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There's no arguing with the power of Sissel's voice. The Norwegian soprano brought James Horner's Titanicto life and blew people away at the Lillehammer Olympics' opening ceremony. Positioned as a classical crossover performer, Sissel's talent and versatility gets her into trouble. The 12-song My Heart bounces back and forth from Andrew Lloyd Webber to Franz Schubert, from Astor Piazolla to Ennio Morricone. These different composers are reconciled into one album by her talent. She's less successful with a so-so version "Ave Maria," but does better with Puccini's tear-jerker aria "O Mio Babbino Caro." Things go aesthetically awry when the singer (who has recorded folk music in the past) dives into folk-pop with "Angel Eyes" and then spin completely out of control on Richard Marx's "Someone Like You," which is a jarring stab at light R&B. Seemingly formulated by marketing team, My Heart may succeed at getting radio airplay in different formats, but it's an album that loses its way at times. --Tad Hendrickson ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Very well done!
Unlike many folks, I never saw the movie Titanic, nor did I catch the Lillihammer Winter Olympics. I first heard the voice of Sissel on The Chieftains album "Tears of Stone". I next heard a bit of her on a PBS video clip as I was outbound to China or San Francisco. The voice was unforgettable.

I saw this album in Borders in the States and picked it up knowing the quality of her voice. The beauty of the music just blew me away when I finally had a chance to sit down and listen to it. This recording is very well done with a mix of pop and classical that really showcases what this woman can do. I am serving the Lord in China currently, and the lyrics make think me a great deal of the woman over here that I have fallen in love with. She has listened to this also, and she was very much moved by it.

Perhaps she (Sissel) may consider recording something from J.S. Bach's works for the Church :-)

If you and your team are reading this Sissel, let me commend you on a job very well done!

You should get it asap!
I bought this CD from Tower records simply because I could not wait to enjoy the elegant voice of Sissel. Yeah you may say I was crazy, I paid a higher price plus tax. But that was all worth it.
My personal favorite is the last one, Deborah's theme from "once upon in America", one of the best films about friendship and love. And all other songs are marvelous. I think Sissel's voice is warmer when compared with Sarah Brightman. Maybe true classic fans won't like her, but they never like pop-lized Sarah either. :P
Anyway, this is a must-have for fans of innocent voices. It is really my pleasure to listen to this CD while programming. :)

Sissel is amazing
Sissel's new cd "My Heart" is very refreshing. It's a perfect cd for the end of the day when you get off work. I really enjoyed "Sarah's song", it was so soothing and captivating. I saw her last year on PBS and I was instantly hooked to her music. I can't wait to see her on this next PBS tour.

Music from the Heart ~
Clearly, Sissel owns such an amazing instrument via her vocals. This Cd is relaxing, entertaining and ear opening. A must have for music fans of POP and or Classical music. She's truly the diva of CLASSIPOP. One big step above and beyond anything Sarah Brightman has presented to her fans. Don't question....just purchase !

Another Perfect CD by Sissel
No offense to Mr.Tad Hendrickson, who writes the first review on this page, but I beg to differ with his disparaging remarks about the song selection on Sissel's new CD, "My Heart." Angel Eyes, and Someone Like You are probably two of the best songs on this CD. I can't, for the life of me, figure why he thinks these are poor song selections. Sigh. I guess taste is all in the mouth. For anyone who has liked Sissel's previous CD's, this CD will just enhance your collection. For those who haven't heard her, this is a most excellent CD with which to start your collection. With everyone giving her 5 stars (so far) on this review page, perhaps this tells you how wonderful this woman's voice really is. I don't care if you like the songs, just close your eyes, relax, and listen to the perfect and fine instrument her voice is. It takes you away, and fills you up. What a fine, fine CD. Thank you to Sissel and all the folks who made this CD. ... Read more

Amazon.com

"If you wanna hear me sing serious, buy an album," Dean Martin says early in this 70-minute disc, underlining his point by deliberately mangling the last word's pronunciation. Issued to catch the wave of Steven Soderbergh's remake of the Pack's romp, Ocean's 11, Live at the Sands is the second official issue of a Martin/Frank Sinatra/Sammy Davis Jr. show. This September 1963 date, though, is nimbler and funnier than the previous year's set preserved on The Summit in Concert. Some of the same jokes are told, but this Vegas jaunt adds at least one new running gag (Dino's brief rendition of "It's My Party"), and Sammy also gets a few racially tinged zingers off in return for those of his partners. Oh, and lest we forget, there's good music. Martin actually plays it straight on two Guys and Dolls duets with Sinatra, who also turns in a half-dozen strong performances on his own. Plenty of mystique is present, but Sands captures the trio hard at work as well. --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (41)

This is the One
"Ladies and Gentlemen - direct from the bar, Dean Martin!"

And with that sendoff begins one of the best live recorded cds I've ever heard. Recorded in 1963 during one of the many live performances at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas, more than a CD, this is a time capsule of a bygone era - a swingin' and much less serious time, before the assasination of JFK and the turbulant Sixties began. Frank, Deano, and Sammy are absolutely on top of their game.

The Rat Pack mythology was shaped during the filming of "Ocean's 11" in early 1960. The five leading men - Frank, Dean, Sammy, Peter Lawford, and Joey Bishop - filmed during the day and then gathered onstage at the Sands Hotel at night. These "Summit Meetings" as Sinatra called them, not only galvanized Las Vegas as thousands of visitors poured into the gambling mecca without a prayer of getting a room reservation, but also made headlines and piqued imaginations as news reverberated around the world.

The Rat Pack's support of Senator John F. Kennedy (Lawford's brother-in-law) in his bid for the presidency became a cornerstone of his campaign, even as he was a ringside visitor at their shows. It was a moment in time, in history, never to be repeated. "There they were," writes Bill Zehme in his liner notes to THE RAT PACK LIVE AT THE SANDS, "twice nightly, without fail, tearing it up together through the dinner show at eight and back again at midnight, primed for even greater mayhem and off-color foolery."

The audio quality of this CD is fantastic and the music and dialogue sound great. The guys are absolutely irreverant, witty, and have a great time with the audience and eachother. Stand-up, impressions, music, cocktails - everybody is having a blast, the Rat Pack included, and it comes through loud and clear on this CD.

There are other Rat Pack CDs out there - a lot in fact, but NONE that truly capture their very essence like this one. Listen to this one and prepare to be taken back and find out what it was all about.

One of my 5 favorite CDs
This CD is a slice of history. It is a modified version of the act that Dean, Frank and Sammy came up with to perform at the "Summit" in early 1960.

If you're just after straight music, there are plenty of other CDs to choose from.

As for me, I'll go with the live recordings because they are just that, *ALIVE*. Frank, Dean and Sammy are still as vibrant on the recording as they were in early September, 1963. If you want to laugh at crazy jokes, hear Sammy's incredible impressions or sing along with the timeless tunes, this is the album.

After listening to this CD, I'm hooked on LIVE Rat Pack recordings (I'm in the process of collecting all I can find). I just wish someone would come up with a video of what was happening on stage. I someone makes a DVD, I'll buy it!

If this sounds interesting and you like Sammy, I particularly recommend "Sammy Davis Jr. At the Cocoanut Grove" (recorded in 1962, Reprise). Its all Sammy (although I did mistake Sammy's impressions of Frank for Mr. Sinatra the first few times through.)

:-)

If you love a good time, this CD is guranteed to "leave you swinging..."

Best of the Rat Pack
This cd is a real treat. It's like stepping back in time for an evening of great entertainment. The music, singing, and jokes are all great. This cd is vastly better all around than the Live and Swingin' set (which I also bought just for the dvd). If you are a fan of the Rat Pack or just want to know what all the fuss was about, buy it and enjoy.

Drink To Me Only...
One of their shows. Astonishing! Jokes about booze, jews, negros, italians, gangsters,... and songs! Very nice! Some of jokes are repeated from previous performances and some are new!

This is Great
I've had this CD for a while now, and I love it! It's hilarious. It seems to me that life was much more carefree before Political Correctness took over. I really don't think the Rat Pack would be allowed to put on a performance like this today. It's excellent, if you don't have it, buy it. Trust me, it's not a waste of money. (Unless you hate the Ratpack) ... Read more

Amazon.com

Barbra Streisand's bravado made her one of the 1960s' overnight sensations. This 40-cut compendium traces her recording career from early tracks that frequently relay her subtlety to often impressive accommodations with soft rock and still later vibrato-fests that find her taxing the limits of performer's ego and listeners' ears. The narrative is one of direct, sometimes showy, emotion giving way to empty displays of technique. By 1983's icky anthem "A Piece of Sky," Streisand has plowed under the light touches of "Lover, Come Back to Me" and the triumphal Central Park version of "Happy Days Are Here Again." Where she produced schlock masterworks when teamed with Neil Diamond ("You Don't Bring Me Flowers") and Donna Summer ("Enough Is Enough") in the '70s, a diva summit with Celine Dion led to the car wreck of 1997's "Tell Him." Essential wraps up with previously unreleased takes of "Someday My Prince Will Come" and "You'll Never Walk Alone." --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (91)

It Hasn't Left the CD Player!
It's hard to imagine one album that would so completely encapsulate the career of Barbra Streisand... but this essential collection does so wonderfully. It's appropriate that Barbra begin the collection with "A Sleepin' Bee"... her 1st broadway song. All of the early classics are here, though I am surprised at the inclusion of "I Stayed Too Long at the Fair". I would have picked "Starting Here, Starting Now". The 70's are well reflected on this 1st disc as well. "Stoney End" is a personal favorite. Even Barbra's two disco classics are included! It's amazing to see the diversity of songs she has recorded. Ballads, pop, disco, broadway, film. All are well respresented here. I would have foregone "Lazy Afternoon" in favor of "Songbird" or "Prisoner". The 2nd disc starts with Barbra's #1 "Woman In Love" and touches base on most of her noteworthy songs up to the present day. I would have preferred the live version of "As If We Never Said Goodbye" and teh inclusion of "Left in the Dark" but this collection was most special because of the two new additional songs. It must have been difficult to pick from well over 50 albums and find the 40 best songs. Barbra's voice is such an incredible instrument. The power, majesty and beauty are still there as strong as ever before. This is a perfect 40th Anniversary collection. Now I look forward to a new album of contemporary songs. Perhaps a "Guilty Again" or a
"Broadway Album - Act III". Perhaps an album of uptempo songs
a la Cher or a Pet Shop Barbra such as was done for Liza Minelli. Gay men have always been Barbra's most ardent fans and it would be incredible to hear Barbra's voice back on the dance floor after all these years. Sure it would be a commercial venture but would also be great fun. Barbra has long said she has wanted to give something back to the gay community. Forget about a film which would be seen and promptly forgotten. Her fans fell in love with her voice 1st and that is the part of her talent that will endure the longest. An album of fun high-energy anthem type songs perhaps mixed with a couple of contemporary power ballads would be magic... perhaps entitled "NightLight". If only Barbra would realize how many fans love her dance songs she wouldn't be so hesitant. It seems she hasn't forgotten the floundering "Emotion" album, but hey, that had 3 charting singles and MTV airplay, so how bad was that? I'm sure whatever Streisand does, it will continue to enthrall the millions of people who've been enchanted by the gifts of this extraordinary woman.

America's Best Selling Female Vocalist - A Collection
Barbra Streisand's four decades of beautiful music are perfectly captured on this sterling two CD set. Disc One introduces us to 60's Streisand, a new star who would the standard for standards at a time when the prevailing taste in pop music was the Beatles. Her passionate and powerful renditions of "Happy Days Are Here Again", "He Touched Me" and "On A Clear Day" set the stage for America's most beloved female vocalist. The latter half of this disc captures Barbra in exquisite vocal form as her voice matures and loses its early "reed" like quality in favor of a more powerful and melodic vibrato. The 70's showcases her successful forays into various styles of music from light rock ("Stoney End") to disco ("The Main Event/Fight") and cements her status as America's premier interpreter of loved songs ("Evergreen").

Disc II captures Streisand at the zenith of her sales career with the songs from her brillant collaboration with Barry Gibb. From there her music finds a deeper & richer showcase in the songs from her film "Yentl". Barbra's best album of the 80's, "The Broadway Album" is well represented here and finds Barbra returning to her musical roots and reestablsihing herself as the ultimate interpreter of Broadway standards. Even the start of the 90's has Barbra continuing this theme with songs from "Back to Broadway". The latter half of the 90's teams Barbra with Bryan Adams and Celine Dion in memorable pop confections.

The two new songs included here ("Someday My Prince Will Come" and "You'll Never Walk Alone") both recorded in 2000 are superb. Her new rendition of "You'll Never Walk Alone" is in itself reason enough to buy the album!

Her fortcoming album "Duets" will feature performances with Josh Groban ("All I Know Of Love") and Barry Manilow ("I Won't Be the One To Let Go"). If reviews of her latest live performance on 9/30/02 are any indiction, Barbra is in "better than ever" voice and it would seem that there are many more golden moments for Barbra to come!

For those who choose to critique Barbra the photo or Barbra the person with childish and inappropraite remarks... all I can say is... are they running low on Zoloft or something? Get a grip!

Chris Sullivan

I only sing for the money
Once in a book Streisand it was written that Streisand said I only sing for the money. Well it is very clear that it is true for this emotionally barron diva, lacks any conviction, though she is technically gifted, she doesn't show any real passion or convictuin in her singing, just pure shallowness...

terrible,i despise it
please dont buy or listen to this horrible double disc compilation of fourty of the lousiest,atrocious horrid,horrible,crappy throwaway songs you will hear.you will get better box sets than this so avoid this disaster at all costs.get the box set of black sabbath instead.

Fabulous! I love it!
There are female singers, and there is Barbra Streisand, who is a total goddess. She sings, performs, acts, directs, and produces. She is, in a word, amazing. I'd eat off the ground she walks on! This collection is fabulous. You gotta get it. Buy now! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Tom Jones all but invented saucy power pop back before the sixties even started to swing when his second single "It's Not Unusual" rocketed up the UK charts in 1965. After that initial triumph the singer never looked back, tying his hair back with a thin black ribbon and putting some rather expressive body English into his stage moves, which assured that the stage floor would be routinely pelted with various undergarments pitched by enthusiastic fans. Almost four decades later both Jones and his audience are no less fervent as Wales' second-most famous export runs through his extensive and varied songbook, still imbuing his old chestnuts like "What's New Pussycat?" and "Delilah" with a sense of naughty fun and irony. But Jones is at his best while giving the latest generation of rockers a run for their money, as he pairs up with the likes of Wyclef Jean, the Sterophonics, Art of Noise, the Cardigans, and Mousse T; as he overhauls staid tired standards like "Mama Told Me (Not To Come)" or "Baby It's Cold Outside" with his arch humor and gutsy delivery. Prince's "Kiss" crackles with an inner light that even the great Minneapolis savant didn’t intend, while his duet with Portishead is as cold and disturbing as a grave. A must have album. --Jaan Uhelszki ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Tom Jones proves he still has it!
This is a wonderful cd and a must have for all Tom Jones fans.It
includes some of Tom's older songs with the perfect blend of his
newer ones.Sexbomb and Kiss are both destined to become Tom Jones classics.My husband and I had the pleasure of seeing Tom in
Las Vegas a couple of years ago.Trust me,Tom is still "Burning
Down the House"

The voice, the man, the power...
Okay, I'm not a long-time Tom Jones fan. In fact, I like country music (which is why I absolutely loved "Green, Green Grass of Home," by the way). However, Tom Jones is one of those guys who transcends genres. And I'm living proof that even a country boy knows how to get it on!

Okay, after that corny statement (I'm not too sure what it means, either), let me tell you about the music of this CD. If you're a Tom Jones fan, this review is probably pointless; you know the quality of the music you're going to get, and you're anxious to get it. If you're new, like me, then you might want to read on.

The album's three best (in my opinion) are: "It's Not Unusual" (of course), "Kiss" (a little pop, but hey, he's versitile), and "Sometimes We Cry" (a duet with Van Morrison, a stellar performance from both men).

Okay. I won't go into each song by detail; there's 19 of them, and that could take a while. Let me just describe to you the range of styles this man has: from the classics "She's a Lady" and "What's New Pussycat," to the pop "Kiss," to the rockers "Mama Told Me Not To Come" and "Burning Down the House," to the hiphop of "Tom Jones International" and "Black Betty," to the country of "Green Green Grass of Home" and "Without Love," to the blues of "Motherless Child." He even gets a little spy action with the theme to "Thunderball."

Quite a guy.

Except for the Van Morrison duet, Jones is best when he's on his own. Still, you should enjoy these songs; they're timeless, they're priceless, and they are truly classics. Tom Jones: one heck of a performer, one heck of a guy, one dandy album.

Something about a nearly 60 year old singing Sex Bomb...
is a little weird. He's now 60, but almost was when he recorded that song. It works. This album is full of great tunes that showcase his unique voice. The duets that he features here from his album "Reloaded" were hits in the UK, and sound great. I like the old stuff here. "She's A Lady" sounds great today as it ever did.

Tom Jones is truly living legend.
We loved this album. The duets were wonderful and when Tom and Van Morrison get going there is nothing better..

GREAT STUFF!!!!!!!!
Tom Jones has one of the best voices of the last 40 years. I wish he had done a duet with his pal Elvis Presley!Great cd! ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

Sarah Brightman's career was launched by her success in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera, so it's no surprise to hear the soprano paying homage to the composer on this disc. Really a Brightman best-of, the album includes the Phantom theme (a duet with Michael Crawford), the light-opera fare of "Chanson D'enfance" from Aspects of Love, "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina" from Evita, and numerous other Lloyd Webber classics. Throughout, Brightman's diminutive voice lends a fragility to these musical theater tunes that you'll either love or despise. On Evita's "Another Suitcase, Another Hall" and Cats' "Memory," she literally chirps through the vocal lines. No matter. The growing legion of Brightman fans wouldn't have it any other way. --Jason Verlinde ... Read more

Reviews (80)

She's still happily married to his music
Sarah Brightman and Andrew Lloyd Webber are no longer married to each other, but as I stated above, she's still happily married to his music. I was raised during the Rodgers & Hammerstein era nd it took me time to grow to apprciate Webber's influence on musical drama. Sarah Brightman's performances of Webber's music has been instrumental in my tastes maturing with the development of Broadway musical plays. No matter how often I listen to them, "Phantom of the Opera", "All I Ask of You", "Music of the Night", "Don't Cry For Me, Argentina", "Memory", all remain fresh while the less familiar works become more precious with repeat listening. Also outstanding is the theme song Webber wrote for the Barcelona games and sung by Sarah and Jose Carreras, "Amigos Por Siempre". And don't overlook the devout rendition of "Pie Jesus", a duet with Paul Miles-Kingston, from "Requiem". Other notable voices on the CD are: Michael Crawford, Cliff Richard, and Sir John Gielgud.

There are those who might not like this CD which is one of my favorites, but the only people I would advise not to buy this are those who just don't like the modern theater music as represented by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Spotty "Collection"
Not many people have a musical written around their voice, but that's what Andrew Lloyd Webber did for ex-wife Sarah Brightman, by creating the classic "Phantom of the Opera" musical. And in "The Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection," Brightman sings various songs from Webber's works -- some mesh with her voice, and some don't.

It starts off on a strong note with the gothic "The Phantom Of The Opera," a duet with Michael Crawford. Following that is the ethereal "Unexpected Song," the rich but forgettable "Chanson D'Enfance," and the enchanting "All I Ask Of You," a duet with Cliff Richards. Following a few dud songs are the warm "Love Changes Everything," the Latin-tinged "Amigos Para Siempre (Friends For Life)" with Jose Carreras, and the entertaining duet with John Gielgud, "Gus the Theatre Cat."

Brightman starts to falter with "Don't Cry For Me Argentina," "Another Suitcase in Another Hall," and "Memory." Her voice sounds restricted and uneasy, and at times her crystalline vocals sound shrill. "Maclivity: The Mystery Cat" is perhaps the lowest point of "Collection," with Brightman sounding completely weird. But the album rises again with the gently melancholy "Tell Me on a Sunday," soaring "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again," and finishing up with the majestic "Music of the Night."

Certain voices are best suited for certain songs, and Brightman's vocals are clearly suited for songs from "Phantom of the Opera" and "Aspects of Love." Some of the songs sound astounding and heartfelt, but some of them just sound strange coming in her rich soprano.

Brightman's voice is given a good range -- she can sing in a little high girlish voice, soar like an operatic diva, or just sound sweet. At her best, Brightman can give you goosebumps. In many of the songs, she emotes subtlely, as if she really feels the heartbreak, joy and fear behind the songs. But when her voice is poorly used, as in the "Evita" songs, she just sounds confused.

The selection itself can't be faulted -- there's stuff from "Cats," "Phantom," "Evita," and other Webber musicals. And Webber's writing is just beautiful, simple and heartfelt: "In all your fantasies/You always knew/That man and mystery/ Were both in you..."

Sarah Brightman is not in top form in the "Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection," but in several songs she is simply astounding. Flawed but definitely worth checking out.

How ALW Should be
This is a very good compilation of ALW songs. Sarah Brightman is a very good vocalist. Her voice can be shrill sometimes, but the good dominates the bad. The songs are very good choice for a CD. What ALW album would be complete without songs from "Phantom"? Some of the songs are featured on every tribute and compilation album, but there are some hard to find ones. ALW is a very good composer of Popular songs, but they dont seem to work well in his shows. This is the ultimate way to experience him at his best.

Beautifull Singing
Her rendition of Chanson D'Enfance is wonderfull.
While her version of Don't Cry for me Argentina lacks the bite necessary to listen to it in the context of the play, it is much better as a stand alone song than the original version with Elaine Paige. Sarah sings the song rather than the part.
Her delivery of Another Suitcase in Another Hall is just incredible. I can accept the reduction in the marimba part just for her delivery of the opening to each verse. That song alone is worth the money.
Otherwise it is quite good. The only song that I feel is anything but strong would be her rendition of Memory.

Dim Brightman
I don't get it and I never will. I first saw Brightman as Christine Daae in ALW's "The Phantom of the Opera," in April, 1988. Her voice was both shrill and weak back then and nothing has changed. Don't Cry for Me Argentina and Unexpected Song are the only two songs she can tackle other than Phantom obviously. Otherwise, you'll find yourself skipping through ALW's beautiful work to find something that won't blow your ear drums. Mem'ry is a disaster of epic proportions and should NEVER have been recorded.

I have followed Brightman's career since April of 1988 and fail to understand her popularity. There is nothing unique or spectucular about her voice. Case closed. ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Beautiful Arrangements
In 1983 this album was released, and Linda was leaving her more rock-country roots behind. WHAT'S NEW is a collection of songs from old standards and american songbooks. Many feel Linda does not have the voice for this material, but I beg to differ. She cascades beautifully over these classics, with excellent arrangements from Nelson Riddle and his orchestra. Her voice is a powerhouse of emotion and she conveys it well on this album. After WHAT'S NEW there was LUSH LIFE and FOR SENTIMENTAL REASONS, but I believe this to be the better of the three. Highlights include "What's New", "I've Got A Crush On You", "Someone To Watch Over Me", "Goodbye" and "Crazy He Calls Me". Overall a strong set and definately worth repeated listenings.

Ronstadt & Riddle: How Can You Go Wrong?
I was never a fan of Linda Ronstadt until she recorded "What's New", "Lush Life" and "For Sentimental Reasons". Nelson Riddle did an excellent job in bringing out the very best of Linda Ronstadt with a new repertoire of ageless and romantic standards. She did very outstanding performances and I believe that she's worthy to be called a versatile singer.

Her heartfelt renditions of Gershwin's classics," I've Got A Crush On You" and "Someone To Watch Over Me", are my favorites. I also like her superb interpretation of Irving Berlin's "What'll I Do". She delivers these songs with intensity and full of emotions. Very impressive! Her voice is a perfect match for these romantic classics.

This CD is a keeper and you will enjoy listening to it now and forever!

Enjoyable album from Linda Ronstadt
This was an interesting change of pace in Linda Ronstadt's career. Instead of competing with everyone else, she decided to do an album of old standards with Nelson Riddle. She did three albums like this, and this is by far my favorite. She would have benefitted from not following this up with two others, which are not as cohesive or strong as WHAT'S NEW is. Nevertheless, I think vocally she sounds great on these tracks, and she makes them her own.

Thanks, LR---for bringing old songs to young ears...
Back in 1983, the so-called "Great American Songbook" was largely left on the shelf. Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett and others who could really sing 'em and swing 'em were not as big as they used to be, and a generation of record buyers was growing up without much exposure to The Gershwins, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and other great writers of the first half of the century. Then Linda, a country/folk/rock artist, hooked up with elder statesman bandleader and arranger Nelson Riddle for this album of standards. It sold well, leading to two more collaborations, each of them just about equal to "What's New". (In fact, I might like "Lush Life' just a hair better.) The product proved that Riddle still could deliver the quality he became famous for in the '50's during collaborations with the greatest singers of that era. And to me, already a Linda fan, it proved that she, in many ways, could wear the title "great singer." These nine tracks are mostly mellow, even melancholy, lyrics about lost love, longing for love, and the loneliness of unrequited love. Well done all around.

Timeless Classics & Excellent Performances
I bought this in 1983 when it first came out on vinyl and played the grooves out of it. After not having it for at least 15 years I recently picked up a copy on cd and am surprised by how fresh and enjoyable it still is. Technically, it's a very clean recording and the performances by Ronstadt and the session musicians (including Ray Brown & John Guerin) are excellent.

I've read that she originally cut the sessions with Jerry Wexler producing in a mode similar to a Billie Holliday & Lester Young style but Ronstadt canned those sessions and re-recorded them with Peter Asher and a completely different line-up of musicians. It would be interesting if future volumes could include some of those original sessions as bonus cuts to juxtapose against what was ultimately released

Regardless, this is a beautiful set of songs and performances, my favorite of the three albums she released in this style. ... Read more

Reviews (34)

***READ BEFORE BUYING THIS CD***
Although this CD is Michael Buble who does have a great voice, and shows to be a big star some day, he DID NOT wish to have this CD released! This is what he had to say about it himself:

"Totally Buble" is not an album that I wanted to be released. They were songs I recorded for a film called "Totally Blonde" many years ago before I was signed to 143/Reprise Records. The decision to release it as an album was made by the film's producer, and I had no control over stopping him.
It is important for everyone to know, that I only want to release quality music to my fans by offering my best work and I sincerely apologize if you purchased this album." - Michael Buble

But, if you are a fan of him and enjoy whatever he puts out there, it would be a good one to add to your collection.

Totally "blue"
I admire his voice, talents of music, looks, etc. and also I'm one of his fans, but saw and listened to this album it was just sad. besides CD,he also released the DVD version for this album. Last winter 2003, his name was just started to be known around the world. after listening his "FEVER" album, I was so anxious to see his live performance on dvd. so, I thought this album was the live version of "FEVER"album on DVD. I still remember, it was a cold night in downtown Toronto,Canada. I stopped by at HMV store to look for Buble's live concert dvd, and when i asked the cust.serv they showed me this "Totally Buble" dvd album, and without asking further question i directly went to the cashier. soon i got home, i played this "Totally Buble" dvd and IT REALLY TURNED ME DOWN, THIS DVD is "TOTALLY BLUE" this dvd is more into music videos instead of his live concert performance. Most of the songs were unrecognizable. so,for those of you want to buy his "totally buble" dvd or cd album, you may want to think twice before you buy it......THIS "TOTALLY BUBLE" ALBUM IS "TOTALLY BLUE"ALBUM

Anything Buble Is OK With Me.
In this world of mass marketing and promotion, it is inevitable that every once in a while a product will sneak through the cracks and be presented to the masses even though others would prefer that it hadn't been. That is what we have with "Totally Buble".

The songs on "Totally Buble" are earlier efforts by Michael that were written for a movie he was involved with. I really enjoy listening to Michael sing up-tempo material that swings and the songs on this CD are no exception. These songs may not have the lavish production and arrangements that his more current work enjoys, but they are part of his body of work and are a good listen for any Michael Buble fan.

Another great contemporary crooner you should check out is Monte Procopio. His 13-piece band swings and Monte can really sing the standards. Buy both these artists, you can't go wrong!

Totally Buble
I've heard of artists being critical of their work, but cmon. If this guy is ashamed of this cd, shame on him. He is one of the closest things I have ever heard to Frank Sinatra himself. Granted, I am not familiar with any of his other work, but if it's better than this, I am a fan for life. I think it he's awesome. I am familiar with this artist because of the movie. Who know's??? This movie could get him a lot of well deserved publicity.

Buy his debut album instead.
It's a good addition to your Buble collection, but not as good as his debut album. The songs aren't too bad and are actually quite likeable, but it just doesn't have that good Buble quality. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

The first of many artistic milestones in the long and illustriouscollaboration of Frank Sinatra and arranger Nelson Riddle that began at CapitolRecords, In the Wee Small Hours is a first in other notable ways, aswell: it was the pair's first 12-inch LP; their first album devoted entirely toballads; the first "concept album," a program of songs designed to beheard in a particular sequence that sustains a mood and suggests a story; theintroduction ofSinatra's definitive "saloon singer" persona; and thefirst flowering of Sinatra's mature artistic sensibility.Oh, and it's amasterpiece, too.The cover portrait suggests the mood of late-night desolationalmost as effectively as the music, with Sinatra in the corner, smoking asolitary cigarette on deserted street illuminated only by the a foggy, blue-green glow of lamplight.Loneliness, thy name is Frank!They say that memoriesof Ava Gardner caused him to break down after finishing this aching version of"When Your Lover Has Gone."Riddle's clarinet theme for "What Isthis Thing Called Love?" is as haunting as Cole Porter's melody itself. And if there's a more devastating evocation of solitude than "It NeverEntered My Mind"... well it must be on Only the Lonely.With songslike "I'll Be Around" and "Dancing on the Ceiling" tosuggest at least the hope of hope, Wee Small Hours may flirt withdespair, but never succumbs to it.It's the kind of comforting company thatmisery likes best.--Jim Emerson ... Read more

Reviews (62)

The crooner becomes the world's greatest saloon singer
"In the Wee Small Hours" was the first 12" album Frank Sinatra recorded, a superb collection of ballads arranged by Nelson Riddle that went to the top of the charts in 1955. Riddle created a melancholy sound that perfectly suited these songs of loneliness and despair, and which showcased Sinatra's sudden maturity as a vocalist. Everybody who could read a newspaper knew that Sinatra's love affair with Ava Gardner had ended badly, and it was impossible not to have that tabloid fact provide his singing with an obvious poignancy. However, what was important was that Sinatra had raised his singing to a whole new level. Special mention needs to be made of the piano work by Bill Miller, which also stands out in Riddle's sparse arrangements.

In addition to the title song by Bob Hilliard & David Mann, there are a series of standards of this type such as Duke Ellington's "Mood Indigo," Cole Porter's "What is this Thing Called Love?," Arlen & Harbaurg's "Last Night When We Were Young," and a trio of Rodgers & Hart tunes. My vote for the best track would go to Hoagy Carmichael's "I Get Along Without You Very Well," a song that epitomizes the mood of the entire album and highlights Sinatra's singing prowess. With the "In the Wee Small Hours" album the crooner who had been the heartthrob of the nation's Bobbysoxers gave way to the saloon singer who became one of the most important musical figure of the 20th century (Bing Crosby, Elvis, and the Beatles are the others who define that ultimate level). This is a must have album for Sinatra fans.

Landmark, ballad Sinatra...
In the Wee Small Hours is a perfectly arranged collection of ballads from the early peak of Sinatra's Capitol era. It is far less devastating than the 'cry in your sleeve' anguish of Only the Lonely and less string-heavy than the classic Where Are You collaboration with Gordon Jenkins. The cover art sets the mood for a quiet, late night listening.

As always in the 1950s, Sinatra and Nelson Riddle create the definitive recordings of great standards. Apart from the title song, itself a classic, there is plenty of substance here from Rodgers and Hart, Cole Porter, Harold Arlen and other composers from the era when songs really had lyrics. Duke Ellington's 'Mood Indigo' gets heartfelt lyrics here, and others like 'I Get Along Without You Very Well' show how completely Sinatra made these songs his own -- he's acting the role as much as singing the song.

This is certainly a 'mellow' album, not the finger-snapping sophistication of 'Songs for Swingin' Lovers' or 'A Swingin' Affair' (both stunning albums in their own right), but thoughtful orchestrations and meaningful lyrics. Sinatra had by this time mastered the art of breath control and could perform the long phrasing on these tracks without chopping up the verses. To see how hard this is, try reciting the lyrics out loud as Sinatra sings and try not to breathe in a way that calls attention to your breathing.

The five-star rating seems moot. 'Wee Small Hours' is a piece of history.

Sinatra's best and maybe all of pop music's best
Ten years before the Beatles were getting credit for making the LP more than just a collection of album fillers to sit next to the 45 singles, Frank Sinatra was mastering te Long Playing Album with concept collections on Capital Records. Ironically, it was Capital who were the american label for the Beatles in the 1960's (EMI being the primary label in England). In the Wee Small Hours is not only my favorite studio, non best of, cd, It maybe the greatest pop music album ever. Sinatra also recorded masters such as Frank Sinatra Sings for Only the Lonely and September of my Years. Yes, The Beatles, The Who, and Springsteen created some all time great studio albums. However, this is pure magic. The mood set by Frank's voice as an instrument in it's own right, and the rapture of Nelson Riddle's conducting places this as one of the most artistic moments in any ones carrer.

this, not sgt peppers, was THE milestone concept lp
here sinatra proved he was no flash in the pan, no mere velvet toned singer, and not even just ' the voice'. here sinatra proved he was an artist.
this is sinatra's angst at it most profound and addictive.
save this brilliant recording for a rainy night and revel in its beauty,melancholy, and artistry.
it was albums like this which will assure sinatra a permanent place in the annuls of popular music.
another must have in the sinatra collection.

Sonic Elegance
So brilliant, and soul stirring. What genius to pair Sinatra with Nelson Riddle!

The teaming of these two is the start of an era that sealed Frank's place as an American Icon.

The mood is a sweet, somber, sorrowful sensation! And oh so smooth and soothing...

I don't think any other team could have pulled this off! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Is there anything that simply screams the 1970s' most indelible pop cultural clichés--the sunny romanticism, perfect vocal hooks, feathered hair, stacked heels, and flared sateen britches--more than the Swedish pop phenomenon Abba? And while many a pundit snootily dismissed them during their prime as some sort of prefabricated aberration, their worldwide popularity peaked somewhere just south of Beatlesmania. Indeed, Abba's music was as finely tooled and crafted as anything to come from a Volvo or IKEA factory--if occasionally more economically potent. This double-disc, 37-track anthology comes neatly on the heels of Mama Mia!, the smash, if unlikely, Broadway show based on the band's hits, and documents every single released by the band's Polar label in their home country as well as key tracks released internationally.

This is the canon from whence the term "Europop" sprang. With a continental sense of vocal neoclassicism, informed by just the right ethnic clichés (and oft wed to the era's insistent 4/4 disco beat) to make songs like "Mama Mia," "Fernando," "Chiquitita," and "Voulez-Vous" work on a global scale, the writing team of Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson and their respective partners in music and life, Agnetha Faltskog and Frida Lyngstad, developed the seamless, wall-of-sound productions contained herein. The Definitive Collection features a rare single remix of "Ring, Ring" and a 1979 promo-only extended mix of "Voulez-Vous" as bonus tracks, as well as a concise, illustrated history of the band and each track. --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Reviews (20)

All the singles in one double CD
This collection includes all the songs that were released as singles in Sweden, plus re-mixes of two of them. All their British and American hits can be found here, though some songs were not released as singles outside Sweden, while others were released in some other countries but not others.

The set begins with the pre-Abba track People need love - it features Benny and Bjorn but not Agnetha or Frida. The featured female singer is Svenska Flicka, who is otherwise unknown to me. Ring ring was Abba's first real single, while He is your brother is an interesting song, but Abba only really hit the big time with Waterloo, which was their first British number one and also reached the top ten in America. Subsequent singles met with varying degrees of success and it was not until Dancing queen was released in 1976 that Abba had another hit that could be called truly international. It went all the way to number one in Britain, America and many other countries.

Their other British number ones were Mamma Mia, Fernando, Knowing me knowing you, Name of the game, Take a chance on me, Super trouper and Winner takes it all. Many of their other singles went into the top five, including I have a dream, which spent a month at number two. In America, Take a chance on me was a huge hit but the others were markedly less successful.

This is a wonderful collection of Abba's music. If you only want one Abba collection, this is a good one to choose.

Admit it, they're good!
This greatest hit set blows away previous ABBA greatest hits sets. It has all their hits and great album tracks, thereby completely making "Gold" and "More Gold" obsolete. Most people still refuse to acknowledge ABBA as a worthy musical entity simply because their music is poppy and their lyrics aren't socialogically significant. However their tunes and carefully crafted productions are, and will be timeless. The songwritering team of Anderson-Ulvaeus are as strong as Lennon and McCartney when crafting melodies. The two female vocalists, Anni-Frid and Agnetha, do a superb job of layering their vocals to fit the song. From the excitment of "Waterloo" to the disco beat of "Dancing Queen," from the horn-driven "I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do" to the super-low bass synth in "One of Us" this two disc has it all. Put them in your CD and let it go. Don't worry if you can't "get" what other artists are trying to tell you or if their "angst" doesn't move you. Just put ABBA on and smile. Good music does that. You'll be singing these songs for days. Sometimes good music doesn't have to be about anything---and thats what makes it good.

ABBA rules!
I also was in Jr. High School and High School when Abba was cranking out top 10 hits. In those days I snuck into the record shop and hid my Abba albums under the cover of Led Zeppelin and then ditched the Zeppelin at the check out counter. It was imperative to hide your face while purchasing Abba albums. They were that uncool. To admit you loved this group in geometry class was to court disaster and be ostracized for the rest of your life.

Such nonsense mattered as a 14 year old, now I can openly say Abba's music is wonderful and their arrangements were as innovative as anything coming out of the 70's. It is simply impossible to listen to Dancing Queen or Take a Chance on Me and not want to hear the songs again and again. The vocal intricacies on Take a Chance are equal to the harmonies on most Beach Boys records. How about Waterloo? Three minutes of the most pulsing, catchy music ever put on a disc.

Abba's music sounds better today than it ever did, particularly when you know what dreck was produced by other bands in the intervening years. They might not have been Dylanesque lyrically, but few have ever written songs with such clever hooks, bridges and infectious rhythm. Thirty years after the fact, the impossible has happened: Abba has finally become cool!

Renders "Abba Gold" obsolete
this 2 disc set of Abba spanning 1972-1982 (their entire run) is worth getting, even if it costs a little more than the famous Abba Gold. Abba has too many good songs for just one measly disc. For those who want more than one disc, but don't want to fork over $60 for the box set (which is a great box set if you like Abba enough), The Definitive Collection is the title for you. The best part is that except for the two "bonus" tracks at the end (the 12" remix of Voulez-Vous and the US single version of Ring Ring), everything on here is chronologically. Spanning 1972's People Needs Love to 1982's The Day Before You Came. I prefer it when compilation cd's are in chronological order instead of in a mishmash.

For the 3 people who still hate Abba, GET OVER IT!!! To deny Benny/Bjorn as great pop songwriters (IMO, in a league with Lennon/McCartney, Taupin/John and Brian Wilson in terms of writing great pop songs) is showing that you still hold the image of Abba against them. Get over it. Abba still rules and people will be listening to them until the end of time.

Folks, This Is Just Abba
Abba, when I first heard them on American radio in the 70's were considered an insipid, sacharine joke. That is what they still are. I am dismayed by the "reassessment" of this group that has taken place recently. Who's next-the classic Carpenters or the essential DeFranco family? ... Read more

Amazon.com

Never mind the project's odd couple, "He's got a girlfriend; so does she" marketing shuck. This is a musical love affair in all its splendor. Produced by the seemingly chameleonic producer T Bone Burnett (who previously revived traditional bluegrass with spectacular success on O Brother, Where Art Thou?), the septuagenarian legend and his unlikely contemporary foil affectionately court a dozen songs from the Louis Armstrong repertoire with the warmth and natural grace that have been a deceptively effortless Bennett trademark for 50-plus years. The pair kick proceedings off with a playful, irony-free "Exactly Like You," then perform a tender vocal waltz across both the ages and the masterful, sympathetic orchestrations of the late Peter Matz, one of Bennett's longtime collaborators. But it's on the more melancholy performances, like "If We Never Meet Again," "I'm Confessin'," and the Armstrong perennials "Wonderful World" and "Lucky Old Sun," that the pair tap into something akin to timeless musical telepathy. Her own talents hardly in need of burnishing, lang invests the project with some gratifying new smokiness and is rewarded with a postgraduate course in saloon singing for the ages. It's an album that begs the best kind of question: When do we get an encore? --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Reviews (46)

"You Can Depend On..." This One
Louis Armstrong is my favorite instrumentalist AND vocalist of all time. So, we have Tony Bennett (the best old style jazz singer still kicking) and K.D. Lang...well, what do you say about K.D. Lang? Just the best voice in so-called country and easily one of the top four vocalists in jazz (with Cassandra Wilson, Diane Reeves and Diana Krall). Now we have these premier singers doing Louie songs. How about that cover of "Exactly Like You". Oh man. I listened to that one four times before I went on the rest of the album. Every song is exquisite. "What a Wonderful World" is my numero uno song on the hit parade of all songs ever written. What a great cover. And dig that cover of "Lucky Old Sun". Whoa. I had to go through that one three times before moving on to "If We Never Meet Again".

So on my fifth listening to this CD, I'd say T-Bone hit another one out of the park...

Lazy Sundays and Lounge ...
Tony Bennett shows no sign on slowing down and when you mix k.d. lang's languid vocals, you have a wonderfully lazy album to enjoy while frittering away a Sunday afternoon. "A Kiss to Build a Dream On" and "That Lucky Old Sun" are wonderful and beautifully done. k.d. lang is a fantastic torch singer, giving us an intimate vocal with the barest hint of jazz accompanimentI believe one reviewer mentioned the absence of a trumpet. This is true. In my humble opinion, I think the artists have paid a great tribute to the source material by using the dusky low notes of a sax to complement their voices instead of having someone emulate Louis' trumpet playing ... which should be left alone as stand alone music, if that makes sense. Give this CD a try and you will be hooked after the first listen, I promise!

If only kd ...
.. would have done this on her own I'd have added the fifth star to my review! Maybe I'm a little partial (I'm a big fan of miss kd) but I think that this project would have been managed so much better by kd alone.
Probably she would have choosen a different kind of production, (by T Bone Burnett) that sometimes is a little... anonymous, flat, to much classicaly jazz.

The highlights of the project are "A kiss to build a dream on", "Exactly like you" and mainly "That luky old sun", probably the most touchy standard version of the album.. and kd is alone. In any case, I recommend this album, unless you really can't bear Tony's voice.
You won't be disappointed by kd's talent.

MOSTLY Agree w/Other Reviewers...
Only complaint is the "mood" of the music is breached a few times when Tony "talks" a line or two at the end of a song ... makes an otherwise lovely duet seem schlocky/variety show-ish.

Bennet is class.......
Thanks to another artist (Michael Bublé) I've learned a lot about the making of good music. Mr. Bennett makes beautiful music.
I really enjoyed this cd. I now know why he is so respected..... ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

"The rhythm is gonna get you" is the tag line of one of Gloria Estefan's biggest hits, but it could also serve as the mantra for the Cuban-born singer's road to the top of the charts. Estefan's forte is middle-of-the-road pop, but all of her upbeat hits are fueled by driving Latin percussion, the feature that set Estefan's music apart from the rest of the flyaway pop of the 1980s and early '90s. Greatest Hits intersperses those great dance hits--"Conga," "1,2,3," "Get on Your Feet," and, of course, "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You," with sweet ballads such as "Words Get in the Way," "Anything for You," and "Don't Wanna Lose You." This set also includes "Coming Out of the Dark," Estefan's triumphant comeback hit following her 1990 career-threatening tour-bus accident. --Daniel Durchholz ... Read more

Reviews (35)

Gloria's Greatest Hits Finds Her Slowly "Diva-stated"
Gloria Estefan's "Greatest Hits" charts an unwelcome transformation from energetic lead singer of a clever, sharp pop band to that too common creature, "the pop diva."

Gloria, her husband Emilio, and their band Miami Sound Machine (remember them?) wrote, produced and recorded a string of sharp singles melding salsa and club rhythms with Motown/girl group vocals. The result was ear candy: "Conga," "Rhythm's Gonna Get You," (the omitted) "Bad Boy." Their ballads "Words Get In The Way," and the #1 "Anything For You" were more sensual, less mushy than most. For a time, Gloria Estefan may have been the sexiest pop singer in America.

Break point came with her first solo single, 1989's "Don't Wanna Lose You." It was a good song and charted high, but the die was cast. Melodramatics began: a tragic bus accident and valiant recovery, vanilla ballads dominating the spiky fast songs over the next few years, as would outside collaborators (Diane Warren on the sappy Christmas song, Larry Dermer on the campy, worthless movie song, "Go Away").

Now as Estefan's music weakened - in subsquent years by an oldies set and bombastic Olympics themed-album (and, to be fair, a fine Spanish-sung album)- its presentation became flashier with extravagant costumes and appearances with one-named pop goddesses (Cher, Tina, etc.). Miami Sound Machine, which once described a style as much as a band, now was marquee small print.

Here's hoping the Estefans heeded 1999's remarkable success of Ricky Martin and Carlos Santana. The energy of singles like "Smooth" and "Livin' La Vida Loca" recall how exciting Latin-based music can be, incorporating other styles without losing its identity. Now would be perfect for Miami Sound Machine to remind a new generation where at least some of that R&B/pop/salsa energy stemmed from. "Greatest Hits" is recommended for its first 10 songs; not its last four.

Gloria's must-have collection...
This is the Gloria Estefan CD to buy for her mid 80's to early 90's radio mega-hits. Fans of that era in her music will love this CD, because all of the ballads like "Can't Stay Away From You," and "Here We Are" are on this compilation. Plus, all of the ground-breaking dance hits are here like "1-2-3," and "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You." This "1-2-3" is completely different from the Let It Loose version, and I think the version on Greatest Hits is the one most often played on the radio. There's also four new songs at the end, well they were "new" at the time. :-) Among them are "I See Your Smile," and "Always Tomorrow," which became very popular, and both are uplifting. That's part of the reason I love Gloria so much. She's fun, has good messages, and a wonderful sense of humor. She's one of the most innovative performers of this time. Oh yeah, and her music is awesome too! I would recommend this for anyone who's a true pop music fan.

Good collection of hits from her most successful period
Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine enjoyed their commercial peak in the late 1980s/early 1990s with a string of hit albums and singles, beginning with "Conga" in late 1985. Estefan and crew proved themselves equally adept at Latin-inflected dance tunes such as "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You," "Get On Your Feet," and "1-2-3" and the ballads that helped them gain a strong foothold at AC radio, like "Words Get In The Way," "Can't Stay Away From You" and the #1 hit "Anything For You." (In fact, it's interesting to note that all of Estefan's three #1 hits were ballads, the other two being "Don't Wanna Lose You" and the inspirational "Coming Out Of The Dark.") Actually, the band's history goes all the way back to the 1970s, although they recorded only in Spanish for several years. This is a nice collection of Ms. Estefan's English-language output from her most successful period commercially, spanning 1985's PRIMITIVE LOVE through 1991's INTO THE LIGHT and including four new cuts. What is here is first-rate, of course, and even all the new cuts are keepers: the inspirational "Always Tomorrow" was a minor hit and came out around the time that Hurricane Andrew devastated Gloria's home base of south Florida, leading many to adopt it and the earlier "Coming Out Of The Dark" as anthems. "I See Your Smile" is a classic Gloria ballad that easily ranks with her earlier hits, although it didn't quite make the top 40. "Christmas Through Your Eyes" has become a holiday-season standard and is a moving song about wanting to go back to experiencing the joy of Christmas through the mindset of a child. And "Go Away" is a fun dance tune the likes of which only Gloria can do - a bit nonsensical, but still lots of fun. It was a hit in the U.K., and although it wasn't a single in the U.S. (I don't think), it still got some top 40 airplay in the Detroit area.
Not all of the hits are here. One top 10 charter ("Bad Boy") is missing, and "Live For Loving You" also should have been included here, given that it still gets a lot of radio play these days. There was also a "Miami Hit Mix" issued on the U.K. single to "Christmas Through Your Eyes," which should have been included on the U.S. release, as a bonus cut if nothing else. I personally also would have liked to see "Cuts Both Ways" and "Can't Forget You" included, as I consider those two of her best ballads, even though they both came up a few notches short of the top 40. "Can't Forget You" in particular is an underrated gem, and to this day the only place to find it is on the INTO THE LIGHT album. But if you're a Gloria fan, you should have no qualms about the quality of what is included here. Kudos to Gloria for opening up the American pop mainstream to Latino influences and for creating some of the catchiest, most fun pop music ever.

Greatest Hits (1992)
Back in the early 80s, Gloria Estefan was known as the lead of the band Miami Sound Machine. Gloria joined the band in 1978, after she tied the knot with bandmate, Emilio Estefan. Nothing happened until 1984 when Miami Sound Machine released Eyes Of Innocence. The only hit from that album was Dr. Beat, which wasn't even a major hit, for they didn't get any recognition.

In 1985, Miami Sound Machine released Primitive Love, their second album, the album that got them their recognition. Then, in 1986, they changed the name to Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine because Gloria was the main focus. In 1987, Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine released their third album Let It Loose. In 1989, they released Cuts Both Ways. This was their last album together as a band. In 1990, Gloria was in a fatal bus accident, which could have left her paralyzed for life, but luckily, the doctors took care of that, for she has two metal rods in her back, preventing her from being paralyzed. In 1991, Miami Sound Machine became Gloria's back up band, while she became a solo act. In 1991, she released Into The Light, which reflected on her accident.

In 1992, she released her first greatest hits album. I know what you are all thinking, "How can she release a greatest hits album where she only released her first solo album the year before?" Well, she was basically Miami Sound Machine, the fans only focused on her. So the hits on this album are the Miami Sound Machine hits, being that she was the focus of the band. This is an amazing greatest hits. I should know because I grew up with Gloria when my mother was a huge fan of hers.

CONGA
From Miami Sound Machine's album Primitive Love (1985). One of the best songs ever. This song was played in a lot of movies. I can only name one movie where this song was played and that movie is the hit comedy, The Birdcage, which starred Robin Williams, Nathan Lane, Gene Hackman, Dianne Wiest, Christine Baranskie, Dan Futterman, Hank Azaria, and Ally McBeal's Collista Flockhart.

WORDS GET IN THE WAY
From Miami Sound Machine's album Primitive Love (1985). This was the song that made Gloria famous. It is one of the best romantic break-up songs ever and is a favorite of my mother's and mine.

CAN'T STAY AWAY FROM YOU
From Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine's album Let It Loose (1987). Another amazing song. She talks about how they've broken up and it's bad for her to stay with her ex, but she loves him so much that she simply just 'Can't stay away from him'.

1-2-3 (Remix)
Original version from Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine's album Let It Loose (1987). The album version is much better than this.

RHYTHM IS GONNA GET YOU
From Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine's album Let It Loose (1987). This is a great song, with a great beat.

ANYTHING FOR YOU
From Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine's album Let It Loose (1987). Not a favorite of mine.

HERE WE ARE
From Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine's album Cuts Both Ways (1989). When I first heard this song, which was back in 1989 when I was at the age of four, I loved this song. I used have my mother play it at least five or six times a day just to keep me happy. During the years when my family and I would drive down to Florida, we would play a lot of Gloria's music. When my father wanted to take a break from driving, he would climb in the back and have a nap, while my mother took over the driving with me in the passenger seat. She would play the Cuts Both Ways album and when this song came on, I would sing the whole thing without a problem. I have a lot of great memories of this song.

GET ON YOUR FEET
From Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine's album Cuts Both Ways (1989). Another great song.

DON'T WANNA LOSE YOU
From Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine's album Cuts Both Ways (1989). Not a favorite of mine.

COMING OUT OF THE DARK
From the album Into The Light (1991). This was the only hit from the Into The Light (1991) album. This was the song that reflected the most on her bus accident. I wish she would have included Live For Loving You, which is also from the Into The Light (1991) album. My mother and I used to sing that one as well.

CHRISTMAS THROUGH YOUR EYES
Previously unreleased. This was Gloria's first Christmas song and she had written it for her son, Nayib. In fact, this is the second song she recorded for her son, the first song is called, Nayib's Song (I Am Here For You), and it can be found on the Into The Light (1991) album. In 1993, a year after this album, Gloria recorded a Christmas album entitled, Christmas Through Your Eyes, where she added this song to it.

I SEE YOUR SMILE
Previously unreleased. This is a beautiful song. I recommend that everyone listen to this song.

GO AWAY
Previously unreleased. Okay.

ALWAYS TOMORROW
Previously unreleased. Okay.

I've been a fan of Gloria's for years and she will always remain as one of the best female performers of the world today.

The title says it all!
This collection features songs from PRIMITIVE LOVE,LET IT LOOSE,CUTS BOTH WAYS and INTO THE LIGHT. Gloria Estefan had other hits that do not appear on this collection. They are BAD BOY from PRIMITIVE LOVE and heard in the movie "Three Men And A Baby",the title track from CUTS BOTH WAYS,SEAL OUR FATE and some other from INTO THE LIGHT. New tracks are CHRISTMAS THROUGH YOUR EYES,heard every Christmas season since 1992 when this album was released,I SEE YOUR SMILE,which was another hit,another hit,ALWAYS TOMORROW,and GO AWAY heard during the opening credits of the Warner Bros. film,"Made In America". ... Read more

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Superstar crossover vocalist Sarah Brightman greets the new millennium with an even surer, bolder sense of her unique musical niche than that evident from 1999's Eden. Like Eden, La Luna is a concept album only in a vaguely free-associative sense. The selection of material here touches on images of the moon that reinforce its ambiguity as a force known to draw together "the lunatic, the lover, and the poet" (Brightman's photo shoots for the album do seem to suggest a sort of Titania-like figure out of a New Age Midsummer Night's Dream). And it's a stylistic as well as thematic voyage, coursing from such contemporary sounds as synth pop (on "This Love") through vintage jazz standards (Billie Holiday's atmospheric and haunting "Gloomy Sunday") to high opera for the title track (a version of the sublime "Song of the Moon" from Dvorák's fairy-tale opera Rusalka), and drawing elsewhere on the gorgeously sinuous melodies of Bach, Handel, and Rachmaninov--one song, "Figlio Perduto," even adapts the slow movement of Beethoven's Seventh Symphony. Throughout, producer Frank Peterson swathes Brightman's shiny small voice in luxuriant fabrics of sound. Detractors will lament the resulting sameness of tone--no matter what the style involved--but Brightman's focus on spinning an ethereal spell never gets eclipsed. This domestic release includes three tracks not available on the import version and has a special treat hidden in the final track as a bonus.--Thomas May ... Read more

Reviews (196)

A few gripes for the "Angel of Music"
I have only one suggestion for buyers of the new Sarah Brightman CD, "La Luna": DON'T READ THE LYRICS! I mean, how inane! OK. I've gotten used to the dress-up "floozy" style that Ms. Brightman uses to court an audience beyond the mere opera-lover, so I know enough not to dwell on the white-bikini-'neath-gossamer-gown photo, but I have to draw the line at elves. Elves? Yes, not just elves, but the "king of the elves." Didn't New Age ambient music go out with the advent of the nineties? Or maybe I simply outgrew it. So why is such nonsense couched in a haunting melody as that minor movement from one of Beethoven's later symphonies; and why waste such a beautiful, clear, angelic voice on over-mixed, "echoey" nonsense as Hijo de la Luna and Whiter Shade of Pale? Surely our favorite soprano has not run the full gamut of delicate arias and deeply moving love songs (e.g., Time to Say Goodbye) so that she can no longer please the audience whom her more serious attempts won over originally! There are a few bright spots on this CD (such as the Dvorak and Moon River at the end of the final track), and I may eventually be able to allow Brightman's sweet, hypnotic voice to drown out the stupidity of her songs' content, but she will only truly regain this fan by returning to her more operatic and serious style in the future.

Simply Amazing
This is the first Sarah CD i bought myself, having listend to 'timeless' several times that i have permanently borrowed from my mum. I love it, I cant say if its my favourite because I love all her work.

None one of the tracks on this album are bad

I really love 'Figlio Perduto', 'A whiter shade of pale', La Califfa', 'La Luna' and the hidden track at the end that follows after 'La Luna', 'Moon River'. Its all a very moving album, and takes you into a different world. I find it all very relaxing, even the more upbeat tracks. I really love 'La Califfa' its so beautiful. La Luna is great, as she makes it her own, its not the typical 'song to the moon'. I have wanted to write a review for ages, now I am here doing it, im finding it hard to put what i think into words. All I can say is, its an amzing album, don't listen to anyone who says otherwise. Her voice is very distinctave(however it is spelt) and the songs are all beautifuly sang.

From buying this album, I have went onto to buy every other albums she has and appears in.

Beautiful
I haven't got much to say about this album other than check out the track "He Doesn't See Me." Gorgeous!

As Good As EDEN & TIME TO SAY GOODBYE!!!
~..which is saying a lot! These 3 Sarah B. albums are among the most timeless pop/classical albums ever recorded! Every song here on LA LUNA is worth the price, and there are some really incredible pieces! (1) The tune based on Beethoven's 7th Symphony Slow Movement, (2) Scarboro Fair, (3) Whiter Shade of Pale, and (4) most amazing of all the very strange and mysterious Gloomy Sunday, among the most haunting ballads ever, and here done to perfection! I've heard this song was banned in France for~~ its suicidal interpretation during WW II, much like Goethe's "Sorrows of Young Werther" over 200 years ago! Any Sarah CD is worth while, but this may be her best! . And for a nice final touch , MOON RIVER ,which is not even mentioned in the album notes! l~

La Luna
Sara Brightman has the voice of a tiny sweet angel and uses her vocal ability to the outmost of her ability. Many people do not like crossover music and for them I say this 'sucks to you'. Miss Brightman makes crossover music fun and vital whilst still showing her great prowess. Highly Recommended. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

love it!
I found this CD in the new release section of the music store the other day and have made it my mission to share this discovery! I don't usually make impulsive music purchases, but for some reason felt drawn to this CD and I'm so glad I bought it. The lyrics and Joshua's voice are beautiful and full of passion stirring up a strangely good combination of hope and heart break. I can't stop playing it and find myself taking the long way to wherever I'm going just to listen a little longer. I love this CD. Two words...buy it!

Depth of passion
Wow!
The CD is worth the price for just the single line in "My World"
"...So don't come around here making any memories unless you're here to stay." Hmmmm! Who hasn't felt those emotions!

The genre of this material is elusive. Josh Groban is the only thing close and so I guess that's why the comparison between the two is being made. Joshua's voice has great flexibility from opera to pop. I like it when the opera side begins to show through as in "Art of the Heart" or "Your Love, My Home" but I must say I find the edge in "You Made My Life Stand Still" compelling as well.
I don't know what this music will end up being called but I have a feeling it will be here for a very long time. It is soothing to the soul.

great!
This is one of those records where you're hooked from the first listen. Kind of like love at first sight. It's been awhile since I've had that experience with a new CD...maybe Norah Jones' debut?? Not over-produced, just a natural beauty in every way. Anyway, I highly recommend this record.

Real deal
This album was given to me by a friend and I've been listening to it over and over. I love it!! And I love it that Joshua wrote a lot of the songs on it. I think he's here to stay and I'm glad of it! I would recommend this record to everyone that recognizes good music and loves to listen to it!

No denying his talent, but...
there is no comparison between the two Josh's. Groban has one of the most powerful, yet richly smooth voices on the planet, while this album showcases the skill of Payne, but simply lacks the depth and emotion needed to earn it the full complement of stars here.
Please don't misunderstand, Joshua Payne is a supremely gifted singer and most of the songs on this disc will certainly attest to that. But in the grand scheme of things, it seems to be lacking that certain something that would make it an absolute (must-have) classic. Let's see what the next effort brings, but please stop the comparisons. Let these guys stand on their own merits and be judged accordingly. ... Read more