These Times

These Times

ASIN: B0000YTP3E

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The title of this Mike Stern release seems odd considering that the music herein could have been made any time in the last two decades. The opening "Chatter" delineates the distinctive, angular, funk-bop style that the guitarist pioneered with the Brecker Brothers in the early Eighties. Other tunes alternate between the kind of "world-music" jazz on which his contemporary Pat Metheny has built a career (albeit Stern's is a higher testosterone version), and your basic blues-inflected fusion. His 1999 outing, Play, featured Bill Frisell and John Scofield, and pushed him in some new directions. The follow-up, Voices, began his "world-music" explorations, and though it has been done before, and here again, he does it well. An engaging composer, Stern skillfully integrates vocals by Richard Bona and Elizabeth Kontomanou on tunes like "Silver Lining" and "Mirage." Sidemen Will Lee, Vinnie Colaiuta, and Dennis Chambers all turn in top shelf performances. This type of jazz is certainly popular, but Stern's signature funk skills are what set him apart from contemporaries like Metheny, John Abercrombie, and Bill Frisell. Incorporating some modern hip-hop elements might have stayed truer to that style while more interestingly referencing the tone of these times. --Michael Ross

Tracks:

'Cept You & Me Babe - Greg Brown
October Light - Robin & Linda Williams
Arlington - The Wailin' Jennys
Horn Island - Martin Simpson
Coast - Eliza Gilkyson
River Road - Jimmy Lafave
Riverside - John Gorka
Who Cares - Suzzy & Maggie Roche
Sharks Don't Sleep - Dave Moore
Oxford Town - Ray Bonneville
Land Of The Living - Lucy Kaplansky
Hymn: Page 9/11 - Peter Ostroushko
Ghosts Of The Good Old Days - John McCutcheon
The Philosopher's Song - Bill Staines
Fourth Of July - David Francey
We All Need More Kindness In This World - Guy Davis

Customer Reviews:

Sweet music and I'm not an old hippie.......2007-03-19

I bought this CD while searching for some Wailin Jenny's and it is one of my absolute favorites. Every song has a wonderful sweet folksy feel. All the artists are different but the CD is beautifully tied together.

It's all good!.......2005-12-02

I bought this album on impulse, and it turned out to be one of the best things I've done this year. It became a huge favorite in my house from the first hearing. Ranging from Robin and Linda Williams' sweet homage to the change of seasons in "October Light" to the Roche's sarcastic and amusing "Who Cares" to Peter Ostroushko's heartbreakingly poignant "Hymn Page 9/11" this is an album that bears much replaying and listening. Cannot recommend it highly enough!

Average customer rating:

A Must Have Christmas Album
Nice, but not a classic...
One of Celine's best albums to be enjoyed any time of year...
O My Lord!!!!!!!!!
Beautiful music!!!

These Are Special Times
Celine Dion
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000DHR0
Release Date: 1998-11-03

Tracks:

O Holy Night
Don't Save It All For Christmas Day
Blue Christmas
Another Year Has Gone By
The Magic Of Christmas Day (God Bless Us Everyone)
Ave Maria
Adeste Fideles (O Come All Ye Faithful)
The Christmas Song (Chesnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)
The Prayer
Brahms' Lullaby
Chirstmas Eve
These Are The Special Times
Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
I'm Your Angel
Feliz Navidad
Les Cloches Du Hameau

Amazon.com

It's almost impossible to believe it didn't already exist, but now that it does, you can bet the sure-to-go-platinum These Are Special Times will turn up under many a Christmas tree this year (the perfect gift for the person who has everything?). The prolific princess of pop has thrown together a mixture of contemporary and traditional holiday favorites, bordering on too-cute and kitschy only on the intro to "Feliz Navidad." For many, Dion is an acquired taste, but even naysayers may enjoy her rare moments of restraint on a smoky version of "Blue Christmas." "The Prayer," a duet with Andrea Bocelli, is set to become this season's "Time to Say Goodbye," but it will have to battle it out with the R. Kelly duet, "I'm Your Angel," first. --Rebecca Wallwork

Customer Reviews:

A Must Have Christmas Album .......2006-12-06

When I got this CD from my friend as a birthday present, I was feeling a bit sceptical. But after hearing the opening track which is O Holy Night, oh my god, this version is the best version of the song ever and l fell in love with this album.
I will break down the review for each track.
1. O Holy Night - The best redention of the song ever. She sings it powerfully and full of emotion. You will be blown away. No one can outdone Celine's O Holy Night.
2.Don't Save It All for Christmas Day - This song was written by Celine. This song reminds us to give or show love to everyone everyday. Clay Aiken even covered this song on his Christmas Album.
3. Blue Christmas - This song shows a jazzy side of Celine. Smoky, mellow Christmas song, you will love it. Diana Krall on piano; you can't go wrong :)
4. Another Year Has Gone By - Laid back, a relaxing song. Bryan Adams wrote this song.
5. The Magic of Christmas Day - uptempo catchy Christmas song done by Celine. I like the 'Christmas Eve' - track 11 better though.
6. Ave Maria - It is heavenly sung and powerful. I don't particularly care about this song too much.
7. Adeste Fideles (O Come All Ye Faithful) - Beautiful and churcy with chruch organ and choir.
8. The Christmas Song - A nice soothing christmas song to warm up your Christmas spirit.
9. The Prayer - This song has a nice lyric and full of meaning, making us believe in angels
10. Brahm' Lullaby - A lullaby song good for sleeping. :)
11. Christmas Eve - This is one of the best new songs in the album. This song reminds me of MAriah Carey's All I Want For Christmas For You. It's upbeat and catchy, making you want to go out and have fun on Christmas eve.
12. These Are The Special Times - a well done song written by Diane Warren. Christina Aguilera did a cover of this song for her Christmas album. But Celine's version is much better than her.
13. Happy Xmas (War is Over) - I love this song since it has a peace message for everyone and she did a fantastic cover of John & Yoko'. I also like the cover sung by Sarah McLachlan.
14. I'm Your Angel - It used to be my favorite song. This song was no.1 on the billboard chart for a couple weeks.
15.Feliz Navidad - Celine with Family wishing us Xmas.
16. Les Cloches Du Hameau - it's so so, this track is my least favorite.

In conclusion, if you like a well professionally arranged Christmas album (David Foster produced some of the songs) you should definetely be getting this album. Also this album makes a perfect gift for Christmas gift to everyone celebrating Christmas.
Pairs this album with Mariah Carey's Merry Christmas and Sarah McLachlan's WinterSong, you are going to have a Christmas Blast.

Nice, but not a classic..........2006-11-09

Album in a nutshell: Celine Dion presents an unusual Christmas collection that is not up to her usual standards. All the original songs are great, the covers of Christmas songs are pretty good, but some of the songs don't belong. I know Celine wants to include a French Christmas song on here, but "Les Cloches Du Hameau" is kind of annoying, as is her rendition of "Feliz Navidad." "O Come All Ye Faithful" is too high church sounding and she tries too much to sound like a female Elvis on "Blue Christmas." And someone please tell me what the hell "Brahms Lullaby" is doing on this album! But she redeems herself with exceptional originals, a nice cover of "The Christmas Song," and a beautiful rendition of "O Holy Night." A pretty nice offering, but I expected better from Celine.

Best Song: "Another Year Has Gone By"

Christmas traditionals / Total tracks: 7/16

Sample This: The fun "Christmas Eve" and the seasonally uplifting "The Magic of Christmas Day"

What to Avoid: sad family renditions of "Feliz Navidad" and "Les Cloches Du Hameau" (she could have included her family on better songs) and
the sappy, out-of-place "Brahms' Lullaby"

The album in 2 words: mixed bag

Stocking Stuffer or under-the-tree: stocking stuffer

One of Celine's best albums to be enjoyed any time of year..........2006-07-20

Celine Dion's Christmas album "These Are Special Times" has a little bit of everything from traditional holiday favorites like "Oh Holy Night", "Ave Maria", and "O Come All Ye Faithful", to Christmas "pop" classics including Elvis Presley's "Blue Christmas", John Lennon and Yoko Ono's "Happy Xmas", Nat King Cole's "The Christmas Song", and Jose Feliciano's "Feliz Navidad". Also included in this collection is her huge hit with R. Kelly "I'm Your Angel."

The songs on this album are very good and well performed, and this CD contains well over an hour's worth of Christmas music. You are indeed getting your money's worth here! Celine and her family (who also sing on the album's last two tracks) really throw their heart and soul into this album.

Any fan of Celine's music will absolutely love this Christmas CD to be enjoyed year round!

O My Lord!!!!!!!!!.......2006-04-11

This album is what christmas is all about. And I can't stop listening to O Holy Night it is the best arragement of all and Ave Maria is another great arrangement. But on O Holy Night at the end she gave it her most powerful ending anyone has ever done nothing can top it, when I first heard it it I had great tears of joy I felt as if I was being lifted of the ground through out this song. Its worth the trouble to buy.

Beautiful music!!!.......2006-03-23

Awesome...simply awesome!!
I got this cd last week when my friend from Bangalore (India) sent me as she knew that i am a great fan of Celine and as i live in a small town, i don't get international music here.
The first time i listened to this cd, it left me astonished. Even though this is not Christmas now, the cd brought December in March.As a 19 yr old, i love listening to a variety of music ( Imagine me listening to Celine Dion ) but i happen to like this cd a lot along with other Celine Dion albums except The Collector's Series (i feel that cd is incomplete).
The songs r superb here especially Adeste Fidelis, Another Year Has Gone By, The Magic of Christmas Day, The Prayer and Happy X'mas...( I am sure John Lenon is pretty proud of Celine for doing his song proud ).
The title track is good too(Even Christina did a cover of this song).
Well, this cd has just been declared 5X platinum being the second best selling Christmas album in the US....Really not very surprising after u give this cd a spin and worldwide sales is over 16 million...GREAT...GREAT....GREAT.
Keep it up Celine. Go get it people, buy it for yourself, gift it to your loved ones and everybody else.This will be the best Christmas gift ever to someone by you.

Average customer rating:

PP&M Still have it!
PP&M Fans Beware
mary can't hold a tune anymore
Their Fight Hasn't Changed
Still Crafting a Wonderful Spiritual Energy!

In These Times
Paul and Mary Peter
Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Carry It On
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LifeLines

ASIN: B0000DZ3CL
Release Date: 2004-02-24

Tracks:

Union Medley: You Gotta Go Down and Join the Union/Put It on the Ground
Have You Been to Jail for Justice?
Jesus Is on the Wire
Don't Laugh at Me
Wayfaring Stranger
How Can I Keep from Singing?/The Great Storm Is Over
Invisible People
Of This World
Some Walls
All God's Critters
It's Magic
Oh, Had I a Golden Thread

Amazon.com

Peter, Paul and Mary released their first LP in 1962, and--apart from an early-'70s hiatus--they have been going strong ever since. In These Times, their 2004 release, doesn't really tinker with the formula that propelled them into the spotlight all those years ago, but if the canny blend of traditional tunes, social commentary, and contemporary compositions still works, why change it? Their voices no longer have the vigor and clarity they once did, but on songs like "Jesus on the Wire," a stark mediation on the death of Matthew Shepard composed by Thea Hopkins, or the folk classic "Wayfaring Stranger," the whispery tone and wobbling harmonies add poignancy to the hard-earned authority of the performances. In its basic format, In These Times recalls Peter, Paul and Mary's earlier recordings, but the songs themselves, most of which were composed in the last few years, show that the trio has successfully resisted the urge to wallow in nostalgia. --Michael John Simmons

Customer Reviews:

PP&M Still have it!.......2007-04-07

Nice to know that somethings never change. Their quality and musicianship are as excelelent as ever. Too bad that other things never change. The fact that protest songs are still being written for our present society injustices just go to prove that there truly is nothing new under the sun!

PP&M Fans Beware.......2006-09-18

Those who are familar with PP&M's 1960's recordings will be in for a shock. They sound nothing like they did on those old recordings. You can comment on the choice of fine social conscience songs, the solid instrumental accompaniment, but in the end it is the sound they make vocally that counts. And it is not pleasant. Remember, they made Bob Dylan famous with their moving, beautifully sung rendition of "Blowin In The Wind". It was as much how they sung as what they sung, that drew us to PP&M. No more. It is too painful for me to listen to.

mary can't hold a tune anymore.......2006-07-22

I read the reviews before I bought this album and I wish I had paid more attention to them. Mary's voice is very harsh now; the only songs on this album that you can listen to are the ones where she is drowned out by Peter and Paul

Their Fight Hasn't Changed.......2005-07-13

Most of the groups that started in the sixties have either disbanded, died, or moved far away from the sounds and ideas that got them their popularity in the first place. Not so this group, a group that I think can appeal to almost every segment of American (and even world) society. Their voices have changed over the years; Mary no longer soars, but instead has a warmth and mellowness that you can wallow in; Peter now has a serious case of the wobbles, but which fits perfectly with the type of songs in this album; Paul perhaps has changed the least, with his distinctive phrasing and solid bass.

But this album proves that the type of songs they started with back in 1962 is still the focus of this group, songs that celebrate the unity of all mankind, that strike out against prejudice, bigotry, and the inhumanities against both spirit and body that are still all too prevalent in the world today.

"Jesus on the Wire" is a truly haunting portrait in song of just these points; Mary's current voice seems almost perfect for this image of a truly horrendous act. Regardless of your own views of homosexuality, this song will drive home what being a human is.

"Invisible People" highlights the blinding arrogance of some people and groups, and its deadly effects on those left outside of their closed vision.

"Some Walls" harmonically doesn't work as well for me as some of the other songs here, but it is still a very pretty song with an acid bite.

"Don't Laugh at Me" will probably strike a chord with everyone, as I think we've all been subjected to ridicule or ostracism at one point or another for some perceived flaw in character or looks.

"All God's Critters" highlights the fact that this group can still have fun, that they still enjoy children and children's songs, and I don't see how you can't end up singing along with this one.

Musically, most of the songs here are simple, done with only a few acoustic instruments, almost a complete return to the type of sound they had on their very first album. It's striking, haunting, and richly enfolding. I just wish this group could go on singing forever.

--- Reviewed by Patrick Shepherd (hyperpat)

Still Crafting a Wonderful Spiritual Energy!.......2005-05-28

Marvelous recording. No question about it! Most interesting tracks I think are "Have You Been to Jail for Justice? Listen Listen "Jesus Is on the Wire" They are putting their politics out there for everyone to see here. and "Don't Laugh at Me" I thought of my severely autistic boy named Stephen when I heard this song, and was shaken to the core in my concern for his social welfare and how he will get along in life when I'm not there to protect him. I found this reviewer's thoughts very interesting:

"Martin Luther King, Gandhi and the 60's belong to my deepest memories, to those true ethical principles I still belive in. So Peter, Paul and Mary... listening to you here..to you talking about the ways to bring down those WALLS; to you singing to Jesus on the Wire, calling for love and understanding and not for those expresions of dark fascism so common these days; to you coming to life again with your unique vocal and harmonic blend, to you giving a hand to those who've been to jail for justice."

The central great message of PPM is that they promote tolerance in human interactions, a kind of tolerance that if lived, would save this violent world from itself. Great Job!!!

God Speed to Mary Travers who has been bravely battling cancer.

Jeffrey McAndrew
author of "Our Brown-Eyed Boy"

Average customer rating:

Indispensable
What a great farewell
A fitting farewell
Rick's Finest Hour

Times Like These
Rick Danko
Manufacturer: Breeze Hill
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00004X0L4
Release Date: 2000-08-22

Tracks:

Times like these
Ripple
All Our Past Times
Book Faded Brown
Chain Gang
Change Is Good
This Wheel's On Fire
You Can Go home
Let The Four Winds Blow
People of Conscience

Album Description

Times Like These Rick Danko Times Like These is Rick Danko's last studio album and is the culmination of the Rock `n Roll Hall of Famer's work which spanned forty years. The CD starts with a beautiful original piece written by Rick Danko entitled Times Like These, which was a natural choice for the title of the CD. The album includes a brilliant and heartfelt cover of the Grateful Dead's Ripple, an inspirational version of Sam Cooke's Chain Gang and the rocking All Our Past Times, which he co-wrote with Eric Clapton in the late seventies. Included on the CD is another original song co-written by Danko that follows the theme of the CD Change is Good. Rick's brother Terry Danko contributes bass on this lively foot stomping tune. A masterfully re-worked version of This Wheel's On Fire by The Crowmatix, who also contributed on several other tracks, features some truly inspired accordion work by Garth Hudson. Two songs from the Acoustic Café radio show recorded on December 6, 1999, Let the Four Winds Blow featuring Levon Helm on harp and The Band's song, Book Faded Brown, are a reminder of why Rick's voice is such a treasure. Maud Hudson's backing vocals on Book Faded Brown are a perfect compliment to Rick. Long time Band producer Aaron Professor “Louie” Hurwitz added bass on the track and the talented Gary Burke contributed drums on a remarkable version of this song.

Also included on the CD is a ballad co-written by Rick that is a testimony to his philosophy of “helping out the neighborhood”. You Can Go Home calls to mind the plight of the countless thousands of refugees from Bosnia to Rwanda. The last song of the CD People of Conscience, which is in the spirit of Rick's beliefs, is a tribute to those who take on numerous environmental and political issues that haunt the world.

Customer Reviews:

Indispensable.......2006-07-06

This posthumous collection is indispensable for the Danko fan. As one who rediscovered this amazing musician when he was already "too soon gone," I'm just grateful that Rick had left behind enough studio material to make this album possible. The title track is as beautiful and moving as anything Rick ever did. His cover of Sam Cook's "Chain Gang," and two typically optimistic songs that Rick co-wrote ("Change Is Good" and "You Can Go Home") are additional highlights that even caught the ear of my teenage son. There really isn't a bad cut on the album, though the last one, "People of Conscience," will challenge those used to getting their social messages through layers of cynicism and irony. Treat yourself to this fitting memorial to one of the 20th century's most soulful and underrated artists.

What a great farewell.......2001-09-17

The trend nowadays is to look upon a mediocre album as great if the artist has recently passed away. Many may think that I gave this album 5 stars because of Rick's passing nearly two years ago, but this is by far the best solo work he has done. Each song has a different flavor to it, unlike his self-titled album, which, while an extraordinary album, has many tracks that sound a lot alike. "Times Like These" is not a great album. It's a classic. Tears were brought to my eyes when I first listened to this on Christmas Day last year. Rick's sweet, trembling voice will never be equaled and, even after 40 years of smoking cigarettes, one would still be hardpressed to find another singer to better him in his later years. I still cannot get through this album without thinking about Rick the person: fun-loving, joyous, and always upbeat. If you buy this album for one song, it is "This Wheel's On Fire", a mostly instrumental version of his collaboration with Bob Dylan over thirty years earlier. Eric Clapton's words about Rick Danko, "It's my own humble opinion, but I think you have to be a great musician before you can sing like that", are so true. Rick, we all miss you, I know you can hear this masterpiece and you are surely proud of it.

A fitting farewell.......2000-09-05

There is a tendency to overpraise an artist who has just died, so I will try to refrain from doing so. I would love to give Rick Danko's final album five stars, however, while this a fitting farewell, it doesn't quite measure up to "classic" status for me.

The album starts out wonderfully with the beautiful, self-written title track "Times Like These." Rick then moves on to a fun cover of the Grateful Dead tune "Ripple" which features performances by "Band" mates Levon Helm and Garth Hudson.

Other highlights are a a cover of the old Sam Cooke song "Chain Gang" and a new take on "This Wheel's on Fire," the song he co-wrote with old pal Bob Dylan. This version of "Wheel" is almost an instrumental with Rick's vocals finally added as just one last instrument. The final song, "People of Conscience," seems especially fitting, aimed at artists (and anyone else) who has ever tried to make a difference in this world.

There are some odd selections here as well. "Book Faded Brown" is a song The Band just covered on their last album "Jubilation." Although this is a live version, it doesn't sound that much different than the "Jubilation" version to warrant inclusion on this album. If a live "Band" number was desired, there were surely more inspired choices available.

But this, and other quibbles, are minor. If you're a fan of Rick Danko and "The Band," this is definitely an album you'll want to pick up. If you're asking "Rick Who?" and "What band?"...then maybe you should try "Music From Big Pink" first.

Rick's Finest Hour.......2000-08-28

This album shows the true musical maturity of one of Rock n' Roll's most soulful voices. From the title track through the most beautiful cover of "Chain Gang" and the haunting instrumental of "Wheels on Fire" with Rick's voice floating above the last verse, this album is pure joy. Rick should be very proud of his last and perhaps most beautiful work.

Average customer rating:

Quiet Composer
A Work of Genius
Really much better than my first impression
PEACE MY MIND~~~ BEST BY Sir Brian Wilson
Do it again

I Just Wasn't Made for These Times
Brian Wilson
Manufacturer: Mca Special Products
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000002OX9
Release Date: 1995-08-15

Tracks:

Meant For You
This Whole World
Caroline, No
Let The Wind Blow
Love And Mercy
Do It Again
The Warmth Of The Sun
Wonderful
Still I Dream Of It
Melt Away
'Til I Die

Customer Reviews:

Quiet Composer.......2006-08-21

I should preface my comments by saying that, as a veteran songwriter with many years experience in recording studios, I am in all likelihood discerning recordings from a completely different viewpoint from veteran listeners and/or school-trained music critics. Anyone who has been blessed with the gift of musical composition will have nothing less than the highest praise for the innate genius of Brian Wilson. If you can't get past his deteriorating, aging vocal timbre, and recognize his astounding mastery of the soul of a song, his flawless chord to melody choice, his perfect musical phrasing, his ingenius segues between otherwise complex key changes to mention but a few, then my heart aches with pity for you. He had the perspicacity to fearlessly surround himself with some of the most gifted musicians I have heard in decades.
From the haunting dulcet phrases in Love & Mercy to the tinny home demo recording of Still I Dream Of It ( which, as a composer, is an inspirational high point of this album to me) this record is a masterpiece. The music of Brian Wilson is a major and significant contribution to the American Songbook.
Keep writing, Brian!!

A Work of Genius.......2005-05-10

This guy really means what he writes and sings. It all seems like its by him, for him. Very personal. Its a strange mixture of a sort of personal suffering and joy. You don't find this with too many other composers. This Whole World is joy - its got an enthusiasm for life that's very energetic and involving. Caroline, no is suffering. I also really like Love and Mercy. Its a sort of message to mankind on behalf of mankind. Still I dream of it is a bit too much for me .. too agonizing. But in their own way, every track is wonderful. He might be slightly unhinged - aren't we all? - but that actually doesn't make any difference to whether you appreciate his music or not. And his renditions have so much emotion in them. I honestly can't understand why this is not the all-time classic it deserves to be. Listen to it, but it, tell your friends.

Really much better than my first impression.......2005-03-15

My first review of this was one-star, but I'm thinking that was a bit unfair, and I'm rereviewing it here.

My primary complaint was with the production, its a bit underwhelming, but I've recently been listening to this in context of the previous few albums Brian had been involved with, and I suspect the production value was a response to "The Beach Boys" (1985) and "Brian Wilson" and their overdone production.

The production's somewhat stripped-back nature is really quite unsympathetic to Brian's voice-- his singing seems forced on more than couple tracks ("Let the Wind Blow", "Do It Again" and "Wonderful" in particular). The backing vocals are also a bit unsupportive-- if you're used to the sort of flowering Beach Boys style harmonies, these are a bit too dry, even on the later material where Brian moved in that direction.

On the other hand though, the two songs from Brian's first solo album ("Love and Mercy" and "Melt Away") sound really great in comparison to their previous releases without a wash of synthesizers. An several of the tracks are certainly more than listenable, "Meant For You", "This Whole World", "Caroline, No", and "'Til I Die" are all quite good. The demo of "Still I Dream of It" is gut wrenching, somehow it works, although I prefer the version released in the "Good Vibrations" boxed set.

Its a brief little record (less than 30 minutes), and now that its selling for 7 bucks, its a good value for the money (I originally paid full price for it), but I largely prefer the originals to these versions.

PEACE MY MIND~~~ BEST BY Sir Brian Wilson.......2004-10-06

I usually pick this one in the afternoon~with the breeze and warmth sunshine! Brian Wilson sings so emotionally ~ I do so touched. He reproducted these classics and the talented is over the "young" Brian Wilson!!! the background singers were do great.too.
"Harmonies" is The Wilsons' business as public known. Please pick this one and open your photo albums.With the CD and each picture awake your memories , you will be touched how music and life growns you up!!!

Do it again.......2003-10-28

This is the soundtrack to a documentary about Brian Wilson. Brian rerecorded some of his favorite, mostly lesser known, songs for it. It's obvious that Brian's voice isn't what it used to be. His vocals are sung in a lower key than they originally were, so he doesn't have to hit those high notes. Still, despite the damage to his voice, he still sings his heart out. He still knows how to sing, despite his vocal limitations. I know some people hated this album, but I liked it.

Average customer rating:

Don't worry about the Onion Skin, Get Out of the House, buy one of The Best Thing's from 1989 and start Dancing in the Storm!

These Here Are Crazy Times
Boom Crash Opera
Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000008DO5
Release Date: 1990-05-31

Tracks:

Onion Skin
Where There's a Will
Best Thing
Piece of the Pie
Forever
Get Out of the House
Talk About It
End Up Where I Started
Dancing in the Storm
Mountain of Strength
Axe to Grind
Superheroes

Customer Reviews:

Don't worry about the Onion Skin, Get Out of the House, buy one of The Best Thing's from 1989 and start Dancing in the Storm!.......2006-02-16

There is a reason why songs from These Here Are Crazy Times dominate Boom Crash Opera's greatest hits album The Best Things and that is quite simple, 1989 is when they topped the charts like never before and released their best songs. Who can forget classics like Onion Skin, Get Out of the House, The Best Thing, and Dancing in the Storm. Buy this or if it is overpriced The Best Things isn't a bad option either. Either way you will go, go and keep playing these songs for more than just one more time!

Average customer rating:

THE NEXT YANNI

In Times Like These
Benjamin Warren
Manufacturer: Benjamin Warren Productions L.L.C.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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For the Journey

ASIN: B000BGQTWQ
Release Date: 2004-11-14

Tracks:

Anything's Possible
In Search of Truth
Tomorrow Will Come
In Times Like These
Defeat
Changes
Something For Me
Hills for Reflection
Years Remembered
Back Home
The Reason for Choice
Waterdance

Product Description

In Times Like These contains more than 50 minutes of fully orchestrated instrumental selections. The album blends a 9 ft Steinway Grand with the uncommon rhythmic flow of 7/8 and 5/4 time signatures. These selections are accented by acoustic guitar, sectional violins, cellos, woodwinds and percussion.

Customer Reviews:

THE NEXT YANNI.......2005-12-22

Passionate, heartfelt attainment; this album captures soul and melodic theme and presents music like I have never heard. The album features solo piano and symphonic movements with time signatures that are rarely used in this type of music format. I do not think of new age music when I listen to his music, it's unlike anything I have ever heard.

Awesome music!

Average customer rating:

Gifts from musical theater heaven!
Tell Me More and more and more
Two restored little Gershwin gems

Tip-Toes/Tell Me More

Manufacturer: New World Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Lady, Be Good! (1992 Studio Cast Recording)
Strike Up The Band (1990 Studio Cast)
Pardon My English (1993 Studio Cast)
Oh, Kay! (1994 Studio Recording)
Girl Crazy (1990 Studio Cast)

ASIN: B00005RGM8
Release Date: 2001-10-30

Tracks:

Overture
Florida
Nice Baby
Looking For A Boy
Lady Luck
When Do We Dance?
These Charming People
That Certain Feeling
Sweet And Low-Down
Finale-Act I
Entr'acte
Our Little Captain
Looking For A Boy
It's A Great Little World!
Nightie-Night!
Tip-Toes
Finale-Act II
Overture
Tell Me More
Tell Me More
Shopgirls And Mannequins
Mr & Mrs. Sipkin
When The Debbies Go By
Three Times A Day
Why Do I Love You?
How Can I Win You Now?
Kickin' The Clouds Away
Finale-Act I
Love Is In The Air
My Fair Lady
In Sardina
Baby!
Finaletto-Act 2
Opening Ensemble
Ukelele Lorelei
Finale-Act II

Amazon.com

This two-CD set collects a couple of shows by George and Ira Gershwin. Both produced in 1925, the two musicals--Tip-Toes and Tell Me More--are fairly obscure and don't boast as many famous songs as contemporary Gershwin offerings such as Oh, Kay! and Lady Be Good. Still, they are bursting with wit, invention, and joie de vivre. Based on a 1998 concert production, Tip-Toes is delicious, and several songs deserve a place in the Gershwin pantheon: the ballad "Looking for a Boy," the love duet "That Certain Feeling," and the rousing dance number "Sweet and Low-Down." The score is also notable for its spectacular writing for duo pianos. Tell Me More is not as immediately accessible (indeed, it had the shortest run of any Gershwin musical, with 32 performances), but it's delivered with élan by its topnotch cast, which includes Sally Mayes, Christine Ebersole, Diane Fratantoni, and David Garrison. Under the expert musical direction of Rob Fisher (from New York's famed Encores! series), this double set is, of course, essential for Gershwin completists. In fact, just about any fan of zany Jazz Age artifacts should relish it. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Album Description

Tip-Toes, which made its Broadway debut on December 28, 1925, was produced by Alex A. Aarons and Vinton Freedley, who had been the producers of the Gershwins' smash hit Lady, Be Good! the year before. Attempting to repeat that success, they once again combined the same book writers, Guy Bolton and Fred Thompson, with the Gershwin brothers. Tip-Toes was well received by audiences and the press, and ran for 194 performances. It was given a subsequent production at the Winter Garden Theatre in London, opening August 31, 1926, running for 181 performances.

One of the most overlooked Gershwin shows, Tell Me More was also the most unlikely of Jazz Age musicals. In an era marked by lavish extravaganzas and brash star vehicles, Tell Me More, which opened on April 13, 1925, relied on charm, modesty, and an impish sense of humor. Because it failed to recoup its investment on Broadway, it was relegated to the list of Gershwin flops; because its score was largely forgotten, it has been widely regarded as a minor effort. In truth, it's a key show. As the only full-length collaboration between George and Ira Gershwin and B.G. DeSylva, it combines the delicacy and grace of the scores George had written earlier in the decade with DeSylva and the bold wit he had pioneered in partnership with his brother Ira four months earlier in Lady, Be Good! The best of both worlds, Tell Me More was a one-of-a-kind achievement.

Customer Reviews:

Gifts from musical theater heaven!.......2005-07-24

The restoration of several complete Gershwin scores in recent years has been a gift from the theater gods. These two shows lack the bite of "Strike Up the Band," "Of Thee I Sing" and other earlier releases, but they have no lack of the Ira's wit and George's effortless melodies. Upbeat tuners "Kickin' the Clouds Away" and "Sweet and Low-Down" are especially engaging, and the authentic-sounding orchestrations lend a nostalgic aura. The first-rate casts seem to be having the time of their lives.

Tell Me More and more and more.......2001-12-07

I bought this CD because I had seen the concert of Tip-Toes, which I found enjoyable if uneven: great songs in Act I and not much in Act II. But for me, the real revelation here is Tell Me More, a totally forgotten Gershwin musical from the Twenties. I only knew one of the songs, "Kickin' the Clouds Away," but this score hits all the right notes, from gently melodic to flat-out funny. And the cast couldn't be better. David Garrison and Christine Ebersole are hugely funny in the comic roles, tossing out their one-liners like the Broadway pros that they are. And what a delight to hear the romantic couple on one of these vintage recordings -- in this case, Diane Fratantoni and Philip Chaffin -- sing just like a real period couple: him with the creamy tenor voice and her with the boop-a-doop flapper sound. Their rendition of "Three Times a Day," a lovely ballad with a Kern-like flavor, is, for me, the highlight of this 2-CD set.

Two restored little Gershwin gems.......2001-11-10

Although the Princess shows of Kern, Bolton and Wodehouse back in 1917 tried to introduce a solid plot into the American musical comedy, the story lines still did not amount to much until "Show Boat " set the standard. So when George and Ira Gershwin opened with two musicals in 1925, the first was based on a mistaken-identity situation already a cliché in the genre (Bolton did the book); and the second (again with Bolton, plus B.D. de Sylva) was about the Florida land boom that also formed the basis of Berlin's "The Coconuts" the very same year.

Both "Tell Me More" and "Tip-Toes" were part of the discovery of many Gershwin manuscripts buried in a New Jersey warehouse; and we can be most thankful to New World Records for restoring the scores and bits of the dialogue in a two-CD boxed set (80598-2). The music is what you would expect from Gershwin: 1920s jazzy with that special core of Gershwin genius. Yes, a good deal of it sounds like Berlin and Kern--as did just about every other contemporary composer except Romberg (who sounded like Herbert). On the other hand, "Kickin' the Clouds Away" from the earlier show seems to be the inspiration for Berlin's "Shakin' the Blues Away" written two years later! "Tell Me More" also does not shy away from ethnic jokes (i.e., mistaking a request to disguise oneself as British for doing so as Yiddish) that do not offend at all. And if we moderns grow impatient with the rich bubbleheads of the F. Scott Fitzgerald crowd, they are still a breath of fresh air after the population of "Miss Saigon" and plays of that sort.

The game casts have voices just right for this sort of characterization and delivery. The "Tip-Toes" production is taken from the Carnegie Hall Concert version and is outstanding.

Customer Reviews:

Fine reissue of a classic set.......2006-05-24

Think about the stupidest, most formulaic Hollywood movies you can think of: cheesy action pictures, fluffy, unfunny comedies, big but stiff epics. Now imagine that one of the greatest living composers was working in Hollywood, turning out astonishing, hauntingly beautiful and stirring musical scores for these throwaway movies. That's what you get with this set: music Henry Purcell composed for some two dozen often utterly forgettable plays (trust me--I've read a number of them!) Occasionally, when he teams up with a playwright worthy of his stature, such as John Dryden, Aphra Behn, or William Congreve, the results are even better, but for the most part you can enjoy the music here without knowing anything about the original plays.

This set originally appeared as separate LPs in the 70s and 80s, and has been long out of print. That's a pity, since Purcell spent a good deal of his short professional life in the theatre, either writing the incidental music contained on these CDs, or the music for his larger works, the semi-operas (King Arthur, The Fairy Queen, and the like). Almost all of these works are enjoyable gems; certainly, they represent a pinnacle of English 17th century music. Purcell had a genius for spinning musical gold out of the most leaden lyrics (check out his Odes and Welcome Songs on Hyperion if you don't believe me), and he does the same with the song texts in these plays.

Hogwood and the AAM offer clean, listenable performances, and the sound on these old analog discs has been cleaned up and brightened--although they were pretty good, even in the late 70s. As with most Hogwood, emotional extremes are kept to a minimum, so the "otherworldly" nature of late 17th century music, so often emphasised in more recent Baroque performances, doesn't come across here. It would be interesting to see what a group like The King's Consort would do with this music, but this set fills the major gap in the Purcell canon quite nicely.

My only beef with the reissue, as with many reissues, is that the liner notes are rather thin for a 6-cd set--the lyrics to the songs, for example, are especially missed. Still, it's a worthwhile set, and a must for fans of Purcell, English Baroque music, or anyone who just wants to experience a taste of the last days of the Restoration stage.

Du Barry Was a Lady (1943 Movie Soundtrack) (Rhino Handmade)

Average customer rating:

Lovely Lucy !
A Casualty of Hollywood Musical Politics

Du Barry Was a Lady (1943 Movie Soundtrack) (Rhino Handmade)
Cole Porter , Lucille Ball , and Red Skelton
Manufacturer: Rhino Handmade
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Best Foot Forward (1943 Movie Soundtrack) (Rhino Handmade)
Born to Dance (1936 Movie Soundtrack) (Rhino Handmade)
Three Little Words (1950 Movie Soundtrack) (Rhino Handmade)
Summer Stock / In the Good Old Summertime (Movie Soundtracks) (Rhino Handmade)
It's Always Fair Weather (1955 Movie Soundtrack) (Rhino Handmade)

ASIN: B0001XAMD6
Release Date: 2004-05-11

Tracks:

Medley: Dubarry Was a Lady (Main Title)/Do I Love You? [#] - MGM Studio Orchestra
Dubarry Was a Lady [#] - MGM Studio Chorus,
Nightclub Medley: Give Him to the Oo-La-La/Well, Did You Evah [Partial] - MGM Studio Orchestra
Oxford Boys Medley: Thinking of You/A Cigarette, Sweet Music and You
Medley: I'm Getting Sentimental Over You/We'll Get It - Tommy Dorsey
When Love Beckoned (On 52nd Street) [#] - MGM Studio Orchestra
Do I Love You? [#] - Gene Kelly
Do I Love You - Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra, The Pied Pipers
Salome [#] - Virginia O'Brien
I Love an Esquire Girl [#] - Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra, The Pied Pipers, Red Skelton
Medley: Friendship/Do I Love You?/But in the Morning, No [#] - MGM Studio Orchestra
Ladies of the Bath [#]
Katie Went to Haiti - Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra, The Pied Pipers
Madame, I Love Your Crepes Suzette [#] - Red Skelton
Song of Rebellion [#] - Gene Kelly
Friendship - Lucille Ball, Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra, Gene Kelly, , Virginia O'Brien, Red Skelton
Royal Tasters [#][Outtake]
Melody in A [#][Outtake] - Tommy Dorsey
Meet the People (Main Title)/In Times Like These [From Meet the People] - MGM Studio Orchestra
In Times Like These [From Meet the People][#][*]
Thank You, Columbus [From Meet the People][#][*][Outtake] - The King Sisters
Heave Ho, Let the Wind Blow [From Meet the People][#][*] - Bert Lahr
Meet the People/New York Production Number Medley: Dream Sequence/Meet - June Allyson, Lucille Ball, , , , Virginia O'Brien, , Company

Customer Reviews:

Lovely Lucy !.......2004-11-08

I thought this cd was great it brings out the 1940s big band swind ! And Lucille Ball is lovely
as madam Dubarry !!!!

A Casualty of Hollywood Musical Politics.......2004-09-16

I bought the CD to get a hold of Cole Porter's intellegent score. After a few songs in, I realized the movie score wasn't written by Cole, but by a string of Hollywood hacks (the most recognizable of the bunch being Finian Rainbow's Burton Lane)! What a ripoff! And Cole Porter's broadway score is currently not available anywhere. What a waste of resources (mine and Rhino's).

Still...if you want to hear the Tommy Dorsey band at their peak, or hear Red Skelton sing, before his TV tramp days, or Gene Kelly in his prime (Lucille Ball's voice, for the most part, was dubbed by another Hollywood hack, Martha Mears) pick this one up. I figure, when the buying public reads about how the movie moguls handled this project--not giving Ethel Merman the role she originated on Broadway, and replacing Cole's score for a bland, glossy, Hollywood hackjob, this CD will soon go out of print. Nice, bright remastering, though.

My two cents.

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