Something Special

Track Listings

1. Let Freedom Ring

2. Help into the Water

3. Then Came the Morning

4. I Don't Want to Live No More Without Jesus

5. Going Home

6. Turn Your Back

7. Mexico

8. Wade Right In

9. We Shall Be Caught Up

10. Jesus, We Just Want to Thank You

Tracks:

Prologue - Paige O'Hara
Belle - Paige O'Hara
Belle (Reprise) - Richard White
Gaston - Richard White
Gaston (Reprise) - Richard White
Be Our Guest
Something There - Paige O'Hara
Human Again - Angela Lansbury
The Mob Song - Richard White
Beauty And The Beast
To The Fair
West Wing
The Beast Lets Belle Go
Battle On The Tower
Transformation
Be Our Guest (Demo)
Beauty And The Beast (Work Tape And Demo)
Beauty And The Beast - Celine Dion
Death Of The Beast (Original Early Version)

Amazon.com essential recording

After the success of their score for The Little Mermaid, the songwriting team of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken returned to Disney for their second fairy-tale adaptation. Sadly, it was the duo's last completed score before Ashman's untimely death at age 41. This soundtrack contains more-conventional show music than The Little Mermaid, owing in large part to Broadway stalwart Angela Lansbury and to Jerry Orbach's Yves Montand impersonation. Most of the songs here were included in the subsequent Broadway adaptation and its cast album, but this disc is superior in its studio polish and cast, which is better suited to the score. --John Sanchez

Customer Reviews:

a true masterpiece in every sense of the word.......2007-05-10

when alan menken and howard ashman put together their second disney feature i dont think that anyone could have known what a masterpiece beauty and the beast would become. the film itself was praised for its maturity and remains the only animated film in history to every be nominated for a best motion picture academy award (it deserved it instead of silence of the lambs) musically the film was magnificient as well. it was adapted into a full length broadway musical three years later. but this original piece will forever remain the benchmark for all other animated works and their music.

alan menken's hauntingly beautiful score is a true masterpiece. the musical scores for the west wing and the beast lets belle go are moving and powerful. the emotional level that every piece reaches is amazing and menken absolutely deserved this oscar for best score. this is not only his best score, but quite possibly one of the greatest musical scores in history.

SCORE 5 out of 5

the songs are all quite powerfull and fun with a definate broadway, its no wonder that it was so seamlessly turned into a broadway musical.

BELLE - this is the strongest opening to ever appear in a disney film. the broadway feel makes it a great way to kick off the film it is both fun and quirky but definately contains a more serous undertone. this was originally suppossed to be shortened down, but luckilly it was left intact. paige o'hara as belle is nothing short of amazing.
5 out of 5

BELLE (REPRISE) - this is short but is very strong due again to o'hara's vocals. her vocals paired with ashman's stirring lyrics of longing make this short but definately a winner.
5 out of 5

GASTON - this is a fun song that is both witty and darkly clever. ashman's lyrics and richard white's performance as gaston carry this song. it may be the weakest of the piece, but it's still fun and catchy and shouldn't be missed
3 out of 5

GASTON (REPRISE) - this is really just an extention of the song listed above, but this one is much more twistidly clever and is actually stronger that the first song.
3 out of 5

BE OUR GUEST - this is one of the most famous songs from the soundtrack and its obveous why after just one listen. jerry orbach and angela landsburry both give great performances that along with menken's french-influenced score and ashman's fun clever lyrics make this song sound fun and fresh. its a great song that really does epitimize the fun of the piece and of ashman's lyrics.
5 out of 5

SOMETHING THERE - this is a short little song but it is the first hint at belle and the beast as lovers. o'hara and robby benson both give great but short performances. orbach, lansbury and david ogden stiers also give fun performances as the objects. this is beautiful and romanticly sweet little song.
5 out of 5

HUMAN AGAIN - this wasn't included in the original theatrical film (why i dont know) this is a great song that is fun and brilliant. ashman yet again outdoes himself with great lyrics and again the household objects give dynamic performances. im so glad that this is back for the special edition since its a real gem that shouldn't be missed.
5 out of 5

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST - this is the most famous song from the movie and it won the oscar for best original song. just one listen shows why. lansbury gives a beautifully moving performance as mrs potts singing this. this is of course the song that shows the beast and belle as lovers and it does so perfectly. this song never dumbs things down it goes for the full romantic punch. well done
5 out of 5

THE MOB SONG - this is possibly the cleverest piece. the use of shakespearean lyrics make this a twisted and dark piece that effectively shows human nature that still rings true today. this is an overlooked but strong song that again is lifted by white's performance as the now sinister gaston.
5 out of 5

the best part of all these songs is how none of them dumb down the romance or more "adult" themes for the kiddies. this film allows itself to be fully romantic and that's why it has been so praised and lived on in such a flattering light. the near-perfect music not only aided this, but were a crucial part of this maturity.

SONGS OVERALL 5 out of 5

as i said earlier, this is one the greatest film scores of all times. it may not be as recognizable or memorable as say star wars or gone with the wind, but the emotional punch that it makes elevates it far past these other two scores. menken truly outdid himself and ashman's lyrics work perfectly. the performances from all the performers are dynamic, fun, powerful, and intense. everythign works perfectly here and truly makes for an experience that is truly magical.

Great Disney CD: For Children of all ages.......2007-02-19

I really enjoyed this CD. IT is the soundtrack for Beauty and the Beast.
I especially enjoyed " BE our Guest". This is an all around excellent Disney CD with lots of vocals,and intrigue. The singers are very talented, and well re-hearsed. I love this CD. It's worth the money. Go and buy it!!!

got this as a present for someone else.......2007-01-04

This was a present to a friend. She liked it. I love soundtracks and Disney music, so it's pretty good.

The Story Captured Through Song........2006-09-29

Disney's revival as a major animation studio began in 1989 with the release of THE LITTLE MERMAID and reached its pinnacle with BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (the only animated film ever nominated for a Best Picture Oscar). As much as the film is a visual delight, its also a musical feast for the ears. People had said for over a decade that the musical movie was dead, but BEAUTY AND THE BEAST proved otherwise and paved the way for later big-screen adaptations of famous stage musicals. Some of my favorite songs on the album include:
"Be Our Guest"--this song revived the huge dance numbers that were once commonplace in movie musicals.

"Something There"--BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is a love story and though that love is often brought to mind by the title song, it is this number that truly captures the essence of what happens between Belle and Beast.

"The Mob Song"--out of all the songs on the album, this is the one with the most masculine appeal. It's a song about burning down castles and killing an unfamiliar creature that poses no threat. There's nothing like a dash of good old violence to get the blood flowing.

This is a great soundtrack for any Disney fan, any patron of musicals, and people who love the film.

My children listen to this CD over and over.......2006-08-25

My kids (5 year old boy and 2 year old girl) LOVE this soundtrack. They make me play it repeatedly in the car, EVERYTIME we go anywhere. It is word-for-word an exact replication of the movie. I highly recommend it for any Beauty and the Beast fan.

Average customer rating:

The Best Strait Ever
Something Special
A Bit On The Dark Side
Very distinctive Strait offering
George is something special!

Something Special
George Strait
Manufacturer: Mca Special Products
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music

New Traditionalist | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music

General | Country | Styles | Music

Western Swing | Country | Styles | Music

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4-for-3 Country | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

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4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
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ASIN: B000002O27
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

You're Something Special To Me
Last Time The First Time
Haven't You Heard
In Too Deep
Blue Is Not A Word
You Sure Got This Ol' Redneck Feelin' Blue
The Chair
Dance Time In Texas
Lefty's Gone
I've Seen That Look On Me (A Thousand Times)

Customer Reviews:

The Best Strait Ever.......2004-03-07

This is his best CD ("Beyond The Blue Neon" not far beyond), with everything on this CD being 5 out of 5 songs. It has "The Chair", which needs no explaination (If you are reading this review, you obviously like country, and you know it well), it also has "In Too Deep", which is a top 10 Strait song, "Haven't You Heard", and "Lefty's Gone" (BOTH of which need multiple playings to appreciate), all of which are on "Strait Out Of The Box"( I cannot stress this collection enough). Then there are the reasons to get it (If you don't it is even more important to get it), the title track "Something Special", which I love, and then there is "Dance Time In Texas", which is my favorite track on this CD (I only prefer "Living Well", "Ocean Front Property, and "You Know Me Better Than That" of all George songs). The rest of the tracks are flawless, and this CD is my answer to ANYONE who thinks George always does the same stuff. "Something Special" really is just that, the best Strait ever.

Something Special.......2001-08-03

Could not believe that only 2 singles were ever pulled from a great album like this. But yet again like some have said even though how great the songs are on this album they are a little bit on the darker side. This is as country as you will ever hear George Strait. Every single song is traditional country there is no pop country or any electric guitars used on this one. So many great songs on this one like You Sure got this ol redneck feelin blue, Leftys gone,In too Deep, Haven't you heard, Dance time in Texas, I've seen that look on me a thousand times,and I believe that that is basically nearly the whole album. The two singles were great but there are just too many songs ignored on a great album like this. This to me looks like his first all around great album with all 10 songs of great country. Much better than Does Fort Worth ever cross your mind.

A Bit On The Dark Side.......2000-09-25

This is the darkest in tone of all the albums George Strait has recorded, but that doesn't mean it's not great because it certainly is. Only two hits were pulled from this one-The Chair and the title cut-which is unusual in itself. However, there are a few other fantastic songs on it that could have easily been hits. Haven't You Heard, Lefty's Gone, and You've Sure Got This Ol' Redneck Feelin' Blue are all radio-worthy, but maybe George and MCA felt they were a little too dark for release to the mainstream. Who knows? The bottom line is that this is another first-rate effort from the reigning king of country music----Mr. George Strait.

Very distinctive Strait offering.......2000-06-29

Well, one of the few criticisms you hear about George is that all of his albums sound the same. I might reluctantly concede to some point to this assertion, but I'll then respond "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." This album, however, contains four songs that represent some of the biggest changes-of-pace in style that George has ever done, all done to wonderful effect.

Haven't You Heard displays the same ol' "wife leaves husband for another man" line, but this time, the situation is related in a meeting between the Other man and the wife's son. This viewpoint is both original and satisfying. The Chair is one of those rarities in music - a hit song without a chorus. It illustrates a slick progression from a chance encounter to a blossoming romance. Dance Time In Texas, while being not a standout lyrically, showcases three different styles of music in its run, uptempo swing, waltz, and a standout Cotton-Eyed Joe. Finally, Lefty's Gone is a touchy, moving tribute to the late Lefty Frizzell.

Among the others, Something Special became an instant wedding song, and Last Time and Redneck Feelin' Blue are solid at their respecive styles. The only weak link is the ho-hum, below average Blue Is Not A Word.

George is something special!.......1999-04-30

Another great album from a true superstar! My personal favorites off this album are "I've Seen That Look On Me A Thousand Times", "Haven't You Heard", "In Too Deep" and most of all "Lefty's Gone". Crank up the CD player and enjoy over and over!!!

Average customer rating:

The Elegant Sixties

Something Special for Young Lovers
Ray Charles Singers
Manufacturer: Collector's Choice
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Blues | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Classic R&B | R&B | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Classic | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B0007DBXG0
Release Date: 2005-05-31

Tracks:

This Could Be The Start Of Something
I Left My Heart In San Francisco
More
There! I've Said It Again
This Is All I Ask
Dominique
Hello, Dolly!
Quiet Nights
Love Me With All Your Heart
Charade
What Kind Of Fool Am I
Sweet Little Mountain Bird

Product Description

Format: CD

Customer Reviews:

The Elegant Sixties.......2006-04-16

What does the music of Ray Charles mean to me? I grew up in the sixties. It brings back tailored suits for women with bouffant hair and plenty of makeup, spike heels, and an elegance that today's women (and men) lack. His musical arrangements are so clean, so clear. There is no equivalent to the type of music made here, today. Anita Kerr did the same thing in the sixties with her singers. I already owned the 'best of' CD, now out of print and very expensive. Most of the songs on there is on this CD along with "Al-Di-La" which I also purchased.

Is music associative for you also? I find that so many songs of my youth, whether rock, country, easy listening--these can transport me to a time or a memory. This one is like a jet flight for me. It is a music of its time, which for many of us was a very happy time. These songs, arranged by Mr. Charles, deserve to be preserved. I applaud Collectors' Choice Music for picking up the ball and reissuing these. You know, when these originally came out, often Ray Charles Singers albums would be included when someone bought one of those big console stereos, because of their outstanding sound quality as Command records. The audio quality here spits in the face of the digital nitpickers. By the time these were made analog was of a very, very high standard. My recommendation? Buy this and its sister CD and revisit a time so recent, yet so far away!

Average customer rating:

Classic album!
A silver classic!
"Kool at their best"
AZ_SOUL
This really is Something Special!

Something Special
Kool & the Gang
Manufacturer: Mca Special Products
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

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12" Collection & More

ASIN: B000006NXG
Release Date: 2005-09-27

Tracks:

Steppin' Out
Good Time Tonight
Take My Heart
Be My Lady
Get Down On It
Pass It On
Stand Up And Sing
No Show
Stop!

Customer Reviews:

Classic album!.......2007-05-21

This is a classic album by Kool & the Gang. It includes some of their best songs ever. Don't miss it!

A silver classic!.......2007-01-19

This album is a silver classic because it was released over a quarter-century ago. You get funky hits like TAKE MY HEART which is musically,a clone of Stevie Wonder's ISN'T SHE LOVELY?. Another Top 20 hit is GET DOWN ON IT which is a popular favorite amongst infamous R&B cover bands(I have heard such bands perform the track). The other songs are fantastic!

"Kool at their best".......2006-11-10

Finally.the band at his great funky-deodato moment.The tracks are killers bomb on the dancefloor.
Get down on it,Take my Heart,Steppin out...every serious-dj played in the clubs.The bonus track,Stop!,previously unreleased,is a good track but the best is still the original track list...Play it loud!!!!!!!

AZ_SOUL.......2005-04-10

I first got this album on LP when I was only three, and I've loved it ever since. Every song on here a classic. J.T. Taylor is a hell of a vocalist and on this album he proved that he's right up there with Prince, the late Rick James, and any male artist that came out of Motown. To this day "Get Down On It" is still my favorite track from The Gang. I just wished that "Stand Up & Sing" had also been released as a single. "Stop" is a KOOL bonus to the original. I just recently got my hands on a copy of this disc and let me tell you, It's still SOMETHING SPECIAL

This really is Something Special!.......2004-05-21

Wow! I got my copy just in time before this went out of print. Every song on this album is outstanding. As for the reviewer whom said the guys cannot do ballads I completely disagree. No Show is the best ballad the band ever made.

Tracks:

A Day In Hollywood A Night In Ukraine: Just Go To The Movies - Priscilla Lopez/David Garrison/Frank Lazarus/Stephen James/Peggy Hewett/Kate Draper
Babes In Arms: I Wish I Were In Love Again - Christopher Fitzgerald Jessica Stone
Pal Joey: Bewitched, Bothered And Bewildered - Patti LuPone
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes: Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend - KT Sullivan
Nunsense: I Just Want To Be A Star - Christine Anderson
Louisiana Purchase: Wild About You - Debbie Gravitte & New York Voices
Oil City Symphony: Beaver Ball At The Bug Club - Mike Craver/Mark Hardwick/Debra Monk/Mary Murfitt
Falsettoland: The Baseball Game - Michael Rupert/Chip Zien/Faith Prince/Janet Metz/Heather MacRae/Stephen Bogardus
Very Good Eddie: Isn't It Great To Be Married? - Virginia Seidel/Spring Fairbank/Charles Repole/Nicholas Wyman
The Fantasticks: A Perfect Time To Be In Love - Harvey Schmidt
Call Me Madam: You're Just In Love - Tyne Daly/Lewis Cleale
Taking My Turn: Fine For The Shape I'm In - Margaret Whiting/Marnie Nixon/Cissy Houston
A Party With Betty Comden & Adolph Green: The French Lesson - Betty Comdon/Adolph Green
The Madwoman Of Central Park: Better - Phyllis Newman
Greenwillow: Never Will I Marry - Anthony Perkins
Song Of Singapore: I Can't Remember - Loretta Swit & Company
Tintypes: Elite Syncopation/I'm Goin' To Live Anyhow, 'Til I Die - Lynne Thigpen
I Love My Wife: Someone Wonderful I Missed - Joanna Gleason/Ilene Graff
The Good Companions: The Pleasure Of Your Company - Malcolm Rennie/Christopher Gable
Forbidden Broadway 20th Anniversary: Liza One-Note - Christine Pedi
Meet Me In St. Louis: The Trolley Song - Donna Kane & Ensemble

Tracks:

4 Guys Named Jose...And Una Mujer Named Maria!: Feel It - Philip Anthony/Henry Gainza/Allen Hidalgo/Ricardo Puente
Fame - The Musical: There She Goes!/Fame - Natasha Rennalls & Ensemble
Do Re Mi: What's New At The Zoo? - Heather Headley/The Animal Girls
High Society: Once Upon A Time/True Love - Melissa Errico/Daniel McDonald
Tenderloin: Artificial Flowers - Patrick Wilson
State Fair: Driving At Night/Our State Fair - Company
Kiss Me, Kate: Were Thine That Special Face - Brian Stokes Mitchell
Black And Blue: Black And Blue - Linda Hopkins/Ruth Brown/Carrie Smith
The Green Bird: O Foolish Heart - Company
Out Of This World: From This Moment On - Marin Mazzie/Gregg Edelman
The Boys From Syracuse: This Can't Be Love - Davis Gaines/Sarah Berry
Snoopy!!!: Poor Sweet Baby - Pamela Myers
SeesawNobody Does It Like Me - Michele Lee
March Of The Falsettos: I Never Wanted To Love You - Michael Rupert/Stephen Bogardus/Alison Fraser/Chip Zien/James Kushner
Lunch: Perfectly Alone - Carol Burnett
3hree: Foolish Dreamin'/Something Beautiful/Real Enough To Change My Mind - Jessica Molaskey/Will Gartshore/Rachel Ulanet
Lucky In The Rain: Love Me As If There Were No Tomorrow - Barbara Cook
Godspell: All Good Gifts - Sal Sabella & Company
The Act: Walking Papers - Liza Minnelli & Company

Customer Reviews:

Great compilation.......2002-05-10

I don't actually own this particular compilation, however, since I own nearly every recording represented on these discs...I think I'm qualified to comment. This is a wonderful representation of the high quality of work that DRG Records does.
The previous review is way off the mark. This is definitely not a waste of time or money. This is 25 years of preserving Broadway shows, Off-Broadway shows, studio recordings (mostly from the city center concerts), etc. So what if they "aren't as good as the original", DRG is preserving many recordings and artists that other mainstream labels don't or won't. You have wonderful recordings from Brian Stokes Mitchell, Nathan Lane, Debbie Gravitte, Tyne Daly, Anthony Perkins, Joanna Gleason, Marin Mazzie, Carol Burnett, Heather Headley, Patti LuPone, Barbara Cook, etc., and many of these are from Original Cast Recordings just as they appeared on Broadway. This is an excellent sampler of the work going on at DRG. No...I'm not an employee...just an avid listener and collector of theatre recordings.

A disappointment.......2001-12-15

There's a reason you've probably never heard of most of the songs and shows on this album, not to mention most of the artists. This is a second-rate collection of second-rate numbers performed by mostly second-rate artists. In the case of the shows that were revivals, the performances on the original cast recordings were better. Don't waste your money.

Average customer rating:

Two lesser Kingston trio albums, one studio and one live
One out of Two ant' bad
Unique Kingston Trio Recordings

Something Special/Back in Town
The Kingston Trio
Manufacturer: Collector's Choice
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B00004TZZJ
Release Date: 2000-07-11

Tracks:

Brown Mountain Light
One More Town
O Willow Waly
Tell It On The Mountain
Little Boy
Strange Day
Away Rio
Pullin' Away
She Was Too Good To Me
Jane, Jane, Jane
Portland Town
Old Joe Clark
Georgia Stockade
Ann
Ah, Woe, Ah, Me
Walkin' This Road To My Town
The World I Used To Know
Salty Dog
Let's Get Together
An Isle In The Water
Farewell Captain
Tom Dooley
Them Poems Medley: Lunch Toters/Stamp Lickers/Them Hors D'oeuvres
So Hi
C'mon Betty Home

Product Description

1. Brown Mountain Light
2. One More Town
3. O Willow Waly
4. Tell It On The Mountain
5. Little Boy
6. Strange Day
7. Away Rio
8. Pullin' Away
9. She Was Too Good To Me
10. Jane, Jane, Jane
11. Portland Town
12. Old Joe Clark
13. Georgia Stockade
14. Ann
15. Ah, Woe, Ah, Me
16. Walkin' This Road To My Town
17. World I Used To Know, The
18. Salty Dog
19. Let's Get Together
20. Isle In The Water, An
21. Farewell Captain
22. Tom Dooley
23. Them Poems Medley: Lunch Toters giStamp Lickers giThem Hors D'oeuvres
24. So Hi
25. C'Mon Betty Home

Format: CD

Customer Reviews:

Two lesser Kingston trio albums, one studio and one live.......2003-05-24

Not that there is any particular rhyme or reason to which two Kingston Trio albums are being put together on Collector's Choice CDs, but this one is rather interesting. The 1962 album "Something Special" was a studio album that covered mostly old traditional folk songs like "Go Tell It On the Mountain" and "Old Joe Clark" spruced up by a full orchestra playing behind the boys. In contrast, the 1964 album "Back in Town" was a live album, featuring the Kingston Trio at San Francisco's "Hungry i" where they performed their big hit "Tom Dooley," but unless you are a devotee of the group you will be unfamiliar with most of these songs. My preference is for the later live album, mainly because I like my folk music to have a more authentic sound. While I like "One More Town," the musical accompaniment does not need to have anything more than guitars and banjo as far as I am concerned. Besides, there is just a much better feel to the live performances, which includes the jokes and banter along with the singing (e.g., "Farewell Captain," "So Hi"). I would rate "Something Special" as a 3 and "Back in Town" as a 4, rounding up because, after all, you are getting two albums on one CD. Final thought: there is a two year gap between the albums and one is studio while the other is live, but notice that there are no duplications on any of the songs, which might be the ultimate logic behind this pairing in the end.

One out of Two ant' bad.......2001-08-20

Let me just say that this CD is worth the price for "Back in Town" alone. The only reason I'm giving it 3 stars and not 5 is that "Something Special" is really not. The song selectons are not the best--and they--to me anyway--are OVER produced. The Kingston Trio were always best in their 'rawist' form,ie live--in concert or in the studio--no strings, no backup vocals.

Unique Kingston Trio Recordings.......2000-07-28

The SOMETHING SPECIAL-BACK IN TOWN Kingston Trio CD is a combination of two unique KT recordings. I had both albums many years ago but they were in mono sound so the high quality CD recording seems especially outstanding. The songs on SOMETHING SPECIAL all have an orchestra background. While the sound is not traditional KT, I think the strings add a beautiful touch to "One More Town" and "Pulling Away." BACK IN TOWN is a live recording at San Francisco's Hungry i. Along with some excellent songs ("Ann" "Farewell Captain") it captures the feeling of a classic KT concert by including the jokes and stories spoken between the songs. There is a slight variation from the old album. Rather than start each selection with talking and ending with a song, the CD selections start with the song and end with talking. A great collection!

Average customer rating:

Something Special: Ska Hot Shots
Roland Alphonso , The Skatalites , and Soul Brothers
Manufacturer: Heartbeat / Pgd
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Reggae | International | Styles | Music

Rocksteady | Reggae | International | Styles | Music

Jamaican Ska | Reggae | International | Styles | Music

Ska General | Ska | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B00004UAOK
Release Date: 2000-07-18

Tracks:

Four Corners (Aka Four Corners Of The World)
From Russia With Love
Dr. Ring Ding
Jack Ruby
El Pussy Cat Ska (Take 2)
Federal Special
Do It Good
Jah Shakey
Pepe To
You Trouble Me
Rollie Pollie
Proof Rum
James Bond
Provocation
Grand National
Hully Gully Rock
Something Special
Rolando Special
Groovy Sax
Maria Elena

Amazon.com

The late Roland Alphonso, who died in 1998, made his reputation as a ska sax player, and his instrumental work was a vital ingredient to that era. But his style went beyond the limitations of any genre, whether from the kitschy cover of the James Bond theme, "From Russia with Love," where he smoothed over the jerkiness of the beat with his mellifluous tone, to "Jah Shakey," where his breathy introduction echoes jazzman Lester Young. The 20 tracks here range from pre-ska boogie all the way to the early days of reggae, with heavy emphasis on Alphonso's days with the influential Skatalites and their successors, the Soul Brothers. But all put a very clear focus on Alphonso's inventive playing. Give him the chance to solo and he could produce the unexpected, always making the song more than it was before, and pushing things in a slightly different direction. An album like this shows why he's so deeply revered. --Chris Nickson

Average customer rating:

Something Good
Exile
Manufacturer: Sony Special Product
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Country | Styles | Music

Country Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

Still Standing
Justice
Kentucky Hearts/Shelter From the Night

ASIN: B000002YLJ
Release Date: 1995-12-01

Tracks:

WOKE UP IN LOVE
HIGH COST OF LEAVING
MUSIC
SHE'S A MIRACLE
I DON'T WANT TO BE A MEMORY
COMIN' APART AT THE SEAMS
I COULD GET USED TO YOU
THIS COULD BE THE START OF SOMETHING GOOD
SOMETHIN' YOU GOT
I GOT LOVE

Average customer rating:

Overlooked, Yet Maybe There's A Reason
Quality music that was largely ignored
Not her best
Worth Checking Out
Crippled Bird

Something Special
Dolly Parton
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music

General | Country | Styles | Music

General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000002B58
Release Date: 1995-08-22

Tracks:

Crippled Bird
Something Special
Change
I Will Always Love You - Dolly Parton featuring Vince Gill
Green-Eyed Boy
Speakin' Of The Devil
Jolene
No Good Way Of Saying Good-Bye
The Seeker
Teach Me To Trust

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Perhaps if Dolly Parton looked more like Abraham Lincoln and less like Jayne Mansfield, she would get the same respect from critics and historians as Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson. Parton certainly deserves it, for her gifts as a singer and a songwriter are quite similar to those of Willie and Hag--all three have at times perfected a particular regional style of country music (Parton's Appalachiana, Nelson's Texas swing, and Haggard's Bakersfield sound) until it became paradoxically universal. Parton's 1995 album, the aptly titled Something Special, is one of those rare glimpses we get at just how talented she is. The disc includes three of her best-known tunes--"I Will Always Love You," "Jolene," and "The Seeker"--from the early '70s, when she was at her songwriting peak, and supplements them with seven more recent Parton compositions in the same style. Like her older, best work, these songs boast a nongimmicky simplicity that allow her mountain background to shine through in the unadorned loveliness of her melodies and the commonsense directness of her lyrics. The album would have been even better if the producers (Steve Buckingham and Parton herself) had used fewer orchestral charts and more traditional country settings, but even the pop arrangements keep the instrumentation restrained to the background and Parton's quivering Appalachian voice out front. --Geoffrey Himes

Customer Reviews:

Overlooked, Yet Maybe There's A Reason.......2007-04-20

By the mid 1990s, Dolly's career was slowing down, radiostations were not playing her music anymore, because they thought she was too old. Also from the mixed to the negative reviews I read from actual music critics from different music websites, "Something Special" was a hit! for Dolly, making it on the U.S. country album chart at #10. The album features three updated classics from her repertoire: "Jolene", "The Seeker" and "I Will Always Love You" which was recorded as a duet with Vince Gill. The duet version of the song "I Will Always Love You" hit #14 on the U.S. country singles chart, making it Dolly's highest charting song single in four years, her last hit song at the time was "Rockin' Years" from her 1991 album "Eagle When She Flies". Also the duet verison of the song "I Will Always Love You" was named Country Music Association's Vocal Event Of The Year. Pretty good for someone who wasn't being played on the radio anymore.

Even though the album is "Something Special" with at the time mostly new songs, I gave it a 4 out of 5, because even though Dolly sounds excellent on it & she's beautiful on the front & back cover, the album is pretty boring, unlike her next album "Treasures" which was much better, not to mention she was prettier on the front and in the inside cover too.

1. Crippled Bird - is one of the saddest, but one of the most beautifully sung songs I've ever heard Dolly sing.

2. Something Special - is the main title to the album. The song is mostly low key & instead of a drop, at one point in the song, there's a lift from the music and from Dolly's vocals.

3. Change - is another low key song, that sort of has a power to it, thanks to Dolly's singing voice.

4. I Will Always Love You - This is Dolly's third version of the song that she wrote years ago. It's also probarly the best version to date, due to her matured voice and music style of the 1990s, not to mention Vince Gill helped too. The original version was on her 1974 album "Jolene" and later became a hit for her with "The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas" version. The duet version was also a hit like I said in the review above, making #14 on the U.S. country singles chart.

5. Green-Eyed Boy - By the title you know it's about a boy, that she misses. Cute & playful song.

6. Speakin' Of The Devil - has a old traditional country feel to it. The song is very playful too.

7. Jolene - This is Dolly's second version of the song, it has a more modern sound to it, and Dolly's vocals are more matured, then the original one, making this version better.

8. No Good Way Of Saying Good-Bye - is the second best song on the album, it's a little low key, but has a familiar sound & name to it like "I'll Never Say Good-bye" which appears on "Hungry Again".

9. The Seeker - This is Dolly's second version of the song, it's also better then the original and is one of Dolly's best religious songs she's ever sung.

10. Teach Me To Trust - is a very sad song, just like "Crippled Bird" & "Change", this song has a power to it too, maybe because of Dolly's vocals.

P.S. - Better late then never.

Quality music that was largely ignored.......2005-01-18

Dolly had already lost her place on the playlists of American country radio stations when she recorded this album so it was no surprise that the only significant country hit was yet another revival of I will always love you, this version being a duet with Vince Gill, Vince was hot at the time and any single with his name on it was inevitably a big hit. Apart from that song, Dolly also revived two of her other seventies classics - Jolene and The seeker - updating them nicely for the nineties.

The set opens with Crippled bird, a very sad song about a jilted woman. The title track is a much more cheerful mid-tempo ballad and would surely have been a big hit if the radio stations were interested in Dolly's music. Dolly returns to the jilted woman theme in Change, but this song is not as sad as Crippled bird - it is more reflective than sad. After I will always love you (a very sad song), Dolly cheers up with memories of a Green-eyed boy and a song about temptation, Speaking of the devil.

Between Jolene and The seeker is yet another sad song, No good way of saying goodbye. The set ends with Teach me to trust, in which Dolly worries about her man's fidelity.

Steve Buckingham co-produced the album with Dolly and both of them did a wonderful job. This is a wonderful album deserving of its place in any collection of Dolly music.

Not her best.......2004-03-30

This is a more obscure release from Dolly Parton. Not her best, but there's some great gems here. On this 1995 release, she gives some of her older songs a new flair and style. Songs that were reworked include "The Seeker", "Jolene" and the classic "I Will Always Love You". Her reworking of "I Will Always Love You" is especially good, since this time it is remade as a duet with Vince Gill. The song was a mild hit with country radio, and one of her last to crack the top 20. The rest of the album is a mixed bag. "Crippled Bird" is an incredibly poetic but sad ballad. "Change" is a nice ballad that is very honest about wanting a change in a relationship. "Teach Me To Trust", the album closer, is another nice song. The rest of the songs are ok, but nothing too special really. Not an essential release from Parton by any means but the avid fan will want it.

Worth Checking Out.......2002-07-17

Dolly's 1995 album SOMETHING SPECIAL was a album which took time to grow on me, but I appreciate it for what it is now. It's worth the price of the CD alone for "Crippled Bird", one of the most depressing songs Dolly has ever sung. On SPECIAL we get vamped up versions of past hits, which she has been known to do. This time "Jolene", "The Seeker" and "I Will Always Love You" get the treatment. They are nice versions, but especially the new version of "I Will Always Love You" which features Vince Gill. Songs like "Something Special", "Green Eyed Boy" and "Speakin of the Devil" are fun quirky songs, which are just great. Perhaps the most poignant songs come from "Crippled Bird", "Change", "No Good Way Of Saying Goodbye", and the closing "Teach Me To Trust". Overall not her best but its worth owning, give it a listen.

Crippled Bird.......2001-06-22

The first track on this Cd is priceless.Dolly sings with such emotion that you can feel her pain.Truly one of her best pieces of music

Average customer rating:

"VERY SPECIAL" DUSTY CLASSIC COLLECTION
This is different, really very special
Dusty, Dusty, Dusty
If there were 6 stars this would get it
If there were 6 stars this would get it

Something Special
Dusty Springfield
Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000741Y
Release Date: 1998-06-30

Tracks:

Something Special
Reste Encore Un Instant
Je Ne Peux Pas T'en Voulior
I'll Love You For A While
Needle In A Haystack
Tu Che Ne Sai
Di Fronte All'Amore
I Will Always Want You
I'm Gonna Leave You
Small Town Girl
I've Got A Good Thing
Don't Forget About Me
No Stranger Am I
Don't Speak Of Love
Earthbound Gypsy
Wasn't Born To Follow
A Song For You
Haunted
I Am Your Child
You Set My Dreams To Music
Give Me The Night
Baby Blue (12 Inch Version)
Your Love Still Brings Me To My Knees
It Goes Like It Goes (Theme From Norma Rae)

Tracks:

Just One Smile
Something In Your Eyes
I'd Rather Leave While I'm In Love
Let Me Love You Once Before You Go
Tupelo Honey
I Just Fall In Love Again
What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life?
Who (Will Take My Place)?
Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)?
Joe
Who Could Be Lovin' You Other Than Me?
I've Been Wrong Before
I Can't Make It Alone
They Long To Be Close To You
My Colouring Book
If You Go Away
Sandra
No Easy Way Down
Breakfast In Bed
Long After Tonight Is All Over
This Girl's In Love With You
I Think It's Gonna Rain Today
Love Me By Name
The Look Of Love

Customer Reviews:

"VERY SPECIAL" DUSTY CLASSIC COLLECTION.......2004-09-20

Dusty Springfield had "Something Special" in her voice that was incomparable and this is the greatest two disc compilation detailing her brilliant career. Starting with the rocking "Something Special" then into spectactular French version's of "Stay Awhile" and "Losing You", it is clear that this is a collection that is going to be full of great and unusual gems from Dusty's incredible songbook. Carole King's "I'll Love You For Awhile" is soulful and beautifully orchestrated and the Motown cooker "Needle In A Haystack" is given a wild rocking workout that could have been a hit on its own!!! Glorious ballads sung with complete vocal magnificence in Italian follow showing the beauty of Dusty's unique voice and her powerful way of emoting that make Dusty a once-in-a-lifetime classic and second to none. "I'm Gonna Leave You" contains a haunting beautiful vocal in a program so full of them that there are way too many to mention here. Rare sides, unreleased gems, and classics from various albums with hits such as "The Look Of Love" fill out this collection of treasures from a peerless voice in the history of great vocal artists!!! Do not miss this Import treasure chest of Dusty classic masterpieces as it doesn't get better than this...Thank you Dusty and we miss you...

This is different, really very special.......2003-12-30

There are lots of Dusty Springfield compilations, all of them containing more or less the same collection of songs, most of all her greatest hits and some few other songs; for those who are looking for different songs (I mean not those that are repeated in almost all the compilations), this double CD is the answer, you'll find here b-sides of her Singles (British Singles in most cases), songs thst never were hits neither in UK nor in US, plus unreleased material and also some songs she recorded in Italian and in French; this compilation is defintely different from all the others, essential for collectors, it will also be of great interest for those who want to know some other songs of Dusty Springfield's repertoire.

Dusty, Dusty, Dusty.......2000-06-12

I cannot seemingly get enough of this marvelous voice and even tho' I actually just got hold of this cd as an import cd, i have to really share my thoughts to the rest of the world. This album contains some of her best cuts and personally speaking, the song "Something In Your Eyes" is my sole reason for buying this cd and I think she's the only singer who can interpret it that way...full of emotion. It's so sad that she wasn't credited (accordingly) for this cut appearing on Richard Carpenter's Time album (this album also contains a lovely duet of Richard and Dionne called In Love Alone)but nonetheless, it has some mighty nice words in it. Also, the variety of songs here in Something Special speaks of it's very title. But the ultimate gem from Dusty is still the Memphis stuff. The legend will definitely be MISSED,...so long Dusty.

If there were 6 stars this would get it.......1999-11-29

Dusty Springfield was a singers singer and this box of 2 cds is a testemonial. It also has such diversity and continuity it is a wonder. Now what is it that Dusty has that none of the others have? Well intelligence and emotion in equal doses. Her mastery of french and italian, and the aid of some hand picked producers. This set includes some of her best and most obscure late 60s work Buy it, you'll do well by it! My favorite cuts are Wasn't Born to Follow, and I am Your Child.

If there were 6 stars this would get it.......1999-11-29

Dusty Springfield was a singers singer and this box of 2 cds is a testemonial. It also has suh diversity and continuity it is a wonder. Now what is it that Dusty has that none of the others have? Well intelligence and emotion in equal doses. Her mastery of french and italian, and the aid of some hand picked producers. This set includes some of her best and most obscure late 60s work Buy it, you'll do well by it! My favorite cuts are Wasn't Born to Follow, and I am Your Child.

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10. Jesus, We Just Want to Thank You