5 comments about Handel - Messiah / Ameling · A. Reynolds · Langridge · Howell · Marriner.

1. I am so pleased I purchased this recording. There is a plethora of choices when it comes to "Messiah" recordings, and this one is especially interesting to scholars of music history, professional or otherwise. Some of the arias are obviously not the ones you normally hear in concert today, and the liner notes offer a well-written explanation for the changes. The quality of the recording is excellent. The Academy of St. Martin-in-the-fields is always a spot-on ensemble and the singers are excellently trained. My only complaint (and it is particularly nit-picky at that) is the occasional intonation problem in the soprano section of the chorus. But really, it doesn't detract.



2. This is a great recording if you're looking for something different than the old standby version we all grew up with. Especially interesting are the solos, which are different versions Handel actually wrote. Great job by all the musicians.



3. Listening to this rendition of the Messiah will cause you to believe in God even if you didn't before -- what else but divine inspiration could create this sound?



4. Sir Marriner delivers once again in this authentic version of Messiah. Recording sounds great, except I find myself skipping to the next chapter whenever the alto is singing.. where did they find this tone-deaf alto? (Primary reason for 4 stars) Otherwise, no complaints.



5. I have this Messiah in several mediums, most recently on MP3. This is the best interpretation of Handel's most famous work. Ely Ameling is superb! The tempos are perfect - brisk and lively, and the chorus is on pitch, not dragging, and, thank goodness, not shouting and screaming, but singing beautifully. If you can afford only one recording of the Messiah, this is the recording to purchase.

5 comments about Christmas Collection.

1. This is a classic cd and is a great for the Christmas season. It's not
   Christmas without the Carpenter's!!



2. I am 100% satisfied with this purchase, and the entire buying process. I received the CD earlier than I expected (before Christmas even!), and it was brand new. I just love my new CD. I'm so happy



3. The Carpenter's Christmas Collection is the best all-around Christmas album I have ever heard. I listen to it from the beginning of December until well into January. There is such a variety of music and styles, and it just feels so "Christmas-y" that it gets you into the holiday spirit everytime you listen to it. My recent purchase was for a friend, and she loves it too!



4. Incredible voice of Karen and wonderful arrangements by Richard. I wish she could have made back as we would still be having a one of a kind voice entertaining us.



5. Nobody! I mean Nobody can make Christmas music like the Carpenters. In this package you get both Christmas albums. "Christmas Portrait" released back in 1978,contains the songs Merry Christmas Darling,Christmas Waltz,Ave Maria,Sleigh Ride,I'll Be Home For Christmas,and many more. In my opinion, that is the best Christmas album ever made! On Disc 2, you get "An Old Fashioned Christmas" released back in 1984, most of the songs were leftovers from the "Christmas Portrait" recording sessions. On this album you get Little Altar Boy,Do You Hear What I Hear?,Santa Clause Is Coming To Town,An Old Fashioned Christmas and many more. This album is well worth the purchase, your not just get one but two of the greatest Christmas albums of all time and by one of the greatest groups ever! Karen Carpenter had a one in a billion voice and Richard Carpenter's arrangments are flawless. Make sure you get your copy today!

5 comments about Healing from the harp.

1. THIS IS A GREAT PIECE TO LISTEN TO WHEN OVER-STRESSED. HELPS TO CALM ME DOWN AND GETS ME BACK ON TRACK WITH MY LIFE. MAKES ME FEEL AS IF I HAVE HAD A ONE HOUR MASSAGE.
   I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT.
   JIMMY BROWER



2. The title of this CD is quite misleading. The collection of simple tunes played by Ms. Fletcher is not by far as interesting as "Healing..." implies. For some people this music may very well be a source of relaxation, I find it a far cry from what reviews and synposis suggest.



3. These well known pieces take my mind to a place of tranquility and relaxation. The healing resonance of the harp eliminates the stress of the day.



4. This is an absolute wounderful CD. Ms Fletcher has brought the harp to new hights of excellency. I am an RNC in a level 3 neonatal intensive care unit(NICU) with very sick and premature infants. I brought this CD to play softly in the NICU for the infants. The parents, the staff and the babies love it. Crying babies are soothed, parents are comforted and relaxed upon entering the room where the music is played softly. In some cases I have seen little heart rates steady and labored breathing be come easier upon hearing this CD played softly. I am going to purchase one for my home. All parents of newborns should have this cd for themselves and the baby.



5. I loved the first one so much that i am giving this one as a gift.

5 comments about The Christmas Trilogy (3CD/DVD).

1. Recently, I had the opportunity to attend the Trans Siberian Christmas Concert and it was great. The album -- AWESOME.



2. The best thing I bought. The songs will still play in your head even after the cd stop playing.



3. This trilogy is a great buy and a must have for the holidays. It will turn even Scrooge into Santa Clause! The 3 CD's are full of great songs that can be played over and over again and the DVD is great to watch as a family and really gives that much more meaning to all of the music. This is a great gift for yourself or someone else and is a deal for what you get!
   
   Enjoy!



4. I bought the trilogy because I kept misplacing my seperate CD's. Not only do I enjoy Trans Siberian Orchestra, but so do my children ages 15 and 11. This is a wonderful collection to own.



5. I love TSO! The disk set is great and the added DVD is like being at the concert.

5 comments about Merry Christmas With Love.

1. As a Clay Aiken fan I adore anything he sings! But when he sings his Christmas songs he is just breathtaking! Nobody in the music world today touches me the way Clay does! All anyone would have to do is listen to him and if they were honest they would have to admit, he is the greatest!



2. Clay should have won American Idol, but this is also the only good album he's made yet. He does the classics well. It's your standard Christmas album, take the songs as is, use the Clay voice, and it's a hit. The originals on the album stink, which is why his other stuff is no good, he has bad original songs. But his covers are very good. "O Holy Night", "Mary Did You Know", "Winter Wonderland", are among the highlights.
   
   Overall, if you're looking for an original album, look elsewhere. These are just Christmas songs with the Clay voice. That said, he has a great voice. So if you're looking for the Christmas standards, look here, looking for something more original? Grab Relient K's Christmas album.



3. 
   My whole family voted hundreds (probably thousands) of times for Clay when he was on American Idol. We joined his fan club and keep in touch with what he is doing through "claymation" PLUS we have all read his book. Guess we are REAL fans (oops.. we also have one of his larger posters on our kitchen door so he joins us for dinner each day (really... we're NOT crazy). . We recently heard he was gfoing to be in a play on on Broadway called SPAMALOT... Anyway... our review is we love anything Clay does! Wish we could tell him directly how proud we are of him. Sincerely, Sharon The Paul Hudson, Peterson families.



4. Beautiful music from Clay. I bought it especially for "Mary did you Know" and was not disapointed. Rest of the songs are very lovely too.



5. It's always Christmas in my heart and for 2 months a year I get to drag out the Christmas music. And who has a more angelic voice? I love this album. I had to buy 3 more to give as gifts to foreign exchange students who had never heard of him before and fell in love.

3 comments about We All Live Together, Vol. 4.

1. This is great children's CD. I use it daily in my preschool classroom. The songs are catchy and educational.I particulary like "Hand Jive". This is a song where children listen to clapping beats and repeat back the same beat. Great fun! I also like "The Days of the Week" songs in English and Spanish. This is a great way to help children learn about another language in an easy,fun way. I would recommend this CD to anyone who works with children.It is a great CD for parents to keep in the car for those long car rides.



2. Another must for subs and teachers of primary elementary grades. Songs are lively and active and kids love them.



3. When ordering this item I thought I ordered a used copy for $10 but when it arrived it was NEW at 17.00.
   Not sure I clicked the wrong one or what

5 comments about Personal Christmas Collection.

1. 22 Personal Favorites with a voice and singing style that is sheer magic! Doris Day weaves a Christmas web of enchantment as she sings some truly beautiful holiday classics. Great renditions of "Here Comes Santa Claus" and "Ol' Saint Nicholas" have a 1940's nostalgic charm. The soothing sound of the slow Christmas ballad, "Snowfall" is simply flawless, you can visually see the snowflakes drifting dreamily down, as Doris casts her wintry spell. I highly recommend this cd for endless listening pleasure during the Holidays and also the Dean Martin Christmas cd, "A Winter Romance." These Christmas cds will cheer up your Holidays with great entertainment that is truly one of a kind!



2. Just like Perry Como..Doris Day does the same her Christmas songs take me back in time..
   And I searched for this Album on the internet the best price was Amazon
   Thank you again



3. I received my item in perfect condition. I ordered this because it is music that my mother played when i was a little girl. I Loved the CD, it took me right back to that place.



4. The only disappointment is that there aren't more of these holiday gems!



5. I was searching for a replacement for an old 8-track that I had recorded onto cassette. This was not the same album, and it was not quite as mellow. Still, its Doris, and she is quality always.

5 comments about Menotti: Amahl and the Night Visitors.

1. I grew up listening to this operetta and it was so exciting to find it again and make it a part of my family's traditions. This is an excellent recording.



2. Giancarlo Menotti slipped peacefully to his rewards recently after having composed some of the finest music of the last century. Although an Italian native, his ability to place English words in his vocal works in exactly the right places to allow singers their best production, he is still not performed often. His story lines are always poignant, whether for opera or ballet and his orchestral works strike at the emotional heart of the listener while giving the performers great opportunities to shine. His Christmas opera, "Amahl and the Night Visitors" was first telecast with a brilliant, wonderfully cast and directed group of singers and dancers and was an immediate success, scheduled to be repeated the following season. Only one copy of the tape was stored and, incredibly, was "accidentally" erased, before the second telecast. It was necessarily recast in the role of Amahl, since the first young boy's voice had changed. This is the result of that recasting, with the rest of the amazing singers and new boy recreating a blessed and beautiful masterpiece. I regret that the same care was not given to the visual aspects in the second, hastily produced telecast.
   In my opinion, this creation should be lovingly produced every year!
   I am a grateful singer of his works.



3. Having seen the original TV production of Amahl as a kid, I have very fond and tender memories of this story, and I find the music to be absolutely delightful - profound but in a very accessible and somewhat playful way. This recording brings back the spirit of Christmas to me instantly!



4. VIBRANT VOICES-WHIMSICAL WOODWINDS-TUNEFUL MELODIES AND A MIRACLE TOO!!!
   
   From the first reedy sound of the oboe mimicking the shepherd pipes to the first vocal notes by Rosemary Kuhlman (Amahl's mother) calling for Amahl to come inside, to Amahl's crystal clear boy soprano (Chet Allen)response, we are drawn into the musical story of a little crippled boy and his own personal miracle.
   
   If no one had heard of Gian Carol Menotti prior to this work, as of Christmas Eve, 1951, most of the country became aware of him. He had, in fact written several successful operas before this one, but the medium of television really was a great boost to the success of Amahl.
   
   I have mentioned already the two main leads, but the other four singers fulfilled their specific roles in a very skillful manner. I particularly liked the voice of Andrew McKinley, tenor, who really projected the part of a rather silly and far-out slightly deaf Kaspar wonderfully well! The Chorus of Shepherds and Villagers sang the very attractive choral music in an up-beat manner and the Orchestra handled the accompaniment, which for the woodwinds was rather difficult, perfecto! While Menotti supervised all of the proceedings, Thomas Schippers pulled it all gloriously together. This is a landmark recording, and certainly a collectible.



5. Nothing else puts me in the Christmas spirit like listening to Menotti's tale of Amahl and the Night Visitors. The music is absolutely enchanting.

5 comments about Miracles: The Holiday Album.

1. I had a robbery at my home and several of my favorite CDs were stolen. Two of my favorites, Miracles and Faith by Kenny G, were taken and I could not find either of these in any store. Amazon.com came through for me and I was able to get these two easy to listen to CDs replaced.



2. I have admired the instrumental talents of Kenny G. This selection of Christmas favorites is just a nice addition to anyone's collection of favorites. My favorite on this C.D. is Winter Wonderland! Enjoy!!



3. Why is it the people that give kenny 1 star ratings seem to be so bitter? I discovered this cd last year and it has been a staple in my collection. I'm only sorry I didn't buy it sooner. I play it year round cause it's so beautiful and innocent. Thank you kenny for all of the wonderful music you make.



4. Several years ago, I was visiting a friend's home, where this album was playing in the background. While I am not an avid light jazz listener, neither do I dislike most of it. But I liked this enough that I immediately bought the recording. Every year, I take it off the shelf for the Christmas season.
   I really enjoy Christmas and winter holiday music. However, I grow weary of the "same old same old;" yet neither do I care for arrangements that leave me using my imagination trying to hear the melody. Kenny G's interpretations are a nice mix of the usual and the tastefully out of the ordinary. The instrumental backgrounds add to the interest, without making you forget that this is a saxophone recording.
   I will continue to enjoy it for a few more days, then put it away to be reclaimed again next December.



5. This is my favorite of all my Christmas cd's. I think the music is beautiful.

5 comments about Greatest Cowboy Songs Ever.

1. By far, the best instrumental of Western songs I have heard. Very well done! Truely does make you feel you are back in the Old West spiritually!



2. i really like the CD. it has nice instrumentals of many classic cowboy songs. the quality is very good too. the only downfall is that the CD is only about 30 minutes long so it is quite short. but other than that, i recommend it for anyone wanting to hear these nice classic songs.



3. a very pleasant and somewhat haunting cd, easy listening at it's best for western songs,cd only has 10 songs on it but they are all very good and easily worth the price.This cd would be good to play for background music also.I would like to see more of these cd's.



4. I didn't realize that when I bought this that it was just instrumental. However my husband loves it wordless and all. If your looking for background music or relax music this is definitely the cd for you.



5. It has a great variety of songs. They are well orchestrated and fun to listen, too.