Bitter

Bitter

ASIN: B00000JZC7

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com's Best of 1999
Me'Shell Ndegeocello's music is the most sublime of the new school of American funk and soul. In a marked departure from her previous offerings, Bitter is a dark, moody, and soulful album that displays Ndegeocello's creative evolution as she explores new depths of emotion in her music. --Michael Wells

Amazon.com
The angular, sensual funk-rock blend of Me'Shell Ndegeocello's 1996 Peace Beyond Passion here gives way to a hushed confessional mood that recalls classics by Joni Mitchell and Rosanne Cash. Ndegeocello puts her formidable bass skills far off to the side here--there's rarely even an electric guitar to be heard on these tracks--in favor of a mix often dominated by a small string section. Occasionally overripe, as on a cover of Hendrix's "May This Be Love," Bitter is nonetheless an intriguing take on one woman's love, confusion, and ultimately, hope. --Rickey Wright

Tracks:

Don't Forget To Breathe
The Mating Game
Overdue
Heaven
Bittersweet Faith
Moving Forward
Moody
Dirty Laundry
Our Remains
Salty Air
Take 2 Blue

Customer Reviews:

Relexing!.......2007-05-23

I personally think this is the best album i have ever heard. The relaxing music with up beat is definately made you feel more relaxed than ever!

Convertible Music.......2007-04-01

Are you driving down Sunset Boulevard with your convertible top down? Then you need this in your CD changer.

Awesome music!!.......2007-03-09

I actually don't listen to "electronica/dance" music, but I saw a Korbel commercial during the Holidays and that short bit of editted music (The Mating Game) got me curious enough to track down the album on the internet and purchase it for just that one track. I love this album! All the tracks are cool and sultry, with the title track reminding me of all those "James Bond" and "In Like Flint" movies I used to watch as a kid. For me, this album has been a really nice change of pace from what I normally listen to and right now it's still holding a dominant spot in my cd-changer.

Refreshing, Interesting.......2007-03-09

This is a pretty fun album. I like the vocals and the techno/electronic combination. I listened to a couple times, put it away for a couple weeks and listened again and found even more to love about it with each listen.

A Wonderful Addition.......2007-02-20

Terrific sound! I first heard Bitter:Sweet while working in the mall. It was a remix of "Dirty Laundry." I put their CD on my wish list and got it as a Christmas gift. The great thing is, you can listen to "The Mating Game" all the way through without skipping songs. It's just a wonderful sound; the singing is terrific and the beats are very fun and light-hearted. It's an excellent addition to your CD collection.
[...]

Average customer rating:

Song from "Lost and Delirious" movie
Dark Mood Music - Approach With Caution!
What Becomes of the Broken Hearted? Find out...
Classic
A genuis in our mist

Bitter
Me'Shell NdegéOcello
Manufacturer: Maverick
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Comfort Woman
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ASIN: B00000JZC7
Release Date: 1999-08-24

Tracks:

Adam
Fool Of Me
Faithful
Satisfy
Bitter
May This Be Love
Sincerity
Loyalty
Beautiful
Eve
Wasted Time
Grace

Amazon.com's Best of 1999

Me'Shell Ndegeocello's music is the most sublime of the new school of American funk and soul. In a marked departure from her previous offerings, Bitter is a dark, moody, and soulful album that displays Ndegeocello's creative evolution as she explores new depths of emotion in her music. --Michael Wells

Amazon.com

The angular, sensual funk-rock blend of Me'Shell Ndegeocello's 1996 Peace Beyond Passion here gives way to a hushed confessional mood that recalls classics by Joni Mitchell and Rosanne Cash. Ndegeocello puts her formidable bass skills far off to the side here--there's rarely even an electric guitar to be heard on these tracks--in favor of a mix often dominated by a small string section. Occasionally overripe, as on a cover of Hendrix's "May This Be Love," Bitter is nonetheless an intriguing take on one woman's love, confusion, and ultimately, hope. --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews:

Song from "Lost and Delirious" movie.......2007-05-18

I saw this movie and had to find out what song was in it. I was surprised that it was Me'Shell. This song fit perfectly with the movie.

FYI

Dark Mood Music - Approach With Caution!.......2007-02-08

I was going through a very dark period in my life when this album came out in 1999 and the songs on it spoke more directly to me than any other album I've ever owned or heard. Ndegeocello changed producers (her previous album "Peace Beyond Passion" was produced by David Gamson, this one by Craig Street) and went for a dark and moody sound with lots of acoustic guitar and strings, to tell her stories of betrayal, unrequited love and bitterness. I revelled in it. Interesting though, that the album didn't tip me over the edge like some of my friends thought it would; it actually gave me hope. Silly though it may sound, the album enabled me to realise that what I was going through was just a part of life, that I wasn't the only one to ever go through it and that there was a light at the end of the tunnel. After all the ups and downs of songs like "Fool of Me" ('And I have allowed you to make me feel... (I feel so dumb)/ What kind of fool am I that you so easily set me aside/ You made a fool of me/ Tell me why'), "Sincerity" ('Gives his entire self/ But it's all in vain/ His love for her drowns him/ In a sea of denial/ Her fear of being alone/ Will it keep her there?/ He loves with sweetness and sincerity/ While she, may only, pretend') and "Wasted Time" ('You rarely notice but I hang on your every word/ Everything you say/ You are much too busy to notice me/You turn and walk away'), the album ends on a positive note with "Grace" ('Your love's my only saving grace/ You caress my heart/ Kiss my face') and somehow I just knew everything was going to be okay.

That was quite a number of years ago of course and though I still play the album these days and still love listening to it, it doesn't have that same resonance. I just don't feel it the same way I did back then. I guess I have to wait for the next big depression?

(I'm not saying you need to be depressed to really enjoy this album, to truly experience it, I'm just saying that it definitely helped me).

Thanks, Meshell, for seeing me through the last big one. You are the queen of my heart!

What Becomes of the Broken Hearted? Find out..........2006-11-20

Once, Jimmy Ruffin asked us, "what becomes of the broken hearted?". Me'Shell NdegéOcello has the answer with 1999's "Bitter". This record is sure to adorn the speakers of broken hearted folks for evenings to come.

Me'Shell allows Craig Armstrong to produce this record, & Me'Shell handles the rest. The rest being the songs that paints the thoughts of one's confusion about love.

Musically, it is based in a soulful mixture of varying sounds. You'll find acoustic elements, lots of strings, rhythmic drumming, soft of course, amongst others. The true star is Me'Shell's voice, which matches the intensity of her musical arrangments.

Her phrasing soars on every song here, so a highlight is very hard to pick. Though "Fool of Me", "Faithful", "May This Be Love" (wow! here), & "Beautiful" take the cake.

Soulful, sad, beautiful, & remarkably human, "Bitter" hits you in all the right places & soothes the spirit that aches within. Highly recommended!

Classic.......2006-03-22

This album is a classic. If you want something that could make you feel every emotion in your soul, this is the album

A genuis in our mist.......2006-02-03

This is possibly the best CD out there. Me'shell will steal your heart and soul with each of these songs. It's a shame that good music is frequently overlooked for skippily dressed barbie dolls who barely know the music scale. (read: Pussycat dolls)Highly Highly recommend.

Bitter Tears (Ballads of the American Indian)

Average customer rating:

Replaced copy that was distroyed years ago...
Classic Cash
Home
THE WHITE MAN'S EVIL: Songs From American Indian Folk Singer Johnny Cash!
Bitter Tears

Bitter Tears (Ballads of the American Indian)
Johnny Cash
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000002AU0
Release Date: 1994-10-11

Tracks:

As Long As The Grass Shall Grow
Apache Tears
Custer
The Talking Leaves
The Ballad Of Ira Hayes
Drums
White Girl
The Vanishing Race

Amazon.com

With his highly personal early 1960s work, Johnny Cash had been trying the patience of the Columbia brass, who were less than thrilled with his commercial performance. When "Ring of Fire" topped the country charts in 1963, it allowed him to continue the many ambitious concept albums-history lessons close to his heart. The eight songs on 1964's Bitter Tears are sung from the point of view of the American Indian (still the accepted term in 1964), and together they form a potent work that is both deeply real and highly spiritual. With assistance from co-composer Peter LaFarge, Cash offers an earnest, solemn portrait of Native Americans that examines a variety of issues through a range of viewpoints and contained in unadorned musical settings. Cash actually took out full-page ads daring radio programmers to play "The Ballad of Ira Hayes," but all of the material hits home, from LaFarge's defiant "As Long as the Grass Shall Grow" to Johnny Horton's mournful, spooky "The Vanishing Race." --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews:

Replaced copy that was distroyed years ago..........2007-03-24

I am happy that I was able to replace an old LP that was distroyed years ago...thanks

Classic Cash.......2007-01-09

Johnny Cash was singing about the plight of Native Americans long before it was cool -- or even universally acceptable. However, this is not just an historical document or a message album. It's another example of why Johnny Cash still sells records from the '60's: great music. I like his mid-sixties stuff the best; I recommend all of the "theme" albums, plus Orange Blossom Special. These are musts for anyone who wants to venture beyond the greatest hits packages.

Home.......2006-11-10

I'd had it in mind to get this recording for a while. The song about the Seneca is about my home. It's where I came from. I was 3 years old when they had The Removal from our homes for the Kinzua dam. I never really knew life before the relocation areas, except through my elders. We have our own version of what happened, and how it happened. The US gov't. knew our attachment to the land, and they wanted to break us. The alternative plan to Kinzua would have better served the purpose that the gov't. put out for doing what they did. They rejected that plan because they had they're own plan. They thought our spirit lived in the land, they didn't understand that each person's spirit lives inside them. They had lost touch with they're own spirit, and they thought that they could do the same with us. They were wrong. The song does a fair job of portraying this.

THE WHITE MAN'S EVIL: Songs From American Indian Folk Singer Johnny Cash!.......2006-09-16

This is a bare bones CD release that really should have gotten the re-issue, re-master treatment ahead of some of the less artistically accomplished albums from Johnny Cash's early to mid 1960's era with Columbia Records. There are 8 songs in 31 minutes, but if you like any of these, you will probably like them all equally, as well!

It is a bit of a fantasy piece, like Johnny Cash's urban legendary life as a supposed convict in prison; here Johnny (during some of his most drugged out years) imagines himself in the moccasins of the American Indian peoples. I was raised in Dayton, Ohio, where I still live, and growing up around many Kentucky Southerners, I heard plenty of them claim an Indian descent somewhere, somehow, in their blood, like a badge of honor that always went unquestioned and respected, though not necessarily entirely believed. The thing is, like his pretend "outlaw" persona, this notion really works well on this BITTER TEARS album, and it is very entertaining and heartfelt.

The sparse CD insert says the songs are written by Peter LaFarge and Johnny Cash. Pete was a real American Indian activist of the time, and he died in the mid-1960's. He was a good friend of Johnny's--they wrote this album together!

The songs are all about how the White Man has lied and cheated the American Indian out of the country. This album is like the birth of "multiculturalism" and self-loathing of White Americans, which has grown to epidemic proportions 40 years later. This album also came out during Johnny Cash's folk music era, when he was really into the folk music scene, with Bob Dylan and others, and they all loved folky songs about hard living in America, past and present.

"As Long as the Grass Shall Grow" is a long tune where every verse is pretty much a spoken word rhyme about how the Indians were lied to and cheated out of land, and such, by the White Man.

"Custer" is the shortest tune, where Johnny seems to enjoy the defeat of General Custer, with great glee, while explaining the list of Custer's wrongs against the Indians. The lyrics are mean-spirited and almost black humorous.

"The Talking Leaves" is a spoken word song about the true story of how Cherokees got their own reading and writing skills with paper and pen, after one of them sees the disdain that his elder has for the talking leaves of the White Man found scattered at a battle site; why shouldn't the Cherokee have THEIR own talking leaves!

"The Ballad of Ira Hayes" is probably the best know song on this obscure Johnny Cash album. It tells the tale of Ira Hayes, who was a drunken homeless man, as well as having been one of the soldiers depicted in the very famous war image of the soldiers raising the American flag at a battle site.

"Drums" is about how the White Man enforced their culture upon the Indians, trying to erase Indian culture.

"White Girl" is my favorite cut, about a nixed marriage between a white girl and an Indian boy.

"The Vanishing Race" has Johnny Cash doing Indian-style singing, yelping, whooping. This is very heartfelt and very interesting.

The entire, short album plays as very authentically caring and a labor of love from all involved. That is what makes it so entertaining and interesting, especially for Johnny Cash fans who are digging much deeper into his musical library than just his mega-hits.

If you like this album, then I can highly recommend a DVD called PETE SEEGER'S RAINBOW QUEST - JOHNNY CASH, available from amazon.com. This is a b/w, low budget interview and casual acoustic jamming TV show from the same mid-1960's era as this BITTER TEARS album. Johnny and June Carter (before their marriage) visit with Pete Seeger in a casual atmosphere, discussing some of the songs on BITTER TEARS, and many other things. The Johnny and June portion of this DVD is probably longer than the 31 minute playing time of the BITTER TEARS album, itself! Johnny even mentions the BITTER TEARS album and tells Pete Seeger that he has about 700,000 copies of BITTER TEARS that he can give to Pete (a joke about how BITTER TEARS did not sell well).

If you are new to Johnny Cash, then I would recommend starting with THE LEGEND OF JOHNNY CASH, the single disc version (not the boxed set), from the American label in cooperation with other labels. It has ALL his biggest hits that never sounded better on any previous CDs, and it covers virtually all of his nearly 50 years in the music business!

My favorite Johnny Cash project is his 16 CD spoken word reading of the entire New Testament of the Bible! So check THAT out! You will even get the last CD where Johnny reads the entire, famous book of Revelation, about the end of the world, and such! Cool!

My favorite Gospel CD is GOSPEL GLORY, but PERSONAL FILE (a two CD set) is a very close second, including one entire CD of nothing but Johnny Cash, his acoustic guitar, and over an hour of him singing Gospel songs circa the 1970s.

Bitter Tears.......2006-08-09

There is no way I can cry bitter tears over this album. It captures the essence of Johnny Cash's greatness as a musician; his willingness to tackle social issues, no matter what others may have thought. I consider the ballad of Ira Hayes to be one of his best songs. In one short song, he has managed to capture the attiture of white america toward the American Indian.

Average customer rating:

A superb live recording of the Chad Mitchell Trio (3/19/62)
Fun in the Folk Tradition
Fun and folksy
Incredibly funny, smart, and touching... An amazing listen!
Thoroughly enjoyed this folk trip in time back to the 60s

At the Bitter End
Chad Mitchell Trio
Manufacturer: Folk Era Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Mighty Day on Campus
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Blowin' in the Wind

ASIN: B000001843
Release Date: 1997-09-24

Tracks:

The John Birch Society
Hello Susan Brown
The Unfortunate Man
Blues Around My Head
James James Morrison Morrison
The Great Historical Bum (The Bragging Song)
Alberta
The Golden Vanity
Moscow Nights
Come Along Home (Tom's Song)
You Can Tell the World
Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream

Customer Reviews:

A superb live recording of the Chad Mitchell Trio (3/19/62).......2003-07-30

The Chad Mitchell Trio released three albums for Kapp Records at the beginning of the 1960s before parting ways (the studio refused to release the group's cover of "Blowin' in the Wind" and let Peter, Paul & Mary have the hit instead). These were the years when the American folk music revival was approaching its zenith and after the success of "Mighty Day on Campus," recorded live at a Brooklyn College concert, Kapp followed up with this March 19, 1962 live recording "At the Bitter End" in Greenwich Village (where else?). The trio at this point consisted of Chad Mitchell, Mike Kobluk and Joe Frazier. Backing them up for this intimate concert was former Weaver Fred Hellerman, future Byrd Jim McGuinn, and bass player Bill Lee. If that were not impressive enough, the songs were being arranged by the legendary Milt Okun, who mixed up traditional folk songs like "The Unfortunate Man" and Woody Guthrie's "Great Historical Bum," with more contemporary works by Tom Paxton ("Come Along Home") and Bob Gibson ("You Can Tell the World"). The album begins with "The John Brich Society," a wickedly barbed song that certainly sets the tone for the evening's festivities, and then continues on the other ten songs.

"The Chad Mitchell At the Bitter end" offers up both political satire and social humor. The group also had the advantage of performing in a coffeehouse, where the audience response was a lot more appropriate than what they had received on the college campus. You have to think that the three singers, all of whom were still in their early 20s when this album was recorded, were inspired by both their audience and the superb musicians backing them up. Besides, one of the great truisms about albums by folk singers are that they just do not sound the same if they are not performing live for an audience. This makes sense. Folk music is the music of the people, to be played by people, and for people. There are several excellent collections of songs by the Chad Mitchell Trio, but if you pick up one of their original albums, then this would be the one I would urge you to track down. Note: The most familiar song on the album might be "You Can Tell the World," which Simon & Garfunkle covered on their first album.

Fun in the Folk Tradition.......2003-04-18

This was a hot album back when the folk movement was taking over the Beatnik era. And the songs are darn funny--especially "An Unfortunate Man" which spoofs lawyers. (You lawyer joke fans who play guitar won't want to miss this one.)

There are quite a few gems here that might have you longing to pick up that folk guitar and start strumming again. The Russian pop tune "Moscow Night" (Moscovya Vechera) is pretty and has some opportunities for nice picking techniques. Great for folk fans, fans of The Kingston Trio and anyone who remembers the folk era fondly.

Fun and folksy.......2001-11-05

I loathe kids' music. My mother brought me up on other kinds of fun songs to sing -- and since she was a child of the 50s & 60s, that included old showtunes and folk music from the old beatnik clubs. Well, this is one of them. There are a few songs that she used to sing to me all the time and I remember absolutely loving them. Plus the album is fun because it is recorded live so you feel like you're there in the club back when a spoof picking on the "John Birch Society" meant something. The songs are pretty, funny, interesting and well sung.

Incredibly funny, smart, and touching... An amazing listen!.......2000-09-01

My folks listened to the Chad Mitchell Trio when I was growing up and my dad had all these old original Trio records... this one was probably my favorite. Fondly associated with great childhood memories! Now that I'm an adult I can more fully appreciate the biting satire and hilarious lyrics present in almost all of their songs. The serious songs are haunting and touching as well. These guys have never put out a bad album. Another great one is "Chad Mitchell Trio...In Action", which contains the wonderful "Story of Alice" trilogy. Again, I have nothing but glowing things to say about this group.

Thoroughly enjoyed this folk trip in time back to the 60s.......1998-12-25

I spent most of my teen years listening to the Chad Mitchell Trio. This collection is as good a cross-section as any of the brilliance of the lyrics, and the harmonic resonance of the group, even though, as Chad jokingly once put it: "One of us doesn't have a very good ear."

Tracks:

Bitter Sweet Symphony - Original
Lord I Guess I'll Never Know
Country Song
Bitter Sweet Symphony - Radio Edit

Album Description

The first single & smash hit from the reformed Verve's 1997album 'Urban Hymns'. Pt.1 features 'Bitter Sweet Symphony'(Original) and three non-album tracks: 'Lord I Guess I'llNever Know', 'Bitter Sweet Symphony' (Radio Edit) & 'CountrySong'. 1997 Hut/ Virg

Customer Reviews:

Imperfect but not without interest.......2004-11-23

The Verve were rashly hailed in Britain as saviors of art pop when they came along in the late nineties, and this was their best-known track. And it's true, there's something vaguely interesting about looping an old violin riff from a discarded Rolling Stones session and building a song around it. There's also something highly repetetive about it, and the computerized drum tracks don't help the matter. There's also something whiny about the lead singer's voice, and something highly inelegant about the lyrics if you ever take the time to suss them out. ("You know the one that takes you where all the thing meet, yeah. I'm here in my mo, I am here in my mo...") Be all this as it may, it's a catchy riff and there are some fun sound effects whirring around in the background.

Wedding Processional.......2004-07-12

Don't have the CD, but my friend who just got married had a group of musicians play the "Bittersweet Symphony" music as the wedding processional. I must say the music was 100% perfect for the occassion, and really made it unique and orginal, yet not to "weird." Perfect for the couple getting married. :)

Love, life, happiness/Nothing more/Nothing less.......2000-07-09

More like 4 1/2 stars. I received this CD packaged with it's sister half (Pt.2) two years ago, and I still find it (and the other) to be a good listen when I'm in the right mood.

In addition to the already brilliant "Bittersweet Symphony," the long edit doing a superb job of extending and elaborating on the emotions the original stirs up, "Country Song" is one of my personal favorites. It is anything but "country," and I am glad for it. It immerses you in that same empathic, dark, simultaeously solemn and exhilerating mood that BSymphony does, but in a slightly subtler fashion.

I don't own Urban Hymns, but I've been told by my friends who have heard this and the other import singles that they exceed their parent album in quality and consistency. I had my doubts as to whether the band amounted to more than the BSymphony, and they ended up shattering my skepticism on this maxi-single. If Urban Hymns disappointed you, this little gem surely won't.

I would also suggest for those interested in a really good, (I am assuming) somewhat obscure, non-album single by the Verve, to check out their track on the Doom Generation soundtrack.

listen to it!.......2000-01-03

HE... music fan from Springfield. you're the only one, who knows, what's going on when I am listening to the symphony! Thank you very much. btw, if you wanna get me know:

clemens_e@yahoo.com

my real name is Rick. hope to hear from you soon.

BY THE WAY to all amazon users: I LOVE THE BITTER SWEET SYMPHONY

The title tales no lies.......1999-09-14

Bitter Sweet Symphony is life set to music, of the love that we all wish we had, sometimes find, and end up loosing it. We turn a blind eye to love until we are faced with loosing it. Verve was able to capture the feelings of lost love with Bitter Sweet Symphony.

Average customer rating:

For Fans of Broadway (Sondheim, Hamlisch & Bernstein e.g.):
The songs that didn't get away
Songs that showcase Sarah's theatrical gifts
Good, for Sarah Brightman
Pleasant, but not up to standard

The Songs That Got Away

Manufacturer: Decca Broadway
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Dive
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ASIN: B000005S0R
Release Date: 1999-11-16

Tracks:

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If I Ever Fall In Love Again - Sarah Brightman Sarah Brightman
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Amazon.com

For those Sarah Brightman fans who didn't spring for The Songs That Got Away when it was a pricey import, this domestic release will be a must-buy. Originally recorded in 1989 shortly after she achieved international fame in The Phantom of the Opera, the album spotlights obscure American and British musical theater songs that either were removed from shows or were "lost" when the shows themselves slipped out of the repertoire. (Of course, some of the songs aren't nearly as obscure as they were in 1989--the opening track, Stephen Schwartz's soaring "Meadowlark," has since been claimed by Liz Callaway, Patti LuPone, and Betty Buckley, while Stephen Sondheim's "I Remember"--well suited to Brightman's glasslike tones--is now recognized as one of his most gorgeous and haunting compositions.) Brightman performs well on this diverse collection of entertaining and often lovely songs, including an early draft of Frank Loesser's "Fugue for Tinhorns," here sung as a triple-tracked, lilting waltz, and the Puccini aria "Chi il bel sogno di doretta," which foreshadows her later, more ambitious crossover projects. There's also a tune from Jeeves by then-husband Andrew Lloyd Webber, who produced this album not long before he and Brightman divorced in 1990. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

For Fans of Broadway (Sondheim, Hamlisch & Bernstein e.g.):.......2007-02-24

This is an interesting and surprising production that showcases the vocal prowess of Sara Brightman. It is not however, representative of the new and highly overproduced vocal productions that constitute her newer recordings. Although this production really allows the listener to hear a very melodic and unencumbered vocal performance, as it is pleasing in it's simplicity, yet meant for the more discriminating listener. Fans of Irving Berlin, Andrew Lloyd Weber, and Richard Rodgers will feel right at home here. For those seeking another major sonic production as in Eden, La Luna, Dive, or The Harem Tour this is not it! My criticism is not of her vocal prowess or production values but the apparently endless array of previously released material offered as a new and different recording. But I suppose that this is rather due to the greedy objectives of of A&M Records just trying to go to the bank, often and laden heavy with dollars. Nothing that any label wouldn't try to do. My advice with Sara Brightman is "caveat emptor" (buyer beware) check the disc carefully for redundancy of tracks within her discography. If you're a fan of this genre of music, you will probably respond quite well to this recording.

The songs that didn't get away.......2004-02-12

This is one of my favorite albums by Sarah. She surprised me with her ability to go from light opera to jazz. Here we don't find the over-produced albums such as Harem, just a superbly trained voice. No little girl breathy tunes here, just solid performances. This is the Sarah Brightman that I like to remember and enjoy. If you see this album and you're a Sarah Brightman fan, pick it up and treasure it. I'd like to see her do more of thisgenre, where she showcases her voice. Who ever thinks that Sarah has a small voice will be convinced otherwise by this album.

Songs that showcase Sarah's theatrical gifts.......2003-12-11

Before experimental albums like Dive and Fly, as well as the ones where her classically-trained voice enchanted millions, Sarah Brightman did a collection of musical and theatrical songs originally released in 1989, but reissued when she made it big with Time To Say Goodbye. Her vocal style leans towards the theatrical Broadway side, but more mellowed. But on songs like the strings-laden mid-tempo "Meadowlark" from Stephen Schwartz's The Baker's Wife, the way she would later do splendidly interpret Lloyd Webber's songs is in the making. Here are other highlights, including those that were reissued on Sarah's Encore album (2002).

Stephen Sondheim's "I Remember" is a sad ballad told from the POV of a window mannequin remembering the sights it has experienced throughout the seasons, but the memories are now hazy and at the end, it sings, "At times I think/I would gladly die/for a day of sky."

Some songs like "Lud's Wedding" from Bernstein's failed bicentennial musical, only seem to work due to Sarah's voice. Ditto for the simple "Three-Cornered Tune." Consisting of three verses, each repeated twice. However, Irving Berlin's "Mr. Monotony", a tune understandably cut from Easter Parade, is not a particularly inspiring song.

Marvin Hamlisch's "Dreamers" is one of my favourites here, as I have affinity to it, and I'm sure Sarah is one at heart as well. "Only dreamers have wings with which to fly far away", as in their own fantasies, but unfortunately, "sometimes dreamers are forced to leave their dreams far away", i.e. the harshness of reality. However, it paints them in a positive light and states that everyone needs to have some sort of dream "to take time to find treasures and mountains we can climb."

"Silent Heart" really showcases Sarah's voices, on how some things the heart is best left silent, as in things that really thrill it. "If I Ever Fall In Love Again" is taken from The Crooked Mile and is a nice love song Sarah really wraps herself in.

"Chi Il Bel Sogno Di Doretta" from Puccini's La Rondine is a great showcase of the operatic voice that would come into full bloom on Time To Say Goodbye. This song would be reissued on Encore.

"Away From You" by Richard Rodgers, and taken from a musical biog of Henry VIII (!!!). "The clocks are frozen and time's a traveler who's lost his way" is one of the sentiments Sarah conveys effectively. Also reissued on Encore.

"If love were all, I should be lonely" sings Sarah from Noel Coward's Bittersweet, "If Love Were All" was the one song that stood out for me when I first heard this CD. The ability of a talent to amuse is seen as a solid standing for mental security. A definite standout here.

From Lloyd Webber's Jeeves, the lush strings of "Half A Moment" features the vocal stylings familiar enough to those who have Sarah's Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection. It focuses on how important the capture of a moment to bright up a future rainy day is. Also reissued on Encore.

Initially, I dismissed this as the songs that should've stayed away. Although they lack the magical punch of Time To Say Goodbye or La Luna, it's still a worthwhile collection, because Sarah's clear birdlike theatrical/musicals voice makes it all worthwhile.

Good, for Sarah Brightman.......2003-08-25

Some people just love Sarah's voice, but I don't see what's so special about it. She sings in two sorts of ways, the first one is lovely, simple, forgetable, and the other sounds like Stitch with a high voice. This CD does her justice, though. A lot of the tunes are catchy and nice (how she sings them could be better) but the one I really like is "Three cornered tune." Now that's a good song! She does not have a particularly bad voice, but nothing interesting - that's for sure. And when she tries to act in her music she sounds even worse! But that's alright. After all, everyone has a different style. A highlight of this CD includes "Mr. Monotony," which, unfortunatly, did not come with lyrics in the CD case. Too bad, because its a great song. At the end of this record, though, she writes about these songs and - wow! It is amazing how many shows that song was taken out of! At one point it said it had Judy Garland singing it, and when I try to imagine her doing it I know that must have been awesome. I really want to hear Judy Garland singing this song sometime. Maybe I'll find it here on Amazon... But anyway, back to Sarah Brightman. The only other thing I can think of to say at the moment is that from what I've heard of her records, this is as good as it gets. And also, the track titled "Dreamers" is nice. I like the tune and she doesn't sing it too bad, either. It would be a good song to be played at a graduation. Only after a while the sound of it gets a little creepy and annoying. And its sticky, too. "Silent heart" is a classic, though she shouldn't sing it twice. For you see, she sings it, and then you think, "Ah, that's a sweet song. Wonderful words, soft tune," and the music gets at a great stoping point and then comes back for an encore (as one of Sarah's other records is titled). And then we have to listen to it all over again - and its not as good the second time. So overall is it good? Yes, it is. Though perhaps not good enough.

Pleasant, but not up to standard.......2003-06-22

I love Sarah Brightman's singing and her musical style as presented on Eden and La Luna. This CD is completely different in style from those two. I find it enjoyable, but it is not my favorite. Her singing is nothing special on this CD, it doesn't display her vocal range or talent in the way that her other CDs do, especially her CD "Surrender", her vocals are absolutely stunning on that CD.

Average customer rating:

A maddening, disjointed affair; go back to the Boat!
Jarring, Winding, and Saturated Effort Somehow Humanizes Eleanor
Annoyingly pleasant
A new paradigm
Excellent Indie Album

Bitter Tea
The Fiery Furnaces
Manufacturer: Fat Possum [Old]
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Blues | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Rehearsing My Choir
Return to the Sea
Blueberry Boat
The Crane Wife
At War with the Mystics

ASIN: B000EQ5Q86
Release Date: 2006-04-18

Tracks:

In My Little Thatched Hut
I'm In No Mood
Black-Hearted Boy
Bitter Tea
Teach Me Sweetheart
Waiting To Know You
The Vietnamese Telephone Ministry
Oh Sweet Woods
Borneo
Police Sweater Blood Vow
Nevers!
Benton Harbor Blues
Whistle Rhapsody?

Customer Reviews:

A maddening, disjointed affair; go back to the Boat!.......2007-07-05

Fiery Furnaces continue to push the boundaries and explore (fall into?) bizarre moments of strained musicianship crafted by noisy whooshes and arrogant bleeps. Pianos are hammered in sharp rhythms over brisk melodies and long vocal passages are played out backwards for no apparent reason. I didn't understand why people told me that Blueberry Boat would be a difficult listen; I thought it eccentric but accessible. That "difficult" description applies here: the first two times I listened to it, I didn't care for it at all. Even the third time was a pretty mixed affair. And so that's where I remain. Like Boat, it plunges on for too long (some seventy-two minutes, I think), and so it's widespread unevenness might be an asset: trim out the ones that don't work and make a good EP (or if you're adventurous in what you want to hear, a short LP).

Even some of the "good" songs like "Bitter Tea" and "I'm in No Mood" are so unnerving and impenetrable that they're tough to recommend. The two alternate versions of "Nevers" and "Benton Harbor Blues" at the end of the album are both far superior to the original versions. Fans of Boat should probably start with "Teach Me Sweetheart" or "Borneo," two almost mannered and direct songs for them. Non fans may be best served staying far away.

Best cuts: "Benton Harbor Blues Again," "Teach Me Sweetheart," "Borneo," "Nevers Again," "Oh Sweet Words," "Whistle Rhapsody," "Bitter Tea," "I'm in No Mood"

Jarring, Winding, and Saturated Effort Somehow Humanizes Eleanor.......2007-03-07

At this point, it basically goes without saying that the Fiery Furnaces are not for everyone. Last year they felt obligated to push their reputation from "yet another recent eccentric indie band" to "the quintessential recent eccentric indie band" with Rehearsing My Choir, an instant slam dunk into the vault of conceptually fascinating records that are referenced more than they're actually played - right alongside the Flaming Lips' Zaireeka, Dylan's Self Portrait and, dare I recall it, Lou Reed's Metal Machine Music. Even when irritating or unbearable to listen to, these were the sorts of albums over which hardcore music buffs and critics (especially the late, great Lester Bangs) absolutely loved to chit-chat, argue and wage war. The Friedberger siblings' newest creation, Bitter Tea, is neither as alienating as Rehearsing My Choir nor as delectably poppy as their gem-stuffed EP from earlier that same year. It also isn't as deliberate or definitive as their magnum opus, Blueberry Boat (and we really should be glad for that - reproducing that monster would border on self-parody). Instead, it's the first record of theirs that exists comfortably in the context of their prolificacy: jammed with ideas and tricks, easily recognizable in tonality and mood, arguably genius without being undeniably solid.

The roles of each of the siblings have grown more dynamic over the past four years, and while this record certainly coalesces better than the free-for-all that was their last album (winding, impenetrable stories and dialogue from Eleanor and her grandmother backed by haphazard baroque keyboards and a mishmash of studio tinkery from Matthew), the delicate tension between the two remains. Take opener "In My Little Thatched Hut," which clasps the listener's attention instantly with a tumbling bumblebee synth. The track's dizzying momentum dwindles like a jogger being handed a weight when Eleanor's dark, low-register murmur enters. It is, a few seconds in, the first paradox in a record that seems to be grounded in paradox. Eleanor's presence is too substantial and poignant to be mistaken for a goofy caricature acting out loony narratives, trading "course it wasn't long till I caught the croup, dawding on the drizzy deck of my majesty's sloop" for laments that "when I think back on all the wasted years, all the good cheer and all of the charm disappears." But even as Eleanor emerges a more relatable vocalist, Matthew's production antics on the album are his least organic yet.

To the duo's credit, the proverbial "jogger" never collapses, even when they seem to bombard it with contradiction and tortuous song structure. What, for instance, is the point of the single-chord key change at the end of the title track? The easy answer would be to make it an impossible record to ignore, but in the long run Matthew's philosophy on songwriting appears to be "what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger." So, to drag the metaphor to its logical extension, a jogger bearing weights is that much more unstoppable. This vibe is mostly apparent early in the record, which is strung together as a veritable romp through a quagmire of electronic gurgles, whirlwinds, spews and blasts. Eclectic, to be sure, and like nothing else in music today, but it all somehow feels oriented in a similar direction. This is the biggest change from the genre-tangled genius of Blueberry Boat, which managed to integrate disparate elements like ragtime, church organs and acoustic blues with disturbing grace; Bitter Tea tends, with a few exceptions ("Oh Sweet Woods" succesfully laces haunting Spanish arpeggios around a "Billie Jean" bassline) to twist bright instrumentation through bizarre melodies, most often evoking the East Asian tonality heard in the theme of "Quay Cur."

Still, the record's cohesive character doesn't render it monotonous. If anything, the initial run of songs is so mottled with ideas that casual listeners might be convinced it's a creative peak. But in terms of sheer listening gratification, it's also the biggest shock to one's system. So to prevent the album from being exhausting as a whole, a handful of songs are wisely stripped down to the basics. And unlike their bluesy-yarn-stoked debut Gallowsbird's Bark, bare-bones no longer implies a rootsy sound - the album's simplest morsels consist of a single, elegant electronic element. Rich dollops and interminable grooves gain a noteworthy presence towards the end, and since these tracks ("Teach Me Sweetheart," "I'm Waiting to Know You," "Nevers" and "Benton Harbor Blues") see the band stopping to smell the roses and letting their ideas speak for themselves without much adornment, they are some of the most soothing, inviting and glorious work the band has ever done, especially for the purposes of winding down the record. The separate versions of "Nevers" and "Benton Harbor Blues" each remove some factor that debatably hinders this effect - an unusual backwards-vocal alternation in the former and some meandering guitars through a squelchy wah-pedal in the latter. The two remixes close the album, so while Bitter Tea may exceed Blueberry Boat temporally, it's 72 minutes that far more listeners will opt to completely sit though.

There's a slew of bands throwing in their two cents about what where music should be heading these days, but even the most prominent prog-pop acts like Deerhoof have become strangely dogmatic about it. Their annual albums are an annual vote for a type of music that, for better or for worse, some people like more than others. Even indie cornerstone bands like Built to Spill are releasing new records that are great, sure, but also superfluous, good summaries of their discographies. It was intense curiosity and exploration, often at the expense of easy encapsulation, that made the likes of David Bowie and Lou Reed the greatest artistic voices. Bitter Tea is a remarkable record, full of great successes and great failures, but more importantly it is completely unprecedented and, in terms of the band's direction, willfully tentative. It's no album of the year, but it's the first of this year that seems to demand listeners to really debate, to take a side. Everyone should hear Bitter Tea, because presumably the Fieries aren't going to be remaking it for the next ten years. Did you just shrug? Defend that position!

Annoyingly pleasant.......2007-02-12

Though the title implies that there will be no sugar, we're firmly rooted in Willy Wonka turf from the get-go in this whizzle hizzle. I seem to have lost my way and I have an intense bellyache, or is it earache? I've met up with my extra-dimensional counterpart and we've just returned from the donut shop, satiated and saturated. I don't know how my hair turned blue but I kind of like it now. I don't know how well it will go over in the interview, though. The other applicants are a randy bunch, molesting their lollipops vigorously with sandpaper tongues, displaying soiled panties while doing scissor kicks -- but my confidence wavers, inflates and inhales like the throat of a motorized chameleon made out of kiwi-flavored jellybeans warning sweet teeth to stay away. This is music in which the listener is entitled to pay attention, then suspend disbelief from a coat hanger in the closet. And then wear suspenders. Suspense enders. Wim Wenders hitting the ketchup bottle. This is full throttle. Seemingly recorded in one take at a Star Trek convention. This is the bone of contention. Phoney tension. Puppy lessons. This is a band that is testing the boundaries of pop music, out on the same limb as Brian Wilson, and bless their souls for that. Soaked in hog fat. Foghat.

A new paradigm.......2006-12-22

When i first sat down and really listened to this album, the first thought that came into my head was, ' I have a new standard by which to judge music.'

Excellent Indie Album.......2006-12-11

The Fiery Furnaces are the best experimental indie rock band out there right now in my opinion. They fuse so many different styles together that it's impossible to push them into one category or corner. Anyone with a open mind should check this album out because it will end up as a must have in your collection. You can stream the whole thing and listen to it on Rhapsody if you have a membership before you buy it.

Average customer rating:

another beautiful voice!
A strong follow up to a dynamic debut
Never leaves the CD changer!
Worthy Follow-Up
Don't Let Me Down Easy...

Bitter Sweet
Kim Richey
Manufacturer: Mercury Nashville
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music

General | Country | Styles | Music

Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Kim Richey
Glimmer
Rise
The Collection
Chinese Boxes

ASIN: B000001EQA
Release Date: 1997-03-04

Tracks:

Every River
I'm Alright
Wildest Dreams
Straight As The Crow Flies
I Know
Fallin'
To Tell The Truth
My Whole World
The Lonesome Side Of Town
Don't Let Me Down Easy
Let It Roll
Why Can't I Say Goodnight

Amazon.com

This sophomore album may suffer slightly in comparison with Richey's stunning, self-titled 1995 debut, but there wasn't much else out there in 1997 that it didn't eclipse. Richey is a stellar songwriter (with several hits by others to her credit) whose own records straddle the rock/country divide, placing her squarely in commercial limbo. But it's our loss that there isn't a niche for songs like the gorgeous "Every River," the insanely catchy "I Know," the subtly '60s-ish "Lonesome Side of Town," and the devastating "My Whole World." Richey's voice is not Nashville's most distinctive, but it communicates a full range of emotions, and she abets it skillfully by double-tracking her own harmonies. The playing, writing, and fascinatingly varied stylistic touches here are a joy to hear; Richey's career merits your undivided attention. --Ken Barnes

Customer Reviews:

another beautiful voice!.......2007-03-14

I recently bought Kim Richey's "the Collection" and instantly fell in love with her voice and songs. This CD was just as good. Simply great music!

A strong follow up to a dynamic debut.......2005-12-04

Though I may agree that BiterSweet may not be as enjoyable (merely for the fact that the debut KIM Richey, was nearly flawless), it is certainly a great album by a highly talentled artist. This album features her crossover hit "I Know", which is socmething the debut can not claim. Richey's hit from the first album was "Just My Luck" which was widely recieved by country radio, but "I Know" made it continuously onto VH1, which I can recall the black and white video to this day. :) I highly reccomend this disc as comparred to "Rise" which i found to be a bit too experimental for Richey, though I admire her for trying new things. In addition to the debut and this release, my favorite Kim Richey release is "Glimmer", which features my fav song by her "Keep Me" as well as many other great song! Rock on Kimmy! :)

Never leaves the CD changer!.......2003-06-17

This has been in the CD changer in the convertible ever since I purchased it. When I sold the car and got a new one Bitter Sweet went right in the new convertible's changer.

I had heard a couple of the tunes on a progressive radio station and took a chance on the CD. While I do repeat some of my favorites, there is not a song on here that I skip. They are all good. This is my favorite Kim Richey CD and the place I would start listening to her work. Glimmer would probably be the 2nd CD to get.

Listen to the samples here - then buy this CD!

Worthy Follow-Up.......2002-07-27

Kim Richey has always been a hard one to categorize(as if she really needed to be), but unfortunately in a day when commercial success seems to be fueled by what radio format your music can be programmed into, Richey's always been left off the boat. Far too sophisticated and clever for the typically narrow-minded world of Nashville, and maybe too jangly/guitar pop for mainstream radio, she's nevertheless managed to stay the course and put out several first-rate discs, with this one falling somewhere between the slickly-produced but exquisite debut and her even more polished pop-powered third set. Richey's songs here are definately given tons of room to breathe here, with the production using more typically country arrangements and instrumentation(mandolins, banjos)than previously heard in her music. She pulls it off beautifully, particularly on the set's opening six tracks, after which she takes a detour into Mavericks-style country-rock('To Tell The Truth', 'My Whole World'), then slowing down the tempo a bit at the end. And while it fails to live up to the consistently clever hooks of her debut, the best songs here('I'm Alright','Every River','Fallin')are as good as anything on that set. All in all, a more than worthy follow-up to an unbelievably good debut.
it

Don't Let Me Down Easy..........2002-04-20

I went through a painful final separation from the love of my life when this CD was released in 1997, and I identified with every song. I listened to this CD over and over for several months. I saw Kim at the "House of Blues" in Hollywood during that time and sang along to every song. This CD is my favorite "bitter sweet" CD of all time. I love you, Kim.

Average customer rating:

Outspoken fills the Nickelback niche and some.
1st Iv'e herd of them.
You get what you pay for
why did it take so long?
One of the best, EVER!

Bitter Shovel
Outspoken
Manufacturer: Lava
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Alternative Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Beginnings
Superkala
Headspace
Manmade God
In the Name of Progress

ASIN: B00008A7VP
Release Date: 2003-02-18

Tracks:

Bitter Shovel
Revolving
Farther
Feel This
Loose End
Deeper Than Down
Elastic
Way I Am
My Turn
Now
Judging
Guidance

Album Description

With their gripping blend of roaring guitars, fiery lyrics, and flat-out raw rock power, Outspoken are unquestionably one of the most exciting bands of 2003. The Louisville- based quintet have already blown up stages alongside such bands as Stereomud and Flaw, and with their Lava debut, they are set to explode from coast to coast. 12 tracks featuring the single 'Farther'. Lava Records. 2003.

Customer Reviews:

Outspoken fills the Nickelback niche and some........2006-08-17

Outspoken seems like another of those bands that could have been.
Each song of theirs is distinguishable from all the rest, but the singer has a voice very reminiscent of Nickelback's Chad Kroeger. A few of the songs sound like they could have been done by Nickelback, but the others are unique in and of themselves, and they display Outspoken's talent.
This is a regular, but altogether good, rock band. Their songs are memorable and filling, while remaining altogether singable.
Good CD.

1st Iv'e herd of them........2005-09-02

As though its a mix of Nickleback and pure talent, with a vocalist of pure prefection, and guitar riffs that boggle your mind. I dont plan on buying it, but the samples are a good enough taste for the future.

You get what you pay for.......2005-04-08

How would I go about describing the sound of outspoken? First take the sound on Nickelback during the "curb" and "the state" albums and rub them really hard against "the fallout" by default. Then had just a pinch (JUST A PINCH remind you) of scooter from cold during the "year of the spider" recordings and...Bam!(sweet Emril reference!) you have an Outspoken as a sample platter towards better more accessible artists. I don't say this to take away from what this band has been able to achieve. This is a good album with a select handful of tracks that are worth your time, and an album that is made well enough to just let play and pass the time. Nothing provocative here, nothing over stimuating, it is an album that is written in the modern style that combines a few hard rocking "Drop-D" songs with melodic ballads that will fit well in the VH1 roster between 3 doors down and Shinedown. So in conclusion if you like any of the before mentioned bands or if you are into bands like "Course of Nature" then pick this up (used is fine) and expect to listen to it three or four times and then revisit one of the other bands I've listed.

why did it take so long?.......2004-09-07

It took several months for me to truly appreciate this cd, but it is really incredible. The first couple of times I listened to it, I thought it was "ok" - don't know where my brain was - not at home I guess. This cd has become one of my favorites and certainly one of the best new cd's I have heard. This cd ranks up there with Forty Foot Echo, Shinedown, and Splender's `To Whom it May Concern'. A great cd you will want to add to your collection,

One of the best, EVER!.......2003-12-10

Outspoken does something that many bands take for granted- melody. This cd should be #1 on all rock charts. The tracks are melodic and often break open into crashing guitars (similiar to the band REVIS, also excellent). My favorite track is "Deep than Down", the lyrics are astondishing and groundbreaking in my opinion. They have something on here everyone can relate to. Please support this band and buy this cd! You will not be disappointed.

Xena: Warrior Princess - The Bitter Suite: A Musical Odyssey - Original Television Soundtrack

Average customer rating:

Amazing
Definitely not bitter
Well, if you liked the episode...
Hot Cd
melt into you

Xena: Warrior Princess - The Bitter Suite: A Musical Odyssey - Original Television Soundtrack
Joseph LoDuca
Manufacturer: Varese Sarabande
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Television Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

1990s | By Decade | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Xena: Warrior Princess - Lyre, Lyre, Hearts on Fire: Original Television Soundtrack
Xena: Warrior Princess - Original Television Soundtrack
Xena: Warrior Princess, Volume Six : Original Television Soundtrack
Xena: Warrior Princess, Volume Four - Original Soundtrack
Xena: Warrior Princess - Original Television Soundtrack, Volume Two

ASIN: B0000060EL
Release Date: 1998-03-24

Tracks:

The Sweat Hut/Slapped Out Of It/Xena's In Town
Horrible Drag/On The Edge/Song Of The Fool
What's Still Unwritten...(Song Of Illusia)/Little Ditties/Into The Chandra/Joxer The Mighty...
War And Peace/Gab Is Stabbed
Melt Into Me/Let Go
Dead?/Hearts Are Hurting (Part 1)
The Deliverer
Hate Is the Star(Son Of The Torment)/Hearts Are Hurting (Part 2)
The Way Out/The Love Of Your Love/Passing Through

Customer Reviews:

Amazing.......2007-02-02

I'm a bit different than most reviewers in that I'm not a hardcore Xena fan. I've only seen parts of the series and the only DVD I own so far is the 10th Anniversary collection, which I recently received as a gift. Because I haven't seen a significant number of episodes, Bitter Suite took me totally by surprise. I hadn't known they'd done musicals!

At first I sort of rebelled against the idea, and the first part of the show didn't really appeal to me. But as it went on I adjusted my expectations and it drew me in further and further. In the end, the lyrics, music, and especially Lucy's singing really blew me away. So much so that I watched the episode a second time within a few days of first viewing it, which is something I've never done before.

I still have a hard time believing that this quality of a rock opera style musical was done for a one hour television show, and not even an A-string, big budget show. Much of the music is haunting and full of emotional impact. The final songs can bring tears to my eyes, and I haven't even seen the shows leading up to this one to be able to feel the full effect. I couldn't seem to get the music out of my head, so I finally had to buy the soundtrack CD. Not something I would have ever previously envisioned myself doing as a more casual Xena fan. So that should hopefully attest to this amazing piece of television musical work. The only drawback is that I wish all the songs were split out individually, but I understand why it was done this way.

Definitely not bitter.......2006-02-23

Any doubt of Lucy Lawless's ability to sing will be wiped away after listening to her heartfelt plea for forgiveness in "Love of Your Love." Kevin Smith's baritone voice is wickedly beautiful and sexy. Though the listening pleasure is short (only 9 songs) the fact that these songs came from this genre was incredible. I have to say though, the instrumentals on this CD was not as provocative and in depth as the other orchestration from Mr. LoDuca.

Well, if you liked the episode..........2005-10-17

While not quite the entire episode ripped to an audio file, it almost feels like it is.

The tracks are more like parts of the episode between commercial breaks than broken out by individual song. That's why I didn't give it 4 stars. This sounds great so if you've seen the episode and want the music on CD, buy it.
If you haven't and are thinking you are buying a song collection, this is more of a concept album that tells a story, being that it is the majority of the sound from the episode.

Anyway, I think this was miles better than the Buffy musical, and it was done first. I am the master of geography.

Hot Cd.......2005-08-02

Just like the episode, this cd is awesome. The only downside to this, is that it's the exact lenghth of the episode and no more longer. The music is great and can teach you a thing or two about friendship and how no matter what happens, you both hurt on the inside the same, and no one hurts more than the other. Xena and Gab realize this in the episode after blaming each other saying it's thier fault when it was both thier faults. This music really stands out with the message and you will listen to this over and over again. I loved this cd so much I listened to it so much in one week. If you like the show, you will love this cd.

melt into you.......2004-10-19

It's almost worth buying just for the song Melt into Me. I can remember the scene with Ares.

Album Review:

Album Review

Album Review