Editorial Review

Norah Jones blew everybody away with her jazzy, country-tinged,Grammy-winning debut CD, Read more

Features

• Enhanced

Reviews (565)

My definition of hell
You're put to sleep by Bora Jones...you're awaken by James Blunt...then your put back so sleep by Bora Jones..you're awaken again by James Blunt...etc. for eternity.

Can be inconsistent at times
(4 stars)
Love it!
It's different from Come Away with Me, but it grew on me. Definitely different. It's still Norah Jones. Her voice continues to soothe, and at least half the song were written or co-written by her. It has less of a jazz sound than her first album, but her band is tighter. Her "Don't Miss You at All"is a reworking of a Duke Ellington piece and she solos and plays the piano. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ballads    2. Contemporary Jazz    3. Jazz Blues    4. Jazz Music    5. Pop    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop    8. Torch Songs    9. Vocal Jazz   

Editorial Review

Read more

Reviews (84)

Gary
Another of Diana Kralls wonderful CDs. If you like her, you should have this one. Many hours of enjoyment.

All for you: Adedication to the nat King cole Trio
It was everything we expected.good listening.

Tribute to Nat King Cole Trio
One Diana's best ones. Great pieces with a great singer. I recommend to all jazz people. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bop    2. Canada    3. Contemporary Jazz    4. Jazz    5. Jazz Music    6. Pop    7. Standards    8. Swing    9. Torch Songs    10. Vocal Jazz    11. Vocalese   

Editorial Review

The voice of Edith Piaf carries with it perhaps more national identity than that of any other recorded artist in the world. Tiny, frail, and tragic in her life, Piaf brought French identity to the rest of the world in a way that was understandable to all. Known as "the Little Sparrow" in her country, her voice was strong, bold, and passionate, even as she grew more infirm. The archetypical torch singer, she had massive popular success with songs like "Milord," "Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien," and "La Vie, L'Amour," included here with 18 other classics. While this is a great compilation of some of her best material, the complete lack of enclosed notes or biographical material may frustrate those not familiar with her fascinating career. However, the work of one of the most original songbirds of all time speaks loud and clear for itself. Read more

Reviews (42)

So good it is sometimes hard to play.
I have had this as a CD about 10 years, and had tapes previously, and lps previous. This and most other Piaf recordings I have owned is so good that it is sometimes hard to play.You are afraid you will never get it out of the CD player or hear anything else because it is so wonderful. This is a good introduction to Piaf's large body of work and to French songs of the middle of the 20th Century.
Piaf Pleases!
The music from this CD takes me back to when I listened to Edith in the 1960's while stationed in Germany.The quality if grand.The service in purchasing the CD was easy andwithout a hitch. Thank you very much.

The one and only!
Edith Piaf has a unique voice, a unique delivery. Listening to her music takes you back to a bygone era - sad and enchanting at the same time. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cabaret    2. France    3. French    4. French Pop    5. Int'l & World Music    6. Nostalgia    7. Pop    8. Popular Music    9. Vocal    10. Vocal Pop   

Editorial Review

The movie version of Kander and Ebb's Read more

Reviews (266)

A KILLER soundtrack--but who says that murder's not an art ???
This CD soundtrack of the movie Chicago gives us great music written by Kander and Ebb. The musical arrangements are masterfully written and executed; and the lyrics to each song are clever, too. The overall effect is a fun CD to listen to--even if you haven't seen the film! Some of the bonus material is very different from the Kander and Ebb style and depending on your tastes you may like this or not.
Chicago CD
It has great music from the Chicago Movie that I love to play over and over. The only weird thing about it is Queen Latifa's strange remix on the end of the CD. I let the CD play till then and then push skip. It's too close to Rap style for me.

Chicago is great
Superior quality in a musical.None better at this time in america. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Soundtrack    3. Soundtracks & Film Scores   

Editorial Review

Tony Bennett has a typical lack of effusiveness about the kudos of his seven-decade career, but he does reportedly display an inscribed picture from a longtime colleague and fellow saloon singer in his Manhattan apartment. It reads: "To the best goddamned pop singer I've ever heard." It's signed "Frank Sinatra." But don't take the Chairman's word for it. Just listen as these two discs bound from one masterly performance to the next, documenting a career whose ups and downs--Bennett actually went long years Read more

Features

• Limited Edition
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (13)

Poorly engineered and unworthy of this great artist.
This two CD set is a disappointment.Yes, all the great Tony Bennett songs are here and there are many glimpses of his timeless artistry. But before you buy you need to know:
Spanning The Decades With Finesse
Tony Bennett's vocals are timeless.Just listen to his early works as he began developing his own special style.And whether Tony sang grand ballads or cool jazz, he brought his unique essence to his music.
The essential tony bennet provides you with beautiful music,and sound.This double cd is sure to please.
The essential tony bennett,contains,most of tonys best music...I have always been a fan of the old standards...Why today,there are so many of todays singers singing the timeless standards.Tony bennett represents class,and a stanard of musical integrety,that is rarly,captured in todays music...This is a great album to relax with. 5 star rated,and good deal.thank you!! "enjoy" ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Pop Vocals    3. Popular Music    4. Vocal   

Editorial Review

Like a mink draped over mahogany, Diana Krall's luxuriously supple alto adorns the vintage songs of romance and longing found on Read more

Features

• Enhanced

Reviews (155)

Great Krall Interpretations of Love Songs
Diana Krall proves why she's such a phenomenal jazz singer on this CD.
Love Scenes by Diana Krall
Diana Krall's voice is very relaxing. When you listen to this CD, have a drink in your hand, sit back and just breathe. It's even better if you have someone you love to lean against on when you're listening to this. But either way, it's a great CD that I think any jazz or adult contemporary listener would love.

A great CD
A great voice, well mastered. When you hear Diana Krall's voice in this CD, you can find something wrong in a lot of great jazz vocalists. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ballads    2. Bop    3. Contemporary Jazz    4. Jazz    5. Jazz Music    6. Pop    7. Standards    8. Swing    9. Torch Songs    10. Traditional Pop    11. Vocal Jazz   

Editorial Review

It's nice to see Bette Midler putting her spin on an American classic after less-than-convincing detours through adult-contemporary cheese. This tribute focuses on Rosemary Clooney in the early to mid-1950s--so we don't get any of the fabulous Nelson Riddle material--but it's a fairly strong offering. It was produced and arranged by Midler's old musical director, Barry Manilow--who actually dueted with Clooney on a couple of songs in the 1990s and here replaces Bing Crosby on the duet "On a Slow Boat to China." Mostly, the CD is about hits: "Hey There" and "White Christmas" are done in straightforward manner, while Linda Ronstadt fills in for Rosemary's actual sister Betty on a slinky version of "Sisters." Happily, Midler plays "Come On-A My House" down instead of up (the old Bette would have milked its comic aspect) but the singer lets loose on "Mambo Italiano." That's pretty much the only time the Divine Miss M peeks out from behind Clooney's elegant persona, and it's a delight. Read more

Reviews (221)

Bette is the Bomb
Rosemary Clooney had some beautiful songs that needed to be shared with the younger generations. And who else but Bette could do them with such passion! This is a treasured CD.

Remembering a great voice with a great voice
I'm so happy when Bette Midler does a triute album She really does the orignal artist proud. I LOVED THIS CD.I could listen to it all day and even my kids start to sing them

Bette Midler Sings The Rosemary Clooney Songbook
Bette Midler did a wonderful job singing these well known Rosemary Clooney songs. I especially enjoyed "Sisters", the duet with Linda Rondstadt. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American Popular Song    2. Cabaret    3. Pop    4. Pop Vocals    5. Popular Music    6. Traditional Pop    7. Vocal    8. Vocal Pop   

Editorial Review

A romantic's collection if ever there was one, this cachet of songs graced the equally heart-tugging film. King of the Croon and Swoon, Nat King Cole's "Stardust" is probably the most obvious of the young lovers' themes here. Louis Armstrong and Jimmy Durante, ordinarily not the most romantic of sorts, prove themselves worthy contenders with "A Kiss to Build a Dream On" and "As Time Goes By," respectively. "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning" gets an elegantly simple treatment from Carly Simon, and Tammy Wynette's "Stand by Your Man" confirms her status as the late, great Queen of Country. The only disappointments with this collection are the absence of heart-wrenching numbers by Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, or even Johnny Mathis; and the inclusion of the horrendous rendition of "When I Fall in Love" by the over-rated Celine Dion with Clive Griffin. --Read more

Features

• Soundtrack

Reviews (31)

Possibly the best movie soundtrack of all time.
I absolutely love this soundtrack. My parents and I watched "Sleepless in Seattle" as the in-flight movie on the way to America and the movie always congures up such warm memories for me. We bought the soundtrack after coming back home and it has become almost like a lullaby to me. We have played the CD so often it actually wore out. Such timeless, soothing music. I think it is one of the best movie soundtracks of all movie. All other versions of any of the songs on the soundtrack just don't compare. I definately recommend this soundtrack to all.

A classic soundtrack for a classic romance.
This is one of the few album/soundtracks, in which I never skip a song, because each one is good and perfect. Each song's lyrics describes the relantionship perfect, about two people who don't meet intill the very end. Each song talk about the longing of each other and love. " As time goes by" by Jimmy Durante is pretty good and he puts his print on the famous song. " Stardust" by Nat King Cole is very romantic, and tells of two people who long to be together. " A wink and a smile" by Harry Conick Jr. tells of two people are meant for each other ( just like the main characters of the movie ). The theme to " An affair to remeber" is here, and is of course what the movie ( sleepless in seattle ) makes reference to! It's a gem of an album, and is romantic as the movie.

"Moonlight And Love Songs Are Never Out Of Date"
"You must remember this
Read more

Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Soundtrack    3. Soundtracks    4. Soundtracks & Film Scores    5. Torch Songs    6. Traditional Pop    7. Vocal Jazz    8. Vocal Pop   

Reviews (11)

Billie's Best - Accept No Substitutes
Billie Holiday is the quintessential jazz singer; despite a limited vocal range she set the standard by which all others are measured.It's all about the quality of her voice, the lush tone, and her marvelously idiosyncratic phrasing.Though her career was short and troubled, she recorded a lot, which means novice collectors must avoid innumerable bear traps.In general, her later work should be ignored, by then she was wearing her emotional problems like an ugly hat, despair manifested itself in performances so lackluster they're depressing at best, frequently downright tragic.
A serious and great artist's best work, you need these sides
If there were some way to award music 200 stars, I am sure all of us would have done so for this set!
Descent Compilation
Apart from the fact that some of my favorite Billie Holiday songs are missing...its still a very good intro to those first timers.I first heart HOliday when I was 18 years old..and 5 years later...I still can't get enough of her ...she's such a great singer...along with Ella Fitzgerald she is the only one who can bring me to tears. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ballads    2. Classic Female Blues    3. Jazz    4. Jazz Music    5. Jazz Vocals    6. Pop    7. Standards    8. Swing    9. Torch Songs    10. Traditional Pop    11. United States of America    12. Vocal Jazz   

Features

• Enhanced
• Explicit Lyrics

Reviews (81)

I'm Not Sadistic!
Hello all. This review is to help you decide whether or not you want this album, right? Well. i have to tell you, you're stupid if you don't buy it. but apparently. you need more than just an insult to convince you. so....On with the show. I'll rate the songs by tracks.But First, what you have to realize about the Dresden Dolls, is that their is only 2 members. Amanda is piano/keyboard/toy piano/Vox, and Brian is percussion/drums/guitar/vox. Their sound is VERY UNIQUE, there is no other sound like them. It's a mix of Punk/Cabaret/Rock. Now, you may think that if it's only got a keyboard and drums, then it can't be rock. it can't be viscious, it can't be head-bangingly beautiful. You're wrong.
And no one cares if your back is bleeding
My introduction to The Dresden Dolls came in the form of Yes, Virginia... That CD blew me away and I expected nothing less from this, their self titled release. This CD doesn't pack as hard of a punch as Virginia does but it's there, and it's as swift as can be. The lyrics aren't as controversial and comical as they are on Virginia, yet there's still room for controversy with Missed Me and Coin-Operated Boy. The one thing that is completely the same as Virginia is the fact that Amanda and Brian sound amazing playing off of each other, and Amanda's vocal adventures from song to song are fascinating to listen to.
Love this CD...One of the best I've heard. From a fan.
Love this CD. I purchased it not knowing what it was about and I'm glad I did. My favorite songs are:
Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Cabaret    3. Pop    4. Punk Revival    5. Rock    6. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

Everyone grows up... even rappers. Pioneering female MC Queen Latifah shows a newfound level of maturity on Read more

Reviews (184)

Just Amazing!A must have!!
I heard her beautiful voice when she sang on her show "Living Single" and just got this CD, WOW!It is just so beautiful I had to come to Amazon to buy extras for birthday presents!!

I knew the Queen was Into music but WOW!
I could listen to this cd over and over again. I love that I can relaxe and sing along. Queens voice is wonderful and so comforting. I am so impressed. I love jazz. I hope she does more

Pleeez! This album is excellent.
Anytime you can put a cd in and play it start to finish without all the blatant sexuality, I would say is excellent.My favorite is simply beautiful and baby get lost.If you don't know any thing about jazz I guess you wouldn't like this album but her covers are well done!!!She doesn't have to be vulgar to show she can sing and is she sexy. Hopefully, she will put out another album that will be just as good. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adult Contemporary    2. Contemporary R&B    3. Hip-Hop    4. Pop    5. Pop-Rap    6. R&B    7. Rap    8. Torch Songs    9. Vocal Jazz   

Reviews (6)

Remastered and Wonderful
The standards don't get much better than this. One of the best compilations i've heard in a long time. The recordings arecrisp and clean, It's hard to believe that they were done so long ago.BRAVO!!

julie is brilliant!
wow!i thought i knew the very best vocal singers of yesteryear; ella, billie, sarah, judy, barbra, peggy, doris, and now julie!i knew "cry me a river" but until i heard this 2 disc cd i had no idea how wonderful julie was.if you are a fan of the standards this is a must buy.i listen to it day and night.her rendition of the classic standards made me think she should have introduced the songs instead of the original artist!

Review of Julie London 2006 Best of release
The first CD in this 2 CD compilation is quite good, with all the mood provoking sounds here. The second CD is where they have placed all the dreary "am I listening to my Grandparent's album" songs. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cool    2. Easy Listening    3. Easy Listening/Vocal    4. Pop    5. Standards    6. Torch Songs    7. Traditional Pop    8. Vocal    9. Vocal Jazz    10. Vocal Pop   

Reviews (7)

Charles, Je t'adore
You can see from the title I am a devoted Aznavour fan and have been for 40 years.I have attended several of his performances and even met him once briefly.He is an extraordinary singer/songwriter and performer.He is 81 years old now and although he still records, he doesn't tour much outside France as he used to.He has, however, made a number of DVDs.Unfortunately, they have only been released in PAL format.I have so many Aznavour recordings. I bought this because it has a nice compilation for CD but it is by no means definitive.It's interesting, because I also have the Spanish version of this CD, "Sus Mas Grandes Exitos" which has the same cover, but a slightly different mix of songs.The French version omits "Que C'est Triste Venise" and "Mourir D'Amour,"two of my favorite songs, but they are included on the Spanish.There are so many more than 20 songs which I consider Aznavour classics, that it would take many more CDs to contain.That said, I highly recommend this CD for both the diehard fan and the casual listener.It's a wonderful example of the work of this extraordinary man.He has never made a bad recording.

OUTSTANDING
You can take Edith Piaf, Gilbert Becaud, Yves Montand and put them together and don't even come close to Aznavour.Had the distinct pleasure of seeing him at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, as well as, the Olympia Theater in Paris, France, and other venues throughout Europe.Aznavour is the quintessence of the interpreter of songs (ala Sinatra and Ella), as well as, a most prolific writer of songs in the realm of Jimmy Webb, Gershwin, etc.His emotions and sentivities are eveident in EVERY performance that I have had the pleasure to witness.NONE BETTER!!!!!In addition, these traits are evident in very recording available by him.BRAVO!!! BRAVO!!! BRAVO!!!

Aznavour Magic
Although I have been researching my family genealogy and we're supposed to have "french" connections, I've not found them. My mother turned me on to Mireille Mathieu when I was a teenager and I thought she was great but never bought anything. When she told me about this man, some twenty years later, I thought I'd check it out. I am SO glad I did. What a treasure for france and everyone with taste for good music. He could be related to Mireille, they have the same phrasing when singing. I have no idea what the heck he's singing about but - I don't care. Like the commercial for Calgone, he just takes me away! And i don't care for male singers.I hope he never stops releasing CD's. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. France    2. French    3. Int'l & World Music    4. Pop    5. World Music   

Editorial Review

Diana Krall, here with her first GRP album, expands on the delights that populated her 1992 debut, Read more

Reviews (24)

WOW !!!!Diana Krall made me do something unusual !!!
What can I say?Diana is making me buy an entire album and this is the first time that I am buying albums as Christmas gifts.I am giving her album and Micheal Duble's self titled album to my closest friends.I send gifts that are high quality and thoughful gifts that I would personally enjoy (Just in case they are sent back).Both albums are kick ***, making this a banner year.All this and QE on Bravo TV!Color me happy!

A real jazz album
Whatever you may think of Diana's more recent crossover music (which I think is brilliant), this early album demonstrates clearly that her music is rooted in jazz. There is no crossover here - it's pure jazz. Diana sings and plays piano, backed by a small but select band comprising a bass player (sometimes Ray Brown, sometimes Christian McBride), a drummer (Lewis Nash) and a ten saxophonist (Stanley Turrentine). Stanley and Diana
Oddly, little mention in the customer reviews of Stanley Turrentine's presence on the recording.It's what makes this album different from --and hotter than --any other of Ms. Krall's fabulous work.Example: No doubt about it --Diana and the band supremely cook on the song "I Love Being Here with You" from her latest Paris live recordings.But on this version, Turrentine's tenor sax steers the tune up the onramp and into overdrive.He's jazzy enough to be interesting but stays sane and faithful to the melody.Which matches Diana's musical style, I think.But whether it's Stanley Turrentine, Ray Brown, Christian McBride, Jeff Hamilton, John Clayton, etc., it's testament to Ms. Krall's ability to attract and lead such superb associates.And at such a tender age, though she was no overnight sensation at this point, having played professionally since her teens.Read more

Subjects:  1. Bop    2. Contemporary Jazz    3. Jazz    4. Jazz Music    5. Pop    6. Standards    7. Swing    8. Torch Songs    9. Traditional Pop    10. Vocal Jazz   

Editorial Review

At the time of this show's 1968 Greenwich Village debut, French singer-songwriter Jacques Brel's body of theatrically insightful ballads was already an obscure but deeply influential treasure trove for many American musicians. The revue's success would go on to influence artists as diverse as Leonard Cohen, Bowie (who covered "Amsterdam" shortly thereafter), and Sinatra, and it may even be responsible for one-hit wonder Terry Jacks's revival of "Seasons in the Sun".Read more

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (30)

Jacques Brel Cast Album can never be replaced...a 'Must Have'
On a Sunday afternoon, I was dragged to the Village Gate to see this show for the first time over 35 years ago. Thus began an odyssey for me that changed my life forever. I bought a ginger ale at the bar, sat down and listened for two hours as my life was morphed. I listened to Brel and learned about love, happiness, despair, sorrow, gut-wrenching pain, delight, and in the end, hope. And I cried...oh did I cry. And I myself fell in love. And I would come back to the Village Gate every weekend, sometimes twice a weekend (yes, you're reading this right) until I lost track when I saw the show well over 100 times. And I was there in 1972 at its final performance, when Elly Stone got up and sang once again. And that Fall, I was also at the Royale Theatre on opening night when it was resurected. Elly Stone and Brel have been close to me in many ways since that time and I miss them both. It's my fault I don't see Elly more, but that's another long story. Buy this disc, and experience something you can't get today from the junk that popular music pretends to market to America. This is the soul of music. This is what life is about. Brel understood it all. Blau and Shuman knew how to work it. And Elly Stone will transfix you if you really listen to her. LISTEN to 'Old Folks', 'Marieke', 'I' Loved', 'My Death', and so many more. Amazing.

Amazon and the Classics
Wonderful to have at last found the original Broadway recording of Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris. Without Amazon this treasure would have been only a fond memory.The sound of one of the greats was a terrifc way to bring in the New Year!

IfYou Want to Hear Jacque Brel,Buy Jacque Brel Hisself!
This CD is interesting and a "noble effort".....but mediocre.I admit, I couldn't do what the writers of this CD did:take great music and lyrics in French, pretend to translate Brel's French into English---English words that have little if anything to do with the original French, and then "sell" the effort to the unknowing English speaking public as "the work of Jacques Brel."I knew something was very wrong right at the beginning of this CD when the cast sings Brel's"Les/ Fla/mandes"which is actually about"The Flemish Women"....and they sing instead"Mar/a/thon","Mar/a/thon".What does"Mar/a/thon" have to do with "Les/ Fla/mandes" except that both words have 3 "beats" or 3 syllables and thus they both can fit into Brel's music? I ask you,why don't you buy Brel...the REAL Brel...the REAL THING?His actual renditions of his OWN SONGS are 100 times "greater" than anything on this CD.Gratitude is due to the cast and writers of this CD because you probably never would have heard about Brel except for this show.But, now that you are at least this close to the REAL Brel,WHY NOT GO ALL THE WAY AND BUY AN ACTUAL CD OF BREL HIMSELF SINGING HIS OWN SONGS IN FRENCH WITH GREAT PASSION AND FEELING? The CD entitled "Infiniment" is recently out----buy the 2004 non-imported edition of "Infiniment" because that is the ONLY CD that has English translations for any of Brel's lyrics---do NOT buy the 2003 Imported edition because there are no translations included. (...)Email:boland7214@aol. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cast Recordings    2. Pop    3. Showtunes / B'way    4. Soundtrack   

Editorial Review

A perfect martini-and-mistletoe combo, Read more

Reviews (35)

People please...
I bought because I thought it would have a cool cocktail sound. Wrong! It was obnoxious! I did not even get to the last song. I put it in the shredder so I would never listen to it again by accident.
One of the best Christmas collections out there...
Those with a taste for an "old-fashioned" Christmas collection, though one with the campy kick that a retro Christmas CD really should have, can do no better than Part 1 of a now-3 disc series of loungey holiday confections from the Capitol music vaults. The jingle-jangle instrumentals from the likes of Billy May and the Jackie Gleason Orchestra are pleasant if overlong, but the vocal selections are unbeatable. Nancy Wilson's buttery crooning on perhaps the most romantic holiday song ("What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?") is delicious, as are Peggy Lee's "Winter Wonderland" and Dean Martin's "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm". These discs are all worth owning, even if there's a too-soft chestnut or two amongst the treasures, and the swingin' 60's artwork is terrific.

A real seasonal smash!
This was my first Ultra Lounge Series cd ever and I became very very fond of it immediately. It's really refreshing to listen to Christmas music in a jolly feelgood way like this. I mean, I love the seasonal classics as performed by such giants as Frank, Dean, Nat, Barbra or Ella, but sometimes we all need to switch to something funnier even at Christmas! I recommend all of the tracks but the ghost ones are the best, I think. When you get to them it's like being among a crowd of wild colleagues having fun at your average Seasonal party! Enjoy and cheers! @ ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Big Band    2. Christmas    3. Christmas / Chanukkah    4. Christmas Music    5. Easy Listening    6. Exotica    7. Instrumental Pop    8. Pop    9. Show Tunes    10. Standards    11. Swing    12. Torch Songs    13. Traditional Pop    14. V/a Compilations    15. Vocal Jazz    16. Vocal Pop    17. Xmas Vocal Collections   

Editorial Review

The girl who just wanted to have fun has matured into a sensitive interpreter of eclectic standards. Taking a cue from Rod Stewart Cyndi Lauper applies her formidable pipes to an eclectic collection of covers that range from a few Edith Piaf tunes ("La Vie En Rose" and "Hymn to Love") to classics from the songbooks of Bacharach/David, Etta James, and Smokey Robinson. Although there are some upbeat tracks such as the remarkably authentic Specials-styled ska of a radically reworked "Sunny Side of the Street," a rather forced but fun duet with Tony Bennett on "Makin’ Whoopee," and the cha-cha, Ricky Ricardo-ized version of Maurice Williams & the Zodiacs' "Stay," the album predominantly floats in a sober, pensive mood. Piano and subtle orchestrations add tension to sensitive readings of "Unchained Melody," "Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood," and an eerily somber "Walk on By." The effect is haunting and intimate as Lauper unleashes her inner Tori Amos. Shifting "You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me" into an aching ballad, the singer shows her remarkable vocal range and interpretive ability. Lauper's voice sparkles throughout, especially without the overproduction that has marred some of her previous efforts. As its title infers, Read more

Reviews (533)

Making Them Her's...
Cyndi Lauper has been able to take her songs and redo them so originally that they are like listening to new songs - she gives us another great song to listen to by a remarkably fine tuned instrament (herself!) "At Last" she is giving her take on some great songs that are true classics and showing her true colors :) Make sure you get this CD!!!

Hauntingly Beautiful Music
You just have to love Cyndi, trully what's not to love, her voice and range has always been a mix of sorrow and happiness. Her rendition of these classics will move you to tears, give you chills, and soothe the soul... One of her best!

Fabulous
I saw Cyndi in concert perfroming At Last.She told us the story behind just about every song- why she felt a connection to it, and what it meant to her.It was a great show, so I bought the CD.She does a great job with the standards and shows she's still got it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American Popular Song    2. Pop    3. Pop/Rock    4. Popular Music    5. Rock    6. Rock/Pop    7. Torch Songs    8. Traditional Pop    9. Vocal Pop   

Editorial Review

Like Rufus Wainwright, Nellie McKay was born about thirty years too late. She may look like a winsome teenager on the cover of "Get Away From Me," but she's got the soul and grit of Ethel Merman, mincing her way through drawing room dramas and musical conflagrations with more subtlety, wit, and better personal politics than Eminen, but with similar results--most stunningly on "Sari," where she perfectly melds the ire of Missy Elliot with the goofiness of Moon Unit Zappa on this edgy rap song. McKay quickly changes personas becoming a torchy siren on her paean to domesticity "I Wanna Get Married," wearing her irony as lightly--and as transparently--as a see-through negligee. At nineteen, McKay has only scratched the surface of what she's capable of, veering from witty jazz, to edgy cabaret, to brash confessionals, and taking the listener on what certainly will prove to be a long, eccentric ride. --Read more

Features

• Explicit Lyrics

Reviews (158)

Nice idea; hard to listen to all the way through, though
What immediately grabbed my attention about this album was when I found out that it was supposed to be a parody title of Norah Jones's "Come Away with Me". And much of the work here is pretty interesting and shows that she's pretty ambitious, especially for an artist who's just started having a two-album set. That being said, it's sometimes hard to handle it the full way. I recommend listening to it in snippets instead. It does have moments ("Sari", "Let's Get Married"), but it's too varied for me (which says A LOT) and some of her messages are a little bit too much for me. If you put those points aside, it's a nice enough little album though. I totally admire the album and it's not bad, but it's also not one of my favorites.

Marvellous
The best satirical songwriter since Dory Previn, but with far more musical variety, delightful pastiches of every style. This has become a classic on my shelf. Unlikely to be popular with white male republicans.

imagination run amok
great cd which incorporates many differenrt genres to have wholly entertaining sound. the lyrics of powerful and the whole cd is arrnaged delicately and effectively. haven't stopped listening to it for some time. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Arranger    3. Cabaret    4. Keyboards    5. Organ    6. Piano    7. Pop    8. Rock    9. Rock/Pop    10. Singer/Songwriter    11. Songwriter    12. Traditional Pop    13. Vibraphone    14. Vocal Jazz    15. Vocals   

Features

• Import

Reviews (5)

Charles Aznavour - 20 Great Songs in English
I ordered it and hope I like it. I've only heard him sing "The Old Fashioned Way," which I love, and hope it's on this album. It would be nice if Amazon would list the songs on the CDs they sell. I was close to not buying it because I want "The Old Fashioned Way" and don't know if it's on this CD as I haven't received it yet. However, I know he has a marvelous voice, and feel certain that the songs will be winners.Can't rate it until I hear it.
Aznavourian...chanson d'amour.
Like Cher,who is an Armenian origin too,Aznavour has really,really a one-of-a-kind voice.
An International Treasure
Charles Aznavour is a star of immense proportion, unique in his ability to emote in song what other artists cannot.He is a talent unmatched in his ability to stir up emotion in the listener with his melodic and sometimes sad vocals.Too bad that he is not as well-known in America.To listen to Charles Aznavour is an experience of one of the greatest chanteurs in music. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cabaret    2. French    3. Int'l & World Music    4. Pop    5. World Music   

Reviews (11)

Evocative, seductive, sensual Peggy Lee--but OH! just one CD isn't enough...
This CD is an excellent introductory sampling of the work of the great Peggy Lee. Peggy possessed such a rare talent that she was able to move people with her fantastic voice and acting for quite a few decades nonstop; and this CD is just the beginning of the proof of that.
Not as Good as I Expected
My purchase was prompted by a news story about Peggy Lee.I was unfamiliar with her work, but liked what I heard during the news feature.It has been my experience that when moving into unchartered territory, "the Best of" collections are the safe bet.This may be a recording that grows on me over time, but currently I have only played the CD (in its entirety) once.

Truly "The Best"
Im not a big fan of "best of" collectons. I like to think that to really experience an artst you need to pick up a cd as the artist intended it to be. But this is the exeption, for one I dont even know if you can get an original album by Peggy Lee(I maybe wrong). The only one I have seen is Black Coffee. And for two, this is just good. It only has 16 songs so its not overwelming like some of those 2 disc 40 song deals can be.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Easy Listening/Vocal    2. Pop    3. Pop Vocals    4. Popular Music    5. Swing    6. Torch Songs    7. Traditional Pop    8. United States of America    9. Vocal    10. Vocal Jazz    11. Vocal Pop