Nearer Than Heaven [CD-single] [Import]

nearer than heaven [cd-single] [import]

Track Listings

1. Nearer Than Heaven

2. Quiet

3. Long Time Coming (Live)

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Taken from the 2004 album 'Faded Seaside Glamour'. The title track is b/w two non-LP tracks, 'Quiet' & 'Long Time Coming' (Live). Like the Byrds, the Beach Boys & the Zombies combined this is a sublime slice of jangle-pop from the band destined to challen

Nearer Than Heaven,Delays,Rough Trade,5"CD Singles,Rock

Nearer Than Heaven [CD-single] [Import]

Average customer rating:

A must have!
AWESOME!
Good first effort of dance pop
Pure Hedonism
best of the eighties

Better Than Heaven
Stacey Q
Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Stacey Q's Greatest Hits
Pebbles
Jody Watley
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The Cover Girls - Greatest Hits [Warlock]

ASIN: B000002IJJ
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Two Of Hearts
We Connect
Insecurity
Better Than Heaven
Don't Let Me Down
Music Out Of Bounds
Love Or Desire
Don't Break My Heart
He Doesn't Understand
Dancing Nowhere

Customer Reviews:

A must have!.......2007-06-20

I had the tape of this in the 80s and was thrilled to come upon the CD here at Amazon! Two of Hearts is the extended version (I think different from the version I had on my old cassette tape). If you loved Stacey Q in the 80s, this is a must have!

AWESOME!.......2006-07-09

Reminds me of high school & all the fun my friends I had. Fast delivery!

Good first effort of dance pop.......2006-02-28

Stacey Q's first album from 1986 was a fun first effort of dance pop. I didn't expect Two of Hearts to be 7 minutes long! I'm so used to hearing the single version that they played so much on the radio and placed on many compilation albums. I was thinking, the usual 3:56 song, next song, and so forth. It's so creatively done, with some sexy vibes within it. At times, Stacey reminds you of Madonna in terms of the dance tracks and the rhythms. The ballads on here are nice. And you have to credit the SSQ band for playing the music on here, loads of aggressive and dynamic rhythms and landscapes. Besides Two of Hearts, other standouts are We Connect, Love of Desire, the catchy Don't Break My Heart, and Dancing Nowhere. Back in 1986, people would say--She won't be talked about 20 years from now, nor that hit single. But in 2006, I still listen and hear echoes of Two of Hearts and some of the other album's songs. It's not about looking back or being retro, it's about how they sound today in 2006. The Internet, Amazon and other sources have been helpful in recalling this album's success and I am here to say that I still love these songs!

Pure Hedonism.......2005-11-30

Stacey Q...where to begin? I, like many of you, heard "Two of Hearts" on the radio one day, and I was mesmerized by the utter silliness but complete (sexual) vivacity that the song possesses. I can't help but laugh and smile and bob my head as I listen to this ridiculously energetic, lusty track that could have been produced only in the '80s. I was thrilled to discover that this album has a SEVEN minute extended dance version of this track on it--it's even more laughable than the single. Here's a nice quote: "Hot, baby/You bring new meaning to the word/Delicious!" The other songs are just as silly, campy, and danceable as the hit. I can't stress "silly" enough. The lyrics are uproarously hilarious if you actually listen to them. I especially like the beginning of "Insecurity" and the "rap" part of "Music Out of Bounds." I won't go through all the songs--sometimes they are really difficult to distinguish from one another--but I must say BETTER THAN HEAVEN has all the catchy, heavily synthesized, and completely superficial '80s dance songs you could possibly want. Well, maybe not, but, mon Dieu, these songs are catchy! And who could resist Stacey Q? Don't just sit there at your computer: order BETTER THAN HEAVEN and start "dancing nowhere."

best of the eighties.......2005-10-07

This cd is one of the best of the eighties. Every song is energetic and powerful, especially Two of Hearts, which is one of the best love songs I have ever heard. The great rhythms, combined with stacey's sultry voice, makes this cd a classic.

The John Adams Earbox: A 10-CD Retrospective

Average customer rating:

Moved to tears
Nonesuch delivers.Again
harmonia in excelsis
Our greatest living composer
Wonderful CD

The John Adams Earbox: A 10-CD Retrospective

Manufacturer: Nonesuch
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Steve Reich 1965-1995
Naive & Sentimental Music
John Adams: The Dharma at Big Sur/My Father Knew Charles Ives
25 Years: Retrospective
Century Rolls

ASIN: B00001SID1
Release Date: 1999-10-19

Tracks:

Lollapalooza
John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Judah To Ocean
John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Toot Nipple
John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Dogjam
John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Pavane: She's So Fine
John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Rag The Bone
John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Habanera
John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Stubble Crotchet
John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Hammer & Chisel
John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Alligator Escalator
John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Standchen: The Little Serenade
John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Judah To Ocean (Reprise)
Slonimsky's Earbox

Tracks:

Two Fanfares For Orchestra - Tromba Lontana
Two Fanfares For Orchestra - Short Ride In A Fast Machine
Common Tones In Simple Time
El Dorado - Part I. A Dream Of Gold
El Dorado - Part II. Soledades

Tracks:

Harmonielehre - Part I
Harmonielehre - Part II The Anfortas Wound
Harmonielehre - Part III Meister Eckhardt And Quackie
Violin Concerto - Part I
Violin Concerto - Part II Chaconne:
Violin Concerto - Part III Toccare

Tracks:

Chamber Sympony - Mongel Airs
Chamber Sympony - Aria With Walking Bass
Chamber Sympony
Hoodo Zephyr - Tundra
Hoodo Zephyr - Dissappointment Lake
Hoodo Zephyr - Hoodo Zephyr
Gnarly Buttons - The Perilous Shore
Gnarly Buttons - Hoe-Down (Mad Cow)
Gnarly Buttons - Put Your Loving Arms Around Me

Tracks:

Ensemble - I Was Looking At The Ceiling And Then I Saw The Sky
A Sermon On Romance
Consuelo's Dream
Mike's Song About Arresting A Particular Individual
Tiffany's Solo
Song About The On-Site Altercation
Song About The Bad Boys And The News
Your Honor My Client He's A Young Black Man
Leila's Song; Alone (Again Or At Last)
Three Weeks And Still I'm Outta My Mind
Crushed By The Rock I Been Standing On
Dewain's Song Of Liberation And Surprise
!Este Pais! / This Country
One Last Look At The Angel In Your Eyes
Finale

Tracks:

Lollapalooza
John's Book Of Alleged Dances - Judah To Ocean
John's Book Of Alleged Dances - Toot Nipple
John's Book Of Alleged Dances - Dogjam
John's Book Of Alleged Dances - Pavane: She's So Fine
John's Book Of Alleged Dances - Rag The Bone
John's Book Of Alleged Dances - Habenera
John's Book Of Alleged Dances - Stubble Crotchet
John's Book Of Alleged Dances - Hammer & Chisel
John's Book Of Alleged Dances - Alligator Escalator
John's Book Of Alleged Dances - Standchen: The Little Serenade
John's Book Of Alleged Dances - Judah To Ocean (Reprise)
Slonimsky's Earbox

Tracks:

Harmonium - Negative Love
Harmonium - Becuase I Could Not Stop For Death
Harmonium - Wild Nights
Shaker Loops - Shaking and Trambling
Shaker Loops - Hymning Slews
Shaker Loops - Loops and Verses
Shaker Loops - A Final Shaking

Tracks:

The Chairman Dances - Foxtrot For Orchestra
Grand Pianola Music - First Movement
Grand Pianola Music - Second Movement
Grand Pianola Music - Third Movement: On The Dominant Divide
Fearful Symmetries

Tracks:

Nixon In China - Opening
Nixon In China -
Nixon In China -
Nixon In China - Landing Of The Spirit Of '76
Nixon In China -
Nixon In China -
Nixon In China -
Nixon In China -
Nixon In China - Cheers
Nixon In China -
Nixon In China - Opening
Nixon In China -
Nixon In China -
Nixon In China -
Nixon In China -
Nixon In China -
Nixon In China -
Nixon In China -
Nixon In China -
Nixon In China -
Nixon In China -
Nixon In China -

Tracks:

The Wound-Dresser
Christian Zeal And Activity
Five Songs - Thoreau
Five Songs - Down East
Five Songs - Cradle Song
Five Songs - At The River
Five Songs - Serenity
Eros Piano

Amazon.com

Having earned his composing stripes after the 1960s, John Adams had the pioneering work of Steve Reich, Philip Glass, and Terry Riley close at hand as he ventured into his trade. And, while minimalism's historical continuum helps place Adams, he used Reich, Glass, and Riley (among others) only as a starting point. And here's proof: a 10-CD retrospective of nearly all Adams's recorded compositions on Nonesuch Records, the label that also issued Steve Reich 1965-1995 and Kronos Quartet: 25 Years. Adams's Harmonium, a choral work of startling energy and effervescence, appears here in a new recording, as do distillations of both The Death of Klinghoffer and Nixon in China, two path-clearing operas. Over the span of a career covered by Earbox, Adams has returned minimalism to traditional instrumental ensembles as well as to projects that at once advanced a political commentary and took that commentary back to orchestral audiences. And so, in far less time than his predecessors, Adams created works that now play like standard repertoire pieces: The Wound Dresser and Shaker Loops and the Violin Concerto--all of them are here. What these works demonstrate is a fierce creativity on the one hand and perhaps a hunger for commercial advances on the other. Adams may at times be a bustling free thinker, but he sounds ever conscious of what audiences are listening to. As for the works themselves, they remain every bit as daunting as when written.

Some may object to particular selections. I Was Looking at the Ceiling and Then I Saw the Sky, for example, hardly ranks with Adams's best work. But this box isn't a mere best-of; it's an almost-all-of. At times terrifically American--especially in the news-aware operas and their narrative pragmatism--Adams well deserves a major box set, and its coverage is appropriate to his varied, stylistically diverse output. As with any large-scale retrospective, Earbox--which fairly bristles with Adams's new composition, Slonimsky's Earbox--has spots where fans might balk at the quality of the composer's writing. But it's got a fantastic accompanying booklet along with its many hours of inarguably modern and thoroughly listener-friendly music. --Andrew Bartlett

Customer Reviews:

Moved to tears.......2004-03-18

Never before in my life was i moved so intensely and directly by classical music. I put the first cd in my player and a few minutes later tears are flowing. I find myself dancing and moving to a rythm i already seem to know. Wow, i just have to share that.

Nonesuch delivers.Again.......2002-11-27

John adams is one of the most popular living composers of"modern" classical music[I believe the cutoff point, though arbitrary is usually WWII}.I came to him late, through my husband. Modersn classical music , I said? What the hell is that?My husband kept playing bits and pieces of adams for me, and more and more i found myself amazed. and swayed. His operas have been groundbreaking{Nixon in China} controversial{Death Of klinghoffer},his compostions sublimely beautiful{shaker Loops or harmonium].HIS STATURE IS WORTHY THEN OF SUCH A MONUMENTAL CAREER SPANNING BOX SET.This 10 disc set[great value, again from NONESUCH}encompasses Adams' entire career,and though there are some misses here{I was looking at the ceiling and then i saw the sky doesnt quite fit},it is still magnificent. the Highlights are ,{for me} the Wound Dresser, Chamber symphony,Violin Concerto, of course, Shaker Loops and Harmonuim are wonderful. The true jewels here are Nixon in China,the Chairman dances and the Death of Klinghoffer,which is simply a masterpiece. The set comes with a wonderful book, which contains essay's by Robert Hurwitz {An Uncommon Man}renaud Machart[John adams as seen from europe} and Essays before an earbox by Adams himself.A Chronology and dicography are included. A wonderful study of an American original,worth the investment, Highly highly recommended

harmonia in excelsis.......2001-11-12

I must agree with Mr. Bartlett, particularly with regard to "Ceiling." It may well be because his Violin Concerto and Harmonielehre are so powerful. 4.5 stars.
Interesting, and likely intentional, is that two names in the extensive liner book fail to mention two great and glaringly obvious precursors: Carl Orff and Raymond Scott. Without "Carmina Burana," there would be no "Harmonium." Orff has his mark all over Adams's gifted and epic compositions. Similarly, though there are glib references to "cartoon music," the polymath engineer/musician Scott is a seminal figure in American music, and casts a large shadow over the witty juxtapositions and sense of play one loves in Adams's work. In all, an excellent career overview.

Our greatest living composer.......2001-07-22

As a composer, I'm staggered that anyone could fail to be gripped by this music.

That anyone can use the words "spoiled, overrated" amazes me. I emphatically disagree with "A music fan"'s review.

I don't think it's "mind-numbing"; I think it's spiritual and exciting. To me it's the most substantial music being created in our times.

I'm really sorry that anyone could fail to enjoy it, and really recommend others to listen for themselves.

Wonderful CD.......2000-04-02

This compilation should turn even the most curmudgeonly listerner into a fan. Beautifully recorded, great notes -- and it's a heck of a bargain!

Panis angelicus: Favourite Motets from Westminster Cathedral

Average customer rating:

Panis Angelicus

Panis angelicus: Favourite Motets from Westminster Cathedral

Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Music of the Westminster Cathedral Choir
Catholic Latin Classics

ASIN: B000002ZT7
Release Date: 1994-01-04

Tracks:

Ave Maria: Op 23, No 2
Cantata No 147: Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
Panis angelicus
Ave verum corpus
O salutaris hostia
Faire Is The Heaven
Ave Maria: Op 9b (H49)
Ave Maria
Maria Mater gratiae: Op 47, No 2
Ave verum corpus: Op 2, No 1
Ave Verum: K 618
Ave maris stella
Tantum ergo
Hymne a la Vierge
The Lord is my Shepherd: D 706
The Hymn Of Praise, Op 52: I Waited For The Lord
Cantique de Jean Racine: Op 11
Nunc Dimittis: H 127

Customer Reviews:

Panis Angelicus.......2001-02-22

Good music and good singing but the title track and some others spoilt by poor balancing. With the volume set at a realistic level to enjoy the singing the organ playing the introduction and links between vocal passages is all but inaudible.

Average customer rating:

It Sucks
Heaven 17's Best Album?
Heavenly return to form.
A Contemporary Classic

Bigger Than America
Heaven 17
Manufacturer: Cleopatra
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Before / After
Teddy Bear, Duke & Psycho
Pleasure One
Original Remixes & Rarities

ASIN: B000001JMC
Release Date: 1998-01-27

Tracks:

Dive
Designing Heaven
We Blame Love
Another Big Idea
Freak!
Bigger Than America
Unreal Everything
The Big Deeper
Do I Believe?
Ressurection Man
Maybe Forever
An Electronic Prayer
Designing Heaven Mies Van Der Rohe Mix (Bonus Track)
Designning Heaven Den Hemme Designen (Bonus Track)

Album Description

1996 album contains two bonus remixes of the single, ''Designing Heaven,'' one of which was remixed by veteran producer Giorgio Moroder and another with Gregory singing in German. WEA.

Album Details

Japanese Version featuring Four Bonus Tracks: Bigger Than America (Version), Theme from Unrela Everything, Trans European Heaven, and Moroders Subterranean Heaven.

Customer Reviews:

It Sucks.......2005-11-03

After reading the reviews here, I bought this album. After discovering that the disc itself is unplayable on an Apple computer (some sort of rubbish copy protection in the disc) I managed to hear it on a car stereo. Apart from 2 really good songs, this album is dated and awful. Instead of sticking to the Heaven 17 sound, they have tried to emulate every crappy house/dance style of that 1996/1997 era. It sounds like a cheap rubbish Corona album or something of that ilk. Oh dear, I'm VERY disappointed. The thing about these 80's bands who were pioneers once, is that they no longer are the trend setters or the ground breakers. They are mearly emulating old garbage.

Heaven 17's Best Album?.......2005-06-17

Lead singer Glenn Gregory helped Martin Fry relaunch ABC's first album in about 6 years back in 1997 with very mixed results. Maybe he saved all the good stuff for this record.
Gone is the crappy, fake soul of their last release "Teddy Bear, Duke and Psycho." Back is their smart, socially danceable commentaries sounding much like their best work on their first two albums. This time they've taken aim at the good old USA. Songs like "Bigger Than America," and "The Big Dipper" very coyly stab at America's genitalia with lyrics such as:
"The King of Hollywood is dead / I don't care what the President said / I don't believe in anything I've read / the Big Dipper's coming down / New York's a shanty town / The distant sound is L.A. burning down."

Other highlights include the Fascist Groove Thing-like rhythm of "Designing Heaven," the atmospheric opening track "Dive," the disco pomp of "We Blame Love" and the industrial tinged "Freak."

Heaven 17 have managed to transcend the new wave slump that have claimed the life of many a new wave comeback albums (See Modern English's last abomination, parts of A Flock of Seagulls and the Human League's as well) by incorporating smart lyrics, beats, and lots of analog synth sounds. Eight years is a long time between records. Are they still relevant? Do you even care? About the only thing that's changed about the band are their hair and waist lines. (Glenn Gregory now looks almost exactly like the Peter Barrett of Midnight Oil). If you say that good new wave synthpop is gone, pick it up and be pleasantly surprised.

Heavenly return to form........2000-04-05

After two ground breaking platinum albums in the early 80's, Heaven 17 lost it only to be over taken by former bandmates The Human League. So it's a wonderful surprise to find that Ware, Marsh and Craig have come up with a modern classic. This is the album that should have followed on from The Luxury Gap. Bigger Than America cannot be described as a simple retro step back to the electro early eighties. It's a skilful mix of modern electronica with those warm analogue synth sounds which they helped pioneer. Some of the sounds on this album could have come from their time with the Human League. But what really sets this album apart from the others is the strong collection of songs, which all have that Heaven 17 trademark of melodic perfection. Martyn Ware does a good job on the production of this album with the inclusion of modern dance beats and crystal clear vocals from the superb Glenn Gregory. Highlights include the album opener Dive and the haunting Do I Believe and there are no filler tracks on Bigger Than America. Strongly recommended if you loved their debut album Penthouse & Pavement.

A Contemporary Classic.......1999-12-18

Usually with your favorite bands, there is no comparison to the first few albums. Especially with 80's bands, those first few are often their best work, plus your nostalgia and loyalty often make it difficult to truly appreciate later work. However, with "Bigger Than America", I can honestly say that this is my favorite Heaven 17 album. I've had it for almost two years now and it has rarely left my CD player for the shelf. The textures, lyrics, melodies, and harmonies of almost every song are a credit to the staying power of the three members of the group. From the sultry way Martyn Ware says "Dive" on the opening number to the dance songs of "We Blame Love" and "Freak" to the chilling lyrics of "Bigger Than America"...I could list every song and compliment the songwriting and vocal talent of the band. I swear you will not be disappointed with this album. I can only hope they will continue in this vein for another record....

Average customer rating:

One Who Loved Sir Robert; eager to see him again
I may be musically challanged but....
Good selection of pieces, uniformly flat performances
Standard Shaw

Absolute Heaven

Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Choral Masterpieces
Sacred: Inspirational and Spiritual Music for Choir and Orchestra
The Power & The Majesty: Essential Choral Classics
Gloria: Music of Praise & Inspiration
Sergei Rachmaninoff: Vespers (Mass for Unaccompanied Chorus)

ASIN: B000003D2K
Release Date: 1997-04-29

Tracks:

Prologue (Excerpt)
Agnus Dei - Donna Carter
Kyrie - Edith Wiens
Hallelujah
Bless The Lord, O My Soul
Sanctus
Te Deum Laudamus (Excerpt)
Et In Terra Pax
Suscepit Israel
Pie Jesu - Judith Blegen
Libera Me (Excerpt) - Susan Dunn
Regina Coeli - Christine Brewer
Benedictus - David Gordon
Rex Tremendae
Finale - Heidi Grant Murphy

Amazon.com

This sampler, which appeared in 1997, features Robert Shaw, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and its associated choruses in selections from some of the choral-orchestral blockbusters they recorded for Telarc between 1979 and 1993, in consistently excellent sound. Shaw's unrivalled mastery of this repertory shines through in every selection on the disc, not least in the excerpts that frame the program: the final pages of the "Prologue in Heaven" from Boito's Mefistofele, and the towering conclusion of Mahler's Symphony No. 8, both magnificently done. Just one warning: after listening to this, you're likely to find yourself hurrying back to buy the recordings of the complete works. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

One Who Loved Sir Robert; eager to see him again .......2006-06-30

If anyone goes back into that memory of nostalgia...It is easy to create good reminders of seeing, hearing and singing with Sir Robert Conducting JS Bach, Berlioz, Brahms, Mozart, Poulenc, Schubert and Vivaldi!

When anyone hears once again Donna Carter, Edith Wiens, Judith Blegen, Susan Dunn, Christine Brewer, Dawn Upshaw and William Stone it is a totally unforgetable Moment! Upon more keenly intense listening I found similarities in the voices of Edith Wiens...Judith Blegen and Donna Carter. In fact, I can exchange the songs of Donna, Edith and Judith without being sure of which is the right soprano. That is almost equal to the voice of Susan Dunn! The last two Sopranos, Christine Brewer and Dawn Upshaw are different qualities with a bit more variety of color and depth! Shaw had a masterful taste in choosing the right soprano for each demand and challenge!

When one dwells upon Shaw Favorites with CD's of "Deep River & other SPIRITUALS, Christmas with Robert Shaw, surely, CHORAL MASTERPIECES and Johannes Brahms GERMAN REQUIEM...what else is THERE?

No other Choral Inflence has been seen greater than upon Donald Neuen, Craig Jessop or Norman MacKenzie! SING-Cerely, "Revi" Fred W Hood

I may be musically challanged but...........2002-10-23

This is one of those recordings that would have a hole worn in it from overuse if CD's were capable of getting holes from being used. This is the most used CD in my entire collection. I love it! It picks me up when I am down and it quiets me when I am high. It send shivers down my spine and sets my heart pounding. In short, it does everything a good CD is supposed to do. I don't want to listen to an hour of the same piece. I am entirely content listening to the highlights. As I said before, I may be musically challanged, but this CD is my favorite.

Good selection of pieces, uniformly flat performances.......2000-07-27

This is a collection of choral selection from previous Telarc recordings featuring the Robert Shaw Chorale and the Atlanta Symphony. Recording dates range from 1979 to 1993.

It's a great cross-sampling of (mostly) Romantic-era choral pieces, the choral singing is as usual impeccable, and it's a great group of soloists.

As these excerpts are from some of my very favorite pieces of music, I kept wondering why I wasn't more enthusiastic about this compilation.

Part of the problem is hearing the music in excerpts (a movement here, an aria there) is pretty frustrating. Entering smack in the middle of the last movement of Mahler 8, it can take you a while to get your musical bearings.

I'm also not wild about most of the interpretations, many of which struck me as kind of flat and uninspired (the Verdi Requiem and the Mahler 8 stick out in my mind). Suffice to say I didn't learn anything new about any of the pieces on the album, and in every case there is a recording of the work I like much better. (Except the Cavalleria rusticana excerpt, which I really liked, go figure.)

Bottom line: if you're not familiar with these works, and want a good (and very well-performed) cross-section of Romantic choral pieces, give it a listen. But then do yourself a favor and buy complete and more inspired versions of the pieces you really like.

Standard Shaw.......2000-05-29

Like all of Shaw's recordings, this one is once again up to standards. A great assortment of selections from the religous works of many artists.

Average customer rating:

From Captivity to the Holy City
Opus 7 Vocal Ensemble , Loren Ponten , William Albright , Gerald Finzi , Orlando Gibbons , Edgar Leslie Bainton , Charles Ives , John Muehleisen , Alice Parker , and Hubert Parry
Manufacturer: Loft Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000523IU
Release Date: 2001-04-03

Average customer rating:

Haunting
mediocre
Great album.
a little odd
Worked for The Cure tribute not for The Smiths

String Quartet Tribute to the Smiths
S. Morrissey , J. Marr , and Eric Gorfain
Manufacturer: Vitamin Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

The String Quartet Tribute to Morrissey
String Quartet Tribute to the Cure Whisper
String Quartet Tribute to New Order and Joy Division
The String Quartet Tribute to Depeche Mode
String Quartet Tribute to David Bowie

ASIN: B00008J2SO
Release Date: 2003-03-18

Tracks:

Last Night I Dreamt Somebody Loved Me
Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now
That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore
How Soon Is Now
William, It Was Really Nothing
Back To The Old House
There Is A Light That Never Goes
This Charming Man
Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want
Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others
Not This Time (Original Composition)

Product Description

1. Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me
2. Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now
3. That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore
4. How Soon Is Now
5. William, It Was Really Nothing
6. Back To The Old House
7. There Is A Light That Never Goes
8. This Charming Man
9. Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want
10. Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others
11. Not This Time (Original Composition)

Format: CD

Customer Reviews:

Haunting.......2006-02-22

I'm giving this compilation 3 stars not because it isn't good...but because I feel that the String Quartet didn't take advantage of The Smiths catalogue. I was disappointed to see that some of my favorites were not covered. Maybe for volume 2?

Other than that...it was mostly beautiful. The cover of "Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want" was particularly good. In fact, they managed to make it even more
melancholy than the original! I didn't even know that was possible.

mediocre.......2004-06-20

This CD sounds like a good idea, but on hearing it I was disappointed. The string quartet doesnt seem enough for a lot of these songs, maybe with a few more instruments in there it could work. It also seems, like many other string quartet tribute CDs, that these people playing the songs are not fans of the band, they don't seem to get into the music, or understand what makes it great. This CD is only nescassary for hardcore smiths fans that already have their albums.

Great album........2004-04-04

This is a wonderful album if you truly are a "Smiths" fan. The strings do an excellent job of masking as Morrissey's voice. However, even if you aren't a fan of The Smiths, the melodies are enjoyable. Johnny Marr will go down as a gifted guitarist/writer (as all his Guitar magazine accolades). People who aren't fans or are "Morrissey-jaded" wouldn't like this or probably anything else not Morrissey. Oh yeah, that's right I said it!!!

a little odd.......2003-10-05

Uh, this is wierd. It is like Morrissey and the Smiths covering Metalica. It just doesn't fit. Even so, for the hardcore Smiths fan it is worth the buy. Back To The Old HOuse was enjoyable, but I would suggest that you listen to the versions of other artists. And who chose the playlist? Crappy at best.

Worked for The Cure tribute not for The Smiths.......2003-09-08

The String Quartet's tribute to The Smiths doesn't quite work as well as the tribute to The Cure. Maybe it's because the music from The Cure is much more colorful and has more layer and works wonderfully well with string instruments. However, without Morrisey's voice the string music doesn't work well.

Average customer rating:

Some Glorious and Well-Sung Hymns!
Beautiful
Like Adding Sugar and Honey to Syrup
Good choir but not best choice of music
Stunning

Bluebird: Voices from Heaven
Edward Higginbottom , Charles Gounod , Edvard Grieg , Gerald Finzi , Alexander Tikhonovich Grechaninov , Sir Henry Walford Davies , Sergey Rachmaninov , John Tavener , John Taverner , Claudio Monteverdi , Gioachino Rossini , Olivier Messiaen , Arvo Part , Edgar Leslie Bainton , Helen Tunstall , Edward Higgenbottom , and Choir Of New College Oxford
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

The John Rutter Christmas Album
Agnus Dei II: Music to soothe the soul
Agnus Dei: Music of Inner Harmony
Eric Whitacre: The Complete A Cappella Works, 1991-2001

ASIN: B000050AQA
Release Date: 2001-03-13

Tracks:

What Sweeter Music
The Blue Bird
Te Lucis Ante Terminum (After 'Song Of The Birds') - Helen Tunstall/The Choir Of New College Oxford/Edward Higginbottom
Crux Fidelis (After 'Ombra Mai Fu' From 'Xerxes')
Ave Maria - Ben Hulett/Helen Tunstall/The Choir Of New College Oxford/Edward Higginbottom
Ave Maris Stella
Lo, The Full, Final Sacrifice, Op.26: Amen
Liturgy Of St John Chrysostom No.2, Op.29: Veruyu (Creed) - Ben Hulett/The Choir Of New College Oxford/Edward Higginbottom
God Be In My Head
Lugebat David (After 'Pavane', Op.50)
All Night Vigil, Op.37: Lord, Now Lettest Thou - Ben Hulett/The Choir Of New College Oxford/Edward Higginbottom
Beati Quorum Via
Song For Athene
All Night Vigil, Op.37: Blessed Is The Man
Mater Christi
Ave Maris Stella
O Salutaris Hostia
O Sacrum Convivium!
Sieben Magnificat-Antiphonen: O Weisheit
And I Saw A New Heaven

Customer Reviews:

Some Glorious and Well-Sung Hymns! .......2006-02-27

I was surprised to read the wide variation of reactions to this CD, which I read whilst re-hearing it. Talk about one man's meat being another man's poison!

Let me say at the outset, I am one who found the disk to be delicious meat, and far from poison. While I, too, was a bit fearful when I saw the number of re-arranged familiar works, I approached them with an open mind, prepared to enjoy them or not as the listening experience unfolded, with no odious comparisons nor particular expectations nor religious purposes in mind. I will speak then of my musical experience listening to the disk.

I enjoyed the music immensely, and was grateful for the provision of texts and translations (in lieu of any other notes about the pieces). I found the variety of cultures, styles, periods, and level of familiarity a very refreshing reminder of the countless ways in which composers of various times and places have approached Christian ideas (for no other religion is represented here).

Let me say a word or two about the individual pieces, then offer a very brief summary.

First, the Rutter hymn "What Sweeter Music" was familiar to me, but I delighted in its sheer loveliness, almost as if it were the first time! I had to play it several times before proceeding. We all owe John Rutter a great deal for his musical contribution to our times.

I was impressed with the beauty and imagination of Stanford's setting of Mary Coleridge's "Blue Bird." Not really a hymn, I suppose, it speaks of joy in nature, reminiscent in basic idea to "All Things Bright and Beautiful," though not musically similar.

The rendering of the Catalan folksong (brought to us originally by Pablo Casals) as a hymn with 7th century Ambrosian text was a welcome chance to re-hear that lovely music, and not as the Christmas carol "El Cant dels Ocells" ("The Song of the Birds"). Higginbottom's arrangement, with harp accompaniment, is very atmospheric and gorgeous.

The setting of Handel's "Ombra Mai Fu" (from his opera Xerxes) was a bit difficult to separate from its original context simply because of its immense popularity; still I managed to suppress those connotations, and found the new topic really not so different, after all. The "Crux Fidelis" text speaks of the holy cross as a "noble tree," while in Xerxes the aria renders thanks to a tree for its shade. The choral arrangement, sung in unison, with string accompaniment is tasteful and musical.

The Bach-Gounod "Ave Maria" is another extremely familiar hymn, but this one is not so much different from its Gounod setting. Higginbottom has simply added a choral accompaniment to the original vocal solo and used the harp to provide instrumental support. The tenor, Ben Hulett, sings very beautifully, as does the chorus behind him, and the balance is fine overall, though some might prefer the soloist to be more prominent in one or two spots.

I was glad to be reminded of Grieg's "Ave Maris Stella," which I had forgotten about, and of his expertise in writing for voice. His most popular works are undoubtedly the instrumental "Peer Gynt Suite" and the piano concerto. Here we get back to original versions again. I enjoyed this, though the intensity of the choral singing may be too much for some.

The "Amen" by Finzi shows a delightful interweaving of voices and some delicious harmonies within its short span (hardly more than 60 seconds).

Grechaninov's "Veruyu," or "Credo" from the important Russian Orthodox Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom brings to us the lovely, mystical chant of the all-male church choirs with their ultra-high tenors and ultra-low basses offering a huge richness of (unaccompanied) vocal sound. This is lovely and devout-sounding music, dramatically presented!

The utterly simple and ravishingly beautiful "God Be In My Head," by HW Davies, is probably alone worth the price of the CD! The choral singing here is absolutely first-rate.

The arrangement of Faure's "Pavane" is one of the more problematic pieces, being again so very familiar to us all in the original flute and strings version. I was rather pleased with the choral arrangement, perhaps perversely, for I have grown a bit tired of hearing the original. The 15th century Latin words seem to me appropriate to the emotional character of Faure's music, being very mournful indeed. (Faure's title is simply the name of a very old Italian dance from Padua, so I don't know if he meant it to be sad.)

The 2 selections from Rachmaninov's setting of an "All Night Vigil" (tracks 11 and 14) present music from the Russian Orthodox church, as did Grechaninov's, and the musical style is quite similar. For a piano virtuoso, Rachmaninov astounds us with his fine choral writing. Listen for the extremely low bass notes at the end of track 11, but don't try them at home: they're really subterranean! Track 14 "Blessed Is the Man" is a remarkably fine hymn with lovely Alleluias at the end of each verse.

Stanford's "Beata Quorum Via" is another expert piece of choral writing, and it is quite beautiful as presented here, a capella, with lovely interweaving voices in varied textures.

The "Song for Athene," by contemporary English composer Sir John Tavener, is a lament for the death of a woman, with words from Shakespeare and the Russian Orthodox funeral service and music very reminiscent of the Russian music presented earlier, except that 20th century touches appear here and there in the form of dissonances which occur suddenly and then resolve quickly back into the predominant, often austere, harmony.

"Mater Christi" is by John Taverner (not Tavener!), a 16th century English composer of church music, much of which is fairly well known today. This is a fine, longish Marian hymn sung a capella in Latin.

Monteverdi provides another Marian hymn whose Latin text is very familiar and much used, being the "Ave Maris Stella." The chorus is supported by organ and chamber orchestra, and all perform well. Very fine music!

Rossini, of operatic fame, puts on his ecclesiastical mantle here to offer a hymn to words of St. Thomas Aquinas, "O Salutaris Hostia," which is appropriately devout in character and as dramatic as you might expect. It's also a lovely a capella hymn.

Messiaen's "O Sacrum Convivium" is, like Rossini's, a hymn which centers upon the Paschal victim as recalled in the holy communion, but this time in the exquisite and piquant harmonies characteristic of the 20th century French mystical composer.

Arvo Part is a contemporary Estonian composer (born 1935) of a mystical character akin to Messiaen's and Tavener's. "O Weisheit," a hymn to Divine Wisdom, is sung in German and has a chant-like quality.

"And I Saw a New Heaven," a liturgical anthem, is the best-known work of the 20th century English composer Edgar Bainton, who is less well known than most of the others here (two of whom--Davies and Stanford-- were his teachers). The English text, from the Book of Revelations, is highly mystical and prophetic, and the music, for chorus and organ, is absolutely glorious!

Though some have complained about the singing and the recording quality here, I don't agree with them overall. There are points where the intensity of the voices in the perhaps overly resonant environment may seem a bit harsh, but such points are relatively few, and I find the many moments of exquisite delight outweigh them by far. Thus I recommend this CD highly for the large amount of musical satisfaction it brings.

Beautiful.......2005-12-06

I love this cd. I don't use it for serious listening - perhaps it is too sweet for that as the previous reviewer suggests, and perhaps there are better renditions. All I know is that this cd is wonderful to fall asleep or wake up to - and listening to it never fails to make me feel peaceful and happy. I recommend it.

Like Adding Sugar and Honey to Syrup.......2002-10-10

This disc largely consists of sticky-sweet, bastardized choral arrangements done in a saccharine style. The pieces whose texts are set to familiar "Top 40" classical works are really quite tasteless- Lugebat David and Crux Fidelis being the worst of them.

The recording has been made with a manufactured sound in an unusually resonant space, which has allowed the producer to gloss over a startling number of sloppy entrances, a poor blend, occasional pitch problems, and a shrill soprano section.

Borrow the disc from your library and listen to the transcriptions for the novelty of it- but for more legitimate recordings of the Rutter, the Messaien, Part and Rachmaninov, you'd best look elsewhere.

Good choir but not best choice of music.......2002-06-17

This is my first and, as yet, only recording of the Choir of New College Oxford, and I must say I am not wholly enamored with it. The choir makes a lovely sound and the quality is good, but I just cannot bring myself to enjoy the choice of music itself. I have listened through several times and only a handful of pieces capture my fancy - the Rachmaninov, Tavener, and Rossini, in particular - with the rest of the music simply too romantic and "ordinary" for me. To be blunt, I find the program rather boring. As for the singing, it is mostly beautiful but perhaps a little "too much" for lengthy listening - the vibrato is, for me, slightly overdone in places and the trebles sound a bit shrill and/or flat on occasion. However, I am certainly not going to argue that the quality of this ensemble is anything less than first-class; I would just prefer to hear then performing what to my taste would be a more interesting program.

Stunning.......2002-05-16

When I first got this album, I listened to only the first three tracks, while I prayed in the morning and the evening. One night, I accidentally fell asleep with the CD still playing, and I awoke to hear Gabriel Faure's beautiful "Lugebat David". Soon after, I listened to the entire album and was blown away by its utter beauty. The voices are perfect, the arrangements luminous, and they create an ethereal mood. I still listen to this album when I pray, for it puts me in the best frame of mind for that exercise.

Tracks:

Straightway, Beauty on Me Waits - Richard Hundley
Softly the Summer - Richard Hundley
Come Ready and See Me - Richard Hundley
Wider Than the Sky - Lori Laitman
Good Morning Midnight - Lori Laitman
If I -Lori Laitman
You Are - Robert Jorgensen
In the Almost Evening- Dan Locklair
A Girl's Song to Her Mother -Hilary Tann
Wings of the Grasses - Hilary Tann
Rhapsody - Gerald Finzi
Before Winter - Carol Sams
The Uneasy Story - Carol Sams
Aware -Carol Sams
The Night - Edwin Penhorwood
When Heaven Cries - Edwin Penhorwood
Come Walk in the Garden With Me -Edwin Penhorwood
First Love - David Burge
Song (in Memoriam Jan DeGaetani 9-15-89) - David Burge

Album Description

Contemporary songs of great beauty and approachability. Most of the songs are world premiere recordings. This is also the first compact disk recording of Dan Locklair's "In the Almost Evening." Carol Sams wrote her three song cycle for the recording, based upon the poetry of Arthur Mampel. The album was recorded on location in Lagerquist Concert Hall on the campus of Pacific Lutheran University.

Average customer rating:

Satie: Piano Works

Manufacturer: Denon Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Musical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000DCQZ
Release Date: 1998-10-20

Amazon.com

These two discs contain all the Satie piano music most people are likely to need, from the lyrical Gymnopédies to the hilariously satirical Embryons desseches ("desiccated embryos"). Yuji Takahashi has the right attitude for Satie. He plays the music straight, singing lyrical lines when called for, bringing out the sometimes-stinging humor when it's there, and otherwise staying out of the way of the music. "Interpretation" can kill these pieces, but they live very well in this set. The recordings, reissued as a "twofer," are early digital products but still sound quite good. If you can ignore the "classics for idiots" packaging and just enjoy the music, this is a very worthwhile set. --Leslie Gerber

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