Pecado Capital [Import]

1. Pecado Capital - Só Pra Contrariar

2. Juventude Transviada - Luiz Melodia

3. Shake Boom

4. Pra Poder Te Amar

5. Mercedes Benz - Edson Cordeiro

6. Sábado Á Noite - Cidade Negra

7. O Gosto Do Azedo (Ao Vivo) - Rita Lee

8. Timoneiro

9. Pierrot

10. É Preciso Saber Viver

11. Sem Essa de Malandro Agulha - Zeca Pagodinho

12. Día Que Me Quieras - Luis Miguel

13. Quando Parei No Sinal - João Nogueira

14. Não Se Exqueca de Mim - Nana Caymmi

Pecado Capital,Various Artists,Som Livre,Brazil,Brazilian,Brazilian Pop,Int'l & World Music,MPB,Pop,Samba

Average customer rating: Wonderfully American A Gersh-winner Interesting... but I think I'd prefer a good Gershwin interpreter Gershwin's playing overated The jazzy Gershwin. What a CD!!!!!!!

Gershwin Plays Gershwin: The Piano Rolls Manufacturer: Nonesuch ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Gershwin | Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Tone Poems | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Musical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music General | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Tin Pan Alley | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Traditional | ( T ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Gershwin Plays Gershwin: The Piano Rolls, Vol. 2 Essential George Gershwin Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue - Piano Concerto in F - An American in Paris Levant Plays Gershwin George Gershwin: Greatest Hits ASIN: B000005J1I Release Date: 1993-11-09

Tracks:

1. Sweet And Lowdown
2. Novelette In Fourths
3. That Certain Feeling
4. So Am I
5. Rhapsody In Blue
6. Swanee
7. When You Want 'Em, You Can't Get 'Em...
8. Kickin' The Clouds Away
9. Idol Dreams
10. On My Mind The Whole Night Long
11. Scandal Walk
12. An American In Paris

Customer Reviews:

Wonderfully American.......2007-05-14

I've had a copy of this CD for years and love it. The power and optimism of the music is really quite remarkable... regardless of who or what is actually playing here. The arrangement of Swanee is light but rich with major chord trains like you just want to go marching around the room. And American In Paris leads you on a swaying, dischordy journey the deeper you go, as the narrative begins to trade delicacy for passion. (and I love renditions where you can hear the MUSIC and the instruments don't get in the way, like four-voice midi versions of Bach which reveal the eloquence).

When I listen to this CD now, and which is most surpring to me, I hear a profound pride in America - back "before." I play it when I have people over and we put burgers on the grill. This CD is the song of sitting in my back yard with the clouds blowing by and for the moment things feel OK.

"Before" - OK, there is no old perfect Amercia; but I'm thinking of the time before we learned to distill petroleum into toxic pollution, before pride meant vanity and thuggery, before hate-filled invective became public amusement, and before presidents went to war because it was good for business.

A Gersh-winner.......2007-01-07

George Gershwin had a long association with the mechanical device known as the player piano. At the age of ten, Gershwin used a neighbor's pianola to teach himself how to play, by very slowly pumping the foot pedal that advanced the hole-punched rolls, and placing his fingers on the depressed keys. His parents were so impressed by his abilities they enrolled the boy in formal piano studies when he turned 13. Thus, an American genius was born.

The existing films of Gershwin (who died of a brain tumor at age 38 in 1937) show him to be a virtuoso at his instrument. His 1924 acoustic recording of Rhapsody In Blue (with the Paul Whiteman orchestra) is further evidence of this. But no film or recording has what is contained within the album GERSHWIN PLAYS GERSHWIN: THE PIANO ROLLS, and that is-- full fidelity range.

The CD comes in a standard jewel case packaged in a heavy paper slipcover. Biographical liner notes are included along with details on the rolls. The earliest performance in this set is from 1916, made when Gershwin was an 18-year-old song plugger. My favorites here are "Swanee," from 1920, and "An American In Paris," from 1933, which is undoubtedly one of the last significant piano rolls ever made.

Gershwin's dynamic performances are not in the least obscured by the few extra notes added to the piano rolls (such practice was standard in those days). Listening to these recordings is like sitting next to this brilliant man, observing his fingers fly over the keys as he plays some of his best work.

TOTAL RUNNING TIME -- 60:36

Interesting... but I think I'd prefer a good Gershwin interpreter.......2006-05-14

Composers are not necessarily the best performers of their own work. A songwriter's songwriter like Jules Shear or Jimmy Webb comes to mind -- surely the best representations of their songs are on other artist's albums.

This album is charming in its own way -- a taste of the music and performance style of a bygone era. Someone complained that these rolls were edited. So what? I'm going to review the final product, now how it was made. Do you eat sausage? Ask not what's in it!

I like to listen to this CD in short bits -- a few songs at a time. For some reason I find it to be fatiguing if I listen for more than 20 minutes or so. I'm not absolutely sure why this is so. Possibly the meter is just a little too metronomic on many of the songs. This lends a "mechanical" quality to the performances.

Additionally, I felt that the dynamic range was restricted. The music does get louder and softer, because of the piano rolls themselves and because of the computer programming used to read the piano rolls -- the dynamics were deliberately adjusted by the record producers in some spots, if I read the liner notes correctly. And yet. And yet. Still these songs do not dynamically "breathe" fully in and out the way they ought to. I find this disappointing, but I think it has something to do with inherent limitations in piano roll recording technique. I'm guessing.

Taken for what it is, it is an interesting concept, and the sound quality is very pleasant. The performances are very good for piano rolls, but fall short of what a good interpreter could do. Take, for example, the Rhapsody in Blue from Woody Allen's Manhattan soundtrack. Listen specifically to the piano part -- the dynamics and variations in rhythm. This is not by any means the best performance of Rhapsody, but it is better than the Gershwin rolls.

Gershwin's playing overated.......2006-04-09

After I heard this cd I bought Gershwin plays Gershwin on the naxos label which arn't piano rolls. Any pianist can tell that many of these rolls are heavily edited and can't be played by a pianists with two hands. On the naxos album that has some of these same songs Gershwin's actual playing doesn't sound very good. Many of Gershwins contempories such as James P. Johnson, Eubie Blake, Luckey Roberts and even Zez Confrey were much better pianists than he was, however they didn't have his melodic gifts as a composer. I would recommend Artis Whodhouse's
transcriptions of Jelly Roll Morton's piano rolls (on the same label) instead because most of those are exactly how he played them and in my opinion Morton was a better musician in every way than Gershwin.

The jazzy Gershwin. What a CD!!!!!!!.......2006-02-23

I got this CD as a gift. I am all for the austrogerman post- romantic music and as imagined Gershwin is not my favourite composer. I know him from his best known works such as the 'Rhapsody", the 'American' and his great songs. This CD is a treasure as mentioned from other reviewers of this site. Gershwin full of passion, his music being jazzy to the very end and that great feeling you get after a great live performance is present all over the length of this 'treasure'. No question about the presence of the music. Not to be missed

Average customer rating: Some interesting choices, indeed Great CD Great selections, but bad transfers Yes this is Some of the Best of Broadway! The music of Broadway comes alive

The Best of Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series) Manufacturer: Decca Broadway ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Bernstein | Bernstein, Leonard | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gershwin | Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Porter | Porter, Cole | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Rodgers, Richard | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Sondheim, Stephen | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Musical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Very Best Of Broadway Musicals Only Broadway CD You'll Ever Need Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series) The Best Of Broadway (Cast Recording Anthology) Ultimate Broadway ASIN: B0002W4T9E Release Date: 2004-10-05

Tracks:

1. There's No Business Like Show Business
2. Swanee
3. Ol' Man River
4. You're The Top
5. Oklahoma
6. Luck Be A Lady
7. I Could Have Danced All Night
8. America
9. My Favorite Things
10. People
11. If I Were A Rich Man
12. The Impossible Dream
13. Cabaret
14. Let The Sunshine In
15. Send In The Clowns
16. One
17. Tomorrow
18. Memory
19. The Music Of The Night
20. Good Morning Baltimore
21. Defying Gravity

Amazon.com

A companion to the fabulous PBS series, the 21-song, 77-minute The Best of "Broadway: The American Musical" provides about as good a single-disc compilation as anyone could hope for. (There's also a five-CD version.) What sets it apart from so many other "best of Broadway" collections is its breadth--because it had access to a variety of record-label vaults it doesn't have to try to disguise gaps by using revivals or solo recordings. Here you get all the authentic stuff, including: Paul Robeson singing "Ol' Man River" from the first modern American musical, Show Boat; Ethel Merman singing "You're the Top"; the title song from Oklahoma!; Julie Andrews singing "I Could Have Danced All Night" from My Fair Lady; West Side Story's "America"; Betty Buckley singing "Memory" from Cats; Hairspray's "Good Morning Baltimore"; and "Defying Gravity" from Wicked, the newest show discussed in the PBS series. And it's hard to argue with the songwriters represented: Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, Cole Porter, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Frank Loesser, Lerner and Loewe, Leonard Bernstein, Bock and Harnick, Kander and Ebb, Stephen Sondheim, and Andrew Lloyd Webber, among others. Obviously, no single-disc compilation could ever please everyone (did we really need two ALW songs?), but as a sampler intended for people who watched the series and want to hear more of the Great White Way, The Best of "Broadway: The American Musical" can't be topped. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

Some interesting choices, indeed.......2006-03-02

This is a pretty good compilation, but I have to wonder at some of the choices that went into it.
"Good Morning Baltimore" is almost the least impressive song from Hairspray. "You Can't Stop the Beat" was a much more anthemic song from that show.
I agree that it's too bad Les Mis didn't make it in. I would have traded that for anything Sondheim, although that's a personal preference :) .
Still, the opportunity to hear the original performers and orchestras perform these works, all in one place, is a great deal.

Great CD.......2005-11-01

This one plays in the car, on the ipod and in the house. When the kids were little they would ask if we could take them to "The Street". That is what they called Broadway (little did they know at that time how famous that street is). They still love it and we can not get enough of it. This CD covers the best and makes you want to go and see a live performance. You can not beat that.

Great selections, but bad transfers.......2005-07-27

This is a great taste of broadway. If you enjoyed the B'Way series at all, then you will probably enjoy this CD. My problem with it is that some of the songs sound like they were not remastered at all- the transfer to CD is terrible. The orchestrations in "You're the top" by Ethel Merman are muffled, and the song sounds like it was taken straight from an old record and slapped onto the CD without fixing it up. It doesn't sound very clear, which is a bit upsetting and annoying. Maybe this is just because that particular recording is older than some of the songs chosen to be on this CD. The more modern songs sound crisp and new and beautiful. "Swanee" is also very low quality as if it were just taken off of a record and put on the CD without any restoration. I just feel that these songs deserved better treatment and that we as customers deserve better treatment. Decca could have restored these songs and made them sound really good, but they decided just to slap them on the CD without touching them up.

I am surprised that nothing was chosen to be on this recording from Les Miserables since it had been on Broadway for 16 years and its tour is running until 2006. There were selections from Cats, Phantom of the Opera and Wicked, so I am not sure why nothing was chosen from Les Miserables.

Other than these few nit pickings, I think that this is a great introduction to musicals. It gives a little taste across the spectrum. Try getting the cast recordings of the songs that you really like on this collection. It's worth buying if you're a huge broadway fan.

Yes this is Some of the Best of Broadway!.......2005-04-08

This CD from Decca Broadway is a wonderful selection of some of

the "Greatest Hits" of the Broadway stage. Decca and Sony have

done an excellent job of remastering the various recordings, some

of which still show some of their age, but come across quite

well. Are there a lot of songs that I would have put on this

disc? Yes, but the ones on here are good choices. I may have to

get a copy of the Five disc set and the DVD's just to see if any

more of my favorites made it on the list. What this disc seems to

try to do is show the evolution of the Broadway song from it's

early days to the present. It succeeds quite well I think.

If you enjoy Broadway theater this CD is a must!

The music of Broadway comes alive.......2004-10-07

I loved listening to this CD. The music from Broadway's best loved musicals are on this album. I recogized most of these songs, even though I've only seen a few of them on the local stage. I have so many favorites on this CD. It is hard to pick one. I'm a big fan of Barbara Streisand. I loved her performance of People from Funny Girl. Memory is the hit song from the musical Cats. Betty Buckley's performance of this song is so emotional and sincere.

I loved the song Annie. It is a wonderfully optimistic song performed by the original Annie Andrea McArdle. Another highlight for me is the song One performed by the cast of a Chorus Line. Luck Be A Lady Tonight is another of my favorite broadway songs on this CD from Guys and Dolls. The music of the night is a beautiful song by Michael Crawford from Phantom of the Opera. Richard Kiley has such a strong and powerful voice. He sounds so inspirational singing The Impossible Dream from Man from La Mancha. My dream is to see some musicals on Broadway someday and listen to these songs performed live.

I'm surprised that there isn't any music from Miss Saigon or Jesus Christ Superstar included here. I think they are classic musicals with great songs Maybe they will appear on a future compilation from PBS.

Average customer rating: Fabulous for any Broadway-lover Top Shelf TERRIFIC CD'S Great Collection of Broadways greatest Songs Great Compilation!

Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series) Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Bernstein | Bernstein, Leonard | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gershwin | Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Porter | Porter, Cole | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Rodgers, Richard | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Sondheim, Stephen | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Weill | Weill, Kurt | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mancini | Mancini, Henry | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Film Scores | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Musical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Classical Instrumental 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 Musicals | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Best of Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series) Broadway: The American Musical Broadway: The American Musical Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series) Somewhere over the Rainbow: The Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals ASIN: B00064ADMK Release Date: 2004-10-19

Tracks:

1. Give My Regards To Broadway- Joel Grey
2. Swanee- Al Jolson
3. When The Moon Shines On The Moonshine- Bert Williams
4. A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody- John Steel
5. My Man- Fanny Brice
6. Fascinating Rhythm- Fred Astaire, Adele Astaire
7. If You Knew Susie (Like I Know Susie)- 78rpm Version Eddie Cantor
8. Someone To Watch Over Me- Gertrude Lawrence
9. Bill- 78 rpm Version Helen Morgan
10. Ol' Man River- Paul Robeson
11. Ain't Misbehavin'- Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra
12. Ten Cents A Dance- Ruth Etting
13. Body And Soul- Libby Holman
14. Brother, Can You Spare A Dime- Bing Crosby
15. Night And Day- Fred Astaire
16. Heat Wave- Ethel Waters
17. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes- Tamara
18. You're The Top- Ethel Merman
19. Summertime- Anne Brown
20. September Song- Walter Huston
21. My Heart Belongs To Daddy- Mary Martin
22. It Never Entered My Mind- Shirley Ross
23. Bewitched, Bothered, Bewildered- Vivienne Segal
24. Oh, How I Hate To Get Up In The Morning- Irving Berlin
25. Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'- Alfred Drake

Tracks:

1. New York, New York- Cris Alexander,Adolph Green,John Reardon
2. If I Loved You- John Raitt,Jan Clayton
3. Come Rain Or Come Shine- Ruby Hill,Harold Nicholas
4. There's No Business Like Show Business- Ensemble
5. How Are Things In Glocca Morra? From "Finian's Rainbow"- Ella Logan
6. Once In Love With Amy- Ray Bolger
7. Wunderbar- Alfred Drake,Patricia Morison
8. Some Enchanted Evening- Ezio Pinza
9. Lost In The Stars- Todd Duncan
10. Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend- Carol Channing
11. Luck Be A Lady- Robert Alda,Guys
12. Getting To Know You- Gertrude Lawrence
13. Who Cares?- Jack Carson,Betty Oakes
14. Stranger In Paradise- from " Kismet" Doretta Morrow,Richard Kiley
15. Ballad Of Mack The Knife- Gerald Price
16. Hey There- from "The Pajama Game" John Raitt
17. Whatever Lola Wants- Gwen Verdon
18. I Could Have Danced All Night- Julie Andrews
19. Standing On The Corner- from "The Most Happy Fella, 1956" Shorty Long,John Henson,Alan Gilbert
20. The Party's Over- Judy Holliday
21. Glitter And Be Gay- Barbara Cook
22. Tonight- Larry Kert, Carol Lawrence

Tracks:

1. Seventy-Six Trombones- Robert Preston
2. I Enjoy Being A Girl- from "Flower Drum Song, 1958" Pat Suzuki
3. Everything's Coming Up Roses- Ethel Merman
4. My Favorite Things- from "The Sound Of Music" Mary Martin
5. Put On A Happy Face- from "Bye Bye Birdie" Dick Van Dyke
6. Try To Remember- Jerry Orbach
7. Camelot- from "Camelot" Richard Burton
8. Love Makes The World Go 'Round- Anna Maria Alberghetti
9. I Believe In You- Robert Morse And Co.
10. The Sweetest Sounds- Diahann Carroll,Richard Kiley
11. Comedy Tonight- Zero Mostel
12. What Kind Of Fool Am I?- Anthony Newley
13. As Long As He Needs Me- Georgia Brown
14. Hello, Dolly!- Carol Channing,Cast
15. People- Barbra Streisand
16. Anyone Can Whistle- from "Anyone Can Whistle" Lee Remick
17. If I Were A Rich Man- Zero Mostel
18. Night Song- Sammy Davis, Jr.
19. The Impossible Dream- Richard Kiley
20. If My Friends Could See Me Now- Gwen Verdon
21. Open a New Window- from Mame Voice

Tracks:

1. Willkommen- from "Cabaret" Joel Grey
2. Let The Sunshine In- James Rado,Lynn Kellogg,Melba Moore,Cast
3. I'll Never Fall In Love Again- Jill O'Hara,Jerry Orbach
4. The Ladies Who Lunch- from "Company" Elaine Stritch
5. Tea For Two- Roger Rathburn,Susan Watson
6. I'm Still Here- Yvonne De Carlo
7. I Don't Know How To Love Him- Yvonne Elliman
8. We Go Together- Adrienne Barbeau,Barry Bostwick,Walter Bobbie,Cast
9. Corner Of The Sky- John Rubinstein
10. Send In The Clowns- Glynis Johns
11. Ease On Down The Road- Stephanie Mills,Tiger Haynes,Ted Ross,Hinton
12. One- from "A Chorus Line" Cast
13. All That Jazz- Chita Rivera,Ensemble
14. Tomorrow- Andrea Mcardle
15. Don't Cry For Me Argentina- Patti Lupone
16. Come Follow The Band
17. Lullaby Of Broadway- Jerry Orbach
18. And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going- Jennifer Holliday
19. The Bells Of St. Sebastian- Raul Julia

Tracks:

1. Memory- Betty Buckley
2. I Am What I Am- George Hearn
3. Move On- Bernadette Peters,Mandy Patinkin
4. Do You Hear The People Sing?- Michael Maguire,Cast
5. The Music Of The Night- Michael Crawford
6. You're Nothing Without Me- James Naughton,Gregg Edelman
7. The American Dream- Jonathan Pryce,Cast
8. Doctor Jazz- Gregory Hines,Company
9. With One Look- Glenn Close
10. On Broadway- Adrian Bailey,Frederick B. Owens,Ken Ard,Victor Trent Cook
11. Le Jazz Hot- Julie Andrews,Ensemble
12. Seasons Of Love-
13. Hakuna Matata- Max Casella,Tom Alan Robbins,Scott Irby-Ranniar,Jason Raize
14. I Wanna Be A Producer- Matthew Broderick,Ensemble
15. Dancing Queen- Louise Plowright,Jenny Galloway
16. Good Morning Baltimore- Marissa Jaret Winokur
17. Movin' Out- Michael Cavanaugh,Band
18. I Go To Rio- Hugh Jackman,Company
19. Defying Gravity- Kristin Chenoweth,Idina Menzel

Customer Reviews:

Fabulous for any Broadway-lover.......2007-01-30

Packs into 5 CD's a sampling of Broadway tunes from the 20's thru (almost) today, mostly from original cast recordings. Includes not just well-known hits, but also some lesser-known gems. Sound quality is first rate, booklet is informative too. Have given this as a gift to several friends with rave reviews.

Top Shelf.......2007-01-04

This is THE definitive collection of Broadway hits. I have other collections, and none of them measure up. A great deal of care was obviously taken in compiling and presenting this box set. It covers a lot of ground, starting with some long-forgotten but still very enjoyable hits from the days of yore, and finishing with present-day favorites. To the best of my knowledge, the recordings are by those who made them famous. You won't be disappointed.

TERRIFIC CD'S.......2006-03-23

THESE BROADWAY MUSICALS CD'S ARE A BROADWAY LOVERS DREAM. WITH EACH SONG, MEMORIES COME FLOODING BACK. BOTH THE FAMILIAR AND THE FORGOTTEN SONGS ARE A TRUE LISTENING PLEASURE. IF YOU LIKE BROADWAY, YOU'LL LOVE THIS SET.

Great Collection of Broadways greatest Songs .......2005-06-14

This Collection was perfectly made it has almost all the most famous Broadway songs on this 5 cd set. The Music is great and has Broadways greatest treasures like "Memory""People""With One Look""Give my regards Too Broadway" just to name a few of this numerous cd set with over 100 songs. This is a great buy if you like musicals or The music of Broadway

Great Compilation!.......2005-01-17

If you are a fan of the Broadway Musicals, this is a collection that you should purchase. Since I got the 5 disc set I've enjoyed listening to it. The majority of the songs are done by the original singers. The collection is priceless considering that you will have over 100 songs from popular musicals since the beginning of Broadway

Average customer rating: Lyrical Genius......R.I.P Remarkable...the album behind the legend The heart of the terror squad Big Pun was better than his proteges Holds well over the years.

Capital Punishment Big Punisher Manufacturer: Relativity ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Latin Rap | Latin Music | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music East Coast | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Gangsta & Hardcore | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Indie Music | Stores | Music $9.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music R&B | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rap & Hip-Hop | 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: Yeeeah Baby Lifestylez Ov Da Poor and Dangerous The Infamous Don Cartagena It Was Written ASIN: B00000K3HL Release Date: 1999-08-24

Tracks:

1. Intro
2. Beware
3. Super Lyrical
4. Taster's Choice
5. Still Not A Player
6. Intermission
7. The Dream Shatterer
8. Punish Me
9. Pakinamac Pt.I
10. You Ain't A Killer
11. Pakinamac Pt.II
12. Caribbean Connection
13. Glamour Life
14. Capital Punishment
15. Uncensored
16. I'm Not A Player
17. Twinz (Deep Cover 98)
18. The Rain & The Sun (Interlude)
19. Boomerang
20. You Came Up
21. Tres Leches (Triboro Trilogy)
22. Charlie Rock Shout
23. Fast Money
24. Parental Discretion

Amazon.com

Some rappers die because they get shot. Some die of AIDS. But corpulent Latino rapper Big Punisher died of a massive coronary; at the time of his February 2000 death, he weighed over 600 pounds. While this made Punisher a suitable poster boy for the dangers of conspicuous consumption, on his platinum 1998 debut album, Capital Punishment, he's eager to poke fun at the creed of greed: "I'm not a player", he announces, "I just fuck a lot." But while Capital Punishment is perfectly adequate gangsta fare, Big Pun doesn't deserve the deification that dead rappers so frequently receive; here, he deviates little from the egomaniacal posturing that the Notorious B.I.G. branded his own. "If it doesn't make dollars, then it doesn't make sense," splutters compadre Fat Joe on "Glamour Life." Suitable, then, that Big Pun died in an industry where rigor mortis is the ultimate unit-shifter. --Louis Pattison

Customer Reviews:

Lyrical Genius......R.I.P.......2007-03-23

Now, I am not the one to give respect to albums regardless if the artist is gone from this world. I am the first to call it like I see it. However, I can't front....Capital Punishment is probably one of the greatest hip hop albums to be released ever. The late Christopher Rios with the help of his "twin" Fat Joe puts out what might not have even been anticipated but on time with this solid debut. Pun's word play and lyrical prowess, in my opinion, would take mentor Fat Joe out in a freestyle competition any day. Pun's production is quite possibly the best compliment to this gem and the guest appearances are on time and on point. My favorite would have to be "Punish Me" featuring Miss Jones, displaying Pun's lyricism in reference to love, relationships and fatherhood. My second fav would have to be the posse cut "Glamour Life" showing Pun and his fellow Terror Squadians speaking of aspirations of fame and fortune(which is not one of my favorite topics in hip hop however when you have an excellent lyrical delivery on this subject I will make an exception). In short, this is a must have from quite possibly the "best" member of the Terror Squad camp.

Remarkable...the album behind the legend.......2006-12-18

During Big Pun's unfortunately short lifetime, he released only one album, 1998's "Capital Punishment," and with this one release he amassed the reputation of one of New York's greatest MCs ever. Listening to this album, it's not hard to see why. Pun shows simply amazing technique, lyricism, and versatility on the album that made him the first Latino rapper to go platinum. Pun flawlessly tells stories of crime and dangers in the streets of the Bronx, but he also makes some deeper tracks about life and philosophy. He is simply an awesome lyricist. Also, the group of guest rappers is among the best ever assembled for an album. In addition to his group of Terror Squad peers such as Fat Joe, Cuban Link, and Noreaga, other appearances come from rap legends like Prodigy, Busta Rhymes, Inspectah Deck, Black Thought, Dead Prez, , and singers such as Joe, Wyclef Jean, and Miss Jones. The production is outstanding throughout the album, coming from such accomplished beatmakers as the RZA, L.E.S., Rockwilder, and Dr. Dre. Overall this album is a complete classic that deserves to be a part of any hip hop collection.

After the intro, the album begins with "Beware," starting the album with a hard lyrical track with great production. "Super Lyrical" is just that, a collaboration with Roots rapper Black Thought. "Still Not a Player" was Pun's most successful single, the song that made him famous and a legendary classic. Over an awesome, Latin-inspired beat, Pun drops hilarious, well delivered verses in between great singing from Joe, who also sings the classic outro. "The Dream Shatterer" is very well produced and is a hard, street-level song. Miss Jones collaborates on "Punish Me," one of my favorite songs on the album. With a subdued, thoughtful beat, Big Pun talks about a relationship gone sour. "You Ain't a Killer" is another New York classic. The hard piano laced beat fits great with Pun's threatening lyrics and great punchlines. "Glamour Life" features the Terror Squad, where they talk about the reaps of a life of crime over a great beat. The title track follows in the trend of hard, well-produced tough songs. On "I'm Not a Player," Pun speaks again of his character and interactions with women, the song utilizes a great soul sample. "Twinz (Deep Cover 98)" is a cover of Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg's classic song from 1992, where Pun and Fat Joe collaborate for one of the best songs from either one of their catalogs. I really like the interlude "The Rain and the Sun" with Dead Prez, it's relaxing. "You Came Up" may actually be my favorite song on the disc, though. With Noreaga, Pun discusses his rise to the top of hip hop, and the saxophone loop is perfect, Terror Squad always shines on this type of song. RZA produces "Triboro Trilogy," a standard New York anthem featuring legends Inspectah Deck and Prodigy. "Fast Money" tells an awesome story, and the album finishes with the Busta Rhymes-assisted "Parental Discretion," where the rappers warn parents of the dangers of raising children in the ghetto and exposing them to the dangers.

"Capital Punishment" is so amazing because it is a perfect combination of a truly special MC, great guest appearances, awesome production, and perfect execution. This album is so complete and well rounded, easily one of the best albums from the late 90s. I recommend this album to all kinds of hip hop fans, it has something everyone can enjoy, because it's such a classic.

The heart of the terror squad.......2006-11-20

Just like Biggie, when I hear a rapper called the greatest ever, and he only has 2 albums I laugh. Big Pun is nowhere near the G.O.A.T. Had he lived a lot longer, He would be a contender. This album is a classic. For a guy so heavy, he had amazin breath control. The Dream Shatterer in my opinion showcased his best lyrical arsenal. Thats my absolute favorite. But there are a lot of standout tracks on this album. In fact this is one of the very few albums I can listen to straight through. Highly recommended. He was a very big loss to hip hop. The death of him, Pac, and Big only prove how bad the game needs real rappers.

Big Pun was better than his proteges.......2006-11-03

Standout tracks: BEWARE, SUPER LYRICAL(excellent match up with Black Thought), THE DREAM SHATTERER, PUNISH ME, YOU AINT A KILLER, CARIBBEAN CONNECTION(Wyclef killed it!), GLAMOUR LIFE, CAPITAL PUNISHMENT, TWINZ(Deep Cover 98), BOOMERANG, YOU CAME UP and FAST MONEY. Filler: Tres Leches(both Podigy and Inspectah Deck had suspect verses)and Parental Discretion(sleep inducing). Bottom Line: Big Pun was the best thing that came out of that camp(Terror Squad). He had a killer flow and witty punchlines that kept you listening for more. Songs like Super Lyrical, The Dream Shatterer, Beware etc showed you that Pun was a force to be reckoned with. His untimely death was unfortunate especially at a time when we need more like him in this game. RIP BIG PUN.

Holds well over the years........2006-09-09

...And yes, I can proudly say that I was listening to this stuff whenever Pun was still alive and the album was just recently out. Putting everything aside, though, "Capital Punishment" is a nearly flawless album and one of the few great mainstream hip-hop albums of the past ten years. Listening to the album gives me a kind of nostalgia as well, since there was so much great music released back then, and hip-hop was a lot better (DMX's first album, Lauryn's solo album, OutKast's "Aquemini", etc). I remember I really enjoyed hearing "Still Not a Player", a part-remixed, part-new song that had a really catchy tune and awesome flow. A track for anyone who likes a track you can hear at the club, R&B or hip-hop.

Many talk about how someone his size can flow so fast is impressive. However, even if it were someone of any other size it would have been just as good an album. The quality of it is mainly in his delivery and the content of the flows. You'll hear it in "Beware", "Super Lyrical" (with Black Thought; the greatest track on the album), "The Dream Shatterer" and even in "Twinz", a track with Fat Joe that updates the Dr. Dre/Snoop Dogg single "Deep Cover." There's also greatness like in the childhood reflection of the title track or the rising of fame in "You Came Up", one of the more catchy tracks in here. Even "Punish Me" is great, a song of a broken relationship, never getting mysogynic or anything like that.

Some may not like the many interludes in the album, but I'm totally fine with those. I like the intro and how "Charlie Rock Skit" is basically a brief intro to the next track, "Fast Money." Some are kind of entertaining to hear like the two "Pakinamac" tracks. Sometimes the tracks can be pretty funny though, like in "Uncensored" with Funkmaster Flex.

Another shocking quality is that a lot of the "superstar" songs are the more weaker tracks on the album, and for me even more since those were some of my favorite mainstream rappers (Wyclef, Busta).

I'd say that if you like any kind of hip-hop that you will most likely enjoy "Capital Punishment", an album that is surprisingly well-aged in time. Pun may have had a short career, but in the time he delivered some of the greatest stuff around.

Average customer rating: Kenny Rogers fan The Mother of Greatest Hits Albums! Twelve timeless classics from one of the true greats The One and Only I introduced Kenny to Lionel Richie in Las Vegas.

Kenny Rogers - Greatest Hits Kenny Rogers Manufacturer: Liberty Records-A Subsidiary of Capital Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Cowboy | Country | Styles | Music General | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Crimes of Passion She Rides Wild Horses 20 Greatest Hits Every Time Two Fools Collide: The Best of Kenny Rogers & Dottie West 42 Ultimate Hits ASIN: B000002U86 Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. The Gambler
2. Lady
3. Don't Fall In Love With A Dreamer
4. Ruby Don't Take Your Love To Town
5. She Believes In Me
6. Coward Of The County
7. Lucille
8. You Decorated My Life
9. Reuben James
10. Love The World Away
11. Everytime Two Fools Collide
12. Long Arm Of The Law

Customer Reviews:

Kenny Rogers fan.......2007-06-10

I actually have this on a record not a cd. I love the record. It has all my favorite Kenny Rogers' songs on it.
This album, whether you have it on record format or cd format, is a must for all Kenny Rogers' fans.

The Mother of Greatest Hits Albums!.......2005-01-28

This has got to be one of my favorite greatest hits albums from Kenny Rogers! I remember back when I was 4 years old and my uncle bought this album when it was actually on record. This was my first experience with listening to Kenny. My uncle just bought it to see if he liked him or not. But I was hooked from day one! When I got my first cassette player a few years later, this album was the very first cassette I got! And then eventually I bought the album again on CD! This is a must for any Kenny Rogers fan and for those just finding out who Kenny Rogers is! Not to mention this album has sold over 22 million copies world wide! It sold over 12 million in this country alone! And has earned Kenny his first and only Diamond Award for selling over 10 million of any one album!

Twelve timeless classics from one of the true greats.......2004-05-07

The early 1980s was a strange musical time period. As a child, I didn't really know that pop and country were distinct genres because the local radio station played songs of both types all the time. My favorite singers around 1981 were Stevie Wonder and Kenny Rogers - weird, huh? Kenny Rogers was huge back then, though. Lucille, Ruby Don't Take Your Love to Town, Coward of the County, Long Arm of the Law - these are great cross-over hits that made Kenny Rogers a star. Then there was The Gambler, a song so popular and enjoyable that it spawned a TV movie (as did Coward of the County). The kicker, though, was the song Lady (a song written and produced by Lionel Richie); I had a teacher who would melt at the very thought of this song, and I myself, a lad barely past the "cooties" stage of growing up, pretended to woo the young ladies with my own rendition of the song (in the utter privacy of my room, of course).

As an adult, I have an even greater appreciation of the songs included on this album. She Believes in Me is one of those rare ballads that speaks directly to your heart; it's a great tribute to all the women who put up with all of us men who don't deserve their love. A man doesn't want to admit he needs anything or anybody, but the love and trust of a good woman means much more than most men would ever admit. Just ask the husband of Lucille, who finds himself trying to raise four children by himself after his wife picks "a fine time to leave" him. You Decorated My Life is a beautiful homage to the miraculous life-giving power of love, and Love the World Away works the same kind of wonders. Lady, of course, is one of the greatest love songs ever recorded.

Story songs were one of Kenny Rogers' greatest strengths. Virtually everyone is familiar with the story of The Gambler. Coward of the County illustrates the point that, while you don't have to fight to become a man, sometimes you do have to fight when you are a man (especially when some ruffians hurt the woman you love). Long Arm of the Law is a rather moving song; here, a judge is determined to punish the young man who got his daughter pregnant - until the face of his new grandson softens his heart. Then there's Reuben James, who is still walking the fertile fields of our minds; there's plenty of giddy-up in this tribute to an ordinary, hard-working black man. Ruby Don't Take Your Love to Town goes in yet a different direction, presenting us with an injured Vietnam veteran struggling to keep his marriage intact. This album also includes two duets. The husky-voiced Kim Carnes teams up with Kenny to deliver the energetic, pop-oriented Don't Fall In Love With a Dreamer, then the incomparable Dottie West joins Kenny for Everytime Two Worlds Collide, a classic country duet.

I'm not what you would call a country fan, but Kenny Rogers is much more than a country singer; he represents country, pop, and contemporary music all rolled up in one distinctive voice. This is a singer who still appeals to different generations of listeners. The great success Kenny Rogers enjoyed in the late 1970s and early 1980s can best be seen by his continued fame today, many years since his last bona fide hit song. Certainly, there are better, more complete Kenny Rogers collections out there than this one (which was released in 1980, after all, long before Kenny stopped releasing chart-topping hits), but I can't say anything bad about an album containing twelve songs of such high caliber and lasting appeal.

The One and Only.......2003-01-07

This is the Kenny's Greatest Hits your Mama had on 8-Track. I think it sold like 7 million copies. It's got the best selection of songs from his late 70s / early 80s heyday. The only shortfall of this recording is the fidelity. Not much of an improvement over the 8-track. Always a favorite party CD. Pick this one up first and then go for one of the Kenny and th First Edition collections.

I introduced Kenny to Lionel Richie in Las Vegas........1999-08-29

In 1980 Kenny (Rogers) wanted to do a soul album and was hoping to get some famous R&B groups to back him up. One night between shows, Bob Smith - the Riviera's stage manager - came to the dressing room and told me that Lionel Richie and The Commodores were downstairs and wanted to see Kenny. I brought them up and they told Kenny they were his biggest fans. Lionel had written a song for Kenny and wanted to play it for him. Kenny said he'd love to hear it and Lionel walked over to the piano. It was a magical moment. The song was "Lady" and the rest is history. "Lady" was on Kenny's Greatest Hits without having been on any other album. This set a precedent in country music which everyone has since copied. -- Garth Shaw

Average customer rating: Do songs get any better than How Do You Talk To An Angel? 14 Tracks

The Heights "Music From the Television Show" Manufacturer: capital ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items: Jamie Walters Ride Sheriff Paintings in My Mind Beverly Hills 90210: The Soundtrack ASIN: B00064X926

Product Description

-----14 TRACKS-------1. 3:59 Barnes, Cain, Vallance/ I'm Still On Your Side 2. 4:29 Diesal, D. Tate/ Rear View Mirror 3. 3:43 James Walters/ So Hot 4. 3:47 Coffing, Tyrell, Tyrell/ How Do You Talk To An Angel 5. 4:08 D. Palmer, S. Tyrell/ Children of the Night 6. 3:22 Tyrell, Coffing, Tyrell/ Common Ground 7. 2:55 Tyrell, Coffing, Tyrell/ Battleground 8. 3:56 Dave Mason/ Feelin' Alright 9. 4:31 Ken Garito/ Natalie 10. 2:38 Bristol, Fuqua, Bullock/ What Does It Take (To Win Your Love) 11. 3:54 Shawn Thompson/ The Man You Used To Be (A Song For Dad) 12. 3:10 Zachary Throne/ Joanne 13. 2:44 Shawn Thompson/ Strongest Man Alive 14. 3:52 Calnan, Finnigan, Gruska/ Friendship

Customer Reviews:

Do songs get any better than How Do You Talk To An Angel?.......2004-12-11

No, they most certainly do not!

I think this band would have been more succesful if instead of calling themselves The Heights, they had called themselves The Widths. It's much catchier sounding.

14 Tracks.......2004-09-28

-----14 TRACKS-------1. 3:59 Barnes, Cain, Vallance/ I'm Still On Your Side 2. 4:29 Diesal, D. Tate/ Rear View Mirror 3. 3:43 James Walters/ So Hot 4. 3:47 Coffing, Tyrell, Tyrell/ How Do You Talk To An Angel 5. 4:08 D. Palmer, S. Tyrell/ Children of the Night 6. 3:22 Tyrell, Coffing, Tyrell/ Common Ground 7. 2:55 Tyrell, Coffing, Tyrell/ Battleground 8. 3:56 Dave Mason/ Feelin' Alright 9. 4:31 Ken Garito/ Natalie 10. 2:38 Bristol, Fuqua, Bullock/ What Does It Take (To Win Your Love) 11. 3:54 Shawn Thompson/ The Man You Used To Be (A Song For Dad) 12. 3:10 Zachary Throne/ Joanne 13. 2:44 Shawn Thompson/ Strongest Man Alive 14. 3:52 Calnan, Finnigan, Gruska/ Friendship

Average customer rating: Let the Buyer Beware Historical and Pristine "Rhapsody In Blue"

Gershwin Plays Rhapsody in Blue Manufacturer: Shout Factory ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Gershwin | Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Film Scores | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Traditional Jazz General | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Musical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Tin Pan Alley | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Gershwin Plays Gershwin: The Piano Rolls Gershwin: Rhapsody In Blue/An American In Paris The Gershwin Plays Gershwin: The Piano Rolls, Vol. 2 Levant Plays Gershwin Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue - Piano Concerto in F - An American in Paris ASIN: B000098ZSS Release Date: 2003-05-13

Tracks:

1. Rhapsody In Blue
2. An American In Paris
3. Swanee
4. Walkin' The Dog
5. Let's Call The Whole Thing Off
6. Somebody Loves Me
7. Our Love Is Here To Stay
8. S'Wonderful
9. Embraceable You
10. Oh, Lady Be Good

Customer Reviews:

Let the Buyer Beware.......2007-01-12

I do not disagree on any level with the other reviewers of this CD. However, the content is recorded from piano rolls rather than directly from the artist. This fact is not explicitly presented on the web page. Yes, if one clicks on the CD cover photo to get an enlarged image, one can read "First recording 1924 from rare piano rolls" at the bottom in small type. Not everyone will do this however. For this reason alone I only rate this product 3 stars.

Historical and Pristine.......2006-12-22

This compilation of Gershwin selections taken from the piano rolls of the composer offer a perfect introduction to the music of Gershwin, offering a balance between his serious symphonic pieces and his accessible popular songs. Beginning with two of his concert works, "The Rhapsody in Blue" and "An American in Paris," the CD just hints at what the composer accomplished in the concert hall and the world of serious music. To my understanding, the "Rhapsody in Blue" was originally performed at a concert titled 'An Experiment in Modern Music' in 1924 at Aeolian Hall in New York. The piece was performed by an orchestra with Paul Whiteman as director, and with the composer at the piano as part of a concert experiment in jazz. The version on this CD is a piano adaptation created by the composer based off of the original symphonic work.

"An American in Paris" is also a concert work that did not achieve the widespread adoration that the Rhapsody has garnered. It was intended by the composer to capture the emotions of a tourist visiting Paris, and was purportedly auto-biographical. It was performed in 1928 at New York's Carnegie Hall with Walter Damrosch conducting the New York Philharmonic. It received mixed reviews at the time but remains a favorite of Gershwin's classical works. Like the "Rhapsody," the version included here is a piano adaptation of the original orchestral work.

The remaining works on the CD are those of a popular composer, the flipside of Gershwin's career. No other American composer (or any for that matter) has strattled these two different fields of music with the success with which George Gershwin did. And the popular songs, among them, "Embraceable You," "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off," and "Love is Here to Stay" have achieved enormous pop culture penetration and secure Gershwin's place in history as a master of popular song composition. Notably missing from this CD, however, are Ira Gershwin's contributions, i.e. the words, which add an element important to these songs' true place in history. Along with Ira's contributions come the countless Gershwin vocal interpreters who helped to realize these songs' true significance and their dispersion throughout the American popular music idiom.

On these versions, it is simply Gershwin playing his works (albeit the recordings are taken from his piano rolls, not an actual live recording). In these arrangements, the melodies are incorporated into lush and often convoluted harmonic accompaniment, in which the melody often becomes lost (i.e., the bridge or B section of "Oh, Lady Be Good!"). However, the opportunity to hear the composer express the harmonic possibilities of these disguisingly "simple" American tunes is truly a valuable one. The particular bouncing style with which Gershwin jumps from chord to chord to accompany his melodies is clearly apparent on many of these tunes, and that is an aspect borrowed from Ragtime that contributes to Gershwin being labeled as a uniquely "American" styled composer. The idiosyncracy of his composition and playing are tied together and come to life on this CD. The harmonic statements are sophisticated and evasive to the common ear, and the rhythmic precision and prolificity are legendary. Together with the melody, these elements of the musical composition on which Gershwin demonstrates mastery come together to produce a truly quintessential and essential Gershwin compilation.

"Rhapsody In Blue".......2006-07-12

"This piece (Rhapsody In Blue) seemed to sweep through my mind. It was the heart of America, the feverishness of life, the musical welter of races, of peoples, their joys and their passions, their dissipations and their exaltations." ~ George Gershwin (September 26, 1898 - July 11, 1937) ~

Today, July 11, 2006, marks the 69th death anniversary of one of America's most versatile songwriters, George Gershwin. The birth of one of my favorite jazz-infused-classical pieces, "Rhapsody In Blue" in 1924 made Mr. Gershwin an overnight and sensational star and had gained him a worldwide recognition. He had been my late parents' (and mine, too) favorite composer along with Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern and Cole Porter. His harmonious collaboration with his brother, Ira Gershwin, had produced the most beautiful songs of all-time. They were the most prolific team of songwriters and their compositions have been recorded countless times by famous interpreters of Great American Songbook such as Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, John Coltrane, Tony Bennett, Miles Davis, Oscar Peterson, Joe Pass, Michael Feinstein, Natalie Cole, Linda Ronstadt, Rod Stewart, Steve Tyrell, Diana Krall, John Pizzarelli, Michael Bublé and Chris Botti, among many others.

This CD is a musical treasure and one that I would strongly recommend not only to any Gershwin enthusiast but also to any new fan for this includes the original recording of "Rhapsody In Blue" from rare Piano Rolls. The sound quality is just terrific. It highlights two of his major works - "Rhapsody In Blue" (1924) and "An American In Paris" (1928). It also features some of his well-known popular songs and favorites of mine, my parents' theme songs "Our Love Is Here To Stay" and "Embraceable You." It has been said that Mr. Gershwin functioned best and had written his very best compositions at 3 o'clock in the morning and when he finish eight bars that he likes, he can finish a chorus in a few minutes, like the songs "`S Wonderful" and "Let's Call The Whole Thing Off." This recording also includes "Swanee," "Walkin' The Dog," "Somebody Loves Me," and "Oh, Lady Be Good."

It's so amazing that he composed frequently and never run out of inspirations for writing melodic tunes that are so pleasing to the ears. He can write three to five songs in a single afternoon. When he completed the melody of a song, he gives it to Ira to write words to it. He was such a genius and played the piano by ear after a fashion, tapping out the tunes with a finger.

Not known to many, Mr. Gershwin had tried his hand at painting. I've seen a portrait of himself that he painted a year before his death from brain cancer, and I would say, it's a beautiful work of art, almost like a work of a professional painter. He could have been a great painter.

George Gershwin will always be remembered as one of the greatest 20th Century composers and his music will always linger in the hearts of music lovers like me who truly appreciate and enjoy fine music.

Average customer rating: You Want Funk and Horns and Tightness- Check This Out It is . . . What it is . . . .Love it or Leave it The Legacy Continues Tower Of Cheese?

Soul With a Capital S: Best of Tower of Power Tower of Power Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music General | Funk | R&B | Styles | Music Quiet Storm | R&B | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Very Best of Tower of Power: The Warner Years T.O.P. Souled Out What Is Hip and Other Hits Rhythm & Business ASIN: B000063CNF Release Date: 2002-03-26

Tracks:

1. Attitude Dance
2. Soul With A Capital 'S'
3. Souled Out
4. So I Got To Groove
5. Diggin' On James Brown
6. Funk The Dumb Stuff
7. I Love That Girl So Much
8. You Ought To Be Havin' Fun
9. And You Know It
10. Ain't Nothin' Stoppin' Us Now
11. We Came To Play
12. So Very Hard To Go (Live)
13. You're Still A Young Man (Live)
14. What Is Hip? (Live)

Amazon.com

Although they scored in the mid-'70s with hits like the sublime "So Very Hard to Go" and the cynical funk-monster classic "What Is Hip?," Oakland, California's Tower of Power always seemed to find more respect among their musician peers than the public at large. Indeed, they spent the '80s without a record label. This collection helps fill a glaring gap in the band's history and should go a long way toward burnishing their ongoing legacy. Culled from TOP's late-'70s post-Warner releases on Sony and subsequent '90s tenure at Epic, the tracks here showcase a band whose powerhouse groove and legendary chops seldom faltered during a period beset by problems both business and personal. With the core writing team of tenor saxist/vocalist Emilio Castillo and baritone sax anchor Stephen "Doc" Kupka still turning out gems like the upbeat "Attitude Dance," the funk-fueled "So I Got to Groove," and the gospel-tinged "Ain't Nothin' Stoppin' Us Now," the band's shifting lead singers and personnel changes maintain the consistency that has helped make them a legend. If the dated "Funk the Dumb Stuff" and perhaps one ballad too many undercut the collection a bit, powerful 1998 live renditions of the two aforementioned Warner hits, along with their contemporary hit, "You're Still a Young Man," showcase TOP's still-awesome stage presence. Old school maybe; magna cum laude for sure. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

You Want Funk and Horns and Tightness- Check This Out.......2007-02-07

Tower of Power is a national treasure. If you have none of their release's in stock, or just want to get tuned into this wonderful, tight knit band that has totally withstood the test of time, this is the TOP release to get. It's funky, live, studio, soulful and from various era's of their long standing existence.
This is a must for your soul musical library.

It is . . . What it is . . . .Love it or Leave it.......2003-06-04

Tower of Power is one of the Top "Show Bands" of our time. Even as Emilio & "The Doctor" show their grey, the energy still radiates at high levels.

For that reason, it's difficult to put this band in a studio and have the same experience that comes from one of their shows.
Missing is the sweat and gyration of the crowd, smell of stale beer, and trance that comes from "all that FUNK".

I "half listen" to most of the early cuts, and then "turn up" the live versions. This CD is worth the price, if only for the classic "What is Hip?"

Thank you Tower of Power

The Legacy Continues.......2003-02-24

The great Tower of Power continues their great soul and funk legacy with this disk. After the great "Warner" years, this album compiles some of the best songs from 1976-today. Featuring, upbeat funk such as "Diggin on James Brown", "So I've Got to Groove", "Funk the Dumb Stuff", and plenty more. Although no David Garabaldi, still great grooves, and the same great Tower sound.

Tower Of Cheese?.......2002-05-30

I bought "The Warner Years" Tower Of Power CD and loved it. Hearing "What Is Hip?" for the first time was like getting hit by a truck full'a funk. I was very disappointed when I listened to "Soul With A Capital S" because these songs are nothing like the older T.O.P. recordings. They're weak and cheesy by comparison. I felt silly listening to songs like "Funk The Dumb Stuff" because the song was so lame! Bad lyrics, boring song. The bass playing & horns are still good, but the drums are kinda standard and these songs don't get you moving like the jaw-dropping classics on the Warner CD....Obviously the later T.O.P. recordings weren't that great.

Average customer rating: You never forget it's Nina Truly Amazing! once a torch singer, always a torch singer An amazing voice It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing...

Irgendwo der Welt Nina Hagen , and Capital Dan Manufacturer: Umvd Import ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Germany | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Big Band Explosion Fearless Heiß Om Namah Shivay Threepenny Opera ASIN: B000EQ44UC Release Date: 2006-05-01

Tracks:

1. Irgendwo auf der Welt
2. Deep In A Dream
3. Serenade In Blue
4. Flat Foot Floogie
5. Yes, Sir
6. An einem Tag im Fr
7. Halli, Halloh
8. Summertime
9. Somewhere Over The Rainbow
10. But Not For Me
11. And The Angels Sing
12. Der Wind hat mir ein Lied erzt
13. Roter Mohn
14. Day In - Day Out
15. Means That You're Grand (Bei Mir Bist Du Scheen)
16. Happiness
17. Fh soll's rote Rosen regnen

Customer Reviews:

You never forget it's Nina.......2007-06-24

I have been listening to Nina Hagen for over 20 years. Whether it's punk, dance, or big band music, you never forget that you are listening to Nina. Her vocal style is unique and she leaves her mark on these classics. Her voice still has an incredible range and has developed a smoky quality that is especially pleasing on "Summertime." The orchestrations have 1940's quality that give the compositions a more period sound than seems to be present on other recent "big band" albums. Some of the songs are in German and some in English, but all are enjoyable.

Truly Amazing!.......2007-05-15

She Just keeps getting better...I couldn't wait to get this CD and found that you can get the downloaded Version on Her official site for less than 3 American Dollars!!! Everyone must buy this cd! You won't be Disappointed!

once a torch singer, always a torch singer.......2007-05-13

I am a long term Nina fan, and this work is true to form. She uses her whole range and has her humorous take on the songs, but this is also a very traditional "big band" sort of album. The band is very good as well as the recording itself, but if you are stuck in punk mode then you might be bored with this work as the punk touches are small. I find her voice and vocal stylings fascinating, as usual.

An amazing voice.......2007-01-11

After hearing about Ms. Hagan on NPR I listened to everything I could. The early recordings although not quite my style were very interesting. I came away with the feeling that this was a wonderful voice. This CD only emphasized this for me. The mixture of the German and English was wonderful to listen to. Her voice can really transport one`s mind to other times and places. I only hope that this is not the last we hear from her. Who knows what could be next?

It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing..........2006-06-16

WoW! What a fun CD. What is obviously a very ambitious effort on Ninas part, she brings to life a collection of songs spanning from the early 1920s to the early 1950s, done in the 'swing' style along with the amazing Capital Dance Orchestra. Nina sounds wonderful (a vocal coach is credited in the booklet by the way) and is having a great time here. She makes these songs hers in true Nina Hagen fashion and is having fun with them. Whether its the very rousing 'Bei Mir Bist Du Schon' 'Flat Foot Floogie' 'Yes Sir' or 'Halli Hallo', or the more meloncholy 'But Not For Me' or 'Happiness(done both in German and English versions)'. After her unusual departure in "Big Band Explosion" I was a little surprised to see her do another collection of 'vintage' music. But this time around she kicks it up a few notches and really hits the nail on the head. If you liked "Big Band Explosion" then you will love "Irgendwo Auf Der Welt". I highly recommend this CD of very infectious music that Nina has made timeless. The CD also comes in a very nifty 'super jewel box' jewel case, and includes a glossy booklet with lots of great pictures of Nina, plus all the lyrics to the songs. Buy and enjoy!!

Average customer rating: Bam Bam Spider Man go down......... Underrated Great, miss him We miss u Pun We miss u Pun

Capital Punishment Big Punisher Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Latin Rap | Latin Music | Styles | Music East Coast | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Gangsta & Hardcore | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Yeeeah Baby Don Cartagena Jealous Ones Still Envy (J.O.S.E.) Terror Squad The Album Yeeeah Baby ASIN: B000006371 Release Date: 1998-04-28

Tracks:

1. Intro
2. Beware
3. Super Lyrical
4. Taster's Choice
5. Still Not A Player
6. Intermission
7. The Dream Shatterer
8. Punish Me
9. Pakinamac Pt. I
10. You Ain't A Killer
11. Pakinamac Pt. II
12. Caribbean Connection
13. Glamour Life
14. Capital Punishment
15. Uncensored
16. I'm Not A Player
17. Twinz (Deep Cover 98)
18. The Rain And The Sun (Interlude)
19. Boomerang
20. You Came Up
21. Tres Leches (Triboro Trilogy)
22. Charlie Rock Shout
23. Fast Money
24. Parental Discretion

Amazon.com

In the beginning, hip-hop's heavyweights were relegated to the role of class clown--what with fat guys being jolly and all. But in the mid '90s, artists of a certain heft broke free of that stereotype and asserted themselves as powerful in both muscle and mind. On this much-anticipated full-length debut, Christopher "Big Punisher" Rios shows he's capable of competing in both arenas, waxing as intelligent as can be on rhymes like "Super Lyrical" (where he's joined by the Roots' always provocative Black Thought) and "Parental Discretion" (a duet with Busta Rhymes). Big Pun's hit "Still Not a Player" is, of course, included here, and while its nasty Bronx groove sets the tone for much of the 24-song set, the big man also pays his respects to the Big Apple's other boroughs on "Tres Leches (Triboro Trilogy"). He even sets sail for the islands--accompanied by Fugee frontman Wyclef Jean--on "Caribbean Connection." One of the most ambitious hip-hop debuts in years. --David Sprague

Customer Reviews:

Bam Bam Spider Man go down................2003-02-17

With that intro a BIG force to be reckoned wit came on da scene BIG PUNISHER!!! Im Just gon go thru da traccz aight so bear wit me cuz this hotter than fish greaze in a room wit no windowz in da middle of 100+ degree heat. (im skippin da skits which unfortunately there are a lot of)

Beware - just that an introduction to the blazin style of Pun.
Super Lyrical - a hot joint wit Blacc Thought(The Roots), good use of Biggie and Roccy samples.
Still Not A Player - Yall seen the video. Features Joe and is a remix of Joes I Dont Wanna Be A Player(Booty Call Sdtk.) and Puns Im Not A Player(on this cd).
The Dream Shatterer - One Of Puns best.
Punish Me - One of my favorites, miss jones on da hook.
You Aint A Killer - Hot Grimy shhhhhh.
Carribean Connection - Blazin even Wyclef comes off.
Glamour Life - Terror Squad tracc, above average.
Capital Punishment - Kind of weak but Pun comez off.
Im Not A Player - One of da best player songs.
Twinz(Deep Cover '98) - Good remake, includez Puns "dead in da middle of lil..." tonge twister
The Rain & The Sun - Not a song but dead prez and Pun colaborate on a great but much too short interlude.
Boomerang - Another Decent tracc.
You Came Up - Good Colabo wit NORE.
Tres Leches(Triboro Trilogy) - Lyrical murder. Prodigy(mobb deep) & Inspectah Decc(wu tang) assist.
Fast Money - Half way decent tracc.
Parental Discretion - Only real filler. n whatz up wit busta????

Underrated.......2002-01-01

After the death of Big Pun, I heard many people on TV praissing Pun on what a good lyracist he was. I figured that this was more people paying respects to their deceased friend, which they welcome to do. I mostly bough this record out of interest, and boy was I shocked!!!
Boogie down give Pun some ominous Wu-Tang sounding beats, to spit his rapid-fire flow over. If you were expecting a whole album of Don't wanna be a Player, you're gonna be disappointed. Pun is an old school lyricist. He not a complex as a Nas or Talib Kweli, but has the knack for rhyming 5 or 6 words in a bar. Although, he does drop some science on the commercial/ R&B sounding Come Back To Me. While most rapper use this as a chance to delve into lyrical simplicity, Pun drops some nice lyrics about a father son relationship broken by a jealous girlfriend. Other highlight are Glamour Life (were Cuban Link steals the show from even Pun), U Came Up (maybe the best on the Disc), Super Lyrical (with the underrated Black Thought) and U Ain't a killer (with a killer piano loop). Though the last few tracks are solid, they don't live up to the standard set by the rest of the album.
Not only is the production masterful, but so is Pun. Theirs a feel that he freestyled the whole album. Like all the greats, he can seem effortless without it looking like he's just bored. This is one of the best albums I've purchased, and I would highly recommend it.

Great, miss him.......2001-02-20

I would've given this 4 stars but since he put a collabration with Wyclef it gives 5 stars. Most of this is pretty cool. I had earler heard Twinz, I'm Not A Player and You Came Up which had all convinced me to buy this. If you're a REAL hip-hop fan by this.

Lyrics-- 3.5 of 5. He has a good sense of humor and sometimes the lyrics just need a little more imagery for yourselves

Guests-- 5 of 5. Everyone you need basically.

We will all remember him. there is a flaw with his follow-up. Incomplete. But there's still the Terror Squad for y'all. not jay-z but still great. RIP Big Pun-- review

We miss u Pun.......2000-09-17

I won't front when I first got this album 2 years ago the only song I listen 2 was "still not a player & Twinz". It not that I didn't like the album it was I was still stuck on the puff daddy beats. Later that year I realize how lyrics is what made a rapper great. So I gave the album another chance & I realize Big Pun wasn't a good rapper he was a Great rapper. In songs like "Beware, Fast money, Parental Discretion, U came up, and the best track that display Puns skills "The Dream Shatterer" Pun keep your hand on the rewind button. Every track on this album is hot. It pure underground hip hop with hot beats & lyrics. Pun second & last album wasn't good as this album so if u thinking bout the 2 get the debut album.

We miss u Pun.......2000-09-17

I won't front when I first got this album 2 years ago the only song I listen 2 was "still not a player & Twinz". It not that I didn't like the album it was I was still stuck on the puff daddy beats. Later that year I realize how lyrics is what made a rapper great. So I gave the album another chance & I realize Big Pun wasn't a good rapper he was a Great rapper. In songs like "Beware, Fast money, Parental Discretion, U came up, and the best track that display Puns skills "The Dream Shatterer" Pun keep your hand on the rewind button. I mean telling u the truth when I say that every track on this album is hot. It pure underground hip hop with hot beats & lyrics. Pun second & last album wasn't good as this album so if u thinking bout the 2 get the debut album.

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2. Pianissimo
3. Planet Zulu [Import]
4. Promessa [Import]
5. Reencontro
6. Rio Amazonas: La Madre
7. Rituals of Trinidad Carnival [Enhanced]
8. Rough Guide: Tex-Mex
9. Rough Guide to World Music: Africa, Europe and the Middle East
10. Sacred Rhythms

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International Music