CD-Charts Position 1
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Jenkins: The Armed Man - A Mass For Peace

from: Virgin

Release Date September 10, 2001
I would guess that the Amazon reviewer Warwick Thompson is under 25.
Anyway, he writes as if he is, judging by his use of the English language
("think Goldfinger", eeeeeeeeh!).
He also believes that L'Homme Armee is 16th century. Oh dear.
I find the reviews of the actual buyers much more to the point, wheher positive or negative.
Pity that the text of the Amazon reviewer is displayed at the top.
OK?

CD-Charts Position 2
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Boxer

by: The National

Release Date May 21, 2007
Coming across this album was a joy.Having read the postive reviews in music scribes,I decicded to give it a go.Man,it hits you like a sucker punch.Wheeled in by the opening piano chords to "Fake Empire" all the way through to the hymen-like "Gospel" this is an album of serious substance.Songs like "Brainy"a tale of stalker("You know I keep your fingerprints in a pink folder in the middle of my table") and "Apartment Story"("Oh we're so disarming darling, everything we did believe
is diving diving diving diving off the balcony") stand out.This band has succeeded in not only writing great sons,but achieving a groove to them that fits Joy Division in their peak.The relentless drum beats ,coupled with the drilling bass lines make these songs ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
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Alligator

by: The National

Release Date April 11, 2005
If you like guitar music and have an ounce of emotion, you must listen to this record. Enough said.

CD-Charts Position 4
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Last of the Mohicans-Ost/Rsno

by: Original Soundtrack

Release Date November 06, 2000
I was initially disappointed when I played the first track and noticed on the cover'original motion picture score'but I thought that I would give it a listen and its stunning, so if the original soundtrack is better than this then I'm a dutchman.

CD-Charts Position 5
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We'll Keep a Welcome

by: Bryn Terfel Orchestra of the Welsh National Opera Gareth Jones

Release Date October 16, 2000
I was given this album as a Christmas present, and I can only say it's one of the best presents I've ever received! Lots of old favourites are here, including 'Sosban fach' and of course 'Land of my Fathers'. But for me the highlights are a truly rousing rendering of 'Men of Harlech' (enough to make even an army of the dead want to rise and fight!)and Bryn's impassioned delivery of one of the greatest of hymns, 'Cwm Rhondda (Bread of Heaven)'. Even if one is not religious (and I am not), this must surely move all who hear it - it had me in tears. It comes from the guts, and it goes straight to the guts. Terrific stuff!

CD-Charts Position 6
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The Most Relaxing Classical Album in the World...Ever!

from: Classics

Release Date October 27, 1997
While there are some lovely pieces of music on these CDs they don't match the titles. When I bought this 2-set CD I thought that maybe I had received Vol2. or something by mistake as none of the tracks match the information on the CD insert. I decided to check by listening to the samples here on Amazon & discovered that they too are incorrect. Just to ensure I wasn't going mad I found the CD set on a US website and listened to their samples & they were correct!!! I wish someone could explain.

CD-Charts Position 7
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Verdi - La Traviata / Sutherland, Pavarotti, Manuguerra, NPO, Bonynge

by: Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, Matteo Manuguerra, Richard Bonynge, National Philharmonic Orchestra, Della Jones, John Tomlinson, Jonathan Summers, David Wilson-Johnson

Release Date March 05, 1991
In many ways, this was Sutherland's return to form, for the much criticised mooning is largely absent. The voice is firm, rich, and she's fully in control of it. And for me that's the first problem: There's just no getting away from the fact that here is a very mature, matronly heroine, who sounds in the pink of health. Violetta is supposed to be young and desperately ill...

Some singers allow little vocal frailties into their singing to bring the character alive (Cotrubas, Gheorghiu, Callas). Sutherland never does, and her attempts at being expressive strike me as...manufactured. She sounds like a not-so-young diva enjoying a big sing. But in a role she's grown out of. The artful drawing on the cover, which attempts to take back the years, says it all really. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
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Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers

by: National

Release Date November 03, 2003
The National have a great back catalogue and to me this is their best album.

CD-Charts Position 9
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Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty narrated by Brian Cant

by: Ukraine National Symphony Orchestra

Release Date October 04, 1999
This is an excellent CD to introduce young children to classical music generally , and ballet music in particular. If you are thinking of taking young children to see either of these ballets, then get this CD first and Brian Cant will tell the stories, and the orchestra will play the main themes.
Higly recomended and at a good low price.

CD-Charts Position 10
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Beethoven - Piano Concertos 1 - 5

from: Cfp

Release Date September 09, 2002
I don't know why people apologise on behalf of John Lill. He plays music with such musicality and touch that it's always a joy to hear him play - in particular Beethoven. His playing involves the listener like few other pianists.

I think the Choral Fantasia is one of Ludwig's greatest unsung moments. It has everything from a moody solo piano introduction to an easy going and truly joyous orchestral mid section to a glorious choral finale. Almost like a Jive Bunny compilation of Beethoven in his mid period glory. Wonderful! It's worth the price of the discs for this piece alone!

The sound quality is very good, bordering on excellent.

This set is one of those hidden gems that should really be all the rage. Quite why Lill and the SNO are so overlooked ... Read More: