A Man Alone & Other Songs of Rod McKuen [Import]
Editorial Reviews
Album Description
Ol' Blue Eyes' 1969 album for his Reprise label sees Francis Albert covering the songs of Rod McKuen. 12 tracks total.
A Man Alone & Other Songs of Rod McKuen, Music, Frank Sinatra, Easy Listening/Vocal, Pop, Pop Vocals, Popular Music, Soft Rock, Traditional Pop, Vocal, Vocal Jazz
Average customer rating:
- Very pleased
- Sumptuous and mellow
- One of the Best Collections of English Madrigals
- A Delightful Collection of English Madrigal
- A wide variety
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All At Once Well Met: English Madrigals; The King's Singers
John Dowland , Thomas Morley , Thomas Weelkes , John Wilbye , William Byrd , John Farmer , and The King's Singers
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
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Similar Items:
- English and Italian Renaissance Madrigals
- The King"s Singers: English Renaissance
- Olde English Madrigals & Folk Songs at Ely Cathedral
- Madrigal History Tour
- Annie Laurie ~ Folksongs of the British Isles / Barrueco · The King's Singers
ASIN: B000002RPZ
Release Date: 1990-10-25 |
Tracks:
- English Madrigals: A Little Pretty Bonny Lass
- English Madrigals: Weep No More, Thou Sorry Boy
- English Madrigals: Shoot False Love
- English Madrigals: Now Is The Month Of Maying
- English Madrigals: Four Arms, Two Necks, One Wreathing
- English Madrigals: Hark, All Ye Lovely Saints Above
- English Madrigals: Since Robin Hood
- English Madrigals: Though Philomela Lost Her Love
- English Madrigals: O Wretched Man
- English Madrigals: Weep, O Mine Eyes
- English Madrigals: The Nightingale, The Organ Of Delight
- English Madrigals: Come, Sirrah Jack, Ho!
- English Madrigals: Cruel, Behold My Heavy Ending
- English Madrigals: Fair Phyllis I Saw Sitting All Alone
- English Madrigals: Sing We And Chant It
- English Madrigals: On A Fair Morning
- English Madrigals: Oft Have I Vowed
- English Madrigals: Is Love A Boy?
- English Madrigals: Say, Love, If Ever Thou Didst Find
- English Madrigals: All At Once Well Met
- English Madrigals: Construe My Meaning
- English Madrigals: Lord! When I Think
- English Madrigals: Cruel, Wilt Thou Persever
- English Madrigals: Fine Knacks For Ladies
- English Madrigals: Strike It Up, Tabor
- English Madrigals: I Love, Alas I Love Thee
- English Madrigals: Farwell, Dear Love
- English Madrigals: See, See The Shepherd's Queen
- English Madrigals: Have I Found Her
- English Madrigals: Lady Your Words Do Spite Me
- English Madrigals: Were I A King
- English Madrigals: Come Again
- English Madrigals: Tan Ta Ra, Cries Mars
- English Madrigals: Why Should I Love?
- English Madrigals: This Sweet And Merry Month Of May
Customer Reviews:
Very pleased.......2007-06-10
I wasn't sure what to expect when I bought this CD. True, I could have listened on line before buying but that would have taken the fun out of the purchase. Besides, I really didn't care for the CD the first couple of times I listened but now I really love it. It's not something to listen to all the time but given the right circumstances e.g. a small gathering of friends, it's perfect. If I'd listened to online, I wouldn't have purchased it.
Sumptuous and mellow.......2002-11-28
The six men of the King's Singers present sweet and light-hearted madrigals of such English composers as Morley, Weelkes, Dowland, Wilbye and Byrd. The thirty five selections include "Now is the Month of Maying", "Though Philomela Lost Her Love", "Sing We and Chant It," the celebration of tobacco entitled "Come, Sirrah Jack, Ho!" and a host of other fa-la-la-la-la venues interspersed with wistful laments. I love the rich, sonorous sound of a male vocal ensemble, with countertenors, tenor, baritones and bass, and these six singers do a great job. Occasional instrumental accompaniments by lute and tabor are included, but this group doesn't really need it--I could listen to them for hours all by themselves. Also quite enjoyable, as well as educational, is their earlier release, "The King's Singers' Madrigal History Tour: Italy, England, France, Spain and Germany". For a more risque' take on the vocal music of Renaissance England, you might get a kick out of "The Art of the Bawdy Song" by the Baltimore Consort with the Merry Companions.
One of the Best Collections of English Madrigals.......2002-03-27
Any fan of the King's Singers will regret not having this album in their collection.
This album offers a veritable feast of the choicest English madrigals found on any comparable album. From the obligatory "Now is the Month of Maying" and "Fair Phyllis" to the more obscure "Tan ta ra, cries Mars," there is certainly enough on this album to bring a smile to lovers of Renaissance music - and a spark of recognition to anyone who sang traditional madrigals in high school or university. For serious students of early music, this album comes very highly recommended.
Among the more sonorous offerings on this album, Jones' "Farewell, Dear Love" and Dowland's "Come Again," cannot be ignored. Nor can Bennet's immortal "Weep O mine eyes" be matched more musically than here by the King's Singers.
This album has been played again and again for almost 6 years as both serious listening and background working music. And it has yet to lose its delight.
A Delightful Collection of English Madrigal.......2000-08-16
With 35 tracts to enjoy you're sure to find a couple of favorites. I gave this CD 4 of 5 stars compared to 5 stars for the King's Singers World Madrigal Tour CD. If you prefer all your songs in English, this will be your 5 star CD. Tract 32 "Come again" is my favorite due to the surperb tenor lead and melodic development. Compared to many polyphonic early music styles (1300s-1485), this era (1500-1610) provides many memorable melodies.
A wide variety.......2000-04-28
This is an excellent sampling of English madrigals. This presentation, given by an older roster of the Singers, is a nice introduction to the world of the madrigal, and English madrigals in particular.
Average customer rating:
- The legend and the poet create classic mood music
- Frank Sinatra and Rod McKuen music
- A Most Underrated Sinatra Offering
- TWO A.M. FRANCIS ALBERT--THE BEST!
- Sinatra does what he does best!
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Sinatra - A Man Alone: The Words and Music of McKuen
Frank Sinatra
Manufacturer: Wea International
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
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Similar Items:
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- The Sea
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ASIN: B000006L3X
Release Date: 1999-05-17 |
Tracks:
- Man Alone
- Night
- I've Been to Town
- From Promise to Promise
- Single Man
- Beautiful Strangers
- Lonesome Cities
- Love's Been Good to Me
- Empty Is
- Out Beyond the Window
- Some Traveling Music
- Man Alone (Reprise)
Album Description
Ol' Blue Eyes' 1969 album for his Reprise label sees Francis Albert covering the songs of Rod McKuen. 12 tracks total.
Album Details
Out of Print in the USA as of 5/4/99. Words & Music by Rod Mckuen.
Customer Reviews:
The legend and the poet create classic mood music.......2007-06-08
A relatively obscure album that should be in the library of all who love Sinatra. Rod McKuen is relatively obscure these days, which makes this album a treasure. Recommended for quiet listening to be enjoyed with wine and fond memories of the 70s...or wishful thinking that you had been there, too.
Frank Sinatra and Rod McKuen music.......2006-08-24
Delightfully surprised when I searched for Rod McKuen items to find a CD by the "most romantic singer" of the 20th century! Its quality is superb and more than expected because Frank not only sings but speaks some of Rod's poetry! And-- Amazon got it to me so quickly, even though I selected the "free shipping" method.
A Most Underrated Sinatra Offering.......2006-04-28
I'm not sure why this Album is often overlooked when Sinatra's Reprise period is discussed. Frank's interpretation of Rod McKuen's poetry is "Haunting" if I can use that word. Not only was Frank in excellent voice for this album, but his poetry readings were amazing. Given his acting ability he delivers palpable sentiment and captures the essence of Rod McKuens theme of being alone and being lonely; something Sinatra conveys like no other. This is very much a "Mood piece" which deftly alternates song and poetry. Don Costa's orchestra provides a delicate balance of soaring strings and bluesy saxophones. Frank says in the liner notes that McKuens work "got inside me". It definitely gets inside me every time I listen to it.
TWO A.M. FRANCIS ALBERT--THE BEST!.......2006-04-24
Why this album is not available on USA Reprise is beyond me. In 1969 Frank and poet and songwriter Rod McKuen got together to record a song cycle specifically composed by McKuen for The Voice. In the tradition of NO ONE CARES and WHERE ARE YOU, this is Sinatra for two in the morning. Sinatra for the time of clubs closing and going home by yourself.
The cycle goes from song to poetry reading and back again, and Sinatra shows with every turn how the art of song and the art of acting are one and the same: his reading of lyrics was always the very best. Your heart will ache as you recognize the pain that the Man Alone is going through, especially if you have ever gone through that same thing. Great, great stuff.
I agree that "Love's Been Good To Me" sounds a bit out of kilter on this collection, but perhaps the placement of this song is intended to be a look backward, a rose-tinted remembrance of loves past, not love lost present.
Again, this is not the Big Band, Swingin' Sinatra which inhabited most of his Sixties albums. This is the intimate Sinatra, the very personal Sinatra.
One of his very best albums.
Sinatra does what he does best!.......2006-03-11
No one brings the words to a song better than Sinatra. His mature voice touches your soul. This one is for listening alone or with your most intimate partner.
Average customer rating:
- The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra needs a guitar player!
- Persuaders Theme!
- A Variety Of Classics!
- Incredible Barry Collection
- " one of cinema's greatest composers...John Barry"
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John Barry: The Collection
Manufacturer: Silva America
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Binding: Audio CD
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- Beyondness of Things
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ASIN: B00005BADD
Release Date: 2001-05-22 |
Tracks:
- Zulu
- From Russia With Love
- From Russia With Love - 007
- Goldfinger
- The Ipcress File
- The Knack
- Mister Moses
- Thunderball
- The Wrong Box
- Born Free
- The Quiller Memorandum
- You Only Live Twice
- The Girl With The Sun In Her Hair
- Deadfall
Tracks:
- The Lion In Winter
- On Her Majesty's Secret Service
- On Her Majesty's Secret Service
- Midnight Cowboy
- Midnight Cowboy
- The Appointment
- The Last Valley
- Walkabout
- Monte Walsh
- Diamonds Are Forever
- The Persuaders
- Mary Queen Of Scots
- The Man With The Golden Gun
- The Dove
Tracks:
- The Tamarind Seed
- King Kong
- Eleanor And Franklin
- Robin And Marian
- The Deep
- Hanover Street
- The Black Hole
- Moonraker
- Somewhere In Time
- Raise The Titanic
- Body Heat
- Frances
- Octopussy
- The Cotton Club
Tracks:
- High Road To China
- A View To A Kill
- Out Of Africa
- The Living Daylights
- Dances With Wolves
- Dances With Wolves
- Chaplin
- Moviola
- Indecent Proposal
- The Specialist
- The Scarlet Letter
- Cry The Beloved Country
- Mercury Rising
- The James Bond Theme
Customer Reviews:
The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra needs a guitar player!.......2006-11-09
Granted, they only need it for one composition (the last one, "The James Bond Theme") but still, without the guitar it's just not the same. Barry didn't compose this one so I suppose it was a bonus and I shouldn't complain, really. The rest of the music on all the CDs is fantastic. Some of the stuff I had heard before without realizing who had composed it. Very enjoyable, to say the least.
Persuaders Theme!.......2006-03-02
Buy it for the Persuaders theme, probably the best TV theme song ever written.
A Variety Of Classics!.......2005-12-06
John Barry has been composing film scores for over forty years and this is only scratching the surface of his productions. Never mind that the entire set is recorded by the Prague Philharmonic; it's pure to Barry's themes. While John Williams compositions ("Star Wars", etc.) are wild and flamboyant and Jerry Goldsmith's (Hoosier's, etc.) are mood pieces, John Barry crosses over all barriers and is amazingly diverse. Barry has recorded most of the exciting James Bond themes, melodramatic classics like "The Lion In Winter' and moody theme hits like "Midnight Cowboy". He also tugs at the heartstrings with compositions from, "Somewhere In Time", "Frances" and "Out Of Africa". He varies his themes for all types of films and few composers capture it so well.
There is over four hours of music in this set with a colorful and informative booklet.
Incredible Barry Collection.......2004-03-11
Any fan of movies will absolutley love this collection. Being a movie buff I couldn't wait to get this boxed set. Knowing Barry from all the James Bond movies, I did not realize his involvement with so many others. The orchestra is magnificent in all these themes. I'm listening to "High Road to China" right now and I'm drifting in the clouds in a Tiger Moth with Tom Selleck and Bess Armstrong. If you are familiar with a movie it will definitely have you seeing it again, if not the scores are still beautiful. Any fan of classical music will be pleased as well. Travellers will defintitely enjoy it for a long drive. I know from when I use to travel that music like this made the miles float by faster. I highly recommend these four CDs even if you just know a handful of the songs.
" one of cinema's greatest composers...John Barry".......2001-07-06
This collection of four compact discs...are worth their weight in GOLD! Barry creates visual moods for each film he scores...romantic, sentimental, action, adventure, suspense and mystery...the list could go on. Strings, brass and lush-velvet arrangements overlay each cue in his distinctive style of legendary scoring...we have ~ "John Barry:The Collection", Silva Screen's release traces 40 years of film music, featuring "The City Of Prague Philarmonic Orchestra" ~ conducted by Mr. Nic Raine (outstanding)..."Crouch End Festival Chorus" ~ David Temple, Choir Master...perform 56 selections, over four hours of symphonic suites with a full orchestra sound...all individually wrapped-up into one neat package...just the way "film-score-buffs" like 'em!
Must ask the following to take a bow ~ James Fitzpatrick (compilation producer), always in their pitching, Reynold da Silva (executive producer), Nic Raine (conductor, arranger, orchestrator & associate producer), a tremen!dous asset to every project he undertakes...and the man who made it all possible...a legendary icon always leading the way in film scoring ~ JOHN BARRY!
Total Time: 258:76 on 56 Tracks ~ SSD-1128 ~ (2001)
You might try other albums from Silva Screen, all worthy of a good listen ~ "The Essential James Bond" (SSD-1034)..."Bond:Back In Action" (SSD-1100)..."Bond:Back In Action 2" (SSD-1119)..."Zulu" (SSD-1095)..."Raise The Titanic" (SSD-1102)..."Walkabout" (SSD-1120)...check out my reviews on amazon.com/music.
Average customer rating:
- Simply Wonderful
- Music like this could make me a convert
- Powerful!
- Tenor terrific
- oh molly oh
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The Impossible Dream
Bobby Scott , Shay Healy , Frank Wildhorn , Irish Traditional , Stanislao Gastaldon , Stephen Sondheim , Rolf Lovland , Joni Mitchell , Charlie Chaplin , Brian / U2 Kennedy , Sarah McLachlan , and Proinnsias O Duinn
Manufacturer: Jive
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- Ronan
- My Life Belongs to You
- The Dawning of the Day
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ASIN: B000078JM7
Release Date: 2002-11-12 |
Tracks:
- The Impossible Dream (from Man of La Mancha)
- Night and Day
- (My Grandfather's) Immigrant Eyes
- Isle of Hope Isle of Tears
- He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother
- What's Another Year
- When I Look At You
- My Irish Molly '0
- Musica Prohibita
- No One Is Alone
- You Raise Me Up
- Danny Boy
- Both Sides Now
- Smile
- Life, Love & Happiness/I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
- Angel
Amazon.com
The term Irish tenor may be fraught with as many wrong-headed, anachronistic characterizations as any phrase in music. But Ronan Tynan not only returns here to the PBS airwaves that helped spread his fame as a member of the Irish Tenors trio, but he overturns a few clichés while delivering a live concert (recorded at the Royal Dublin Society in June 2002) that encompasses everything from Broadway and pop chestnuts to Italian operatic repertoire. Tynan rewards Irish traditions old and new (a medley of Brian Kennedy's and U2's "Life, Love & Happiness"/"I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For") and even makes left turns into folkie songstress territory (Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now," Sarah McLachlan's "Angel"). Backed by RTE Orchestra, the unlikely international star invests himself completely in all of it, his strong, crystalline voice playing off the traditions, while forging strong new bonds with the contemporary. --Jerry McCulley
Customer Reviews:
Simply Wonderful.......2005-08-29
This CD is just as great as the more recent "Ronan" CD. I clicked on 3 stars in error. This is a 5++ star album! His voice is sheer perfection, and the songs are wonderful. I also highly recommend the DVD of "The Impossible Dream," even though I didn't care at all for the London Community Choir who sing four songs. Note: The American version of the DVD doesn't have the 25-minute "Dr. Courageous" extra on it that the Irish version does. I saw him in concert last month, and besides having a voice that soars to the rafters, he is warm, funny and endearing.
Music like this could make me a convert.......2005-08-17
I've always been a rock and roll fan since back in the 60's. Listening to this cd could easily convert me into a classical music fan as well. Wow what a voice.
Powerful!.......2003-01-22
Having seen Ronan in person recently in the U.S., I was impressed first and foremost by his singing ability, and second by his stage presence and warmth. He is a special performer and human being. I am proud to be a Ronan Tynan fan.
Tenor terrific.......2003-01-18
I am not a fan of this kind of music, but I bought this after hearing a few sound snippets at amazon and WoW! what a find. Excellent song selection, powerful singing, fine music quality for a live recording. Expand your horizons and enjoy. (get this wayno)
oh molly oh.......2002-12-15
ronan tynan is a great role model for adults and children alike. he was born with a deformity and made a decision he would make something of himself, he had a goal and he surpassed it. no one puts as much of their heart into as he. he puts the audience into his songs, he makes us feel he is singing to each one of us individually. HE IS THE GREATEST IRISH TENOR I HAVE EVER HEARD, INCLUDING JOHN MC CORMAC the great irish tenor of the 30's
Average customer rating:
- Irresistible
- "Some Enchanted Evening" with Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops
- Excellent!
- Great Arrangments
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Rodgers & Hammerstein: Songbook for Orchestra (Orchestral Suites)
Manufacturer: Telarc
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Binding: Audio CD
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- Classics of the Silver Screen
ASIN: B000003CXQ
Release Date: 1992-01-28 |
Tracks:
- Oklahoma!
- Carousel
- State Fair
- South Pacific
- The King And I
- Cinderella Waltz
- Flower Drum Song
- The Sound Of Music
Customer Reviews:
Irresistible.......2005-07-29
From beginning to end this CD is pure delight. A great recording has great music, a great performance, and great sound; this one scores on all three counts.
Rodgers and Hammerstein's musicals dominated Broadway in the 1940s and 1950s, and American musical theater has produced no more consistently eloquent and durable voice than Richard Rodgers. From his fertile genius flowed a surprising number of memorable songs, many of which have passed into and become an accepted and beloved part of modern American culture.
This well-filled CD (77:36) features symphonic arrangements (all but two by Robert Russell Bennett) of the music from Oklahoma (1943), Carousel (1945), State Fair (1945), South Pacific (1949), The King and I (1951), Flower Drum Song (1958), and The Sound of Music (1959). All the great tunes are here in suites from each musical that average 10-12 minutes in length. The arrangements are expert: rich, varied, and colorful. The performances are polished, idiomatic, and irresistible; Kunzel and this orchestra are thorough masters of this kind of material. And Telarc's sound (recorded 1991) is state-of-the-art (engineer Michael Bishop deserves to take a bow).
In short, there's nothing here to cloud your listening pleasure (the only quibble I can imagine is that some of your favorites may not last long enough), so it's hard for me to envision anyone with ears and a taste for music who wouldn't enjoy this CD. Warmly recommended. Finally, if you like this one as much as I do, you might want to know that the same team has produced a companion volume, the Lerner & Lowe Songbook for Orchestra.
"Some Enchanted Evening" with Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops.......2003-12-26
Erich Kunzel's Rodgers and Hammerstein anthology with the Cincinatti Pops Orchestra is one of the best and most ravishing instrumental Rodgers and Hammerstein albums of all time. With sumptuous arrangements and warm, natural Telarc recording, this glorious 77-minute CD presents sweeping, melodic arrangements of over 60 Rodgers and Hammerstein selections, spanning eight scores, and Kunzel allows the Pops to play with a characterful and polished understanding of the Rodgers and Hammerstein idiom. The disc is enough to cheer you up on a dull day and make you smile, and it might even want to make you feel like a convert to Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals.
This CD has all the scores arranged chronologically. The OKLAHOMA! suite that opens this disc promises a feast for the senses, Kunzel ably evokes the territory's "bright, golden haze" in the way he conducts the various excerpts, until you feel the atmosphere of the country charm of the show, and the love-affair between Curly and Laurey. Then, in CAROUSEL, he ably evokes the pathos of this tragic R&H masterwork, especially in the truncated Waltz, but he leads a wonderfully melodic "June is Bustin' Out All Over" and a devotional "You'll Never Walk Alone." Although this suite does not include Billy's pivotal Soliloquy, it includes "If I Loved You" as an expression of his love for Julie, and within minutes you could be soaked in the ups and downs of the show's mood.
After a brief STATE FAIR suite, with sweeping renditions of "It Might As Well Be Spring" and "It's a Grand Night for Singing", we are brought into the disc's showstopping highlights. These highlights are the excerpts from SOUTH PACIFIC, THE KING AND I, and THE SOUND OF MUSIC. But yet Kunzel conducts the rest of the disc until the various suites amount to a series of showstoppers. These three suites present wonderfully-arranged versions of their many familiar classic songs, with well-played solos. The SOUTH PACIFIC suite presents the songs in chronological order, yet preserves the atmosphere of the show at the same time. Kunzel ably brings out the romance in "Some Enchanted Evening" and "Younger than Springtime," and contrasts it with the exotic and dreamlike "Bali Hai'i" and the comic "There is Nothing like a Dame" and "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair". Although the suite ends quietly with a reprise of "Dites-Moi" rather than the reprise of "Some Enchanted Evening," within minutes we are swept into the KING AND I suite. Kunzel ably brings out the Oriental pathos in this score, and he captures the warmth of Anna's rapport with the King's Siamese children in "Getting to Know You", and with the King himself in "Shall We Dance." There is also romance in the love ballads "I Have Dreamed" and "We Kiss in a Shadow." Similarly, in the selection from THE SOUND OF MUSIC, Kunzel conducts this until the orchestra soaks itself in the atmosphere of this Austrian R&H score. This SOUND OF MUSIC suite has more of a feel of the score compared to the bonus track on Sony's reissued version of the Broadway recording. You can almost feel as if you are following the progress of the Trapp family and how it lifts its spirits with the joy of music. Kunzel gives us a soaring version of the title song, and spirited versions of "Do-Re-Mi" and "My Favourite Things." He balances it with the open-air quality of "Edelweiss" and "The Lonely Goatherd." Although this suite could have included "Something Good," the love ballad written for the film, the three recollections of the songs that were cut from the movie only last for a while. And, the towering version of "Climb Every Mountain" crowns this portion of the disc, and this sumptuously-produced recording. But, I should also mention the infectuous FLOWER DRUM SONG medley, where Kunzel turns this underrated score into a work of art, until it convinces you to buy the cast recording. And, don't forget about the brief CINDERELLA WALTZ, too, when Kunzel conducts it magically, until you feel like you are in the company of Cinderella and the Prince. He is able to show how this R&H score marked a comeback for R&H after the failiures of Me and Juliet, and Pipe Dream.
Overall, this glorious Rodgers and Hammerstein recording is guarunteed to make you want to pucker your lips out for a whistle or sing along (to paraphrase another revew for Kunzel's Disney Spectacular disc) - even if this recording is music only, and as long as you know the words to the songs (and you might know a large handful of them already.) There is always a certain magic in this fine CD that makes you feel like you're sitting in the theatre watching these musicals, until it makes you feel like it is truly, to borrow two R&H song titles, "Some Enchanted Evening" and "Something Wonderful" to be in Kunzel's company for this R&H offering. It would certainly be one recording that could make you feel willing to buy the complete cast recordings of the shows. And I guaruntee that it will make you feel willing to pull out your existing copies of the cast recordings to listen to them again. I also guaruntee that it will be a cornerstone in any Rodgers and Hammerstein collection, just as it is in mine. Recommended heartily to any Rodgers and Hammerstein enthusiast and to fans of Erich Kunzel's work. And, you can play it while reading the Richard Rodgers biography, Musical Stages, until Rodgers himself would count this as his favourite disc in the afterlife.
By the way, most of the arrangements for the suites on this CD were done by the veteran R&H orchestrator Robert Russell Bennett, and it surely adds to the appeal of this recording. This itself is enough to amount to the icing on the cake, since Kunzel conducts them well on here, and since this recording still allows the suites to have the original theatrical atmosphere. And, although this recording is like the Mauceri collection of the Rodgers & Hammerstein overtures in compiling orchestral suites of Rodgers & Hammerstein, I think that I like the Kunzel recording even more because Kunzel has more magic in his conducting of these suites.
Excellent!.......2003-04-08
This is one of the best Erich Kunzel/Cincinnati Pops collections we own! A must for Rodgers and Hammerstein fans, too.
Great Arrangments.......2001-09-02
This is a first rate album with great arrangments and orchestrations. If you're a Rodgers and Hammerstein fan, you can't afford to miss this specatacular album
Average customer rating:
- The best? I think not.
- can't understand the words
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The Best of Gilbert & Sullivan
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Similar Items:
- The Ultimate Gilbert & Sullivan Collection
- Gilbert & Sullivan - Highlights from The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance, H.M.S. Pinafore, The Yeomen of the Guard, Trial of Jury
- The Gilbert and Sullivan Overtures
- The Complete Annotated Gilbert & Sullivan
- Topsy-Turvy - The Music of Gilbert & Sullivan: From the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
ASIN: B00004W5AD
Release Date: 2000-08-08 |
Tracks:
- H.M.S. Pinafore: Ov - Orch Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr/John Owen Edwards
- H.M.S. Pinafore: We Sail The Ocean Blue - Tom McVay/Gordon Sandison/Yvonne Barclay
- H.M.S. Pinafore: Never Mind The Why And Wherefore - Tom McVay/Gordon Sandison/Yvonne Barclay
- The Yeomen Of The Guard: When Maiden Loves She Sits And Sighs - Janine Roebuck
- The Yeomen Of The Guard: Here's A Man Of Jollity - Chor Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr
- Iolanthe: Tripping Hither, Tripping Thither - Yvonne Patrick/Madeliene Mitchell/Chor Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr
- Iolanthe: The Law Is The True Embodiment - Richard Suart/Chor Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr
- Iolanthe: When I Went To The Bar - Richard Suart
- Iolanthe: Strephon's A Member Of Parliament! - Chor Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr
- Iolanthe: When Britain Really Rul'd The Waves - Lawrence Richard/Chor Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr
- Iolanthe: Finale Act Two: Soon As We May - Chor Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr
- The Pirates Of Penzance: Ov - Orch Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr/John Pryce-Jones
- The Pirates Of Penzance: Poor Wand'ring One - Marilyn Hill Smith/Chor Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr
- The Pirates Of Penzance: I Am The Very Model - Eric Robertson/Chor Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr
- The Pirates Of Penzance: When The Foeman Bares His Steel - Simon Masterton Smith/Marilyn Hill Smith/Patricia Cameron/Eric Robertson/Chor Of The D'Oyly Carte...
- The Pirates Of Penzance: With Cat-Like Tread - Gareth Jones/Chor Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr
- The Mikado: If You Want To Know Who We Are - Chor Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr
- The Mikado: The Flowers That Bloom In The Spring - Bonaventura Bottone/Eric Roberts/Deborah Rees/Thora Ker/Malcom Rivers
- The Mikado: On A Tree By A River - Eric Roberts
- Patience: The Soldiers Of Our Queen - Donald Maxwell/Chor Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr
- Patience: If You Want A Receipt For That Popular Mystery - Donald Maxwell/Chor Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr
- Patience: Am I Alone And Unobserved - Simon Butteriss
- Patience: If You're Anxious For To Shine - Simon Butteriss
- The Gondoliers: We're Called Gondolieri - David Fieldsend/Alan Oke
- The Gondoliers: From The Sunny Spanish Shore - Richard Suart/Jill Pert/Elizabeth Woollett/Philip Casey
- The Gondoliers: For Ev'ry One Who Feels Inclined - David Fieldsend/Alan Oke/Chor Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr
- The Gondoliers: Take A Pair Of Sparkling Eyes - David Fieldsend
- The Gondoliers: Dance A Cachucha - Chor Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr
Customer Reviews:
The best? I think not........2004-01-11
This disc includes some songs that, while I like them, are not what people might consider the "best" of G&S. Of course, anything by G&S is good, it's still not the "best of the best."
There has got to be something that better represents the G&S canon.
can't understand the words.......2004-01-08
Don't know about those other reviewers, but I just can't make out very much of the lyrics. Maybe those folk have better CD players or better hearing, but it's pretty much a blur to me. I strongly recommend "The Ultimate Gilbert and Sullivan" instead.
Average customer rating:
- Arguably "The Best" English "Merry Widow "
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Léhar: The Land of Smiles; The Merry Widow; The Count of Luxembourg (Highlights)
Manufacturer: Class. for Pleas. Us
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
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Similar Items:
- Johann Strauss II: Die Fledermaus; The Gypsy Baron (Highlights)
- Offenbach: La Belle Hélène; Orpheus in the Underworld; La Vie Parisienne (Highlights)
- Music of Sigmund Romberg
- Offenbach: Orpheus in the Underworld / Burgess, Watson, etc (Highlights)
- The Best of Operetta, Vol. 3
ASIN: B00009KHY2
Release Date: 2003-09-02 |
Customer Reviews:
Arguably "The Best" English "Merry Widow ".......2006-09-12
This is the "Merry Widow" with English translation by Christopher Hassel sung by June Bronhill. I loved this rendition ever since I first heard it in about 1960. What's to love? First the translation is the best I've heard. The language doesn't sound "stilted" as some others. And, you can understand almost every word sung. Plus, the famous song, "Vilja" has some wording that moves me every time I hear it: The soprano sings, "Love me and I'll DIE for you!" with the word "die" somewhat emphasized. I don't know, there's just something "powerful" about someone saying they'd "die" for love! AND, at the end of "Vilja" the chorus and soprano raise to a crescendo hitting a high note together. In many renditions the chorus is heard but not the soprano on the final high note. In THIS version, the soprano, June Bronhill, can be heard rising to the final high note with an incressing crescendo and fortissimo louder than the chorus and holding the final high note---which gives a very thrilling effect as she holds that final note, I assure you!
The "problem" is that this June Bronhill, Reid, and Hassel version is hard to find on CD. For example, this CD is made in Holland and "there is one left" so it says on Amazon. But, if you can find it, I think it would be very much worth a listen. Then, after hearing it, if you think there's a "better" Merry Widow, please let ME know! Thanks. Email:boland7214@aol.
Average customer rating:
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Oscar Hammerstein Legacy: Musicals
Manufacturer: Pearl
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Rodgers, Richard
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Similar Items:
- Camelot (1960 Original Broadway Cast)
ASIN: B0000520X7
Release Date: 2001-02-27 |
Tracks:
- State Fair: It's A Grand Night For Singing - Dick Haymes
- Show Boat: Why Do I Love You? - Tony Martin/Frances Langford
- Show Boat: Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man - Ella Fitzgerald And Her Famous Orchestra
- Show Boat: Ol' Man River - Frank Sinatra
- Show Boat: I Still Suits Me - Paul Robeson/Elizabeth Welch
- High, Wide And Handsome: The Folks Who Live On The Hill - Bing Crosby
- State Fair: It Might As Well Be Spring - Dick Haymes
- Centennial Summer: All Through The Day - Doris Day
- Carousel: If I Loved You - Perry Como
- Oklahoma: People Will Say We're In Love - Frank Sinatra
- Show Boat: Make Believe - Tony Martin
- South Pacific: I'm In Love With A Wonderful Guy - Mary Martin
- South Pacific: Bali Ha'i - Juanita Hall
- South Pacific: Some Enchanted Evening - Frank Sinatra
- High, Wide And Handsome: Can I Forget You? - Bing Crosby
- Roberta: I Won't Dance - Guy Lombardo And His Royal Canadians
- Show Boat: Bill - Helen Forrest
- Sunny: Who? - Tommy Dorsey And His Orchestra
- Oklahoma: Oh, What A Beautiful Morning - Frank Sinatra
- South Pacific: Happy Talk - Juanita Hall
- Sweet Adeline: Why Was I Born? - Vic Damone
- Very Warm For May: All The Things You Are - Tony Martin
- Carousel: You'll Never Walk Alone - Judy Garland
Average customer rating:
- Moved to tears
- Nonesuch delivers.Again
- harmonia in excelsis
- Our greatest living composer
- Wonderful CD
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The John Adams Earbox: A 10-CD Retrospective
Manufacturer: Nonesuch
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Binding: Audio CD
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Similar Items:
- Steve Reich 1965-1995
- Naive & Sentimental Music
- John Adams: The Dharma at Big Sur/My Father Knew Charles Ives
- 25 Years: Retrospective
- Century Rolls
ASIN: B00001SID1
Release Date: 1999-10-19 |
Tracks:
- Lollapalooza
- John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Judah To Ocean
- John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Toot Nipple
- John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Dogjam
- John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Pavane: She's So Fine
- John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Rag The Bone
- John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Habanera
- John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Stubble Crotchet
- John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Hammer & Chisel
- John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Alligator Escalator
- John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Standchen: The Little Serenade
- John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Judah To Ocean (Reprise)
- Slonimsky's Earbox
Tracks:
- Two Fanfares For Orchestra - Tromba Lontana
- Two Fanfares For Orchestra - Short Ride In A Fast Machine
- Common Tones In Simple Time
- El Dorado - Part I. A Dream Of Gold
- El Dorado - Part II. Soledades
Tracks:
- Harmonielehre - Part I
- Harmonielehre - Part II The Anfortas Wound
- Harmonielehre - Part III Meister Eckhardt And Quackie
- Violin Concerto - Part I
- Violin Concerto - Part II Chaconne:
- Violin Concerto - Part III Toccare
Tracks:
- Chamber Sympony - Mongel Airs
- Chamber Sympony - Aria With Walking Bass
- Chamber Sympony
- Hoodo Zephyr - Tundra
- Hoodo Zephyr - Dissappointment Lake
- Hoodo Zephyr - Hoodo Zephyr
- Gnarly Buttons - The Perilous Shore
- Gnarly Buttons - Hoe-Down (Mad Cow)
- Gnarly Buttons - Put Your Loving Arms Around Me
Tracks:
- Ensemble - I Was Looking At The Ceiling And Then I Saw The Sky
- A Sermon On Romance
- Consuelo's Dream
- Mike's Song About Arresting A Particular Individual
- Tiffany's Solo
- Song About The On-Site Altercation
- Song About The Bad Boys And The News
- Your Honor My Client He's A Young Black Man
- Leila's Song; Alone (Again Or At Last)
- Three Weeks And Still I'm Outta My Mind
- Crushed By The Rock I Been Standing On
- Dewain's Song Of Liberation And Surprise
- !Este Pais! / This Country
- One Last Look At The Angel In Your Eyes
- Finale
Tracks:
- Lollapalooza
- John's Book Of Alleged Dances - Judah To Ocean
- John's Book Of Alleged Dances - Toot Nipple
- John's Book Of Alleged Dances - Dogjam
- John's Book Of Alleged Dances - Pavane: She's So Fine
- John's Book Of Alleged Dances - Rag The Bone
- John's Book Of Alleged Dances - Habenera
- John's Book Of Alleged Dances - Stubble Crotchet
- John's Book Of Alleged Dances - Hammer & Chisel
- John's Book Of Alleged Dances - Alligator Escalator
- John's Book Of Alleged Dances - Standchen: The Little Serenade
- John's Book Of Alleged Dances - Judah To Ocean (Reprise)
- Slonimsky's Earbox
Tracks:
- Harmonium - Negative Love
- Harmonium - Becuase I Could Not Stop For Death
- Harmonium - Wild Nights
- Shaker Loops - Shaking and Trambling
- Shaker Loops - Hymning Slews
- Shaker Loops - Loops and Verses
- Shaker Loops - A Final Shaking
Tracks:
- The Chairman Dances - Foxtrot For Orchestra
- Grand Pianola Music - First Movement
- Grand Pianola Music - Second Movement
- Grand Pianola Music - Third Movement: On The Dominant Divide
- Fearful Symmetries
Tracks:
- Nixon In China - Opening
- Nixon In China -
- Nixon In China -
- Nixon In China - Landing Of The Spirit Of '76
- Nixon In China -
- Nixon In China -
- Nixon In China -
- Nixon In China -
- Nixon In China - Cheers
- Nixon In China -
- Nixon In China - Opening
- Nixon In China -
- Nixon In China -
- Nixon In China -
- Nixon In China -
- Nixon In China -
- Nixon In China -
- Nixon In China -
- Nixon In China -
- Nixon In China -
- Nixon In China -
- Nixon In China -
Tracks:
- The Wound-Dresser
- Christian Zeal And Activity
- Five Songs - Thoreau
- Five Songs - Down East
- Five Songs - Cradle Song
- Five Songs - At The River
- Five Songs - Serenity
- Eros Piano
Amazon.com
Having earned his composing stripes after the 1960s, John Adams had the pioneering work of Steve Reich, Philip Glass, and Terry Riley close at hand as he ventured into his trade. And, while minimalism's historical continuum helps place Adams, he used Reich, Glass, and Riley (among others) only as a starting point. And here's proof: a 10-CD retrospective of nearly all Adams's recorded compositions on Nonesuch Records, the label that also issued Steve Reich 1965-1995 and Kronos Quartet: 25 Years. Adams's Harmonium, a choral work of startling energy and effervescence, appears here in a new recording, as do distillations of both The Death of Klinghoffer and Nixon in China, two path-clearing operas. Over the span of a career covered by Earbox, Adams has returned minimalism to traditional instrumental ensembles as well as to projects that at once advanced a political commentary and took that commentary back to orchestral audiences. And so, in far less time than his predecessors, Adams created works that now play like standard repertoire pieces: The Wound Dresser and Shaker Loops and the Violin Concerto--all of them are here. What these works demonstrate is a fierce creativity on the one hand and perhaps a hunger for commercial advances on the other. Adams may at times be a bustling free thinker, but he sounds ever conscious of what audiences are listening to. As for the works themselves, they remain every bit as daunting as when written.
Some may object to particular selections. I Was Looking at the Ceiling and Then I Saw the Sky, for example, hardly ranks with Adams's best work. But this box isn't a mere best-of; it's an almost-all-of. At times terrifically American--especially in the news-aware operas and their narrative pragmatism--Adams well deserves a major box set, and its coverage is appropriate to his varied, stylistically diverse output. As with any large-scale retrospective, Earbox--which fairly bristles with Adams's new composition, Slonimsky's Earbox--has spots where fans might balk at the quality of the composer's writing. But it's got a fantastic accompanying booklet along with its many hours of inarguably modern and thoroughly listener-friendly music. --Andrew Bartlett
Customer Reviews:
Moved to tears.......2004-03-18
Never before in my life was i moved so intensely and directly by classical music. I put the first cd in my player and a few minutes later tears are flowing. I find myself dancing and moving to a rythm i already seem to know. Wow, i just have to share that.
Nonesuch delivers.Again.......2002-11-27
John adams is one of the most popular living composers of"modern" classical music[I believe the cutoff point, though arbitrary is usually WWII}.I came to him late, through my husband. Modersn classical music , I said? What the hell is that?My husband kept playing bits and pieces of adams for me, and more and more i found myself amazed. and swayed. His operas have been groundbreaking{Nixon in China} controversial{Death Of klinghoffer},his compostions sublimely beautiful{shaker Loops or harmonium].HIS STATURE IS WORTHY THEN OF SUCH A MONUMENTAL CAREER SPANNING BOX SET.This 10 disc set[great value, again from NONESUCH}encompasses Adams' entire career,and though there are some misses here{I was looking at the ceiling and then i saw the sky doesnt quite fit},it is still magnificent. the Highlights are ,{for me} the Wound Dresser, Chamber symphony,Violin Concerto, of course, Shaker Loops and Harmonuim are wonderful. The true jewels here are Nixon in China,the Chairman dances and the Death of Klinghoffer,which is simply a masterpiece. The set comes with a wonderful book, which contains essay's by Robert Hurwitz {An Uncommon Man}renaud Machart[John adams as seen from europe} and Essays before an earbox by Adams himself.A Chronology and dicography are included. A wonderful study of an American original,worth the investment, Highly highly recommended
harmonia in excelsis.......2001-11-12
I must agree with Mr. Bartlett, particularly with regard to "Ceiling." It may well be because his Violin Concerto and Harmonielehre are so powerful. 4.5 stars.
Interesting, and likely intentional, is that two names in the extensive liner book fail to mention two great and glaringly obvious precursors: Carl Orff and Raymond Scott. Without "Carmina Burana," there would be no "Harmonium." Orff has his mark all over Adams's gifted and epic compositions. Similarly, though there are glib references to "cartoon music," the polymath engineer/musician Scott is a seminal figure in American music, and casts a large shadow over the witty juxtapositions and sense of play one loves in Adams's work. In all, an excellent career overview.
Our greatest living composer.......2001-07-22
As a composer, I'm staggered that anyone could fail to be gripped by this music.
That anyone can use the words "spoiled, overrated" amazes me. I emphatically disagree with "A music fan"'s review.
I don't think it's "mind-numbing"; I think it's spiritual and exciting. To me it's the most substantial music being created in our times.
I'm really sorry that anyone could fail to enjoy it, and really recommend others to listen for themselves.
Wonderful CD.......2000-04-02
This compilation should turn even the most curmudgeonly listerner into a fan. Beautifully recorded, great notes -- and it's a heck of a bargain!
Average customer rating:
- Music for the soul
- Amazing.......
- Incredible playing, beautiful songs!
- Serene and Lovely
- One of my Top 3 Favorite CD's
|
Christopher Parkening - A Bach Celebration
Johann Sebastian Bach , Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra , Christopher Parkening , and Ron Ravenscroft
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
All Works by J.S. Bach
| Bach, Johann Sebastian
| ( B )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Baroque (c.1600-1750)
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General Modern
| Modern, 20th, & 21st Century
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Parkening, Christopher
| ( P )
| Featured Performers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Cantatas
| Classical (c.1770-1830)
| Historical Periods
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
General
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Cantatas
| Vocal Non-Opera
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Gospel
| Christian & Gospel
| Styles
| Music
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- Christopher Parkening - The Great Recordings ~ By America's Preeminent Guitar Virtuoso
- Christopher Parkening - A Tribute to Segovia
ASIN: B000002RNL
Release Date: 1990-10-25 |
Tracks:
- We Thank Thee, Lord, We Thank Thee (Cantata 29)
- Arioso (Cantata 156)
- Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring (Cantata 147)
- How Joyful Is My Heart (Cantatat 199)
- Sheep May Safely Graze (Cantata 208)
- God Alone Should Have My Heart (Cantata 169)
- Sleepers Awake (Cantata 140)
- Withstand Firmly All Sin (Cantata 54)
- What God Hath Done Is Rightly Done (Cantata 99)
Customer Reviews:
Music for the soul.......2005-08-14
Highly recommended, specially for those Bach enthusiasts. This
recording is also a moving guitar performance by Parkening.
Amazing..............2004-05-16
BACH ON GUITAR now there's a novalty...NO, actually Bach on Guitar is an excellent combination. To my knowlege Bach did not compose for the classical guitar directly, however he did write some Lute pieces which can be played on guitar with a little "tweaking". However much of Bach's music can be transcribed to to classical Guitar. (Notice that I said Classical Guitar not the "machine gun" noise you would hear from a rock guitar with the 1000watt--120db amplifiers blairing at you like a in a Rock concert!!)
Christopher Parkening, I think, demonstrates this quite well.
The music that eminates from his Guitar blends perfectly this the Orchestra accompaniment. In listen to him play...I find myself humming or whisling some of these "mind stickers" duing the day. I rate this CD six+ stars..unfortunately only 5 stars is is allowed!!!!
BUY IT You'll like it!!!!!!!!
Incredible playing, beautiful songs!.......2001-11-06
Christopher Parkening is a genius. If anyone doubts that, I give and advice: hear this album. His technique is impressive, his notes are so clean! And his feeling, his passion in his playing is very beautiful, it really represents the soul of it, I'm sure that Bach would be very pleased and proud of Parkening's playing.
AMAZING!!!!!
Serene and Lovely.......2001-01-29
A beautiful recording, made be a superb artist who clearly reveres this sublime music and plays is accordingly. The recording of Bach's "Sleepers Awake" is especially esquisite - it's so lovely I find myself pausing in the middle of whatever I'm doing when it plays to enjoy a small wave of serenity, and reverence for the unsurpassed beauty of this music. It can bring tears to the eyes even after a hundred listenings. Thanks, Christopher for your artistry! Your music plays often in our home, and sets a lovely, serene, and calming tone.
One of my Top 3 Favorite CD's.......2001-01-27
For one who loves the classical guitar and Bach, this is the ultimate. Parkening does such an excellent job, backed up the the LA Chamber Orchestra. Their rendition of my favorite "Sheep May Safely Graze" and "God Alone Shall Have My Heart" are sensational!
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