Christmas Is Here
Track Listings
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1. God's Only Son
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2. Medley: It Came upon a Midnight Clear/Angels We Have Heard on High
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3. Music Interlude #1
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4. Emmanuel
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5. Medley: Carol of the Bells/Silver Bells
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6. Reason for the Season
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7. Music Interlude #2
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8. Medley: O Come, O Come Emmanuel/God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
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9. Glory to God
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10. Christmas Is Here
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11. While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
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Christmas Is Here, Music, Daryl Coley & Beloved, Black Gospel, CCM, Christmas, Christmas / Chanukkah, Christmas Music, Contemporary Gospel, Pop, Urban
Average customer rating:
- Un gran concierto
- Give em a 3.5
- The Most Enjoyable Evening IN !!!!!!!!!!!
- Hmmmm....
- Last Encore of songs missing off C.D.
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The 3 Tenors in Concert 1994
Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea
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Similar Items:
- Carreras · Domingo · Pavarotti ~ the three tenors in concert / Mehta
- The Best of the Three Tenors
- Paris 1998
- The Three Tenors Christmas
- The 3 Tenors in Concert 1994 / William Cosel
ASIN: B000002IZE
Release Date: 1994-08-30 |
Tracks:
- Le Cid: O Souverain, O Juge, O Pere
- Maravilla: Amor, Vida De Mi Vida
- Werther: Pourquoi Me Reveiller
- Spring Is Here: With a Song In My Heart
- Granada
- Non Ti Scordar Di Me
- 'A Tribute to Hollywood': My Way
- Tribute To Hollywood: Moon River
- Tribute To Hollywood: Because
- 'A Tribute to Hollywood': Singin' In the Rain
- Tu, Ca Nun Chiagne
- Pagliacci: Vesti la Giubba
- Turondat: Nessun Dorma!
- 'Around the World': America
- 'Around the World': All I Ask Of You
- 'Around the World': Funiculi, Funicula
- 'Around the World': Sous Les Ponts De Paris
- 'Around the World': Brazil
- 'Around the World': Be My Love
- 'Around the World': Marechiare
- 'Around the World': Lippen Schweigen
- 'Around the World': Santa Lucia Luntana
- 'Around the World': Those Were the Days
- 'Around the World': Te Quiero Dijiste
- 'Around the World': Torna A Surriento
- Encores: La Donna E Mobile
- Encores: Libiamo Ne' Lieti Calici
Amazon.com
It's not opera; it's not a pop concert; it's not Broadway. It's all of these and none of them. Once you accept the fact that this sequel to the original blockbuster concert recording is less about music and more about entertainment and the power of musical personalities, you can appreciate what you're hearing as an event--phenomenal and bizarre, momentous and frivolous. This is an occasion to celebrate the voices and egos of three huge superstars, and to have fun listening as Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, and Jose Carreras interact, bouncing lines off each other and playing to the overwhelmingly enthusiastic audience. Much of the fun and flavor of the concert is dependent on seeing the action, though, and without the visuals you notice flaws in the singing much more. Domingo comes off as the more solid performer, and his voice is in far better shape than the other two. But if you crave big, high, and loud--and you don't take your opera too seriously--you'll love this disc. --David Vernier
Customer Reviews:
Un gran concierto.......2005-07-19
Yo tenia el Cd de este concierto, pero sin duda el DVD presenta la realidad, lo sublime de este evento, porque ademas de ver las interpretaciones, trae varios puntos y canciones extras. Carreras creo que esta bien, saca la tarea. Placido Domingo en Amor vida de mi vida, logra llevar el concierto a su punto mas alto en ese momento, punto superado unicamente por Pavarotti en Nessum Dorma. Pavarotti como siempre sublime como dije en Nessum Dorma, Ave maria y en los popurris. La calidad del DVD es genial, con full screen y sonido digital. Otro punto buenisimo es la aparicion de Frank Sinatra en la cancion My way y de otras luminarias del cine y la política. Espero que este comentario sirva de ayuda para aquellos que quieran este DVD.
Give em a 3.5.......2004-01-25
The Three Tenors has/have become a cottage industry, churning out one CD after another for every imaginable event and in every combination. This does not mean that the results are necessarily inferior but it does imply a commercial, layman's approach. And maybe this is better - spreading the joys of fine music to the masses. After all, where besides figure skating and cartoons do most people have a chance to even hear opera?
This event, like the first one in Rome, has a magnificent setting but, like Rome, the show was marketed mainly to the American audience. They still include the dreadful "Maria" with the hilarious pronunciation and even added "With a Song In My Heart" (or, as Carreras is wont to sing, "Weeth a Soeeng een My Haht"). Though some may deride the choice of encores, they were almost perfect. The Three Tenors, despite their prior celebrity, are creations of our culture of entertainment in ways that Caruso could only dream about.
Synopsis: Carreras stands out, Domingo substitutes volume for quality and Pavarotti soars when he doesn't have to.
The Most Enjoyable Evening IN !!!!!!!!!!!.......2003-05-01
I am not a regular Opera fan, hoever these THREE are the Best. their songs they sing together are SUPER!!! And the range of NOTES REACHED ARE REMARKABLE. tHE MIXTURE of songs is a treat for all, even if you are not an OPERA FAN!!!! Great show!!!!!!
Hmmmm...........2002-04-21
Not what I thought it was going to be. I like only about 4 of the 20+ tracks on this CD. I shoudl have just bought the DVD instead and actually watched them perform. Much, much more entertaining.
Last Encore of songs missing off C.D........2002-02-06
The Three Tenors are my absolute favourite singers. The 1994 Concert was undoubtedly their best in my view. I taped this live concert from the television, and have played and played and played it!! I also taped it on a cassette, however, when I bought the C.D. I was really disappointed that they did not include the last set of encore songs, which included O Sole a Mio (don't know if I've spelt that correctly), where Placido and Jose try and outdo Luciano!! It received such a fantastic reception from the crowd, (one of the many standing ovations), and really showed how much the Three Tenors seemed to enjoy performing the concert. How come this was not included? I don't know if it was on the Video because I play my own.
Many thanks for your time,
With kind regards,
Pam Sargeant.
Average customer rating:
- Great easy listenening
- Help trying to figure out the title of a song
- omitted song
- Where's Van Morrison?!
- The Royal Tenenbaums Soundtrack
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The Royal Tenenbaums (Collector's Edition)
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Hollywood Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
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Similar Items:
- The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
- The Royal Tenenbaums (The Criterion Collection)
- The Life Aquatic Studio Sessions
- Rushmore
- Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
ASIN: B000068TNT
Release Date: 2002-07-02 |
Tracks:
- 111 Archer Avenue - Mark Mothersbaugh
- These Days - Nico
- String Quartet In F Major - Ysaye Quartet
- Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard - Paul Simon
- Sonata For Cello And Piano In F Minor - The Mutato Muzika Orchestra
- Wigwam - Bob Dylan
- Look At That Old Grizzly Bear - Mark Mothersbaugh
- Look At Me - John Lennon
- Lullaby - Emitt Rhodes
- Mothersbaugh Canon - Mark Mothersbaugh
- Police & Thieves - The Clash
- Scrapping And Yelling - Mark Mothersbaugh
- Judy Is A Punk - Ramones
- Pagoda's Theme - Mark Mothersbaugh
- Needle In The Hay - Elliott Smith
- Fly - Nick Drake
- I Always Wanted To Be A Tenenbaum - Mark Mothersbaugh
- Christmas Time Is Here - Vince Guaraldi Trio
- Stephanie Says - The Velvet Underground
- Rachel Evans Tenenbaum (1965-2000) - Mark Mothersbaugh
- Sparkplug Minuet - Mark Mothersbaugh
- The Fairest Of The Seasons - Nico
- Hey Jude - The Mutato Muzika Orchestra
Amazon.com
The magical triad behind Rushmore's spunky, starry-eyed soundtrack--music supervisor Randall Poster, composer Mark Mothersbaugh, and director Wes Anderson--leaps forward a decade from that beloved soundtrack's '60s gems, in the process adopting a more pensive feel for The Royal Tenenbaums' musical backdrop. It may lack the euphoric sing-along feel of, say, Creation's "Makin' Time," but the rock and folk tracks here perfectly match the film's crumbling characters and their dilapidated relationships. The Ramones' "Judy Is a Punk" is a burst of nostalgic rebellion but surely causes a sad twinge in light of Joey Ramone's untimely death in 2001; gloom-folker Nick Drake's "Fly" and Elliott Smith's excellently depressing "Needle in the Hay"--which is used to chilling effect during a wrist-slashing scene--further deepen the dark thread running through Tenenbaums. But those who prefer the sunny disposition of Rushmore will be thrilled by the calming concoctions of Mothersbaugh, who heralds the coming of a new scene with graceful woodwind/string parts ("Scrapping and Yelling") and playful sitar pieces ("Pagoda's Theme"). Throw in the Clash's squalling "Police & Thieves" and the Velvet Underground's petal-soft "Stephanie Says" and you've got another winning soundtrack from the film biz's most in-tune music lovers. Tenenbaum or not, you can go home again. --Kristy Martin
Customer Reviews:
Great easy listenening .......2007-02-02
I like this soundtrack because its very laid back. Enjoyable songs that help you relax.
Help trying to figure out the title of a song.......2006-04-17
Hey, maybe you guys can help me, does anyone know the title of the song playing on a radio while owen wilson is getting high (or preparing to do so) with his friends and his dad and brother step in and tell him they want to help him. I really love that song and i have no idea what the title is
omitted song.......2006-02-01
For anyone interested, one song which was omitted from the soundtract which has not been mentioned is:
Emitt Rhodes - Lullabye
A beautiful track played in the scence where Royal is lying in his bed sucking down a shake and reading a book when Chas say "lights out old man" and switchs off the light. One of my fav songs in the movie along side the rolling stones - she smiled sweetly. sadly both songs were omitted but still a beautiful soundtrack.
Where's Van Morrison?!.......2005-03-16
This is a near-perfect collection of 60's and 70's pop and folk. The sad but hopeful vibe of the songs fits the movie's tone perfectly and you can't really agrue with songs like "Stephanie Says." it's also nice to hear the two Nico cuts since Nico's solo work really doesn't get the acclaim it deserves these days. My problem with this album is that it favors symphonic songs from the film instead of pop songs also used in it such as "Ruby Tuesday" and Van Morrison's "Everyone." I'm really bummed about the exclusion of "Everyone" because i thought it closed the movie so well. They should have released the score and the soundtrack separately so all these great songs could be included.
The Royal Tenenbaums Soundtrack.......2005-03-14
The Collector's Edition Soundtrack leaves out two great Rolling Stones' tunes She Smiled Sweetly & Ruby Tuesday. Also left to the winds is John Lennon's Look at Me, the Clash's Rock the Kazbah. The First Edition leaves a few tunes off too but it is a far better Soundtrack. Puckstar
Average customer rating:
- My idea of heaven
- Wonderful, but not quite the best of I had hoped
- A treasury
- Chanticleer: A Portrait
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Chanticleer: A Portrait
Caroll Coates , Harold / Mercer, Johnny Arlen , Spiritual Traditional , Vince Guaraldi , Joseph Jennings , Ettore Stratta , Eric Alatorre , Tim Krol , Corey McKnight , Kevin Baum , David Munderloh , and Dawn Upshaw
Manufacturer: Teldec
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- Our American Journey
- How Sweet the Sound: Spirituals & Traditional Gospel Music
- Wondrous Love: A World Folk Song Collection
- Sing We Christmas
- Where the Sun Will Never Go Down
ASIN: B00008J2VP
Release Date: 2003-03-18 |
Tracks:
- Quem Terra Pontus Sidera
- Ave Maria (Gregorian Chant)
- Alma Redemptoris Mater
- The Angel Cried Out
- Angelicas Milicias
- Wherewithal Shall A Young Man...
- Love Is A Beautiful Dream
- This Heart That Flutters Near My Heart
- Wild Grass
- Labbra Vermiglie E Belle
- Jeanie With The Light Brown Hair
- Dulaman
- Shenandoah
- Spanish Carol
- Love Is Letting Go
- Blues In The Night
- Wade In The Wate
- We Shall Walk Through The Valley In Peace
- Christmas Time Is Here
Amazon.com
With this disc, Chanticleer, the internationally renowned, all-male 12-voice chamber choir, celebrates its 25th anniversary. Presenting songs from earlier albums plus one not previously recorded, the selection displays the group's remarkable stylistic and linguistic versatility, as well as all the qualities that have made it famous: the impeccable precision and intonation; the pristine tonal purity; the deep, inner expressiveness; the infinitely variable range of colors, textures, dynamics and moods; and the incredible vocal control that allows voices to stand out as well as to blend into a seamless, sonorous whole. Not for nothing has the group been called "an orchestra of voices" with its ability to sound like a big band in chordal passages and to imitate bass pizzicati as well as patter-songs and gospel shouts. The sopranos take off into stratospheric heights with florid coloratura; it is hard to believe that these are male voices. The program ranges from Gregorian chant and liturgical music of the 16th and 17th century, through traditional and jazz-influenced folk songs and spirituals (some in deplorably bad arrangements), to works by contemporary composers. Chanticleer's mostly vibrato-less vocal style still reflects its roots in its original Renaissance repertoire, but the way the singers use their voices in the popular, jazzy songs makes one aware of the evolving kinship between the two traditions. Though primarily an a capella ensemble, Chanticleer is occasionally joined by various instrumental groups, from period instrument orchestras to a jazz trio, and Dawn Upshaw adds her radiant, smiling, unmistakably "real" soprano to a delightful, high-spirited performance of a Spanish Carol. This disc is a fine, varied sampling of Chanticleer's discography and should inspire listeners to search out all the complete albums. --Edith Eisler
Customer Reviews:
My idea of heaven.......2007-02-17
If you liked Norman Luboff's Song's of the Sea's "Shenandoah", the price of this CD is worth it alone. That's why I ordered the CD. I heard Chanticleer's version and immediately ordered it. The rest is just the icing on the cake.
Then there is the one Kiri Tekanawa (sp?) offering, which is the only female voice on the recording.
Wonderful, but not quite the best of I had hoped.......2006-07-18
Some great material truly shines on this album, but I wsih that the group had been a little less populist in their choice of repertoire. There is a little too many arrangements and folk-like material, with the exception of the wonderful "Dulaman", and I would like to have heard some more varied repertoire. That said this is an excellent starting point for this amazing group.
A treasury.......2005-11-06
As you can tell from the samples, the music here is amazing and covers a wide territory. It is less obvious that much of this is available on other CDs. I am confident, for example, that "We Shall Walk Through the Valley In Peace" is the same track that you will find on their phenomenal and highly recommended gospel collection, _Where the Sun Shall Never Go Down_, and I see a number of familiar-looking titles from other CDs. My advice is: if you're looking for a broad sample of the group's repertoire, then you can't go wrong here -- but if you've already got several Chanticleer albums, then you'll want to check your existing collection for potential duplications before buying this 'treasury.'
Chanticleer: A Portrait.......2005-10-26
This is a marvelous singing group of all males with a little addition of Dawn Upshaw on a couple of pieces. They are thourally amazing at what they can sing with Male Voices usually unaccompanied. Obviously they have good strong Contra-Tenors that can manage the high notes without any problems. I would recommend this album to anyone who enjoys vocal music, unaccompanied and like Male Voices
Average customer rating:
- Nice music but...
- Great CD
- A Noble and Festive Christmas
- Meat and Potatoes
- Totally Awesome
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A Festival of Carols in Brass
Manufacturer: Sony
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Similar Items:
- A Christmas Festival
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- Songs of Angels - Christmas Hymns and Carols
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ASIN: B0000024Q6
Release Date: 1991-07-16 |
Tracks:
- Deck The Halls With Broughs Of Holly
- Lo, How A Rose E're Blooming
- Bring A Torch, Jeanette, Isabella
- The First Nowell
- Angels We Have Hard On High
- We Three Kings Of Oreint Are
- O Come, All Ye Faithful
- O Sanctissima
- O Tannenbaum
- O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
- Good King Weceslas
- Silent Night, Holy Night
- Joy To the World
- The Twelve Days Of Christmas
- Conventry Carol
- God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
- It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
- Good Christian Men Rejoice
- O Holy Night
- What Child Is This?
- Wassial Song
- O Little Town Of Bethlehem
- Away In A Manger
- We Wish You A Merry Christmas
Customer Reviews:
Nice music but..........2007-03-08
I liked the music and the performances a lot, but there is no booklet to depict the performers, nor analyse the music or the arrangements, which are superb
Great CD.......2007-02-16
This is a great holiday CD. We used it for several holiday dinners this year.
A Noble and Festive Christmas.......2007-01-21
This is the best Christmas album you could ever get. It is the most stable as you do not have to think about it. This is the album you really sing along to. Brass makes everything festive, grand and noble; so will your Christmas! A gem for every year!
Meat and Potatoes.......2007-01-18
Since the release of this fine recording in 1967 there have been many fine
brass groups:The Canadian Brass, the Empire Brass, just to name a few.
Whereas these latter groups have all resorted to "gimmicks" such as unique arrangements to sell their albums this group of brass players from the Philadelphia Orchestra give us an album of good old "meat and potatoes" playing spiced with fine tone,good ensemble playing, and good tempos.
Totally Awesome.......2007-01-12
I love listening to this cd at christmas. The brass is so crisp, almost like being right there. You have to add this to your holiday collection, and for those of you who like brass, you will love it. I play the french horn and I esp. love hearing the french horn in it.
Average customer rating:
- Pure Christmas
- Christmas magic
- a voice teacher and early music fan
- Simply beautiful
- It's that time of year...for Chanticleer!
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Sing We Christmas
Chanticleer
Manufacturer: Teldec
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Similar Items:
- Christmas with Chanticleer (Featuring Dawn Upshaw)
- Wolcum Yule: Celtic and British Songs and Carols - Anonymous 4 with Andrew Lawrence-King
- Songs of Angels - Christmas Hymns and Carols
- How Sweet the Sound: Spirituals & Traditional Gospel Music
- Chanticleer: A Portrait
ASIN: B000000SNL
Release Date: 1995-09-19 |
Tracks:
- Es ist ein Ros entsprungen
- O magnum mysterium
- In dulci iubilo
- O virgo virginum
- O Jesulein s Jesulein mild
- Hodie Christus natus est
- Marabile mysterium
- Verbum caro factum est: Y la Virgen le dezia
- A un nilorando
- Here Is The Little Door
- Noel canon
- Quelle est cette odeur agrle
- El Noi de la Mare
- A Christmas Carol
- A virgin unspotted
- In the bleak mid-winter
- Glory to the newborn King
- Stille nacht - Douce nuit - Silent night
Amazon.com
Christmas is the season for whipping out those holiday-specific standard recordings. This splendid gift by Chanticleer should top the list, for one will never tire of this a cappella choir's interpretations. With selections spanning the last five centuries of Latin, German, English, Spanish, and French festive fare, this recording exemplifies the sacrifice of the ego to the higher form of choral sound. Jacob Handl's "Mirabile Mysterium" takes you on a trip into the chromatic wonderlands, where you temporarily lose tonal balance. Victoria's eerie and dissonant "O Magnum Mysterium" treats us to rich voices swelling out of one organic whole. The phenomenal blend and perfect intonation elevate this recording above others in its category. --Barbara Eisner Bayer
Customer Reviews:
Pure Christmas.......2007-01-16
If you are looking for traditional madrigal sounding holiday music, this CD is for you. I have purchased this CD several times because I just keep giving them away. Everyone I've ever introduced it to has loved it. This finely polished group has a pure sound matched by no other. If you weren't looking at the CD notes you would never know this is only a group of 12 men.
Christmas magic.......2007-01-10
A CD evocative of Christmas past and present. Beautiful harmonies both wistful and ringing with joy. Buy it for next Christmas!
a voice teacher and early music fan.......2006-12-02
Chanticleer, the U.S. equivalent of the British King's Singers, is a full-time classical vocal ensemble named for the rooster in Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales'. It was founded in 1978 by Louis Botto, a tenor, and for a while was its artistic director. They have achieved critical acclaim all over the world and their repertoire is very extensive and varied. Just commenting on a few of the selections on this disc:
'Es ist ein Ros entsprungen' is a hymn that originated in western Germany around 1500, and is best known in the harmonization by Michael Praetorious published around 1609. The poem used biblical imagery that pictures the newborn Christ growing forth from the "stem of Jesse'(the father of King David), as foretold in Isiah 11. The metaphorical writings of the Middle Ages depict the patriarchal figure of Jesse as a rose bush.
'O Magnum mysterium',Victoria's most famous motet, uses a subline text from the Christmas Vespers. This is incredibly beautiful with its interweaving polyphony which leads to a hushed choral declamation at the words "O beata Virgo"(O Blessed Virgin) ending with a Alleulia Section.
'Here is the Little Door' is from a set of three "carol anthems", dating from 1918-1920. Herbert Howells was revered as one of the 20th century's most distinguished Choral composers, and I recently discovered him thru the album " by the Corydon Singers conducted by Matthew Best. It includes Howells Requiem in addition to the Vaughan Williams Mass in G Minor. It is the most heavenly somewhat exotic choral music I think I have heard in many years of listening; I highly recommend it.
'Glory to the newborn King'. Joseph Jennings, Georgia native and present musical director of Chanticleer, has often drawn upon his roots to create special gospel and spiritual arrangements of familiar songs. 'Glory to the newborn King' features four traditional songs combined to showcase Chanticleer's unique choral virtuosity!
This is an excellent group of carols,and it is always refreshing to hear 'new' melodies, arrangements; a joy for the ear!!!!
Simply beautiful.......2006-02-20
The title and artist' name says it all - Christmas with clear (pure) singing. Glorious in all respects.
It's that time of year...for Chanticleer!.......2005-12-20
Walking the busy malls to the multichannel Muzak of every old Christmas song interpreted in hiphop, jazz, idiosyncratic 'rethinkings' by famous soloists as well as replays of Gene Autry, Bing Crosby etc., it is a relief to return home (or if fortunate, to the concert hall) and hear the more uplifting music of the season through the ages. And despite reliance on some old favorite Messiah recordings, and carols by Kings College Choir, the one CD that seems to reign supreme is this Chanticleer release SING WE CHRISTMAS from 1995!
These twelve male voices create an ambience that can only be labeled 'spiritual', so resonant and exquisitely performed are each of the generous works on this recording. The moods pass through Praetorius, Victoria, Bach and traditional carols of unknown authorship to works by Ives, Billings, Holst, Guerrero, Howells and Sametz. The repertoire is both familiar and rarely heard and the result of combining all these forms is the truest form of Christmas spirit on record: this is music to cleanse the Muzak blitz! Highly recommended. Grady Harp, December 05
Average customer rating:
- Y'all are crazy!
- Liz Callaway Goes On...
- Liz Callaway SOARS!
- ....Love this album too!
- Unknown Talent Sings Unknown and Known Broadway Songs
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The Story Goes On: Liz Callaway On & Off Broadway
Manufacturer: Varese Sarabande
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- Anywhere I Wander - Liz Callaway Sings Frank Loesser
- The Beat Goes On
- Sibling Revelry
- Bring Back Romance
- Ann Hampton Callaway
ASIN: B00005B176
Release Date: 2001-04-03 |
Tracks:
- You There in the Back Row
- I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair
- Since You Stayed Here
- Knowing When to Leave/Promises Promises
- Where Is Love? (with Billy Porter)
- Meadowlark
- Sleepy Man
- Our Time (with Ann Hampton Callaway)
- I Got the Sun in the Morning
- Stop, Time
- One Boy
- Marry Me a Little
- The Story Goes On
- A Place Called Home
Amazon.com
Broadway veteran Liz Callaway (most famous for her five-year stint as Grizabella in Cats on Broadway in the late '90s) fills her second solo album with lesser-known tunes, a number of them covering moments in her career. Her lovely soprano can break your heart with the ballad "Since You Stayed Here" then thrill you with the showstopper "The Story Goes On" from Baby (which earned her a Tony nomination). The emotional heart of the album is "Meadowlark," Stephen Schwartz's wondrous tale of risk and heartbreak that proves a particularly glorious marriage with Callaway's voice. In a savvy bit of programming, that peak is followed by the deliciously langorous "Sleepy Man." Callaway's sister, jazz/cabaret singer Ann Hampton Callaway, makes a guest appearance in Stephen Sondheim's powerful "Our Time," a teaser of the sisters' live collaboration. Of Varese Sarabande's many albums spotlighting Broadway singers, The Story Goes On is one of their absolute best. --David Horiuchi
Customer Reviews:
Y'all are crazy!.......2006-11-03
The Billy Porter duet is one of the most unique and thrilling songs on the cd. What a fantastic re-invention of that song. And their voices by themselves and together are glorious. Its all personal taste and by no means is that the only good song. Its probably THE best solo cd by a broadway artist. Incredible!
Liz Callaway Goes On..........2006-05-02
Liz Callaway has one of the most enthralling voices around. Her voice is melodious and very soothing and especially shines in soft and subdued ballads. She doesn't have a big voice but she has an amazing range and sense of melody.
She opens the album with a strong rendition of "You There in the Back Row" a song I'm not familiar with but has grown to love. The next track "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of my Hair" lacks the spunk and bite that I think the song should have, and the arrangement felt out of place in the album.
She had a touching and moving rendition of `Since You Stayed Here". I'm not familiar with the musical Brownstone but this song made me want to check out the musical. It's about someone forced to become a stronger person after a breakup or some sort, that you wouldn't recognize it's the same person. I really love this song and Liz captured the strength as well as the sadness of the song.
Another standout is her now trademark version of "Meadowlark". The story of the meadowlark was a metaphor that convinced the character to the important decision she made in leaving her husband for another man. This is a really powerful song and truly Liz Callaway soared in this song. "Sleepy Man" was another notable track. This is probably the song that fits Liz Callaway's voice most perfectly. It was very sweet and really really soothing in the ears. This is one of my favorite tracks.
"Stop Time" is a song about the inexplicable combination of joy and sadness of watching your child grow up. It was a tender rendition that ends with a beautiful subdued last note. This woman knows how to end a song.
Once I got passed the cheesiness of the arrangement of "One Boy", I enjoyed it. It's old fashioned but it's still good. Liz then made an updated rendition of "The Story Goes On" from her show "Baby" This song was about a mother-to-be finally realizing the beauty and magic of carrying a child after she felt the child's first kick. I prefer the stronger arrangement of the song in this album compared to the Baby Cast Recording, but the innocence of that earlier rendition still resonates.
She ended the album with a beautiful rendition of "A Place Called Home". I first heard this song in one of Lea Salonga's concerts and I fell in love with this song. Her last note was very touching and melodiously and heartbreakingly romantic.
Grade= A
Liz Callaway SOARS!.......2005-06-27
Wow! I love this cd! I went to a camp in Decatur, Illinois called Showchoir Camps of America. One night, as our evening entertainment, she performed this entire album!! That afternoon Ms. Liz came for a question and answer session with Phil Reno. She is such a down to earth person and sooo very talented! At the concert, I started to cry! During one song, Ms. Liz forgot the words to a song ( actually, I forgot what the song was called!), so she just made up some words to it!! If you want a TRUELY talented performer, Liz Callaway is the one for you!
....Love this album too!.......2004-08-18
I love this album. There are a few songs I kinda skip, because it was just weird. That song being "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of my Hair", weird. I loved the duet "Where is Love" from the musical Oliver. "Stop,Time" from the musical BIG (grab your puffs!). I enjoyed the 50's sounding "One Boy!" from Bye,Bye Birdie. Liz has a wonderful range, and flattering childish tone to her voice, reaching notes that would take me years of training to ever reach again! She has complied all these exciting songs and ends the album with "A Place Called Home", from A Christmas Carol. I could never give her enough praise. If you like Strisand, and Sintra, you'll love her too! :-) Liz is always shinning when she sings! Enjoy!
Unknown Talent Sings Unknown and Known Broadway Songs.......2003-06-10
... I thought I recognized the voice but I couldn't quite place it. I finally realized that she was the singing voice of Anastacia in the animated movie. Meg Ryan was the speaking voice. Liz Callaway has one of the clearest voices I have ever heard and also a very strong voice. I love her rendition of Knowing When to Leave/Promises, Promises by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Great arrangements. Dionne Warwick, who I am also a fan of covered Promises, and the Carpenters sang a version of Knowing When to Leave. I'm also a Carpenters' fan. On this album all the songs are Broadway. Many I hadn't heard before but love now due to Liz. The first song, You There in the Backrow is a tribute to fans of shows. "Watch me sing my song for you" the words go. Liz makes you want to jump to your feet. Liz does a rendition of I' Gonna Wash that Man Right Out of My Hair from South Pacific, rock version. I can't say that's my favorite, but favorite to one of my friends. Since You Stayed Here, another unknown song to me, is quiet and hauntingly beautiful. Bette Midler does a version of this I think on her CD with From a Distance. She sings a duet with her sister, Ann Hampton Callaway who sings on Sibling Revelry with Liz. Ann wrote and sang the theme from The Nanny. The song Liz and Callaway and here sister does is Our Time. It's also on Sibling Revelry. Great duet. One of my favorites on the CD is Marry Me a Little by Stephen Sondheim. The words are a plea to marry me, a little. The song is an almost a desperate plea to marry me but you don't have to make promises you don't want to, an open marriage? Make a few demands a few that I'm able to fulfill. She sings I'm ready. We won't have to give up a thing, we'll stay who we are the words say. Someone I'm Ready. I would give this song 5 stars on its own. It makes me cry because she sounds like she will settle but at the same time she wants the love fully. The arrngements on this album are unique. She sings I've Got the Sun in the Morning from Annie Get Your Gun jazzy. Most of the other songs on the album are not known by most people. I can only say that Liz makes you want to see these shows and she pulls you in. I think I've become her biggest fan. I'm a singer too. I could see myself singing with her. I have her The Beat Goes On album too with sixties hits. I hope that people will get to know her because if you haven't heard this or her voice, you are going to be deprived of a remarkale clear strong voice. Buy this. I promise you won't be sorry! One more addition, Meadowlark. Spectacular! The story tells of someone hesitating because the time wasn't right and she learns from the story to live your life, climb every mtn.
Average customer rating:
- Much Anticipated
- A Taste of Heaven
- The Energizer Bunny
- Great Seasonal Album
- The Most Beautiful Sounds I Have Ever Heard
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Songs of Angels - Christmas Hymns and Carols
Robert Shaw , and Robert Shaw Chamber Singers
Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
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Similar Items:
- A Festival Of Carols / Robert Shaw Chorale
- A Robert Shaw Christmas - Angels on High
- O Come All Ye Faithful: Christmas Carols at King's College, Cambridge
- A Festival of Carols in Brass
- The Many Moods of Christmas (1963 RCA Victor Version) Robert Shaw Chorale and Orchestra
ASIN: B000003D0G
Release Date: 1994-10-18 |
Tracks:
- God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen
- Angels We Have Heard On High
- O Come, O Come Emmanuel
- How Unto Bethlehem?
- The Boar's Head Carol
- O Tannenbaum
- Masters In This Hall
- My Dancing Day
- Away In A Manger
- Good Christian Men, Rejoice
- The Holly And The Ivy
- Good King Wenceslas
- Wassail Song
- Bring A Torch, Jeannette, Isabella
- Fum, Fum, Fum
- Mary Had A Baby
- Hacia Belen Va Un Borrico
- Christ Was Born On Christmas Day
- March Of The Kings
- Coventry Carol
- Deck The Halls
- The Cherry Tree Carol
- We Three Kings Of Orient Are
- Toruo-Louro-Louro!
- So Blest A Sight
- I Saw Three Ships
- What Child Is This?
- Susanni
- In The Bleak Midwinter
Customer Reviews:
Much Anticipated.......2007-01-26
I have been looking for this CD for years!! Our family had a Shaw Chorale LP which contained almost all the songs on this CD. We had a number of excellent holiday albums and played all of them often, but we wore the Shaw Chorale album out! Not only are the musical renditions excellent and very similar to earlier Shaw recordings, the nostalgia evoked for this listener is incomparable!
A Taste of Heaven.......2007-01-18
I received this recording on cassette from a choral teacher, and played it so often that I wore it out! I especially appreciate the purity of sound and the arrangements in this recording. Lovers of choral music will feel as though "Songs of Angels" brings them a taste of heaven!
The Energizer Bunny.......2007-01-18
Alas that Robert Shaw is no longer with us. Throughout his long and varied career he gave us choral music with exactness,good pacing,and proper execution though not all musicologists would chose his renditions.
In "Songs of Angels" recorded in 1994 he shows us that even in later years he just kept going and going. Giving us stellar performances of masterpieces such as "Elijah","The Creation" and other large choral works. Yet in this album he shows the same attention to detail and
enraptures us with that special beauty of tone and ensemble which was
was to be Shaw's watermark on his life's offering.
Great Seasonal Album.......2006-01-16
This is one of the most impressive period albums I own. Wonderful for the holiday season. Will miss it during the rest of the year.
The Most Beautiful Sounds I Have Ever Heard.......2003-02-04
A fluid and seamless piece of heaven that transcends all classical and holiday music. This is an OUTSTANDING non-traditional Holiday CD!!! Many voices come together as one in these enchanting verses sung in languages other than English. It is just enough language mix to appease and intrigue the soul but not too much so that the listener does not understand the lyrics. For example, the English verse is sung then a verse in German and then back to English. Emmanuel is written this way. Other languages include French (Angels we Have Heard on High) and even Catalan which is a dialect of Spain.
Several of the songs were not traditional Holiday songs (at least for my generation), yet they were intriguing to learn and now I feel I know them just like the traditional ones. This CD offers a healthy mix of traditional and non-traditional songs on this CD.
If you can picture the most beautiful sounds you have ever heard you can come close to the joy this CD will bring you. It is February and I can't stop listening to it. You will not regret purchasing it&the only regret you may have is not buying all of Robert Shaw's holiday CDs.
I am writing this review to share the joy with you!
Average customer rating:
- Good Holiday CD
- Best yet!
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Christmastime Is Here / Kunzel, Erich & Cincinnati Pops
Erich Kunzel , Ann Hampton Callaway , Tony DeSare , Tierney Sutton , and Cincinnati Pops Orchestra
Manufacturer: Telarc
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- Christmas with the Pops
- The Never-Ending Waltz
- Christmas Break: Relaxing Jazz for the Holidays
- Great Film Fantasies
- Russian Nights
ASIN: B000HIVOBY
Release Date: 2006-09-26 |
Tracks:
- Sing With Us Of Christmas
- Precious Moments
- I Wonder As I Wander
- Christmastime Is Here
- It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
- Silent Night
- Little Drummer Boy
- We Need A Little Christmas
- The Christmas Song
- Caroling Fun
- Jingle Bell Rock
- I'll Be Home For Christmas
- It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
- Silver Bells
Amazon.com
A mere 16 years after Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops recorded their now-classic Christmas with the Pops, Christmastime Is Here is their 2006 follow-up. It sticks to the same basic formula: a mix of orchestral, choral, and solo numbers performed by the Indiana University Singing Hoosiers (a Kunzel favorite, succeeding the original's May Festival Chorus), the School for Creative and Performing Arts Children's Choir (who sang on the original, though presumably with a different roster), and an entirely new crop of soloists. While the original relied on classic veterans such as Rosemary Clooney and Doc Severinsen, Christmastime Is Here makes use of hip jazz vocalists (and, not coincidentally, Telarc recording artists all) Ann Hampton Callaway ("I Wonder as I Wander"), Tierney Sutton ("I'll Be Home for Christmas"), Tony DeSare ("The Christmas Song"), and John Pizzarelli (""Silver Bells") as well as British sextet the King's Singers ("Silent Night"). --David Horiuchi
Customer Reviews:
Good Holiday CD.......2006-12-07
I am far from a music critic but I know what I like for Christmas music and this CD is outstanding. The Singing Hoosiers are excellent in their performance.
Best yet!.......2006-11-30
While listening to XM (XM Classical Christmas), I heard selections from this album, and was impressed. True, this is more of a compilation album, but the quality is very good. Most of what I mention below are the singers, because the orchestra (Cincinnati Pops, Erich Kunzel directing) can be summed up as bright when they need to be, quiet when (I assume) Kunzel doesn't want them to overpower the singers.
It starts with a bright medley ("Good King Wenceslas/It Came Upon a Midnight Clear/We Three Kings/O Little Town of Bethlehem/Away in a Manger/What Child Is This/The Holly and the Ivy/Wassail/I Saw Three Ships/We Wish You a Merry Christmas"), with the Indiana University Singing Hoosiers.
The next song is "Precious Moments", written by John Williams, from the movie Home Alone. On one hand, listening can bring memories of the movie, but if you listen to the words, it evokes the joy and memories of Christmas. It is sung by School for the Creative and Performing Arts Childrens Choir. The kids who sing it are clear and on the note, I don't hear any discernable lagging, these kids are definitely our future singers.
Following that is the classic "I Wonder As I Wander", sung by Ann H. Calloway, whose voice is operatic, yet soft. I've heard some operatic singers whose voice can get a little rough on the outside, but she brings a sense of wonder to the song, like a person really thinking about the Messiah's birth. The orchestra in this is big, but goes quiet (woodwinds and bells) while she sings.
Bringing back the children's choir is Vince Guaraldi's "Christmastime Is Here", from the classic Peanuts animated special. The orchestra adds some big-band jazz feel, but then goes quiet while the children sings.
Another famous Christmas song "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year", bringing back the I.U. Chorus. Similar to their first track, the chorus does a great job of hitting the notes on time, and the words are clealy heard.
In their only song on this CD, the Kings Singers bring us Silent Night, sung in German (Stille nacht), with small orchestra and harpsichord. The men's harmony and the subdued orchestra (mainly just strings).
The first orchestra-only song is The Little Drummer Boy, written and made famous by the Harry Simeone Chorale. The melody is intact, but the harmony is Maurice Ravel's BOLERO, which fits perfectly. Plus, the arranger used the same instrument progression as in Ravel's piece, and it ends with a huge orchestra again similar to Bolero.
While many songs are simply written for the season, or for a movie, the next track is "We Need a Little Christmas", from the musical MAME (Jerry Herman). This one brings back the I.U. Chorus, fast-paced but still invokes memories of the haste of getting ready. There are also a few bars of a couple Christmas songs (not sure if that is in the original song - no biggie).
After that bright rendition, the orchestra and Tony DeSare bring out "The Christmas Song", which was first written by Mel Torme (made famous by Nat King Cole). Many people know the voice of "The Velvet Fog", while Mr DeSare sounds like a younger Torme.
Like the first track, we have another great medley, this time sung by the childrens chorus (mentioned above). In this one, the kids do a spectacular job of singing "Here We Come a Wassailing/Over The River and Through The Woods/Bring a Torch Jeanette, Isabella/Pat a Pan/Jolly Old St Nicholas/I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus". I know I would trip trying to sing "Over the River..." as fast as they did! Ending the medley, "Jolly Old St Nicholas has a grand big-band finale. The trumpeters even threw in a horse's nay (sp) during that song, implying a fast sleigh ride to Grandma's house.
Another orchestra-only song is "Jingle Bell Rock", but the orchestra - with a piano and banjo - becomes a Dixie-land band, then moves into a 70's rock sound. I've heard a couple other songs with the Dixie-land style, and Kunzel does a great job of bringing the feel to those type songs.
During most wars since World War II, men and women serving overseas wish they could be home with family. The song that says this is "I'll Be Home for Christmas". The song is sung by Tierney Sutton and the I.U. Chorus, not as bleak as many versions may be, but she brings a caring voice to someone wishing their relatives will be home.
Famous more for being a flautist for John Philip Sousa, and writing the musical "The Music Man", Meredith Willson wrote "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas", also sung by the IU Chorus. Some words may be out of date, but like all their other songs, they do a great job of singing. In the middle of the song, again Kunzel brings out the Dixie-land style, then going back to the jazzy and big marching band styles.
Ending the CD is the famous song from "The Lemon Drop Kid" (1950) is John Pizzarelli with the chorus (backup) singing "Silver Bells".
Overall, everything makes this CD a great Christmas addition! Some may find recording/mixing flaws, but in terms of the Cincinnati Pops, both choruses, and the soloists, over the years have made a great CD. Most people would buy a Christmas CD and keep it stowed away until next Christmas, which is fine. I do the same thing. But, this is the perfect musical backdrop to Christmas morning, the childrens chorus implies the children in us that should enjoy the holiday, while the power of the orchestra and IU Chorus implies the "reason for the season".
Average customer rating:
- I waited for this for five years
- Excellent collection but BIG PUBLISHING MISTAKE!
- ONE OF LLOYD WEBBER'S BEST COMPILATIONS, DESPITE A FEW FLAWS
- SUCH MAGICAL MUSIC OF THE NIGHT!
- A Must Have for Sir Andrew fans
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Andrew Lloyd Webber: Now & Forever
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Decca Broadway
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
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Similar Items:
- Gold: The Definitive Hits Collection
- The Very Best Of Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Broadway Collection
- Evita (Original London Cast)
- Andrew Lloyd Webber - The Royal Albert Hall Celebration
- Andrew Lloyd Webber - Masterpiece (Collector's Edition) (Bonus CD)
ASIN: B00005R5UJ
Release Date: 2001-11-20 |
Tracks:
- Jesus Christ Superstar: Overture - Andrew Lloyd Webber
- Jesus Christ Superstar: Everything's Alright - Yvonne Elliman/Murray Head/Ian Gilllan
- Jesus Christ Superstar: I Don't Know How To Love Him - Yvonne Elliman
- Jesus Christ Superstar: Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say) - Steve Balsamo
- Jesus Christ Superstar: Superstar - Murray Head
- Evita: Oh What A Circus/Sing You Fools - Antonio Banderas
- Evita: I'd Be Surprisingly Good For You - Elaine Paige/Joss Ackland
- Evita: Another Suitcase In Another Hall - Barbara Dickson
- Evita: Don't Cry For Me Argentina - Julie Covington
- Evita: High Flying, Adored - Mandy Patinkin/Patti LuPone
- Cats: The Jellicle Ball - Andrew Lloyd Weber
- Cats: Memory - Elaine Paige
- Cats: Gus: The Theatre Cat - Susan Jane Tanner/John Mills
- Cats: Mr Mistoffelees - Paul Nicholas
- Song And Dance: Take That Look Off Your Face - Marti Webb
- Song And Dance: Tell Me On A Sunday - Marti Webb
- Song And Dance: Unexpected Song - Sarah Brightman
- Song And Dance: Nothing Like You've Ever Known - Sarah Brightman
- Song And Dance: Introduction - Andrew Lloyd Webber
- Song And Dance: Variations 1 -4 - Andrew Lloyd Webber
Tracks:
- Starlight Express: Starlight Express - El Debarge
- Starlight Express: Crazy - Greg Ellis/Reva Rice/Caron Cardelle/Samantha Lane/Voyd
- Starlight Express: Next Time You Fall In Love - Reva Rice/Greg Ellis
- Starlight Express: I Am The Starlight - Lon Satton/Ray Shell
- Starlight Express: Light At The End Of The Tunnel - The Company
- Requiem: Hosanna - Placido Domingo
- Requiem: Pie jesu - Sarah Brightman/Paul Miles-Kingston
- The Phantom Of The Opera: The Phantom Of The Opera - Michael Crawford/Sarah Brightman
- The Phantom Of The Opera: The Music Of The Night - Michael Crawford
- The Phantom Of The Opera: All I Ask Of You - Sarah Brightman/Steve Barton
- The Phantom Of The Opera: Entr'acte - Andrew Lloyd Webber
- The Phantom Of The Opera: Masquerade - The Company
- The Phantom Of The Opera: Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again - Sarah Brightman
- Aspects Of Love: Aspects Of Aspects - Orchester Der Vereinigten Buehnen Wien
- Aspects Of Love: Love Changes Everything - Michael Ball
- Aspects Of Love: Seeing Is Believing - Michael Ball/Ann Crumb
- Aspects Of Love: The First Man You Remember - Kevin Colson/Diana Morrison
- Aspects Of Love: Anything But Lonely - Sarah Brightman
- Aspects Of Love: Chanson D'Enfance - Sarah Brightman
Tracks:
- Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Any Dream Will Do - Jason Donovan
- Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Joseph's Coat - Maria Friedman/Richard Attenborough/Donny Osmond
- Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Close Every Door - Donny Osmond
- By Jeeves: Travel Hopefully - John Scherer/Martin Jarvis/Don Stephenson
- By Jeeves: When Love Arrives - Steven Pacey/Diana Morrison
- By Jeeves: Half A Moment - Sarah Brightman
- Sunset Boulevard: With One Look - Glenn Close
- Sunset Boulevard: New Ways To Dream - Glenn Close/Alan Campbell
- Sunset Boulevard: The Perfect Year - Glenn Close/Alan Campbell
- Sunset Boulevard: Sunser Boulevard - Alan Campbell
- Sunset Boulevard: As If We Never Said Goodbye - Glenn Close
- Whistle Down The Wind: Whistle Down The Wind - James Graeme/Lottie Mayor
- Whistle Down The Wind: Cold - Everly Brothers
- Whistle Down The Wind: No Matter What - Children/Adult Chorus
- Whistle Down The Wind: The Nature Of The Beast - Marcus Lovett/Lottie Mayor
- The Beautiful Game: Overture - Andrew Lloyd Webber
- The Beautiful Game: The Beautiful Game - The Company
- The Beautiful Game: Our Kind Of Love - Hannah Waddingham
- The Beautiful Game: Dont Like You - Josie Walker/David Shannon
- The Beautiful Game: Let Us Love In Peace - Josie Walker/Omagh Youth Community Choir
Tracks:
- Oh What A Circus - David Essex
- Memory - Betty Buckley
- The Phantom Of The Opera - Sarah Brightman/Steve Harley
- All I Ask Of You - Sarah Brightman/Cliff Richard
- Love Changes Everything - Michael Ball
- Any Dream Will Do - Donny Osmond
- Amigos Para Siempre (Friends For Life) - Sarah Brightman/Jose Carreras
- As If We Never Said Goodbye - Barbra Streisand
- The Perfect Year - Dina Carroll
- With One Look - Petula Clark
- You Must Love Me - Madonna
- The Heart Is Slow To Learn - Kiri Te Kanawa
- A Kiss Is A Terrible Thing To Waste - The Metal Philharmonic Orchestra
- Whistle Down The Wind - Tina Arena
- No Matter What - Boyzone
- The Vaults Of Heaven - Tom Jones
- Try Not To Be Afraid - Boy George
- Pie Jesu - Charlotte Church
Tracks:
- Make Believe Love - Wes Sands
- Down Thru' Summer - Ross Hannaman
- I'll Give All My Love To Southend - Ross Hannaman
- Believe Me I Will - Sacha Distel
- Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1969 Radio Luxembourg Commercial) - Joseph Consortium/Pete Murray
- Try It And See - Rita Pavone
- Come Back Richard Your Country Needs You - Time Rice And The Webber Group
- Goodbye Seattle - Paul Raven
- John 19:41 - The Andrew Lloyd Webber Orchestra
- What A Line To Go Out On - Yvonne Elliman
- Disillusion Me - Gary Band
- The Ballad Of Robert And Peter - Tim Rice
- Christmas Dream - Maynard Williams
- It's Only Your Lover Returning/All Through My Crazy And Wild Days/Don't Cry For Me Argentina - Julie Covington
- It's Easy For You (1977 Jungle Room Session Version) - Elvis Presley
- Magdalena - Tony Christie
- Buenos Aires - The Roja Rockers
- Pollicle Dogs And Jellicle Cats - Andrew Lloyd Webber
- Mungojerrie And Rumpleteazer (Live At The Sydmonton Festival 1980) - Gemma Craven
- I Could Have Given You More - Petula Clark
- I've Been In Love Too Long - Marti Webb
- Benedicite - The Stephen Hill Singers
Album Description
Disc 1: Selections from Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Cats, and Song and Dance
Disc 2: Selections from Starlight Express, Requiem, Phantom of the Opera, and Aspects of Love
Disc 3: Selections from Joseph nad the Amaziong Technicolor Dreamcoat, By Jeeves, Sunset Boulevard, Whistle Down the Wind, and The Beautiful Game
CD 4: 1. "Oh What a Circus" --David Essex 2. "Memory" - Betty Buckleey 3. "The Phantom of the Opera" -Sarah Brightman, Steve Harley 4. "All I Ask of You" --Sarah Brightman, Cliff Richard 5. "Love Changes Everything"--Michael Ball 6. "Any Dream Will Do"--Donny Osmond 7. "Amigos Para Siempre (Friends for Life)"--Sarah Brightman, Jose Caerras 8. "As if We Never Said Goodbye"--Barbra Streisand 9. "The Perfect Year"--Dina Carroll 10. "With One Look" --Petula Clark 11. "You Must Love Me" 12. "The Heart Is Slow To Learn" --Kiri Te Kanawa 13. "Whistle Down the Wind"--Tina Arena 14. "A Kiss Is a Terrible Thing To Waste"--The Metal Philharmonic 15. "No Matter What"--Boyzone 16. "The Vaults of Heaven"--Tom Jones and Sounds of Blackness 17. "Try Not To Be Afraid"--Boy George 18. "Pie Jesu"--Charlotte Church
Disc 5: (All tracks available for the first time) 1. "Make Believe Love"--Wes Sands 2. "Down Thru' Summer"--Ross Hannaman 3. "I'll Give All My Love to Southend"--Ross Hannaman 4. "Believe Me I Will"--Sacha Distel 5. "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: 1969 Luxembourg Radio Commercial--The Jospeh Consortium, Pete Murray 6. "Try It and See"--Rita Pavone 7. "Come Back Richard Your Country Needs You"--Tim Rice and the Webber Group 8. "Goodbye Seattle"-- Paul Raven 9. "John 19:41"--The Andrew Lloyd Webber Orchestra 10. "What a Line To Go Out On"--Yvonne Elliman 11. "Disillusion Me" --Gary Bond 12. "The Ballad of Robert and Peter"--Tim Rice 13. "Christmas Dream" --Maynard Williams 14. "It's Only Your Lover Returning/All through My Wild and Crazy Days/Don't Cry for Me Argentina--Julie Covington 15. "It's Easy for You" (1977 Jungle Room Session version)--Elvis Presley 16. "Magdalena"--Tony Christie 17. "Buenos Aires"--The Rioja Rockers 18. "Pollicle Dogs and Jellicle Cats"--Andrew Lloyd Webber original demo 19. "Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer" (Live at Sydmonton Festival 1980)-Gemma Craven 20. "I Could Have Given You More"--Petula Clark 21. "I've Been in Love Too Long"--Marti Webb 22. "Benedicte"-- Stephen Hill Singers
Customer Reviews:
I waited for this for five years.......2006-06-30
Between Amazone, Ebay and Napster, I don't usually buy CDs anymore, and I usually wait till I can buy them cheaper "new and used". When this set came out, I was excited, mainly by Disc 5, but wasn't going to spend $70 on it. I waited till it was cheap enough, and got it for Father's day this year.
It was worth the wait.
The concept is great. The packaging is great. The recording is great. Disc five is really cool for an ALW aficionado. There are a few real gems on it; my favorites are Petula Clark's "I Could Have Given You More" and "Benedicite."
I've always thought "Gus the Theatre Cat" made a great medley on the piano with "Unexpected Song" and "I DOn't Know How to Love Him," but wished there was an alternate lyric to match the other two songs. Now that I know there *is*, and it's a good lyric, it's a dream come true.
The melody of "Benedicite" is one of my favorites from _Sunset_ (the book mis-identifies it as "SUrrender"; it's actually "The Lady's Paying" and "Eternal Youth is Worth a Little Suffering"). The lyrics are the canticle from Daniel 3, which comes up every odd Sunday in the Divine Office, so it's nice to have cool music to sing it with.
I haven't bought _By Jeeves_ or _THe Beautiful Game_ yet, to it was great to sample them.
There are other parts of the CD taht aren't found in my collection. I like CD 4 "The Hits."
But the selections on CDs 1-3 don't make sense.
First, any self-respecting ALW fan has the Original London Cast of _Phantom_, so six tracks are totally useless. Why not draw from the Canadian cast with Colm Wilkinson? Or pull out some obscure recordings never published.
Why two different tracks with Michael Ball singing "Love Changes Everything", yet they're hardly any different?
On Disc 5 is "It's Only Your Lover Returning," sung by Julie Covington. It's an early draft of the song (Lloyd Webber and Rice went through several suggested titles) and quite nice. The very thing one expects on a Boxed Set.
So why have the Julie Covington "Don't Cry for Me" on disc 1?? The only difference is a few words, but it's otherwise identical. Why not Elaine Paige or Patti Lupone or Madonna?
The _Evita_ section is otherwise the best, choosing a sample from each major recording, though I'd have chosen slightly differently (as above).
There is a great selection of "Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer" from the Sydmonton festival, using the original music that was changed when _Cats_ went to Broadway_. It would have been nice if they'd included more recordings from Sydmonton, like the original lyric of "All I Ask of You" shown on the second DVD to the _Phantom_ movie.
With so many great actress-singers who've played Norma Desmond, why does the collection beat us over the head with Glenn Close?
Paul Miles Kingston must be set for life in royalties, for the number of albums the original recording of "Pie Jesu" has appeared on. "Amigos Para Siempre" is nice, but it reminds me of Shari Lewis's "The Song that Doesn't End," especially when it's been used on so many compilations.
In short, this is a great collection for the obscure material, if you can get it cheap. But for a boxed set, it's a poor sampling, drawn mostly from the most familiar recordings.
Excellent collection but BIG PUBLISHING MISTAKE! .......2006-01-10
Please beware they made a mistake on this. It's actually the shortened Ray Shell version of STARLIGHT EXPRESS from the original 1984 London cast - NOT the El Debarge single from 1987 like it says on the box. I don't know how they let that goof pass. Sorry to Ray Shell. Having said that, this is an outstanding compilation of Lloyd Webber's greatest hits.
ONE OF LLOYD WEBBER'S BEST COMPILATIONS, DESPITE A FEW FLAWS.......2005-03-21
Regardless of the fact that some of his latest efforts (most notably, The Woman in White) are disappointing, there can be little doubt that Andrew Lloyd Webber is one of the greatest composers ever to work in the musical theatre. Ever since his "Jesus Christ Superstar" hit the stage in the early 70-is, it was clear that the conception and perception of musicals are never going to be the same again. Many of his songs became standards not only in the theatre history, but also as tops on the charts. Even though he's British, his influence on the shape of the modern musical theatre expanded over the West End boundaries long ago and has thus made an enormous impact on Broadway. Two of his shows ("Cats" and "The phantom of the opera") hold the record as two the longest running shows in the history of Broadway. He has also been the only composer to have three of his shows running at Broadway concurrently. Some of his awards include three Grammies, a Golden Globe, an Oscar and a bunch of Tony awards. But perhaps most of all, Lloyd Webber is responsible for bringing the musicals and the theatre appealing to the wide audiences, who in different circumstances would not consider seeing a musical. The secret of his success is probably the mixture of beautiful and catchy melodies, interesting subject matter (though some, like Starlight Express, are too thin) and grandiose staging.
Over the years many compilations of his work have emerged. In the late 80-is and early 90-is it was the "Encore" series and lately the one-disc collection called "Gold". The one in question here can be considered one of the best currently on the market. First, it includes a 3-disc selections from all of his shows, minus the latest one, i.e., "The Woman in White", which, considering the triviality of the score, is no great lost. The fourth disc covers some of his most known songs sung by the famous artists. Then, there is the fifth disc with previously unreleased material, most of which are the songs ALW wrote with Tim Rice for various artists during the 70-is. The disks are all neatly packed in a hardcover book that features 67 pages of pictures and text with information about each of ALW's shows. One of the other assets here is the perfect sound quality, since all of the tracks have been digitally remastered.
Here are my basic impressions and comments regarding the material on the discs:
* Disc #1 has the selections from "Jesus Christ Superstar", "Evita", "Cats" and "Song & Dance". The Superstar material mostly comes from the Concept Recording. Although the songs sound beautiful as always, their orchestration is a bit dated now. Only Steve Balsamo's "Gethsemane" from the 1996 revival cast has a modern rock sound. "Evita" comes with the material from all of the major recordings: London, Broadway and the movie productions, as well as the Concept album. No objections here; since this is one of ALW's most satisfying works, every song is just perfect, although Patti LuPone, the Broadway and overall the best Evita, is left with only a couple of lines. With the selections from "Cats", however, I have some doubts. A plus to the choice of the "Jellicle ball" impressive orchestral sequence from the 1998 movie version and "Mister Mistoffelees" from the 1981 London cast. One of the best known ALW's songs, "Memory", also comes from that album. It's a pretty version and Elaine Paige's rendition cannot be matched, but why include this when the definite version, featuring an 80-piece orchestra and Elaine Paige with much better interpretation, can be found in the same movie version. Thusly, one has to buy Elaine Paige's latest 2-disc compilation "Centre Stage: The very best of Elaine Paige" to get that one. And "Gus the theatre cat" is more a recital than a song, so there was not much point in including that. Marti Webb brings her vocal charm to the "Song & Dance" sequence, Sarah Brightman sings "Unexpected song" with her famous soprano, but as much as I like her version, Bernadette Peters, who was in this show on Broadway is strangely left out here.
* Disc # 2 starts with "Starlight Express". This was never one of my favorite ALW's shows; the plot is even lighter than in "Cats" and the 1984 original cast recording is terribly dated. Yet, here we have one terrific duet, "I am starlight" from the original together with three songs from the later revivals and it seems that fresh orchestrations were just the thing Starlight needed. My favorite remains a touchy ballad, "Next time you fall in love". "Requiem" is the most solemn of all ALW's compositions, written in 1985 to commemorate the death of his father. Placido Domingo's tenor rides together with the chorus all the way through the strong "Hosanna", only to be joined by Sarah Brightman in the final moments of this song. She then gives an echoing deliverance of "Pie Jesu". What can be said of ALW's next show, "The Phantom of the Opera"? A phenomenon in its own right, it's easy to see from the six numbers included here why this is one of the best and most beloved musicals of all time. The cast, the music, the story - everything is perfect. Although "Aspects of love" was never a popular hit, it does have some of the most beautiful love melodies ALW has ever written. "Love changes everything" sung by Michael Ball is probably one of the best tunes ever about love. The rest of the selected material here has a dreamy love flavor and the melodies find their way into your brain in the best Lloyd Webber way.
* ALW's first musical, "Joseph and the amazing Technicolor dreamcoat" was more successful in its revival form than the original from the 70-is. The three songs included here are sung by the show stars, Jason Donovan and Donny Osmond. Maria Friedman was not a lucky choice to play the narrator, as the track from the 1998 movie version shows. "By Jeeves" was ALW's only big flop when it came to the stage in the 70-is. The 1995 revival sounds much better though, full of funny numbers in the best manner of the musical comedy. "Travel hopefully" remains one of the show's highlights on this compilation. "Sunset Boulevard" comes next. "Sunset" remains for me one of Webber's best scores; lush and beautiful. I listen to the original cast recording with Patti LuPone all the time. However, here most of the songs are performed by Glenn Close. A big mistake. If you've ever listened the American premiere recording with her, you'll know what I am talking about. She may have a strong stage presence, but her vocal abilities are too limited, and her aggressive approach to the role lacks any subtlety. Therefore, the two big numbers from this show, "With one look" and "As if we never said goodbye" are ruined by the fact she can't sing. The same goes for the American Joe Gillis, who was played by Alan Campbell. Luckily, Patti LuPone and Kevin Anderson, the original Norma and Joe from the London production, make their brief entrance here with the "Perfect year"; enough to show how better they are. The funny thing is, on the jacket and inside of it, Glenn Close and Alan Campbell are credited as performers in this song as well. If this was a mistake on ALW's part, it was a good one. The next ALW's show, "Whistle down the wind" was never a critic's dear and yet the audiences rushed in to see it in London. The score brings back ALW to his rock and roll roots of the seventies and the story is quite interesting. But the selections here are not the happiest, since the cast recording boasts with much better songs. And finally, "The Beautiful Game". Again, we have one of those ALW's shows that is worth in its individual parts rather than as a whole. "Our kind of love" and "Let us love in peace" are two catchy ballads. The latter is a nice amalgam version not available elsewhere. The two other tracks here I could live without.
* Disc # 4 has the songs from all the above shows performed by different artists. The assembled tracks have their pros and cons. For example, we have some previously unreleased stuff, like Dame Kiri Te Kanawa's operettic rendition of "The heart is slow to learn", or a stunning and epic "A kiss is a terrible thing to waste" from "Whistle down the wind", performed by The Metal Philharmonic Orchestra. Then again, what was the point in including almost identical tracks as the ones on the previous disks? So we have Michael Ball again singing "Love changes everything" with only a bit different orchestration; Sarah Brightman comes out again with the same Phantom duets, but only with the different male singers. It would be much more appropriate to include tracks from the Toronto Cast of the Phantom, with Colm Wilkinson. Other pop deliverances (Tina Arena's "Whistle down the wind", Barbra Streisand's "As if we never said goodbye", Boyzone's "No matter what" and many more) were wisely chosen. Patti LuPone is again nowhere to be found and Petula Clark's "With one look" sounds too worn-out.
* The last disc is probably the one that will be of most interest to Lloyd Webber aficionados. It consists of entirely previously unreleased material ALW for the most part wrote for various artists during his early years, with Tim Rice. Some of these tunes, not successful as a singles, were later used in his shows. Thus "Down thru' summer" became "Buenos Aires"in Evita, "Try it and see", an unsuccessful attempt for the Eurovision was used for "King Herod's song" in "Superstar" and so on. Some of these songs are nicely made pop songs: "Make believe love", ALW's first recorded composition, for which he provided the lyrics; "Goodbye Seattle", sung by Paul Raven, who later became Gary Glitter; "Come back Richard, your country needs you", from a never made musical, sung here by Tim Rice, or Latin flavored "Magdalena", with Tony Christie singing. My all time favorite here is a song called "It's easy for you", sung by none other than Elvis Presley himself. Lloyd Webber and Rice sent him a demo recording that he accepted and recorded this live version a couple of weeks before he died. It's amazing to hear how his voice remained in the perfect shape. Also, there is a track of Andrew Lloyd Webber singing "Policle dogs and Jellicle cats" while plying the piano. His voice doesn't sound bad at all.
Taken as a whole, this compilation makes a perfect birthday or Christmas present to any fan of Andrew Lloyd Webber shows, or just anybody interested in some of the best tunes from the modern era of the musical theatre; despite the flaws I mentioned above. To the former, it may just be the final addition for the Andrew Lloyd Webber collection.
SUCH MAGICAL MUSIC OF THE NIGHT!.......2003-01-19
"Evita." "Sunset Blvd." "Starlight Express." "Jesus Christ Superstar." "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." "Requiem." "Aspects of Love." The man who is the most recognized composer in the history of the musical theatre, the man who has won more Tonys than any other composer, the man who boasts the best-selling show of all time ("The Phantom of the
Opera") and the longest-running show of all time ("Cats"), the man whose homes are filled with three Grammys, five Oliviers, a Golden Globe, and Oscar and too many other honors and hosannas to mention, the man knighted in 1992 certainly doesn't need an introduction. Now Decca Broadway pays tribute to Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber with "Now and Forever," a spectacular 5-CD set compiled and produced by Sir Andy himself. It's cheaper than a
ticket to "The Producers" ... and more much exciting. This treasure trove contains highlights from all of Webber's shows, and a bonus disc of tunes sung by Betty Buckley, Barbara
Streisand, Jose Carreras, Boy George, Charlotte Church, Madonna, Tom Jones, Petula Clark, even Elvis! A must for lovers of theatre---and good music.
A Must Have for Sir Andrew fans.......2002-05-21
This five-CD collection of Andrew Lloyd Webber's career is fantastic. It leaves virtually no stone unturned. I have no doubt that diehard Webber fans will love this, especially for the 5th disc entitled "From the Vaults." This disc alone is worth the price as it contains tunes never before heard by the typical fan. Who knew Elvis did a Lloyd Webber tune?!? I didn't! Also the tune "Benedictine" which the composer wrote for his most recent marriage is not only pretty, but it has the same medley as "The Lady's Paying" from "Sunset Blvd." which I found highly enjoyable. Another great track is the composer himself singing a cut song from "Cats" entitled "Pollicle Dogs and Jellicle Cats" which has the same tune as "Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats," but to hear Sir Andrew sing is a blast...he sounds a lot like Al "Year of the Cat" Stewart.
The cuts from the musicals are great but are likely owned by ALW fans as they are on the original cast albums. And I'm glad that there were tunes included from the composers most recent efforts which have yet to make it beyond London (Whistle Down the Wind, Beautiful Game).
My only complaint is the inclusion of way too many tracks by Sarah Brightman. She must've received a great divorce settlement that included having tunes on any ALW collection until the end of time!! Her interpretations of some of the tunes were limp and uninspired. I would've much rather heard casts from around the world rather than yet another song by this disdainful soprano! How about Colm Wilkinson's version of "Music of the Night" from the original Canadian cast of "Phantom"? Or Michael Crawford's version of "Unexpected Song"? What? No Betty Buckley from "Sunset Blvd."? And of course there are songs you KNOW are going to be on the collection before you even listen to it as they have been on EVERY ALW collection for the past decade or so.
A great collection but too much Sarah Brightman!
Average customer rating:
- Wonderful Christmas Spirit
- Fantastic
- A classic for all seasons
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|
Christmas Time Is Here
Dianne Reeves
Manufacturer: Blue Note Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
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Similar Items:
- Good Night, And Good Luck
- The Best of Dianne Reeves
- A Little Moonlight
- Christmas Songs
- The Calling: Celebrating Sarah Vaughan
ASIN: B0002W4UKC
Release Date: 2004-10-05 |
Tracks:
- Little Drummer Boy
- Carol Of The Bells
- Christmas Time Is Here
- This Time Of Year
- Christmas Waltz
- I'll Be Home For Christmas
- Christ Child's Lullabye
- A Child Is Born
- The Christmas Song (Chestnuts)
- Let It Snow
- Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Amazon.com
Jazz singer Dianne Reeves has created one of the tastiest holiday jazz records in recent memory. Ripe with emotional transformations and musical innovation, Reeves takes you on a winter sleigh ride rich with an acute sense of phrasing and a warm, range that will captivate. You won't immediately recognize most of the dozen standards here since Reeves and a smart group, led by pianist Peter Martin, revise and deconstruct the holiday staples that range from "Christmas Time Is Here" to "Christ Child's Lullaby" (the former delivered like a torchy love song, the latter a delicate folk arrangement framed by a string section). This singer's singer takes such delight in singing in and out of melody lines and pushing a phrase above, below and sometimes beyond that she sweeps you up into her flights of fancy and finesse. Just listen to her change "The Christmas Waltz" into a rhythmic wonder. The reward for owning this disc once the ornaments and the rest of the CDs go back in the attic? You get to keep this one out and play it all year round. --Martin Keller
Customer Reviews:
Wonderful Christmas Spirit.......2005-12-13
I just saw Dianne Reeves for the first time at Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor (12/10/05) and I was absolutely messmerized by her wonderful voice along with her exceptional band. The next day, I bought this CD along with three others. (A Little Moonlight, Best of Dianne Reeves, In the Momement (Live))
I was sad when the performance came to an end but was grateful to hear a truly gifted singer accompanied by world class band.
Eric Apollo
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Fantastic.......2005-11-10
This CD really is impressive. One of the best that Dianne Reeves and ever recorded. Great tunes and Dianne's renditions of these somgs just blew me away. Quality of the recording as far as clarity and mixing is second to none. Just buy it !!
A classic for all seasons.......2005-01-14
The best jazz singers take the songs to new places without losing their listeners. Reeves is a master, whether she's being backed by a jazz quartet or a string quartet. Equally at home with the swirling scat of "Let It Snow" or the hushed elegance of the traditional "Christ Child's Lullaby," Reeves makes Christmas Time ... a classic for all seasons and all listeners.
Disappointment.......2004-12-28
This CD Was uttely boring it sounded like Dianne didn't even care that she was singing. It was a disappointment to me becuase she usually is pretty excting. I felt like she didn't do enough to make this CD perfect. I mean if it was just a regualar person putting out their very first CD, it wouldn't sound like this, becuase it wouldn't sell! Okay so, I have to give it 2 stars becuase at times it sounds relazing and nice, but then I think that every Christmas CD should be as excting as Christmas really is.
Pure Class.......2004-12-06
When I first got wind of this project I knew it was going to be something special. Until now, I have never purchased anything by this artist. Although I have always respected her craft. Now I must own her catalog. Ms. Reeves' voice is pure perfection here. My favorities are Little Drummer Boy, Christmas Time Is Here, I'll Be Home For Christmas, Let It Snow, and Have yourself A Merry Little Christmas. From beginning to end, Ms. Reeves' x-mas CD is pure class. See for yourself. Note: This CD is excellent for any x-mas festivity. In fact, it will get substantial playing time out of season at my place.
Music Review:
- City of God
- Classics: Live in Greenville [Live]
- Cry for the Desert
- Defying Gravity
- Do You Believe
- Don't Drive Your Mama Away
- Earth Water Air Fire [Import]
- Emmanuel: God With Us
- Essential Sunday Gospel Brunch
- Everything's Gonna Be Alright [CD-single]
Music Review
Music Review