Luna

Indiecator, October 2001
Absolutely beautiful. The album blends together into one amazing experience. Favorite tracks: 'Luna', 'Two Voices','Mina'...a great new sound! ****

Product Description
Electric Violin, Acoustic and Electric Guitars, Bass, and percussion combine in an eclectic blend of rock, celtic, folk, world and more. Up for a Grammy this year in "World Music".

Luna

Luna,James Kennedy,Heart Consort Music,Contemporary Instrumental,Electric Violin, Acoustic and Electric Guitars, and more blend for an eclectic mix of rock, celtic, folk, world and more.,Folk-Rock

Average customer rating: Bias I Confess An Italianized Englishman... Romancing the listeners Amazing!!! Andrea in the 90's

Romanza Andrea Bocelli Manufacturer: Philips ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bocelli, Andrea | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Brightman, Sarah | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Italy | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Bocelli, Andrea | A to B | Featured Performers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music $9.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classical | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music International | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music $9.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Andrea Bocelli - Amore Sogno Andrea Cieli di Toscana Time to Say Goodbye ASIN: B0000041OG Release Date: 1997-09-23

Tracks:

1. Con Te Partiro
2. Vivere
3. Per Amore
4. Il Mare Calmo Della Sera
5. Caruso
6. Macchine Da Guerra
7. Le Tue Parole
8. Vivo Per Lei
9. Romanza
10. La Luna Che Non C'e
11. Rapsodia
12. Voglio Restare Cosi
13. E Chiove
14. Miserere-Live
15. Time To Say Goodbye (Con Te Partiro) - A Tribute To Henri Maske

Amazon.com essential recording

From his childhood on the family farm in rural Tuscany to the worldwide stage, Andrea Bocelli has achieved phenomenal success. His singing is only partially the point, and his fame owes much more to the aura of romance and the romantic archetype that's attached to him. Romanza is by far Bocelli's largest success, winning adoration thanks to the swooning vocals and the easy, sometimes lush, always pop-safe instrumental textures and melodies. As far as his opera chops go, Bocelli has won the approval of Pavarotti but likely will not wow enthusiasts. The upside is that Bocelli will likely grow the opera pie, convincing labels to take on more operatic projects. --Andrew Bartlett

Customer Reviews:

Bias I Confess.......2007-07-06

I confess to loving Italian music and opera in addition to Rock & Roll, Country and music in general.

This music is good when you want to relax or have a lady over 40 you want to entertain.

An Italianized Englishman..........2007-06-01

Is the Devil incarnate." (Inglese italianato e un diavolo incarnate) Or so I've heard. I suppose the author (I read it in a copy of Machiavelli's The Prince) could be forgiven for not having heard Don Bocelli and Donna Brightman sing "Con Te Partiro" - can we now say Inglese italianata e un angelo incarnate?

The rest of the album is a collection of ballads, most of which suffer from weak or clashing instrumentals. An exception is "Macchine Da Guerra" which has a pleasant and comparatively strong piano accompaniment.

I'd like to thank Kenny McCormick of South Park, CO for turning me on to Don Bocelli.

Romancing the listeners.......2007-05-30

What a voice, it soars with the arias and bops with the more contemporary. Especially love the song about Caruso. Andrea is un cantante bello, un uomo bello! Turn this one up with the top down and let it sing you home.

Amazing!!!.......2007-05-18

I bought this cd again after losing my original copy that I bought the year it was released. Out of all my Bocelli cds this is my favorite. It has a good mix of classic opera with popera and really shows his abilities. I have used this cd to turn people on to opera and popera, and the results have been incredible! Once you hear him, you cannot deny his talent and passion. Simply AMAZING!!!

Andrea in the 90's.......2007-04-20

Andrea is incredible.His romantic poetry with music is unparalleled.The only downside to this album is the inescapable 90's feel.If you don't mind it,then buy this album.If you do,then buy 'Time To Say Goodbye'off iTunes and get Sogno,Andrea,or Cieli di Toscana.

Average customer rating: Wonderful melodies Hayley Westenra - Odyssey Very soothing very good pop singer voice Voice & level head deserve high marks

Odyssey Hayley Westenra Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Folk | Styles | Music Australia & New Zealand | International | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Folk Songs | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Orchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music $9.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classical | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music International | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music $9.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Celtic Treasure Hayley Westenra - Live From New Zealand Lisa Celtic Woman - A New Journey: Live at Slane Castle, Ireland Walking in the Air ASIN: B000AXWHPI Release Date: 2005-10-18

Tracks:

1. Prayer
2. Both Sides Now
3. Never Saw Blue
4. Dell' Amore Non Si Sa
5. What You Never Know (Won't Hurt You)
6. May It Be
7. Quanta Qualia
8. You Are Water
9. She Moves Through the Fair
10. My Heart Belongs To You - Hayley Westenra
11. Ave Maria
12. I Say Grace

Album Description

Hayley Westenra's new album Odyssey was always going to be a different proposition to Pure, the record-breaking 2003 collection which marked her international debut. A lot has happened to the young New Zealander over the past two or three years--and those changes are clearly reflected by a record which encapsulates her growth from a budding teenage prodigy into a mature young woman.

Now, at 18, Hayley is ready to show the world how much she has grown up, both as an artist and as an individual. Fans of Pure will be pleasantly surprised by her new album. Her wonderful voice retains its crystal-clear purity, but Westenra's singing is now richer and more rounded than before. Touring the world and singing in some of its greatest concert venues, such as the Sydney Opera House, Royal Albert Hall, and Carnegie Hall, has worked wonders for her confidence. Suitably emboldened, she has embraced an even wider range of musical styles including classical, hymns, folk and pop.

"I was happy with Pure at the time, but I've moved on so much," says Hayley. "It's really exciting to have something new out there for people to listen to. I wanted to make a record that represented me as a person. And I think I've improved as a vocalist."

Variety is certainly one of the keywords with Hayley's new album. When she first entered a recording studio in New Zealand as a 12-year-old, Westenra restricted herself to classical pieces and show tunes. Now, in addition to impressive takes on classical works, Hayley uses her new album to perform an inspired cover of Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now" and has arranged and written much of the material. "I like to push myself, and I'm now confident enough to try different things. I have been much more involved behind the scenes with this album--I wanted to put my individual stamp on each song."

With her career stretching out promisingly before her, Hayley is also keen to continue experimenting. She is still primarily a classical crossover artist but she also wants to keep broadening those musical horizons. Three years after her international debut CD, Hayley Westenra is still pure: she exudes pure quality and she remains pure class--but her musical journey continues with her new album Odyssey.

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful melodies.......2007-06-08

This is a wonderful CD with beautiful melodies. Hayley Westenra has a very pure voice and sings right on key. The melodies are very relaxing and the musical settings are well arranged.

Hayley Westenra - Odyssey.......2007-06-08

Pure, crystalline, angelic voice. Gorgeously produced. "Prayer" is stunning. "Both Sides Now" wonderful. The rest is good but not her best song selection. When I first heard this girl on the "Celtic Woman" tour I was totally blown away. None of her CDs will disappoint!

Very soothing.......2007-05-14

Hayley Westenra's Odyssey is a very beautiful CD. If you switch on your walkman and listen to the CD's tracks non-stop, you'll soon feel like you're flying in Heaven. It's very soothing and heavenly. It calms you down, without causing you to feel lonely or sad because you're listening to it in solitary, like other vocal or classical songs do sometimes.

I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested. Quanta Qualia and Ave Maria are my most favourite tracks. Quanta Qualia is pure magic! I really feel as if I'm flying in Heaven when I listen to it.

very good pop singer voice.......2007-05-13

the selections were tasteful and varied. the singer has a very good pop singer voice. i would have liked some voice variation between songs. all were sung in exactly the same style. good singing but without tonal variation the disk tends to be bland. i hope that as she gets more exposure she will vary her voice to make the songs stand out individually instead of letting them blend into one song on the disc. i would rate this 5 stars except for that major fault.

Voice & level head deserve high marks .......2007-04-20

Not only has Hayley Westenra's voice remained "pure", but her good sense and sensibilty has stayed intact when so many similar young performers have gone over the deep end with extreme behavior and disreputable remarks. On this CD Miss Westernra covers a number of songs in her own special style, such as excellent versions of "Prayer", "May It Be" and "Both Sides Now". I hope to hear her renditions of more such tunes, old and new. I would like to hear her sing songs like "Yesterday", "I Still Believe in Love" and All I Know. She has a way with her soaring vocals that never lets the listener down.

Average customer rating: ITALIAN LISTENER Terrific! So-So CD This CD will put you to sleep Mi piace davvero!

Viva Italia! Festive Italian Classics Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Leoncavallo | Leoncavallo, Ruggiero | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Film Scores | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Italy | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music 1950s | By Decade | Pop | Styles | Music 1960s | By Decade | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music 1960-1969 | Decades | Compilations | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music 1950-1959 | Decades | Compilations | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Eh, Paisano! 100% Italian-American Classics Italian Love Songs Mandolins from Italy: 24 Most Popular Melodies All The Best From Italy: 40 Italian Favorites [2-CD SET] Italian Love Songs ASIN: B000002WXS Release Date: 1996-07-02

Tracks:

1. Mattinata - Romano Ledenzio And His Orchestra
2. Mala Femmena - Frankie Fanelli
3. Canto D'Amore - Romano Ledenzio And His Orchestra
4. Guaglione - Carlo Savina And His Orchestra
5. Lary Mary(Luna Mezza Mare) - Lou Monte
6. Anema E Core - Perry Como
7. Funiculi Funicula - Romano Ledenzio And His Orchestra
8. Soldi, Soldi, Soldi(From 'Boccaccio '70') - Sophia Loren
9. Santa Lucia - Gino Del Vescovo And His Mandolins
10. Hey Gumbaree(Bibadee Bobadee Bu) - Lou Monte
11. Come Back To Sorrento - Romano Ledenzio And His Orchestra
12. Volare(nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu) - Domenico Modugno
13. A Man Without Love(Quando M'Innamore) - Sergio Franchi
14. O Sole Mio - Romano Ledenzio And His Orchestra
15. Forget Domani(From 'The Yellow Rolls Royce') - Perry Como
16. Mama - Lou Monte
17. O Mio Bambino Caro - Romano Ledenzio And His Orchestra
18. Non Dimenticar(Don't Forget) - Lou Monte
19. Al Di La(From 'Rome Adventure') - Frankie Fanelli
20. Arrivederci Roma(Goodbye To Rome) - Romano Ledenzio And His Orchestra

Customer Reviews:

ITALIAN LISTENER.......2007-07-16

This was a great cd. it came on time and was as promised in good condition. I would recomend the seller again.

Terrific!.......2007-05-30

I bought this CD because I missed listening to the music my grandfather played. This CD brought back a flood of memories for me. Wonderful compilation of my favorite italian classics.

So-So CD.......2007-04-06

This is more cafe style but still worth listening to.
Great dinner background music.

This CD will put you to sleep.......2007-02-26

We bought this CD for our daughter's wedding. After reviewing it, we could have saved our money. The version of Funiculi sounded like the Salvation Army band and it was totally lifeless. Lou Monte's Hey Gumbaree (it is actually Eh Cumpare in Italian--that should have given it away) was awful, and he consistently butchers the Italian language in all his other songs (annoying, I mean, couldn't he have learned the right pronunciation?).

While Perry Como and others have melodic voices (and very wisely sing in English because they don't know Italian), these are '50s versions of the songs, for the most part. While you have to appreciate them, they are really old and reflect the '50s type of instrumention and style. Would have loved to have heard all these songs done in a fresh and original way. Soldi Soldi was our favorite by far, and that is why we gave the CD two stars.

Could have gone to the library for this one.

Thanks for letting me voice our opinion. We are a big Italian family and just spent hundreds of dollars buying every CD out there for our daughter's wedding and figured we would share our opinion with others.

Mi piace davvero!.......2007-02-20

This is a beautiful CD filled with the authentic sounds of Italy! Each track brings be back a little farther to the streets of Italy...Rome...Trevi Fountain...bellissimo!!!!

Average customer rating: Luciano Pavrotti: The Best (Farewell Tour) Luciano Pavorotti Luciano is the best!

Luciano Pavrotti: The Best (Farewell Tour) Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Flotow | Flotow, Friedrich von | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Meyerbeer | Meyerbeer, Giacomo | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works Featuring Luciano Pavarotti | Pavarotti, Luciano | ( P ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music National Philharmonic Orchestra London | ( N ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Bixio, Cesare Andrea | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cardillo, Salvatore | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Capua, Eduardo di | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Curtis, Ernesto de | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: The Best of the Three Tenors Romantica: The Very Best Of Luciano Pavarotti Amore: Romantic Italian Love Songs Pavarotti: Greatest Hits The Best of Luciano Pavarotti: 20th Century Masters/The Millennium Collection ASIN: B0007V5WB4 Release Date: 2005-09-13

Tracks:

1. La donna obile
2. Una furtiva lagrima
3. "Libiamo ne'lieti calici (Brindisi)
4. Donna non vidi mai
5. Che gelida manina
6. O soave fanciulla
7. Mi batte il cor...O Paradiso!
8. M'appari
9. Quando le sere al placido chiaror d'un ciel stellato
10. Se quel guerrier io fossi!..Celeste Aida
11. Forse la soglia attinse
12. Recitar! - "Vesti la giubba"
13. Come un bel di maggio
14. Ah mes amis - Pour mon
15. Di quella pira
16. Nessun dorma!

Tracks:

1. Torna a Surriento
2. Santa Lucia luntana
3. La Danza
4. L'ultima canzone
5. Non t'amo pi
6. Mattinata
7. 'O sole mio
8. 'A vucchella
9. Core 'ngrato
10. Nel blu, dipinto di blu
11. Vivere
12. Il Canto
13. Caruso
14. Buongiorno a te
15. Ti adoro
16. E lucevan le stelle
17. Questa o quella (Ballata)
18. Parmi veder le lagrime

Customer Reviews:

Luciano Pavrotti: The Best (Farewell Tour).......2007-06-27

Wonderful Pavarotti sings the best of the best. His voice never ceases to amaze me. Listening pleasure at it's finest.

Luciano Pavorotti.......2007-02-17

All the songs are wonderful, can never become tired of listening to his songs. Excellent.

Luciano is the best!.......2007-01-20

I can't speak more highly of this collection of Pavrotti's songs. I keep this two CD pack in my car so I can enjoy it on my way to and from work. Even after I have arrived, I find myself sitting in my car waiting for a song to end. Walking out on a song seems sacriligious. While I grew up listening to Caruso and Lanza, there is no question that Pavrotti is the Master! Although, I do have to admit Pavrotti has the greater advantage of modern recording technology to better present his talent than Caruso and Lanza had. However, Lanza definitely didn't have the power that Pavrotti has. With Caruso, we will never know... I highly recommend this collection of Pavrotti's, if you are a Pavrotti fan. If you aren't, buy it anyway and become one:)

Average customer rating: Variety of Music The Moon is Far Away - Sarah Brings it Closer! producer should be drawn and quartered Beautiful...ethereal...magnificent... Cosmic Experience

La Luna Sarah Brightman Manufacturer: Angel Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Brightman, Sarah | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Brightman, Sarah | A to B | Featured Performers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Similar Items: Eden (US Release - 16 tracks) Harem Time to Say Goodbye Sarah Brightman Classics Dive ASIN: B00004UDNP Release Date: 2000-08-29

Tracks:

1. La Lune
2. Winter In July
3. Scarborough Fair
4. Figlio Perduto
5. A Whiter Shade of Pale
6. He Doesn't See Me
7. Serenade
8. How Fair This Place
9. Hijo De La Luna
10. Here With Me
11. La Califfa
12. This Love
13. Solo Con Te
14. Gloomy Sunday
15. La Luna

Amazon.com

Superstar crossover vocalist Sarah Brightman greets the new millennium with an even surer, bolder sense of her unique musical niche than that evident from 1999's Eden. Like Eden, La Luna is a concept album only in a vaguely free-associative sense. The selection of material here touches on images of the moon that reinforce its ambiguity as a force known to draw together "the lunatic, the lover, and the poet" (Brightman's photo shoots for the album do seem to suggest a sort of Titania-like figure out of a New Age Midsummer Night's Dream). And it's a stylistic as well as thematic voyage, coursing from such contemporary sounds as synth pop (on "This Love") through vintage jazz standards (Billie Holiday's atmospheric and haunting "Gloomy Sunday") to high opera for the title track (a version of the sublime "Song of the Moon" from Dvorák's fairy-tale opera Rusalka), and drawing elsewhere on the gorgeously sinuous melodies of Bach, Handel, and Rachmaninov--one song, "Figlio Perduto," even adapts the slow movement of Beethoven's Seventh Symphony. Throughout, producer Frank Peterson swathes Brightman's shiny small voice in luxuriant fabrics of sound. Detractors will lament the resulting sameness of tone--no matter what the style involved--but Brightman's focus on spinning an ethereal spell never gets eclipsed. This domestic release includes three tracks not available on the import version and has a special treat hidden in the final track as a bonus. --Thomas May

Amazon.com

Sarah Brightman Photos

More from Sarah Brightman

Time to Say Goodbye	Diva: The Singles Collection	Eden
Diva: The Video Collection	Harem	La Luna (Live in Concert)

Customer Reviews:

Variety of Music.......2007-05-25

The La Luna Soundtrack CD is a very nice production for Sarah Brightman. The CD is a concert soundtrack comprised of a variety of songs that were collected for a television concert in the year 2000. La Luna is most enjoyable to listen to because Sarah's vocals are absolutely beautiful, capturing, and amazing. If you never heard Sarah's angelic soprano/alto voice you are in for a treat. The actual concert DVD video, from which this soundtrack is taken from, is available through Amazon.com.

The Moon is Far Away - Sarah Brings it Closer!.......2007-05-15

A really good album on Sarah Brightman's part. This album came out after her two smash-hit albums, TIME to SAY GOODBYE and EDEN. It offers the same sort of material from Eden, with a new theme. Some pop tunes (in English) and some opera and classical (mostly in Italian or Spanish) (and even in Russian). Here's a quick score-and-comment:

1.) LA LUNE - 4/5 - Drawn out with a lot of synth and Neil Armstrong. Beautiful lyrics in French by Sarah. Her voice is haunting.

2.) WINTER IN JULY - 5/5 - A great English pop piece. It really makes you think, and the lyrics are haunting, along with the vocals.

3.) SCARBOROUGH FAIR - 4/5 - A beautiful song. However, on this album, it's a little bit overproduced with the synthetic pop sounds.

4.) FIGLIO PERDUTO - 5/5 - An amazing piece in Italian, which tells the story of a son being separated from his father. The boy describes his captor as "the elfin king". "Figlio Perduto" means "Lost Son".

5.) A WHITER SHADE OF PALE - 4/5 - Once again, a fairly nice song, but a bit overproduced with synth sounds. Her voice seems slightly robotic in the verses, but it really breaks through for the refrain.

6.) HE DOESN'T SEE ME - 5/5 - A great and gentle love song. Sarah really does a great job on this track.

7.) SERENADE - 4/5 - Vocalise to "How Fair This Place"

8.) HOW FAIR THIS PLACE - 4/5 - A nice piece in Russian, but it's kind of hard to tell what she's saying. I'm Ukrainian, and Russian and Ukrainian share words and sound alike. Still nice, though!

9.) HIJO DE LA LUNA - 6/5 - AMAZING! All in Spanish, and all flowing smoothly! I can never get enough of it.

10.) HERE WITH ME - 4/5 - Dido originally recorded this piece. Sarah did it in her own way. It's good, but there is a little bit too much pop noise!

11.) LA CALIFFA - 6/5 - A beautiful piece in Italian, written by Ennio Morricone. Sarah doesn't even scoop in this piece! It's hypnotizing!

12.) THIS LOVE - 3/5 - WAY TO OVERPRODUCED! I really don't like this piece at all!

13.) SOLO CON TE - 5/5 - If I remember correctly, Handel wrote this piece. Sarah does a pretty good job on it. The orchestrations are a little heavy, and you can't here Sarah all of the time. Still good, though.

14.) GLOOMY SUNDAY - 6/5 - An awesomly haunting piece, which really focuses in on death and suicide. Sarah's voice makes the piece chill your spine and numb your body.

15.) LA LUNA/MOON RIVER - 6/5 - The Italian version of Dvorak's original piece. Sarah's voice is light here, but still packs a powerful punch. Her voice easily hits the high notes with no scooping! At the end of the track (after about a 20-second break), she begins a beautiful version of Sinatra's "Moon River". Absolutely beautiful.

TOTAL SCORE - 71/75 = about 95%
There will be a 95% chance that you will enjoy this album!

producer should be drawn and quartered.......2006-10-31

While there is no doubt Miss Brightman has a beautiful voice, it is very hard to enjoy it on this CD.

I purchased this after hearing a cut from one of her other CDs, reading all the rave reviews of her work on different sites, and listening to people telling me how awesome she was.

"A Whiter Shade of Pale" has been a favorite of mine for years. With her voice, this version should be haunting. Instead, it just sounds haunted. Her voice is totally overridden by some techno/syntho/new-age garbage that is jarring at best and totally unneeded at worst.

"Scarborough Fair" is fairly clean musically, until you realize that her voice is reverbed throughout, like a mid-60's Johnny Cash tune.

If this techno/syntho/new-age junk is what Miss Brinkman is all about, then there must be a market for it. All I can say is that her voice is wasted amongst the all the excess electronica. The only thing I can figure out is that she is hard up for money and is willing to lend her voice to projects as this out of desperation.

If you really like music, don't waste your money on this. If you think what comes out of an iPod is music, this would probably be right down your alley.

Beautiful...ethereal...magnificent..........2006-10-03

This is one of Sarah Brightman's best music cds. Absolutely magnificent. Sarah's voice is so beautiful, and the songs on this cd are all really good.
It is one of my favorite music cds. Highly recommended.

Cosmic Experience.......2006-01-28

When "La Luna" came out, I was very skeptical because I was deeply in love with Sarah's previous album "Eden". However, I managed to get myself a copy and "La Luna" is one my prized CDs today. Sarah's voice is beautiful, as always, and the musical arrangements are just perfect hybrids of classical and contemporary. Sarah's version of "Whiter Shade of Pale" is better than the band who first played the song.

I put this CD on in the car and was immediately asked to lend it, which I didn't do ;) . I highly recommend this abulm!

Average customer rating: A Star Performance Sometimes I Dream Add this to your Andrea/Josh collection! Good quality and service Wonderful!

Sometimes I Dream Mario Frangoulis Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Musicals | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Follow Your Heart Alessandro Safina Your Love, My Home Mario Frangoulis - Sometimes I Dream (Live in Concert) Russell Watson · The Voice ASIN: B00006FRN6 Release Date: 2002-09-17

Tracks:

1. Vincero, Perdero
2. Buongiorno Principessa
3. Sometimes I Dream
4. Luna Rossa
5. Naturaleza Muerta
6. Nights in White Satin (Notte Di Lucce)
7. Ton Eafto Tou Paidi
8. Non Sara'
9. Hijo De La Luna
10. Night Wants To Forget
11. Canzone Arrabbiata
12. A La Luna De Valencia
13. Vincero, Perdero

Amazon.com

Forget the age of battling boy bands, the era of dueling young tenors is upon us. Hot on the heels of Josh Groban's dizzyingly successful, Ally McBeal-fueled debut comes this first international release from African-born, Greek-raised tenor Mario Frangoulis. There are some clear parallels between Groban's debut and this Frangoulis release, but some distinctive differences as well. While Groban coated his slick, David Foster-molded pop sense with a veneer of classical respectability, Frangoulis has effectively turned the formula inside out. With similar classical training--but a few crucial years of experience on his American rival--Frangoulis treats the classics reverently but not slavishly, with the title track effectively turning an aria from Puccini's Tosca into romantic Europop. Elsewhere, the international flavor is further expanded by three melody-rich songs ("Hijo de la Luna," "La Luna de Valencia," and "Naturaleza Muerta") by Spanish singer-songwriter Jose Maria Cano and a sing-along-ready take on the 1950s Neapolitan chestnut "Luna Rossa."

Like Groban, Frangoulis and producer Steve Woods also plumb the music of la cinema italiana for inspiration, turning Nicola Piovani's bittersweet Life Is Beautiful theme into the ponderous "Buongiorno Principessa," but faring better with a moody, dramatic take on Rota-Wertmuller's "Canzone Arribiata." The obligatory rock-pop cover here is the flamenco-inflected "Nights in White Satin", with Frangoulis joined in a bilingual duet with original Moody Blue Justin Hayward that's surprisingly effective. Less showy perhaps than Groban's debut, but a more nuanced and emotionally satisfying album overall. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

A Star Performance.......2007-02-28

When I purchased Mario's DVD I had never heard of him. I was actually browsing Josh Groban items when I noticed the [...] suggested items below and had a look.
What a find. Mario Frangoulis is an outstanding performer with an incredible voice. The quality of his concert is excellent with a full orchestra and top notch audio quality. I have watched this performance 7 times and can't wait to see it again.

Sometimes I Dream.......2007-01-19

A wonderfull full tenor voice with the ability to sing, popular, ethnic and opera. You cannot go wrong with this album.

Add this to your Andrea/Josh collection!.......2007-01-16

I had borrowed this CD from a co-worker a couple of years ago and was so thrilled to find it available here. Mario is wonderful and so easy to listen to. If you like Josh Groban, Russell Watson, Andrea Boccelli than you'll love Mario Frangoulis.

Good quality and service.......2007-01-11

I received this cd in just a few days and it was in excellent condition.

Wonderful!.......2007-01-09

Spectacular! This one also I can't stop listening! The songs and the singer are fabulous; listening to him makes my moments very special!

Average customer rating: Cornucopia of Pavarotti's works Don't...!!! Great Tenor - Poor CD Quality Great Music......Horrible Mastering Surely I am proud to be an Italian-American!!

Pavarotti: Greatest Hits Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Flotow | Flotow, Friedrich von | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Franck, César | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Lehár, Franz | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Leoncavallo | Leoncavallo, Ruggiero | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mascagni | Mascagni, Pietro | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Massenet | Massenet, Jules | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Meyerbeer | Meyerbeer, Giacomo | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Ponchielli | Ponchielli, Amilcare | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music National Philharmonic Orchestra London | ( N ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra | ( V ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italy | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Romantica: The Very Best Of Luciano Pavarotti The Best of the Three Tenors Luciano Pavrotti: The Best (Farewell Tour) Amore: Romantic Italian Love Songs Carreras · Domingo · Pavarotti ~ the three tenors in concert / Mehta ASIN: B0000042HZ Release Date: 1997-09-30

Tracks:

1. Turandot: Nessun dorma
2. La Boheme: Che gelida manina
3. La Traviata: Brindisi
4. Aida: Se quel guerrier io foss ... Celeste Aida
5. L'Elisir d'Amore: Una furtiva lagrima
6. Rigoletto: Questa o quella
7. Martha: M'appari
8. TOSCA: E lucevan le stelle
9. Fedora: Amor ti vieta
10. Pagliaccci: Recitar!... Vesti la guibba
11. Manon Lescaut: Donna non vidi mai
12. Rigoletto: La donna e mobile
13. L'africana: Mi batte il cuor ... O paradiso
14. Werther: Pourquoi me reveiller
15. Carmen: La fleur que tu m'avais jetee
16. Manon Lescaut: Ma se vi talenta ... Tra voi, belle
17. La Gioconda: Cielo e mar!
18. TOSCA: Recondita armonia
19. La Favorita: Spirito gentil
20. II torvatore: Di quella pira
21. L'amico Fritz: Suzel, buon di

Tracks:

1. O sole mio
2. Torna a Surriento
3. Orchestra del Teatro Comunale di Bologna: Core 'ngrato
4. Orchestra del Teatro Comunale di Bologna: Funiculi Funicul
5. Notte 'e piscatore
6. O Holy Night (Cantique de Noel)
7. Panis angelicus
8. Ave Marie: Ave Maria
9. Mattinata
10. La danza
11. Caro mio ben
12. Caruso
13. My Way
14. Santa Lucia
15. Tu che m'hai preso il cuor
16. Mamma
17. La mai canzone al vento: La mia canzone al vento
18. Volare
19. Passione
20. Granda: Granada

Customer Reviews:

Cornucopia of Pavarotti's works.......2007-03-01

This is a "Super hits" CD, with over forty different cuts (quite a few of which have appeared elsewhere, of course). For those who are aficionados of Pavarotti, this is what might be called "hog heaven."

Disc 1 features estimable works such as "Nessun dorma" (well done, with his voice showing to good effect), "Che gelida manina" (excellently done, with good characterization), ""Celeste Aida" (elegantly sung), "Di quella pira" (a much better than average version), "E lucevan le stelle" (Pavarotti does a nice job in the Puccini-Verdi repertoire), "La donna e mobile" (sung with aplomb), "Recondita armonia" (the other aria from Tosca, which also shows Pavarotti's voice off to good effect), and so on.

Disc 2 is especially interesting, because it features a more popular set of works, from the redoubtable "O sole mio" (richly orchestrated and nicely sung, not overpowered by Pavarotti's operatic voice), "Core n'grato" (compare with Caruso's version), "Oh, holy night," "La danza" (spritely sung with excellent breath control in a treacherous song), "Santa Lucia" (again, smoothly sung), "Ave Maria" (seemingly sung with respect and affection).

A cornucopia of Pavarottiana. For those fans of Pavarotti, this "greatest hits" collection will be welcome. For those who may not be aware of this tenor when his voice was still fresh, this is a fine entrée to his work.

Don't...!!!.......2005-01-24

To combine a voice as beautiful as Pavarotti's with some of the world's greatest music and outstanding orchestras, and end up with this...`thing'...is unforgivable. After buying and listening to it, it brought to mind those painful words "A fool, a fool. I saw a fool today. I saw him in the mirror."

R. J. Rogers

Great Tenor - Poor CD Quality.......2004-10-11

I have never been a huge fan of Maestro Pavarotti but I must admit that this compilation is a masterful collection of his operatic highlights.

I particularily enjoy the first disc which contains just about all the major tenor arias. The singing is superb and listening to this CD it becomes obvious what the fuss over the pre-3 Tenors Pavarotti was all about - the man really did have one of the greatest tenor voices of all time.
His diction was flawless, his line perfect and his interpretation in keeping with the greatest of the Italian tenors of days gone by.

The second disc is interesting in that it is a bit uneven. It contains a few neapolitan standards, a x-mas song, a duet with Frank Sinatra and some other random selections.

Overall this is a 5 star CD but due to the extremely low volume, particularily on the first and most important disc I can only give it a 4 star rating.

On a final note, anyone puzzeled by the current hype over the now againg and commercially over-blown Pavarotti should purchase this CD. This is the great tenor in his prime and as such a CD well worth having...even if you're not a Pavarotti fan.
I'm still not, but I recognize greatness when I hear it.

Great Music......Horrible Mastering.......2004-07-24

Pavarotti has a voice that can take hold of you and change your entire mood...even if you don't know Italian. The problem with this set is the mastering (mastering evens out the volumes and signal to noise ratio on an album). The first CD in this collection is so quiet that you literally have to crank your player to get any kind of volume. For a professional CD this is absolutely unacceptable.
The song choices are good with the exception of "My Way" with Frank Sinatra. Both singers sound ....ummm...let's just say less than their best on the recording. It sits out like a boil on a pretty girl's face.

Surely I am proud to be an Italian-American!!.......2004-06-26

With his wondrous soaring vocals and the humble demeanor within his strong body, Pavarotti is an inspiration to Italian- Americans everywhere - Italian-Americans like me. My family plays his beautiful operas on vinyl nearly every day in me Papa's little wine and cheese shop on 18th and Broadway. The customers compliment the music with glee, pinching my plump cheeks with merriment and wishing me well on their way out the door. Ah, how I love this land of America!!

Oops, I am sorry, Nana.

My Nana has shushed me to "pipe down, little bambino."

I must go down to the dark cellar to count our day's earnings, for it is almost night, and stern Papa will be back soon to close shop and make sure all is well.

Average customer rating: The best of the best. Beautiful and creamy voice Renee Fleming;THE BEAUTIFUL VOICE The most gorgeous soprano voice I've ever heard Wow!!!

Renee Fleming - The Beautiful Voice ~ Gounod, Lehaair, Orff, Puccini, Rachmaninov, Strauss Gustave Charpentier , Charles Gounod , Jules Massenet , Antonin Dvorak , Friedrich von Flotow , Giacomo Puccini , Erich Wolfgang Korngold , Carl Orff , Richard Strauss , Sergey Rachmaninov , Johann II Strauss , Franz Lehar , Jose Maria Cano , Marie-Joseph Canteloube , Jeffrey Tate , Sir Charles Mackerras , Renée Fleming , English Chamber Orchestra , Osian Ellis , London Voices , and Clive Greensmith Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Canteloube, Joseph | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Flotow | Flotow, Friedrich von | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Korngold, Erich Wolfgang | ( K ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Lehár, Franz | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Massenet | Massenet, Jules | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Orff | Orff, Carl | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Strauss Jr., Johann | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Strauss | Strauss, Richard | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rachmaninov | Rachmaninov, Sergei | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Korngold, Erich Wolfgang | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Cantatas | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Fleming, Renee | C to G | Featured Performers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Renée Fleming Renee Fleming: By Request Renée Fleming - Signatures ~ Great Opera Scenes / Sir Georg Solti Sacred Songs Handel ASIN: B0000042I6 Release Date: 1998-02-10

Tracks:

1. Louise (Acte 3): Depuis le jour ou je me suis donnee
2. Faust (Acte 3 - Air des bijoux): O Dieu! que de bijous!... Ah! Je ris de me voir si belle (Air des bijoux - Jewel Song)
3. Manon (Acte 3): Je marche sur tous les chemins... Obeissons... Profitons bien de la jeunesse (Gavotte)
4. Gypsy Melodies, Op. 55 B104 No. 4: Songs My Mother Taught Me
5. Martha (Act 2 - No. 8 The Last Rose): 'Tis The Last Rose Of Summer
6. La rondine (Act 1): Chi il bel sogno di Doretta
7. Die tote Stadt (Act 1 - Mariettas Lied): Gluck, das mir verblieb
8. Carmina Burana (No. 21): In trutina
9. Vier Lieder, Op. 27 No. 4: Morgen!
10. Vocalise, Op. 34 No. 14: Vocalise
11. Die Fiedermaus (Act 2 - Csardas): Klange der Heimat (Csardas)
12. Die lustige Witwe (Act 2 - Vilja-Lied): Es lebt' eine Vilja (Vilja-Lied)
13. LUNA: Epilogo
14. Chants d'Auvergne, Series 1: Bailero

Amazon.com essential recording

This vocal recital certainly lives up to its title, perhaps too well. It's a collection of arias and songs Fleming has sung for years that for some may be too much frosting and not enough cake. Surely, her performances are rich with interpretive nuances, wonder-filled portamentos and word colorings that reflect a long history with this repertoire, which ranges from Charpentier's "Depuis le jour" to Rachmaninoff's "Vocalise." Some may find Fleming a bit much, but agree with her or not, she's far more interesting than singers who keep a safe, discreet distance from the music. --David Patrick Stearns

Customer Reviews:

The best of the best........2007-04-11

I've given away at least a dozen copies of this CD. I'm running low, so I just refilled the stash. For people who haven't discovered Renee Fleming or who think they don't care for opera, this CD is the best possible way to blow down the walls. If you think there's nothing new to be heard in these old arias, you owe it to yourself to find out how wrong you can be.

Beautiful and creamy voice.......2006-02-28

I like so much Ren?e Fleming and this is special cd !

Renee Fleming;THE BEAUTIFUL VOICE.......2006-01-30

IT'S A FINE RECORDING THAT OFFERS A VARIETY OF SELECTIONS FROM OPERA, OPERETTAS AND FOLK SONGS, ALL WITH FLEMING AT HER BEST.

The most gorgeous soprano voice I've ever heard.......2006-01-02

I am a 19-year-old voice student at the University of Central Arkansas and I came across Renee by way of a soprano in my voice studio. She said it was her favorite soprano and that I should give her a listen. I was a little hesistant because I'm a baritone and my voice teacher told me that I should listen to men, but I just want to hear it all. So this past summer I first bought Renee's self-titled album with all of the lolipop arias on it and I was just amazed, not just because of how good she is but how easy she is to listen to. I loved her voice immediately. From the the moment the first tone passed through her throat on Puccini's "O Mio Babbino Caro." So I had to hear more. The Beautiful Voice is even better. It wasn't as easy to listen to at first because some of the songs on this album are not as famous as those on the other one, but these songs are all gems. The Korngold with the pianissimi B flats is my personal favorite. Even my mother who screams at me to turn down that "noise" when I listen to opera cds has grown to be quite fond of Renee Fleming. Sometimes her interpretations can be over the top, but the voice is beyond spectacular. It pours out like melted butter. It's vibrant, rich, expressive, free and always perfectly in tune. There is no hint of strain from any sound emitted from her body. She will undoubtedly be remembered like Callas & Sutherland and all the other great soprano voices before her. Not for the dramatic intensity of Callas or the coloratura & technical ease of Sutherland, but for the sheer unspeakable beauty of her voice. This is a must have for any vocalist seriously dedicated to classical training.

Wow!!!.......2005-09-28

This album is the album that introduced me to Renee Fleming. Every selection on this recording is a gem. Her voice is so gorgeous and her technique is so solid. I love her voice so much, her interpretations of J. Strauss, Jr.'s Csardas is incredible and Puccini's Chi il bel sogno di Doretta makes me cry everytime I listen to it. She is a true American treasure. Brava Renee!!!

Average customer rating: I am in love with Anna simple stunning Ok but not a bel canto singer Having It All Talented singer, but should she choose her reportoire better?

Sempre Libera Giacomo Puccini , Giuseppe Verdi , Claudio Abbado , Sascha Reckert , Sara Mingardo , Mahler Chamber Orchestra , and Saimir Pirgu Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bellini, Vincenzo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Anna Netrebko: Opera Arias Russian Album Violetta: Arias and Duets from Verdi's La Traviata [Includes DVD] Anna Netrebko - The Woman, The Voice Verdi - La Traviata ASIN: B000295TXC Release Date: 2004-08-10

Tracks:

1. E strano! - "Ah, fors'ui"
2. Sempre libera
3. Ah! Se una volta sola
4. Ah, non credea mirarti
5. Ah! non giunge uman pensiero
6. O rendetemi le speme...Qui la voce
7. Ah! tu sorridi
8. Vien, diletto, n ciel la luna
9. O giusto cielo! (Act 2)
10. OihmSorge il tremendo
11. Ardon gli incensi... (Act 2)
12. Spargi d'amaro pianto (Act 2)
13. Era pimo?
14. Piangea cantando nell'erma landa...
15. Ave Maria, piena di grazia
16. O mio babbino caro

Amazon.com

Anna Netrebko's second CD is even more impressive than her first. She still may not be an absolutely polished, finished artist, but she's working at it and presents here a very satisfying---even thrilling---program. She doesn't quite have the stature or insights for Verdi's Violetta yet, but aside from some smudged coloratura in low-lying passages she sings the first act scene quite well (capped with a well-placed, big E-flat). She's close to ideal in the Sonnambula and Puritani excerpts, where her girlishness is entirely right, her coloratura dazzling, and her ability to sound tearful really impressive. The Lucia Mad Scene (also notable here for its use of the glass harmonica for which it was composed in place of the usual flute) is quite wonderful, even if the runs are sometimes not as well-delineated as they should be. And although she's not vocally suited to Desdemona's Willow Song and Ave Maria, she does manage to darken her voice to fit the character and presents a very moving portrait. The CD ends with an utterly charming "O mio babbino caro." Artistry and everything else aside, her voice is just beautiful. Claudio Abbado's leadership is ideal. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

I am in love with Anna.......2007-05-15

Did you see her in the Met's big screen broadcast of I Puritani? Then you know what I mean. Here is a just stunningly, impossibly gorgeous woman with a voice of liquid fire and gold who can sing with passion and precision while she's bending over and crawling around on the floor! If she weren't real I would guess she was the invention of the overinflamed imagination of a heterosexual opera queen (if such a being exists).

If you love getting great voice, buy this.

simple stunning.......2007-05-10

having just found this young womans CD in our local speciality store I was transformed from the mundaine life to the peak of ecstasy with her wonderful voice and the intense colours created by her own intensity.Here is a woman who can fill the heart with words that are pure gold and like velvet on the mind ,a truly wonderful voice and a stunning person to go with it .Here at last is a worthy successor to Dame Joan and others who gave opera to the world ,now we have in Anna Netrebko someone to give the passion and drama of opera to a new audience with the fire and fun of the pleasure this style of music can give.It is great to at last have an opera singer of this caliber who is unafraid to be herself and to let her own warmth and passion come through LONG May she continue to be the standard for others to attain.May she never change her love of singing and life

Ok but not a bel canto singer.......2007-03-21

Anna Netrebko's I Puritani selections are way below the art and skill of Callas, Sills, Sutherland, Caballe, and Gencer. She has no passion, no trills, no high notes that are deep and rich. Her best is in the Russian repertoire and possibley some undemanding Mozart.

Her broadcast from the Met Live of the I Puritani was alright, but scooping, avoidance of repetitions, running through passages like a locomotive, and an ending that would have brought the wrath of most opera houses in the world..scooping again, and a tight awful sounding high note. The same tentativenes is also here on this CD.She should know this. Her beauty and acting and allure are what interest the masses, not the voice, which is forgiven everything.

Too bad; she could be a lovely Tatyana some day.Also too, the Traviata is not that great; Anna Moffo , Renee Fleming, M. Caballe, and of course Maria Callas..Listen to these and hear the difference.

Having It All.......2007-01-22

This is a remarkable CD by the current "it" soprano. Anna Netrebko has it all. She is a wonderful singer, and a beautiful woman. Any star on the rise, particularly one with this much physical beauty and commercial promise, will always fall victim to criticisms that are more or less trivial. Believe me, I get it. When I first saw Anna, I wanted to be judgemental. After all, maybe she was just another pretty face being pushed by a record company. Then I heard her "Sempre libera" and became a fan.

There are criticisms of her trill, or her lack of a trill. Renee Fleming doesn't have a trill, and she has been the acclaimed queen for some time. Because of Anna's trill issues, she's criticized as lacking something that a coloratura should have. Well, she's not a coloratura. A good bel canto singer does not have to be a coloratura. There are criticisms of Anna's repertoire choices. You know why she picked this interesting melange for this CD? Because these are difficult scenes and arias, and she can do them. The only aria I didn't think "fit" is the "O mio babbino caro". She does it well, I just can't figure out what it's doing on this CD.

The "La Traviata" scene that starts the CD is absolutely magnificent. She is a wonderful Violetta, and sings this demanding scene with panache. She does the high E-flat at the end. Of course, she was coached by Scotto on this aria. Nice coaching if you can get it. No less remarkable are her scenes from "La sonnambula" and "I puritani". Her "Qui la voce" was beautiful. To listen to that gorgeous singing, and only focus on whether or not she has a trill is to miss the point of the music. I can definitely see why the Met is giving her the "Puritani" this season. Her scenes from "Lucia di Lammermoor" were technically perfect, and her mad scene very well done. The "Otello" scenes were amazing, particularly the floated pianos and pianissimos in the "Ave Maria". Abbado and the Mahler Chamber Orchestra are wonderful collaborators.

Ignore the criticisms and buy this CD! You'll be glad that you did. Highly recommended.

Talented singer, but should she choose her reportoire better?.......2007-01-10

Anna Netrebko has an attractive voice and a pleasing personality in this recording. But her performance also raises some questions.

First, she has a Callas-like habit (not a great compliment) when she ups her volume on higher notes of producing a rather unpleasant sound. In "Sempre libera," from "La Traviata," this is manifest. I compare this with the silky smooth lyric voice of Anna Moffo, from the 1960s and 1970s, who essayed this same piece in a manner much more attractive to the ear. Second, I could not hear a single trill on this CD (although maybe I missed something). In the colorature/bel canto repertoire, this is not a trifle. A trill is a standard part of a coloratura soprano's armamentorium. In that, again, she is like Callas, who scarcely issued forth a trill. "Spargi d'amaro pianto" is one of the classic cabalettas for coloratura sopranos. Sung without trills, it is not very satisfying. Some who have recorded the pyrotechnics of the "Mad Scene" have only displayed adequate trills (e.g., Anna Moffo or Angela Gheorghiu). Others, of course, have deployed wondrous effects, such as Joan Sutherland and Beverly Sills. Just so, the cabalettas in "La Sonnambula" and "I Puritani."

Certainly, Netrebko also exhibits considerable strengths. Other ornamentation is fine; she has an agile voice; she can hit all the notes, including the high ones. Her vocal sound is most attractive (outside the one example noted earlier of a certain harshness). Her singing in the pieces from "Otello" and "Gianni Schicchi" are very well done.

So, all in all, a nice CD, but one that does not seem to feature Anna Netrebko at her best.

Average customer rating: My new favorite Only an acquired taste if you've never heard real alternative music Real Music for non-morons Their best work... Nocturnal Urban Ambience

Penthouse Luna Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Dream Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Alternative General | Alternative Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Alternative General | Alternative Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Alternative Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Bewitched Rendezvous Pup Tent Romantica On Fire ASIN: B000002HJ2 Release Date: 1995-08-08

Tracks:

1. Chinatown
2. Sideshow by the Seashore
3. Moon Palace
4. Double Feature
5. 23 Minutes in Brussels
6. Lost in Space
7. Rhythm King
8. Kalamazoo
9. Hedgehog
10. Freakin' and Peakin'

Amazon.com

"Heading for Tacoma / And driving too fast / Nixon's in a coma / And I hope it's gonna last," sings Dean Wareham on "Rhythm King," one of Penthouse's more cheerful tracks. Clearly, fans of Lloyd Cole and Television's Tom Verlaine can take heart: Galaxie 500 main man Wareham captures the wry and reflective spirit of both artists on this third album from his band Luna. Wareham's melancholy vocals and Sean Eden's pretty electric guitar shimmer brightly over the drony rhythms of ex-Feelies drummer Stan Demeski and Chills bassist Justin Harwood. Mr. Verlaine himself steps into the fray with some guest fretwork on "Moon Palace" and "23 Minutes in Brussels," which, like many Luna tracks, slowly builds and then drifts into gorgeous semiresolution. And don't miss that unlisted bonus track, a cover of Serge Gainsbourg's "Bonnie and Clyde" with Stereolab's Laetitia Sadier singing the Brigitte Bardot part. A sensitive band that hasn't forgotten how to rock, Luna have a talent for making songs of resignation and regret that are not only palatable but, after repeated listenings, positively addictive. --Bill Forman

Customer Reviews:

My new favorite.......2007-02-07

"Days of our nights" has been my favorite Luna album since I first started listening to them about 10 years ago. I love Galaxie 500 too, Dean's voice is something in-human that's mearly using his body to convey thoughts and feelings from unseen realms. I was fortunate enought to see Luna live on their farewell tour a year ago, and it's burned into my brain for good. They played almost every song from "Penthouse" and not one from "Days of our nights" (something to do with the rights, and the album being out of print?). Anyway, I finally broke down and bought Penthouse. I now understand why it was always chosen as the "best of artist" on their discographies. This album is much more refined than the previous outings, without being as depressing as "Days". Somehow this music brings out all the little memories that I thought were lost, shines like a dim streetlight and pulls them down some unknown road.

P.S. Britta is so hot

Only an acquired taste if you've never heard real alternative music.......2006-10-18

I was very late to Luna, and when I read some of the reviews I wasn't sure at first, because I kept hearing things about it being an acquired taste and his voice might not be suitable for some people's taste. I admit, all great music is an acquired taste, because it's not just rubbish, non-thinking mainstream teenie bopper music; bands like Luna have songs that keep getting better and better, sometimes even years later. But, anybody who has ever heard good alternative music should hear Luna and find it very welcoming immediately. After several listens of "Penthouse," I am actually starting to find that the greatness lies mostly in the vocals and the way he sings to fit the clever lyrics and melody of the songs. Instrumentally, yes, it is very well-crafted, but his singing voice is magic to me. When Luna first started making music I was a bit young and not a serious music fan yet, so it's a shame know I could have been listening to this all through middle school and high school, but I'm happy I finally got around to checking them out. I immediately put them up there with some of my favorite artists. I have yet to hear all of their albums yet, but I can't imagine anything will top this masterwork. "Moon Palace," and "23 Minutes in Brussels" are two of the best songs I've ever heard. I would strongly recommend this album to anybody. If you hear this album and don't like it, then I really don't know what else to say to you.

Real Music for non-morons.......2006-01-10

Yes, Luna is an aquired taste, but if you have listened to some Luna and like what you hear, this is their best album. There is not a bad track on this album and I think this is some of most lyrical guitar ever recorded. If you get it and you don't like it at first, it will be because of the vocals, but sleep on it, give it a chance, and it will become an old friend.

Their best work..........2004-11-20

After exhausting all of their existing albums, I finally came across Penthouse. This, in mind, is Luna at their best - long guitar heavy jams, droning bass and drums, and those perfect transitions...

Nocturnal Urban Ambience.......2003-10-18

The cover of the album pretty much captures the essence of the music. A low angle b/w shot of the building with two floors mysteriously illuminating intense light. Muted disjointedness and flushes of sedateness all packaged visually for our eyes and, thus, beautifully recorded within these 11 songs for our ears. Dean and his cohorts were/are trying to capture the after-hour, "that tiny, tiny hour" of urban ambience, a dream-like, hazy state of mind. Wandering in the streets amidst the iron grid, concrete pavement, going and curving the streets in a prolonged trance. The cover shot and 2 other photos on the CD all evoke this nocturne.

Lead by Wareham's observations of urban life, supplanted by rockin' smoothin' guitar work and seamless production, this album grows on you and somehow never gives its complete impact in any 1 listening. It's so good and subtle, the effects are not that clear-cut but yet the music pulls you into its pensive mood.

A pleasant stop for my nocturnal ears.

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