Gathering

Gathering

ASIN: B000009QU2

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Pianist Geri Allen titled The Gathering in light of the CD's diverse breadth of players. Playwright August Wilson's musical director, Dwight Andrews, adds an array of flutes to several tracks. And percussionist Mino Cinelu brightens the rhythms as trumpeter Wallace Roney and trombonist Robin Eubanks play darker lines on the title track. Then Vernon Reid, famed for his hard-rocking guitar in the band Living Color, comes on board to add electric grit to "Dark Prince" and classical guitar-inflected warmth to "Ray." Her esteemed guest players aside, Allen plays a robust piano, preferring the lower registers for their harmonic shades but also courting adventure with angular phrasing. Allen's compositions are each exciting, alternately sweet and inwardly complex--showing more than a touch of Wayne Shorter's influence. --Andrew Bartlett

From Jazziz
Far too often, eclecticism is its own reward. A multiplicity of viewpoints can often add up to no viewpoint at all. Geri Allen is a pianist and musical architect who operates in a pan-stylistic mode. Her playing, like her structures, moves easily through post-bop dexterity, modal cycles, and free-ranging open-endedness. What elevates Allen's work above pastiche is her command of form. When she's quarterbacking, you know that she's in charge, whether she's soloing or just vamping.

Allen works here with a core rhythm section (bassists Buster Williams and Ralphe Armstrong, drummer Lenny White, and percussionist Mino Cinelu) to which she adds various combinations of brass (trumpeter Wallace Roney, trombonist Robin Eubanks), reeds (Dwight Andrews), or guitar (Vernon Reid). While her viewpoint is broad, the aesthetic here seems to hover somewhere around that of the 1967 Miles Davis quintet. Her ensembles surge ("Dark Prince"), march ("Fight Matter"), pirouette ("Ray"), groove ("Gabriel's Royal Blue Reals"), and simply float ("Baby's Breath"). And when Roney solos, the Davis vibe is unmistakable. Hell, Teo Macero produced this album, as he did so many of those Davis Columbia albums.

While Allen clearly knows where she's going, she's susceptible to too many roadside stops, and her eclecticism is sometimes unnecessary, as in Reid's barbarian-at-the-dinner-table electric solo on "Prince," and in her child's vocal on "Angels." But these are small caveats to an otherwise fascinating offering.

Tracks:

The Hallejuah Trail-Overture
The Alamo-The Green Leaves Of Summer
The Alamo-Davy Crocket
The Big Country-The Welcoming/Finale
The Big Valley-Main Theme
Blazing Saddles-Blazing Saddles
Bonaza-Main Theme
Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid-raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head
The Comancheros-McBain/Main Title
Duel In The Sun-Main Title/The Legend/Orizaba
A Fistfull Of Dynamite-Duck You Sucker
For A Few Dollars More-Main Theme
Friendly Persuasion-Thee I Love
Giant-Main Theme
The Good, The Bad And The Ugly-Main Theme
The Good, The Bad And The Ugly-The Ecstasy Of Gold
Gunfight At The O.K. Corral-Suite
Hang 'Em High-Main Theme
The Hanging Tree-Main Title

Tracks:

High Caparral-Main Theme
How The West Was Won-Prelude/The Land
High Noon-Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darlin'
The Jayhawkers-The Lynching/Two Brothers/The Hayhawkers
The Lone Ranger-William Tell Overture: Finale
Nevada Smith-Main Title
Old Gringo-Main Themes
Once Upon A Time In The West-Man With The Harmonica
One Eyed Jacks-Main Title
The Proud Rebel-Main Titles
The Quick And The Dead-End Titles
Quigley Down Under-End Titles
Rio Bravo-Rio Bravo/De Guella
The Scalphunters-Main Title
Shane-Main Theme: The Call Of The Farwaway Hills
The Shootist-Main Title
The Unforgiven-The Need For Love
Viva Zapata-Gathering Forces
The Virginian-Main Theme

Customer Reviews:

Not My Style.......2007-05-11

This CD has a lot of good songs on it, but it just too bland for our taste. We prefer Western music to sound as though genuine cowboys are singing it - not a fancy chorus!

Rockin' Western Collection.......2006-08-28

For anyone who likes movie/tv music from westerns should purchase this CD. What a wonderful collection of both film and tv with great renditions of each piece. I'm about to purchase Vol. 1 to complete my collection.

Hard to Find Great Western Themes .......2006-03-16

This CD has a number of great western themes that are not in some of the standard lists. For example it includes "The Hallejuah Trail", "Blazing Saddles", and "Giant". This CD also has what I consider the true theme of "The Comancheros". I have been disappointed with some other CDs I have purchased listing "The Comancheros" which had a song rather than this theme. Many of the tracks on this two disk CD go beyond the main theme music and are actually suites. The "Big Country" and "How the West Was Won" are just a couple of examples. It may be a little more expense than some CDs, but not bad for a two disk set. I am really happy with my purchase.

Western Music.......2005-07-29

I enjoy this CD. It has many familiar melodies. Good background for reading, nice to listen while driving. It is also the only CD I've ever found that has the great theme from the movie "Giant."

A great follow-up.......2003-08-29

This is the second collection by SilvaScreen, who are also responsible for "The Wild West: The Essential Western Film Music Collection" (see my review). And it's just as good as the first. There are themes in here that everyone will recognize ("Bonanza," "A Fistful of Dollars"), themes that may not be so familiar ("Duel in the Sun," "The Hanging Tree," the lively "Blazing Saddles"), and even themes you may not associate with Westerns at all ("The Friendly Persuasion"). And no duplication either: when this disc includes a piece from one of the same sources covered in its predecessor, it's a different piece. One great treat: the full lyrics to "Gunfight at OK Corral," which I've never heard outside the soundtrack of the movie itself. The arrangement from "Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid" includes not only the familiar song "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head" but an overview of the music--seguing almost seamlessly into Bernstein's magnificent "The Comancheros," a rare find indeed. An expensive item, but if you love Western film music, well worth it.

All I Can Do/New Harvest...First Gathering

Average customer rating:

2 classic Dolly albums
Dolly: All i can do / new harvest first gathering
Timeless
Excited About This Release!
Two More Rare Dolly LP's Come To CD Life!

All I Can Do/New Harvest...First Gathering
Dolly Parton
Manufacturer: Bmg Germany
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Great Balls of Fire/Dolly, Dolly, Dolly
Burlap & Satin/Real Love
Dolly Parton and Friends
My Tennessee Mountain Home
Coat of Many Colors

ASIN: B000MTOQB8
Release Date: 2007-03-19

Tracks:

All I Can Do
Fire That Keeps You Warm
When the Sun Goes Down Tomorrow
I'm a Drifter
Falling Out of Love with Me
Shattered Image
Boulder to Birmingham
Preacher Tom
Life's Like Poetry
Hey, Lucky Lady
Light of a Clear Blue Morning
Applejack
My Girl (My Love)
Holdin' on to You
You Are
How Does It Feel
Where Beauty Lives in Memory
(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher
Getting in My Way
There

Album Description

2007 UK pressing of this two-fer from the talented and beautiful Country legend featuring a double dose of her classic albums on one CD. The albums featured in this series were all originally released during the most creative and successful period of her career in the late '70s and early '80s. All I Can Do was released in 1976 followed one year later by New Harvest...First Gathering. 20 tracks total. Sony/BMG.

Customer Reviews:

2 classic Dolly albums.......2007-05-16

It's a shame that it took an import to get these 2 classic Dolly albums on CD. But they did a great job with this issue. The liner notes are not skimpy, and even include full pages of the front and back covers of both albums. "All I Can Do" had 2 hit singles, the title cut and "Hey, Lucky Lady." "New Harvest..." had the hit "Light of a Clear Blue Morning." The rest of the albums is not filler, rather more great and heartfelt music from Dolly. The track "Shattered Image" is awesome, as is her version of Emmylou Harris' "Boulder to Birmingham." It's high time these 2 great albums found their way onto CD. The packaging is far better than previous import "2-fers," and the songs speak for themselves. I plan on getting the other recent 2-fers ("Great Balls of Fire/Dolly Dolly Dolly" and "Burlap & Satin/Real Love") because of the quality of this release. Every Dolly fan should have these in their collection, you will not be disappointed!

Dolly: All i can do / new harvest first gathering.......2007-05-15

2 of my many fav Dolly albums on the same CD - awesome! It's a must have for any collector of Dolly's music...

Timeless.......2007-05-13

Anyone with a passion for old music will appreciate this cd. This is Dolly as she was leaving Porter Wagner to venture out on her own. This cd shows that she got off to a great start.

Excited About This Release! .......2007-04-06

"All I Can Do" is one of my favorite Dolly albums and this 2-album set is just loaded with gems. I was delighted to see that for her 2002 record, she re-recorded the song "Shattered Image," one of my favorites by Miss Dolly. Also on this double album CD is Dolly's first album - "New Harvest...First Gathering"- that she produced after she left Porter Wagoner. This album contains another gem on it - "Applejack" that has become another Dolly classic and is performed at almost all of her live shows, even to this day. One of my favorite songs in all of her catalog. I was very excited to finally have both albums available in a digital format, instead of on LP, so I could listen to it at my computer and in the car. A fabulous 2-album disc! Go get it!

Two More Rare Dolly LP's Come To CD Life!.......2007-04-05

In my opinion "All I can Do" and "New Harvest...First Gathering" are 2 of the best Dolly Parton albums ever and for the first time they get renewed life in CD format. Older fans will relish in hearing these beautiful albums again in much better sound quality and newer Dolly fans will discover a Dolly just before she became a superstar. The sound is excellent with beautiful artwork and packaging. The LP's have been redone fully with album covers fully displayed in CD form. The folks in the UK should be applauded for the work they have done here. Get your copies of these CD's now as they have not been issued in the U.S. and they will become collector's items very quickly the same way as Dolly's CD issue of "Here You Come Again" did in 1998. Dolly has never sounded so good!

Average customer rating:

Dedicated to experts?
Zappa Attempts Stockhausen
The Yello Shark, performed by the Modern Music Ensemble
ZAP!
A Frank Zappa Treasure. Better than many of his CDs

The Yellow Shark

Manufacturer: Zappa Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Jazz From Hell
Make a Jazz Noise Here
The Grand Wazoo
Burnt Weeny Sandwich
The Perfect Stranger

ASIN: B0000009VU
Release Date: 1995-05-30

Tracks:

Intro
Dog Breath Variations
Uncle Meat
Outrage At Valdez
Times Beach II
III Revised
The Girl In The Magnesium Dress
Be-Bop Tango
Ruth Is Sleeping
None Of The Above
Pentagon Afternoon
Questi Cazzi Di Piccione
Times Beach III
Food Gathering In Post-Industrial America, 1992
Welcome To The United States
Pound For A Brown
Exercise #4
Get Whitey
G-Spot Tornado

Amazon.com

Released shortly after his death in 1993, The Yellow Shark represents one of the only accurate performances of Frank Zappa's "serious" orchestral music--at least as far as the composer was concerned. Assembled from a series of sold-out performances in Germany by the Ensemble Moderne, the set includes re-workings of old favorites like "The Dog Breath Variations" and "Uncle Meat," live arrangements of some of his hairiest computer music like "The Girl in the Magnesium Dress" and "G-Spot Tornado" and new works by Zappa composed specifically for the event. The performances are astonishing and the music? Pure Zappa. --Andrew Boscardin

Album Description

The 26-member Ensemble Modern performs FZ's 'most-humanly-impossible-to-play' compositions. Piano duets, string quintets & small ballets. Simply exquisite, with a 60-page booklet to explain it all. Originally released in 1993, it stayed on the classical chart for most of `94. Includes the tracks 'Outrage At Valdez,' 'None Of The Above,' & 'Welcome To The United States', plus arrangements of some of the most fiendishly difficult pieces from FZ's back catalogue & even a 'greatest hit' or two (some would pick this as the definitive version of 'Dog Breath Variations'). Sadly, this was the last album released by FZ during his lifetime. The didipak and the booklet are housed in a slipcase. Rykodisc.

Customer Reviews:

Dedicated to experts?.......2007-06-25

Frank Zappa was very proud of this great and difficult work done at the end of his (too short) life.
It requires also great concentation and a capability that probably I don't have to well understand this kind of experimental classic music.
It goes beyond the experimental rock that is typical of many of his works, leading him to the level of great contemporary experimental classic composers.
Given such a level of difficulty I don't know how much I can suggest to buy it. You just should try to hear at this music and decide if it does fit with your soul (how could I believe just a few years ago that today I would like so much 'Your funeral my trial' of Nick Cave?)

Zappa Attempts Stockhausen.......2007-02-13

FZ goes to Germany to upstage Karlheinz and tries an avant garde stage performance which is an elegant and popular form of expression in Germany. The Germans have perfected this type of marriage between romanticism and neoclassicism. In this case it's an overly technical performance, a display. The orchestra all sound good yet Zappa has given the music to another conductor, Peter Rundel. There is no rhythm section and without a background the result is too intellectual.

The Yello Shark, performed by the Modern Music Ensemble.......2007-01-19

This CD addresses the more serious, compositional aspect of Frank Zappa's career, and it could not be addressed in a more suitable manner. It includes some of FZ's more difficult works, such as "Bee Bop Tango", "Uncle Meat", and "G-Spot Tornado". The conductor is Peter Rundel, and as Zappa says himself, he is a fine conductor. This is highly recommended for anyone who has already developed a taste for Zappa's complex and imaginative arrangements.

ZAP!.......2006-01-20

Trying to define this album to my good friend was hard. "Well it's Zappa's songs done with an orechestra, but's not really classical sounding . . . it's just Zappa." And my friend just simply nodded and said "Sounds awesome." and i realized that if any reviewer would've just said 'It's Zappa!' it wouldn't take much more to sway me. so - It's Zappa! And it's damn near perfect it's so good! Riveting!!!

Be warned! You may like nobody (musically or real life) or anything (musically or real life) ever again after listening to this album, but it's not that big of a deal!

A Frank Zappa Treasure. Better than many of his CDs.......2005-07-29

`The Yellow Shark', with words and music by Frank Zappa is a collection of `chamber music' pieces recorded in 1993 in Germany, performed by a German orchestra, `Ensemble Modern', which, I believe, commissioned Herr Zappa to assemble these pieces for their concerts. In the accompanying booklet, Frank is pictured with a baton in hand, but the credits only have him conducting three pieces, those with a very significant spoken word aspect (all spoken in English). He also makes a brief appearance at the beginning of the CD where he introduces the Ensemble Modern conductor, Peter Rundel.

This recording is probably one of the very last to be done by Zappa himself, before his unexpected death due to illness. Of all the musical figures of the 1960s lost to us over the years, I miss Zappa almost as much as I miss John Lennon, and I am very happy that if we had to lose them, it was not to drugs or any other kind of self abuse.

There are fourteen musical pieces and three `spoken word' pieces on the recording. I confess that the spoken word pieces may actually be a bit dated, especially the `Welcome to the United States' track on a questionnaire for immigrants which makes a reference to terrorism which may seem entirely too glib in our current environment.

Two of the earliest tracks `Dog Breath Variations' and `Uncle Meat' are instantly recognizable from their music and titles as `quotes' from earlier albums, with very little `classical' varnish over their strongly jazzy sound. Most of the other musical pieces have more subtle quotes from earlier Zappa works, and demonstrate influences from George Gershwin, Kurt Weill, the movie music from `Spartacus', and his old mentor, Edgar Varese.

I noticed that the applause on these tracks was louder than the music and I was wondering whether the audience was appreciating the music itself or the presence of that formidable 1960's icon, Frank Zappa. I'm sure it was a little bit of both, but Zappa and audience couldn't resist quoting from one of his best albums, `The Mothers Fillmore East - June 1971'.

I think this quote was entirely appropriate, in that we owe so much musical innovation to the popular musical performers who were nutured by 1960's, producing such wonders as Zappa and the great bands such as The Rolling Stones and The Who, who are still scoring our artistic perceptions on both commercials and dramatic themes on TV.

This may not be Zappa's greatest album, but it is one of his cleanest. Like `Hot Rats', there is very little `throw away' material. And, it is one of the very few pop or classical recordings by a major musical figure where you will hear the performance of a didgeridoo (Australian aborigonal flute).

Highly recommended for Zappa fans and fans of 1960s music in general.

Average customer rating:

I tied but can't connect with this one
the weakest of the anneke-era
not any good
Home, dificil definir esta pieza maestra
9/10

Home
The Gathering
Manufacturer: The End Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Souvenirs
Accessories: Rarities & B-Sides
Karmacode
A Sound Relief
How to Measure a Planet?

ASIN: B000EQ5QA4
Release Date: 2006-04-25

Tracks:

Shortest Day
In Between
Alone
Waking Hour
Fatigue
A Noise Sever
Forgotten
Solace
You Troubles Are Over
Box
The Quiet One
Home
Forgotten Reprise

Customer Reviews:

I tied but can't connect with this one.......2007-02-18

I recently purchased this CD after hearing Anneke van Giersbergen do guest vocals on the John Wetton/Geoff Downes collaboration Rubicon II. I am always on the lookout for new music. Anneke had outstanding vocals on that CD as she does with the Gathering on Home. However, besides the quality of her vocals, I just have not been able to connect with the music on this CD. I like a wide range of styles and genres of music, but the problem here is that the songs are not catchy in any way, and pretty much all sound alike. You can have all the talent in the world, but if the songs themselves and the delivery are marginal, you are not going to sell a lot of records. Maybe I should have started with another release by the Gathering, but this one doesn't move me in any way. I give it two stars for the talent of the vocalist.

the weakest of the anneke-era.......2007-01-25

It is no accident that this release has only been out for less than a year and it is now available from Amazon for less than $4.00. Had this been my first experience with the Gathering, and had I believed from all of the mostly rave reviews of this CD that this is about as good as it gets, I certainly would have never purchased anything else from the band.

I tried at first to listen to Home and compare it to other offerings from the Gathering. Honestly, it sounds like a completely different band. The vocals are less passionate and completely forgettable, and the music could not stand alone without the vocals.

Then I tried to listen to Home as though it was a different band and to appreciate it on its own merits. I found myself imagining I could be listening to a Sarah Mclaughlin record. It nearly put me to sleep.

If this is the first Gathering CD you've heard and you give it 5 stars, don't bothering buying anything else from the band. Everything else they have put out is so much better than this, it will probably make your head explode.

If this is not the first thing you have heard from the Gathering and you liked everything else up to this point, I hope you aren't one of the ones that gave this a great review, because that would just be an example of blind adulation.

Want something heavy? Get Mandylion. Want something catchy? Get If_then_else or Nighttime Birds. Want something different? Get How to Measure a Planet or Rarities (the Dead Can Dance and Slowdrive covers are incredible.)

not any good.......2007-01-20

i don't understand some reviewers on here its like did we here the same cd or something.

Home, dificil definir esta pieza maestra.......2006-12-13

Una nueva entrega de esta banda holandesa. Quienes esperen un album metal-gotico-epico-pesado, no esperen encontrar algo semejante. Quienes buscan innovacion tanto de instrumentos como de grados en la voz, es un excelente album:

1. Shortest Day (5.0)
Escuchen la guitarra que reitera en casi toda la cancion. Anneke sigue mejorando con esa voz que anteriormente nos ha encandilado. Es una cancion muy pop, pero es un pop que no se ha escuchado antes.
2. In Between (5.0)
Combinacion de ritmo mas dureza. Nuevamente, Anneke nos brinda esa calidez vocal en esta cancion. Sobre el ritmo tengo poco que comentar, pues el aporte es minimo, disculpando a los demas musicos de The Gathering.
3. Alone (5.0)
Otra balada dentro de los exitos de Travel y Leaves. Cuenta con tres partes claramente diferenciadas, contando el puente con una piadosa voz de Anneke. "I will be there, for you to care, and you will find, peace of -your mind". Es una corta-venas que nos atrapa justo al finalizar la cancion. Gracias a Alone y a Home, es que este album vale la pena ser escuchado sin cansancio.
4. Waking Hour (4.0)
Otra "balada" del album. No es de mi agrado, pero el teclado favorece a que no obtenga una puntuacion menor. Bueno, es innegable que el teclado es lo mejor de este grupo, junto con la voz de Anneke.
5. Fatigue (5.0)
El inicio es dificil de entender, pero mejora luego de los 90 segundos. Bueno: mejora, para dar paso a la siguiente cancion. Fatigue se asemeja mucho a los "intro" de algunos album.
6. A Noise Sever (4.0)
Tiene un ritmo lento, es atractivo, pero no de los mejores. Aun asi, se deja escuchar.
7. Forgotten (4.0)
Buen ritmo. Pero no para hacer un comentario extenso del mismo.
8. Solace (5.0)
Quien diria que Anneke hablara en castellano. Pues, en esta cancion lo hace. Es algo sombria, muy de susurro, pero escuchenla. Me ha llamado mucho la atencion que una cancion pueda combinar diferentes idiomas y seguir siendo buena.
9. You Troubles Are Over (5.0)
El inicio de la cancion es llamativo. Luego, con el acompañamiento de la bateria que no cansa de tocar el mismo ritmo en casi todo momento, mientras que Anneke suaviza con su voz cualquier efecto de sonido fuerte. Quiza el final es muy pronto y esperamos otro descenlace, pero no podria darle menos calificacion. Es una buena cancion pop.
10. Box (4.0)
Una balada sin sentido en este album. Quiza debio salir en un rarities. Es una opinion pesonal.
11. The Quiet One (4.0)
Es una extraña cancion. Son solo murmullos y quejidos.
12. Home (5.0)
Madre mia. Que cancion. Es una acida cancion con una voz que pretende tumbarnos emocionalmente. Os digo: escuchen el final de la cancion cuando canta Anneke. Es una original corta-venas.Me encanto esta cancion desde el primer ritmo. Luego del puente, la cancion se torna tenebrosa, misteriosa, y Anneke ayuda en ello.
13. Forgotten Reprise (4.5)
Es la ultima cancion de este album. Luego de "Home", necesitamos una tonada que nos tranquilice el espiritu. Y lo consigue gracias a una suave melodia
***
Ironico que un grupo pesado cambie tan rapido a estos ritmos pop, pero no el clasico pop para la multitud. Este album sirve para ser escuchado en casa, apreciarlo y visualizar los nuevos ritmos que The Gathering nos presenta en cada nuevo album.

9/10.......2006-10-19

Reviewgium - Volume I, issue III

Before I was even a fan of The Gathering, Anneke van Giersbergen was one of my favorite female vocalists, and her charms have won me over yet again with this album. It took a few listens before Home really "clicked," but when it did, it did so in a big way. As with their last few albums, Home makes it apparent that The Gathering has mellowed out quite a bit, but they have not lost their edge. Well, perhaps they did lose a little in Souvenirs, but they have gained back whatever little edge they lost in Home. Still, the newer songs are almost mellow enough at times to be considered metal-tinged pop rock, but let's not go overboard with labels.

"Shortest Day" opens the album, the highlight being Anneke's immaculate, wordless chantings during the choral sections. Then a slow, pulse followed by a sinister bass line starts the haunting track "In Between," which I think contains Anneke's best performance on the album, though it is really difficult to rate one song against another in that manner, as she excels consistantly in every song. An eerie combination of chimes and steady pulsating rhythms provdide the setting for "Alone," a song beautiful in its simplicity. The delicate nature of "Waking Hour" sort of trasports you to another realm, and is extended in the intermediate track "Fatigue," and enhanced further with more of Anneke's enchanting vocal lines in "A Noise Severe." "Forgotten" may be considered the weak point of Home, if there must be one, but there is nothing wrong with a simple duet between Anneke and a piano. "Solace" is a mixture of singing and spoken word. Does anyone have a problem with the Dutch language rolling off of Anneke's tongue? I do not know what she is saying, but it does not seem to matter. In fact, now I think I'd pay for a few issues of "Books On Tape: as read in Dutch by the sultry Anneke van Giersbergen." Anyway, the pace picks up a bit with "Your Troubles Are Over," sinking back down for the sad melodies of "Box," another song, like "Alone," that is beautiful in its simplicity, pulling at your heartstrings like a rain shower in the forest on a cool, placcid spring night. "The Quiet One"...short but sweet Anneke ambience, setting you up for the title track. Just sit back, close your eyes for a moment, and let it take you to another plane. She has that power. Frankly, I think the album could have ended perfectly with this song, but the final track is instead a "Forgotten Reprise," odd in that it is longer than the original "Forgotten." Or perhaps I should say "drawn out," as the track is essentially a droning 8-minute fade-out that disappears into the horizon.

I can definitely recommend this album to fans, though if you were expecting a return to the earlier and heavier sound of The Gathering, you obviously will not find it here, and perhaps never again at this rate. Not that that is a bad thing. For new listeners, pick it up if I have sparked your interest, but your best bet would be to acquire the more energetic Nighttime Birds, or alternatively, the classic How To Measure a Planet as your first Gathering album. It worked for me.

Average customer rating:

Best baby gift you can buy.
This album is a MUST-HAVE for parents everywhere
A Family Favorite
Couldn't (would not want to) live without this one!
An outstanding collection of musical selections for kids.

Newborn
Sara Hickman
Manufacturer: Big Kids Productions
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Martha Stewart Baby: Sleepytime
Faithful Heart

ASIN: B00004TTI5
Release Date: 1999-11-01

Tracks:

Hush
It's Alright (a capella)
A-Tisket A-Tasket
Lily
Goop's In It
This Heart
Reserved for the One I Love
Big Bird, Little Bird
Moonshadow
You Are My Sunshine
A Slice of Heaven
All Things Bright and Beautiful
It's Alright (with string quartet)
We Are Each Other's Angels
Brahms'Lullaby

Amazon.com

The liner notes to baby records could be lifted from one jewel case to the next with nary an eye ever batted, because they all trot out some form of the same trite message: "It doesn't matter what you sing to your baby, so long as you sing." Don't count Sara Hickman out--on Newborn (and on the logical successor, Toddler), she lets us know from the get-go that "my wish was to create an album for parents who have trepidation about singing to their newborns." Still, and despite the inclusion of standards like "Hush" and "You Are My Sunshine" on this not overly touchy-feely 15-tracker, she's concocted something special, outdoing her well-intentioned peers by performing originals so repetitive (the soothing "It's Alright") or ridiculous ("Goop's In It," about a booger-infested baby peeper) that singing along, infant at your side, seems right. Hickman wins us over with informality; in effect, she hands over her baby monitor, letting us listen in on stuff that's spilled spontaneously (and, because she's Sara Hickman, melodically) from her lips while gazing dopily at her own newborn. Occasionally, she can go overboard with the candor--listening to the ballad "Lily," written for her daughter, feels like opening somebody else's love letter--but forgiving her is easy, first because by being so open she becomes an instant surrogate friend to isolated new parents; and second, because her voice, evocative of Karen Carpenter on "Lily" and of Linda Ronstadt on "It's Alright," will tame the testiest baby. It's vocal crushed velvet. Give this album to stupefied new moms--by not being overly concerned with making sense, it may be the most sensible baby album you can buy. --Tammy La Gorce

Album Description

Songs for newborn infants

Customer Reviews:

Best baby gift you can buy........2006-04-12

Going to a baby shower soon? Friends or family members about to have a kid? This is more than a CD of some music -- is family intimacy in a box!

Seriously, this CD was created to encourage parents to sing to their children. Simple songs that are soothing to babies. One of the songs was made up by Sara while walking the floor with her colicky firstborn. This is the kind of stuff that settles the stomach of both parents and babies. Beautiful stuff.

This album is a MUST-HAVE for parents everywhere.......2004-08-24

I received this album as a shower gift and I can't tell you how much it has meant to my whole family, even the grandparents. Sara has a way of verbalizing how amazing children and your love for them is. I plan on buying every product she ever produces because she is uplifting and makes both my daughter and I feel great.

A Family Favorite.......2003-12-15

A friend gave us a copy of Sara Hickman's Newborn and Toddler cd's when our daughter was born and they are forever on our stereo... in the livingroom, the nursery, and the car. Newborn is such a sweet cd that has calming songs as well as a few funny and playful songs (good for dads to sing along with!). The Toddler cd is great fun for when our little one is wide awake and in need of entertainment. You don't feel so ridiculous being silly when you are singing along with Sara! Both cd's are essential for new parents. We treasure them!

Couldn't (would not want to) live without this one!.......2002-04-25

If my now 6 months old daughter (who has been Sara's fan for 3 months) was writing a review, it would go something like this. "I love to listen to Sara's CD. She has a beautiful voice that instantly makes me forget to be fussy. I could listen to her singing for hours, and indeed I do - and never tire! The song "goop in your eyes" makes me smile, esp when mama tries to sing along (she is NOT a very good singer). My only complaint is that the pauses between the songs are too long. Sometimes I have just enough time to remember what was making me fussy, but then I forget again when the next song starts!" --- aah, isn't she cute?

An outstanding collection of musical selections for kids........2001-05-04

Sara Hickman's Newborn is an outstanding collection of highly recommended musical selections for young listeners which are superbly performed and flawlessly recorded. The fifteen pieces comprising Newborn include Hush (1:33); It's Alright (2:55); A-Tisket A-Tasket (2:07); Lily (3:16); Goop's In It (1:45); This Heart (4:50); Reserved for the One I Love (3:01); Big Bird, Little Bird (:59); Moonshadow (2:53); You Are My Sunshine (2;43); A Slice of Heaven (2:23); All Things Bright and Beautiful (:51); It's Alright (4:13); We Are Each Other's Angels (5:20); and Brahms' Lullaby (1:02). Also highly recommended for family, school, day-care center, and community library children's music collections is Sara Hickman's Toddler (CD, ... 42 minutes)

Average customer rating:

It's just a frame of mind
Forget a Best Of Album...Just Get This
Above average
Their most rewarding album
The Gathering : "If_Then_Else"

If_Then_Else
The Gathering
Manufacturer: Century Media
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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How to Measure a Planet?
Nighttime Birds
Souvenirs
Home
Sleepy Buildings - A Semi Acoustic Evening

ASIN: B00004VVWB
Release Date: 2000-07-25

Tracks:

Rollercoaster
Shot To Pieces
Amity
Bad Movie Scene
Colorado Incident
Beautiful War
Analog Park
Herbal Movement
Saturnine
Morphia's Waltz
Pathfinder

Album Description

Brilliant Symphonic Black Metal from the Holland outfit, originally released in 2000. 11 tracks. Century Media. 2003.

Customer Reviews:

It's just a frame of mind.......2007-05-21

If_Then_Else is widely considered The Gathering's finest work to date, and I'm not in disagreement with that statement either. There's enough semblance to earlier works which keep things from getting dull but there's also huge growth and sure signs of The Gathering spreading their wings musically as well. With three albums under Anneke's belt at the release of this, she's never sounded better or stronger. As for the rest of the guys, if you've heard any previous record you kind of know what to expect. However, If_Then_Else is truly where they really start experimenting and tweaking their sound.

New to The Gathering? You just found your starting place. While Mandylion is by my definition a classic, and Nighttime Birds is an excellent listen as well, nothing will prepare you more for what they sound like nowadays than this CD right here. It's no secret Anneke isn't afraid to let the guys take over a song and I think If_Then_Else is where that really became apparent. How To Measure A Planet? is chock full of songs containing NO vocals and Souvenirs, while being more to the point, is just as adventurous as well.

Looking for that harder-edged version of The Gathering? Songs like Rollercoaster, Shot To Pieces, and Colorado Incident are all right up your alley. On the other side of the coin though, songs like Bad Movie Scene, Analog Park, Herbal Movement, and Saturnine are tell-tale signs of growth on everyone's behalf. Oh, and it happens in every CD they've released with Anneke at the helm, that one part in that one song where her voice just raises every hair on your body because of its beauty. What's the song? Bad Movie Scene.

My favorite songs are Rollercoaster, Bad Movie Scene, Colorado Incident, Saturnine, and Pathfinder. With each further CD The Gathering releases it seems they're competing with no one other than themselves. They're clearly in a league of their own and they have a fanbase that is only growing, knowing that alone should at least pique your interest enough to check them out. Starting here wouldn't be a bad idea either. Happy listening!

Forget a Best Of Album...Just Get This.......2007-04-16

This album is a must have for any Gathering fan, or any fan of progressive metal/rock for that matter. While not their quintessential release (that title belongs to Mandylion), this album sounds like they took the best sounds from their previous hits and meshed them together into a seemless cascade of songs. If you like every era of the Gathering, then this album is for you. It synthesizes their heavier sound with their more experimental/prog style nicely.

This is my favorite album from The Gathering in terms of the overall feel of it. If you are new to The Gathering, I recommend this album along with Mandylion and/or Nighttime Birds. The good thing about this album is it showcases everything the band has done. If you like the proggier songs, then you might want to try out How To Measure A Planet. I prefer the heavier, hence I also recommend Nighttime Birds and Mandylion.

Above average.......2006-11-10

We usually buy most of our cds for one or two songs.The rest is very often quite indifferent.This is not the case in this cd. All the songs are good and you can play the cd many times from the first to the last song without feeling the urge to change it.
In my opinion the best song is No.9 "Saturnine" which I rate with a 5, but all the other songs do not fall below 4.
If you are familiar with the music of the Gathering, it is certain that you will enjoy "If_Then_Else". If you are not familiar with their music, this is the best choise to start.

Their most rewarding album .......2006-02-13

I remember being not too impressed with If_Then_Else when I first heard it back in 2000. After their wildly successful (both musically and commercially) albums Mandylion and Nighttime Birds, The Gathering certainly hinted that they were on the verge of starting a new chapter in their career, which was signalled with the release of How to Measure a Planet.

If_Then_Else came across as a confusing album at first, but each passing year has attested to the depth and richness it actually has to offer. This might quite possibly be one of their most mature and melodically powerful releases in their history. The songs are captured with deep wall-of-sound production that recalls Radiohead's OK Computer. Anneke van Giersbergen's beautiful and irresistible voice is delicately doubled in some pieces, such as the poignant "Rollercoaster", a song with thick guitar textures and slightly electronic keyboards. Anneke's voice comes at you from all different directions, overlapping and harmonising with itself and creating a dreamy atmosphere. The same technique is utilised on the minimalist "Analog Park"; clever doubling is added to the piano-driven piece to help build sections amidst throbbing bass and guitar feedback. It took me several years to see how complex some of these songs actually are -- far more complex and thought-out than the albums preceding it (speaking of this, you must give Souvenirs another careful listen if you thought it wasn't as strong as their mid-90's stuff). The band explores the parameters of post-rock combined with exceptional vocals and acoustic guitars on "Bad Movie Scene" and the more sampled, somewhat industrial "Herbal Movement", where waves of distorted synth sounds marry soaring vocals and serene atmospheres.

"Shot to Pieces" and "Colorado Incident" are more upbeat tracks with heavier rhythm guitars playing a bigger role. The string arrangements and lush organ sounds serve to thicken the infinitely layered soundscapes, while "Saturnine" is the ear-candy pop lament where Anneke's voice is worth dying for. Actually her control and pitch on this album quite possibly surpass anything she did before, if listened with an open mind. Another incredible tune is "Amity", highlighted by great percussion work, intense synth blanketing, sad violin melodies, and deep, Ulverian guitars. The band's short instrumental piece "Beautiful War" is a hybrid of rocking guitar and bass, cello, trombon, and French horn. How all these instruments come together and form such a cohesive piece in only 2:31 is beyond me.

Zlaya Hadzich deserves a medal for his production on this disc. I've always been fond of the sonic quality of The Gathering's music, but Hadzich truly outdid himself with If_Then_Else reaching his peak with the much overlooked Souvenirs. Not only did he help The Gathering find their new, fresh sound, but he also rendered the songs impeccably transparent and fluid during the recording process.

At any rate, this is very highly recommended and one of their most rewarding albums in the long run.

The Gathering : "If_Then_Else".......2005-11-19

***** - FIVE STARS
===================

My personal favorite Gathering release. Very cooooooool. This is without question one of the most unique Gathering offerings to date. I simply can't get enough of this, it's better than "Mandylion" in my opinion too. I'm blown away. Some of the coooooolest sounding music I've ever heard. The Gathering are incredible when it comes to inovating fresh sounds and new directions. "If_Then_Else" is proof of that without question. Have I said how cooooool this release is???....

Buy it with the upmost confidence....

Average customer rating:

Lesser known guitarist wins me over

Manhã de Carnaval

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

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Guitar Music of Argentina
Latin American Guitar Music
Guitar Music from Cuba
Miguel Llobet: Guitar Music
Tango Argentino

ASIN: B0001N9ZE8
Release Date: 2004-06-15

Tracks:

Pixaim
Sounds Of Bells
Blackbird
Lament
Gathering In Planaltina
Luiza
Girl From Ipanema
Morning Of The Carnival
I. Divertimiento
II. Valseana
III. Preludio E Toccatina
Seven Strings
Juliana's Choro
Water And Wine
Itching Powder
Sentimental Melody
Appassionata

Album Description

The guitar has played a major part in the evolution of Brazilian music, especially during the twentieth century. On this recording the charm, beauty and sensuality of Brazilian guitar music can be heard in pieces as diverse as Marco Pereira's Pixaim, a fast rhythmic dance originating from North-East Brazil, João Pernambuco's cheeky Blackbird, the classic song Girl from Ipanema by Antonio Carlos Jobim, a founder of the Bossa Nova movement and, from Brazil's most famous composer, Heitor Villa-Lobos, the hauntingly lyrical Sentimental Melody, written for the film Green Mansions in 1957. Award winning guitarist, Graham Anthony Devine was born in England and, in his teens, moved to Brazil where he has become an established performer and teacher, giving many recitals and masterclasses throughout South America. He is a laureate of many international guitar competitions in Europe and the United States.

Customer Reviews:

Lesser known guitarist wins me over.......2005-04-07

I got this disc on an impulse, trying to add to my slowly growing collection of classical guitar music. This is one impulse buy I do not regret! The selections are very mellow and relaxing, and they seem to mesh together well as if logically following one another. Graham Anthony Devine is truly "Devine" in my book. His technique is awe-inspiring, and his phrasing is subtle and precise. It's obvious he is enjoying himself a great deal playing this music. His disc has quickly become one of my all-time favorites. As a guitarist he ranks right up there with the very best and can easily be compared to John Williams or Pepe Romero, among others. Highly recommended!

Average customer rating:

Not what I was expecting
If a Virtuoso
Technically superb but the melody is not exciting...
VANESSA-MAE CHOREOGRAPHY
the best Vanessa Mae CD yet.

Choreography
Peter Hajioff Vanessa-Mae Cohen , Jon Cohen , Kad / Vanessa-Mae Cohen Jon / Achouri , George Frideric Handel , Aram Khachaturian , A. R. Rahman , Walter Taieb , Walter / Vanessa-Mae Taieb , Vanessa-Mae , Vangelis , Bill Whelan , Cliff Masterson , Matt Dunkley , Nick Ingman , Paul Bateman , Tolga Kashif , Davide Giovannini , Ray Fean , Martin Narman , Alejandro Schwarz , Royal Philharmonic Orchestra , Yves Cohen , Fergus Gerrand , Salah Dawson Miller , Paul Jayasinha , Brian Dunphy , Cathal Synnott , and Deepa Narayan
Manufacturer: Sbme Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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Subject to Change
Storm
Best of Vanessa-Mae
The Ultimate
Ultimate Collection

ASIN: B0002TB6G6
Release Date: 2004-09-27

Tracks:

Sabre Dance
Roxane's Veil
Bolero for Violin and Orchestra
Tango de Los Exilados
Havana Slide
Emerald Tiger
Tribal Gathering
Raga's Dance
Moroccan Roll
Minuet

Album Description

From the tribal dances of Africa to the silken grace of a European minuet, dance rhythms deliver the inspiration for Choreography, violin phenomenon Vanessa-Mae's first recording for the Sony Classical label. Backed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the stunning young violinist introduces new, dance-inspired tracks by composers as diverse as Oscar-winning Vangelis, Bill Whelan of Riverdance, Tolga Kashif (The Queen Symphony) & the Indian film composer A.R. Rahman (Bombay Dreams). Choreography will be released internationally in September 2004 (& in the U.S. early 2005). Sony.

Album Details

2004 Album from "The Violin Player" as She Makes her Debut for Sony Music. She Does Two Numbers with Legendary Instrumentalist Vangelis and Conquers the "Sabre Dance" and "Bolero".

Customer Reviews:

Not what I was expecting.......2007-06-04

I bought this CD several years ago even before it went on market in U.S., aftering finding out that she has a new CD coming out on her website. I was so excited that I ordered this CD from amazon.uk, paid twice the money too, as it was being released there several months before it was to go on sale in U.S.

However, after I listened to this CD, I was hugely dissapointed. While it has a great production value, orchestration, and showcases Vanessa-Mae's violin skills, I found most of the compositions to be nothing spectacular... and frankly, tedious... This failed introduction into Vanessa-Mae's work actually prevented me from trying out her other CDs for the past several years until now. For newcomers to Vanessa-Mae, I find her "The Violin Player" and "Best of Vanessa-Mae" to be immensly more superior CDs than this one.

If a Virtuoso.......2006-11-13

I absolutely without thought purchase all of Vanessa Mae's CDs'. The best aspect of her genius is her creativity and passion - you hear it in every note! She is without a doubt a first-class violinist who shoves traditional boundaries aside and absolutely roars like a muse - unrivaled.

Technically superb but the melody is not exciting..........2006-08-16

Vanessa Mae is an amazing violinist. Her notes literally dance and you can hear the spirit in the music. But I did not enjoy the music chosen on this CD. The tunes are not exciting.

VANESSA-MAE CHOREOGRAPHY.......2005-12-22

GREAT MUSIC AND I LOVE THE SABER DANCE.

the best Vanessa Mae CD yet........2005-08-28

Definitely liked it. She's always been a great violinist. the improvement is in the background composition. the score with music by Vangelis is awesome and the rest of the tracks are amazing.

Average customer rating:

Beautiful
Different, but still superb
another excellent cd by anuna

Behind the Closed Eye
Anuna
Manufacturer: Danu
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Folk | Styles | Music

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Cynara
Essential Anuna
Deep Dead Blue
Sensation
Christmas Songs

ASIN: B00008RGZU
Release Date: 2003-04-01

Tracks:

August - AnMichael McGlynn, Ulster Orchestra
Aisling - AnUlster Orchestra
Great Wood - AnMonica Donlon, Ulster Orchestra
From Nowwhere to Nowhere - AnUlster Orchestra
Annaghdown - AnRn Dempsey, , Ulster Orchestra
Ceann Dubh Ds - AnMichael McGlynn, Mark O'Sullivan, Garrath Patterson, Ulster Orchestra
Ave Marie - AnMiriam Blennerhassett, Ulster Orchestra
Gathering Mushrooms - AnMichael McGlynn, Ulster Orchestra
Behind the Closed Eye - AnUlster Orchestra
Midnight - AnUlster Orchestra
Coming of Winter - AnUlster Orchestra
Where All Roses Go - AnMichael McGlynn, Ulster Orchestra
1901 - AnDeirdre Gilsenan, Ulster Orchestra

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful.......2005-06-04

Another triumph for Anuna- this album incorporates more instruments than other albums, but it is done so tastefully and it really adds a whole new dimension to the crisp voices of Anuna.

Definitely worth a place in any music library!

Different, but still superb.......2003-12-29

Unlike most of the albums Anuna has put out so far, most tracks on this album are for choir AND orchestra. The harmonies are definitely 20th century, but they are pleasing to the ear almost always add to the already excellent sound of the choir. Of particular note are the tracks "The Great Wood" (available for download on Anuna's site if you're curious to hear before buying) and the final track, "1901".

Although the sound may be different than what you have come to expect from previous albums, I would still recommend this one wholeheartedly.

another excellent cd by anuna.......2003-06-11

I bought this album when it was still only available in Ireland, and it was well worth the extra money then. Like Cynara and Deep Dead Blue, this CD has more modern music, including some songs composed by Anuna members, as well as the more traditional music they're known for. Perfect for studying or working to.

Average customer rating:

Can I make it 6 stars?
The best CD EVER!!!!!!
One of the best and most complete metal albums of all time.
WOWY
Oh Testament, please forgive me for overlooking you for so long...

The Gathering
Testament
Manufacturer: Spitfire
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

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Low
Demonic
Souls of Black
Practice What You Preach
The Ritual

ASIN: B00000J6AD
Release Date: 1999-06-08

Tracks:

D.N.R. (Do Not Resuscitate)
Down For Life
Eyes Of Wrath
True Believer
3 Days In Darkness
Legions Of The Dead
Careful What You Wish For
Riding The Snake
Allegiance
Sewn Shut Eyes
Fall Of Sipledome

Album Description

1999 album by the Bay Area thrash metal veterans. 11 tracks, including 'Down For Life', 'Eyes Of Wrath' and 'Riding The Snake'.

Customer Reviews:

Can I make it 6 stars?.......2006-12-07

One of the most underappreciated bands in metal, yet one of the best and most consistent after Slayer. (And Dave Lomboardo played on this record). This is my favorite Testament album. The songs are extrememly well-written and every one nearly makes you heart explode from the adrenelin rush. Chuck sounded phenominal. The riffs are stellar. When some more-popular-sold-out-lynard-skynard-wanna-be-bands quit writing good songs just because their bass player dies, Testament continues to kick major [...]. They are due to release a new one very soon. I can't wait.

The best CD EVER!!!!!!.......2006-11-10

I have been a Testament fan for a few years and I am still in awe of how incredible this CD. Testament, you guy are fully awesome! I can't wait to see you play live. Checkout their "The Ritual" CD.

One of the best and most complete metal albums of all time........2006-10-04

There's not much that more that I can say about how great this release is that other countless reviewers haven't already stated.

Amazing vocals by the underrated Chuck Billy, superb bass work, cave-your-chest-in drum work by none other than Slayer's Dave Lombardo, amazing lead work by James Murphy, fantastic rhythm guitar work by Eric Peterson and crystal clear production.

It also helps that every single song on here is a complete head pounder. This 42 minute album just never lets up.

All I can say is that if you want to hear one of the most underrated and flawless metal releases to ever be released, pick this CD up ASAP.

If you're one of those people that may have never cared about Testament before, this album will change your opinion 180 degrees by the time the 1st track ends.

WOWY.......2006-07-29

This is incredibly amazing. I bought Testament's album: The New Order and was not impressed with the horrible drumming, bass, and rythm guitars. The solos were amazing and the dudes voices was cool, so I knew this band had some potential. Even after losing this amazing guitarist, Testament recruited Steve Digiorgio (i have no clue how to spell it) who used to be in Death, Dave Lombardo of Slayer, and James Murphy who was also in Death. This album is amazing. It combines trash, with death metal; my two favorite subgenres of metal making this album ideal for my collection. After honestly listening to all other Testament albums, this is the only one I have in the ever famous "Borsella Collection".

Thankyou

Oh Testament, please forgive me for overlooking you for so long..........2006-05-08

My friend was looking at my Ipod a while back and saw that I liked a lot of classic thrash metal, then he asked me why I didn't have any Testament, and I said that I had never really listened to them. Needless to say, he was shocked. He convinced me to go and buy some. All these years wasted...
I started with The New Order and then First Strike Still Deadly, amazed at how well their musicianship progressed as they redid their classic tracks. I wanted to see how they applied those skills to their moderm work. I picked up The Gathering, hearing from many that it was their best, and... it is.
Honestly, I had a hard time getting past DNR; I probably listened to the track 5 times in a row as I was driving. I couldn't believe how fast, how brutal and how heavy it was. With Chuck's vocals sounding better than ever and Dave Lombardo on drums... just amazing.
I won't waste too many words on describing this album to you, but it's very, very good. It is my personal fave of all the Test cds I've heard so far, and it belongs in any and all metal collections.

Jazz Music:

Jazz Music

Jazz Music