5 comments about Live at the Royal Albert Hall (with Bonus Disc).

1. this is a great cd, this is one of the greatest bands in the history



2. Yes, the Who are one of the greatest live bands ever, but on this album they certaintly don't sound like it. The only redeeming factor is great songs such as "Baba O'Riley", "Won't Get Fooled Again", and "My Generation". I particularly didn't care for the long drawn out version of "The Kids Are Alright". I also felt that it would have been a better concert without the special guests.
   
   I give this album three stars because the song selection is good but the overall performance was subpar.



3. I already own the Live at the Royal Hall DVD which is a great DVD to own.
   This CD package includes a bonus disc of unreleased Who material which was performed later that includes Young Man Blues, Summertime Blues, I Do Even Know Myself and I'm Free. In addition, the original CD also has a great performance bt Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam from the Who's Next Album Getting in Tune. In addition, it has another song Mary Ann with The Shaky Hand. I have converted this performance to MP3 files in order that I can listen to it on my IPOD. In addition, this CD/DVD has probably one of John Entwistle's last performance since he passed away later at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas before the start of another Who tour. In addition, great performance by Bryan Adams, Noel Gallagher, Kennedy, Eddie Vedder and others. It is a great tribute to one of my favorite and greatest Rock and Roll bands of all times. The Who is still touring and I highly recommend everyone to see them.



4. When I first saw this set available on CD, my first thought was "great - just what the world needs - another Who live album!" But the sucker that I am for music by The Who, I bought it anyway, and was pleasantly surprised by how good it is. Having stripped themselves to a five-piece after the 1989 "The Kids Are Alright" tour and the 1996 "Quadrophenia" tour, the Who got back to basics for this show. These guys may have been in their fifties when they did this, but that didn't stop them from returning to their over-the-top bombastic glory. If I could use one word to describe their performance, it would be "incendiary." Roger Daltrey's voice can't quite hit the high notes like it used to, but he showed on this set that he still had the pipes to do Who songs justice. Pete Townshend has a very nasty guitar tone throughout, and this is not a bad thing. Best of all, you get to hear John Entwistle, the Bassist of the Millennium, playing lead bass while Pete thrashes out his power chords. The interplay between him and Pete, especially on Magic Bus, is a revelation. He plays a mind-bending solo on 5'15. Sadly, The Ox is no longer with us. I still miss him. There are no bassists like him - before or since. His final performance is documented on the bonus disc, and it's quite a performance. The band is at it's fire-belching best throughout. The song selection is top notch, and includes a few surprises (The Relay, Let's See Action, I'm One, Mary Anne With the Shaky Hand), plus the usual suspects. The only reason I don't give this set 5 stars is because too much of the between-song banter from Pete is left in. The only exception to this was when he put a heckler in his place. Pete always was a punk at heart. This performance reminds me of when they played at MSG in New York after 9-11. I remember they blew the roof off the place, and this performance in London has that same feel. This is a worthy addition to any Who fan's collection. Get it now - you won't be disappointed.



5. The Who are truly one of the greatest bands ever (along with Led Zeppelin, they are the greatest ever for me), and this 2000 recording of their benefit concert for teenagers with cancer at England's legendary Royal Albert Hall is proof that even as they enter old age, these guys still rock like nobody else.
   
   The performances (including four bonus tracks from 2002) are unbelievably strong the whole way through, from "I Can't Explain" to "Won't Get Fooled Again" to "See Me, Feel Me / Listening To You". I could've done without the special guests, but that still did nothing to make the album any less great.
   
   This cd is also special because you get to hear the late, great John Entwistle for one, last time. The man is on fire throughout the whole show. What a truly great loss. I know I'm not alone when I say John is deeply missed.
   
   This is an absolutely fantastic live album that belongs in everyone's collection.

5 comments about Dvorák: The Nine Symphonies.

1. There's little doubt that Rafael Kubelik performing the Czech repertory is a cornerstone of the recording catalog. That said, there are some problems with this box. The best sounding recording in the set is the 8th, which paradoxically is the earliest recording of all of them. It sounds virtually the same as my old cassette (original issue, no Dolby) of the recording, without the tape hiss. It also is the least representative performance in the set, being fairly straighforward and sounding like it could be the work of a number of different conductors. The rest of the interpretations are undeniably Kubelik. Compared to other counductors in this repertoire, and I have good sets by Valek and Gunzenhauser, Kubelik's readings of the symphonies sound much more lived in and reflected on than the others. Sometimes the rhythmic flow bogs down as Kubelik elicits a phrasing or balance that eludes other conductors. But after listening to this set in its entirety, it is very hard to settle for the interpretations of less personally involved conductors, even Kertesz and Rowicki. The sound on the first 6 symphonies is quite good, with much detail and fine dynamics, although they are a bit bass shy. The 7th has sound that is basically good, although it can become cloudy in tuttis. The 9th, a great performance (I heard Kubelik do this live with the N.Y. Philharmonic, and this version is representative of him in concert.), is hampered by sound that is often dry and murky. The Scherzo Capriccioso, Carnival Overture, and The Wood Dove are all given elastic and sensitively phrased readings by Kubelik's own Bavarian Radio Symphony, forming an interesting contrast with the more virtuosic Berliners. In sum, this is a set with problems, but the joy of hearing Kubelik in the lesser known pieces compensates for them. I also would recommend his Chicago Symphony New World, recorded in excellent Mercury Living Presence monaural sound.



2. Although decades old, the two analog sets of Dvorak symphonies from Kertesz and Kubelik remain front-runners. From the mid-Sixties onward Decca has been so satisfied with the groundbreaking Kertesz cycle, the first to bring Sym. 1-6 to the general listening public outisde Czechoslovakia, that the company has rarely re-recorded any but the last three, most famous symphonies. DG, on the other hand, didn't release Kubelik's Sym. 1-6 until the digital era (1988, I believe), keeping them in the vaults and out of competiiton with Kertesz.
   
   Now both sets are offered at basically the same price on 6 mid-line discs, with deep discounts on the used market. The difference between the two is quite marked musically. Kertesz communicates the thrill of discovery in the early symphhonies. He had never conducted them before, and their vibrancy and inner life lift my spirits every time I hear them. The LSO didn't know these pieces, either, but play with rousing commitment and vivacity.
   
   By comparison, Kubelik sounds rather correct and staid. He often chooses marginally slower tempos, and his enthusiasm for letting the dance rhytyms turn exciting is limited. The Berlin Phil. seems not to catch on to the Slavonic folk idiom, which gets played far too straight (Dvorak had the same problem with Greman orchestras in his lifetime and was only accepted in Vienna and Berlin at first as a kind of naive provincial Brahms). As to sonics, the Decca set holds up well, being a bit bright at times but otherwise detailed and forward. DG, unforunately, gave Kubelik's later symphonies (#7-9) harsh, glaring sound that makes his readings sound brash; there's an unpleasant sting to the sound at higher volumes. This problem seems less in the earlier symphonies (the cycle was recorded over a longer period than Kertesz's and thus has more variable engineering). I don't know if the current reissue also includes remastering.
   
   It's regrettable that in the interest of economics Decca has cut out several of Kertesz's most interesting fillers, such as the Hussite Over., though they can be found on other CDs from him. We get the Carnival Over. on both sets, after which Kertesz gives us the "My Homeland" and "In Nature's Realm" Over., while Kubelik offers the Scerzo capriccioso and The Wild Dove tone poem, both performed by his Bavarian State Orchestra rather than the Berliners.
   
   As msut be obvious by now, I don't feel the two sets are equal artistically. Kubelik was a major conductor and dedicated himself to Dvorak, but his best work isn't here. Kertesz, though not native born to the composer as Kubelik was, found a special affinity for Dvorak, and his cycle is one of the small miracles of Sixties recording. Perhaps not so minor considering that no one has bettered him in the early symphonies for forty years.



3. Rafael Kubelik was a great conductor, whom I have alot of respect for. However, I just could not sink my teeth into these performances. I found them to be brash and over the top. They were played way too heavily for Dvorak. It was as if they thought they were playing Brahms. Now, I know Dvorak was a great admirer of Brahms, and that he definitely can be considered a Brahmsian, but the the music of these two men is very different. I prefer a lighter, more rustic approach to these works, like one finds in the Istvan Kertesz set on London. This is certainly the set to stick with for these symphonies. I have long since sold my Kubelik recording, because it just didn't do it for me... the Kertesz recording is a keeper.



4. One of the problems in recording all of the symphonies of any composer is that some of the performances will fail. Just like very few sporting teams can win 9 games in a row, very few conductor/orchestra combinations can pull off 9 excellent performances. In this set there are only 2 excellent ones, 7 and 8. The New World (9) is cold and passionless, his Chicago recording was absolutely magnificent. The rest are ponderous and lacking in charm. It seems like the Berlin Philharmonic was simply not interested in the early symphonies of Dvorak. I wonder if they ever played them in concert or did they simply record them. Whatever, this set is not a bargain. One more thought: 2 of the symphonies are spread over two CDs. There is no excuse for doing something that outrageous. I checked the timings and the symphonies could have been placed on the 6 cds without spreading any of them on 2 discs. Or they could have simply put the set on 7 cds. Blank CDs don't cost much.



5. I recently, actually just before purchasing this set, received Vaclav Neumann's set with the Czech Philharmonic. A really good set to compare this one to. I also have had, over the years, different performances of the late symphonies with, Ormandy, Szell, Sawallisch, Walter and Carlo Maria Giulini. When it comes to lush sound and playing, nothing tops the Philadelphia Orchestra. It was the first time that I had a chance to listen, side by side, the 7th, 8th and 9th. But, I must say overall this set is truly magnificent. In fact Maestro Kubelik's reading of the 2nd symph. helped me to understand the work. Neumann, although wonderfully played by the Czech orchestra, somehow couldn't bring across the meaning of the work to me, along with the strings sounding like they were in another building somewhere.

   To me, all of Dvorak's sympyhonies are a set of tone poems that are molded together through a cyclic theme that pops up here and there. They are all so beautiful and magical and powerful, yet seem to weave together into a beautiful whole that can be called a symphony.

   My favorites used to be the 1st, 4th, 7th,8th and 9th. Now, because of the maestro's reading, the second and a deeper love of the fourth. Infact, I want to add that the second may be the composers best work. Very creative and spontaneous but beautiful and powerful at the same time. The slow movent of the fourth maybe one of the most beautiful slow movements of any symphony ever composed.

   His readings of the 3rd, 5th, and 6th are superior also. In a critique I wrote for the Neumann set I said that the strings were so poorly miked that it took away from his readings and the Kubelik readings magnify this tremendously.

   The Berlin Philharmonic is wonderful in this set. I wish DG would have recorded the other works with it. The recordings with the Bavarian Radio Orchestra are very good, but the viruosity of the BPO would have added even more to the performances.

   This set is an absolute must have for any basic library of classical music, and a must have for any Dvorack lover, the most underated and underplayed composer of them all. I wonder how few know that Dvorak truly amazed Brahms and Brahms even published some of the symphonies for him.

5 comments about Live Scenes from New York.

1. After having listened to this triple CD masterpiece all the way through for about the 6th time, I am starting to believe that this could be the best rock live CD of all time. For starters, Scenes from a Memory is a sensational album - and of course DT does the entire album to open up their set. The last couple of songs from SFAM spill on to the 2nd disc, and then they continue with the almost four hour show by going right into their classic "Metropolis" track from Images and Words. The rest of the second disc is very good (highlighted by another great I&W track, "Another Day", and the unbelievable Jordan Rudless keyboard solo track). Then comes the epic 3rd CD, opening with a trio of songs from Awake (called "A Mind Beside Itself" as a group) - the kickin' instrumental "Erotomania", "Voices" and one of my top 10 DT songs, "The Silent Man". But wait ... they still have more to offer us!!! They "appear" to close the show with my personal # 1 DT song, "Learning to Live" (another classic from their groundbreaking Images & Words CD) ... but, of course, they are called out for an encore. Does DT give us a good encore - no, they give us a GREAT 25 MINUTE ENCORE - my personal # 2 DT song, the never before released live uncut version of "A Change of Seasons". BTW, I am a HUGE Yes fan, and in my opinion "A Change of Seasons" more than holds its own with the great 15 minute plus masterpieces that Yes has given their fans (e.g., "Close to the Edge", "The Gates of Delirium", "The Revealing Science of God" and "Ritual" from TFTO, "Awaken", and the very underrated but excellent "Endless Dream" from Talk). There are certainly other great live rock albums that have a claim to being "best of all time" (Led Zeppelin's recently released "How the West Was Won", Kiss's "Alive", The Who's "Live at Leeds", of course "Yessongs", Deep Purple's "Made in Japan", The Rolling Stones "Get Your Ya Ya's Out", and Rush's "Live in Rio" are some examples), but the more I listen to Live Scenes from NY, the more I become convinced that this is the cream of the crop. BTW, the triple live "Score" DT CD released in 2006 is also very good (I especially love the 2nd CD with the full uncut version of "The Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence" and "Sacrificed Sons").



2. Wow, a 3 disc live album taken from a single performance in New York City near the end of the "Scenes From A Memory" tour. This is, simply put, Dream Theater's best live album and a portrait of a band at the absolute top of their game. This marathon concert was captured in it's entirety giving the band room to fit in many of their longer pieces that shine in all their glory. The entire "Scenes From A Memory" concept album is played from beginning to end including "Metropolis Part 1" from "Images And Words" which was part of the original story. The almost 25 minute "A Change Of Seasons" is here, as is the complete "Mind Beside Itself" trilogy of ""Erotomania", "Voices" and "The Silent Man". Some of these live versions are arguable better than the original studio versions. Each member of the band gets the chance to solo with Jordan Rudess pulling off a mind blowing keyboard spot at the end of disc two. The band is augmented by a gospel choir during "scenes" and additional female vocals are provided by Theresa T who shines on several numbers on the disc. I think that the biggest highlight of this album is James Labrie. Back when I first discovered Dream Theater I always thought that he was the weak link in the band, but the guy just keeps improving and getting better and his performance on this disc is nothing short of magnificent. The soul wrenching "Spirit Carries On" complete with Theresa and gospel choir in full voice still sends chills up my spine. Labrie is simply incredible on this song as it stands out as one of the high points on this album. His vocal work on "Through Her Eyes" is incredible and he even belts out the rockers with more ferocity than I have heard from him before. The bottom line......if you are looking to pick up a Dream Theater live disc, skip over "Once In A Livetime" and "Live At The Marquee" and go for this one. You won't be disappointed.



3. I remember buying this album late in 2001. It seemed to take forever which was all to do with the unfortunate events of September 11 and the one in a million chance of a band releasing an album on the same day with a cover showing fire streaming out of the World Trade Centre and the New York sky line! A desperate attempt to retract the already shipped copies so they could be replaced with a more "sensitive" cover. The wait was all worth it though for Dream Theater deliver a live album in support of their masterpiece "Scenes from a memory". For me bands typically have up to 3 great live albums in them. 1. When they are new / fresh / energetic / confident. 2. Normally when they are at their creative peak, fully confident and feel on top of the world normally touring on the back of a great album. 3. The last is normally an anniversary type event (eg 20 years, a farewell concert etc). Example of these would be Rush (1. All the worlds a stage, 2. Exit Stage Left and 3. R30) and Dream Theater (1. Live at the Marquee, 2. Live Scenes from New York and 3. Score.
   
   For me "Live Scenes from New York" is Dream Theater's equivalent of Rush's "Exit Stage Left" (1981). It is a the band at the most confident with an album ("Scenes") which like Rush ("Moving Pictures") they were just so proud of.
   
   James LaBrie gives a great performance on vocals (have to admit though his best live vocal performance is on "Score" (2006). John Petrucci is stunning on guitar (it's a close call between his performance here an that displayed on the stunning riffamania shown on "Live @ Budokhan" (2004). John Myung is awesome on Bass (as he always is - also check out his work on Score, stunning). Jordan Rudess really shines on this set, he really is in full flite, his solo has to be heard to be believed. (His performance on "Budokhan" is also top notch and on "Score", well let's just say I'd say the Orchestra would have appreciated his keyboard work, it's is almost unearthly - the "Rick Wakeman / Keith Emerson" of current times, unbelievably good. And last but not least, Mike Portnoy who gives a fantastically energetic performance on drums. This is a 3 hour show (has more material on it than the corresponding DVD) and Mike never lets up. Along with Chester Thompson (Genesis) and Neil Peart (Rush) Mike is in my top three drummers and his display here is awesome. (Also check out "The test that stumped them all" on "Budokhan" or "Score" - awesome performance).
   
   The set list is phenomenal. As with Rush's Exit Stage left there is heaps of material to chose from and it's all top notch. We get the whole of "Scenes from a memory" complete with Choir for the "Sprit carries on" section (this section is totally over the top, exceeded all my expectations - fantastic job). "Metropolis I", "Another Day" and "Learning to live" (yes than can play it live!) from "Images and Words" (1992). From Awake (1994) we get "Mirror", and the whole of "A mind besides itself" ("Erotomania / Voices / Silent Man"). Also included is the whole of "Change of Seasons" from 1995.
   
   It's really a great show, one of those that you can just feel the confidence oozing out of every note / beat / riff.
   I can't speak highly enough of this set, it's one of my favourite Live albums over the past 20 years (refer list below ***). If you do decide to get this one I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. 10 out of 10.
   
   *** Some of my favourite Live albums over the past 35 years ...
   - "How the West was won" from Led Zeppelin (1972)
   - "Made in Japan" from Deep Purple (1972)
   - "Yessongs" from Yes (1973)
   - "Welcome back my friends" from ELP (1973)
   - "Too late to stop now" from Van Morrison (1974)
   - "On your feet or on your knees" from Blue Oyster Cult (1975)
   - "Live in London" from Bruce Springsteen (1975)
   - "One more from the Road" from Lynyrd Skynrd (1976)
   - "Frampton comes alive" from Peter Frampton (1976)
   - "Live Bullet" from Bob Seger (1976)
   - "Seconds Out" from Genesis (1977)
   - "A Live Record" from Camel (1978)
   - "Bursting Out Live" from Jethro Tull (1978)
   - "Two for the Show" from Kansas (1978)
   - "Playing the fool" Gentle Giant (1978)
   - "Waiting fro Columbus" from Little Feat (1978)
   - "Strangers in the Night" from UFO (1979)
   - "Live Rust" from Neil Young (1979).
   - "Paris" from Supertramp (1980).
   - "Exit...Stage left" from Rush (1981)
   - "Under a blood red sky" from U2 (1983)
   - "Stop making sense" from Talking Heads (1984)
   - "Live in the city of Light" from Simple Minds (1986)
   - "Live adventures of the Waterboys" from the Waterboys (1986)
   - "Operation Livecrime" from Queensryche (1991)
   - "Without a safety Net" from Big Country (1992)
   - "Secret World Live" from Peter Gabriel (1994)
   - "Together in Concert" from Tim Finn, Dave Dobbyn, Bic Runga (2000)
   - "Live Scenes from New York" from Dream Theater (2000)
   - "Hullabaloo" from Muse (2002)
   - "Out West" from Gomez (2005)
   - "Instant Delivery" from Flower Kings (2006).
   - "Okonokos" from My Morning Jacket (2006)



4. Live Scenes From New York (LSFNY)is Dream Theater's third live release (following 1993's Live at the Marquee and 1998's Once in a LIVETime) and is 3CDs and 4 hours of prog greatness, captured on one of those rare nights when legendary bands are at the height of their powers (sort of like The Who's Live at Leeds, Rush's Exit...Stage Left, and Hendrix's Band of Gypsys). LSFNY was recorded on the last date of DT's Metropolis 2000 Tour at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City. The original pressings of the CD (of which I have one) had a flaming apple (based on their flaming heart logo) with the New York skyline (and the Twin Towers) visible...and was released on September 11, 2001 (being a tuesday, when all new CDs are released in America). The CD was recalled and reissued with new artwork, so the burning apple covers are rather rare. That being said, enough of this boring stuff...ON TO THE MUSIC!!!
   
   The first disc and a half consists of DT performing their 1999 masterpiece of an album, Scenes From a Memory, in its entirety. And it is simply stunning to hear them pull it off live. Additionally, the live presentation adds to the music, with extended sections, improvs, and guest star Theresa Thomason (who sang on the album) and a gospel choir. Truly fantastic stuff, from the soaring Overture 1928/Strange Deja Vu to the solo trade-offs at the end of Fatal Tragedy, the sweeping Beyond This Life, the poignant Through Her Eyes, all the way to the absolutely majestic sing-along The Spirit Carries On. And how can I forget the technical wizardry of the four instrumentalists contained in Home and The Dance of Eternity, one of the most complex instrumentals EVER! Through it all, singer James LaBrie sounds fantastic.
   
   The second set is started off by an excellent rendition of Metropolis Part 1, and they just move from strength to srength with the material....Just Let Me Breathe, Caught in a New Millennium (a mash-up of two of their songs, Caught In a Web and New Millennium), even throwing Liquid Tension Experiment's Acid Rain (the side project of keyboardist Jordan Rudess, drummer Mike Portnoy, and guitarist John Petrucci). The third disc has the only released live rendition of the entire Mind Beside Itself trilogy (Erotomania, Voices, and the Silent Man), which is excellent, especially the full-band Silent Man. After a marathon Learning to Live, the band returns for the encore to top all encores...the ENTIRE 24-minute A Change of Seasons, which is simply stunning. After the 4 hour show, James LaBrie apologizes for the "short set".....quite the joker, he is. This is also the show where Mike Portnoy collapsed afterwards and spent two hours under blankets recuperating from exhaustion and dehydration!
   
   I have all of DT's live albums and while all excellent, this one is the king of them all (Score isn't out yet, it comes out in a month...that one may top this, who knows?). While anyone new to DT should seek out all of their studio albums (starting with Images and Words) before embarking upon listening to the live ones, they are completely worth purchasing. And this one is simply stunning.



5. What a concert CD! The guys hit every musical note, and there is an increased intensity. The choir and Theresa Thomason's vocals are really great. And James Labrie's vocals are not as bad as some other reviewers have said. JLB tends to go flat on really high parts, but it is not that bad here, and certainly not as bad at Once in a Livetime, where he is so horrible I can't even stand it.

3 comments about Toddler Trio: Toddler Favorites/Playtime Favorites/Silly Favorites.

1. As a teacher and educator, I have variety of children's music. These are by far some of the best CD's I have found in a long time. I use it for children of the very young up to Kindergarten and even 1st grade. Children love to be involved and actively engaged. The music is a collaboration of children and adults singing. It has even taken those treasures of long ago, provided a beat that is honestly contagious! As a mother of two older teens and an adult- this would have been a favorite in our house, that I am sure of!

   This is one treasure that regardless of whether you are a parent, grandparent, aunt/uncle, teacher, substitute or caregiver - IT IS A MUST HAVE !!! It will be loved forever!




2. Lets face it my kid does not get into music. He does The Wheels on the Bus but thats it. He will sometimes dance to this but not really. I shouldn't have wasted my money.



3. We bought this cd set because we were looking for some kid's songs for our 18 month-old son, Noah. He gets to hear kid's songs at school and we wanted him to be able to listen to different versions of the same songs at home. He loves all three CDs.

   Before dinner is Noah's playtime and he loves us to put these songs on while he is playing with his cars. Sometimes he dances around to the songs. All three of the CDs in this collection are available separately, but the collection is really an outstanding value.

   I am picky about music (okay, I'm a music snob) and I can actually listen to these tunes without wincing. (Well, most of them anyway.) That says a lot coming from a person who will not let them play Kenny G at daycare for fear of permanent damage to my son's musicality.

   Is it great music, or great performances? No, but then again it does not need to be, it just needs to *not* be Barney. If you're looking to educate your child about music, get something else. If you're looking for background music to put on when your child is playing, this is a good choice.

5 comments about Live at the Village Vanguard.

1. Although Marsalis may not be on the "cutting edge" here, I hear little that is routine or pedestrian on these discs. I hear fine arrangements of jazz standards and creative original compositions (e.g., Black Codes, Citi Movement). The recordings and audio quality are excellent. I especially enjoy the sonorities provided by the 4-horn front-lines in these septets. Most of these Amazon reviews are very positive, and deservedly so. Great talents in every field always have their detractors, and Marsalis is certainly no exception. My only real "complaint" is that Wynton does talk a bit too much--he tends to do this in his live shows, but it's all in good fun, and you never feel slighted musically. I've owned these discs for several years now and still listen to them a lot.



2. It's appropriate that ounce per ounce this 7 CD set is a barn burner of a value for the amount of original music provided. That said, Mr. Marsalas is the Wal-Mart of Jazz, good value of low to moderate quality items with a little bit of everything on show. Everything except intensity, improvisation any interesting playing. At best the 3 bands don't muff their parts & stay tightly focused. But I can't really take it for Jazz; every note seems preordained, laid-out in a light meaningless groove & I never feel anyone ever takes off & flies, leaving the rest of the players scrambling to catch up.
   Instead a well trained group of musicians provide archeological coverage of what jazz must of sounded like when it was alive.
   I started listening to Jazz at 11 years of age with no encouragement from anyone. My first album ever was "Monk's Dream" I still love that album today & it brings back rich memories of learning to appreciate an obscure musical dialogue.
   Marsalas never puts me in mind of anything more daring then a Jackie Gleason alum.
   Here are two examples of what I mean; the "drum solo" 10 min. in on Uptown Ruler is unbelievable pallid & of no interest. I don't like drum solos but may a good drummer has sucked me in against my will. Now the next track , "Down Home with Homey" (really that title says it all about how generic this music is) has a bass solo about 90 seconds in that sound like the guy is just plucking the strings till the ensemble comes to his rescue. Compare this to any of many Charlie Haden discs on his own or with Ornette Coleman & I think you'll see the difference between these 3 bands & what the best Jazz is like. I mean there are good moments (Wynton does a few good trumpet licks, the players strike a real groove at times) on this set, it is 7 discs, but the overall effect is really a turn-off. Even at 20 bucks it barely seems worthwhile. Three stars for value, one star for the tunes.



3. Many people, and critics, says that the best Wynton's perfomance recorded was "Live at Blues Alley"... but after when you listen this set box, your will change your opinion. I will see play to Wynton in three times ( one in septet and two with the Jazz Lincoln). Wynton with your Jazz Orchestra is very good... but in septet or octet is superb. In this set this is the kind of combo. Several tracks are played in spledid way. One o these records is ( alone) one masterpiece: the record number five. The sound is perfect: you feel stay into the Village Vanguard, and all the crew plays very ,very well, standards, or the Wynton's themes. From me is one of the best buy ( also the set is very cheap) in many time, because the music is of high voltage. And is a pleasure listen seat and very near of you to the Wynton's crew. After of listen the records ( or one session... for example) you feel that this evening, or this morning was in Village Vanguard with the group in a super sesssion of pure jazz. Please buy the set!



4. I know Wynton is not exploring the unknown space here but it is good old fashion good time music and its accessible. For the price it is one of the best bargains out there. Plus there will always a place for classic jazz. This is music for the heart and the roots. I went to college in New Orleans and I will always consider it my alma mater. Love Wyton and his family along with the Nevilles.



5. This is easily the most underrated CD of all time. When I received this CD I was blown away. The solos, the leads, everything was great.
   
   Buying this 7-CD set for 30 bucks made me feel like a thief. Most people who gave this CD a bad rating can't get over what Wynton said about Miles Davis. They are both great and enjoying Marsalis doesn't take anything away from Miles Davis.
   
   Wynton Marsalis is the greatest living jazz musician and one of the best ever and he proves it with this CD. It is a must buy for all jazz fans and all trumpet players.

5 comments about Rockin' the Blues.

1. Great,great boxed set of the incredible Wynonie Harris. In my opinion the greatest African-American singer of them all. What vocal power! Some really good songs weren't on this, like "Wasn't that Good", but very important early songs were included. I'm very glad that more interest is being shown in his music in recent years, since he was almost forgotten in the years shortly after he died in 1969. A wonderful collection of classic jump blues, and I highly recommend it. Let there always be good rockin'tonite!



2. What a great boxed set. There are almost no weak songs and little or no filler, but imagine how much better it might have been if they had included "Bloodshot eyes" and "Lovin' machine." Worth 5 stars even without them.



3. ........OF ONE OF THE GREATEST BLUES SHOUTERS THERE EVER WAS, MR. BLUES, WYNONIE HARRIS. ADMITTEDLY, SOME OF THE SONGS SOUND A BIT THE SAME, BUT THIS IS GREAT STUFF, ORIGINAL ROCK AND ROLL, BEFORE IT WAS EVEN CALLED THAT. IF YOU LIKE BIG JOE TURNER, LOUIS JORDAN, JIMMY RUSHING, OR EDDIE "CLEANHEAD" VINSON, THEN YOU WILL ALSO LOVE WYNONIE HARRIS.



4. First, a bit of a warning... if this is going to be your first taste of WYNONIE, I highly recommend BLOODSHOT EYES... less tunes, but a bit more "punchy" and to the point. And if it isn't... welcome back, and welcome to heaven (yes, who'd ever imagine that sinners DO go to heaven?)
   
   As for Wyononie - - who was he ? I think there are a few great ways to describe him - - 1. As the true father of Rock and Roll (via the genre of so called "jump" and "rhythm and blues". 2 Louis Jordan's evil twin. (Will explain...) 3. One of the greatest (if not most perverse) blues shouters to ever live. As for the Louis Jordan comment - - the similarities are apparent - - both forged the way for rock and roll, but while Jordan tended to keep it clean, Wynonie didn't mind playing it blue... and his tunes are full of sexual references perhaps tame by today's standards, but still quite funny - - take I LIVE MY BABY'S PUDDING, ALL SHE WANTS TO DO IS SIT ON IT - - and LOVIN' MACHINE. Wyononie is also the hard drinkin' bad boy who reminded his listners to "keep on churning until the butter comes," meaning he was good, wholesome and encouraged people to drink milk... Thumbs up to him.
   
   Added surprized on this album include backing vocals by the HARLEMAIRES (one of the original R&B/Doo Wop vocal groups, featuring Frankie Lymon's Dad, and Dottie Smith, who also played timbale's and sang and strawbossed for Jordan) - - In addition tunes like OH BABE and GOOD MORNING JUDGE make you wonder who was copping who when it came to another Louis - - and finally there is one of the most swinging, jumping, houserockin' versions of TEARDROPS FROM MY EYES ever recorded.
   
   Ample reasons to purchase this... you bet.
   
   Of interesting note... the terms ROCK AND ROLL and R & B were actually terms concocted to describe this type of music long after it existed... Rhythm and Blues supposedly wasn't a genre but two types of music - - The Blues and "Rhythm" music, which were both RACE music and often played together... hence the DJs would say they were spinning Blues and Rhythm (or Rhythm and Blues) at that time... I mention that because in Wynonie's music you can really hear the cross roads and roots of the great American backbeat in all its forms from Jazz and Swing to Rhythm, Blues and Rock and Roll, hence the music isn't only soulful, humorous and toe tapping, its enlightening too !
   For this reason, Wynonie definitely belongs in your player and I hope you'll agree !



5. Buy this immediately!
   
   Wynonie Harris is the real 'king of rock & roll'. This is the music you hear about so much that was STOLEN by Elvis, repackaged, and sold to white teenagers. This guy is 100% the real deal and was rocking jukeboxes when Elvis was a nobody. Oh! and if you're one of these college-educated music history majors that say that Rock & Roll is a mixture of blues and country: This music, and other period R&B is proof that rock and roll is purely an extension of Rhythm and Blues. The probelm is that this "music of the devil" was about real life, it is REAL, alive, and full of sexual inneundo, so that means it never got radio play for the most part. That's why it was swept under the rug and forgotten about.
   
   About the set: I can't believe you're getting this much music for the price! This is an actual "boxed set" in the sense where each disc is packaged in an idividual jewel case. It comes with a nice, thick book with great, detailed, liner notes and amazing...almost startling photos of Wynonie "Mr. Blues" Harris. As a bonus, you get a catalogue of Proper's other releases as well. The sound quality is a bit under that of the single disc King complilaton release that I already had, but there is so much more here. All the hits are here as well as virtually unknown tracks. Many on CD for the first time ever.
   
   You get the rockers, you get the straight-up blues, and he even does a fantastic job as a crooner. I was also really surprised to hear some slow boogie-woogies. These few tracks have a repitious bass line, which add so much excitement. Mr. Blues litterally, slows down, sustains the note for a while...almost like a tenor sax. That sound is so soul-satisfying. What raw talent and versitility in those arrangements! I can't stop listening!!!
   
   Mr. Blues, may you ROCK mankind for all of eternity!! You have left us and are sadly missed, but you have left the entire world with the gift of your pure musical genius. Rock, Mr. Blues - FOREVER!

5 comments about I Grandi Successi.

1. This set is the best collection that you can have from Al bano and Romina Power. If you like italian songs, specially these two singer, You will love this.
   I myself have it and I love Disc 1 & 2 the most. I don't listen to the 3rd disc very much but once in a while..



2. Item was as described and a great value for the amount of music. The CDs arrived on time, well packed, and in perfect condition. I LOVE Amazon, thank you for getting me this album at such a great price.



3. This is a excellent choice to purchase because you receive 3 cds set in it also good music by them too.



4. I love all Italian Music, but this is one of the best I've Heard. This is the album that got me hooked on Italian Music. Like many other reviewers said, I'd give it more than 5 stars.



5. I love it and you will too !!! The Italians know how to make good music. By all means, get this CD set. Their songs will put you in an amorous mood. In my opinion, 5 stars are not enough for this recording !!!

5 comments about Tchaikovsky: The 3 Ballets.

1. As I read in another review of a work conducted by Richard Bonynge, you don't expect this distinguished conductor of operas to record ballets, but what a surprise is in store for us. The combination of the complete scores of the three ballets, the National Philharmonic Orchestra (a pseudonym for one of the London orchestras) and the ideal recording venue of Kingsway Hall gives Bonynge just the team for him to conduct a thoroughly precise and compelling version of Tchaikovsky's magical scores. And at this price they are a gift!



2. Richard Bonygne, the ultimate opera conductor, conducting for his wife, Joan Sutherland. Many people thought that. Strangely enough, he resurrected a ballet by Offenbach, that no one had heard of before. Maybe we should have gotten a hint from that, but we always thought of him as the husband of the prima coloratura of the age.
   
   I have to say it, "Welcome Sir Richard, the Ballet Conductor."
   
   I have listened to a number of recordings of ballet, which I love as dearly as I do opera. For Tchaikovsky, Delibes, and Offenbach Sir Richard conducts them with a touch that I have not heard bettered by Berstein and many of the most respected conductors of the era. He performs Tchaikovsky like Szell performed
   Beethoven. It is superlative. One almost wonders (flippantly) why he didn't pursue Margot Fonteyn instead of Joan Sutherland.



3. I'm new to ballet and I can picture myself getting hooked - if only I could see what's going on with all this beautiful music. Tchaikovsky has always been one of my favorite composers. The recording is well done. I find Swan Lake and The Nutcracker much more enchanting than Sleeping Beauty.



4. In the Double-Decca issue of Swan Lake, the danse des coupes in Swan Lake has been cunningly abridged to free up space for the accomodation of the unnumbered Russian dance in Act III. So while all the numbers are included in that double-disc set, making it "officially" complete, score-wise it actually isn't!

   What this means is that if you to wish to have Bonynge's Swan Lake absolutely complete you will have to buy THIS 6-disc set, and not that abridged Double-Decca issue. This is important, especially if the danse des coupes is one of your favorite pieces.




5. Richard Bonynge at his best!

5 comments about A Jazz Romance - A Night In With Verve.

1. Ballads, I believe, are the real test of musicianship. And this collection has a judicious and delicious selection which is perhaps the best balanced one I know featuring the all time great moments - Clifford Brown's treatment of Rodgers and Harts Where or When will bring tears to your eyes - as well as quirky less known works - If the Moon Turns Green sung by Billy Holiday - the "old", Ben Webster, along with the "new" Mark Whitfield. Please don't think this is or should be "background" music. You only have to listen to Bill Evans playing with Paul Motian and Gary Peacock on CD1 to realise this is a collection of some of the greatest moments in 20th Century music, regardless of genre.



2. This selection contains a bunch of great cuts and a few that I could live without, especially the Blossom Dearie tracks. However, as opposed to most collections with weak tracks, this one flows along so well that it is a pleasure to put all four CDS on and let it play in the background on a quiet evening "In." I prefer the companion 4 CD set called "A Night Out with Verve." I would recommend "Out" over "In."



3. I am a complete novice when it comes to Jazz. Don't know much about it except that I enjoy it. I have to say this set of CD's is a great mood-setter. Definitely softens the atmosphere and relaxes the body and soul. Great music for a night of serenity and romance



4. I put this cd set on my Amazon wishlist, and was very pleased to get it as a gift from my lover. All the old familiar songs, together with songs that I think I remember from my childhood, transport me to space where romance and sentmentality feel like comfortable old wool sweater. Think I'll just sit back... sip some good hot coffee..and hope the boyfriend joins me on the couch



5. Beautiful. Billie Holiday blends seamlessly into Dinah Washington into Johnny Hodges into... this four box is the perfect background atmosphere for your swank cocktail party or that evening of candlelight romance. The compilers have collected a remarkable selection of music from classic Verve jazz heavyweights like Elle and Louie, Sarah Vaughan, Clifford Brown, Coleman Hawkins to, surprisingly, a few lesser known French artists such as Michael Legrand (who wrote the score for the French film 'Les Parapluies De Cherbourg') and Laura Fygi. This is a highly recommended classic jazz collection that will beautifully compliment your romantic evening in and will fit nicely into any classic jazz lovers music collection.

2 comments about 102 Camp Songs.

1. 
   I was looking for a set of songs for Girl Scout camp. This set has a good combination of old and new. Some were familiar, some went back to my childhood, some were new. Good fun for children.



2. The Camp Songs is just what KIDS like they're nice, gross, silly and more. My kids (8 & 5) love it because the words/songs are easy to remember and they get to sing-a-long. There are a few songs that I though is not appropriate for kids but they do not seem to even notice those. Like "Bring Back My Neighbors To Me" - a song about dead neighbors.
   
   Even with the mentioned song I will still purchase the CD. The kids love it!