In San Francisco

In San Francisco

ASIN: B00005YR75

Track Listings

1. Way Down Yonder in N.O

2. Basin Street Blues

3. Muskrat Ramble

4. High Society

5. Wolverines

6. Pearls

7. Dippermouth Blues

8. Sister Kate

9. Franklin Street Blues

10. Bolden Medley

11. Temptation Rag

12. Sweet Georgia Brown

13. Darktown Strutters' Ball

14. Pacific Street Blues

15. Ain't Gonna Give Nobody None of My Jelly Roll, Pt. 2

16. Ain't Gonna Give Nobody None of My Jelly Roll, Pt. 2

Tracks:

Mediterranean Sundance/Rio Ancho
Short Tales Of The Black Forest
Frevo Rasgado
Fantasia Suite
Guardian Angel

Amazon.com

This live recording from 1980 matched fusion guitar heavyweights Al DiMeola and John McLaughlin with Spanish guitar whiz Paco DeLucia. The result, a dazzling technical display, also earned jeers as the international summit of world-class finger-wigglers by critics who felt it was long on chops and short on heart. John McLaughlin's importance to the development of the jazz fusion scene can't be overestimated: as the guitarist on Miles Davis's seminal Bitches Brew and A Tribute to Jack Johnson, he was the first significant guitarist of the electric jazz era; on his own, he brought power rock, spiritualism, and lush orchestration to the scene via his Mahavishnu Orchestra. DiMeola, the most commercially successful next-generation fusion guitarist, achieved stardom with Chick Corea's group Return to Forever and on his own records. DeLucia, virtually unknown in the U.S., is a fine flamenco guitarist, and it is that orientation more than anything that colors Friday Night: even when playing straightforward non-flamenco compositions, the phrasing and sensibility lurks behind every note. Still, the passion of the music is frequently marred by the participants' inability to play at anything but the most breakneck pace. --Fred Goodman

Customer Reviews:

WoW.......2007-04-25

Everytime I listen to this CD I come away with something new. I've been listening to this since the 80's and every time I get goosebumps. Three geniuses come together on a magical night and create this something that happens once in a lifetime. I've always thought it would be a great if the three could collaborate and write a book on their inspirations for doing this, how much did they *really* practice and such. It would an incredible read. Today my kids (8 and 10) were listening to this on my iPOD and were blown away!!!

The masters unite.......2007-03-11

The musicianship here is very professional and enjoyable - this is the only documented audio of these three guitar giants working together in concert. The performance was recorded live in December 1980, at the Warfield Theatre in San Francisco. Track #5 is a studio recording, though, but nonetheless coherent and of spectacular quality in both sound and performance.
Throughout the album, all three guitar players (incidentally only playing in pairs on the three first tracks) perform on acoustic guitars, and for an early 80's live recording, the sound quality is surprisingly good (rich acoustics, no feedback, no distortion.) What ruins a lot of the listening experience, however, are the audience members who yell and scream and whistle and clap over some of the music as if they were high on all that currently is illegal to get high on. The wildness of the audience participation on track #2 is especially bothersome; as soon as the guitar players play a fast lick, an unusual effect, anything technically advanced or anything in unison, these people go crazy, and when recognizing an obvious installment of the theme from Pink Panther you can hear them wearing their anuses on their sleeves as they burst from rapture.
But the audience aside, this is an important recording for a lot of obvious reasons - a recording that you definitely should own or at least listen to if you have ever enjoyed any music performed or written by any of these three guitarists. Incidentally, Hal Leonard has produced a book of transcriptions of all titles from this recording.

Not a fan.......2007-02-06

This is a consert I just stumbled over an liked at once. Superb work of art. It has always been a joy to hear talented people get together and bring happines to the audience. Had this as LP but somebody or in moving things it became unplayable so getting a new copy was a must.

Subtly sweet,blazingly fast, and refreshing overall........2007-01-11

This album is what it is:a showcase of amazing musicianship and heartfelt playing between comrades.There are many beautiful and soft moments,and even more lightning-quick picking that cascades,ebbs, and flows.To say that the music on this album is simply a few guys trying to "one-up" each other is ludacris.This album is a joy to those whom delve into the emotions in musical art.

Guitar heaven.......2007-01-03

When you get a bunch of guitar virtuosos together, that usually adds up to a real snoozefest of lots of technical proficieny and zero tunefullness. So an all acoustic session would be even worse right? Wrong!

People can go on about the technical proficiency demonstrated by messrs. McLaughlin, Di Meola, and Delucia. But technical proficiency alone is not music. This, my friends, is music. Nominally, this is labeled as a jazz album but it really defies any genre. If you have even the slightest affinity for great guitar playing, plunk down your ten bucks and listen.

Singin' in the Rain (1952 Film Soundtrack) (Deluxe Edition)

Average customer rating:

the perfect movie
I LOVE MY FAVORITE SONG, AND THANKS TO THIS CD I CAN LISTEN TO IT ALL DAY LONG!!
Wonderful Soundtrack to a Wonderful Movie
Great CD
musical memories

Singin' in the Rain (1952 Film Soundtrack) (Deluxe Edition)
Nacio Herb Brown , Gene Kelly , and Arthur Freed
Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Singin' in the Rain (Two-Disc Special Edition)
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ASIN: B00006JOF3
Release Date: 2002-10-01

Tracks:

Main Title/Singin' In The Rain - Gene Kelly
Fit As A Fiddle (And Ready For Love) - Gene Kelly
Tango (Temptation) - MGM Studio Orchestra
All I Do Is Dream Of You - Debbie Reynolds
All I Do Is Dream Of You (Outtake) - Gene Kelly
Make 'Em Laugh - Donald O'Connor
Beautiful Girl Montage - MGM Studio Orchestra & Chorus
Beautiful Girl - Jimmie Thompson
You Were Meant For Me - Gene Kelly
You Are My Lucky Star (Outtake) - Debbie Reynolds
Moses - Gene Kelly
Good Morning - Gene Kelly
Singin' In The Rain - Gene Kelly
Would You? - Betty Noyes
Broadway Melody Ballet - MGM Studio Orchestra & Chorus
Would You? End Title - Gene Kelly
Singin' In The Rain (In A-Flat) - Debbie Reynolds
Finale - Gene Kelly
Main Title (Alternate Version) - MGM Studio Orchestra
Beautiful Girl (Alternate Version/Tempo Track) - Gene Kelly
Would You? (Unused Version) - Debbie Reynolds
Would You (Duet) (Unused Version) - Gene Kelly
Beautiful Girl (Unused Original Version) - Jimmie Thompson
Singin' In The Rain (Alternate Vocal) - Gene Kelly
Should I (Unused Instrumental) - MGM Studio Orchestra

Tracks:

The Broadway Melody - Charles King
You Were Meant For Me - Charles King
The Wedding Of The Painted Doll - James Burroughs
Singin' In The Rain - Cliff Edwards
Should I - Charles Kaley
Beautiful Girl - Sam Ash
All I Do Is Dream Of You - Gene Raymond
Broadway Rhythm - Frances Langford
I've Got A Feelin' Your Foolin' - Robert Taylor
You Are My Lucky Star - Marjorie Lane
Would You - Jeanette MacDonald
Good Morning - Judy Garland
Singin' In The Rain - Judy Garland
All I Do Is Dream Of You - Judy Garland
Dignity - MGM Studio Orchestra
Stunt Montage (Extended Version) - MGM Studio Orchestra
First Silent Picture (Extended Version) - MGM Studio Orchestra
Have Lunch With Me - MGM Studio Orchestra
Dancing On A Rainbow - Arthur Freed
Singin' In The Rain (Radio Broadcast) - Arthur Freed
Broadway Melody Ballet (Original Version) - Gene Kelly

Amazon.com

A vibrant tribute to MGM's legendary confluence of brains, talent, hard work, ambition--and dare we say it?--massive egos, Singin' in the Rain long ago took its rightful place among the first rank of the studio's dizzying catalog of film musicals. This double-disc, 46-track 50th-anniversary edition features all of the film's familiar songs, as well as numerous outtakes and extended versions, many culled directly from the film's original recording masters. Its second disc also chronicles the film's clever--if studio imposed--self-referential musical gambit of recycling a slate of Arthur Freed/Nacio Herb Brown songs from Metro's first decade by including 14 of the originals, including performances by Jeanette McDonald, Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney, and Freed himself. Featuring a dozen previously unreleased recordings and an illustrated booklet containing the insightful reminiscences of the film's original writers, Betty Comden and Adolph Green, it's the ultimate musical companion to one of cinema's magical, enduring masterpieces. --Jerry McCulley

Album Description

The complete 50th Anniversary Edition and a bonus disc featuring the original recordings that inspired the 1952 MGM classic! Includes 12 previously unreleased tracks 'Would You?' (duet) (unused version), 'Beautiful Girl' (unused original version), 'Singin' In The Rain' (alternative vocal), 'Should I' (unused instrumental), 'You Were Meant For Me', 'All I Do Is Dream Of You', 'Broadway Rhythm', 'You Are My Lucky Star', 'Would You?', 'Dancing On A Rainbow' plus 'Broadway Melody Ballet' (original version). Rhino. 2002.

Customer Reviews:

the perfect movie.......2007-03-10

My old Gene did it: the perfect movie, the perfect american history, the perfect music. Some people think musicals are "B" movies. I say them: look about the dream, the performance, the music.
Who can say what is beatiful? Look at faces of Gene and Stan during the shooting on the set: whole concentration and attention for everything.
This is a unique moment in their story, and in the story of cinema.
Unforgettable.

I LOVE MY FAVORITE SONG, AND THANKS TO THIS CD I CAN LISTEN TO IT ALL DAY LONG!!.......2007-01-28

I love Singin' in the Rain. It was the movie that made me like musicals, not those simple, mellow movies like South Pacific and the Sound of Music, but REAL musicals, with people like Fred Astaire or Eleanor Powell tapping their hearts out, or great singers like Frances Langford or Dick Powell putting over a song like they mean it.The Singin' in the Rain 2disc special edition introduced me to my favorite movie, the Broadway Melody of 1936, the MOST AMAZING MOVIE EVER! So I was so glad when my parents got me the soundtrack to Singin' in the Rain, and besides the music of the 1951 versions of the Nacio Herb Brown/Arthur Freed, there are also the original versions of the songs in their original movies. I am so glad that Rhino put the duet of Robert Taylor and June Knight singing I've Got a Feelin' You're Foolin' on this CD set! It's my favorite song, and now I can listen to it! Hooray!! It's the best song EVER!! There's also vocals of Charles King singing the Broadway Melody, which is great! And many more, like Bing Crosby, Frances Langford, Jeanette MacDonald, and other great singers I can't think of right now. This CD set is great, the sound is nice and un-staticy (mostly), there are 30-plus songs, and the price is phenomenal. I love my favorite song, and now I can listen to it all day long!! Yay! :)

Wonderful Soundtrack to a Wonderful Movie.......2006-06-16

Yes, this is it--the first real musical I ever saw. Okay, I saw "Wizard of Oz" and "The Sound of Music", and I love both of those musicals dearly. I had even seen "My Fair Lady." I thought musicals were all like those. Until this one. I had never seen such dancing. And this CD causes me to relive the joy of the musical each time I listen to it. Complete with the tap sounds. I love that they included even the deleted songs. Now we just need a DVD that has all the deleted scenes in context. But the studio probably threw all those away. Oh well, our imaginations can take care of what is missing.

Great CD.......2006-03-20

This is a great CD of music for your family to listen to. Our family enjoys it very much.

musical memories.......2006-03-14

I enjoyed this CD very much, as I remember seeing the movie years ago. I grew up watching MGM musicals and this was one of the best. I loved all of the wonderful songs that came from this movie. Great sound on this CD.

Friday Night in San Francisco (Stereo SACD)

Average customer rating:

Gorgeous Recording with Playful Musicians
Stereo SACD, not Multichannel!
"Too Many Notes..."
Amazing, amazing, amazing
SACD SUPERIOR to redbook CD

Friday Night in San Francisco (Stereo SACD)
Paco de Lucia
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00004KD6V
Release Date: 1999-09-07

Tracks:

Mediterranean Sundance/Rio Ancho
Short Tales of the Black Forest - Paco de Luc Al di Meola, Al di Meola, John McLaughlin
Frevo Rasgado - Paco de Luc Paco de Luc , Al di Meola, John McLaughlin
Fantasia Suite for Two Guitars: Viva la Danzarina/Guitars of the ...
Guardian Angel [Studio Recording]

Album Description

Featuring John McLaughlin, Al DiMeola and Paco DeLucia on acoustic guitar. The Great Guitar Trio's Classic Original Recording! Great photos of the trio in performance! 20 BIT digitally remastered. Superb new sound!

Customer Reviews:

Gorgeous Recording with Playful Musicians.......2006-08-16

Undoubtedly one of my favorite recordings in SACD format, I only wish there was video as well, because it would be great. These gentlemen truly understand the music and their improvisational skills are fantastic, as they're able to play along with each other and the audience, the latter which seems to be thouroughly ecstatic. Unfortunately this is not a hybrid recording, which means if you want to transfer it to a portable device or play it in your car, it requires tremendous effort.

Stereo SACD, not Multichannel!.......2003-10-13

This is a great performance. My review is mostly based on the fact that this is a stereo SACD, not multichannel. I am learning more about SACD every day, but was very disappointed that it is only presented in stereo.

"Too Many Notes...".......2002-11-29

That was Emperor Joseph's simple-minded estimation of any music he didn't understand in the Academy-Award winning movie "Amadeus." I never thought I would ever find music that would actually fit that description... until now.

If you think this is some sort of super-charged California Guitar Trio or a Narciso Yepes-type forray into flameco-guitar, forget it. That is not to say most every review you see here is wrong. In fact, they are all correct about these guys being virtuoso guitarists.

However, songs that consist almost entirely of 32nd and 64th notes are at first impressive, but very quickly become tiresome. And this isn't an album full of "songs" so much as it is a forty-some-odd-minute-long jam session featuring testosterone-fueled duels and improvs with a Flamecan flare.

So if you're a guitarist who thrills to the repeated use of the same techniques over and over for close to an hour, this is a great album for you. If you're a normal guy just trying to find some high-fi SACD pyrotechnics, maybe this is still for you. But if you're just someone looking to be entertained, this may disappoint.

Amazing, amazing, amazing.......2002-09-03

"Friday Night in San Francisco" is one of those rare CDs you'll listen to and just laugh out loud from sheer amazement at the virtuoso guitar work of Al DiMeola, John McLaughlin, and Paco de Lucia. Here are three friends, all guitarists, who are clearly having the time of their lives showing off their astonishing instrumental skills and jamming together on, well, a Friday night in San Francisco back in the 1980s.

I was lucky enough to be introduced to this album by a cousin many years ago, and after having treated myself to it, I played it on at least a weekly basis for months. Far from getting sick of it eventually, I found myself noticing new things almost every time I played it. Of course it's wonderful to listen to yourself, but there is also a profound pleasure to be had in introducing a novice to the album. Watch their eyes widen and their jaw drop as they turn to you and say, "Who IS this? I gotta have this!"

All three men share composition credits on the album. "Mediterranean Sundance/Rio Ancho," the song that opens the album, is a Spanish-influenced piece that sends notes scattering like raindrops on a sunny day--the aural effect is one of sparkling light. Chick Corea's song "Short Tales of the Black Forest" gets a work-out here, and McLaughlin and DiMeola do it proud as they build the musical tension to an almost unbearable point before exploding into the heart of the song a minute or two into the piece. "Frevo Rasgado," an Egberto Gismonti piece, is a complex song which swings effortlessly back and forth between major and minor keys, and McLaughlin and DeLucia go along for the ride with a kind of manic joy in their playing.

The three men don't all play together until the final two songs. On "Fantasia Suite," a DiMeola composition, they follow the notes but go further into that realm where they are in their own little universe, egging each other on and on until the music reaches an almost sublime climax. On "Guardian Angel," much the same thing happens and it's a privilege to hear this kind of creative collaboration in action. If you haven't already, make room on your CD shelf for this outstandingly great album!

SACD SUPERIOR to redbook CD.......2002-04-29

I own both, SACD and CD. The sound of the SACD is so much more clear, articulate, three dimensional. Before I got the SACD I hardly ever listened to the redbook as acoustically there wasn't much to distinguish it from the other pressings (even when played back on a Sony SCD-C555ES). Playback of the SACD offers such listening pleasure. I close my eyes and just listen to the great LIVE music. The playback experience will depend on the quality of your audiogear.

Average customer rating:

Passionate, Among The Swiftest Mahler 7th Symphony Recordings I've Heard
Not enough drama for highest rating
gets better as it goes, but earlier LSO one was better overall
Mixed bag but mainly on target
Reproducing Mahler

Mahler: Symphony No. 7 [Hybrid SACD]

Manufacturer: San Francisco Sym
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000B66OQM
Release Date: 2005-10-11

Tracks:

Langsam
Nachtmusik l
Scherzo
Nachtmusik ll
Rondo-Finale

Amazon.com

Michael Tilson Thomas's Mahler cycle continues with this well-played Seventh. Once rarely heard, the work is becoming a regular recording and concert hall visitor. The San Francisco Symphony is in terrific form here, especially in the last movement, where the brass really bring down the house and the whole band keeps up with the conductor's tempo shifts and contrasts. The second Nachtmusik movement is a winner, with its odd combination of harp, guitar and mandolin and its characterful mood. The opening movement is a bit problematic, well-played but a bit too fast for comfort, but the Scherzo rocks. This version differs from MTT's excellent London Symphony recording made in 1999 earlier for RCA, which was free of some of the more idiosyncratic touches found here. But if you don't mind a first movement that never really adheres, you'll love this new one. For collectors of the series and SACD fans, it's a must-have, and all Mahlerites will want to hear MTT's latest thoughts on the work. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

Passionate, Among The Swiftest Mahler 7th Symphony Recordings I've Heard.......2007-05-01

I haven't heard Michael Tilson Thomas's critically acclaimed earlier recording of this symphony with the London Symphony Orchestra, mainly because I have tended to underrate him as a conductor. However, here he demonstrates that he is a very good Mahler interpreter, offering a live performance recording of one of Mahler's least known symphonies, which thankfully, seems to be enjoying a bit of a renaissance in concert performances lately (I am referring for example to an electrifying interpretation from Riccardo Chailly and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra here in New York City which has been justly celebrated by local music critics.). Without a doubt, Thomas's interpretation is an exciting, quite passionate account, with ample fine playing from the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, with the notable exception of the horns. It is an interpretation which should please audiophiles seeking the finest sound quality, and those who want a more expressionist interpretation of Mahler's score. However, my personal tastes are more neutral, opting for recordings from the likes of Haitink and Abbado, and especially Pierre Boulez's with The Cleveland Orchestra, which I still regard as the best recording of this symphony. So I can't recommend this recording as a primary, definitive interpretation of this work, but still think that it's a worthwhile acquisition for Mahler fans, and of course those interested in fine recordings made by conductor Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra.

Not enough drama for highest rating.......2007-03-24

Mahler's 7th was the first Mahler symphony I ever heard, more than 40 years ago. I fell in love with the music and it remains one of my all time favorites. I heard MTT conduct the 7th here in Miami about 10 years ago with the New World Symphony, a orchestra made up of recent conservatory graduates. That was a great performance. The reading here is a very good one but has many weaknesses. First of all, the tenor horn solos are not really that well played. Compared to the Haitink DVD with the Berlin Philharmonic, this player's tone is very weak. Then in many key moments in the first movement, the intensity of the music is simply not there. The 2nd and 3rd movements are much better but the lovely fourth movement lacks poetry. The finale is played extremely fast and again the drama is lacking, although it is very exciting. If you have SACD and really good equipment, you might want this recording for its outstanding sound but I would purchase the Haitink DVD and get the picture and a truly great performance at the same time. If you want a single CD version, Abbado/Chicago Symphony is excellent in every single movement.

gets better as it goes, but earlier LSO one was better overall.......2006-12-27

I live in S.F. bay area, and I've become quite disappointed in this series. The 7th is one of MTT's stronger ones, along with the 9th. Here, the finale is quite good, although no better than on the recent Barenboim/Berlin Staatskapelle (Warner) M7. For me, the two Nachtmusik movements really lack atmosphere. The first one, in particular, is really prosaic - capturing little if any of the mystery implied. The second Nachtmusik is better, but the guitar and mandolin are slightly too distant (far closer sounding on the more "serenade"-like Barenboim). Equally bothersome for me, is that the allegro (fast) passages of the first movement are just absurdly fast - almost to the breaking point. Wouldn't it have been better to save some of that breathless rushing for the finale? It's difficult to fully digest the first movement at such a lickity-split tempo, as both the harmony and counterpoint are fairly advanced and "rich"-sounding in this movement. I feel that Pierre Boulez's 23 minutes works far better for the first movement (MTT is closer to 20). Worse yet, there's little atmosphere to the centrally placed, "moonlit" episode that provides much needed relief from all that busy rushing about. Fortunately, things do get better from the scherzo on. However, I just feel that MTT's earlier LSO effort was more consistant from begining to end. I also think that it was somewhat better recorded. But among recent releases of the Mahler 7th, it's hard to top the Barenboim - one of the best ones ever.

Mixed bag but mainly on target.......2006-09-01

This is Michael Tilson Thomas's second recording of the Mahler Symphony No. 7, sometimes called "Symphony of the Night" for its two sections marked night music (nachtmusik). MTT's first recording, with the London Symphony Orchestra, was received very well and holds a place of high honor in both the current Penguin Guide and American Record Guide's most recent (2001) Mahler overview. This production won MTT a Grammy as best clasical recording of 2006.

At 81 minutes, MTT's older recording put it about in the middle of the universe of well-considerd Mahler 7s, which range from about 77-84 minutes. This time, MTT skittered through the score in about 77 minutes, making this account speedy by contrast.

While musical pundits have considered this a song for the night because of its two sections of nachtmusik, Michael Steinberg's notes to this issue suggest it is more likely four sections of night music followed by the sunshine of day, announced by the drum roll that kicks off the final movement. "Few here will fail to be reminded of Die Meistersinger," Steinberg wrote about the opening notes of the finale.

I've not heard MTT's earlier recording so I don't know where he skips time or space to cut four minutes. This recording, made in concert in San Francsisco's Davies Hall and recorded in somewhat spotlighted SACD sound, may have gained time by way of the energy created in a live performance. The annotation says this was recorded during March 9-12, 2005 but fails to disclose the number of performances given during that span.

MTT's opening is wonderful, in my opinion. It is echt-Mahlerian -- martial, booming with oomph and heart, all the qualities that make up this philosophically confused and emotional strained composer. During the first Nachtmusik section, conductor and band seem to lighten the reins a bit and perhaps slacken. The third movement begins to sound like spotlighted sound. How does a tuba stick out like that in the orchestral morass of a Mahler symphony, anyway?

The fourth movement -- the second Nachtmusik section -- is makred Andante amoroso and Tilson Thomas plays this for every inch of its amorous nature. A spirit of quiet warmth and good humor permeate the section, which is a marked contrast to everything that came before it. In the episodic finale, where a conductor is most challenged to keep it all together, MTT reminds me of tactics he used in his recording of the Mahler Symphony No. 6, especially his tendency to speed up and slow down the motion of the orchestra in interceding sections of the score. It closes is flames of glory, carrying off MTT's overall message of humanity and ecstasy.

I wouldn't call this my favorite version of the Mahler 7 but it's certianly a good one. The hybrid SACD recording is very good -- marked by clarity, depth and projection of a very good on pitch orchestra -- but it would also fall victim to claims that the engineers spotlighted certain sections for added effect. While a fabulous sounding CD, it is not always a very natural sounding performance.

I'm not one to dawdle when listening to Mahler and I don't like conductors that drag out the music beyond its capacity to breathe and live. At 77 minutes, this version is on pace with my favorite recording of the score, the one by Vaclav Neumann and the Gewandhaus Orchestra recorded for Berlin Classics in 1970. I enjoy Neumann's overall conception more than MTT's, which is more literal and less atmospheric. Many Mahlerites believe the Symphony No. 7 is nothing but atmosphere; I do not hold membership in that sect.

And, for all the wonder of the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra on display in this magnificent sounding CD, I believe the German orchestra did them one better three and one-half decades earlier, especially the fruitier sounding horns. I also appreciate the more natural sound of the older CD.

These preferences aside, this new MTT version should be a contender for everyone except those that must wring every ounce of angst out of the score, and it should become the preferred version for audiophiles willing to pay $27 for a single CD performance of this music.

Reproducing Mahler.......2006-04-20

As several reviewers implied, this performance of #7 does not get into the composer's head. No performance can do that! However, it does capture a less angst-ridden 7th. than is usually the case. This gives the music a chance to breath and lets us hear the musical infrastructure of the symphony. It may not be the "echt" performance of the 7th., but musically it is acurate and therefore, a valid interpretation-by the way, this is not MTT's first recorded Mahler, there is a version recorded in his years with the LSO that is as angst-ridden as anyone would like.
I would add that no conductor gets into Mahler's head, not even Walter and Klemperer. We interpret what we hear/read in the score and try to approximate it-this is why it is called music-making.

Average customer rating:

Perfect Music From an Angelic Voice
TRIBUTE TO A GREAT ARTIST

Marian Anderson

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000003ES6
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

St. Matthew Passion: Erbarme dich
Messiah: He Shall Feed His Flock
Ave Maria
Liebesbotschaft
Wohin?
Death And The Maiden, D. 531
Stille Tranen (2 Gedichte, Op. 35: No. 10)
Der Nussbaum (Myrthen, Op. 25: No.3)
Alto Rhapsody, Op. 53 (After 'Harzreise im Winter')
Immer leiser wird mein Schlummer, Op. 105, No. 2
Morgen, Op. 27, No. 4
In The Silence Of The Secret Night, Op. 4, No. 3
Un Ballo In Maschera: Re dell'abisso affrettati
Go Down, Moses
Crucifixion
My Lord, What A Morning

Customer Reviews:

Perfect Music From an Angelic Voice.......2000-05-07

I can't add much to the superb review by lesismore26 (I give it five Stars! ) but I do have one disagreement. I LIKED the Ulrica aria. Yes, the voice is past its prime, but the artistry is very much there. In fact, the piece makes it clear that while her voice sounds perfect for her repertoire, it could have handled opera quite beautifully too. It's true that the pure, ethereal quality of her tone is DEFINITELY well suited to Baroque and Classical oratorio, and true that there simply aren't that many roles for contraltos. But it is also true that these reasons had NOTHING to do with why this particular contralto was not singing in opera houses. Another voice as dazzling as hers would have had composers creating roles tailored for them.

I wouldn't trade her spirituals and lieder, but I would have liked to hear her sing Erda, or Clytemnestra, maybe even Dalila (if you can imagine this Angelic persona in THAT role!)

TRIBUTE TO A GREAT ARTIST.......1999-12-22

Marian Anderson is remembered in too many instances for the wrong reasons: the first Afro-American artist to be engaged by the Metropolitan Opera in a leading role; the artist who sang the monumental concert at the Lincoln Memorial in 1939 after being denied the use of Constitution Hall by the Daughters of the American Revolution --- an action that sparked mass indignation and worldwide attention to the fact that the racial prejudice was alive and well in the United States; the artist who became a symbol of grace and dignity during the civil rights movement. While all of these things are true, they eclipse the simple fact that Marian Anderson's singularly individual and distinctive, and true contralto voice was one of the jewels of the musical century, and that her pursuasive powers as an interpreter of the lieder of Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, and Sibelius were the stuff of which legends are made. What is also overlooked is that the fabled voice was a long way past its prime at the time of that Metropolitan Opera debut in early 1955. The role was that of the witch Ulrica in Verdi's "Un Ballo in Maschera"--- not a leading role, but a very important and pivotal one nonetheless ---- but by that time the voice had become dry, unsteady, frequently out-of-tune, and very "old" sounding. Anderson was already around 58 years old, and while her "debut" was historic from a social standpoint ----- it opened the doors for such future legends a Leontyne Price, Martina Arroyo, Shirley Verrett, Grace Bumbry ------ it was certainly not a great vocal milestone. It was simply too late for any sort of a career at the Metropolitan Opera, and though it was the blatant racial prejudices of the times that prevented Marian Anderson from singing on the opera stage during the years of her vocal prime, it would appear, as evidenced by her work on records (even by those made in her greatest years -- the 1930's and 1940's), that her temperment and vocal demeanor was far more suited to the concert and recital platforms, and it was in this milieu that Marian Anderson lavishly demonstrated her true genius. To begin with, the excerpts on this recording from Verdi's "Un Ballo in Maschera" didn't need to be included for the reasons cited above: they were recorded immediately after the Met debut in 1955 and the voice is in the condition one would have expected. The rest of the contents were recorded during the artist's vocal prime much earlier. Virtually all of the Schubert selectionsare beautifully done, especially the "Ave Maria", which became Anderson's trademark. The "Liebesbotshaft" (from "Schwanengesang) and "Wohin" (from "Die Schone Mullerin") show the voice at its most fluid, as do all of the items by Schumann. The Brahms "Alto Rhapsody", another Anderson speciality, haunting in its desolation and feelings of isolation, helped in no small part by Anderson's deep purple contralto tones. Selections by Richard Strauss (a beautifully realized rendition of "Morgen") and Rachmaninoff round off the lieder portion of the recording. Bach's "Erbarme dich" (with orchestral accompanyment) is one of the most beautiful ever recorded, and Handel's "He Shall Feed His Flock" illustrates vividly just how how much this music needs a true contralto voice. In this age of pushed-up and pulled-down mezzo-sopranos, it is a revelation to hear what this type of voice accomplish in all of this music. If you want to become acquainted with one of the greatest vocal phenomenons of this century, this superb RCA Victor mid-priced recording is an excellent place to start.

Average customer rating:

"Blasted" away
Wow!
For those who like BIG organ works
Pure Majestic Power!
Excellent Performance by Murray

An Organ Blaster Sampler

Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Organ Spectacular
Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3
Bach: Great Organ Works
Ceremonial Music for Trumpet & Symphonic Organ
Music for Organ, Brass & Percussion

ASIN: B000003CXP
Release Date: 1991-02-10

Tracks:

Toccata And Fugue In D Minor
Toccata
Toccata
The Emperor's Fanfare
Beaucoup Plus Largement
Dieu Parmi Nous
Finale
Rigaudon
Fanfare
Maestoso

Customer Reviews:

"Blasted" away.......2006-09-27

I am by no standards an expert on music, let alone organ music. I just purchased this CD because I love the sound of the organ, and wanted an album from a mix of artists before I started branching out to single composers. I would also consider myself an audiophile, only listening to high quality music with my portable headphone amplifier and Sennheiser HD-555's. Let me tell you, the quality is perfect, and the music is incredible! Such a full sound, it's *almost* as good as sitting in audience, only lacking the full body experience of organ music. I would recommend this to anybody looking to get a foot into the world of organ music.

Wow!.......2006-06-07

I happen to love organ music, even that tacky Saint-Saens
Third Symphony (with which this CD ends and just the third movement).

I grew up with E. Power Biggs, Virgil Fox, et al. and had never heard of Michael Murray (okay, it's been a while). I bought this delightful CD when it first appeared and before Amazon had been invented.

Upon hearing that most famous work with which Murray begins, I confess I was just this side of hysterical -- I was laughing with pure happiness. Murray's take on is it wonderfully over-the-top in the best possible sense. I have a son-in-law who is a musician and, indeed, does play the organ (i.e., if any of them have had pipes, I don't know, but I'm here to tell you, I don't want to hear ANY but pipe organs -- okay, I'm old).

At any rate, to hear this Toccata and Fugue played with such (carefully studied) abandon so tickled me, I called Brian (the son-in-law) and demanded that he listen while I put it on my stereo.

Now I'm going to send it to my son Bruce upon learning last night that he LOVES organ music. Who knew? He's 54 years old, for goodness' sake and never mentioned that little item before.

For those who like BIG organ works.......2005-09-04

This CD concentrates on the big, showy organ pieces that organists love to play. As an organist myself, I find that such numbers are usually more fun to play than to hear. Fortunately, this CD is very listenable, and makes the case for both playing and listening to these works. I'd buy it again; maybe more telling, I'm looking for some of the music, so I can go play it!

Pure Majestic Power!.......2003-07-20

Corey is right - this is an outstanding organ CD, one of the best I've heard. Murray plays some of the largest and most powerful organs on Earth, and uses the reed stops more than the usual organist to produce great effects and a wall of sound that are majestic in the extreme. The selections are all great virtuoso showpieces, and track #6 by Messiaen (Dieu parmi nous from La Nativite') is especially demonstrative of the great contrasts available in a large organ. The horizontal trumpets in this piece are predominant and very bright, contrasting with the snarling bass of the pedal organ.

A word of caution - this CD requires a capable stereo (think subwoofer) to sound its best. Trust me - if you listen to this CD on a good stereo and if you like organ music, you'll sit there with a big grin on your face and tears in your eyes as you listen to this CD.

Excellent Performance by Murray.......2001-11-09

This is by far one of the best organ CD's I have ever listened to. The variety is very good overall. From the state trumpets at St. John's to the mighty organ of First Congregational Church, Murray provides nice registration on all of the organs sampled. The Finale from Saint-Saens No. 3 is awesome with the Philadelphia Orchestra under Eugene Ormandy,s direction. Murray provides his own notes on the organs and the pieces in the booklet that is included. This is some fine organ music!!

Average customer rating:

Hunt-Lieberson and symphony's ending steal the show
OH MY GOD!
Mahler 2-wow !!
Absolutely Thrilling
The final performance was the greatest

Mahler: Symphony 2
Gustav Mahler , Isabel Bayrakdarian , Lorraine Hunt Lieberson , Michael Tilson Thomas , and San Francisco Symphony
Manufacturer: San Francisco Sym
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Mahler: Symphony No. 9 [Hybrid SACD]
Mahler: Symphony No. 1
Mahler: Symphony No. 3 [Hybrid SACD]
Mahler: Symphony No. 4 [Hybrid SACD]
Mahler: Symphony No. 7 [Hybrid SACD]

ASIN: B0006A9F5A
Release Date: 2004-11-09

Customer Reviews:

Hunt-Lieberson and symphony's ending steal the show.......2006-12-27

I want to like this better than I do, as the good moments are truly great. But upon repeated listenings, once again, MTT finds spots to just suddenly slow down for no real or good reason. Here, it's in the scherzo; towards the end. In particular, there's a passage where Mahler makes it sounds as though time is standing still for a bit. Naturally, MTT feels that he has to exaggerate that which Mahler has already built into the music. It's so typical of what he's been doing in his on-going cycle. Also, slow and soft passages throughout the performance are, indeed, SLOW! If I'm not mistaken, MTT's finale stretches well beyond 35 minutes. And, as with his earlier SFSO recording of the Mahler third symphony, the second movement is somewhat faceless and prosaic. Too bad, because there are some other really fine things that happen here - the climax to the first movement being one of them. Not only does MTT nail that climax, but he also erases the awkwardness of the next moment by having the low strings jump right back with their fast, ascending flourishes - almost without any waiting. That's a brilliant interpretive touch. But then there's that faceless second movement, followed by the scherzo with the strange dragging of tempo, here and there. Too bad, because then we get Lorraine Hunt-Lieberson, who has graced this recording with possibilly the greatest vocal performance ever! In addition, the end of the symphony is quite thrilling; although, the organ sounds far stronger on the more natural sounding Blomstedt/SFSO M2 from Decca (as a trade-off, the alternating salvos of the percussion are stronger here).

In the final analysis, although the mezzo is nowhere as good, I just feel that the Blomstedt/SFSO M2 flows better from begining to end. I also like the stronger organ and firmer sounding chorus. MTT's strange tempo anomolies grow tiresome upon repeated listening too. If you want to hear darn near everything done right in this large and multi-faceted work, I recommend the recent Ivan Fischer/BFO Mahler 2nd on Channel Classics. If a more historical perspective is your interest, you can't beat Walter or Klemperer - especially his live stereo one from Munich with Janet Baker.

OH MY GOD!.......2006-06-19

I haven't written a review on this site in a really long time. But there are just some things that require coming out of exile.

The performance and recording of the massive work are massive, phenomenal. I have LOTS of recordings of this piece, and I've listened to each and every one of them LOTS and LOTS. Mahler is a God to me. He (and Bruckner) got me through my teenage-years... This performance is special. There is so much power, SO much beauty, SO much intensity, SO much care taken... I've never heard such ferocity (and irony, and agony, and ecstacy) in the first movement, such delicacy (and verve) in the second and third movements, and as for the last movement -- hot damn, son of a gun -- the things Michael Tilson Thomas does with it are just spectacular.

This is my favorite, my absolute favorite. Please give it repeated listenings. There are so many rewards in store for you.

Mahler 2-wow !!.......2005-10-24

This is one of the finest recordings of Mahler 2 ever!!! The interpretation is superb..very Bernsteinish (who singlehandedly brought Mahler back into the public eye on his recordings with the Vienna Phil) The only problem is that the recording is too soft for those of us who like to listen in the automobile...otherwise wonderful

Absolutely Thrilling.......2005-05-19

Michael Tilson Thomas's fifth Mahler recording with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra in his series of the complete Mahler symphonies is just as wonderful and exciting as any Mahler performance can be. The second, commonly called the Resurrection Symphony, is the most successful of the first four symphonies in structure, clarity, and overall architecture. Unlike the unbalanced third and forth symphonies and the sometimes indulgent first, the second is strong in its architecture, powerful in its emotional scope, and wonderfully rich in its musical language. The second is Mahler's answer to death and resurrection, a powerful transition from minor to major, that, when well performed, is chilling in its emotional impact.

The symphony begins with an arresting funeral march in dark minor. The stirring of the low string in fff is frightening as they call together the whirling activity. The movement is in sonata form, with a double development, each capped of with terribly exciting climaxes. The lovely andante is calming in its gentle swing, but is still filled with the passion of the first movement. The enigmatic scherzo, with its wonderfully vertiginous orchestration, is a dark compilation of Jewish melodies. The lovely forth movement, with its wonderful vocal writing, acts as an introduction of sorts to the dramatic and gigantic finale. The finale is a vivid journey through darkness and adversity, leading to the wonderful glory drenched ending of the symphony.

There are few faults in this consistently splendid recording of the symphony. The San Francisco Symphony is in great form, delivering a performance congruous with Mahler's idiomatic sound world. The first movement begins with tremendous energy; the lower strings really dig into their parts with the necessary vehemence. Thomas's tempo is a bit slower than usual - however, he uses the tempo to judiciously draw out aspects of the score. At times, tension sags due to heavy rubatto, but overall, the good outweighs the bad: the orchestra really delivers a dark, rich sonority; the dichotomy between the dark and light episodes is accentuated effectively; the final climax before the recapitulation has never been bettered; and Thomas immediate transition into the recapitulation after the climax maintains a great deal of tension, eliminating the awkwardness of the moment. All in all, this is not only Thomas' best conception of a sonata-form movement within the cycle, but it also stands up handsomely to the competition, including Bernstein's recording on DG, which also suffers from slow tempos and slackening tension.

The second movement goes well enough. The strings sing their part warmly, offering a plush sound which is remarkably lovely - even if it is somewhat at odds with the rustic charm of the dance. Thomas indulges his penchant for rubato in excess ever so slightly - a tighter grip would have improved this otherwise wonderful movement.

The scherzo, however, hangs fire. There are too many wonderful moments here to highlight but of particular note are the droll clarinets, Thomas's wonderful transition into the trio, and the magnificent "cry of despair" which captures the all dread and intensity frighteningly well. The clarity of texture, not to mention the top-to-bottom perfection of ensemble, is a joy.

And then there is the Urlicht, one of the finest on disc, so faithfully performed by the late Lorraine Hunt Lieberson. Never has a voice so rich, so powerful, yet so sensitive graced this movement. She draws the text from the score masterfully, highlighting all the correct emotions, while imbuing the lied with a gravitas that never sounds forced. Thomas's sensitive accompaniment only adds to this gem, this brief dream before the onslaught of the finale.

The finale is uniformly spectacular, from the opening Bb minor outburst to the final "resurrection" in Eb. All offstage effects register with immaculate clarity, the various marches all embody the correct character, the orchestra really digs into their parts, delivering the vile sounds of purgatory with utmost character while expertly contrasting that with true visions of heaven. The entrance of the chorus is hair-raising and Hunt Lieberson is just as fine here as ever. Isabel Bayrakdarian, however, is a bit more problematic. Her small voice and quick vibrato do not suite the music well, keeping her vocal line stubbornly earthbound when transcendence is so necessary. However, her part is small and is easy to overlook when compared to the closing passages, where Thomas really creates a "resurrection." Expertly paced, perfectly balanced, and magnificently captured, the final passages are astoundingly powerful, carrying a great deal of tension and gravitas. Thomas may not revel in this music like Bernstein, who really plods through the final passages, but allows this conclusion to arrive naturally, creating a thrillingly satisfying close to this symphony. A magnificent installment in the ongoing series and a highlight in the discography of Mahler seconds.

On a side note, I think it is important to discuss the nature of the sound of the San Francisco Symphony in these recordings. The winds are quite lively, playful, at times even coquettish. The brass is rich, powerful, but not overbearing. The percussion, especially the bass drum and tam tam (wow), is astoundingly powerful. The strings have a bright sheen, but deliver some of their darkest timbres on disc here. Regardless, the real matter of interest in this recording is what is being said. Michael Tilson Thomas is quite well versed in Mahler and there is a profundity of incite here. There is no such thing as definitive when it comes to a Mahler performance. This recording, however, comes remarkably close.

The final performance was the greatest.......2005-03-05

I attended multiple performances of these recording sessions, and I can assure you that the final performance, the season finale Saturday night, was the greatest musical experience of my life. I was unable to move at the end of it. And I have all the definitive recordings of this symphony, which I consider second only to LvB9.

I have not heard this disc because I want to keep that memory pristine in my mind. The disc, I understand, was edited from several performances (and a member of the chorus told me there was a patch session after the last performance). I just hope they took much of it from Saturday...and I wish they allowed me to buy that performance (complete with the idiot making noise backstage in the 1st mov't) separately, so I could relive it.

I hope this disc is a shadow of what I experienced that night. I honestly have never heard MTT do anything even close to that, and I'm there all the time.

Average customer rating:

WOW!!!!!!!!!
Got to be his best!
top ten ever!!!
To "mr. I'm not impressed"
I'm not impressed

A Night in San Francisco
Van Morrison
Manufacturer: Polydor / Umgd
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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It's Too Late to Stop Now
Live at the Grand Opera House - Belfast
How Long Has This Been Going On
The Healing Game
No Guru, No Method, No Teacher

ASIN: B000001E3L
Release Date: 1994-05-17

Tracks:

Did Ye Get Healed?
It's All In The Game/Make It Real One More Time
I've Been Working
I Forgot That Love Existed
Vanlose Stairway/Trans-Euro Train/Fool For You
You Make Me Feel So Free
Beatiful Vision
See Me Through/Soldier Of Fortune/Thank You Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin
Ain't That Loving You Baby?
Stormy Monday/Have You Ever Loved A Woman?/No Rollin' Blues
Help Me
Good Morning Little School Girl
Tupelo Honey
Moondance/My Funny Valentine

Tracks:

Jumpin' With Symphony Sid
It Fills You Up
I'll Take Care Of You/It's A Man's, Man's, Man's World
Lonely Avenue/4 O' Clock In The Morning
So Quiet In Here/That's Where It's At
In The Garden/ You Send Me/Allegheny
Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?
Shakin' All Over/Gloria

Amazon.com

The Belfast Cowboy is one of the most mercurial and gloriously inconsistent live performers of his generation, as notorious for his onstage sulks and autopilot off-nights as he is justly celebrated for incandescent live sets that burn in the memory. This 1994 double-CD set, Van Morrison's third solo live album, doesn't surpass either his mid-'70s triumph, It's Too Late to Stop Now, or his Belfast homecoming on 1984's Live at the Grand Opera House, but a generous set and a typically taut, virtuosic stage band are tempting inducements, as is a repertoire that mixes both old and more recent Morrison originals with some shrewd covers. With Georgie Fame his staunch right hand (on organ and backing vocals), and his overexposed band singers, Brian Kennedy and James Hunter, Morrison digs into some particularly ripe medleys, interpolating King Pleasure, Sly Stone, T-Bone Walker, Sam Cooke, Jimmy Witherspoon, Gene Vincent, Roy Orbison, Sonny Boy Williamson, and Doc Pomus along the way. --Sam Sutherland

Customer Reviews:

WOW!!!!!!!!!.......2007-06-09

I never was the hugest Van Morrison fan. I knew the hits on the radio, & just from that I could tell he touched on a wide range of genres; Rock & Roll, Light Rock, Contemporary, jazz. At one time in New Orleans, it was near impossible NOT to hear "Brown Eyed Girl" 10 times a day, & I quickly got burnt out & stopped my Van Morrison explorations before I really got started. Now, there have been several bands which I had touched on in the same way, (Springsteen, Little Feat, Tom Petty, Rush) & once I heard them live I went CRAZY over them, so when this was reccomended to me by Amazon, I figured, Why not? MAN, AM I GLAD I CHECKED THIS OUT!!! This blows his studio material AWAY!!! The band has a much bigger, fuller sound, & it sounds as if he took all of the styles I forementioned, added blues to the mix, & combined them all to make a new SUPER-GENRE!! It also has the benefit of making you FEEL like you're THERE!! It sounds like Van is a MASTER SHOWMAN who is determined to give his fans something extra when they come to see him! His voice seems to have gotten a little deeper with age, (WHO'S HASN'T) but it's just as strong & soulful as ever!!If you want to hear what Van Morrison can really do, or even if you just appreciate good music & want to hear something new, CHECK THIS OUT!!! YOU WON'T REGRET IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Got to be his best!.......2007-04-26

I am not a huge fan of Van Morrison. I like some of his music and don't like some of his music. This album, however is among the greatest albums, (by anyone) that I've ever heard! The instrumental segments in most of the songs are phenominal. I first bought it on cassette tape in the nineties and wore it out listening to it. Just bought the CD set recently when I heard it was out of print. (Why did that happen, anyway?) I will love this album till the day I die!!!!

top ten ever!!!.......2007-02-25

definetly in my top 10 for concerts along with fleetwood mac,eagles, etc,etc

To "mr. I'm not impressed".......2006-09-25

Sorry "I'm not impressed" but you clearly missed the boat of your review. I sugguest you LISTEN to the audience reaction to Vans performance that night. He was truely brilliant and this is one of the "live" CDs ever. Van does not have to reinvent himself into anything. He's already a great singer, songwriter and performer and if some people can not see this I truly pitty them. His back-up band is session-quality, they're that good! Been listening the greatness of VM since I first saw him on ABC's In Concert in 1974. To those out there on the fence about this CD I say buy it and enjoy it. Good luck finding it however, it's out of print.

I'm not impressed.......2006-09-02

I like this version of Tupelo Honey but other than that, it sounds like Van's is trying to reinvent himself as a lounge singer. Don't get me wrong, he truly deserves to be called "The Man", but this is the soft-rock crap that most of his detractors despise. Elsewhere he makes good songs, both his own (Moondance, Gloria) and others (T-Bone Walker's Stormy Monday, Freddie King's Have You Ever Loved a Woman?, Sly Stone's Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin), James Brown's It's a Man's Man's Man's World) bad. I hate it when people do that. Loyal sidekick Georgie Fame is about as good as his name suggests (in other words, not at all), and it lacks the haunting mystique of Astral Weeks or the joy of Moondance. I listened to it once, and never played anything but Tupelo Honey again.

Average customer rating:

"Dreams of a World": A Dialogue...
Dreams with raw emotions.
Still a dream ...
An Elegant Journey Around The World
Simply Superb

Dreams of a World

Manufacturer: Teldec
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Journey to the Amazon
Sharon Isbin Plays Baroque Favorites for Guitar
Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez; Villa-Lobos: Concerto for guitar; Ponce: Concierto del sur
Greatest Hits
Latin Romances for Guitar

ASIN: B00002DEUI
Release Date: 1999-11-02

Tracks:

Virgillo
Cancion
Danza No. 1
Fantasia
Black Is The Color Of My True Love's Hair
Darling Cora
Putney Hymn
Finale
Londonderry Air
Agua E Vinho
Romanza
Brisas Del Torbes
Canto Siboney
Preludio No. 6: Dolor
Recuerdos De La Alhambra
Four Songs: Of Sting And Honey - Tomorrow - Jerusalem Of Gold - Spy Girl
One Day In May
You Have Set My Star
Varre Vento
Dedicatoria

Amazon.com

This disc is obviously aimed at the world-music audience, if one judges from its title and the subtitle, "Folk-Inspired Music for Guitar." But that shouldn't dissuade listeners interested in more serious music. Isbin has collected original pieces and arrangements from Spain, Latin America, Appalachia, Ireland, Israel, and Greece--all of them quite lovely. It's really amazing to hear, for example, the "Londonderry Air," better known as "Danny Boy," in such a sympathetic arrangement by the late Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu. She plays with such technical mastery that you wind up taking it for granted, while appreciating her songful delivery of this highly varied program of music, which was mostly first intended for the human voice. The uncommonly attractive booklet, including photos of Isbin as a world traveler, is another asset to this fine program, as is Teldec's realistic recorded sound. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

"Dreams of a World": A Dialogue..........2005-03-28

I was introduced to Ms. Isbin's music this winter during a trip when a friend had "Dreams of a World" on for 3 days straight, dawn to dusk. Typically, after listening to the same CD twice, one gets bored or annoyed. Yet, this was not the case; on the contrary "Dreams of a World" warmed us up --it was delicately beautiful. Ms. Isbin employs an astonishing pallet of colors, which she blends with unprecedented technical mastery and imaginative nuances throughout her oeuvre.

Cancion y danza for guitar, Agua E Vinho Mahar and Yerushala'im shel zahav are pieces which can easily be overly sentimental and languorous. Ms. Isbin keeps a pleasant balance between the melancholy in her phrasing, the underlying dynamism of her voice
and the warm character of the pieces. I can only recommend Dreams of a World to anyone in search of high quality music played by an artist, not merely a technician.

Dreams with raw emotions. .......2005-01-24

This is one of my all time favorite CD. When critics call Sharon Isbin the "Monet of the guitar" or the "preeminent guitarist of our time" they only begin do justice to her mastery of the instrument. On this CD my favorite pieces are Agua E Vinho, Cancíon y danza for guitar, Recuerdos de la Alhambra. They are superbly played; they are flawless, passionate ,very moving. I cannot help feeling transcend when listening to Dreams of a World. Ms. Isbin does more than play nice music from all over the world; in this CD she shares her heartfelt dreams of a world.

I highly recommend Dreams of a World.

Still a dream ..........2004-12-26

This has long been my favorite classical guitar recording, and I just put it on again after hearing another recent favorite recording ("Reflections of Spain") played by David Russell, who is perhaps the most gifted contemporary guitarist on record. I was inspired to do so by Russell's performance of the "Cancion y Danza No. 1" by Antonio Ruiz-Pipo, which though quite excellent, I knew right away was quite different from Isbin's take on the same piece.

First, let me say, I hope that they are good friends, because they are both landmark musicians and worthy "competitors." Both clearly play with absolute love for both the music and the instrument. In short, I prefer Isbin's recording of the Pipo "Danza," even though, overall, Russell's playing is technically cleaner and more facile (but not by much). (Across his entire CD, I recall barely any string noise from Russell, where as Isbin manages a mere dozen or so clear such imperfections across her entire and ample CD; big deal).

I think the thing that draws me to Isbin in this piece (and her CD, in general) is her incredible variety of rhythm, attack, and tone color, all of which combine to give an impression of near perfect balance between spontaneity and precision. She has a way of taking time without the slightest sense of delay or heaviness. This is probably because her tempo never changes, only the rhythm around it, which is a classic hallmark of rhythmic mastery. This means that she hears and feels, both deeply and objectively, every moment of "sound and space" (notes and rest) from beginning to end, like an unbroken line painted across a master's canvas. Combined with this, she uses the space between her bridge and finger board to elicit the most amazing contrasts in tone color (one of the great contributions of Segovia to the art).

Russell plays with equal mastery of rhythm and attack, perhaps aided by the remarkable sonic depth built into his guitar. While he makes maximum use of that wonderful guitar sound, he is somewhat less dramatic in his changes of volume and tone color between phrases, aiming for a more consistent and lyrical quality, certainly another aim of mastery in itself, but there in lies the difference. Still, his sharp shaping of phrases, especially in his choice of Spanish music on his entire CD, with that impeccable technique behind it, weaves a spell all its own.

So, even though Russell's is among the finest pure Spanish musical CDs available, and one of my favorite in that genre (musical realm), I still have to give my nod to Isbin's multi-national effort for its unmatched ability to conjure, especially today, the most sublime dreams of a better world.

An Elegant Journey Around The World.......2004-07-09

From the moment I put this CD on my player to the time the CD ended, I was transfixed. This CD is such a delight to the ears, that it is difficult to put into words the emotions experienced while listening. I attended a NY Philharmonic performance several weeks ago with guest soloist Sharon Isbin. Her live performance was mesmerizing. She did an encore performance of "Recuerdos de la Alhambra" which took my breath away. The NY Times reviewer called it a "...virtuoso encore...". How wonderful that this piece appears on Dreams of a World. A CD that will transport you around the world with the flavors of outstanding compositions interpreted by a musician who is one of the greatest living classical guitarists today. Do yourself a favor and experience the magic.

Simply Superb.......2004-07-07

You don't have to be a classical music expert to love this CD. It is accessible to both the novice as well as the sophisticated listener.

Tracks:

The A-Team - Nic Raine
The Addams Family - Nic Raine
The Adventures Of Robinson Crusoe - Nic Raine
Airwolf - Derek Wadsworth
The Avengers - Mike Townend
Barnaby Jones - Jerry Goldsmith
Batman - Nic Raine
Battlestar Galactica - Nic Raine
Baywatch - Derek Wadsworth
Beverly Hills 90210 - Derek Wadsworth
Bewitched - Nic Raine
Between The Lines - Mark Ayres
The Bill - Nic Raine
Bonanza - The Philharmonia Orchestra
Brideshead Revisited - Derek Wadsworth
Buck Rogers In The 25th Century - Nic Raine
Burke's Law - Derek Wadsworth
Cagney And Lacey - Derek Wadsworth
Captain Scarlet And The Mysterons - Mark Ayres
Casualty - Mark Ayres
Cheers - Mark Ayres
Dallas - Nic Raine
Dangerman (Secret Agent) - Mike Townend
Doctor Who - Mark Ayres
Doctor Kildare - Jerry Goldsmith

Tracks:

Doogie Howser, M.D. - Derek Wadsworth
Dynasty - Nic Raine
The Equalizer - Derek Wadsworth
Falcon Crest - Derek Wadsworth
Fireball XL-5 - Derek Wadsworth
The Fugitive - Nic Raine
Hawaii 5-0 - Mike Townend
Hercules: The Legendary Journeys - Nic Raine
The High Chaparral - Nic Raine
Highway To Heaven - Derek Wadsworth
Hill Street Blues - Derek Wadsworth
The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy - Mark Ayres
The Incredible Hulk - Derek Wadsworth
Jason King - Mike Townend
Jesus Of Nazareth - Paul Bateman
Joe 90 - Derek Wadsworth
Johnny Staccato - Derek Wadsworth
Knight Rider - Derek Wadsworth
Kojak - Mike Townend
L.A. Law - Derek Wadsworth
Land Of The Giants - Nic Raine
Little House On The Prairie - Derek Wadsworth
Lonesome Dove - Nic Raine
Lost In Space - Nic Raine
Lou Grant - Derek Wadsworth

Tracks:

Magnum, P.I. - Derek Wadsworth
A Man Called Ironside - Mike Townend
The Man From U.N.C.L.E. - Derek Wadsworth
M*A*S*H - Nic Raine
Miami Vice - Mark Ayres
Mike Hammer - Derek Wadsworth
Mission Impossible - Mike Townend
Monty Python's Flying Circus - Nic Raine
The Munsters - Derek Wadsworth
Murder She Wrote - Derek Wadsworth
Newhart - Derek Wadsworth
North And South - Derek Wadsworth
Northern Exposure - Derek Wadsworth
NYPD Blue - Mark Ayres
The Outer Limits - Nic Raine
Perry Mason - Mike Townend
The Persuaders - Mark Ayres
Peter Gunn - Mike Townend
Police Squad - Nic Raine
The Prisoner - Mike Townend
Quantum Leap - Derek Wadsworth
Randall And Hopkirk (Deceased) - Mike Townend
Red Dwarf - Mark Lambert
The Rockford Files - Mike Post
Roseanne - Dan Foliart

Tracks:

The Saint - Mike Townend
Seaquest DSV - Nic Raine
Space 1999 - Derek Wadsworth
Star Trek - Mike Townend
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Derek Wadsworth
Star Trek: Voyager - Nic Raine
St. Elsewhere - Derek Wadsworth
The Streets Of San Francisco - Nic Raine
Stingray - Barry Gray
Taxi - Derek Wadsworth
Thunderbirds - Derek Wadsworth
Thirty Something - Derek Wadsworth
The Time Tunnel - Nic Raine
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy - The Philharmonia Orchestra
The Twighlight Zone - Nic Raine
Twin Peaks - Derek Wadsworth
U.F.O. - Derek Wadsworth
The Virginian - Nic Raine
Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea - Nic Raine
Wagon Train - Paul Bateman
The Waltons - Jerry Goldsmith
The Wild Wild West - Derek Wadsworth
Young Riders - John Debney
Xena: The Warrior Princess - Paul Bateman
The X-Files - Mark Ayres

Customer Reviews:

Quantity Over Quality.......2007-01-15

As a musician myself, I know too well that one of the most important ingredients in ANY performance (live or recorded) is passion. The recordings here generally lack the same passion and sheer drama of the originals. Much of the instrumentation has been reduced to a cheezy, thin, plastic synthesized replica. The performances are simply a watered-down lackluster version of the classic originals. If it were not for the sheer volume of tracks compiled here, I would have rated the comp only "one star".

Mediocre.......2006-05-17

The sound quality for this collection isn't much better than the samples offered by Amazon.

One Hundred Greatest TV Themes.......2005-08-06

I have watched almost all the shows that are on these 4 cd's. Many were made before I started watching TV. Most I've seen once or twice before.

Pretty close to original recordings.......2005-07-24

Definitely not as good as the originals. You'll probably notice the slight differences since it's stuff you saw and listened to every week or everyday in reruns growing up, but it's still an amazing collection.

Really Good Collection.......2004-07-11

I bought this in part because it had soundtracks to tv shows that are unavailable. My husband and I watch aome British programming. Many of the theme songs are for what seems like obscure British shows. That said; it has been enjoyable to hear music that I would normally never hear. Some music does sound tinny; some are very very rich, and some music is derived from actual preformances from the original artists. I think this is worth buying because is has a wonderful blend of music. The pieces are full soundtracks so they includes the parts of the theme song which are often edited out. I think the orchestra's who preformed the music did a great job. I have MonsterMania which redoes the soundtracks to the Godzilla movies. The interpretation is less heavy and stark than the preformance we associate with the original soundtrack; but I regard it as a new way to appreciate the music and all the componets which make the song unique.

Jazz Music:

Jazz Music

Jazz Music