1 comments about Kindercore Fifty: We Thank You [3 CD Set].

1. For anyone who hasn't yet experienced the Kindercore universe of skewed pop, this is a great introduction to bands who are still part of an underground movement that mixes classic pop arrangements, a naive, child-like lyrical edge and an outsider approach. The best CD of this 3-CD collection is the newer stuff, but the older material has it's charms, too, including some witty Xmas tunes. The remix CD that is included is really meant for completists, and doesn't stand up as quite as fine as the music found on the other CDs.

5 comments about Great Speeches of the 20th Century.

1. It was what I needed for my high school public speaking class. The students are able to listen to great speeches. This way they had a reference to what makes an excellent speech.



2. I have to admit I bought this CD set mainly for Winston Churchills "Darkest Hour" speech,then thought "Hey I could get all sorts of great speeches at once. All the speeches are pretty impressive and some of them are a little creepy to hear. I mean to "HEAR" a President talk about the "Indians" when they were still living on the plains and in the mountains of America is just strange.
   Some of the speeches are complete, however Churchills "Darkest Hour" was not one of them. Over all it was a great collection, but I wish that some of the speeches had not been trunkated. You might look for a CD that more accurately targets what you're looking for than trying to get a one stop shop with this set.



3. Particularly in this day of manufactured charisma on television, great public speaking has become a lost art--look at what we are using for President right now! This set will serve as a reminder of what we used to enjoy, particularly on the political scene. Certainly, a Franklin Roosevelt or a John Kennedy only comes once in a great moon and this is an opportunity to remember what we have had, and lost. I have had this set for several years and my only regret is that it isn't longer; I suppose for practicality's sake the entire texts of the speeches couldn't be included. Sound quality is remarkable, particularly for the old pre-electric recordings. It will probably be a surprise to many to actually hear the pre-FDR Presidents speak; again, they were not homogenized in the manner popular now.
   
   This is a great 'starter' set for those who enjoy the spoken word for its own sake.



4. This is a must for any US History teacher. It's one thing to read a landmark speech, quite another to hear it as you read along. Studying history is much more interesting when students can "touch" "hear" "see" it. To have the actual voice putting inflection and feeling to the words makes it more memorable. Students today are so visual that merely listening to the speech is ineffective. (trust me, they will fall asleep.) Hand out a printed copy of the speech for them to read along with and highlight key points. It's also helpful when students are taking the AP US History exam to be able to quote speeches in their DBQs.



5. As a teacher this set is invaluable. The recordings are well-chosen and nicely mastered. It's a good survey of 20th century audio recordings.

No comments about Night Music Vol.2.

1 comments about Baladas: Coleccion de Oro.

1. Es el mejor cantautor mexicano de los ultimos tiempos, todas estas canciones son su mayor ejemplo.

5 comments about Gottschalk 40 Works for Piano.

1. Without getting technical, and having listened to these superb performances/recordings myself, I must say that the truth lies more on the side of the prior reviewer who referred to the detractors as "musical simpletons." The vast majority of listeners will surely DELIGHT in this fine, 3-CD set, assuming, of course, that they do enjoy Gottschalk's music in the first place (and who could NOT enjoy it?!). In sum, just buy it, play it, and relish it!



2. Mandel captures Gottschalk completely in this work. Every work is detailed well. I play much of Gottschalk, and Mandel's interpretation's are done to near perfection. I would dismiss the two previous reviewer's who talked about 'wrong note's' and other garbage, obviously reviewed by musical simpletons. I highly recommed this cd.



3. While I do have to agree with two other people who reviewed this cd, Mandel does lack some technical abilities. Be it as it may, even if these are his first takes, these are pretty darn good. However, Ability shouldn't be mostly considered when rating these works. Mandels' emotions are well played, tempo changes are great especially in Bamboula, and really well unlike most other ecordings, these sound crispy. What should matter the most is that we aren't listening to a robot play the piano, that would just be boring. Gottschalk doesn't want to be quoted, in my opinion, he wants to be interpreted. And like in all music something different is always better.



4. While I do have to agree with two other people who reviewed this cd, Mandel does lack some technical abilities. Be it as it may, even if these are his first takes, these are pretty darn good. However, Ability shouldn't be mostly considered when rating these works. Mandels' emotions are well played, tempo changes are great especially in Bamboula, and really well unlike most other ecordings, these sound crispy. What should matter the most is that we aren't listening to a robot play the piano, that would just be boring. Gottschalk doesn't want to be quoted, in my opinion, he wants to be interpreted. And like in all music something different is always better.



5. It bedevils me every time I reflect that such a great composer is not more noticed and recorded. Gottschalk has a melodic touch that rivals Mozart (yes, this is my opinion), a dexterity that rivals Chopin and an emotion to rival Mendelssohn. Yet, where are the recordings.

   Honestly, this is the most comprehensive recording of Gottshcalk, I think, that exists. And our favorite works are all here. L'union, The Last Hope, The Banjo, and in my opinion the pinnacle of emotional pot-boilers, The Dying Poet. This set will provide hours of listening and re-listening pleasure. So why's it so durn inexpensive?
   
   No, this isn't a recording pulled out of the dustbin from 1940 and 'spruced up' for a bargain reissue. The sound quality is quite good, actually. The recording is inexpensive because, if I had to guess and I guess I do, the tracks are all first takes. Of course, Alan Mandel plays with good feeling and ept dexterity but he misses much of the crisp speed and technique that Gottschalk demands. The trills are not smooth and the runs are not clean. Geez! I'm sure they didn't let him redo anything as some of the mistakes were just obvious! Not to worry though. As most of the botched runs are lightning fast, they're only mildly noticeable.

   Sadley though, I have to reccomend this recording out of necessity. The other Gottschalk piano collections are good too, but this one has ALL the good stuff where as they only have some of it.

No comments about Magic of Ireland.

2 comments about When I Fall in Love.

1. If I could only put another star on the rating scale,these compilations should be a best seller..I love the songs and the artists who interpreted them ..another five stars too. Reader's Digest is truly commmitted to music lovers like myself..that's why I have given all the box sets a 5 star rating...what are you waiting for,you won't regret having them played over and over again....maybe someone up in the heavens are playing the Reader's Digest collections too,who knows?



2. The Readers's Digest producers gathered the all time favorite love songs, recorded by known artists, and gave the public a wonderful boxed set. If a person knows what 24 Bit mastering is, perhaps there would be no disappointments. The sound quality could be improved, perhaps by live performances.

No comments about Love Collection.

1 comments about Undead: 50 Gothic Masterpieces.

1. Im an old "skool" goth and I have this cd since it came out. Its worth it for the money. I bought it for a lot more when it came out... but now that its cheaper, Id say go for it. The Sex Gang Children songs are great...it has a ok variety...
   Good cd as background music in the car or whatnot.

No comments about The Great History of English Classical Music.