The Sights [Enhanced]

Amazon.com
With the swagger of mid-career Stones, the sneer of the early Pretty Things, and the loopy sincerity and self-conscious whimsy of the Small Faces, this Motor City trio has elevated the Detroit garage rock paradigm to its highest point in years, without referencing the White Stripes a single time. The three pals, who have known each other since Middle School flesh out the bare-bones minimalism of the garage genre and park a fully loaded T-Bird in its place; sleek, insinuating and dangerous. Their third outing on former Smashing Pumpkin, James Iha's New Line label combines disturbingly catchy tunes, anxious organ fills, with a clever lyricism that comes from living under the shadow of Motown's Hitsville USA. --Jaan Uhelszki

Product Description
The Sights combine the unobtrusive honesty of The Band with slivers of influence from their own personal record collections: Ike & Tina, Solomon Burke, Everly Brothers, Bob Seger, and Tim Hardin. The result is an album that's classic, not derivative - filled with swagger and deference - and ridiculously catchy. "...Taking its cue from scuzzed '60s beat-pop, it manages to cram echoes of Supergrass, The Who, and rockers Humble Pie into the coolest and most accomplished record to come out of Detroit since The White Stripes"--NME. "At last - a new Detroit-garage band that comes in colors. Guitarist Eddie Baranek sings like he has a good case of Badfinger and writes with the R&B concision of '65 Motown, while the pools of mellotron and circus organ carry the '68 stamp of the day-glo Pretty Things and Michigan's own forgotten SRC"--Rolling Stone. This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.

The Sights,The Sights,New Line Records,Garage Rock Revival,Pop,Pop Underground,Rock,Rock/Pop

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The Sights [Enhanced]

Average customer rating: Detroit still rocks Amazed by the little I HAVE heard! real rock'n'roll Ahh, a great Detroit band pops up. The Sights Flat-out Rock!

The Sights The Sights Manufacturer: New Line Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Garage Rock | Rock | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Art of Rolling De Nova Universal Blues Got What We Want The Greatest White Liar ASIN: B0007X9TX4 Release Date: 2005-04-12

Tracks:

1. I'm Going To Live The Life I Sing About In My Song
2. Circus
3. Will I Be True?
4. Scratch My Name In Sin
5. Backseat
6. Last Chance
7. Waiting On A Friend
8. Baby's Knocking Me Down
9. Just Got Robbed
10. Frozen Nose
11. Suited Fine
12. Good Way To Die

Amazon.com

With the swagger of mid-career Stones, the sneer of the early Pretty Things, and the loopy sincerity and self-conscious whimsy of the Small Faces, this Motor City trio has elevated the Detroit garage rock paradigm to its highest point in years, without referencing the White Stripes a single time. The three pals, who have known each other since Middle School flesh out the bare-bones minimalism of the garage genre and park a fully loaded T-Bird in its place; sleek, insinuating and dangerous. Their third outing on former Smashing Pumpkin, James Iha's New Line label combines disturbingly catchy tunes, anxious organ fills, with a clever lyricism that comes from living under the shadow of Motown's Hitsville USA. --Jaan Uhelszki

Album Description

The Sights combine the unobtrusive honesty of The Band with slivers of influence from their own personal record collections: Ike & Tina, Solomon Burke, Everly Brothers, Bob Seger, and Tim Hardin. The result is an album that's classic, not derivative - filled with swagger and deference - and ridiculously catchy. "...Taking its cue from scuzzed '60s beat-pop, it manages to cram echoes of Supergrass, The Who, and rockers Humble Pie into the coolest and most accomplished record to come out of Detroit since The White Stripes"--NME. "At last - a new Detroit-garage band that comes in colors. Guitarist Eddie Baranek sings like he has a good case of Badfinger and writes with the R&B concision of '65 Motown, while the pools of mellotron and circus organ carry the '68 stamp of the day-glo Pretty Things and Michigan's own forgotten SRC"--Rolling Stone. This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.

Customer Reviews:

Detroit still rocks.......2006-01-29

Refreshingly soulful garage rock, quality playing, and a faithful Faces cover. Who could ask for more?

Amazed by the little I HAVE heard!.......2005-10-19

I'm in Miami where the music scene is worse than suffocating in a room of concentrated dog farts.

Sights, you'd better come to Miami 'cause I'm gonna promote the hell out of you all! You're among the first few bands of the 00s to resurrect my old fire for rock in the face of the stifling political correctness of the (c)rap movement.

real rock'n'roll.......2005-08-24

i am pleased to be the second person from michigan to write a review of this album ...

i've been a sights fan for a few years now. they're definitely one of the best bands in detroit, especially when it comes to live acts. if it's possible, see them live. their albums are great, but nothing compares to seeing them in person. eddie baranek (guitars, vocals) and bobby emmett (organ) have mad skills. at their live show, the sweet 60s pop-rock one might expect after hearing their 2 previous albums is replaced with and soulfull rock&roll and gritty r&b.

so yeah i love the sights.

anyway, the album.

the album opens with a gospel cover which has become a live staple. the next three tracks are ridiculously catchy and truthful and completely lacking the pretention that usually goes with rock'n'roll in cities more polished then detroit, as is the entire album. "waiting on a friend" is a nice break, a quasi-ballad complete with piano.

emmett has a change to shine in "baby's knocking me down" and "suited fine," with the latter being my favorite. mm, organ solos. i love them.

the only reason why i'm giving this album 4 stars instead of 5 is because you have to see them live in their clunky, messy, sweaty, organ-ridden glory. it's not 'til the last three songs of the album that it begins to capture their spirit.

oh, and, i'm not a big fan of their harmonica-laden remake of "can't stand you," originally off their 1999 debut album, "are you green."

but to each his own. those crazy sights.

Ahh, a great Detroit band pops up........2005-06-16

I'm happy to be the first person from Michigan to review this album for amazon although it is a bit sad since I've just gotten into them and they have a few other quality albums that I haven't heard yet, however, what they have here is brilliantly played rock and roll. I don't think they are the saviors of rock and they wouldn't even say that, but they rock in a way that few in todays rock world do. These guys are so anxious to rock it shows in the speed and chops in the perfomances. They never cease to be impressive song to song. One thing that's the best thing about the album is the lead singer. He's not the best singer by any means, but he sings with an inspiration that's not only right on key, it's loud and energizing. Similarly, his guitar playing and the band accompanying solos are spot on. I wholeheartedly recommend this album to people who like rock and roll and I mean the classic sense of the world, it's music that has a groove you both can, and can't dance to. Whatever the case may be it makes you move. Although it might be wrong for me to ascribe greatness to a band that has just entered the national scene, I truly think they are a quality band and if enough people hear them, they will be great. It's just a matter of those people catching on.

The Sights Flat-out Rock!.......2005-05-28

This CD is completely addicting. It's been in my player for the past 2 weeks and it ain't leaving anytime soon.
"Circus" is one of the better songs I've heard in a long time, and I saw these guys play at Spaceland in L.A. about a month ago and they knocked my socks off.
Get this CD immediately.

Average customer rating: I'm really not into greatest hits albums, but this is a good deal! Worth it for the DVD alone! ALL 4 SONGS FROM THE TAMI SHOW! Even with its flaws, a classic... This collection is "Fun, Fun, Fun".

Sights and Sounds of Summer The Beach Boys Manufacturer: Capitol ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Baroque Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Surf Rock | Oldies & Retro | Rock | Styles | Music Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Warmth of the Sun Pet Sounds 40th Anniversary CD+DVD (Limited Edition Fuzzy Package) Classics: Selections By Brian Wilson Endless Harmony Today/ Summer Days (and Summer Nights) ASIN: B00026WV4A Release Date: 2004-06-15

Tracks:

1. California Girls
2. I Get Around
3. Surfin' Safari
4. Surfin' U.S.A.
5. Fun, Fun, Fun
6. Surfer Girl
7. Don't Worry Baby (Single Version)
8. Little Deuce Coupe
9. Shut Down
10. Help Me, Rhonda (Single Version)
11. Be True To Your School (Single Version)
12. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man)
13. In My Room
14. God Only Knows
15. Sloop John B
16. Wouldn't It Be Nice
17. Getcha Back
18. Come Go With Me
19. Rock And Roll Music
20. Dance, Dance, Dance
21. Barbara Ann (Single Version)
22. Do You Wanna Dance?
23. Heroes And Villians
24. Good Timin'
25. Kokomo
26. Do It Again
27. Wild Honey
28. Darlin'
29. I Can Hear Music
30. Good Vibrations

Tracks:

1. Surfin' U.S.A. (live on the T.A.M.I. Show, 1964) [DVD]
2. I Get Around (live on the T.A.M.I. Show, 1964) [DVD]
3. Surfer Girl (live on the T.A.M.I. Show, 1964) [DVD]
4. Dance, Dance, Dance (live on the T.A.M.I. Show, 1964) [DVD]
5. Little Deuce Coupe (live from The Lost Concert, 1964 [DVD]
6. Sloop John B (promotional video, 1966) [DVD]
7. PET SOUNDS (promotional film, 1966) [DVD]
8. God Only Knows (live montage, 1967/1968) [DVD]
9. Good Vibrations (live on The Ed Sullivan Show, 1968) [DVD]
10. Do It Again (live on The Ed Sullivan Show, 1968) [DVD]

Amazon.com

Beach Boys Photos

More from The Beach Boys

The Warmth of the Sun	Pet Sounds	20 Good Vibrations, The Greatest Hits
Good Vibrations: Thirty Years of The Beach Boys	Endless Harmony	Endless Harmony DVD

Customer Reviews:

I'm really not into greatest hits albums, but this is a good deal!.......2006-07-10

I own all the Beach Boys CD's prior to Pet Sounds plus Pet Sounds. I've listened to most of the "Brother Years" CDs, and I can say that sometimes I still like to crank up nothing but the big hits. This is an excellent "greatest hits" CD because with the exception of Sail On Sailer, which it amazingly does not include, it has all the "Brother Years" hits on it, including my favorite of that era "I Can Hear Music".

And, the DVD is a huge bonus. What a piece of history.

Worth it for the DVD alone! ALL 4 SONGS FROM THE TAMI SHOW!.......2004-08-24

The CD is another rehashed collection of Beach Boys hits, with a few uncommon tracks. If they had dumped Come Go With Me and Rock & roll music and added Sail On Sailor and Surf's Up, this would have been a near perfect collection. The DVD (only 10 tracks, not 20 as listed above) has ALL 4 SONGS FROM THE 1964 TAMI SHOW! It also has songs from the "Lost Concert" some Pet sounds promos, Ed Sullivan songs and a couple more. If they had added a few more promo videos, like the early tv appearances singing "Surfin" and "Surfin' Safari" with David Marks (pre Al Jardine) this would have been a 5 star set!

Even with its flaws, a classic..........2004-06-30

First the bonuses... it's a decent overview that you not only get to hear but see the band as well. Considering how many repackages that have been done, I'd recommend this one out of them all. It's a great intro for a new generation to listen to, the ones that bought the Beatles and Elvis 1's. I like it better than both of the documentaries, and wish they would put out a full-length DVD of all their great songs and some of the promo videos they did in the 80s. Even the one they did with the Fat Boys. But I do feel that you get your money's worth with this collection.

The drawbacks are the songs that are missing, which would amount to a whole other CD. Maybe a "rock" CD and a "roll" CD... As a companion (even though there are songs on both) I'd recommend "Beach Boys Classics", a set handpicked by Brian that serves as a great companion to this one, or just get the "Good Vibrations" box set which covers a lot of territory. And "Pet Sounds" should have been in your collection anyway.

This collection is "Fun, Fun, Fun"........2004-06-22

Well if "Elvis" and "The Beatles" can do it, "The Beach Boys" deserve a 30 track hits disc too. Even with this many songs, it still misses a few favorites, but it's hard to complain when you get "California Girls", "Surfin' U.S.A.", "God Only Knows" and "Kokomo" on the same disc, plus 26 others. It's amazing how many great songs they had, especially considering that half of them aren't on here. But to make up for the missing, this includes a DVD of numerous TV show appearances and film clips, hence the title "Sights AND Sounds Of Summer". Overall I'd say this will please any level of fan, and should give you "Good Vibrations".

Average customer rating: Places To Park Good Music that isnt cookie-cut. Why Can't I Rate It ZERO Stars Awesome Awesome

Better Sights Were Set (Dig) Places to Park Manufacturer: Volcom Entertainment ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music ASIN: B00006AO27 Release Date: 2002-07-23

Tracks:

1. Part of It
2. Like This
3. Martesia
4. Too Soon
5. The Greatest Story
6. Turn Coat
7. So Different
8. Slow Down
9. Signed And Sealed
10. Blazing Trails
11. Ascension

Customer Reviews:

Places To Park.......2005-10-25

I first heard this band in one of my snowboard videos (Wildcats Diary) and it sounded good to snowboard too. I later on bought the album and not only do I listen to it when I ride, but I listen to it all the time. Overall, this is one of those bands were they are just getting going and this is a really good album. Yeah, parts of it could have been better, but im not complaining. So if you that kind of music where its just fun to listen to then I recommend this album.

Good Music that isnt cookie-cut........2005-01-26

Any person that gives this album a bad review is obviously jealous, or had his girl friend stolen by one of the band members. If you like good music that isnt a cookie-cut project, I suggest that you buy this album. Not only are the lyrics real, and true, but the sound rocks. I would highly recommend that anyone buy this album. Bands that I hear when listening to this album include Hot Water Music, and Afghan Wigs.

Why Can't I Rate It ZERO Stars.......2004-09-07

This is, by far, the worst album that has been pressed in the years that I have been alive. Do Not Buy This. If You Do, you will be the next person trying to sell it. Use the money to buy something good.

Awesome.......2003-02-23

This band is awesome! They have impecable sound with incredible lyrics. This is a CD that you would definity want to buy.

Awesome.......2003-02-23

This band is awesome! They have impecable sound with incredible lyrics. This is a CD that you would definity want to buy.

Average customer rating: Champagne Music!

Offenbach: La Belle Helene; Orpheus in the Underworld; La Vie Parisienne (Highlights) Manufacturer: Class. for Pleas. Us ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Offenbach | Offenbach, Jacques | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Johann Strauss II: Die Fledermaus; The Gypsy Baron (Highlights) Léhar: The Land of Smiles; The Merry Widow; The Count of Luxembourg (Highlights) Offenbach: Orpheus in the Underworld / Burgess, Watson, etc (Highlights) ASIN: B00009KHY3 Release Date: 2003-09-02

Tracks:

1. Overture
2. The Happy Bride Never Stumbles
3. You've Gone Too Far!
4. May I Make Myself Known?
5. My Death Appears Divinely Smiling
6. When Diana Leaves The Mountains
7. To Arms!
8. When Jupy Feels The Inclination
9. Here Comes Orpheus
10. When I Was King Of The Boeotians
11. I Thought That I Felt On My Shoulder
12. What Heavenly Joy Is Mine
13. Minuet And Galop
14. Overture
15. How Sad We've Made The Marchioness
16. Well Isn't That Just Life All Over?
17. I'm The Guide For Every Tourist
18. I Am A Native Of Brazil
19. In This Enchanting Queen Of Cities
20. I Am A Dab At Carving Pork
21. We Have Seen Sights Since Eleven... I'm A Colonel's Widow
22. Dinner Is Served

Tracks:

1. Oh, Little Cloud
2. When She Goes Out... Her Petticoats Go Frou, Frou, Frou
3. Does He Know He's Splitting Down The Back
4. Nobody Would Call Me A Rover
5. I'll Have So Much To Say
6. It's Most Important You Should Show
7. Here You See The Place
8. My Friends, I'm Most Delighted To See You
9. In Songs And Shouts... Paris Blooms Like A Flower
10. Introduction
11. To Bow To Jupiter We Gather At The Shrine
12. We've Had A Night Out
13. On Mount Ida Three Great Ladies (The Judgement Of Paris)
14. March And Entry Of The Kings
15. Entr'acte
16. We All Begin By Truly Trying
17. It Is Her That Has Sent This Sweet Love Dream
18. Come Here, You Kings Of Greece
19. When All Of Greece Has Been Ravaged
20. Do You See?

Customer Reviews:

Champagne Music!.......2006-07-09

Thank goodness that these well filled CDs of selections from three of Offenbach's most entertaining and tuneful operettas are available. Exactly the thing to provide some hearty nourishment for Winter nights. Ideal also for a Summer barbecue. In both cases, a glass of champagne, or at least some other bubbly beverage, would be good to have at hand - everything here no doubt will call for a toast or several.

It is so nice to be able to hear in these translations the witty words, sung with welcome clarity and meaning by these admirable artists. As I recall, there were no microphones in sight, and perhaps not even used, when this production of Orpheus In The Underworld was brought to Australia, with a few cast changes but the same sparkle as shown here. Crisp diction and lively, often lovely, singing - a great recipe for enjoyable listening indeed.

The recording sounds a bit shrill here and there, but what a churlish quibble; to Hades with such curmudgeonly qualifications! This is music to raise the spirits, and not just those from Hades.

Average customer rating: Worthy...but not superior Long Live "The Egyptian"! Mummified Music A Film Score by Both Hermann and Newman

The Egyptian Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Herrmann | Herrmann, Bernard | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Newman | Newman, Alfred | ( N ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Soundtracks | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Tiomkin: Red River Objective Burma! Captain Blood and Other Swashbucklers The Maltese Falcon and Other Film Scores King Kong: The Complete 1933 Film Score ASIN: B0007ACVKK Release Date: 2005-02-22

Tracks:

1. Prelude [From the Egyptian]
2. Ruins [From the Egyptian]
3. Red Sea & Childhood [From the Egyptian]
4. Nile & Temple [From the Egyptian]
5. Her Name Was Merit [From the Egyptian]
6. Chariot Ride [From the Egyptian]
7. Pursuit [From the Egyptian]
8. Akhnaton - One Deity [From the Egyptian]
9. Taia [From the Egyptian]
10. Party's End [From the Egyptian]
11. Nefer-Nefer-Nefer [From "The Egyptian"]
12. Rebuke [From the Egyptian]
13. Deed [From the Egyptian]
14. Harp & Couch [From the Egyptian]
15. Perfection of Love [From the Egyptian]
16. Violence [From the Egyptian]
17. Valley of the Kings [From the Egyptian]
18. Homecoming [From the Egyptian]
19. Hymn to Aton [From the Egyptian]
20. Sights, Sounds & Smells [From the Egyptian]
21. Live for Our Son [From "The Egyptian"]
22. Am I Mad? [From the Egyptian]
23. True Pharoah [From the Egyptian] - Moscow Symphony Orchestra
24. Tomb [From the Egyptian]
25. Holy War [From the Egyptian]
26. Dance Macabre [From the Egyptian]
27. Death of Merit [From the Egyptian]
28. Death of Akhnaton [From the Egyptian]
29. New Pharaoh [From the Egyptian] - Moscow Symphony Orchestra
30. Exile & Death [From the Egyptian]

Customer Reviews:

Worthy...but not superior.......2007-04-15

I already own the original-issue MCA/Decca studio recording CD as well as the Film Score Monthly soundtrack CD for this rousing good score, so for the completist in me, I bought the NAXOS/Marco Polo digital re-recording.

It's a worthy effort, but the performance lacks the "enthusiasm" of the originals. I just didn't "feel it," even with the always-excellent recording standards of the Stromberg/Morgan team. This is most evident during the spiritual passages and particularly during the two Hymn to Aton sequences, where neither the glory nor the tragedy comes across.

No slam at the Soviet chorus (they've proved themselves well enough in other projects), but their accents on the English text really became distracting on this disc.

Also, the balance between the orchestra and the chorus is variable at best and at times the brass lines drown out the parts where the chorus is supposed to be prominant.

On the plus side, the liner notes for this CD were excellent and very informative. At 71 minutes, the addition of so much extra music not found on the original studio recording was welcome; and to have it presented in a "cleaner" digital version than on the FSM soundtrack CD was nice (though I hasten to add that the FSM disc is still THE recording to get).

Overall, a useful addition for completists or those who can't afford the higher-priced studio or soundtrack recordings, but just be aware that some of the "heart" is missing from this one.

Long Live "The Egyptian"!.......2006-02-17

I was extra glad to find this classic for sale through Amazon.

I have loved the movie since I was a little tyke, and after well over a thousand (Yes, 1000!) viewings have caused me to wear out copies of it firstly on Beta, and two subsequent copies on VHS (all self-taped from TV).

The CD of the Soundtrack by Herrmann and Newman is superb, and is every bit as fresh and melodic as it was in 1954 when it accompanied / complimented the film.

The 11 tracks by Alfred Newman are highlighted to indicate their different origins when compared to the bulk of the work by Bernard Herrmann, but the whole CD just blends into a seamless work, almost in the style of a tone poem. The tracks are all there, and it is a delight to listen to them in their full orchestral versions, rather than the snippets that you can hear (tantalising though they are) on the film soundtrack, cluttered up with dialogue and sound FX.

I would recommend this CD to anyone who has fond memories of the film, or admires the work of Herrmann and/or Newman.

(Would also like to see a CD made of Herrmann's music to "Journey to the Centre of the Earth"..........

Anubis Lives!

Mummified Music.......2005-12-11

What we have here is a film-score rarity from several perspectives. First, it's a composition co-created by two of the titans of classic-film music, Bernard Herrmann and Alfred Newman. However, there does seem to be much in the way of (or any) cue-by-cue collaboration; the result, unsurprisingly, is not particularly seamless. Mr. Herrmann is credited with independently writing (and conducting) the bulk of the cues--about two thirds of the score. Second, I would not call the score for 1954 film THE EGYPTIAN (TE) "a classic" (the same applies to the film). Not wishing to engender yet another debate over what constitutes "a classic" score or film, to my ears the score for TE is predominately colorless and undistinguished. To be blunt, the music is deadly dull. In this regard, the score mirrors the film which is also a dud! (On this, I can speak from some atmospheric experience, having spent time in Egypt.) And third, the marginal quality of the cues is a major surprise and disappointment given the immensity of the creative talent. Even legendary composers can have bad hair days! On a brighter note, Messrs. John Morgan and William Stromberg, who are unsurpassed masters of film score restoration, reconstruction, arrangement, and presentation, have once again worked their magic with this CD. Their combined execution is stunning, but I sure wish they had tackled a different project. The CD booklet is principally authored by Jack Smith. His analysis of each track is singularly lacking in musicality. He mostly just summarizes what's happening on screen. Mr. Smith also writes that "(w)hen THE EGYPTIAN premiered, critics were polite ... ticket sales were nowhere near the expected box-office tally ... (and the film) then settled into oblivion." Fortunately, the booklet contains a short essay by Mr. Morgan ("Arranger's Notes") and some brief comments by Mr. Stromberg ("Conductor's Note") which are far more informative reads. There is also a rare photograph of Messrs. Morgan and Stromberg slaving over a hot piano. By itself, almost worth the price of admission! The CD is a re-release at "popular prices" of the original which is on the Marco Polo label.

William Flanigan, Ph.D.

A Film Score by Both Hermann and Newman.......2005-05-08

Very unusually Darryl Zanuck assigned this film score to two of 20th Century Fox's stable of composers, one very established, Alfred Newman, and one a newcomer who was gaining a reputation as a superb writer, Bernard Herrmann. This was for expediency's sake because Newman was also involved at the same time in writing the score for another movie in production, 'There's No Business Like Show Business.' And, in fact, Herrmann wrote most of the score, although some of the cues had melodies written by Newman but expanded and orchestrated by Herrmann; each of those cues had the notation 'music developed by Bernard Herrman from themes composed by Alfred Newman.' (It is of note that Newman did not do any of his own orchestration, leaving that to Edward Powell; Herrmann did all his orchestrations.) Herrmann and Newman each conducted some of the original sound track recording. What is amazing is that there is no fault line between the music written by Newman, a composer of the old Austrian high-romantic camp, and Herrmann, whose style ultimately developed along much more advanced lines (witness his score for 'Psycho').

The movie itself was one of those blood-and-sandal epics so beloved by Hollywood in the 1950s. And it was one of the very first Cinemascope extravaganzas. It was not much of a movie, starring a cipher of an actor, Edmond Purdom. And the story isn't much, either. The music, accordingly, partakes rather too much of the faux-oriental style so familiar from such movies. Still, there are some really memorable passages, particularly those that are of the more intimate scenes. The love scene--the cue is titled 'Her Name was Merit' -- features a really lovely alto flute and oboe d'amore theme with harp and string accompaniment. There are also some scenes of religious splendor -- e.g. Hymn to Aton -- that are also quite striking for all they owe to the temple scene of 'Aïda.'

The score was cut down somewhat for this CD. Originally there were about 100 minutes of music. Film music arranger John Morgan gets credit for making what turns out to be an effective 70 minutes of music that can stand on its own, absent the film. It is played more or less without pause, moving from one cue to the other seamlessly. Veteran film music conductor William Stromberg gets a fairly decent performance out of the Moscow Symphony Orchestra and Choir. This performance was originally issued in 1998 on the full-price Marco Polo label.

This score is a superior example of its type and it is given a creditable performance here.

TT=71:30

Scott Morrison

Average customer rating: A true, enduring masterpiece!

The Egyptian Manufacturer: Film Score Monthly ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Herrmann | Herrmann, Bernard | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Newman | Newman, Alfred | ( N ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Similar Items: Cleopatra Sodom & Gomorrah The Greatest Story Ever Told (Score) Ben-Hur - A Tale Of The Christ: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1959 Version) Demetrius and the Gladiators ASIN: B0006SSPX0 Release Date: 2005-01-11

Tracks:

1. Prelude/The Ruins
2. Crocodile Inn/Thebes
3. Chant for Dead Pharaoh
4. Chariot Ride/Pursuit/Akhnaton/Put Them in Chains
5. Throne Room
6. Taia
7. Party's End/The Offering/The Harp Player
8. Deed/The Harp and Couch
9. Perfection of Love/Violence
10. House of the Dead/The Burial
11. Valley of the Kings
12. Homecoming
13. Hymn to Aton
14. Nefer's Farewell/Sights, Sounds and Smells
15. You've Been in My Prayers
16. Live for Our Son [From "The Egyptian"]
17. Am I Mad?
18. Princess/The True Pharaoh/The Tomb
19. Danse Macabre
20. Death of Merit
21. Death Potion
22. Death of Akhnaton
23. I Am Pharaoh/Horemheb's Victorious Entrance
24. Exile and Death

Customer Reviews:

A true, enduring masterpiece!.......2005-09-01

There have been many milestones in film music history that have resonated through the decades finding new audiences and inspiring new recordings.

Unique among them is "The Egyptian," a major collaboration between uber-composers Bernard Herrmann (to whom the film was assigned) and Alfred Newman (20th Century-Fox Music Department head and all-time great composer/conductor). While Herrmann got the initial assignment, the allotted time was inadequate for him to do justice to the film. Newman stepped in and developed thematic materials which Herrmann incorporated into his own desginated sections of the film, while Newman the rest.

In my opinion, "The Egyptian" -- as a film -- stands well above most epics of the 50s, but it has some serious detractors who, for whatever reasons, find no value in the authentic atmosphere, fantastic sets, stunning cinematography and brilliant music underscoring. Add to that some solid performances from Victor Mature, Jean Simmons, Peter Ustinov and Michael Wilding (plus a stolid, if uninvolving leading performance by Edmund Purdom) and you really get a stunning piece of entertainment that holds the attention, dazzles the eyes and ears and becomes emotionally involving. Wilding, as the pharaoh, has the film's -- and one of filmdom's -- best moments near the end of the film. Newman's underscoring for that scene -- called "Death of Akhnaton" -- is an example of what film scoring is all about. It also heightens awareness of what seems to be missing from many of today's film composers resumes -- intensive education in music theory, counterpoint, harmony and exposure to all forms of music. The scene is breathtaking, heartbreakingly performed and musically overwhelming, although the music is always "under" the scene rather than rampaging over it.

There are so many wonderful pieces of music in this film that I acknowledge my inadequacy to present a case for them. The proof is in the listening. From the awe-inspiring opening to the exquisite theme for "Merit" to the sinuous, hypnotic theme for "Nefer", Herrmann and Newman have created a musical palette of stunning splendors. There is no other soundtrack album like it.

I cannot overstate its importance, the splendiferousness of its performance on this recording by the 20th Century-Fox Studio Orchestra as conducted by Alfred Newman, and the glorious choral work of Newman's right-hand man, Ken Darby.

This is film music history. Any collection without it is hollow.

Average customer rating: Fascinating -- and strange

Robert Russell Bennett: Lincoln: Likeness in Symphony Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music $6.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Instrumental | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Fry: Santa Claus Symphony / Royal Scottish National Orchestra Meredith Willson: Symphony No. 1 in F minor; Symphony No. 2 in E minor Virgil Thomson: Symphony No 1-3 Respighi: Piano Concerto / Fantasia Slava ASIN: B00000JMYI Release Date: 1999-07-20

Tracks:

1. Abraham Lincoln: A Likeness In Symphony Form: I. His Simplicity And His Sadness (Moderato con moto)
2. Abraham Lincoln: A Likeness In Symphony Form: II. His Affection And His Faith (Andantino)
3. Abraham Lincoln: A Likeness In Symphony Form: III. His Humour And His Weakness (Allegro animato)
4. Abraham Lincoln: A Likeness In Symphony Form: IV. His Greatness And His Sacrifice (Moderato maestoso)
5. Sights And Sounds (An Orchestral Entertainment): I. Union Station (vigoroso)
6. Sights And Sounds (An Orchestral Entertainment): II. Highbrows (Andante tranquillo)
7. Sights And Sounds (An Orchestral Entertainment): III. Lowbrows (Allegro)
8. Sights And Sounds (An Orchestral Entertainment): IV. Electric Signs (Ben moderato)
9. Sights And Sounds (An Orchestral Entertainment): V. Night Club (Fox trot)
10. Sights And Sounds (An Orchestral Entertainment): VI. Skyscraper (Adagio religioso)
11. Sights And Sounds (An Orchestral Entertainment): VII. Speed (Presto)

Customer Reviews:

Fascinating -- and strange.......2006-01-15

Ah, the paradox of Robert Russell Bennett: he made great art, but not the great art he wanted to make. He wrote "nearly 200 original works -- symphonies, operas, chamber music, choral and vocal music, and more than two dozen pieces for wind band," practically all groaning under a heavy accumulation of dust in libraries and archives. Meantime he orchestrated over 300 musicals, and while many of them languish forgotten or lost some do not, certainly not "Show Boat"; Bennett's majestic Overture set the tone for a masterpiece and the standard for Broadway overtures until Leonard Bernstein's "Candide" came along. His outstanding arrangements brim with inspiration and taste. So Bennett did all this "hack work" (he thought), but we're lucky he did -- and so is he, otherwise he might not merit a paragraph in "Grove's."

Bennett (George J. Ferencz' booklet notes tell us) wrote these two works in 1929 for a contest sponsored by Victor Talking Machine, and they both won cash awards and first-recording rights, which tellingly neither Victor nor its successor RCA ever exercised. The Lincoln work appears not to have been publicly performed since two outings with Stokowski and the Philadelphia in late 1931 (we must infer this as Naxos got the score and parts out of the city's Free Library). Perhaps it's unfair to contrast it to the Lincoln Portrait of 1942, but one must: if Copland too easily resorts to bombast and folk tunes, there is no denying it a stirring tribute to a great man. Without the program you can't tell what the Likeness is about. Bennett brings in trombones and faux minstrel music to indicate Lincoln's humor, and a brassy screech and glissando to indicate John Wilkes Booth, but it doesn't have the guts to be memorable; it's a well-crafted, highly-polished, eminently respectable piece of concert stuffing.

The Sights and Sounds, not performed until 1938 at a WPA-financed affair in Illinois, is somewhat more successful, as it isn't weighted down with the Likeness's significance. The movement titles ("Union Station," "Highbrows," "Lowbrows") suggest an urban symphony and fun, perhaps some backhanded quoting from his Broadway work; alas, Bennett takes himself quite seriously. He does produce a jolt of electricity in "Electric Signs", and "Fox Trot" produces a jolt of its own with its vague resemblance to "Independent" from Jule Styne's "Bells are Ringing" (another of Bennett's arranging "hack works"), and in good period manner he summons wa-wa mutes for "verisimilitude" (and the strange device of numbering the movements with a xylophone counting out the numbers). "Adagio religioso" may seem an odd tempo marking for a movement called "Skyscraper," but you can almost see the Chrysler Building's spire emerge from within its shell as it neared completion. Unfortunately, four years earlier Gershwin had the same intentions with his Concerto in F and produced a masterpiece of Art Deco music that made this one quite expendable. If these works are typical Bennett's ambitions soared well above his talent. Without a gift for melody he can only approximate music; he needed the guiding hand of inferiors like Kern and Rodgers to create real beauty.

Despite these slighting comments I give this album five stars to recognize Bennett's noble aspirations, and as these are quite fascinating works whatever their faults, and also as William Stromberg boldly leads the Moscow Symphony in these well-engineered recordings.

Average customer rating: From Straight Edge Hardcore to...

Sights Mike Judge Manufacturer: Revelation ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Folk | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music ASIN: B000000TBI Release Date: 1994-09-27

Tracks:

1. Comin' Home - Mike Judge
2. Someone I Could've Loved - Mike Judge
3. Little One - Mike Judge
4. Flying Still - Mike Judge
5. Sights - Mike Judge
6. Pushing A Dreamer - Old Smoke
7. Wish - Old Smoke
8. When The Loving's Done - Old Smoke
9. One Eyed Jack - Old Smoke
10. Time's Getting On - Old Smoke

Album Description

Revelation: 30

Mike from Judge writes and plays heartfelt personal songs reminiscent of Neil Young's solo work.

Customer Reviews:

From Straight Edge Hardcore to..........2006-03-05

If you love the hardcore version of Judge, not sure what you'll think of this. I do greatly appreciate Judge, and am immensely amused that the force behind that band could produce this. The CD itself, though, stands alone and very well without the comparison. That's just a fun curiosity. It did remind me of Neil Young, as the official reivew mentioned. I was also really getting into Beat writing at the time I was listening to this, so as it happens, I cannot listen to this CD without thinking of Jack Kerouac in Lowell. Good reading memories (though it's doubtful Mike Judge was thinking this). I do really like this one. I love it for personal reasons, and if you do get this and love it, too (for your own personal reasons), also try Francis Dunnery's Tall Blond Helicopter. Two musicians from hugely different backgrounds, but the albums go together quite well, somber and upbeat sides of the same relatively acoustic coin (well, 4 Old Smoke songs are electric, but they follow the same mellow acoustic vibe of the first four or five tracks).

Average customer rating: very cool entry from the king of space age pop

The Sights and Sounds of Esquivel Esquivel Manufacturer: Bar/None Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Lounge | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music Retro Space Age | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Latin-Esque More of Other Worlds, Other Sounds Cabaret Manana Loungecore Music from a Sparkling Planet ASIN: B000819192 Release Date: 2005-09-06

Tracks:

1. Manciero
2. Rosetta
3. La Raspa
4. Delta Dawn
5. Rhapsody In Blue
6. Good Morning Heartache
7. La Mantilla
8. Estrellita
9. Guadalajara
10. Jalisco
11. Cielito Lindo
12. Goodnight

Album Description

Previously unreleased material from the king of Space Age Bachelor Pad Music. Recorded in 1975 to be used as a promotional tool for, La Margarita - a popular Mexican restaurant in Chicago where Esquivel! was in the middle of a 6 month engagement. It was recorded live in the studio without overdubs. The only thing that was added was the applause. Includes a great arrangement of "Rhapsody In Blue",  "Good Morning Heartache" and "Delta Dawn." The final Esquivel! recording made during the lounge era.

Customer Reviews:

very cool entry from the king of space age pop.......2005-12-31

Never seen Esquivel's Vegas show? This is as close as you can come without video. This is a "live" rendition of part of his usual show. The fact that the group pulls it all off with no overdubs and supposedly (ala direct disk recordings) in a single take is a true testament to that known fact that Esquivel demanded perfection from his troops. This is a cool slice of entertainment, terrific musicians at the top of their games and unlike any show you are likely to see/hear anytime soon. A must have for the Esquivel fan.

Average customer rating:

El Surfeador Rudy & the Surf Kings Manufacturer: Righteous Rude Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music ASIN: B000CAGRLE Release Date: 2004-09-21

Tracks:

1. Surfeador
2. California Coastline
3. Surf Calypso
4. Surf Eddy
5. Tijuana
6. Wild Man
7. Puerto Penasco
8. Baja Flats
9. Dusty Trail
10. Fast Ball
11. Sneaky
12. Al Rascon

Rap Music:

1. The Very Best of Modern Talking [Import]
2. Times Like These
3. Tired Sounds of Stars of the Lid
4. Tom Jones and Jools Holland [Import]
5. Tonight I Burn Brightly
6. Try Whistling This
7. Undiscovered Soul
8. Wake Me Up When September Ends [CD-single] [Import]
9. What Comes After the Blues
10. When We Break

Rap Music

rap music

Recommended Music:

The Visit [CD-single]

Beethoven and Mozart: Manchester Music Festival

Blowin' Up a Storm

Music: Keys to the Country/Barefootin' [Import]

Broken Pt.2 [CD-single] [Enhanced] [Import]

Be Strong

Canton Gospel Soul Children

Brighton Rock

Belly Dance Instrumentals

Bassoon Music of the Americas

At the End of the Day

Best of Original Hits

Bengali Bantam Youth [Import]

The Vital Worship Collection

Double Bass