CD-Charts Position 1
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Handel: Messiah /Gritton · Röschmann · Fink · C Daniels · Davies · Gabrieli Consort & Players · McCreesh

Search: Heaven
by: Gabrieli Consort Gabrieli Players Paul McCreesh

Release Date August 09, 2004
I agree with the other reviewers in that there are some very good things in this recording, but the overall performance is, for me, very disappointing. It gets off to a bad start with the first recitative "Comfort ye" being taken at a funereal pace, and followed by "Ev'ry valley" sung as though the last train was due in a few minutes, and everyone had to be through in time to catch it! Other tempi are likewise somewhat, to say the least, unusual, and the setting of the words in the aria "The trumpet shall sound" is completely bizarre. The soloists are, on the whole, good, though soprano I is inferior to soprano II, and the contralto is variable. The orchestra and chorus are good, but it is the overall performance that, for me, is not satisfactory. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
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Handel: Messiah

Search: Heaven
from: Double Decca

Release Date September 18, 1995
The singers in this recording deliver beautiful performances, both the soloists and the chorus - good phrasing, diction, and ensemble singing. However, I didn't realize before buying this CD that, as the liner notes say, "Neville Mariner's recording is based on the first London performance of 1743, and several numbers are markedly different from the more familiar later versions." Some pieces are sung by different voice parts, and others include bars of music that Handel cut or changed later. The most disappointing part for me was "But who may abide," (sung by bass instead of alto) which lacks the prestissimo "refiner's fire" section that most of us are used to (and which I really enjoy!) This would certainly be an excellent ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
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Tippett: Vocal Music

Search: Heaven
by: Various Artists

Release Date November 14, 2005
I have chosen to review this set as it would appear to be the only way now left by which to acquire the sublime Byzantium, as performed by Solti, the Chicago Symphony and the majectic Faye Robinson.

The first disc comprises Tippett songs which I am in no position to comment on as they are some of the few Tippett items I do not own and know. A situation I will most certainly remedy.

The second disc gives us A Child of our Time, probably Tippett's most popular and performed work. Ironically so in my opinion because this is representative of the earliest era of Tippett's career when arguably he had yet to find the utterly distinctive voice and commence the journey to the most refined individuality that would eventually define him. The ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
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Rhythm Doubles

Search: Heaven
by: Sly & Robbie

Release Date September 18, 2006
This is a CD dominated by Sly & Robbie, as you would expect. It starts strongly and fades a little, hence the 4 stars. The first two tracks alone are worth the purchase price. Buy it and thrill to the rhythm doubles.

CD-Charts Position 5
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A Christmas Carol

Search: Heaven
by: Jonathan Winters

Release Date November 27, 2007


Some songs, customs, and stories are so beloved, so familiar that they have become an integral part of our holiday celebrations. It wouldn't be the 4th of July without a parade; it wouldn't be Valentine's Day without a heart shaped box; and it wouldn't be Christmas without hearing "Silent Night" and a reading of "A Christmas Carol."

Every once in a while another version or recording comes along that makes the familiar seem new, we hear it as though for the first time. That is certainly the case with this performance of "A Christmas Carol" by the irrepressible Jonathan Winters. He inhabits every character from Scrooge to his housekeeper to Tiny Tim, offering in his own incomparable manner the way he thinks each character would ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
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Casanova

Search: Heaven
by: Various

Release Date December 20, 2005


Some songs, customs, and stories are so beloved, so familiar that they have become an integral part of our holiday celebrations. It wouldn't be the 4th of July without a parade; it wouldn't be Valentine's Day without a heart shaped box; and it wouldn't be Christmas without hearing "Silent Night" and a reading of "A Christmas Carol."

Every once in a while another version or recording comes along that makes the familiar seem new, we hear it as though for the first time. That is certainly the case with this performance of "A Christmas Carol" by the irrepressible Jonathan Winters. He inhabits every character from Scrooge to his housekeeper to Tiny Tim, offering in his own incomparable manner the way he thinks each character would ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
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Live In Gdansk (2CD & 2DVD)

Search: Heaven
by: David Gilmour

Release Date September 22, 2008
Just a beautiful album, with the band sounding so relaxed and note perfect. I really do recommend this so much. And don't forget to pop the DVD into your PC for the extra mp3s: so far there's 'Wot's Uh...the Deal', Dominoes and a rather amazing Shine On You Crazy Diamond. A new track will be added every month until September 2009. How great a package is this! :-)

CD-Charts Position 8
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Live In Gdansk (3CD & 2DVD)

Search: Heaven
by: David Gilmour

Release Date September 22, 2008
A sumptuous box 5 discs which covers pretty much the best of the 2006 tour and forming a pretty good tribute to the late Richard Wright. The main feature discs one and two are CDS of the Gdansk concert with the Baltic Philharmonic concert orchestra. Disc one made up mainly of the `On an island album`, disc two David Gilmours greatest hits with probably the definitive live version of Echo's the seminal Pink Floyd classic. Disc three is the fist of two DVD's this is highlights of the Gdansk concert and a rather good documentary the concert highlights stretch to 100 minutes or so. The band was having a lot of fun it would appear. This disc also allows you access to a special download where you can download further tour highlights so far it would appear that these are the ... Read More: