Amazon.com essential recording

Multitalented Brazilian musician Jobim's talent was revealed to a larger world in 1959 by his and Luis Bonfa's score for the film Orfeu Negro (Black Orpheus) in 1959. Songs such as "A Felicidade" and "Desafinado" generated the bossa nova movement of the early '60s that inspired the likes of Stan Getz, Charlie Byrd, and Miles Davis. This 1967 album features Jobim sharing vocals with Sinatra on "The Girl from Ipanema" and "How Insensitive." Three standards--"Change Partners" by Irving Berlin; "I Concentrate on You" by Cole Porter; and Robert Wright, George Forrest, and Alexander Borodin's "Baubles, Bangles, and Beads"--round out the program of seven Jobim tunes. This is a lovely taste of Latin melody and rhythm from two masters of relaxed swing. --Stanley Booth ... Read more

Reviews (79)

"Tone" and "Ol' Blue Eyes" Sublime
Sinatra and Jobim is a match made in heaven. Sinatra never sounds restrained in his uncharacteristic softness of delivery, but rather reveals a reflective sensitivity that is both tender and virile. Claus Ogerman's relaxed and sonorous arrangement and his masterful bridling of his musicians provides a showcase for "that voice" that is never distracting. My favorite cuts are 'The Girl From Ipanema" and "How Insensitive", two of Jobim's own beautiful tunes where Jobim provides vocal support creating a three-way love affair, Sinatra, Jobim and the Music. Al Viola's guitar work on "Change Partners" dances with Sinatra's vocal with an elegance reminiscent of "Fred and Ginger". I have always appreciated Frank Sinatra's rich voice and turn of lyric, but his softer side is a revelation that is beyond superlatives. This recording along with Sinatra's classic outing with Nelson Riddle on "Only The Lonely" stand out as my all time favorites. If you don't already have these two remastered CDs as part of your collection you have yet to discover the full character of one of our greatest interpreters of song.

Sinatra, Jobim, Ogermann and Perfection!
Through the years I've had a chance to ask a number of pop singers to name their favorite Sinatra album...

The answer inevitably is "The Jobim lp"

Though most Sinatra purists will tell you the Captiol years were the artist's peak years, "Sinatra and Jobim" easily measures up to the musical standards of the best Capitol albums.

Sinatra's readings of "Dindi" and "I Concentrate On You" are simply some of the most beautiful things to come out of all American pop music.

This CD showcases the finest popular singer to walk the planet accompanied by the master of Brazilian love songs, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and the simple but beautiful arrangements of Claus Ogermann.

Too bad Amazon won't let me award it six stars!

Back to the roots of it all.....
This record was one of my favorites as a little kid and is still a vivid component of my memories of childhood and a cd I now consider the essential roots of my taste in music. I still remember listening and swaying with the delicious rhythums of this magnificent music. I grew up thinking this was average music. Grown up I know it is spectacular music. Orchestrations arranged and conducted by Claus Ogerman and sweet, soft and gentle vocals by Frank Sinatra and Antonio Carlos Jobim.

This is as good as it will ever get for me.

Great duet!
On this album Sinatra recorded bossa nova and brazilian jazz songs of Antonio Carlos Jobim, brazilian jazz king, who is featured here on guitar and backing vocals. Only three songs that are not written by Jobim are Change Partners (written by Irving Berlin), I Concentrate On You (written by Cole Porter) and Baubles, Bangles and Beads (written by Forrest and Wright) Very quiet album, arrangements were done by Claus Ogerman. This is probably one of his best albums from the sixties.

absolutley beautiful collaboration
what more can you ask, other than one wishes it were longer. but, the combination on these two artists on standards such as change partners, quitet nights, baubles, and meditation evoke a blue latin night. not that the fun is gone. girl from impanema, for example, is infectuousely charming.
an absolute must have for the collection and one of sinatras best. ... Read more

Reviews (704)

Relax and let Fantasia's talent engulf you! Expect Chills.
This is an excellent CD! At 19 years old, this woman is so talented that Hollywood took notice. Celebrities such as Kate Hudson, Denzel Washington, Toni Braxton, Patti Labelle, Ben Stiller, Elton John, Clive Davis, Ray Ramono etc., sing her praises. Fantasia wraps each song around her and delivers it with such conviction it seems as if she is singing just for you. She has a voice that pulls you in from the very beginning and leaves you wanting more. "I Believe" brings chills to my body and tears to my eyes. Even though I didn't like the words of the song initially, you can't help but love it after she is done. "Chain of Fools" is a great song to pick your mood up and get you dancing, even though I would have loved to hear Tina Turner's "Fool in Love." "Summertime" is just phenomenal. This CD is well worth every cent.

In the words of TKAEAGLE:

"She's a new age hybrid combination of Billie Holiday, Aretha, Tina, Patti, an early Diana Ross, Lena Horne, Gladys Night (more for soulfulness than voice match), Natalie Cole, Nell Carter, and early Ella. Cream always rises to the top in due time, this lady is a specially talented individual. Fantasia is the real deal based on talent, desire, and emotions, not by gimmicks, lip sinking, trendiness, publicity stunts, and the like."

Just sit back and let Fantasia's talent engulf and wash over you!

Fantasia receives 5 Stars! (...)
For those of you who may not be familiar with her sound, she is a mix of Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner and Mary J. Blige in one. This CD is ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL! American Idol owes Fantasia for breaking the stigma of only producing cookie-cutter karaoke. The first time I put this CD on, I went into a trance and drove past my home with the music BLASTING and all the windows down. At 19 years old, this young lady has accomplished what many entertainers would envy. If you've never been brought to tears from listening to a CD alone...this will be the one.

I Believe is excellent! Chain of Fools is a great listen and will get you up and dancing. However, I would have enjoyed her version of Tina Turner's "Fool in Love," Willie Nelson's "Always on My Mind" or even Barbara Streisand's "What Are You Doing The Rest of Your Life." Fantasia then caps it all off with Summertime. Her version of this song displays her versatility perfectly, putting all comparisons of her to Macy Gray to rest.

Treat yourself to this CD, you won't regret it!

(...)

What an amazing, talented, performer
I loved Fantasia from the moment she first opened her mouth in the auditions on American Idol. It was clear from the start she wasn't like anyone else in the competition. Throughout the competition she only grew as an artist and showed she had what it takes to be around for a while. This season of AI was pretty disappointing and uneven, but watching Fantasia walk away with the competition in the show's finale more than made up for that. I was blown away by her performance of "I Believe". That was the best and most moving performance I had ever seen by any artist, not just on American Idol. Expectations were high for the release of her single, and I am proud to say that Fantasia sounds just as good on CD as she did on TV. "I Believe" is great, but this version can't compare to her excellent live performances of it. "Chain of Fools" shows that she can make an Aretha Franklin song her own, which isn't something a lot of people can do. "Summertime" might be the best song here.

What I love most about Fantasia is that she sounds as if she truly enjoys singing. Watching her perform with such energy and skill has been a highlight of the year, and she is truly a standout talent. Fantasia has an amazing voice that may turn off a lot of people, but amazes so many more. She has performed "I Believe" on so many talk shows since winning AI, and she still gives it her all. Her voice is great and her album will surely be one of the highlights of the year. If done right, her album may even be the best of any of the Idol releases so far. I know Fantasia has it in her to make a great album. I highly recommend this CD single because you really do get your money's worth.

Three solid singles from the "American Idol 3" winner
It is too early to tell if Fantasia Barrino will be the most successful American Idol winner to date, but at least this CD-Single gets the 19-year-old singer off to a good start. In addition to the official "American Idol 3" single "I Believe" Fantasia sings both "Chain of Fools" and "Summertime." All three of these songs are ones that she did on the show, so the first plus here is that we get the entire version of the latter two songs and not the mini-versions contestants are forced to sing. Plus, you have the advantage one being an Aretha Franklin standard and the other a classic written by George Gershwin.

My only complain with "I Believe" is the same I had with the first "American Idol" CD-Single for Kelly Clarkson, which is that I actually prefer the emotional touch of the official song sung on the show to the polished studio version. That is the memory I have of watching "American Idol" the last week of season three. The woman feeds off of her audience and dollars to donuts she will always come across better live than in the studio. On "Chain of Fools" big props to the producer, who comes up with a funkier beat for the classic, which makes it easier for Fantasia to provide her own take on the song (note how she powers through on the final note of the bridge). "Summertime" is one of the great American songs of all-time and the contrast between Fantasia's vocals versus the string section and the rest of the jazz bits is nice, although I would probably strip down the instrumentation even more to focus on the voice even more.

So you have one gospel, one R&B, and one jazz song for this debut solo effort, which reinforces the range of what Fantasia is going to be able to do in the future. Plus by having three tracks instead of two this is the best "American Idol" CD-Single to date. Final Note: Just be sure that you pick up this CD-Single and not the one with "I Believe" and "Dreams," because this is clearly the one that you want.

Different
I can't say I liked this at all. The songs all have the same sound although different titles. I was disapointed. Maybe the next run for hew will be better. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Comparisons with Charlotte Church are inevitable, yet 16-year-old New Zealand singer Hayley Westenra has her own distinctive sound. She has impeccably clear diction coupled with a gorgeous voice with a very wide range: her high notes in the Kate Bush hit "Wuthering Heights" are especially striking, and like Bush she is also a dancer, having performed with the Royal New Zealand Ballet. If there's a problem, it's that Pure doesn't have a focus to match Westenra's talent, the tracks spanning everything from "Amazing Grace" to a Maori lullaby ("Hine e Hine") to hybrid pieces adapted from Ravel ("Never Say Goodbye") and Vivaldi's Four Seasons ("River of Dreams"). Ultimately what this set does demonstrate is that whatever direction Westenra finally settles on, she has the ability to go to the very top. For now she is a young artist finding her way, and for many listeners the result is Pure magic. --Gary S Dalkin ... Read more

Reviews (73)

She's different, beautiful and amazing!
I'm not a big fan of classical music, but I will always remember where I was and what I was doing when I experienced Hayley's album "Pure" for the first time. This is the most beautiful voice I've heard in my whole life. I didn't think sopranos could sound so sweet since they basically scream to the music but Hayley doesn't have that screaming sound; it's gentle and soothing instead. At the end of each song all I can think of is I want more! The opening tune "Pokarekare Ana" swept me away like a tropical South Pacific ocean current. "Never Say Goodbye" moved me to tears midway through and made me recall all the joys and sorrows of my love life. "Dark Waltz" left me spellbound and "In trutina" gave me the chills it was so nicely done. And who doesn't feel conked on the head by "Benedictus" the first time you hear it, but Hayley's fabulous voice takes away the discomfort immediately. It's nice to see Hayley is a success story around the world. I hope she continues to record in the diverse styles she's chosen and doesn't limit herself to classical or any other specific genre. "Pure" gets five big stars for music, voice, accompaniment, everything!

Wonderful Vocal Execution and a Strong Debut CD
Ms. Hayley Westenra, hailing from New Zealand makes a strong debut into the classical crossover genre under Decca's release, "Pure."

Her voice is crystalline; however, I beg to differ on her use of her soprano on "Wutherting Heights." I prefer the tracks without "Wuthering Heights." What's wrong with the track? To me, her voice sounds pitchy and somewhat out of tune with the music. Wuthering Heights is a broadway and as such, should be presented in a Broadway-type of singing style using lower vocal registers.

Aside from that one track, the rest of the songs included are flawless. I would still have to make a comment that although Haylet will be judged from her own vocal merits, she'll be also judged and compared to as being in the shadow of Charlotte Church.

In due time, Hayley's soprano will mature and she'll be in better control of her instrument, but at this time, her debut "Pure" is a strong foothold into the crossover music genre.

Highly reccomended if you're a fan of Charlotte Church or a generic fan of the crossover genre.

Pure? Try boring.
You say pure and angelic, I say boring and wimpy. Ms.Westenra does indeed have perfect-pitch (along with thousands of other people in the world) but that's about the only good thing you can say about her. Perhaps it's just because I'm accustomed to real, full-voiced opera singers but I just can't understand how people can stand to listen to a voice with no vibrato. She has no resonance, no feeling, and no dynamic range whatsoever (the entire CD is sung mezzoforte). I'm certainly not saying that this is the worst classical-crossover CD ever (Charlotte Church's sophomore album comes to mind for that award) but I am saying it's bad. Not for real classical/opera fans. Better for easy listening fans.

This CD is pure pleasure
I really enjoyed listening to this album. I admire any singer who can sing effortlessly in more than one language. This is what Hayley Westerna does so well in English and Maori. I fell in love with Hayley Westerna's voice after watching the music video for Pokarekare Ana Come Back To Me. Her voice sounds very romantic and soothing. In Trutina is another great track. Hayley hits all the high notes and shows range of her powerful voice. Hayley also sings a great rendition of the church hymm Amazing Grace. Her voice is so uplifting here. I also loved the track Never Say Goodbye. Her delivery and phrasing is flawless and so snooth on this song. The instruments on this album are a perfect compliment to her voice. I love the violin playing on the track Dark Waltz is just lovely. Pure is simply a pure pleasure to listen to. Hayley Westerna is a very talented singer with a bright future.

second chance?
When Charlotte Church first came on the scene, many of us hoped for another truly great Carmen in the manner of Rise Stevens, but she has chosen to go another way. Hayley Westenra may be not only a second chance but an even better one with the effortlessly clean diction and ease of delivery not heard since Stevens. We live in hope. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Makes me proud to be Italian!
What a georgous collection of songs! Being Italain myself, a lot of these songs I grew up hearing from other artist. Hearing Dean singing these songs is like hearing them for the first time. What a voice... what a ledgend!

Dino my Love:
Hi Dino is one the best Italian love song crooners. I'm really glad I bought this CD. Dean martin is one of my favorites. There is always a place in my heart for Dino. He has influenced a lot of other artists as well. Warm Regards: Cathy Alexander(NH)

The Best!
This CD is the best work of Dean Martin. I love this CD.

The Record Company did very well in making this compilation!
One can buy so many CDs used nowadays; paying full price doesn't often feel worth it; but in this case, it is worth every red cent. Okay, Dino is American, Dino is Italian American, hailing from Steubenville Ohio, he was brought up, on the Italian language, it comes through the speakers, he's a native speaker, with ancestry in the Abruzzo region of Italy. Maybe for strict Italian, I don't know, I think, I'd still like it. I've travelled abroad; can speak two other languages, this collection, gives one some desires to even hear Dean sing in French and Spanish as he did, his talents being so diverse. Maybe this album too, to some, is like travelling abroad, you are not totally immersed in the culture, but you get a good flavoring of it. It might be a nice doorway to listen to other Italian/mandolin music; which brings to mind, some of the arrangements are stunning;

The famous "Return to Me" being maybe the best example, but not the only one. "Volare" is good, but somehow, I favor the Vic Damone (I believe) version more.

"Come back to Sorrento"; I believe is all in Italian, despite it's name, maybe a small part in the end is in English. Maybe in this case, I would like to understand more of the message of the song. What's important with Dean Martin, is that it is his native language, Italian, so it is not as if, he struggles, tries to sing some words, which, say, with all due respect to Nat King Cole, he did wonders for the Spanish language in singing some of his songs in that language, but a native speaker may be able to tell, his pronunciation is not perfect. They were hits in Latin America anyway. This is not a drawback for Nat King Cole, but it is a plus for Dean Martin, he really sings these songs, with Italian spirit!

Does it make you feel like loving? I don't know, but a few of these can surely bring tears to your eyes. For example, "From the bottom of my heart."

Not being in the know on some things, "O Sole Mio" seems to be the same song, as Elvis' "It's now or never."

Not much comment needs to be made on the wellknown songs of Dean Martin on this CD, such as "That's amoure" ; however, I will say, that with "That's amoure" I have a better appreciation of this song, presented with Dean's other Italian-American interpretations and singings of this album.

"Luna Mezzo Mare" is well done, and if you have listened to International music, the style, makes me think, of other songs I have heard, making it sound somewhat nostalgic and Italian.

If you never go to Italy, you'll get a taste of it with this CD.

Magnifico!
I bought this album to use as background dinner music at my wedding, and I received so many thanks and compliments from friends and family. I listen to this CD all the time and recommend it to all. The album is cohesive and engaging. It will put anyone in the mood for love! ... Read more

Reviews (43)

This music.. is almost magical.
I remember when I first heard this album. I was using the computer, and my dad said "This album is very beautiful, I think you'll like it." And boy did I!!
I was 12 at that time. I'm 16 now and I'm still in love with that music. It is, as one of the songs says, timeless. In the moment I heard it, I knew what the album was about - the sea... I knew this before even reading the book.
You see, I've always been a big fan of the sea and the seagulls. For me, they represent total freedom, total perfection. And this music encases the spirit of a seagull in a perfect way.
If you like the sea, the seagulls, Neil Diamond's music or that wonderful, marvelous book, Jonathan Livingstone Seagull, this CD is a must for you.
Buy it. I assure you you'll fell in love with it as fast as I did.

Majestic - Pure - Divine
Jonathan Livingston Seagull is the sound of creation--the earth and the sea. And "Be" is a song about the creation of man and time. It is a masterpiece crafted by God through Neil Diamond as his conduit.

Jonathan Livingston Seagull is about freedom; about an outcaste bird's soul searching journey and triumphant return to his flock with renewed personality, spiritual perception, wisdom and leadership qualities. It is a metaphor that can serve as a reference (and soundtrack) to our every day life's experiences.

Jonathan Livingston Seagull's music transcends style and category--it is music made for all seasons--undoubtedly timeless--truly captivating. It is immaculate. It is majestic--a true masterpiece. It is spiritually enriching--it is Divine.

Attention Animal Lovers:
If you've ever spent time looking into the eyes of an animal & wondered what hopes & dreams occupied its mind, this recording will help you understand!!!

TRANSCENDENT!
JONATHAN LIVINGSTON SEAGULL, a terrific uplifting book about finding the best in others and in ourselves, was a movie that required a very special soundtrack. It got exactly what it needed from Neil Diamond. Though released years ago this album is still as vibrant and soaring and transcendent as it ever was. Wonderful vocal renditions by Neil Diamond such as BE, LONELY LOOKING SKY, DEAR FATHER and SKYBIRD are simply marvelous and add to these the wonderful orchestral tracks of the same titles and you have a soundtrack that will have you coming back again and again.

THE HORSEMAN

jonathan livingstone seagull
1000 for the musics of "jonathan livingstone seagull".
I did have the lp, but today I don't have more. I have now a cd/dvd player for "region 4", and I am interested to buy the cd of musics and dvd of movie.

How can I buy cd and dvd ?

thank you,

luiz ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

"Well I guess it would be nice, if I could touch your body...." Given George Michael's restroom hi-jinks in early 1998, those words from "Faith" sound pretty funny, but they sounded fresh and exciting blasting out of car radios all over America in 1987. Michael's stunning solo debut (after four years in the lightweight British duo Wham!) sold seven million copies and yielded six Top 10 hits. Some of those were among the decade's best pop, including the hiccuping title track, the heartfelt ballad "Father Figure" and the wicked R&B groove of "I Want Your Sex." Unlike so much 1980s treacle, this disc hold ups surprisingly well--even if Michael hasn't always done so himself. --Michael Ruby ... Read more

Reviews (52)

Faith (1987)
Back then, I never really paid any attention to George Michael's music. It wasn't because I didn't like him or because he was gay. I had nothing against him and I still don't. When you're young, you don't tend to pay attention to a certain amount of music. Well, at the beginning of the summer, I heard One More Try and from then on, I became an instant fan of his. In fact, he has become a favorite of mine, right next to Madonna. This guy's got a voice of gold. You can't tell me that George doesn't have a great voice. He's got an amazing voice. This is an incredible debut album. He was a smash when he was with WHAM! With this album, he wanted to prove that he could do better as a solo act. And he proved himself right. He released six singles from this album. All six singles shot straight to #1.

FAITH
The first single from the album. It went to become a #1 hit for him. Although, it isn't one of my favorites, it's still an upbeat song. And yes, you gotta have faith. You gotta have faith, faith, faith.

FATHER FIGURE
The second single from the album. It was a another #1 hit. Great song. His vocals run real smooth on this one.

I WANT YOUR SEX (Parts 1 & 2)
Part 1 was the third single from the album. Some say that part 1 was a #2 hit, but apparently, those dead @$$'s are wrong. It was a #1 hit. Just so you know, this is not all one song. Part 1 ends at 4 minutes and 36 seconds. After that, part 2 starts. Part 2 ends at 9 minutes and 17 seconds. Both parts are awesome.

ONE MORE TRY
The fourth single from the album. Yet again, he scored himself another #1 hit. This is the one that turned me into a huge fan. I really get that feeling from it because it is a ballad that was composed correctly.

HARD DAY
I'm not sure if this was a single. It appears on his greatest hits, but I'm still not sure. But, anyhow, it's a great song.

HAND TO MOUTH
Great. Smooth.

LOOK AT YOUR HANDS
Very Funky.

MONKEY
The fifth single from the album. Another #1 hit. It's not one of my favorites.

KISSING A FOOL
Thie sixth and final single from the album. The last #1 hit from the album. This is one of my favorites and it's also my mother's favorite. This may be a jazz song, but it's too irresistible. The sound is very smooth. He sings it with passion and emotion. I own a little karaokee machine. Every chance I get, I always do this one. I sing pretty well, too.

HARD DAY (SHEP PETTIBONE REMIX)
Just as good as the original album version.

A LAST REQUEST (I WANT YOUR SEX pt. 3)
A great way to end the whole I-WANT-YOUR-SEX era. Very romantic for the ladies, if ya know what I mean.

If you buy this album, I can guarantee you that you'll be buying it again after you wear your first copy out. I definitely wore out the first copy I owned. Buy it and prepared to be amazed and impressed. Remember, you gotta have faith. Yes, you gotta have faith, faith, faith.

Songs of Faith and Inspiration,supposedly
George Michael solo debut album spawned six Top 10 hits. I WANT YOUR SEX(part 1) became a hit prior to the album's release and was heard in the movie BEVERLY HILLS COP 2. The title track has religious inspiration,that featuring a cathedral organ heard in the introduction. The album garnered quite a few Grammys,I must admit,one of them being album of the year in 1988. I think the others are best male vocalist and song of the year(don't know which one that is). George Michael had a hit album in 1984-85 with Wham!'s MAKE IT BIG which sold six or seven million copies like FAITH. The cassette and CD formats feature I WANT YOUR SEX PART 3 and HARD DAY(Shep Pettibone Remix).

George Michael's "Thriller".
If I remember correctly, I believe this was the best selling album of 1987. Why, well six of these were big hits, and one quite controversial at the time. This album also is fairly diverse, having upbeat dance tracks, and smooth ballads as well, and all very good. The songs "Faith", "I Want Your Sex", and "Monkey" all got your feet moving, while others like "One More Try" and "Father Figure" were slow and sexy. "George Michael" has had good albums since this one, but there's no doubt this is possibly his best, and is one of the 80's best too.

A Must Have Classic!!!
This CD is a classic that endures all the fickleness of time. George Michael has mastered an imaginative mix of upbeat and cool tunes with beautiful musical arrangements.

"Faith" is a great upbeat jingle that never fails to get you moving. "Father Figure" is as close to perfect as an artist can get. "I Want Your Sex" is a fun club beat. "One More Try" a slow sad song with great music behind it. "Hard Day" my personal favorite track on the CD because of the heavy bass. "Hand To Mouth" is jazzy and easy to listen to, nice drum influences. "Look At Your Hands" this one could have been left off. "Monkey" another dance mix. "Kissing A Fool" so here is where the 40's jazz begins. You will be able to listen to this CD over and over again and across many years. Have faith!!!

Solo debut
I've never been into pop music and all that stuff, so I never cared about George Michael in his Wham days. But as a solo artist I have to give him credit, he's escaped all that pop stuff & tried to be a more mature artist. This 1987 album 'Faith' was a nice first try at being a solo artist. George abandons pop and tries be more funky. The stripped down acoustic title track is still hitting all these years later, and cuts like 'I Want Your Sex' and 'Father Figure' are also cool. The second half of the album is okay, a bit hit & miss but overall this is a nice effort and has aged nicely considering it came out in the 80s and the kind of tacky production technique they employed back then (check the uneccesary remix track for some awful sounding 80s mess). His best albums are still his two follow ups, 1990s 'Listen Without Prejudice' and 1996s 'Older'. ... Read more

Reviews (43)

Wonderful live cd!
This is a masterpiece! Covering some old songs and performing some of her own repertory, fabulous Celine Dion manages one more time to achieve a true example of her live vocal abilities. A New Day.. Live in Las Vegas is Celine's fifth live album and the first english one for which it's a great oportunity to explore new territories and buy this fresh and always up-to-date record. Celine's voice is as strong as ever and this time with a new personal touch. Look forward to "What a wonderful world" "I wish" and "Nature Boy", my three faves... and also the two new studio tracks: "You and I" and "Ain't gonna look the other way", where the canadian showcases her diva-voice decorated with her usual "vocal stunts" and her late guitar style.
A+++

My least favoruite live Celine album
Of the 6 live Celine cds I own, this is by far and wide my least favoruite. On first listen I find something about them I like, not this time, and that is sad.

1) The short version of 'It's All Coming Back To Me Now' is blasphemy.
2) Far too much talking (for my taste) between songs, shut up and sing!
3) Too short, the total cd time is Sixty one minutes EXACTLY.
4) No live version of 'A New Day Has Come'

Now for the good points (which were hard to find):

1) Live versions of 'I'm Alive', 'At Last', and 'I Drove All Night'
2) Her version of 'What A Wonderful World'
3) The DVD is nice, but not enough to save this.

While not all bad, not one of my favourite live cds. I'll stick with the import 'Live At Olympia' and 'Live In Paris' as well as the two other live cds I have, much better in my opinion. I realize that this is from Vegas and Vegas means big, but after listening to it I hope that when her stay is over she gets back to a real show.

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ThisCD is by far Celine's BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I like it a ton and it has all of her really great songs on it. DONT DISS THE NEW CELINE CD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Its awesome...u should definitely get it.

Où est Jean-Jacques Goldman??
Où est Jean-Jacques Goldman?? Je ne comprends pas. Où est Jean-Jacques Goldman sur cet album?? Elle chante et parle en même temps. C'est honteux!!! Tu ne crois pas?? Haha. JUST KIDDING. Je recommande NATASHA ST-PIER AUSSI. Elle est très bon aussi!!! Oui mon nom est québécois, mais mon nom est canadien aussi!!! VIVE LE CANADA et à la prochaine fois...Jean-Francois Jacques Pierre Tremblay

just ok
Celine Dion at one time could release just about anything&now that has finally caught up to Her because Her Material her just sounds there.vocally She isn't particular Strong on this set. I've heard better from her.this one is kinda dry. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Marc Anthony comes on like a suave, less jumpy alternative to Ricky Martin on this mostly English-language album. Having already introduced itself to the pop mainstream with the salsa-tinged single "I Need to Know," Marc Anthony offers several other obvious crossover hits, ranging from the Rodney Jerkins-produced Latin-funk fusion of "She's Been Good to Me" to the lovelorn midtempo ballad "When I Dream at Night." However, Anthony's agreeably keening voice is too often applied to the sort of colorless adult-contemporary material typical of Michael Bolton and Mariah Carey mainstay Walter Afansieff, who produces or coproduces three tracks here. The result is often more interesting in sociological terms--Anthony fans who, like the star, were born to Latino parents in America are as sure to eat this disc up as his new Caucasian admirers--than in musical ones. Ain't that America? --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (231)

An Amazing Young Talent
I heard Marc Anthony for the first time about 4 months ago(I lead a sheltered life) and I was literally blown away by "My Baby You" and "When I Dream At Night". Those two songs, especially, pack so much raw emotion that I found myself in tears listening to the sheer power of his lyrics(which incidentally, he wrote)! Now, I can't seem to get the C.D. off my player-there's no room for even Santana anymore! His other renditions including "Dimelo" and "Da La Vuelta" are truly inspired even though it helps to be bilingual but, not entirely necessary. The music and the message is universal and his presentation is pure genius. I went to see him in concert here in San Antonio and it was the best I have ever witnessed-his band is awesome! Buy this C.D.-just be prepared to have your heart pierced(corazon espinado) and have plenty of tissues at hand.

This CD is incredible (by the way, thanks Rosie...)
I can't believe Marc Anthony.... he and this CD are astounding. First of all, why didn't it get more acclaim than it has? This certainly has to be one of the best CDs of the year. The music on this album is absolutely beautiful. Marc has an incredible voice... certainly one of the best in the music world today. He puts so much effort and emotion and power into his music on this CD, once you start listening he captures you. I just got this CD in the mail today (from Amazon, of course) and can't get over how extraordinary it is! He certainly surpasses all other Latin/crossover/whatever albums by his astounding music on this album. This music smoothly and effectively mixes the Latin style with today's pop style. By the way, I also love the use of other musical instruments (especially the violin chords in "I Need You to Know") on the album. So many times in today's pop music beautiful instruments, such as the string instruments, are ignored. Well, anyway, as you can see, I could probably go on for hours writing how much I like this CD and how it's just so awesome... but I hope you will believe me after all I've written and give this CD a try! It is definitely worth purchasing; you won't regret it.

(By the way, I just want to thank Rosie O'Donnell for "introducing me" to Marc Anthony. I remember her talking non-stop a couple of months ago how she loved this album -I now see why- and I thought, who is Marc Anthony? After she had him on her show, though, an heard him sing, I knew that I was missing out on something... so thank you, Rosie!)

marc anthony is a great performer
i never really thought that marc anthony would sound really great until i saw his performance on tv. his song 'i need to know' doesn't really show much of his talent until i heard my baby you. he sang it with full emotion and power. he sounded really great. he cried during the performance, which also make me wanna cry. can't wait for his next album. never really been a real fan of him until now

Great selection, Lousy Recording
Marc Anthony's voice is great, the rhythmn of the music is great, but whoever was responsible for collaborating the music with the voice did a very poor job. At times you have to be stretching your ears to hear Anthony's sexy, mellow voice. The musice tends to drown his voice, even his back-up singers are more audible than he is. It's as if he was on one continent with an ampliphier trying to reach the rest of his band on another continent. Did they listen to this cd before releasing it? I hope they re-do it with all the same pieces but with a better mixture of voice to instruments.

to my marc athony
marc anthony this is one of the best cd i heard from you yet. this prove you have talent and you are willing to share with all of us. i will continue to buy,listen to your albums for as long as you keep singing and giving us your voice to hear. i feel proud that i can look up to a spanish person with joy in my heart and know that when i put a cd on everything is ok. so keep up the good work marc anthony you are and always will be the best.@~~~)~~~ god bless u marc ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Puts Streisand to Shame!
Nancy LaMott was many things: a talented singer, a musician whose song interpretations were often brilliant, a loving human being, and an artist from whom many of today's singers could learn quite a lot. Her untimely death was tragic, as she had indeed overcome many health problems, and other obstacles, to become "The Best Cabaret Singer in New York" (according to New York magazine.) I had the honor of running her fan club, and was pleased to discover that she was a nice person in addition to being extremely talented. Her CD's, sadly, are being pulled off the market due to a legal battle with her estate, so BUY THEM NOW while you can! I feel I must amend an earlier posted review - "Listen to My Heart," the title track, is NOT from "Jekkyl and Hyde." This album is not to be missed.

Disappointing material
If you plan to own just one Nancy Lamott album, don't make it this one. The songs are banal, cloying, and woefully unworthy of their supreme interpreter. Only do "Out of This World" and "The Summer Knows" rise above the obvious mush, which would be more suitable for a singer like Streisand. Try Nancy's "My Foolish Heart" for one of the best albums of music by one of best singers of our time.

WOW!
Nancy LaMott's voice is like velvet. No offense to Steisand fans but LaMott beats her at the ballad.
"Not Exactly Paris" is probably one of my all time favorites.
Everyone wishes for a love like that~~makes you cry....
The world grieves for this voice.

a tragic loss to cabaret
Nancy Lamott is one of the great cabaret vocalists of the past 10 years. The simple beauty of her voice and the elegant interpretation of the songs makes this album a must have for any fan of cabaret vocalists. Her death was a tragic loss for the world of music; this album showcases her wonderful talent beautifully.

A Brit discovers a Diamond.
I am a Brit, living in the UK, and I have just discovered this lady. Here voice is incredible. The song ' Not Exactly Paris' I had not heard before, but WOW, what a song! The interpretations are magic. Thank you, Amazon, for providing what few copies there are of Nancy Lamotts work. A pure diamond of a singer. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

An okay collection of Tony's best symposium...
Tony Bennett is the last of the great crooners.

Bing, Frank, Dino, Nat, and Perry are all gone now. The best way to enjoy these mammoth crooners is to buy their vast remastered albums.

Tony has a new one called "40 Years The Artistry of Tony B". It covers most of the highlights of Tony's lavish career. Some of my favorite standards are "Boulevard of Broken Dreams - Gigolo and Gigolette", "Rags to Riches", "I Left My Heart in San Francisco", and "Just in Time". Tony could also do some wonderful Sinatra-style singing too: "Chicago (That Toddling Town)" is a good one from the Carnegie Hall appearance in 1962.

This CD compilation is about half way there. Someone should sit down and REALLY evaluate a 25 song classic CD that includes only Tony's best based on listeners' favorite picks. Songs like "Something" just don't cut it for me. I think some of his early sixties and entire fifties material is pure gold.

It is no surprise when the Chairman of the Board once said that "Tony is my favorite singer."

Tony Bennett: 5 Stars, This Collection: 4 Stars
Sinatra referred to Tony Bennett as the 'best singer in the business', and after listening to many of Tony's albums it is hard to argue. This 'best of' collection from 1972 includes some magnificent recordings, including 'I Left My Heart in San Francisco', 'Love Look Away', a heart-stopping 'I Wanna Be Around', a rousing 'Sing You Sinners' and more. It is a time capsule album of Tony's earlier career.

While his voice is sensational -- it deepens into something beyond compare by the early 1960s -- a few of the songs are the product of their era, notwithstanding Tony's talent. The early 1960s style of adding a background choir and additional echo has a kind of charm, but it sounds like -- well, the early 1960s. The good news is that apart from a 'Boulevard of Broken Dreams' that sounds like a bad cabaret tune and a cover of George Harrison's 'Something' that really isn't for Tony (he's a Cole Porter, Gershwin, Johnny Mercer, Rodgers & Hart kind of guy -- best when the music swings or in great ballads), most of this album is a real treasure.

However -- some of the albums from which these songs were culled are worth buying. 'I Wanna Be Around' is a superb album, as is 'Who Can I Turn To'. And, if you enjoy live music, the 1962 Carnegie Hall Concert is an outstanding recording that includes much of the classic material here, in rousing renditions. Two CDs of live Tony Bennett in 1962 -- what else could you want?

If you are looking for an introduction to Tony Bennett, or just appreciate his powerful voice and inimitable spirit -- the guy always sounds like he's smiling into the microphone, and that happiness comes through -- you should enjoy this album. If a couple of the tracks sound a bit like kitsch, so be it.

OK, But Nothing To Swing About
You want great ballad singing? Buy a CD by Vic Damone, Mel Torme, or Matt Monro. You want great swing singing? Buy a CD by Bobby Darin or Frank Sinatra. You want singing that's not quite as good in either category, then perhaps Tony Bennett is right for you. This is an okay collection, but Bennett's raspy-voiced screaming is certainly not for everyone. Certain singers, like Bennett, assume that if you have a powerful voice (even if its tonality is unpleasant) you must sing all songs at the top of your lungs. Rarely do such histrionics add anything to a pretty melody or romantic lyric. Bennett likes to think of himself as a great "jazz singer" who performs the compositions of Jewish-American songwriters and black orchestra leaders. I guess this self-description makes him feel "hip." In fact, Bennett is often a screechingly annoying balladeer and on uptempo numbers his style is about as hip as Conway Twitty's. And all that screaming!!! Tony, your head is about to explode!!!!

Tony Bennett is a minor leaguer among major leaguers
I agree with the music fan from Potts Grove, Pennsylvania: Tony Bennett is a screamer with a grating, raspy voice who too often sounds like his head is about to explode. Bennett's "Greatest Hits" album has some nice tunes like "San Francisco" and "I Wanna Be Around," but many of the other selections feature Bennett's typical screaming at the top of his lungs even when the tune does not call for such volume and vocal histrionics. It's true, when I think back at watching him perform on TV over the years, his neck and face did grow red and contort as he screamed out lyrics. Like Barbra Streisand, Bennett must think that good singing equates with yelling and screaming. When he does keep his human vibrato under control, he sings a nice (although not great) ballad. He also does have good taste in the classic pop material he records, but his voice grows increasingly grating as you listen to it. With Sinatra, Darin, Martin, Crosby, Matt Monro, etc. dead, there are few classic popular singers remaining (Jack Jones and Vic Damone are the only two who come to mind)and so Bennett fills a necessary gap----but he is no Vic Damone or Jack Jones as a balladeer, nor is he a Bobby Darin or Frank Sinatra as a swinging belter of uptempo tunes. He is just there....tasteful but often annoying. Better invest in a pair of ear plugs before listening to this CD.

Bennett Another Great Italian Crooner
Aside from the classic "I Left My Heart In San Francisco," Tony Bennett's vocalizing is an acquired taste. But Bennett does grow on you. Initially, his voice is a bit grating and the listener may grow concerned that the veins in his neck might pop at any minute. Eventually, however, you realize that while he is not an exceptionally smooth vocalist (like Como or Damone), he is nonetheless a very good one. He has a powerful voice and, while he at times awkwardly tries too hard to swing like Bobby Darin (who, in my opinion, stands alone as a master uptempo vocalist), he usually has good taste in his choice of songs. Tony Bennett may not have the looks, panache, or magnetism of Bobby Darin or Dean Martin, but like his two paisanos, he can sing. Add his name to a list that also includes Vic Damone, Perry Como, Frank Sinatra, Frankie Laine, Nick Lucas, Al Martino, Russ Columbo, Buddy Greco, Julius LaRosa, etc., and you have a veritable who's who of American popular singers, all of Italian descent. His "Greatest HIts" CD is a must for any serious collector of American popular song. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Josh Groban in Concert has all the ingredients to be a long-running PBS staple: a young (21), good-looking performer with a golden voice; songs in Italian and Spanish for the crossover crowd (i.e., Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman) and pop and movie songs for the mainstream; guest stars galore (David Foster, John Williams, Angie Stone, Andrea Corr, Lili Haydn); a large orchestra; and striking but not obtrusive visual effects. The centerpiece of this DVD-CD combo (also available in a DVD keepcase) is the 80-minute concert DVD, filmed in Pasadena in October 2002 and featuring numerous songs from Groban's debut CD, including "You're Still You," which catapulted him into stardom when he sang it on TV's Ally McBeal. There are also two new songs--the ballad "Broken Vow," with Groban accompanied by Foster, and "For Always," with the orchestra conducted by John Williams, who wrote the song for the Steven Spielberg film A.I..

The 37-minute CD offers seven songs performed in the concert (including the two not on the previous CD, "Broken Vow" and "For Always"), plus "O Holy Night." The DVD has excellent picture and sound (PCM stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1, and DTS), interviews, and backstage footage, and the combination with the CD is an excellent value. Groban's fans, of course, will consider it a treasure at any price. --David Horiuchi ... Read more

Reviews (117)

Incredible talent!
I have both this CD/DVD and his debut album, and I can't say enough about either. In this latest CD, you will hear improvements from his original renditions- and I thought it couldn't get any better! What's always blown me away is not just his incredible voice, but his ability to interpret songs. Not too many singers can do just what he does at age 21! Many of his songs are in Italian, one in Spanish, and the emotion that he puts into it makes you understand what he's singing- all without a translation! In this DVD are guest appearances from John Williams, Lili Hayden, Andrea Coor, David Foster, and Angie Stone. All of pairings are magnificent. One of Josh's most recent attempts- Broken Vow- is heartwrenching. It literally moves you to tears. A few other tearful ones are You're Still You, and To Where You Are. During those, you can't see the screen, you're crying so much. Un Amore Per Sempre, Alejate, and Alla Luce del Sole, are a few other non-English favorites of mine. The guitarist on Alejate is superb! Oy! And I nearly forgot- Vincent, or also known as Starry, Starry Night- written by Don McLean, is performed beautifully by Josh. Three artists are connected in that rendition by Josh- Vincent van Gough, Don McLean, and, of course, Josh Groban. The concert moves very smoothly, the songs seem to transition well. I can't say enough good things about this CD/DVD. It's one of those must-haves! You have to experience it for yourself. So get it, watch/listen to it, and then write about it!

This CD/DVD Package is AMAZING!
If you have heard Josh Groban's debut CD, then you know this is a kid [only 21!] with a remarkable voice. The CD in this package include 6 previously released songs performed LIVE, one live performance of a new track - Broken Vow - and a studio version of his chart busting Christmas single - O Holy Night. The DVD contains his Great Performances - Josh Groban in Concert video that has been airing on PBS. It was taped in Pasadena on October 3 & 4, 2002. Beautiful staging and lighting enhance all 13 tunes that were on his debut CD, plus a solo performance of For Always from the A.I. Artificial Intelligence soundtrack and Broken Vow. The DVD include guest performances with Andrea Corr of The Corrs, Rhys Fulber and Lili Hayden on Canto Alla Vita, Lili Hayden on Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, Angie Stone on The Prayer, and John Williams conducting on For Always. The additional footage provided of backstage and various interviews with the guests is excellent. Josh's brother, Chris, also did a short backstage video with some interesting footage of rehearsals, backstage, and personal impressions.

I would highly recommend this CD/DVD for your collection!

Breathless Beauty - 100 Stars
"There is such a place in this world for your voice." ~ David Foster

Josh's voice is the purest of spiritual ecstasy. His voice is almost timeless in beauty and inspires hope, courage and compassion. "To Where You Are" was my introduction to Josh's voice and yet I didn't fully realize the complexity or the beauty of his voice until I found his "Closer" CD.

His very existence seems to raise your consciousness and the graciousness he displays on stage only made me respect him more. Josh seems as comfortable on stage as God must feel in heaven. His voice raises your spiritual awareness, drenches you in a tearful romantic high and at times can stun you into silence. At such a young age, he truly owns the stage. He even plays the piano in an impromptu moment amidst a conversation with David Foster.

I was impressed with how Josh allows the creative process to evolve around him and how he shares the stage with talent from near and far. Angie Stone and Andrea Corr sing duets with Josh in this concert.

The moment with Lili Haydn is stunning as she seems to appear as an angel and Josh looks on in wonder to where she plays her violin with a backdrop of special lighting/shadow visual effects that takes Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring to entirely new levels. Josh climbs stairs in "Let Me Fall" and then actually "falls." It is all planned and they show the details in the Making of the Special section. Rose petals swirl in the breeze in the background on huge screens as Josh sings Alejate.

I never felt so much love in my soul
And no one but you loved me
I laughed and cried, I was reborn...
~Alejate

Contents:

1 Bonus CD - Songs from the concert with the additional selection of O Holy Night.

1 DVD:

Play Show

Song Selection - Quickly locate any of the 15 songs from the concert.

Special Features - Making of the Special, Chris Groban's Backstage Footage and Weblinks.

Setup Options - The lack of song translations in the subtitles was slightly disappointing. I would have loved to read the words in English, as it would have added an additional layer of depth to the romantic Italian and Spanish ballads. Fortunately song translations for Un Amore Per Sempre and Alejate are readily available online.

Josh Groban in Concert is a highly collectable and romantic concert that not only displays Josh's breathlessly beautiful voice, it also displays the depth of his commitment to music and his spontaneous comedic side.

Yes, I'm completely addicted. More! More! :)

~TheRebeccaReview.com

Lackluster
I think I knew about Josh Groban long before most people did, and I know I introduced him (via my website) to hundreds.

This CD/DVD combination was a major disappointment for me. So much so, that I gave it to a relative instead of keeping it.

All I can say is, Josh, diversify. All your songs are sounding the same to me, and it's getting boring.

Gorgeous vocals go only so far when the songs, great as they are, seem uninspired. I found the television special (DVD) to be like this: You see and hear one song, and you've seen and heard them all. "The Prayer" was, in my humble opinion, irritating, as bad as when a singer tries to inject soul into the "Star Spangled Banner."

It just doesn't work.

Next best thing to being there!
I haven't yet had a chance to see Josh Groban perform live, but this DVD concert is probably the next best thing.

Josh's voice is amazing; there is so much emotion there, especially during such numbers as "Vincent" and "Let Me Fall". Most of the songs are sung solo, but there are a few duets. "Canto alla vita", with Andrea Corr, is another highlight of this concert.

All the songs (with the exception of John Williams' "For Always") are on Josh's two CDs, but it's nice to see them performed in a concert setting. All of his original duet partners appear here, with the exception of Charlotte Church for "The Prayer" (Angie Stone was used instead). David Foster even joins in to play piano and banter with Josh.

As a bonus, the accompanying CD includes a lovely version of "O Holy Night", which is, as far as I'm aware, unavailable anywhere else.

This product is listed as being a CD with bonus a DVD, but I think it's really the other way around. The DVD is great. Supplementary features (including a "making-of" featurette and brother Chris Groban's backstage footage) are interesting to see, but are really just icing on the cake. The concert itself is enough, and well worth the price. ... Read more

Amazon.com

While not exactly classical crossover's take on The Monkees, this international quartet of young male vocalists from America, France, Spain and Switzerland shares a similar genesis. Assembled after a long talent search and audition process, they were teamed with pop producers Per Magnusson and David Krueger (Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys) and Steve Mac (Charlotte Church, Kelly Clarkson) and turned loose on a slate of classical-pop favorites, with a dramatic, dynamically nuanced read of Toni Braxton's signature "Unbreak My Heart" setting the standard. While the deceptive ease of their harmonies belie the group's disparate nationalities and talent search roots on the melodramatic "Hoy Que Ya No Estas Aqui," Morricone's glorious Mission theme, "Nella Fantasia" and the cascading "Passera," the album's pop-oriented material is a decidedly more mixed bag ."Everytime I Look At You" and "Feelings" (not Morris Albert's) soar gracefully, while "The Man You Love" seems more a throwback to the producers' boy band roots. The standard "My Way" and a lovely, bonus cut Italian version of "Unchained Melody" close the album out on a high note, even if their safe familiarity doesn't offer the promising quartet a sufficient musical challenge. --Jerry McCulley

[CD AUDIO SIDE: Entire Album; DVD SIDE: * All 13 Songs in PCM Stereo * "Unbreak My Heart" Music Video * Live From Gotham Hall -Unbreak My Heart -Mama -Nella Fantasia -Passera -My Way.]

More Divine Crooners To Explore

Haunted Heart, Renee Fleming	Stardust, Rod Stewart	Andrea, Andrea Bocelli
Follow Your Heart, Mario Frangoulis	On the Moon, Peter Cincotti	Taking a Chance on Love,Jane Monheit

... Read more

Amazon.com

Have some friends who still haven't discovered what the Sarah Brightman fuss is all about? You'll find the perfect introduction to make converts of them all in Classics, so they'll have no more excuses to remain clueless. Sporting a Botticelli-inspired image of the platinum-selling soprano on the cover, Classics is a classy anthology including highlights from three of Brightman's chart-topping releases along with seven new tracks. Songs personally selected by the diva as her favorite classical interpretations are culled from her previous blockbusters: Time To Say Goodbye, Eden, and La Luna. And whether you're afan already in the fold or one in the making, the new material here shows the diva at the top of her form, in new renderings of "O Mio Babbino Caro" and "Nessun Dorma" (accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic)--fascinating displays of the operatic confidence she's developed over her career. Other new offerings include a touching version of Schubert's "Ave Maria,' "Winter Light," a fresh take on her signature song "Pie Jesu" (from Andrew Lloyd Webber's Requiem). "Alhambra" and "Dans La Nuit"--a real treat, bathing the listener in Brightman's silky, sensuous vocalism--add two original titles to her famous adaptations of classical melodies to new lyrics (using Chopin's haunting E major Etude in the latter case). All told, a lovely affirmation of the directions Brightman has boldly taken in her career to date. -Sarah Chin ... Read more

Reviews (127)

ChrisTmas is here!!!
This may not be a ChrisTmas album ~~~it is however full of spirit...Sarah's

Yes this is "SARAH'S CLASSICS"
This whole CD Flows...Floats... Fabulous
From the beginning of "AVE MARIA"
To the last notes of "TTSG"

AVE MARIA is absolutely Beautiful PERIOD.

LA WALLY is done in a pure Classical style no extra percussion/explosions. Done with the same type of sensitivity as La Luna

WINTER LIGHT has become a new Favorite to this listener..."whispers and I will follow"..

ANYTIME ANYWHERE... I Love anyway..*sigh* a sultry pining..

ALHAMBRA a Spanish guitar and Sarah...a beautiful song does it get any better than this ..

LASCIA CHI'O PIANGA....Lovely..soft piece

DANS LA NUIT...a Chopin piece I have heard many times before but never so beautifully sung..

SERENADE/...This is a Peterson Soltau
HOW FAIR THIS PLACE...this is Brightmans adaptation of Rachmannov it is exquisite by its self and especially when attached to Serenade

O MIO BABBINO CARO...You have heard this before too ...so what is that saying about things being better "the second time around"..this is a more mature voice it is beautiful..

LA LUNA...This brought tears to my eye's the first time I heard it ...and it does so now...Davorak must be weeping in his grave with tears of Joy!

PIE JESU....This has a bit different quality to ..and it sounds GREAT "as usual Ms. Brightman". Her voice has matured since she first recorded it and the FULL Orchestra in the back ground adds a touch of drama (Not that she needs it)

FIGLIO PERDUTO and BAILERO these are just great pieces they fit the album they are obviously favorites of Sarah's.

NESSUN DORMA....She doesn't need the full Orchestra but it sounds GREAT!! and just a bit different from the other times we have heard it...she still lifts you right off the ground !!

this CD closes with TIME TO SAY GOODBYE!!! It is fitting... one of Sarah's own.....one of her best!

Thank You SARAH

Thank You FRANK

What a GREAT ChrisTmas PresenT....(the caps here are intentional)

Lock the doors, Turn down the lights, Light the fire and the Candles..put your feet up..and FLOAT with your dreams along with Sarah!

This is "The DIVA" at her BEST.

Buy this album Folks!
For yourself and any other Sarah Fan or as an introduction gift to the voice of an Angel..

JAS

An excellent introduction for new fans
I fell in love with Sarah Brightman when "La Luna" was released late last year. Since then I have been hooked on her stunning voice. She sings like an angel. Several of the tracks on this album are new songs like "Ave Maria", "Winter Light", "Alhambra", "O Mio Babbino Caro" and "Nessun Dorma". Of those new tracks, "Winter Light" is my personal favorite. Sarah's vocals are controlled at a minimum level. Songs like "La Wally" she tends to sound like a foghorn, meaning she oversings to the point of sounding like her lungs are ready to burst. Still Sarah doesn't come off sounding like Christina Aguilera who has no control over her voice when she oversings. The one flaw I found was that five of the 15 tracks are new songs, not leaving much room for her to add more of her earlier material from "Eden" and "La Luna". Only three songs were taken from both "Eden" and "La Luna" each. If this cd was a classic album, there should have been more favorites and less of the new tracks. That is the only flaw I found with this album but otherwise I loved what I heard. Sarah does have one of the most beautiful voices around and I can never tire of listening to her sing.

Sarah can do it all
Can you say, "Absolutely Amazing"? This cd is, by far, my favarite out of all of her cd's. I must say that i like her classical sound better than her pop sound, but what can i say, she can do it all spectacularly well! I will say, however, that i was greatly disappointed w/ "Winter Light." She is breathy throughout the whole song, but it is very listenable. I would much rather hear her sing "O mio Babbino caro."
Other than Pavaratti, who can sing "Nesun Dorma" like that? WOW!! That song is by far my favorite Sarah Brightman song! If you ever get the chance, go see one of her concerts, and hear her perform it live. It is the most magnificent thing you could ever imagine!
BRAVO Sarah!!

terrific introduction to an amazing artist
Though not a 'popular' artist, Sarah Brightman has an amazing fan following all around the world. Her recent 'Harem' tour has played all around the world to incredible commercial success and the fanaticism of her fans can put Tori Amos acolytes to shame.

This album, Classics, is a compilation of her interpretation of more classic pieces of music, but they are not necessarily 'classical.' Brightman virtually pioneered the classical-pop crossover genre, so it's actually very pop-friendly.

Sarah's albums are usually themed concept albums, but seeing as how this is a collection of previous work (and some new), no theme is attached to this release. What you get, though, is a handful of completely new songs, new recordings of old favorites, and a few tracks from previous albums.

Is this worth purchasing for fans who already have her previous albums? It depends. Ave Maria, Winter Light, Alhambra, and Dans La Nuit are completely new, never-before-released tracks only available on Classics. O Mio Bambino Caro and Nessun Dorma, Pie Jesu, and Time to Say Goodbye have been re-recorded. (I actually prefer the Nessun Dorma on this release as opposed the original one from 'Eden,' since a female choir backs on this one, and it's a treat to hear her solo version of Time to Say Goodbye. Aside from this, the songs aren't dramatically different from the originals.) La Luna also comes without the annoying stretch of silence after it and Moon River (terrific for those who want a copy of the song just by itself without the hidden track afterwards). So, you're pretty much getting 4 new songs, 4 songs we've already heard re-done, and 7 songs plucked from previous albums. It's really up to you to decide if that's enough to entice you to buy the CD.

Now, if you're a classical purist, get away from this album. Turn around and pretend you didn't see it! The things some classical purists say about Sarah's renditions of classics are unrepeatable. They pick on everything from Sarah's intonation, rhythmn, and butchering attempts at coloratura. In Sarah's defense, however, she's never called herself an opera singer (or even a classical singer). Personally, the more approval a singer gets from opera lords and classical experts, the more boring and less appealing they are to my untrained ears. What can I say? I love my pop music and I'm out of touch with 18th century technique. Sarah knows what sounds good to people just like me and what she delivers is classical music for the new century. I'm glad she has, though, because there really is a lot of gorgeous classical pieces out there that deserve a revival. Sarah opens up a genre that until her arrival was too esoteric, old fashioned, and intimidating for the average person. Don't get me wrong, I believe people when they say how awesome Renee Flemming and Maria Callas are. Their appeal isn't broad, though, since it takes somebody who actually knows what they're listening for to appreciate them; they fall into a specialized category. (Just like it takes a rap aficionado to appreciate a good rapper; to some, all rap sounds the same.) Sarah gives classical pieces the touch of pop accessability I need--take that away and turn her into a perfect opera diva with perfect technique (and all that stuff I don't know left from right about) and I'll probably stop listening to her. She has gorgeous tone color that makes her voice sound lovely and I love her deliveries of the songs that make it accessible to my taste. Apparently, I'm not alone, since her albums go platinum all around the world.

Unfortunately, the scandal of the album art has overshadowed the loveliness of this collection. I, for one, wasn't offended, but seeing as how Sarah has fans from every demographic and age group, I can understand how some of the more conservative fans detest nudity (or even just hints of nudity) in all its forms. What they saw as offensive I saw as a tribute and tip of the hat to classical art, ala the statues of David by Michaelangelo and Donatello, Botticelli's "The Birth of Venus," etc. Seeing as how the collection is named "Classics," I found the tribute to classical art rather fitting (plus, it kept a potentially boring album from being dull). To each his or her own, though.

Though this is a great introduction to Sarah's work, I'd still strongly recommend purchasing her other albums like Eden or La Luna if you're going to get a full taste of Sarah Brightman. Her concept albums are spectacular, and the way the songs come together to fit the chosen theme add to the atmosphere her music creates. Her fans anticipate the announcement of her themes almost as eagerly as they do the release of her albums!

There is talent, THEN you get Sarah Brightman
I am a broadcaster in my spare time and my show mainly focus on cross over music. Sarah features in every single program of mine.This compulation is a perfect showcase of the Brightman voice!!!!! I listen to it basically every week, and I have all the Brightman albums. This is who she is and she is not a Kiri or a Renee, she is Sarah Brightman!!!!! It has never been a question that if she can sing, rather it is - SHE just has to sing!!!!Buy this album, it is perfect!!!! ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Nuclear Bosa Nova
Ms. Souza sings with a great deal of panache.
She has amazing technique and style. She can be
percussive or lyrical which ever is needed. She
has a wide color palette from which to choose and
her choices are always musical. In short, she is
a fantastic musician. The song selection is super
and the guitarists are dynamite.

Smooth bossa
This album seems to aim for a smooth jazz audience. Better, for a smooth bossa audience. But Souza is no charming Astrud Gilberto, sorry. The arrangements are so poor...One of the guitarists (Romero Lubambo) sounds nice, but Mr. Walter Santos is not in good shape, and a third one has no swing. People interested in first-class vocal/guitar duos by Brazilian artists should look for the Eliezeth Cardoso/Raphael Rabello, and Paulo Belinatti/Monica Salsamaso collaborations.

Oh My God!
this is one awesome CD! I can't get over the guitar playing, while her voice and presence are simply superb... amazing indeed!

A gorgeous acoustic album
A beautiful acoustic album which draws songs from sources as varied as Luiz Gonzaga, Edu Lobo, Dorival Caymmi and Jacob do Bandolim, a fine mix of jazz and traditional Brazilian sensibilities. The duets are between Paulista singer Luciana Souza and the guitars of Romero Lubambo, Marco Pereira and Souza's father, composer Walter Santos. Souza is a striking vocalist whose clarity of tone brings to mind other Brazilian singers such as Joyce or Clara Nunes, although with a clarity of purpose that makes this album all her own. Each guitarist in his turn proves a sympathetic foil to Ms. Souza's honied voice... A lovely, wonderfully controlled and expressive set of songs -- highly recommended!

Love or Hate at the first sight- For me, it is love.
This one of my favorite Brazilian CDs released in Year 2001. I have recommended to more than 10 music lovers, and every one of them loves it. The previous reviewer tried to compare Ms. Souza to Joyce, and the three guitarists to the great Joao Gilberto. His/her attempt is like comparing Flan to Tiramisu, not making much sense.

I own most albums from of Joao Gilberto to say that Joao uses his guitar to accompany his voice, not as a solo instrument. In this album, duo means guitar is equally important in making the sound. Ms. Souza¡¦s father Walter Santos is old. You can hear the stiffness of his hands. Even though, he has assisted her daughter with good taste. The other two guitarists Romero Lubambo and Marco Pereira have established themselves in many of their own albums in groups or in solo. The creativity, virtuosity, and energy from those two guitar masters are incredible.

Most songs in this album were carried out with exquisite details, with just simply Ms. Souza and a guitarist at a time. Unlike some big volume Jazz singers who love to use strong vibrato, Ms. Souza cleverly mixe