No comments about Baby Looney Toons: Born to Sing Too.

2 comments about Film Works VII: Cynical Hysterie Hour.

1. In late 1988 and 1989, John Zorn recorded music to serve as a soundtrack for four seven minute cartoons ("Cynical Hysterie Hour") by Kiriko Kubo. Released for a moment by CBS then lapsed out of print, the album stayed that way until Zorn was able to successfully negotiate a deal with them to secure its re-release on Tzadik.
   
   Featuring performances by any number of luminaries in the downtown scene (guitarists Bill Frisell, Robert Quine, Marc Ribot, and Arto Lindsay, keyboardist Wayne Horvitz, turntable pioneer Christian Marclay, percussionist Cyro Baptista, drummer Bobby Previte, and the enigmatic electronic musician Ikue Mori, credited here with drum machines), the music is Zorn's most overt tribute to the work of Carl Stalling, although there is a heavy surf influence on the pieces as well. Everything is composed in blocks, with brief, quirky moments full of personality ruling each section. It's quite interesting, and there's some great moments in both composition and performance throughout, although it feels a bit incomplete. This could be because Zorn doesn't do much in terms of self-referentialism on the piece-- typically his soundtrack performances reprise themes, this one doesn't and feels a bit less cohesive for it. Or it could be that this recording is only 25 minutes long.
   
   Like all the filmworks series, the liner notes contain an essay from Zorn about the film it was attached to and about the music itself. This one also adds the amusing anecdote about how Zorn got the rights to release this.
   
   In all, a fine, if brief recording, but Zorn's done better, both in soundtracks and outside.



2. The fine people at Tzadik were kind enough to inform me that Sony still technically own the rights to this album, and have generously licensed it BACK to Tzadik so they could distribute it. The original pressing of this disc was Zorn's first major label release, made way back in 1989, and achieved some notoriety as such, which I'll explain presently... The disc is comprised of several goofy, cool bits of manic weirdness that have been grouped roughly together into four cuts, assumedly to match four separate episodes of series it was the soundtrack for -- a Japanese TV anime show called, as you may have guessed, THE CYNICAL HYSTERIE HOUR. Kiriko Kubo, the cartoonist/creator, even sings on some of the cuts, and writes some minimal lyrics (nothing intrusive or out-of-place, I assure you; stuff like the assertion, made against the diverse, cheerful, and bizarre background of the music, that she likes icecream -- said, of course, in Japanese). Sony somehow didn't NOTICE what a wonderful CD they had. Despite the presence of Zorn and other regular collaborators of considerable repute (Marc Ribot, Arto Lindsay, Wayne Horvitz, Bill Frisell, Robert Quine, Cyro Baptista, etc., etc.), they ISSUED THE ORIGINAL WITHOUT ANYONE'S NAME ON THE OUTER PACKAGING SAVE KUBO'S, and treated it "merely" as an anime soundtrack, of interest only to Japanese TV viewers. They didn't even market it outside Japan, and let it go out of print almost immediately. It then became, as Tzadik have dubbed it, "the Holy Grail for Zornithologists" until such a time as Zorn got the Tzadik label off the ground and acquired the rights to distribute it himself (for the time being). Really, it's too bad Sony didn't do more with this. The CD is some of the most accessible, listener-friendly, and flat out FUN stuff Zorn and co. have ever recorded, even more listener-friendly than the self-titled NAKED CITY CD or THE BIG GUNDOWN (which both seem pretty accessible to me too, for the record -- if they don't to you, you might want to bear that in mind). The disc's weaknesses, if it has any, lie in it almost being TOO playful for my ears -- I occasionally want to hear Yamantanka Eye shrieking and gibbering psychotically, in the midst of all the fun, or hear oblique references to S and M or death metal or torture or so forth, just to maintain a strong sense of the Zorniness of it all. But Eye isn't on it, and instead of occasional bursts of speedmetal hysteria -- on this album, you get jangly, delirous banjo parts courtesy of Bill Frisell. But really, borderline cute as it sometimes gets, it's all good fun, and well worth having. Anyone who simply loves cartoon music -- any Carl Stalling fans out there -- would doubtlessly grok it, too. Oh, yeah, I suppose I should note that it IS kind of short -- the whole disc runs less than half an hour -- but it's such a jam packed half hour that you won't mind, I promise.

5 comments about Classic Disney, Vol. 1.

1. The CD arrived in good time and was of excellent quality for a used product.



2. This CD is a wonderful collection of some 25(!) of the most beloved Disney hits. Indeed, the songs on this CD are all songs from the great Disney movies that you remember from your childhood. There's "Someday My Prince Will Come" from Snow White, "Colonel Hathi's March" from the Jungle Book, and "Chim Chim Cher-ee" from Mary Poppins. What's also wonderful is that the hits are from the great Disney movies right up to the present, with such songs as "Beauty and the Beast" from the movie of the same title.
   
   My whole family loves these songs, and often sings along with them. As a wonderful bonus, we were not aware of "Minnie's Yoo Hoo!" which sounds like a 1920s, snappy little tune, and my children often play it twice and even three times in a row.
   
   Buy this CD you won't regret it!



3. I purchased this to keep my kids occupied on vacation, and it performed beautifully! I can recommend it fully.



4. I have all 5 CD's and it is an awesome collection! All of my favorite songs are on the 5 CD's and every Disney fan like I am should have this collection!



5. There isn't one single song from the 1977 classic "The Rescuers" included in this collection, I don't see why Disney chose not to include any of those songs which are all gorgeous, when they did include unmemorable and weak songs instead, I've seen these CD's with songs that aren't half as good as "Tomorrow is Another Day," "The Journey," "Someone's Waiting for You" or "Rescue Aid Society."
   
   Very disappointing, The Rescuers is a fine Disney classic and it should be included with all of the others.

5 comments about Classic Disney, Vol. 3.

1. This CD is a wonderful collection of some 25(!) of the most beloved Disney hits. Indeed, the songs on this CD are all songs from the great Disney movies that you remember from your childhood. There's "You've Got A Friend In Me" from Toy Story, "Oo-De-Lally" from Robin Hood, and "I Wan'na Be Like You" from The Jungle Book (I love that Louis Prima!).What's also wonderful is that the hits are from the great Disney movies right up to the present, with such songs as "Jack's Lament" from The Nightmare Before Christmas.
   
   My whole family loves these songs, and often sings along with them. My personal favorite is The Silly Song from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs - I love that scene!
   
   Buy this CD you won't regret it!



2. This third CD of Disney music is a good mixture of the old with the new. Track 1: "Colors of the Wind" from POCAHONTAS is one of the best songs composed to date for a motion picture. Track 18: "Bella Notte" from LADY AND THE TRAMP brings back many memories as does Track 21: "The Ballad of Davy Crockett" from television show and movies. Going back even further is Track 24: "Little April Shower" from BAMBI, which is an interesting composition representing nature's beauty, fury and return to tranquility. Track 6: "Les Poissons" is a great number from THE LITTLE MERMAID that is well composed musically but also is used to advance the story of the film. This is yet another great CD in this series.



3. Disney has once again put some of its most liked songs into a single album. The songs on this CD are some of my favorite songs and I'd recomend the CD for anyone that has kids or just likes the songs.



4. Burton movies are great. Burton movies with Elfman's music... well, they're out of this world. Nightmare before Christmas is my favorite movie of all times, and someone who hasn't seen it, doesn't have to make those comments. It's a movie full of great feelings; plus the music is great. Someone who hasn't seen the movie wouldn't understand "Jack's Lament"... I invite Caroline to see it and THEN critize it. BEST MOVIE OF ALL TIMES.



5. These Disney CD's are so great. People of all ages can enjoy them. My favorite is volume 2. My 3 year old LOVES it but so does my 22 year old friend!

4 comments about When At Night I Go To Sleep.

1. This album is so sincere and so rich in loving empathy that it is haunting. From the other reviews, I'm glad (and not surprised) to see how effective it is for soothing babies and getting them to sleep.
   
   The quality of the musicianship and voicing here, though, it what I want to recognize. Mary's rich voice is always spot-on in timing, intonation, pitch, resonance, and volume, striking a remarkable balance between technique and emotive quality.
   
   Strongly recommend this to anyone needing a way to sleep - whether 5 months old or 56 years old, like me...



2. My daughter, who is 5 and a half and has always shared a family bed until recently has always had trouble falling asleep on her own. This cd, along with some clever aromatherapy, causes her to fall asleep immediately on her own without the 20 trips out of bed for drinks of water, hugs, bathroom trips, ect. This cd is AMAZING. I feel truly lucky to have stumbled upon it.



3. I bought this album without knowing much about it. I hadn't heard any of the tracks, and only had one review to go by. I'm so glad I listened to the reviewer, because this album is wonderful. Mary van Arsdel has such a beautiful voice, and these songs are obviously chosen and sung with great love.



4. This is simply an amazing CD. Mary VanArsdel has the most beautiful voice I have ever heard. Accompanied by an incredible harpest, this collection of music never ceases to take my breath away.
   
   Originally this was a gift for my youngest daughter and is by far her favorite. I have since decided to get a copy for myself. My oldest daughter who is in her twenties listens to her copy when she has a hard time falling asleep. A wonderful thing since she has a stressful job working in a hospital.
   
   I can only hope that Mary VanArsdel will bring out more music for us to listen to. Her talent is indeed a gift to us all.

5 comments about The Simpsons: Songs In The Key Of Springfield - Original Music From The Television Series [Blisterpack].

1. What a disappointment! This was the first Simpson CD I've ever purchased and it is terrible. I watch the Simpsons all the time and I know there are many many great songs on the show. But did they pick any of those great songs? No! It had way too much talking on it, and a couple different Simpson theme song paradies. The songs were short, I guess I was hoping they would elaborate on the songs a bit more. There were only two songs on it that were fun to sing along with. I based my CD choice on the reviews of this product and I don't know where those people were coming from, but this CD is not the one with all the good songs on it, so pick another one or build your own off itunes.



2. In one episode of the Simpson, they had the stone masons singing a song.
   "We do." Love the song and this CD has that song on it in full.



3. Every other reviewer here has said it all: in a nutshell, this is a really fun recording and a must-have for any Simpsons fan. I just wanted to comment that every time I listen to this album I am always amazed at the incredibly lavish production value. The orchestra is as sweet as a film score, which lends a lot of weight to the characters and their various story lines. The music really draws you in and makes you care about the characters. As a musical enthusiast and amateur musician, it makes my soul happy.



4. This has got to be one of my faveroite Simpsons CDs I own.
   Packed with Simpsons goodness on every single track. You'll find yourself singing along to these catchy, yet hilarious tunes from the show. Being a Simpsons fan for almost my whole life, I know every tune and melody. If you're a Simpsons superfan, this CD is for you.
   =)



5. Until I heard this CD, I never fully appreciated how much music was in "The Simpsons." Sure, I knew the theme songs, and was aware of guest appearances by The Who, The Red Hot Chile Peppers, and many other bands, and I know that Danny Elfmann and ALf Clausen are exceptional composers who excel in many other venues. Over the years, however, the show has produced a number of memorable songs, many of them satirizing some of the most popular (and often unctious) chestnuts of recent American music.
   
   Krusty's "Send in the Clowns" is a prime example of the importance and the sheer quality of the songs in the show. Like the best musicals, they advance the plot, jive with with the show's themes and characters, and are musically memorable and lyrically hilarious. Some of the songs are played semi-straight (Lurleen's country songs) while others extend the subversive, on-target humor of one of TV's most brilliant shows. (As the co-owner of the creature who actually won the "animal who most resembles a Simpson contest," receiving a Matt Groening autographed poster as a prize, I am one of millions of experts on the show and a longtime fan.)
   
   I agree with the reviewer who said there were a just a few too many reworkings of the Simpson theme songs on the CD (although many of these are of unquestionable worth), the CD, replete with both music and samplings of dialogue is a tribute to the show, a true bargain box set, and a must for any Simpsons or musical comedy fan. Springfield, you RAWK!

5 comments about Classic Disney, Vol. 2.

1. This CD is a wonderful collection of some 25(!) of the most beloved Disney hits. Indeed, the songs on this CD are all songs from the great Disney movies that you remember from your childhood. There's "The Bare Necessities" from The Jungle Book, "Supercalifragilisticexpialdocious" from Mary Poppins, and "So This Is Love" from Cinderella. What's also wonderful is that the hits are from all of the Disney greats like Beauty And The Beast, Aladdin, and The Little Mermaid.
   
   My whole family loves these songs, and often sings along with them. I have several personal favorites from this album, including "So This Is Love" and "Candle On The Water." But, heck, I love them all!
   
   So, what's the final verdict? Buy this CD you won't regret it!



2. We bought this CD to practice my daughter's dance recital number to the "MICKY MOUSE CLUB MARCH"...however after listening to the whole thing over and over and over we are totally in love with classics like "THe Bear Neccessities" and "Supercalifragilistic (SP?)....we love the songs from all our favorite Disney movies, and this CD showcases a lot of them! :) A total bargain for variety music that is appropriate for children and families alike.



3. I purchased this to keep my kids occupied on vacation, and it performed beautifully! I can recommend it fully.



4. I have the classic disney volume 2 audio cassette which is very rare this is a great collection of music. It has a lot of very old peices in it. Disney Did a great job at cleaning them up. It even has a peice from song of the south which most people dont even know what that movie is. I would say yes to by this item on cd or cassette. I give it five stars. Their was only one or two songs i disliked.



5. My kids and I love to pop this into the CD player when we are on road trips together. We sing along and have a great time.

No comments about Greatest Swing Instrumentals.

No comments about TV Tunes for Kids.

5 comments about Classic Disney, Vol. 3.

1. This CD is a wonderful collection of some 25(!) of the most beloved Disney hits. Indeed, the songs on this CD are all songs from the great Disney movies that you remember from your childhood. There's "You've Got A Friend In Me" from Toy Story, "Oo-De-Lally" from Robin Hood, and "I Wan'na Be Like You" from The Jungle Book (I love that Louis Prima!).What's also wonderful is that the hits are from the great Disney movies right up to the present, with such songs as "Jack's Lament" from The Nightmare Before Christmas.
   
   My whole family loves these songs, and often sings along with them. My personal favorite is The Silly Song from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs - I love that scene!
   
   Buy this CD you won't regret it!



2. This third CD of Disney music is a good mixture of the old with the new. Track 1: "Colors of the Wind" from POCAHONTAS is one of the best songs composed to date for a motion picture. Track 18: "Bella Notte" from LADY AND THE TRAMP brings back many memories as does Track 21: "The Ballad of Davy Crockett" from television show and movies. Going back even further is Track 24: "Little April Shower" from BAMBI, which is an interesting composition representing nature's beauty, fury and return to tranquility. Track 6: "Les Poissons" is a great number from THE LITTLE MERMAID that is well composed musically but also is used to advance the story of the film. This is yet another great CD in this series.



3. Disney has once again put some of its most liked songs into a single album. The songs on this CD are some of my favorite songs and I'd recomend the CD for anyone that has kids or just likes the songs.



4. Burton movies are great. Burton movies with Elfman's music... well, they're out of this world. Nightmare before Christmas is my favorite movie of all times, and someone who hasn't seen it, doesn't have to make those comments. It's a movie full of great feelings; plus the music is great. Someone who hasn't seen the movie wouldn't understand "Jack's Lament"... I invite Caroline to see it and THEN critize it. BEST MOVIE OF ALL TIMES.



5. These Disney CD's are so great. People of all ages can enjoy them. My favorite is volume 2. My 3 year old LOVES it but so does my 22 year old friend!