Three CDs. Celebrate the timeless magic of soulful ballads with this brand-new 3CD collection, featuring 60 unforgettable classics from some of the greatest voices ever. CD1 opens with Whitney Houston's stellar vocals on 'Saving All My Love For You', before flowing into a selection of all-time favourites from icons Tina Turner, Marvin Gaye and Barry White. Legendary groups Earth, Wind & Fire and the Commodores deliver timeless love songs, while Anita Baker's 'Sweet Love' and Diana Ross' 'I'm Still Waiting' showcase pure vocal elegance. The mood continues with cherished classics from Stevie Wonder, Deniece Williams and Brenda Russell, before closing on a beautiful run including Bill Withers' 'Ain't No Sunshine', The O'Jays' 'Brandy' and Heatwave's enduring 'Always and Forever'. CD2 dives into the golden age of Soul with Marvin Gaye's seductive 'Let's Get It On' leading the way along with Billy Paul's 'Let's Make A baby'. Romantic masterpieces from Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes featuring Teddy Pendergrass and The Delfonics follow alongside smooth harmonies from The Stylistics and The Three Degrees. Motown legends the Four Tops, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles and the Jackson 5 sit beside American favourites including from Gladys Knight & The Pips, Percy Sledge and Sam & Dave. The disc closes with a trio of sophisticated performances from Jimmy Ruffin, Erma Franklin and Dinah Washington with 'Mad About The Boy'. CD3 begins with one of the best-selling duets of all time, Lionel Richie & Diana Ross' 'Endless Love', followed by a stunning run of 80s hits from Smokey Robinson, Kool & The Gang, Alexander O'Neal, Billy Ocean and Atlantic Starr. Contemporary favourites from Boyz II Men, Toni Braxton and Fugees are up next before British soulful pop hits from Gabrielle, M People and Dina Carroll. This superb collection closes with the timeless signature anthem 'Save The Best For Last' from Vanessa Williams.
LEGENDS OF OZ: DOROTHY'S RETURN is a 3D-animated musical based on the adventure books by Roger Stanton Baum, the great-grandson of L. Frank Baum. A continuation of one of the world's most popular and beloved fairy tales, Legends of Oz finds Dorothy (Lea Michele) waking to post-tornado Kansas, only to be whisked back to Oz to try to save her old friends the Scarecrow (Dan Aykroyd), the Lion (Jim Belushi), the Tin Man (Kelsey Grammer) and Glinda (Bernadette Peters) from a devious new villain, the Jester (Martin Short). Wiser the owl (Oliver Platt), Marshal Mallow (Hugh Dancy), China Princess (Megan Hilty) and Tugg the tugboat (Patrick Stewart) join Dorothy on her latest magical journey through the colorful landscape of Oz to restore order and happiness to Emerald City. Set to the tunes of Academy Award-nominated singer/songwriter Bryan Adams, LEGENDS OF OZ marks a charming, family-friendly return to the Oz franchise. The soundtrack also features songs sung by the cast including Lea Michele, Martin Short and Megan Hilty.
"Quebec has always endorsed its culture, upholding its folklore and traditional music as well as its popular variety genre. Two eminent historians from Montreal (Martin Duchesne and Robert Therien) have decided to create a descriptive catalogue of successful songs from 1900 to 1960. This 4 CDs boxed set features 100 titles which were all well-received at the time and which belong to the history of Francophone songs in North America." Patrick Fremeaux & Claude Colombini
Take 13 of the greatest songs that have come from Broadway, combine them with a world-renowned orchestra that highlights the talents of almost 90 musicians and add in Chesky quality 96 kHz/24- bit audiophile recording, the result is classic entertainment and fantastic sound with Caspar Richter and the Orchester der Vereinigten Buhnen Wien taking you from New York to Vienna as the Musical Goes Symphonic.
Silverman: Elephant Steps - A Fearful Radio Show / Michael Tilson Thomas
Sony Masterworks
CD
$11.98Apr 16, 2013
Music by Stanley Silverman, libretto by Richard Foreman.
Tracks: 1 Elephant Drone; Elephants 3:01 2 Elephant Heartbeats 2:03 3 Don’t You Believe; My Ears 2:21 4 All Shook Up 1:33 5 Read My Palms; My Hands Are Inside the Wall; Gavotte 3:52 6 Read My Palm; Watch Me Move; I’m No Closer; Look at My Hands 6:33 7 Stop Seeing Reinhardt 5:23 8 Entr’acte; Watch Me Put My Right Foot 5:27 9 I Am No Longer Beautiful; Beautiful As Is 4:43 10 We Sit in the Window 4:13 11 Gypsy Tango; Shoot Them 3:31 12 You’re on the Radio; Radio Waves 3:34 13 Dreaming of Reinhardt 1:04 14 Midnight Sun 4:05 15 Photograph Song 1:29 16 Madrigals 2:50 17 Vaudeville Chase; Stirring Soup; A Strange Thing 4:32 18 Finale 4:35
Scrubwoman – Karen Altman Hannah – Susan Belling Max – Luther Enstad Doctor – Roland Gagnon Otto – Larry Marshall Rock Singer – Luther Rix Ragtime Lady – Marilyn Sokol Hartman – PhilipSteele Archangel – Michael Tilson Thomas
Chorus: Patti Austin, Jane Gunter, Dianne Higginbotham, June Magruder, Patricia Price, Albertine Robinson, Maeretha Stewart, Rose Taylor
Electronic music realized by Pril Smiley at the Columbia-Princeton Electronic Music Laboratory.
2021 release from the iconic musician In the 2010s, Herb Alpert released a prolific run of eight new studio albums. This year, the iconic leader of the Tijuana Brass shows no signs of slowing down with his latest effort, Catch The Wind. This new collection features nine original compositions, covers of beloved Beatles hits "Eleanor Rigby" and "Yesterday", and American classics "Smile", "America The Beautiful", and "Summertime". So, charge up your iPhone, dust off your Hi-Fi, put batteries in your boombox, plug the headphones into your Walkman, and get ready to listen to Herb Alpert's Catch The Wind.
James "Kokomo" Arnold was a blues singer, songwriter and left-handed slide guitarist from Georgia, who eventually landed up in Chicago where he ran a bootlegging business during the prohibition years of the 1920s. After making a record in Memphis in 1930 under the name of Gitfiddle Jim, he started playing professionally in Chicago when prohibition came to an end in 1933, and began recording for Decca after being introduced to producer Mayo Williams. He recorded regularly in Chicago from 1934 to 1937, sometimes working with pianist Peetie Wheatstraw, and wrote and recorded many songs which proved highly influential in later years. This great-value 49-track 2-CD collection comprises selected A and B sides of the 40 or so solo releases he had during his career, which we trust provides a substantial and representative cross-section of his career output, before he became disillusioned and simply gave up performing and recording when he realised how little he was making from his work. It features his most influential songs, including "Original Kokomo Blues", the song which gave him his name, and which Robert Johnson adapted as "Sweet Home Chicago", "Millk Cow Blues", which Johnson also adapted as "Milkcow Calf's Blues" and was later recorded by Elvis Presley, "Sagefield Woman Blues", which introduced the phrase "dust my broom" into blues parlance, and "Sissy Man Blues". It's a fascinating showcase for a performer who had a significant influence during his short career as a recording artist
Art Hodes' career as a pianist (and journalist) started in the 1920s & continued into the 1990s - eight decades! He recorded for Decca, Mercury, as well as what he liked to call "the modest labels." These blues-drenched solo piano performances celebrate the music of jazz' greats, many of who Art knew well, including Louis Armstrong. Part of Delmark's Euphonic series, this album was recorded in 1976 & 1978. 13 of the 15 songs are previously unissued performances.
The second installment of Art Hodes' recordings for the Euphonic label this contains another hour of inspired piano solos from the legend who's been described as a blues drenched jazz pianist. Hodes (1904-93) was active in the '20s so this is music played by a guy who was there when Bessie Smith was alive and recording. On this 1976 session he pays tribute to the great blues vocalist Bessie Smith. Contains the 12 songs from the original LP plus unissued tracks including St. Louis Blues After You've Gone Cakewalkin' Babies from Home & Pallet on the Floor.
What Makes Sammy Run? is based on the 1941 novel by Budd Schulberg and tells, through memorable songs and tragicomic situations the story of movie producer Sammy Glick, brilliantly portrayed by Steve Lawrence. The plot turns the inspiring rags-to-riches story upside-down revealing Sammy's manipulative rise to the top of Hollywood through intimidation, blatant plagiarism and back-stabbing. Sammy will stop at nothing yet he always seems to come out ahead, making Sammy Glick among the most memorable and complex of Broadway show villains. In addition to Steve Lawrence, the cast includes Sally Ann Howes as ghostwriter Kit Sargent, Bernice Massi as Laurette Harrington and Robert Alda as Al Manheim.
The songs for the 1964 musical were composed by Ervin Drake with the show's script written by novelist Budd Schulberg and his brother, Stuart Schulberg. What Makes Sammy Run? was earlier dramatized into several made-for-TV plays starring José Ferrer and later Larry Blyden, but in its depiction of the decadent side of Hollywood, it is telling that though the rights to a movie version were purchased by Warner Brothers, the musical and the original novel and TV dramas have never been made into a movie.
The album includes all the songs from the original Broadway cast recording plus an illustrated booklet with a thorough and entertaining story of the show and complete plot synopsis written by Curtis F. Brown and Lucy E. Cross.
What Makes Sammy Run? Based on the novel by BUDD SCHULBERG Music and Lyrics by ERVIN DRAKE Book by BUDD and STUART SCHULBERG Starring STEVE LAWRENCE, SALLY ANN HOWES, BERNICE MASSI, ROBERT ALDA Musical Staging by MATT MATTOX with BARRY NEWMAN, ARNY FREEMAN, RICHARD FRANCE ,GEORGE COE, GRACIE LA DANIELE , MACE BARRETT , RALPH STANTLEY,EDWARD MCNALLY and WALTER KAVUN Vocal Arrangements and Musical Direction by LEHMAN ENGEL Orchestrations by DON WALKER Dance Arrangements by ARNOLD GOLAND Production Manager: MICHAEL THOMA
Production Supervised by ROBERT WEINER Directed by ABE BURROWS Produced for records by GODDARD LIEBERSON
In the spirit of Paul Simon’s epic, this new release from ARC features a collection of African songs. A potpourri of music has been chosen, from a capella to instrumentals, these songs hail from all over the great continent, including tunes from Zimbabwe, Namibia, South Africa, and more. The songs are sung in a variety of native African languages, showing the immense diversity that exists throughout the African countries.
On Philippe Jaroussky's new album - dedicated to Schubert - he brings all his elegance, precision and exquisite phrasing to this fabulous repertoire. Accompanist is Jerome Ducros. The album features famous songs such as An Silvia, Du bist die Ruh, Die Forelle, Ave Maria. Opera Today wrote following a Schubert recital from the artists in London's Wigmore Hall: 'Abendstern'... was a masterclass in the art of song which the duo presented with characteristic unassuming eloquence."
What name comes to mind when you are asked about the essence of the Brazilian music? I am sure that some of you will say Villa-Lobos; others will think of Jobim. In Brazil, classical and the popular music are not far apart. They are more like two cities on the same plain and the present disc travels between these two cities while visiting a few towns on the way. What will carry us along this road? Obviously, the wings of song, as Portuguese is the singing language par excellence. The disc contains a selection of Brazilian songs written over the span of fifty years.
Christiane Roncaglio has a beautiful voice. With its dark smoky notes it sounds more mezzo than soprano. There are sharp corners too and the singing is intense. For these reasons, the album is probably not for repetitive and relaxed “evening listening”, but energises and stimulates. The diction is very clear. The accompaniment is divided between guitar and piano, a solution that provides lightness and diversity.
Jobim’s “Big Four” (Corcovado, Desafinado, One Note Samba and The Girl from Ipanema) are all here and need no introduction. His other songs are also memorably melodic and infectiously swinging in his unique affable way. Roncaglio’s performance of Jobim’s standards is a long way from the classical Astrud Gilberto’s shyness and mystery; her singing is more open and glossy. I like how she colours the long notes so that they are never plain or even, which is important for tracks like Eu sei que eu vou te amar.
Villa-Lobos’ songs from Floresta de Amazonas are all very beautiful and melodic. Roncaglio’s performance of them is alluringly mystical, like the singing of sea sirens. Songs from Santoro’s cycle Canções de Amor are sensual and expressive, and all distinctly Puccinian, especially the gloomy and intense Amor que partiu.
There are tender lullabies like Henrique’s Tamba-Tajá and sad cinematic ballads like Miranda’s Retrato. Some numbers, like Minha Terra, resemble operetta. Others, like Uirapuru, are more cabaret-style. Several tracks glorify Brazil and everything Brazilian. Roncaglio shows good control, plays with her voice and enjoys the process, yet never turns it into vulgar “cabaret singing”.
The two accompanying musicians play with sense and sensibility. Sometimes extra-musical squeaks are noticeable when the guitarist moves his fingers along the strings.
Overall, this is a very fine album with solid performances of beautiful songs. It is full of the colourful, carefree spirit of Brazil.
Sondheim: Sweeney Todd Highlights / Original Broadway Cast
Sony Masterworks
CD
$11.98Jul 30, 1984
Full title: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street (Highlights). Principal cast: Len Cariou (Sweeney Tood), Victor Garber (Anthony Hope), Merle Louise (Beggar Woman), Angela Lansbury (Mrs. Lovett), Sarah Rice (Johanna), Edmund Lyndeck (Judge Turpin), Jack Eric Williams (The Beadle), Ken Jennings (Tobias Rigg), Joaquin Romaguera (Pirelli). Recorded at RCA Studio A, New York, March 12 and 13, 1979. Includes liner notes by Robert Kimball. All songs written by Stephen Sondheim. This CD contains highlights of the musical on 1 disc and comes with lyrics. The abbreviated edition of the soundtrack to Tim Burton's 2007 film, SWEENEY TODD, presents 16 numbers from the blood-soaked movie musical, which features Johnny Depp performing in the razor-wielding title role. While those devoted to Stephen Sondheim's Broadway production and/or Burton's cinematic interpretation may opt for the more comprehensive deluxe edition of the album, this version offers up all the key songs, including "No Place Like London" and "Epiphany," a track that fully showcases Depp's expressive singing.
Vibraphonist/composer Dick Sisto appears for the first time on SteepleChase with his all-star quartet performing gems of American love songs. Sisto who hails from Chicago grew up in an encouraging musical milieu. He was spotted by none other than Cannonball Adderley as “an excellent player” during a collegial jazz festival while he was attending North Texas State University.
This album originally released as a promotional sample is remixed and remastered from the multi- track master recordings.
'Come On Up To The House: Women Sing Waits' is a unique compilation full of fresh interpretations of songs by the legendary Tom Waits. Aimee Mann, Joseph, Patty Griffin, Rosanne Cash, Phoebe Bridgers, Corinne Bailey Rae, Angie McMahon, Courtney Marie Andrews, and more each put their own unique spin on the gravel-voiced songwriter's work. "... to hear it all through these women's voices: for me, this is where the whole thing was delivered. I didn't just want to go to church, I wanted to go to their church. In much the way Burt Bacharach songs often seem most fully themselves in the hands of Dionne Warwick, or Dusty Springfield, or Jackie DeShannon, The Shirelles, Aretha, or Karen Carpenter. Or the way standards feel so fully standard in Ella Fitzgerald's rendering of the material. The Waits songs I was hearing through these women were breathing differently and deeply. In just the way Dylan cuts the definitive version but never stakes out the song's territory in a way that leaves no room for majestic covers, the recordings I was gathering were showing me the remarkable strength, the resonance of Waits' stuff. No one took ownership of the material, it was all on loan, still belonged to Tom Waits. But what a series of loans! And that's how it is with the very, very best songs. It all brought me back to the Tom Waits I'd begun to see an outline of as a young man, back to the Waits my mother brought into the family dining room. That strange and beautiful character who seemed to belong to no one. Who I now believe belongs to us all." - Warren Zanes, producer "Tom is a true original as a songwriter, singer and arranger. There just is no one like him. Beneath some of the layers of sound and his truly unique vocal phrasing, are some of the most beautiful and heartfelt songs I've ever heard. After some great creative discussions many years back with an old publishing colleague, the concept of focusing on the sheer beauty of these songs by having them interpreted by a group of amazing artists with stunning voices, was a must do project. Fast forward fifteen years later, we were thrilled with the passion and enthusiasm these artists showed when we approached them with the idea, which you can hear in their performances. Truly a musical celebration." - Scott Robinson, executive producer
2021 release. During 2020, many artists used their time at home to connect with their family and friends. Ernie Haase not only did that, he and Signature Sound also continued ministering through music. When so many people were offering pay-per-view online concerts, EHSS came into their fans' living rooms on Friday nights with a full half-hour of music and encouragement - for free. Letters and emails from viewers indicated that this was often the only ray of hope during the season of isolation, loss, and grief. Keeping On was born in that darkness, fear, and anxiety that seemed to grip us all. If all you've got left is just one more breath, rise up in faith - take one more step. Keep on keeping on. Filled with songs of encouragement, hope, unity, and praise, Keeping On is the perfect collection of songs for this time. The first single, "Wake Up," released October 2020 and has climbed the Southern Gospel radio charts (currently #22). Ernie Haase & Signature Sound is poised for a banner year with the release of Keeping On. This album serves as a springboard for their concert tour, as well as season two of their web series, which will be rebranded as "Good To Be Home." Join EHSS in the journey into the light through these fun, fresh, faith-focused songs as they inspire us to Keep On Keeping On.
This striking 2016 album from the Tunisian composer, singer, and oud player includes beaultiful melodies and heartfelt chanting over infectious grooves. Songs include "Fly Shadow Fly," "Diving in the Air," "Cheerful Meshuggah," "Delightfully Odd," "17th Flyways," "Of Beauty & Odd," and more.
Includes a fascinating history booklet with show titles, dates of productions, singers, directors and producers. Recording dates range from 1949 to 2008. Indispensable for all lovers of Broadway musicals, "The Rodgers & Hammerstein Songbook" features indelible Richard Rodgers melodies and top singers recorded at the height of their careers.
Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II came together professionally at what seemed like the perfect moment in their careers – certainly at the perfect moment for the American musical theater. They were very different men in style and personality. But their understanding of their collaboration was as wise and perceptive as it was successful.
- Introduction to the liner notes
Music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. Additional arrangements by Robert Russel Bennett. Additional orchestral and choir conducting by Lehman Engel.
SMOOTH & SWINGING: THE SINGLES & ALBUMS COLLECTION
ACROBAT
CD
$19.99Nov 10, 2023
The top bands and accompanists of the day during his career, including Earl Hines, Dizzy Gillespie and Erroll Garner, and became famous during the 1970s, beyond the scope of this collection, for an album he made with John Coltrane. Unlike his more middle-of-the-road peers in the world of post-war sophisticated pop, he did not make records aimed at the singles charts so is less well-known than artists like Tony Bennett, Johnny Mathis and Mel Torme, but was a singer who was highly-regarded by his peers and aficionados. This excellent-value 52-track 2-CD collection comprises material drawn from singles and albums, featuring recordings with the orchestras of Earl Hines, Dizzy Gillespie, Jimmy Carroll, George Williams, Norman Leyden, Perez Prado, Howard Biggs and Frank Hunter, plus the Errol Garner Trio. It includes selected titles from Regent/Savoy album Johnny Hartman Sings, and his albums on the Bethlehem label Songs From The Heart, All Of Me: The Debonair Mr. Hartman and And I Thought About You. He was a fine interpreter of the repertoire of the Great American Songbook, and this collection offers an insight into the talents of a performer who has not has the attention he merits, and is an entertaining showcase for his work.
Based at Windsor Castle, the members of The Queen’s Six make up half of the Lay Clerks of St George’s Chapel, whose homes lie within the Castle walls. This rare privilege demands the highest musical standards, as they sing regularly for the Royal family at both private and state occasions. In 2018 this included the weddings of Princess Eugenie and Mr Jack Brooksbank, and Prince Harry and Ms Meghan Markle, both held in St George’s Chapel. Most significantly however, it is the familiarity of living and singing together in Chapel every day that lends this group its distinctive closeness and blend, as well as an irresistible informality and charm. Individually, members of The Queen’s Six have appeared in many of the most prestigious vocal ensembles on the circuit, including The Tallis Scholars, Tenebrae, and The Sixteen. Their repertoire extends far beyond the reach of the choir stalls: from austere early chant, florid Renaissance polyphony, lewd madrigals and haunting folk songs to upbeat Jazz and Pop arrangements.
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REVIEW:
The Queen's Six do not attempt to outdo the King's Singers' famously intricate arrangements, preferring to steer things back a bit toward the middle of the road. Your reactions to this may depend on your larger ones toward the idea itself, but the execution is solid. The program consists of folk songs of the British Isles, and as the album title suggests, the Queen's Six make sure to put a generous helping of the repertory's greatest hits on the program. Other attractions include the large variety of arrangers, with just a few names repeated; the arrangements are well-chosen such that each one shows distinctive traits, but all fit together generally well.
