5 comments about Andrea Bocelli - Sacred Arias / Myung-Whun Chung.

1. I bought this CD's special edition with DVD, and I am impressed by bocelli's singing in this album. I have heard many voices singing sacred songs, and christmas songs, but very few singers can achieve the "sacred atmosphere" that bocelli devotes when he sings. He may not have a "strong" voice as opera singers, but I think singing these sacred songs, devoting the "sacred atmosphere" to the audience is much more important, the voice actually is just a tool that helps a singer to achieve the result. For real, I have heard some CD by some chorus that perform sacred arias, but they did not move me as much as this CD does, mostly not even close. Personally I like "O come all ye faithful", "silent night", all "ave maria"'s, "domine deus", "cujus animam" the most. When I listen Bocelli's singing I focus on what he tries to devote in singing more than his voice color, because in terms of voice color he surely cant be compared with pavarotti or domingo, so why compares? The way of listening him and listening real opera singers is different man. But the reason I gave only this CD four stars is that I have heard several sacred arias from this album performed by his voice teacher, the legendary tenor Franco Corelli. I tried not to compare both...but I cant, not because Bocelli sings bad, he is already excellent, just Corelli is TOO excellent that cant be described by human language (well I think even Pavarotti is not even close to Franco Corelli, but this is just my opinion). Anyway if you want to "experience" the true beauty of sacred arias, this CD is highly recommended. And this is also a very good sacred aria album for beginning listeners who want to broaden their musical taste to sacred arias.



2. Excellent listening. Voice quality and tone is superb. Brings tears to my eyes when I envision listening to this in a church setting.



3. This is my second copy of this CD, I burned the first one out!!
   Andrea Bocelli has a very gorgeous voice that is a gift from above. His voice is not affected or braggadoccio but naturally magnificent. I could and do start my day listening to this spiritually uplifting CD almost everyday. It is a wonderful way to get off to a pleasant peaceful start, but also a nice way to come home in the evening if you have a CD player in your car. I highly recommend it to all.



4. Better than most of the tenors that have "bigger names" - but he has a pure and clear sound.



5. What a wonderful CD! This is music I will listen to over and over - his voice is amazing!

5 comments about James Taylor at Christmas.

1. I missed out on purchasing the 2004 Christmas album James Taylor recorded for Hallmark, but this album more than makes up for that oversight on my part. I love his renditions of "Go Tell It on the Mountain," "Some Children See Him," and "In the Bleak Midwinter." The highlight of the album, for me, is not the collaborations w/the other performers (Chris Botti, Natalie Cole, Toots Thielemans) but JT's cover of Joni Mitchell's "River." I like it better than Sarah McLachlan's version on her Wintersong album.



2. Is there anything much better than JT's voice and melodies?? "Winter Wonderland" is a favorite-



3. I love this CD so much I will probably be listening to it all through he year. A great blending of musical talents! Smooth as silk.



4. Kick back and watch it snow. wife a big fan and I like this one to!!!!!!!!!!



5. I like James Taylor. There's something about his voice that is so unpretentious, with it-is-what-it-is immediacy. I simply love his new Christmas CD. It's classic, jazz-flavored, but folksy and accessible. It's like sitting around a fireplace with your best friends. Speaking of friends, James brings trumpeter Chris Botti in for a few riffs on Winter Wonderland, and he does a cute Baby It's Cold Outside with Natalie Cole that's getting some airplay.
   
   Taylor does a mean Jingle Bells, having a lot of fun that seems to come across through the speakers. I guarantee that you'll never want to hear anyone else's version after hearing this one. But James hasn't forgotten his roots, and Christmas music was made with his voice in mind. His acoustic guitar sets a very comfortable, season-ready mood on old chestnuts like Have Yourself a Merry Christmas. Speaking of chestnuts, check out The Christmas Song with harmonica man Toots Thielemans backing him up. And Some Children See Him almost makes a believer of me.
   
   Remember the first winter night you tried hot cocoa... and added marshmellows? James Taylor at Christmas goes down that easy... and it feels good all the way.

5 comments about Good Vibrations: Thirty Years of the Beach Boys.

1. First let me say that when they are doing well, I love the Beach Boys. The first time I saw them live was the summer of approx. 2000. I was so totally satisfied and blown away! I heard that they sometimes do sub-par shows but this must have been one of the great ones. Allentown, PA fairgrounds. This set has many good cuts but I must say that in the effort to build a compilation set, they included a bunch of ( to me) space taking junk. If you are into trivia and deep details, you might get into it but if you are into the music, you'll have to pick and choose your way thru the set and maybe burn to CD the ones you really want.



2. Great songs, lots of demos, pre-release takes, and even some radio promos. This CD set is only for the serious Beach Boys aficionado. If you just want the songs you heard on the radio, buy a "Best of" CD.
   dm



3. I got these for a friend who is a beachboy fan. He loves them. It has a great information packet and has all the original songs including demo songs that were never released.



4. This box set covers the first thirty years of the Beach Boys. Of course, much more space is devoted to the group's early glory days than to the uneven later years. The first four discs cover the high points of the band's career, featuring their most popular songs with a few rarities thrown into the mix. Disc 5 is all rarities, with backing tracks without vocals and such, which will appeal to serious Beach Boys fans but may be of little interest to the casual listener. As a big fan of the Beach Boys, I liked all of it.



5. I purchased this 5 CD set for my husband as a Father's Day gift. He's enjoyed listening to it. It's a excellent CD and includes the many Beach Boy hits and extra material never released. Extremely great value for the money and I encourage any Beach Boy fans to make it a purchase.

5 comments about Wintersong.

1. Sarah McLachlan makes interesting and unexpected choices on this holiday collection, and for the most part, the efforts pay off for the listener. "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" could scarcely be more relevant today. I love the Middle Eastern flavor to "The First Noel/Mary Mary" -- Jesus of Nazareth was, after all, born in the Middle East. Besides the holiday chestnuts, Sarah covers Joni Mitchell's "River" (not a traditional Xmas song, but one that makes reference to the holiday) and Gordon Lightfoot's "Song for a Winter Night" to good effect. The closing tune, collaborating w/Diane Krall on Vince Guaraldi's immortal "Christmas Time Is Here," is lovely.



2. I bought this CD last year and love it! I listened to it a lot during the holiday season. I have also purchased it for several gifts.



3. I really bought the album for one song. ( I know I am lame) The whole album is really good. She really has an amazing voice.



4. This is of course the album that was originally meant to be a Christmas seasonal album but is so good that it is played year round by Sarah fans. It my have caused a few infidels to convert as well. Sarah's voice has not deteriorated at all for smoothness and range even though she turned 40 this year. Voice is somewhat les pristine sounding than on her eary albums-not better or worse just a little different. The song River(Joni MItchell) has of been made famous by this album as well as John Lennons Happy Xmas and the cosmic Firsr Noel.This vinyl issue is a dramitic improvement over the digital disc -reproducing the highs much better and sounding much fuller and clearer in the mids. Sarah' Voice more than others just sounds radically better on vinyl. There is somewhat less dramitic difference with Alison Krauss my other favorite vocalist for example though vinyl certainly improves her high harmonics. I guess it is the richness and complesity of Sarah's voice that matters so much.



5. Sarah has a very nice soft voice - that depending on your mood can make you cry while listening to her sing. Christmas should be a Happy Time but isn't always for everyone... This time of year carries all kinds of moods.
   I enjoyed this album very much!

5 comments about Elmopalooza!.

1. Great music - our kids 1-3 have loved loved loved this one (it's their pre-bed time favorite each night for YEARS). They loved it so much we bought a 2nd copy when the first wore out. If Elmo annoys some parents, this is a happy compromise - much less Elmo talk, and more awesome songs.



2. My son watched this movie ALL the time when he was a toddler. So much that we wore the dvd out! Now we purchased another copy for my toddler daughter who is an Elmo fanatic. What a great kid's video! (Entertaining for adults too!)



3. Had I known Rosie O'Donnell was a musical(?) guest on the video, I would never have purchased it.



4. So this was a hit at my house. The 13mo old grooves and claps to most of the songs, and my 5yr old enjoys it too. The 5yr old follows the interim bits, and the baby doesn't need to be so glued. The older one started singing the songs around the house by the second watching. I don't mind the hearing the songs repeatedly in the background either. Rosie O'Donnell's song is the 5yr old's favorite (who's also been a big Jimmy Buffet fan and enjoyed seeing him,) and the baby goes nuts for the Fugees. This is my favorite Elmo simply by virtue of not leaving that awful "Elmo's World" song stuck on repeat in my head.... Elmo loves his goooldfish, his crayon toooo - Ack, I only had to think about it a second for it to happen. I might turn Elmopalooza back on.



5. WE ALL LOVE THIS VIDEO. IT IS NOT ONLY FOR CHILDREN, BUT ADULTS AS WELL. IT IS ONE OF FEW VIDEOS SHE WILL WATCH FOR SHE IS NOT A TV FAN. KEEPS HER ENTERTAINED WHILE I GET DINNER READY. ITS A MUST HAVE IN MY OPINION!!!!

5 comments about December, Piano Solos: 20th Anniversary Edition.

1. We had received a gift of the album "Plains" of G.W. and we loved it, so we decided to try a little more. "December" is lovely as well. The music is soothing, calming, but invigorating at the same time.



2. This CD is the perfect accompaniment to the month December. I love listening to it! December is a month with many moods and memories for me. A time for excitement and happiness, family and friends, but also a time of remembering Christmases gone by. The music on this CD is powerful, yet leaves room for the mind to wander. Listening to it, my mind meanders into various directions and I often find myself smiling. It feels good. There a messages of love in the music. And hope, for it brings the seasonal message of Christmas and the lovely spirit that comes with it.
   Piano is probably my favourite easy listening instrument anyway, and Winston plays his with such grace and power.
   I really like the way the selection incorporates established famous pieces as well as some generally less celebrated renditions.
   This will certainly remain a CD that will be listened to again and again and again. Wonderful.



3. I bought this item as a Christmas gift however I am told it is a very good album. My brother-in-law loves it!



4. The first time I heard George Winston, I thought I had died and gone to HEAVEN...Oh, his music moves me sooooooooo...it is beyond words...I could never, ever get enough! It touches the soul. He is a humble yet brilliant and uncomparable musician.



5. This has been one of my favorite CD's for years, and I was sorry to lose my copy. The new recording is a little less subtle than the original, but it is still lovely.

5 comments about Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas.

1. This is a gift for my granddaughter who absolutely loved the movie and at 3 years of age knows the words to almost all the songs.



2. I'm very glad to have purchased Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas soundtrack special edition.
   
   The demo songs on disc two are very neat to listen to when compared to the finished products. This is a must-have for any Danny Elfman fan.



3. Danny Elfman is the best and this is great double holiday CD!! If you love the movie you'll love singing along to this!



4. Having searched all around for this CD, I was quite pleased to find it on Amazon at a great price. The CD arrived before the estimated delivery date and was a good shape. This is a great CD for Halloween.



5. i waited about 5 weeks for this cd (i live in germany, thats why it took so long) but it was damn worth it!!!!
   
   on the first cd are all the original songs from the movie and on the second are the most important songs (e.g. "this is halloween", "whats this") performed by artists like panic at the disco, fall out boy or marilyn manson...
   
   for all who love the movie is this cd a "must-have"!!!!

5 comments about We All Live Together, Vol. 2.

1. A must for any Primary Elementary Teacher and Substitute. The songs are lively and kids love them. I use them substituting as a reward for being on task and taking a break.



2. My mother is a teacher. As a child I heard a lot of Greg and Steve. Till this very day I still get excited when I hear certain songs. Wonderful music... great with helping to teach rhythm... and music that will last a lifetime.



3. I teach in a classroom of three and four year olds. They love the music from this CD. Two favorites are the Numbers Rock and The Freeze. I recommend it for home and school use.



4. We had this CD before but lost it when we moved classrooms. The children were thrilled to have some of their favorite songs back in our Circle Time part of the day.



5. THIS IS A MUST FOR A CLASSROOM WITH MUSIC EVERY DAY IN CIRCLE TIME! WE LOVE TO SING EVERY DAY IN MY CLASS AND ON DAYS WHEN IT RAINS, THE SELECTIONS OF SONGS ARE GREAT FOR LAST MINUTE ACTIVITES! I GOT TWO COPIES SINCE I WORE OUT MY FIRST COPY IN THREE YEARS!

5 comments about The Christmas Collection.

1. All of the songs are beautifully performed but "Rejoice" makes your heart leap with joy. It's worth the price of the CD just to hear this song.



2. got these as gifts in 2006. very hot guys with hot voices to match. i have all of their cds now.



3. I listen to Il Divo while I'm driving.Their voices create the most
   beautiful harmony. Each voice is distinct and unique. All 4 of these
   young men are so handsome and talented.I hope they make another CD soon
   and have a long career.



4. This CD remains in my car and is played year-round -- WONDERFUL, goosebump-provoking voices, and very complementary harmonizing and blending. (I've never been a fan of the song, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," and, despite other reviewers' explanations, I still don't think it belongs in a Christmas collection -- but I HIGHLY recommend this CD in general, as ALL of the songs are performed beautifully)!
   
   Prior to the release of this recording, my all-time favorite version of "Oh Holy Night" was sung by Pavarotti -- but the Il Divo version is also absolutely breathtaking!
   
   This CD was my first exposure to Il Divo (I know -- it seems unbelievable, in light of their popularity), but it has inspired me to purchase more of their CD's (I prefer the songs which they sing in English, since comprehension of the lyrics certainly stirs the emotions to a greater degree -- "Every Time I Look at You" is one of my favorites), and I am now going to order one of their DVD's, so I can actually SEE them perform (I rarely watch TV, so this will be a "first" for me, too). I am also going to order copies of this CD to give to friends next Christmas, and I'm hoping that Il Divo will release more Christmas collections in the future.
   
   I've read the reviews of those who have posted negative comments, accusing the producers and promoters of Il Divo of "crass commercialism," but I am VERY THANKFUL to Simon Cowell, et al, for having brought these VERY TALENTED AND DIGNIFIED GENTLEMEN together -- and for having provided them the opportunity to share their musical gifts with all of us. BRAVO! -- SUCH a breath of fresh air, under the label of "popular music." One can only hope that this trend continues.



5. I'm in love with these young men's voices! Il Divo will be playing in my house every Christmas from now on.

5 comments about The Hits--Chapter One.

1. ...only buy it if you don't want to buy the real albums (backstreet boys, millennium, black and blue). see i'm being fair and honest =)
   
   anyway, you probably know it already, it's a CD which consists of their greatest hits over the years previous to 2001. as one can imagine, the order of the songs probably has to do w/the individual success of the songs. that easily makes "i want it that way" number one.
   
   i don't personally "approve" of some of the songs on the album b/c i really didn't think some of them should've been a single (i.e. get down, the one). not that i don't like them but there were songs that were better. i guess nick messed up when he called TRL and said that he wanted "the one" to be a single instead of "don't want you back"? ah there's a whole story behind that i won't get into.
   
   well, if you'r not a huge fan of bsb then you probably wouldn't want to buy all their albums. so this one will do. it has all the greatest hits, the ones you'r kinda "required" to know in order to call yourself a "fan" (LMAO).
   
   there's one setback tho -- you probably have heard these songs a million times on the radios before...so it's kinda a waste when you think of it that way. but other than that, by all means, get it!



2. If you like the backstreet boys' old school songs, but don't feel like buying all of thier albums, getting more songs than you really want, this is a great alternative. Including all of thier singles up till 2001, it has most of the songs you will remember and love. Great Album.



3. Love these voices. One song has some suggestive lyrics, but the rest are wonderful.



4. BSB' and Britney (many more by these are the prime evils) need to be put on a "no talent not worth S*IT" rockship and fired into the sun.
   
   The word "Hits" on this package is laughable. It should be called "The Hit's: that 14 year old girls like"



5. The CD was not new as had been advertised. I felt conned after receiving the item