title: Infectious beautiful melodies and more

text:
Andy's melodies are sweet, rich, soaring, colorful, beautiful and downright infectious.  These songs are memorable, intimate, touching, hopeful and live in my heart and head. And not just one or two songs! On his two CDs there are classic songs all over. A friend of mine had an Andy Davis song on his my-space page. I got hooked by the second visit. I now have both CDs and absolutely love them. Every time I put them on my girlfriend says "Who is that, I love it!"

Two days in a row, listen to any one of these songs and of by the third day you'll have a new friend: "Earth And Venus", "Chicago, City Of Shoulders"; Or from "Thinks of her"; "Black Keys", "Brown eyes", "Laugh so you don't cry" or Bigger than us".  I couldn't live without it and I'm really glad I don't have to (cause I bought it!). The world will be a better place if we keep music alive and our lives, beautiful music like this.


title: Five Stars

text: Grayson Brown is one of the best with Black Catholic Music.


title: Lost

text: finally found it.


title: Great sound and some hard to find New Wave songs!

text:
I'm a huge fan of new wave. I listened to WLIR from when they switched to the format in the early 80's and some of these I haven't heard since that time. They sound great and many of them are quite hard to find on CD! I especially enjoy Cashflow and Bad Manners version of "Bang The Drum All Day"!

Here are the tracks on this disc.

01 - (4:58) Under the Milky Way - The Church
02 - (3:58) She Talks in Stereo - Gary Myrick & The Figures
03 - (4:04) Doot-Doot - Freur
04 - (6:00) King for a Day - Thompson Twins
05 - (3:18) Bang the Drum All Day - Bad Manners
06 - (3:38) Cashflow - Leisure Process
07 - (4:37) Dr. Heckyll & Mr. Jive - Men at Work
08 - (3:53) Grafiti Crimes - Mi-Sex
09 - (5:26) Talk to Me (I Can Hear You Now) - I Am Siam
10 - (4:48) Empire of the Senses - Bill Nelson
11 - (3:14) Dancing in the Shadows - After The Fire
12 - (3:18) Bates Motel - The Hitmen


title: Five Stars

text: good service, good product.


title: Three Stars

text: Good, but I prefer his inspirational songs.


title: Wonderful music

text: I adore these recordings - I've played them  over andover.


title: Nelson Rangell is another budding sax artist!

text: Wonderful saxophone playing.  So talented!!


title: Checking surround sound

text: Was not what I expected


title: EUROBEAT!!!

text: I finally found Lolita - hold me tight song . Great cd for any EUROBEAT fan finding this song

attachment_type: IMAGE


Awesome! Holy Spirit in action and caught on CD! Wonderful and original playback with fun background music!  Love, Love, Love His presence and His people coming together to provide us this CD.  Praise Him! And Kudos to Georgian and Winnie!!! <3


Jen is an amazing drummer and a great singer. This is an awesome EP!


title: Great Artist and local music !

text: I misplaced my old one. I love Leilani's music. I live here on Kauai.


title: Get This While You Can!

text: This is a fabulous CD by the outstanding Tompall and the Glaser Brothers. They were simply the best ever at vocals. Every song on the CD is a winner. Their early music is almost impossible to find on CD and getting harder to find on vinyl. I highly recommend this for anyone who wants to hear beautiful country music again. Included here is music from their first and second albums, plus many others. They will never be equaled, and if you've never heard them, buy this CD and you will understand why. They were in a class all by themselves!!!


title: Five Stars

text: The sound on this LP is wonderful. Much better than described by the seller. Very happy with this find!


My collection of the amazing Glaser brothers grows, and I can turn to Amazon for what is still available out there. This was a gem! Thanks!!


Just something about vinyl that is so real. This 45 is outstanding and I am very pleased with it.


title: Five Stars

text: 80s Power metal very good. Kick drums need to come up.


title: Local band even better LIVE

text: Great mix of country, latin, jazz.  Smooth and spicy all in one.  Hope they continue on!  Looking forward to the next release already


title: Buy it!

text: Beautiful music!


title: Wow!

text: Is amazing!


title: Excellent CDs

text:
I first watched Dao Lang's live performance with my mom.  Something about the way he captures the emotions and the nature of a place like Tibet, somewhere remote, where freedom, nature and the desire of wanting to embrace such feelings intertwined to produce a memorable experience that only Dao Lang could do.

My bought his CDs as a mother's day gift.  Dao Lang is an artist, who excels in connecting the audience with his lyrics and emotions through his music.  The depth of his works could be revealed with multiple listening experience.  Give those CDs a try, his music would echo the same emotions and feelings that you have once experienced before.


title: Four Stars

text: Nice music


title: good service

text: All went well.


title: Home and Work

text: Love the whole CD might need another one for work..


title: Five Stars

text: Bought for my husband , whom likes Willie Nelson


title: doesn't work

text: another Impressions disc that only plays track one and two.  How sad as I was so looking forward to this music.  What I heard was lovely.


title: Good cd for nostalgia

text: Could have been a better recording but nice to have - can buy DVD version too so you can watch how far kylie has come now that Les Folies: Aphrodite Tour is coming to an end.


A great period in Lou's career, when he moved from his rather dull 1980s output to the new wind he came up with for the New York album. is represented beautifully on the 1989 LA show contained on this disc. The songs take on a new dimension played live during this electric performance here, and the sound is pretty damn good ( taken from a live radio broadcast for which the gig was recorded).<br />A very worthwhile addition to any Lou Reed collection.


title: Great Songs, Wrote Years To Sing Them!

text: This album gives people a chance to experience Tammi Terrell singing and how great she was without Marvin Gaye accompanying her. Tammi was a great singer, but her music was promoted right, these songs were great, but I don't think they were right for the times she recorded, the songs on here are the kind of songs you heard The Chiffons, The Crystals, The Ronettes, The Shirelles, The Toys, Darlene Love, Dee Dee Sharp, Maxine Brown singing in the early 60, these songs recorded by Tammi were recorded between 1966-1968 and around that time black music was starting to get serious, but if you look at the songs Tammi recorded before she went to Motown, the songs she recorded on James Brown Try Me Label those were songs that could of been hits in the late 60s, those songs were too serious for the early, middle 60s, people were singing the songs she were to record in the late 60s, if we could change the years and songs around she could of been a bigger star, but Tammi Terrell always got airplay and good reviews on her music. Tammi Terrell is more then just Marvin Gaye girl singer, on the oldies station they don't play her stuff, they play her and Marvin's stuff, hopefully with this cd we can make the oldies station could go out and buy or let them know, DJS can order any music they want, tell them to get this and play, and I bet when they play it everyone will love it and she will be known again.


title: 40 years of love!!!

text: My mom found this album in a library almost 40 years ago - around the time of the Bicentennial celebration. We took it home and made a cassette tape recording of it to play on a road trip from Utah to Texas. We loved it!! But, by the time she got back to the library, it was gone and we couldn't remember who put out the album. And now, 40 years later, I'm still playing the CD I made from the cassette, and loving it! Great, fun music, some with a very profound message, all with a love of America running from beginning to end!!!


title: Eileen Joyce the Australian pianist has an individual style and ...

text: Eileen Joyce the Australian pianist has an individual style and luckily her recordings were made when sound quality could be acceptable as in this CD.  The Debussy, Beethoven and Liszt selections are superb and it's a shame no concerto recordings (to my knowledge) are available today.  These releases are not around for long so purchase a copy while you can.


title: Still Plenty Of Fuel In Their Tank

text:
While The Last Waltz was the official swan song for all five original Band members, the four remaining originals (excluding Robbie Robertson) continued on recording three wonderful studio albums (Jericho, High On The Hog and Jubilation). After that gala, star-studded celebration Robbie Robertson embarked on a solo career with his debut album produced by legendary Canadian, Daniel Lanois. The results were spotty at best. Levon Helm put together his Allstars (Dr. John, Booker T, Paul Butterfield, Steve Cropper and others) for some goodtime rockabilly. And Rick Danko came into his own with a blend of folk, bluegrass and R&B that captured his unique vocal stylings.

In 1983 the four bandmates joined forces with The Cate Brothers, hit the road and revisited their old catalog of songs. Just listen to the audience reaction to the vintage sounds of "Cripple Creek", "Rag Mama Rag", "Ophelia", "The Shape I'm In", Stage Freight" "I Shall Be Released", "Chest Feaver" and "The Weight". Wow!!! Did this audience ever get it!!! Perhaps it's the deep rooted traditions of the old south or the antiquity of Appalachian folk lore or just the good old timey sounds of Americana that brought the Japanese kids to their feet. Whatever the reason, The Band won them over with their charm, their warmth and their ever-present joy.

Yes, The Last Waltz was an event like no other and "Rock of Ages" is a delightful testement to The Band in all their splendor and glory. But you still have to marvel at the Band's ability to perform with such grace and verve after so many years in juke joints and dives. Just "going through the motions"?...Not The Band!...It's not in their makeup. It's not part of their DNA. It's just not who they are. Some may say they were over the hill in 1983. No how no way!!!....Just listen to Levon's joyous yodels at the end of "Cripple Creek"...Hear the plaintive cry of Richard Manuel's plea on the Dylan classic "I Shall Be Released" and let Rick Danko tare your heart out on "It Makes No Difference". The Band still had plenty of fuel in their tank back then...More than enough to raise the roof and lift the spirit in that far off city of Tokyo.


title: Great arrangements!

text: I actually purchased this many years ago and my copy was so ragged I ordered it again.  Simply the best of Gershwin.  Some of the arrangements are challenging but so much fun and so beautiful.  Most of these are Gershwin's own arrangements.  I am an accomplished pianist so these are not for beginners nor for mediocre players.  Purchase it--you'll love it.


title: The Story of Genghis Continues!

text:
I listened to the story as an audiobook, narrated by Richard Ferrone, so my review is based on that version.

I first read this book several years ago and liked it so much that I got the audiobook version for my husband to listen to during his commute.  Now I discovered that there are two more in the series out, [[ASIN:0385344252 Khan: Empire of Silver: A Novel (Conqueror)]] and [[ASIN:0385343051 Conqueror: A Novel of Kublai Khan]], so I decided to go back and listen to this third in the series to help remind me of everyone's names and the places Genghis was conquering.

This book starts out with Genghis' army, his brothers, and his sons fighting against the Arab warriors. These Arab warriors were some of the toughest the Khan had ever faced and their numbers were overwhelming.  The Arab warriors were not easily defeated and it would take all of the Khan's armies to defeat him.

This story is also the story of how Genghis' sons have grown into generals and are still working to impress their father.  The oldest son, Jochi, is not accepted as a true son because his mother was captured and raped around the time he was conceived.  Although Genghis doesn't openly say he doesn't believe Jochi is his son, it is clear by his attitude and actions toward Jochi that he isn't wholly accepted.  Genghis' second oldest son, Chagatai, believes that he will be chosen as heir over Jochi and goes out of his way to make Jochi's life miserable.

Although some of the things in this book are works of fiction, Conn Iggledun sticks mostly to the Historical Fact to create this book.  Most of what we know about Genghis is based on second and third hand accounts anyway because there was no written record of the rise of Genghis.  If you enjoy historical fiction and want to learn more about Genghis Khan, this is the series for you!

The Narration Review
This audiobook was narrated by Richard Ferrone and he does a great job narrating this story.  I think his voice is perfect for the whole historical fiction genre, but especially for these stories of Genghis.


title: Worth it 😌!

text: I love it!!! Totally recommend 😌


title: Great CD

text: Love this CD and for some reason I keep misplacing from year to year.


title: Birthday gift

text: It was a gift for my friend & he absolutely loved it, perfect condition & played perfectly! 10/10


title: Excellent product.

text: Plays well. Nice vinyl.


title: Five Stars

text: Beautiful! He is the king of music!


title: Great mele

text: I love this artist and his cd’s. The reason I like buying the cd as opposed to just buying a song at a time on iTunes is that you get a history and meaning of the mele with the cd. You do not get that on iTunes.


title: If you Love music you'll love this CD

text: Charles Langley is a wonderful talent.  His beautiful tenor voice makes you feel what he is singing.  I have seen Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Arvada Center in Arvada Colorado two times and it is a wonderful production due largely to the talents of Charles Langley.  He will be sorely missed as Joseph, but I can continue to listen to his beautiful voice with this CD.  It is a must have for anyone who loves good music sung by someone with a wonderful voice.


title: Excellent singing and interpretation

text: I owned this as an LP way back when and loved it. The singers, particularly Forrester and Grist, are superb, both in voice and as interpreters. Somary has done many excellent Handel recordings, and this is one of them, with fine playing. I'm delighted to find it finally put on CD. Highly recommended!


title: loved it, and lost it in a move

text: Another champion of this recording. I had it on LP, loved it, and lost it in a move. I'd snap it up on CD in a minute, were it available. The Gregg Smith singers did wonderfully on most of it, and my favourite is the polytonal Psalm 67. 'Serenity' is another joy. Highly recommended!


title: Voo Davis illuminates the South with "Midnight Mist"

text:
Voo Davis was born in Alabama and moved to Chicago as a child. Although he is based in Chicago now, the South obviously has filled a huge part of his soul. His voice evokes Joe Cocker and Leon Russell and the sound may have a bit of Chicago grit but it has large doses of classic Southern rock and blues. Add lyrics that evoke rural Mississippi and the Cajun country of Louisiana and the Alabama coast you have a fantastic musical journey..

The album was recorded at Bogalusa, Louisiana’s Studio in the Country in three days, without computer fixes or multiple takes. This gives the music a high energy level and intensity that is irresistible.

Songs like "MIdnight Mist," "Riverside Blues," and "Cajun Sun" evoke the many levels of the Southern experience, while "Howlin' Out Your Name" and ""Find Me A Black Bone" fuse traditional blues themes with a rock beat.

You will be happy to take this musical journey with Davis.


title: Worth the investment

text: There are a few songs that ate on the "Sail Out" album, but there are songs songs on this unreleased album that definitely make it worth getting. If you are a Jhene Aiko fan, as I am, you need to get this album.


title: L  Jensen

text: Can't beat Andre.


title: Five Stars

text: Wonderful


title: Five Stars

text: Love that music.


title: great

text: looks good came very quickly thank you


title: Sensational indeed — plus ultra!

text: After reading the editorial review above (“sensational”,  “masterwork of free jazz”) and being a longtime fan of Borah Bergman and Sunny Murray (as well as having high regard for the formidable Wilber Morris), I figured this had to have something going on.  But I was NOT prepared for this!  The review by Bruce Gallanter is no hype — this is a sensational session, where every superlative you could think of applies.  Super intense throughout both discs.  I love the way Borah reinvents Monk, by not strictly following the script, but ad-libbing on lines whenever and for as long as feels.  You get the opening phrase of Well You Needn’t, improvised upon, then back to the tune a bit, more improv, when things are boiling he’ll just play a few tell-tale notes to keep it all together — fantastic.  Light Blue has the most “orthodox” approach; here the whole tune gets played, but even so, goes through lots of excavation, exploration.  Round Midnight is similar, but the abrupt ending, after so much poignant playing, is emotionally shattering.  I also like that some of the studio chatter was retained, it kind of gives it a bit of “you are there” flavor.  On the back Evan Parker is quoted as saying “Probably the best Borah I’ve ever heard.”  I think I have to agree.  It’s also one of, perhaps the, best Sunny Murray sessions.  He’s on fire throughout, also plays brushes on the ballads — just the widest-ranging playing I think I’ve heard from him.  And Wilber Morris is not playing second bass fiddle to anyone — he’s in there strong and gets off several excellent solos.  His playing with Borah, anticipating his lines, where / when he’ll land, is practically telepathic.  Fabulous, wonderful — essential!


title: Five Stars

text: Love, love, love!!!


title: Really good

text: Wonderful cd. Brought back so many memories.


title: Five Stars

text: EXCELLENT CD!!!


title: I enjoyed reading the book and I have probably listened to ...

text: I enjoyed reading the book and I have probably listened to the CDs 3 times this week, in order. I feel so peaceful listening to them. If fact, this morning I got up feeling tired and on edge. I listened to Awakening going to work and my mood totally changed for the better. I was very energized and creative all day. It was an answer to my prayer.


title: still love it.

text: This is my cousin singing with Gordon Lowe, had it on LP in the 70s, still love it.


title: One Star

text: Not What I expected


title: Five Stars

text: If you like beg band music and soloists from the era you will love this cd.  I do!


While I appreciate most genres of music, the big band  era is by far my favorite. I grew up with this music, and sang along while doing (househod) chores.  Now I still can.  I have all cd from 1940 to 1949. AND I know nearly all the lyrics to all of the songs.


title: Wonderful, wonderful

text: All the hits from a time when melody, and lyrics were everything.


title: The music of the era is my favorite.

text: What can I say that hasn't been said already. The music of the era is my favorite.


title: I love the music of this era

text: I love the music of this era. the "Hit Parade" series have the original recordings by the ordinal artists.


title: A terrific blend of music

text: A terrific blend of music. I grew up in a home where music was a constant presence. All songs were familiar and brought back many childhood memories.  This music is from the era when singers sang and one could understand the words.  Loved this!


Eddy Howard!!! If you love the sounds of big band romantic music, you will love- love- love this CD .In my adobe hacienda, Room full of roses, Candy kisses are just three of the delightful songs.  The original recordings are still my favorites. There was always music in my home growing up. Eddie Howards music is soft and romantic with a few cute songs such as "Your lips tell me no no, but there is yes yes in your eyes, and the rickety rickshaw man are fun to listen to as well.  One can understand ALL the words and we can actually control the volume.


title: Buy the original.  A great morning record

text: The original 1958 vinyl is a classic!  Great recording and retro jacket art.


title: Best spoken word album ever

text: Beautiful and inspiring!


title: Five Stars

text: Great collection of Sun Records hits - Great Balls of Fire, Blue Suede Shoes, Whole Lotta Shakin'!


title: The voice is perfect

text: Tell your mother you love her is my number 1.  It was played at my husbands aunts funeral. I ask a daughter where she found it. She said she had heard it and ordered it online.


title: The Very Best Indeed

text:
Valery Kipelov had been the lead singer of Russian heavy metal band Aria for seventeen years until, in 2002, he left them and formed his own band, Kipelov. The music of Kipelov is similar to that of earlier Aria; their lyrics, written by professional poets, are meaningful and flowing; and Mr. Kipelov's voice, which seems to be getting better with age, never ceases to impress me and to stir my heart.

The album is divided into two discs that feature fourteen and fifteen Kipelov's best songs, respectively. It is rather difficult for me to closely follow the band's work from so far away, but, to the best of my knowledge, twenty-eight of the songs have been previously released, and they represent--not equally, but justly, in my opinion--all but one of Kipelov's albums to date. The vast majority of the songs--twenty of them, to be exact--are from the band's three albums: 2003's The Way Up  (seven songs), 2005's Rivers of Time  (eight songs), and 2011's To Live in Defiance (five songs). All these remakes sound very similar to the originals, clean and very clear, as if they've been filtered through crystal. The only noticeable exception (in instrumentation, not in sound quality) is the sixth track on disc one, I Am Here. It is quite different from the original: the added piano and strings are great, I can hear the guitars better, and they even have a slight Flamenco tone, especially the solo. I have to admit that I have never before heard this version, and although I like the original, I love this one much more.

Every song on the album is remarkably good. If I were hard-pressed to choose my second favorite song from the collection, I would probably be lost, for I can easily name at least five songs that fit the bill. However, my absolutely favorite one is, without a doubt, Rivers of Time. It is a  melodic song that tells the story of Alexander the Great and his ambitious attempt to conquer the world. The music is incredible, the lyrics are smart, the vocals are impassioned, and the fact that I find King Alexander of Macedon to be fascinating also helps:

  Prisoner of your own words, you have brought others with you
  In silence, you have sacrificed all that you kept in your heart
  Driven by your thirst of fame, you realized too late that you were alone

  The weight of passed victories suffocates you like a noose
  There's no need to keep on living if you know everything about the world
  Blinded by a dream, you stood still on the edge of Earth

Brilliant, isn't it? Of course, the lyrics rhyme in Russian.

I have two complaints about this compilation. The first one is that it is a mix of live and studio versions. Unless I am at a concert, I don't like live performances. In the comfort of my home, I prefer to listen to flawlessly recorded music on a great stereo, and without distracting sounds of people screaming, chanting, or singing along, and the band's members talking. Unfortunately for me, the last seven tracks on disc two are live versions--these are the seven songs from The Way Up, Kipelov's concert album which consists mainly of old Aria songs. Although they don't sound like they've been recorded through a pillow, the sound quality is a bit different from that of the rest of the album, and I found myself skipping these songs most of the time on the CD. But since I have studio versions of them on my iPod, it is not a big deal to me.

The second complaint is that Castlevania is not on the album, and I think it should have made the cut.

Other than those minor issues, which really are both a matter of my personal preferences and taste, I truly did, and do, enjoy this thrilling album. I'm giving it 4.5 stars and rounding the number up to five.

My favorite English-singing heavy metal bands are Avenged Sevenfold, Metallica, Sabaton, and Iron Maiden. If you have similar tastes in music and like these, chances are you'll enjoy Kipelov and/or Aria. Kipelov's The Best is a great album to start with or to add to your collection.

Happy listening!


title: Wonderful!

text: Good jazz from a real talent! We are so happy we could obtain this cd. We miss this man's presence at our concerts.


title: CD was scratched

text: The CD was scratched and wouldn’t play one of the songs.


title: Kylie Shine's with Body Language!

text: This is one Kylie's BEST! albums. This cd will keep u dancing all night long with infectious beats, you wont want to stop listining to it. Kylie has really out done herslef on this album. Buy this cd, you wont be disapointed.


title: Bought for 7 year old boy

text: My son loves this cd and listens to it all the time.  He especially likes the songs that have more of a beat and is able to memorize those easily.  He is even teaching it to his friends and talking about the content with me.  Will be buying the next one soon.


title: brilliant performance

text: Dr Graham was my piano professor in college. He is a phenomenal pianist! It was wonderful to find this CD and hear him again.


title: The disc is very poor quality. The singers and arrangement were very good ...

text: The disc is very poor quality. The singers and arrangement were very good but the quality of the disc was not acceptable.<br />RYB


title: Back to Paris

text: It took me back to many visits. I am ready to go back again. I recommend the purchase to all Parisophiles.


title: EWF

text: I love this CD. Hearing Maurice White again brought back fond memories. EWF did well. Collaborating with new artist was genius too in order to appeal to a younger audience.


title: Good challenge for teens

text: This was a very good book on CD's for teens and some pre-teens.  I bought this for my grandchildren and I hope they find it challenging to them.


title: Five Stars

text: I love his songs as I love Glazunov music.  Well sung.  Good purchase.


title: OK

text:
I bought this just for "at the tomb"...I am not a fan of opera suites, I have them all.
(I am a "collectionneur" and wanted to have all by R-K)

Martin


title: Five Stars

text: Everything was fine.


title: Five Stars

text: Great music.


title: Great Record in Great Condition!

text: This record was in pristine condition even though it was used. I played the entire record, and it sounded wonderful. The seller also shipped the item in a timely fashion. The price was right, the shipping done with speed and careful packaging, and the seller is reliable! Great Buy! Great Seller! I will buy from this seller again!


title: A Classic

text: One of the most inspiring worshipful CDs EVER!.....one of my FAVS.  There is such a spirit of peace, worship and anointing on this music.  You must hear it.


title: Inspiring

text: Such uplifting, Messianic Christian worship music.  ADD it to your music library/collection!


title: Five Stars

text: A great classic Old Time Radio Show.


title: Love it. So easy to

text: I use this CD daily in our pool at our retirement park.  Love it.  So easy to follow


title: IGOT7 forever

text: Perfect!! I love it so much. It's my first album ever and I will treasure it forever!


title: Fantastic CD

text: I bought the CD for my daughter and she absolutely loves it, particularly the title song: Love is a Verb.  She says the song is awesome and she truly loves it. She highly recommends it.


title: Five Stars

text: Amazing as always for George Strait!


title: Amazing footage

text: BTS memories of 2017 had so much footage, it was wonderful to watch the different concerts and see how they filmed videos.  The photo book had beautiful pictures in it and it is all enclosed in a nice cover.  I would highly recommend for BTS lovers.


title: Maybe the Stop Smoking would be better.

text: So far it has not worked, I am very dissapointed in the cd. Maybe the Stop Smoking would be better.


title: False Avertising!!

text: Could buy the exact same thing separately for $15 !! Sorry I didn't read other reviews first!! Love the group and it's music!


title: Gary Moore kicks ass!

text: Gary Moore kicks ass!


title: Great songs

text: Great songs. Used for easy listening


title: Yes!!!

text: Love the Foo!


title: Five Stars

text: Very good album. 5 Star.


title: Masterful lovely lyrical quality

text: Zinck and Schmidt play with beautiful tone and mastery. Zinck's playing is tender, expressive, and technically very strong. This is a lovely CD. His Bach solo (Chaccone from Partita No. 2) is lovingly played, bringing tears to my eyes. I've ordered several for friends to enjoy.


title: A superbly told, exquisite story from a talented author

text:
When I picked this up I was expecting a light hearted, easy read. What I got was a heart warming tale of second chances. And I loved it.
The Coffee Club is the best coffee place for miles around, run by Noah and Elle. When Jennys marriage to Zak, the owner of a local fashion house, falls apart after some shocking revelations from the man himself, Jenny finds herself and her 10 yr old daughter April sharing a cottage with the Coffee Club owners. What appears at first glance to be a total comedown complete with public humiliation at leaving a multi millionaire and an 8 bed house to move into a loft conversion where Jenny and April share a room turns into a starting point for a new life, after hitting rock bottom.
This is a story of not only starting over, but finding yourself again. Whether you are a 30 something adult or a 10 yr old child, it's never to late.
We are introduced to such an amazing cast of characters. The author has given them all such depth and are completely relatable. I'd like to say I loved them all, but as with any community, there are some that will grate on you, we can't like everyone, right? And this is testament to the skill of the writer that she can evoke these feelings in the reader and it just makes it all the more believable.
I have to say that I'm finding myself hoping the author has plans to write more stories set in this village. There are a lot of the supporting /fringe characters that I feel I'd like to get to know better. And I'd like to revisit this little group to see how their stories progress further down the line. All in all, a superb read with some profound storylines tackling some hard hitting issues. Dealt with in a sympathetic manner and a book that has clearly been well researched. I highly recommend this to everyone.


title: Worth the 46-year wait!

text:
I've been waiting for this reissue since the beginning of the compact disc era.

This is an extremely important reissue, for a number of reasons. For one thing (almost) everything about it screams "America!" in the most musically possible way!

Let's start with the obvious, lots of GERSHWIN!

Rhapsody in Blue has been recorded so many times that one sure sign of insanity is declaring any one of them the absolute greatest of all. Still, this performance would have to be included among the best.

If you don't know it, Peter Nero is among the greatest piano virtuosi America has ever produced. And if you think this comment is hyperbole, you'll abandon that notion when you hear this recording.

Nero performs other Gershwin gems such as LOVE IS HERE TO STAY, EMBRACEABLE YOU, THE MAN I LOVE, THEY CAN'T TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME, BIDIN' MY TIME, and a version of I GOT RHYTHM at a tempo that doesn't seem humanely possible.

And as hard as it might be to believe, the music goes up from here.

Rhapsody in Blue is certainly Gershwin's most well-known work for piano and orchestra. But in his actual tour de force is CONCERTO IN F, also for piano and orchestra. For the pianist, it's also a much more demanding piece. Nero's performance here with the Boston Pops should satisfy the most hard-core Gershwin junkie. Since I am such a Gershwin fanatic, I'm at ease giving it THREE thumbs up. (I had to borrow one of my wife's thumbs for this review.)

But now I come to the real reason for my enthusiasm for this release. It includes FANTASY AND IMPROVISATIONS FOR PIANO and ORCHESTRA, performed by the Boston Pops conducted by Arthur Fielder with Nero at the piano.

Those familiar with Nero's astonishing piano technique might think that the challenge is playing this composition. But because of what Gershwin began, that is not the case.

One of the most elusive musical will-o'-the wisps of the first half of the 20th century remains the tantalizing thought that jazz can be an effective concomitant of what, for lack of a clearer identification, "serious music." The lure that has led composer after composer down the garden path of disaster is, of course, RHAPSODY.

Composed in 1924 when jazz was just emerging from it underground beginnings in New Orleans, Chicago and Harlem, Rhapsody in Blue seemed to be the foundation stone on which an exciting new musical structure would be constructed.

But as the years passed, the foundation is all that's been accomplished. The Rhapsody in Blue and Concerto in F have stood along in a field that grew dryer and dryer, like the remnants of an abandoned real estate development.

Part of the problem for those who have tried to carry forward the blending of jazz and symphony is that the jazz elements in RHAPSODY are less a use of jazz per se than the natural manner of Gershwin's style as a composer. He listened to jazz, was obviously influenced by jazz and used "jazzy" colors in his work. But he didn't try to marry jazz and the symphony orchestra. This was simply Gershwin's way of writing, and no other composer has written in quite this manner.

For other composers, the jazz-cum-symphony approach has usually been attempted on a concerto grosso basis. These efforts usually failed because musicians (composers and performers) had not been developed who were sufficiently involved in both fields, able to handle both styles successfully. If a composer was a jazz musician, his writing for the symphony was trite, and vice versa for the "serious" composer, whose jazz was awkward and clumsy.

These limitations were further complicated fact that in a concerto grosso setting a jazz combo might swing out successfully in its improvising passages, but when the symphony musicians tried to pick up this beat, the work statically lumbered along.

The arrival of Peter Nero brought an entirely new type of musician on the scene. In Nero we have a classically trained pianist with astonishing technique, and who devoted the early years of his career to jazz. He then combined the two to create a unique and highly personal musical style that made him one of the most successful and unclassifiable performers in the contemporary concert field.

Here we finally had a musician who is completely at home in both jazz and "serious" music. Moreover, Nero had worked with both symphony musicians and jazz musicians long enough to know what can and cannot be expected from them.

Nero himself summed up the situation, noting, "Most symphony men aren't used to swinging. On the other hand, you can't tie down a jazz musician too closely to a written score. Try to impose your will on a jazz musician and he'll feel inhibited."

Nero composed FANTASY AND IMPROVISATIONS with these limitations in mind. The jazz aspects would allow for improvisatory freedom and, as Nero admitted, "I tried not to write that were uncomfortable for the symphony guys."

To a great extent, he solved the problem of using symphony men in a jazz context by keeping them - particularly the strings - away from the explicit 4/4 beat in which the trio, and practically any good jazz group swings easily, thus allowing the symphony musicians to devote themselves to those areas in which full advantage can be taken of their special artistic skills. In effect, he solved the problem of bring jazz and symphony together amicably by keeping them mostly separate.

Of course there has to be a connecting link to make the work whole.

It is the piano, a piano that is both jazz and "serious" the totally unique piano of Peter Nero that provide the solid backbone of the composition.

The FANTASY is built on two themes. The first is a blues oriented theme, developed largely through improvisation. The second theme is in the romantic tradition and is written in a manner that is designed to make the symphony players feel at home.

The work premiered in London with the Royal Philharmonic on May 28, 1968 and was performed again shortly thereafter in Stockholm.

By the time Nero returned to the United States for the American premiere in June with Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops, it was becoming an established part of his repertoire, and the critical praise indicated that he had broken through that baffling wall that had kept jazz and symphony from embracing each other.

After a performance of the work with the Pittsburgh Symphony, one critic praised the work as "...musical irrigation in a symphonic jazz wasteland."

Another reviewer in the MINNEAPOLIS STAR not only declared the FANTASY to be a successful incorporation of "... a personal jazz idiom with symphonic expansion, but also as being, "... in the tradition of the grandeloquent concerto, with its "...lush orchestra and glittering piano... propelling rhythm, sweet and lingering melody and bristling climaxes."

Gershwin was the foundation, and in Nero's writing one can hear that Gershwin is still an important part of that foundation.

But with the appearance of FANTASY and IMPROVISATIONS, a structure has at long last actually taken shape on that foundation Gershwin laid out ninety years ago.

I cannot recommend this CD release highly enough.


title: Profound and deep

text: Full disclosure: I purchased this from a non-Amazon vendor.  In reading reviews for Tom's 2017 release Folk Hotel I kept hearing/reading about this 'folk/horse opera' and chose this first.  It's a concept 'album' (i'm of the old school) that's best listened to 'in toto' vs piecemeal as I'm able to on my walks.  It's nothing short of PROFOUND.  It actually reminds me of (and could be a companion piece to) the 1978 "White Mansions" feat. Waylon Jennings, Jessi Colter, half of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, etc, combined with Shaun Davey's "The Relief of Derry" and a healthy dose of Aaron Copland.  Seriously, it's THAT good.  In this maddening industry of labels, it far transcends 'country/western'.  I'm embarrassed I'd never heard of Mr. Russell but am a rabid convert with The Rose of Roscrae and will definitely be seeking out his other numerous releases.  Listen to this wonderful, near-orchestral slice of Americana.


title: cd is great

text: I have many of Steve's cd's and am never disappointed with any of them.  Plan to teach the folkgroup many of these.


title: set free

text: awesome cd!  I love Steve's music and plan to teach our folkgroup some of these!  It is so worth listening to.


title: Five Stars

text: XOXOXOXO!


title: Arrived safely

text: Arrived safely and quickly - was the real item and didn't get any cracks or missing parts


title: Quick and safe

text: Album arrived quickly and well pckaged - there was no damage at all. A poster if Taemin was also included - verical 24x36" as is standard for SM posters.


title: Superb

text: Amazing album...


title: Poptarts- Gaggging on the Extravaganza

text:
Disapointing.
I bought it because the fabulous RuPaul is a guest singer on two of the songs, and their the only ones I can even tolerate listening to.
Almost all of the songs have no point and even less words.
'Whore' was okay until it started getting creepy with whip sounds.
I threw this album out immediately, the poptarts should have spent more time writing lyrics to go with their music instead of rushing into a sixteen track tragedy.


title: One of VA's finest...

text: Good R&B music...classic cut.


title: Doesn't Disappoint

text: Great walking CD!  I wanted to replace my original CD that somehow was lost in the transit of moving over the years.  Just as I remember -- upbeat, great walking program music!


title: 사랑해 🤗💜

text: I loved it! 👌


title: 사랑해🤗💜

text: I love it.


title: A little disappointed!

text: I LOVE Michel Buble, but the choice of songs on this album did not meet his usual high standards.


title: Music is Wonderful!

text: it was a gift for my sister and she loved it.  back when I ordered it, it arrived quickly and i was very satisfied.


title: I use 'Welcome Every New Day' with my students each ...

text: I use 'Welcome Every New Day' with my students each morning. Joanne taught me sign language to use with it many years ago.


title: Great service!

text: Well packaged, fast shipping and great service.  Oh and the vinyl itself?  Well I've been collecting vinyl for years, so left it sealed and put it in my Beatles collection.  Same old songs, just different packaging.  But these songs are timeless even if they are repackaged, and are always worthy of a spot in my collection.


title: Peacful

text: I first heard Yiruma on youtube, and had to have one of his albums.  I love listening to his music while on a road trip.


title: Game changer

text: My 8 year old was having a very hard time falling asleep, her head always full of all kinds of worries that present themselves at bedtime. I used to have to stay with her and talk to her for a good 30 mins at bedtime and she would often still come find me to talk about something else we'll after bedtime. We now play one of these cds on repeat all night. She's used to having a sound machine so this replaces that and she looks forward to crawling in bed and turning the music on. Bedtime transitions are now a lot easier and she's able to much quicker calm her mind and relax.


title: John Hackett

text: I recently bought this album "pre-owned" through Amazon.  What an incredible surprise!  These songs are beautifully composed and performed.  If you enjoy the special interplay between guitar and flute, you will enjoy this album.  Some comments on the songs from the artist:<br />[...]


title: Fast, efficient, and well-packaged

text: I ordered this product a few days before Christmas and did not expect it to arrive before Christmas.  Not only did it arrive before Christmas, but it was very well-packaged and padded with a nice note.  AND it was already wrapped and ready to put under the tree!!  I would definitely order from this individual again!  WOW!!


title: Had to replace my original CD as it got stuck in a car player.

text: Excellent recording by a true Master. Slow Hand lives On!


title: Wonderful women's harmonies

text: I picked up a tape of this album years and years ago (late 1980s?) and actually melted it.  I loved to sing along to the wonderful female harmonies, and this from someone who a) has been paid to sing and b) normally can't stand to listen to women's singing for long stretches of time.  After my tape melted, the internet hit its stride, and I was able to get my hands on a CD, which I still own, listen to, and share with my friends who also love to have something to sing along to in the car.  Favorites:  "Remember That" and "Some Kind of Wonderful."


title: QUI MAL Y PENSE, CERTES OUI.

text: Because anything (almost anything) by John Cale means stars sun moon thunder drowning death and in between. No talk needed.


title: Five Stars

text: Loved it


title: Worth every penny

text: Was looking for this for a while. Really great worship and sound quality.


title: Ok collection of his tunes

text: Some of these tunes are wildly creative, and others sound like elevator music.  Can't say I'm sorry I bought it, but wish it was more even.


title: Nat King Cole

text: Beautiful voice, beautiful music.


title: Great DVD and 2 CD’s

text: Wonderful DVD and CD’s


title: LOVE IT!

text: I LOVE Chonda!  I love her songs and her humor.  I listen to this in the car and it is such a comfort anytime.  All of her songs are from her heart and I could listen to it all day.


title: Lovin' The Stars

text: This CD is nice and easy. The sound quality of Kirsten's voice together with Dave's genius musical abilities create a utopian atmosphere.


title: Description is spot in

text: Exactly as described. Thank you.


title: Wow!  Mittente is Awesome.

text:
If you love Italian music from the '70's, this album is a must!  The music and lyrics on this CD are beautiful and well arranged.

"Tu Mi Eri Scoppiata Nel Cuore" is my all-time favorite song, but every other song on this album is a close second.

I had no idea I could order this CD from Amazon.  I ordered my copy on E-Bay from someone in Korea!

Is there anything the Dammicco family cannot do? Gifted Musicians, Screenwriting, Film Directing and Production, the list just goes on and on....


title: Walter Ostanek's Party Mix

text: I chose this rating for 2 reasons. One is that we enjoy Walter Ostanek's music and this CD set included many of our favourites. The other is the great service given by the independent seller.


title: ... return and they worked with me and they was great! Thank you

text: Did a return and they worked with me and they was great! Thank you:)


title: Help in difficult times

text: It was of help to me.


title: Good listening

text: Really like the artists and songs


title: Beautiful recording

text: the sound and Quality of the CD is amazing!!. I have many CD's of this particular vocalist and am delighted that i can purchase them from Amazon.com.  such a great price!!.


title: You will enjoy his music

text: Mimmo Del Sud, Domenico Aracri, an artist renown, who has performed in America's Carnegie Hall among many other locations, now resides in Italy, near Venice, is truly talented and artistic, as he is an artist of poetry as well as music. You will enjoy his music, sung and composed by him. I cannot say enough about this multitalented man.


title: Great

text: The Cd is wonderful, I highly recommend it, and the service was great too.  I was surprised by how quickly it was shipped to me.


title: Inspirational

text: If you enjoy listening to Christian music in a beatific soprano voice, this is for you.  The music is inspirational!


title: I feel some of their newer CDs might even be better. By far one of the very top brass ...

text: Mozilla Brass is sensational.  The only reason I gave it only four stars is having heard and seen their on stage antics,would have made impossible to top.  I feel some of their newer CDs might even be better.  By far one of the very top brass groups in the world.


Everything and more.  Will enjoy the recording for a long time.  Very helpful to a euphonium player and the only reason why I gave into to purchase at this price.<br />My only problem was the extreme price.  Guess I thought I might get two discs for fifty dollars.


title: The birth of Rock n' Roll

text: Excellent in its music and in demonstrating the beginnings of Rock n' Roll


title: watch out for unauthorized dubbing.

text: The copy I received was not by the original musicians, but instead most of the selections seem to have been recorded by the same very untalented imposter, characterized by single-note piano playing.  I appreciate the prompt refund by the seller.


title: Excellent Tracks, also on her later CD

text: The tracks on this EP are included in her later CD, so don't fret if you cannot find it


title: An excellent singer-songwriter

text: Terri Binion is a very powerful singer-songwriter, and her voice and her songs "grabbed" me instantly. The disc has been played numerous times. Every song is very worthwhile. I have thousands of singer-songwriters in my collection, and she is among the best. I hope you get a chance to listen.


title: A Study of Interpretations of Raymond Scott

text:
Take a close look at the setlist that is pictured in one of the photos of the back cover in Amazon. Three CDs of variations on Raymond Scott's many compositions. Nearly every composition has at least one interpretation by Raymond Scott. There are many others, some unique and rare, some known to serious collectors. I would argue that this is essential. The entire first CD is devoted to variations on "Powerhouse" and you would not believe how listenable it is as a suite. Incredible.

Thank you to Irwin Chusid, the compiler and producer.


title: Overdubs without Artist approval should be illegal

text:
Overdubs that are done after the death of an artist obviously never can have the approval of the creator of the music. I think they should be illegal. In all of music history, whether country music or any other style, time has proved all such overdubs to be gimmicks that destroy the original recordings. Whether simple demos or outtakes, the original recordings are always better and reflect what the artist intended. This set and all the sets on this label should be illegal and withdrawn from the market. The producers should be forced to surrender their profits to charity or the artists estate.

Anyone who has ever heard demos with no overdubs (such as Hank Williams, or the recent three CDs of Johnny Horton on Bear Family label) knows they are some of the purest expressions of a singer.

Give us undubbed Jim Reeves, and reject this artificial garbage that Jim Reeves had no control over


title: Jazz vocal duets with all star jazz quartet

text:
Just for your information, this excellent jazz vocal disc, pressed only in Japan, has an all star quartet, with Gary Bartz on sax; Kenny Barron on piano; Eddie Gomez on bass; and Al Foster on drums.

Superb


title: The Career of a Giant - Still in Progress

text:
It is true that this boxset is not truly complete, but nothing ever is. Tony is still performing and recording. What an amazing career and equally amazing catalogue of recordings. And those missing tracks from this boxset can still be located and may yet be gathered together. They all can be located if you enjoy the craft of music collecting. The bottom line is that this box is incredible and has a huge number of songs that have never been on CD before, and many here are sounding better than any previous reissue - either official or unofficial/bootleg.

If you wish to read more about an analysis of the contents of this box, search in your web-searcher for a site called "The Second Disc" and then within that site for "Tony Bennett". There you will find two very long discussion threads from which another reviewer here on Amazon extracted an "in progress" listing of rare alternates and "one-off" tracks from compilations. The site is excellent for collectors of all styles of music.

Do not get scared off by the price. With some patience and searching, you may very well find this box for an equivalent price of less that $4 per CD, as many already have. Rumor has it that the exclusive marketing may end and it may become widely available soon.


title: Great recordings Still in Print from Mosaic Records

text: The early Decca recordings may not be the Hot Five, but they are absolutely wonderful. This box set, the definitive edition of these recordings, is still in print and available (the manufacturer is Mosaic Records)for $119. Why pay more?


title: Watch out for bootleg counterfeit reproductions

text: It is very hard to tell a bootleg counterfeit from the original 1960's campaign record. The vast majority of copies floating around are counterfeits. For many years, at record shows, it seemed like every dealer had one of these for about $50. It was very, very easy to counterfeit. When they sold one, another copy quickly replaced it. If you think you are buying a piece of history,it is more likely that you are buying a piece of real estate for the bootlegger. Perhaps one indicator of a bootleg copy is if it is mint or near mint. But, offhand, most serious Sinatra collectors know that well over 95% of all copies are counterfeit


title: Still Available at the Louis Armstrong House and Museum Shop

text: These recordings were discovered inside the Louis Armstrong House and Museum in Queens, NYC. The CD was produced for their shop. I got mine there. I believe it is still available there. I googled the museum's website. They are small-time and not set up for direct on-line ordering, but I bet if you emailed them or telephoned them, you could get it. It has rare radio shows (acetates discovered in the house) and Louis' spoken tapes. My favorite story about the renovation of the home for the museum, is that they discovered 10 pounds of Louis' favorite delicacies in the basement.


title: I paid $50,000 for this and it wasn't worth it

text: The dealer asking $100,000 for this is overcharging. There have been many copies available for prices as low as $25,000.


title: Reissued in 2009

text: This excellent CD has been reissued in 2009 for a low price. This 1994 edition isn't the original (that was in 1977), so it should not fetch outrageous prices.


title: Excellent Live Album is readily available

text: Gordon Bok is, of course, one of the great singers of all time. This new CD is readily available directly from Gordon Bok's site at normal prices. Why does a dealer ask a nearly tripled price?


title: ... the 40's that I have this absolutely represents the best of the dance and listening music of the period

text: Of all the albums  of the 40's that I have this absolutely represents the best of the dance and listening music of the period.


title: A variety sampling of the big band era

text: A great variety of the big bands. I like most of the selections, but there are so many big hits from that era it would be difficult to record a sampling of every persons personal choices.


title: Love the tape

text: Need more from this group.  Audra has an amazing voice and songs are great.  I'm in my 60's and adore her sound.


title: Great music!!

text: Loved the music!


title: Five Stars

text: A great tribute to St John of the Cross.


title: Five Stars

text: Excellent condition.


title: Great Diana Ross cd

text: Great cd


title: Five Stars

text: Must have!


title: Glad I found it.

text: I love these CD collections.  What a wonderful way to get away and never have to leave you desk.  Easy listening any time you want it.


title: The Argument: Your New Favorite Band

text: If you like piano, good music, quirky lyrics, great lead vocals, and terrific harmonies then you would really like The Argument. I can't say enough about this band and the energy they have. It's really smart and really beautiful at times. When I first heard "Inflatable Amy" I labeled them as a cross between Ben Folds Five and Pat McCurdy but after I listened to more of their songs I realized that they were so much more than that AND that they were really, really good. I was saddened to hear that they are now split up and looked frantically to find one of their albums I used to own. It's good stuff and well worth the price. I wish they'd put the songs out available for download somewhere or do a reunion tour.


title: Quality in question

text: I like the music, but the first track skips and gets stuck- a condition issue, maybe an old worn out disc.


title: Fantastic buy!!!

text: My son has sensory issues and this swing is PERFECT for him!! He sits and swings and it really relaxes him. With the right equipment(i.e. the mounting pieces) it is a perfect buy. The price is the best I could find, and I searched everywhere! I was initially worried that the net would actually be too rough or the holes to large (my son is only 2) for my son, but it wasn't an issue at all. The fabric is very soft and the holes, while large enough for him to stick his fingers through, are not so big that I am afraid of anything being caught inside. I would definitely recommend.


title: prompt service

text: Beautiful music!!!


title: very aggravated

text: This was an audiobook. The container was missing at least 3 cd's. Since it was not discovered until past the 30 days, I could not get a refund.


title: Five Stars

text: Great Cd set of the incomparable Rocio Durcal with her beautiful unique vocals and interpretations.


title: I like the variety of "easy Listening Classics (many well-known composers ...

text: I like the variety of "easy Listening Classics (many well-known composers of the past, whose familiar melodies have been given modern lyrics), Piano, Big Band Pop Orchestra, Themes from Films, Radio, TV and Stage Productions....All organized and grouped to whatever you may be in the mood for.


title: Great cd

text: Wife love the CD


title: Great gift!

text: Purchased as gift for my grandson.  He was quite pleased!


title: Classic

text: Classic album in very good condition.  We are so happy to have this music in our home again.


title: Just OK

text: I went to see Hershey Felder's Beethoven show and thought he was fantastic -- a talented actor, writer and musician.  The Gershwin album is the only commercially available Felder performance, so I ordered it with high expectations.  It's OK.  I'm a big fan of Gershwin and his music, and I enjoyed the historical information and the music, but it didn't match up well to the Beethoven performance.  Perhaps it was just the difference between a live performance and a recorded one.  I recommend this album to Felder and Gershwin fans, but not with great enthusiasm


title: Top recording

text: One of my desert island selections.  Can only listen to it on special occasions.


title: Great relaxing music

text: Lovely, relaxing music.  Purchased CD for a friend for a gift.


title: Great for teaching and performing.

text: I well thought out and presented cd with a very good choice of music, useful especially for me in giving classes as there are shortened pieces particularly useful for choreographies for students.  Highly recomended.


title: The Best Mozart Piano Ever

text: I acquired this particular recording my senior year of college, and I still, many years later, have it in my collection.  It is one of my treasures.  It has some scratches, but Landowska shines through the static with an amazing performance.  I have through the years compared her to all other interpreters of Mozart.  No one, in my opinion, can match her.  The only one who comes close to her understanding and sensitivity of the piano music of the great Mozart is Peter Katin.  The sound is better in the Katin recordings, but Landowska still reigns supreme in playing the music.  Absolutely 100% on this recording.


title: One of Ella’s greatest albums!

text: IMHO This is a wonderful album, featuring Ella when she is quite young, and the youthful voice to match. It gives me chills to think of the monumental career that awaited her at this age. Unlike so many of her later songs with upbeat themes, these are songs of heartbreak and blues…BUT she brings to them that happy, bouncy vibe of hers and it just makes me grin ear to ear. It was hard to find a replacement for the CD I bought decades ago and wore out but I was lucky to find one here and be reunited. Just great. And the bands she’s singing with are fantastic. Hope Ella fans get a chance to hear these…


title: This is Al Hirt's last CD!

text: This was made with Dr. John and it made it into the millennium after Al had passed away. It is so cool that Jumbo made a contemporary jazz CD because more than likely he had been listening to smooth jazz. He always had an affection for music, both young and old, so to hear him jamming on some mellow stuff like this is very revelatory. He sounds on fire for the first cut "Streetcar Jack" and then moves into "Al's Bliss" which is a smoother groove and the rest of the album is Al in a whole different light. "Back on Bourbon Street" is an auto-biographical song and then there is a cut that I do believe would have been a hit if this album would have been played on some smooth jazz stations or had some publicity. That song is "El Jumbo". It is Al in all of his plunger mute glory in a cha-cha style groove that will make you dance if you have a love for moving to a cool groove. I wish to heaven that this CD would have been better noticed. I happened to find my copy purely by accident when I was browsing a now defunct music store. I miss Al a lot and this album helps to soften that blow whenever I listen to it!


title: Worshipful

text: I bought this CD as a gift for my adult son because one of the songs he loves is on the CD.  He is now a Travis Cottrell fan and loves all the music on the CD.


title: Clawson fans need this CD

text: This is a great album for Cynthia Clawson fans.  Her voice is truly an instrument and she uses it to perfection.  The songs appear to be personal and almost autobigraphical.  There is a minimum of support music (much of which was added later according to liner notes)  and her clear, soaring vocals are the centerpiece of the entire CD.  We listened to it over and over in the car on our vacation trip.  There is a hint of country in some songs, and a hint of gospel in others.  There is whimsy in some, and others have a plaintive, soulful feel.  It is a definite addition to your collection if you are a fan, and a wonderful introduction if you are new to her.


title: Stunning Mellow Combo Standards Scene

text:
This is perhaps my favorite album in this extraordinary series. You will want them all, but this is a particularly fine issue.

To understand bop, start here. Not because this *is* bop, but because you get to understand why it succeeded in Gillespie's hands and failed in the hands of so many others. Eldridge & Gillespie together demonstrate a mastery of *melody* that few others, especially the overly proud technicians of hard bop, ever understood. The tension & release, tension & release, makes me swoon.

My particular favorite track here is the "Ballad Medley". I haven't sourced this properly, but I think it's E & G with Lester Young and a 'bonist I don't recognize.

E & G famously wrangled over who influenced who and how, but that's really all intramurals that needn't concern us. What *is* of crucial importance is the preternatural fluency, the loving respect, the desire in this moment not to flash and shine but to merge into a delicious collaborative mellow groove that defines combo jazz. This is all incredibly accessible music, anyone with even a modest fondness for standard jazz will find delight.


title: Staggered, again.

text:
I, too, have been listening to Pat since the mid-70's.  If you're an old hand, you've gotta have this one:  it's hard to tell because of the Polish names, but there are a good half-dozen or so of Pat's best tunes reworked here.  On the other hand, if you're a newbie, this is a wonderful introduction to Metheny's staggering gift.

Jopek's voice is a bit too breathy for me, but when she reaches for a solid pure note, she really can sing.


title: How Time Flys!

text: Have had the 'record' since the old days. Wanted CD for car and 'digital' copy. David O from Firesign...what is there to say? Except, maybe, your service was great.


title: Great sampling of Port Townsend folk musicians circa 1990

text:
Towards the end of the 1980s, I was living in Port Townsend, Washington, living my life as a musician and producer.  I realized that there were a number of brilliant musicians in town who had at least one song that shone in my eyes above the rest of their material.  I started to approach these musicians about contributing these songs to a collection.  This is that collection.  There aren't a lot of these CDs left, so you should pick this up!  This represents, in my eyes, a great (though incomplete!) sampling of just a few of the amazing musical artists from Port Townsend.

NOTE: There may at some point be a digital version of this collection, but thus far the burden of tracking down the individual copyright owners has kept this from moving forward.


title: Her Music Moves Me

text: Brenda Warren shines with another collection of deeply felt compositions. She moves me.


title: Fabulous!

text: Fabulous album with lots of really wonderful songs, plus a choreography DVD! Learn to do the dances to 3 of the songs! Super happy with this.


title: Some non-"We Drink and We Die" Irish Rock

text: My wife has a CD that has Shandeen singing on it.  It was someone else's songs, but her voice is really good.  I bought this as a cassette tape back when such things were commonly available, and only regretted not buying the CD.  I'm glad I finally tracked a CD copy down.  May you do likewise.


title: I absolutely love it!

text: What a gorgeous recording!  I absolutely love it!


title: Awesome Susan inspires and uplifts

text: Susan Boyle's new CD,The Gift is a wonderful example of her amazing talent. She sings with incredible heart, soul and beauty. The selections are true to her style, yet there is variety. You will listen to this CD over and over.


title: Simply Beautiful and Breathtaking...

text: I am in awe and amazed at discovering Dudley Moore had an aptitude and reverence for music,  and was "first" a musician before an actor.  Hearing him play the Griegg Convert to was a delight. He was a very talented individual and I enjoyed every minute of this recording.


title: Great Music - Mix of the best bands Rock/Reggae from the 80's

text:
When I listen to Doug Springs, I hear shades of The Police, Men at Work, and some of the other Rock/Reggae hybrid bands of the 80s - but with Doug's own spin that makes the genre completely his own.

I really enjoy Doug's lyrics and the spirit behind them. And the songs are well crafted. There are hooks that get stuck in my head for days.

My favorite line on the album is from the song "If I'd Known" - "If I'd known it would turn out this way, I would've stayed at home and played my guitar"...

If you loved the Rock/Reggae music from the 80's you should definitely pick up this album.


title: Christopher Cross continues to make great music. His sense for writing great melodies is ...

text: Christopher Cross continues to make great music. His sense for writing great melodies is phenomenal. This album is a different concept with instrumental verses and choruses with vocals. Love the idea and it's well implemented here for a fresh change.


title: great fusion (jazz/rock/blues)

text: Listen on youtube and then get old vinyl


title: Cool in the Furnace

text: I remember this fun musical from my childhood.  It is every bit as fun decades later.  "Let the People Praise" is one of the best songs ever!


title: This is a very good cd, of all time.

text: I like this cd, it is great, Mercy Me, is now, one of my favorite GMA , inspirational bands.


title: One reason why I love the '80s!

text: CLF was - or is, they're still playing apparently - an indie band out of the Boston area that I discovered as a college-radio dj in Providence, RI.  The bass playing on this record is what hooked me, I think, and the vocals are also distinctive.  After all these years, the title track - cut one on side two! It's cool to even be able to say "side" again - is still an all-time favorite song of mine.  The other tracks really remind me of the Ramones, which is just fine, but "Fireworks" is a standout.


title: Back on the funky track.

text:
This is more like it.

After his fantastic work with his band Follow For Now and then his great first solo disk, David Ryan Harris' most recent album (2004's Soulstice) was really disappointing, with that Oh-my-God, What Happened? kind of disappointment; Soulstice was filled with lackluster, underworked folk-rock and a throwaway tune that sounded a lot like a bad Prince song (complete with the cheesy fake horns), from circa the Purple One's 1999 era. A song Prince would've had the sense not to record, or at least only include it on a B-side.

Maybe I'm not being entirely fair: Prince has had a bunch of stinkers mixed in with the great stuff. But the Soulstice album, coupled with Harris' side-trip band, The Brand New Immortals and their dull, aptly named effort 'Tragic Show'... well, it was almost enough to shake my faith in this singer/songwriter/jack-of-all-trades. Almost.

With Atlanta, the bridge between his first, self-named solo effort back in 1996 and Soulstice, Ryan shows his slide from funketeer to folksy singer/songwriter; but unlike the uninspired blandness of Soulstice, all the tracks here are tight, focused, well arranged and slickly produced.

Atlanta's first cut, 'Strong Enough', is a slow, melodic ballad, featuring strong writing and some great vocal work. Then Harris dishes out a blast of bootie-shakin' funk, starting with the Stevie Wonder-ish, bottom-heavy bass infused 'Dickin' Around', followed with the quick jam 'Be Beautiful', and the sweet ballad 'Turn Around'. Harris even pulls off a cover of Jimi Hendrix's Have You Ever Been (To Electric Ladyland) - no mean feat.

My only gripe is that the CD is REALLY short - the disc is packed with a whole six - count 'em, six! - songs, for a quick running time of about 24 minutes of music. Not a lot of bang for your buck - but enough to restore my faith, and make me look forward to Harris' next effort, the soon-to-be released (Amazon says August 22, 2006), 12-song CD, Bittersweet. In the meantime, I'll enjoy Atlanta a little more, and I'll get back to you in a month or so...


title: Great cd for Belinda Carlisle or Robbie Williams fans

text: I actually have the U.S. version of this cd, called "Essential Interpretations" and it wasn't hard to find at all.  I just walked into the cd store and bought it.  Belinda Carlisle & Radiator's  "Submission" is a standout... as is Robbie Williams' "Ev'ry  Time We Say Goodbye" and Dubstar's cover of Pet Shop Boys  "Jealousy".  There is some "filler" here, but if I knew  some of these artists other works it might not seem like it (Cecil, Feline,  Octopus, etc.)  White Town's "Rhinestone Cowboy" is not to be  missed!


title: ... i got to say this is one of the best magazines i have ever read and every should get ...

text: I didn't buy here but i got to say this is one of the best magazines  i have ever read and every should get it and read it


title: One good track

text:
Ok - maybe two good tracks.

Stevie Ray Vaughan opens the album with a powerful voice and a 12 string accoustic.  We miss you Stevie.

But for me the album is worth it for the blues version of Are You Gonna Go My Way by Lennie Kravitz.

Why not just download those tracks from iTunes.


title: Relaxing and easy to follow-

text: I try to do one or two of these techniques before a meditation.  I then listen to relaxing music and fall asleep.  I find that most of these techniques are relaxing, and help me sleep better.  His instrucion is wonderful, and he has a nice soothing voice which makes it easy to lose yourself in the breathwork.  I don't know if I am healthier, but I do have the largest lung capicity in my family, so I expect it does help.


title: seems to be helping

text: I have been using this brace for about 3 weeks & it seems to be helping. If I only used it at night it would get 5 stars, but I use it most of the day & I think it should be sturdier than it is. I have had to re-straighten it several times. I think it would be better with a steel stiffener or a more rigid extruded aluminum stiffener in it.


title: What a gift!

text: These meditations will touch your heart. If you are looking to build on the best in your relationship, these gentle, timeless "love sessions" are just the thing. What a gift.<br />Kevin & Liz Bucher, TX.


title: This collection of '60s music is GREAT!!!

text: This Gentleman is absolutely GREAT at the quality of his playing  ability and just as great at his recording quality - both unmatched!!!  I highly recommend this to anyone who loves guitar music and the songs of the '60s.


title: Great singer

text: Love her voice.


title: Very funny

text: The first time I hear this performance I was 14 years old +-. It make my laugh. It is ireverent and if you are sensitive with the religious subject, I do not recomended, but if you are open mind and have not conflict with your belive and what other people say, you will enjoy this CD. The music and the liric are an amaizing creation.


title: One of the best Enya albums

text: One of the many Enya albums that have only the best songs, all Enya songs are good, but this album is exceptional.


title: The singer is wonderful...

text: The singer, Sissel is from Norway but does sing in English.  I had heard her from a youtube site and was delighted with her voice.  I find her voice to be very uplifting and heartfelt and she is very polished.  We so enjoy this DVD.


title: of course 5 star - it was Michael Buble'

text: birthday gift


title: A must have for any true fan

text: Amazing album through and through, this is Death Cab at it's finest. We Have The Facts is one of their earlier albums (second, I believe) but was the first that truly defined their sound. For any DCFC fan this is a must-have.


title: Blackstar

text: Great vinyl ....awesome product


title: Three Stars

text: Ok


title: It's wonderful. However

text: Okay, did not buy the CD but have legally downloaded many of the songs from it.  It's wonderful.<br />However, WHY does this cost so much?


title: Sound seems a bit off, I'm not sure why

text:
I wasn't sure what rating to give this album.  I have a cheap Jensen JTA-220 turntable, and I suspect that part of the problem may be my cheap turntable and not the record.

The audio from this album seems a little 'off', and seems like the tone can vary a bit, going up and down a bit in a sinwave like pattern.  It definitely sounds worse than the digital Chvrches album I have.  Most other albums seem to play OK on the Jensen turntable I have, so I don't know why this album would be causing a problem.  But, I also have to think that the record manufacturer would have a decent quality control process when making the master dies for pressing the album, so I can't figure out why this album sounds the way it does.  I don't think the record material should make a difference, unless somehow the specially colored vinyl has more drag and the cheap motor in my Jensen turntable can't handle the extra load.  I'd be interested to hear what other people's experience with the album is.


title: A brilliant compilation of classical Christmas carols and sacred songs

text: These reverential performances of a long compilation of classical Christmas carols, hymns and other scared songs are uniformly outstanding. Even now, after years of listening, my reaction is still "Ah! Thank you."


title: Useful bag of tricks, yes.  Hollywood production values, no.

text:
I'm a beginner who just wants to play popular songs for fun.  In short, my goal is a very small subset of "playing the piano."

So I was looking for some very specific tips on how to accompany a singer.  This DVD provides exactly what I was looking for.

The production values are amateurish, to put it mildly.  I don't care.  You don't buy a DVD like this because it's fancy, you buy it for its content.


title: Condition not as good as advertised.

text: The vinyl was not in great shape, for nearly $30. Review said it was very good condition


title: Trumpet playing of the first rank

text:
While becoming a member—especially the first chair—of a section of a major symphony orchestra necessarily requires great technical mastery of an instrument, it is not necessarily indicative of a highly developed capacity for individual interpretive expression. Indeed, to be a good section member requires an ability to subordinate one’s own voice to the need to create a homogenous sound and style according to the character of the section as a whole and the demands of the particular conductor on the podium. Consequently, a first-rate section leader is not necessarily a great solo recitalist. This was made clear to me not long ago when I reviewed a recital disc by a performer who for some years had been the principal trumpet of one of the world’s most renowned symphony orchestras. The playing on the disc was technically immaculate, but interpretively the performer had nothing to say, and he said nothing very well.

In contrast to this, Charles Schlueter, principal trumpeter emeritus of the Boston Symphony, is not only a player who has not only a seemingly infinite amount to say, but one who speaks with supreme eloquence and depth of meaning. His tone is both intrinsically beautiful and yet penetrating; his articulation, from staccato to legato, is immaculately precise and clean; his breath control is phenomenal; his dynamic range is not only wide-ranging but nuanced to the most subtle shades. One could go on with a list of further virtues. But, most important of all, he is an artist with ideas and insight of real depth and value, and his superlative technique is never an end in itself, but always a means for bring those ideas and insights to full expression. The extraordinary range of compositional voices featured in this retrospective release, drawn from several of his past recordings, provides ample evidence of this.

CD 1 showcases the trumpet as a solo instrument. It opens with a short Intrada (1958) of Otto Ketting (1935–2012). An assertive fanfare-like gesture with a rapid triplet figure in it alternates with a more lyrical yet uneasy motif. This is followed by a second Intrada (1947), this time one for trumpet and piano, by Arthur Honegger (1892–1955). A quintessential example of that composer’s style, it opens with a Maestoso in which declamatory ascending trumpet lines stride over a piano accompaniment with densely dissonant yet still tonal chords. An ensuing Allegro takes up similar but altered material at a faster tempo, with cascades of rapid triplet and duplet eighth note figures, yielding to a return of the Maestoso tempo. Next comes an unabashedly tonal Sonata (1944) in three movements—Sarabande, “Interméde,” “Spiritual”—by Jean Hubeau (1917–1992). The Sarabande has a floating lyrical line for the trumpet, once again laced with triplet motifs, with the piano strumming an accompaniment like a medieval troubadour playing a harp or lute. The brief (1:47) “Interméde” is bright and witty in mood, with triplets and duplets alternating with jovial energy. The closing “Spiritual” distantly evokes something of the mood of the African-American song form, but in an easy-going, upbeat, bluesy fashion instead. Schlueter slips into the style as comfortably as a foot into a well-worn slipper.

Robert Suderburg (1936–2013) is represented in this set by two compositions, on CDs 1 and 2. Here, Chamber Music VIII: A Sonata for Trumpet in C (1987) is in four movements titled (in the tiresome fad for all lower-case typography) “ballade,” “invocation,” “procession,” “departure.” The first movement opens on a tonally ambiguous, broken figuration that sounds like Impressionism put through a pepper mill, before moving on to material savoring more of a film noir music score for a café along the Seine at night. Next, “invocation” opens hesitantly, with fragmentary solo trumpet motifs seemingly separated by extended silences, as if waiting for a reply that does not come. (The trumpet bell is pointed into the piano while the latter’s sustaining pedal is depressed, producing extremely soft echoes of trumpet notes that are audible only by significantly raising playback volume.) Finally the piano enters with a somewhat discordant rejoinder, as the trumpet articulates continued apprehension. After that, “procession” is something of a misnomer for the third movement; “delirium” would be a better title, as the nervous trumpet and piano utterances seem to me to depict something far more akin to someone thrashing about in sleep due to a nightmare. Finally, “departure” continues very much in the same vein, save that it too savors somewhat of a French film noir atmosphere.

Marsha’s Gift (2005) of Norman Bolter (b. 1955), a longtime second trombonist of the Boston Symphony and colleague of Schlueter, strikes an entirely different and far more welcome mood. Another unapologetically tonal work, it opens with a slow and gently floating prelude, briefly segues to a bit more energetic and dramatic section, and then alternates between the two, as if depicting someone recalling and ruminating over a series of intertwined memories, closing on a decidedly upbeat note. Almost anything by Eric Ewazen (b. 1954) is welcome fare to my ears: Few contemporary composers have his prodigal gift for writing music that is at once immediately accessible and engaging without being the slightest bit clichéd or condescending. A Song from the Heart (2007) is a brief (5:05), unpretentious piece that sounds exactly like what the title would lead one to expect. If it seems to skirt the boundaries of Hallmark movies sentimentality, it is saved from that by its patent sincerity and absence of meretriciousness. These two pieces were reciprocal commissions for Schlueter and gifts to one another by Dennis and Marsha Caron upon their respective retirements from their jobs; Marsha was also a onetime trumpet student of Schlueter.

The Duo Concerto for Trumpet and Organ (1997) of the Czech-American composer Tomáš Svoboda (b. 1939) is set in one continuous movement with several distinct sections. It opens with a trumpet fanfare back by sustained, discordant organ chords, initially soft but eventually giving way to a roaring blast before the organist is given his turn to expostulate. Somewhat more lyrical material follows, though the chordal accompaniments always maintain a heavy layer of dissonance. Numerous shifts between passages that are alternately fast or slow, loud or soft, often with only one instrument or the other playing in dialogue, provide textural variety. In the final third of the piece, the organ intones a solemn, chorale-like figure that gradually takes a nightmarish turn, with the trumpet sounding cries for help above grim dissonances, before the piece suddenly coming to a close on a triumphant major chord.

CD 2 is devoted to chamber music in which the trumpet is a prominent player. It commences with the Sonata for Trumpet in D and Cello (the booklet’s table of contents mistakenly says “and Piano” instead) from 1958 of the long-lived French composer Yves Chardon (1902–2000). It is cast in five movements: Allegro vivo; Lento, con indifferenza (brief, at 1:28 duration); Andante; Lento (lasting a mere 0:28); Vivace. Due to the very different natures of the two instruments, the piece is written predominantly in the form of an extended dialogue, with only occasional concerted passages. While clearly tonal, its tonalities are sometimes ambiguous, as the material pursues serpentine byways. The opening movement has the two instruments exchanging ascending and descending triplet figures. The second movement, per its title, strikes a brief note of almost nonchalant ambiguity before segueing into the more songful if also dramatic exchanges of the ensuing Andante. The Lento is a brief transitional passage for solo cello, which then scampers off in the closing Vivace with a continuous series of 16th-notes figurations while being pursued by a hectoring trumpet sounding fanfare-like motifs.

Suderburg returns with Chamber Music VIII: Ceremonies for trumpet and piano (1984), framed in three movements: “calls and echoes (allegro),” “calls and echoes (adagio, andante),” and “procession.” The first movement opens with discrete, optimistic-sounding fanfare motifs on the trumpet, eventually but suddenly answered by the piano playing ominously pessimistic music replete with discords. This is but a brief intrusion before both instruments turn to more cheerful if occasionally unsettled material, with the piano playing cascades of 16th notes while the trumpet dances above it. The second movement opens in a manner similar to the first, but the ensuing material assumes a far more sinister vein, with the two instrument warily creeping around each other as they exchange bitter recriminations. The finale opens stormily, but does not seem to be able to make up its mind as to its mood; at first the trumpet chatters excitedly and neurotically as the piano makes more occasional apprehensive responses, but in the final two movements the trumpet intones a lovely, consolatory, lyrical melody behind which the piano interjects heavy discords at the close.

The three-movement Trumpet Sonata (1939) of Paul Hindemith (1895–1963) is such a well-established repertoire piece that it would be superfluous for me to describe and comment on it. Suffice it to say that the reading here by Schlueter and Deborah DeWolf Emery is one of the very finest recordings of this work I have ever heard. The Fanfare for a New Theater by Igor Stravinsky (1882–1971), lasting a mere 0:46 here, was written for the 1964 opening of the New York State Theater and dedicated to the administrator and choreographer of said institution. It consists of just two measures: the first comprises only five notes, followed by a long unmetered measure marked semper f. Its vocabulary is that of the composer’s dodecaphonic final phase. The Sonata for Horn, Trumpet and Trombone (1922) of Francis Poulenc (1899–1963), like the Hindemith also in three movements, is another standard repertoire piece, one full of cheery insouciance. It is played here by Schlueter, hornist James Sommerville, and trombonist Ronald Barron with infectious good spirits as well as virtuoso brilliance. Poulenc’s brief (1:58) Ave verum corpus (1952) strikes a suitable tone, at once solemn, reverential, and mystical.

Composed in 1959 to commemorate the role of the city of Bury St. Edmunds in the adoption of the Magna Carta 744 years prior, the Fanfare for St. Edmundsbury of Benjamin Britten (1913–1976) is unusual in that three trumpets play sequentially rather than together until the closing section of the piece. Being written for a celebratory civic occasion, it is entirely upbeat in tone, devoid of the anguish so often found in Britten’s music. The 1879 Septet for String Quartet, Double Bass, Trumpet, and Piano of Camille Saint-Saëns (1835–1921) is a classic work of its kind, though performed less often live than it warrants due to its unusual scoring. Its four movements—“Préambule,” “Menuet,” “Interméde,” “Gavotte et finale”—with the sprightly finale being perhaps the most famous, are veritable definitions of French Romantic charm and grace, and the ensemble here positively glows with elegance and refinement.

CD 3 features five concertos and concerto-like works for trumpet and supporting instrumental ensemble. The 1803 Trumpet Concerto of Johann Nepomuk Hummel (1778–1837) is the fourth and last of the standard repertoire pieces in this set, and by far both the earliest of those by date and the most often recorded. Eliminating duplicate entries, I count roughly 50 different recordings of it listed on one website, with versions by every eminent classical trumpeter one wishes to name; the very first recording of trumpet music I acquired as a young teenager was Edward H. Tarr’s 1967 first recording, released on LP by Nonesuch and later on CD in a budget two-CD set on Angel/Seraphim. (Schlueter’s book Indirection has a photograph of himself with Tarr and Thomas Crown from 1985.) Schlueter has the advantage of digital recorded sound and the backing of a superior orchestra, the Kyushu Symphony of Japan, which under the able baton of Kazuyoshi Akiyama plays with great stylishness and verve. Typically, the concerto is transposed down from its original key of E♮ to E♭ because instruments pitched in the former key are now rare but those in the latter key are much more common. Both Schlueter and Tarr perform the work in its original key of E Major.

The Prayer of St. Gregory is an excerpt from the early 1946 opera Etchmiadzin of Alan Hovhaness (1911–2000), whose protagonist is St. Gregory the Illuminator (c. 257–c. 331), the figure credited with converting Armenia to Christianity in 301 AD, giving that people the claim to being the world’s oldest Christian nation. It is penned in the mystical, melodic, conservative tonal style typical of the composer’s spiritually themed works. Here, and also in Odyssey and Statements to come, the Berkshire Chamber Orchestra led by Ronald Feldman proves itself to be an exemplary ensemble.

Odyssey by Ruth Lomon (1930–2017), dedicated to Schlueter and premiered by him in February 1998, is a trumpet concerto in three movements, titled “Turning Point,” “Dancing on the Abyss,” and “Shifting Currents.” Lamon’s conception was inspired by the poem “The Odyssey: A Modern Sequel” by Nikos Kazantzakis; in her words, Kazantzakis “believes that man must structure his life and work on the ‘Dark Abyss.’ Life has meaning only when it accepts and rises above the great negation of the Abyss.” It would be nice to have an explanation of exactly what the “Dark Abyss” is supposed to be; presumably it is something more or other than Death. The rest of the composer’s quoted notes are no more helpful, I’m afraid, and unfortunately she is no longer with us and available to shed further light on the subject. Despite that, I found this to be one of the most intriguing and engaging works in this set. Its complex musical vocabulary freely mixes tonal and non-tonal elements in a dramatic, kaleidoscopically shifting manner that shifts from fragment to fragment, calling to my mind the music of Edgard Varèse.

The title of Bolter’s On the Cusp (1999), a one-movement work for solo trumpet, brass ensemble, and percussion, refers to the date of Schlueter’s birthday, which lies on the cusp (transition point) between the astrological signs of Aries and Taurus. As the composer remarks, since both Aries (a ram) and Taurus (a bull) have horns, it was only fitting that Schlueter should grow up to be a brass instrument player. Tonal and listener-friendly, it is also clearly of modern American provenance, with a decidedly martial air. The Frequency Band under Bolter’s direction plays with panache.

The Duo Fantastique for two trumpets and wind ensemble (2007) of James Stephenson (b. 1969) opens with an explosion of sound from the massed forces but quickly turns to a cheeky, almost schmaltzy theme presented by the two soloists. Eventually the material reverts back to more energetic and dramatic strains, only to be overtaken by a lovely lyrical interlude. Another brisk, quirky episode follows, with the soloists at first sauntering gaily along and then chattering excitedly as the music picks up steam. The University of Massachusetts Wind Ensemble under James Patrick Miller provides Schlueter and his one-time pupil Eric Berlin stellar support.

Finally, Statements (2006) by Albert Tiberio (b. 1935), written for the impending retirement of Schlueter from the Boston Symphony, is the longest work in this collection, with a total timing of 20:43 for its five movements, titled “Prologue,” “Soliloquy,” Scherzo, “Cantilena,” and “Bravura.” Tiberio, himself also a trumpet player, has a compelling personal story. In 2006 he suffered surgical nerve damage that paralyzed half of his face. After being told by doctors that the condition was permanent and untreatable, he designed and patented a device he dubbed ORBEX that restored the functionality of his face muscles within a month. After the spooky “Prologue,” in which a treacherously high trumpet line alternates with sinister mutterings on lower strings and clattering percussion instruments, “Soliloquy” offers a far more melodic turn of affairs, with a bright glockenspiel part sometimes pealing in the background behind the cheerful trumpet soloist. A Scherzo continues in a similar vein with a lively, jaunty step; so does “Cantilena,” albeit with open harmonies in a manner obliquely recalling Copland mixed in with the South American idiom present throughout the composition. The closing “Bravura” opens with material recalling the ominous opening of the “Prologue,” but turns very quickly to a more optimistic outlook. The music then takes a good many unexpected turns within a brief compass, in which I don’t find any unity beyond a desire to create variegated effects, and concludes with an extended unaccompanied quasi-cadenza for the trumpet followed by a few closing bars for all the performers.

With the exception of the two works by Suderburg, which definitely are not my cup of musical tea, all of the pieces in this set are definitely worth hearing and having. Schlueter’s playing is simply a marvel throughout, and repeated comments to that effect for each recording would simply be tedious. Suffice it to say that anyone and everyone interested in both contemporary trumpet music and in virtuoso trumpet playing should waste no time in acquiring this set. James A. Altena


title: A beautiful, musically compelling version of Albéniz’s masterpiece

text:
With a little hindsight the excellence of this new recording of Iberia was almost fore-ordained. The Chilean-born pianist Pola Baytelman specializes in Albéniz and has published a book on his piano music. On a Fulbright grant to the U.S. she studied with Russell Sherman at the New England Conservatory, and she went on to a doctorate in performance at the University of Texas. As telling as these things are, what raised my expectations was how well reviewed her Schumann recital for Centaur was on its release in 2003. In his review, Michael Ullman took note of “her deep sound and gently somber approach,” her secure technique, and “the richness of her slow movements.”

Iberia consists of 12 “impressions,” as Albéniz called them, arranged in four books, and immediately, with the first piece, “Évocation,” one hears from Baytelman the qualities mentioned above. She proceeds with a compelling combination of relaxed authority, rich sound, and personal feeling. Schumann might seem to be a world away from Iberia culturally, but the long reach of Romanticism embraces it, and Baytelman instinctively communicates the languorous, dreamy, rhapsodic moods that permeate these pieces.

Often the underpinning is strongly rhythmic in performances of Iberia, bolstered by its foundation in many Spanish dances. In Book 1/2, “El Puerto” vibrantly depicts a port town, thought to be the Port of Santa María on the Bay of Cádiz, and as the excellent program notes tell us, “By the end of the first sixteen measures there have been allusions to three different dance rhythms: zapateado, polo, and bulerías.” These are handled expertly by Baytelman, but what struck me was how she emphasizes mood and expression over rhythm per se, which adds warmth to her performance.

Albéniz was a virtuoso pianist, and there are enough technical challenges in Iberia to daunt anyone. Baytelman is so at home in the music’s cross-rhythms, increasing complexities, rapid syncopation, and pyrotechnics that she can deliver them without seeming effortful or strained. It takes an ear trained in Spanish folkways to distinguish the allusions to so many regional dances, although the imitation of a flamenco guitar and the spell of gypsy dances are accessible to any general listener. You need no expertise to hear the radiance in the way Baytelman plays Book 2/1, “Rondeña,” with its sinuous alternation of 3/4 and 6/8 time. It is illuminating to read that this fandango, one of Albéniz’s favorite dances, is “an expression of passion,” a courtship dance marked by snapping fingers and stamping feet as the two dancers pursue each other.

It’s engrossing to be pulled into Spanish folk culture by both the playing and the explanations offered in the booklet. They make an ideal combination for newcomers and provide deeper understanding to anyone who already knows Iberia. I was reminded of folksong collectors exploring minute niches for local variants—for example, Book 2/3, “Triana,” depicts a gypsy neighborhood’s paso doble in Seville, while Book 3/1, “El Albaicín,” derives from a gypsy dance in a neighborhood of Granada. Space forbids me from detailing all 12 pieces, but I’d like to point to the interludes of song known as coplas (stanzas), where Baytelman adroitly changes mood, usually to a softer, often melancholy tone.

The Albéniz selections are completed with two early pavanas, the Spanish version of the solemn pavanes of Bach. From the 23-year-old composer in 1883 comes the more elaborate, glittering work, Pavana-capricho, while Pavana from four years later is probably part of his piano teaching—it appears in a collection titled “Easy Pavanas for Small Hands.” There is a rhythmic snap in the capricho that no Baroque composer would have recognized, and both pieces have lovely melodies.

I don’t mean to give short shrift to the three Ginastera works that fill out CD 2. It was a radical step in the typically genteel ethos of classical music in South America, which looked to Europe for inspiration, when Ginastera and Piazzolla turned instead to slums, bars, dance halls, and the pampas for indigenous material. The pieces on this program feature a proto-tango known as a milonga, a rough, fast dance of the gauchos called a malambo, and the 21-year-old Ginastera’s first published work, a suite of three Danzas argentinas, which ends in a malambo he marked as “furiously rhythmic and energetic.”

The last piece became popular enough to occasion a number of recordings, and Baytelman’s rendition isn’t the most furiously energized I’ve ever heard. The same is true in some of the virtuosic passages in Iberia. I consider this a stylistic choice, not a drawback. The microphone placement is very close, and there are pedaled passages that get somewhat blurred at high speed and loud dynamics (I noticed this particularly in the last Ginastera dance, “Danza del gaucho matrero,” the most frenetic piece on the program).

Overall, I’d call this a highly musical, deeply felt, and beautifully expressed version of Iberia. Despite the reputation of Alicia de Larrocha in this masterpiece, I enjoyed Baytelman’s warmth and intimate approach more, and her version comes in better sound than de Larrocha’s earlier recordings. Strongly recommended. Huntley Dent