Destined to be one of the greats
922768
Sara is the real deal. There are hundreds if not thousands of good writer story tellers out there keeping us lazy readers entertained. There is, however, a difference between great an  entertaining. Oddly, this book was not her best, but this is okay, it probably is setting up quite a breath taking sequel. Also, remember, "not her best" is still head and shoulders above average.  Sara, I think you got a little carried away with the fun you were having at demonizing the human race. We are not that bad. Yes, many are, but more are not. If you haven't already, I suggest Frankel"s book, "Man's Search for Meaning". It will help in the differentiation between truly evil and kind of evil.
3442260
Love MIKA, this CD is fantastic.  Favorite selections are Blame It On The Girl, Rain, I See You and Blue Eyes.  Actually, there isn't a bad song on the entire CD.  What fun it is in the car and by the pool.  I loved Life In Cartoon Motion, it was a brilliant debut and this is fantastic also.  BUT..... I am ready for a more mature and grown up CD the next time around.  I understand the old saying, "If it ain't broken, don't fix it".  That's all well and good for two CD's but I think it might be a tired formula the next time around.  This man is incredible and I'm sure there is more up his sleeve than he is letting on.  Watch the documentary that is included in the deluxe set.  This is an intelligent  man who knows exactly what he is doing.  Let's hope the next time around he decides to go with a more grown up sound and really give us something that will be astounding.  He's got the CHOPS to do anything he sets his mind to.  I can't say enough good things about this guy.  This CD is like no other out there and he deserves all the praise and awards that should come his way.  Watch out Grammy Awards, he has the capability to win them all.  This is someone who would be amazing to see in concert, I hope he goes on the road and tours the States, I'll be first in line.  He truly is "The Boy Who Knew Too Much", let's hope he knows lots more.
1467023
Lyrical genius and trendsetter, the embodiment of versatility.
3622441
If you ignore the poor voice and puerile lyrics this piece turns into an unexpected pleasure. Fans of the greats should give this a listen, then like me you won't stop playing it, worse still,you won't stop bragging to all your friends about how you've got half of Led Zep., a ton of Beck and Redding,plus the late great Nicky Hopkins. All on an album that NONE of your friends would ever have heard of. In the words of the great Nelson of Simpson's fame "HA HA".

The soon to be superstars all seem to be having good clean fun,

honing their skills for the future. Other members of the band --although unheard of (to any great extent)-- nonetheless do more than adequate work, All together a very nice surprise.

Top notch. Fully recomended.
2511627
Sometimes you have to wonder how many great artists just never get heard by the general public? Even after the tracks of this album were laid down so well, it still took 27 years to get out and get heard.  Other reviewers have commented on the brilliance of Paul Pena's musicianship (he's incredible), so I won't.  I can't help but think about the influence Paul's music would have had on young musicians growing up over the last 3 decades.  This CD is technically beautiful, warm, bright, uplifting and has the driving spirit lacking in so much of todays mass produced pabulum.  Buy this CD and along with the rest of us you can realize that you are playing a small part in getting Paul Pena into his rightful spot as one of the truly great talents of his generation. Then maybe, finally, his music will get airplay all over and everyone can bask in its warm light. Hopefully we won't have to wait another 27 years for his next album.
4927404
This is an excellent teaser for what's to come.  These tracks are a clear indication that a true vocalist is on the horizon in R&B.  When Love & Life is released to the world on September 20th the sun will come up over the horizon and it will be a brand new day in music.

Appreciate - A rare ode to the good men of today.  Black Thought compliments the song with his usual tight verses.

Every Part Of Me - Like whip silk, she glides over the notes and harmonies with ease.  This track is already a favorite of mine and should get massive radio spins.

All By Myself - This is a cover of an Eric Carmen song that I grew up listening to.  One of my favorite Easy Listening songs of all times.  La Toya's version is spectacular.  Her voice is confident and controlled.  Then, at the end, she gives you the high note you've come to expect from such a powerful vocalist.

This should hold until September 20.
401482
This man is, simply, one of the most talented and humble songwriters and singers I've ever heard. His music will make you a better version of yourself.
2652585
Jackie Evancho has a wonderful voice and, for her age, she shows all the great promise of a world-class signer. Yet, she still has some work to do in learning how to control her God-given "instrument." This requires great pedagogical skill from her voice instructors as much as it requires enormous perseverance from Jackie herself. At present, and this recording is a excellent demonstration of that, Jackie has been taught how to quickly climb up on a high-pitch cruising altitude that her crystal-clear voice allows and then stay there. Alas, great singing is not exactly the same as smooth airplane flying at a steady high altitude. To give the listeners the goosebumps they crave for and will remember, a singer must learn to glide easily up and down, while not only maintaining a clear pitch, but also making sure that every word she utters is articulated perfectly--not an easy task at all, mind you, but that is why only a few manage to achieve the true mastery. I am looking forward to hearing Jackie's future recordings and hope that, in the future, she will be able to demonstrate improvements in both controlling her voice and clearly articulating the lyrics--the talent and the promise is clearly there.
2588084
This a wonderful first album by a clearly talented new artist. There's some jazz, some country, some blues... all of it, high quality stuff.
Most of the songs were written by either guitar player Jesse Harris or bassist Lee Alexander. There are also a couple of classics like Hoagy Carmichael and Ned Washington's "The Nearness Of You". There are no bad songs, even though Norah's own have been underestimated by critics.
Her piano playing is also very good. You can notice that especially (but not at all exclusively) on the last track.
Norah Jones is great. In case you're wondering, she is also what Jane Monheit has been pretending to be: a young woman who is ready to deliver good music with indispensible maturity.
1322055
In the words of Chris Holt, "He had true musical genius. And on top of that, he was just so cool. He was one of a kind. He should have been world famous."

This record only grows better with time. Its musical complexities are hidden in catchy tunes, and they reveal themselves slowly over many listens. The profound meaning to be found in the lyrics opens like flowers in the spring.

This is a record to be explored, to be listened to carefully and attentively. Carter left us this amazing artifact of his unmeasurable contribution to our world.
522047
This young man could have a huge future in the music industry.  Saw him on X Factor and he was great.  The stylists tried to change  him into a Justin Bieber clone but if he sticks to his originality (they way he started out on the show) he could go very far.  Best of luck to him.  This is a great song.
4238441
if your sensibility is just right you will love this album. or, if you are one of the few people in the world that has a friend who owns this album have a copy made. it will grow on you. promise.
2493264
a singer who will one day join the ranks of great diva such as Roberta Flack, Patti Labelle, Aretha Franklin, etc.  A powerful voice.
4629001
Who but a pianist utterly confident in his or her capabilities would issue as their first recording a CD containing Chopin's Third Sonata and his Barcarolle, and Ravel's Gaspard de la nuit? I suppose there might be such a one who is completely deluded about his or her abilities, but this CD is definitely by one who has the goods. Miao Huang is a young German pianist who studied at the Musikhochschule in Hanover and who has won several competitions. This debut disc was underwritten by the German Music Competition (Deutscher Musikwettbewerb) after she won it in 2011. And this is a disc to treasure. Not only is the playing amazingly assured, it is as musical and expressive as any I've ever heard in this repertoire.

I was particularly struck by the evocativeness of her 'Ondine' from Gaspard. A watery world of myriad colors. 'Le gibet' was hypnotic and the scarily difficult 'Scarbo' made me gasp with admiration.

The Chopin is not only totally secure but expressive as any of the many, many recordings I've listened to over the past fifty years.

One can only hope that the stars are aligned and that Huang, with her big talent, will make a major career. I definitely will be waiting to hear what else she plays and although she apparently has not appeared in the US yet, one hopes that her absence from our concert halls will be rectified in the near future. I haven't been as excited about a new (to me) pianist since I first heard Valentina Lisitsa who, I'm glad to hear, is making a major career now.

Scott Morrison
4390641
First off, I would really like to give this album four and a half stars, but that's not an option, so I'll make him fight for the full five with his next album.
If one is not hip to Sinatra, Diana Krall, Harry Connick, or even Chick Corea, this is an excellent album to use as a stepping stone into appreciating such artists.  He dares to cover well known songs from all throughout the musical spectrum, from such groups as Radiohead, N.E.R.D., Cole Porter, and so on, and somehow transforms them into versions that Old Blue Eyes would be proud to belt out, while still being true to the original versions.  His own compositions are just as good if not better than the covers (I personally love the latin sound he has on Next Year, Baby).  Jamie's compositions are done with a skill that most do not aquire until much later in life.
The point is, if you are bored and looking for a more "refined" genre to get into, this is a must have.
1548346
Charlie Parker was one of the truly great musicians of his time. His story is inspiring and a reminder that sheer talent is never enough for greatness. Even for those with prodigious gifts, there is always the need for thoughtful, continuing effort and learning maintained over a lifetime
  Jim Dunne
1820771
I heard an excerpt of "Shennandoah" that he sang on NPR this morning, and I was moved to tears.  I can't wait to be able to purchase the MP3 version of the album on July 3.  I am sure it will not disappoint.  I hope he lands some roles at the Met so I can see him in HD at my local movie theater!