American Beauty: Original Motion Picture Score
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (11 January, 2000)
list price: $18.98 -- our price: $13.99
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Editorial Review

We knew Thomas Newman was versatile (he's created gripping soundtracks for everything from The Shawshank Redemption to Desperately Seeking Susan), but his score for American Beauty is simply gorgeous and one of his best. Filled with inventive instrumentation--tablas, bird calls, dulcimer, banjo, ukulele, detuned mandolin, and more--the score varies between highly rhythmic, world-music influenced passages ("Dead Already," "Lunch with the King") and the more subdued ("Mr. Smarty-Man," "American Beauty"). Throughout, Newman's score is inventive and a great complement to the dark comedy's numerous mood swings. The movie's other soundtrack--a collection of memorable alt-rock tracks--gave us just a sampling of this score. Here's the rest. It's short (37 minutes) but sweet. --Jason Verlinde ... Read more

Features

• Soundtrack

Reviews (124)

Excellent as an album, average as film score
First off, I'll say that this is an excellent soundtrack with excellent music in it.As a stand alone album, I would rate Thomas Newman's score with a 5/5 score.However, as a movie score, it falls to an average rating.Movie scores generally are supposed to have a bonding tone, theme and recognizable features to distinct the movie as it's own.It has to give the movie identity.However, American Beauty only consists of an array of almost completely unrelated cues which appear throughout, but don't connect with each other at all.The point is that if you seperated some of these cues, then listened to them, you really wouldn't be able to tell that they are from the same score, except for the few duplicates.

However, this is an excellent music soundtrack.Newman's use of percussion brings a bright feel to the music, especially when he brings out his mallet instruments.And boy, there are a lot.Although the constant use of the Vibraphone does get repetitive, it never really stops sounding good.The first track "Dead Already", brings us a compilation of guitar, marimba/vibraphone and a slow piano interjection every now and then.While it's one of the best tracks, it gets repetitive for long listening.Lunch With The King is so good yet disappointing.A comical and bright introduction is what starts it, before fading into a piano line repeated over and over with minor variations and repetition.

The best track on the album, in my opinion, is "Weirdest Home Videos".This may confuse some.The track is neither a sad or happy track, those of which usually sound the best, instead it's a dark, unpleasant, and used to describe creepy ideas or actions.After a short string-vibraphone introduction, the track plunges into it's hidden sinister section.In fact, after the brief intro, all it really is a single line of vibraphone played over and over.However, unlike Lunch With The King, the various instrumental interjections stand out, adding a texture to the vibraphone and adding a new layer each time, and a new sound.Even though this track may sound like a repetition-bomb, I can surprisingly listen to this over and over and it always gets better.

The final noticeable tracks are "Any other name" and "American Beauty".They both consist of generally the same thing, Newman's piano harmonics with strings and other textures overlapping and intricating within them.The theme he creates for the tracks does sound good, and Any Other name has a seperate piano interjection at the end.One more note should go to his tracks "Mental Boy" and "Angela Undress".They hold a nice, gentle theme, but they are used so sparingly and with no variation that they don't matter much at all.

So while Newman does make some good music and themes for each track, they never bond or come together.Instead of a common tone to identify themovie with, he instead presents us with 19 bits of random underscore.They all sound very good, but it fails as a movie score.If this was a music compilation album, I would have given it 5 stars.

Excellent Concept, Poor Execution
First of all, before anyone immediately rushes to deem this review "unhelpful", let me describe something.The concept of this soundtrack is amazing in it's right.There are majour highlights to this cd which excel past things which other soundtracks are trailing behind in.However, it is not a perfect cd.

The highlight of the score begins immediately and sets hopes for you to expect."Dead Already", despite the ill-sounding name, is a playful track with a great xylophone-marimba tune with an odd sound aiding it in the background.At first, when things start getting better, Newman introduces his secret weapon: the foreign percussion which he uses.I have let some of my friends hear this, both foreign and not foreign, and all have agreed on the excellent usage of this for the single opening and ending (which is generally the exact same thing with few differences) tracks.

However, this expectation that was laid down never really fufills itself.Instead, we have a drone of tracks which sound excellent for about twenty seconds...then become repetitive and warranting a skip.They all have nice tunes and occassionally a piano theme, but never really go beyond and aadd anything worthwhile.

In track 8, American Beauty, we are given a soothing, gentle piano and strings joint, with one of the most relaxing themes I've heard to date.The track drones on, but is still a great listen - had it been a bit shorter, it would have been perfect.This brought the standard up a bit, but then we still have the same repetitive music again later."Choking the Bishop", while it worked for the movie, is extremely difficult to listen to.Finally, "Any Other Name" and "Still Dead" gives us what we already heard, almost exactly to the point.

My basic point is that the concept for this soundtrack is superb, but it has poor execution.For the film, it works spectacularly, but as a sole soundtrack, it doesn't live up to what it could produce potentially.However, the few minutes of excellent music we do get to hear is enough to warrant a reccomendation from me, but I will only give it two stars in it's overall presentation.

haunting and melodic
This is one of the most hauntingly beautiful soundtracks I have ever heard. It is very sparing in its instrumentation and varies between spells of repetitive minimalism and plaintively exquisite piano. Oh yes, and my three teenage kids think its great! ... Read more

Asin: B00003XACV
Subjects:  1. Film Music    2. Original Score    3. Pop    4. Pop/Rock    5. Soundtracks & Film Scores   

Ragtime - The Musical (1998 Original Broadway Cast)
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (28 April, 1998)
list price: $24.98 -- our price: $22.99
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Editorial Review

The epic sweep of Ragtime is captured in its opening prologue, a nine-minute kaleidoscope of fictional characters mingling with historical figures from the early 20th century as originally captured in E.L. Doctorow's sprawling novel. As the story continues, we meet pianist Coalhouse Walker Jr. (Brian Stokes Mitchell) and his child's mother, Sarah (Audra McDonald), who has been taken in by a respectable family (including Marin Mazzie as Mother). Parallel story lines of the Latvian immigrant Tateh (Peter Friedman), the entertainer Evelyn Nesbit (Lynnette Perry), and even Harry Houdini (Jim Corti) and Emma Goldman (Judy Kaye) eventually mingle and merge. Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens (Once on This Island) mix marches, cakewalks, and of course ragtime to create a rich, compelling score, including Sarah's song to her baby, "Your Daddy's Son," her soaring duet with Coalhouse, "Wheels of a Dream," Mother's self-revealing "Back to Before," and numerous set pieces, all performed by a perfect cast. Ragtime was nominated for 12 Tony Awards in 1998, with wins for McDonald, original score, book, and orchestration.The CD also includes an eight-minute symphonic suite conducted by Paul Gemignani and a booklet with photos, full lyrics, and a history of how the score was written. Tragic, touching, and ultimately triumphant, Ragtime is an American classic. --David Horiuchi ... Read more

Features

• Cast Recording

Reviews (145)

review from an insider
As being a part of the Ragtime cast in my high school, I have learned that the show has an amazing storyline and with a slightly confusing setup still gets through the main theme and plot of the story. The music is fantastic and covers a wide range of singers from bass all the way up to first soprano singers. Depending on the organization of the director, it can be an amazing experience or a daunting experience. My favorite part in the whole show, broadway and in my high school production, is the song "Sarah Brown Eyes" followed closely by "New Music". The dance numbers I enjoy most of course are "Atlantic City" and "Crime of the Century" where the partnering is just fantabulous. Two thumbs up.

WOW!!
This soundtrack was amazing. The first song gave me goosebumps. The show from beginng to end was so powerful, funny, sad, and uplifting. The most famous song of course is Wheels Of A Dream, sung by the wonderful Brian Stokes Mitchell. But other songs like, Make Them Hear You, What A Game, The Night That Goldman Spoke at Union Square, Your Daddy's son, and Till we Reach That Day, which actually nearly made me cry. This is one of the most amazing shows I have ever listened too.

Perfection in a musical recording
It's amazing how dramatically and musically incredible this recording is. I have yet to find a weakness and have absolutely fallen in love with the CD's. The score itself is AMAZING--Ahrens and Flaherty have created a masterpiece. The lyrics are consistantly moving, poignant, and just plain incredible, and the music spends the entire time soaring in perfection.

Everyone in the cast is incredible. I mean, everyone EXPECTS amazing things from performers like Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and Marin Mazzie, and they certainly don't disappoint. Other favorites of mine include Steven Sutcliffe as the Younger Brother in a passionate performance that is one of my favorite parts of the entire score and Judy Kuhn as Emma Goldman. Well, honestly, EVERYONE is incredible. Those are just my favorites.

I'm really struggling for words to describe how much dramatic merit this recording has. So many of the songs move me to a state of such incredible emotion and just utter bliss at how amazing everthing is. Just...buy it. You won't be disappointed. ... Read more

Asin: B0000064XS
Subjects:  1. Klezmer    2. Pop    3. Ragtime    4. Show Tunes    5. Showtunes / B'way    6. Soundtracks    7. Swing   

The Grass Is Blue
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (26 October, 1999)
list price: $16.98 -- our price: $8.99
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Editorial Review

Hungry Again, 1998's return to form, was the sound of a country legend with nothing to lose and playing for keeps. Still, that startling album barely presaged the seamless grace of Dolly Parton's subsequent celebration of her mountain roots. This may be a full-out bluegrass venture, but tradition only tells half the story. The daring set includes barnstorming remakes of songs by Billy Joel and Blackfoot, two new Parton originals, and the old-as-time folk narrative "Silver Dagger," transformed--via Sam Bush's vertiginous mandolin picking and Jerry Douglas's frenzied Dobro work--into a mysterious, ambient epic. It's a testament to the force of Parton's voice and personality that while surrounded by top-tier players like Stuart Duncan (fiddle) and Bryan Sutton (guitar) she's still the undeniable leader. Her singing is masterful, absolutely vibrating with energy and soulfulness. Along with Steve Earle's The Mountain, this is the finest bluegrass release of 1999, and one of the most fully realized albums of Dolly Parton's career. --Roy Kasten ... Read more

Reviews (111)

Just May Be Her Best Work Ever
I do not know what roads Dolly had to travel to get her back to her bluegrass musical home - but I am sure glad that she got there. This is Dolly's best piece of work since her collaboration with Linda Rondstadt and Emmylou Harris on Trio.

This is a wonderful, wonderful piece of work. I have listened to Dolly through the years and have always admired her talent and her personality. It has saddened me to see Dolly's career pushed down the rather tired formulaic Nashville path. It appears a return to blue grass was an excellent way of taking a nice long detour around Nashville.

I am not much of a blue grass listener but the Grass is Blue transcends confinement to any one genre of music. The arrangements are wonderful. They are free of the typicallly overdone wall of sound Nashville glitz that has transformed country music from its distinct roots into a slightly down home version of standard American pop music.

The back-up musicians and singers are perfect and complement Doly in fine fashion. In a strange way - The Grass is Blue is to Dolly Parton what Supernaural is to Santanna. Its a return to their artisitic roots - but with a stunning freshness that leaves the listener yearning for more of the same.

All the tracks on this CD are worth listening to.Cash on the Barrelhead stands out as does Train, Train.The closing track, I Am Ready find Dolly at her most soulful. It is sung as a prayer and has a mournful, yet joyous quality, that Dolly's voice renders perfectly.

This is one of the great CDs. You do not have to like or have any knowledge of bluegrass musc to love this CD.

Great Music from Dolly!
If you asked anyone in the 80s if Dolly Parton would ever have trouble with commercial success in country music, they would have thought you were crazy. In the pop-infused early 80's, Dolly Parton fit right in with every other Urban Cowboy inspired crossover country singer. The difference between Dolly and the rest of the pack was the roots. Dolly had her roots in soulful mountain music and we knew her for her simple style and honest lyrics back in the early days. Now Dolly Parton, one of the best known female icons in country music, is having trouble being played on the radio. Her crossover phase is over and Dolly is singing the music that makes her happy and cuts deep into the soul of every listener with her album, The Grass is Blue.
The Grass is Blue incorporates some crossover success, but the opposite of 1980s country music. This album actually takes songs that have been successful in the pop realm and turns them into fundamentalist, traditional bluegrass. Dolly has replaced the electric guitars and synthesizers with the mandolin, fiddle and dobro. A standout on the album is Dolly's remake of the 1990s pop hit "Shine." The lyrics are the only recognizable remnant of the song and Dolly's voice brings it to a whole new level. On another remake, Dolly sings Billy Joel's "Travelin' Prayer," making it sound as if it were written for a rowdy fiddler.Dolly touches the spiritual realm with the a cappella "I'm Ready," sounding like an angelic creation. Other standouts on the album include songs penned by Dolly herself, including "Will He Be Waiting For Me," "Steady as the Rain" and the title cut, "The Grass is Blue." The material on this album is excellent and is only worthy to be touched by bluegrass goddesses. Alison Kraus, Patti Loveless and other vocalist chime in with Dolly on this album.
The Grass is Blue is truly the type of music Dolly Parton is made to make. Generations from now, songs like "9 to 5" will be remembered, if at all, as songs of 1980s. Songs from this collection can be listened to for generations to come and recognized as timeless treasures. With an artist like Dolly Parton, there is a huge music catalog to look at. Regardless of what she has recorded in the past and the popularity of her crossover singles, this album is one her best efforts to date. We can only hope that Dolly has some similar tricks up her sleeve.

Bluegrass Dolly
This is a landmark album, because it really changed Dolly's career. This was Dolly's first endeavor into bluegrass music, and probably her best in my opinion. There is some great Dolly stuff here. The album opens with her cover of "Travelin Prayer", a song that turns into a boot stomping bluegrass song long before it ends. There's some fun uptempo's here like "I'm Gonna Sleep With One Eye Open", "Cash On The Barrelhead", "Will He Be Waiting For Me", and more. I love her version of Johnny Cash's "I Still Miss Someone", which is an album highlight for me. "Silver Dagger" is a great song, I like the music and her voice as usual is just stunning. The title track has an interesting lyric. There's some lovely ballads here like "A Few Old Memories", "I Still Miss Someone" and more. Other highlights include "Steady as the Rain", "Endless Stream of Tears" and the album closer "I Am Ready". This is a great album, one of Dolly's best. Definately worth repeated listening. ... Read more

Asin: B00002067T
Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Country    3. Country/Bluegrass    4. Neo-Traditional Folk    5. Pop    6. Traditional Country   

Fantasia 2000: An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (30 November, 1999)
list price: $11.98
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Editorial Review

Without the gorgeous visuals, the soundtrack to Fantasia/2000 is nothing more than a collection of some of classical music's greatest moments. But what moments they are! Conductor James Levine and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra provide new (though hardly groundbreaking) arrangements for these classical music warhorses. Piano virtuoso Yefim Bronfman joins in to record the Allegro section of Shostakovich's Piano Concerto No. 2 (if you like this track, check out Bronfman playing the entire piece on his 1999 disc with the Los Angeles Philharmonic), and soprano Kathleen Battle lends a high note to the climax of Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance. We also get the classic Sorcerer's Apprentice from the original (and now out-of-print) Fantasia soundtrack. Performed by Philharmonia Orchestra, the Paul Dukas composition still steals the show. The original movie may have been a flop, but with any luck Fantasia/2000 will turn some young minds on to classical music, especially with such inspired choices as Respighi's Pines of Rome. Like what you hear? Remember, these are just excerpts and you really owe it to yourself to hear the works in their entirety--slow movements and all. That said, whether you're a Disney fan, an IMAX aficionado, or just a classical-lover-to-be, you can't go wrong with this disc. --Jason Verlinde ... Read more

Features

• Soundtrack

Reviews (43)

One song along would make this worth buying
In my opinion, this CD is worth it just for "Rhapsody in Blue," but there are seven other great tracks, as well. Music like this spans generations; it's essentially timeless in its beauty and ability to put a smile on your face. Great stuff. Yes, there may only be eight tracks on this disc, but four of them are nine minutes or longer, so you're not being cheated out of anything. I'm not a steadfast Disney fan, but they really know how to pick classical music for their masterpiece.

A Masterpiece continued
When I first heard about Fantasia 2000, I was a bit skeptical. I loved the first one, so I didn't see a need for a second one. You know how the saying goes, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Suprisingly Fantasia 2000 lived up to the original. The introducers were entertaining and the film and movie itself were beautifully done.

This CD is the second-best classical CD I have heard. Fantasia, theoriginal was the best. I love bothe Fantasia CDs dearly.

A great introduction to the wonder of classical music
It may have been a while back, but I still remember how majestic and awe-inspiring I found Fantasia 2000 when it came out in theaters...it was my favorite movie of the year. The original Fantasia was a bold experiment, and the sequel is an evolution of all of the ideas that went into that film. Some people said that the music didn't match the action, and some people just hate it when classical music is edited (or butchered, as they would call it). Personally...

Buying this CD was a no-brainer. If you are looking into classical music for the first time, or merely trying to expand your classical horizons in small doses, this is great way to go. While it's true that the music was pretty heavily edited, the arrangements are very well done. Also, these recordings are full of warmth and sparkle, giving good emphasis to key moments.

A good example of this is the first and last pieces. Naturally, the short snippet of Beethoven's 5th Symphony cannot convey the emotions of the full piece, but never before can I recall a recording of it having the same effect on me that this one did. The crowing achievement of the movie (and the soundtrack!) is the Firebird. It's a brilliant piece of music, and will leave a lasting impression on all who hear it for the first time. The other pieces used ranged from the well-known (Sorcerer's Apprentice and Rhapsody in Blue), to the unique (Carnival of the Animals and Shostakovich's Piano Concerto No. 2).

If you like classical music (but particularly if your interest is a casual one), or liked the movie, this is a worthy purchase.
... Read more

Asin: B000038ICW
Subjects:  1. Chamber    2. Concerto    3. Film Music    4. Orchestral    5. Original Score    6. Pop    7. Soundtracks & Film Scores    8. Symphonic   

Best of Bond...James Bond
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (19 October, 1999)
list price: $17.98
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Editorial Review

James Bond themes tend to be just as memorable as their movie counterparts and, to a certain extent, just as time sensitive. While many fans can remember the Monty Norman Orchestra's steamy Dr. No theme or Shirley Bassey's "Goldfinger," how many of us remember Rita Coolidge's dated "All Time High" from Octopussy or A-Ha's theme from The Living Daylights? Yes, just as we all have our favorite Bonds, we all have our favorite eras of Bond movie music. But surprisingly, whether they're New Wave, soul, or just Euro-pop inspired, most are still worth hearing. There are some real gems on this compilation: On Her Majesty's Secret Service's "We Have All the Time in the World" by Louis Armstrong, the Thunderball theme sung by Tom Jones, and the spunky theme to The Man With the Golden Gun by Lulu. Just overlook those sporadic lean years and you have a pretty stiff soundtrack cocktail here. --Jason Verlinde ... Read more

Features

• Soundtrack

Reviews (57)

An icon of the modern times!
James Bond is still , one of the most representative icons of our post industrial world . He represents an icon , a modern mythical figure .
The soundtracks in the most of those films became fundamentalpart of the irresistible charm of 007 as well for us to admire the supreme Goddess as well as the female audience who found in every generation the ideal type .
This is an admirable compilationwho goes from Goldfinger Shirley Bassey until Tomorrow never dies with the talented singer Sheryl Crow .
The best song in the CD? It depends from you . To me Nobody does it better is the jewel of the crown , but nevertheless From Russia with love is a nostalgic piece , the saddest is We have all the time in the world with the unforgettable Satchmo in one of his last recordings .
You only live twice threw to Nancy Sinatra to the stardom after being recorded Something stupid a song for two voices with her father .
The man with the golden arm with Lulu is an excelent theme . She was the same lovely girl that won with To sir with love . Paul Mac Cartney and the Wings with Live and let die . But there are themes for every special taste , all of them sealed with the unmistakeable rapport and touch of class who James Bond signifies .

This is the best of Bond... James Bond
This disk contains all the Bond themes until Tomorrow Never Dies. The best songs are the latest, but some of the old ones are good too. It's just that the newest songs that are The World Is Not Enough and Die Another Day aren't on this disk.

WHO COULDN'T LOVE THIS CD?????????
Any CD that has Shirley Bassey singing "Goldfinger", Carly Simon singing "Nobody Does it Better", and Tina Turner singing "GoldenEye" is worth listening to.We have all of the great James Bond themes, and every one is perfect in its own way.From "A View to a Kill" to "Live and let Die" to "You only live Twice" to "The Man with the Golden Gun", this CD is nothing but a collection of wonderful Bond hits.

* * * * out of * * * *!!! ... Read more

Asin: B00001YVFB
Subjects:  1. Adult Contemporary    2. Dance-Pop    3. Film Music    4. Pop    5. Pop/Rock    6. Soft Rock    7. Soundtracks & Film Scores    8. Spy Music   

The Ultimate Collection [UTV]
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (17 October, 2000)
list price: $21.98
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Editorial Review

Poor Patsy has been gussied up and repackaged so many times that only Elvis and Hank Williams can rival her for Most Popular Dead Star. This collection of 32 tracks on two CDs doesn't really live up to its name--it's hard to imagine an "ultimate" anthology that omits "There He Goes" and "Three Cigarettes in an Ashtray" over such inclusions as "Bill Bailey, Won't You Please Come Home." But for fans who want more than a single CD and less than a box set, there's plenty here that thrills, and not just the major hits. Listen, for example, to Cline's pinpoint intonation on "I Love You So Much It Hurts," or how she nails the stratospheric last note on ol' Hank's "Lovesick Blues." Production-wise, some of Owen Bradley's Nashville Sound seems dated, of course, but emotionally, it all sounds so intimate as to have been piped in from the grave. Lord knows there's no contemporary Nashville singer wielding this kind of artistry. Or, for that matter, moxie. --Alanna Nash ... Read more

Reviews (5)

It is, indeed, the Ultimate Collection
Two terrific and comprehensive disks by one of the greatest female singers of all time, in any genre.I've loaned this out to a lot of people who aren't country fans, and they all love it.It's simply a must-have for anyone's collection.

Don't judge a CD by its cover
What a terrible picture of Patsy.
I had to change to the picture on the reverse side.
But this is a wonderful Patsy album.Great songs and
all your favorites are included.

Remember when...
I was born in 1970, so I didn't grow up with any of these songs.I've heard a few of them, so I decided to take the plunge and buy this $20 double disc set.Was I disappointed?Heck no!!!

The thing that stands out in my mind with this recording is how simplistic the song lyrics, structure and delivery are.The lyrics so simple and predictable, yet carry strong messages.You don't have to encrypt lyrics, like they do today, to get across a point.The song structure is slappingly simple too, with most songs running between two and three minutes.You won't find any Paradise By The Dashboard Lights or American Pie marthons here.(By the way, those songs are each over eight minutes!)Lastly is the delivery by Patsy Cline.She sold her songs on her vocal delivery.She didn't need to have tribal drums and synthesizers playing in the back (although neither was around during her time), but it's the simplicity that makes it great.

This is a definite buy if you want to keep around a musical "time machine" that will take you back...back to when things were a bit purer and less complicated... ... Read more

Asin: B00004ZDTM
Subjects:  1. Country    2. Country-Pop    3. Nashville Sound/Countrypolitan    4. Pop    5. Rockabilly    6. Traditional Country    7. United States of America   

The Essential Dolly Parton One: I Will Always Love You
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (28 March, 1995)
list price: $15.98 -- our price: $14.99
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Editorial Review

Despite its all-encompassing title, the first of RCA's two essential Parton titles doesn't encapsulate her most inspired period, though it provides an obliging overview of the commercial payoff that came on the high heels of her initial creative rush. This 20-song best-of set consists of sides cut between 1976 and 1984, including "9 to 5," "Islands in the Stream," "Two Doors Down," and the overblown 1982 remake of "I Will Always Love You." In contrast to Volume Two, most of the songs here come from hired guns; the winning sincerity Parton brings to her own material is much missed, though she remains an irresistible vocalist. The arrangements frequently stray from her country-folk roots into radio-friendly pop (listen to "Rear Love" to hear '80s production at its most hackneyed). Still, this album provides a useful snapshot of Dolly the superstar. Just make sure you buy Parton's second Essentials set before the first. --Steven Stolder ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Missed Opportunity
This CD should have been a long overdue comprehensive collection of Dolly's singles for RCA during the 1980's.But, RCA flubbed that with this compilation:

* "9 To 5" is the longer film version, not the 45 version that the average record buyer would be familiar with (and prefer)

*"Real Love" was a #1 country duet (also #91 Pop and #13 A/C) for Dolly and Kenny Rogers.Yet, this is a solo recording - where's Kenny?

*"Don't Call It Love" - another alternate version ... this one is missing the background vocalists.

*"Old Flames Can't Hold A Candle To You" - another remix that differs from her 1982 Greatest Hits collection

*Includes "To Daddy" popularized by Emmylou Harris, not Dolly, at the expense of lesser hits such as "Potential New Boyfriend," "Downtown," "House of the Rising Sun," "Everything's Beautiful," "We Had It All"

RCA - We're still waiting for a truly "Essential" Dolly Parton compilation of her '80's work.

5 all the way for DOLLY!!!
20 GLORIOUS songs of Dolly singing.....I'd suggest this for a good album for a roadtrip.I especially love the folkly bluegrassy mama songs (I believe tracks 14 and 15) - All the songs are phenomenal on here.

I am only 23 years OLD and I LOVE LOVE LOVE Dolly Parton.She is a classic.I thank my parents for giving me the chance to listen to a legend such as her.Very down-to-earth and earthy songs.Trust me, if you're a country fan, you'll love it.

Dolly rocks!

5 stars
* * * * *

Definitely Essential
One thing here that is for certain: success speaks for itself.Though the majority of critics write off this period of Dolly's career, they forget that Dolly Parton became a household name with songs like "Here You Come Again", "9 To 5", "Two Doors Down" and "Islands In The Stream".This was an album I had waited a long time for as I had trekked to Nashville to purchase the long lost "Great Balls Of Fire" LP just to get a copy of her 1979 #1 smash "You're The Only One" back in 1993.

Certain things about this album were a disappointment.First, several songs on this album were remixes of the original songs-the worst being a solo version of "Real Love" as well as "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind", "Don't Call It Love" and "Old Flames Can't Hold A Candle To You" which spoiled an otherwise perfect collection-thus not a five-star compilation.Still, several previously unavailable songs were finally on CD on this first of two long awaited collections including the top ten country hits "Single Women" and "Heartbreak Express" (from "Heartbreak Express"), "You're The Only One" (#1 for 2 weeks) and "Sweet Summer Lovin" (from "Great Balls of Fire"), "God Won't Get You" (from the Rhinestone Soundtrack) and the Donna Summer penned "Starting Over Again" (#1 ; from "Dolly, Dolly, Dolly").

No doubt, a career as expansive by such a talented singer as Dolly Parton could never be compiled in just one CD, but to write off anything she did after breaking away from Porter Wagoner as just pop-flavored garbage is an insult to true fans.Dolly truly has a unique sound that nobody can even begin to match and the majority of songs featured on this album are among some of her best including the stunning remake of Kenny Rogers & The First Edition's hit "But You Know I Love You".

Some things to remember about the anthology is that two major Dolly hits were remakes of other artists' work including "Two Doors Down" (written by Dolly but originally a top ten country hit for Zella Lehr) and "Old Flames Can't Hold A Candle To You", originally a #14 country hit for Joe Sun in 1978.

So don't be led into believing this is not worth it-over 20 years of number one hits as well as two #1 pop hits will ever prove the critics wrong.She is by far the best female vocalist Nashville has ever had.Take this from someone who did NOT grow up on Porter and Dolly. ... Read more

Asin: B000002WS3
Subjects:  1. Contemporary Country    2. Country    3. Country-Folk    4. Country-Pop    5. Pop    6. Progressive Country    7. Traditional Country    8. Urban Cowboy   

The Essential Dolly Parton, Vol. 2
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (29 April, 1997)
list price: $15.97
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Editorial Review

With the face of an angel and the determination of a telemarketer on commission, Dolly Parton is a mountain miracle, a world-class poet in a fright wig and stiletto heels. This early collection bypasses her Monument Records beginnings as a backwoods hopeful, but follows her arrival as a hillbilly savant ("Coat of Many Colors," "My Tennessee Mountain Home"), to her metamorphosis as a glitzy pop superstar ("Here You Come Again"). While it omits her duets with her Svengalian mentor, Porter Wagoner, most of the songs that forged her reputation as a songwriter are here ("Jolene," the original version of "I Will Always Love You"), even as it overlooks her underrated classics ("My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy," "Down from Dover"). With such clear-eyed, evocative writing, born on the breath of her shimmering soprano, it's easy to see how young Dolly turned the heads of country-rockers Emmylou Harris and Maria Muldaur, let alone the Grand Ole Opry set. --Alanna Nash ... Read more

Reviews (11)

I really got the feeling that it's all right (excellent)
It took me a long time to get to a point where I know that I have nearly all of her songs, which are all beautiful, uplifting and in many cases supurb.Most everything she did is now in print starting with the superb Essential Series compilations.The Essential Series were the first sign that RCA was beginning to recognize that their forgotten country superstars had a substantial amount of material out of print.Much of this has been recovered on the "The Essential Volume 1", "The Essential Volume 2" and "The Essential Porter Wagoner & Dolly Parton"-all truly essential to real fans.

I waited impatiently for this long awaited 1997 release.Finally on CD were long forgotten hits such as her first #1 smash "Joshua" from 1970 and the Billy Vera penned "I Really Got The Feeling" from her 1978 LP "Heartbreaker" and, of course, the title track which spent three weeks on the top of the country charts and hit #37 Pop.Not to mention other notable reissues including the original version of "Light Of A Clear Blue Morning", the "Stairway to Heaven" inspired "We Used To", catchy and pure fun "All I Can Do" and the haunting "Me And Little Andy" that once graced the 1982 Greatest Hits LP.This is a perfect hits collection from the late 1960's to 1978, but chart success alone overlooked some of her very best including the amazing "My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy" that failed to reach the country Top 40 in 1969.Also omitted from the album was Dolly's disco dud "Baby I'm Burnin'" that reached #25 Pop but still appears on other compilations.

No doubt, though, is that this is an impressive collection that captures exactly what made Dolly Parton the incredible superstar she is.Her angelic voice can turn any song into something special and is definitely worth owning.

A National Treasure!
Dolly Parton's lyrical ways are a gift to the Nation and the World. She is an amazingly gifted songwriter and entertainer. This beautiful collection of work has a little rebellious streak running throughout. I listen to it often and loudly in my car as I drive through Hollywood with my sunroof open and my windows rolled down. "Mule Skinner Blues" is amazing at 40db!

The songs that made Dolly famous
The first volume of Essential Dolly Parton focuses on her eighties hits (including her 1982 re-recording of I will always love you) and also includes Two doors down, so it's not here. Yet another volume, The essential Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton, covers their duets, so none of them are here.

This second volume of her solo recordings includes some of her most successful recordings from the sixties and seventies, including her original 1973 recording of I will always love you.

All the other classic country songs from the mid-seventies are here - Jolene, Love is like a butterfly, The bargain store, The seeker, My tennessee mountain home - together with her first solo top 20 hit (Just because I'm a woman), her first big hit (Mule skinner blues, a cover of the Jimmie Rodgers classic) and her first #1 record (Joshua).

Coat of many colors, also included here, was based on a real incident. Dolly was once sent to school wearing a coat made of differently-colored rags woven together and all the other children (not surprisingly) laughed at her. A picture of her in that coat featured on the original LP cover.

Other great country recordings here include Touch your woman, We used to, All I can do and Wings of a dove. Another great song, Light of a clear blue morning, showed Dolly was looking for something new, and the other tracks featured here represent some of her pop-sounding records from 1977 and 1978.

Of these tracks, I love Baby I'm burning (which some think is Dolly's worst recording, but it's a great slice of country disco), Here you come again, Me and little Andy and It's all wrong but it's all right. I have never been able to get excited about Heartbreaker and I really got the feeling, but I've got used to them over a quarter of a century.

Despite my lack of enthusiasm for two songs, the other eighteen make this is an outstanding compilation which certainly lives up to it's Essential name. ... Read more

Asin: B000002WZI
Subjects:  1. Contemporary Country    2. Country-Folk    3. Country-Pop    4. Progressive Country    5. Traditional Country    6. Urban Cowboy   

Sleeping Beauty
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (30 January, 2001)
list price: $11.98
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Editorial Review

Two decades after releasing the world's first soundtrack recording with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Disney achieved another milestone by releasing Sleeping Beauty, the world's first stereo soundtrack album. Nominated for an Oscar in 1959, George Bruns's lilting orchestral score was adapted from the Tchaikovsky ballet and recorded in Germany, where the most state-of-the-art recording equipment could be found. (Disney spared no expense on the tale of Aurora and Maleficent--it cost a then-unheard-of $6 million to make the film.) Featuring Mary Costa's ethereal vocals on "Once upon a Dream" and "I Wonder," Sleeping Beauty's combination of songs and score set a standard that soundtrack releases would follow for decades to come. --Bill Forman ... Read more

Features

• Soundtrack

Reviews (8)

A little bit of nostalgia
For as long as I can remember, "Sleeping Beauty" has been my all-time favorite Disney movie, not only because of its incredible artwork (definitely the best from Classic Disney) but also because of the soundtrack. The music evokes the visual beauty of the artwork. It was adapted from Tchaikovsky's Sleeping Beauty Ballet, and it is one of the most beautiful, emotional pieces of music I have ever heard. The score is spectacular, especially in the ending scenes (specifically, "A Fairy Tale Come True" and "Awakening"). "Sleeping Beauty" does not have as much songs as later Disney movies (such as "Aladdin" or "Beauty and the Beast") but its quality, not quantity. Mary Costa, who did the voice of Aurora, has a beautiful voice, I always had trouble imagining a real person being able to sing like that when I was younger. Unfortunately, the actual CD isn't available, but all the tracks can be found on the iTunes Music Store. If you're a fan of Disney movies, or just good music, I suggest buying it.

Best Disney Film Score
While I'm not always a big fan of the musical-esque style of Disney movies (although the kids love it, and that's what matters), Sleeping Beauty is one of the best orchestrated films I can remember.George Bruns does a brilliant job of arranging Tchaikovsky's score from the Sleeping Beauty ballet.The recording itself is decently remastered, and the small ensemble performing is excellent.Mary Costa's vocals are flawless and almost supernatural.If ever there were a disney soundtrack to own, this would be it.

laaaaaaaa de daaaaaaaaaaaa de daaaaaaaaaaaa de daaaa-laaaaaa
beautiful songs and a score adapted from Tychovski's famous ballet (it was nominated for the Oscar, you know). Mary Costa and Bill Shirley's voices are perfect for the Princess Aurora and Prince Phillip.

anyone who dont no like dis soundtrack, dey are gonna hafta answer tuh ME!! ... Read more

Asin: B000056QE7
Subjects:  1. Film Music    2. Pop    3. Soundtracks    4. Soundtracks & Film Scores   

16 Most Requested Songs
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
list price: $11.98 -- our price: $11.98
(price subject to change: see help)
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Reviews (3)

Don't confuse 16 MRS with ENCORE 16 MRS
The original 16 MOST REQUESTED SONGS is a dreadful compilation and should be avoided.

Much more thought was put into the second volume titled ENCORE 16 MOST REQUESTED SONGS which provides a good overview of Conniff'sbest work.

Unfortunately, these comments appear under both versions whichmay explain the wide difference of opinion.

very disappointing!
I, too , am re-discovering Ray Conniff after many years and wish I had started my re-discovery with another CD.These certainly would not have been my 16 most requested songs.The old Ray Conniff harmony was just notthere, and the "non-vocals"(which I've never cared for anyway)were especially disappointing.I'll just have to keep trying.

Harmony at its absolute best!!
I first "discovered" Ray Conniff and the Singers back in the '60s and I'm now rediscovering his music. This CD is one of the best of all his releases. Nothing beats the instrumental and vocal harmonies these people bring to the music scene. It's just a unique way to present some of the best tunes ever to come out of the universe of music composing. ... Read more

Asin: B00000265J
Sales Rank: 132270
Subjects:  1. Easy Listening    2. Easy Pop    3. Orchestral Pop    4. Pop    5. Traditional Pop    6. Vocal Pop