Alex, Ben & Co. Kid'n Together

Editorial Reviews
From the Label
Father finds musical bond with son has broad appealBy Howard LovyThe Detroit News When Matthew Meisel was born seven years ago, his father, Alex, figured he'd have to set aside his love of singing and songwriting for the rigors of parenthood. But Matthew, who has Down syndrome, had other plans for his dad. From the time he was an infant, Matthew would sit next to the stereo speakers, and "just glow." Meisel discovered that his son's connection with music was a way to break through the barriers of his disability and reach not only his emotions, but his ability to learn. So the California father channeled his energies into a successful children's recording called Kid'N Together and a video project to be released this winter. But the most important praise he gets comes from the kids, who just go "ballistic" at his concerts, Meisel said. The reason is simple. He varies the tempo while mixing fun with educational concepts. Meisel's first song for his son was Let's Da! nce. It takes a musical trip through parts of the body and how they're used, then interrupts now and then with a fast part to give the kids a chance to use their bodies to dance and, Meisel says, "get your ya-yas out." "The wonderful thing about this project and about the music is that it's taken our family, taken me beyond that notion (of disability)," Meisel said. "It just happens to work. Period. It's not specific to disability. It's about life, it's about laughing, learning." Meisel and his brother, Ben, are working on nine new songs for another album, plus a video in which he hopes to capture the strong "interactive" element of a live performance.

About the Artist
Alex & Ben are the products of parents involved in children's health and entertainment. Mother, Fredda Meisel is one of the originators of children's television in the 1950's while father, Harris Meisel began his career as a pediatric rehabilitation physician (He also is a professonal visual artist and did the CD artwork). Sister, Melody Meisel, adds her harmonies to the recording as well. But, the recording's true inspiration comes from Alex's two children, Matthew and Joshua. Matthew who has... read more

Album Description
Description: An acoustic jewel, rich with tight vocal harmonies and crisp musicianship. Music for "Laughing, Learning and Living," this is family listening for babies on up. The Oppenheim Toy Portfolio said it was "an instant hit with our testers!"Winner of the 1995 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio "Best Audio" Gold Award and their SNAP (Special Needs Adaptable Product) Award.

Alex, Ben & Co. Kid'n Together

Tracks:

Malaguena - Brian Setzer
Traeme Paz - Patricia Vanne
Eye Patch - Robert Rodriguez
Yo Te Quiero - Marcos Loya
Guitar Town - Robert Rodriguez
Church Shootout - Robert Rodriguez
Pistolero - Juno Reactor
Me Gustas Tu - Manu Chao
Sands Theme - Tonto's Giant Nuts
Dias De Los Angeles - Del Castillo
The Man With No Eyes - Robert Rodriguez
Mariachi Vs. Marquez - Robert Rodriguez
Flor De Mal - Tito Larriva
Chicle Boy - Robert Rodriguez
Coup De Etat - Robert Rodriguez
El Mariachi - Robert Rodriguez
Siente Mi Amour - Salma Hayek
Cuka Rocka - Chingon

Customer Reviews:

Not as good as the film..........2007-05-06

I remembered the music in the movie as being a little better than it actually is. I was a little disappointed in the CD.

disappointing.......2007-03-26

It just wasn't what I thought it would be and I personally didn't like it. But it is good music.

it's all about the Malagueña.......2004-12-01

i loved the movie and the music there is good. i really like the Malagueña so i learned how to play it on guitar. the song is great i enjoyed the movie as much as i enjoyed the sound track

Start to Finish, a Real Mexi-CAN of a Soundtrack.......2004-11-30

Alright, so the main reason I got the soundtrack was Pistolero by Juno Reactor,a real driving, pumped-up techno song. I started to get into the rest of the music on the soundtrack, and I find it an essential cd I carry along with me. The great thing about this soundtrack is you can listen in on Mexican traditional music and a glimpse of the culture, and still have some real badass-sounding guitar! Whatever you may think of the film, you can imagine the actors playing their parts in your head, since they play and sing in the soundtrack (as the first one). There is an aura in the music I can't put my finger on; there's a history, an old feel to it, but it lingers with new musical ideas. Kinda like the movie, in terms of making it. I agree fullheartedly with previous reviews: where the movie fails, the music fills in the gaps and expands on Mexican music, making the entire movie/soundtrack experience very deep and epic. I dunno, maybe I'm rambling, but I emphasize that this soundtrack adds culture and kickass to your collection, as it did mine.

Better than the movie!.......2004-11-21

When I first saw this film I was shocked at its total stupidity. I was a big fan of the first Desperado and this sequel completely choked my enthusiasm. One thing that was good about this film though was the music. I have to admit it, the music was excellent and in harmony with the motion picture. The best tracks on this CD are Traeme Paz, El Mariachi and Siente Mi Amor (Salma Hayek brings out the best in her sensuality in this song). I'm not a big fan of Latino music but some of these songs are so beautiful they deserve to be listened to. Yo Te Quiero and Cuka Rocka both are well known songs and excellent to dance to, while Flor Del Mal is a very nice and chilling ballad. This CD is a great addition to your music collection, don't hesitate to buy it.

Average customer rating:

Eh, It's Okay
Better than the First Volume
An Interesting and Gratifying Volume 2
Sheila from Savannah, Georgia
A great album

Hollywood's Greatest Hits, Vol. 2

Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Orchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music
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Hollywood's Greatest Hits, Vol. 1
Simply the Best Movie Themes
Beautiful Hollywood
Paramount 90th Anniversary Collection: Scores
Classic Movie Themes

ASIN: B000003CYV
Release Date: 1993-06-29

Tracks:

2001: A Space Odyssey: Fanfare
Ben-Hur: Prelude
The Ten Commandments: Prelude
Friendly Persuasion: Thee I Love
Picnic: Moonglow And Theme
Around The World In 80 Days: Theme
Mutiny On The Bounty: Main Title
Spartacus: Love Theme
Zorba The Greek: Theme
The Umbrellas Of Cherbourg: I Will Wait For You
Valley Of The Dolls: Theme
Midnight Cowboy: Theme
The Godfather: Theme
Modern Times: Smile
Dances With Wolves: Themes
Far And Away: Book Of Days
Grand Canyon: Theme

Customer Reviews:

Eh, It's Okay.......2007-04-24

For those that purchase soundtrack collages to have a variety of songs and themes, then this is good for you. Unfortunately, these tracks didn't have the signature Erich Kunzel version of the songs as he had on other soundtrack mix CDs. It was more like just that, a mix CD of different soundtracks and scores. However, it was a good buy in the fact that the tracks chosen had excellent sound quality and a sense of harmony.

Better than the First Volume.......2005-08-04

There is a great collection of music to be found here. There are many great renditions. The "2001, a Space Odyssey Fanfare" was outstanding. "Book of Days" from "Far and Away" had a very unique approach. I recommend this one deeply, oh yes I do, by far and away!

An Interesting and Gratifying Volume 2.......2005-06-17

Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops' treatment of film scores on this second tribute to Hollywood are somewhat more pleasing than Volume I. The selections are more intriguing and demonstrate a more positive approach to film scores and their value as true musical art forms. There is quite a diverse representation of music here. The incredibly powerful main title to MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY (Bronislaw Kaper) juxtaposed with the bittersweet and romantic love theme to SPARTACUS (Alex North) and the intimately tender love theme to FRIENDLY PERSUASION (Dimitri Tiomkin) are masterfully achieved. I have never been that enamored with this CD's 20-bit digital recording but it has grown on me. Still, I highly recommend and enjoy this CD.

Sheila from Savannah, Georgia.......2005-01-15

I love this cd. It is the greatest. Moonglow and Midnight Cowboy are my favorites.

A great album.......2001-01-28

Erich Kunzel, once again comes through with another terrific album of movie music. On this album you will find preludes, themes and main title music from some of Hollywood's most loved movies. Films from as early as 1936's "Modern Times", through to 1992's "Far and Away", are represented here. The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra are as wonderful as ever, and the 20-bit digital sound system makes for unequalled sound quality. A pleasing highlight for me, is the wonderful "Moonglow" which starts off track 5. The jazz trio of piano, bass and drums eventually is joined by the orchestra for the theme from "Picnic". Then we have the beautiful waltz from "Around the world in eighty days". With the wonderful accordion solo, you can imagine being on a merry-go-round. This is truly a beautiful album...a must for lovers of orcestral music.

Average customer rating:

Dull Epics
Very Disappointing
Chilling versions of the best scores ever written

Epics [Hybrid SACD]

Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Star Wars | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
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Great Film Fantasies (Hybrid SACD]
The Film Music of Jerry Goldsmith
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Telarc SACD Sampler: The Absolute Sound
Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture etc. / Kunzel, Cincinnati Pops (Multichannel Hybrid SACD)

ASIN: B0000C8ASA
Release Date: 2003-09-23

Tracks:

Fanfare From Also Sprach Zarathustra From 2001: Space Odyssey
Parade Of The Charioteers From Ben Hur
Suite From Gladiator
Tara's Theme From Gone With The Wind
Themes From Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon
War From Pearl Harbor
Love Theme From Spartacus
Overture From Lawrence Of Arabia
Love Theme From Star Wars, Episode II: Attack Of The Clones
May It Be And Themes From The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring
Hedwig's Theme From Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone
Prelude And Lara's Theme From Doctor Zhivago
Sean's Theme From Minority Report
The Magnificent Seven

Customer Reviews:

Dull Epics.......2006-09-27

EPICS is plagued by the muddled sound of TELARC's recordings. I noticed this trend beginning with TELARC's Hollywood's Greatest Hits, Vol. 2. The recoding seems flat. Also, this recording is a bit bombastic and just not representative of the original scores. The Suite from Gladiator is a good case in point. It glosses right over the basic themes presented in the film with an annoying nonce lance.

Very Disappointing .......2006-09-27

EPICS is very disappointing. It is nowhere up to the usual standards of the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. The recordings are harsh and just too showy. There is no heart, only might and if these are supposed to be epics, what is MINORITY REPORT doing there?

Chilling versions of the best scores ever written.......2004-04-24

This cd is an essential for any person that particularly enjoys the score in films. Epics is a full length cd containing 14 songs performed by the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra under Erich Kunzel.

Usually, I am weary of cds that come out with songs from movies that aren't the original recordings, but I have to say there should be no worries with this cd. The songs remain exactly the same in tempo and sound as you hear them in the movies.

The choices for this cd was amazing. Every song that you hear are the songs that make the movie it is in, most often giving you chills and goosebumps as the music encompasses you into the movie (like what happened to me when I saw Lord of the Rings). From the Theme from 2001: a Space Oddysey to Star Wars: Attack of the Clones to Lord of the Rings, these songs are performed beautifully with a clear and crisp sound.

Tracks:

Pre- Historic: One Million Years B.C.
The Ancient World: The Ten Commandments
The Ancient World: Alexander
The Ancient World: Sodom And Gomorrah
The Ancient World: The 300 Spartans
The Ancient World: Troy
The Ancient World: Alexander (Eternal Alexander)
The Might Of Rome: Quo Vadis
The Might Of Rome: The Robe
The Might Of Rome: Demetrius And The Gladiators
The Might Of Rome: Cleopatra
The Might Of Rome: Antony And Cleopatra
The Might Of Rome: Gladiator (Suite)
The Might Of Rome: Gladiator (Now We Are Free)

Tracks:

The Fall Of Rome: Masada
The Fall Of Rome: Spartacus (Main Theme)
The Fall Of Rome: Spartacus (Love Theme)
The Fall Of Rome: The Fall Of The Roman Empire (Pax Romana)
The Fall Of Rome: The Fall Of The Roman Empire (Overture)
Biblical Epics: The Greatest Story Ever Told
Biblical Epics: Jesus Of Nazareth
Biblical Epics: Ben-Hur (Parade Of The Charioteers)
Biblical Epics: Ben-Hur (Love Theme)
Biblical Epics: The Silver Chalice
Biblical Epics: The Passion Of The Christ
Medieval Europe: The War Lord
Medieval Europe: El Cid (Love Theme)
Medieval Europe: El Cid (Overture)
Medieval Europe: The Vikings (Suite)

Tracks:

Medieval Europe: Flesh & Blood
Medieval Europe: The Last Valley
Medieval Europe: Prince Valiant
Medieval Europe: Taras Bulba
Pirates & Swashbucklers: The Sea Hawk
Pirates & Swashbucklers: The Crimson Pirate
Pirates & Swashbucklers: Pirates Of The Caribbean
Pirates & Swashbucklers: Captain Blood
Kings & Queens: The Lion In The Winter
Kings & Queens: Henry V (1989)
Kings & Queens: Henry V (1944)
Kings & Queens: Mary Queen Of Scots
Kings & Queens: The Private Lives Of Elizabeth And Essex

Tracks:

Heroes: Excalibur - O Fortuna
Heroes: First Night
Heroes: The Adventures Of Robin Hood: March Of The Merry Men
Heroes: Braveheart
The New Worlds: Mutiny On The Bounty
The New Worlds: 1492 - Conquest Of Paradise
The New Worlds: Captain From Castle
The New Worlds: The Mission
The New Worlds: The Alamo
The British Empire/The Orient: The Charge Of The Light Brigade
The British Empire/The Orient: Lawrence Of Arabia
The British Empire/The Orient: Zulu
The British Empire/The Orient: The Last Samurai
The British Empire/The Orient: Exodus

Customer Reviews:

EPICS THAT DO NOT DISAPPOINT.......2007-05-14

WHAT A BRILLIANT IDEA TO TAKE HOLLYWOOD'S COLLECTION OF HISTORICAL EPIC MOVIES, EXTRACT THE BEST PORTIONS OF THE SCORES AND COMBINE THEM FROM THE DAWN OF MAN TO THE RECENT PAST. I PARTICULARLY ENJOY THE SUITES FROM GLADIATOR, BRAVEHEART AND THE VIKING. THE REPRODUCTION OF THESE SCORES BY THE CITY OF PRAGUE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA AND CHORUS IS BRILLIANT, AND THE RECORDING WAS EXCELLENT. I ONLY WISH THERE WERE EIGHT DISCS INSTEAD OF FOUR TO COVER THE VOLUMES OF SCORES THAT COULD NOT BE INCLUDED. LET'S HOPE FOR A VOLUME II.

Interesting selections . . ........2006-12-15

This compiiation album makes an excellent gift for that person wanting to discover great, epic scores. I'm surprised, however, that Vangelis' Alexander is included in this one. Not bad, just surprised.

The reason I give this album 4 out of 5 stars is because of the swashbuckler section. How is it that CutThroat Island - one of the greatest epics in history - was scrubbed out of the list? Pirates of the Caribbean is included on the selection but nothing from Debney's masterpiece?!

Yes, that is a huge compilant. If you haven't discovered CutThroat Island, I suggest you get it then you'll understand my frustration. Still, this album is a great buy and worth looking into!

"Epics featuring The City Of Prague Philarmonic Orchestra ~ 60 years of film scores".......2005-09-07

When I think of the "Golden Age of Hollywood", many composers come to mind...you gave the usher your ticket in the theater and sat down, knowingly you were going to get your moneys worth...when the curtain opened and you heard those first few notes...you sat back, watched and listened as the film score and orchestra worked their magic...now we have the ultimate from Silva Screen Classics "EPICS:THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD ACCORDING TO HOLLYWOOD", featuring a four disc set of the essential film scores of the past 60 years...covering several decades right and up to the present 2005.

There are compilations and then there are "Compilations" beginning with a classics that even the youngsters today recognize...sweeping scores that capture the drama, mystery, adventure, action and romance...one great cue after another, it doesn't get any better than this...many nominated and winners by the Academy for Best Original Score...

Silva Screen Classics as usual, has put quality into this 4-CD-Set featuring The City Of Prague Philarmonic Orchestra and the Crouch End Festival Chorus conducted by Kenneth Alwyn, Paul Bateman, James Fitzpatrick, Mario Klemens and Nic Raine. Recorded in "Dolby Surround" with the new technology of "HDCD", this is a "film-score-buffs" dream, one to treasure now and years to come...this collection is aimed directly at the "Serious Film Score" music fans and collectors...Silva is as always, perfect in every way...just the way we like 'em!

Total Time: 4-CD-Set ~ Silva America 1170 ~ (9/6/2005)

Average customer rating:

Cubist Blues Redux
Alan Vega , Alex Chilton , and Ben Vaughn
Manufacturer: Last Call Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Rockabilly | Oldies & Retro | Rock | Styles | Music

Roots Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Experimental Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000FS2W0I
Release Date: 2006-06-13

Tracks:

Cubist Blues Studio: Fat City
Cubist Blues Studio: Fly Away
Cubist Blues Studio: Freedom
Cubist Blues Studio: Candyman
Cubist Blues Studio: Come On Lord
Cubist Blues Studio: Promised Land
Cubist Blues Studio: Lover Of Love
Cubist Blues Studio: Sister
Cubist Blues Studio: Too Late
Cubist Blues Studio: Do Not Do Not
Cubist Blues Studio: The Werewolf
Cubist Blues Studio: Dream Baby Revisited

Tracks:

Cubist Blues Live At The Transmusicales: Fat City
Cubist Blues Live At The Transmusicales: Sister
Cubist Blues Live At The Transmusicales: Candyman
Cubist Blues Live At The Transmusicales: Freedom
Cubist Blues Live At The Transmusicales: Lover Of Love
Cubist Blues Live At The Transmusicales: Too Late
Cubist Blues Live At The Transmusicales: Promised Land
Cubist Blues Live At The Transmusicales: Dream Baby Revisited
Cubist Blues Live At The Transmusicales: I Remember

Average customer rating:

Dull Epics
I miss the old days
Terrific!
Fabulous compilation of movie themes!
"the grand scale of film music ~ Kunzel & the Pops"

Epics

Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Fugues | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

Orchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Star Wars | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Solo Instrumental | New Age | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Great Film Fantasies
Mega Movies
Beautiful Hollywood
Hollywood's Greatest Hits, Vol. 2
The Big Picture

ASIN: B0000C8AS9
Release Date: 2003-09-23

Tracks:

2001: A Space Odyssey: Fanfare From Also Sprach Zarathustra
Ben Hur: Parade Of The Charioteers
Gladiator: Suite
Gone With The Wind: Tara's Theme
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon: Themes
Pearl Harbor: War
Spartacus: Love Theme
Lawrence Of Arabia: Overture
Star Wars, Episode II: Attack Of the Clones: Love Theme
The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring: May It Be And Themes
Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone: Hedwig's Theme
Doctor Zhivago: Prelude And Lara's Theme
Minority Report: Sean's Theme
The Magnificent Seven

Customer Reviews:

Dull Epics.......2006-09-28

I miss the old days.......2006-06-10

While the original compositions that this recording is based off of were all notable compositions, worthy of recognition and inclusion on a compilation disc such as this, it pains me to say that the Telarc/Cincinatti team has fallen from glory with this one (and a few others). Contrary to other reviewers, Kunzel was not the arranger for most or all of these. Someone named Jospeh Price, a name I hope never to see again on a Telarc recording unless immediately preceded by the words "not arranged by". I cannot stomach his cliched, bombastic, and empty endings most of all, but the arrangement (or despoiling of) the Lord Of The Rings themes is probably the worst mustical travesty I've come across. There is no resemblance to the original work except by accident. The only tracks I care for at all on the disc are the ones untouched by him, including the Overture from Lawrence of Arabia, the Harry Potter themes (apparently a Williams arrangement), and perhaps another track or two. Overall a painful experience. Try some vintage Kunzel instead.

Terrific!.......2004-05-03

Simply goes to show that good music is more than the composition: Arranging and conducting are the other elements which Eric Kunzel is a master at. The "Magnificent Seven" is a masterpiece of knowledge of the intent of the piece, instrumentation and clever ways of brining out the best that each instrument has to offer.

Fabulous compilation of movie themes!.......2004-01-25

This is one of the best movie theme compilations I have come across in a long time. With Erich Kunzel's able hands, the beautiful themes from "The Lord of the Rings," "Gladiator," "Harry Potter," "Dr. Zhivago," "Lawrence of Arabia," "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," "Ben Hur" and others are vividly brought to life.

My favorite has to be the "Fellowship of the Ring" suite which, at over 6 minutes, is the longest track in the CD. It includes the fabulous themes I love from the film such as the Hobbiton, Mines of Moria, Amon Hen, Isengard and Breaking of the Fellowship themes from the original soundtrack. The "Gladiator" suite comes as a close second but there really isn't a mediocre theme music in this collection. Erich Kunzel has done a fabulous job of selecting, orchestrating and arranging these wonderful pieces and I consider this one of the best classical CDs in my collection. Superb!

"the grand scale of film music ~ Kunzel & the Pops".......2003-11-18

If it's powerful and majestic music you're looking for, you've come to the right place with Telarc's release of "Epics", featuring the world renown Cincinnati Pops Orchestra under the direction of maestro Erich Kunzel. Flawlessly recorded with exceptional detail from Direct Stream Digital (masters made during the recording sessions with the Sony/Philips DSD recording system) and it shows, believe you me you've never heard anything like it.

In most cases the performances closely match the original film score themes ~ listening to this album is like watching the film all over again, as the tension builds up and the release is right in your face ~ just like being there. Quality sound is the reason to purchase this CD, simply amazing.

Many "film-score-buffs" will already have some or many of the cues in their collections ~ but for the avid collector this is a dream come true. All under one umbrella is Elmer Bernstein, Maurice Jarre, Tan Dun, Alex North, Miklos Rozsa, Max Steiner, John Williams and Hans Zimmer doing what they do best...composing!

Listen to the scores within "BEN HUR", "CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON", "DOCTOR ZHIVAGO", "HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE", "GLADIATOR", "GONE WITH THE WIND", "LAWRENCE OF ARABIA", "LORD OF THE RINGS:THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING", "MAGNIFICENT SEVEN", "MINORITY REPORT", "PEARL HARBOR", "SPARTACUS", "STAR WARS, EPISODE II:ATTACK OF THE CLONES" and "2001:A SPACE ODYSSEY" many Golden Globe nominees and winners, while others were Academy Award nominations and winners ~ whatever category they fell in...they were all winners on the grand scale of "Epic Film Music" ~ gotta love it!