Amazon.com's Best of 2001

The Producers was the vehicle that first proclaimed Mel Brooks's decidedly singular comic vision as a film director in 1968. At the time, the world may not have been entirely ready for the depth charges of hilarity he unleashed; but more than three decades later, it seemed almost foreordained that the film's retooling as a full-fledged musical--directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman--would become the smash hit of the 2000-2001 Broadway season (even before opening at the St. James Theatre in April). Brooks is, of course, no stranger to the Broadway musical genre or to songwriting, but skeptics might find themselves taken by surprise at just how outrageously well all the threads come together for the new show.

The film's absurd core vignette--the infamous "Springtime for Hitler"--if anything gains a few notches in hilarity when framed by a character-rich musical that comes off as both parody and valentine in its mimicry of Broadway's "golden age." Brooks (with the help of idiomatically expert arrangements by Glen Kelly) has cooked up a variety of numbers constituting a virtual primer of old-fashioned American musical comedy styles (there's even a toying with Cabaret-style decadence), but they're always coated with an extra layer of zaniness. In fact, the whole show becomes a Chinese box of parodies within parodies. But what really gets the whole mix working is a surefire cast headed by Nathan Lane playing Max Bialystock and Matthew Broderick doing a delightfully nebbish turn with delusions of misplaced glory as his sidekick, Leo Bloom.

From his first big number (musically winking at Fiddler on the Roof), Lane hungrily lays claim to the role, undaunted by his formidable predecessor, Zero Mostel. Even on disc, you can visualize his over-the-top mugging as a dethroned "king of Broadway" who was "the first producer ever to do summer stock in the winter." Comedy, as they say, is all about timing, and that's exactly what Lane gets right. His interactions with Bloom, Franz Liebkind (Brad Oscar), and Roger de Bris (Gary Beach) are priceless, even when only in sound. As for the tunes, Brooks crafts a number of truly memorable ones--don't be surprised to find yourself horrified as you hum along with "Der Guten Tag Hop-Clop" and, of course, "Springtime for Hitler." --Thomas May ... Read more

Reviews (157)

Back to the Future with Uncle Mel
My wife and I were lucky enough to see the show in previews on Broadway and we haven't stopped laughing yet. The CD contains music which SOUNDS like tunes you've heard before -- even a casual listening will prompt you to think of Gypsy, Bye Bye Birdie, A Funny Thing Happened . . ., How To Succeed . . ., Fiddler on the Roof and at least a half-dozen other shows. It's as if someone dug this recording out of a circa 1950 time capsule.

This isn't meant to say the show is merely derivative. In fact, I consider the broadly familiar sound a strong positive factor. So is the madcap humor and pacing, both of the songs and the production as a whole.

Indeed, one of the show-stoppers on this cast recording is "The King of Old Broadway" and that's what this entire show is: a fabulous throwback to the old Broadway of classic American musical comedy of the mid-20th century. Three minutes into this CD you'll know you're NOT listening to a Disney show nor one composed by a Brit with three names.

Mel Brooks' tunes are catchy and singable and his lyrics are Noel Coward-sharp. (Just see if you can get these ditties out of your head!) The CD comes with a nice extra: extensive liner notes which include the complete lyrics and spoken interludes of every song.

The songs on the recording are well-played by an enthusiastic orchestra -- Glen Kelly's fine arrangements and orchestrations flesh out Mel's tunes. The singing is uniformly good, an occasional flat note not withstanding, and the interpreations are inspired. When Max/Nathan Lane tells Leo/Matthew Broderick near the end of the show, "I never realized you're a good singer" it's more than a line of dialogue. It's actually true.

If you're lucky enough to see the show, the CD is the ultimate souvenir. If you haven't seen it, the CD will more than tide you over until you do. And if "The Producers" inspires a renewal of the American musical comedy genre in the next few years (let's face it, success breeds imitation), then we all have Mel Brooks and company to thank or, to parody one of his own songs from the show:

Broadway going nowhere in a hurry . . . 'til him.

Bland and spiceless, never ever curry . . . 'til him.

Mel's schtick changed the Great White Way.

It's no longer prim.

Oi vay, let's hope there's at least another one . . . like him.

Pleasant Tunes, Hilarious Lyrics
I attended the first Broadway preview of "The Producers" in mid-March and I have rarely seen an audience respond with such enthusiasm. "The Producers" is lavish, filled with jokes that are as hilarious as they are non-PC, and it boasts terrific performances by Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick, Gary Beach and the rest of the cast along with extremely clever direction and choreography by Susan Stroman. The music is tuneful without being especially memorable ("Springtime For Hitler" being the exception), but Brooks' lyrics are often riotously funny.

The CD is an enjoyable souvenir, but it cannot serve as a substitute for seeing the show, which has many memorable sight gags that obviously won't come across on the CD, such as a flock of animatronic pigeons giving the Nazi salute, a dance number set in "Little Old Lady Land" replete with chorus members using walkers, the "Springtime for Hitler" production number, etc.

One quibble: too much dialogue has been preserved on the CD. For example, at the beginning of Lane's showstopper, "Betrayed," he reads a postcard from Broderick's character before launching into the song. Excessive use of dialogue can detract from the enjoyment of the songs.

What's all the hubbub, bub?
I'm afraid I'm going to have to agree with the handful of folks here who've found the praises heaped upon this show to be undeserved. I suppose I should say the praises heaped upon this recording rather than the show itself. Never seen the show, never gonna. Sitting through the cd is arduous enough. I can't imagine being trapped in a theater for two hours watching this thing. How this uninspired little throwback of a vaudeville routine earned it's "Second Coming of the Broadway Musical!" label is beyond me. I guess all the tourists who couldn't get tickets to the Lion King actually find the play an amusing way to waste seventy bucks. Go figure.
The songs on the album range from dull & plodding to shrill & shriller still. The humor is juvenile & just plain humorless. Has Nathan Lane ever played a character who isn't Nathan Lane? I sat through the album three times over the course of a couple weeks trying to hit that magic moment when a score grabs you and you find yourself humming the tunes at work or singing along in the car at the top of your lungs. The only thing I found myself doing was shaking my head in disbelief.
If you're looking for a great new musical that combines edgy humor with catchy tunes go for Avenue Q, Urinetown, Reefer Madness or the much more deservedly lauded Hairspray. And fear the coming of "Blazing Saddles: The Musical!"

Great
What a great album. I don't particularly like Nathan Lane. Quite frankly I don't think he can sing a note and can only play one character - himself. However, he is perfectly cast in The Producers. His voice fits the music, his one-character acting is the character. It is perfect. The music overall is brilliant - especially the chorus numbers. Mel Brooks has got to be the funniest man alive, and who knew he could write such great music to go with his lyrics. All in all, a triumph!

Magnificent Musical!
The Producers is an amazing show with hiliarious songs and lyrics. I think Mel Brooks went over amazement and comedy with this listening track, he went way beyond amazement and comedy. No matter how many hundreds of times I've listened to this CD, I've laughed at every joke each time. Any Broadway lover and comedy lover, such as myself, should own this CD! ... Read more

Amazon.com

"America's First Tribal Love-Rock Musical," went the advertising, and nobody could argue with that. Hair opened on Broadway in 1968 and immediately became a smash, although no one could quite discern what it was about. Something like, "War is bad, drugs are good, racism bites the big one, and nudity is nice." Although all these sentiments are expressed on this album which, like the show, has not dated well, the quality of the music makes it forgiveable. The songs weren't really rock, but they accomplished what all good pop songs set out to do; stick in the craw. In fact, several of its tracks later became hits for pop acts, including "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In" (The Fifth Dimension), "Hair" (The Cowsills), and "Good Morning Starshine" (Oliver). --Dawn Eden ... Read more

Reviews (28)

Still as timely as ever....
I've seen this play a total of six times over 35 years. And, though the message of free love has certainly taken its toll, the louder message strong and clear is that it's about love and not war. Who can say that isn't still true today? And bellbottoms are back! The music is thoughtful, celebratory, in-your-face (today's politically correct would never dare to sing some of the songs here! but - hey! there's a point to be made and it's made loud and clear!), poignant, and heart-wrenching. When I first heard the CD I thought I was listening to a different production - the only audio I had ever heard outside of the live plays was my old scratchy LP played a gazillion times. I had no idea there were so many sound layers! Listen to this CD. Hear it with your heart, and with your humor, and with your spirit. As I write this review, I look up to see the flyer on my wall from the last production of Hair that I attended. I think of the '60s, I think of 9/11/01, I think of Iraq - the flyer has hearts, peace signs and daisies and says: "Come to the Be-In! 3:00pm, City Hall, NY, NY - Make love, not war!"

That's the beauty of Hair.

ON MY OWN
Well, it's very difficult for me to say a word about it.
I was in 1979 the director of the Original Spanish Cast of HAIR in a pre-democratic era. For me Hair was the first "new" musical. The history of musicals are after and before Hair very different, the concept of what a musical must be, more than this, what theatre must be radically changed.
The music is really wonderfull with songs who was flags of a generation and a hundred versions of it (do you remenber Oliver's Good morning starshine?)
What more can I say? Go hurry, buy it and trausure it like a diamond,for many reasons (not only musicals) it's one of the five best ever.
I select this version because I dislike the Original soundtrack of the film a lot (Well, I hate the film too),and the Original London Cast don't have Rado and Ragni singing in it.
I have all of them , but if you must choose only one, this is the one to spend the money.
Don't you believe me? Well,explain me the success of RENT if HAIR never.......

Historic And Unforgettable
This 2 CD recording should be MANDATORY for any musical theater buff- a rare opportunity to hear this historical show's developement from its off-Broadway roots to the megashow it became. Galt MacDermot's unforgettable score is wonderful in both versions (and while the film version tries to accomplish the unimagineable translation from a "non-book" musical to something with a traceable "plot", which I don't think it really does, the full orchestrations of its songs are truly realized by its composer...the versions of "Aquarius" by Ren Woods and "Easy To Be Hard" by Cheryl Barnes justify a manditory puchase alone).
The only "bummer" of this collection is that it doesn't include material from the two other New York HAIR recordings, which are still only available on out-of-print RCA LPs: DIVINE HAIR: MASS IN F(which featured several HAIR songs incorporated into a Catholic Mass) and DisinHAIRited (which has many of the songs cut from both the off-Broadway and Broadway companies).
If you get a chance, check out the book LET THE SUNSHINE IN (available from this website)- it will flesh out the political and historical relevance of this incredible show. For an even BETTER overview, the out-of-print THE AGE OF HAIR traces the show from its roots to the film version. Producer Michael Butler maintains the show's website (www.MichaelButler.com) for updates on current productions and the many cast members from the original productions.
For its wonderful music, evocations of a past era and its timeless plea for peace("Let The Sunshine In", the finale song, always leaves me in tears), this is THE paragon show cd you must own!

Chickahominy!
I say that Hair is the best. And. That. I love it. It's really changing my life.

One Of The Best Musicals Ever!
I first heard of the musical Hair when I tried out for a part in my catholic, all girl highschool's production of it. In order to perform it at my school, several things needed to be done. First, quite a few songs were left out because of time and/or the content of the song. Second, there was no nudity and all text referring to nudity and/or narcotics was edited out. And thirdly, we only had 3 guys in the musical. Even with this kind of limited exposure to the musical, I fell in love with the varying humour and intensity of the songs.
My sister purchased this CD for me in 1996, shortly after our performance had come to an end. I still listen to it at least once a week. There are just so many songs - and ALL of them are wonderful! Some are happy and uplifting while others are filled with such emotion it brings tears to my eyes. And the lyrics are some of the most impressive I've heard. But a few highlights are: Going Down, Frank Mills, Manchester England, What A Piece Of Work Is Man, Good Morning Starshine, and Three Five Zero Zero. But there are two songs from this album that have a special place in my heart - Be-In (for its happy-go-lucky chorus that always makes me want to dance ("Take trips, get high, laugh joke and goodbye") and The Flesh Failures, for its intense sense of regret and sadness ("facing a dying nation").
In summation, this is one CD you definitley won't regret buying! ... Read more

Reviews (11)

very playful.Cute and lively.
This music is so fun! Lets children learn to love and appreciate classical.My children beg for this cd! Its nicely put together.

Not just for babies
This CD contains lightly arranged pieces which suit children very well. I am a 19 year old college student, and I use it personally for study music-it is really good background music without any of the distractions that usually arise from trying to listen to music and do homework at the same time. Highly recommended for children as well as adults.

A wonderful CD
I received several classical music CD's as gifts before my daughter was born, and out of all of them (also including classical CD's I had already owned) this is definitely my favorite. It stands out because it is not full of simply "traditional" arrangements but rather is very light and playful - there are all sorts of cute little chirping and whirring noises that add to it as well. It is just a lot of fun, and provides the perfect background for cuddling with your new little one.

There is one comment below from someone who thought the music was too simple and was of poor quality. I would agree that the music is very simple (not a bad thing), but disagree with the notion that it is poor quality. Anyway, this should be just one CD in a library of different types of music, classical and other, to help your child's music appreciation develop. If it happens to expand other developmental skills as well, even better!

Works as advertised-
The Mozart Effect - Music for Babies is a pretty good disc. Admittedly not the best Mozart recordings around, but then my child is not exactly picky. I prefer Genie's Angels All Around as a lullaby CD but either The Mozart Effect or Angels All Around would make excellent baby shower gifts.

Works Like A Charm
This is a must have for all infants and a terrific baby shower gift. My son is 14 months old and he has been listening to this CD for about 10 months. It has a TERRIFIC soothing effect on him. I think Mozart has become a musical comfort object for him, much like his soft blankie has become a comfort object. If he is cranky in the car and trying to unwind for a nap, I pop this CD in and he is automatically soothed. It's like magic.

I like that this CD is organized into more up tempo songs for playtime, and slower paced songs for sleepytime. I admit I wouldn't buy this CD if I were looking for some real Mozart listening pleasure, but this is for my infant, not for me. (Although I do admit, I am also soothed too by a little Mozart Effect.) And, I wish there weren't two versions of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, but it is still worth the $$. ... Read more

Album Description

Over 2 million albums sold in the UK since the release of "The Voice" in 2000. Undoubtedly the most romantic, passionate and personal musical offering from Russell to date. ... Read more

Amazon.com

It is with primitive urgency and lustrous clarity rising like flickering embers from a fire that Jonathan Elias's ambitious Prayer Cycle is given voice. Woven together like knotty wool, silk, and fine strands of silvery water, the disparate yet complementary voices of the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Alanis Morissette, Yungchen Lhamo, Ofra Haza, the American Boychoir, Salif Keita, and others intertwine in multiple languages with the superb English Chamber Orchestra and Chorus. Prayers of supplication, gratitude, and longing build in layers, one on top of and 'twixt and 'tween the other, as movements titled "Mercy," "Grace," "Innocence," "Compassion," and the like. Remarkably, Elias's Prayer Cycle eloquently captures the ecstasy, pain, grief, and sublime beauty of humanity--as he simply and poignantly writes in his liner notes, "The world we live in is both joyous and cruel." --Paige La Grone ... Read more

Reviews (84)

If this does not move you, then you have no soul.
I first heard this as part of a radio program on the local NPR station, and was shamed into silence. The diversity of collaborators in this work (including US folk-rocker James Taylor, Yemenite singer Ofra Haza, Canadian rocker Alanis Morissette, the late Musrat Fateh Ali Khan [one of his last performances], the American Boychoir w/Devin Provenzano, the English Chamber Orch. & Chorus) shows the great number of fields that composer Jonathan Elias was drawing from.

The song "Hope" will lift your spirit, while James Taylor's melancholy vocals on "Grace" will move you to tears (At first, I thought he would be horribly out of place, but his voice fits the work perfectly!). The lyrics run all over the map in language. There are lyrics in Urdu, Mali, Latin, English, French, Italian, Hungarian, Dwala, Tibetan, German, Spanish and Hebrew, but they are listed in English in the CD booklet. I gather this is Elias' way of uniting the world. The lyrics are prayers, laments and pleas for forgiveness. The themes are loneliness, war and regret.

The style of music is definately classical, but does not limit itself to European roots. There are distinct influences from Africa, the Orient, and even various tribal nuances. For someone who was raised on European Classical music, it may be a shock to the system, but it works, and it is wonderful!

I forsee this recording to be one of the hand-picked few that future generations will draw upon for inspiration. As we as a people on this planet become closer, our world seems to become smaller. Our hopes, dreams, and cultures begin to overlap. This recording is proof that, when skillfully co-ordinated they can create incredible harmony.

Highly, highly reccomended.

Mesmerizing and unforgettable
This CD defies any specific description of its content. It is most often listed as an "Alanis Morissette album" simply because she sings several songs. But, it is a mixture of styles, cultures, music and religious beliefs that is hard to explain but not easy to forget. Jonathan Elias has written a series of choral pieces on faith, no matter what religion you adhere to. Alanis sings in French on one song and in Hungarian on another. Such diverse talents as James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt and the late international superstars, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Ofra Haza lend their voices. Reading the lyrics in English adds to the understanding of what is being conveyed, but the melodies and voices joining in hope and faith are just as touching. This album is about faith in God or goddesses or nature, whatever beliefs you may have. It mixes beliefs and musical styles in a way I've never heard before. The music is moving, touching, breath-taking, and unforgettable.

MUSIC FROM HEAVEN
I FIRST HEARD THE TITLE TRACK IN THE MOVIE AFFAIR OF THE NECKLESS
SEARCHED FOR THIS SONG FOR 2YRS WHEN I FINALLY FOUND IT I WAS MORE THAN SATISFIED THE WHOLE CD IS BEYOND BELIFE THE COMBO OF THE STARS AND THE MUSIC WAS A PERFECT MARRIGE ANY AND ALL WHO BUY THIS CD WILL NOT BE LET DOWN

Wonderfully flowing
This is a mood-changing CD. It touches something immediately in your inner being. I have listened to it in repeat mode and have not tired of it. I also feel transformed by it. I am more serene and less frustrated by what is going on in the world. I feel more connected with a global life force. Buy it.

Beautiful
I was once in a great relationship with someone. He and I would fall asleep listening to this CD every night. The level that it took us to was just amazing. We felt so spiritual and connected.

This CD elevates you. As so many say it is beyond words and yet us reviewers are trying to express the beauty just so that one more person will buy it.

You will not regret this purchase. When all things are wrong in your life you will put this on, and it will calm you. It will bring your mind to a point in your life where things were in harmony. You will feel balances. I'm not one to normally believe in this sort of thing, but when I light a candle and put this on all is well in my world.

I'm not religious, but this music is heavenly! I just HAD to share because I've just found this disc again and cannot stop playing it. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Tchaikovsky's Greatest Pieces of Music
Here are some of Peter Ilych Tchaikovsky's greatest works. His Nutcraker, Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty ballets are the most famous in the repoirtaire. The Symphony No. 5 and 6 are very excellent symphonic orchestrations. However, despite all the good stuff in here from the Russian master, the performers and conductors cannot surpass the beauty and artistry that such Tchaikovsky music masters as Dorati, Markevitch and Ormandy are. So if you want quality Tchaikovsky, get those conductor renditions. However, for a Tchaikovsky beginner, these pieces will get you hooked. This is a good cd to begin with for a Tchaikovsky listener. I am a Tchaikovsky listener ever since a friend recommended his glorious works to me. I am a Mozart fan but Tchaikovsky is undoubtedly the greatest Romantic composer of all time. He combines Russian melodies (Russian dances, mazurkas, waltzes) and gives them a definite Western romantic feel. He was friends with such noted Romantic composers as Camille Saint Saens, known to create such marvelous music of the era- Carnival of the Animals (now popular through Dysney) and Danse Macabre, to name only a small portion. Tchaikovsky also adored Mozart and although he is not exactly a Classical composer, he greatly admires the beauty of Mozart's works. Three cheers for Tchaikovsky !

great music poorely performed.
T. is my favourite composer but the interpretation on this CD is rather like a good effort in high shool

Great!
I think that Peter Tchaikovsky is one of the greatest composers ever. His Nutcracker suite and Capriccio Italien are wonderful pieces of music, as well as the rest of his pieces! This CD is definetly worth owning if you like classical music. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

At the ripe old age of 19 Mozart wrote five violin concertos, and they represent his coming of age as a composer of orchestral music. From here on, it's basically one masterpiece after another. Though not difficult works, technically speaking, they partake in full measure of Mozart's uniquely sensual brand of melody. That means that successful performances must know how to spin out a singing musical line, while at the same time making the most of the rare opportunities for soloistic display. Taste and musicianship are more important qualities than virtuosity, and that makes these pieces ideal vehicles for Arthur Grumiaux's aristocratic temperament and technical polish. --David Hurwitz ... Read more

Reviews (14)

a bargain, a winner and...
Grumiaux's Mozart is a winner. He is not always THE BEST in all the violin concertos, but this one is the best and it is the ideal performance for Mozart.

As violin fans know, his style is very sophisticated: ideal trill and perfect vibrato. Some may think it is non-human or cold, but I think it worked perfect in this Mozart Concertos. His sophisticated style gives a sharp rendition to Mozart's "can be too sweet" music, which I should say Grumiaux is austere. Also his expression is beautiful, sensitive and strong. Simply breathtaking.

He is too perfect in every second of all the concerto on this disc.

I like Perlman/Levine mozart but sometimes for me it is bit too sweet and over-romanticized.

Buy this disc because it is the best recording available in such a bargain price.

Grumiaux's Vivid, Aristocratic View Of Mozart
These are exceptional recordings of Mozart's violin concertos and other orchestral works performed by Arthur Grumiaux as soloist. He's given strong support from the London orchestras conducted by Sir Colin Davis and Raymond Leppard. Those who prefer a romanticized Mozart may not find these performances to their liking. Grumiaux's playing is noted for its aristocratic temperment and technical polish; hence it is a far cry from either Perlman's or Mutter's dramatic performances. Still, Grumiaux's austere style works; here it is well suited to Mozart's scores. Certainly this is one of the finest recordings of Mozart's violin concertos I have heard.

Benchmark performance
Arthur Grumiaux is, without a doubt, peerless in the Mozart violin field. Indeed, so good was his Mozart that the No.3 concerto virtually became "his", and he used it in his -very successful- US debut.
Similar in vibrancy and integrity to his Bach Sonatas and Partitas cycle, one feels that the Mozart presented here is how Mozart would have wanted it (if he had contemporary instruments under his disposal). The tone is uniformly pure, while the vibrato is sweet, but not overly so. Perhaps the key to playing Mozart is negotiating the deceptively difficult solo line with panache, while maintaining the classical sensibilities of this period (no mean feat, believe me). In this regard, Grumiax passes these tests with flying colors, stamping the piece with his own vision but never violating the Mozartean style.
Grumiaux never sounds rushed or panicked. He is a veritable rock of Gibraltar in his rendition of these marvellous pieces, and it is a pleasure to hear him. To my mind, there is no finer version to ask for.

Attention Mozart fans-----
The 2003/4 Penguin Guide gives a rosette to the 1970s Alban Berg recording of the Hunt and Dissonance quartets, and also designates as a "key" recording their entire 4-disc Teldec set of Mozart's last 10 quartets that includes the Hunt & Dissonance.

I'm here to tell you that this 4-disc Teldec set is now available as a bargain import through Amazon.com. Like many imports, it can be hard to find. Here's how: go to the classical search page, type "teldec" in the label field and "mozart" in the title field, and then click search. This set, imported from France, should appear among the results.

The best part--aside from the superiority of the performances themselves--is that this set sells for a ridiculously, astoundingly LOW price!! So don't bother ordering from the UK the individual Apex reissue of the rosette Hunt/Dissonance, because you can now have the entire 4-disc set at a super-bargain price!! Enjoy!

Precise and Crisp Interpretation, Best Classical Rendition
Grumiaux's Mozart is clean and clear. I believe his implementation follows the closest to that intended by Mozart and accurately reflects the style of the Classical period. Unlike some other renditions, Grumiaux does not indulge in overblown vibratos, exaggerated trills, or drawn-out endings. Instead, his tempo is crisp, his tone is clear, and he stays within the boundary of classical interpretation. One can imagine that this is how Mozart was played back in the courts and concert halls of Europe in the 18th century. Highly recommended and a bargain with the double CDs. If you want to stay true to how Mozart intended his design, then get Grumiaux's rendition, you won't be disappointed. ... Read more

Amazon.com

On Music for Two, banjo wizard Béla Fleck and stand-up bass maestro Edgar Meyer effortlessly sail through a challenging program that includes compositions by Bach, a sonata by Henry Eccles, a Miles Davis tune, and a number of self-composed finger twisters. The amazing thing about this varied selection is not its eclecticism--which is only to be expected with these two--but that it all blends together so seamlessly. Fleck's jazz-tinged compositions (like "The Lake Effect") and Meyer's bluegrass-inspired tunes (like "Wishful Thinking") sit so comfortably next to Bach's baroque jewels and Davis's cool jazz that it makes you question the entire of concept of musical classification. (In fact, the Bach preludes, inventions, and partitas translate so well to the banjo/bass arrangements, you have to wonder if old JSB might not have had a bit of bluegrass in his soul.) Music for Two was recorded live at a series of 2001 concerts, where Fleck and Meyer proved conclusively that the banjo and the bass were capable of remarkable subtlety and not just twang and boom. --Michael John Simmons ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Unequivocal Wizardry
I don't know what CD the last reviewer (June 25, 2004) listened to, but surly he got that confused with "Music for Two"!

Béla and Edgar, as always, has demonstrated their unequivocal wizardry on their instruments in this fine work. They've busted thier butts to get to where they are at now and it shows. Watch the DVD and see what they go through rehearsing the song "Cannon" during break from one of their shows and after, etc...

You gotta be kidding!
Bela Fleck and Edgar Meyer are both truly adept at their respective instruments. But a whole bunch of classical pieces performed by Banjo and Double Bass??? Yawn! What's next, Kazoo and Bells. Thank god I listened to this CD before I dropped my cash. Some may enjoy and god bless as far as I am concerned; let me at my stack!

A virtuosic and virtuous disc.
Bela Fleck and Edgar Meyer are the unequivocal masters of their respective instruments, the banjo and the string bass, and have been such close friends for so long that a colloborative effort seems like a natural evolution of their ouvre. Indeed, the beauty of this disc is that the music does not get bogged down under the weight of their combined musical genius. On Music for Two, a Sony Classical release, Fleck and Meyer weave intricate tapestries of sound, combining straight classical transcriptions of Bach (the original classical virtuoso and arguably the touchstone for all of western music) with improvised tunes from their own repertoire. "Bug-Tussle" and "Pile Up" are upbeat, catchy newgrass charts that are heavy on the improv. "Blue Spruce" is a new-agey Flecktune featuring Bela in a semi-rare performance on the six-string guitar and Edgar on piano. "Wrong Number" pulls a fast one on the live audience, as an interrupting cell phone becomes an elaborate gag that is worked into the song itself. And the Bach transcriptions are not only 100% faithful, but 100% flawless. The added DVD only enhances the listening experience, as you get to see fingers and hands in action, making the virtuosity of Fleck and Meyer even more apparent. In the end, "Music for Two" proves that sometimes when you combine two musical talents of this caliber, one plus one equals MUCH more than just two.

Two Masters at Work...
How do I begin? Fans of Bela and Edgar are probably already familiar with this album. If you are familiar with it then hopefully you'll still find this review useful. I'm going to tailor my comments more to people who don't know as much about Bela and Edgar, or what's on this album. Because if you're already a fan, you most likely own this brilliant album, and you don't need me to convince you how amazing it is.

Let's start with a bit of background. Bela Fleck is a banjo player who is originally from New York. He has been playing professionally for over twenty years, and has long been considered one of the most talented banjo players (if not simply one of the greatest musicians) that has ever lived. Edgar Meyer is a similarly talented bassist who has been friends with Bela since the early 80's, when they were both involved in the New Grass Revival. Bela gained huge success with his band, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. They have recorded many critically and commercially successful albums, all worth a good listen, as they are phenomenal musicians. Victor Wooten is THE most talented bassist I have ever seen. His brother Roy "Future Man" Wooten is a percussion pioneer, and Jeff Coffin is an immensely gifed saxophonist and flutist. Not that it impacts the recording I'm about to review, but I can say after personally meeting Bela and the Flecktones that they are as gracious and kind as they are talented. Again, not that this has any bearing on the quality of their music, but it makes me feel good to know that some musicians genuinely appreciate the support of their fans. Anyway, on to Bela and Edgar.

Bela and Edgar first collaborated on Perpetual Motion, a classical album released in late 2001. The idea of a banjo playing classical music might sound a bit strange at first, but after listening to the album, it becomes clear that it was meant to be. Which moves us on to this album, Music For Two, which was released about a week ago. This is a live album that chronicles Bela and Edgar's first tour together in 2002. The setlist contains a mixture of classical songs with originals written by Bela and Edgar. Bela and Edgar call it "a work in progress." Well, if that's the case I can't even imagine what the finished product could be. The level of musicianship on this album is astounding. Bela and Edgar are two masters of their craft. You can get an idea of how they work together by watching the included bonus DVD which was filmed by Bela's brother Sascha during the tour. As Bela and Edgar are both perfectionists, they sometimes clash of the direction of their music, but it's very clear to me that they are close friends who have a great respect for each other's talent. I applaud them for showing us such an honest portrayal of their relationship. I tend to shy away from naming personal favories on this album because I view it more as a whole than the sum of its parts. Having said that, I particularly enjoy hearing them cut loose on "Pile-up" and "Woolly Mammoth". "Canon" is truly an awe-inspiring auditory experience, and "Wrong Number" shows that Bela and Edgar also have a great sense of Humor.

Bela Fleck is impossible to classify. His music can be found in stores under jazz, bluegrass, classical, country, and several others. His work with Edgar Meyer is further proof of his willingness to transcend musical genres. Who else could have put a banjo to classical compasitions and pulled it of so flawlessly. Egdar Meyer brings an unmatched level of dediaction and precision to his instrument. It is a joy to hear the music that they produce together. Simply put, all fans of music should give this album a listen. It is a testament to the skill and creativity of the musicians involved. I'm very happy to see the partnership between Bela and Sony Classical continue to prosper. Hopefully we can expect to see more amazing music come our way in the years to come.

Give this album a try...you will not be disappointed!

An Extraordinary Album from Two Virtuosos
Anyone who appreciates quality music should own this album.

This is one of those albums that from the first moment you listen to it, you will be immediately hooked. It combines selections from Bach and other classical composers with completely original compositions by both Bela Fleck and Edgar Meyer. And, what makes the album really unique is the humorous interaction between the two musicians - and the audience! (Wait until you hear "Wrong Number".)

However, you won't really appreciate the depth of the album until you watch the bonus DVD. It's a documentary on how the two musicians worked together to perfect one of the album's selections ("Canon"). The filmwork was high-quality as was the recording of the album itself.

For the price, you won't find a better value in excellent musicianship and documentary. And, for the record you will be hardpressed to find two better musicians and composers living in this day and age. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Rock bastardizations of classical music are as old as Kim Fowley's--and ELP's--Tchaikovsky tweaking "Nutrocker." But classical interpretations of rock music have generally been something of a high-wire act. While most pop fare has strong melodic foundations for the soloist to build from, Christopher O'Riley has challenged himself here with the catalog of Radiohead, one of modern rock's most acclaimed--and texturally complex--bands. O'Riley's insightful gifts for interpretation (which have previously enlightened everything from Stravinsky to P.D.Q. Bach) produce a hypnotic, emotionally compelling listening experience here; O'Riley is a huge Radiohead fan, and that love courses through everything from the dreamy, bittersweet title track through the brooding loveliness of "Let Down." Radiohead's stock in trade is dense, multi-layered music that leans heavily on electronic processing for its moody sonic atmospherics; O'Riley's evokes those complex textures with but a judicious use of the sustain peddles, a deft use of dissonance (as on "Knives Out"), and a rhythmically anxious left hand. Call them etudes for the post-modern age if you will, but O'Riley's performances here largely achieve what all great interpretations strive for: New insight and enlightenment. --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Reviews (49)

Almost As Good As The Real Thing
Let me start of this review with one statement, absolutely NO ONE plays Radiohead as well as Radiohead does. Getting that out of the way, I must admit I love this album. I initially had some reservations when purchasing this album, but it was worth every penny it cost me. Hearing some of my favorite Radiohead songs played on just the piano is simply amazing. You can tell that Christopher O'Riley really liked what he was playing (and also happens to have talent at playing the piano), and it shows through. In the album he plays both the accompaniment and the voice part, so there is no singing. It makes for a completely unique experience, knowing the words and catching myself singing at points only to stop and sing along in my head. If you are a Radiohead fan, I highly recommend you pick this up but even if you aren't a Radiohead fan this would be a good way to get into their music. But then again... so would OK Computer.

An Essential Album for Radiohead Fanatics
Whether you are a hardcore Radiohead fan or simply a lover of classical piano, this album is an essential addition to your CD collection. O'Riley's sound is a classical reflection of Radiohead's alternative soul, and captures the true essence of their musical style.

I have been myself a fan of Radiohead with an equal amount of adoration for classical music, and this album is truly one that quenches my thirst for both genres. It is harmoniously fulfilling to experience the occassional consonance and edginess of Radiohead's alternative style blended with O'Riley's talent as a classical pianist. It is difficult to pinpoint any one track on this album that can be considered the best, because literally every song is worth savoring.

True Love Waits is quite the musical inspiration for both classical connoisseur and alternative aficionado alike.

Very interesting, but not entirely successful
I give Chris O kudos for his attempt to arrange Radiohead for piano. But because of the textural complexity of Radioheads' music, many subtlties are lost in the translation. The piano simply doesn't have the timbral range that this music needs in order to succeed. Much of what makes Radiohead so interesting is the tension and emotion derived from the multiplicity of musical textures that Radiohead use and Thom Yorks vocals and melodies. The piano is too limited an instrument. Also I think O'Riley doesn't get the correct emotion of certain songs in his interpretations. Some are overwrought like Black Star others simply miss the mark entirely like Subterranean Homesick Alien.
Where True Love Waits succeeds is that many of the pieces are moving and beautiful. Radioheads' melodies are lovely, and bittersweet and Chris can play the piano well. He's made a personal interpretation of another artists work, something very difficult to do successfully, and he's done quite well, but... Its still an interpretation of anothers work. Although the music is quite good, it pales when compared to the originals.

Radiohead for classical piano?
The idea really isn't as unwieldy as it may sound. The group's music has a certain element of mystery, a streak of melancholia (to make a big understatement), and an underlying complexity that makes it all a tad less simplistic than your average group, and a classical context brings out all those qualities beautifully. In the hands of a skilled arranger they come to new life here - changed into different clothes, of course, but dynamic and fascinating as always. This solid hour of reinterpretations is never less than gorgeous.

The way Christoper O'Riley weaves the songs' disparate parts into a single piano working alone makes everything sound fresh. The songs' main melodies and vocal lines are all faithfully blended into the flowing layered keyboard work, but it's far from a bunch of as-is translations: lots of small flourishes in the arrangements are added, and dynamics in timing & tempo make them sound new and vastly different. I only wish there wasn't such a big range in volume overall - if you leave the stereo set at the same volume level throughout the disc, either the loud parts are a tad too loud or the soft parts are inaudible. The only other thing I'd change a little is the song selection - there are only two tracks from Kid A and one from Amnesiac, while R-head's mediocre debut Pablo Honey is represented by three. But the rapturous title track is a nice rarity and there's plenty from the masterpiece OK Computer, so I really can't complain.

While it shouldn't be an intro to Radiohead, True Love Waits is a treat for fans of the group (including those who are occasionally as put off by Thom Yorke's incoherent mumbling vocals as I am), those with a taste for the classical, or just anyone looking for some beautiful piano work. Best enjoyed on a rainy day with a good book and a glass of wine.. or even a magazine and a Coke. Really, you don't have to be a classical snob to enjoy this disc, it's good for anyone.

Muddy Yes, but what the heck!
Lettin' it all hang out there with his classical renditions of some truly magnificent songs by Radiohead...They're not necesarily better than the originals...how could they be? ...But what the heck...kudos for going for it...Maybe the next effort won't ride the sustain pedal quite as much...Oh, and if you're reading this Chris, ease up on the left hand a little...you're killing me with the filler... ; ) ... Read more

Amazon.com

Souping up the classics with whatever contemporary music pulse is current at the moment has a long history. Some artists, like Emerson, Lake and Palmer, aspired to classical grandiosity. Others, like Michael Murphy and his discofied "A Fifth of Beethoven," turn classical melodies into pop hooks. Paul Schwartz falls somewhere in the middle with his Aria project, of which this is the third. Electronica grooves and effects angle their way through songs "based" on operatic works by Handel, Verdi, Puccini, and Monteverdi. Schwartz begins with a bar set high by some of these melodies, beautifully sung by soprano Rebecca Luker. Whether singing solo or in multi-tracked choirs, her voice opens heavens' gates, but she has to slog through some pedestrian arrangements to get there. Schwartz understands the difference between an orchestra and a synthesizer and with only a few exceptions--like the cheesy opening to "Ombra Ma Fu"--deploys each in appropriate measures. "Ascension," based on a Monteverdi aria is particularly striking with its underlying electronic ostinatos cycling through the breathtaking refrain. But too often, Schwartz's strings are saccharine and his rhythms clichéd in a music that uses high art only to reach for the facile. Like most classical-pop crossovers, time usually renders a verdict of kitsch in the first degree. --John Diliberto ... 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

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

Amazon.com

The Bacon Brothers say it best on this hilarious CD's titletrack: "Poultry in motion is a beautiful thing." So is a record that grabs you by the funnybone from its opening (the Seldom Herd's "Cows") and doesn't let go till the final note is clucked. Sandra Boynton, whose illustrated board books have become as much a part of everytoddler's reading list as Mother Goose, makes a convincing case herethat authors can succeed brilliantly as very silly songwriters. MerylStreep, Laura Linney, Kevin Kline, Natasha Richardson, and fourteen otherperformers all qualify as contenders for king and queen of the coop, and they whoop it up enough to guarantee the most enjoyable sing-along ever. --Tammy La Gorce ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Up, Over and Into the CD Player
This CD is alot of fun.

Sandra Boynton takes words from some of her short-story books (snoozers, for example), and creates some brand new lyrics for a really enchanting CD of music for kids that's OK for adults.

If you child is anything like my son, it might even spark a career in dance or music (assuming you don't mind dancing to the "Philadelphia Chicken" over and over and over again ;))

At some point I read a review of this that wanted to know how they got all these famous people and incredible singers to sing on the CD - I did actually ask one of the more famous singers and she said "Well, Sandy asked me" - wish I'd thought of that!

Then again, when I get as many great books published as Sandra Boynton it might actually work for me!

Great for kids and parents alike
My kids are big fans of Sandra Boynton's books, and I love her quirky humor. One of our favorite books ("Pajama Time") is included in the musical score on this CD, and the rest of the songs live up to my (very high) expectations as well. The music is well done, a good variety of styles and decent complexity, so the songs won't drive Mom nuts after she's heard them a few times! It's refreshing to have various voices, including some actors whose singing is a previously untapped talent (Scott Bakula, Natasha Richardson) as well as some I already knew (Kevin Bacon, Kevin Kline.)

ABSOLUTELY THE BEST! (for all ages)
I have given this cd/book/music to many kids and adults, including my mom. I've also kept it for myself! The songs are so fun and funny, they crack you up. They also introduce kids to all types of music, from blues to jazz to country to everything. The book itself is great, and I read stories to my grandson and nieces from it. And this is the best bargain in the business: You get the cd with 19 songs, the hard cover book with illustrations and words to each (which we enjoy as stories), and the sheet music for piano and additional lyrics in the back. The favorite of one of my nieces is "Please can I keep it -- it followed me home." The other niece loves "Those Dinosaur Blues," and MY favorite (or one of them) is "Be Like a Duck." But then the song by aardvarks pretending to be cows is charming, too. You just can't go wrong. BUY THIS!

Great music to sing and dance to....
This CD is one that every child should have in his/her collection! It is just awesome! It is so upbeat. My 4 year old loves singing to it, and my 8 month old moves to the music. As an adult, I think the lyrics are very clever, and give parents a break from the normal kids songs!

SO refreshing.
Alex loves Sandra Boynton's board books and we bought this because I'm from Phila. The songs are great, just the kind of stuff I like (and Alex can understand most of the words to sing along). An interesting thing is that all the women singing on this CD sound the same! Since we had the CD in the car for the first few days, we were just singing along and not reading the book, and I wondered who the female artist was that did all the songs...turns out each song is by someone different, and other than Meryl Streep I don't know any of the female singers. But that doesn't stop it being excellent entertainment! ... Read more

Amazon.com

It is not possible to fit 36 Bach masterpieces on two CDs, so what Essential Bach does is present individual movements from across a range of the composer's work. The anthology is clearly aimed at the newcomer, and the absence of booklet notes to put the music in context is disappointing. We are only given titles, performers, and what films the extracts have been featured in, from Rollerball to The English Patient.

On the plus side, most if not all of the music is instantly recognizable, by melody if not by name. Everything from the Brandenburg Concertos to "Air on a G String" to the B Minor Mass and St. Matthew Passion is represented. Performances range from 1960 to 1993, encompassing both early instrument and modern orchestra interpretations by a wide variety of forces, including Sir Neville Marriner with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields and Raymond Leppard leading the English Chamber Orchestra. Given such diversity the result is unavoidably a patchwork, albeit one made from the finest materials, and as such is perhaps best treated as a sampler to aid exploration of the vast legacy of one of the very greatest composers who ever lived. --Gary S. Dalkin, Amazon.co.uk ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Good
This is a good album but for information on real choral music visit www.freewebs.com/bachster67/

Off da hook
this cd is real hot. i think that in this cd, bach really shows some stuff he went through. the beats are real hot. the piano are the best too. i recommend you buy it.
1. Toccata And Fugue - it tells all about a beautiful place dat i bet everyone will want to live in and bach is the mayor
3. Das Wohltemperierte Klavier- hot chords and the beat is bangin
7. Vn Con No. 1 - this song made me go out and by the shoes. the beat is hot
10. Vc Ste No. 3 - real slow jam dat makes u feel like thinking about your life.
14.French Ste No. 5 - real nice beat while hes talking about a girl leavin him and takin his stash and then it comes back real hard on the beat. this is one of my favorites

I think you should really buy this cd. even though i got this cd has a gift, it is still worth buying. i cant wait to get the dirty versions cd he came out with.
bach, juss keep doing your thing and i love you word up my man

The greatest composer of all time!
This is truly a splendid collection of works by J.S. Bach. Covering a wide variety of sounds, tempos and textures, there's something here for everyone.

CD 1 begins with a dramatic orchestral version of Toccata in D minor, which is more commonly known as an organ piece. Then it shifts to the soft and soothing sound of Air (Orchestral Suite No. 3), followed by the heavenly melodies of Prelude in C major (a beautifully-played harp solo). Next comes the joyful-sounding Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 (1st movement), followed by a serene piano solo called Aria.

Other highlights on CD 1 include the cinematic-sounding Allegro moderato (Violin Concerto No. 1), the upbeat, richly textured Brandenberg Concerto No. 5 (3rd movement), and the exquisite guitar playing in Bourrees I & II (from Cello Suite No. 3) and Prelude in D minor.

Highlights on CD 2 include the respective 1st movements of Brandenburg Concerto Nos. 2 and 3, the brilliant, uplifting guitar melodies in both Prelude (Lute Suite No. 4) and Gigue (Partita No. 1), the cheerful piano solo in Allegro (Italian Concerto), the touchingly subtle harpsichord playing in Largo (Keyboard Concerto No. 5), and the mesmerizing Organ solo in Allegro (Concerto in A minor for organ).

For me, the only thing that prevents this album from being perfect is the omission of the 3rd movement of Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 and the 1st movement of Brandenburg Concerto No. 5. But it is still well-deserving of a five-star rating.

Quite simply the best sampling of J.S. Bach available. ... Read more

Reviews (25)

A soundtrack you just can't miss out on!!
The 1956 soundtrack to the movie version of the musical "The King And I" is truely a classic.
The soundtrack has recently been remastered with a better sound quality, and bonus tracks, and most of all the complete movie version of the ballet "The Small House Of Uncle Thomas".

The soundtrack includes the voices Deborah Kerr and Marni Nixon as the singing voice of Anna. Marni dubbed the singing parts, and Deborah did the speaking parts of the songs.
Yul Brynner as the king. Rita Moreno and Leona Gordon as the singing voice of Tuptim. Leona Gordon slightly augmented some of Ritas parts on her songs. We have Terry Saunders as Lady Thiang. Ruben Fuentes who dubbed the singing voice of Carlos Rivas in the role of Tuptim. And features Rex Thompson as Louis.
Those are all the voices you will hear on the soundtrack.

The soundtrack starts off with the Main Title. Next is Anna and Louis with "I Whistle A Happy Tune", where Anna teaches her son what do when afraid. Next is the beautiful "My Lord And Master" sung by Tuptim, where Tuptim sings how this King knows nothing about her, and how he may think shes just for him, he'll never know she loves another man. Rita Moreno does a beautiful job with the song and sadly was cut out of the movie. Next is "The March Of The Siamese Children", where the children are presented to Anna. Next is the underscoring of "Anna And The Royal Wives", followed by Anna's "Hello, Young Lovers", which is one of the most touching song in the score, where Anna sings to the Royal Wives how she once had a love of her own. Next is the kings "The Puzzlement", where hes states his confusions about his conflicts. Next is one of the most popular songs from the movie "Getting To Know You", where Anna sings to the Royal Children and Wives about getting to know them. Next is the underscoring "Garden Rendezvous". Next is Lun Tha's and Tuptim's beautiful "We Kiss In The Shadow", where the two lovers sing how they barely have any time to be with eachother, and hope for one day to be free. The song is mixed with "I Have Dreamed", their other duet, how they have dreams of them being together. Next is Anna's comical soliquy "Shall I Tell You What I Think Of You?". This is one song where you will hear Deborah and Marni going back and forth with the vocals, you can barely tell the difference. Next is the extremely touching "Something Wonderful", sung by Lady Thiang where she tells Anna deep down the king is truely something wonderful. Next is the "Prayer To Buddha", where The King and everyone pray to Buddha about the British comming. The British have arrived and Anna and her old friend Sir Edward see eachother and dance to the "Waltz of Anna and Sir Edward". Next is the beautiful ballet "The Small House of Uncle Thomas", narrated by Tuptim and sung with the Chorus, the ballet is Tuptims version of the story of "Uncle Toms Cabin". Next is the "Song Of The King", sung by The King and Anna, where the King expresses how many women belong to one man. Thats followed by another popular song, "Shall We Dance", where the magic start to spark between the King and Anna. Next is the underscoring "The Letter". The closing track is the "Something Wonderful REPRISE" sung by the chorus. The bonus track is the LP version of the "Overture".

Those are all the tracks, and they are amazing. Only a few songs from the score are missing including "Royal Bangkok Academy", Lady Thiang and Wives "Western People Funny", The Prince and Louis' "A Puzzlement REPRISE", And a few other Reprises are missing.

Overall, this classic soundtrack is worth it! You just have to own this classic.

Magnificent recording of classic R and H score
The film version of "The King and I" is one of the best (and best-loved) filmizations of a Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, and for good reason. With that wonderful, melodic score so superbly orchestrated, Yul Brynner magnificently recreating his (and I do mean HIS) stage role of the King, and the wonderful Deborah Kerr as Anna, how can you miss? The soundtrack of the film is equally good, with the lovely orchestrations and performances of the songs retained beautifully. Marni Nixon, the legendary "ghost singer," dubs Deborah Kerr, in her most successful assignment to date as far as integrating her voice with Kerr's goes, (magnificently demonstrated in "Shall I Tell You What I Think of You," a great song unfortunatly cut from the film). She is also in peak voice, too, and sounds beautiful. Brynner's two songs, the great "A Puzzlement" and "Song of the King," are fine, as well, though he doesn't dominate the CD as he did the movie. But then, why complain about that, with so many other good things to make up for it? With such charming, beautiful songs as "Hello, Young Lovers," "Getting to Know You," and, of course, "Shall We Dance," all superbly performed by Nixon, as well as a good supporting cast of singers. Leona Gordon "augments" the voice of Rita Moreno's Tuptim, and though she falters a little bit when hitting the high notes of "My Lord and Master," (also cut from the film) otherwise her voice is beautiful, nicely bolestering a less-than-steller Reuben Feuntes (who dubbed Carlos Rivas's Lun Tha) during the beautiful "We Kiss In A Shadow" and "I Have Dreamed." (The last song, also cut; a shame) And Terry Saunders' Lady Thaing gives a beautiful, moving reading of "Something Wonderful," as well. One of the best recordings available of a classic R and H score, and not to be missed.

VERY GOOD WORK, but no MUSICAL NOTES
EXCELLENT WORK... However, we wanted to play this songs by ourselves, but there are no musical notes. That is the only missing part.

beautiful musical!
great and beautiful songs. It's a lovely soundtrack to a grand musical. Marni Nixon has such a beautiful and clear voice, so lovely and feminine. Yul Brynner has a wonderful masuline voice, very beautiful. All the tracks sound really good. It has some of the most beautiful and remembered songs on it, like, "Hello Young Lovers," and "Shall we Dance."

Beautiful Music. Mediocre sound quality.
This is one of my favorite musicals and it is a delight to have this recording. The sound quality is lacking, however. They could have done a better job with the remastering. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Creative & Beautiful
I like classical music, but some of the pieces tend to be too long. When I saw this, I figured that I would give it a try. I really liked the character on the front, even though he was designed to get the attention of little ones.

The music on this CD is very easy to listen to. I listen to it when I'm putting laundry away, when I'm driving, etc. The pieces are short, so there aren't the super slow lagging sections. Each piece is also played by different instruments than the traditional classical music, so it makes it entertaining to listen to.

Whether you have little ones or not, if you enjoy classical music, you should give this CD a shot.

Ugh! Glorified Music-Box Music
My husband and I are fans of classical music with a substantial CD collection. When we found out we were pregnant, I picked up the Baby Beethoven CD from my local library to see what it was like.

It's glorified music box music... some of the pieces are almost impossible to distinguish without checking the jewel case for the name.

If you really want to expose your child to Beethoven, don't waste your time with this CD. For soothing sleepy-time music, try "Beethoven at Bedtime."

Great CD for little ones
I bought this for my son when he was 3 months old.He loved it instantly. I would put the cd on while we cooked dinner together. He would just sit in his high chair and listen intently. He is now over a year old and we still enjoy listening to it together. It's great background music while you play with them. Oh yeah did I mention this is my son's favorite cd. I highly recommend this cd. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Claudio Arrau considered the Nocturnes among Chopin's deepest, most searching works, rather than mere descriptive mood paintings, and he plays them that way. The same can be said vis-à-vis Arrau's Impromptus, with brooding textures and cosmic breadth that leave the drawing room behind. --Jed Distler ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Arrau is a masterful interpreter of Chopin
This is an inspired release by the Philips label; hopefully, it will generate new interest in Arrau's Chopin and give him the kind of credit he deserves. Arrau is so underrated as to almost pass unnoticed when the truly great exponents of Chopin are spoken of, yet I believe he belongs in the company of Horowitz, Rubinstein, Agerich, Pollini and Zimermann. Best known for his awesome Beethoven cycle, Arrau has an almost transcendent grasp of Chopin's many moods--he makes every Chopin piece he plays tell a compelling, unforgettable narrative. His chosen tempi really wring the emotion out of every note, but his treatment of a piece like the opus 15 #1 shows he has the kind of muscularity in his playing necessary to avoid being a mere Chopin sentimentalist. Arrau recorded most of his Chopin in the '70's, and his Ballades and Preludes are staggeringly good (I have yet to hear a better version than his of the fourth ballade). I am waiting for Philips to re-release these treasures on CD, and hopefully they'll do it as they did here with the Nocturnes and Impromptus--a remastered, 2CD for the price of one bargain. I started with the Nocturnes like many people do--by buying Rubinstein's set. They're fantastic, but Arrau just takes these pieces farther than I ever imagined they could go, and you can't ask for more than that.

ps. Check out Arrau under the "Great Pianists of the 20th Century" series that's available here on Amazon if you want to further sample his enormous repertoire.

The master version of Nocturnes
I agree with our friend that considers Arrau an underrated interpreter of Chopin. And this CD is for everyone a strong argument. Just listen the first Nocturne and enjoy the profound and self accomplished spirit that it discovers. The inner logic and the beauty of playing has no match on any other recorded version. Chopin was no composer for the bal halls yet an agile explorer of the soul and moods. And that's why Ashkenazy would never be but a medium size interpreter of Chopin. The great musical insight of Arrau manages to walk on the roads that led to the creation of these Nocturnes and this is the best reason I can give you for buying and above all listening to these recordings. Every Nocturne is a masterpiece in itsself and the chlean master reveals all of their power.

Claudio Arrau Plays Superb!!
What an amazing double compact disc of fine classical music! Although Mr. Claudio Arrau has remarkable piano playing ability, he was a bit slow in some of the original master pieces composed by Fryderyck Chopin, and I DIDN'T MIND IT A BIT! Mr. Arrau was remarkable during his highest point in performance. I'm so glad the executors of this CD captured this recording with some of my favorite classic pieces of Fryderyck Chopin performed very well by Claudio Arrau. Awesome work. 2.4.04

Breath-taking beauty but distracted by the heavy breathing
This is an absolutely beautiful performance of Chopin's Nocturnes. I listened to several other samples of the other pianists who have released this same collection. Most of them seemed to be flat and sterile compared to this recording by Arrau. In my ears, they seemed to be missing something that this artist had captured in the pieces.

Still, I was hesitant to buy it due to the reviews I had read about the heavy breathing being too distracting to enjoy the music. I decided to take a chance that the reviewers were just being over critical and purchased the cd.

After I got it, I listened to it immediately on my home stereo. Absolutely beautiful and I didn't hear any of the breathing they were talking about. I was relieved and felt great about my decision to purchase the cd. However, the next day I decided to take it with me in my car. There was the breathing loud as could be! Sometimes it was louder than the music! Very distracting and not just on 1 or 2 tracks. The entire cd is riddled with pockets of constant panting as if Claudio were working out on a stairmaster while playing.

Some would say that this is just the mark of a man passionate about the pieces and we should be thankful that so much energy went into his performance. I whole-heartedly agree! My issue isn't with Claudio Arrua's magnificent interpretation but with the poor microphone placement technique and engineering quality of this recording. Even though this a recording from 1978, there is just no excuse for it.

That all being said, I'm still glad I chose to purchase this recording. Even with the breathing I still would rather have this one than the other less soulful recordings we have to chose from. I listen to it often and every time I notice the breathing less and less as this truly beautiful performance of this truly beautiful music unfolds.

Chopin was a genius
As my favorite composer, Chopin delivers a masterfpiece of songs in the complete collection of Nocturne's and Impromptu's on CD, fully remastered, and played impeccably by another genius in the making, Arrau.

Like so many other wonderful composers such as Beethoven, and Mozart, Fredyryc Chopin didn't make much money on his beautiful music until he was deceased. But be that as it may, they left us their wonderful music for the whole wrold to enjoy. In my opinion, Nocturne was worth getting the CD. Imromptu is wonderful too, but Nocturne is just so soothing, and graceful in the name of music. There is a certain song I do recommend on Nocturne. It's Nocturne in E minor Op.72 number 1. If it sounds familiar you may also hear it on the secret garden from 1987. As one composer to another, Chopin is highly underrated, except for those of us who do appreciate them. Don't make any hesitations about buying this collection of Masterful music. You could cherish it for life. ... Read more

Amazon.com

1964 brought both triumph and ironic tragedy to Englishspy-turned-author Ian Fleming. The year that saw producer CubbyBroccoli's successful film adaptation of Goldfinger elevate theadventures of Britishsecret agent James Bond into a four-decade-plusglobal phenomena and the publication of Fleming's most idiosyncraticwork, the children's fantasy Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, was also theyear the author succumbed to a heart attack. Broccoli (who'd acquiredthe Chitty rights along with Bond) shrewdly lured the Sherman Brothersaway from Disney (where their musical successes included a pair ofOscars for Mary Poppins) to write a collection of songs for Fleming'smagical tale of inventor Caractacus Potts (Poppins' star Dick Van Dyke)and thephantasmagorical flying car he and his children soar toadventure in. The Sherman's songs are among their best and most beloved,highlighted by the jaunty rhythmic rhymes of the title track, Van Dyke'senergetic cane dance, "Me Ol' Bam-Boo," and his bittersweet children'slullaby, "Hushabye Mountain," all set to the magnificent, 90-pieceorchestra arrangements of Irwin Kostal (Mary Poppins, West SideStory). Released in conjunction with MGM's double-disc DVD anniversaryrelease, this new edition restores the album's tracks to their original1968 format and features a new historical essay on the film that'sbecome an enduring children's classic. --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great!!
Even though the first release of the soundtrack was better, I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this CD. I have loved this movie since I was a child, and I loved the music to it! This is one of those CD's that you never get tired of listening to. Anyone who loves Chitty Chitty Bang Bang must have this soundtrack!!

A Missed Opportunity!
While I do love this movie, and the songs from it, this CD is a sad example of a missed opportunity. This CD was released a few years ago with dialogue in-between the songs. Its now more like the original LP from 1968, but far from complete. If they truly wanted to release a great "Special Edition" soundtrack, they should have included the fantastic score by Irwin Kostal/Sherman Bros. I have heard the "isolated score", and in some ways it is better than some of the songs. Maybe they will get it right for the 70th Anniversary! ... Read more

Amazon.com

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