Through the Storm

Track Listings

1. You Know That I Know

2. My Everything

3. Through the Storm

4. I'm Free

5. Even Me

6. Forever With Me

7. Only Way

8. Just a Prayer Away

9. Message to You

10. Let Thy Will Be Done

Tracks:

Skippin' In The Mississippi Dew
Good Woman's Love
Glory
All Night Train
Fly Through The Country
This Heart Of Mine
The Dancer
When She Made Laughter Easy
Doin' My Time
These Days
Four Days Of Rain
White Freightliner Blues
Sail To Australia
When The Storm Is Over
And He Says 'I Love You'
Vamp In The Middle
Like A Child In The Rain
Tennessee Wagoner
Colly Davis
Crooked Smile

Customer Reviews:

Transitional NGR.......2007-05-21

This CD is a combination of two NGR albums - Fly Through the Country and When the Storm is Over.

If you're looking for classic NGR, this is it. Just about every tune you remember from the original guys (Sam, John, Curtis, and Courtney) is included - just about every song on these albums was a "hit" for them. In addition, the best of these were carried over to the more modern NGR sound when Bela and Pat joined the group.

I call it "transitional" for two reasons. The first was mentioned in the previous paragraph. The second is that these albums are where NGR really "locks in" it's signature sound. The preferred harmony stack, extended jams, and song selection would continue until the much later days of the band where they went a bit more in the jazz direction.

The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that a number of the songs would be better featured in a "live" setting. "Fly Through the Country" (the tune, not the whole album) falls a bit flat in the studio as do a couple of others. Fortunately, there are a couple of live albums (one from this era and another from the later incarnation) where you can hear NGR playing as they were meant to be.

Go ahead. Buy this. You won't be disappointed, and you'll feel right "at home" with a bunch of guys who streached bluegrass to the breaking point, and became legend because of it.

When The Storm Is Over/Fly Through the Country.......2004-03-24

This compilation of two separately released records on vinyl is absolutely one of the best driving cd's available. If the sun is shining, and you're on the road, this is a must have for those who love finger pickin'!

The best of the best.......2001-06-19

Two albums on one CD. When the Storm is Over is very good. Fly Through The Country is excellent. Though Bela Fleck was not in the band when they recorded these two albums, Fly Through The Country represents the best songs the band ever recorded. This would be the one studio album of theirs that is a must have.

Early & Essential New Grass Revival.......2001-04-03

During the 1980's I immersed myself in bluegrass music. I first sought out Bill Monroe, of course, and then Flatt & Scruggs, Ralph & Carter Stanley and from there it was more progressive artists like J.D. Crowe & The New South, The Country Gentlemen, The Seldom Scene, and The New Grass Revival. For too many people, bluegrass music is still personified by the inbred hillbilly from Deliverance playing "Dueling Banjos." That's too bad. This is the music that comes closest to touching the heart and soul of our country's earliest history and for a time no one did it better than Sam Bush (fiddle, mandolin, vocal), Courtney Johnson (banjo), Curtis Burch (guitar, vocal) and John Cowan (bass).

This reissue packages their first two studio albums for Flying Fish from 1975 and 1977. [Their debut on Starday featured Ebo Walker on bass.] Fly Through the Country is the more traditional of the two, while When the Storm is Over added piano and drums on many of the tracks. But they would constantly balance the two. They'd do the Flatt & Scruggs standard ("Doin' My Time") one moment, then turn around and cover Jackson Browne ("These Days") the next. They'd also cover Jimmy Webb ("Fly Through the Country"), Rick Roberts ("Four Days of Rain" from The Flying Burrito Brothers) and Townes Van Zandt ("White Freightliner Blues"). Both albums feature John Hartford covers: "Skippin' in the Mississippi Dew" from the former and "Vamp in the Middle" from the latter. The only songwriter in the band was Sam Bush who wrote the instrumental "Crooked Smile," a nearly eight-minute instrumental heavily influenced by David Grisman's "dawg" music, which blended jazz and bluegrass. Bush also co-wrote another six of these tracks with Steven Brines.

Amazon.com only lists the tracks from When the Storm Is Over. Here's the tracks from Fly Through the Country: 1. Skippin' in the Mississippi Dew 2. Good Woman's Love 3. Glory 4. All Night Train 5. Fly Through the Country 6. This Heart of Mine 7. The Dancer 8. When She Made Laughter Easy 9. Doin' My Time 10. These Days

While the band would continue to have success into the 80's with a slighltly altered lineup, these early recordings have an excitement and urgency about them that still make them enjoyable twenty-five years later. And this two-fer is a real bargain. Grab it while you can. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Essential early and defining work.......1998-06-19

"When The Storm Is Over" continues to solidify the New Grass Revival as America's premier progressive bluegrass band. All of the elements that would become the band's trademarks throughout their existence are already evident; innovation, distinctive interpretation, superb presentation, excellent writing and song selection, not to mention their unsurpassed musical abilities. "When The Storm Is Over" is fittingly combined with an earlier album release, "Fly Through The Country", on one CD. Very similar, these two albums give us a good perspective of their early work following the departure of Ebo Walker on bass, who appeared on only one album. Replaced by John Cowan, his Rock/Blues influences further delineated the group from mainstream bluegrass and provided greater diversity.

This set has it all - There are soulful ballads - "Sail To Australia" and "He Says I Love You". "Four Days Of Rain", the title track "When The Storm Is Over", and "Like A Child In The Rain", are delightful upbeat melodies. "White Freightliner Blues" and the instrumental duet "Tennessee Rain" are proof that the group has dedicated roots in the heart of bluegrass, demonstrating the ability to play traditional renditions fluently....and during a time when "progressive" and "bluegrass" were still contradictory terms. "Crooked Smile" is the climactic high-powered instrumental jam, finishing off the record with Bush's wonderfully constructed mandolin lead throughout, reminiscent of "Red Man Blues" and its fiddle work from their previous live album.

Tracks:

'Even Bravest Heart My Swell'
'I Am The Barber Everyone Wants, I Am!
'Must I Be Made To Suffer'
'Look Down, Oh Gentle Evening Star'
'You Have My Love And My Devotion
'Oh Wine, Deliver Me From Sadness' - Geoffrey Mitchell Choir
'Marriage Is Sacred' - I Was Right To Be So Suspicious'
'Turning My Gaze Upon This Proud Assembly'
'O Nadir, Best Of Friends'
Billy In The Darbies
'Though I'm Somewhat Out Of Practice' - Janice Watson
'Hello, Here's A Soldier Bold' - Janice Watson
'I Wonder What He'll Think Of Me!'
'In Visions, Illusions'

Customer Reviews:

A good collection.......2007-05-14

Unlike the huge names, collections by Allen are not many - plenty of his opera performances are recorded, but there are only a few collections. My voice teacher recommended I listen to him to understand better how to deliver power without weight, something we've been working on. Yes, it's all in English, but that's fine, and the quality of Allen's instrument comes through very well.

A Musician of Great Dignity and Style.......2005-07-27

Sir Thomas Allen is one of the enduring baritones who has been able to move throughout the operatic repertoire and the recital stage with intelligence, informed characterization, and immaculate musicianship. To have a recording of some of the roles he has inhabited at this point in his career is a gift (this CD was recorded in 2003). To have the added challenge of retaining the stature of the roles while sung in English translations at the request of Chandos is a credit to his abilities and communicative powers.

English is a difficult language to make musical, though saying that abruptly is countered by the fact that some of the most beautiful operas in history are by Benjamin Britten, a composer who truly understood his native tongue and kept it as fluid as the soaring melodies he wrote, as Thomas Allen proves here in 'Billy in the Darbies' from Britten's 'Billy Budd'. It is the other major arias from Korngold to Wagner to Tchaikovsky to Rossini, Bizet, Mozart, Gounod, Verdi, Thomas, Strauss, and Lehar that Allen proves that English translations do not detract at all from the performances!

For those purists who prefer opera sung in the original language (and for those who don't even need supertitles in the opera house!), then this recording may provide a temporary barrier to respecting Allen's singing. But once caught up in the ease with which he moves from style to style and comedy to drama, it is hard not to relinquish old preferences and not be wholly impressed with the beauty of the voice and the warmth and dignity of this fine musician. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, July 05

Passed the "Opera in English" test with flying colors........2005-07-04

For me, the test here was Figaro's Cavatina, from Rossini's Barber of Seville - sung in English, as is this entire compilation of 14 operatic favorites, sung by baritone Sir Thomas Allen. Could he pull it off? Could Chandos pull it off? The answer is an unequivocal, unqualified yes! The secret in singing classics in English, that were written and scored in another language, is in three things: pacing, vocal agility and appreciation for "fit", and what greater test for tongue and timing than Figaro? When you listen to this one song, you will understand why Chandos and its benefactor, Sir Peter Moores have such a passion for their Opera in English series. Sir Allen's voice is a matured unmistakably settled baritone voice that contains a lifetime's worth of understanding of the music and words he imparts through his magnificent delivery. For example, when he sings, Tchaikovsky's "You have my love and devotion" from The Queen of Spades, he delivers a smooth and deeply emotional rendition that lacks nothing in translation. Wagner's "Turning my gaze upon this proud assembly", from Tannhäuser is another example of how fine, full orchestration behind a seasoned voice that waxes eloquent with every phrase, can create a mood of relaxed familiarity with word and music, that may be lacking when sung in another tongue. Great Operatic Arias, serves up a smorgasbord of tunes that are familiar, made more so by the care and attention given to creating a place for the Opera in English series in every home library. The mood here is romantic, relaxed and with few exceptions consistent throughout. If you haven't heard Opera in English, this might be a good way to start, given the fact that the listener gets to sample how different composers might sound in other than German, Italian or French. You might be surprised to discover that when done with care, as is obviously the case here, the sound is about as good as it gets. As an added bonus, the booklet that comes with the CD is full of pictures, libretto in English, and biography that gives us a good insight into history of the singer and his identifying rolls.

Average customer rating:

"The death-doomed alone are destined to look on me."
Breathtaking, powerful, accessible, not just an alternative
Absolutely Breathtaking!
A powerful reading of the most moving opera in the Ring.
The power of Wagner's music drama is now fully accessible

Wagner: The Valkyrie

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Siegfried (Goodall Ring Cycle/Chandos Opera in English)
The Twilight of the Gods (Goodall Ring Cycle/Chandos Opera in English)
Wagner: The Rhinegold

ASIN: B00004YU6Z
Release Date: 2000-11-28

Tracks:

Act I: Prld - English Nat Opr Orch/Reginald Goodall
Act I, Scene 1: The Storm Drove Me Here - Alberto Remedios/Margaret Curphey
Act I, Scene 1: This House And This Wife - Margaret Curphey/Alberto Remedios
Act I, Scene 1: Evil Fortune's Never Far From Me - Alberto Remedios/Margaret Curphey
Act I, Scene 2: There He Lay, Feeble And Faint - Margaret Curphey/Clifford Grant/Alberto Remedios
Act I, Scene 2: Through Field And Forest - Alberto Remedios/Clifford Grant/Margaret Curphey
Act I, Scene 2: Friedmund No One Could Call Me - Alberto Remedios/Clifford Grant/Margaret Curphey
Act I, Scene 2: The Neidings Raided Again - Alberto Remedios
Act I, Scene 2: So The Norn Who Dealt You This Fate - Clifford Grant/Margaret Curphey/Alberto Remedios
Act I, Scene 2: I Know A Troublesome Race - Clifford Grant
Act I, Scene 3: A Sword Was Pledged By My Father - Alberto Remedios
Act I, Scene 3: Are You Awake? - Margaret Curphey/Alberto Remedios
Act I, Scene 3: My Husband's Kinsmen - Margaret Curphey
Act I, Scene 3: Yes, Loveliest Bride - Alberto Remedios/Margaret Curphey
Act I, Scene 3: Winter Storms Have Vanished (Siegmund's Spring Song) - Alberto Remedios
Act I, Scene 3: You Are The Spring - Margaret Curphey
Act I, Scene 3: Oh Sweetest Enchantment - Alberto Remedios/Margaret Curphey
Act I, Scene 3: The Stream Has Shown My Reflected Face - Margaret Curphey/Alberto Remedios
Act I, Scene 3: Siegmund Call Me, And Siegmund Am I! - Alberto Remedios
Act I, Scene 3: Siegmund, The Walsung, Here You See! - Alberto Remedios/Margaret Curphey

Tracks:

Act II, Scene 1: Go Bridle Your Horse, Warrior Maid! - Norman Bailey
Act II, Scene 1: Hoyotoho! Hoyotoho! (Brunnhilde's Battle Cry) - Rita Hunter
Act II, Scene 1: The Usual Storm, The Usual Strife - Norman Bailey/Ann Howard
Act II, Scene 1: Pretend That You Don't Understand! - Ann Howard/Norman Bailey
Act II, Scene 1: Now It's Come To Pass! - Norman Bailey
Act II, Scene 1: So This Is The End Of The Gods And Their Glory - Ann Howard
Act II, Scene 1: You Never Learn What I Would Teach You - Norman Bailey/Ann Howard
Act II, Scene 1: What Must I Do? - Norman Bailey/Ann Howard
Act II, Scene 1: Hiaha! Hiaha! Hoyotoho! - Rita Hunter/Ann Howard/Norman Bailey
Act II, Scene 2: Fricka Has Won The Fight - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
Act II, Scene 2: When Youth's Delightful Pleasures Had Waned - Norman Bailey
Act II, Scene 2: She Refused To Reveal More About It - Norman Bailey/Rita Hunter
Act II, Scene 2: There's More To Tell - Norman Bailey
Act II, Scene 2: Yet One Can Accomplish What I May Not - Norman Bailey
Act II, Scene 2: But The Walsung, Siegmund - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
Act II, Scene 2: Then Siegmund Must Fall In His Fight? - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
Act II, Scene 2: I Give You My Blessing, Nibelung Son! - Norman Bailey/Rita Hunter
Act II, Scene 2: No, Have Mercy - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey

Tracks:

Act II, Scene 2: So I Obey His Command - Rita Hunter
Act II, Scene 3: Rest Here For A While; Stay By My Side! - Alberto Remedios/Margaret Curphey
Act II, Scene 3: Away! Away! - Margaret Curphey/Alberto Remedios
Act II, Scene 3: Where Are You, Siegmund? - Margaret Curphey/Alberto Remedios
Act II, Scene 4: Siegmund! Look At Me! (Announcement Of Death) - Rita Hunter/Alberto Remedios
Act II, Scene 4: And If I Come - Alberto Remedios/Rita Hunter
Act II, Scene 4: Then Greet For Me Walhall - Alberto Remedios/Rita Hunter
Act II, Scene 4: Woe! Woe! Sister And Bride - Alberto Remedios/Rita Hunter
Act II, Scene 4: Two Lives Now Lie In Your Power - Alberto Remedios/Rita Hunter
Act II, Scene 5: Charms Of Sleep Are Sent To Still - Alberto Remedios
Act II, Scene 5: I Hear Your Call - Alberto Remedios/Margaret Curphey
Act II, Scene 5: Wehwalt! Wehwalt! - Clifford Grant/Alberto Remedios/Margaret Curphey/Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey

Tracks:

Act III, Scene 1: Hoyotoho! Hoyotoho! (Ride Of The Valkyries) - Katie Clark/Anne Evans/Elizabeth Connell/Helen Attfield/Shelagh Squires/Anne Conoley
Act III, Scene 1: Shield Me And Help - Rita Hunter/Katie Clarke/Anne Conoley/Elizabeth Connell/Helen Attfield/Anne Evans/Sarah Walker...
Act III, Scene 1: Hear While I Tell You - Rita Hunter/Katie Clarke/Anne Conoley/Elizabeth Connell/Helen Attfield/Anne Evans/Sarah Walker...
Act III, Scene 1: Pray Suffer No Sorrow For Me - Margaret Curphey/Rita Hunter/Katie Clarke/Anne Conoley/Elizabeth Connell/Helen Attfield/Anne...
Act III, Scene 1: Fly Him Swiftly, Away To The East! - Rita Hunter
Act III, Scene 1: O Radiant Wonder! (Parting Salute) - Margaret Curphey
Act III, Scene 1: Stay, Brunnhild! - Norman Bailey/Margaret Curphey/Rita Hunter/Katie Clarke/Anne Conoley/Elizabeth Connell/Helen...
Act III, Scene 2: Where Is Brunnhild? - Norman Bailey/Margaret Curphey/Rita Hunter/Katie Clarke/Anne Conoley/Elizabeth Connell/Helen...
Act III, Scene 2: Weak-Spirited, Womanish Brood! - Norman Bailey
Act III, Scene 2: Here I Am, Father - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
Act III, Scene 2: No More Will You Ride From Walhall - Norman Bailey/Margaret Curphey/Rita Hunter/Katie Clarke/Anne Conoley/Elizabeth Connell/Helen...
Act III, Scene 2: Did You Not Hear What I Decreed? - Norman Bailey/Margaret Curphey/Rita Hunter/Katie Clarke/Anne Conoley/Elizabeth Connell/Helen...
Act III, Scene 3: Was It So Shameful - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
Act III, Scene 3: I Know So Little - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
Act III, Scene 3: You, Who This Love Into My Heart Revealed - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
Act III, Scene 3: You Indulged Your Love - Norman Bailey
Act III, Scene 3: Unworthy Of You This Foolish Maid - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
Act III, Scene 3: You Fathered A Glorious Race - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
Act III, Scene 3: In Long, Deep Sleep - Norman Bailey/Rita Hunter
Act III, Scene 3: Farewell, My Valiant, Glorious Child! (Wotan's Farewell) - Norman Bailey
Act III, Scene 3: These Eyes So Warm And So Bright - Norman Bailey
Act III, Scene 3: Loge, Hear! Come At My Call! - Norman Bailey
Act III, Scene 3: Magic Fire Music - Norman Bailey

Customer Reviews:

"The death-doomed alone are destined to look on me.".......2007-06-12

Okay, so we have the Solti, Bohm, Karajan, Levine, Janowski, Goodall, and Sawallisch Rings on the market (I haven't listened to the other Ring recordings yet, sorry to say). And all of these leave me to one conclusion: the many differences lead me to believe that all of these ring sets have their own authenticities and setbacks. And here they are:

TIMING (Estimate):
Solti's Ring: 14 hours, 30 minutes
Bohm's Ring: 13 hours, 30 minutes
Karajan's Ring: 14 hours, 50 minutes
Goodall's Ring: 16 hours, 50 minutes
Janowski's Ring: 14 hours, 0 minutes
Levine's Ring: 15 hours, 20 minutes
Sawallisch's Ring: 14 hours, 0 minutes

CONDUCTING:
Solti: Solti's conducting is driven with sheer muscle, but sometimes he makes the Ring overemotional. His Walkure & Gotterdammerung Preludes are clear examples: they're annoyingly bombastic. Nonetheless he almost seldom loses control with anything. His clear focus on the drama is astonishing.

Bohm: I must say his live Bayreuth recording brings out some of the best. He puts more faith in the orchestral score, but he also gives it more intensity. His tempi are some of the quickest, but they still don't seem rushed at all (except maybe "Wohin schleich'st du eilig und schlau"). I especially like his "Forging Scene" & "Hagen Summons the Vassals"; both are the most energetic on disc.

Karajan: Karajan's chamber approach is very interesting. Instead of going for the drama or the energy, the conductor goes for the beauty. Almost everything in his Ring sounds very ethereal because of his excessive use of lyricism. His orchestral preludes (except Walkure Act 1) sound more beautiful than others, and much of the soft parts (such as Siegfried Act Three Scene Three) are controlled nicely. His "Funeral March" and "Immolation" are recommendable. Siegfried Act Three Scene Two could have improved with more tension.

Goodall: Oh, boy. While I do praise Goodall with his amazing attention to detail, his ridiculously sluggish tempi will tick some Wagnerites off: everything is slower than adagio moderato. But I did enjoy listening to the slow beauty of his "Wotan's Farewell/Magic Fire Music". This was recorded live and sung in English.

Janowski: This is a very classical Ring. Instead of bombast, spacious, or lyrical passion, maestro Janowski gives us the straightforward approach. He goes straight for Wagner's original intentions (precise tempi, dynamics, flow of leitmotivs, etc.), which makes this another exquisite Ring. "Hagen Summons the Vassals" is probably the fastest I've ever heard (along with Sawallisch's). Rheingold Scene Four can be best described as "sensational".

Levine: While he does stay true to the score like Bohm, this conductor makes for a somewhat dull Ring. His handling of the orchestra is nice, but the moderately slow tempi he chooses is flawed. It should be more animated. His beautiful "Funeral March" and "Erda's Warning" are two of the few flawless features.

Sawallisch: I guess you can say that Sawallisch is half-Karajan, half-Janowski. While he does stay true to the orchestral score like Janowski, he also puts in a little Karajan-like lyricism. At some points he loses track with orchestra and singers (as does every live recording) but Bohm has more control. This was also recorded live.

ORCHESTRA:
Solti's Vienna Philharmonic: The woodwinds are the most beautiful in Solti's Ring (the "Forest Murmurs" is clear evidence of that). French horns and Wagner tubas make this a recommended listening. The strings in "Heda Heda Hedo" could've added a bit more work, but they are strikingly spectacular everywhere else. The orchestra gives it their all in Siegfried Act Two & Three, but they are at their weakest in Walkure Act One & Three (Bohm's Bayreuth does it better). Overall, it's the loudest and certainly most bombastic out of all the Ring orchestras combined.

Bohm's Bayreuth Festival: The ultimate Wagnerian orchestra gives it their all. The brass both high and low are the most powerful, while the woodwinds are the most delicate. The strings are muffled only a few times, otherwise the eighteen anvils are perfectly loud and clear. Erda's scenes aren't as effective as Janowski's, but the entire Walkure is more successful than Janowski's when it comes to tone & technique. Overall, this orchestra is the most dramatic.

Karajan's Berlin Philharmonic: The entire orchestra sounds polished, not to say that it is bad. Indeed the drama is still there, but much of the suspense is lacking (the scenes with Fasolt and Fafner come to mind). The brass sometimes overpowers the strings, which can be a serious problem. Gotterdammerung "Three Norns" Scene sounds very mysterious, very eerie.

Goodall's English National Opera: This orchestra sounds nice, even if the sluggishness can bring them down at times. The Flight of the Valkyries doesn't sound too good in a slow tempo, but the entire orchestra does sound lucid here. Siegfried Act One Prelude is the creepiest. All of the leitmotivs are heard loud and clear, just like in Janowski's version.

Janowski's Staatskapelle Dresden: This orchestra has the same force & flair as does Bohm's Bayreuth Festival, only Dresden sounds much clearer due to the fantastic digital sound. Even minor details are found in this Ring. I can hear harps in Flight of the Valkyries! The strings imitate the Siegfried forest very well, while the woodwinds representing the songbird are wonderful (but not as wonderful as Solti's songbird). Dresden's "Magic Fire Music" (along with Berlin's) is the most extravagant.

Levine's Metropolitan Opera: The brass and woodwinds are the true stars. The strings sound too tired to continue on in Siegfried & Gotterdammerung. The Finale to Rheingold is absolutely stunning (the trumpets and trombones will not disappoint), and the Second Act of Walkure is the most impressive, the most refined.

Sawallisch's Bavarian State: Wrong notes in this live recording won't matter, as the entire orchestra gets everything going in all four nights at the opera. The strings never surrender to imperfection, and the winds are marvelously aligned. I just wish that some of the singers would keep up with the orchestra.

SINGERS:
-Wotan
Solti: Hans Hotter is the superior Wotan. He sounds powerful throughout the Ring (except Rheingold, in which a less stellar George London performs).

Bohm and Janowski: Theo Adam in Bohm's live recording is another treat. While he is not as equally impressive as Hotter, he can certainly conjure up everlasting emotions. Adam sounds weaker in Janowski's studio recording, but he still doesn't disappoint.

Karajan: Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau plays Wotan in "Rheingold," while Thomas Stewart replaces Fischer-Dieskau in "Walkure" and "Siegfried". I don't think Fischer-Dieskau was a good choice; he sounds too humane and too light. Stewart makes an astounding improvement in both "Walkure" and "Siegfried".

Goodall: Norman Bailey has that divine spark that Hotter used to cherish. He's heavy and unblemished, and he handles the English text with flair and sheen.

Levine: James Morris is a notch below Hotter, Adam, and Bailey, but he overpowers Fischer-Dieskau pretty much throughout the Levine's Ring.

Sawallisch: I may be biased, but Robert Hale just didn't do it for me. He sounded dull and tedious, and his Wotan's Farewell wasn't enough to sadden me.

-Brunnhilde
Solti and Bohm: Birgit Nilsson is the best Brunnhilde on the market. Her Valkyrie cry is delightful, and her final scene in Gotterdammerung is brilliant beyond belief.

Karajan: Regine Crespin is without a doubt one of the finest Brunnhildes after Nilsson. She's fantastic in Walkure Act Three. I just wish she stayed on as the Valkyrie later on in the Ring (Helga Dernesch is no good in Gotterdammerung, sorry to say).

Goodall: Rita Hunter is at her strongest in Walkure and Siegfried. She is at her weakest in Gotterdammerung. What may have caused her downfall in the fourth installment? "The world may never know."

Janowski: Jeannine Altmeyer is basically the most controversial Brunnhilde on CD. Some people say that she's too light and weak, while others say she sounds young and very enchanting. I'm with those who think Altmeyer was a good choice, but you yourself (the shopper) are going to have to decide whether she's good or not.

Levine and Sawallisch: Hildegard Behrens is just like Nilsson and Crespin: while she's not the best, she is definitely another perfect Brunnhilde of choice. She's at her most dazzling when she performs Walkure (Levine) and Siegfried (Sawallisch).

-Siegmund & Sieglinde
Let's see. For the Siegmunds, we have James King for Solti and Bohm. Jon Vickers for Karajan, Alberto Remedios for Goodall, Siegfried Jerusalem for Janowski, Gary Lakes for Levine, and Robert Schunk for Sawallisch. For the Sieglindes, we have Regine Crespin for Solti, Leonie Rysanek for Bohm, Gundula Janowitz for Karajan, Margaret Curphy for Goodall, Jessye Norman for both Janowski and Levine, and Julia Varady for Sawallisch. Hmm . . . Jerusalem is good . . . and so is Vickers . . . Janowitz is charming, and so is . . . Oh, what the heck? All the singers for Siegmund and Sieglinde are fantastic. Two exceptions, though: Robert Schunk doesn't sound heroic enough, and Jessye Norman for Levine's Ring doesn't sound young and innocent enough.

-Siegfried
Solti and Bohm: Wolfgang Windgassen may very well be the best Siegfried for the ages. His `Forging Scene" in both renditions are defiantly inspiring. His last scene in Gotterdammerung is celestial and overwhelming.

Karajan: Jess Thomas (Siegfried) and Helge Brilioth (Gotterdammerung) may not be as ideal as Windgassen, but they do know how to be a magnificent heldentenor. Thomas pulls it off with Act One and Three.

Goodall: Wow! What a singer that Alberto Remedios! He never drags in either of the last two installments, and he uses the correct emotions in every scene that he is in.

Janowski and Sawallisch: Rene Kollo's Siegfried is a poetically expressive one. In Janowski's version he sounds playful when he's in Mime's home, and he sounds willed when he's in the Gibich Hall. He is not good enough in Sawallisch's version, however. His tiresome "Forging Scene" is obvious evidence of that.

Levine: Oh, Reiner Goldberg. At least you tried. Seriously, he sounds too tedious (especially in Gotterdammerung Act Three Scene Two) and too old. I don't know Levine should've chose Kollo when he recorded his Ring.

-Alberich
Solti and Bohm: Gustav Niedlinger has a heaviness that overwhelms a few other baritones. When he sings his only sequence in Gotterdammerung Act Two Scene One, his emotion is so pure that his son Hagen would've drowned himself in tears (Too melodramatic? Sorry about that.). The only problem is that his character sounds too one-dimensional. Alberich isn't just some cardboard-cutout bad guy. He has a very good reason why he wants to take revenge on the world. Overall, Niedlinger is amazing throughout Wagner's Ring (He deserves many awards for "Bin ich nun frei?").

Karajan: I guess you can say that Zoltan Kelemen tries his best throughout. He is not good in Rheingold, but he gets better in Siegfried and Gotterdammerung.

Goodall: Derek Hammond-Stroud is three-dimensional, but not that much. Still, he can sound very demanding in Rheingold Scene One and Siegfried Act Two Scene One.

Janowski: Siegmund Nimsgern may be the most humane Alberich yet, but it's all good. He sings with more passion than Kelemen and more robustness than Hammond-Stroud. Niedlinger's ferociousness puts him below, however. "Schaf'st du, Hagen, mein sohn?" is noteworthy.

Levine and Sawallisch: Ekkehard Wlaschiha is one hell of a vigorous Alberich. I praise him in Rheingold Scene One and Three. His performance in Siegfried (both versions) could've improved with more distrustfulness towards Mime and the Wanderer.

-Mime
Solti and Karajan: Gerhard Stolze is the creepiest Mime ever known to humankind. This dwarf outsings other Mimes on the market. When he sings "Die stucken! Das Schwert!" his anger and fear is the most effective to almost all Ring listeners.

Bohm: Erwin Wohlfahrt wins second place. He gives a first-rate performance in Siegfried Act One, but loses some of his edge in Act Two. He is an exceptional Mime nonetheless. Look for him in Karajan's Rheingold, also.

Goodall: Gregory Dempsey isn't emotional enough. He doesn't sound fearful or depressed at all, which makes him the dullest Mime for the Ring.

Janowski: Peter Schreier is for Siegfried, while Christian Vogel is for Rheingold. Vogel is less than perfect, while Schreier is way beyond outstanding. Schreier is less ghoulish and more benevolent, more three-dimensional than Stolze and Wohlfahrt. The only flaw I can find is his handling of "Die stucken! Das Schwert!" He could've added a bit more fear in that sequence.

Levine: Heinz Zednik is yet another excellent mime. He is equal to Schreier when it comes to humaneness and lyricism. His performance in Rheingold Scene Three is pure gold, while his performance in Siegfried (particularly "Willkommen, Siegfried!") is a stunning achievement.

Sawallisch: Helmut Pampuch is just like Schreier and Zednik: he's very VERY good. Nuff said.

-Loge
Solti: Set Svanholm may be the weakest Loge. He is not very ominous throughout all of his scenes, and his lack of a sinister atmosphere is greatly affects the entire Rheingold. But he'll soon be forgotten later on in the Ring.

Bohm: Why the heck would the conductor have Wolfgang Windgassen play both Siegfried AND Loge? The demi-god needs to sound different from a son of a Walsung. Still, it's satisfactory, and his "Ihrem ende eilen sie zu" gives great foreshadowing.

Karajan: Gerhard Stolze is easily the most entertaining Loge to listen to. His scenes in Scene Three are delightful.

Goodall: Emile Belcourt isn't as good as Stolze, but he certainly can make some of the best of an English-speaking Loge.

Janowski: Peter Schreier is the most eccentric out of all of them, and that's a fact. Much of his singing involves imagination, peril, vengeance, and deviousness. Belcourt depends only on imagination and deviousness, Stolze only vengeance and deviousness, and Windgassen only peril. His odd conversations with Alberich and the gods/goddesses are classic.

Levine: Siegfried Jerusalem doesn't seem like a good choice for Loge. He's better off playing Siegmund or Siegfried, but not a demi-god.

Sawallisch: Robert Tear is on par with Stolze and Schreier. Sometimes he takes things too low, but all is forgiven with his management of character development.

-Everyone Else
Uh-huh, what can I say? Everyone else does a good job in all Ring recordings (maybe not in Swarowsky's version). Matti Salminen is the perfect Hagen (Janowski, Levine, and Sawallisch), while Kirsten Flagstad is the most brilliant Fricka (Solti). The Norns and Rheinmaidens do a splendid job in Solti, Janowski, and Levine. The Vassals (male choir) are at their unsurpassed in Bohm and Goodall. The only flawed Erda is Anne Collins (Goodall), maybe too light and too heavy at times. All in all, no one here is graded C or lower.

CONCLUSION: I have yet to listen to Barenboim's Bayreuth presentation and the essential mono recordings (Furtwangler, Krauss), but I'm pretty sure that have their advantages and disadvantages. So there you have it. We have the histrionic Solti, the energetic Bohm, the otherworldly Karajan, the spacious Goodall, the calculated Janowski, the relaxed Levine, and the serious Sawallisch Rings. They have their own authenticities and setbacks, and they certainly have their own significances for Ring listeners everywhere.

Sir Georg Solti: Wagner - Der Ring des Nibelungen (Ring Cycle) / Sir Georg Solti

Karl Bohm: Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen

Herbert von Karajan: Der Ring des Nibelungen / Karajan / Berlin Philharmonic

Goodall: Wagner: The Ring Cycle (Box Set)
-The Rhinegold (Part 1): Wagner: The Rhinegold
-Siegfried (Part 3): Siegfried (Goodall Ring Cycle/Chandos Opera in English)
-Twilight of the Gods (Part 4): The Twilight of the Gods (Goodall Ring Cycle/Chandos Opera in English)

Marek Janowski: Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen

James Levine: Der Ring Des Nibelungen

Wolfgang Sawllisch: Wagner - Der Ring des Nibelungen (Ring Cycle) / Sawallisch, Bayerischer Staatsoper

Breathtaking, powerful, accessible, not just an alternative.......2005-05-03

This is one of three Walkure's in my collection: the very underrated Leinsdorf, the thrilling Boehm and this one with Goodall. I believe Goodall is right up there with the best of them. Remedios, Hunter and Bailey sing beautifully and with sufficient drama. I'll go out on a musical limb and say I believe Bailey is one of the finest Wotan's on disc. Many will disagree but I think he has the measure of the role, the power to pull it off and a burnished timber that never becomes coarse under powerful climaxes... Remedios may well be the star of the trilogy along with Hunter and Bailey. His Siegmund is beautifully sung and his Siegfried by the way, is no mean stint either. Would that we had tenors that could sing Siegfried without sounding stretched beyond their limits. I am continually puzzled by the bad reviews that the orchestra playing receives from ARG, Classics Today and a few others. The ENO is not a Concertgebouw or Vienna Philharmonic but I think they play beautifully, a few clinkers notwithstanding. For a live show, they do a pretty d..... good job. THe sound from both orchestra and singers is exceptionally fine. This set belong in your collection if you like Wagner and, Die Walkure, in particular. If I had been at the performance in the 1970's I would have come home very happy, satisfied and richer for the experience.

Absolutely Breathtaking!.......2002-09-13

I had long cringed at the thought of this magnificant masterpiece recorded in English. Even after reading several rave reviews on this cylce that I've read by authoritive Wagnerites and critics, I was still skeptical. Finally, I decided to add Goodall's 'Ring' as my third complete cycle (after Solti & Bohm) for one reason: because it was in English and I felt it would enhance my understand of 'The Ring.' In fact, after achieving that "higher understanding" I was planning on selling this set on Ebay. That was, of course, before I heard this magnificant recording.

During the course of my research on 'The Goodall Ring' most of the praised seemed to heighten around 'Siegfried,' which is my absolute favorite of the cycle. That also helped to seal the deal. As the critics said, 'Siegfried' under Goodall is excellent, but not as monumental as Solti's reading, which IMHO is the greatest recording of 'Siegfried.'

The set that stands out, to me, in 'The Goodall Ring' is this recording; The Valkyrie. It is absolutely breathtaking. Not only is it my favorite of this set, it is my favorite Valkyrie recording period (I am very familiar with Boehm's, Solti's, Karajan's, Furthwanglers, Levines, and others). Alberto Remedios (Siegmund here and Siegfried in the last two operas) is truly magnificant. It is the best Siegmund I have heard on disc (and his Siegfried rivals Windgassen). Coupled with Margaret Curphey (Sieglinde), you get the most beautiful and moving duo I have heard on record. The duet in Act I is simply glorious. You also get the bonus of Norman Bailey's triumphant Wotan (and Wanderer too). He has such command and prescene. He sounds like a God. Throw in Rita Hunter, who holds her own as Brunnhilde, Goodall's miraculous conducting, and excellent playing by the orchestra and it all adds up to a stunning recording.

I can only say that in a way it's a shame this set is in English. Were it not, I believe Goodall's 'Ring' would be one of the most talked about, popular, and sought after complete recordings of the cycle. I can only say that I am so happy that I finally opened up to opera recorded in a different language than written.

I have fallen completely in love with Goodall's entire cycle. And, I have fallen in love with 'The Ring' all over again.

A powerful reading of the most moving opera in the Ring........2001-08-30

This performance of *Die Valkure,* the second and most popular opera in Wagner's Ring Cycle, is musically splendid. Its special significance, however, is that it is sung in English. An English performance of the Ring is perhaps more important than that of any other opera(s), because Wagner's libretti are suffused with his ideas about society, fate, justice, and love. Even if (at times) you need to read along to understand what the singers are saying, *hearing* the lyrics in English is truly stirring in a way that performances in your non-native language cannot match.
A particular stand-out on this recording is the Wotan. His timbre, diction, and delivery perfectly embody the troubled god who tries desperately, and in vain, to keep the world under his control. His angst and wrath are utterly convincing.

The power of Wagner's music drama is now fully accessible.......2001-01-30

I have never been a fan of opera in translation, but I must say that Andrew Porter's rendering of The Ring in English is amazing. He uses modern, not archaic, English, and the word choice is so very earthy and Germanic that the noble yet somewhat severe atmosphere of the Teutonic myths is conveyed perfectly. The sound, in other words, is an elegantly Germanic, and totally appropriate for the music and the Story it tells. It is not true that you can't understand the English anyway, because you can understand if you care to pay any attention at all. The translation is lucid, and so it the marvelous singing that conveys it.

Goodall's sense of music drama is lush, and takes some getting used to after the crash-and-burn Solti set, but after a time or two it seems just right. Goodall is not always slower than the rest, either; for example, the famous Ride of the Valkyries that begins Act III is quicker than Solti's surprisingly slow and heavy account. It is the most exciting that I have heard--and I have heard quite a few--but it is not so fast that the power is lost in favor of urgency.

This is not an urgent Die Walkure, and it is all the better for it. Goodall takes the time to actually tell the story, and is sensitive to the drama's needs over what could be called convention. For example, Wotan's Farewell doesn't thunder out after Brunnhilde's final declamation, like in so many recordings; rather, Goodall's interpretation is more dreamy, mysterious, and appropriately trance-like, in keeping with the action on stage.

I own the complete Solti Ring, but I must say I will be the first in line to get each new installment of this remarakable Ring as soon they hit the shelves. If you are new to Wagner, and are willing to make the plunge into a complete Ring, then start with this one and see if you want to continue. This recording is definitely one of the great Rings, and the superb translation will open up the work in ways that following the libretto just won't. I promise that you won't be able to put this one away easily. Get it!

Through the Storm
Average customer rating:

ONE OF HER BEST THUS FAR!

GREAT CD

"The Only Way"

This album was the bomb.

Excellent, spritually uplifting and full of praise and glory

Through the Storm
Yolanda Adams
Manufacturer: Verity
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Songs From the Heart

Save the World

Day by Day

Believe

More Than a Melody

ASIN: B00000059Q
Release Date: 1997-05-20

Tracks:

You Know That I Know
My Everything
Through The Storm
I'm Free
Even Me
Forever With Me
The Only Way
Just A Prayer Away
A Message To You
Let Thy Will Be Done

Customer Reviews:

ONE OF HER BEST THUS FAR!.......2006-02-15

I've been a fan of Yolanda since the very beginning! Since she sang with the Southeast Inspirational Choir. It was the song she sang "My Liberty" with them that drew my attention. However, it was this cd THROUGH THE STORM that kept my eye on her! This cd was made after Yolanda came thru a dark physically abusive marriage! Indeed, you feel the presence of the Lord on this wonderfully produced cd. The presence of the Lord doesn't just manifest in unknown tongues, goose bumps, riffs and runs but it's beyond that and that's what you get from this cd! One that can play any day of the week and you find a soothing, relaxing yet jubilant and exciting warmth. The presence shows up thru the peace of God, the joy of the Lord, the testimony of His work in our lives are all tangible ways as well. Through each song, you can sense a triumphant Yolanda. Stellar tracks are the jazzy "My Everything" and "The Only Way"...the powerful delivering ballads of "Through the Storm" and "Just A Prayer Away". Other highlights to mention are "Forever With Me" a song that deals w/the loss of a loved one. The celebratory "I'm Free" which speaks about being free from the bondages of life. Lastly, "A Message to You" is a great jazzy songs that prompts us to share the message and love of Jesus Christ with others. Indeed one of her best if not her best project. It rivals Mountain High, Valley Low and Day By Day in content, lyrics, vocal ability and spirituality. Go Yolanda, Great Ministry.

GREAT CD.......2005-10-19

SOMEONE HAD GAVE ME THIS FOR MY BIRTHDAY AND I AM GLAD THAT THEY DID. THEY KNEW THAT I LOVE YOLANDA ADAMS. THIS IS HER FIRST CD I THINK AND BOY IS IT GOOD. THE SONGS ARE OFF THE CHAIN. THE BEST SONGS ARE:
1) THE ONLY WAY
2) THROUGH THE STORM(MY FAVORITE SONG AND THE BEST SONG)
3) FOREVER WITH ME (THE BEST SONG)
4) EVEN ME
5)EVERYTHING
6) YOU KNOW THAT I KNOW
7) JUST A PRAYER AWAY

THE REST THAT I DID NOT LIST WERE BAD IN MY OPNION. OTHER THAN THAT THIS CD IS AWESOME. YOU NEED TO GET IT YOU WILL BE BLESS

"The Only Way".......2000-05-22

When you purchase this album, you will know that Jesus is indeed, "Just A Prayer Away". Because He is "The Only Way", you will also know that He is your everything, whilst you are riding "Through The Storm". I love you, Yolanda Adams.

This album was the bomb........1999-10-18

This album was the bomb. I am Yolanda Adam's biggest fan. Everything she does is the bomb to me. I love that woman.

Excellent, spritually uplifting and full of praise and glory.......1999-09-26

I love you Yolanda Adams. This album is by far the greatest. The range of the songs are awesome. She truly blesses the Lord's name and lifts him up. She touches every aspect of life's storms and lets you know God will see you through everything. May God continue to bless her and use her in a mighty way.

Average customer rating:

Through the Storm Through the Night

Through the Storm Through the Night
Colin Linden
Manufacturer: Compass Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Blues | Styles | Music

Electric Blues Guitar | Blues | Styles | Music

Modern Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Raised by Wolves
South at Eight-North at Nine

ASIN: B00000203A
Release Date: 1997-02-25

Tracks:

Moon Follow Me Home
When The Carnival Ends
Out Of The Wilderness
No Rest For The Wicked
Reason Of The Rhyme
The Last Time
Waiting Is Over
You'll Be Mine
Homesick In My Own Backyard
You Are Here
Devil Music
Precious Lord, Take My Hand
Sad & Beautiful World

Customer Reviews:

Through the Storm Through the Night.......1999-12-26

Brilliant blues guitar. Soulful, bluesy, funky, great. We live in an isolated log cabin in the wilderness and this is great music to be snowed in with. Bought Raised by Wolves, which is about to be released in the U.S., when I was in Toronto, and it, too, is amazing.

Average customer rating:

Right Concept, Wrong Execution (And Yes, Huge Waste of Talent)
"After The Storm" would have been a better title.
The Queen
Sometimes RECYCLING is not good for the "environment"

Through the Storm
Aretha Franklin
Manufacturer: Arista
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

What You See is What You Sweat
Aretha
Who's Zoomin' Who?
Love Zone

ASIN: B00000DOR2
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Gimme Your Love - James Brown, Aretha Franklin
Mercy
He's the Boy
It Isn't, It Wasn't, It Ain't Never Gonna Be - Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston
Through the Storm - Aretha Franklin, Elton John
Think [1989]
Come to Me
If Ever a Love There Was - The Four Tops, Aretha Franklin, Kenny G

Customer Reviews:

Right Concept, Wrong Execution (And Yes, Huge Waste of Talent).......2007-07-03

In the hands of a different producer and different group of songwriters, I wonder if maybe this album might have achieved the results that Aretha and producer Narada Michael Walden (who by now was showing signs of burning out) were hoping for. After listening to this disc, my first thought was, "What a WASTE of the talent!" Just look at the roster of stars who appear here: "Godfather of Soul" James Brown, Whitney Houston, Elton John, Four Tops.....perhaps Aretha's only saving grace here was her duet with the Tops and deserves a place on this disc. The rest is really just fodder and filler taking up needless space on an album that deserved some imagination and originality.

My feeling is Aretha should have ventured into more adventurous territory and team with a more funkified R&B producing team such as Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, who at that time were the hottest producing duo in music. Instead Aretha retreaded to safer waters and familiar territory. I am glad I spent only $3 for a used copy bought on Amazon and I'm already thinking of reselling it. The songs are just filler and unlike Aretha's previous Arista CD's, this one does not contain one HUGE smash a la "I Knew You Were Waiting For Me" "Freeway of Love" "Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves" "Another Night". "Through The Storm" did receive some radio airplay in 1989, but compared to those other tracks listed above, it simply is not enough to sell an entire album. Maybe a sure sign of panic setting in was Aretha's decision to remake her 1968 classic "Think". Has anyone told Aretha that you simply do NOT remake a CLASSIC !! Maybe she felt it was better than anything else they had to offer her for this CD.

Sorry, Aunt Ree Aretha, but this one is what they call a "Bomb".

"After The Storm" would have been a better title........2007-01-02

Unfortunately this album's production, choice of material and overall presentation are much too similar to what's found on 1985's "Who's Zoomin'Who". Only Franklin's glorious duet with The Four Tops' "If Ever A Love There Was" and the jazzy ballad "He's The Boy" manage to not sound dated. Aretha's producers and Arista label boss Clive Davis simply couldn't come up with the right material for her on this set.

The Queen.......2006-10-06

The Queen could sing the telephone book and it would be alright with me. The song Through The Storm has been going around in my head for a few days. The song with the 4 Tops is fabulous. And the remake of 'Think' is just awesome. 'Long Live The Queen'

Sometimes RECYCLING is not good for the "environment".......2005-05-21

In 1986, following the success of the Grammy-winning "Who's Zoomin' Who", featuring the monstrous "Freeway of Love," Aretha was paired with George Michael, Annie Lennox, Larry Graham, and Keith Richards, on the self-titled "Aretha."

Garnering several hits, Aretha and her respective producers (Narada Michael Walden, Arif Mardin, and Jerry Knight, to name a few) decided to continue the same pattern with 1989's "Through the Fire," but with mixed results.

One would have thought that the matching of "The Godfather of Soul" with "The Queen of Soul" would be eventful but Franklin and Brown on "Gimme Your Love" makes one ponder what the two could have done in their prime. The song, unfortunately, is nothing extraordinary, as are the talents involved.

Pop "princess" Whitney Houston joins Aretha on "It Ain't Never Gonna Be," another idea that deserved a better song. The same results are found on the title cut, a duet with Elton John.

The songs are too "lightweight" for such heavy hitters.

Only on the slower-paced "If Ever a Love There Was," featuring fellow Detroit natives The Four Tops, along with saxophonist Kenny G, does the duet-concept work for Franklin and those involved.

The solo efforts (including "Mercy" and the torchy-like "He's the Boy") fare a bit better, although the rationale for remaking "Think" and the nine-year-old "Come to Me" (taken from Franklin's first Arista release in 1980) is perplexing.

Even the Peter Max cover looks too much like the artwork for the previous two releases.

This album must have been one of those "contractual commitments" that the singer must have been forced to do.

'Cause there definitely isn't very much "soul" in it.

Average customer rating:

3.5 Star Hard Rock Performance
An uneven effort
Riot - releases another world class production
Over the Riot
WHAT AN AMAZING VOICE

Through the Storm
Riot
Manufacturer: Metal Blade
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Metal | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

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Night Breaker
Sons of Society
The Brethren of the Long House
Inishmore
Thundersteel

ASIN: B00004RGKB
Release Date: 2002-08-27

Tracks:

Turn The Tables
Lost Inside This World
Chains (Revolving)
Through The Storm
Let It Show
Burn The Sun
To My Head
Essential Enemies
Only You Can Rock Me
Ilse Of Shadows
Here Comes The Sun

Album Description

Riot's thirteenth studio album and fifteenth release dating back to the late 70s. For fans of both progressive rock/metal like Dream Theater and more classic metal like UFO and Rainbow. 2002. Metal Blade Records.

Customer Reviews:

3.5 Star Hard Rock Performance.......2003-06-25

This album starts off with a bang called "Turn the Tables". Introduced with a rapid-fire chromatic-style riff, the tune begs your attention and doesn't give in until the last bar. The next few tunes are solid rockers that highlight the musical prowess of the band members, particuarly DiMeo's voice, throwback that it may be. The title track has a bit of a progressive-feel, with the leader majestically declaring "It's time to meet my end!", resulting in an overall solid tune that feels just a tad overdone.

The album reaches an "autopilot" stage after this track, where the tunes are not really inspiring but remain solid rockers in their own right. This portion of the album fits well into your early 80's rock collection, and its a great listen for fans of the era. You won't hit skip, but you might forget a song or two before tomorrow.

The album dies for me on track eight. Essential Enemies is a step in the wrong direction. The guy has a great voice and they throw it through a noise box? Stupid. I was also disappointed that a band that has released fifteen albums had to cover a UFO tune to fill out tracks. The cover doesn't ..., but it fits like an old patch on this new garment. They don't add anything noticable to the cover.

The Isle of Shadows instrumental track is built on a nifty riff with Celtic feel. The phrasing and feel of the tune fit with the album and I enjoy the track. The guitar work is nowhere near virtuoso level, however, and the song feels like its there to stroke an ego somewhere. The George Harrison instrumental track at the end really left me feeling abused. Its great that they loved his work. Its sad that they relegated the 11th track of the album to an instrumental remake to a Beatles song not fit for Muzak. They could have left the track off and used it on a tribute album. Instead they wasted production time putting it somewhere where it can't possibly be appreciated the way they meant it.

Overall the album deserves 3.5 marks (4 here because the half cannot be implied). Solid hard rock with competent professionals performing the tunes. The musicians are capable of a little more than eight original tracks, however, holding this rating back. This album was the first that turned me onto the band, which is ironic given their long life in the business, and I recommend it to fans of the genre (early 80's hard rock) and of RIOT.

An uneven effort.......2003-01-31

So, some say it sounds like Rainbow - it doesn't! The guitar playing has nothing in common with Blackmoore's, it's a totally different style. It doesn't sound like UFO either without the exception that Riot has included a UFO cover. Regarding the singer some claim that he sounds like Joe Lynn Turner, but I don't think the comparison is striking. Think of Iron Maiden when the first song begins - it's very similar to the guitar riffs Maiden usually play. Sometimes during the listening I also get to think of Black Sabbath with Tony Martin...

I believe this album has 3 really great heavy metal tunes with good arrangement and harmony: "Turn the Tables", "Through the storm" and "Burn the sun" - all top quality! Then there is 2 decent ones: "Lost inside this world" and "Chains"; 1 rather good cover: "Only you can rock me", and 1 boring semi-ballad called "Let it show". I don't know what Riot try to do with a song like "Essential enemies" - a modern approach? Well, it doesn't work, and the same goes for "To my head". We also get 2 instrumental tracks at the end, and although it's good guitar playing it doesn't get me excited.

If you got lots of money to spend on records and you're a fan of more traditional heavy metal I think this one would please you - the 3 best songs are really great! A few more songs of this calibre, and I would give this one 5 stars... And by the way, if you like this one I advise you to buy Pretty Maids "Red, hot and heavy" - you won't be disappointed!

Riot - releases another world class production.......2002-12-09

After another excellent release I continue to wonder the reason Riot does not receive more attention from the world of hard rock. Mark Reale's musicianship has been, and continues to be, on par with the most respected guitarists of the genre. Mark's compositions on "Through the Storm" are no exception; each song is an amalgam of expert timing, arrangement, and harmony, and if you are a fan of rock songs with soloing guitar this album will certainly delight. My picks are tracks 1,2,4,7, and the tribute instramental to George Harrison.

Over the Riot.......2002-11-14

RIOT releases here a very good RAINBOW album.Is it because of Bobby Rondinelli's presence on the drums or did he join the band because the compositions remimded him of his glory days with Ritchie Blackmore...I don't know but still we can't deny that this album is a good collection of HARD ROCK-HEAVY(?)songs with Blackmorian riffs, solid drumming and (this is why only four stars) a Joe Lynn Turner type of voice...(Ok not that annoying!).
The comparaison might be easy, but -for me anyway- if you take all the good ingredients from the late rainbow albums, speed them up a bit and throw the ballads away, that makes a pretty good album.
And this is what RIOT did with this one.
Glad to hear good classic Hard Rock in 2002!

WHAT AN AMAZING VOICE.......2002-09-20

I thought that this was the best Riot album yet!... Lead singer Mike DiMeo's voice is unlike anything I've ever heard before!... Everyone should check it out!... Trust me, you won't be disappointed!

Average customer rating:

Great cd
Great CD - thoroughly enjoy it
"She had a halo right from the start & the glow of heavenly light"

Through the Storm

Manufacturer: Razed
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000A7DYK6

Product Description

Track Listing: 1. No Ordinary Day; 2. In The Zone; 3. Brand New Day; 4. Though I'm Not Worthy; 5. Love Goes On; 6. Rescue Me; 7. How Could I Love You More; 8. The Peace and Love Of God; 9. The Other Side; 10. Spin Me Round; 11. Lullaby For Alice

Customer Reviews:

Great cd.......2005-12-15

I have to admit that I haven't listened to much contemporary Christian music before and suppose I really haven't given it much chance. Although I consider myself to be devout, Christian music for me has been confined to the sacred classics. When it was time to rock n' roll, it was secular music all the way. In fact I only picked up this cd because Curtis' music was highly recommended on another website, so I picked it up along with his Christmas album. I'm glad I did.

There are few cd's that hook me on the first listen and make me want to listen to it over and over again. Curtis' cd is one of those few. The tunes are catchy and the lyrics will stay with you. Some are songs to God, but the ones that I like best are God's songs to us, especially track 9: The Other Side. Although that one is my favorite, there are many that are very close runners-up. Even among my favorite cds, there's usually at least one or two tracks that I don't mind skipping past. There really aren't any songs like that on this cd. I feel like I've hit a homerun at my first at bat buying this contemporary Christian music cd.

At the time of this review, "Through the Storm" appears to be the only Curtis Stephan cd Amazon sells. If Curtis continues to put out music like this, I hope he has a long and successful career and hope to see more of his work sold on Amazon.

Great CD - thoroughly enjoy it.......2005-12-01

I really enjoy this CD and most or all of Curtis Stephan's music. His "Born To Us" CD is one of my favorite Christmas CDs.

"She had a halo right from the start & the glow of heavenly light".......2005-11-18

Not to be confused with another musician with the same 1st 2 names (albiet with Stephen at the front and the Curtis following it), Curtis Stephan (spelled with an "A") has proven to be one of the most gifted and entertaining Christian musicians of the time. He can do rockers like "Brand New Day" and "Spin Me Round" and ballads like "Though I'm Not Worthy" and "Love Goes On" and even throws in some jazz on "Lullaby for Alice," a song which is dedicated in the memory of his sister Alice. "The Othe Side" is both introspective and catchy. "No Ordinary Day" would be a good song to start the day, whereas "The Peace and Love of God" would be a good song to end it (or just a good song to listen to if you're going through a hard time). He can play keyboards, guitar and trumpet. I saw him last night in concert and it was like having a friend tell you what's going on in his life with a guitar in his hand. I brought my wife and 2 good friends and they loved his music and message as well. And of course, many of the young teens who enjoy him as a youth director at their church were there! There's also a bonus cut "Age Old Friend of Mine," but don't search for it on the lyric sheet.

Average customer rating:

Through the Storm
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Juana
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Gospel | Compilations | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0009WPLZS
Release Date: 2005-06-28

Tracks:

Restoration - Ernest J. Lee & the Spirit Of David
Jus' Keep on Praizin' God - Ernest J. Lee & the Spirit Of David
Substitute - Shadrach
Through the Storm - Shirley Brown
I'll Carry You - Keisa Brown, Frederick Knight, David Sea
Tell Me What You Want Me to Do - Jonathan Burton
Lord I Thank You - Calvin Suggs
Hold on My Child - Ivan Powell, Calvin Suggs
Joy Comes in the Morning - Ernest J. Lee & the Spirit Of David,
Trouble of the World - Eddie Ruth Bradford

Average customer rating:

Wonderful sounds

Total Classics

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Il Divo

ASIN: B0002L2ZUU
Release Date: 2005-02-08

Tracks:

Il Canto - Luciano Pavarotti
Pokarekare Ana - Hayley Westernra
La Donna E Mobile - Joseph Fleming
Ebben?... Ne Andro Lontana - Renee Fleming
Shenandoah - Bryn Terfel
Lullaby - Bond
Whistle Down The Wind - Sarah Brightman
Torna A Surriento - Russell Watson
Love Street - Nigel Kennedy
White Night - Ludovico Einaudi
Meditation - Julian Lloyd Webber
My Heart Will Go On - Julian Lloyd Webber
Canon - Duel
Adagio In G Minor - Dominic Miller
Gymnopedie No. 1 - Jean-Yves Thibaudet
Funiculi, Funiculi - Jose Carreras

Tracks:

O Sole Mio - The Three Tenors
O Mio Babbino Caro - Kiri Te Kanawa
Una Furtiva Lagrima - Juan Diago Florez
Bond - Allegretto
Nella Fantasia - John Themis
Griet's Theme - Russel Watson
Si Mi Chiamano Mimi - Angela Gheorghiu
Fantasia On A Theme By Thomas Tallis - Vaughan Williams
What Is Life To Me Without Thee? - Kathleen Ferrier
Main Theme - Janine Jansen
All I Ask Of You - Renee Fleming & Bryn Terfel
Ashokan Farewell - Duel
She Moved Through The Fair - Izzy
Flower Duet - Patrica Petibon
Song For Athene - Ian le Grice
Ombra Mai Fu - Handel

Album Description

2-CD compilation featuring the greatest stars including Bond, Hayley Westenra, Russell Watson, Pavarotti, The Three Tenors, Sarah Brightman and many others. Decca. 2004.

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful sounds.......2007-05-14

Nice eclectic collection - Russel Watson presentation of Nella Fantasia using guitar interlude instead of traditional oboe is special piece.

Music Review:

Music Review

Music Review

1. You Know That I Know
2. My Everything
3. Through the Storm
4. I'm Free
5. Even Me
6. Forever With Me
7. Only Way
8. Just a Prayer Away
9. Message to You
10. Let Thy Will Be Done