Light out of Darkness (A Tribute to Ray Charles)

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
Shirley Horn's tribute to Ray Charles is typically idiosyncratic yet unaffected by a need to justify the critical hype. She plays organ as well as piano while Charles Ables doubles on bass and guitar and Gary Bartz adds soulful alto-sax obliggatos. Horn's versions of "Hit the Road, Jack" and "I Got a Man" replace the gospel fire of the originals with sexy, lighthearted swing, while "Drown in My Own Tears" is more torch ballad than bluesy hymn. The album's emotional centerpiece is "Green (It's Not Easy Being Green)," a tune Brother Ray borrowed from Kermit the Frog. Amazingly, Horn finds deeper meaning in the lyric than either of them. --Rick Mitchell

Tracks:

Messiah: Part One - 1. Sinfony (Grave - Allegro moderato)
Messiah: Part One - 2. Accompagnato : Comfort Ye My People
Messiah: Part One - 3. Air : Ev'ry Valley Shall Be Exalted
Messiah: Part One - 4. Chorus : And The Glory Of The Lord Shall Be Revealed
Messiah: Part One - 5. Accompagnato : Thus Saith The Lord Of Hosts
Messiah: Part One - 6. Air : But Who May Abide The Day Of His Coming
Messiah: Part One - 7. Chorus : And He Shall Purify
Messiah: Part One - 8. Recitative : Behold, A Virgin Shall Conceive
Messiah: Part One - 9. Air and Chorus : O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings
Messiah: Part One - 10. Accompagnato : For Behold, Darkness Shall Cover
Messiah: Part One - 11. Air : The People That Walked In Darkness
Messiah: Part One - 12. Chorus : For Unto Us A Child Is Born
Messiah: Part One - 13. Pifa (Pastoral Symphony)
Messiah: Part One - 14. Recitative: There Were Shepherds Abiding In The Field - Accompagnato: And Lo, The Angel Of The Lord - 15. Recitative: And The Angel Said Unto Them - 16. Accompagnato: And Suddenly There Was With The Angel
Messiah: Part One - 17. Chorus : Glory To God In The Highest
Messiah: Part One - 18. Air : Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter Of Zion
Messiah: Part One - 19. Recitative : Then Shall The Eyes Of The Blind
Messiah: Part One - 20. Air : He Shall Feed His Flock
Messiah: Part One - 21. Chorus : His Yoke Is Easy, His Burthen Is Light
Messiah: Part Two - 22. Chorus : Behold The Lamb Of God
Messiah: Part Two - Air : 23. He Was Despised

Tracks:

Messiah: Part Two - 24. Chorus : Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs
Messiah: Part Two - 25. Chorus : And With His Stripes We Are Healed
Messiah: Part Two - 26. Chorus : All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray
Messiah: Part Two - 27. Accompagnato : All They That See Him
Messiah: Part Two - 28. Chorus : He Trusted In God
Messiah: Part Two - 29. Accompagnato : Thy Rebuke Hath Broken His Heart
Messiah: Part Two - 30. Arioso : Behold, And See If There Be Any Sorrow
Messiah: Part Two - 31. Accompagnato : He Was Cut Off Out Of The Land
Messiah: Part Two - 32. Air : But Thou Didst Not Leave His Soul
Messiah: Part Two - 33. Chorus : Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates
Messiah: Part Two - 34. Recitative : Unto Which Of The Angels
Messiah: Part Two - 35. Chorus : Let All The Angels Of God Worship Him
Messiah: Part Two - 36. Air : Thou Art Gone Up On High
Messiah: Part Two - 37. Chorus : The Lord Gave The Word
Messiah: Part Two - 38. Air : How Beautiful Are The Feet
Messiah: Part Two - 39. Chorus : Their Sound Is Gone Out
Messiah: Part Two - 40. Air : Why Do The Nations So Furiously Rage
Messiah: Part Two - 41. Chorus : Let Us Break Their Bonds Asunder
Messiah: Part Two - 42. Recitative : He That Dwelleth In Heaven
Messiah: Part Two - 43. Air : Thou Shalt Break Them
Messiah: Part Two - 44. Chorus : Hallelujah
Messiah: Part Three - 45. Air : I Know That My Redeemer Liveth
Messiah: Part Three - 46. Chorus : Since By Man Came Death
Messiah: Part Three - 47. Recitative : Behold, I Tell You A Mystery
Messiah: Part Three - 48. Air : The Trumpet Shall Sound
Messiah: Part Three - 49. Recitative : Then Shall Be Brought To Pass
Messiah: Part Three - 50. Duet : O Death, Where Is Thy Sting?
Messiah: Part Three - 51. Chorus : But Thanks Be To God
Messiah: Part Three - 52. Air : If God Be For Us
Messiah: Part Three - 53. Chorus : Worthy Is The Lamb That Was Slain --- Amen

Amazon.com essential recording

This is a terrific performance of Messiah. Not only are the soloists all superb, but Trevor Pinnock completely contradicts the image of many period instrument performances as small-scale, scrappy affairs. Indeed, he invests the choruses with as much genuine Handelian pomp as Beecham at his most extravagant. The trumpets really blaze, and the timpani thunder, and everyone simply has a great time. A joyous performance, just right for the holiday season. --David Hurwitz

Amazon.com

Trevor Pinnock meets with mixed success in this account of the Messiah with the English Concert & Choir and soloists Arleen Auger, Anne Sofie von Otter, Michael Chance, Howard Crook, and John Tomlinson, recorded and released in 1988. Its strengths are the strengths of the early-music movement in general. The size and distribution of the instrumental and vocal forces are optimal, which means that textures are clear and balances apt. Rhythms are nicely pointed, though often, in Pinnock's case, not quite well enough sprung. Tempos are well chosen; for example, "All we like sheep"--which turns out to be one of the set's best numbers--is a real bourré, and Pinnock animates it in just the right way. But the performance often seems workmanlike and unemotional, weighed down in too many instances by the humdrum work of the chorus. The alto section in particular, which is half male and half female, sings timidly and is constantly swallowing its entrances. Bass soloist John Tomlinson is a further drag on the effort. He has the right idea--that there's an Italian opera hiding behind all this biblical imagery--but his cottony sound is out of place, a misguided attempt to mimic Nicolai Ghiaurov. His usable range is less than a tenth (he croaks the low G's and F-sharps), and his diction is horrible. "Thus spake the Lord" is strangled, and when, in "The trumpet shall sound" Tomlinson gets to the words "we shall be changed," one can't help wishing that he had been changed too, right before the sessions started. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

Ladies & gentleman: The Lord'n Savior, God Almighty.......2007-06-13

Handel's Messiah is my favorite piece of classical music. Of the two versions that I had I only have left this one, and it is not the best (the other had been a cheap recording whose author's name I forgot too). This version seems to lack a little enthusiasm from the voices; too melancholic. Anyway, this is the first review of any music that I write, and probably will be the last too, so I just want to leave my impression of how I feel when I hear these solemn and heavenly sounds. One feels so raised to the heavenlies... I can almost sense the presence of the Lord Almighty up yonder among the clouds, and me being carried in solemnity to meet Him. Far away are the buzzing sounds of earthly chores. The air is fresh and clean as we are raised above the valleys, and we come to meet God's elected amid the singing, stronger and stronger. Jubilant, bathed in the glorious rays of the Savior's Light, we come together and sing: Glory to God, glory to God, praise and glory for He is coming...

So Fashionable, and So Disappointing.......2007-02-01

This would be a great 21st Century Reader's Digest version of Messiah, if such a thing existed any more. Handel did as much as he could, but really, the performers still have to do something besides posture, which, by the way, seems to me to characterize many performances these days. Fashionable, but musically deficient.

Specifically: John Tomlinson sings like he thinks he IS God, instead of singing about Him. Heavy, cumbersome, and overblown. May I add boorish?

Arleen Auger has a very sweet voice. And??

Despite the program notes insisting that certain segments of this Messiah are given to "the contralto", Anne Sofie von Otter is NOT a contralto. Not even close.

The male alto can barely sustain a legato line - why he insists upon throwing in those complicated, badly-performed embellishments I can't figure. Well, I can, but I'd really rather not say.

Wake up, choristers!! It's 'For Unto Us A Child Is Born," not "Oy, I have to go to the grocery store today."

Boy do I regret having spent almost $40 on this one. Thank goodness I have the Colin Davis to console me.

A nice combination of period nad tradiitonal.......2006-12-17

This 1988 recording sits between the euqally English, euqally period-ifnluenced Hogwood and Garidner. Of the three, Hogwood sounds more 'authentic' because it uses boys in the chorus and singers schooled period practice. By comparison, Pinnock's soprano, Arleen Auger, and mozeeo, Von Otter, are essentially modern singers--gorgeous ones, of course, Gardiner is far more anemic in his conducting and uses a scrwny-sounding orchestra, so if that's more authentic, so be it. Of the three, Pinnock gives us more traditional music values in his emotional expression and instrumental timbres.

The competiiton is mushc stiffer now than in 1988, but Pinnock's reading has survived the test of time. He is not a genuinely inspired conductor--sadly, Messiah has become a cottage industry that excludes most big-name talents--but neither are Gardiner and Hogwood. (For sheer musicality, I tend to put my money on Andrew Parrott, Robert King, Marc Minkowski, Niklaus Harnoncourt, and Rene Jacobs.) But he's certainly good eough. The reason I haven't given five stars is that the male soloists aren't first-rate, and in particular the Wotan voice of John Tomlinson sounds cavernous in the bass arias. Add to that Pinnock's tendency toward tepidness, and what you end up with is a very good but not great performance.

Wait! Before you buy..........2006-05-28

... This Messiah has recently been re-released at a much cheaper price. Go back and look for the DG "The Originals" release, which is being sold new for under $12.

La mas bella y fidedigna interpretacion que se pueda obtener.......2004-12-29

Soy uno de los mas fanaticos seguidores de Handel y de su obra El Mesias... He escuchado muchas versiones de esta genial e impresionante obra del maestro Handel y, sencillamente no me queda mas que recomendar esta interpretacion, bajo la batuta del maestro Trevor Pinnock. Se nota la exigencia con que esta version se interpreto, dentro el contexto del arte barroco y la magnificencia de la pronunciacion del ingles de la epoca. La orquesta se luce impresionantemente desde la obertura... y le da a cada movimiento, toda aquella fuerza y a la vez delicadeza requerida en el sentimiento que aplica en cada uno de los textos biblicos escogidos por el guionista Jennens. El Coro del English Concert es arrebatador y demuestra maestria en la interpretacion de cada una de las arias que le corresponde. La soprano Arleen Auger, la puedo definir como un angel cantando y resulta ser una caricia a los oidos, a la vez que es capaz de arrancarle a uno las lagrimas por lo excelso de su magia interpretativa. El tenor Crook, aunque no es un tenor con tesitura para canto barroco, es realmente habil y agil al momento de interpretar los melismas caracteristicos de este brillante periodo musical. El contratenor Michael Chance, es fenomenal y quiera Dios que yo tenga el honor de conocer a este genio del canto: "But who may abide..." interpretado por Chance en esta version, es como para caer en extasis. La contralto Anne Sophie von Otter..., tiene una voz oscura y redondeada..., tambien resulta una caricia a los oidos y su "If God be for us..." es desbordante, capaz tambien de hacerle a uno derramar lagrimas por su belleza interpretativa. El bajo Tomlinson..., es barbaro!!! (Soy bajo-baritono en el Coro de la Orquesta Sinfonica Nacional de Costa Rica...) A pesar de su voz tan oscura, es tremendamente agil cuando le toca cantar los melismas y es genial al alcanzar la tonalidad brillante en las partes de notas altas y agudas...; por ejemplo: "The people that walked in darkness..." y "Why do the nations..." Tengo seis años de experiencia, interpretando musica coral y tengo que decir que espere esos seis años, desde 1999, para felizmente cantar esta obra "El Mesias". Ha sido fantastico finalmente lograr este objetivo..., la espera valio la pena y debo admitir que mi inspiracion ha sido sin duda alguna, la version que puede usted encontrar en este disco compacto. Doy gracias a todos los que intervinieron en esta grabacion (al maestro Trevor Pinnock, al English Concert and Choir y a los solistas ya mencionados), en nombre mio y en nombre del maestro Handel.

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From Solo Piano Publications

Out of the Darkness, Into the Light
Michael Stribling
Manufacturer: Leela Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Songs of Hope & Healing
Journey Within

ASIN: B000L22UT6
Release Date: 2007-01-01

Tracks:

- Driven
- Out of the Darkness, Into the Light
- Northern Lights
- Letting Go/Afterthought
- Seven Faces of Home
- Ripples of Awareness
- Reflection
- Longing
- Water Nebula
- Glory and Honor/A Glimpse Beyond

Product Description

The follow-up to the #1 debut album (Songs of Hope and Healing), "Out of the Darkness, Into the Light" is a collection of 10 new age instrumental compositions that celebrates the journey from our ego-driven nature to higher levels of awareness and consciousness. There's plenty of evocative heart music here, with lush harmonies and moving melodies.

Customer Reviews:

From Solo Piano Publications.......2007-01-19

"Out of the Darkness, Into the Light" is multi-instrumentalist Michael Stribling's follow-up to 2006's chart-topping "Songs of Hope and Healing." I haven't heard Stribling's earlier work, but I sure like this CD! Most of the ten tracks are ambient and spacious, but there are a couple of very rhythmic, uptempo pieces that make you sit up and take notice. The piano appears in several of the pieces, but this is much more of an electronic CD. Stribling's mission is "to help others in their journey toward wholeness through the gift of music, by creating works that inspire and uplift the human spirit" (from his website). Stribling calls his label "Leela Music," and "leela" means "divine play," so this music obviously comes from a rich variety of sources. Stribling has been playing the piano since he was seven, and was a percussionist for Johnny Mathis early in his career. After several years working as a studio musician, playing in musical theater, and radio announcing, Stribling went back to graduate school in 1981 and became a marriage and family therapist. After working in that field for many years, life changes brought him back to music in 2005. Lucky us!

The CD opens with "Driven," a piece whose pounding beat and intoxicating rhythm I find completely addicting. In the car, I had the volume up to the point of being almost painful and kept hitting the "repeat" button on the CD player. My piano students could probably hear me coming from several blocks away! Sure to bring a smile and more than a few head bobs! From there, we get down to more serious business. The title track takes us on a journey that begins with the feeling of dark mystery that is non-threatening, but not entirely comfortable. As the piece unfolds, it explores several themes, gradually brightening until it breaks into the light as the darker theme fades out. "Northern Lights" gives the feeling of floating in darkness that is deep, but also very peaceful and beautiful. Various sounds suggest the changing colors of the Northern Lights as they melt from one breathtaking hue to another. Gorgeous! "Letting Go/Afterthought" is much more introspective and melancholy. The middle section of the piece is solo piano, personalizing it even more. One of my favorite tracks is "Longing," which begins with a very simple but compelling rhythmic theme that suggests a plucked stringed instrument. That theme continues throughout the piece as string washes add fullness and color. Becoming more orchestrated as it evolves, the simple theme comes to the forefront from time to time. As feelings of longing are, the piece is tinged with sadness and loss, but is not without hope. Very effective! "Glory and Honor / A Glimpse Beyond" begins on a jaunty, upbeat note. More melodic than most of the works, it also has an infectious rhythm and a playful spirit that segues later to the ambient feeling of crystalline open space and of floating peacefully on air.

"Out of the Darkness, Into the Light" is a fascinating musical journey and one that I really enjoyed. Recommended!

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Handel: The Masterworks (Box Set)

Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Haydn: The Masterworks [Box Set]
Vivaldi: The Masterworks (Box Set)
Mendelssohn: The Masterworks [Box Set]
Schubert: The Masterworks [Box Set]
Dvorák: The Masterworks [Box Set]

ASIN: B00062FLI8
Release Date: 2004-11-30

Light out of Darkness (A Tribute to Ray Charles)

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Wonderful Tribute
A Nice Tribute To Ray Charles
Terrific tribute to Ray Charles
My favorite Shirley Horn
Rare Sensibility plus a Unique Repertoire

Light out of Darkness (A Tribute to Ray Charles)
Shirley Horn
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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I Remember Miles
You Won't Forget Me
Loving You
Close Enough for Love
The Main Ingredient

ASIN: B0000046QQ
Release Date: 1993-09-21

Tracks:

Hit The Road, Jack
Just A Little Lovin'
You Don't Know Me
Drown In My Own Tears
Hard Hearted Hannah (The Vamp Of Savannah)
Georgia On My Mind
Makin' Whoopie
Green (It's Not Easy Being Green)
Bye Bye Love
The Sun Died
How Long Has This Been Going On
If You Were Mine
I Got A Man
Just For A Thrill
Light Out Of Darkness

Amazon.com essential recording

Shirley Horn's tribute to Ray Charles is typically idiosyncratic yet unaffected by a need to justify the critical hype. She plays organ as well as piano while Charles Ables doubles on bass and guitar and Gary Bartz adds soulful alto-sax obliggatos. Horn's versions of "Hit the Road, Jack" and "I Got a Man" replace the gospel fire of the originals with sexy, lighthearted swing, while "Drown in My Own Tears" is more torch ballad than bluesy hymn. The album's emotional centerpiece is "Green (It's Not Easy Being Green)," a tune Brother Ray borrowed from Kermit the Frog. Amazingly, Horn finds deeper meaning in the lyric than either of them. --Rick Mitchell

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful Tribute.......2003-10-04

The song selections and the heartfelt delivery make this a wonderful tribute to Ray Charles and his gift to the world! Add Shirley Horn to the mix, and you have an outstanding musical release!

A Nice Tribute To Ray Charles.......2002-07-27

This is a departure from the usual material that Shirley Horn does but it comes off well. There are more uptempo tunes than she normally does and certainly, in spirit, you have to think of Ray Charles as you listen to her renditions of the songs associated with him.

My favorites are the ballads because, in my opinion, that is her strength and in this area, I think she has few peers. She sings the way Miles Davis used to play a ballad with his trumpet, making extremely effective use of space within the melody. As such my two favorites on this cd are "The Sun Died" and the title song.

Especially Ray Charles or Shirley Horn fans should enjoy this one.

Terrific tribute to Ray Charles.......2001-10-18

This is a wonderful tribute album to Ray Charles. Shirley Horn is just fabulous as are the other musicians. "Green" happens to be my favourite track, which is just Shirley's voice and piano and is just wonderful. But each and every track on here is great, couldn't be better. She puts such feeling and meaning into each song, and I am so glad I finally discovered her. This may be my first Shirley Horn album, but it will not be my last. The 12 page booklet has great liner notes as well as a few photos.

My favorite Shirley Horn.......2001-09-19

This is worth getting if only for her "It's Not Easy Being Green," the best reading of that song I have heard by anyone. It's one thing to read the lyrics and understand the meaning, but Shirley really makes you feel it. Just deeply beautiful. And in a perfect world, it would have ruled the radio in '93 and Ken Burns would've talked about the great Shirley Horn revival in these last 10 years. Ah, well. If the record couldn't sweep the nation, at least it could be a big hit in your house.

Rare Sensibility plus a Unique Repertoire.......2000-07-09

Maybe some say it is not the most representative Ray Charles. Also maybe some say it did not tingle but Ms.Horn did hit the road and made it with the personal Ray Charles material. Great renditions of "Being Green" and Gershwin's "How Long Has This Been Going On". There is also an extraordinary rendition of "The Sun Died", a French song wonderfully recorded by Mr. Charles. Impressive!

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Finally a Messiah with fervor!
Great recording!
Good and Bad
This is a great recording!

Handel: Messiah

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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Christmas at Trinity

ASIN: B00002R16A
Release Date: 1999-11-30

Tracks:

Messiah: No. 1 Overture
Messiah: No. 2 Arioso For Tenor
Messiah: No. 3 Air For Tenor
Messiah: No. 4 Chorus
Messiah: No. 5 Recitative For Bass
Messiah: No. 6 Air For Bass
Messiah: No. 7 Chorus
Messiah: No. 8 Recitative For Alto
Messiah: No. 9 Air For Alto And Chorus
Messiah: No. 10 Arioso For Bass
Messiah: No. 11 Air For Bass
Messiah: No. 12 Chorus
Messiah: No. 13 Pifa (Pastoral Symphony)
Messiah: No. 14a Recitative And No. 14b Arioso For Soprano
Messiah: No. 15 Recitative For Soprano
Messiah: No. 16 Arioso For Soprano
Messiah: No. 17 Chorus
Messiah: No. 18 Air For Soprano
Messiah: No. 19 Recitative For Alto
Messiah: No. 20 Air For Alto And Soprano
Messiah: No. 21 Chorus
Messiah: No. 22 Chorus
Messiah: No. 23 Air For Alto
Messiah: No. 24 Chorus
Messiah: No. 25 Chorus
Messiah: No. 26 Chorus

Tracks:

Messiah: No. 27 Arioso For Tenor
Messiah: No. 28 Chorus
Messiah: No. 29 Recitative For Tenor
Messiah: No. 30 Air For Tenor
Messiah: No. 31 Recitative For Tenor
Messiah: No. 32 Air For Tenor
Messiah: No. 33 Chorus
Messiah: No. 34 Recitative For Tenor
Messiah: No. 35 Chorus
Messiah: No. 36 Air For Alto
Messiah: No. 37 Chorus
Messiah: No. 38 Aria For Soprano
Messiah: No. 39 Chorus
Messiah: No. 40 Air For Bass
Messiah: No. 41 Chorus
Messiah: No. 42 Recitative For Tenor
Messiah: No. 43 Air For Tenor
Messiah: No. 44 Chorus
Messiah: No. 45 Air For Soprano
Messiah: No. 46 Chorus
Messiah: No. 47 Recitative For Bass
Messiah: No. 48 Air For Bass
Messiah: No. 49 Recitative For Alto
Messiah: No. 50 Duet For Alto And Tenor
Messiah: No. 51 Chorus
Messiah: No. 52 Air For Soprano
Messiah: No. 53 Chorus
Messiah: Amen

Customer Reviews:

Finally a Messiah with fervor!.......2005-10-20

I've hunted a thrilling performance of The Messiah through 240 versions so far. This is the best I've found. Some are self-conscious, dutifully singing as instructed. Some are almost childish in their lilt. Some are overblown with so much bombast that you can barely hear the heart of the music. Some are concentrated on faithfulness to the original instruments. If you want a performance that will make you shiver with the power and joy of the music, this is the one. The singers are singing about GLORY. They sound as if they are ecstatic. The musicians are at one with the music and they create a virtual cathedral wherever this CD is played, just close your eyes. Or, let your own imagery, be it celestial, or of great oceans...carry you away.

Great recording!.......2003-09-22

There are so many performances of the Messiah out there that it is very difficult to point to a difinative one, but I'd put this in the catagory of the "very good" ones. As other reviewers have said, every performance is different and has its own character. Each has stronger and weaker points. Here the conductor and musicians have made good, solid musical choices. There is an amazing attention to detail which is not so obvious the first listen through but which makes the piece shine. The tempos seem to be right on, and there is no frivolous over-embellishment by the soloists. There is no attempt to be showey. The dramatic dynamics in the first section of the overture are interesting, but seem to work after you hear it a few times. This performance also includes sections which are often omitted (Second half of "He shall feed his flock," "Thou art gone up on high," "Great was the company of the preachers," and "Death where is thy sting"). I prefer the more intimate quality of a small ensemble of musicians to the mega-performances by the London Philharmonic, Vienna State Opera Orchestra, etc.. As with this performance, the smaller group lends a clarity to the music, where the larger ensembles can get a little "muddy" at times. Just my personal preference. Overall, this is a very good performance, and certainly the low price (being on the Naxos lable) makes this a clear choice.

Good and Bad.......2000-04-09

I was more interested in "The Messiah" for the religious content than as a music critic, but this was too much. The strings are tinny. The orchestra is plodding. The soloists and choir are thankfully very good and seem to understand the meaning of the words. It is a shame the sound mix is uneven. The male parts come across loud and clear, but the poor women. For instance, No. 9 Oh thou that tellest..., the soloist sounded like she was singing in an echo chamber far from the mike. This is one of the most disappointing versions of "The Messiah" I have heard in a long time.

This is a great recording!.......2000-02-11

I was really surprised with the new that the Messiah's New World premiere was held at Trinity Church in October 1770, twenty-eight years after it was written. This fact only will make one proud in having this CD among his collection.

Anyhow, this is nothing more than a historic detail and would not count if this recording had not an outstanding first-rate ensemble of singers. Without doubt there is no definitive version of Messiah. Each one has its own distinctive touch and feeling and exploring it is always a pleasant journey through imagination.

As stated by the conductor: "we must concede that performing Messiah with twenty singers and an appropriately balanced instrumental ensemble represents, at best, an imperfect comprimise", it will be easy to understand that this recording does not stand among the greatest and will probably carry some imperfections. I will mention two that kind of disppointed me a little bit. The Overture and the Chorus Worthy is the Lamb, for some reason misses the habitual vigor and strenght. Everything else is great and this is definitely a worth buying.

Elgar: The Light of Life
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Elgar: The Light of Life

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by Elgar | Elgar, Sir Edward | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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Elgar: Caractacus

ASIN: B000000ASX
Release Date: 1994-07-26

Tracks:

The Light Of Life: Meditation
No. 2 Seek Him That Maketh The Seven Stars
No. 3 As Jesus Passed By
No. 4 Be Not Extreme, O Lord
No. 5 Neither Hath This Man Sinned
No. 6 Light Out Of Darkness
No. 7 And When He Had Thus Spoken
No. 8 Doubt Not Thy Father's Care!
No. 9 He Went His Way Therefore
No. 10 As A Spirit Didst Thou Pass Before Mine Eyes
No. 11 They Brought Him To The Pharisees
No. 12 Thou Only Hast The Words Of Life
No. 13 But The Jews Did Not Believe
No. 14 Woe To The Shepherds Of The Flock
No. 15 Jesus Heard That They Had Cast Him Out
No. 16 I Am The Good Shepherd
No. 17 Light Of The World, We Know Thy Praise

Amazon.com

Sir Edward Elgar was asked in 1895 to write a work on a biblical subject by the then-vicar of Bdarnich in Devon. The vicar suggested the story of Christ giving sight to a blind man, calling it Lux Christi. Elgar changed it to The Light of Life, and it was supposed to be the prelude to a trilogy of oratorios that never materialized. Even so, some of Elgar's strongest work is in this masterpiece. John Shirley-Quirk in the role of Jesus is a knockout, as is Arthur Davies in the role of the blind man. A genuinely great work. --Paul Cook

Average customer rating:

Out of the darkness...into the light

Manufacturer: Charis Records/Eclectica Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Country | Styles | Music

General | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0001BVI5O
Release Date: 2000-03-01

Tracks:

Live my life
Psalm 51 (Hello)
The rich fool
Pray away
The woman at the well
The ring on God's finger
Living water
One in the Spirit
10 minutes to midnight
Covered on the cross

Album Description

Original praise, worship and testimonial music.

Average customer rating:

Old Fashioned Sincerity
One of the worst recordings ever made
Pete's Dad

Handel's Messiah

Manufacturer: Golden Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00013ND8M
Release Date: 2004-02-10

Tracks:

Overture
Comfort Ye My People
Ev'ry Valley Shall Be Exalted
And the Glory of the Lord
Thus Saith the Lord of Hosts
But Who May Abide the Day of His Coming?
And He Shall Purify the Sons of Levi
Behold a Virgin Shall Conceive
O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings to Zion
For Behold, Darkness Shall Cover the Earth
People That Walked in Darkness
For Unto Us a Child Is Born
Pastorale Symphony
There Were Shepherds Abiding in the Field
Glory to God in the Highest
Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter of Zion
Then Shall the Eyes of the Blind Be Open'd
He Shall Feed His Flock Like a Shepherd
His Yoke Is Easy, His Burden Is Light
Behold the Lamb of God

Tracks:

He Was Despised and Rejected of Men
Surely, He Hath Borne Our Griefs
And With His Stripes We Are Healed
All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray
All They That See Him, Laugh Him to Scorn
He Trusted in God That He Would Deliver Him
Thy Rebuke Hath Broken His Heart
Behold, And See If There Be Any Sorrow
He Was Cut Off Out of the Land of the Living
But Thou Didst Not Leave His Soul in Hell
Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates
How Beautiful Are the Feet of Them
Why Do the Nations So Furiously Rage
Let Us Break Their Bonds Asunder
He That Dwelleth in Heaven
Thou Shalt Break Them With a Rod of Iron
Hallelujah - London Philharmonic Chorus
I Know That My Redeemer Liveth
Since by Man Came Death - For as in Adam, Even So in Christ
Behold, I Tell You a Mystery
Trumpet Shall Sound
Worthy Is the Lamb That Was Slain
Amen

Customer Reviews:

Old Fashioned Sincerity.......2006-12-30

This is not the best recording of Messiah but it is by no means a disaster. Susskind was an able conductor with a valid view of this great piece. The recording from the 1950s is more than adequate (there is some roughness in the treble but it is full and clear - though some edits are very obvious indeed). The orchestra is excellent and the choir sing well. The soloists - all of them - are superb, among the very best in any version of Messiah! Susskind's tempos are slow by modern standards but there is good rhythmical bounce and a genuine sense of the greatness of the piece. If you can adjust to the broad tempos and the big scale conception then you will discover important aspects of this masterpiece in this performance - and the set costs next to nothing!

One of the worst recordings ever made.......2006-05-10

This is only my second one star review. And I am rather generous with stars. But this recording is just horrible, especially considering that all of the participants are legendary musicians. First of all, this is extremely old fashioned Handel. The textures are way too heavy for music of the baroque. But worst of all, the performance just sits there like mud on your tires that won't come off. Yes, the price is very low, but whatever you do, do not buy this recording.

Pete's Dad.......2005-12-11

I have had a CD of the London Philharmonic version of the Messiah conducted by Fredrick Jackson for several years and enjoyed listening to it. However, the quality of the recording leaves something to be desired.

Out of the Darkness, Into the Light (1987-89)

Average customer rating:

Kick Axe!
the unknown talent of 80's and early 90's hard rock

Out of the Darkness, Into the Light (1987-89)
Lillian Axe
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Poetic Justice
Lillian Axe
Live 2002

ASIN: B000008HQW
Release Date: 1991-10-22

Tracks:

Dream of a Lifetime
Misery Loves Company
Nobody Knows
Waiting in the Dark
Hard Luck
All's Fair in Love and War
She Likes It on Top
World Stopped Turning
Ghost of Winter
My Number
Show a Little Love

Customer Reviews:

Kick Axe!.......2003-08-02

Lillian Axe is possibly the best little known 80's "hair band" and this CD has most of their best early tracks. From anthems like "Show a Little Love" to power ballads such as "Nobody Knows" Lillian Axe shows they have the licks to be considered in the same class as bands like Slaughter, Firehouse, and other powerhouse pop metal bands. However, they also write non-formulaic songs like "Ghost of Winter" and "World Stopped Turning". If you love 80s metal and are looking for a different band who will blow you away, then buy this album!

the unknown talent of 80's and early 90's hard rock.......2003-07-31

Although they don't have album sales of the big rock acts, these guys can play great music. stevie blaze on the guitar could be compared with neal schon of journey, eddie van halen etc... . the album is excellent for the hair band fan or hard rock lover. It contains excellent guitar licks and fast rock drums. the lyrics are rough and hard at times but it still has class. Its a must have for the Rock fan in you . buy it!!

Average customer rating:

Free to Dream

Manufacturer: River Lily
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Cool Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00006A99M
Release Date: 2002-06-17

Tracks:

In the Loop
But Not for Me
Free to Dream
With a Song in My Heart
The Gentle Rain
U Don't Know What You're Missin'!
The Sound of Music Suite
Alone Together
My Love Is
Love Me or Leave Me
Celia
Another Star
Puttin' on the Ritz
Close Your Eyes

Album Description

On Free to Dream, Williamson's cool, smoky, and supple alto envelops each song in a sensuous embrace. There's a remarkable play of darkness and light and a wide range of inflections in her voice that bring out shades of meaning in the words. Her unerring feel for time is marked by a playfulness with the beat that let's her drag a word or phrase behind the beat one instant then spring ahead of it the next. Even when she's taking liberties with a song, she never loses track of the words or melody; she's seems to be guided by an innate feeling for the lyrical. .

Throughout the album, she is able to make personal statements that also address universal feelings. Her originals, such as "In the Loop" and "Free to Dream" are statements of self-hood, independence, and hopefulness. She conveys the sweet sadness of love with great compassion and understanding on Bonfa's "Gentle Rain" and Stevie Wonder's "Another Star." There's just a hint of laughter in "But not for Me" and tenderness in "With a Song in My Heart." But Williamson has plenty of emotional range and there's sass and self-assurance in the down and dirty blues, "You Don't Know What You're Missing" and the headlong euphoria of bebop in Bud Powell's "Celia." Her medley of songs from The Sound of Music, a loving daughter's playful and affectionate "thank-you" to her late father, is heartwarming and creatively insightful. This is not merely an album by a singer with a back up band, but a real jazz singer's album. Williamson scats with authority on "Alone Together" and her pure, melodious flute playing graces "Gentle Rain" and "Puttin' on the Ritz."

Music:

Music

Music