Too Good to Be True

Track Listings
1. That’s Too Good To Be True    
2. I Wonder If I Care As Much    
3. How Did We Stay Together    
4. Maybe Tomorrow    
5. I Didn’t Mean To Go This Far    
6. Should We Tell Him    
7. It’s Too Late To Say Goodbye    
8. Since You Broke My Heart    
9. All I Ask Of Life    
10. Give Me A Future    
11. I’ll Throw Myself At You    
12. Made To Love    
13. Life Ain’t Worth Living    
14. Kiss Me Once    
15. Dancing On My Feet    
16. Do You Love Me    
17. When Will I Be Loved    
18. It’s All Over    

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
The Everly Brothers are well known for such classics as "Bye Bye Love," "Wake Up Little Susie" and "All I Have To Do Is Dream." These hits and many others have been issued on countless collections over the years, but the songs contained in this release have never seen the light of day until now!
The majority of the songs featured in this collection are demo recordings made in 1957 for their publishing company, Acuff-Rose. The songs are all Everly originals, some are familiar tunes. This is The Everly Brothers, as you’ve never heard them, just them singing with guitar.


Too Good to Be True, Music, The Everly Brothers, Close Harmony, Oldies, Pop, Pop/Rock, Rock, Rock & Roll
Somewhere over the Rainbow: The Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • They were right--there is NO business like the show business they did way back when !!!
  • One of the best cds I ever bought.
  • Never Sounded Better
  • Somewhere Over The Rainbow
  • "Hollywood Musicals of the Golden Age are still among us"
Somewhere over the Rainbow: The Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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GeneralGeneral | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
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Rhino RecordsRhino Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
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  5. That's Entertainment!: The Best Of The M-G-M Musicals - Motion Picture Soundtrack Anthology

ASIN: B000066RO5
Release Date: 2002-06-04

Tracks:

  1. Singin In The Rain - Gene Kelly
  2. Theres No Business Like Show Business - Betty Hutton, Howard Keel, Keenan Wynn & Louis Calhern
  3. 'S Wonderful - Gene Kelly & Georges Guetary
  4. Thats Entertainment! - Fred Astaire, Jack Buchanan, Nanette Fabray & Oscar Levant
  5. Stranger In Paradise - Ann Blyth & Vic Damone
  6. Easter Parade - Judy Garland & Fred Astaire
  7. Lullaby Of Broadway - Winifred Shaw, Dick Powell & Chorus
  8. Get Happy - Judy Garland
  9. Night And Day - Fred Astaire
  10. True Love - Bing Crosby & Grace Kelly
  11. Honeysuckle Rose - Lena Horne w/ Benny Carter & His Orchestra
  12. They Cant Take That Away From Me - Fred Astaire
  13. Milkman, Keep Those Bottles Quiet - Nancy Walker & The M-G-M Studio Chorus w/ Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
  14. Baby, Its Cold Outside - Esther Williams & Ricardo Montalban
  15. For Me And My Gal - Gene Kelly & Judy Garland
  16. Puttin On The Ritz - Clark Gable & Co.
  17. Hallelujah! - Tony Martin, Vic Damone, Kay Armen, Ann Miller, Debbie Reynolds, Clark Burroughs & Co.
  18. Bless Yore Beautiful Hide - Howard Keel
  19. Taking A Chance On Love - Ethel Waters & Eddie "Rochester" Anderson
  20. As Time Goes By - Dooley Wilson w/ Elliot Carpenter (Bonus Track)
  21. Laras Theme (Main Title) - The M-G-M Studio Orchestra (Bonus Track)

Tracks:

  1. Over The Rainbow - Judy Garland
  2. Its A Most Unusual Day - Jane Powell
  3. Wunderbar - Kathryn Grayson & Howard Keel
  4. Cant Help Lovin Dat Man - Ava Gardner
  5. Going Hollywood - Bing Crosby
  6. The Trolley Song - Judy Garland, The M-G-M Studio Chorus
  7. Gigi - Louis Jourdan
  8. I Got Rhythm - Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney & Co.
  9. Aba Daba Honeymoon - Debbie Reynolds, Carleton Carpenter & M-G-M Studio Chorus
  10. The Lady Is A Tramp - Lena Horne
  11. The Best Things In Life Are Free - June Allyson & Peter Lawford
  12. Cheek To Cheek - Fred Astaire
  13. A Kiss To Build A Dream On - Louis Armstrong
  14. Put 'Em In A Box - Doris Day & The Page Cavanaugh Trio
  15. If Swing Goes, I Go Too - Fred Astaire
  16. Almost Like Being In Love - Gene Kelly
  17. Lets Face The Music And Dance - Fred Astaire
  18. Be A Clown - Gene Kelly & Judy Garland
  19. Embraceable You - Connie Francis
  20. On The Atchison, Topeka And The Santa Fe - Judy Garland & Co.
  21. One For My Baby (And One More For The Road) - Fred Astaire

Amazon.com

The "Golden Age" referred to here spans The Jazz Singer and the advent of the talkies to the death throes of the old studio system in the 1960s. So vast was the era's musical landscape that even this 42-track, double-disc anthology can't encompass all its peaks. Not surprisingly, the bulk of this collection originated with the Tiffany's of the screen musical, M-G-M, a body of work whose riches here encompass both pop-cultural bedrock ("Over the Rainbow," "Singin' in the Rain," "There's No Business Like Show Business," etc.) and some less familiar, if equally delightful star turns: Clark Gable gamely "Puttin' On the Ritz"; the sassy, 1948 original of "The Lady Is a Tramp" by Lena Horne; and a loopy duet of "Baby, It's Cold Outside" by Esther Williams and Ricardo Montalban. Fred Astaire's elegant, epochal reign at RKO and M-G-M is represented by "Night and Day," "Let's Face the Music and Dance," and three others, while Metro mainstays Gene Kelly and Judy Garland share equal time and billing. It's not perfect--Cagney's "Yankee Doodle Boy" and/or some Sinatra seem more logical choices than the odd "bonus" duet of Casablanca's "As Time Goes By" and "Lara's Theme" from Dr. Zhivago that close out disc one--but it's a stunning, surprisingly comprehensive primer on the Hollywood film musical nonetheless. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars They were right--there is NO business like the show business they did way back when !!!.......2006-11-18

Everything that happens in life
Can happen in a show
You can make 'em laugh
You can make 'em cry
Anything
Anything can go....

The clown with his pants falling down
Or the dance that's a dream of romance
Or the scene where the villain is mean
That's entertainment!

The lights on the lady in tights
Or the bride with the guy on the side
Or the ball where she gives him her all
That's entertainment!

The plot and the hot simply teeming with $ex
A gay divorcee who is after her ex
It could be Oedipus Rex
Where a chap kills his father
And causes a lot of bother

The clerk who is thrown out of work
By the boss who is thrown for a loss
By the skirt who is doing him dirt

The world is a stage,
The stage is a world of entertainment!

This two CD set amply proves that the musical melodies and lyrics from the golden age of the Hollywood musical remain unsurpassed to this day. This generous two CD set offers 42 incredible songs from Hollywood classic musicals. Most of these fine numbers are indeed from MGM, as Amazon correctly notes; but there are some RKO numbers and even a little from Warner Brothers. Thank goodness, though, that most of these songs came from MGM movies; MGM was the only studio that could boast that it truly had "more stars than there are in the heavens."

I love so many songs on these two CDs. Of course, there's the unforgettable classic "Over The Rainbow" sung by Judy Garland; she also performs "Easter Parade" and "Get Happy" on this two CD set and she carries most of the tune for "I Got Rhythm" even though Mickey Rooney helps her a little. I love "Baby, It's Cold Outside" for its' romantic overtones; and Lena Horne's "The Lady Is A Tramp" is flawless! We also get a rare chance to hear Clark Gable sing in "Puttin' On The Ritz;" and Bing Crosby's "Going Hollywood" may be brief but it's a fun song anyway.

There are two "bonus" tracks on the first CD: "As Time Goes By" from Casablanca and "Lara's Theme" from Doctor Zhivago. "As Time Goes By" is a good choice; it is another unsurpassed classic song that brings back memories and touches even the hardest of hearts. "Lara's Theme," however, is from the mid 1960s and I don't consider this period to be part of the "golden age" of Hollywood musicals.

The liner notes are excellent and they offer wonderful photos of the stars as well. The cover art is well done and the reverse cover art tells which movie each song is from and who is performing each song. Moreover, the quality of the sound is excellent especially when you consider that these numbers were recorded quite a few decades ago.

In short, this superlative two CD highlights the glory of the Hollywood musical when a certain type of sophistication dominated professional movie production. I highly recommend this CD for fans of Hollywood musicals, classic pop vocals and fans of the artists and actors who perform on this two CD set.

5 out of 5 stars One of the best cds I ever bought. .......2006-06-07

What an amazon collection of songs! This is bar none my favorite cd just because of the variety and the quality of songs on it. I love music from this era, and this cd is the perfect companion to my life. Love it! Buy it, you won't regret it for a moment!

1 out of 5 stars Never Sounded Better.......2006-03-16

Apart from the great selection of soundtracks, what really makes this compilation top value is the quality of the sound processing. Executed with finesse, these tracks sound better than when first issued and many are unedited, fuller versions: like "Singing In The Rain", for example. Throw in the great price, and this double disc set is a "must have" for all lovers of classic movie music.

5 out of 5 stars Somewhere Over The Rainbow.......2006-02-24

A Sensational CD with Lots of Showtunes that Keep You Happy and makes You Want To Sing Along With!!!

5 out of 5 stars "Hollywood Musicals of the Golden Age are still among us".......2005-07-13

Rhino Records and Turner Classic Movies Music present - "SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW: THE GOLDEN AGE OF HOLLYWOOD MUSICALS", some of the long ago musicals and stars that will never be forgotten...a 2-CD-Set covering several decades from 1935-1965 with many of the show stoppers of that time...some rare moments from entertainers that you haven't heard or thought of in sometime.

The lineup is fantastic and gives the listener a variety of what musicals were all about in the "Golden Age of the Hollywood Musicals"
June Allyson, Kay Armen, Louis Armstrong, Fred Astaire, Ann Blyth, Jack Buchanan, Louis Calhern, Bing Crosby, Vic Damone, Doris Day, Nanette Fabray, Connie Francis, Ava Gardner, Judy Garland, Kathyrn Grayson, Georges Guetary, Lena Horne, Betty Hutton, Louis Jourdan, Howard Keel, Gene Kelly, Grace Kelly, Peter Lawford, Oscar Levant, Ann Miller, Ricardo Montalban, Page Cavanaugh Trio, Debbie Reynolds, Winifred Shaw, Nancy Walker, Ethel Waters, Esther Williams, Dooley Williams and Keenan Wynn.

On Disc One 21 Classic Songs from great musicals with songs in alphabetical order:
AS TIME GOES BY - Dooley Wilson with Elliot Carpenter, pianist (1942)
BABY, IT'S COLD OUTSIDE - Esther Williams & Ricardo Montalban (1949)
BLESS, YORE BEAUTIFUL HIDE - Howard Keel (1954)
EASTER PARADE - Fred Astaire & Judy Garland (1948)
FOR ME AND MY GAL - Gene Kelly & Judy Garland (1942)
GET HAPPY - Judy Garland (1950)
HALLELUJAH! - Tony Martin, Vic Damone, Kay Armen, Ann Miller, Debbie Reynolds, Clark Burroughs (for Russ Tamblyn) (1955)
HONEYSUCKLE ROSE - Lena Horne with Benny Carter & His Orchestra (1943)
LARA'S THEME (MAIN TITLE) - M-G-M Studio Orchestra (1965)
LULLABY OF BROADWAY - Winifred Shaw & Dick Powell (1935)
MILKMAN, KEEP THOSE BOTTLES QUIET - Nancy Walker with Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra (1944)
NIGHT AND DAY - Fred Astaire (1934)
PUTTIN' ON THE RITZ - Clark Gable & Company (1939)
'S WONDERFUL - Gene Kelly & Georges Guetary (1951)
SINGIN' IN THE RAIN - Gene Kelly (1951)
STRANGER IN PARADISE - Ann Blyth & Vic Damone (1955)
TAKING A CHANCE ON LOVE - Ethel Waters & Eddie "Rochester" Anderson (1943)
THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT - Fred Astaire, Jack Buchanan, Nanette Fabray & Oscar Levant (1953)
THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS - Betty Hutton, Howard Keel, Keenan Wynn & Louis Calhern (1950)
THEY CAN'T TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME - Fred Astaire (1949)
TRUE LOVE - Bing Crosby & Grace Kelly (1956)

On Disc Two more memorable performances from the Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals:
A KISS TO BUILD A DREAM ON - Louis Armstrong (1951)
ABA DABA HONEYMOON - Debbie Reynolds & Carleton Carpenter (1950)
ALMOST LIKE BEING IN LOVE - Gene Kelly (1954)
BE A CLOWN - Judy Garland & Gene Kelly (1948)
BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE - June Allyson & Peter Lawford (1947)
CAN'T HELP LOVIN' DAT MAN - Ava Gardner (beautiful woman, who my youngest grandaughter is named after...Avalon) (1951)
CHEEK TO CHEEK - Fred Astaire (1935)
EMBRACEABLE YOU - Connie Francis (1965)
GIGI - Louis Jourdan (1958)
GOING HOLLYWOOD - Bing Crosby (1933)
I GOT RHYTHM - Judy Garland & Mickey Rooney (1943)
IF SWING GOES, I GO TOO - Fred Astaire (1946)
IT'S A MOST UNUSUAL DAY - Jane Powell (1948)
LADY IS A TRAMP - Lena Horne (1948)
LET'S FACE THE MUSIC AND DANCE - Fred Astaire (1936)
ON THE ATCHISON, TOPEKA AND THE SANTA FE - Judy Garland & Company (1946)
ONE FOR MY BABY (AND ONE MORE FOR THE ROAD) - Fred Astaire (1943)
OVER THE RAINBOW - Judy Garland (became her theme song for the rest of her life) (1939)
PUT 'EM IN A BOX - Doris Day & the Page Cavanaugh Trio (1948)
THE TROLLEY SONG - Judy Garland & MGM Studio Chorus (1944)
WUNDERBAR - Kathryn Grayson & Howard Keel (two of MGM's favorite singing duos) (1953)

It was once said by the songwriters of that era - "There are two artists you want perform your songs on the big screen, they are Fred Astaire and Judy Garland they sing it just the way we wrote it, for which you will have a guaranteed hit on your hands"...well, this collections certainly has some merit to that statement...because with Judy Garland and Fred Astaire performing seven songs each, there must be something to it.

This collection of musicals still has the magic that we remember from those bygone years...but as long as we have the labels and networks who play and show these wonderful films of yesteryear, they will never be forgotten...hats off to Rhino Records, George Feltenstein (producer) and Doug Schwartz (engineer) and Turner Classic Movies for sharing those 42 selections from 42 films...celebrating decades of the tunes and artists that gave it their all...from what it commonly called "The Hollywood Dream Factory"...The Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals is still among us...gotta love it!

Total Time: 2-CD-Set ~ Rhino Records 78323 ~ (6/02/2002)
Too Good to Be True
Average customer rating: Not rated
    Too Good to Be True
    St. Petersburg Ska Jazz Review
    Manufacturer: P-Vine
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Styles | Music
    JazzJazz | Imports | Stores | Music
    ASIN: B000NVTHFU
    Release Date: 2007-05-14

    Tracks:

    1. Skatana
    2. Mr. Big Stuff
    3. Skokiaan
    4. Policy of Truth
    5. Too Good to Be True
    6. Last Warning
    7. Under the Big Top
    8. Old Devil Moon
    9. Baby I'm Glad You're Mine
    10. My Little Cloud
    11. 4.70
    12. Only Today
    13. Babysitter Stomp
    14. Wounded Lion
    15. Juzzt Waltz

    Album Details

    Includes the Bonus Track "st Thomas".
    Too Good to Be True
    Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    • unreleased demos For the true everly fans
    • Surprise.
    Too Good to Be True
    The Everly Brothers
    Manufacturer: Varese Sarabande
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    GeneralGeneral | Country | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Pop | Styles | Music
    Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
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    1. Give Me a Future
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    ASIN: B0009NZ3UU
    Release Date: 2005-06-14

    Tracks:

    1. Thats Too Good To Be True
    2. I Wonder If I Care As Much
    3. How Did We Stay Together
    4. Maybe Tomorrow
    5. I Didnt Mean To Go This Far
    6. Should We Tell Him
    7. Its Too Late To Say Goodbye
    8. Since You Broke My Heart
    9. All I Ask Of Life
    10. Give Me A Future
    11. Ill Throw Myself At You
    12. Made To Love
    13. Life Aint Worth Living
    14. Kiss Me Once
    15. Dancing On My Feet
    16. Do You Love Me
    17. When Will I Be Loved
    18. Its All Over

    Album Description

    The Everly Brothers are well known for such classics as "Bye Bye Love," "Wake Up Little Susie" and "All I Have To Do Is Dream." These hits and many others have been issued on countless collections over the years, but the songs contained in this release have never seen the light of day until now!
    The majority of the songs featured in this collection are demo recordings made in 1957 for their publishing company, Acuff-Rose. The songs are all Everly originals, some are familiar tunes. This is The Everly Brothers, as you've never heard them, just them singing with guitar.

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars unreleased demos For the true everly fans.......2005-06-30

    I was sure surprised by this release. I would only recommend it to fans who are completing there everly collection. Phil and Don sound great in these early demos all from the 50's except "It's all over" from 1976. These are all acoustic versions with lots of reverb on alot of them. To hear a early version of "I wonder if I care as much" is worth the album alone. I personally like most of the original master recordings better but one exception is "dancing on my feet" which Phil wrote and recorded, the warner version was one of the worse things the everlys did. The best thing about this album is the never before heard songs phil and don do together.

    5 out of 5 stars Surprise........2005-06-24

    The early versions of some of their well-known songs stand up just as well as the released versions. "I Wonder If I Care As Much" and "When Will I Be Loved" come to mind as stand-outs. The big surprise here is that each of the previously unreleased tunes (of which there are many) is written and performed EXPERTLY. JUST as good as anything they put out. Ya gotta get this one.
    Handel: Belshazzar
    Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    • ISSUE RESOLVED ON THE EUPHRATES
    • Enjoiyable, but lacking, too.
    Handel: Belshazzar

    Manufacturer: Archiv Produktion
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

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    Pinnock, TrevorPinnock, Trevor | ( P ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
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    ASIN: B0001ZWGHY
    Release Date: 2004-06-15

    Tracks:

    1. Overture
    2. Vain, Fluctuating State Of Human Empire!
    3. Thou, God Most High, And Thou Alone
    4. The Fate Of Babylon, I Fear, Is Nigh
    5. Lament Not Thus, Oh Queen, In Vain!
    6. Behold, By Persia's Hero Made
    7. Well May They Laugh/Oh Memory! Still Bitter To My Soul
    8. Opprest With Never-Ceasing Grief
    9. Dry Thoes Unavailing Tears
    10. Be Comforted: Safe Though The Tyrant Seem/Methought, As On The Bank Of Deep Euphrates
    11. Now, Tell Me, Gobrias
    12. Behold The Monstrous Human Beast
    13. Can You Then Think It Strange
    14. Great God! Who, Yet But Darkly Known
    15. My Friends, Be Confident
    16. All Empires Upon God Depend
    17. Oh Sacred Oracles Of Truth!
    18. Rejoyce, My Countrymen
    19. Sing, Oh Ye Heav'ns!

    Tracks:

    1. Let Festal Joy Triumphant Reign!
    2. For You, My Friends
    3. The Leafy Honours Of The Field
    4. It Is The Custom, I May Say, The Law
    5. Recall, Oh King! Thy Rash Command
    6. They Tell You True
    7. Oh Dearer Than My Life, Forebear!
    8. By Slow Degrees The Wrath Of God
    9. See, From His Post Euphrates Flies!
    10. You See, My Friends, A Path
    11. Amaz'd To Find The Foe So Near
    12. To Arms, To Arms! No More Delay!
    13. Ye Tutelar Gods Of Our Empire
    14. Let The Deep Bowl Thy Praise Confess
    15. Where Is The God Of Judah's Boasted Pow'r?
    16. Call All My Wise Men

    Tracks:

    1. A Singony (Allegro Postillions)
    2. Ye Sages! Welcome Always To Your King/Alas! Too Hard A Task The King Imposes
    3. Oh Misery! - Oh Terror! - Hopeless Grief!
    4. Oh King, Live For Ever!
    5. No! To Thyself Thy Trifles Be
    6. Yet, To Obey His Dread Command
    7. Oh Sentence To Severe!
    8. Oh God Of Truth! Oh Faithful Guide!
    9. You, Gobrias, Lead Directly To The Palace
    10. Oh Glorious Prince!
    11. Alternate Hopes And Fears
    12. Fain Would I Hope
    13. Can The Black Aethiop Change His Skin?
    14. My Hopes Revive
    15. Bel Boweth Down!
    16. I Thank, Thee, Sesach
    17. A Martial Symphony
    18. To Pow'e Immortal My First Thanks
    19. Be It Thy Care, Good Gobrias
    20. Great Victor, At Your Feet I Bow
    21. Say, Venerable Prophet
    22. Tell It Out Among The Heathen
    23. Yes, I Will Build Thy City
    24. I Will Magnify Thee

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars ISSUE RESOLVED ON THE EUPHRATES.......2005-06-19

    One question I might find among the more difficult in my life would be - which is my favourite Handel oratorio? I suspect that my answer would generally be 'the one I heard most recently', and that, as I write this, is Belshazzar. It is a magnificent thing, a heavenly thing. It has taken me longer than it should have to come to an appreciation of what makes Handel the phenomenon - as a genius, as an artist, as a craftsman - that he is, but I am comforted to reflect that no less a genius than Haydn, at the age of nearly 70 gaining a more thorough knowledge of Handel in performance, was driven to say that he felt a mere apprentice. In his sense of how to pace a dramatic narrative, in his instinct for how to use the human voice in song and above all in chorus, in the matchless flexibility and adroitness he displays at word-setting and in the audacity of his melodic and harmonic effects I can think of nobody who can approach Handel on his own terms.

    Belshazzar was not a great success at the box-office, although this may have had more to do with difficulties in the casting than because it was deemed insufficiently biblical for oratorio, which seems to have been the fate of Hercules. It seems to me to be perfectly well described as oratorio in other ways too, with (for one thing) the extensive use of the chorus that we find in, say, Samson but not in Hercules. The one passage that cries out for visual effects is of course the apparition of the moving finger itself. Even here the composer can go a long way with sheer power of suggestion, by the strange unaccompanied violin figure creeping upwards and the frightened brevity of the vocal numbers. Otherwise for me Belshazzar is as much an oratorio as Samson is. It has the same librettist too, the crusty and formidable Jennens, who had also collaborated with Handel on Saul and on Messiah itself. Jennens' full text is not provided, but I think if you read the synopsis first and then follow the work from the headlines to each number you will have no difficulty in catching the words, so clear is the enunciation by soloists and chorus alike. As usual, Handel was driven to make alterations to the score for practical reasons. He had been a little concerned about its length, roughly 2 hours and 50 minutes in this performance, but where he wishes to be expansive he gives us full measure - two arias in Act I scene 4 take well over 7 minutes each. The liner-essay (a good one, by Anthony Hicks) goes into the issue of the version of the score used here, and I personally have no problem with it.

    I have no faults to find with the performance in any way. Pinnock is an established specialist, the instruments are period instruments and vocal cadenzas at the end of the arias are kept minimal. Anthony Rolfe Johnson, James Bowman and David Wilson-Johnson are tried and trusted Handel singers and at their best here, and Nicolas Robertson and Richard Wistreich in the smaller parts are every bit as good. The part of Cyrus is a soprano part, taken by Catherine Robbin, and when I thought I heard just one touch of strain in `Destructive War' in the final scene she makes up for it instantly in her superb duet with Arleen Auger in the following number. Auger as Nitocris the mother of Belshazzar has the biggest part, and she covers herself with glory all the way through.

    The recording is perfect, and when I saw an aria entitled `Destructive War, thy limits know' near the end I felt a sharp sense of irony in the year 2005. Cyrus, Handel, Jennens, you should all have been living at this hour.

    3 out of 5 stars Enjoiyable, but lacking, too........2004-08-16

    This 3CD set of George Frederic Handel's (1685-1759) "Belshazzar", from Archiv Production, a division of Universal Music, is proof again that transfer from vinyl to tape to disc brings with it improvements in listening that make the purchase a worthwhile addition to anyone's listening library. Written in 1744, "Belshazzar" is an oratorio in the operatic style that is wonderful oratorio, but lacking the true depth one expects to hear in an opera. London opera audiences of Handel's day agreed, as both "Belshazzar" and Handel's other offering of the period in the same style, "Hercules", were not terribly successful. Instead of the scheduled 24 performances only 16 were given and Handel never offered a full season of oratorio again. The Libretto by Charles Jennens (1700-1773) is, as the production notes say, meant "not only to show the fall of Babylon but to show it as a fulfillment of divine prediction and to confirm the biblical testimony by reference to classical history." There's only one problem, as good a quality as the CDs are, it is not possible to follow the full libretto and the accompanying booklet includes no text, which is a shame. I think the listening experience would have been increased immeasurably if one was able to follow the text of what is being sung. Nonetheless the dramatic narrative is fluid and even, and the English Concert and Choir provide nice balance to the less full vocal passages, as in Disc 3s "Oh Glorious prince", cut 10. There is enough of this throughout to keep one's interest, but disappointing if what one expects is another ""Messiah".
    Too True To be Good
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      Too True To be Good
      Arsons
      Manufacturer: Mad At The World
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

      HardcoreHardcore | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
      ASIN: B000PGTJZ6
      Release Date: 2007-04-24

      Tracks:

      1. Magoo
      2. Skunk
      3. Ordinary
      4. Grapes Of Wrath
      5. Nova Speaks
      6. McNasty
      7. The Last Gang
      8. White Noise
      9. IMods
      10. City Of The Dead
      11. Lost and Found
      12. The Final Chapter
      13. Not Bloody Likely!

      Product Description

      "Too True to Be Good" marks Ernie Parada's highly anticipated return to playing guitars and contributing heavily to vocal duties for the Arsons, as well as the Arsons second full length for Mad at the World. Hardcore enthusiasts will note that the Arsons' last album, "Bridges Down," was the first recorded material featuring Ernie on drums since his days in TOKEN ENTRY. The Arsons continue to pack a melodic hardcore punch in a similar style to the one Ernie and co-conspirator Jason made popular with their last band GREY AREA. The band's signature guitar hooks and vocal melodies collide with an uncontainable energy and vigor that belies their collective experience. "Too True to be Good" serves as a refreshing reminder that melodic punk doesn't need an "emo" tag; not terribly surprising considering that members of the Arsons helped set the standard for the genre with their past bands, and led the BOUNCING SOULS' Bryan Kienlen to say, "Ernie Parada is a genius. Everything he does is better than everything I and everyone else I know does..."
      Musical Wonderland
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        Musical Wonderland

        Manufacturer: Wea International
        ProductGroup: Music
        Binding: Audio CD

        Duke, VernonDuke, Vernon | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
        All Works by GershwinAll Works by Gershwin | Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
        All Works by PorterAll Works by Porter | Porter, Cole | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
        Rodgers, RichardRodgers, Richard | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
        Film ScoresFilm Scores | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
        Chamber MusicChamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
        General ModernGeneral Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
        Vocal & SongVocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
        Swing GeneralSwing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
        Traditional Jazz GeneralTraditional Jazz General | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music
        Vocal Jazz GeneralVocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
        Musical TheaterMusical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
        OratoriosOratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
        Movie SoundtracksMovie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
        Traditional Vocal PopTraditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
        Easy ListeningEasy Listening | Compilations | Pop | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
        ClassicClassic | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
        Traditional PopTraditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music
        RockRock | Imports | Stores | Music
        ASIN: B00005QDY8
        Release Date: 2001-11-20

        Tracks:

        1. Singin' In The Rain: Singin' In The Rain - Gene Kelly
        2. Annie Get Your Gun: There's No Business Like Show Business - Howard Keel
        3. An American In Paris: 'S Wonderful - Gene Kelly
        4. The Band Wagon: That's Entertainment! - Oscar Levant
        5. Kismet: Stranger In Paradise - Vic Damone
        6. Easter Parade: Easter Parade - Judy Garland
        7. Gold Diggers Of 1935: Lullaby Of Broadway - Chorus
        8. Summer Stock: Get Happy - Judy Garland
        9. The Gay Divorcee: Night And Day - Fred Astaire
        10. High Society: True Love - Bing Crosby
        11. Thousands Cheer: Honeysuckle Rose - Lena Horne
        12. The Barkleys Of Broadway: They Can't Take That Away From Me - Fred Astaire
        13. Broadway Rhythm: Milkman, Keep Those Bottles Quiet - Nancy Walker And The M-G-M Studio Chorus
        14. Neptune's Daughter: Baby, It's Cold Outside - Esther Williams
        15. Me And My Gal: For Me And My Gal - Judy Garland
        16. Idiot's Delight: Puttin' On The Ritz - Clark Gable & Co.
        17. Hit The Deck: Hallelujah! - Kay Armen
        18. Seven Brides For Seven Brothers: Bless Yore Beautiful Hide - Howard Keel
        19. Cabin In The Sky: Taking A Chance On Love - Ethel Waters
        20. Casablanca: As Time Goes By - Dooley Wilson
        21. Dr. Zhivago: Lara's Theme (Main Title) - M-G-M Studio Orchestra

        Tracks:

        1. The Wizard Of Oz: Over The Rainbow - Judy Garland
        2. A Date With Judy: It's A Most Unusual Day - Jane Powell
        3. Kiss Me Kate: Wunderbar - Howard Keel
        4. Show Boat: Can't Help Lovn' Dat Man - Ava Gardner
        5. Going Hollywood: Going Hollywood - Bing Crosby
        6. Meet Me In St. Louis: The Trolley Song - Judy Garland
        7. Gigi: Gigi - Louis Jourdan
        8. Girl Crazy: I Got Rhythm - Judy Garland
        9. Two Weeks With Love: Aba Daba Honeymoon - Debbie Reynolds
        10. Words & Music: The Lady Is A Tramp - Lena Horne
        11. Good News: The Best Things In Life Are Free - June Allyson
        12. Top Hat: Check To Check - Fred Astaire
        13. The Strip: A Kiss To Build A Dream On - Louis Armstrong
        14. Romance On The High Seas: Put 'Em In A Box - Doris Day
        15. Ziegfeld Follies: If Swing Goes, I Go Too - Fred Astaire
        16. Brigadoon: Almost Like Being In Love - Gene Kelly
        17. Follow The Fleet: Let's Face The Music And Dance - Fred Astaire
        18. The Pirate: Be A Clown - Judy Garland
        19. When The Boys Meet The Girls: Embraceable You - Connie Francis
        20. The Harvey Girls: On The Atchison, Topeka And The Santa Fe - Judy Garland & Co.
        21. The Sky's The Limit: One For My Baby (And One More For The Road) - Fred Astaire

        Album Description

        This ideal Christmas gift is a collection of the very best highlights drawn from the MGM/Turner, Warners and RKO Pictures archive. It features such universally known showstoppers as Gene Kelly performing 'Singin In The Rain', Judy Garland's 'Over The Rainbow' and Howard Keel's 'Bless Your Beautiful Hide'. The collection also includes songs that have gone on to become world wide standards such as Lena Horne's 'The Lady Is A Tramp', Mel Torme's 'Sunday In New York' and Gene Kelly's 'Almost Like Being In Love'. Perfect for anyone who loves a good song and the ideal soundtrack for Christmas day. Gatefold deluxe slipcase packaging.

        Album Details

        This Compilation Presents Highlights from the Wonderful Mgm-turner, Warner Brothers and Rko Soundtracks. Great Artwork and Extensive Booklet with Photographs and Plenty of Liner Notes. The Packaging Includes a Special Limited Pop-up Booklet, So Get Your Order in Quickly...you Never Know When Supply Will Be Exhausted.
        Too Good to Be True
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          Too Good to Be True

          Manufacturer: crap face music
          ProductGroup: Music
          Binding: Audio CD
          ASIN: B0009M97BW

          Product Description

          10 tracks: 1. wendy 2. all i want for x-mas 3. met a girl at NA 4. born to lose 5. suicide or alcohol 6. 20 flight rock 7. fuck you lorraine 8. can't find the lord 9. i want to go home 10. satan song
          Too Good to Be True
          Average customer rating: Not rated
            Too Good to Be True
            Dubba D
            Manufacturer: Kes-Kes Music Label Group
            ProductGroup: Music
            Binding: Audio CD

            GeneralGeneral | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music
            GeneralGeneral | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
            GeneralGeneral | Rap & Hip-Hop | Indie Music | Stores | Music
            ASIN: B00000G1Q8
            Release Date: 2002-01-29
            Too Good to Be True
            Average customer rating: Not rated
              Too Good to Be True

              Manufacturer: Buford Powers
              ProductGroup: Music
              Binding: Audio CD

              GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Styles | Music
              ASIN: B000CAECAC
              Release Date: 2004-03-02
              Too Good to Be True: Very Best of él Records
              Average customer rating: Not rated
                Too Good to Be True: Very Best of él Records
                Various Artists
                Manufacturer: Cherry Red UK
                ProductGroup: Music
                Binding: Audio CD

                GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
                Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
                GeneralGeneral | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music
                Baroque PopBaroque Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music
                Indie RockIndie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
                GeneralGeneral | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
                RockRock | Imports | Stores | Music
                ASIN: B000AOGM7G
                Release Date: 2005-10-10

                Tracks:

                1. Curtain - Marden Hill
                2. Jet Set Junta - The Monochrome Set
                3. I Bloodbrother Be - Shock Headed Peters
                4. Nice on the Ice - Vic Godard
                5. Camera Loves Me - Would-Be-Goods
                6. Cecil Beaton's Scrapbook - Would-Be-Goods
                7. Valleri - King of Luxembourg
                8. Trial of Dr Fancy - King of Luxembourg
                9. Curry Crazy - Bad Dream Fancy Dress
                10. Discotheque - Bad Dream Fancy Dress
                11. Guess I'm Dumb - Louis Philippe
                12. You Mary You - Louis Philippe
                13. Ruling Class - Anthony Adverse
                14. Nicky - Momus
                15. John the Baptist Jones - Momus
                16. Umber Wastes (Caravaggio) - Simon Fisher-Turner
                17. Zophia - The Underneath
                18. Oh Constance - Marden Hill
                19. Whisper Not - The Florentines
                20. West - Gol Gappas
                21. It's a Beautiful Game - The Cavaliers
                22. Thames Valley Leather Club - Always
                23. Love - Bid
                24. Ulysses & The Siren - Anthony Adverse

                Album Description

                El Records is in some circles one of the most intriguing and collectable record labels there has ever been. It's true it never spawned anything near a hit record, but it's innovation, originality and influence on others is recognized by many. Started by Mike Alway in 1985 it is now 25 years since El was launched, and this release is to celebrate that anniversary. 23 tracks by Monochrome Set, Shock Headed Peters, The King of Luxembourg, Momus, etc. 2005.

                Album Details

                El Records is in Some Circles One of the Most Intriguing and Collectable Record Labels There Has Ever Been. It is True it Never Spawned Anything Near a Hit Record but It's Innovation, Originality and Influence on Others is Recognised by Many. Started by Mike Alway in 1985 it is Now 25 Years Since El was Launched, and this Release is to Celebrate that Anniversary.

                Music Review:

                1. Trans [Import]
                2. Up Your Alley
                3. Venus & Mars
                4. Welcome [Extra tracks] [Original recording remastered]
                5. Welcome to My Nightmare [Original recording remastered] [Extra tracks]
                6. Who Do We Think We Are [Original recording remastered]
                7. Who's Next (Deluxe Edition) [Extra tracks] [Original recording remastered]
                8. Young Lust: The Aerosmith Anthology
                9. Zipper Catches Skin [Import]
                10. 20 Essential Tracks From the Boxed Set 1965-1990

                Music Review

                Music Review