Celebration of Country

Symphonic Sondheim: Sweeney Todd--orchestra, Jerry Hadley ("Johanna"), Eugene Perry,Herbert Perry ("Pretty Women")
Evening Introduction--Bill Irwin
Loveland/Getting Married Today--Ensemble, Jeanne Lehman, Mark Jacoby, Madeline Kahn
Waiting for the Girls Upstairs--George Lee Andrews, Michael Jeter, James Naughton/Love, I Hear--Michael Jeter/Live Alone and Like It--James Naughton
Someone Is Waiting--Richard Muenz/Symphonic Sondheim: Barcelona--orchestra
Being Alive--Patti LuPone
Good Thing Going--The Tonics
Losing My Mind/You Could Drive a Person Crazy--Dorothy Loudon
Our Time--Boys Choir of Harlem/Children Will Listen--Betty Buckley
Anyone Can Whistle--Billy Stritch
Water Under the Bridge--Liza Minnellli, Billy Stritch
Back in Business--Liza Minnellli, Billy Stritch, Ensemble

Tracks:

Symphonic Sondheim: Comedy Tonight--Bill Irwin, orchestra
Sooner or Later--Karen Ziemba
Pretty Lady--Mark Jacoby, Eugene Perry, Herbert Perry
Green Finch and Linnet Bird--Harolyn Blackwell
The Ballad of Booth--Patrick Cassidy, Victor Garber
Broadway Baby--Daisy Eagan
I Never Do Anything Twice--BETTY
With So Little to Be Sure Of--Jerry Hadley, Carolann Page
Not a Day Goes By--Bernadette Peters
Remember?--Ron Baker, Peter Blanchet, Carol Meyer, Bronwyn Thomas, Blythe Walker (Quintet)/A Weekend in the Country--Kevin Anderson, George Lee Andrews, Mark Jacoby, Beverly Lambert, Maureen Moore, Susan Terry, Quintet
Send in the Clowns--Glenn Close
Old Friends--Liza Minnelli
Sunday--Bernadette Peters, Broadway Chorus

Customer Reviews:

Great CD.......2006-08-06

This is a wonderful double CD of fabulous musical numbers performed by theatre greats and directed by a legandary musical director.

Simply the Best.......2005-06-29

First, to the person who criticizes the recording b/c of "Broadway Baby." Daisy Egan (who sings in in this recording) sounds like she's 10 becuase she IS young. She had just appeared on Braodway in Secret Garden and won a Tony for it. It's a joke...Broadway BABY...hello, it's a joke.

In a compilation of songs like this you're always going to have tracks that you prefer over others, but the majority of the renditions in this CD are great. This is simply one of the best collections of Sondheim out there. You get interpretations that span from "classical" (Green Finch), to bordering on insane (Anything Twice). This is to demonstrate how versatile this composer really is.

In my opinion, some of the best renditions are "Not a Day Goes By," "Anyone Can Whistle", "Girls Upstairs Medley," "Losing My Mind/Drive a Person Crazy," and "Weekend inthe Country." Makes me wish I had been there to witness it first hand.

If you love Sondheim and enjoy hearing Broadway performers, get this CD. A great recording.

Inconsistent, but mostly excellent.......2004-03-21

I am sure no knowledgeable person would deny how absolutely perfect all these songs are. However, the performances on this album are extremely inconsistent. It will go from an excellent rendition (Waiting for the Girls medley, Sunday, With So Little To Be Sure Of, Sooner or Later, Green Finch, Send in the Clowns, Pretty Lady) to the weird (I never Do Anything Twice), to the bad (Broadway Baby, Our Time). I still have absolutely no idea how they managed to butcher one of the best songs ever written--Good Thing Going--and turn it into smooth jazz elevator music. Why would they give Broadway Baby to someone who sounds like she's 10? That said, Liza Minelli, Glenn Close, Karen Ziemba, Dorothy Laudon and the "Waiting for the Girls" performers are all very good. And ending with Bernadette Peters and "Sunday" ends the set on a absolutley fabulous note.

"Celebration" is not strong enough a word.......2003-04-30

This review is by Crosley.

I have been a major Sondheim fan for quite some time, and I finally obtained a copy of this album. I was blown away by the excellent cast and phenomenal selection of music. It is obvious how much work went into this production, considering that this is the live recording of a one time show, and it's flawless. The songs cover all of his shows with the exception of "Passion," which was released 3 years after this show. Also, the shows for which he wrote only lyrics are ommited, like West Side Story, Gypsy, etc. Thus, you can find material from A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Anyone can Whistle, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Pacific Overtures, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Merrily we Roll Along, Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods, and Assassins.

There are two striking things about this CD (besides the music and performers themselves). First of all, some of the songs are completely stylistically reworked. The most obvious are "Good Thing Going" and "I Never do Anything Twice." Both are traditionally very ballady with a piano accompaniment, but here they have been redone as jazzy tunes. The result is excellent. Such reworkings demonstrate that Sondheim writes music for virtually any style, and in these cases, across several styles. It's a great example of his variety. The other interesting thing is how many songs have overlapping melodies of songs from different shows. Case in point, "Our Time" and "No one is Alone" are sung seperately by the Harlem Boys Choir and Betty Buckley (the original Grizabella in Webber's atrocious "CATS," although Buckley was excellent) respectively, and then combined. Putting these two songs together offer different meanings to each, and the music is only enhanced. Another example, the trio of "Waiting for the Girls Upstairs," "Love, I Hear," and "Live Alone and Like It" are sung in that order, and then the latter two are combined. Again, the meanings of the songs change, this time in an almost narrative style, and offering different takes on love in the same montage. Lastly (at least for this review, there are more), Dorothy Laudon's (the original Ms. Hannigan in Annie) combination of "Losing my Mind" and "You Could Drive a Person Crazy" is brilliant. Those who are familiar with these songs will wonder how exactly they fit, but trust me, they do. She swtiches back and forth between melodies to create a number that starts poignant and beautiful, and soon moves to become uproariously funny. Both the song reworkings and overlapping melodies of unrelated songs are all for the better.

I recommend this recording to anyone wanting to get better acquainted with some of Sondheim's best work, or those already familiar who want to hear a tour de force of phenomenal music. It has been said that Sondheim is a masterful lyricist (which he is), but lacks real talent for music. This CD is the final proof that such critics are wrong. His music may take a few listenings to get into, contrary to Webber or Wildhorn, but unlike those two, he doesn't cater to the audience. He challenges them to think outside of traditional musical theater in a glorious repertoise of shows that reach for a smarter, more sophisticated form.

A maginificent evening, a magnificent album.......2001-12-16

There's something to be said for the first concert you ever see at Carnegie Hall. I was fortunate enough to have this be my first. This entire evening was devoted to his genius and the performers did not disappoint.

This wonderful double CD shows off the best and brightest of the musical theatre composer and it is, as one person put it, "an embarassment of riches." With songs from his finest works done in amazing arrangements (listen to that harmony in "We Had a Good Thing Going"!) combined with fabulous performers this is a Sondheim lovers delight.

My favorite song is, without a doubt, Dorothy Louden and her wonderful medley of "Losing My Mind" into "You Could Drive a Person Crazy" followed very closely by the recently departed Madeline Kahn singing "Getting Married Today."

Nowhere in Africa
Average customer rating:

Great Buy!

Stunning... a disc that will get repeated plays

JohnnyReviews [Starred-Review]

"Magnificent score reflects the country ~ Niki Reiser"

Nowhere in Africa

Manufacturer: Higher Octave
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Film Scores | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Nowhere in Africa (German with English Subtitles)

Nowhere in Africa; Special Edition (2- disc)

Seven Years In Tibet: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Tears of the Sun

The Thin Red Line: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

ASIN: B0000931R8
Release Date: 2003-05-06

Tracks:

Loreley
Daddy Is Back!
Nowhere In Africa
End Of War
Journey Through Kenia
Africa - Europe
Regina's Melody
Hansel And Gretel In Africa
Goodbye From Regina
Jettel's Melody
Toto
Ritual
Nowhere In Africa II
Poland Means Death
My Brave Angel
Closing Frame
Visiting The Camp
Reichskristallnacht
Love Scene
Reunion
Celebration Of The Pokot/Home Country
Grasshoppers

Customer Reviews:

Great Buy!.......2007-07-13

I loved the music more than the movie. This is truly an add for any collection of Movie Soundtracks or the like. Excellent blend of two cultures in a musical spirit.

Stunning... a disc that will get repeated plays.......2007-01-19

I don't usually listen to soundtracks as they are usually just a grab bag of unrelated songs that don't work so well together as a CD and therefore don't sustain my attention for very long. Some of the exceptions would be Samsara, Himalaya (a stunning CD), Baraka, 1 Giant Leap... and now Nowhere in Africa. There's beautiful symphonies, chanting, drumming, occasional bird sounds, native Africans and other effects that evoke whole range of moods and emotions over this powerful, inspiring and uplifting one hour journey. This academy award winning film really touched my heart and I think a good part of it was the beautiful score that accompanied it.

This is first class music that you will play again and again. If you enjoyed the film, be sure to pick up the soundtrack to Nowhere in Africa. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

JohnnyReviews [Starred-Review].......2003-07-06

>Nowhere In Africa was a breath-taking movie with music that can take you away. This is definately a must-see film. UNBELIVABLE! Now let's get down to the music here, since the product is the soundtack that is being sold here. They have this one voice that sings a song that they play multiple times during the movie. It is made to sound like a child. It goes...

Eee-OOO Ah.
Eee-OOO Ah.
Eee-OOO Aaaaahhhhh.

The sound is just so beautiful. This is the kind of music that is so soothing it could put you right to sleep. But the music is strong and has a message hear of what this family had to go through to survive and what they had lost when their families died when they refused to leave their Nazi Death Chamber. Sad but a must see (and listen)!

"Magnificent score reflects the country ~ Niki Reiser".......2003-05-07

Best Foreign Language Film winner of 2002 from the Academy Award people and nominated by the Golden Globe is "Nowhere in Africa", from director Caroline Link ~ is captivating to say the least. From Nazi Germany one family escapes in 1938 to a new beginning in Kenya ~ from the autobiographical book by Stefanie Zweig is truly an amazing story ~ but wait it only gets better with an award winning score by Niki Reiser, the Swiss Composer who leads the Baset Symphony Orchestra inclusive of sweeping strings and native chants. Very short (less than a minute) tracks of a child singing with harp accompaniment is haunting.

Highlights ~ "NOWHERE IN AFRICA", rhythmic percussion interwoven with the string section, wind instruments join the pulse sating journey ~ "LOVE SCENE", piano solo as strings close in with solace and meditation ~ "JOURNEY THROUGH KENYA", opening sounds of a hoe-down and chants blend within each passage and counter drum beats within the percussion section.

Hats off to Higher Octave Music for sharing this wonderful soundtrack with all the "film-score-buffs" who look forward to unique and global world scores ~ this album will sit on my top shelf for continual enjoyment in the next days and weeks forthcoming.

Total Time 56:50 on 22 Tracks ~ Higher Octave 83955 ~ (5/06/2003)

Average customer rating:

The Pilgrim: A celebration of Kris Kristofferson

The Wordsmith -- Kris Kristofferson

Best cover cd of Kristofferson songs yet!

Don't usually like tribute albums,

Lackluster CD

The Pilgrim: A Celebration Of Kris Kristofferson
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Thirty Tigers
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Country | Styles | Music
Outlaw & Progressive Country | Country | Styles | Music
Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

This Old Road

All the Roadrunning

Adieu False Heart

Taking The Long Way

We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions

ASIN: B000FEC2O8
Release Date: 2006-07-11

Tracks:

The Pilgrim: Chapter 33 Emmylou Harris & Friends (Sam Bush, Jon Randall, Byron House, Randy Scruggs) (3:51)
Maybe You Heard Todd Snider (3:28)
The Circle Marta G (4:20)
Lovin Him Was Easier (Than Anything Ill Ever Do Again) Rosanne Cash (3:37)
Come Sundown Rodney Crowell (3:15)
For The Good Times Lloyd Cole & Jill Sobule (3:25)
Jesus Was A Capricorn Marshall Chapman (3:51)
The Silver Tongued Devil Shooter Jennings (5:08)
Sunday Morning Coming Down Gretchen Wilson (6:01)
Sandinista Patty Griffin & Charanga Cakewalk (4:13)
Darbys Castle Russell Crowe and The Ordinary Fear of God (3:57)
Me And Bobby McGee Brian McKnight (4:59)
Smile At Me Again (instrumental) Randy Scruggs (2:43)
The Captive Jessi Colter w/special guest Vance Haines (3:53)
Help Me Make It Through The Night Bruce Robison & Kelly Willis (3:03)
Why Me Shawn Camp (3:34)
The Legend Willie Nelson (6:25)

Amazon.com

With all the attention garnered by Kris Kristofferson in the year of his 70th birthday, this exemplary tribute showcases the many facets of his songwriting--political, spiritual, self-mythologizing, peerlessly romantic--while celebrating the esteem in which he's held by generations of fellow artists. Neither Gretchen Wilson nor Shooter Jennings is as old as some of Kristofferson's best-known songs, but they acquit themselves just fine on "Sunday Mornin' Coming Down" and "The Silver Tongued Devil and I," respectively. It's no surprise that Emmylou Harris makes "The Pilgrim: Chapter 33" sound more beautiful than ever (with a surprisingly smooth segue from the recorded introduction by a young Kristofferson), that Rosanne Cash gets under the skin of "Lovin' Him Was Easier (Than Anything I'll Ever Do Again)," or that Willie Nelson captures the wistful essence of the epic "The Legend." Yet part of the collection's appeal is that it takes some radical chances, with Brian McKnight transforming "Me and Bobby McGee" into an achingly soulful ballad, though the stripped-down pop duet by the usually superb Lloyd Cole and Jill Sobule on "For the Good Times" falls comparatively flat. Kristofferson gets the last word with a closing demo from 35 years ago, with "Please Don't Tell Me How the Story Ends" providing an apt finale. --Don McLeese

Album Description

The Pilgrim: A Celebration of Kris Kristofferson focuses on the breadth and scope of a career and a life of honesty and integrity lived without compromise.

Lovingly cast by Kristofferson's publicist and friend Tamara Saviano and American Roots Publishing VP Tom Frouge, The Pilgrim's 18 songs span the breadth of Kristofferson's career - tendered by an expansive roster of artists including Gretchen Wilson, Russell Crow, Willie Nelson, Brian McKnight, Rosanne Cash and produced by Grammy winner Randy Scruggs.

The Pilgrim offers testament to the truth, timelessness and timeliness of the former Rhodes Scholar, Country Music Hall of Famer and original Outlaw's work.

The record features a 1970 demo from Kristofferson of "Please Don't Tell Me How The Story Ends," along with brilliantly written extensive liner notes by The Tennessean music writer Peter Cooper.

The Pilgrim is a legacy of love and will be released in honor of Kristofferson's 70th birthday.

Customer Reviews:

The Pilgrim: A celebration of Kris Kristofferson.......2007-05-13

The product is what I expected. It arrived on time and in the condition advertised.

The Wordsmith -- Kris Kristofferson.......2007-05-06

Most "Tribute" cuts are not as I envisioned, but this one is fantastic !! Each Artist gives Kris' songs a different Life than the ones I have embedded in my mind. I have loved Kris and his songs for over 28 years, and have worn out plastic vinyl, 8 tracks, cassettes and other mediums listening to Kris ! He's my Number One Artist, and the "Tribute" extends my Love for Kris and his music ! Great Job Producers !!

Best cover cd of Kristofferson songs yet!.......2007-01-04

I don't think there is a bad one in the bunch! Made my top 30 folk releases of 2006 list.

Don't usually like tribute albums,.......2006-11-08

but this one I actually listen to. Marta Gomez makes 'The Circle' beautiful and compelling, Rodney Crowell's verson of 'Come Sundown' is perfect, Marshal Chapman does a great 'Jesus was a Capricorn'. Those are my favorites, but on the entire album, there isn't one song that I skip. Highly recommended.

Lackluster CD.......2006-08-31

The music was very disappointing. I should have trusted my instincts when I listened to the clips, but I had high hopes for this much-anticipated CD. Save your money!

Long Time Ago - Copland / Dawn Upshaw & Thomas Hampson

Average customer rating:

Upbeat American Music Sung with Impeccable Style
Ambassadors of American Song
This is one to share with friends
Two Cents from the English Teacher
A Parental Review -- Toddler Freindly American Songs

Long Time Ago - Copland / Dawn Upshaw & Thomas Hampson

Manufacturer: Teldec
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Baritones | Voices | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Upshaw, Dawn | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Song of America
Knoxville Summer of 1915
I Wish It So
Copland: Old American Songs/Canticle Of Freedom/Four Motets
American Dreamer: Songs of Stephen Foster; Thomas Hampson; Jay Unger; Molly Mason

ASIN: B000000SHU
Release Date: 1994-05-31

Tracks:

Old American Songs (Orchestral Version): The Boatmen's Dance
Old American Songs (Orchestral Version): The Dodger
Old American Songs (Orchestral Version): Long Time Ago
Old American Songs (Orchestral Version): Simple Gifts
Old American Songs (Orchestral Version): I Bought Me A Cat
Old American Songs (Orchestral Version): The Little Horses
Old American Songs (Orchestral Version): Zion's Walls
Old American Songs (Orchestral Version): The Golden Willow Tree
Old American Songs (Orchestral Version): At The River
Old American Songs (Orchestral Version): Ching-A-Ring Chaw
Down A Country Lane
Eight Poems Of Emily Dickinson: Nature, The Gentlest Mother
Eight Poems Of Emily Dickinson: There Came A Wind Like A Bugle
Eight Poems Of Emily Dickinson: The World Feels Dusty
Eight Poems Of Emily Dickinson: Heart, We Will Forget Him!
Eight Poems Of Emily Dickinson: Dear March, Come In!
Eight Poems Of Emily Dickinson: Sleep Is Supposed To Be
Eight Poems Of Emily Dickinson: Going To Heaven!
Eight Poems Of Emily Dickinson: The Chariot
Billy The Kid: Waltz
Billy The Kid (Selection): Prairie Night
Billy The Kid (Seletion): Celebration Dance

Amazon.com

Copland's Eight Songs of Emily Dickinson comprise one of the finest song cycles by an American composer, and a perfect meeting of minds between poet and composer. Dickinson's verses and Copland's music alternate plain-spun honesty and wry humor with sudden, unpredictable bursts of passion and pain and a complete lack of false sentimentality. The Old American Songs are simply a good time and you'll recognize many of the tunes even if you haven't remembered the words. Hampson and Upshaw are two of the finest American singers alive, and they perform this music as though they have a proprietary interest in it. A terrific record. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Upbeat American Music Sung with Impeccable Style.......2006-02-24

Thomas Hampson has an amazing artistic range and this CD compilation shows his lighter side. The first time I heard him sing the children's nursery rhyme Fiddle I Fee, I laughed out loud. Who knew he did animal noises too? My six year old daughter also loves this compilaton.

Ambassadors of American Song.......2005-10-25

Baritone Thomas Hampson, soprano Dawn Upshaw, and Hugh Wolff conducting the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra combine in this memorable CD to offer a program featuring songs of the American composer, Aaron Copland (1900 --1990). While American popular song has spread worldwide, too many listeners remain unaware of American achievement in the realm of the art song.

To remedy this situation, Thomas Hampson is currently on tour under the auspices of the Library of Congress in a project describing the history of creativity in the United States. He has been described as the "Ambassador of American Song", has founded the Hampsong Foundation to promote the American art song, and works tirelessly to bring American song to the attention of a wide audience. Dawn Upshaw has enjoyed wide renown as an opera singer as well as a singer of song. I became familiar with Hugh Wolff during his tenure as the associate conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra under Rostropovich. For many years, he has conducted the highly-regarded St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. The combination of Copland, Hampson, Upshaw and Wolff on this CD is irresistable.

The CD features two groups of orchestral songs. Hampson performs Copland's "Old American Songs," two sets of five songs each that Copland arranged for small orchestra in 1955. These songs consist of American tunes of various origins that Copland transformed and arranged peerlessly for orchestra. In their naivity and Americana, these songs capture something precious in the spirit of the United States. The songs include the famous "Simple Gifts" that became the centerpiece of Copland's "Appalachian Spring." The collection includes sentimental love songs, ("Long Time Ago"), a humorous and timely political campaign song ("The Dodger") that Hampson seems particularly to enjoy, spirituals ("At the River"), children's songs, and ministrel songs ( a lively "Boatman's Dance" initially composed by Daniel Emmett, the composer of "Dixie"). It is difficult to think of a more appealing and accessible introduction to American song than this collection. Hampson sings with gusto and enthusiasm. He is obviously enjoying himself and the music.

Copland's orchestral setting of eight poems by Emily Dickinson offers a different form of art song. Copland initially set 12 Dickinson poems for voice and piano and arranged 8 of these settings for orchestra. These songs are thorough-composed and follow closely Dickinson's shifting and unconventional poetic meter. Ms. Upshaw sings in a declamatory, intense way. In common with the setting of American songs, Copland's Dickinson songs show a transparent, light orchestration in which the wind instruments, in particular, are used to great effect to set the stage for the music. Copland's settings and Ms. Upshaw's singing capture the enigmatic character of this difficult but beloved American poet. Dickinson's poems are untitled, and Copland generally took the opening lines as the title of his settings. Of the eight songs, "Heart we will forget him", singing of a frustrated love, has deep poignancy. Dickinson's feelings and ambivalences towards religion are explored in "The World Feels Dusty", "Going to Heaven" and "The Chariot" which begins with the famous line, "Because I would not stop for Death, /He kindly stopped for me." Copland's setting of "Nature the Gentlest Mother" is for the most part in a pastoral mood with an opening solo for the flute. "There came a wind like a bugle" is dramatic and declamatory. Copland captures the angular, brisk character of a spring wind in "Dear March, Come In!" and the song "Sleep is supposed to be" features a moderatly paced melody with accompaniment in the winds. Copland's Dickinson settings are a high point in American art song.

The CD also includes two works for the St Chamber Orchestra alone. Copland's gentle "Down a Country Lane" is a work of under three minutes that has become one of the most famous of his compositions. The three selections from "Billy the Kid" with which the CD concludes show Copland integrating American folk tunes, in the manner of Charles Ives, with his own material and with masterful orchestration. Listen to the bassoon waltz theme in the opening "Waltz", the winds and brass exchanging themes in the plaintive "Prairie Night" and the big drum crashes and the use of the winds in the finale, "Celebration Dance".

The CD includes the texts of all the songs, together with French and German translations.

This CD will appeal to both new and experienced lovers of music. Hampson, together with Ms. Upshaw and Maestro Wolff, serve well as "Ambassadors of American Song" on this release.

This is one to share with friends.......2002-03-14

I've seen Thomas Hampson Live a couple of times, and I believe he has one of the most glorious voices in the world. If "Simple Gifts" doesn't make you a little weepy, your heart must be made of stone.

Two Cents from the English Teacher.......2001-12-05

I am a big fan of both Emily Dickinson and Dawn Upshaw, so I was really excited to see this CD with Dawn Upshaw singing arrangements (by Aaron Copland no less!) of eight super Emily Dickinson poems. Trying to interpret ED is no easy task (for an English teacher or a composer), and I think that Copland does a beautiful job of putting to music the thoughts and words of the recluse poet. Upshaw does a beautiful job of interpreting them vocally. Dickinson's poems have an energy and personal intensity that both Copland and Upshaw manage to capture. I use this CD every year with my juniors to show them a "classical" and musical side of literature. Quite frankly, I would rate it "five stars" just for these eight tracks--I rarely listen to the others, I'm sure to my loss. After reading the other reviews, I'll have to check them out. . . . I think Emily Dickinson would listen to these tracks, smile smirkily to herself, go back upstairs and write a poem about the experience. I think she would be pleased. . . .

A Parental Review -- Toddler Freindly American Songs.......2001-08-19

I have been thinking when is a good time to introduce Opera voice to my toddler daughter. I realized that it is not the timing issue, it is more a decision about the composition, melody and performance. And Thomas Hampson's American Songs is the hidden jewel. His interpretation of "Bought me a cat" (along with Hugh Wolff conducting Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra) is whimsical, sparkling, colorful, dynamic, delightful and toddler friendly. It is also a perfect exposure to fun and mighty part of American Music. However, I will wait a little bit longer before playing the other half of album, Dawn Upshaw's Dickinson poems, to my little one.

Average customer rating:

A Unique Opportunity to hear it from Coplands mind
Definitive American symphonic music
The composer as conductor is unusurpassed
A great treat!

A Copland Celebration Vol. 1

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Nonets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

A Copland Celebration Vol. 2
A Copland Celebration Vol. 3
The Copland Collection: Orchestral & Ballet Works, 1936-1948
The Copland Collection: Orchestral Works, 1948-1971
Copland: Old American Songs/Canticle Of Freedom/Four Motets

ASIN: B000050HWS
Release Date: 2000-11-07

Tracks:

Fanfare For The Common Man
Rodeo: Four Dance Episodes: I. Buckaroo Holiday
Rodeo: Four Dance Episodes: II. Corral Nocturne
Rodeo: Four Dance Episodes: III. Saturday Night Waltz
Rodeo: Four Dance Episodes: IV. Hoe-Down
Billy The Kid (Orchestral Suite): Introduction: The Open Prairie
Billy The Kid (Orchestral Suite): Street In A Frontier Town
Billy The Kid (Orchestral Suite): Card Game At Night (Prairie Night)
Billy The Kid (Orchestral Suite): Gun Battle
Billy The Kid (Orchestral Suite): Celebration Dance (After Billy's Capture)
Billy The Kid (Orchestral Suite): Billy's Death
Billy The Kid (Orchestral Suite): The Open Prairie Again
El Salon Mexico
Danzon Cubano
Quiet City
Down A Country Lane

Tracks:

Appalachian Spring: Very Slowly
Appalachian Spring: Allegro
Appalachian Spring: Moderato
Appalachian Spring: Fast
Appalachian Spring: Subito Allegro
Appalachian Spring: Meno Mosso
Appalachian Spring: Doppio Movimento
Appalachian Spring: Rather Slow
Appalachian Spring: Very Deliberate
Appalachian Spring: Poco Piu Mosso
Appalachian Spring: A Trifle Slower
Appalachian Spring: Molto Allegro Ed Agitato
Appalachian Spring: Broadly
Appalachian Spring: Moderato (Like A Prayer)
Nonet For Strings: Slow And Solemn
Nonet For Strings: Ritmico Ed Un Poco Marcato
Nonet For Strings: Tempo As At First
Appalachian Spring: Copland Rehearses Appalachian Spring

Customer Reviews:

A Unique Opportunity to hear it from Coplands mind.......2004-02-02

Aaron Copland can be and should be considered the father of American concert music. He decisively created a style of music that needed to be made as we were reaching maturity as a country. This collection of his orchestral works gives a great outline of the music that makes Copland such a innovative composer.
I personally find that the most interesting part of this collection is the inclusion of rehearsal audio from the same recording of Appalachian Spring that appears on the CD. This offers a unique opportunity to hear what Copland's vision of his music was. I am one who personally believes that no performance of a concert orchestral piece can be heard as it was meant to be unless the composer is leading the ensemble. By hearing Copland conducting a rehearsal of one of his masterworks, the listener is given a greater appreciation for exactly what Copland's vision was for his own music.

A definite must have for lovers of the young tradition of American Music.

Definitive American symphonic music.......2002-08-08

When I first was introduced to classical music, little attention was being paid to anything American. Edward McDowell was occasionally played. And Los Angeles classical music station, KFAC, would very occasionally play something by Morton Gould. Gershwin was largely ignored And there was Aaron Copland.

For my fairly young ears, the western flavor of the music was esciting. I could picture western movie-like scenes to the accompaniment of "Billy the Kid" and "Rodeo". Indeed, such music is highly pictorial.

But now I'm also familiar with "Fanfare for the Common Man" and Appalachian Spring. I very much recommend this.

The composer as conductor is unusurpassed.......2001-03-29

This is a reissue of recordings conducted by Copland himself that are totally definitive and, to my mind, superior to the recordings by Bernstein that are generally considered to be the best. The composer has a broader, grander vision of these works, taking them at a slower and more majestic pace than Bernstein and others. In his hands this is great classical music, not just upscale cowboy music. The sound quality is phenomenal for the most part as well, the engineers must have performed miracles because the recordings with the LSO sound better than almost any modern digital recording. Highly recommended.

A great treat!.......2001-03-06

Here we have not only the original, complete chamber arrangement of Appalachian Spring in a pretty fine performance by Copland, but we get a neat 17 minutes of Copland rehearsing it, which is pretty cool for the Copland fan. Plus Nonet for Strings, well performed, which is a rare thing these days. The other disk is pretty average - Copland wasn't much of a conductor, but the chamber Appalachian and Nonet make up for it. Cheap and unique. A must have for the Copland fan.

Average customer rating:

Gilding the Lilly...
Great album
Classic
A must for contemporary blue grass lovers
Bluegrass at its finest

15th Anniversary Celebration
The Seldom Scene
Manufacturer: Sugarhill [Country]
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Country | Styles | Music

General | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music

Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music

Bluegrass | Live Albums | Country | Styles | Music

General | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Bluegrass | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Scene 20: 20th Anniversary Concert
Live at the Cellar Door
Different Roads
Old Train
Best of Seldom Scene

ASIN: B000000EY7
Release Date: 1993-10-08

Tracks:

Sitting On Top Of The World
Big Train From Memphis
Lorena
Dark As A Dungeon
Blue Ridge
Raised By The Railroad Line
You Don't Know My Mind
Drifting Too Far From The Shore
Those Memories Of You
Keep Me From Blowing Away
Wheels
Carolyn At The Broken Wheel Inn
If I Needed You
Rose Of Old Kentucky
I Couldn't Find My Walking Shoes
Working On A Building
Say You Lied
High On A Hilltop
The Sweetest Gift
Take Me In Your Lifeboat

Amazon.com essential recording

A host of country and bluegrass stars were on hand at this 1986 concert to celebrate the work of the trailblazing bluegrass quintet. Mandolinist John Duffey leads the quintet itself from traditional blues to John Fogerty's "Big Train from Memphis" to the spiritual "Take Me in Your Lifeboat." The numerous special guests each add their own flavor: Charlie Waller sings plaintively on Merle Travis' "Dark as a Dungeon"; Tony Rice's amazing flatpicking highlights a supercharged "You Don't Know My Mind"; Linda Ronstadt and Ricky Skaggs delicately cover the gospel "Drifting Too Far from the Shore"; and Emmylou Harris interprets Gram Parson's "Wheels." The diverse performances are fitting considering the progressive Seldom Scene's broad musical tastes. --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews:

Gilding the Lilly..........2005-03-20

The Seldom Scene gilded the lilly by taking their own top-of-the-line Bluegrass band and adding Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris (did you ever wonder what was the inspiration for the heavenly "Trio" albums), Ricky Skaggs, Tony Rice, Charlie Waller and Jonathan Edwards. There are some wonderful uptempo tunes. (Sittin' on Top of the World, Tony Rice's dazzling version of "You Don't Know My Mind" - which he had recorded with Scene members on his "California Autumn"). But the real stars of this concert are absolutely heavenly slow ballads. Jonathan Edwards had just been with the Scene in the studio recording "Blue Ridge" and on this performance his plaintive lead vocals are matched note for note by John Duffey's soaring tenor - it's as beautiful as a slow country waltz could be. Ricky and Ronstadt cover the Gospel "Drifting Too Far From the Shore", and multiple performances since have tried to match theirs, included Third Tyme Out on "Back to the Mac".

What you want to know is "Is it good?"

It's good - just get it, already.

Great album.......2001-01-27

I bought this more for the special guests than for the group and was not disappointed. The guests are a treat, but the group are 5 star as well.

Classic.......1999-11-10

I believe that over time this album will take on some of the characteristics of the classic "Will the Circle be Unbroken" and "Circle 2" work that the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band did. Long-time fans of the Seldom Scene know the history of the band cold, along with personnel changes and the many recordings. I have seen the band twice at the Birchemere, once during the Lou Reed era and again when John Starling returned to the band. Their live appearances at such a great venue are wonderful. This album has too many guest appearances to list, but it has the feel of a party that we were lucky enough to crash. I love the on-stage banter between songs, and the genuine affection that many of these artists seem to feel toward each other. I think that as the years go by and some of the artist pass, this album will become even more special and ageless.

A must for contemporary blue grass lovers.......1998-09-26

Along with their 20th Anniversary album, this album helps constitute the old and new testaments of the contemporary blue grass bible. The harmonics are superb, taking blue grass away from a twangy sound to one that is rich and vibrant.

Bluegrass at its finest.......1998-06-24

I first heard the Seldom Scene live at a small bar in Bethesda Md in 1970. The voices of John Starling, John Duffy and Mike Auldridge were beautifully matched for blending in the harmonies of this music. Also both men are tops in their instruments Duffy on mandolin and Auldridge on dobro. Gray and other bassists also added to the sound. If you want to get a taste of bluegrass listen to the early S.S. or get the anniversary album. It was also nice that Emmy Lou and others would just pop into the Red Fox Inn for impromtu sessions.

Say It Loud! A Celebration of Black Music in America

Average customer rating:

a bit silly
A History of Black Music in America
an absolute must have!!
What.....No Stevie????
No James Brown???

Say It Loud! A Celebration of Black Music in America
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Delta Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

General | Blues | Styles | Music

Traditional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

Slide Guitar | Blues | Styles | Music

Disco | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Traditional Jazz General | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music

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

Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Doo Wop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music

Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Classic | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Compilations | R&B | Styles | Music

Soul | Compilations | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Funk | R&B | Styles | Music

Quiet Storm | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music

General | Blues | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Classic Vocalists | Broadway & Vocalists | Box Sets | Stores | Music

General | Pop | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Vocal Pop & Oldies | Pop | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Rap & Hip-Hop | Box Sets | Stores | Music

R&B & Soul | Box Sets | Stores | Music

General | Rock | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Classic Rock | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Rhino Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

The Long Road to Freedom: An Anthology of Black Music
Afro-American Spirituals, Work Songs, And Ballads
Ray Sings, Basie Swings

ASIN: B00005NTQB
Release Date: 2001-10-09

Tracks:

Maple Leaf Rag - Scott Joplin
Sound Bite: Booker T. Washington on The Negro Population in the South
The St. Louis Blues - Bessie Smith
Black Bottom Stomp - Jelly Roll Morton's Red Hot Peppers
Heebie Jeebies - Louis Armstrong & His Hot Five
Ol' Man River - Paul Robeson
Ain't Misbehavin' - Fats Waller
Pony Blues - Charlie Patton
My Black Mama (Part I) - Son House
Tiger Rag - Mills Brothers
Minnie The Moocher - Cab Calloway & His Orchestra
It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) - Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra
Sound Bite: Jesse Owens on the 1936 Olympics
Cross Road Blues - Robert Johnson
Rock My Soul - Golden Gate Jubilee Quartet
If I Didn't Care - Ink Spots
Jumpin' At The Woodside - Count Basie & His Orchestra
Strange Fruit - Billie Holiday
Stormy Weather - Lena Horne
Tiger Rag - Art Tatum

Tracks:

Straighten Up And Fly Right - The King Cole Trio
Ko Ko - Charlie Parker's Ri Bop Boys
If You Could See Me Now - Sarah Vaughan
Sound Bite: Joe Louis Returns from the Army
The Midnight Special - Leadbelly
Call It Stormy Monday (But Tuesday Is Just As Bad) - T-Bone Walker
'Round About Midnight - The Thelonious Monk Quartet
Sound Bite: Frank Stanley on Negro Newspaper Week
How High The Moon - Ella Fitzgerald
It's Too Soon To Know - The Orioles
I Feel Like Going Home - Muddy Waters
Boogie Chillen' - John Lee Hooker
Sound Bite: President Harry S. Truman's Civil Rights Legislation
In The Evening When The Sun Goes Down - Charles Brown Trio
Baby, Get Lost - Dinah Washington
Sound Bite: Civil Rights Bill Narrowly Defeated in Senate
Saturday Night Fish Fry (Parts I & II) - Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five
Mardi Gras In New Orleans - Professor Longhair
Sound Bite: Jackie Robinson on the Eve of the 1949 World Series
Rocket "88" - Jackie Brenston & His Delta Cats
(Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean - Ruth Brown
Money Honey - The Drifters
Shake, Rattle And Roll - Joe Turner & His Blues Kings

Tracks:

I've Got A Woman - Ray Charles
Ain't It A Shame - Fats Domino
Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley
Sound Bite: Sammy Davis, Jr. on Prejudice
That Old Black Magic - Sammy Davis, Jr.
Four - Miles Davis Quintet
The Great Pretender - The Platters
Sound Bite: W.E.B. Du Bois on the Place of the Black Man in Society - W.E.B. Du Bois
Long Tall Sally - Little Richard
Brown Eyed Handsome Man - Chuck Berry & His Combo
Banana Boat (Day-O) - Harry Belafonte
Touch The Hem Of His Garment - The Soul Stirrers featuring Sam Cooke
Sometime I Feel Like A Motherless Child - Marian Anderson
Misty - Johnny Mathis
Sound Bite: President Dwight D. Eisenhower's Address to the Nation on Segregation
The Twist - Hank Ballard & The Midnighters
I Ain't Superstitious - Howlin' Wolf
I Pity The Fool - Bobby Bland
At Last - Etta James
Sound Bite: Interview with a Dade County Janitor
Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting - Charles Mingus
Giant Steps - John Coltrane
Maiden Voyage - Herbie Hancock

Tracks:

You've Really Got A Hold On Me - The Miracles
Take My Hand Precious Lord - Mahalia Jackson
Sound Bite: Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" Speech
Cotton Fields - Odetta
How Blue Can You Get? - B.B. King
No Pity (In The Naked City) - Jackie Wilson
Sound Bite: President John F. Kennedy's Address To The Nation
Change Gonna Come - Otis Redding
Walk On By - Dionne Warwick
Reach Out I'll Be There - Four Tops
Sound Bite: Malcolm X on "Our Common Enemy"
Land Of 1000 Dances - Wilson Pickett
Respect - Aretha Franklin
Hey Joe - The Jimi Hendrix Experience
The Klan - Richie Havens
Love Child - Diana Ross & The Supremes
Sound Bite: Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "Mountain Top" Speech & the Report on His Assassination - Martin Luther King, Jr.
Say It LouI'm Black And I'm Proud - James Brown
Don't Call Me Nigger, Whitey - Sly & The Family Stone
Choice Of Colors - The Impressions
To Be Young, Gifted And Black - Nina Simone
Is Anybody Goin' To San Antone - Charley Pride