1 comments about To Be Free.

1. This box set is really amazing!!! As I wrote in the new PASTE magazine [...]
   "It beautifully documents the mysterious wonders of Simone's rich voice and her quirky yet emotional phrasing." It's particularly nice that the collection includes so many "live" recordings since Nina was such an electric and inventive performer, almost always reinterpreting her songs in concert.
   
   In addition, the box includes a DVD of an excellent 1970 documentary. It looks beautiful and it features some fantastic live material: a searching "I Wish I Knew (How It Would Feel to Be Free)" and a heartbreaking "Don't You Pay Them No Mind." The interview footage is also great. My favorite part comes when she's talking about her artistic mission:
   
   "Everybody is half-dead. Everybody avoids everybody, all over the place, in most situations, most all the time. I know; I'm one of those 'everybodys.' And, to me, it's terrible. And so all I'm trying to do, all the time, is just open people up so they...let themselves be open to somebody else. That is all. That's it."
   
   -- Craig Seymour, author of All I Could Bare: My Life in the Strip Clubs of Gay Washington, D.C.

5 comments about The Capitol Years.

1. The reason I gave this 3 CD Set 4 stars instead of 5? These recordings
   were made before 'Stereo' came along. But, the engineers did a great job
   of transfering (Re-mastering?) the songs to CD, and they sound very good.
   Seventy-five classics by the greatest crooner of the 20th century.
   Interested in 'Sinatra in Stereo'? You might also buy "The Reprise
   Collection"-- it's ALL in stereo. Buy both-- you'll be glad you did.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   



2. The Capital Years CD from Frank Sinatra is one of the best CD's that I've known.



3. "Here Goes," featured on Disc 2, Track 23 of this set, is a vocal version of a piece called "Hi" which was written by Otto Cesana and recorded by Mr. Cesana's orchestra on his 1958 Capitol album "Brief Interlude." Frank's Essex Productions concern was mentioned at the bottom of the label, which may explain his own vocal treatment (with lyrics by Sammy Cahn, not even crediting Mr. Cesana's music, from what I've seen). Cesana's "Hi" is perhaps better known to New Yorkers as the theme music for New York station WOR-TV's midday movie series "Movie 9" from the mid-1970's to the early 1980's. Yet so far that hasn't been reissued on CD, that I know of.



4. This is my first Sinatra album and I bought it because of the reviews on Amazon, and I must say they were right on! It has expanded my love for Mr. Sinatra's music and I will enjoy these CD's for years to come. My next purchase will have to be the white caddie convertible and a home in Palm Springs.



5. This is an easy review to write. This is just some great music from the greatest jazz standards singer during his years at Capitol. Three C.D.s for a great price here on Amazon.com. It also has a nice thick booklet containing essays by various people.

5 comments about Ken Burns's Jazz: The Story of American Music.

1. When I discussed the Ric Burns documentary about the old West with an Amerindian acquaintance, I complained that the film concentrated on the Lakota, to the exclusion of other peoples. My friend answered that, as the Lakota was the best known native American culture, that was a good place to start, and the audience would then move on to learn about other parts of the story.
   
   I suppose the same is true of the documentary by Ric's brother Ken Burns, on the history of Jazz, on which this box set is based. It is heavy on Louis Armstrong and on the Big Band sound of the Swing era - probably the Jazz best known to the general public - but light in other areas, including the many, varied strands of Jazz in the last 30 years or so. There is a whole series of albums in the Ken Burns Jazz Collection, featuring individual artists, for those who want to pursue the story and start to fill in the gaps.
   
   It is easy to list regrettable omissions from this set (and many reviewers have done so) and just as easy to point out how impossible it is to do full justice to a century of music that had multiple sources and spread rapidly to a plethora of sub-genres (and many reviewers have done that too). The omission of Erroll Garner is one that struck me, especially ironic as the booklet accompanying this set has his name displayed on the cover! The British Trad Jazz that took hold in the early 50s and is still going strong (Chris Barber, Kenny Ball and their followers) is another indispensible part of Jazz history that finds no place in this collection. I realize that this is specifically titled the story of American music, but Django Reinhardt gets a look in, as does some forgettable French rapper.
   
   But this collection of 94 tracks, featuring recordings from 1917 to 1995, attractively packaged and with good notes, remains a great introduction to Jazz. In fact, now that the price has come down so much, it can be recommended for every music fan.



2. this music is classic jazz!
   for anyone starting a jazz collection, you need this set.
   if you like the pbs jazz series, your gonna love this music!



3. To chronicle the first six decades or so of American jazz in five CD's is an ambitious undertaking. Ken Burns pulled it off by making it the soundtrack to stories he wanted to tell. This made for heavy representation of songs from Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker and Miles Davis easy choices. The documentary, in some ways, tells like an allegory of racism and civil rights in 20th century America, yet the soundrack includes white musicians like Chet Baker, Stan Getz, Dave Brubek and Benny Goodman in the CD selections. Brubek's inclusion is particularly notable after the documentary was so dismissive of "West Coast Jazz" - I don't even remember Take 5 being mentioned in the documentary. It would have been nice to include Bill Evans since every jazz pianist that followed him credited Evans as an influence, but his work as side man on "So What" is all we get. Herbie Hancock's Rockit is nowhere close to representative of his body of work. My main disappointment is that after Free Jazz and the like, jazz had nowhere left to go except backwards, yet the contemporary "pop" jazz at the end comes across as the latest and greatest thing yet. I respectfully disagree.



4. For those just getting into Jazz or just need a refresher course this is a great CD. I brought it for my husband who is a big Jazz fan and he just loves it and gets alot of use out of them.



5. A great cd with many remastered original recordings of jazz greats. Each cd features a different jazz era, so one can select a jazz genre to suit one's mood.

No comments about That's Amore: Italian American Favorites.

5 comments about Classic Disney: 60 Years of Musical Magic.

1. I was 67 years old , when I began listening to these wonderful Disney songs. And when the last song ended, it seemed that I lost 50 years. I believe that this wonderful music brings back old wonderful memories that is like true magic. Alas my hair has now turned black , and all my wrinkles are now gone away. Also just chased my wife around Southern California. She told me to stop listening because she said she can't keep with me anymore. I owe it all to these 5 magical albums.



2. There really isn't anything else that can be said for this awful box set full of meaningless audio suicide. Disney music is the worst thing that music has ever experienced. kidz bop may be something that comically states the downfall of music even worse. soulja boy is there for me when I feel crappy, because I realise that people just suck worse at life than I do. I take sadist laughs at people who listen to Nickelback. All of those others are so crappy you can't just help and laugh at them.
   
   But not for Disney. There's nothing funny about this. It's grave. Grave my friend. It's not like disney ever had the potential to be nothing more than a horrible company the day that idiot walt disney founded his _______ dream, but the biggest failure was even trying to touch music. Maybe if he would have realized that his taste in picking composers is lame. How does disney keep messing up music anyway?
   
   Anyway, disney music fails for a lot of reasons. Let's debunk it with the music first. The generic orchestra, irritating, timid music, it's so twee it makes me barf. It's very boring, actually. It's mearly short comed as it's just there because it has to be. Yeah, lot's of the music I listen to has the same kind of thing. But the reason why it's good is because of the vocals, the lyrics.
   
   Ah, the lyrics. Awful. Nonsensical, twee, twee, and twee. This stuff is so damn forced and twee that it makes anybody cringe. It makes sense, because it's supposed to. There's no confrontation, there's no realism. A whole new World, sorry, but love ain't just that. It's a beautiful, complex thing, not a twee thing. I hate the way, and it just gets on my nerves.
   
   Of course,this is disney, and it's millions of browbeaten followers will defend such garbage that anybody that's not spoiled sees right through. Oh well. You poons.
   
   ----/10



3. This collection of Disney music is perfect for any Disney fan. My family loves Disney, and this couldn't have been better to get for our drives to our favorite home away from home. Our daughter listens to it in her room all of the time. If you love Disney, you will love this collection.



4. I bought this for my daughter and I to sing along with in the car. It has all of our favorites and then some. If you can find a copy of the set you won't be disappointed! I'm here now looking for a replacement since mine have long since been scratched to death after many many hours of heavy rotation.



5. This collection has almost every song from every Disney distributed moved up to 1995. Each cd contains around 25 songs. I purchased this collection as a gift for a niece of mine and she loves it (I must admit I got a big kick out of it too). If you're concerned about young children watching too much tv/dvds yet want them to enjoy music this is a definitely a product worth looking at.

4 comments about Lady Day: The Master Takes and Singles.

1. A rainy night, a fire in the woodstove, thinking of a lost love and Lady Day.



2. What has not been advertised regarding this release is that the tracks on these 4 Cds have been again re-mastered and now offer the best sound yet from Legacy. Whilst the Teddy Wilson/Billie Holiday series on the UK Hep label (mastered by John R T Davies) still probably have the edge this new box has a much fuller sound than on the previous mastering on the 10 cd box and the various individual compilations that followed circa 2002. The sheer precence of the vocals in particular is very satisfying, and there appears to be more instrumental depth and better bass reproduction - although there is also a small price to pay in that surface noise is a bit prominent on some selections.



3. If you're a fan of Lady Day, you probably already know that these Columbia recordings are weighted almost as heavily as Louis Armstrong's Hot 5s and 7s in the jazz heavy weight arena. Their unique aural beauty is a foregone conclusion.
   
   I originally owned volume 2, 3 and 5 of the Quintessential series then upgraded to the 2 CD, "Lady Day: The Best of Billie Holiday". Problem was, this stuff is so good, I just could not seem to get enough. Having said that, the 10 CD complete seemed a bit much. Like I said, this is a real good fit. See what a little moonlight can do.



4. The 10 CD complete Columbia Box set is very good, but the packaging on that one tends to discourage listening, and it probably just sits on the shelf if anyone has it. I can understand the marketers saying that 4CD sets sell well, but why not fill the CDs completely, as they already have all tracks remastered. Why only 20 tracks per disc, when 25+ tracks will easily fit on every CD? If you don't have any classic Columbia recordings, get this. But don't ask why Strange Fruit is not on this set. It was never on Columbia, as Columbia would not allow her to record it. The masters at SONY would've done well to pay for the rights to include it, but maybe the current corporate owners wouldn't allow it. That brings to mind, can anyone guess where the "artist's royalties" from the sale of Billie Holiday recordings go? Probably right into corporate pockets. Ain't that a shame? They should go to a program to help abused young women!!

5 comments about The King of Rock 'n' Roll: The Complete 50's Masters.

1. If you're an Elvis Presley fan there is no need to go into the details of the music that gave birth to R&R - it's all here. Everything he recorded in the 1950s. If you were born in 1977 or later and only know of The King from hearsay, this box-set is a musical history lesson.
   
   Adding to the lustre of this wonderful collection from RCA Victor is the multi-page book containing numerous photographs, record label reproductions, including the Sun 78 rpm issues, all his LP/EP covers, poster reproductions, a complete 1950s discography, and reams of fascinating liner notes by Peter Guralnick.
   
   There is also an advertisement giving you a compete listing of Elvis videos, along with a sheet of 36 "collectable" stamps depicting his album covers.
   
   All in all, a marvelous collection which truly lives up to the adjective "essential" like no other.



2. This is the definitive early Elvis recordings collection to own as well as begin one's journey when understanding where the roots of rock and roll began and forever changed the face of popular music. It is appropriately titled, ELVIS THE KING OF ROCK AND ROLL: THE COMPLETE 50's MASTERS. These are master recordings that cover the years 1953-1959, and includes all of his legendary and classic hits, such as "Heartbreak Hotel," "Hound Dog," "Love Me Tender," and "Don't Be Cruel." Once one hears the somewhat haunting opening track, "My Happiness," a song made famous by Connie Francis, and subsequent unreleased tracks within the five CDs that have not been heard before, there is no doubt that Elvis had indeed an immaculate voice where he crossed musical genres and boundaries: blues, country, soul, gospel, rock and roll, and rockabilly; undoubtedly he said it all during a Sun recording session, " I don't sound like nobody."
   
   RCA and BMG music exceptionally and lovingly compiled this box set. Besides the five CDs, there also includes a beautifully presented souvenir book that provides a detailed chronology of Elvis's recordings, which includes his Sun and RCA records session dates as well as soundtrack sessions, catalog numbers of each US and UK album release, and most importantly, the book illustrates the excitement of Elvis mania with the display of photographs, singles, album covers, and short anecdotes and reminiscences of various sessions as noted by Peter Guralnick.
   
   ELVIS THE KING OF ROCK AND ROLL box set will leave one breathless. Elvis Presley was one of a kind, and continues to be emulated by fans and new generations alike as they discover and rediscover his music. Indeed, Elvis is still everywhere.



3. Do yourself a favor and order this collection along with the 60's & 70's. There are songs you won't find on other CD's, and hear Elvis as a regular "guy" just makes you love him more.



4. THE KING OF ROCK 'N' ROLL: THE COMPLETE 50's MASTERS is a four-CD set, with a bonus disc containing alternate studio takes, and a lot of "live" Elvis recordings-- MGM Grand stuff, mostly. Except for the acetate of "That's When Your Heartaches Begins" and the few alternates, DISC 5 is fluff.
   
   The other four CDs however are a treasure trove of the music that defined "The King." From his one-of-a-kind 1953 recording booth acetate of "My Happiness" to the 1958 fast version of "Ain't That Loving You Baby," this set documents Presley's recording career in chronological order and without gaps.
   
   The 102-page long box-sized book includes sessionography, discography, color photos of all LP, EP and 45 picture sleeves, an excellent bio in easy to read print, and lots of other color and B&W photos. Sound quality is excellent. This one gets five stars for the biggest star of all!
   
   TOTAL RUNNING TIMES --
   DISC ONE -- 71:22
   DISC TWO -- 70:40
   DISC THREE -- 71:49
   DISC FOUR -- 62:39
   DISC FIVE (Rare And Rockin')-- 61:31



5. The songs are great, but they're not listed on the CD itself-only on the case. It's frustrating to put the disks in a multi-disk changer and not know what songs are on the disk.

5 comments about Her Life In Music: 1940-1966 (3CD).

1. I love this 3 CD set. My set arrived in beautiful condition. (I am sorry another reviewer's did not). I like the photo on the cover but most of all I like the memories it brings back.
   Doris Day singing, in the movies was great. I think Doris Day deserved more recognition for her talents.
   Put on one of these CDs and you can hear the happiness and the heartbreak. With a song in my heart was Doris Day!



2. I love this collection of songs! Three CDs full of Doris Day music, and it sounds great!
   
   The condition of the cases was disappointing, however. No damage was apparent on the boxed set, but when I opened the individual cases, two out of three had the centers broken to pieces (the part that holds the discs in place...so the discs rattle around and the cases are essentially useless). Disappointing, but not worth the trouble to send back and wait for a new one... :-( I assume this was a manufacturer defect, since the case box was perfectly intact.



3. I thought it was great, I wish they had a box set with all of her songs!



4. As part of my work I needed to get a Cd to cover the best of Doris Day's musical career. After much searching I came across this 3 CD Set covering her Movie hits, Her Golden Greats and her Classic Collaboration. 60 great tracks,many will be old friends, but quite often you will come across a new song that show's off the versatility of Doris. With the notes that accompany each Cd you are reminded of just how popular she is and has been for so long. She is almost 84 years young and about to be given A Grammy special award for her lifetime achievements in music-Long overdue , and well deserved.Buy the Cd and Wallow in pure nostalia of the voice that belongs to the girl from next door -Doris Day,
   Harry King



5. Although described as her life in music (1940 - 1966), I would have liked more of the older material - from the '40s when she was a big band singer. But the collection is a great beginning.Her Life in Music Doris Day (1940-1966)

5 comments about 75 Chansons.

1. While the first cd is technically poor (much noise and static), the chanteuse is riveting. Maybe you can pretend that you are listening to her on a radio of that time. The second disk is technically much better with a few exceptions, and of course the chantuese... I am writing this before I have listened to the third disk.



2. Well...rendering me helpless ,at least.
   I am listening to this 3-CD set as I type this,and I am marveling at the depth of emotion in her voice.She was a little waif of a woman,but her voice could have guided ships through the fog.Unbelievably powerful,fraught with emotion in every note.
   I am trying to learn French,and immersing myself in her music has helped.
   Of all of her torch songs,my favorite is "Adieu,Mon Couer." Without understanding most of the words,(until I translated them)I still feel the emotion she is feeling.
   She was and will always be a treasure.
   May I suggest that you buy/rent "La Vie en Rose," the movie made about Piaf last year? It will kill you,but in a good way.



3. this is a compilation of all my favourite Piaf songs, many of which I only had on old tapes, so I now have them on one CD. Marvellous as I have always thought of her, and I now listen uninterrupted as I drive along motorways, singing along desperately out of tune, but imagining myself in a Left Bank cafe.



4. Disks 1 and 2, the older songs, are mediocre; disk # 3 is musically and technically superb.



5. The songs in this 3-disc collection called "75 Chansons" appear to be the same songs as those on the last 3 out of 4 discs in another collection called "100 Chansons." When "75 Chansons" discs are copied to computer for personal enjoyment, album art for "100 Chansons" appears, and the discs are labeled 2 thru 4 (instead of 1 thru 3). Both collections apparently arrange songs chronologically. The "75 Chansons" set, therefore, seems to represent later works of the artist.

5 comments about Sinatra: Vegas (Box Set, 4CD/1DVD).

1. I purchased this cd/dvd set as a Christmas present and hit the jackpot. Thanks to this collection, you can watch Frank at the top of his popularity and get some real insight to Frank the performer. The viewer gets a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse of Mr. Sinatra as the camera follows him around prior to going onstage for a Vegas show.
   
   He was at his best in Vegas and he "owned" that town for the better part of 30 years. Ol' Blue Eyes was one of the greatest entertainers of the 20th Century. Enjoy these incredible recordings!



2. This is a superb sampler of many of Sinatra's greatest hits, spanning decades of Vegas appearances ... the real gems in this collection are the extras, such as the DVD and mini-posters, with the 60-page full color 6x12" booklet that captures many behind-the-scenes stories and background stories.
   
   Superb Sinatra collection; well worth getting. Thanks for putting it together - highly recommended!
   
   -Ken Calhoun, Pres.
   DaytradingUniversity



3. This set is fantastic. I uploaded the entire collection to my iPod and I listen to it in the car all the time. It's great to hear him over the decades and sometimes it's hard to discern which is his older work and which is his newer! Definatly a must have for any true fan of Frankie. Oh, and the DVD was a really special treat to see him in person and remember what a GREAT entertainer he is.



4. I f you like good ole Franky, you will definitely enjoy the CD set, the DVD is a nice addition too, I' been playing it almost daily.



5. What great delivery and product. It is a wonderful Box Set and will be enjoyed for years to come.