5 comments about Singles Collection.

1. I just can't help myself, I have always loved Peggy Lee! (Along with Millions of others).
   
   Never, perhaps, in the history of recorded music, has any singer given us so much.....just take a moment and think of all the wonderful songs she recorded, and, luckily, we have to remember her by.
   
   If you've forgotten, by all means, go up above here, and click on a few selections and refresh your memory!
   
   In truth, you will also need the pink and black striped box set of Peggy's, and also the "Best of the DECCA Years" to round out a "good, overall retrospective" of the GREAT LADY's career! Do Enjoy!!! `operabruin



2. I'm biased; I think Peggy Lee is amazing. The box is just a lot more of a good thing. Nice presentation, thoughtful notes, wonderful sounding masters, great photos.



3. The majority of the recordings on "The Singles Collection" were recorded/issued and were huge hits way before my time. As I listen to MISS PEGGY LEE throughout this Box, her vocal sex appeal is way too hard to ignore and dismiss...the woman sung with a simmering and blistering sexiness, it's her vocal trademark amongst many other singer's exceptional attributes - regardless of how subtle she may have consciously maintained her efforts to not offend with the times she lived in, Miss Lee was gifted with a MONUMENTAL vocal instrument that could melt solid gold! Peggy Lee, by far, is a sincere musical artist, beyond Madonna's $$$ ambitions, which by the way, fall flat: Madonna is no singer, yet, she quietly molded herself after the ultimate best: Peggy Lee! But, back to PEGGY. This woman was gifted with a vocal range most singers would envy. Simply put, PEGGY LEE is one of a handful of irresistable female vocalists music fans can not ignore once exposed to her high quality recordings. My first encounter with Peggy Lee was, and will forever be imprinted in my musical & visual mind, on a variety show back in 1969 when I was a child(Carol Burnett Show?) and she was singing her modern day trademark classic(one of many!) "Is That All There Is?". I didn't know who the hell this woman was, but, she left a huge musical impression on me! I never bought that "45", but, in the early 1980's while rummaging through a resale shop of classic record Lps, I came upon PEGGY LEE's "IS THAT ALL THERE IS" album: no questions asked, I bought it...my reaction upon listening: TOTALLY STUNNED!!! Fast forward to early 2004...saw two Peggy Lee Box Sets: "THE SINGLES COLLECTION" & "MISS PEGGY LEE"..no hesitation, I am a proud owner of her two box sets and am looking for more! Before my time, but, PEGGY LEE ROCKS!!!



4. A MUST for all true-blue Peggy fans. A few hits & tons of rare
   sides, some unheard since the original releases. Beautifully designed & annotated, obviously a labor of love!



5. This collection is a wonderful addition to all the other records and disc that I have by Peggy Lee. I'm ready for 4 more disc if they will only release them. I know that there are many many fans who feel the same as I do.

5 comments about A Foreign Sound.

1. I have been a huge fan of Veloso for the past three years, mostly because of his Portuguese and Spanish masterpieces, but this time around he truly pulled it off with these interpretations. This English album is truly a work of art, and Veloso's sensationally melodic voice is soothing to the ears and the soul. His interpretations of "So in love", "Feelings," "Love For Sale," "The Man I Love," and my favorite, David Byrne's "(Nothing But) Flowers" have taken each melody to another level. Byrne is decidedly right when he plays Veloso's version in his concerts... there truly could be no greater compliment.



2. notwithstanding the validity of all personal opinions shown about the appeal of this project from caetano, i just would like to mention what he did stated at his concerts on this material (which i attended).
   
   there has been a constant influence of english worded music in brazilian and in caetano's life (he even spent all his exile while the brazilian dictatorship, living in london). then brazil and the usa have a long road of interinfluence, both ways, from the sounding success of carmen miranda in hollywood to the appraisal people like jobim, sergio mendes, ayrto and many other received from the american press and public, rocketing to world fame from there (something brazil can not do is to discover itself: it needs from others!).
   
   then there is the attention the brazilian public devoted to american artists. that brings its load of outstanding cases from the american song having strong impression on the brazilian ear.
   
   so from here, from all this wealth of reciprocating cultural milestones, it arised according to caetano's words, a common universe from which he wanted to design a random/not so random (he is an artist, he needs the randomness against the method!)promenade.
   
   to listen to caetano like if he were only a local exotic specimen, with a life alien to what we call globalization today, would be not to know caetano in his human depth, made of roots and uprootedness, tradition and influences, receptivity and demands. and it would deprive us from getting a balanced approach to his genius, to his universal power of poetry and sensibility.
   
   he is normal. he's been there where we are today 40 years ago.
   
   and that 's that.



3. My husband and I heard him sing in a movie, so got on the internet to look up the movie and find out who was singing.
   It is not in English, but if you can appreciate a lovely voice, you will enjoy this CD.



4. I read with interest the polemic that developed among a couple of reviewers as a result of co-composer Jacques Morelenbaum's comments in the liner notes that "Aviation didn't begin in America; it began in Brazil".
   
   Look it up. It's indisputable that Brazilian Alberto Santos Dumont flew a contraption heavier than air prior to the Wright Brothers. The point is debatable, and it hinges on the definition of the contraption. What's more important, though, is that Morelenbaum made the comment in the context of THIS record. It's an analogy, get it, folks?
   
   As with first flight, whether modern American music or American standards, both of which Veloso interprets here, were invented in America or in Brazil first is debatable. One thing is certain: Veloso and his cohorts can fairly be credited for inventing the Tropicalia movement back in the 60s. What was Tropicalia? Plain and simple, it was a fusion of American or western music with black music.
   
   Let's not forget Brazil's geographic and historical location. As a major stopping point in the slave trade, African culture and music took root there, and mixed with "western" music centuries ago. As the African diaspora spread northward to the south of the US, for example, African American musicians took it to the next step, and are widely credited for inventing rock 'n roll in the 50s.
   
   It's telling that Veloso and Morelenbaum titled this album "A Foreign Sound", because on the one hand, it's "foreign" in that it consists of American music. On the other hand, it's not "foreign" at all to Veloso, for the reasons described above.
   
   If you're already familiar with Veloso, you'll know that nothing he's done in his beautiful career is accidental. He's an incredible composer, and the songs he chose to interpret on this album were carefully selected, and he more often than not imbues the songs with a new interpretation that even the original songwriter sometimes prefers over his original version.
   
   On the latter note, David Byrne often introduces his song "Nothing but Flowers" before playing it in a concert by saying "I'm going to play it the way Caetano Veloso plays it".
   
   Can there be a bigger compliment from one composer to another? I don't think so. Could any non American have paid a bigger compliment to American music, while simultaneously commenting that "Americans didn't invent American music" than Caetano has on done on this album? I don't think so.



5. I like Caetano a lot, I've heaps of his previous CDs, but this one sucks...a lot...
   He needs to put his feet back on the ground. THis Cd is sooo pretentious that it hurts...
   You can easely skip this one.

2 comments about Berlin.

1. 'Berlin' by Marlene Dietrich
   
   This is one of Dietrich's most sublime recordings. All of the best old songs from her early years in Berlin are here - and one can sense her own nostalgia for the country which she had to leave. It is pretty unique as far as Dietrich's recordings go. I don't think she ever did another Berlin album, although I know she made a great propaganda album during the 2nd world war, of very famous American songs sung in German.
   Anyone who loves Marlene's recordings would do themselves a favor by getting this. You won't regret it.



2. A great collection of songs not of die Dietrich's usual standards, rather a collection that speaks, or sings, to another aspect of that highly complex phenomenon, Marlene. In fact, some commentators have claimed that this was Dietrich's own favorite album. And one can hear real joy and delight in Dietrich's voice in these songs of her hometown. That joy is apparent for example in "Nach Meine Beene Ist Ganz Berlin Verrückt," a song that could be a real candidate for a Dietrich theme song. After all, not just Berlin, but the entire world was quite crazy about her legs -- and rightly so. And she, the Urberlinerin, sings all this in her distinctive Berlin Dialekt -- "ick" for "ich"; "janz" for "ganz"; and, of course, "Beene" for "Beinen," etc. -- adding another layer of references to the song. It is interesting that Dietrich's friend, Claire Waldoff with whom the song was associated, complete with Dialekt, was not originally from Berlin (and whose legs were not so commented upon as Dietrich's).
   
   There are other songs on this CD that sound as though Dietrich is singing about her own childhood complete with a palpable sense of fondness. She sings such classics as "Untern Linden" with such fine rapid phrasing and energy that is sounds almost like Gilbert & Sullivan "Model of a Modern Major General" like or for a more contemporary and also urban reference, early rap, or Madonnas rap-like sections of "Vogue", but happier, livelier and better.
   
   The recording is clear and clean. The only things missing are lyrics and more photographs of the woman to whom Hemingway wrote: "What do you really want to do for a life work? Break everybody's heart for a dime?" "You could always break mine for a nickel and I'd bring the nickel."

5 comments about Ultra-Lounge: Tiki Sampler.

1. Hold on to your fedora and don't spill your martini, this is going to be wild man. If you dream of the old, dirty Vegas, the era of the Polynesian bar, of a time when American hot-rods roamed the country and your gas was pumped buy a guy in a paper hat, then this album is for you.
   
   There are only two down sides to this sampling. First, it's on CD and not vinyl. This is a positive in that it'll never wear out, but there is a certain amount of authenticity given up for the sake of convenience. For most, it's well worth it. You'll just have to pick up the old records yourself.
   
   The other down side is that you'll want to play this a lot, which means your friends will be amused at first, but on the third or fourth time they hear the Mel Torme's version of "Happy Together" they may very well crack and beat you senseless.



2. My daughter is a big fan of this kind of music and anything tiki. This was a Christmas present for her and she loves it. Great quality and prompt service from Amazon. Thanks!



3. The entire ultra-lounge series is excellent. However, all of the CD's in this collection only add up to a small tantilizing taste of the huge back catalog of vintage easy listening albums from the 50's & 60's - not to mention the Hawaiian LP's which are surpisingly underrepresented on the Tiki Sample and in the Ultra-Lounge series as a whole. Common Captiol/EMI, start releasing some of these vintage albums in their complete form!!!!!!!!!!



4. This is a great CD. Full of tracks that are perfect for almost any occasion: The Beach, Backyard Bar-B- Ques, Vacations or just Relaxing. This is an album that supports drinking and a carefree lifestyle. It supports what I believe in so I support it!



5. I never got the lounge music thing but this collection worked for me because it's the very best one or two tracks from the large amount of lounge CD collections available from Capitol. 23 tracks including Nelson Riddle doing My Three Sons, Peggy Lee doing The Boy From Ipanema, , Mel Torme butchering Happy Together, Les Baxter, Jackie Gleason, Julie London, Lena Horne, Nancy Wilson, and so on. Plus the theme's from The Munster's and Get Smart. Lot's of fun here.

5 comments about Billie Holiday: The Complete Decca Recordings.

1. I'll state the obsevation, and then give my solution. What I observed with this collection (as with many other complete sets) is that they include the unreleased alternate takes with the released takes. 9 times out of 10, there's a reason why it was never released in the first place.
   However, there are those that like that about the album, thus it is not to shoot them down.
   
   Also, I really question whether this was her "peak" period. People that say this have not heard her Commodore releases, or her Verve releases.
   
   Here's a good solution for those that don't want more than the original release of the songs. Pick up "The Lady Sings" boxed set from Proper recordings (it's a boxed set, and dirt cheap, with primo sound quality). This collection has almost all of her songs from Brunswick to Decca (not everything, but certainly her best, and about 5 hours long). For the Verve releases, there are three sets to choose from. Complete (including alternates), premium (complete minus alternates), and a best of. The best prices are (of course) from Amazon. Happy Hunting.



2. This is Lady Day at her peak and is probably the definitive collection showcasing how phenomenal a talent she was as a vocalist. As the title implies these are pretty much all her surviving tracks cut for the Decca label from 1944 to 1950 when she was in her peak vocal form and the songs here are a white-knuckle rollercoaster ride of emotions. There weren't many other vocalists anywhere near Billie's prowess at this time and her delivery runs the gamut of emotions from wistful sadness, to savage beauty, to a warm embrace. Many of her signature songs are here: "Lover Man," "Don't Explain," "'Taint Nobody's Business If I Do," "God Bless The Child," and "Good Morning Heartache." Some have complained that it is not a truly "complete" recordings package, but many of the original recordings were lost or destroyed years ago. If I had to chose a starting point for Billie Holiday you'd be hard pressed to pick a better choice than this set.



3. Billie Holiday's great talent and music has been adequately reviewed elsewhere. My comments are directed at the packaging of the songs. First, I give the music and performances 5 stars. The sound quality is excellent considering the vintage, especially on the originally released tracks. However, I have a suggestion for track sequencing and disc packagaging, thus the 4 star rating. My preference is that this set be repackaged as a 3 disc set, but remain priced as a 2 disc set with the 3rd disc listed as a bonus disc. I'd rather have a 3rd disc that comprises the early and unreleased versions of the songs.
   
   I followed my own suggestion and re-sequenced the 2 discs into a 3 disc set by burning new copies on my computer. I am much happier with the outcome, and love listening to the original released versions of songs without experiencing a duplication of titles. This presents the music in a way I think the artist would have preferred and greatly enhances the experience for me. When I'm in the mood for the additional material, the 3rd disc I created includes the early versions and previously unreleased tracks to give me the illusion of being present at the recording sessions. I find this a much more satisfying way to experience this great music.



4. What more can be said about this box-set that other reviewers haven't said yet? Lady Day at her best, with an absolute control of her voice; marvelous performances; unsurpassable sound quality; a booklet with all the information that you'll ever need... If any release deserves six stars, is this one. Don't doubt it, buy it and prepare to enjoy Billie Holiday at her most brilliant moment!!



5. The most essential cd set on the planet, I couldn't go a single week without pulling this beautiful set out and listening to her pure no-hold back from the heart singing. Beuatifulk string arrangements and a hautning voice. Simple beautiful jazz vocals.

5 comments about Beaucoup De Becaud: 20 Chansons Indispensables.

1. I recently went to see the French film entitled "Roman de Gare." It was an excellent film! I strongly recommend it. Throughout the film they kept playing background music with a man's voice. I had to watch the credits at the end of the film to learn that it was Gilbert Becaud. I'd never heard of him. I made a mental note that I had to order the soundtrack to the film. Since all I wanted was songs by Becaud and not instrumental background music, I bought this CD instead. I was not disappointed. I've been playing it over and over again. I plan to travel to France in September. This CD will certainly get me in the mood, especially the French version of "September Morn!" Once I get to France, I plan to buy a few more Becaud CDs to bring back with me.



2. this is a great collection, but Pete from Leicester is right: "Encore plus de Becaud" is a bit more interesting to the true collector. Pete is mistaken however, about the cover art. although clearly from the same shoot, the positioning of Becaud's body is different: the legs are extended fully, feet toes up.



3. Becaud, started as a piano player for Edith Piaf; she encouraged him to sing and he did. He was surnamed " Mr. 100 Volts " as he displayed such energy both in the studio and his live shows was written : He pulverizes his audience, he did back flips in the piano once one breaking and hurting audience, but nothing serious.
   These 100 songs although essential omit much of his magic; and worst all the songs are jointed in a medley sort of recording. As a personal friend of Mr. Becaud I regret Gaya Becaud his oldest son did the 100 chansons this way. But a decent starting point.
   A better starting point to the casual fan is " L'Essentiel" in one or 2 CD collection.
   He collaborated with Neil Diamond off and on since " The Jazz Singer " ex. "September Morn " is a collaboration but to me trained ears is all Becaud in music content; his usual humbleness
   shows through.
   Gilbert was such a phenomenon in music history whose importance has never been credited. Example in 1956 a certain Jerry Lee Lewis is present at one of his live shows; coincidnence the next time Jerry Lee Lewis performs live he flip flops on the piano etc...
   Gilbert was jazz-rocking the world before rock existed.
   Around May 1968 his friendship with De Gaulle was mistaken for solidarity and the media catalogued him unjustly of "right winged radical" and this media sank him in the radiowaves. Yet often in the 70's and 80's his records were of such quality that became million seller hits all over the world.
   Anyone contemplating a Becaud purchase can gladly contact me personally for advise. I stand firm by all contained herein . Alex Zambra at zambraalex@yahoo.com or zambraalex@aol.com.



4. Gilbert Becaud began his career in the early fifties and was still having big hits occasionally in the eighties in his native France. This 20-track compilation scarcely does justice to him, but it includes all the essentials and will suffice for most people. In France, there is also a 37-track double CD (Encore plus de Becaud) with identical front cover artwork, containing all the songs included here plus 17 others, for those that want to dig a little deeper. Among the extra tracks on that collection is Mustapha Dupont, a controversial song about immigrants.
   
   The tracks here include the two songs that Gilbert is most famous for internationally - Et maintenant (translated into English as What now my love) and Je t'appartiens, which became a huge international hit for the Everly Brothers after it was translated into English as Let it be me.
   
   Seul sur son etoile, translated into English as It must be him, became a huge international hit for Vikki Carr. Another song that was a success following translation is Le jour ou la pluie viendra, recorded by Jane Morgan as The day the rains came - it became a British number one hit for her.
   
   In the sixties, Gilbert had many hits in his homeland. Among those included here are Dimanche a Orly (about his constant touring), Nathalie (one of his most famous songs in France), C'est en Septembre, L'important c'est la rose and Quand il est mort le poet.
   
   Success in the seventies and eighties was less consistent although Gilbert remained popular with songs such as Solitude ca n'existe pas, L'indifference and Desiree.
   
   If you have even a little interest in French music of the sixties, you ought to have at least one Gilbert Becaud album. If you just want a single CD, this is as good as you are likely to find but if you are serious about his music, look for a more comprehensive compilation.



5. I was in Madrid and watching TV I saw Neil Diamond singing September morn. The song was so pretty and he explained he wrote it with the help of a french singer. French? do the french write good songs? Long years after, a friend of mine gave me this CD and I love all the songs. So much, that I decided to start studying french.

5 comments about The Rare Piaf 1950-1962.

1. While this Cd does lack some of Edith's trademark French zeal, it is still a joy to listen to. This is the perfect CD for those who love Edith Piaf but may not be french music connoisseurs. It is full of passion and the voice that can only come from Edith Piaf.



2. "The Rare Piaf" is chiefly a collection of English versions of some of her tunes. The real prize on this CD, however, is the pair of c. 1962 studio sessions. The first is some 22 minutes long. You hear the orchestra alone practicing, then Piaf attempting the song multiple times and you can also hear her lauhging with or barking at the musicians or directors. The English tracks on this disc can be obtained on other compilations, but this one is worth getting because of the bonus tracks.



3. I have a Columbia Records album titled "La Vie en Rose" from the 50s with a picture of two lovers on a bench kissing on a Paris street. This album features Piaf singing completely in English. A few of the songs on Rare Piaf sound alike, but are obviously different takes?!?! The album I have has far superior versions of these songs with better vocals and instrumentation. So I'm patiently waiting for Columbia to dig into their vaults and come up with the wonderful takes I'm used to from my fast wearing vinyl.



4. Do you remember the scene in Bull Durham where Nuke shouts through the door, "I know your in there, I can hear that crazy Mexican singer"?

   Annie should have played him this recording instead of reading Walt Whitman. Buy this CD and you'll understand and better love the original. Oh, and buy Bull Durham, too.




5. These recordings were made by Edith Piaf in 1949/1950 as she was trying to help American audiences understand her music more closely. She toured America several times but it took some doing to get a following. These songs are many of her French hits, especially "La Vie En Rose", and are a good way to get to know this exceptional chanteuse. Several other of the CDs offered by Amazon are well worth a visit as well as her early songs were and still are very powerful.

   My first copy these songs is a scratchy old 10" LP I found in an antique shop. I treasure it but this new transcription makes them sound recorded just yesterday.

   For you movie buffs who saw "Saving Private Ryan" many Piaf songs were heard on the soundtrack some of which are on this album. This album is a "must have" for Piaf fans.

5 comments about Make Believe.

1. I love jazz and am a big fan of John Pizzarelli, who produced this recording of his wife. I also thought I would be a big fan of Jessica Molaskey, having heard some great tracks of hers on the radio. This made my disappointment in this recording all the greater. This is simply over-over-produced. Jessica has a great voice, but if improvisation and spontaneity are the heart of jazz, this is not jazz. Dear John: can the strings and all the rest of the carefully orchestrated arrangements. Let her just sing from the heart with guitar (yours), piano, and bass as accompaniment.



2. as good a cd that can be made of these songs. bar none. thanks jessica.



3. Recently I had the pleasure of listening to this marvelous CD at work. Ms. Molaskey is a recent discovery of mine (though I have been well acquainted with the music of her equally talented spouse, Mr. Pizzarelli) and the song selection, arrangements, etc. are first-rate. A sweet treat to these ears!



4. One can tell this is an experienced theatre singer. Her pizazz shows through on every song. Very cool CD. Jessica is as smooth as silk, a performer you just have to hear!



5. I was not aware of Jessica, and only found her as result of other Amazon reviews, and what a terrific surprise. Wonderful sound and wonderful standards. I have since purchased 4 more of her CDs.

5 comments about Pure Imagination.

1. I remembered listening to this album when I was a kid, and HAD to find it when my son was born. The songs are fun for dancing around the living room, or singing loudly in the car, and aren't so annoyingly repetitive as other children's albums I've come across. Tons of fun, and great for memories!



2. its a good music CD has the pure imagination part of the song was song in this move Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and has this great song title "BE KIND TO YOUR PARENTS" good advice for the kids and lots of other cute litte songs for kids
   
   
   
   
   



3. If someone would want to sample Michael Feinstein's art for the first time, assuming anyone who likes Easy/listening Pop hasn't already, this would be a wonderful place to start. It is representative of everything Mr. Feinstein does so wonderufully well. It has a couple of forgotten or never known songs which turn out to be charming or better (The Dressing Song and Mole People), it has a couple of well known songs that haven't been sung all that much recently (Arent You Glad You're You, Lydia the Tatooed Lady and Teddy Bears Picnic) and it has some well known songs that you do hear frequently performed with great style and charm (Swinging On a Star, When You Wish Upon a Star) and it brings Michael's great good friend Rosemary Clooney in the sing a wonderful song from an awful Walt Disney Movie, Ten Feet off the Ground. In short this is one of the best Michael Feinstein albums ever. Pay no attention to what other reviewers have said, don't buy this for the kids, buy it for the kid inside you, and make the kids get a job and buy their own copy. This is an album for all ages.



4. Michael Feinstein captures the perfect balance of whimsy, fun, and songs that teach. He has a beautifully trained voice and he is backed up with wonderful arrangements and musicians. My 2 year old daughter and I listen to it over and over and never get tired of it.



5. I have to confess to shedding a few tears over this album, especially with the title and opening song Pure Imagination. As I grow older I find it harder and harder to feel the pluck of heartstrings, but Michael Feinstein does it with his rendition of the Anthony Newley classic. He takes me back to an innocent time with his infectious joy in this music. You can hear the smile on his face, hear the love he feels for the melody and lyrics. Most of the songs are happy and silly, but curiously there is one that every parent should listen to and take to heart. If you have heard this album, you'll know the song: Because We're Kids, from that amazing and surrealist movie The 5000 Fingers of Dr. T (From which the crazy Dressing Song also came.) This album is a true gem for all ages.

5 comments about Best of Great Instrumentals.

1. I bought this because I recently heard the old song "Games That Lovers Play" by James Last, I don't how long since I first it-too many years, and I did't have an old LP to copy to a CD. So I bought this CD and I was not dissapointed. Good music is timeless.



2. Beautiful! Divine arranjement! I am so happy I purchased this album.



3. My dad recently introduced me to James Last's recordings when he received a video of a James Last concert from a PBS station in Florida. Now we're both hooked. The music James Last creates is simply "feel good" music - you cant help but feel good when you listen to him. I have this CD and also "Country Roads" & they're both excellent. I can't wait to purchase more!



4. James Last's arrangements of some of the most popular somgs of the last century are among the finest available. His own compositions, such as 'The Lonely Shepherd', are also among the most beautiful ever written. 'Biscaya', 'The Lonely Shepherd', 'Happy Heart', 'Games That Lovers Play'... great listening. Period.



5. A "must have" for everyone's musical library. Wonderful renditions of semi-classical and popular arrangements. I want to hear more. May I say "Voundabar"!!!