Music: Johann Strauss Jr.: Famous Waltzes, Polkas, Marches &
The Ultimate Opera Collection 2