Blow by Blow [Original recording remastered]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
His guitar-slinging contributions to the Yardbirds having dwarfed those of Eric Clapton or Jimmy Page, Mrs. Beck's bad boy spent the next several years playing blues-rock (the Jeff Beck Group with Rod Stewart), soul-rock (the second edition of that band), and leading a power trio. Then, he made this all-instrumental album, which was a huge 1975 success. Produced by George Martin, the nine-song session finds Beck fronting a keyboards-bass-drums outfit, augmented by some tastefully unobtrusive string arrangements. Call it a jazz-fusion album at your own risk. While Beck's playing is less in-your-face than his previous efforts, all the fierce attack, thick tone, microtonal bends, distortion, feedback, vibrato, sustain, sonic hoodoo, and rhythmic and harmonic creativity that the man's fans have come to know and love can be heard here. "Freeway Jam" boasts the most memorable melody and thus remains a Classic Rock staple to this day. "Cause We've Ended As Lovers"--written by Stevie Wonder--is Beck's gorgeous tribute to one of his own guitar-heroes, the now-deceased Roy Buchanan. --Don Waller --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Album Details
Digitally Remastered Version of his Classic 1975 Release.produced By George Martin. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Tracks:

Air 'On the G String' - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
Morning - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
Canon In D - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
Gymnopedie No.1 - City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
II. Andante - Stephen Hough
Viens, Mallika - Mady Mesple
In Paradisum - Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
Clair De Lune - Dame Moura Lympany
II. Andate - Yehudi Menuhin
The Swan - Osian Ellis
II. Lento E Largo - Tranquillissimo - Zofia Kilanowicz
II. Andantino - James Galway
II. Largo - Yehudi Menuhin
Nimrod - London Symphony Orchestra
Blow the Wind - Pie Jesu - Jocelyn Pook
Variation 18 - Cecile Ousset
Pavane Op.50 - Gareth Morris

Tracks:

Zion Hort Die Wachter Singen - South German Madrigal Choir
Adagio In G Minor - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
Minuet - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
II. Largo - Andrei Gavrilov
Meditation - Hans Kalafusz
I. Adagio Sostenuto - Dame Moura Lympany
Belle Nuit, O Nuit D'amour (Barcarolle) - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
II. Andante - Nigel North
II. Adagio - Jack Brymer
Intermezzo - Philharmonia Orchestra
I. Moderato - London Chamber Orchestra
O Mio Babbino Caro - Montserrat Caballe
Fantasia On 'Greensleeves' - Sinfonia Of London
II. Adagio Sostenuto (Opening) - Cecile Ousset
Nocturne - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
II. Adagio (Opening) - Julian Bream
Adagio For Strings Op.11a - The Philadelphia Orchestra
Entr'acte To Act III - Orchestre National De France

Amazon.com

You want relaxing classical music that'll soothe your soul but won't lull you into sleep? Here's a double CD for you. The Most Relaxing Classical Album in the World ... Ever! does its best to cover both well-worn classical favorites (Bach's "Air on the G String," Pachelbel's "Cannon," Debussy's "Clair de Lune") and some eclectic left-field choices (an excerpt from Górecki's Symphony No. 3, Jocelyn Pook's "Blow the Wind," and Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings. The performances of most of these excerpts are top-notch--artists include Sir Neville Marriner, James Galway, Jacqueline du Pré and the Philadelphia Orchestra--and there's enough variety here for everyone. --Edward Garabedian

Customer Reviews:

Lives Up To The Title, Fine Variety Of Genre's........2007-02-04

This CD is a great way to enjoy a large variety of Classical Composers & many of their best known pieces. Vivaldi's "Four Seasons," is an all time favorite. There are vocals, Piano pieces, & some fine Violins. I found the latter the most enjoyable. Here you can find Rodrigo & Pachelbell. Samuel Barber's haunting Adagio will make your skin tingle. This may not be to everyones taste, but if you wish to relax? Give this a couple of listens.

Good for relaxing pregnant women.......2007-01-17

I stumbled onto this album whilst searching bit torrent websites for classical music. I don't normally listen to classical music but thought it might be relaxing for my pregnant wife. After hearing the quality of the performances, the arrangement, and the recording I decided to buy the album from amazon. All the songs you would expect from a "best album in the world" are there and they are not boring to listen to like a lot of other classical albums. I now play this album in the car constantly and the wife requested it be played at the hospital during the birth.

Too much opera.......2007-01-10

If it wasn't for the opera this would be a great CD.

Does what it set out to do, very well.......2006-11-15

So i'm a classical music veteran, someone who prefers to collect a complete work, rather than classical compilations. I probably would not have listened to this album at all if my dad didnt buy it for me as a gift. By now, i own the complete works that over half of the excepts on this disc come from. I am a purist if ever there was one.

That said, i totally adore this set because i have learned to take it on its own terms. These discs weren't meant for expert classical listeners, so a review from that sort of mindset is useless. This set was meant for pure, easy listening, and for a basic starters kit for classical newbies. Most of all, it was just meant to do what the title says, to relax the average human being. classical expert or not.

Yes, some of these pieces have been altered or shortened, like Mozart's Flute and Harp Concerto Andantino, but they have been edited for a good enough reason: the full versions would have been too long to flow with the rest of the album. And also, the full versions contain so much development that they don't become easy listening anymore. The shortened versions work in the context of the album. Most essentially, the shortened versions on the discs still convey the main flavor the composers were going for. The melodies and themes remain unchanged.

To sum up, it is true that when i want to actually listen deeply to classical music, this album would never be a choice. I would want to hear the complete works like the composers intended. But at certain times when i simply don't mind about that stuff, when i just need to loosen up and free my mind of stress with some nice melodies, this set does the job well enough.

Last but not least: being a purist and a classical buff, i am very particular about performance quality. I was very glad to find that EMI did not get lazy about this. All the artists are world-class, and all the performances are at least exceptional. Some performances are even quite excellent, like the Clair De Lune, which is one of the best i've heard. (Credit to Dame Lympany, the pianist.)

So once again, recommended for its stated purpose, to relax. I am a purist, a classical buff, and i still enjoy this disc. That says something.

TRULY The most relaxing and beautiful music ever written........2006-11-10

This album along with Volume 2 are now the two most valued albums in my music collection. I have all of the songs contained on these two albums but they are scattered through at least a dozen different albums and several are not performed by artists such as those that recorded this album and Volume 2.
SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL !!!!!!!!!!

Average customer rating:

Against the grain but urgently needed.....
Fantastic
'One' of the best guitar master works, ever.
enjoyable for the guitar lovers out there
We know what you mean

Blow by Blow
Jeff Beck
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock Guitarists | Rock | Styles | Music

Guitar Gods | Rock Guitarists | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
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Wired
Truth
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ASIN: B00005AREQ
Release Date: 2001-03-27

Tracks:

You Know What I Mean
She's A Woman
Constipated Duck
AIR Blower
Scatterbrain
Cause We've Ended As Lovers
Thelonious
Freeway Jam
Diamond Dust

Amazon.com

His guitar-slinging contributions to the Yardbirds having dwarfed those of Eric Clapton or Jimmy Page, Mrs. Beck's bad boy spent the next several years playing blues-rock (the Jeff Beck Group with Rod Stewart), soul-rock (the second edition of that band), and leading a power trio. Then, he made this all-instrumental album, which was a huge 1975 success. Produced by George Martin, the nine-song session finds Beck fronting a keyboards-bass-drums outfit, augmented by some tastefully unobtrusive string arrangements. Call it a jazz-fusion album at your own risk. While Beck's playing is less in-your-face than his previous efforts, all the fierce attack, thick tone, microtonal bends, distortion, feedback, vibrato, sustain, sonic hoodoo, and rhythmic and harmonic creativity that the man's fans have come to know and love can be heard here. "Freeway Jam" boasts the most memorable melody and thus remains a Classic Rock staple to this day. "Cause We've Ended As Lovers"--written by Stevie Wonder--is Beck's gorgeous tribute to one of his own guitar-heroes, the now-deceased Roy Buchanan. --Don Waller

Album Details

Digitally Remastered Version of his Classic 1975 Release.produced By George Martin.

Customer Reviews:

Against the grain but urgently needed............2007-07-16

While Jeff Beck's offering here as well as his "virtuosity" have been touted by many realms of guitar aficionadom, I can't really say that the album here (or really much of his work) represents the best of the fusion genre or even serves as a mindblowing example of how electric guitar can be played without a pick (something that many Beck devotees point out ad nauseam...ugh). His ideas really don't coalesce all that well particularly here although "Cause We've ended as Lovers" has its moments but one song really doesn't cut it.

Anyway if you really want to delve into fusion from around this time more check out Parliament, Miles Davis ("Bitches Brew Era"), or Santana. For good examples of electric guitarists who axe the pick (no pun intended) check out Mark Knopfler and Lindsey Buckingham.

Fantastic.......2007-07-09

Beck is AWESOME. One of the most underrated guitarists I've heard...ever! He's definitely every bit as good as (and probably better than) Vai, Satriani, or Wylde. Beck has proven throughout the course of his career that he is talented, flexible in his style, and can play just about any type of music...WELL!

This is a "must have" CD for anyone who loves to hear a great guitarist and appreciates the complexities and nuances of what is going on with the instrument during the song, regardless of the type of music. I would also highly recommend Jeff Beck "Guitar Shop" and "You Had it Coming".

'One' of the best guitar master works, ever........2007-06-23

Ok, so after just receiving my long awaited copy of "Blow by Blow", Digitally Remastered, Reissued and Remixed by George Martin my vote is final. This is `one' of the all-time best guitar master works ever. "Scatterbrain", "Cause We've Ended As Lovers", "Freeway Jam" and of course "Diamond Dust" being the highlights. The other trac's are also very worthy grooves on this CD. The playback on a pro rig is incredible but if you have no perks as a professional it also sounds great on my iPod ripped in high-res. :-) Listen to the complete work.

enjoyable for the guitar lovers out there.......2007-05-19

I don't know much about Jeff Beck. I know he's listed as a highly innovative guitarist with a distinct sound, and that Rod Stewart used to be the lead singer in the older version of his band. I also know he's supposedly a hard person to get along with, which explains all the lineup changes over the years. Ritchie Blackmore had the same problem with the band Rainbow. No two Rainbow albums are alike because of that.

Anyway, since I know very little about this underrated guitar genius, I told myself "It's time to buy something... how about Blow By Blow?" Good choice? Yes! I also had friends who helped influence my decision to check out his stuff.

Let's be completely honest- even though "Freeway Jam" and "You Know What I Mean" are the popular songs on the album, you won't hear those songs on regular FM radio. Maybe back in the day, when this album was brand new, those songs would be played. No longer, unfortunately.

Really, my impression of Beck based on this experience was a very guitar-dominated album, with the occasional touches of slow blues, but mostly focusing on lengthy jams. There are some moments of funk and jazz, but those don't happen very often.

It's definitely not a typical guitar instrumental album, because of Beck's talent for throwing in dazzling little touches here and there. I actually love the music though, and repeated listens reveals a very spectacular and worthy album overall.

We know what you mean.......2007-02-13

Blow by Blow (1975) Jeff Beck's fifth studio album.

After a brief but potential stint with Tim Bogert and Carmine Appice in '73 and '74, Jeff finally went out on his own. The 'Jeff Beck Group' was finally at an end, and Beck knew that he would be going solo from now on. The result was a complete turn-around from his normal material, but that didn't bring it down in the slightest. In fact, it helped to develop his sound in a new way; he took on a new genre of music and made it his own. The sound is very distinct, as it is on the follow-up album "Wired". But what happened here in 1975 was nothing short of spectacular, and it stands as one of the finest and best-selling instrumental albums of all time, climbing the charts to hit an incredibly respectable number four.

Though every track here is outstanding, there are a few that absolutely blow you away. The starter, "You Know What I Mean", is a funky, jazz-rooted song that lures you into what this album is all about. Beck doesn't waste time to impress you. Solos sear across this first song which also features some very neat drum work. Three tracks that follow after this, "Constipated Duck", "Air Blower", and "Scatterbrain", are all genius, diving into a mix of rock and fusion, taking the jaziness of it and throwing it all around. All of these appear frequently in the sets that Mr. Beck does live.

The next and most famous track, "Cause We've Ended As Lovers", is Beck's signature song. No one dares to cover this song because they know that they can't do it better than Jeff. He makes his guitar cry. It pleads, weeping and wailing, yet it sighs so softly. It is incredible the amount of control that Beck demonstrates with his Stratocaster on this song. Another standout is "Freeway Jam", which has remained a radio staple for several years. Overall, this album is a must-have to anyone who is considering even looking to play a guitar. Instrumental albums don't get much better than this, and even Beck, in all his greatness, has found it difficult to produce another album of this calibre. Five stars up and away.

Average customer rating:

Very Enjoyable for all music fans
Absolutely Amazing! Two CDs packed with the world's most beautiful classical music...

The Classical Album 2005

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Defined
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ASIN: B000A8AXWW
Release Date: 2005-09-13

Customer Reviews:

Very Enjoyable for all music fans.......2006-03-02

This is very good collection of music that brings to life a wide variety of music that is both old and contemporary. The selections vary from composers, historical and famous such as Pavarotti and Puccini to today's James Horner (Titanic, A Beauituful Mind) and John Williams (Star Wars, Sabrina, Jaws, Saving Private Ryan).

If you enjoy the sounds of Sarah Brightman, Charlotte Church, Enya, Kate Bush, Andrea Bocelli, and various theatre music (Andrew Lloyd Webber (Evita, Cats), then you will find this collection worthy of your appreciation.

I have often wondered why classical music radio channels do not play modern composers (i.e., Horner, Willams), and am glad that this album gives them credit that they deserve. There is so many good compositions being created every day that only appear to have a voice on the big screen, which is unfortunate.

Track 11, composed by The Doors, and is a nice version, indeed. I also enjoy the Bond players giving a new twist to some old favourites.

Ciao,
Neil

Absolutely Amazing! Two CDs packed with the world's most beautiful classical music..........2005-11-08

First, let me begin by saying that I am by no means an expert in classical music, but have grown to appreciate it immensely in the past year. I can say wholeheartedly that this is the most beautiful compilation of music I have ever had the pleasure of listening to. It's simple irresistible. There are few words to describe how emotional it is to hear Pavarotti sing "II Canto", or Placido Domingo belt out "Questa o quella". You just get numb with joy!! I have NO idea what they are saying but a translation not necessary. The entire collection (TWo jammed-packed CDs) is phenomenal (excluding the selections from "Bond" which I found to be particularly annoying and not at all "classical" in the true sense of the word). There is something here for everyone, regardless of your personal musical tastes or tolerances.

A guaranteed hit -- Don't miss this one.

CD One

Andrea Bocelli "En Aranjuez con tu amor"
Bryn Terfel - "Granada"
Bond - "Viva" ( not my favorite, sounds almost disco-ish)
Hayley Westenra - "Pokarekare Ana"
Luciano Pavarotti - "Una Mattina"
Katherine jenkins - "Time To Say Goodbye" (a heart stopper - so beautiful!)
Duel - "Canon" (lovely!)
Janine Jansen - "Allegro from 'Spring'"
Andreas Scholl - "Ombra mai fu"
Nigel Kennedy - "The Unknown Soldier"
Kiri Te Kanawa - "Nuns' Chorus"
Nelson Freire - "Chopin Etude No. 1 op. 25
Julian Lloyd Webber - "Flight of the Bumble-bee"
James Horner - "For the Love of a Princess
Hans Zimmer & Lisa Gerrard "Now We Are Free"
Renee Fleming - "Mesicku na nebi hlubokem"
Russell Watson - "Amore e Musica"

CD TWO

Luciano Pavarotti - "II Canto" (I MUST see him sing this in person!!)
Placido Domingo - "Questa o quello" (I never tire of hearing this)
Andrea Bocelli & Bryn Terfel - "the Pearl Fisher's Duet"
Jose Carreras - "Funiculi, funicula
Dominc Miller & Kaori Muraji - "Fragile"
Tavener - "Song for Athene"
Josep Calleja - "La donna e mobile"
Jean-Yves Thibaudet - "Gymopedie No. 1"
Juan Diego Florez - "Una furtiva lagrima"
Kathleen Ferrier - "Blow the Wind Southerly"
Angela Gheorghiu - "Ave Maria"
Janine Jansen - "Schindler's List Main Theme"
Bond - "explosive"
Secret Garden - "You Raise Me Up"
Hayley Westenra - "Never Say Goodbye"
The Three Tenors - "Nessun Dorma"

Enjoy!

Cris Cunningham for Amazon.com

Mussorgsky: The Nursery: Sunless; Songs and Dances of Death

Average customer rating:

Something very special
Music to make you forget who you are for a minute

Mussorgsky: The Nursery: Sunless; Songs and Dances of Death

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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Lakme
The Devil's Trill: Showpieces for violin & piano
Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer

ASIN: B00008QSCF
Release Date: 2003-04-08

Tracks:

Where Are You, Little Star?
Darling Savishna
I. With Nanny
II. In The Corner
III. The Beetle
IV. With The Doll
V. At Bedtime
VI. The Hobby-Horse
VII. The Cat 'Sailor'
Lullaby
I. Within Four Walls
II. You Did Not See Me In The Crowd
III. An End To The Futile, Hectic Day
IV. Ennui
V. Elegy
VI. On The River
King Saul
Hopak
The Wild Winds Blow
I. Trepak
II. Lullaby
III. Serenade
IV. The Field-Marshal
Mephistopheles' Song Of The Flea

Customer Reviews:

Something very special.......2004-04-21

The previous reviewer was pretty much spot on. Christoff is genuinely magnificent in these recordings, power and beauty coexist in his voice, and the deep emotion he expresses is made more powerful by being tempered by control. The accompaniment serves to showcase this voice and is more than adequate to this task. It is perhaps not always "Herbert Von Karajan" smooth, but this is probably no disadvantage, you could argue that this is in keeping with this selection of Mussorgsky's wonderful"rough hewn" folk flavoured music. As the previous reviewer indicated, this will appeal to fans of the unusual as it is in itself something remarkably different to almost anything I've heard before. I can say however that out of the 1000 + recordings I own, it is very probably the one I am most glad I purchased, and certainly one of my very favourites. Unfortunately I am probably preaching to the choir, as if you are reading this review you probably already enjoy Mussorgsky, or are at least familiar or interested in his work. You may also be a fan of Schubert's song cycles and Lieder.If that is the case then you should certainly enjoy this C.D. The sad point is that this recording should also appeal to people who as yet still believe that they have no interest in "Classical" music, and may never come across this recording. I would certainly recommend this to Tom Waits fans for a start, especially those who enjoyed his recent album "Alice",and also afficionados of Folk music, World music or the art of songwriting.
I know it's a cliche, but I'd have to give this 6 stars out of 5

Music to make you forget who you are for a minute.......2003-08-13

I was told about Christoff's 1950s recordings by a musician friend. I had heard a little bit about him, and was already
familiar with some of the Mussorgsky songs in another recording,
so figured I couldn't miss. To say that I was flabbergasted would be putting it lightly. The man was not only a superb singer - what control! what versatility! - he was a consummate actor. After all, they say he was the best Boris Godunov since Chaliapin - I believe it. But, to particulars: On the first half of this disc he is accompanied by a terrific pianist (whose name temporarily escapes me)and on the other half by the Orchestre de la Radiodiffusion Francaise, who are a tad ragged (as they often were) and undermiked at times but fine powerful accompaniment. If all you know of Mussorgsky is the Pictures - and you have a taste for the unusual - you owe it to yourself to pick this up. Your life will never be quite the same again, I guarantee it!

Average customer rating:

Against the grain but urgently needed.....
Fantastic
'One' of the best guitar master works, ever.
enjoyable for the guitar lovers out there
We know what you mean

Blow by Blow
Jeff Beck
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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Wired
Truth
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There and Back
Jeff

ASIN: B00005MK6Y
Release Date: 2001-07-31

Tracks:

You Know What I Mean
She's a Woman
Constipated Duck
Air Blower
Scatterbrain
Cause We've Ended as Lovers
Thelonius
Freeway Jam
Diamond Dust

Amazon.com

Album Details

Digitally Remastered Version of his Classic 1975 Release.produced By George Martin.

Customer Reviews:

Against the grain but urgently needed............2007-07-16

Fantastic.......2007-07-09

'One' of the best guitar master works, ever........2007-06-23

enjoyable for the guitar lovers out there.......2007-05-19

We know what you mean.......2007-02-13

Average customer rating:

Against the grain but urgently needed.....
Fantastic
'One' of the best guitar master works, ever.
enjoyable for the guitar lovers out there
We know what you mean

Blow by Blow
Jeff Beck
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

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Wired
Truth
Jeff Beck's Guitar Shop
There and Back
Jeff

ASIN: B000002546
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

You Know What I Mean
She's A Woman
Constipated Duck
Air Blower
Scatterbrain
Cause We've Ended As Lovers
Thelonius
Freeway Jam
Diamond Dust

Amazon.com

Album Details

Digitally Remastered Version of his Classic 1975 Release.produced By George Martin.

Customer Reviews:

Against the grain but urgently needed............2007-07-16

Fantastic.......2007-07-09

'One' of the best guitar master works, ever........2007-06-23

enjoyable for the guitar lovers out there.......2007-05-19

We know what you mean.......2007-02-13

Average customer rating:

Fine work, by a fine gentleman...

George London In Concert

Manufacturer: Video Artists Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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Famous Voices of the Past

ASIN: B000003LJ3
Release Date: 1995-11-06

Tracks:

O Nuit, deesse du mystere
Verzosette e care pupillette
Deh, dolc'anima mia
Der Zwerg
An Silvia
Die Allmacht
An die Musik
Songs and Dances of Death: Trepak
Songs and Dances of Death: Cradle Song
Songs and Dances of Death: Ser
Songs and Dances of Death: The Warrior Captain (Polkovodyets)
The Sally Gardens (Irish folk melody)
We are a Hundred Pipers (Scottish folk melody)
Turn Ye to Me (Scottish folk melody)
Hangman, Hangman, Slack on the Line (American folk song)
I Wonder As I Wander
Blow the Man Down (Sea chanty)

Customer Reviews:

Fine work, by a fine gentleman..........2002-05-26

George London had a voice I've seen described as pantherish. The sound is black, silken, powerful, and often overwhelmingly passionate. As the CD title says, this is from a concert he gave in 1957, accompanied by pianist John Newmark, who does excellent work here. We get quite a variety of songs here, from German Lied to Mussorsgky's Songs and Dances of Death to American and Celtic based folk.

I must admit that London surprised me on this album many times. While I expect him to do the powerful songs superbly, it's hard to expect tenderness in a wonderful old tune like Turn Ye To Me, a Scottish melody. Not from George London- Mister `Voice of Wotan' himself... but he pulls it off excellently to my ears. No, he will not erase memories of John McCormack and Kenneth MacKellar, but it's wonderful to hear a fine bass-baritone version of this song. Thank ye, George, wherever ye may be. He even does Down By The Sally Gardens in a fashion that fits the song very well, thank you. For those who love the lower male voices, as I do, this CD comes highly recommended.

Tracks:

What Is Life To Me Without Thee?
Che Puro Ciel
Art Thou Troubled?
Ombra Mai Fu
An Die Musik
Der Musensohn
Gretchen Am Spinnrade
Die Junge Nonne
Woe Unto Them
O Rest In The Lord
Er, Der Herrlichste Von Allen
Geistliches Wiegenlied
Sapphische Ode
Botschaft
Like As The Love-Torn Turtle
A Soft Day
Go Not Happy Day
Come You Not From Newcastle
The Keel Row
Ma Bonny Lad
Kitty My Love
Blow The Wind Southernly

Tracks:

Ye Banks And Braes
I Have A Bonnet Trimmed With Blue
Down By The Salley Gardens
The Stuttering Lovers
Drink To Me Only
Hark! The Echoing Air
Father Of Heaven
O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings To Zion
He Was Despised
Have Mercy, Lord On Me
Agnus Dei
All Is Fulfilled
Du Bist Die Ruh' - Bruno Walter
Romance - Bruno Walter
Ich Bin Der Welt Abhanden Gekommen
Ich Atmet' Einen Linden Duft
Um Mitternacht

Customer Reviews:

Awesome voice, exquisite performances.......2006-08-27

These two CDs contain a great selection of classical, operatic and folk songs in English, German and Italian by the famous contralto (1912 - 1953). Highlights on the first CD include What Is Life from Orfeo et Euridice, Art Thou Troubled from Rodelina, Woe Unto Them and O Rest In The Lord from Elijah and the traditional song Blow The Wind Southerly.

My personal favorites appear on the second CD. The first is the divine Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes, the Ben Jonson poem, which is a most mystical and transcending listening experience. The buoyant Stuttering Lovers is most catchy and appealing. Both of the aforementioned are sung to the piano accompaniment of pianist Phyllis Spurr.

Backed by the London Philharmonic, Ferrier renders splendid versions of Father Of Heaven from Judas Maccabaeus and O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings To Zion from The Messiah. These are truly awesome, the first one slow and somber, the second joyous and triumphant. Other highlights on this second CD include He Was Despised from The Messiah and All Is Fulfilled from St John Passion by Bach.

The informative CD booklet contains black and white photographs, a short biography in English, French and German, plus complete information on the recording of the tracks: composers, dates, venues, conductors and musicians. Kathleen Ferrier was a unique vocalist who made a magnficent contribution to classical and folk music.

It may take you a little time to love her voice.......2004-08-19

Kathleen Ferrier has one of the most instantly recognizable voices in music. And it's a voice that might take you time to love. As an eight year old I heard her version of Blow the Wind Southerly many times on British radio and intensely disliked it. I wasn't sure if it was a man or a woman, adult or child, such is the nature of her contralto. But over the years, especially hearing Ferrier sing Handel and Mahler, I've come to treasure her recordings alongside Callas, Sutherland, Flagstad and Baker. This two disc set contains performances which are about 45-55 years old. Many favourites are here especially the folk songs and selections from Bach, Handel and Mahler. The sound quality is excellent. The sleeve notes mention that Ferrier's vocal delivery may sound old fashioned to our ears. But her remarkable voice which stirs one's deepest emotions, transcends any thought of quaintness or mannerism. She is, quite simply, the greatest contralto ever. This selection will have you seeking out her other recordings on Amazon.com. And it might also lead you to Virginia Rodrigues, a Brazilian contralto with a superb voice who, like Ferrier, makes everything she sings, her own.

Average customer rating:

Encourage your brooders to set
Consummate Artistry!

Down By the Salley Gardens

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Folk | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00005MOC9
Release Date: 2001-08-28

Tracks:

The Jolly Miller
Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes
The Foggy, Foggy Dew
The Isle Of Cloy
The Trees They Grow So High
Died For Love
Lovely Mollie
I Love My Love
the Shooting Of His Dear
Down By The Salley Gardens
The Old Turn Fire
Ye Banks And Braes
Barb'ra Ellen
Barbara Allen
She Moved Thro' The Fair
The star Of The County Down
Sweet Nightengale
Blow The Wind Southerly
The British Waterside
The Pressgang
Little Sir William
Six Dukes Went A-Fishin'
Sweet Polly Oliver
Bold William Taylor
Charlie Is My Darling
O Waly, Waly

Customer Reviews:

Encourage your brooders to set.......2003-03-08

This album falls gracelessly between two stools: art song and folk song. Listening to it was like being stuck in an endless after-dinner recital when all I really wanted to do was drape the concert notes over my eyes and snooze.

I wanted to be polite. After all, I really loved the albums Benjamin Luxon cut with Bill Crofut, where many of this album's songs also appear, only sung in a very tuneful and endearing manner. I highly recommend their "Dance to Your Daddy," "Two Gentlemen Folk," and "Simple Gifts."

For that matter, I'd recommend this baritone's classical CDs to anyone. He sings a mean Bach.

This album? Well, I'm glad Amazon's two-star rating means 'not for me' instead of 'this recording is so incredibly one-dimensional and boring that I'm going to pipe it into my hen house to encourage the brooders to set.'

I know some people will love listening to Benjamin Luxon sing twenty-six English folk songs in what my untrained ear seemed to think was exactly the same manner, tempo, and volume, accompanied by what sounded like the same tune on the piano for all twenty-six tracks (maybe the pianist got sick after the first track and the album's producers thought no one would notice if they recycled his accompaniment twenty-five times). After all, the previous reviewer gave this album five stars and a very respectful evaluation.

I'm saying if you want to hear Benjamin Luxon sing 'Down by the Salley Gardens,' you will be better off with "Dance to Your Daddy" rather than this CD.

Consummate Artistry!.......2002-02-22

In the mid 1990's, Benjamin Luxon was forced to give up
a major international presence singing opera/oratorio/songs because
of his growing deafness. This wonderful reissue gives us a taste
of what we lost yet is a reminder of his consummate artistry.
Luxon and his accompanist, David Willison, give loving
and sometimes spirited interpretations of a wide crossection
of British Isle traditional and folk songs. Thank you, Chandos,
for this reminder of the excellent gifts that Benjamin Luxon shared with us.

A.E. Housman: A Shropshire Lad, Complete in verse and song

Average customer rating:

A.E. Housman: A Shropshire Lad, Complete in verse and song
Alan Bates , Anthony Rolfe Johnson , and Graham Johnson
Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00005S85Q
Release Date: 2001-12-11

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