Isn't It Always Love

Editorial Reviews
Bistro Bits
"Well chosen songs rich in imagery. Her voice is pure, ringing and beautiful"

Cabaret Hotline
"One of New York's ten most promising vocaltists"

Album Description
For her debut CD, Isn't it always love, Joanne O'Brien teamed with award-winning producer, John Boswell, who has created incredible arrangements that showcase Joanne's talents with sophisticated elegance. An accomplished vocalist proficient in a wide range of musical styles the CD features such standards as "That's All" and "Dream A Little Dream" along with passionate renditions of contemporary songs by Julie Gold, Natalie Merchant, Ann Hampton Callaway and David Friedman.

Isn't It Always Love

Tracks:

Let's Face The Music And Dance
I Got The Sun In The Morning
How Deep Is The Ocean?
What'll I Do?
Blue Skies
It's A Lovely Day Today
They Say It's Wonderful
Say It Isn't So
Cheek To Cheek
Isn't This A Lovely Day?
Always
The Song Is Ended
I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
It Only Happens When I Dance With You
Easter Parade

Amazon.com

After several recordings of American popular music, Te Kanawa has become a very effective crooner, phrasing with heretofore missing panache. The easy, jazzy Riddle-like arrangements are bouncy and appealing. But after 15 selections, the mysterious dissatisfaction of eating Chinese food and feeling hungry an hour later remains. Tunick writes in his program notes that "the waltz ballads ... are poignant and moving, but never stray into sentimentality." But why not? A little mushiness would serve this recording well, and also contribute to a desperately lacking variety of interpretation. Still, the voice is consistently gorgeous; it would just be nice to distinguish the happy songs from the sad. --Barbara Eisner Bayer

Customer Reviews:

Irving Berlin at his best.......2007-06-26

Kiri's glorious voice interprets Irving Berlin masterpieces beautifully with expression and respect for these American favorites.

Get's my vote!.......2004-04-03

OK. Full disclosure: I'm one of those helpless souls who is just madly in love with the sounds that emanate from Dame Kiri Te Kanawa's vocal chords. I suppose there are many artists who can interpret Irving Berlin's songs with more, what's the word, authenticity?

And I've heard many of them, and I love their work.

But Kiri Te Kanawa is different. She was given one of the most beautiful instruments in the history of sound recordings. Thank God the recording companies figured out what they had and put her in front of a microphone early and often.

We have had a rare opportunity to experience a great artist from almost the start of her career clear through to what now must be it's final stages.

I, for one, feel privileged.

Thank you, Dame Kiri. The world is a little better place because of you.

Jazzy and Beautiful.......2002-09-01

This album exemplifies Kiri's amazing, vast dose of talent for musical interpretation. Though I tend to enjoy mostly classical music, this album has opened doors to a wonderful world of classical-jazz, which I find quite beautiful! Perhaps for some, it is an aquired taste...yet I was hooked the moment I heard track one...and have since become quite the "modern Kiri" fan!~Brava once again~

I love it!.......2002-05-14

If you like Irving Berlin and Kiri Te Kanawa you'll probably enjoy this album as much as I do!

I can imagine Nick and Nora Charles listening to this at one of Nick's favorite dives! It will transport you to a sophisticated time and place that may have never existed except in literature and debutante coming out parties.

Gatsby would have loved it, and surely would have invited Kiri to all his parties!

Simply Dreadful.......2001-01-17

Just terrible! Although her voice has mellowed and is quite beautiful, Ms Te Kanawa has absolutely no instinct or feel for this distinctly American music. She's just lost in her own peculiar Kiwi wonderland. She is not aided but what have to be some of the worst arrangements of this music ever recorded.

Tracks:

Top Hat, White Tie and Tails
How Deep Is the Ocean?
It's a Lovely Day/Isn't It a Lovely Day
Blue Skies
Always
They Say It's Wonderful
No Strings
Song Is Ended
Stepping Out With My Baby
Let Yourself Go
Cheek to Cheek/Let's Face the Music and Dance
Marrying for Love/The Girl That I Marry
What'll I Do
Puttin' on the Ritz
Abraham
Change Partners
Heatwave
I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm
Count Your Blessings
White Christmas

Album Description

Quality music at a great price, this collection features 20 tracks including 'How Deep Is The Ocean', 'No Strings', 'Puttin' On The Ritz' & 'Heatwave'. The Swingles have, unusually, incorporated electric keyboards, horns and drums into their usually acappella approach, resulting in some thoroughly modern interpretations of Berlin's classics. Castle Pulse. 2003.

Customer Reviews:

Doesn't work for me........2006-05-04

I LOVE the Swingle Singers. The first time I heard them sing Bach back in the 60's I was driving a car and I was so blown away that I had to pull off the road. And I LOVE Irving Berlin's music; his message is simple and direct and tuneful. And therein lies the rub. To me, the jazz vocal styles, the contemporary harmonies and the whimsical utterances of the Swingle Singers go together with Irving Berlin's music like oil and water; they just don't mix. The words and melodies are those of Irving Berlin but the end result isn't Irving Berlin. Admittedly this is one man's opinion, and others might take great pleasure in the Swingle Singers' unfailing virtuosity and inventiveness. But if you anticipate the straighforward tunes and emotional directness in Berlin's music, you are apt to be disappointed.

Average customer rating:

Collection: Say It With Music (Dlx)
Andr Kostelanetz
Manufacturer: Collectables
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

Easy Listening | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00007L8X4
Release Date: 2003-02-18

Tracks:

Say It With Music Remember Blue Skies
Top Hat White Tie And Tails How Deep Is The Ocean (How High
This Is The Army Oh How I Hate To Get Up In The Morning Soft
Whatll I Do Always The Song Is Ended (But The Melody Lingers
The Piccolino Cheek To Cheek
White Christmas
The Girl That I Marry Say It Isnt So Mandy
Give Me Your Tired Your Poor God Bless America
Smoke Gets In Your Eyes Yesterdays
Ive Told Every Little Star The Song Is You
The Night Was Made For Love She Didnt Say Yes All The Things
Look For The Silver Lining They Didnt Believe Me Long Ago (A
I Dream Too Much The Jockey On The Carrousel
Why Was I Born The Way You Look Tonight Who
Make Believe Bill
Why Do I Love You You Are Love Ol Man River
Fascinatin Rhythm
Mine
The Man I Love
Embraceable You Soon
I Got Rhythm
Bess Oh Wheres My Bess
S Wonderful
Maybe
Someone To Watch Over Me Oh Lady Be Good
Embraceable You
Strike Up The Band
Begin The Beguine
All Through The Night
I Concentrate On You
I Love You
Night And Day
In The Still Of The Night
Ive Got You Under My Skin
Blow Gabriel Blow
Just One Of Those Things (Bonus Track)
Hallelujah Time On My Hands
Tea For Two
Carioca
Without A Song
More Than You Know
Orchids In The Moonlight
Sometimes Im Happy I Know That You Know
Through The Years Drums In My Heart
Malaguena
La Cumparsita
Mexicana Medley
Yours (Quiereme Mucho)
Siboney
Caminito
Adios
No Taboleiro De Bahiana
The Moon Of Manakoora
Lotus Land
Kashmiri Song
Jamaican Rhumba
Flamingo
Poinciana (Song Of The Tree)
Andalucia
Sweet Leilani (Bonus Track)
Frenesi (Cancion Tropical) (Bonus Track)
Show Boat
South Pacific
Slaughter On Tenth Avenue
An American In Paris
Porgy And Bess

Album Description

The multi-faceted Andre Kostelanetz left his mark on the music world as an acclaimed conductor/arranger/accompanist. His most notable contribution is the creation of the Easy Listening genre, done by bridging the gap between Classical and Pop music. Highlights on this 6 CD box set include Irving Berlin's 'Cheek To Cheek', George Gershwin's 'The Man I Love' and Jerome Kern's 'Smoke Gets In Your Eyes'. Includes 3 bonus tracks 'Just One Of Those Things' (Cole Porter), 'Sweet Leilani' (from Waikiki Wedding) & 'Frenesi' (Cancion Tropical). Standard jewel cases housed in a deluxe wooden box w/hinged lid (approx. 6 x 5''). Collectables. 2003.

The Columbia Albums of Irving Berlin, Vol. 1-2

Average customer rating:

The Columbia Albums of Irving Berlin, Vol. 1-2

Manufacturer: Collectables
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000AHEU8
Release Date: 2003-09-02

Tracks:

It's A Lovely Day Today/Blue Skies
Maybe Its Because I Love/I Got Lost
You'd Be Surprised/I'll See You In Cuba
Always/Remember
Shaking The Blues/Play A Simple/Alexander's
Here's No Business/Got The Sun/Girl I Marry
Say It Will Music/Cheek To Cheek
It's A Lovely Day Tomorrow/ Now It Can Be Told
This Year's Kisses/Be Careful! Its My Heart
Lady Of The Evening/ Better Luck Next Time
Steppin' Out With My Baby/ You're Just In Love
Let's Face The Music/Say It Isn't So
How Deep Is The Ocean/I Never Had A Chance
Change Partners/Mandy
You Can't Brush Me/Everybody Step/Waiting At The End
Soft Lights/They Say It's Wonderful
Puttin' On The Ritz/Marie
I've Got My Love To Keep Me/Top Hat
What'll I Do/All Alone
A Pretty Girl/Isn't This A Lovely Day
Lazy/I'm Getting Tired So I Can Sleep
I'm Playing With Fire/Let's Have Another Cup
Heat Wave/Let Yourself Go
The Piccoline/No Strings

Album Description

Full Title - The Columbia Albums Of Irving Berlin Vols. 1 & 2. Composer, conductor, arranger Frank DeVol scored more than fifty movies and is best known as the composer for the theme songs for the TV series 'My Three Sons', 'The Brady Bunch' and 'Family Affair'. In the 1940s DeVol was an arranger for Dinah Shore, Tony Bennett, Rudy Vallee, Vic Damone and Doris Day. Frank DeVol received multiple Emmy Awards and Academy Award nominations for his extensive body of work. Irving Berlin's medleys featured are 'Always/Remember', 'A Pretty Girl/Isn't It A Lovely Day' and 'Say It With Music/Cheek To Cheek'. 24 tracks. Collectables 2003.

Average customer rating:

LML does it again
Great CD!

Isn't It Always Love
Joanne O'Brien
Manufacturer: Lml Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

Broadway & Vocalists | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Traditional & Vocal Pop | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00003Q5GB
Release Date: 1997-06-10

Tracks:

Isn't It Always Love
You
Summerfly
Southbound Train
How Do I Trust My Heart?
Golden Slumbers / Dream A Little Dream
There Will Always Be A You
Something I Thought I'd Never Do
I Only Want To Be With You
Verdi Cries
Sailing On
That's All
We Live On Borrowed Time
The Gift Of Love

Album Description

For her debut CD, Isn't it always love, Joanne O'Brien teamed with award-winning producer, John Boswell, who has created incredible arrangements that showcase Joanne's talents with sophisticated elegance. An accomplished vocalist proficient in a wide range of musical styles the CD features such standards as "That's All" and "Dream A Little Dream" along with passionate renditions of contemporary songs by Julie Gold, Natalie Merchant, Ann Hampton Callaway and David Friedman.

Customer Reviews:

LML does it again.......2000-08-16

Once again, I am impressed by an album from LML music. The selection of songs was varied and pulled from a wide range of sources, from Natalie Merchant (the gorgeous Verdi Cries) to a Donna Summer song (my least favourite song on the album, There Will Always Be A You) to a more typical cabaret number (David Friedman's We Live on Borrowed Time).

Joanne O'Brien's perfomance of the material is wonderful. Her version of Southbound Train is touching, catching all the sadness of the song, without overplaying any of it. She also has fun with a song like I Only Want to Be With You. A very satifying album and I look forward to hearing more from Ms. O'Brien.

Great CD!.......2000-04-13

To paraphrase Shakespeare...that is the question.

That question is asked and answered in Joanne O'Brien's first solo cd "Isn't It Always Love."

Ms. O'Brien has been called one of New York's ten most promising vocalists, and in listening to this cd it is easy to see why. Her vocals are clear and pure and convey a tremendous array of emotion and whimsy, as do the selections on this cd. With tracks ranging from standards like "Dream a Little Dream" and "That's All," to Donna Summer's "There Will Always Be A You," with a little bit of The Beatles and Natalie Merchant thrown in for good measure, each piece fitting together to ask the question of the title track.

If you are unfamiliar with Ms. O'Brien, you won't be for long, because there are few people on this planet that have a voice like hers and I've never seen an artist with more range. She's a former opera singer-turned cabaret performer-turned pop singer. And this artist is no studio-made musician, for I have seen her in concert and her talent, not to mention her beauty are both jaw-dropping.

The music has been arranged and accompanied by Award Winning composer/producer/arranger John Boswell, and his touch with composition is every bit as delicate and smooth as is his legendary piano playing ability.

I would surely run out of superlatives if I tried to capture just how much I love this cd. It is, by far, my favorite cd of the year, and I am waiting with baited breath for her second solo cd.

It's unfortunate that she's on a small cabaret label, because her cd is more subtle than that genre is usually capable of. It's truthful, melodic, and beautiful. Do yourself a favor and buy this cd.P>Review by Patrick Vest of "Independent Voice."

Music:

Music

Music