King's Gold [Live]

Track Listings

1. Intro

2. Everbody Will Be Happy

3. Under Control

4. I'm Winging My Way Back Home

5. Just a Little Talk With Jesus

6. Learning to Lean

7. Someone to Care

8. What a Day That Will Be

9. How Beautiful Heaven Must Be

10. Glory Road - LuLu Roman-Smith

11. Glory Road (Encore)

12. Amazing Grace

13. How Great Thou Art

14. How Great Thou Art (Encore)

Tracks:

So What'cha Want
Brass Monkey
Ch-Check It Out
No Sleep 'till Brooklyn
Hey Ladies
Pass The Mic
An Open Letter To NYC
Root Down
Shake Your Rump
Intergalactic
Sure Shot
Body Movin' (Fatboy Slim Remix)
Triple Trouble
Sabotage
Fight For Your Right

Amazon.com

In celebration of Beastie Boys' 24th anniversary, Capitol Records has decided to pay tribute to Michael "Mike D" Diamond, Adam "Adrock" Horovitz and Adam "MCA" Yauch-- known collectively as Beastie Boys, with the release of Solid Gold Hits. (No, the group is not breaking up.) The infomercial-worthy 15-track compendium distills the NYC trio's storied career into an ADD-friendly digest format: Covering the Boys' first platinum-mining expeditions with "No Sleep 'Til Brooklyn" and "Fight For Your Right" through west coast detours "Shake Your Rump," "So What'cha Want" and "Sabotage," up to last year's return to #1 with the million-plus-selling To The 5 Boroughs' "Ch-Check It Out," "An Open Letter To NYC" and "Triple Trouble" -and all points between.

Beastie Boys Photos

More from Beastie Boys

Paul's Boutique
Check Your Head
IIll Communication

Licensed to Ill
Awesome, I Shot That
DVD Video Anthology - Criterion Collection

Customer Reviews:

It's what you want on the road........2007-05-31

It's Capitol puttin' out the s*%t like Endless Summer for the California Kids bustin' their own in the early 60s. Well, This is decent for a Saturday or even Sunday drive. I think anything off of Paul's Boutique on a compilation makes you want to just ditch this shti and listen to that whole album.. but I think I just found out the same siht happens when you listen to like Pet Sounds or Rubber Soul or like you know what I mean .. the Beatsies are mackin'.......

Ear-splitting goodness.......2007-03-25

Every time you play this album, an angel gets its wings.

Okay, maybe not that. But your neighbors will probably tell you to turn it down. Hey, just tell them you've got a right to party.

i don't own this..........2006-11-08

..and what's the point? All of these songs (minus a few) are on the anthology, along with countless others. The Beastie Boys didn't put this out, their record label did. It's just way for corporate to make money. If you consider yourself a real Beastie Boys fan, that is you're interested in all the other music they made that wasn't put on radio, then don't buy this. If you occasionally heard them on the radio and Fight For Your Right is your favorite song, then go ahead. The Beastie Boys are much more than just their greatest hits. To fully appreciate them, you have to listen to an album all the way through.

When Rap Was Cool.......2006-08-21

If you're a Beastie Boys Fanatic, you will love this. It's got the best of the best. Who can't listen to "Hey Ladies" and "Intergalactic" over and over again? A great compilation for a road trip or your next retro party.

great introduction to beastie boys.......2006-03-03

if you are new to the beastie boys (like me) this is a great first album to get. it has all their best song and no filler. heres a song by song breakdown.
1. So What'cha Want - 4/5 - Great intro song, but not the best.
2. Brass Monkey - 5/5 - Amazing song, the best song from their debut album.
3. Ch-Check it Out - 5/5 - Best song on the album, although MCA's voice sounds shot compared to some of the earlier songs. Also, I think the Just Blaze Remix is better if you can find that.
4. No Sleep 'Til Brooklyn - 3/5 - not one of my favorites, but its still pretty good.
5. Hey Ladies - 5/5 - Great song, really shows off the genious of Paul's Boutique.
6. Pass The Mic - 3/5 - The worst song on the album, although it's ok.
7. An Open Letter to NYC - 4/5 - Great tribute to NYC, but like with Ch-Check it Out, MCA's voice isn't as good as in the older songs.
8. Root Down - 4/5 - Great song.
9. Shake Your Rump - 4/5 - Another one from Paul's Boutique, although not as good as Hey Ladies.
10. Intergalactic - 5/5 - The first Beastie Boys song I ever heard, back when it came out in 98, great song.
11. Sure Shot - 4/5 - Great song, the only rap song I've ever heard that successfully incorporates a flute.
12. Body Movin' (Fatboy Slim Remix) - 5/5 - Takes the original, which was an ok song, and turns it into something sublime.
13. Triple Trouble - 4/5 - Great song, but it has the same beat as Rapper's Delight by Sugarhill Gang.
14. Sabotage - 4/5 - Great song, more metal than rap.
15. Fight for your Right - 5/5 - How can you not love this song?

Average customer rating:

BB King's Gold is Gold

Gold
B.B. King
Manufacturer: Geffen Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Gold
Blues Gold
Gold
Gold
Gold

ASIN: B000FDEUGM
Release Date: 2006-06-27

Tracks:

How Blue Can You Get?
Sneakin' Around
Help the Poor
Stop Leadin' Me On
Never Trust a Woman
Every Day I Have the Blues [Live]
Sweet Little Angel [Live]
All Over Again
Don't Answer the Door
Gambler's Blues
Sweet Sixteen, Pts. 1-2
Paying the Cost to Be the Boss
Lucille
Why I Sing the Blues
Please Accept My Love
Thrill Is Gone
Nobody Loves Me But My Mother
Hummingbird
Chains and Things

Tracks:

Ain't Nobody Home
Ghetto Woman
I Got Some Help I Don't Need [Single Edit]
Guess Who
To Know You Is to Love You
I Like to Live the Love
Let the Good Times Roll
Never Make Your Move Too Soon
Better Not Look Down
There Must Be a Better World Somewhere
Into the Night
When Love Comes to Town [7" Version] - B.B. King, U2,
Call It Stormy Monday [Complete Version][#]
Playing with My Friends
I'll Survive

Customer Reviews:

BB King's Gold is Gold.......2007-01-22

I absolutely loved this 2 cd set. I especially like the 2nd disc, altho I have played both in the car almost incessantly. Its amazing how tolerable Los Angeles traffic becomes when you are listening to BB's mellow sounds.

Sings the Great Songs!/Thank You, Pretty Baby

Average customer rating:

NAT KING COLE- "Sings the Great Songs/Thank You,Pretty Baby
"many hard-to-find releases ~ Nat King Cole"
TWO MORE GREAT NAT KING COLE ALBUMS

Sings the Great Songs!/Thank You, Pretty Baby
Nat King Cole
Manufacturer: EMI Gold Imports
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Tell Me All About Yourself/Touch Of Your Lips
Where Did Everyone Go?/Looking Back!
Those Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer/My Fair Lady
Dear Lonely Hearts/I Don't Want To Be Hurt Anymore
Sincerely/The Beautiful Ballads

ASIN: B00005YU9G
Release Date: 2002-04-01

Tracks:

An Affair To Remember
You're My Thrill
Fascination
Farewell To Arms
I Wish I Knew
For The Want Of A Kiss
There's A Gold Mine In The Sky
Happy New Year
Be Still My Heart
Around The World
I Had The Craziest Dream
Magic Moment
Make It Last
You Made Me Love You
Thank You, Pretty Baby
Unfair
Magic Night
People
United
Brazilian Love Song
One Sun
Mr. Wishing Well

Album Description

UK two on one reissue includes, 'Sings The Great Songs' & 'Thank You, Pretty Baby'. Many of these tracks have never appeared on CD before. 22 tracks including 'Fascination', 'An Affair To Remember', 'Farewell To Arms', 'Happy New Year', 'Be Still My Heart' & 'For Want Of A Kiss'. Both albums were originally released with an added mock stereo beat against Nat's wishes. This is the first ever release in their original mono.

Album Details

2LP'S on One CD from One of the Greatest Singers that Ever Lived.

Customer Reviews:

NAT KING COLE- "Sings the Great Songs/Thank You,Pretty Baby.......2006-12-03

Little else can be said that hasn't already been said about the great and immortal Nat King Cole. In this two in one CD which includes Nat's two great albums "Sings the Great Songs" and "Thank You, Pretty Baby" Nat King Cole gives us his unique versions of so many captivating hit love songs of his extensive repertoire. There are previously hard to find songs included here like the nostalgic "There's a Gold Mine in the Sky" and Nat's version of the 1957-58 hit "An Affair To Remember" which is the theme song of Leo Mc Carey's great love story staring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr. I highly recommend this CD to anyone and its contents bring back a lot of wonderful memories of my youth and I'm sure that of so many of his fans.

"many hard-to-find releases ~ Nat King Cole".......2005-01-10

Purchased this compact disc from Amazon, received in less than five days and the shipping was FREE...the last of Nat King Cole twofer albums put on CD "Nat Cole Sings The Great Songs!" and "Thank You, Pretty Baby", arranged and conducted by Nelson Riddle, Gordon Jenkins, David Cavanaugh and Ralph Carmichael with romance in the air and the magic of Nat's voice brings back the thrill.

You can't go wrong with any of Cole's albums that are now on CD...both are excellent, many are hard-to-find B-sides not well known...such as "BE STILL MY HEART", "BRAZILIAN LOVE SONG", "FAREWELL TO ARMS", "FOR THE WANT OF A KISS", "HAPPY NEW YEAR", composed by Gordon Jenkins, "I WISH I KNEW", "MAGIC MOMENT", "MAGIC NIGHT", "MAKE IT LAST", "MR. WISHING WELL", "ONE SUN", "THANK YOU, PRETTY BABY", "UNFAIR" and "UNITED", when it comes to interpretation and expertly performed, Nat is the master at his craft.

More familiar songs like "AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER", "AROUND THE WORLD", "FASCINATION", "I HAD THE CRAZIEST DREAM", a favorite of mine from the Betty Grable days of the '40s, "PEOPLE", hit song from the musical "Funny Girl", Nat has a way of making this his own, "THERE'S A GOLD MINE IN THE SKY", "YOU MADE ME LOVE YOU", performed and made popular by Al Jolson, Judy Garland and Harry James, "YOU'RE MY THRILL", a wonderful Joni James hit, but listen as Nat lays out his signature style and it's a classic again.

This collection is available on EMI/Capitol Import label and is only in the Mono version, but the care that was taken is incredible...a must have for all the fans of this beloved man...they'll never be another pass this way again...thanks to this UK release of Nat "King" Cole...just the way we like 'em!

Total Time: 55:37 on 22 Tracks ~ EMI/Capitol 538414 ~ (3/25/2002)

TWO MORE GREAT NAT KING COLE ALBUMS.......2002-04-28

EMI has done it again; they've given us two great albums (one of which I don't believe was available here in the USA) on one spectacular disc. While the songs aren't necessarily "new" recordings (both albums were "pick ups", that is, comprised of previously recorded material) they certainly will sound "new" to fans of all ages. Capitol went into the vaults in the late 60's to come up with both of these great albums, with unreleased material or "B" sides that never made much impact and came up with two winners. The majority of the tracks were arranged and conducted by Nelson Riddle, the master arranger and conductor who first recorded with Nat on "UNFORGETTABLE", a pairing that inevitably lasted decades, even through the Riddle/Sinatra years (although it was Riddle's occupation with Sinatra that would eventually cause he and Cole to drift away from each other, professionally) Just listen to the chart for AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER, impeccably framing Nat's subtle voice are strings and light percussion written as only Nelson could. Where the "hit version" of this song (by Vic Damone) was near-operatic, Nat's version is obviously toned down to suit his voice, but it never loses any of its beauty in lyric or performance. Just wonderful. Nat and Nelson have a go at the old standard FASCINATION, and the arrangement mirrors that of Unforgettable, complete with the special tag on the ending. A very nice treatment of this classic song. Nat was known for taking lesser known songs or brand new songs and making them great. One such song here, THERE'S A GOLD MINE IN THE SKY, harkens one back to Nat's "Ramblin' Rose" album, with it's country flavored beat and simple message. Nelson's chart will have you drifting to the stars. Gordon Jenkins, Capitol's other premire arranger and conductor, and Nat King Cole were no strangers either. Nat returns the favor to Gordon Jenkins for so many wonderful years (and albums)together here by singing Jenkins' own HAPPY NEW YEAR. Gordon also did the chart for his melancholy masterpiece (this chart is similar to the one Gordon wrote for Judy Garland's spectacular version of this song; nice to hear a "male" version of this one!) As always, the original liner notes and artwork has been restored here for you to enjoy. Hoping EMI finds something to pair up Nat's MY FAIR LADY album with and gets that out on CD; that appears to be the only album of this musical icon's that hasn't been on CD yet! Nat King Cole left us far too early in life; it's so great to know EMI keeps his music alive for generations to enjoy.

Average customer rating:

Finally released
Good CD
the muppet christmas carol cd
Holiday Classic with Kermit , Miss Piggy, and Michael Caine
Awesome

The Muppet Christmas Carol

Manufacturer: Disney
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Muppet Christmas Carol - Kermit's 50th Anniversary Edition
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ASIN: B000BRD72K
Release Date: 2005-11-22

Tracks:

Overture (Instrumental) - Paul Williams
Scrooge - Cast
Room In Your Heart - Honeydew And Beaker
Good King Wenceslas - Muppet Brass Buskers
One More Sleep 'Til Christmas - Kermit
Marley And Marley - Marley And Marley
Christmas Past (Instrumental) - Paul Williams
Chairman Of The Board - Sam Eagle
Fozziwig's Party - Dr. Teeth And The Electric Mayhem
When Love Is Gone - Belle
It Feels Like Christmas - Ghost Of Christmas Present
Christmas Scat - Tiny Tim
Bless Us All - Tiny Tim And Family
Christmas Future (Instrumental) - Paul Williams
Christmas Morning (Instrumental) - Paul Williams
Thankful Heart - Scrooge
Finale:When Love Is Found/It Feels Like Christmas - Various Artists
When Love Is Gone - Martina McBride

Amazon.com

For right-minded buyers of the reissued Muppet Christmas Carol soundtrack, the odds of disappointment are about as remote as Miss Piggy's chances with Kermit. If you loved the movie, you will love the loopy mayhem of the Muppet Brass Buskers ("Good King Wenceslas"), the cartoonish malice of the black-hearted misanthropes Marley & Marley ("Marley & Marley"), and the hope-swollen harmonies of Tiny Tim and Family ("Bless Us All"), Muppeted here to hilariously humble effect. If, on the other hand, your interest in this disc has more to do with its inclusion in the way-narrow Christmas-record-for-kids category--if the spirit of the season doesn't extend, for you, to the magic of the Muppets--you may want to keep browsing, as it's a soundtrack first (overture, instrumentals, and all) and a Christmas CD second. That's not to suggest you're stuck with an un-fun disc should it land on your holiday stack without a prior screening, though. Miles Goodman's score sweeps and inspires, and certain tracks--"One More Sleep 'til Christmas" and "Fozziwig's Party"--are future classics. (Note to the right-minded: After a misstep on the original release, Martina McBride's version of "When Love is Gone" is back.) -Tammy La Gorce

Customer Reviews:

Finally released.......2007-05-23

If your Christmas isn't complete without listening to this music, this CD is a must buy. The audio quality is excellent despite the age of the film. Michael Cain and Belle come out crystal clear in their solo and ensemble work. The surprise of this album is the inclusion of two tracks (one by Beaker and Bunson and one by Scrogge's primary school teacher) that are not in the film. They are fun but unexpected. I could only ask that the CD last longer with such beautiful traditional music, but alas there is no more music to include. Maybe they could market Muppet Christmas Carol and Muppet Treasure Island together in the future?

Good CD.......2007-02-14

My wife has been looking for this soundtrack for years. We were very happy to find it and get it so fast. This has some of the best music ever written for a movie.

the muppet christmas carol cd.......2007-01-19

Amazing the songs are so cleaver and i have bee waiting for this for a long time, it has been out of print great cd and the movie is so awesome!!

Holiday Classic with Kermit , Miss Piggy, and Michael Caine.......2007-01-12

The score from The Muppet Christmas Carol is full of the spirit of Christmas. The familiar story by Dicken's is given new life with the great score (mostly written by Paul Williams). Great energy is relayed to the listener as Scrooge (Michael Caine)is painted in words and as Bob Cratchet (Kermit the Frog) sings with his co-workers 'One More Sleep 'Til Christmas'. The love song duet between Scrooge (Michael Caine) and his fiancee during a ghostly vision brings great pathos to the character. For lovers of the Muppets and or Dickens, there is no better way to enter into the spirit of the season.

Awesome.......2007-01-08

These are some of the most heartwarming songs. I even find myself singing the ones about poor Mr. Scrooge.

Those Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer/My Fair Lady

Average customer rating:

What Memories
Voice treasure in not regular repertoire
Old Standards - Easy going
"early 1900 & Broadway Musical tunes ~ Nat "King" Cole"
Not Nat's creative heights, but an enjoyable set

Those Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer/My Fair Lady
Nat King Cole
Manufacturer: EMI Gold Imports
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Dear Lonely Hearts/I Don't Want To Be Hurt Anymore
Sings the Great Songs!/Thank You, Pretty Baby
Where Did Everyone Go?/Looking Back!
Tell Me All About Yourself/Touch Of Your Lips
At the Sands

ASIN: B0000AXL2D
Release Date: 2003-11-03

Tracks:

Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer
Get Out and Get Under the Moon
There Is a Tavern in the Town
On a Bicycle Built for Two
That Sunday, That Summer
On the Sidewalks of New York
Our Old Home Town
After the Ball Is Over
You Tell Me Your Dream
That's What They Meant (By the Good Old Summertime)
Don't Forget
In the Good Old Summertime
Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer
With a Little Bit of Luck
I Could Have Danced All Night
Rain in Spain
On the Street Where You Live
I'm an Ordinary Man
Get Me to the Church on Time
Show Me
I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face
You Did It
Wouldn't It Be Loverly?
Hymn to Him

Album Description

UK twofer combines 'Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days Of Summer' & 'My Fair Lady', both originally issued in 1963 & unavailable domestically. 24 tracks. EMI. 2003.

Album Details

Two Albums on One CD.

Customer Reviews:

What Memories.......2006-07-16

When I was a child my Mom and Dad used to play this album all the time on the weekends and especially in summer. Over the years the record got scratched and I wanted to replace it for my Dad and to share some memories with him for his birthday. He loved it and remembered not just Lazy Crazy Days of Summer. He remembered all of them and he was very happy. I had not heard that smile in his voice for quite some time-he is 93 years younger now.
Thanks for the opportunity to share.

Voice treasure in not regular repertoire.......2006-02-12

The late Nat Cole is one of those treasures of American Music. He was a great Jazz pianist and singer, no doubt. Also a stylish balladeer with great albums but with some neglectable ones.

This EMI twofer shows his two sides as a balladeer. First a neglectable album of unimportant repertoire with some few exceptions. Second there is the splendid album with 'My Fair Lady' repertoire. This is worth buying the CD.

Here you'll find Mr. Cole at his best in vocal performance.

A Note on UK's EMI twofers: it's incredible that we could ever have the opportunity to listen to such old and rare material. EMI has issued a long series of CD twofers in a memorable initiative to show all the splendid material by splendid artists never before released in CD.

Old Standards - Easy going.......2006-02-01

I am lucky to have been introduced to all kinds of music. Nat King Cole is a legend and his music will live forever. He's smooth and nostalgic. I own a lot of his albums and love them all. These particular albums are just another great batch of songs by this fantastic singer.

"early 1900 & Broadway Musical tunes ~ Nat "King" Cole".......2005-01-10

Ordered this from Amazon and received it within that same week...and the shipping was FREE, great service and outstanding album of "Those Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer" and "My Fair Lady", featuring early songs from the early 1900's and one of the most popular musicals every to hit Broadway...both albums were in my LP collection for years, almost forty of them during the early years while my children were growing up...and now that they are adults, they appreciate the one and only master of interpretation NAT "KING" COLE...no other singer in the business had the warmth that this man gave during a performance...along with Frank Sinatra, Cole built the Capitol Towers and brought them fame and fortune. Cole in my estimation did more for Capitol Records than any other recording artist of that time (and that my friend is saying something), but is the gospel.

Nat had a major hit with "THOSE LAZY HAZY CRAZY DAYS OF SUMMER", remember hearing this on all the major radio stations and everyone during that time was sitting around the local swimming pool enjoying it...other highlights are "GET OUT & GET UNDER THE MOON", "THAT SUNDAY, THAT SUMMER", "THAT'S WHAT THEY MEANT BY THE GOOD OLD SUMMERTIME"...and then "I COULD HAVE DANCED ALL NIGHT", "ON THE STREET WHERE YOU LIVE", "I'VE GROWN ACCUSTOMED TO HER FACE", each song has been remastered to perfection...now on digital compact disc we can continue being delighted by Nat's God given talent.

Nat had a tenderness in his voice, completely flawless...he could never deliver a bad tune...his style and signature of making a song his own has never been duplicated...within this twofer album are happy upbeat and Broadway musical tunes...some are timeless and remain classics, while others are songs that have never seen the light of day...the sound quality of this collection isn't the main issue here...but this release is a dream come true...more selections from the greatest entertainer of our time!

For many of Cole's fans, this has been a long awaited release...now we can relive the songs that gave us so much pleasure...remember Nat was with us for such a short time...just sit back, give a listen and enjoy the sounds we grew up with...songs we've come to love over these past plus decades...his music is never out of date...a wonderful human being NAT "KING" COLE!

Total Time: 63:32 on 24 Tracks ~ Universal Int'l 592656 ~ (10/27/2003)

Not Nat's creative heights, but an enjoyable set.......2003-11-18

These two albums are not Nat King Cole's best original albums. In fact, creatively, they're probably the least of them all. However, that's a relative statement! Enjoying Nat's albums are hardly difficult, and these are no exceptions. This is probably the most "cheerful" set.

The first is a collection of very old 'Americana' (in the form of turn-of-the-20th century "chestnuts") and newer material of a compatible spirit. Some of the authentics here - 'On a Bicycle Built for Two' or 'After the Ball' for example - would have their last mainstream outing here, I suspect. Most should enjoy the affable way these long-cherished but now largely forsaken ditties are done.

The newer cuts are enjoyable, particularly the showpiece ballad 'That Sunday, That Summer'. The title track 'Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer' was a very popular hit in '63, but I would single out 'That Sunday, That Summer' and the almost barbershop-quartet real oldie 'You Tell Me Your Dream' as the best of the lot.

By this time (1963), the "Mitch Miller sing-along" approach (bouncy tempos, a chorus singing along much of it, large orchestra with occasional novelty adaptations like a bicycle horn to fit 'On a Bicycle Built for Two') was popular, and this album does reflect that. It does so in an engaging way, however, and of course the main attraction is clearly Nat's game performances.

The second album (also 1963) is Nat "covering" select songs from the Broadway show 'My Fair Lady'. It is admittedly uneven. Nat is not an ideal Henry Higgins in those numbers, excepting of course, 'I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face'. He obviously enjoyed himself, and it's hard not to let quibbles go and enjoy the somewhat ironic readings. What's harder to enjoy is 'The Rain in Spain' which, out of the context of the program, sounds as close to "throw away" as Nat's albums get. Perhaps cutting it way down and adding 'Why Can't the English?' would've been ideal.

On the upside, however, there's several wonderful examples of classic pop. 'On The Street Where You Live', 'I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face' and 'I Could Have Danced All Night' are particularly loverly. 'Show Me' is the most interesting. Its transformation to tender Nat ballad is both notable and effective. The uptempo numbers 'Get Me To The Church On Time' and 'With a Little Bit Of Luck' retain their roughish charm.

The sound quality of this CD won't be a factor to most, as these were good sounding stereo recordings to begin with, and are passably, if hurriedly, transferred. They sound okay. In all fairness I should probably point out that the sound transfer is not of the quality of the above titles. Although the thin, hazy quality of the mediocre digital resolution may not be a known artifact to many, the difference will be apparent with a comparison of the track 'That Sunday, That Summer' or 'On the Street Where You Live' on the 1990's 4-CD Nat King Cole box set where it is cleaner, clearer and richer. At least we're spared another over-processed Capitol CD "remastered by Bob Norburg."

Commendably, both original album sleeves are reprinted at about the full size of the booklet, both front and back. Imagine that! Check out the original cover for 'Summer' - wow is that ever an "idealized" '63 Los Angeles beach! The cover of 'Lady' features a handsome picture of Nat.

For Nat's premium titles in the EMI 2-on-1 CDs series in terms of creative quality, I suggest the following before the purchase of this CD:

- Tell Me All About Yourself (big band) / The Touch of Your Lips (ballads)
- Where Did Everyone Go (ballads) / Looking Back (pop singles)

EMI deserves thanks for this issue, and it's significant: this release reissues both of the two remaining original Nat King Cole LPs not to be issued on CD (counting both the USA and the UK together). Would that Capitol USA, for whom all were originally recorded, had released them all. They've only had twenty years to do it. And of course, most of the ones they have issued are now out of print.

Enjoy while you may, and a "thank you" to EMI!

Tracks:

Where Did Everyone Go?: Where Did Everyone Go?
Where Did Everyone Go?: Say It Isn't So
Where Did Everyone Go?: If Love Ain't There
Where Did Everyone Go?: (Ah The Apple Trees) When The World Was Young
Where Did Everyone Go?: Am I Blue?
Where Did Everyone Go?: Someone To Tell It To
Where Did Everyone Go?: The End Of A Love Affair
Where Did Everyone Go?: I Keep Goin Back To Joe's
Where Did Everyone Go?: Laughing On The Outside (Crying On The Inside)
Where Did Everyone Go?: No I Don't Want Her
Where Did Everyone Go?: Spring Is Here
Where Did Everyone Go?: That's All There Is
Looking Back: Time And The River
Looking Back: World In My Arms
Looking Back: Again
Looking Back: Looking Back
Looking Back: Midnight Flyer
Looking Back: I Must Be Dreaming
Looking Back: It Is Better To Have Loved And Lost
Looking Back: Send For Me
Looking Back: Just As Much As Ever
Looking Back: If I May
Looking Back: Sweet Bird Of Youth

Album Details

Remastered Twofer of Two Classic Catalog Titles 'Where..'From 1963 and 'Looking Back' from 1965.

Customer Reviews:

This is Nat King Cole's sleepy material.......2006-02-12

The late Nat Cole is one of those treasures of American Music. He was a great Jazz pianist and singer, no doubt. Also a stylish balladeer with great albums but with some neglectable ones.

This EMI twofer shows two sleepy albums. One with a great repertoire but with such boring honey and sleepy arrangements by Gordon Jenkins. Another with neglectable material and arrangements.

Two songs are featured originals: Edward Redding's 'The End of A Love Affair'and Jack Segal's 'I Keep Going Back to Joe's. Great songs.

Here you'll find Mr. Cole at his best in vocal performance but ...

A Note on UK's EMI twofers: it's incredible that we could ever have the opportunity to listen to such old and rare material. EMI has issued a long series of CD twofers in a memorable initiative to show all the splendid material by splendid artists never before released in CD.

2 Very different albums..both great.......2005-12-31

I am a big fan of Nat King Cole but by no means do I love everything he recorded. I think his best albums were the 3 with Gordon Jenkins arrangements. The last was "Where Did Everyone Go?" which is included here. For some reason this album has not been reissued on CD in the US. Instead a few cuts from it were added to the CD release of "Love Is The Thing", the 1st Cole/Jenkins album. Anyway, the second album here is "Looking Back". While very different from the string arrangements on the 1st album and also including the added "rhythm track" I think this album is quite good also. I have listened to the whole CD numerous times since I purchased it and have not tired of it at all. My favorite track is "When the World Was Young", one of the most beautiful vocals he ever recorded in my opinion. A definite must for your Nat Cole collection.

"lush songs with his velvet touch ~ Nat King Cole".......2005-03-06

"Where Did Everyone Go?" and "Looking Back" gives you 23 of the finest vocals by anyone in musical history...the sound is marvelous stereo...there should have been more like this, but this is it, so cherish the moment...listening to Nat though, is always great...he had a tenderness in his voice, completely flawless...he could never deliver a bad tune...his style and signature of making a song his own has never been duplicated...within this twofer album are songs of the day back in 1963 and 1965...some are timeless and remain classics, while others are songs that have never seen the light of day...but this release is a dream come true...more selections from the greatest entertainer of our time...cause Nat King Cole rules.

You can't go wrong with any of Cole's albums that are now on CD...both are excellent, many are hard-to-find and some not well known...highlights and stand outs are the entire album with the first part of the disc "Where Did Everyone Go?":
"(AH, THE APPLE TREES) WHEN THE WORLD WAS YOUNG" (Phillips/Gerard/Mercer)
"AM I BLUE" (Akst/Clarke)
"END OF A LOVE AFFAIR" (Redding)
"I KEEP GOIN' BACK TO JOE'S" (Fisher/Segal)
"IF LOVE AIN'T THERE" (Burke)
"LAUGHING ON THE OUTSIDE (CRYING ON THE INSIDE)" (Wayne/Raleigh)
"NO, I DON'T WANT HER" (Bailey)
"SAY IT ISN'T SO" (Berlin)
"SOMEONE TO TELL IT TO" (Van Heusen/Cahn/Fuller)
"SPRING IS HERE" (Rodgers/Hart)
"THAT'S ALL THERE IS" (Jenkins) - outstanding song with a killer arrangement
"WHERE DID EVERYONE GO" (Van Heusen)
when it comes to interpretation and expertly performed, Nat is the master at his craft.

The one and only master of interpretation...no other singer in the business had the warmth that this man gave during a performance or recording session...along with Frank Sinatra, Cole built the Capitol Towers and brought them fame and fortune...Nat King Cole in my estimation did more for Capitol Records than any other recording artist of that time (and that my friend is saying something), but it is gospel.

Second half of the album is "Looking Back" with the following tunes:
"AGAIN" (Newman/Cochran)
"I MUST BE DREAMING" (Wolf/Sherman)
"IF I MAY" (Singleton/McCoy)
"IT IS BETTER TO HAVE LOVED AND LOST" (Lewis/Weissman/Lange)
"JUST AS MUCH AS EVER" (Singleton/Coleman)
"LOOKING BACK" (Benton/Otis/Hendricks)
"MIDNIGHT FLYER" (Watts/Mosely)
"SEND FOR ME" (Jones) - one of my favorites by Mr. Cole
"SWEET BIRD OF YOUTH" (Schroeder/Gold)
"TIME AND THE RIVER" (Schroeder/Gold) - another gem from Nat
"WORLD IN MY ARMS" (Sherman/Keller)
Brilliant counter melodies interwoven with lingering arrangements by Gordon Jenkins that instantly became classics...beautiful and heartfelt ballads with classic orchestrations... arrangements by Gordon Jenkins and David Cavanaugh featuring Nat's original style are simply captivating...with tender lyrics that bring two lovers together...almost like your wedding vows, Nat sings this from the heart and you're loving it...throughout the evening sample this with your favorite partner...as Nat completely takes charge savoring wonderful memories of the good times.

Nat was awarded a posthumous plaque to the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame, naming him one of the major early influences on rock 'n' roll...they'll never be another pass this way again...thank you Captiol for this release of Nat "King" Cole for the decades of music that followed...his songs will remain with us always and forever...just the way we like 'em!

Total Time: 63:08 on 23 Tracks ~ EMI/Int'l 98885 ~ (3/02/1999)

Another missed opportunity ..........2003-12-15

On the one hand, it's always nice to have a cd version of a great lp. On the other hand, when you've got the chance to correct the errors of the past and you don't make the most of it the end result just turns out to be another exercise in frustration. "Where Did Everyone Go" was Mr. Cole's third outing with Gordon Jenkins conducting and is a magnificent album BUT two tracks - "Happy New Year" and "Farewell to Arms" were recorded and not included in the final product. These two tracks appeared after Mr. Cole's death on a compilation album ("Nat Cole Sings the Greats Songs") with the cursed added rhythm tracks that ruined most of his post-death releases. How nice it would have been to have them included here in stereo and in their original forms. I guess that'll be for another generation. As for "Looking Back" we now have a cd version of this post-death release on which every track was altered by adding the horrible rhythm track and enhancing it for stereo. Was it really necessary to have a cd version of this? It would have been much nicer to go back to the original masters and set things right.

2 lps, 1 great, 1 mediocre, on 1 great CD.......2003-11-26

"Where Did Everyone Go?" gives you 12 of the finest vocals by anyone in song history, all in one achingly sad work. Listen in a dark, quiet, lonely room. Its drama and atmosphere will haunt you. All strings and the King's awesome voice. The sound is marvelous stereo. There should have been more like this, but this is it. Cherish it. "Looking Back" gives you some random tracks, mostly of a slight early R&B/rock slant and all overdubbed with extra rhythm stuff. Those songs aren't so great. The overdubs are dumb. The sound is mediocre. Listening to Nat though, is always great. Consider them wonderful bonus tracks for a great album. Get it. Nat King Cole Rules.

Average customer rating:

One of the best John Hiatt Cd's Ever
Hiatt Rocks!
King of America!
Two great EPs that sound great togther
An overlooked gem from an underrated singer-songwriter

Riding With the King
John Hiatt
Manufacturer: Geffen Gold Line Sp.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Stolen Moments
Slow Turning
Two Bit Monsters
Perfectly Good Guitar
Bring the Family

ASIN: B000000OXN
Release Date: 1996-03-19

Tracks:

I Don't Even Try
Death By Misadventure
Girl On A String
Lovers Will
She Loves The Jerk
Say It With Flowers
Riding With The King
You May Already Be A Winner
Love Like Blood
The Love That Harms
Book Lovers
Falling Up

Amazon.com

John Hiatt has had a long, schizophrenic career. He's been a singer-songwriter, a new waver, an AOR dinosaur, a country rocker, and an adult-contemporary powerhouse. Throughout, his songwriting has been admirable. The production here is sometimes tricky, a tad bombastic, a bit too mainstream and yearning for success. (Ah, the '80s!) It is also an album divided. Nick Lowe, Paul Carrack, and ex-Rumour guitarist Martin Belmont join the backing band for the Lowe-produced second half and it's here that the ensemble cooks. But it's really about the songs, and there's no denying songs as clever as "She Loves the Jerk," "Death by Misadventure," or "You May Already Be a Winner," which all feature Hiatt's humor hidden under a serious degree of healthy cynicism. --Rob O'Connor

Customer Reviews:

One of the best John Hiatt Cd's Ever.......2006-08-13

All but one song on the album is written by John. But no matter becaues his rendition of "Death By Misadventure" is fantastic. Not to metion the other great hits like "Say it With Flowers", "I Dont Even Try", "Riding With The King" and the rest of the album is just great. Not a song to skip on this album.

Hiatt Rocks!.......2005-10-18

This was John Hiatt's peak as a Rock'n'Roller. Turn this one up loud, sit back, hang on. Highlights from this one are, Book Lovers, She Loves The Jerk (My girl's favorite song for some reason), Lover's Will and the classic title track most recently covered by Eric Clapton & B.B. King (Hiatt's version is still superior).

King of America!.......2005-07-02

I love this record. Scott Mathews and Ron Nagle do an excellent job on the first half - Nick Lowe and company kick it up a notch on the second half and somehow it remains cohesive. Hiatt comes up with some great songs and has never been more limber vocally. Essential listening.

Music fanatic.

Two great EPs that sound great togther.......2004-09-05

I remember hearing this album described soon after its release as two great half albums and thinking that was pretty much on the mark. "Riding With The King" was a step away from the extremely slick sound of "All Of A Sudden," but still found Hiatt being interpreted by his producers instead of having his own voice. The most important thing about "Riding With The King" is that Ron Nagle and Scott Matthews (known collectively as The Durocs) and Nick Lowe probably had the best understanding of any of Hiatt's producers to this point.

Of course, Nick Lowe was there when it came time to record Hiatt's masterpiece, "Bring The Family." That makes it an easy leap to think Lowe had an easy time grasping the folksy "Love Like Blood" or the great title song (which became better known after Eric Clapton and BB King recorded it). Lowe also had the benefit of the band format (Paul Carrack, Martin Belmont and himself, along with Hiatt on guitar and Bobby Irwin on drums). The first half of the disc is Nagle on everything but guitars (Hiatt), and sounds a bit stiffer. The Nagle and Matthews half doesn't fare quite as well because of this, but they got the better songs to work with. "She Loves The Jerk" has since made the rounds with everyone from Rodney Crowell to Elvis Costello taking a crack at it. "I Don't Even Try" mixes humor and bitterness with an even handedness that few songwriters can match.

Along with those songs, "Lover's Will" and "Book Lovers" remain songs in search of artists to make them into hits. Of the three albums Hiatt recorded for Geffen, "Riding With The King" is probably the closest to what fans of John would recognize as a John Hiatt album. Consider that the best recommendation possible.

An overlooked gem from an underrated singer-songwriter.......2003-04-18

For twenty-five years, John Hiatt has been held in high esteem by colleagues and critics alike, yet his sales figures have never really matched his talent.

This 1983 album is one of his finest (in spite of the slightly mean editorial review); a pleasant slice of what I suppose is called "heartland rock".
The title song, "Riding With The King", is not a cover, by the way, it is indeed written and composed by John Hiatt himself. And it is one of the strongest selections on the album, which consists mainly of mid-tempo rock songs, not unlike Bruce Springsteen's "Tunnel of Love", although with fewer anthemic shout-along choruses than the average Springsteen-record.

John Hiatt is a relative low-key rocker, but fully capable of turning out memorable, melodic songs such as "She Loves The Jerk" and "You May Already Be A Winner".
There may not be too many obvious hits on this album, but there are no bad songs either. Everything is worth a listen, and how many 80s rock records can you say that about?

"Riding With The King" is a very enjoyable rock record with some fine lyrics and some memorable tunes. Great handiwork from a real professional who hasn't gotten the recognition he deserves.

Average customer rating:

The Best Ring Intro and Highlights Recording
Incredible, even if only highlights
Highlights From The Classic Live Performance
Good introduction to the Ring; good value.
Fire! Fire!

Wagner: The Best of the Ring

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Wagner: The "Ring" Without Words
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ASIN: B0000041EJ
Release Date: 1996-04-09

Tracks:

Das Rheingold: Prelude
Das Rheingold - Scene One: Weia! Waga! Woge, du Welle!
Das Rheingold - Scene One: Garstig glatter glitschriger Glimmer
Das Rheingold - Scene One: Wallala! Lalaleia! Leialei!
Das Rheingold - Scene Four: Bin ich nun frei?
Das Rheingold - Scene Four: Schwules Gedunst schwebt In der Luft
Das Rheingold - Scene Four: Zur Burg Fuhrt die Brucke
Das Rheingold - Scene Four: Rheingold! Rheingold!
Die Walkure - Act One: Prelude
Die Walkure - Act One, Scene 3: Wintersturme wichen dem Wonnemond
Die Walkure - Act One, Scene Three: Wehwalt heisst du furwahr? Siegmund heiss ich
Die Walkure - Act II: Prelude to Act II
Die Walkure - Act II, Scene Four: Siegmund! sieh auf mich!
Die Walkure - Act II, Scene Four: Du sahest der Walkure sehrenden Blick
Die Walkure - Act III, Scene One: Hojotoho! Heiaha!

Tracks:

Die Walkure - Act III, Scene Three: Leb wohl, du k herrliches Kind!
Die Walkure - Act III, Scene 3: Loge, hLausche hieher!
Siegfried - Act I, Scene 3: Hoho! Hoho! Hohei!
Siegfried - Act I, Scene 3: Den der Bruder schuf, den schimmernden Reif!
Siegfried - Act II, Scene 2: Aber, wie sah meine Mutter wohl aus?
Siegfried - Act II, Scene 2: Du holdes Vin! Dich hort' ich noch nie
Siegfried - Act II, Scene 2: Es schweigt und lauscht
Siegfried - Act II, Scene 2: Siegfrieds Horn-call
Die Walkure - Act III, Scene 3: Ewig war ich, ewig bin ich
Gotterdammerung - Prologue: Orchestral Interlude
Gotterdammerung - Act III, Scene 2: Brde, heilige Braut
Gotterdammerung - Act III, Scene 2: Orchestral Interlude: Funeral March
Gotterdammerung - Act III, Scene 3: Starke Scheite schichtet mir dort
Gotterdammerung - Act III, Scene 3: Mein Erbe nun nehm ich zu eigen
Gotterdammerung - Act III, Scene 3: Grane, mein Ross, sei mir gegr
Gotterdammerung - Act III, Scene 3: Zurm Ring

Customer Reviews:

The Best Ring Intro and Highlights Recording.......2006-03-23

CAST: DAS RHEINGOLD:
Gustav Neidlinger (baritone, Alberich) Theo Adam (baritone, Wotan) Wolfgang Windgassen (tenor, Loge) Annelies Burmeister (mezzo-soprano, Fricka) Hermin Esser (soprano Froh) Ruth Hesse (soprano Flosshilde) Helga Dernesch (soprano Wellgunde) Dorothea Siebert (soprano, Woglinde)

DIE WALKURE: James King (tenor, Siegmund) Leonie Rysanek (soprano, Sieglende) Theo Adam (Wotan) Birgit Nilsson (soprano, Brunhilde) Danica Mastilovic (soprano, Fricka) Sieglende Wagner (soprano, Schwertleite) Liane Synek (soprano, Helmwige) and the Valkyries Elisabeth Schartel (Grimgerde) and Anneliese Burmister (Siegrunde)

SIEGFRIED: Wolgang Windgassen (Siegfried) Birgit Nilsson (Brunhilde) Erwin Wohlfahrt (Mime)

GOTTERDAMMERUNG: Wolfgang Windgassen (Siegfried) Birgit Nilsson (Brunhilde) Josef Greindl (bass-baritone, Hagen)...* Conductor Karl Bohm, Bayreuth Festival Orchestra

If you're already an opera fan but have not yet discovered Wagner and wish to be introduced to his biggest most famous opera cycle- Der Ring Des Nibelungen (The Ring of the Nibelungs) then this CD is one you should definately own. From live performances at Bayreuth on July of 1967, these same operas are available on seperate CD's and on a box set from the Phillips label. With a cast of brilliant, experienced Wagnerian singers such as baritone Theo Adam (Odin) soprano Birgit Nilsson (Brunhilde) and tenor Wolfgang Windgassen (Siegfried) you can't go wrong with this set. These singers represent a style of Wagnerian singing that no singer alive today can measure up to. Powerful, invective yet lyrical, passionate voices are equally in balance with dramatic acting. They lived their roles so that everytime I hear the Ring operas, I can't think of a greater Brunhilde than the unbeatable Birgit Nilsson or a greater Odin than that of Theo Adam. Maestro Karl Bohm was a prominent Wagner conductor and a Bayreuth icon in the 60's. He allowed enough natural "fresh air" for his singers, and the orchestra never truly drowns out their voices nor becomes overpowering. Nevertheless, Bohm provides the score, layered with dozens of leitmotifs, with spirituality, grandeur, nobility and the typical Wagnerian fatalism. Bohm understood Wagner more than any other conductor of his time. Although the George Solti studio Ring set is largely considered the greatest, I think this set is possibly better. There is more of a sense of tradition in this recording, since, after all, these are Bayreuth performances. The music and singingremains true to Wagner's original concept and this is not a "conductor's Ring" it is truly Wagner's Ring. The Ring of the Nibelung can become a complex, overanalyzed work of music but beneath its many layers it is an epic panorama of heroes, gods and villains. Its theme is the folly of man in his greedy lust for power, as represented by the titular ring.

Das Rheingold: The first opera deals with the greedy, deformed dwarf Alberich, who foresaking any chance of ever finding love, steals the Gold of the Rhine River from the Rhinemaidens. Baritone Gustav Neidlinger is possibly the greatest interpretor of Albrecht. This is a baritone role that is not in any way meant to be sung beautifully. Neidlinger sounds harsh and ugly, he is in full character. The music for Alberich is equally ugly and dissonant. In contrast, the Rhinemaidens are sung by beautiful, lyric sopranos who must evoke youthfulness, playfulness and a slight sexual flirtation. Their music is at first playful and flirty but after the gold is stolen, their song becomes a lament and remains melancholy in consequent motifs even up to Gotterdammerung when they reappear to reclaim their stolen gold from "the ashes of Brunhilde's Immolation". Donner, the Bridge Keeper of Valhalla, is a high bass who must step up to the exclamations of "Heda! Heda Hedo!", one of the great scenes in this opera, in which the gods enter the newly built glittering palace called Valhalla. But Odin, king of the gods, and suposed god of oaths, has broken his own oath (he promised the spring goddess Freya to the Giants who built Valhalla but didn't keep his word) And the tragedy is set in motion......

Die Walkure: In tenor and soprano James King and Leonie Rysanek, we get the most dramatic and golden Siegmund and Sieglende. More than others who have sung this romantic pair, King and Rysanek become involved, even lost in the music of their characters and are by far the most passionate interpretors. First of all, James King was endowed with a huge, heroic voice so perfect for Wagner. He is also featured in the Solti studio Ring recording but here, he is in better shape and sings with intensity, vocal heft and dramatic prowess. Also, his Siegmund is romantically sung, as if he could just as easily be a Verdi hero. His German diction never falters and he has command of the voice and melodic line. He passed away recently and left behind numerous recordings, including a Parsifal he recorded late in his career, which is still quite amazing. Leonie Rysanek actually screams out during the Love Duet in which Siegmund shows her his great sword Nothung. She was made famous not only for that hair-raising scream but for her powerful, dramatic voice and her first-rate performances as Strauss' Salome (also under Karl Bohm) Elektra and Verdi's Lady Macbeth which she first sang as a replacement to an ill and indisposed Maria Callas. Rysanek died of cancer in the mid 90's, and she was still singing then. In Die Walkure, we are first introduced to Odin's daughter, the lead Valkyrie goddess Brunhilde (she's the gal in the winged helmet, wielding a spear and flying on a horse). Birgit Nilsson owned this role, no doubt about it. Long after she had retired, she could still belt out the Hojo-to-hos (Valkyrie War Cries). She identified with Brunhilde's Nordic roots (Nilsson was born in Sweden) and she understood Wagner and dramatic German opera. All her huge successes were in German opera- Salome, Elektra most notably. She is also the Brunhilde of Solti's ring but here she is singing a hell of a lot better and she isn't overpowered by the Vienna Phil and its gargantuan musical forces. At the end of the opera, Odin punishes Brunhilde for sympathizing with the lovers Siegmund and Sieglende and saving Sieglende (pregnant with Siegfried). She is to sleep inside a ring of fire on a mountain or rock and only a great hero can awaken her and claim her as his bride. Theo Adam as Wotan is by far the best. He has a huge voice and is able to stir our emotions as he bids his daughter farewell in that great final scene.

Siegfried and Gotterdammerung: The son of Siegmund and Sieglende, he grows up not knowing his heritage as a hero. He discovers Nothung, his father's sword, kills Mime, yet another greedy, power-hungry dwarf and slays the dragon Fafner. He is now able to communicate and bond with nature as one of his special powers. He confronts Odin himself and saves Brunhilde from her nearly eternal sleep. Wolfgang Windgassen sang in the old-school Wagnerian tenor style which meant he had the "Bayreuth bark". He could throw his voice high above the big Wagnerian orchestra but it was a voice that was in no way attractive or emotional. It was cold and at times too harsh. But he is the only tenor to truly master the difficult role of Siegfried. Nowadays, some tenors can either sing the Siegfried of Siegfried or the Siegfried in Gotterdammerung, but rarely can they sing both like Windgassen. In addition, Windgassen achieved success in other Wagner heroic roles like Tristan and Tannhauser. In Gotterdammerung (Twilight of the Gods), Wagner's music has never been more fatalistic. Siegfried bids farewell to Brunhilde and sets out on an adventure down the Rhine river. He is captured by the vindictive and evil Gibechung giants, drugged and forced to wed Gutrune. And it gets worse. The Gibechungs also kidnap Brunhilde and force her to marry one of the giants. Eventually, Siegfried is slain by the cruel giant Hagen. The last minutes of singing are left to Brunhilde (it aint over till the fat lady sings). And what great singing it is. In the Immolation Scene, Brunhilde orders for a funeral pyre to be made for Siegfried. She curses the gods for breaking their oaths, declares that the end is near and summons Grane her old Valkyrie horse. Straddling him, she leaps into the funeral pyre and brings about the Ragnarok- the end of the gods. Valhalla is consumed by a firestorm, the Rhine overfloods and the world of man is destroyed. Birgit Nilsson's high, heroic voice has never sounded better in this scene.

Affordable price, great music, great singing. Please don't hesitate to get this recording if you are interested in hearing The Ring the way it should be sung and if you wish to get only chunks and pieces from an otherwise long 4 opera cycle. Enjoy!!

Incredible, even if only highlights.......2004-12-20

I have to say, usually I HATE highlights of anything, but in this case, I will say, I am impressed. It is so hard to choose what should be included, and often the things I want in highlights are the things that are NOT there (example is the highlights of Nabucco with Sintow, the really hard arias are gone; the same with her highlights of Macbeth, no sleepwalking scene). In this case, I was gladly surprised. Most all the really telling moments of the various operas are there. It is a great introduction for those who are just coming to Wagner's Ring. I would say like the Tolken books of Lord of the Rings (stories completely not related, though elements of this are in that), one has to prepare to enjoy them to get the full affect. Wagner is the same. His operas are extremely long, and there are long moments where nothing much is actually happening at all. To come to him unprepared can prove the end of even trying to understand his works at all. This highlight version is simply great. We are introduced to the Rhinemaidens right off and the drama begins. Just enough of each opera is there to give a really good feel for the works, and unlike most highlights with an aria or two, these are full scenes that are presented to us. I have to say, the editors did a masterful job at choosing the "exciting parts" to whet our desire for Wagner. Ending the entire set with the uncut version of the Immolation Scene is simply wonderful. So often when it is recorded as a highlight we begin only on the ending pronouncements where Brunhilde addresses her horse thus bringing the end to the opera. Here we are treated to the entire scene from beginning to end so we can follow the drama (interestingly, while singing the scene, stage actions are going on, for the pyre is prepared, Siegfried's body brought in, Brunhilde removes the ring, his body is put on the pyre, Grane, Brunhilde's horse is brought in -- well, in the score he is called for, but in most performances one has to imagine him being there, and if there, the singer never rides him into the fire as Wagner wanted; I think the only time that happened was with Marjorie Lawrence --- and the entire world is destroyed, including Valhalla, the Rhine overflows and the rhinemaidens get their ring/gold back).

This is a masterful choosing of highlights and they work to present the work as a whole in a wonderful way. When one then buys the entire ring, there are going to be many wonderful parts now fully appreciated and loved that will come up and the work will not seen as long.

For those of us who love Wagner, well, there are days we don't wish to get out all the CD's of each opera to listen to the few scenes we want to hear, and this highlight set is great to hear those moments that one would find exciting to hear when not in the mood to listen to the whole. The only scene I would have added, because it is exciting and good to listen to, is the oath scene (trio between Gunther, Hoggan, and Brunhilde) that ends Act 2 of Gotterdammerung. It is quite exciting and makes a wonderful contrast to the orchestra of the Rhine Journey that begins the Gotterdammerung highlights and the death of Siegfried which on the highlights follows the Rhine Journey. I know only so much can fit on a CD, but one could have begun that trio with the words "Siegfried's Todd" sung by Gunther and then the trio would not have been so long.

However, great introduction of a massive work.

Highlights From The Classic Live Performance.......2003-12-30

In the sixties, conductor Karl Bohm found himself treading on the ground that most conductors would think twice because of the huge risk factor - conducting Richard Wagner's The Ring Of the Nibelung (Das Ring Des Nibelungen) a series of four operas dealing with the ancient Norse saga of the legendary ring of power coveted by gods, mortals and giants. The myth also tells the love story of Siegfried and Brunhilde and the end of the world. For Wagner, this would be his ultimate masterpiece. These four opera cycle goes beyond everything he had ever composed musically and for the theatre. Only Tristan and Isolde and Parsifal reach such dramatic heights and is as musically masterful.

This classic recording has value, even if it is the highlights and excerpts from the operas. There is a full recording in its entirety with Karl Bohm conducting and with the same singers- Birgit Nilsson as Brunhilde, Wolfgang Windgassen as Siegfried, Leonie Rysanek as Sieglende, James King as Siegmund and Theo Adam as Wotan, king of the gods. These singers were regarded as the best interpretors of their day. Certainly, Birgit Nilsson was born to sing Brunhilde. She has all the drama just in her voice. The inflection is dramatic, her stage presence was commanding, and a voice that even Maria Callas would kill for. Maria Callas sang Brunhilde once in the 40's, but it was never good nor became her signature role. Callas was primarily an Italian singer and she had complications singing German. In Callas' day, Kirsten Flagstad was the reigning Brunhilde interpretor. But Birgit Nilsson's voice far surpasses even Flagstad. Birgit Nilsson has all the heigh notes, the passion, the fire and the Wagnerian touch to a fine art. Theo Adam makes a superb Wotan- imperious, commanding, greedy, regial. His voice was well-trained in German and in the art of Wagner music drama. The same applies to James King, a top-notch German heldentenor who made such roles as Siegfried and Theseus (from Strauss' Ariadne) his own.

To sing Wagner is no walk in the park. Only the best heldentenors and Wagnerian soprano divas are employed in this recording. Among them the diva Leonie Rysanek, whose vocals and theatrics on stage was always to her advantage. Here she sings the role of Sieglende- Siegfried's mother and wife of Siegmund. In her dramatic duet with Siegmund, Leonie Rysanek heightens the drama of the moment by actually SCREAMING. It's brilliant. It was well known that Rysanek would always scream her lines when warranted. She has sung other heavy German repertoire- such as Strauss' Salome.

Karl Bohm has been criticized for overemphasizing the music, for directing at lightning speed and making a "sloppy", disappointing score for Wagner's Ring. Most fans of the Ring favor George Solti, who was the first to produce the first studio recording of the Ring. Still others prefer Furtwangler, who was a native German and who knew the music so well because for a long time he had been associated with Wagner's descendant family who operate the Bayreuth Festival Opera House. But Karl Bohm, despite his failure in some portions, has his moments. His strength lies in conducting Gotterdammerung's final scene- the Immolation and end of the world. Brunhilde, the last bearer of the cursed ring, has lost her beloved Siegfried to death by traitorous murderer- giants, curses the gods and commits suicide by throwing herself into Siegfrie'ds funeral pyre. The curse of the ring is lifted, the palace of the gods in Vallhalla is consumed in a devastating fire and the world is flooded by the overflowing Rhine river.

The theme of the Ring is not too complicated to understand. In much the same vein as J.R.R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" novels, and the recent film adaptations, the curse of a powerful ring is that of corrupted power. Absolute power corrupts absolutely, in the words of philosopher John Locke. The ring, who entitled its beare to total power, was desired by everyone in the opera- from an ugly dwarf (Albrecht) who was willing to sacrifice sexual relations and love for possession of the ring. Albrecht is the instigator. Stealing the gold of the Rhine from the mermaid-like Rhinemaidens, he begins to build a mine and city under the earth. The gods of Valhalla have their own troubles- the giants who built Valhalla want to claim their promised reward- Wotan's wife, the goddess Freya. The powerful god Wotan will not accept the terms. This occurs in the first opera - Das Rhinegold (The Rhinegold). In the second installment, "Die Walkure (The Valkyrie) we are introduced to Siegmund and Sieglende. Because theirs is an illicit romance, Freya convinces Wotan to decree their deaths. But Brunhilde, Wotan's divine daughter opposes the decree and even saves the life of Sieglende who gives birth to the hero Siegfried. Brunhilde is the Valkyrie warrior woman (she is the stereotypical Wagner opera singer wearing a horned helmet , spear, shield, breast plate and battle costume. When Brunhilde's defiance is discovered, Wotan puts a spell over her. She is to sleep inside a ring of fire until the kiss of a demi-god hero awakens her. In this opera, the famous "Ride of the Valkyries" is featured, a dramatic music which has been used time and again in movies and television, most notably in the film "Apocalypse Now". In Siegfried, we follow the quest of Siegfried. He pulls his father's sword from a tree (like King Arthur does in Excalibur only Arthur pulls the sword from a stone and anvil). Siegfried, with the help of the mentor dwarf Mime, journeys into Albrecht's layer, defeats him and slays the vile dragon Falfner. Of course, he kisses Brunhilde and breaks the spell. In the last opera, Gotterdamerung or "Twilight of the Gods", the saga comes to an end when Siegfried is slain by the Gibechung giants. Brunhilde has her famous Immolation Scene and the world of mortals, and even the gods, die during the end of the world. The highlghts here include Siegfried's Rhine Jounrey and Siegfried's Funeral March (this March was used in John Boorman's Excalibur) and the concluding music.

Good introduction to the Ring; good value........2001-09-11

I'm recommending this 2-disc set because it's the best way I know of at the present time to get an inexpensive, manageable, accessible introduction to Wagner's masterpiece, Der Ring des Nibelungen, commonly called the Ring. The Ring is a sequential cycle of four operas, Das Rheingold, Die Walkure, Siegfried, and Gotterdammerung. With the exception of Das Rheingold, they are all of great length (Wagner was a colossal egotist who seemed to believe that no opera could be too long if he was its composer). As a result, acquiring and getting familiar with the entire Ring is an expensive and time-consuming proposition (my choice among complete Ring recordings, the landmark Solti/Vienna Philharmonic set on Decca/London, is 14 CDs costing around $145-$160). Wagner purists will object to any attempt to excerpt "highlights" from the Ring, and they do have a point: unlike the standard Italian and French operas, which are readily divisible into recitatives, arias, duets, etc., the Wagner operas do not lend themselves to excerpting, with the result that "highlights" sets like this one are a collection of "bleeding chunks" torn from the body of the whole work.

Nevertheless there is a need for a way to approach the Ring, to be introduced to it and to get its flavor, and this generously filled (2 hours 28 minutes of music) 2-disc set fills that requirement reasonably well. These are excerpts from all four Ring operas from live 1966-67 performances (the second Wieland Wagner production) at Bayreuth, the famed Wagner Festspielhaus in Bavaria; they are not studio recordings. They are not great performances, but they are good, capable, workmanlike ones. The sound is not the equal of the better studio recordings (like the Solti and von Karajan cycles), but it is good enough: clear and never objectionable. The conductor, Karl Bohm, was not a great Wagnerian; he gives a competent reading, favoring brisk tempos, generally lacking repose, keeping things moving along in a business-like manner, but the result is that he seems more interested in moving on to the next scene than in shaping the scene at hand to realize its full potential. His performance overall is characterized by persistent, even relentless, forward pressure. Sometimes this works, sometimes not; if he can be accused of insensitivity, of failing to make the most of his opportunities, he can't be accused of lingering, melting, dawdling, going slack. He is certainly not in the class of Solti or Furtwangler as a Wagner conductor. The notes all get played, but there is little magic fire coming from the pit here.

Most of the singers are able and well suited to their roles, and they are all singers who actually sang their roles on the operatic stage (not just in the recording studio). Outstanding are Birgit Nilsson and James King. Here is a chance to hear Nilsson, the greatest Wagnerian soprano of the second half of the twentieth century, "live" in her most celebrated role, Brunnhilde (who figures in the last three Ring operas), and that is an opportunity not to be sneezed at. She offers ringing vocal power, amplitude, stamina, with a brillliant, secure top, an unusual combination that is rarely found in Wagnerian sopranos, and she has no competition in any of the other complete sets except the Solti, where she is competing with herself. When it comes to unleashing her huge voice and letting it soar out over the potent Wagner orchestra, she has no peer, and reminds us of what great Wagnerian singing, heroic singing, used to be all about. James King is the Siegmund in Die Walkure (as he is in the Solti set), and his bright, attractive tenor and musicianly singing are a treat after the ersatz, makeshift Heldentenorizing we've usually had to make do with in Wagner since Melchior retired in 1950. Compare his singing here with the dry, threadbare, underpowered Siegfried of Wolfgang Windgassen--whose creditable performance is a triumph of professional skill over lack of natural resources--and you will see what I mean. Theo Adam as Wotan knows his stuff (he was a well-regarded Wotan) but his vocal endowment is not prepossessing either; he too, like so many Wagner singers of the post-Flagstad-Traubel-Melchior era (i.e., after 1950), is underpowered for the role.

This 2-CD set has direct, head-on competition from a similar (and similarly priced) Deutsche Grammophon 2-CD set of highlights from the Ring. The DG set is from the Karajan/Berlin Philharmonic studio recordings of the Ring operas (1967-1970). Here's how I stack up their pros and cons: The Bohm set has generally superior, more involved singing, including Nilsson as Brunnhilde, by singers who sing the same roles throughout (no switching horses in midstream, as in the Karajan, which has two different Wotans, two different Brunnhildes, and two different Siegfrieds), and who actually sang their roles in the opera house, not just in the recording studio (this is a problem with the more "artificial" Karajan set). Also, since the performances are "live," there is a certain sense of vividness, immediacy, and excitement missing in a studio recording. On the other hand, the Karajan set offers generally superior conducting and orchestral playing; his studio recording can be more note-perfect (with its opportunities for re-takes); and the sound of Karajan's set is better than that of Bohm's live performances (although still not as good as Solti's Ring, or the best more recent opera recordings).

So, between the Karajan and Bohm 2-CD Ring highlights sets, there is not a clearcut winner. To make choosing more difficult, both are priced the same and both offer very generously filled CDs (both have about two and a half hours of music). I marginally prefer the Bohm "live" performances, but I couldn't argue with anyone who listened to them both and preferred the Karajan.

Fire! Fire!.......2000-08-23

Taken from live performances of "Der Ring des Nibelungen" at Bayreuth in 1967, this double-disc compilation of excerpts from Wagner's epic provides a generous selection for persons who want to explore the Ring beyond the usual "highlights" albums without taking on the entire cycle. Although not necessary for those familiar with the Ring, the liner notes contain a brief history of its development, historical and social context, and a synopsis. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on one's attitude towards Wagner's prose style), the notes do not provide translations of the excerpts for neophytes.

Tracks:

The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open
Deck The Halls
Frosty The Snowman
I Saw Three Ships
Buon Natale (La Spagnola)
Adeste Fidelis (O Come All Ye Faithful)
O Little Town Of Bethlehem
The Little Boy That Santa Claus Forgot
O Tannenbaum
The First Noel
Little Christmas Tree
Hark The Herald Angels Sing
The Happiest Christmas Tree
Joy To The World
O Holy Night
Caroling Caroling
A Cradle In Bethlehem
Away In A Manger
God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman
Silent Night

Album Details

20 Great Christmas Classics from One of the Greatest Voices of the 20th Century, featuring his Holiday Classic "The Christmas Song", which was Written by Mel Torme.

Customer Reviews:

Awsome classic for a lifetime.......2001-12-10

'This is the classical Christmas music that you and your family will treasure forever. It definately puts you in the Christmas spirit and brings to mind all the joys of the holidays past and future.

memories.......1999-12-03

this CD always brings back memories of my childhood. Every Christmas we would listen to these songs of Nat's. A must for anyone who enjoys traditional Christmas Music. Add it to your collection!

One of the best traditional Christmas carol collections ever.......1998-12-19

Nat King Cole's voice and song rendition is synonymous with a traditional Christmas atmosphere, especially if you are trying to relax yet be in the spirit.

Average customer rating:

why is this all time classic not available...it's a crime
An absolute classic, remastered in it's full glory

Born Under a Bad Sign
Albert King
Manufacturer: Mobile Fidelity
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Chicago Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

General | Blues | Styles | Music

Electric Blues Guitar | Blues | Styles | Music

Modern Blues | Blues | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000000ISJ
Release Date: 1993-04-06

Tracks:

Born Under a Bad Sign
Crosscut Saw
Kansas City
Oh, Pretty Woman
Down Don't Bother Me
Hunter
I Almost Lost My Mind
Personal Manager
Laundromat Blues
As the Years Go Passing By
Very Thought of You

Customer Reviews:

why is this all time classic not available...it's a crime.......1999-08-24

A true, all time classic. The personell, the music, the style. This album being out of print proves that the record industry is not a music industry.

An absolute classic, remastered in it's full glory.......1998-12-19

An often overlooked classic, which features multiple blues "standards" , (soon to be cribbed by the likes of Eric Clapton, and Stevie Ray Vaughn) this pivotal electric blues record is in full swing on the excellently mastered (if overpriced) Mobile Fidelity edition. The kick of Alberts' rhythm section (here Booker T.and the MG's with Steve Cropper) really frees up the master to concentrate on his phenomenal soloing. This album needs to be bought, and quickly.

Music Review:

Music Review

Music Review

1. Intro
2. Everbody Will Be Happy
3. Under Control
4. I'm Winging My Way Back Home
5. Just a Little Talk With Jesus
6. Learning to Lean
7. Someone to Care
8. What a Day That Will Be
9. How Beautiful Heaven Must Be
10. Glory Road - LuLu Roman-Smith
11. Glory Road (Encore)
12. Amazing Grace
13. How Great Thou Art
14. How Great Thou Art (Encore)

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