The Dance of Life

The Dance of Life

ASIN: B00005NEZI

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
The Narada Michael Walden catalog has been one of our most requested catalogs. Awakening was Michael's third solo album. It features some guest superstars including: Carlos Santana, Hiram Bullock, The Brecker Brothers, Ray Gomez, The Pointer Sisters, and Angela Winbush. This album was originally released in 1979. 8 tracks. 2001 reissue.

Tracks:

Ten Seconds Before Sunrise
Everything (featuring JES)
Do You Feel Me (featuring Julie Thompson)
Carpe Noctum
Driving To Heaven
Sweet Things (featuring Charlotte Martin)
Bright Morningstar
Break My Fall (featuring BT)
In The Dark (featuring Christian Burns)
Dance4Life (featuring Maxi Jazz)
Elements Of Life Bonustrack : He's A Pirate (Tiësto Remix)

Amazon.com

Tiësto sticks to his guns on a new album of original compositions that follows 2004's Just Be. Elements of Life strikes a satisfying balance between inventive vocal tracks and signature trance stormers: "Ten Seconds Before Sunrise," "Driving to Heaven," and "Bright Morning Star" all glow with the Dutchman's epic sound, one that is simultaneously haunting and uplifting. On the vocal side, the soaring energy of "Break My Fall," which features BT on vocals, will not disappoint fans of the duo's prior work on "Just Be" and other collaborations. To be sure, there are a number of less convincing pieces as well: "Dance4Life" with Faithless's Maxi Jazz falls flat, and the lyrics of "Can You Feel Me" prove that the genre's reputation for banal wordsmithing is not entirely undeserved. For the most part, however, these weaker moments are outweighed by the stronger tracks. Principal among these is undoubtedly "Sweet Things"--in which Charlotte Martin's vocal high-wire act is complemented by some exceptional programming--a track that is sure to receive a great many spins by DJs around the globe and yet further proof that when it comes to bringing alive the female voice for the dancefloor, Tiësto remains without equal. All in all, it's a safe bet that many of Tiësto's Elements will be making their way into DJ crates and MP3 players alike. --Brent Kallmer

Album Description

TiÃ«sto is undeniably one of the greatest DJ talents of this era. Internationally recognized as the world's premier DJ and producer, TiÃ«sto continually takes electronic music to the next level - pushing boundaries with his addictive and creative trance creations. With his prior album releases enjoying outstanding success in the States, the time has come for his next installment: ELEMENTS OF LIFE. This record includes brilliant collaborations from the likes of BT, Maxi Jazz (Faithless) and other incredible female vocalists; a stunning collection of uplifting trance ensues. Supporting this release with performances at Coachella, WMC and an extensive national tour through Summer 07, Elements of Life will be THE electronic album of 2007.

Customer Reviews:

Tiësto is Tiësto.......2007-07-11

After Just Be, I didn't have too high expectations of this album, even though I did like Just Be. This album doesn't have slow tracks, the vocal performances are just great. All songs fit his style and a couple of them may remind you his first hits.

Music to Write Code By.......2007-07-05

Another good addition to a long playlist of trance electronica I listen to while writing code. Thanks, D.J. Tiesto!

Simply Great.......2007-07-05

One of the best Tiesto CD's I've had the pleasure of owning. It has been playing on repeat for a week now and I haven't gotten tired of it. "Sweet Things" is one of my favs on it. The teme from Pirates of the Caribean is awesome too.

Dissapointing coming from Tiesto........2007-07-04

I expected better of Tiesto, but his decline continues with Elements of Life. Some of the tracks (like Sweet Things) were just bad. Terrible vocals, poor sounding in general. Let PVD and AVB take over; they deserve to. They continue to produce quality stuff. Tiesto has just finally began to choke on his ego, and it will be the eventual complete demise of him. Tiesto is more concerned about spreading his name, and doesn't spend enough time in the studio. He has basically forgotten about the music that has famed him. AVB does a weekly radio show and keeps on top of everything Trance. Tiesto keeps on top of himself, and nothing more.

Great Buy!!!.......2007-07-03

This one is a must have for all tiesto fans. The samples do justice so listen to it before you buy the album. Tiesto likes experimenting like he did with this one. The album starts off with a melodic mix and transitions into more proggy, core tracks. Overall good buy, highly recommended

Average customer rating:

Love it
CP as Grandmother Tzeitel
Never Ending Joy!
Great a classic
Liked the movie, loved the songs!

Fiddler on the Roof
Jerry Bock , Sheldon Harnick , and Topol
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Fiddler on the Roof (Special Edition)
My Fair Lady (1964 Film Soundtrack)
The King and I (1956 Film Soundtrack)
The Music Man (1962 Film Soundtrack)
South Pacific (1958 Film Soundtrack)

ASIN: B00005OB07
Release Date: 2001-10-09

Tracks:

Prologue/Tradition/Main Title
Matchmaker
If I Were A Rich Man
Sabbath Prayer
To Life
Miracle Of Miracles
Tevye's Dream
Wedding Procession
Sunrise, Sunset
Wedding Celebration/The Bottle Dance
First Act Finale
Entr'acte
Do You Love Me?
Far From The Home I Love
Chava Ballet Sequence
The Rejection Scene
Anatevka
Finale
Any Day Now

Amazon.com

This new version of the Fiddler on the Roof soundtrack coincides with the movie's 30th anniversary (which is also celebrated by a special edition DVD). The CD is notable for several instrumental tracks by John Williams, as well as for "Any Day Now," a previously unreleased song performed by Perchik/Paul Michael Glaser (better known for his starring role in TV's Starsky and Hutch). The soundtrack is often compared unfavorably with the original 1964 cast album, in which Zero Mostel played the part of Tevye (here performed by Topol, who had been in the 1967 London production). But this CD has a lot going for it, including glossy remastering and, of course, Isaac Stern as the fiddler. In the end, whatever version you decide to pick up, Fiddler remains one of the most enduring musicals of all time. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

Love it.......2007-05-16

I had looked everywhere for this CD. I am so happy to have found the "real" Fiddler on the Roof!

CP as Grandmother Tzeitel.......2007-03-30

At first, I thought this musical was weird but then I grew to like it. It has a sad ending but the thems in the movie are really interesting. Life really is like being a fiddler on the roof. In a musical coming up at my school, I am playign the part of Grandmother Tzeitel in Tevye's dream. I am excited to play the part and I think our musical will go very well!

Never Ending Joy!.......2006-11-22

The music from Fiddler on the Roof is exciting, fun, interesting and funny! This CD is mixed with humor, music from different cultures and a wide mix of different songs. Each song is so different that I can listen to it for hours. I was surprised how enjoyable and pleasent it really is. Although...it is easy to get this music stuck in your head!

-Christian Fobian, Author of Why Christ?

Great a classic.......2005-11-08

Totally enjoyable. After a few listens you can't help but sing along.

Liked the movie, loved the songs!.......2005-03-10

Aside from the fact that I loved the movie, most of that came from loving the songs on the movie. I got to a place where I wanted to hear them a lot, but didn't want to skip around on the movie to find the song I wanted to hear. So I bought this soundtrack. It was well worth it.
From the intro song "Tradition" to "If I Were a Rich Man" to "Sunrise, Sunset", this CD has music that is absolutely gorgeous. If you loved the movie, I recommend getting the soundtrack.

Average customer rating:

Not for me.
GREAT COMBONATION OF SWING & SEX...........
Another Great TKK Release
TKK Rules!
High-definition despair; possibly their first truly dark album

The Filthiest Show in Town
My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult
Manufacturer: Rykodisc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

The Resurrection of Luna
Year Zero
Cocktail Mixxx
Gay, Black & Married
Mythmaker

ASIN: B000NIIUP6
Release Date: 2007-04-03

Tracks:

Cadillac Square
Born Of Fire
Jet Set Sex
High Class Taboo
Me & Harlow
Sophisticated Living
TV Sista
My Kinda Guy
Jive Ass Ave
CoverGirl Blues

Album Description

My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult are back with their sleaziest offering to date, The Filthiest Show In Town. Now celebrating their 20th year, the Thrill Kill Kult blend hard electronic beats with a sexy, B-movie cinematic edge to create stimulating industrial-disco anthems of decadence!

Customer Reviews:

Not for me........2007-06-22

Not to be a party pooper, but I don't care one bit for this whole funky thing that KK have been doing since the Reincarnation Of Luna. My favorite albums by TKK are still Confessions Of The Knife, and Sexplosion. I'm not into this whole groovie boots, lucid funkadelic, whatever the hell. f that's your thing, than I'm shure you'll dig...but not me daddy o.

GREAT COMBONATION OF SWING & SEX..................2007-05-23

If you r a true TKK fan?... and loved "hit and run holiday" and "sexplosion" then you will Totally DIG this!!! They brought the feel of both of those albums together for this one!!! I love it nice job AGAIN TKK!!!

Another Great TKK Release.......2007-05-14

If you like TKK then you will like their latest manifestion of sonic art. Do yourself a favor, get the cd, support the band and hopefully I will see ya at the show!

TKK Rules!.......2007-04-09

What happens when you mix go-go lounge, dance, and sex? You get The Filthiest Show In Town! And what a show it is!!!!! I cannot get this out of my cd player. TV Sista' alone is worth the money!

High-definition despair; possibly their first truly dark album.......2007-04-05

"The Filthiest Show In Town" works on a level that goes beyond TKK's previous albums. On the surface, it revisits a lot of things they've done before (the horn riffs, the glittering hi-hats, the deep grooves); some people will undoubtedly complain that it's the same old same old.

But compare it to an early album like "Sexplosion!" and you see a lot of subtle differences. The songs on "Sexplosion!" were simpler and didn't have a lot under the surface, and for that reason they were more accessible. The production was kinetic, but compared to "Filthiest Show", it seems a little flat. "Filthiest Show" is like "Sexplosion!" in hi-def 3D surround sound Odorama. It oozes a lot of emotion, something "Sexplosion!" seemed intentionally devoid of, and the emotion is very dark indeed. Their previous releases had outlandish notions of sex, drugs, and Satanism, but it always seemed tongue-in-cheek. This time they're not kidding.

"Cadillac Square" seems like the kind of kitschy vision of streetwalkers that they've done before, but now there's a difference: the lyrics are aggressive and call out to the hookers "Where'd ya get that money? Hey what's your name?" It's got a cruel edge to it, because instead of identifying with the prostitutes, or simply being a bystander watching the spectacle of sex worker sleaze, the band now puts the listener in the role of the jaded john who's patronizing and even taunting the girls.

"High Class Taboo" is another high point on the album, with a noisy blues guitar riff over a beat that creaks like an old machine. Notice the sample that opens the track; a furious-sounding woman admits that she was a thief, but bristles at the idea that she ever hustled. "TV Sista" is pure frivolous Thrill Kill Kult club stuff, and it's great (think "TV" as in "transvestite"). "Me & Harlow" is jam packed with samples too, as more drag queens bicker with each other about who is more beautiful.

But the baddest jam on the album is "Sophisticated Living", a down-tempo number with a rock steady beat and a chorus that really shows that Groovie Mann can emote. He turns a simple refrain of four words, "isolated, overrated sophisticated living", into a cynical snarl that he reads several different ways. The verses are an ambiguous vocoder that echoes early 80s funk groups, while a soulful "wooooo" chorus and violins complete the effect of disillusionment: what if someone did come along and take away your everyday cares, and you realized that nothing else matter? This moment on the album is Thrill Kill Kult at the top of their game. Fans who think they don't channel rage and hate anymore just aren't looking for it.

Sonically, the album delivers on a level that's absolutely cinematic; there are details in the audio mix that you can lose yourself in. The basslines are sumptuous and warm and solid, and the rhythms surround you on all sides. Live-sounding snares on your left, electronic bass hits on your right. The tone is like that of a 70s soul soundtrack, sometimes blaxploitation grit, sometimes moody groove. MLWTTKK has done this before, only now the elements truly merge instead of being just dress-up fun for a dance track.

The characters on "The Filthiest Show In Town" are vague, but their circumstances are not. Many of the spoken word samples reflect people who try to love but can't. "Jet Set Sex", featuring Jackie Blacque on vocals, opens with a man pointing out that without sex, he has no real connection with his lovers. The album's closer, "CoverGirl Blues", features a melodramatic but creepy sample rant from a weeping woman who realizes that neither she nor her lover really knows how to love; the singer on the track is none other than Lois Blue, she of "The Doris Love Club", "Blue Moon", and several other classic TKK tracks.

Despair rules on "The Filthiest Show In Town", but for once you have to dig for it, and maybe it will go over the heads of some listeners that now instead of just satirizing horror movies and sexual excess, Thrill Kill Kult is taking off the mask and admitting that real life is scarier than Satan. At the heart of their new record is a frightening, weary truth: there is no magic. "Life is a game, baby...baby, that's just life."

Average customer rating:

The Complete Piano Music of Scott Joplin
Another Performer Rewrites Joplin's Masterpieces
complete piano music of Scott Joplin on 4 CD's
Ragtime Marvel
Complete, but poor quality

Complete Piano Music of Scott Joplin

Manufacturer: Compendia
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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Scott Joplin: Piano Rags
The Greatest Ragtime of the Century
The Sting: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Rags to Riches: The Essential Hits of Scott Joplin
Joplin - Complete Rags for Piano (Schirmer's Library of Musical Classics) Vol. 2020

ASIN: B000003QWN
Release Date: 1997-01-28

Tracks:

The Crush Collision March
Combination March
Harmony Club Waltz
Original Rags
Maple Leaf Rag
Swipesy Cakewalk
Reacherine Rag
Sunflower Slow Drag
The Augustan Club Waltz
The Easy Winners
Cleopha
A Breeze From Alabama
Elite Syncopations

Tracks:

The Entertainer
The Strenouous Life
March Majestic
Something Doing
Weaping Willow
Patr Leaf Rag
The Favorite
The Sycamore
The Cascades
The Chysanthemum
Bethena
Bink's Waltz
The Rosebud March

Tracks:

Leola
Eugenia
Antoinette
The Ragtime Dance
Searchlight Rag
Gladiolus Rag
Lily Queen
Rose Leaf Rag
Heliotrope Bouquet
The Nonpareil
Fig Leaf Rag
Sugarcane
Pineapple Rag

Tracks:

Wall Street Rag (1909)
Solace (1909)
Pleasant Moments (1909)
Country Club (1909)
Euphonic Moments (1909)
Paragon Rag (1909)
Stop-Time Rag (1910)
Felicity Rag (1911)
Scott Joplin's New Rag (1912)
Kismet Rag (1913)
Magnetic Rag (1914)
Reflection Rag (1917)
Silver Swan Rag (1917)

Customer Reviews:

The Complete Piano Music of Scott Joplin.......2007-06-08

John Arpin does a great job with these pieces. The songs carry a consistent sound and are played very close to as-written, which comes and goes with old ragtime pieces. The stamping on Stop-Time Rag doesn't have a consistent sound to it, can be a little distracting. Everything else is great, overall I think that it's a great buy, I'm very happy with it.

Another Performer Rewrites Joplin's Masterpieces.......2007-05-31

Once again, another performer feels the need to rewrite the music of the King of Ragtime. Scott Joplin spins in his grave each and every time this recording is played.

Again, to those who believe that concert music is meant to be rewritten by each and every performer I ask, is the same treatment also acceptable for Chopin's and Rachmaninoff's music? Would "Moonlight Sonata" sound better if played at twice the tempo and with a reprise of the first Adagio movement thrown in at the end? Obviously, the answer to these questions is a resounding NO!, so why does one of America's greatest composers get such disrespect?

Interpretation is an integral part of every performance. Adding one's own notes, phrases and chords where none should be is not. Randomly changing the structure of the piece is not. Playing a piece at twice the indicated tempo is not.

One the plus side, the depth of this collection is outstanding. Joplin's lesser known pieces like "Harmony Club Waltz" really shine. The recording is decent in quality, although a bit bassy in places.

While its been stated before, I feel its worth repeating: Buy Joshua Rifkin's performances of Joplin in order to hear how the Master intended his pieces to sound.

complete piano music of Scott Joplin on 4 CD's.......2007-02-14

Although all of the music is terrific it is rather a lot of a similar sound. I think I would have preferred 2 CD's of selected piano works of Scott Joplin. But I did get the music at a good price.

Ragtime Marvel.......2005-10-09

This collection of Scott Joplin's piano music is outstanding. As a lover of ragtime which was a prelude to jazz, I am thoroughly enjoying this collection. If you are not a lover of jazz, you may be a lover of ragtime. Jazz can sometimes be grating on the nerves, whereas ragtime lifts the spirit.

Complete, but poor quality.......2005-09-25

I have been learning some ragtime and wanted to hear more to find other selections to learn. Listened to Maple Leaf Rag, my favorite, first and was disappointed. Listened to others and was more disappointed. Maple flies - much faster than anyone would play it, you can't make out some of the phrases. And talk about ad libs - Tempo, dynamics, embelishments, nuances - I really think he plays some wrong notes too because he's going so fast. It's really a poor recording - and that's just on Maple Leaf. Others with "intros" start quick and then there's a grand pause, not a rest, but nearly a five second break. It's hard to argue how Joplin would have played it, but this is hardly anything I want to try to imitate. The only qualitating factor is the number of songs for the price. A lot of variety of a poor interpretation is only worth 3 stars. if that. Look for Rifkin or a copy that is as written to listen to first, then go for the ad libs and "artistic interpretations"

Average customer rating:

Repackaged New Year's Concert 1984 with VPO, etc.
I am glad I bought this one
Great Music as usual
A gem!
Amazing truly Amazing

Strauss: The Best of Vienna

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Strauss Waltzes
Favorite Waltzes
Johann Strauss: Waltzes
Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra, Don Juan / Karajan
Essential Mozart: 32 Of His Greatest Masterpieces

ASIN: B00000HY9K
Release Date: 1999-01-12

Tracks:

The Blue Danube - (Waltz) - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.
Anna Polka - (French Polka) - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.
Morning Papers - (Waltz) - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.
At The Hunt - (Polka) - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.
Light of Heart - (Fast Polka) - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.
Wine, Women And Song - (Waltz) - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.
Pleasure - Train - (Fast Polka) - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.
Vienna Bonbons - (Waltz) - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.
Perpetual Motion - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.
Accelarations - (Waltz) - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.
Pizzicato - Polka - (Johann And Josef Strauss) - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.
Tales From The Vienna Woods - (Waltz) - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.

Tracks:

The Emperor Waltz - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Thunder and Lightning - (Fast Polka) - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Die Fledermaus: Overture - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Voices of Spring - (Waltz) - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Prince Methusalem: Bandit Gallop - (From 'Prince Methusalem') - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Artist's Life - (Waltz) - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Persian March - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Roses from the South - (Waltz) - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Eljen a Magyar! - (Fast Hungarian Polka) - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Chit-Chat Polka - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Vienna Blood - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Radetzky-March - (Johann Strauss, Father) - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

Customer Reviews:

Repackaged New Year's Concert 1984 with VPO, etc........2005-02-23

If I'm not mistaken, most of the pieces were recorded originally live during a 1984 New Year's Concert conducted by Lorin Maazel with the Vienna Philharmonic playing in its grand concert hall, the Musikverein. Maazel and the Vienna Philharmonic have had a longstanding relationship dating from the 1960's, and without question, this CD does rank among my favorite New Year's Concert performances (However, the most mesmerizing ones I've heard have been those with the late Carlos Kleiber and Nikolaus Harnoncourt conducting.) for the superb quality of the Vienna Philharmonic's playing. Maazel leads the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in some of the most popular works composed by the Strauss family, most notably Johann II Strauss' Tales from the Vienna Woods Waltz, Emperor Waltz, Pizzicato Polka, Blue Danube Waltz and his father's Radetzky March, which traditionally closes out the annual New Year's Concert. Fans of the Strauss family, Vienna Philharmonic and Lorin Maazel, will not be disappointed with this excellent two CD compilation.

I am glad I bought this one.......2003-04-25

I listen to this cd to relax and it is so soothing. It starts with The blue Danube, which is my favorite. But the rest of the songs do not disapoint.

Great Music as usual.......2002-10-08

This is great recording,
I enjoy listening to it
veru much. This is a
compilation of all the
favorite waltzes by
the Strauss family, that
one might hear at a
New Year's eve concert
of the Vienna Philharmonic...
All waltzes and Polkas are
favorites of audiences everywhere
in the world...

A gem!.......2001-10-29

Who else knows Strauss better than Viennese? I attest that no other orchestra in the world plays Strauss better than the Vienna Philharmonic. Their light sound is exactly what the composer wanted, and it really makes other clumsy, heavy attempts by some other orchestras like Berlin and Chicago seem pathetic.

As far as the content of these CDs go, they are fantastic. They have every waltz, march, and polko of Strauss II that you could possibly want, as well as a nice addition of "Radetzky March" by the composer's father. If you are looking for a Johann Strauss Jr. CD, get this one!

Amazing truly Amazing.......2000-05-09

This 2 CD is amazing. It is great for plane rides and other things. I always listen to it at work. Allmost every song on this CD is beautiful and graceful. The blue danube is a classic and my personal favorite song on this album. Some of the songs are okay but none are bad. Overall this is an amazing 2 CD collection and it is worth every cent of your money . . .

Somewhere over the Rainbow: The Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals

Average customer rating:

They were right--there is NO business like the show business they did way back when !!!
One of the best cds I ever bought.
Never Sounded Better
Somewhere Over The Rainbow
"Hollywood Musicals of the Golden Age are still among us"

Somewhere over the Rainbow: The Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

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Ultimate Broadway
Only Broadway CD You'll Ever Need
The Best Of Broadway (Cast Recording Anthology)
Greatest Hits: Broadway
That's Entertainment!: The Best Of The M-G-M Musicals - Motion Picture Soundtrack Anthology

ASIN: B000066RO5
Release Date: 2002-06-04

Tracks:

Singin In The Rain - Gene Kelly
Theres No Business Like Show Business - Betty Hutton, Howard Keel, Keenan Wynn & Louis Calhern
'S Wonderful - Gene Kelly & Georges Guetary
Thats Entertainment! - Fred Astaire, Jack Buchanan, Nanette Fabray & Oscar Levant
Stranger In Paradise - Ann Blyth & Vic Damone
Easter Parade - Judy Garland & Fred Astaire
Lullaby Of Broadway - Winifred Shaw, Dick Powell & Chorus
Get Happy - Judy Garland
Night And Day - Fred Astaire
True Love - Bing Crosby & Grace Kelly
Honeysuckle Rose - Lena Horne w/ Benny Carter & His Orchestra
They Cant Take That Away From Me - Fred Astaire
Milkman, Keep Those Bottles Quiet - Nancy Walker & The M-G-M Studio Chorus w/ Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
Baby, Its Cold Outside - Esther Williams & Ricardo Montalban
For Me And My Gal - Gene Kelly & Judy Garland
Puttin On The Ritz - Clark Gable & Co.
Hallelujah! - Tony Martin, Vic Damone, Kay Armen, Ann Miller, Debbie Reynolds, Clark Burroughs & Co.
Bless Yore Beautiful Hide - Howard Keel
Taking A Chance On Love - Ethel Waters & Eddie "Rochester" Anderson
As Time Goes By - Dooley Wilson w/ Elliot Carpenter (Bonus Track)
Laras Theme (Main Title) - The M-G-M Studio Orchestra (Bonus Track)

Tracks:

Over The Rainbow - Judy Garland
Its A Most Unusual Day - Jane Powell
Wunderbar - Kathryn Grayson & Howard Keel
Cant Help Lovin Dat Man - Ava Gardner
Going Hollywood - Bing Crosby
The Trolley Song - Judy Garland, The M-G-M Studio Chorus
Gigi - Louis Jourdan
I Got Rhythm - Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney & Co.
Aba Daba Honeymoon - Debbie Reynolds, Carleton Carpenter & M-G-M Studio Chorus
The Lady Is A Tramp - Lena Horne
The Best Things In Life Are Free - June Allyson & Peter Lawford
Cheek To Cheek - Fred Astaire
A Kiss To Build A Dream On - Louis Armstrong
Put 'Em In A Box - Doris Day & The Page Cavanaugh Trio
If Swing Goes, I Go Too - Fred Astaire
Almost Like Being In Love - Gene Kelly
Lets Face The Music And Dance - Fred Astaire
Be A Clown - Gene Kelly & Judy Garland
Embraceable You - Connie Francis
On The Atchison, Topeka And The Santa Fe - Judy Garland & Co.
One For My Baby (And One More For The Road) - Fred Astaire

Amazon.com

The "Golden Age" referred to here spans The Jazz Singer and the advent of the talkies to the death throes of the old studio system in the 1960s. So vast was the era's musical landscape that even this 42-track, double-disc anthology can't encompass all its peaks. Not surprisingly, the bulk of this collection originated with the Tiffany's of the screen musical, M-G-M, a body of work whose riches here encompass both pop-cultural bedrock ("Over the Rainbow," "Singin' in the Rain," "There's No Business Like Show Business," etc.) and some less familiar, if equally delightful star turns: Clark Gable gamely "Puttin' On the Ritz"; the sassy, 1948 original of "The Lady Is a Tramp" by Lena Horne; and a loopy duet of "Baby, It's Cold Outside" by Esther Williams and Ricardo Montalban. Fred Astaire's elegant, epochal reign at RKO and M-G-M is represented by "Night and Day," "Let's Face the Music and Dance," and three others, while Metro mainstays Gene Kelly and Judy Garland share equal time and billing. It's not perfect--Cagney's "Yankee Doodle Boy" and/or some Sinatra seem more logical choices than the odd "bonus" duet of Casablanca's "As Time Goes By" and "Lara's Theme" from Dr. Zhivago that close out disc one--but it's a stunning, surprisingly comprehensive primer on the Hollywood film musical nonetheless. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

They were right--there is NO business like the show business they did way back when !!!.......2006-11-18

Everything that happens in life
Can happen in a show
You can make 'em laugh
You can make 'em cry
Anything
Anything can go....

The clown with his pants falling down
Or the dance that's a dream of romance
Or the scene where the villain is mean
That's entertainment!

The lights on the lady in tights
Or the bride with the guy on the side
Or the ball where she gives him her all
That's entertainment!

The plot and the hot simply teeming with $ex
A gay divorcee who is after her ex
It could be Oedipus Rex
Where a chap kills his father
And causes a lot of bother

The clerk who is thrown out of work
By the boss who is thrown for a loss
By the skirt who is doing him dirt

The world is a stage,
The stage is a world of entertainment!

This two CD set amply proves that the musical melodies and lyrics from the golden age of the Hollywood musical remain unsurpassed to this day. This generous two CD set offers 42 incredible songs from Hollywood classic musicals. Most of these fine numbers are indeed from MGM, as Amazon correctly notes; but there are some RKO numbers and even a little from Warner Brothers. Thank goodness, though, that most of these songs came from MGM movies; MGM was the only studio that could boast that it truly had "more stars than there are in the heavens."

I love so many songs on these two CDs. Of course, there's the unforgettable classic "Over The Rainbow" sung by Judy Garland; she also performs "Easter Parade" and "Get Happy" on this two CD set and she carries most of the tune for "I Got Rhythm" even though Mickey Rooney helps her a little. I love "Baby, It's Cold Outside" for its' romantic overtones; and Lena Horne's "The Lady Is A Tramp" is flawless! We also get a rare chance to hear Clark Gable sing in "Puttin' On The Ritz;" and Bing Crosby's "Going Hollywood" may be brief but it's a fun song anyway.

There are two "bonus" tracks on the first CD: "As Time Goes By" from Casablanca and "Lara's Theme" from Doctor Zhivago. "As Time Goes By" is a good choice; it is another unsurpassed classic song that brings back memories and touches even the hardest of hearts. "Lara's Theme," however, is from the mid 1960s and I don't consider this period to be part of the "golden age" of Hollywood musicals.

The liner notes are excellent and they offer wonderful photos of the stars as well. The cover art is well done and the reverse cover art tells which movie each song is from and who is performing each song. Moreover, the quality of the sound is excellent especially when you consider that these numbers were recorded quite a few decades ago.

In short, this superlative two CD highlights the glory of the Hollywood musical when a certain type of sophistication dominated professional movie production. I highly recommend this CD for fans of Hollywood musicals, classic pop vocals and fans of the artists and actors who perform on this two CD set.

One of the best cds I ever bought. .......2006-06-07

What an amazon collection of songs! This is bar none my favorite cd just because of the variety and the quality of songs on it. I love music from this era, and this cd is the perfect companion to my life. Love it! Buy it, you won't regret it for a moment!

Never Sounded Better.......2006-03-16

Apart from the great selection of soundtracks, what really makes this compilation top value is the quality of the sound processing. Executed with finesse, these tracks sound better than when first issued and many are unedited, fuller versions: like "Singing In The Rain", for example. Throw in the great price, and this double disc set is a "must have" for all lovers of classic movie music.

Somewhere Over The Rainbow.......2006-02-24

A Sensational CD with Lots of Showtunes that Keep You Happy and makes You Want To Sing Along With!!!

"Hollywood Musicals of the Golden Age are still among us".......2005-07-13

Rhino Records and Turner Classic Movies Music present - "SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW: THE GOLDEN AGE OF HOLLYWOOD MUSICALS", some of the long ago musicals and stars that will never be forgotten...a 2-CD-Set covering several decades from 1935-1965 with many of the show stoppers of that time...some rare moments from entertainers that you haven't heard or thought of in sometime.

The lineup is fantastic and gives the listener a variety of what musicals were all about in the "Golden Age of the Hollywood Musicals"
June Allyson, Kay Armen, Louis Armstrong, Fred Astaire, Ann Blyth, Jack Buchanan, Louis Calhern, Bing Crosby, Vic Damone, Doris Day, Nanette Fabray, Connie Francis, Ava Gardner, Judy Garland, Kathyrn Grayson, Georges Guetary, Lena Horne, Betty Hutton, Louis Jourdan, Howard Keel, Gene Kelly, Grace Kelly, Peter Lawford, Oscar Levant, Ann Miller, Ricardo Montalban, Page Cavanaugh Trio, Debbie Reynolds, Winifred Shaw, Nancy Walker, Ethel Waters, Esther Williams, Dooley Williams and Keenan Wynn.

On Disc One 21 Classic Songs from great musicals with songs in alphabetical order:
AS TIME GOES BY - Dooley Wilson with Elliot Carpenter, pianist (1942)
BABY, IT'S COLD OUTSIDE - Esther Williams & Ricardo Montalban (1949)
BLESS, YORE BEAUTIFUL HIDE - Howard Keel (1954)
EASTER PARADE - Fred Astaire & Judy Garland (1948)
FOR ME AND MY GAL - Gene Kelly & Judy Garland (1942)
GET HAPPY - Judy Garland (1950)
HALLELUJAH! - Tony Martin, Vic Damone, Kay Armen, Ann Miller, Debbie Reynolds, Clark Burroughs (for Russ Tamblyn) (1955)
HONEYSUCKLE ROSE - Lena Horne with Benny Carter & His Orchestra (1943)
LARA'S THEME (MAIN TITLE) - M-G-M Studio Orchestra (1965)
LULLABY OF BROADWAY - Winifred Shaw & Dick Powell (1935)
MILKMAN, KEEP THOSE BOTTLES QUIET - Nancy Walker with Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra (1944)
NIGHT AND DAY - Fred Astaire (1934)
PUTTIN' ON THE RITZ - Clark Gable & Company (1939)
'S WONDERFUL - Gene Kelly & Georges Guetary (1951)
SINGIN' IN THE RAIN - Gene Kelly (1951)
STRANGER IN PARADISE - Ann Blyth & Vic Damone (1955)
TAKING A CHANCE ON LOVE - Ethel Waters & Eddie "Rochester" Anderson (1943)
THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT - Fred Astaire, Jack Buchanan, Nanette Fabray & Oscar Levant (1953)
THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS - Betty Hutton, Howard Keel, Keenan Wynn & Louis Calhern (1950)
THEY CAN'T TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME - Fred Astaire (1949)
TRUE LOVE - Bing Crosby & Grace Kelly (1956)

On Disc Two more memorable performances from the Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals:
A KISS TO BUILD A DREAM ON - Louis Armstrong (1951)
ABA DABA HONEYMOON - Debbie Reynolds & Carleton Carpenter (1950)
ALMOST LIKE BEING IN LOVE - Gene Kelly (1954)
BE A CLOWN - Judy Garland & Gene Kelly (1948)
BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE - June Allyson & Peter Lawford (1947)
CAN'T HELP LOVIN' DAT MAN - Ava Gardner (beautiful woman, who my youngest grandaughter is named after...Avalon) (1951)
CHEEK TO CHEEK - Fred Astaire (1935)
EMBRACEABLE YOU - Connie Francis (1965)
GIGI - Louis Jourdan (1958)
GOING HOLLYWOOD - Bing Crosby (1933)
I GOT RHYTHM - Judy Garland & Mickey Rooney (1943)
IF SWING GOES, I GO TOO - Fred Astaire (1946)
IT'S A MOST UNUSUAL DAY - Jane Powell (1948)
LADY IS A TRAMP - Lena Horne (1948)
LET'S FACE THE MUSIC AND DANCE - Fred Astaire (1936)
ON THE ATCHISON, TOPEKA AND THE SANTA FE - Judy Garland & Company (1946)
ONE FOR MY BABY (AND ONE MORE FOR THE ROAD) - Fred Astaire (1943)
OVER THE RAINBOW - Judy Garland (became her theme song for the rest of her life) (1939)
PUT 'EM IN A BOX - Doris Day & the Page Cavanaugh Trio (1948)
THE TROLLEY SONG - Judy Garland & MGM Studio Chorus (1944)
WUNDERBAR - Kathryn Grayson & Howard Keel (two of MGM's favorite singing duos) (1953)

It was once said by the songwriters of that era - "There are two artists you want perform your songs on the big screen, they are Fred Astaire and Judy Garland they sing it just the way we wrote it, for which you will have a guaranteed hit on your hands"...well, this collections certainly has some merit to that statement...because with Judy Garland and Fred Astaire performing seven songs each, there must be something to it.

This collection of musicals still has the magic that we remember from those bygone years...but as long as we have the labels and networks who play and show these wonderful films of yesteryear, they will never be forgotten...hats off to Rhino Records, George Feltenstein (producer) and Doug Schwartz (engineer) and Turner Classic Movies for sharing those 42 selections from 42 films...celebrating decades of the tunes and artists that gave it their all...from what it commonly called "The Hollywood Dream Factory"...The Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals is still among us...gotta love it!

Total Time: 2-CD-Set ~ Rhino Records 78323 ~ (6/02/2002)

Average customer rating:

WOW. This album is FAB baby.
Another great release... destined to be ignored in the US
Great follow up!!!
Almost a Pop Masterpiece
The Next Chapter

Life in Mono

Manufacturer: Umvd Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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A Girl Like Me
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All I Need to Know

ASIN: B000KJTDF4
Release Date: 2006-12-11

Tracks:

All I Need to Know
Life in Mono
Mischievous
Perfect Strangers
He Loves Me Not
I Wasn't Looking (When I Found Love)
Take Me to Another Town
Undressing You
I'm Not Crying Over Yesterdays
All That You'll Be
Downtown
Something Tells Me (Something's Going to Happen)
Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps
Por Favor

Album Description

Limited Edition UK-only pressing of the 2006 album from Emma Bunton (AKA Baby Spice) features three bonus tracks: 'Something Tells Me (Something's Gonna Happen', 'Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps' and Por Favour'. Life In Mono is Emma's most honest album to date, an intimate reflection of Emma's life and loves that reveal more than she was ever expecting. Musically it sounds like a rich pop album even at first listen, with rich orchestral backing, gorgeous harmonies and the sort of chorus' Burt Bacharach could be proud of. It moves from the stunningly tender 'All I Need To Know' to cheeky jazz of 'Undressing You' and the luscious Carpenters style of 'I'm Not Crying Over Yesterday's' . Above all it captures Emma's thoroughly modern take on elegant 60's Pop. Universal.

Album Details

The Third Solo Album from the Former "Baby Spice" Girl and the UK'S Pop Sweetheart. For a Limited Time this Edition Comes with Three Bonus Tracks : "Something Tells Me (Something's Gonna Happen) ", "Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps" and "Por Favour '.

Customer Reviews:

WOW. This album is FAB baby........2007-06-30

I left this review for a few days so I could give it few listenings.
Free Me was a really great album, which I did not buy until March this year.
When I first listen to it I was blown away, I just did not expect this from Emma.
Now over to Life In Mono, First listening to It did not seem as good as Free Me.
But its a grower Emma has a sweet singing voice, which is pleasant to listen to. All the songs are good, still having the 60s bossa nova sound to most of them. Best tracks are. Life In Mono, Mischievous, He Loves Me Not, I Wasn't Looking, Take Me To Another Town, I'm Not Crying Over Yesterdays, All That You'll Be, and Something Tells Me.
All in all this is a solid album, and is as good as Free Me if not better.
well done Emma for a third fantastic album, and the best so far.
Rating Six stars, yes it really is that good.

Another great release... destined to be ignored in the US.......2007-06-20

Emma has given us another really great 60's influenced pop album. Out of all the Spice Girls, who would have imagined that the one called "Baby Spice" would end up with the most accomplished pop career? She chose substance over commercialism and really hit a home run with pop fans. Why hasn't she been asked to sing the next 007 theme song? Or alteast be a Bond girl in the next film?
All 3 releases have been laid back, and thoroughly enjoyable. I'm happily looking forward to more of the same.

Great follow up!!!.......2007-05-12

Former Spice Girl, Emma Bunton's new album Life in Mono is a great step forward. It follows the same vein as her last album and I would highly recommend it if you loved her first.

Almost a Pop Masterpiece.......2007-04-26

Its really ironic that the most 'untalented' of the Spice Girls bunch would consistently provide us with such good material into the 2000s. Her last album "Free Me" was a classic that still finds plays on my Ipod.

1. If you love 1960s 'girl-group' melodies, you will love this.
2. If you like film-noir, and the soundtracks to the James Bond and Austin Powers series, you will love this.
3. If you like very poppy verse-chorus-verse, you will love this
4. If you're into Bossa Nova, Brazilian beach pop, and a little bit of reggae, you will adore this.

At its best, this sounds like a lost soundtrack to some 1960s French masterpiece by Truffaut. Very "Umbrellas of Cherbourg" but with a lot more zest and pep. You really have to get it and find out what I'm talking about.

The only downside is that the opening track is the weakest here, so many people may be put off. Do get this and discover a fabulous artist you may have neglected until now just because of her "Spice Girls" tag.

To sum up, Emma is a million times more accomplished and a real artist when compared to the remaining Spice Girls. This one album is better than all the others' solo releases combined. Seriously.

The Next Chapter.......2007-03-28

Life In Mono continues in the same vein as Free Me... sort of.

While there are a few tracks with that same sun-drenched bossa nova sound (Mischevious, He Loves Me Not), this is not Free Me II, but the next chapter of Emma's journey. The album opens with a lovely ballad, "All I Need To Know"- gutsy move! Next, the title track is a cover of a song by the group Mono. Where the original was like a dark music box tune, here it's been reworked like a James Bond theme (Anyone else think Ms. Bunton should REALLY do a Bond theme?).

The standouts are "I Wasn't Looking (When I Found Love)" and "Take Me To Another Town", both with catchy melodies and lush cinematic orchestrations. On "Undressing You", and especially the bonus track "Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps", Emma shows she can convincingly go from sweetie to seductress in a heartbeat.

As wonderful as Free Me was, Life In Mono is a more mature affair. This is music for grown-ups, for lounging around on lazy Sundays or sultry late nights. Once again, Emma has proved her talent. She has found music that suites her voice perfectly, and she delivers it with sensuality and class- a rarity in today's popular music.

It remains to be seen if this album will be released stateside as Free Me was, and if it will be sucessfully pitched to the American market, which might too easily mistake it for "Easy Listening", which it most certainly is not. Let's keep our fingers crossed. We need more music like this.

Average customer rating:

beautiful ,beautiful
Great Recording

Violin Favourites & Virtuoso Showpieces

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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Romance of the Violin
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Tchaikovsky, Wienawski, Brahms, Schumann: Violin Concertos
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ASIN: B0007WQHVW
Release Date: 2005-04-12

Tracks:

Variations on an original theme, Op.15
Romance, Op.78, No.2
Mazurka, Op.81, No.1
Hungarian Dance No.1 in G minor-Transcr. Joseph Joachim
Cantabile, Op.17
Scherzo-Tarantelle, Op.16
Nigun (Improvisation)
Perpetuum mobile
The Prophet Bird
Spanish Dance No.1
Waves at play (Wellenspiel)
Carmen Fantasy, Op.25 - Arr. Waxman

Tracks:

Praeludium and Allegro
Schosmarin
Tambourin chinois
Caprice viennois op.2
La Preuse (in the style of Louis Couperin)
Liebesfreud
Liebesleid
La Gitana
Berceuse Romantique (Caprice)
Polichinelle (Snade)
Rondino on a Theme by Beethoven
Tempo di menuetto (in the style of Pugnani)
Toy Soldiers' March
Allegretto (in the style of Boccherini)
Marche miniature viennoise
Aucassin and Nicolette (canzonetta medievale)
Menuet (in the style of Porpora)
Sicilienne and Rigaudon (in the style of Francois Francoeur)
Syncopation

Customer Reviews:

beautiful ,beautiful.......2007-05-27

I am not a music critic nor do I "know" much about music but if you love lovely violin music you will love this.

Great Recording.......2007-01-04

The Kreisler pieces are played exceptionally well. The one disc alone is worth the price of the double disc collection. Great playing.

Average customer rating:

80s flashback!

Reel Life
Boy Meets Girl
Manufacturer: Bmg Special Product
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Wonderground
New Dream
Meet Danny Wilson
Rush Street
Best of Breathe

ASIN: B00028HBHU
Release Date: 2004-04-01

Tracks:

Bring Down the Moon
Waiting for a Star to Fall
Stormy Love
Is Anybody Out There in Love
Stay Forever
If You Run
One Street Dream
No Apologies
Restless Dreamer
Someone's Got to Send Out Love

Customer Reviews:

80s flashback!.......2007-05-30

As reviewed on my blog ([..])

Tuesday, May 29, 2007
"Waiting for a star to fall"

Last week, a song came on the radio that brought back a lot of old memories from my high school days. You know, the Stone Age!

Anyway, it was by a one-hit-wonder husband/wife duo called "Boy Meets Girl."

You socks are no doubt familiar with the one hit: "Waiting for a Star to Fall."

But, there are some other pretty good songs on the self-titled album, too.

I used to play it over and over again in the cassette deck of my old 1979 Honda Civic as I scooted around the dirt and cotton fields of West Texas. So many times in fact, that the tape wore out and the lyrics became warped and I eventually had to trash it.

Fortunately, nowadays, folks like me who are still lost in the 80s can now get the soundtracks to their youth on CD!

Mine arrived today, and I've really been enjoying the good non-warped quality of the sound. And, something I almost forgot: I no longer have to sit thru a song I don't like. I can just hit the "skip" button on my CD-player. Back in the day, you either had to endure it or try to time your "fast forward" button just right, and that was next to impossible.

Anyway, if there's anything that's better than modern technology, it's an old song on the radio . . .

Average customer rating:

One EBTG's Best
A release that expresses many languages of life.
Music for Seduction
A Truly Beautiful Work!!!
The musical statement of Everything but the girl

The Language of Life
Everything But the Girl
Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Worldwide
Everything But the Girl

ASIN: B000002IP5
Release Date: 1990-02-08

Tracks:

Driving
Get Back Together
Meet Me In The Morning
Me and Bobby D
Language Of Life
Take Me
Imagining America
Letting Love Go
My Baby Don't Love Me
The Road

Amazon.com

By the time of The Language of Life, Everything but the Girl had reached a point in their career where they could get accomplished jazz musicians Joe Sample, Michael Brecker, and Stan Getz to play on their album and not have it perceived as an affectation: the duo had already made five albums that showcased Ben Watt's ability to write a classic melody and Tracey Thorn's silky vocals. In working with producer Tommy Lipuma, they made an album of superficially perfect love songs--beautiful tunes all, but overproduced to the point where the feelings behind them are only rarely glimpsed. There are some great songs, though--"The Road," "Driving," "Me and Bobby D," "Imagining America" are some of the best in EBTG's distinguished catalog--and they manage to make Language a worthy album despite the shortcomings. Check out EBTG's Acoustic for more nuanced versions of "Driving" and "Me and Bobby D." --Randy Silver

Customer Reviews:

One EBTG's Best.......2006-05-25

I first heard "Driving", or rather, saw it on VH-1 back when they used to show music videos, and was enthralled. Bought the cassingle and kind of forgot about it until "Missing" came out. I bought "Language of Life" on the tail end of a more bitter than sweet relationship and found it to be the perfect balm.
I won't go into all the songs; just say that this is a very good album, even if a bit "of the era" as far as production goes.
A worthy addition to your collection!

A release that expresses many languages of life. .......2006-03-11

"The Language of Life" is a major candidate alongside "Worldwide" as my favorite pre-Missing ETBG album of all time but it's follow-up Worldwide may be it's main competitor for that title. Whatever the case is, the sixth release by this Thorn/Watt duo is a very inspiring release that finds the two delving into much more jazz-themed styles and includes guest appearances by several jazz legends such as Joe Sample, Michael Brecker and even Stan Getz who sadly passed away too long afterwards. My favorites are "Driving" with it's now famous "ha ha ha" voice effect that opens the track and echoes throughout it's length, "Get Back To You" with it's slightly faster rhythm and excellent rhythm. Tracey Thorn's vocals are incredible on this track. "Meet Me In The Morning" with it's beautiful soulful melody and with Tracey's autumn-like vocals, and "Me and Bobby D" with it's beautiful sound and sax playing. The album kind of drifts off afterwards with the remaining songs not standing out like the first four but that doesn't warrant this falling into the category of second half slump like many albums by many artists do. "Imagining America" is another standout track from the second half of this album. While "Missing" is a great song both in it's original and Todd Terry remix, that great song should not be allowed to overshadow the great body of works that ETBG have done from before or since all the way up to "Temperamental", their last album to date. But "The Language of Life" should be high up on the list of albums to buy and buy it new!

Music for Seduction.......2006-02-18

This record is arguably the 1990's equivilent of Sinatra. If you want to set a romantic mood, while having musical credibility this one is it. Smooth Jazz, courtesy of Tommy Lipuma and some great session players. Kinda has that LA gloss, but the songs are exceptional.

The disc opens with Driving, a great road song. The Language of Life is the story of far too many of us, people who are so competent except in the language of how to live. My personal favorite is The Road, a moody, saxophone driven song that ends the record. It allows you to slide out into the ethereal regions and not realize the disc is over.

Another desert island record

A Truly Beautiful Work!!!.......2006-01-06

When I first decided to explore the works of Everything But The Girl, I was looking for an artist that compared to Swing Out Sister. I was not disappointed with this CD. The songs that I love in particular are "Driving",and especially the title song, "Language of Life." However, the whole CD is so very beautiful and it is truly comparable to all of the Swing Out Sister works that I so adore. I recommend this artist and in particular this CD very Highly.

The musical statement of Everything but the girl.......2005-05-24

In 1996, the name "Everything but the girl" was synonymous to "Missing" - their breakthrough single. It was the first time I had ever heard of them. It was impossible to escape from Tracey Thorn's vocals. They were practically stuck in my head for the longest time. Little did I know that the duo from England had a career spanning almost 12 years before that. Yet, I was not particularly curious as to what their earlier music was all about.

I stumbled across "Language of life" by mistake and I am so glad I did. I always wondered why no one else sounded like Sade and made music like she did. I guess the reason was because I had never heard "Language of Life". The immaculate production of Tommy Lipuma, the infectious and sexy voice of Tracey Thorn, and the strikingly inspired songwriting of Ben Watts come together in the most beautiful way on this album. This is NOT elevator jazz-pop. This is music that will leave you entranced for a very long time.

The album kicks off with "Driving" - the highlight of this album. It is an extremely addictive song. Tracey Thorn's voice along with the saxophone right in the middle of the song is a winning combination that is bound to leave the listener longing for more. The other highlights of this album are "Imagining America", "Letting love go" and "Meet me in the morning". This is one of the few albums that can be listened to from the beginning to the end with no incentive to skip tracks. Do yourself a favor and gratify your ears with this musical piece of perfection.

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