Batik [Import]

Batik [Import]

ASIN: B00000AU3R

Track Listings

1. Waterwheel

2. Shades of Sutton Hoo

3. Trellis

4. Batik

5. Green Room

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Ralph Towner, Eddie Gomez and Jack Dejohnette.

Batik,Ralph Towner,Universal Int'l,Jazz,Pop,Post-Bop

300 Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Average customer rating:

An, In Your Face, Soundtrack!

is a fantastic CD

300 Soundtrack Rocks!

The power, the mystery, the glory

Soundtrack to "300"

300 Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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300

Pan's Labyrinth

Rome: Music from the HBO Series

300: The Art Of The Film

Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End

ASIN: B000MTDRDG
Release Date: 2007-03-06

Tracks:

To Victory
The Agoge
The Wolf
Returns A King
Submission
The Ephors
Cursed By Beauty
What Must A King Do?
Goodbye My Love
No Sleep Tonight
Tree Of The Dead
The Hot Gates
Fight In The Shade
Come And Get Them
No Mercy
Immortals Battle
Fever Dream
Xerxes' Tent
Tonight We Dine In Hell
The Council Chamber
Xerxes' Final Offer
A God King Bleeds
Glory
Message For The Queen
Remember Us

Amazon.com

Listening to this soundtrack at full blast one often feels as if the Spartan and Persian forces are coming right at you, then ferociously pummeling your eardrums--and this is meant as a compliment. Tyler Bates's score is basically a modern update of the battle classic to end all battle classics: Carl Orff's Carmina Burana. On the opening cue "To Victory," Bates throws in everything he's got: powerful choral singing, massive percussion (you can almost feel the weight of those Japanese taiko drums), and of course an otherworldly female voice. All these elements are then parceled out over the following tracks, taking turns to dominate the cues, and sometimes coming together again in majestic shows of force--the music can sound absolutely humongous at times ("Submission," "Come and Get Them," "A God King Bleeds"). The most interesting development is the use throughout of electronic treatment; even when the technique is applied subtly, it's very efficient in adding a spooky dimension to the album's very sonic texture. And while you'd think an electric guitar would feel incongruous in a movie set in 480 BC, it actually injects a screaming sense of urgency into a track such as "The Hot Gates." As for that aforementioned female voice, it belongs to Iranian-born, L.A.-based Azam Ali (of the duo Vas), who makes essential contributions on tracks like "Cursed by Beauty" and "Goodbye My Love." --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Album Description

Epic, emotional and inventive describe the action drama 300 and also its score. Written and produced by Tyler Bates (Dawn of the Dead, Rob Zombie's The Devil's Rejects, and Slither), Music From The Motion Picture 300 boasts a sweeping palette, embracing a tonal foundation unfamiliar to studio films. Orchestral and choral, 300 features the haunting, exotic vocals of Azam Ali, featured in world music groups Niyaz and Vas.

Customer Reviews:

An, In Your Face, Soundtrack!.......2007-06-07

This Soundtrack has a lot of power and, energy behind it! It's a very earthy meets modern day sondtrack Album!

is a fantastic CD.......2007-05-20

The 300 Soundtrack CD is very very good. I recommend to buy it.

JORGE PATINHO DIAZ
From Colombia - South America

300 Soundtrack Rocks!.......2007-05-20

Love the movie? Then you'll LOVE this cd. The music brings memories of the film to life- perfect for that boring commute to work! Highly recommended!

The power, the mystery, the glory.......2007-05-17

If you knew the basic history of 300, or read the absolutely beautiful graphic novel, as I did going in to see this film, then the score probably did for you what it did for me, even if it was only subconscious.

I personally was overjoyed at the overall texture of the score from the first sounds to the last. At once the opening is drama and movement, expressing a moment where things are already in motion and moving towards a inevitable conflict. Every moment from then to the final battle holds within it a sense of a warrior's march towards certain sacrifice. The sense of almost arrogance in one's own strength, needed to face another with the final outcome being death. The unrelenting and uncontrollable pumping of the heart with anticipation. Even the softer more esoteric moments of the Ephors has a sense of sadness mixed with duty and purpose.

The score is stark, almost surreal, much like the original artwork and story. It is blunt, bordering on aggression, all of which fit perfectly with the mentality of the Spartans and the delivery of the film. This is not to say there was a lack of grace and subtlety.

On the contrary, there is a constant sense of structure. With flowing transitions and underscoring that allows the audience to breathe in the feelings evoked. And as much as I generally try not to perpetuate the over use of words, there is a "haunting" sense to the entire score. Mostly apparent during the softer moments, the feeling of tragedy to come, lilts through out. Even during the moments of victory and glory there is a sense of futile effort. That every note will be silenced, save for a few lamenting refrains.

I may be going overboard, but I loved the graphic novel, I loved the film, and I loved the score. And when you can interchange the score with the film and the book, somebody did something right. I could go on for pages on this score, but I simply leave it at this.

Soundtrack to "300".......2007-05-14

The movie was a visual adventure into another world. Much of the tone for this was set by the musical score. This score is very moving, even without the images from the film. Definitely a CD I would recommend to everyone.

300 Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Special Edition)

Average customer rating:

emotionally stirring
Great soundtrack to the movie
I knew I needed this about two minutes into the movie.
Perfect music for the film of the year!
300 special edition

300 Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Special Edition)

Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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300: The Art Of The Film
300
Rome: Music from the HBO Series
Pan's Labyrinth
God of War II

ASIN: B000MTDRDQ
Release Date: 2007-03-06

Tracks:

To Victory
The Agoge
The Wolf
Returns A King
Submission
The Ephors
Cursed By Beauty
What Must A King Do?
Goodbye My Love
No Sleep Tonight
Tree Of The Dead
The Hot Gates
Fight In The Shade
Come And Get Them
No Mercy
Immortals Battle
Fever Dream
Xerxes' Tent
Tonight We Dine In Hell
The Council Chamber
Xerxes' Final Offer
A God King Bleeds
Glory
Message For The Queen
Remember Us

Amazon.com

Album Description

Customer Reviews:

emotionally stirring.......2007-06-12

An exotic and emotionally moving soundtrack that helped drive this extremely powerful and entertaining film. I suppose that I'm giving it a four because, to me, the Gladiator soundtrack with Lisa Gerrard set the bar so high. I did enjoy the way that this one so effectively wove ancient sounds with modern rock sounds. The movie and its soundtrack are true works of art.

Great soundtrack to the movie.......2007-06-02

This soundtrack has a unique sound to it and it really adds to the movie. There is a good mix between more fast pace and softer tracks also. If you like instrumental music that is both fast paced and slow, then you'll love this soundtrack.

I knew I needed this about two minutes into the movie........2007-05-17

Great stuff. I'm no orchestral expert, but it sounds fantastic. I expected more heavy pieces, but I guess those sections seemed longer in the movie. Good music to drive to, though it's over quickly.

Perfect music for the film of the year!.......2007-05-13

A must have for fans of the film.

300 special edition.......2007-05-13

the pack is very nice but the music is a bit high, I have not seen the film yet, maybe after I see the film I may apriciate it more.

Average customer rating:

Superb Saigon
1989 London Cast is much better that this CD
A must for any Miss Saigon fan!!
Superb
Fantastic

Miss Saigon (1995 Studio Cast)
Alain Boublil
Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Making of "Miss Saigon"
Miss Saigon (Original 1989 London Cast)
Jekyll & Hyde - The Musical (1997 Original Broadway Cast)
Les Miserables (1987 Original Broadway Cast)
Spring Awakening (2006 Original Broadway Cast)

ASIN: B000002SM0
Release Date: 1995-11-14

Tracks:

Overture: Back Stage Dreamland - The Orch/Kevin Gray/Sonya Swaby/Emy Baysic/Sylvia Dohi/Rona Figueroa/Lydia Gaston/Margaret Gates...
The Heat Is On In Saigon - Kevin Gray/Emy Baysic/Sylvia Dohi/Rona Figueroa/Lydia Gaston/Margaret Gates/Zoie Lam...
The Movie In My Mind - Sonya Swaby/Joanna Ampil/Emy Baysic/Sylvia Dohi/Rona Rigueroa/Lydia Gaston/Margaret Gates...
The Transaction - Hinton Battle/Kevin Gray/Peter Cousens/Joanna Ampil/Company
The Dance - Peter Cousens/Joanna Ampil/Kevin Gray
Why God Why? - Peter Cousens
This Money's Yours - Peter Cousens/Joanna Ampil
Sun And Moon - Joanna Ampil/Peter Cousens
The Telephone Song - Peter Cousens/Hinton Battle
The Deal - Peter Cousens/Kevin Gray
The Wedding Ceremony (Dju Vui Vai) - Peter Cousens/Joanna Ampil/Emy Baysic/Sylvia Dohi/Rona Figueroa/Lydia Gaston/Margaret Gates...
Thuy's Arrival - Charles Azulay/Peter Cousens/Joanna Ampil
The Last Night Of The World - Joanna Ampil/Peter Cousens
The Morning Of The Dragon - Tito Abeleda/Alan Ariano/Norman Kauahi/Ray Santos/Francis J. Cruz/Juan P. Pineda...
I Still Believe - Joanna Ampil/Ruthie Henshall
Back In Town - Kevin Gray/Joanna Ampil/Charles Azulay/Tito Abeleda/Alan Ariano/Norman Kauahi/Ray Santos...
Thuy's Death/ You Will Not Touch Him - Charles Azulay/Joanna Ampil/Company
If You Want To Die In Bed - Kevin Gray
Kim & Engineer - Kevin Gray/Joanna Ampil
I'd Give My Life For You - Joanna Ampil/Company

Tracks:

Entr'Acte - Orch
Bui Doi - Hinton Battle/Chor
The Revelation - Hinton Battle/Peter Cousens/Ruthie Henshall
What A Waste - Kevin Gray/Company
Please - Hinton Battle/Joanna Ampil
Chris Is Here - Junix Inocian/Hinton Battle/Kevin Gray/Joanna Ampil
Kim's Nightmare - Thuy's Ghost/Joanna Ampil/Peter Cousens/Hinton Battle/Company
Room 317 - Joanna Ampil/Ruthie Henshall
Now That I've Seen Her - Ruthie Henshall
The Confrontation - Ruthie Henshall/Peter Cousens/Hinton Battle
The American Dream - Kevin Gray/Company
Finale - Joanny Ampil/Peter Cousens

Customer Reviews:

Superb Saigon.......2007-01-26

Wonderful to be able to catch the entire essence of Saigon. The highlights are good but, to be able to catch EVERY aspect of the show.....is amazing. Completely suggest for any diehard fan!

1989 London Cast is much better that this CD.......2006-12-15

Lea Solonga will always be Miss Saigon. Not putting her on this CD is a crime.

A must for any Miss Saigon fan!!.......2006-08-20

Miss Saigon is my favorite all-time musical! I was hesitant when buying this recording because in my mind Lea Salonga is and always will be Kim! But I was pleasantly surprised. Joanna Ampil as Kim holds her own. While she doesn't have the vocal range of Lea, she has a beautiful, crisp voice which she uses to emote the emotional turmoil of Kim. She expresses herself in a way that makes you feel her love, pain and anguish and in turn she makes this part her own. The rest of the cast is superb (especially the amazing Ruthie Henshall as Ellen) but make no mistake, this show belongs to Ampil!

I also fell in love with some of the material left out of the LCR. There a beautiful bridges and songs which enrich the story. "Back in Town" stands out for me because of the gorgeous melodies. Anyone who has fallen in love with the story of "Miss Saigon" will appreciate these added gems! This cast recording is definitely worth a listen!!

Superb.......2006-06-30

This 1995 studio recording is fabulous. While I don't necessarily prefer it entirely over the original cast recording, there are elements to this recording that are over and above the original.

Joanna Ampil, while delightful as Kim, lacks Lea Salonga's essence. There are moments I find her, how shall I say it - too much? - even when the score calls for drama. Perhaps it is the over enunciation of certain words, or perhaps it is my yearning for Salonga's angelic, crystal clear rendition. I might have preferred Toronto's Ma-Anne Dionisio on this recording as well. Kevin Gray, as The Engineer, is nothing short of thrilling. He was fabulous on stage and just as magical on this CD - lending a greasy, snake-like feel to the role. Hinton Battle and Peter Cousens disappoint slightly (what is it with Peter Cousens' heartless, cold reading-esque "You shouldn't be here"?); Sonia Swaby a perfect Gigi; but Ruthie Henshall - beyond words! What I would have given to see her and Lea Salonga in New York. And perhaps the most wonderful performance on this CD is that of Charles Azulay's - his Thuy is deeper and much more complex than the original Thuy.

The extra music and lyrics suddenly provide the bridge between gaps found in the OLC. For example, in the original recording, on disc one, it goes straight from Kim and Ellen's beautiful ballad, "I Still Believe," straight into the Engineer's shrieking, "Are you waiting for them to kill me? Did you not get what he said? There's a big screw loose inside you - I will rip it out of your head!" Even having seen the show, I'd forgotten what the moments in between were - what was the Engineering going on about? On this complete recording is a vital part of the show - a powerful explanation of Kim and Thuy's past, and an essential look into the very things Thuy himself hopes for, as well as the man he has has become. Also, whereas the OLC finishes disc one at This Is The Hour, the studio recording goes straight into I'd Give My Life For You, providing us with the Entr'acte on the second disc.

The finale is an improvement as well. While seemingly shorter, it is undoubtedly more forceful and significant. The heart is the same; but there's less of Kim "praying" to her parents and more of her concentrating on her very last moments with Tam, the very one who has "sustained her for miles."

The music of Miss Saigon is captivating, capturing the very essence of Kim and Chris' doomed love, as well as the shattered fantasies of the other characters. It is all at once heartbreaking, hopeful, and soaring. A lovely addition to any music theater lover's collection.

Fantastic.......2006-05-21

After listening to the OLC all my life, I was desperate to see the show, but it had closed in London. But then something amazing happened - Cameron Mackintosh announced a new touring production. Off I went, and it was not disappointing. I immediately invested in the CSR, eager to know the parts omitted from the OLC, and again, it was certainly not disappointing.

First of all, like the Les Miserables CSR, there is much more 'voice acting', (in lack of a better term), such as shouts in 'The Heat is On' and more screams in 'The Fall of Saigon'. When I listened to it, it felt like I was there, in the action. I could see the show play out in front of me.

The cast is also fantastic, and I enjoy Joanna Ampil's performance as Kim just as much as Lea Salonga's, as well as strongly favouring Peter Cousens as opposed to Simon Bowman, whose vibrato is just too much to bear someatimes. And Kevin Gray, well, fantastic! He really brought out the sinister character of the Engineer, stealing the show in my opinion. Sonia Swaby is a nice alternative as Gigi, (with somewhat of a 'cleaner' voice than the OLC), and Thuy is excellent also, providing an intense performance. The only weak link in my opinion is Hinton Battle as John, who, though he plays the American G.I. aspect of the character well, his ad libs in Bui Doi are simply awful, (a shame as it is one of my favourites).

As for the orhcestrations...well, the orchestrations don't seem to be too different from the original, but obviousley feel fuller.

My two favourite tracks are Back in Town/You will not touch him, as it's great to see it in its full form, (this bit also got me the most emotionally in the theatre, not Bui Doi or the ending, this bit), and The American Dream, with the dance section intact! I do however favour the original orchestrations for the dance section, (heard on 'The Heat is on' VHS), to the slinky saxaphone on this CD). I also love 'The Fall of Saigon'.

One thing mentioned alot when regarding Miss Saigon is the lyrics. Many complain about their simplicity, but apart from some occasional comically horiffic rhymes, ('first stop Bangkok, then I roam, cross that ocean white with foam'), I don't think the lyrcis are terrible at all.

What makes Saigon most special for me, (along with Phantom, Les Mis and Cats), is that I was in love with the music long before I ever saw the show, so it wasn't the helicopter, the cadillac, or the Ho Chi Minh statue that wowed me. It was the music, and this CD is a perfect testament to the fact that British (well, French/British in thisnd for making grown men across the world cry like babies, ;-). case), musicals don't depend on scenery after all. Bravo Boubil & Schonberg for a fantastic show, a

Average customer rating:

What are they thinking?
Must Have for Every Patriotic American
Marching music to yawn by?
Don't Buy this Album!!!
Wake me up when it's over... (YAAWWWNNNNN)

Stars and Stripes Forever

Manufacturer: Volcano
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Stars & Stripes Forever, Vol. 2
American Anthems
Stirring Marches of the USA Services
God Bless America: Ult Patriotic Album
Stars & Stripes: America's Greatest Hits

ASIN: B00000I02F
Release Date: 1995-05-23

Tracks:

The Star Spangled Banner - Stars And Stripes Forever
America, The Beautiful - Stars And Stripes Forever
America - Stars And Stripes Forever
Battle Hymn Of The Republic - Killer Cadet Band
Anchors Aweigh - Killer Cadet Band
The Marine's Hymn - Killer Cadet Band
The U.S. Field Artillery March - Killer Cadet Band
Stars And Stripes Forever - Killer Cadet Band
El Capitan - Stars And Stripes Forever
The Liberty Bell - Stars And Stripes Forever
Semper Fidelis - Killer Cadet Band
Washington Post March - Killer Cadet Band
Nat Emblem - Killer Cadet Band
Music For The Royal Fireworks (Exc) - Stars And Stripes Forever
William Tell Ov (Exc) - Stars And Stripes Forever
The Light Cavalry Ov (Exc) - Stars And Stripes Forever
1812 Ov (Exc) - Stars And Stripes Forever

Customer Reviews:

What are they thinking?.......2006-09-30

As a music teacher, I'm wondering about the very critical reviews about this CD. What ARE they thinking? You are supposed to MARCH to these songs - not run to them! I hear great intonation and suitable tempos to this music. The phrasing is crisp and the rhythms precise. As to taking liberties with 1812, even the master composers did similar practices. The music "flows." This is a patriotic album that you will enjoy!

Must Have for Every Patriotic American.......2002-04-12

This CD is a great collection of classic American tunes. Listening to it really makes you proud to be an American and it puts you in a patriotic mood.

I strongly disagree with some of the other reviews here and I found the quality to be great, along with the selection of songs. BUY THIS CD. YOU WON'T BE SORRY!!

Marching music to yawn by?.......2002-04-04

I completely agree with the two pans by the reviewers above -- the arrangements are completely inappropriate for the music. These pieces should be sprightly and upbeat -- instead they are schmaltzy and lethargic.

Don't Buy this Album!!!.......2001-11-03

What could have been a great album of patriotic
songs is completely ruined because of brutal
editing and may I even say deception. I almost
never return a CD, but I returned this one. And
sadly because I found the sound quality very good.
Both on the outside track listings and on the inside
pullout, there is no mention that the tracks are
excerpts. Most leave out entire strains or repeats.
But the worst offense has to be the "1812 Overture".
I was excited to be purchasing an album with this
on it. But what I got was not even excerpts from
this piece. "excerpts from" usually implies that
a specific movement is presented. But this piece
is totally mutilated. Three measures are played,
five measures are omitted, two more measures are
played, etc. If Tchaikovsky were around he'd have
good cause for a lawsuit. Pleeeaasse, don't support
a product that does injustice to the composers and
does not truthfully describe the product's contents!!!

Wake me up when it's over... (YAAWWWNNNNN).......2001-06-20

Though the first thing that I noticed while listening to this CD was the poor tonal quality of the recording, what I was most disappointed with was the overall lack of tempo in nearly every piece. To quote my husband, "It's supposed to be a marching band, not a strolling band!" Also a few of the pieces are really excerpts and not the entire piece, not good excerpts at that.

The Great War: Classical And Popular Selections From The Time Of World War I (National Public Radio Milestones Of The Millennium)

Average customer rating:

Music and the Great War
How a Century Has Change Our Perception of War
Excellent Recording!
Good music, bad title

The Great War: Classical And Popular Selections From The Time Of World War I (National Public Radio Milestones Of The Millennium)

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Great War
Over There - Songs From America's Wars
Words and Music of World War II
The Roaring Twenties
Songs That Got Us Through WWII

ASIN: B00000HXKX
Release Date: 1999-01-12

Tracks:

Military March No. 1 In D Major, Op. 39: Pomp Ad Circumstance
Waltz Fom Der Rosenkavalier Suite
'Von der Schonheit' From Das Lied von der Erde
'De l'aube a midi sur la mer' From La Mer
Symphony No. 1 in D Major, Op. 25 'Classical Symphony': III. Gavotta. Non troppo allegro
L'histoire du soldat Suite - IV. The Royal March
L'histoire du soldat Suite - V. The Little Concert
Le tombeau de Couperin - V. Menuet
Le tombeau de Couperin - VI. Toccata
Sinfonia From Pulcinella Suite
Walzer From Funf Klavierstucke, Op. 23
Interlude From Wozzeck, Act III
Prologue From Music Ffor The Theatre
'Shine On Harvest Moon'
'Alexander's Ragtime Band' - Irving Berlin
'Over There'
'How You Gonna Keep'em Down On The Farm (After They've Seen Paree)?'
'The Man I Love' From Stride Up The Band
'West End Blues'

Amazon.com

The first two-thirds of this disc is a fascinating cram course in concert music around the time of World War I. The programmer has put together some fascinating juxtapositions--for example, Strauss's Rosenkavalier leads almost seamlessly into Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde, and Schoenberg sounds out of context with everybody (including Berg). The selections are all short, and performance quality runs from great to mediocre, but this is still a thought-provoking educational experience, even though Bartók and Ives are conspicuously missing. The popular selections are less interesting, often campy, and although vintage recordings are used, they aren't always the right vintage. And someone missed a point by separating Copland's jazzy "Music for the Theatre" from Louis Armstrong, who could have followed immediately. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Music and the Great War.......2007-05-14

This is a fascinating compendium of popular and classical music from the World War One period. It evokes all the turmoil, anguish, and also humor, of the age, and is a vital CD to own if you have an interest in the Great War and the music it inspired or was inspired by.

How a Century Has Change Our Perception of War.......2005-10-29

War. Tough subject these days - tough subject since the beginning of time. Yet Americans tend to mend wounds and gradually allow the atrocities of yesteryear to fade into coated cases that signal more memories of 'how things used to be' rather than learning from the tragedies with which war has scarred the planet. National Public Radio issued this excellent memoir at the turn of the millennium and one wonders if it now has the same response that greeted it in 1999.

Linda Kobler reconstituted this mix of classical and popular music with a keen sense of history. The CD is twice divided (in both the classical and the popular music) into 'Before the War' 1901 - 1917, 'During the War' 1917 - 1922, and 'After the War' 1922 - 1928. In the first era are the works of Elgar ('Pomp and Circumstance'), Strauss (a waltz from 'Der Rosenkavalier'), Mahler (excerpt from 'Das Lied von der Erde'), and Debussy ('La Mer') joining the songs 'Shine On Harvest Moon' and 'Alexander's Ragtime Band'. The War period is represented by Prokofiev's 'Symphony No. 1', Stravinsky's 'L'histoire du soldat', and Ravel's 'Le tombeau de Couperin' in tandem with 'Over There'. After the war include Stravinsky ('Pulcinella Suite'), Schoenberg (Waltz from 'Five Piano Pieces'), Berg (excerpt from 'Wozzeck') and Copland ('Music from the Theatre') with popular songs 'How you gonna keep 'em down on the farm', 'The Man I Love', and 'West End Blues'.

The excerpts selected for this survey are exceptionally good: orchestras include NY Phil, LA Phil, Philadelphia Orchestra, London Symphony, and the Columbia Symphony under such batons a Ormandy, Bernstein, Salonen, Tilson Thomas, Schippers and Stravinsky; soloists include Glen Gould, Robert Casadesus, Lili Chookaskian, Louis Armstrong, et al. The sonics are very fine and the performances are each from significant full recordings remaining in the catalogue.

The booklet accompanying this concert of memories is written by Linda Kobler who uses each selection as a pivotal point in the atmosphere of the globe that accompanied the Great War: it is very well written and informative. This is one of those recorded collections that goes far beyond an accumulation of bits and pieces and instead gives food for thought about how our political and social actions intertwine with the arts in a prophetic way. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, October 05

Excellent Recording!.......1999-03-13

(It was called The "Great" War, because nobody knew about WWII at the time and it was the biggest war anyone had ever seen.)

I think this CD may be a bit choppy to "easy" listeners, but for anyone who has a sincere interest in delving into the musical senses of earlier generations it's VERY good! I recommend the entire NPR Milestones of the Millennium series to such aficionados.

Good music, bad title.......1999-02-11

Since when is war great? Life in the trenches waiting for the germans to attack you worrying about whether mustard gas is gonna loft your way isn't exactly like sipping chablis.

Average customer rating:

worth a spend
Jeff Bates Leave the light on
Great voice! Too bad about the songs...
Three words!
CountryInterviewsOnline.net

Leave the Light On
Jeff Bates
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music

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Rainbow Man
Rockin' You Tonight
Country Is My Rock
White Trash with Money
The Dollar

ASIN: B000EHQ7TC
Release Date: 2006-04-11

Tracks:

Long, Slow Kisses
Rub It In
No Shame
Hands On Man
Leave The Light On
That'll Get You Ten
The Woman He Walked On
One Second Chance
Good People
I Can't Write That
What I Know
Mama Was A Lot Like Jesus

Customer Reviews:

worth a spend.......2007-01-31

This guy can sing. If you like country rock with feeling, grab yourself a copy of this.

Jeff Bates Leave the light on.......2006-11-15

I never knew a voice could sound that good but his does and I hope that he keeps up the good work.He has a strong voice and should be heard more often on radio.A friend of mine bought one of his CD at one of his concerts and it was the best I have heard in a long time.Your music sounds like it is coming from your heart.The one song that really stood out alot to me was Mama was alot like Jesus.I think that it should be your next release.It's a very touching ballad and I think people will want to hear more.A new and dedicated fan.Gerarda Watson

Great voice! Too bad about the songs..........2006-08-21

This young fellah has an incredibly deep voice, and could very well develop into a top "country star". Unfortunately, first he has to develop a DIRECTION. Every single song on this CD is derivative -- there's not one original note to be found here. The poor guy is probably getting twisted left and right by his manager, producers, and record company to copy everybody from Garth to Alan. The song "Good People" is begging the audience to pretend he's Garth singing "Friends In Low Places", even down to the bar-room singalong. And the song about Mama makes me want to toss my cookies. But I had already puked when I heard "Long, Slow Kisses" so I didn't have anything left to vomit. JEFF: You don't have to do this kinda pablum, dude! Look up the word "cloying" in the dictionary and don't be it! Next time out, see if you can find some FRESH songs and a direction of your own -- something that makes you stand out from all the other country cliches! Stop walking the same path that has been trod by the others. You have the voice -- you just need a direction.

Three words!.......2006-06-21

Powerful. Passionate. Soulful. Didn't think it possible Jeff Bates would outshine "Rainbow Man", but "Leave the Light On" is scorching!! Just leaves us wanting more, more, more. His voice and range are unbelievable. After seeing him in an electrifying concert a couple of years ago, we were hooked. On a scale of 1 to 5 stars, "Leave the Light On" is at least 10 stars.

CountryInterviewsOnline.net.......2006-05-09

The new Jeff Bates CD, Leave the Light On, was delayed several times before it was finally released in April. Bates decided he wanted to do fewer songs on drinking and more on love and relationships. Some things are worth waiting for! The CD is packed with the kinds of ballads and love songs that were just made for Bates' deep, sexy voice.

A new version of "Long Slow Kisses" makes the first track and is followed by the remake of a Craddock classic "Rub It In." Bates helped to write several of the songs on the CD. "No Shame" is an upbeat love song and the title song, "Leave the Light On," is made even more romantic by the deep richness of his voice:

"So baby, leave the light on
I wanna look inside your lovin eyes
And watch you when you breathe
So leave the light on
When you're making love to me."

"One Second Change," is the first single and Bates claims it's his personal favorite. It's the humorous story about life in jail and how difficult it is finding work as an ex-con and the final song, "Mama Was A Lot Like Jesus" is about a poor backwoods woman, like his own mother, who could "make a bag of groceries last two weeks" and always gave forgiveness and love.

"What I Know" was recorded live. The song simply tells about the end of a relationship:

"I remember when you left
I recall you made as hell
I know where you told me to go
Oh but I went somewhere else."

The audience gives a lasting applause at the end of the song. Many listeners will find much to cheer about with this CD - Bates has the ability to write and sing songs that everyone can identify with - either in finding love, losing it or just enjoying it while you have it.

By: Maxine Macpherson

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Perfect Day is AWESOME!
Unashamedly Christian; I Love it!

Perfect Day
Josh Bates
Manufacturer: Reunion
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000AP2Z26
Release Date: 2005-09-20

Tracks:

Perfect Day
Less
King Of Glory
Shine
Never Give Up On Me
There Is None Like You
Walking Thorugh The Fire
You Say Come
Alive
Prodigal

Amazon.com

Hoping to keep a good thing going, industry newcomer Beach Street Records--home to smash-hit success Casting Crowns--has trotted out singer-songwriter Josh Bates and his Perfect Day debut release to the gate. Whether or not this twentysomething Kentuckian is a real thoroughbred remains to be seen. While his initial offering may not break any track records, it's credible enough to make Bates someone to watch. Vocally similar to Clay Crosse and Michael Passons (former Avalon member), Bates has a sweet and smooth style always kept in front of mix thanks to producers Mark Miller (Sawyer Brown front man) and Dale Oliver (who doubles with laying down much of the guitar and piano tracks). The title track and "You Say Come" are good examples of this as Bates's God-centric lyrical focus remains paramount over any guitar power chord. "Shine" and "Alive" are similar in style and feature very rich and dense vocals on the songs' choruses. Along with a good voice, Bates also can play guitar, mandolin, and piano, yet strangely his instrument work is limited here. His mandolin on "Less" nicely augments the strings on this ballad. The worship-tinged "King of Glory" is much in the same vein. Sure there's nothing here to overwhelm anyone, but sometimes a good listen from a fresh voice with a genuine approach can bring you to the home stretch. --Michael Lyttle

Customer Reviews:

Perfect Day is AWESOME!.......2005-10-13

The cd Perfect Day is awesome! The songs are GREAT and they definitely are filled with truth. My favorite songs on the cd are Perfect Day, King of Glory, and Never Give up on me. But all the songs are great. Josh has an amazing voice and definitely God gifted talents!

Unashamedly Christian; I Love it!.......2005-10-07

I saw Josh Bates' PERFECT DAY cd at the store being promoted as "new from the producer of Casting Crowns" and since Casting Crowns has recently won great acclaim...I must admit the tactic worked since Bates' CD is now at home in my player. (True I previewed the album first listening to 30 seconds of each song on iTunes... so it wasn't completely blind faith.)

The music is a blend of rock/pop with some acoustic tendencies on the slower songs. A nice blend of fast and slow.

Perfect Day, the title track, is a nice rock song. It starts slow, but builds up to a faster-paced chorus. But whether fast or slow, it never loses its message. "The perfect day will come I know/When I will dance around the throne/With the angels I will give Him praise/I will finally get to meet/The One who made my joy complete/ The perfect One on the perfect day/I am waiting for the perfect day." The lyrics draw inspiration from 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18. 5 stars

Less, the second song, draws inspiration from Romans 5:8 and Romans 8:35-39. It quickly became one of my favorite songs on the album, and a definite "theme song" of mine. "I'm less than I thought I was/Convinced that I don't measure up/And I pretend I'm standing tall/'Til I hear my Father say/Even when I'm feeling small/He loves me, really loves me/And I know He knows best/Even on the days when I feel less." A definite 5 stars.

King of Glory, the third offering, is a great song as well. The message is just as strong as the previous songs. Each song on the album truly seems to be doctrinally on-target...praise-filled, love-filled, inspirational songs. 5 stars.

Shine, the fourth song, is still great. The message drawn from Matthew 5:16 tells Christians that they should be 'shining' to draw others to the Light of the world. Good song both musically and lyrically. 5 stars.

Never Give Up On Me is a slower song with encouraging lyrics which are what we all need to hear some days..."You never give up on me/No, You never give up on me/Though I'm weak, You are strong/You told me I still belong/No, You never, never give up on me." 4.5 stars

There Is None Like You brings the album back to its faster-pace, relatively speaking of course. A great song. Musically and lyrically satisfying. 4.5 stars.

Walking Through The Fire is a great song. With the message that "I am His child/ Even when I am afraid" and a great resounding chorus of "It's a matter of faith, hope, and love/A matter of trusting our Father above/When the flame is rising higher/Gonna keep on walking through the fire/through the fire" it is by far one of my personal favorites on the album. 5 stars

You Say Come, the eighth song, is inspired by Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus' invitation for the weary and heavy-laden. Great song. 5 stars.

Alive, a good song, 4.5 stars. Probably one of the fastest songs on the album.

Prodigal, a great song, drawn from Luke 15. 5 stars.

Josh Bates' album PERFECT DAY is an unashamedly Christian album, abundant in truth, hope, encouragement, and praise. A great relief when so many so-called 'Christian' groups release albums with wishy-washy songs which may or may not have a Christian message. I believe that you shouldn't have to search to find hidden layers of 'Christian' meanings in songs. The message should be LOUD and CLEAR.

Josh Bates' album is great. And I am excited to find yet another Christian artist who writes or co-writes many of his own songs.

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The Best of Gershwin

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000053W4J
Release Date: 2001-02-20

Tracks:

Cuban Ov - Richard Hayman And His SO
Pno Con: Andante Con Moto - Adagio - Kathryn Selby
Porgy And Bess - Richard Hayman And His SO
Three Prlds: Prld No.1 - Leon Bates
Three Prlds: Prld No.2 - Leon Bates
Three Prlds: Prld No.3 - Leon Bates
Girl Crazy (Selections) - Richard Hayman And His SO
They Can't Take That Away From Me - Richard Hayman And His SO
Rhapsody in Blue - Slovak PO/Richard Hayman

Simple Gifts: Shaker Chants and Spirituals

Average customer rating:

Shaken *and* stirred
And then there were four...
A beautiful album
Shaker Music -- misunderstood?
Some new old ideas

Simple Gifts: Shaker Chants and Spirituals
Ann Lee , Shaker Traditional , Jane Sutton , Paulina Springer , Joseph Brackett , Robert Dobson , Arthur Rawding , Mary Ann Valaitis , Joel Cohen and the Boston Camerata , Schola Cantorum , and Shakers of Sabbathday Lake
Manufacturer: Erato
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Gentle Words: Shaker Songs
Simple Gifts
Early Shaker Spirituals
The Golden Harvest
Tree of Life

ASIN: B000005EDQ
Release Date: 1995-09-05

Tracks:

Come Life, Shaker Life
In Yonder Valley
Virgins Clothed In A Clean White Garment
Mother
Father James' Song
Followers Of The Lamb
Mother Ann's Song
I Have A Soul To Be Saved Or Lost
Heavenly Comfort
A Companion To Stiff
Pinch'd Up, Nip'd Up
I Will Fight And Never Slack
Celestial Choir
Holy Angel
The Lark
Nightingale's Song
Holy Order Song
Learned Of Angel
Laughing John's Interrogatory
I'll Beat My Drum As I March Along
Mother's Warning
The Solemn Bell
Mother's Cup of Tribulation
Sad Days
Encouragement
Verdant Valley
In Yonder Valley (Reprise)
Solemn Song
Turn To The Right
O Will You Sing Another Song
The Spiritual Sailor
Mother Has Come
Holy Mother's Protecting Chain
Simple Gifts

Amazon.com

Joel Cohen spent countless days in the library at the Shaker community at Sabbathday Lake, Maine, transcribing dozens of tunes from among thousands of archived chants and spirituals. Many more of these wonderful tunes were recalled from memory by the community's few resident Shakers--and Cohen and his ensemble, joined by several Shaker singers, made this recording, which deserves to be heard by everyone who loves songs and singing. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews:

Shaken *and* stirred.......2007-04-28

My interest in seeking Shaker music was professional - I wanted something to use for my church choir's next big performance. What I found in this collection of Shaker music was that, but much more.

Without their music, the Shakers can seem quaint and faintly silly - the odd maiden aunts and uncles with peculiar hobbies (making chairs and living without modern conveniences) and -- nutty bears, indeed! -- living in celibate, and therefore non-regenerative communities.

But their music is something else --earnest, longing, full of commitment and a sense of their own story. And tuneful! You don't have to be a Shaker to appreciate the visual poetry of "Virgins cloth'd in a clean white garment," or hear the deep commitment to resist sin in "I will fight, fight, and never slack until I overcome the enemy," or the desperate longing for eternal life evoked by "In yonder valley there flows sweet union." These are songs written for and performed by people who lived a most austere form of spirituality.

There are those who criticize Joel Cohen for having embellished some pieces by adding, for instance, a drone that is not attested in the literature. By I certainly praise Cohen and the Boston Camarata for having brought these wonderful pieces to my attention. It is icing on the cake that a few of the remaining Shakers of the Sabbathday Lake, Maine community chose to join their voices to this effort. To sing is to pray twice, and this CD certainly delivers on that promise, plus providing insights into an obscure but enduring corner of the American religious landscape.

And then there were four..........2006-10-25

Only four Shakers remain and Sabbathday Lake in Maine houses them all. They range in age from 43 to 80. Given this, without fresh converts the Shakers face extinction. Barred by law from adopting orphans (since 1960, religious groups cannot adopt, only individuals or couples can), the twentieth century saw a steep decline in their numbers. Thanks to religious revivals, back in the nineteenth century their numbers swelled to over 5,000. But by 1920 a mere dozen remained. Though the small community hopes, and continually prays, for new recruits - which must come in the form of consenting adults - their values clash with modern America. Which was, of course, the original point. The largest hurdle for membership: total celibacy. No procreation, nothing. And, as we all know, twenty-first century American culture is anything but celibate.

Shakers remain not only celibate, but ascetic. Though not to the level of the Amish or the Luddites. Sabbathday Lake has a website, a car, telephones, and internet connections. They also don't hermit themselves from society. They play an active role in it. So throw away any notions of Puritanical witch hunters. Shakers laugh, socialize, read, dance, and, as this CD aptly demonstrates, they sing their ascetic hearts out.

The music, largely resembling English folk music, rhapsodizes about Shaker values, history, and vows. All songs but one get performed a capella. Some emphasize the lyrics with stomping and clapping. Permeating the set is the figure of "Mother," or Ann Lee. She helped found the Shakers in the eighteenth century and all faithful remain her spiritual heir (after Jesus Christ, of course). Early followers faced persecution, but found faith in Mother's actions and example. The song, titled appropriately, "Mother" retells the story of the "blessed fire" that spread from Manchester, England to America. Believers also reaffirm their faith and actions by singing songs in Meeting. An apt beginning, the CDs first song presents an ecstatic chant that reminds members of their ominous vow: "Come life, Shaker life, Come life eternal, Shake, shake out of me all that is carnal." "Followers of the Lamb" repeats the lines "I'm glad I am a Shaker" three times in celebration. Some songs don't have words and get half hummed half sung with mystical sounds. Shakers also express anger. "A companion stiff" fiercely pounds away individualistic thoughts in favor of community. The beautiful and upbeat "Encouragement" combines non-word singing with strongly contrasting fervent stomping and clapping. Somehow it encapsulates both meditative contemplation and heart-racing ecstasy in only two and a half minutes. Aptly bookending the CD is the most famous Shaker song, "Simple gifts." Instantly recognizable, Aaron Copland popularized this tune in his 1950 ballet "Appalachian Spring." Here it receives a sparse but inspired choral performance. As such, it aptly closes the CD with a message of faith and simplicity.

This CD, recorded at Sabbathday Lake, preserves a sampling of the thousands of Shaker songs known to exist. To this day these songs still fill the Shaker's 1794 Meeting House, the last one still in use. But how much longer? In the end, whether or not the Shakers can survive their current troubles, they will always remain an important piece of American and religious history. Not that that provides much consolation. Either way, this recording helps to preserve an important aspect of the Shaker's cultural contribution: their impressive music.

A beautiful album .......2005-09-17

This is a gorgeous album of melodies so strong and simple that you could build bridges on them.
The issue of the theology is irrelevent unless you believe that differences in the theology expressed--which may be different from yours--will interfere with your pleasure in the music. I can easily imagine topics that, no matter how beautifully expressed, I would be unable to listen to. It wasn't the case with this CD.

(You would also be upset if you believe that (a) listening to others express their beliefs, which are different form yours, is a sin, (b) your faith will be swayed by listening to gorgeous music from people who disagree with you, or (c) it's wrong for people with different beliefs to have their music recorded. I doubt very much that any of the people who have expressed theological concerns about this CD would feel that way but, hey, people who do feel that way should be given appropriate warning).

Shaker Music -- misunderstood?.......2005-01-27

I read the reviews of this CD and feel some people are not understanding the lyrics. One cautioned that Shakers refer to God as "she." At first, I thought the same thing; however, after carefully listening to the music many times, I truly believe that when they refer to "she", they are solely referring to Mother Ann, the founder of their religion, whom they obviously adored and admired. This music is haunting and well-performed and should NOT be a "turn-off" to any Christian who chooses to listen.

Some new old ideas.......2000-10-14

I am a big fan of early American music, and Joel Cohen and the Boston Camerata really know how to do it. I found this album musically refreshing as well as spiritually refreshing. As a minister of music, I appreciate the sensitivity the Camerata brings to its interpretation of these traditional Shaker hymns. I also love hearing music by singers (specifially the Shakers themselves) who are not afraid to limit their understanding of who God is -- infinite and varied in nature, not subject to human limitations such as gender. There is a great freedom in this music which some listeners who are tired of the rigid confines of modern theology will appreciate. My only ambivalence is with the pieces on which the Shaker community takes a leading role. On the one hand, I think this is brilliant and enriching. On a purely auditory level, though, their untrained sound is a little distracting. Decide for yourself when you purchase this delightful album!

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Britten's lesser operas?
Britten's lesser operas

Britten Conducts Britten: Operas 2

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000654OU6
Release Date: 2005-03-15

Customer Reviews:

Britten's lesser operas?.......2007-05-29

Of course it's all a matter of taste. I find most of Britten's operas first class with no exception. 'Gloriana' is an under-recorded jewel, full of melody and emotion. 'Turn of the Screw' a masterpiece of claustrophobic sense. 'Rape of Lucretia' full of chamber sensibility. And the performances cannot be bettered.
Need I say more? DECCA is paying an enormous service to collectors with these releases, especially those who have a real concern with storage space. They deserve 10 stars, if available.

Britten's lesser operas.......2007-05-13

I loved Britten's Operas 1. So I snatched this item up right away. It's o.k. but not as good as the first collection. Death in Venice was the only opera on these discs that I really cared for. It's every bit as good as the Hickox version so if you already have one there's really no need to buy the other. As for the other operas they're nowhere near as good as Billy Budd, Peter Grimes, or Albert Herring. For those just discovering Britten's operas start out with the first boxed set.

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Jazz Music

Jazz Music