Men & Angels Say

Classic Maritime Music from Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
The Harry Smith Project: The Anthology Of American Folk Music Revisited (2 CD/2 DVD BOX SET)
Orphans [Fold-out Digipak with 24-page booklet]
American Sea Shanties and Songs
Shanties & Songs of the Sea

ASIN: B000GGSMD0
Release Date: 2006-08-22

Tracks:

Cape Cod Girls - Baby Gramps
Mingulay Boat Song - Richard Thompson
My Son John - John C. Reilly
Fire Down Below - Nick Cave
Turkish Revelry - Loudon Wainwright III
Bully In The Alley - The Old Prunes
The Cruel Ship's Captain - Bryan Ferry
Dead Horse - Robin Holcomb
Spansih Ladies - Bill Frisell
High Barbary - Joseph Arthur
Haul Away Joe - Mark Anthony Thompson
Dan Dan - David Thomas
Blood Red Roses - Sting
Sally Brown - Teddy Thompson
Lowlands Away - Rufus Wainwright & Kate McGarrigle
Baltimore Whores - Gavin Friday
Rolling Sea - Eliza McCarthy
Haul On The Bowline - Bob Neuwirth
Dying Sailor to His Shipmates - Bono
Bonnie Portmore - Lucinda Williams
The Mermaid - Martin Carthy & the UK Group
Shenandoah - Richard Greene & Jack Shit
The Cry Of Man - Mary Margaret O'Hara

Tracks:

Boney - Jack Shit
Good Ship Venus - Loudon Wainwright III
Long Time Ago -White Magic
Pinery Boy - Nick Cave
Lowlands Low - Bryan Ferry w/Antony
One Spring Morning - Akron/Family
Hog Eye Man - Martin Carthy & Family
The Fiddler/A Drop Of Nelson's Blood - Ricky Jay & Richard Greene
Caroline and Her Young Sailor Bold - Andrea Corr
Fathom The Bowl - John C. Reilly
Drunken Sailor - Dave Thomas
Farewell Nancy - Ed Harcourt
Hanging Johnny - Stan Ridgway
Old Man of The Sea - Baby Gramps
Greenland Whale Fisheries - Van Dyke Parks
Shallow Brown - Sting
The Grey Funnel Line - Jolie Holland
A Drop of Nelson's Blood - Jarvis Cocker
Leave Her Johnny - Lou Reed
Little Boy Billy - Ralph Steadman

Amazon.com

Johnny Depp and director Gore Verbinski hatched the idea for Rogue's Gallery while filming "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest"--that idea being to cast genteel rock superstars like Bono, Lou Reed, Bryan Ferry, Andre Corr, and Sting to reinterpret gritty seafaring standards for an exhaustive 43-track double-disc set produced by Hal Wilner. Throw in a bunch of credible folk stars (Loudon Wainwright III, Richard Thompson), their offspring (Rufus, Teddy) and a string of other curious characters (Jarvis Cocker, Antony) and what results is one of the strangest compilations in recent memory, if not exactly the most historically authentic or, well, digestible. Nick Cave embraces the role just a little too hard on "Fire Down Below," while Ferry can't help but sound like he's singing for the cast of "The Love Boat," but cut through the chaff and there is some real bootie here: Bono's "Dying Sailor to His Shipmates," Jolie Holland's "The Grey Funnel Line" and "Boney" by a mysterious tramp called Jack Sh**, which must be some kind of anagram for Johnny Depp. --Aidin Vaziri

Album Description

While working on the two "Pirates Of The Carribean" films, Johnny Depp and director Gore Verbinski became fascinated with the lore and fable of the pirates and sailors who ran the high seas. Enter legendary producer Hal Wilner, who brings his knack for matching maverick musicians with extraordinary material. Artists on this double disc set include Bono, Sting, Nick Cave, Bryan Ferry, Lou Reed, Richard Thompson, Lucinda Williams, Jarvis Cocker of Pulp, and many more. "Rogue's Gallery" offers a look at the hardships, the horrors, the lusts and lurid depths, and the crystal beauty that led men to the sea in ships for hundreds of years.

Customer Reviews:

Fun--but not great.......2007-07-03

What a concept--a pirate song co-produced by Verbinski and Depp inspired by the "Pirates of the Carribean" series. It should be great and in places, it is. The big question I came away with is--who is Jack Sh**? That one definitely has me guessing.

I won't belabor the song content or the production value. I think the most notable reviews have got that down pat, although I'm not marking down as far as they have because I'm giving points for originality being a fan of Spike Jones and some other truly demented people.

One thing to note: this is not a CD you'd buy if you were looking for something to amuse your kids. Some of the content is very bawdy and Mom and Dad would have some serious 'splaining to do to the little pirates. There's both some language and some situations that are more twisted than a Hangman's knot.

aaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrghhhhhhhhhhhhh!.......2007-06-09

Some of the songs are quite good(mellow)others a little odd. Its what I expected, but not what you would expect.

Disappointment would be an understatement.......2007-06-04

It is not unusual to find sea shanties performed by not the greatest musicians or singers in the world. It is not unusual to find shanties sung by people who have difficulty keeping perfect pitch, or tempo. But at least they understand what the music is about, and sing it with heart and enthusiasm and a love for the genre.

Hal Wilner should stick to whatever genre it is that made him know enough to be approached by labels, because he clearly has no understanding, and less enthusiasm for *this* genre.

If you love lively music from the maritime era, you can only be bitterly disappointed by this collection. Out of 43 tracks, I found 15 that were salvageable. Sort of.

I've already tossed this onto the pile to go to the resale shop. It wasn't worthy the cost of shipping.

Zzz..........2007-04-04

I have to admit that I have no idea what kinds of music the pirates sang aboard their ships. I know it probably wasn't "yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me," but I expected something different than this. I think my expectations have been colored by groups like The Pogues, Flogging Molly, The Tossers, and the Real McKenzies. I have an annual Pirate Party and I was hoping to find some good music here to get people in the mood for a treasure hunt or pirate liar's dice, but instead, the music on this CD is something I'd put on if the party went on too long and I wanted to encourage people to leave. Some of it is actually awful and the rest is too slow and plodding to inject much energy into any situation.

I appreciate what was attempted here (contemporary artists paying homage to sea chanteys in the spirit of our romanticized version of the pirate era) but it just doesn't really work. The effect is similar to what would be achieved if the London Philharmonic Orchestra attempted to play rap "music" with Luciano Pavarotti rhymin' while flashing gang signs.

another set of hopes are smashed.......2007-03-29

the selection of titles attracted me. The quality of the arrangements, the voices, and the music---are all quite bad.

It is VERY sad that these same titles, could not have been produced for quality. They sound like a nightmare.

Average customer rating:

One of Australia's best exports
Great CD
Better than I remembered
Good collection, EXTREMELY poor sound
Heady Subject Matter Masqueraded As Satire...Or Not.

Contraband: The Best of Men at Work
Men at Work
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Man at Work
The Best of Howard Jones
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Greatest

ASIN: B000002ABO
Release Date: 1996-04-02

Tracks:

Who Can It Be Now?
Down Under
It's A Mistake
Hard Luck Story
Still Life
Underground
Upstairs In My House
I Like To (Live)
High Wire
Maria
Be Good Johnny
Dr. Heckyll And Mr. Jive
Overkill
Man With Two Hearts
Snakes And Ladders
Down By The Sea

Customer Reviews:

One of Australia's best exports.......2007-07-11

This compilation is great. Men at Work made some great music and it's collected here. All of the songs are good. In addition to being good, with melodies that catch in the head, the songs make the listener think some too. There's intellectual and emotional impact to them. I liked these guys as a kid and I like this CD a lot now. Great buy, especially for 80s kids.

Great CD.......2007-03-12

Definitely worth having. Great music to move to while doing housework and had to stop a few times and dance around the house. My 9 yr old son thought I was nuts. Oh well....after the 80's....maybe I am.

Better than I remembered.......2007-02-04

I bought this after a friend and I were discussing old bands, films, etc. that we loved growing up. As I played the C.D., the songs were even better than I remembered! Besides bringing back memories, it brought back a unique sound and voice that is similar to absolutely no one. If you've never seen the videos that go with 'Be Good Johnny' or 'Land from Down Under', you'll have to try to get your hands on them. These guys were as good at performing for the screen as they were behind their instruments. 'Overkill' is my husband's theme song (he worries too much over little things). The lyrics have a wide variety of meanings with diverse beats. There's something for everyone on this 'best of' the best band ever!

Chrissy K. McVay - Author

Good collection, EXTREMELY poor sound.......2006-11-14

I'll have to concur with the reviewer "El Marco", who inexplicably is the only reviewer to have noted the poor sound on this CD.

While the collection of songs by a band I like is fine, the mastering of this disc is nothing short of a crime. After hearing "Be Good Johnny" on my iPod for the first time, the horrible distortion of the cymbal crashes mad me figure I'd ripped the CD at the wrong bitrate. Checking my iTunes settings, I saw that it was no different from any other CD I'd ripped, so I pulled the CD back out to see what was what. Listening to the disc directly, the same flaws I noticed on my iPod are there in the original recording (which I'd not listened to critically before I put it on my player). Every track (not just "Be Good Johnny") that I care about sounds bad, either because of distorted cymbal crashes, muddy overall sound, poor bass, or a maddening shifting of the stereo image left and right across the soundstage.

Listening to this CD through headphones, you will be driven to tears by the realization that someone mucked up the transfer BIG TIME. Basically, the CD sounds as though it was produced from a bunch of 96bps MP3 tracks stolen off of Kazaa and then burned to disc. I wish I were exaggerating, but truly, this is easily one of the ten worst-sounding commercially produced CD's in my 1000+ disc collection.

Four stars for the selection of music, minus-3 stars for the sound quality. The quality of this CD is inexcusable.

Heady Subject Matter Masqueraded As Satire...Or Not........2006-07-23

I've always admired Men At Work's brief yet substantive output. Though their reign on the charts lasted just a year or so, Their tunes had an infectiousness about them that endures the ages. Clever lyricism married to largely ebullient and catchy arrangements, Men At Work were for a time masters of the pop/rock game. And each tune covered a topic of note.

Take the winsome #1 hit "Down Under" (nationalism), filled with flutes and a bubbly tempo. The #1 "Who Can It Be Now" (paranoia/neurosis), with its sense of urgency conjoined to a ever repetitive chorus. The top 3 hit "Overkill" (obsessive compulsion/insomnia) with its eerie synths and heavy atmospherics. The top 10 hit "It's A Mistake" (Nuclear War/Cold War Histrionics) summarizing the folly of oversight and rash behaviors which threaten the world at large within the constraints of a pop song. And, the top 30 hit "The Story of Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde"(schizophrenia/delusions) which puts a light hearted spin on a more serious subject.

I realize that the thoughtful style of Men At Work is tongue in cheek (like much of my review descriptions here) and I wouldn't classify it as deep. But to me, their pop appeal is undeniable and they are worthy of their respective place in music history. There are other more obscure tunes on here - some you may have heard on MTV such as "Be Good Johnny" which are equally enticing to the listener. All in all, a good collection of a good band.

Average customer rating:

Good
ON BENDED KNEE..
Without a doubt one of the best R&B disc's released ever
Still a favorite...
Repeat

II
Boyz II Men
Manufacturer: Motown
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Evolution
Cooleyhighharmony
Nathan Michael Shawn Wanya
Back at One
If I Ever Fall in Love

ASIN: B000001A6L
Release Date: 1994-08-30

Tracks:

Thank You
All Around The World
U Know
Vibin'
I Sit Away
Jezzebel
Khalil (Interlude)
Trying Times
I'll Make Love To You
On Bended Knee
50 Candles
Water Runs Dry
Yesterday

Amazon.com

Already big stars courtesy of their debut, Cooleyhighharmony, the Boyz blasted off into superstar orbit on this CD. Of course those lush harmonies had a little something to wrap themselves around; namely the magnificent ballads "I'll Make Love to You"(which broke the chart record of the earlier "End of the Road" ) and "On Bended Knee." Corny? Si. Wholesome? And how. Obviously that didn't stop the biggest male vocal act of the '90s from crooning all the way to the bank, several million times over. --Amy Linden

Customer Reviews:

Good.......2007-05-12

I loved Boyz II Men when they were out. This CD is a winner. I love it.

ON BENDED KNEE.........2007-01-19

This song alone brings back special memories of high school and first love. On Bended Knee is one of my favorite songs EVER.

These 4 voices blended better than any group I've ever heard. Man! R&B music ain't the same anymore!

Without a doubt one of the best R&B disc's released ever.......2007-01-04

While most artists suffer a sohphmoe slump Boyz II Men did just the opposite and scored home run with the classic II. II is a carefully constructed crowd pleaser, accentuating all of the finest moments from their hit debut. While there are some high-energy dance tracks, the album's main strength is its slower numbers, where the group's vocals soar. The slow jams Trying Times & 50 Candles are excllent and can easily hang with any of the songs they've ever recorded. As far as the singles I'll Make Love To You, Yesterday, On Bended Knee and Water Runs Dry they need only word to describe them which is classic.

Still a favorite..........2006-11-02

Boyz II Men was probably my favorite musical act when I was growing up. I knew every word to just about every one of their songs, and this album in particular was always playing in my room. Starting things off with `Thank You', a song that's sure to get you moving in the right direction, Boyz II Men capitalized on their impressive harmonies right from the beginning and delivered 13 impressive tracks to serve as a complete musical experience.

Tracks like the aforementioned `Thank You', `All Around the World' and the funky `Vibin' give us a throwback to `Cooleyhighharmony', giving us those slick beats and hip-hop vibe, but it's on tracks like the chart topping `I'll Make Love To You' and `On Bended Knee' where the boyz really shine. Songs like `Water Runs Dry' hits every note right and comes close to sending chills down the spine.

The two tracks that stand out the most for me is the laid back cool `U Know' which takes the cake as the best hip-hop inspired track here, but it can't hold a candle to '50 Candles' which is just dripping with pure sensuality and sets the right kind of mood if you know what I mean. Great album, perfect addition to any music collection...after all these years it's still my favorite album by the crooning quartet.

Repeat.......2006-10-04

In Boyz II Men's sophomore album, II, they make attempts to create their own identities with writing and producing this time around escaping producer Dallas Austin and founder Michael Bivins. This LP begins with the deepest of gratitude on "Thank You" produced by the group and Dallas Austin. Both "All Around The World" and "U Know" are mid-tempo tracks with a hip-hop flavor to them, but neither of the two is strikingly memorable or highlights. One thing they do is provide another angle for Boyz II Men. For a more relaxing environment, "Vibin'" has a rather simple instrumentation, lyrics and vocals. "I Sit Away" is a hidden gem with a mid-tempo flow with soothing lyrics written by Tony Rich and production by veteran L.A. Reid and Tony Rich. Stepping into a more modern jazz feel "Jezzebel" strengthen the groups range and abilities as the album is nearing a completed overall goal. Over a piano solo, Boyz II Men harmonize on "Khilil (Interlude)" to shift the gears down to their overpowering abilities to formulate ballads that begins with "Trying Times" written and produced by Wanya Morris, Tim Kelley & Bob Robinson. Hit maker Babyface lends a hand on two of the thirteen track album with smash singles and highlights "I'll Make Love To You" and "Water Runs Dry". Heavyweights Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis add a touch of love and mood setting material on "On Bended Knee". "50 Candles" drives this album to epic proportions with its thriving bass and lyrical content "...feels like one of those nights..." They show and prove why for their time there are no other male groups that can compare to their beautiful harmony and range as on "Yesterday" they perform accapella. If real talent that you seek, members Shawn, Michael, Nathan and Wanya has uncompromising talent for any age, era, or time that you can enjoy for long time.

Average customer rating:

A couple of songs away from utter perfection.
Why Haven't I Heard of Them Before Now???
Makes a great rainy day CD for listening to on the porch.
I'd Much Rather Have a Caravan filled with Money......than a Mansion filled with Debt
Temple of great songs but no hits

Temple of Low Men
Crowded House
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Crowded House
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Try Whistling This

ASIN: B000006N4M
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

I Feel Possessed
Kill Eye
Into Temptation
Mansion In The Slums
When You Come
Never Be The Same
Love This Life
Sister Madly
In The Lowlands
Better Be Home Soon

Customer Reviews:

A couple of songs away from utter perfection........2007-07-13

Neil Finn rightly has a reputation as a crafter of eminently hummable, infectious pop/rock tunes, and this, Crowded House's sophomore effort, is a fine showcase for his (and the band's) ample talents.

This set explores, to a greater degree than any other CH album, the breadth of human emotion inherent in relationships, from fear to ardor to longing, covering virtually every possible variation in between. The writing is crisp and beautiful, the playing simultaneously delicate and energetic.

The album's high points include the passionate "When You Come," one of those Finn songs that manages to be both about, and not about, sexual desire; "Never Be The Same," a thoughtful reflection on mortality, and the yearning apprehensiveness of "In The Lowlands."

Even the weaker tracks, such as "Kill Eye" (which can be a bit grating after time), are still far more interesting than the filler found on the albums of lesser artists.

If you are searching for the perfect pop/rock set, I would recommend Finn's solo debut, Try Whistling This; nonetheless, this album will make a fine addition to any CD collection and is a must for all CH fans.

Why Haven't I Heard of Them Before Now???.......2007-05-06

I can't believe I hadn't heard of this Aussie band until I met someone on Second Life who recommended I give them a listen. Now I am totally addicted to Into Temptation, When You Come, Never Be the Same, Love This Life, and Better Be Home Soon. Beautiful, pensive, suggestive... dare I say romantic? These are now on my Classic Playlist.

Makes a great rainy day CD for listening to on the porch........2006-11-30

The 1988 recording by Crowded House, "Temple of Low Men," never received its due for the well-crafted songs (save the irritating Kill Eye which I invariably skip), musical interplay among the band, and production from then unknown Mitchell Froom (who really should be accorded the status of fourth member).

Though a more challenging listen than the band's lighter, more pop-oriented debut album, "Temple of Low Men" makes a great rainy day CD for listening to on the porch. Neil Finn always knew how to craft interesting lyrics and songs such as Sister Madly, which has a great one-off guest shot by Richard Thompson on guitar, is one of those tunes that gets stuck on endless mental replay if you are not careful.

It's a bit startling to see how many of these are for sale for so little--you folks might want to give this one another spin.

I'd Much Rather Have a Caravan filled with Money......than a Mansion filled with Debt.......2006-07-24

Hello again people. It's the pompous Seer that you know so well who is back to reviewing considerable music to explore. I was on vacation. Spent some time on the Gulf of Mexico. What a time! After almost killing myself with those jet skis, I became sedate (and also quite a sight) lounging on the beach-sunglasses, white beard flowing, with a constant supply of tropical drinks courtesy of the hotel. Sounds nice huh? I won't even discuss the amount of money I spent tipping the busboy. I am saddened that we can't use spirituality instead of money. If that were so, Metamorpho would be a very rich Seer. Ah well.
Chance (my guide that looks like Robert DeNiro but without the scowl) bet me that I could not write a cohesive review about Crowded House. So I cut my vacation early and flew back home to write this for my adoring public.
To start, let me say that I have all of Crowded House's C.D.s and ALL are excellent in the pop genre. That said, there is something about Temple of Low Men that I find intriguing over and over again. To make sense of this, I asked my guides exactly what it was? But to no avail. I suppose the lure of a roulette table takes precedence over true reflective. Also, age is not a positive factor in my favor. I never thought I'd careen into another generation gap. The slights of life.
Anyway- Neil Finn's compositional talents are very considerable and noteworthy. In some way there are a number of topics going on here- possession,rejection,redemption,isolation and the attempt at true communication and connection. All done in a sometimes confusing stream of conciousness. But no matter - the thought bubbles that emanate from Neil Finn's mind are indeed crowded and when they are released we are exposed to amazing bits of songwriting. Even though this is the pop genre, Neil's compositions are anything but matter-of-fact. He throws chords and changes in here that are incredible and unique. And the talent and the production make you wish you had 6 ears instead of 2.
The album begins with "I Feel Possessed" and the swirling and beckoning musical backdrop perfectly fits the alluring and dream-like state that Neil finds himself in. It is a giving in to an uncontrollable quest that constantly eludes us.
"Kill Eye" is disturbing and rough. The emotions in this are at war. The subject, although destructive and possessed, still has underlined goodness that cannot be expressed. We then move from the roughness to "Into Temptation", a lilting, subtle and sad song. We know that the subject here has many regrets over his failures and that he feels guilty by being possessed by temptation. Great lines here, "the guilty get no sleep, in the last slow hours of morning, experience is cheap,I should have listened to the warning". Neil's expressions with words are a joy to behold.
"Mansion in the Slums" is one of Metamorpho's favorites. A puzzling tune for sure. It is the isolation that comes by being rich as opposed to the connections by being poor. As he states, he'd rather have the best of both worlds. Neil does not want to only have the option of one or the other. A struggle for personal freedom. With "When You Come" is a double-entendre of sorts. An exploding, sensual attack of love from the earth and the heavens. Pay attention to Neil's poetry and how the music builds to a crescendo. Absolutely remarkable.
"Never Be the Same" and "Love this Life" are a perfect duo of songs. They both concentrate on survival after failure. In "Never Be the Same" he urges everyone to not stand around, like friends at a funeral. That suffering is always personal. However, the subjects "might still survive, and rise up through the maze" all the while knowing that things could never be the same after what they went through. The music on this is pure pop pleasure juxtaposed against difficult emotions. "Love this Life", on the other hand, proceeds on a calmer scale. It is the resolution that even though disaster may strike, we are alive, and the experience of the pleasure and the pain, are still a worthy measure of being human.
"Sister Madly" is a jaunty little shuffle about about, paradoxically, a steam-roller of a woman. It is a disconnect and the disconnection comes from how she treats people. She knows what she's doing, and is guided by another type of obsession/possession. "In the Lowlands" is a troubled state of affairs and, again, the music matches this urgency. Neil finds himself to be too late to fix the situation and his relationship and his desire will transform to fear. The music mirrors the situation and the lyrics, again, wax poetic and vital.
"Better Be Home Soon" seems simple enough, however, it too is about possession, about something that has a hold. The emotions within his love are pushing him away. Yet, he holds the key and is right for the first time in his life. Again, the lack of communication is a theme here, and, although he can go on without her, she runs the risk of getting back home too late. This is the best song on the album, in my opinion, and, in many respects, home is where the heart is.
In conclusion, I have come to "feel possessed" (and obssessed) about the music here. It is a wonder-and very well worth your consideration. Hope I did a somewhat half-decent job. I hope everyone's summer is filled with sun and joy. Now, listen to Metamorpho -you'll be glad. Again- I would not lead you down a false path and make you drink poisoned Kool-Aid. Catch the real drift (see my other reviews). Now, back to the beach. Yours in eternal light-------Metamorpho (Morphy)

Temple of great songs but no hits.......2006-04-28

I remember hearing Better Be Home Soon, the first single, the first time many years ago. It was a very nice song but surely not a contender of being a major hit. There had to be other songs lined up being hit singles, this one being merely an introduction to their new album? The reality was, however, that Temple Of Low Men barely has a single radio friendly song. The song closest to it, Never Be The Same got some airplay on Rock oriented radio stations but was mysteriously never released as a single.

Unlike their first self titled album, which was full of catchy pop tunes and a glossy production, Temple Of Low Men consist mainly of darker tunes. This is not to say that they are not catchy, they simply do not provide necessary radio fodder to sell. Not being an established major act, the album thus became a major commercial flop. Artistically, however, Temple was a break through proving that Don't Dream It's Over was not simply some sort of luck. I Feel Possessed starts the album and signals a much richer production than before, with Neil Finn content of showing a dark side in a similar fashion of Sting's Every Breathe You Take. The rest of Temple is in a similar vein, thoughtful lyrics, catchy tunes and an imaginative production, very clean but yet mostly without the glossy 80s feel that ruined many recordings of that era.

Temple may not be the most joyful records around but it is a fantastic grower that is still worth listening to today. With hindsight, this was a hint of what lay around the corner with Woodface, which combined the best qualities of Crowded House's first two releases and later Together Alone, creating an alchemy of what they had previously done, taking that one step further by making a masterpiece.

Average customer rating:

Gold, if you're half as moody as me
Magnificent Songs
Amazing Film, Great Soundtrack
Eclectic journey
Missing Track

Children of Men
Soundtrack
Manufacturer: Hip-O Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Children of Men (Original Motion Picture Score)
Pan's Labyrinth
The Children of Men
Babel
Children of Men (Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B000JCETA6
Release Date: 2006-12-12

Tracks:

Hush- Deep Purple
Witness (1 Hope)- Roots Manuva
Tomorrow Never Knows- Junior Parker
Sleepy Shores- Michael Price
The Court Of The Crimson (King Edit)- King Crimson
Backward- Kode9 And The Spaceape
Wait- The Kills
There Is An Ocean- Donovan
Ruby Tuesday- Franco Battiato
Money Honey- Pressure Feat. Warrior Queen
Arbeit Macht Frei- The Libertines
Indian Stomp- Cyrus (Random Trio)
Bring On The Lucie (Freda Peeple)- John Lennon
Running The World- Jarvis Cocker

Amazon.com

Based on this soundtrack, the future of England sounds awfully familiar: a bit of classic-rock excess (Deep Purple's exhilarating "Hush," with its lengthy Jon Lord organ solo; an edited version of King Crimson's "The Court of the Crimson King") and a bit of jittery neopunk (the Libertines' "Arbeit Macht Frei"); a dash of super-deep dub (both Kode9 & the Spaceape's "Backward" and Pressure's "Money Honey" are endowed with bowel-shaking bass) and the obligatory left-field cover (Franco Battiato's Italian-accented "Ruby Tuesday"). Fitting the mood and concept of Alfonso Cuaron's sci-fi movie, the most impressive tracks are the ones that sound the most high-tech ominous, like the aforementioned "Money Honey," Cyrus (Random Trio)'s "Indian Stomp" and Roots Manuva's tense hip-hop "Witness." Former Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker provides an ironically bittersweet, drum-machine-propelled coda with "Running the World," showing that on his own or with a band, he's one of the best lyricists England's ever produced--no wonder his track is right next to one by John Lennon. Note that John Tavener's score appears on a separate CD. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

Gold, if you're half as moody as me.......2007-07-14

Donovan's There is an ocean. Now, before I begin to say something about the soundtrack, I must tell you that "There is an ocean" is the best song on this cd. There is an ocean alone deserves hundred plus listens because it's lyrical flair. I now follow Donovan's discography quite frequently. It's a disquieting track in simple words.

The Kills' "Wait" will make you fall in love with music, yet again. I'm absolutely in love with the female vocals on that track, it doesn't make much sense when you wonder why it was included in the cd but it's there to make you screech in joy. "Ruby Tuesday" will leave you dazed and confused. It's poignancy over weighs it's catchiness, "Goodbye Ruby Tuesday, who could hang the name on you, when you change me every newday, still I'm going to miss...Dont question why she needs to be so free, she will tell you it's the only way to be"

I can't stand the track "Backward" and I think the Libertines song called "Arbeit Macht Frei" is not my cup of blackcoffee. Deep Purple's Hush is not bad, it's just got one catching "Na Na Na" line about it. Roots Manuva "Witness" is ridiculously appauling. Junior Parker "Tomorrow Never Knows" is a song that reminds you of God Tim Buckley at his peak. "Sleepy Shore" is great and has no lyrics, only ultra charmed lush instrumentals!

The King Crimson track will remind you of lands you've never been to. King Crimson's music, at most times, had this fantasy like landscape of sound that is quite addictive if heard in right proportion and taste. If you like :The Court Of The Crimson King, You should go check a song called "I talk to the wind" by the same band. Being an Indian, I have no opinion on the Indian chant by Cyrus, strangely.

John Lennon's BRING ON THE LUCIE made me realize how un-aware I am of the wonders of youth and how much there is to live for. The sound is downright fun and wins you over in thirty seconds. Amazing, really.

The last track of the cd,Jarvis Cocker's Running The World reminds me of the sublime spirit of music. The vocals remind me of Pulp/The Cure at their absolute word-defying best, the lyrics are ecstatically catchy.

Although there are around 4 tracks to despise from this soundtrack, I still would give it 5stars cause the sounds are so varied and catchy. I actually think is worth buying.

Q. The Movie?
A. The movie redefines "Gallantry" and I think you should watch it for our own faring well.

Magnificent Songs.......2007-07-09

Loved every song here captures the loss of the film. Especially love Junior Parker's Tomorrow Never Knows.Even better than the original song.

Amazing Film, Great Soundtrack.......2007-02-09

This film was like nothing I have ever experienced, I say experienced because the film was more of an experience than an event. This is how films should be made, putting the audience right there in the thick of the action, but at the same time opening up parts of the mind that were either previously unexplored or under-developed. The soundtrack is a wonderful companion to the film; I bought it shortly after seeing the film for the second time, (saw it twice in the same weekend) and have listened to it nearly non-stop ever since.

Eclectic journey.......2007-01-31

Great Junior Parker cut of a Lennon-McCartney song, John Lennon doing a stunning song apropos of the film, plus the whole King Crimson-Pink Floyd tie in with the pig makes the CD worthwhile. The fact the music samples rap to electronica to classic rock to fun covers makes the low price a steal.

Missing Track.......2007-01-26

The Aphex Twin track that many wonder about is called "Omgyjya Switch7" off of the Drukqs album.

Average customer rating:

Wonderful, but not my first choice
THE BEST recording of the BEST oratorio ever...
Too bad there are so few recordings of Elijah

Mendelssohn: Elijah

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Franz Joseph Haydn: The Creation
Mendelssohn - Elijah / Terfel, Fleming, Bardon, Ainsley, Fulgoni, Paul Daniel
Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde
Brahms - Ein Deutsches Requiem (A German Requiem) / Auger, Stilwell, Atlanta SO, Robert Shaw
Brahms: Ein deutsches Requiem [A German Requiem]

ASIN: B0002XV31A
Release Date: 2005-02-15

Tracks:

Introduction: As God The Lord Of Israel Liveth
Overture
No.1 Help, Lord! Wilt Thou Quite Destroy Us?
No.2: Lord! Bow Thine Ear To Our Prayer!
No.3: Ye People, Rend Your Hearts
No.4: If With All Your Hearts
No.5: Yet Doth The Lord See It Not
No.6: Elijah! Get Thee Hence
No.7: For He Shall Give His Angels Charge Over Thee
Recitative: Now Cherith's Brook Is Dried Up
No.8: What Have I Do To Do With Thee?
No.9: Blessed Are The Men Who Fear Him
No.10: As God The Lord Of Sabaoth Liveth
No.11: Baal, We Cry To Thee: Hear And Answer Us!
No.12: Call Him Louder, For He Is A God!
No.13: Call Him Louder! He Heareth Not!
No.14: Lord God Of Abraham, Isaac And Israel!
No.15: Cast Thy Burden Upon The Lord
No.16: O Thou, Who Makest Thine Angels Spirits
No.17: Is Not His Word Like A Fire?
No.18: Woe Unto Them Who Forsake Him!
No.19: O Man Of God, Help Thy People!
No.20: Thanks Be To God!

Tracks:

No.21: Hear Ye, Israel; Hear What The Lord Speaketh
No.22: Be Not Afraid, Saith God The Lord
No.23: The Lord Hath Exalted Thee
No.24: Woe To Him, He Shall Perish
No.25: Man Of God, Now Let My Words Be Precious
No.26: It Is Enough; O Lord Now Take My Life
No.27: See, Now He Sleepeth
No.28: Lift Thine Eyes To The Mountains
No.29: He, Watching Over Israel, Slumbers Not
No.30: Arise, Elijah, For Thou Hast A Long Journey
No.31: O Rest In The Lord
No.32: He That Shall Endure To The End, Shall Be Saved
No.33: Night Falleth Round Me, O Lord!
No.34: Behold! God The Lord Passed By!
No.35: Above Him Stood The Seraphim
No.36: Go, Return Upon Thy Way
No.37: For The Mountains Shall Depart
No.38: Then Did Elijah The Prophet Break Forth
No.39: Then Shall The Righteous Shine Forth
No.40: Behold, God Hath Sent Elijah
No.41: But The Lord, From The North Hath Raised One
No.41a: O Come Everyone That Thirsteth
No.42: And Then Shall Your Light Break Forth

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful, but not my first choice.......2007-04-07

I believe this was the first recording of Elijah in English that used an "international" conductor and some international singers. Fruhbeck gives a good, dramatic sweep to the piece, with some wonderful dramatic moments. This is an old fashioned performance, with only a solo quartet, and if there is a semi-chorus, I can't tell the difference. This means that the soprano is the Widow, and an Angel, the mezzo the Angel and Queen Jezabel, etc. You really should have a libretto, but you don't get one at this price.
Fischer-Dieskau roughens up his voice for the role, and therein lies a problem. The voice spreads and his diction suffers because of it; that and his unidiomatic pronounciation, with far too many rolled "r"s. He does the drama well, but what works well in lieder works here less well on the large scale. Odd, given his success as on opera singer (check out his Iago), that here he frequently comes off blustery.
Dame Gwyneth Jones belies her reputation and gives a contolled, dramatic performance, using her "edge" to advantage in "Hear Ye, Israel". Gedda's diction is amazing, with exactly the right color for this literature, and projecting a little more blood than an English tenor.
Dame Janet Baker is my star in this performance. Dramatic, heart-rending when need be, and in wonderful voice. She'll chill your blood when she tells the people of Baal to "slaughter him, do what he hath done!".
And as for the people of Baal, the Philharmonia Chorus is wonderful. Incisive and dramatic, with beautiful tone. I could do without the trick of the boy choir for "Lift Thine Eyes", and I miss the small ensembles, but all in all a fine performance, and good recording, circa 1968.
First choice in English, Daniels/Terfel: better Elijah in Terfel, better recording, more authentic orchestra, small vocal ensembles (as per the score) but inferior women (including Fleming: beautiful tone, but where's her head?). In German, it's Sawallisch/Adam all the way.
But if you're singing Elijah, and have a score, this is a good choice.

THE BEST recording of the BEST oratorio ever..........2006-08-15

Okay, I'm gonna admit I'm biased- I first sung in the chorus of Elijah when I was 14 and it made a BIG impression on me!
This recording is in every way wonderful. Starting with Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau. He IS Elijah to me. His singing is perfection. He has amazing phrasing and his diction makes it possible to understand the lovely, inspired libretto to this heavenly music. There are so many pieces that are ephemeral, but a couple of my favorites are: #14, Lord God of Abraham and #37, For the Mountains shall Depart. Dieskau does a great job of what I think of as compassionate, heartfelt singing. His interpretation sounds like the voice of God himself. It has a quality of kindness and yet he sounds just as convincing reprimanding the people of Baal. He is the true highlight of this recording.

That said, the rest of the cast is wonderful as well. Gwyneth Jones has a lovely, silvery voice that has a clarion bell-like tone that rings over the large orchestra with ease. She has occasional "misfire" but is a consistent performer. Dame Janet Baker and Nicolai Gedda both perform at a consistently lovely level. The orchestra and chorus are both wonderful. #15, Cast thy Burden upon the Lord, #32 He that Shall Endure to the End, and #38 Then Did Elijah are all highlights.

All said, for me the main reason to get this recording is Dieskau's Elijah- after all, he's the main character. But don't forget the lovely music. This story is exciting and passionate and sacred all at the same time. For me, it's the best oratorio that has a moving story and great music too.

Too bad there are so few recordings of Elijah.......2006-07-03

This is a good recording of an oratorio that deserves more attention. The chorus and soloists are very good--I just wish Fischer-Diskau wouldn't slide around so much in singing the title part!

Music:

Music

Music