Lowry & Lowry - Live!

Track Listings

1. Great Is the Lord

2. Exodus

3. Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

4. Chopsticks

5. The Holy City

6. The Old Rugged Cross

7. How Great Thou Art/My Tribute

8. Jesus Loves Me/O How He Loves You and Me

9. It Is Well With My Soul

10. Majesty Medley

11. He's Been Faithful

12. People Need the Lord

13. Chariots of Fire

14. Hymn to Joy

Tracks:

Holy Manna
Abbeville
Wondrous Love
Sweet Hour Of Prayer
Jewett
Dunlap's Creek
New Britain
The Morning Trumpet
Resignation
Poland
Wayfaring Stranger
Sweet By And By
Blooming Vale
Idumea (I)/Idumea (II)
Sweet Prospect
Shall We Gather At The River
Amanda
Invitation
Parting Hand
Angel Band

Amazon.com

This, Anonymous 4's final recording, is a break from their usual "early music" periods and locations; it presents American music, religious in nature, from the 18th and 19th centuries. And it's absolutely beautiful from start to finish. Their normal, exquisite technique and purity here blend to sound the way we imagined the ladies' choir in church meetings in America past might have sounded: sweet, sincere, and with harmonies recognizable yet somehow fresh. Some of the songs begin with the women singing "fa, so la" exercises, which was called "shape note" singing because some places taught singing with notes as shapes--circle, rectangle, diamond, triangle. But it's the music that counts, and there are treasures here. They include two versions of "Amazing Grace," one familiar, one with an unusual melody and a piece called "Blooming Vale" which is as sophisticated as anything on their previous albums. "Shall We Gather at the River" is performed with a clarity and loveliness that makes us forget that it's normally sung as background to movies about the Great Depression. The foursome sometimes sing in rich harmonies and occasionally alone or in pairs or trios. This is glorious Americana and highly recommended. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

spiritual americana.......2007-01-06

I have some of the older Anonymous 4 recordings which are more medieval
and gregorian in style (I love them!). They move on to cover spiritual
basics of the 1800s. If you like classical music, perfect harmonies
and spiritual americina, then you will be blessed!

Rich Heritage.......2006-10-11

Anonymous 4 consistently produces exquisite and authentically beautiful recordings and this one presents early American hymns in ways few groups can manage. Some tunes are highly recognizable while others are 'new' to me but a refreshing reminder of the singing heritage of religious societies in times past. For those who enjoy old hymns and authentic renderings, this is a must buy.

Superb .......2006-08-07

This collection of American Christian music is not only an enthralling musical experience but a spiritually uplifting one as well. Anonymous Four have transferred their luminous vocal quality to a new space with perfect success.

Can't walk away from it!.......2006-08-07

My only "complaint" about the CD is that I absolutely HAVE to sit and listen to the entire thing whenever I start it up! I usually have music playing in the background while doing other things, but not this one! There are no tracks that I find myself wanting to skip over as in most collections. In fact, I usually find myself going back and listening to selected tracks again (and again and...) after taking the hour+ to listen to the whole thing through once.

These four ladies produce a unique and remarkable sound. I can't recommend it enough.

Mana from Heaven.......2006-05-08

I think the title of this CD is perfect. I first heard an interview for this CD on Public Radio and fell in love. I had never heard Anonymous 4 before then but look for all I can find of their music now. The title is perfect as the women sound like Angels and the music lifts the spirit. I find myself singing the old version of Amazing Grace all the time now. Incredible and a huge blessing to all who hear it.

Mormon Tabernacle Choir: The Sound of Glory-Battle Hymn of the Republic

Average customer rating:

REAL MUSIC
White bread, well-baked in spots
This is the one!
A Must for the Sabbath
A Must for Sabbath

Mormon Tabernacle Choir: The Sound of Glory-Battle Hymn of the Republic

Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Rock of Ages: 30 Favorite Hymns
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Greatest Hits: 22 Best-Loved Favorites
God Bless America
More Greatest Hits: 18 Best Loved Favorites
Songs from America's Heartland

ASIN: B00005Q5LT
Release Date: 2001-10-23

Tracks:

Praise To The Lord, The Almighty
Lead, Kindly Light
Arise, O God, And Shine
All Things Bright And Beautiful
Sweet Hour Of Prayer
The Lord Is My Shepherd
The King Of Love My Shepherd Is
All Creatures Of Our God And King
Take Time To Be Holy
The Spirit Of God Like A Fire Is Burning
Simple Gifts
Battle Hymn Of The Republic
Abide With Me; 'Tis Eventide
Sing Praise To Him
Come, Thou Fount Of Every Blessing
I Need Thee Every Hour
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

Customer Reviews:

REAL MUSIC.......2007-01-16

THIS IS MUSIC YOU CAN LISTEN TO EVERY DAY AND ENJOY OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

White bread, well-baked in spots.......2005-08-12

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir that performs on this disc is a tightly-knit, well-conducted unit, and some of the tracks on the disc border on the ethereal. "Lead, Kindly Light," "Sweet Hour of Prayer" (in parts) and "The King of Love My Shepherd Is," for example, touch the soul and bring tears to the eyes.

However, on other arrangements the choir sounds like a group of white folks far removed from the remainder of humanity. For example, the opening track, "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty," and also "All Creatures of Our God and King" sound rote and perfunctory, like a group of elementary school students (with very fine voices, to be sure) going through the paces of a daily sing: elevator music on a grand scale. At the opposite extreme, sudden dynamic shifts in other tracks sound pretentious. The final bars of "All Creatures of Our God and King" suggest an attempt at a grand finale, but lack even a hint of majesty or passion. The choir lacks any apparent understanding of the Shaker spirit in "Simple Gifts" --- rather like Lawrence Welk playing Bob Marley. (Not that I've ever seen a Shaker in dreadlocks.) "Battle Hymn of the Republic" begins majestically, but turns into a caricature, and then reverts to a semblance of glory (except for a brief flirtation with a minor key).

The high praise lavished on this disc by other reviewers is no surprise: It is of very high quality for what it is. The choir offers a lovely sound. However, more than half the tracks are seriously flawed, and the musicianship is sufficiently peculiar on the whole as to lower the rating considerably.

This is the one!.......2002-08-24

If you want to hear the best of the best, this CD is it. These hymn arrangements are just beautiful and very touching. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys the choir and wants to feel a little closer to heaven. The choir seems to sing literally with one voice and you feel like they are singing just for you. Congratulations to the new conductor, Craig Jessop and all those who contributed to the quality that went into producing this CD.

A Must for the Sabbath.......2002-04-17

I LOVE IT!!! What better way to enjoy the Sabbath than to sing of the Lord's Praises with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir? This album is just the ticket! It's very powerful, and uplifting.

What? You mean I can only give this album five stars? But that doesn't even BEGIN to do it justice!

I love it. Truly a masterpiece!

A Must for Sabbath.......2002-02-05

If you only own one Mormon Tabernacle Choir CD, this is the one. It has creative arrangements of many favorite hymns, as well as the best recording of the Wilhousky Battle Hymn arrgmt that I have ever come across. The only downer: it has (another) recording of Simple Gifts, which has been beat to death by choirs in the last decade.

Tracks:

Beautiful River (Shall We Gather At The River)
Simple Gifts
She'll Be Comin' Round The Mountain
Peace
McKay
A La Claire Fontaine
Deep River
We Gather Together
Not One Sparrow Is Forgotten
Cindy
Gentle Annie
We Shall Walk Through The Valley In Peace
The Water Is Wide
By And By
The Old Church
Lay Me Low
The Road Home

Album Description

This CD is the second of the final CDs to be issued by The Dale Warland Singers, who disbanded in 2004. The program is a "harvest" of popular songs, hymns and spirituals, including "Simple Gifts," "Deep River," and "We Gather Together". The Grammy-nominated Dale Warland Singers were specialists in performing American works. Includes 16-page booklet with full texts and notes on the works! The Dale Warland Singers CDs are among the best selling American choral CDs in recent history. This CD is a "volume 2" of their best seller, Blue Wheat, issued previously on ACC. Based in Minneapolis/St. Paul, the Dale Warland Singers were recognized as one of the world's foremost a cappella choral ensembles. This 40-voice professional choir recently celebrated its 31st and final season of concerts, tours, radio broadcasts, and critically acclaimed recordings, following the retirement of founder and director Dale Warland.

Customer Reviews:

"Harvest Home" Serves Up a Feast.......2006-03-10

Most CD recordings of choral music do not attract the attention of the population at large, and "Harvest Home" is clearly an exception. Word came to me about this remarkable album through a fellow faculty member at the Boston Conservatory. He was rightly proud of having written two of the arrangements, but prouder still of the fact that it had become a red-hot bestseller through the word-of-mouth network of choristers all over the country. Needless to say, I was curious but a bit skeptical. Generally, things that become that popular have an aesthetic downside. I ordered my copy from Amazon and got it just before I left to go to a concert with a couple of musician friends. We were frankly thrilled with the quality of the singing, the beautifully shaped nuances, and the richness of the several of the arrangements. It is clear that its popularity among choral singers has to do with the musical material, as with its execution. The arrangements are based on mostly religious American folk songs and show off the delicate intonational skills of Dale Warland's legendary group. It's just the kind of thing that church choir members can really appreciate, but unfortunately cannot stand up to repeated listing -- it has to be the work of great composers for me to hear recordings over and over again. Nevertheless, I played it for my choral group, and they jumped all over it. That's the market audience. Bravo, Mr. Warland.

Amazing.......2005-12-26

I've been a fan of the Dale Warland Singers for a long time, and attended many of their concerts. This recording displays perfectly what the choir was capable of. I listen to it constantly. Many of these arrangements are the best I've heard of these songs. "Deep River" is better than that of Chanticleer or Cantus. "She'll be Comin Round the Mountain" is really fun. I got the chance to sing it a few years ago and will never forget it. You NEED to buy this CD. It's well worth the money.

Exquisite.......2005-12-18

Buy this album! This is the finest recording I have purchased this year. The exquisite tonality and the arrangements have kept me listening every day. The audio quality is outstanding - balanced, finely nuanced, lovely soundstage. If you enjoy choral music, purchase this album - NOW.

Exquisite.......2005-11-16

I purchased this on a whim and it is been in my 5-disc player ever since. I have always loved choral settings of folk songs and hymns (with one exception - "The Water is Wide" should never ever ever be sung by a chorus - it doesn't work, but it is the only track I skip on this disc). The selections are all old favorites in often harmonically lush arrangements. Hawley's arrangement of "Not One Sparrow" is transcendent and has become my morning prayer, "Lay Me Low" my evening meditation. The singing is as near perfect as can be, musicality is stunning, and technical merits are high. I cannot recommend this disc enough.

Emotional and poignant.......2005-11-07

On Harvest Home, the Dale Warland Singers delve into the rich legacy of mostly American sacred and folk music. With the lush vocal orchestrations and thoughtful arrangements, many of these familiar songs take on new life and emotional depth.

As a boy, I grew up in the Mennonite church tradition and one of the distinctive things about our church services was the a cappella 4-part harmony. As I got older, I thought this was a bit odd and wished we used instruments in church like most people. In looking back now, I am thankful for that tradition and what it taught me about music and harmony.

Throughout high school I was involved with choral groups, doing several programs each year. The first year after high school I spent a few months at a religious school that had a long-standing tradition of chorale music. I well remember the hours of rehearsal to get the song just right, practicing enunciation and dynamics and expression.

So when I hear a group like the Dale Warland Singers, I have a small insight into the dedication it takes to do choral music at the level of this recording. These are singers and a director at the top of their game, with attention to detail everywhere, creativity in the arrangements and technical brilliance. And what a vocal range, with "how low can they go" bass and sopranos that my normal laptop headphones have trouble reproducing without distortion.

I've long been a fan of spirituals; they are at times moving to hear, at times playful and fun (and can be even more fun to sing). This album features a couple of my favorites: "Shall We Gather At The River" and "Deep River". Upon first hearing this rendition of the latter, I was nearly moved to tears by the stark beauty and emotional depth of this arrangement. It's a prime example of the power of music to take us places emotionally and connect us with the deeper feelings and longings of the soul.

In addition to several spirituals, there is a unique variety of other religious pieces pulled from the traditions of Quakers and Baptists among others. The album also mines some rich treasures from the Shaker tradition, including the comforting "Not One Sparrow Is Forgotten" and the poignant tenderness of "Lay Me Low', with the simple text of

Lay me low where the Lord can find me, where the Lord can own me, where the Lord can bless me

Not everything leans towards the serious or sacred though. A fun, light-hearted arrangement of "She'll Be Comin' Round The Mountain" (arr. by Emma Lou Diemer) features bouncing bass lines and lots of syncopation and sibilance to keep things interesting. And the traditional Dixie folk song "Cindy" tells the story of a heartsick man with tongue-in-cheek lyrics that playfully bounce from part to part.

The liner notes are exceptional, with lots of helpful historic and musical notes on the various selections. This is one of the final albums from The Dale Warland Singers after 31 years. The group disbanded in May 2004 so that the founder Dale Warland could focus more on teaching, consulting and guest conducting. He certainly has left his mark on the choral landscape and this recording is no exception. Highly recommended if you appreciate choral music, especially traditional folk and sacred selections.

The Essential Leontyne Price: Spirituals, Hymns & Sacred Songs

Average customer rating:

The Price Club
A living legend
not your daddy's old timey spiritual
Immaculate Vocals of Leontyne Price
Great Gospel Stuff

The Essential Leontyne Price: Spirituals, Hymns & Sacred Songs

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Price, Leontyne | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Leontyne Price: The Ultimate Collection
Leontyne Price Christmas Songs Chants de Noel.Weihnachtslieden Wiener Philharmoniker Herbert Von Karajan
Spirituals in Concert
Amazing Grace: Jessye Norman
Spirituals

ASIN: B000003FWE
Release Date: 1997-01-14

Tracks:

Ev'ry Time I Feel The Spirit - Various Artists
Let Us Break Bread Together On Our Knees - Various Artists
His Name So Sweet - Various Artists
'Roun' About The Mountain - Various Artists
Swing Low , Sweet Chariot - Various Artists
Sit Down, Servant - Various Artists
Were You There - Various Artists
He's Got The Whole World In His Hands - Various Artists
Deep River - Various Artists
Honor! Honor! - Various Artists
My Soul's Been Anchored In De Lord - Various Artists
On Ma Journey - Various Artists
A City Called Heaven - Various Artists
Ride On, King Jesus - Various Artists
I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free - Various Artists
Sinner, Please Don't Let This Harvest Pass - Various Artists
Sweet Little Jesus Boy - Various Artists
There Is A Balm In Gilead - Various Artists
Let Us Cheer The Weary Traveler - Various Artists
Ev'ry Time I Feel The Spirit - Various Artists
My Way Is Cloudy - Various Artists
Nobody Knows The Touble I've Seen - Various Artists
I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray - Various Artists

Tracks:

Holy, Holy, Holy - Leontyne Price
Lead, Kindly Light - Leontyne Price
Blessed Assurance - Leontyne Price
Ave Maria - Leontyne Price
What A Friend We Have In Jesus - Leontyne Price
Amazing Grace - Leontyne Price
The Lord's Prayer - Leontyne Price
Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior - Leontyne Price
The Church's One Foundation - Leontyne Price
Bless This House - Leontyne Price
I Need Thee Every Hour - Leontyne Price
Schlesische Volkslieder: Fairest Lord Jesus - Leontyne Price
I Wonder As I Wander - Leontyne Price
Ave Maria - Leontyne Price
Porgy And Bess: Summertime - Leontyne Price
America The Beautiful - Leontyne Price
Lift Ev'ry Voice And Sing - Leontyne Price
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God - Leontyne Price
Battle Hymn Of The Republic - Leontyne Price

Customer Reviews:

The Price Club.......2005-04-28

"I am here," said Leontyne Price when interviewed as she opened the new Metropolitan Opera with Samuel Barber's underrated ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, "and you will know that I am the best and will hear me. The color of my skin or the kink of my hair or the spread of my mouth has nothing to do with what you are listening to." Back in the 1960s Price was one of the greatest divas in all of opera, and it wasn't just her voice but her magnificent stage presence, combined with her social activism. All of the above come into play in this collection of secular songs and ditties, some of them traditional plantation chanties and others, art songs and a scattering of pop music. And some of them, like Gershwin's "Summertime," cross the ever-permeable boundaries between Broadway and classical. These recordings were made at different times in Price's career, and her voice, while always angelic, has different shadings and reaches a different range of timbre in each separate recording date, but there is no question that, as time goes by, she is able to impart a richness of life experience noticeably absent from some of her earlier work.

"Ave Maria" sounds heavenly no matter which way you slice it, and as for "I Wonder As I Wander," it brings tears to your eyes. If you have a heart that's beating you will be moved by this rendition. "Ein feste Burg" is pretty strong, but Price seems more comfortable with the traditional spirituals, though perhaps it is the slightly off-kilter sounds of the Ambrosian Singers (what a name) who back her up on many of these tracks, that detract slightly from the experience. Compare "Lead Kindly Light" for a clear sense of what constitutes authority vs. what is a wee bit overproduced. If you had this compilation, and perhaps one of Leontyne Price's Christmas albums, you could attain nirvana any time you wanted to, just flip a switch and close your eyes, let her lift you up on wings of song.

A living legend.......2005-03-10

Leontyne Price (still alive) and already passing into immortality amongst vocal artists, both classical and popular. Leontyne Price stands at the pinnacle of her classical art, but those who only know her work in La Forza del destino or the Verdi Requiem are in for a heart rending treat with this album where Leontyne Price goes home to her roots in Mississippi and gives an unabashed account of the classic spirituals she sang as a young woman. Like John Mc Cormacks rendering of Irish songs there is a personal longing and devotion expressed here that reveals a side of the artist not known in the bulk of their "classical" repetoire. A sense of going home like Citizen Kane's rosebud, or as Dorothy Gale observes at the end of the Wizard of Oz "everything I could ever have wanted was right in my own backyard "

not your daddy's old timey spiritual.......2004-06-23

Agreed this is a good cd for a beautiful voice, but this is not, repeat not, for someone who wants to hear that old-timey religious fervor that you think of when you've been to a Black Baptist hand-clapping, standing, swaying, and singing service.

Immaculate Vocals of Leontyne Price.......2003-12-31

IMMACULATE, SUPERB vocal range and style! There's no other words that can complement Miss Leontyne Price's vocal arrangements. Miss Price's voice is strong, and shrills very nicely to the instruments played on many songs listed on this double CD which is a joy to treasure; every song listed are songs I was raised to hearing and singing. Miss Price is the reason why many of these songs remain in popularity and presently used. Miss Leontyne Price has been incredible in many of her past performances. This is my fourth CD of Miss Price and I am glad to own this particular CD forever and ever. Many thanks to the executors who found this remarkable album and upgraded it to a CD format! **Angi**

Great Gospel Stuff.......2001-04-12

This is a great CD. The only problem I have with it is that on some of the selections there is a boy's choir screaming in the background, and this takes away (a bit) from her performance. That said, her best selections are those that are either unaccompanied or those where her voice is not buried. Songs that strike me are - His Name So Sweet, He's Got The Whole World, Were You There, I Wonder as I Wander, Lift Every Voice and Sing, and my all time favourite Summertime. Enough said.

Average customer rating:

simple but amazing
Surprising, but beautifully done
This is the one to get.

Catholic Classics, Vol. 5

Manufacturer: Gia Publications
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Chants | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Catholic Classics 1
Catholic Classics, Vol. 2
Catholic Latin Classics
May Angels Welcome You/ Catholic
Be Not Afraid

ASIN: B00005A0AE
Release Date: 2001-03-06

Tracks:

Shall We Gather At The River
Praise God From Whom All Blessing Flow
For The Beauty Of The Earth/Ubi Caritas
Ave Maria
Ave Verum Corpus
Panis Angelicus
How Great Thou Art
Amazing Grace
Go, Silent Friend/In Paradisum
We Gather Together/Adoro Te Devote
Holy God, We Praise Thy Name
Simple Gifts

Customer Reviews:

simple but amazing.......2006-01-29

The guitar and vocals on this CD will blow you away. Of all of the Catholic Classics CDs, this one is my favorite - an awesome way to learn some of those more traditional songs without a voicy choir.

Surprising, but beautifully done.......2006-01-12

I really expected a more traditional arrangement with organ & choir, so I was in for a bit of a shock right off the bat. The arrangements are relatively simple with one or two voices and limited orchestration. However the effect is wonderful. The primary singer has an unusual high and clear voice, and the harmonies raise goosebumps with their beauty (all I know about music I learned from my highschool punk rock band, so you'll have to listen to the tracks above if my description is unclear).

Some of the tracks are forgettable, but the others are truly outstanding. "Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow" is wonderful, and exceeded only by "Holy God, We Praise Thy Name." The mixture of latin chant with vernacular on "For the Beauty of the Earth/Ubi Caritas" and "Go Silent Friend/In Paradisium" was tastefully done. The performers and arrangers also rescued the otherwise saccharine "How Great Thou Art" and turned it into a genuinely inspiring hymn, although they were unable to accomplish a similar feat with the thoroughly overplayed "Amazing Grace."

So many other people have beautiful renditions of Ave Maria, so the track on this CD barely registers for me. Panis Angelicus is done better on many other disks as well.

Still, if it were only "Praise God..." and "Holy God..." on this CD, it would be worth the price. Truly excellent.

This is the one to get........2003-09-08

Very beautiful and inspiring rendition of some favorite Catholic classics. The most beautiful: "Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow" which fades in the middle into a chant-like revery-inducing song only to flourish again with new-found faith at the end. Second most beautiful: "Holy God, We Prise They Name," which builds in three voices towards the end, one added for each person of the Blessed Trinity. Also noteworthy: "For the Beauty of the Earth," with its mix of Latin and English transitions and blending of Gregorian chant in between verses. Good rendition of "Ave Maria" and "Simple Gifts." A lot of steel-string guitar played strong and true, but not overwhelming the beautiful voice of David Fischer. Fischer accompanies himself on the best tracks, to great effect (especially "Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow").

Average customer rating:

Excellent Voice, Cheap Music
You are all idiots
Bryn Terfel, the Magnificent, sings 'Something for Everyone'
Bryn Terfel's voice is magnificent, this album superb.
Popular favorites sung by a fine concert baritone-bass

Bryn Terfel Sings Favorites

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

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General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

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Bryn Terfel - Simple Gifts
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Bryn Terfel - Something Wonderful (Bryn Terfel sings Rodgers & Hammerstein)
Silent Noon
Bryn Terfel - We'll Keep a Welcome

ASIN: B0000AP6HI
Release Date: 2003-10-14

Tracks:

Couplets: 'Votre Toast Je Peu Vous Le Rendre' (Toreador Song)
Shenandoah
Bugeillio'r Gwenith Gwyn
'C'etait Le Soir' - 'Aufondu Du Temple Saint'
The Lord Is My Shepherd
Danny Boy
Bella Notte
Goin' Home
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
Home Sweet Home
Ave Maria D 839
Il Mio Cure Va
At The River
None But The Lonley Heart
If I Can Help Somebody
Wiegenlied
Abide With Me
Lazybones

Amazon.com

The title of this CD tells it all. Here is one popular classic after another, some folk or traditional, some operatic, some religious or inspirational, some pop. The result in the throat/mind/sensibility of any other singer might be soupy, sappy, or simply uninteresting, but Bryn Terfel--he of the rolling bass-baritone voice who can smoothly deliver notes and phrases at any dynamic level--turns this generous, somewhat sentimental recital into something beautiful and special. After a rousing "Toreador Song" from Carmen, sung with just the right weight (most baritones find it too low, most basses too high) comes a ravishing version of "Shenandoah"; a fine Welsh song is followed by the stunning duet from Bizet's The Pearl Fishers, with Andrea Bocelli singing the tenor part gleamingly and Terfel considerately underplaying his hand. And so it continues through Brahms' Lullaby and Schubert's Ave Maria; the "Love Theme from Titanic" sung with great restraint; renditions of "Danny Boy" and "Home Sweet Home" which are just beautiful; the spirituals "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" and "At the River," slightly anachronistic but still effective; the gluey "If I Can Help Somebody"; and a few more. It's amazing that Terfel can bring such variety to material which is temperamentally so similar. Some of the arrangements are a bit sticky and overdone, but overall, this disc is a beauty for all seasons. It will make a lovely gift to music lovers of all types. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Voice, Cheap Music.......2006-04-27

Bryn Terfel sings everything beautifully. The difficulty with this CD is that some of the music is extremely tawdry.
"The Lord is My Shepherd" and "Abide With Me" are very nicely sung, although the arrangements (like almost all hymn arrangements) leave a good bit to be desired.
The big surprise was to hear him sing "Lazybones" to perfection.
But on the whole it is far better to hear him sing music whose quality matches that of his voice.

You are all idiots.......2006-04-04

Bryn is aweful. This CD is horrific. Listen to real opera you morons. Listening to Bryn is like pouring sugar down your throat until you vomit. Does anyone know what an "operatic baritone" really sounds like. Bryn is the emproer with no clothes and you all are fools.

Bryn Terfel, the Magnificent, sings 'Something for Everyone'.......2005-06-28

Surely one of the most beautiful baritone voices on the opera stage and in the recital hall today is that of Welshman Bryn Terfel. He is one of those rare artists who has a magnificent voice, intense musicality, and magical stage presence. Terfel could sing the telephone book and make it beautiful.

And sadly that is what this album resembles: the choice of songs and the arrangements and friends with whom he elects to perform raises some concern about his artistic integrity. Having purchased this CD based on hearing 'Toreador Song' from 'Carmen' - clearly the finest, most highly nuanced performance of this famous aria ever sung! - this listener expected a concert of similar arias. Wrong! This is like a summer night at Hollywood Bowl with bits and pieces of all manner of songs, some tasteful, others less so, but whatever Terfel sings it is good to hear his voice.

Some of the more successful tracks include 'Shenandoah', 'Danny Boy', Brahms' 'Lullaby', and a Welsh tune 'Bugeilio'r Gwenith Gwyn' sung in Welsh. But then Terfel opts to sing Tchaikovsky's 'None but the lonely heart' in English rather than Russian, a Disney song (from Lady and the Tramp) in Italian, and for some reason includes duets with a soprano by the sole name of Sissel ('Ave Maria'), an awful pairing with Andrea Bocelli for The Pearl Fishers duet (terrible to compare these two polarized voices!), and some choral and jazz ditties. Whew!

If you can get past the pick and save repertoire here and just relax with Terfel's artistry you are in for a treat. Not for the purists, but definitely a find for the 'crossover crowd'. Grady Harp, June 05

Bryn Terfel's voice is magnificent, this album superb........2005-05-05

I am hoping every possible purchaser of this album will read this review. Bryn Terfel is a singer whose voice has been touched by God. Rich, powerful, masculine, elegant, emotionally moving. His taste in music is varied and wonderful. I listen to him more often than any other vocalist in my vast vocal music collection. Therefore, I get more value out of his CD's than any other I own. If you love great vocal music sung by one of the greatest baritones of all time, buy this CD immediately. It will quickly become one of your treasured favorites. And Mr. Terfel, please know that your voice touches people all around the world. Thank you for the great music and inspiration, Sir.

Popular favorites sung by a fine concert baritone-bass.......2005-04-20

First of all, we have to recognize that Bryn Terfel is one helluva fine concert/operatic baritone with a huge, powerful, and beautiful voice. (I think any other assessment must be based on nit-picking and misses the forest for the trees.)

In the present program we may wonder whether Terfel's particular (and enormous) talent is well matched to the popular selections chosen. Overall, I say yes: Terfel gives fine and generally convincing performances of this widely varied program--and there are precious few (if any) who could do better.

Let's take a look at what's here:

On the famous toreador song from Bizet's "Carmen" Terfel gives a very fine, operatic rendition of the bull-fighter's swaggering, macho aria. His diction in French is faultless and his singing style unreproachable. What more do you want?

In "Shenandoah" Terfel takes on an American folksong, and here is hardly in his home territory. He sings it well, as a concert artist, and perhaps a bit more dramatically than necessary. His pronunciation of American English is very good--except that he's deceived by the "ss" in Missouri and does not give us the "z" sound which every American would. The use of the pipes by Neil Martin adds a lovely, wistful touch to this sentimental bit of lovesick nostagia.

The tender Welsh lovesong is sung in a fine concertish style, but manages to be quite intimate and convincing anyway. Terfel's pronunciation of the (South Wales?) language is perfect, as far as I can detect, and should probably not be taken for granted in this day when English dominates. The harp--mainstay of Welsh folk music--is welcome here as played by the expert fingers of Catrin Finch.

Bizet's well-known Pearl Fishers' duet is operatic territory, and Terfel shines here. Bocelli offers a warm and appealing, though smaller, tenor voice to the combination and the two do a good job overall. Terfel's French is again impeccable.

The lovely setting of the 23rd psalm by Goodall is a welcome bit of church music and the soloist-with-chorus arrangement puts Terfel into a familiar idiom, which he--and the London Voices--make the most of. It's a fine performance and will remind listeners of "The Vicar of Dibley" program on PBS, for which the hymn serves as themesong.

Danny Boy was, I believe, originally in English, though it is one of the best-loved Irish folksongs, so we can't fault Terfel for not singing it in Irish. He sings it well, in spite of its demanding range, and communicates the sad and longing tenderness a father feels for his son about to go off to battle. Terfel's sweet, pianissimo ending is gorgeous, impressive, and most apt.

I don't particularly like the song "Bella Notte," so I won't say much, except that it seems well presented. "Going Home" is performed as a concert piece which owes much more to Dvorak than to the Afro-American spiritual from which it is reportedly derived. Even so, Terfel manages a quite convincing southern American dialect. In the same mood, more or less, we get the spiritual "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," which Terfel and the London Voices bring off well, though not at all in the way a Black church choir would do it.

I won't take space to describe each of the following tracks, as I think the foregoing gives a pretty good idea of what to expect. The folksongs are not what a purist might want in the way of homespun simplicity--they are prettied up in artistic renditions. The concert pieces are very well done and leave little to be desired.

I will comment on only two more: I was not overly happy with the Brahms lullaby ("Wiegenlied"), because it is a bit too dramatic and artsy in style where it should be utterly simple. Still, we have to give T. credit for his excellent German pronunciation and his fine, if not cribside, style of singing.

In "Lazybones" Terfel gives us a thoroughly charming and delightfully bluesy performance of a Hoagy Carmichael song. Against all odds, it shows a warm understanding and affection for this idiom so alien to the hills and valleys of T's Welsh home. I defy anyone not to be charmed and delighted by this piece.

A strong commendation is in order for Chris Hazell's remarkably fine arrangements of most of these works, and the excellence of the performances by the accompanying groups. This is a musically first-class production!

The liner notes are generous, with song texts and photos of the participants in this recording. It is definitely up to Deutsche Grammophon's high standards!

If you like the pieces presented here and would like to hear them performed beautifully by first-class artists in fine arrangements, you should get this recording. With over 74 minutes of music, you'll be getting your money's worth several times over!

Average customer rating:

Best of Mark Lowry, Vol. 1
Mark Lowry
Manufacturer: Spring House / EMI
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Best of Mark Lowry, Vol. 2
Some Things Never Change
Mark Lowry on Broadway
Mary, Did You Know?
Be the Miracle

ASIN: B0001MZ7QO
Release Date: 2004-04-06

Tracks:

Bein' Happy
God Help The USA
Sweet Beulah Land
Look For Me
Search Me, Lord
Things To Do
Home
Goin' Up Yonder
Satisfied
I Don't Belong
Mary, Did You Know?
I Do Believe
You Needed Me
I Thirst

Average customer rating:

This mouth is always in motion....
Hey, I liked it!
Good for the most part, but not entirely.:P
Not bad, but not his best
A Dud

Mouth in Motion
Mark Lowry
Manufacturer: Word -- Word --
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Comedy & Spoken Word | Miscellaneous | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Remotely Controlled
The Last Word
Mark Lowry - My First Comedy Video
But Seriously
On Broadway

ASIN: B000003170
Release Date: 1994-10-07

Tracks:

The Date Adventure
Paw Paw's Chin
Face in this world
Exit Row
First Class, Wrong Flight
Every Teacher
Some Other Time, Some Other Place
Open Heart Surgery
This too shall pass

Customer Reviews:

This mouth is always in motion...........2003-07-06

Mark Lowry has made a name for himself, a sort of a Christian Weird Al. No artist or song is safe from Mark Lowry. If he can find a way to make it funny, he will.

Stephen Curtis Chapman's "The Great Adventure," Michael W. Smith's "Place In This World," and Amy Grant's "Every Heartbeat" are all fodder for Mark's comedy and rewriting.

The best is the parody of Wayne Watson's and Sandi Patti's "Another Time, Another Place," called "Some Other Time, Some Other Place." Somehow, Mark managed to rope Sandi to join him on this duet, creating what is probably the funniest parody of all time.

This comedy album pretty much follows standard Mark Lowry fare, in which the first three-quarters are pure comedy, with the last quarter of the album, while still funny at times, contains his message. For non-Christians, this will be enough to avoid the album all-together. Even many Christians will avoid it, or at least the "message" part of the album. This is a shame, since Mark really has something to say.

Mark has many albums and videos out to enjoy. This is as good as any to start your collection with.

Hey, I liked it!.......2000-06-30

The duet with Sandi Patti, the spoof on Amy Grant's "Every Heartbeat," Mark and Steven Curtis Chapman's "The Date Adventure," Michael W. Smith's "Place in this World" Mark Lowry-style... I loved everything about this video! I also appreciate Mark's serious side as well. His commentary along with the song, "This, Too, Shall Pass," has been a reminder to me many times that God sees all things, and the troubled times always have an end. This video is definitly one to own.

Good for the most part, but not entirely.:P.......2000-05-16

I have seen Mark Lowry in concert on March 11, 2000, (in Louisville, Kentucky) but this cd is good, but the last 2 songs on this cd are terrible. Mark can sing really good, yes, but those last 2 songs were not as good as the first few songs were. Even Mark's jokes when he talked on the cd were HYSTERICAL. I just wish that Mark hadn't put those other 2 songs on the album, but had put something else on, like him singing with the Gather band, (which he is a member of, by the way), or him telling more jokes. "Open Heart Surgery" was the best part of the whole album, because it's funny.

Not bad, but not his best.......2000-04-14

Well, I have seen all of Mark Lowry's videos, and I love 'em all. I have to say that this one is his worst, but it isn't too bad. While all of his others get a 5 star rating from me, this gets a 4. It has some rediculous parts, and "The Date Adventure" is really stupid. I would not recommend this to someone who just wants one or two of Mark's videos, but if you have the rest of them, I'd add this to your collection. This would be my last choice, but it's still worth it.

A Dud.......2000-04-14

Believe me, I am a huge Mark Lowry fan. I've seen "Remotely Controlled" and "My First Comedy Video" and loved them. I couldn't wait to see this one. I wish I had waited. This is a big dud. 90% of this movie is just stupid. The rest is dumb. Now I know stupidity is a big part of comedy, but not like this. The best song on the movie is at the end with an old clip of him singing as a child on some old TV show (at least, that's what it looks like. If not, they did a good job of making the kid look like Mark). "Face in This World" is ok. The rest are too dumb. The short clips of concert footage is much worse than in his other videos. The only time I really laughed at something for a reason other than how stupid it was, was when he says what he does when people greet him in the morning. If you are looking for an awesome Christion comedy video pick up "Remotely Controlled" right now. That is by far the best. All the music videos on this one look low budget and stupid. I wish I could like this movie, but I can't. Please don't let me make it seem that Mark Lowry isn't good at comedy. I would give "Remotely Controlled" a 6 out of 5 if I could. "My First Comedy Video" is great too. Please get those instead of this one!

Shall We Gather - American Hymns and Spirituals

Average customer rating:

Excellent
Brilliant

Shall We Gather - American Hymns and Spirituals

Manufacturer: Albany Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Live Recordings | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Wade In The Water, Vol.1:African American Spirituals:The Concert Tradition
Great American Spirituals, Vol. 9
Go Down, Moses
The Shapenote Album
American Angels

ASIN: B00005QK6L
Release Date: 2001-09-25

Tracks:

Libert Hall (Lord, In Thy Presence)
Rise, Shine, For Thy Light Is A-Comin'
Welwyn (O Brother Man)
Pisgah (The Lord's My Shepherd)
Poor Rosy
I've Just Come From The Fountain
Let Us Cheer The Weary Traveler
Nettleton (Come, Thou Fount Of Every Blessing)
Wondrous Love (What Wondrous Love Is This)
Gospel Train
Shining Shore (My Days Are Gliding By Swiftly)
More Love
In Mercy, Lord (In Mercy, Lord, Incline Thine Ear)
Beautiful River (Shall We Gather At The River)
Some Of These Days
The Old Ship Of Zion
St. Peter (In Christ There Is No East Or West)
Missionary Chant (Awake, Our Souls)
Old Ship Of Zion (What Ship Is This?)
Inching Along
Watchman (Watchman, Tell Us Of The Night)
Hurry, On My Weary Soul
Morning Trumpet (O When Shall I See Jesus)
He's A Mighty Good Leader
Hold On
Resignation (My Shepherd Will Supply My Need)
We Shall Walk Through The Valley

Customer Reviews:

Excellent.......2007-05-09

The best "Sacred Harp" or "Shape Note" type singing that I've heard. The various renditons are clear and harmonious.
None of that tuning up, barking, la-la's or other cacophonous sounds here.

Brilliant.......2003-09-22

I couldn't recommend a CD more highly. As a musician I was amazed at the variety of the music here and the truly exceptional performances. It's seems we can always rely on Albany to put out the most interesting and highest quality recordings.

Average customer rating:

I Love to Tell the Story
Mark Lowry
Manufacturer: Spring House / EMI
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000R7I2IS
Release Date: 2007-07-17

Tracks:

I Love to Tell the Story
In the Garden/O, How I Love Jesus
Count Your Blessings
Old Rugged Cross
Softly and Tenderly
Marvelous Grace (Grace Greater Than Our Sin)
Heaven Medley: When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder/In the Sweet By and By
What a Friend We Have in Jesus
Blessed Assurance
Does Jesus Care?/God Will Take Care of You

Music Review:

Music Review

music review

Recommended Music:

Barclay James Harvest [Original recording remastered] [Import]

The Inspirations of Gregorian Chant [Box set]

The Grand German Organ Tradition

Music: Little L [CD-single]

U B Devoid [CD-single] [Import]

Una Dinastia De Oro

Tout Simplement [Import]

Tibet-Nepal Musique Rituelle et Profane [Import]

Too Much Class for the Neighbourhood

Der Heilige Berg

The Best of the Memphis Jug Band

1. Great Is the Lord
2. Exodus
3. Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
4. Chopsticks
5. The Holy City
6. The Old Rugged Cross
7. How Great Thou Art/My Tribute
8. Jesus Loves Me/O How He Loves You and Me
9. It Is Well With My Soul
10. Majesty Medley
11. He's Been Faithful
12. People Need the Lord
13. Chariots of Fire
14. Hymn to Joy