CD-Charts Position 1
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All'Improvviso - Ciaccone, Bergamasche e un po' di Folie... /L'Arpeggiata · Pluhar

by: Various Composers, L'Arpeggiata, Christina Pluhar

Release Date August 09, 2004
This is a wonderful album, full of vitality, energy and the sheer pleasure of the music. Baroque with a twist, it's "crossover" but without sounding like an unhappily arranged marriage; a perfect blend of old and new elements, with 17th century composition nestling comfortably alongside modern improvisation. The first track, Lucilla Galeazzi's Voglio una casa, sets the mood, and all that follows is an utter delight. Listen out especially for Lucas Ruiz de Ribayaz's Espanoletas.

CD-Charts Position 2
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La Tarantella - Antidotum Tarantulae /Galeazzi · Beasley · L'Arpeggiata · Pluhar

by: Lucilla Galeazzi, Marco Beasley, Alfio Antico, L'Arpeggiata

Release Date June 16, 2003
Marco Beasley's voice is meltingly beautiful. Combine him with Pluhar and you've got an outstanding CD.

CD-Charts Position 3
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Landi: Homo fugit velut umbra... /L'Arpeggiata · Pluhar

by: L'Arpeggiata, Christina Pluhar, Stefano Landi, Johannette Zomer, Marco Beasley

Release Date November 25, 2002
This is such a fine recording, ushering the listener into the secret emotional world of the papal chorister Landi. However, it is also performed in a way that makes the musical idioms of early 17th century Rome somehow very familiar. That's to the immense credit of this ensemble, which has evidently thought long and hard about how to perform these works, then done so with a rare intensity. It's like listening to the best possible pop music.

CD-Charts Position 4
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Kapsberger: La Villanella /L'Arpeggiata · Pluhar

by: Eero Palviainen, Edin Karamazov

Release Date April 29, 2002
This is such a fine recording, ushering the listener into the secret emotional world of the papal chorister Landi. However, it is also performed in a way that makes the musical idioms of early 17th century Rome somehow very familiar. That's to the immense credit of this ensemble, which has evidently thought long and hard about how to perform these works, then done so with a rare intensity. It's like listening to the best possible pop music.

CD-Charts Position 5
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Cavalieri - The Representation of the Body and the Soul

by: Marco Beasley, Johannette Zomer

Release Date February 07, 2005
This is such a fine recording, ushering the listener into the secret emotional world of the papal chorister Landi. However, it is also performed in a way that makes the musical idioms of early 17th century Rome somehow very familiar. That's to the immense credit of this ensemble, which has evidently thought long and hard about how to perform these works, then done so with a rare intensity. It's like listening to the best possible pop music.

CD-Charts Position 6
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Tchamantche

by: Rokia Traore

Release Date September 08, 2008
Rokia Traoré is better than ever. Her voice is stronger and so is the material she is performing.

CD-Charts Position 7
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Bolivian Baroque [CD + DVD]

by: Florilegium

Release Date February 14, 2005
Having bought this disc on impulse, I now find it compulsive. It is very interesting to learn about the origins the music and to share the enthusiasm of the excellent musicians playing and singing it. It is a real joy, and very moving to imagine this music floating out over the tropical forest; a weird thought really. How interesting it would be if this ensemble is able to complete another project using some of the instruments made, at the time of the composition of the music, by the Bolivian people. Please buy it, it restores the soul.

CD-Charts Position 8
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We'll Never Turn Back

by: Mavis Staples

Release Date April 23, 2007
I don't think you get the most out of this album by running straight through it, Yes Mavis is inspirational, and Ry Cooder the perfect foil, but because the theme stays the same ( obviously ) I can understand why one reviewer found the album dull . It's better to listen to just one or two tracks at a time , and then you can appreciate the full moral force of the lyrics, and the arrangement, without being distracted by the desire to find the whole album 'entertaining'.
There are some gems here, and I think they are the sort that grow on you, if you listen to a track a few times and really get to know it.
Noone has mentioned '99 and 1/2' which has an infectious rhythm and guitar lick , overlaid with Mavis at her enthusiastic best. Indeed Mavis ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 9
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Love Must Be Tough: Special Edition

by: Eleanor McEvoy

Release Date June 02, 2008
Eleanor this is a fantastic new CD/SACD.
So relaxed and straight forward.
And you must get this special edition, because the two extra tracks are the ones you must have. Whistle for the Choir from the Fratellis and Please heart, you're killing me, she has co-written with Rodney Crowell.
And for all this is a hybrid SACD, so it plays on all CD-players.

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

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Mare Nostrum

by: Paolo Fresu, Galliano, Lundgren

Release Date January 07, 2008
Eleanor this is a fantastic new CD/SACD.
So relaxed and straight forward.
And you must get this special edition, because the two extra tracks are the ones you must have. Whistle for the Choir from the Fratellis and Please heart, you're killing me, she has co-written with Rodney Crowell.
And for all this is a hybrid SACD, so it plays on all CD-players.