Beautiful music from LA's best
354410
This is a gorgeous CD with stellar performances by some of LA's best musicians...Alan Broadbent, Alan Pasqua, Nels Cline, Peter Erskine and many others.  Von Essen was a marvelous composer, and he must truly have been  loved and appreciated by his colleagues for them to make a CD like this.
2523113
This collection of live recordings is taken from LA-based radio station K-CRW's "Sounds Eclectic" series of broadcasts.  Each performance was recorded live in their studios with the choicest tracks being released on this great CD.  The tracks cover a wide variety of music genres: from Kinky's Spanish-language track "Mirando De Lado" and the bombastic and joyful "It's the Sun" from The Polyphonic Spree to more mellow tracks such as "Answer" from Sarah McLachlan and the quielty beautiful "The Blower's Daughter" from Damien Rice.  There's a little bit of everything, and that's what makes this a great recording - it introduces you to artists to which you may not normally lend an ear.  Favorite tracks:  "Amongst Butterflies" by Paul Weller and "Flying High" by Jem.
4870988
Peter Gabriel's best, great songs, love that Paula Cole was part of it.  Great musicians.
2941210
This double decker DG release of the Ravel Orchestral works with Seiji Ozawa and the Boston Symphony are first rate recordings. This was my first exposure really to Ravel as a child and have since amassed recordings of various works by great conductors of his music including Abbado, Boulez, Martinon, and Previn. This collection still remains to be a favorite of mine.

I suspect that they are a favorite of mine in large part due to the fact that Mr. Ozawa was fresh in Boston having recently taken the helm there in the early 1970's. They are light, dynamic, fast-paced, exciting, not to mention the incredible recording techniques of the DG engineers.

My favorites in this collection include Alborada, La Valse, Rhapsodie, and of course Daphnis et Chloe Suite No. 2. What I especially love about this Daphnis is that Seiji did not opt out of the chorus for the suite like so many conductors do. It really adds to the impressionistic sound that Ravel was so famous for.

As a percussionist myself , i found the section to be played cleanly - and these recordings bring out all the nuances without overpowering. The section simply sparkles. On the whole - the BSO (in my opinion) really stand up to their European counterparts.

I highly recommend this set - treat yourself and pick it up.
2707318
The music from the CD is great and triggers happy memories from my time in NOLA. I love the music and food of New Orleans! I spent time there as a child visiting family in the area in the summer and it every time I listen to this and the CD from the first season it makes me miss my family that used to live there! I'm planning on moving to New Orleans within the next year or two!
22100
It is interesting how BGO Records chose Little Anthony and the Imperials 1st and 4th albums on DCP for a twofer package. It is a good thing that this particular music has been re released. Little Anthony and the Imperials were one of the most important doo wop groups to come out of the 50's. It is a miracle that virtually all members are still living and performing. 'On The Outside Looking In,' being the 1st corroboration of Don Costa and Teddy Randazzo with the Imperials, they did not use a large orchestra but only a small combo for most of the 1st 12 songs of this twofer. One can hear the smooth, intimate harmonies of the group who did an excellent job within the musical arrangements with hints of things to come. By the time the listener gets to 'Reflections", a soulful tour de force takes shape. The songs, the orchestrations, the singers take you to shangi la. All of the music is in STEREO too. This is some of the most beautiful music ever to come out of the 60's. Teddy Randazzo made this world a much better place.
1008782
Beautiful music. Milos and the London Philharmonic are a match made in music heaven.
1983628
out of the millions, one of the best LA bands to ever come around
2952804
fun to listen too especially for anyone who admires this era, beautiful music
3740961
This disc contains some of the most beautiful melodies I've ever heard. I don't really know what else to say except BUY IT.  The tracks are short and it was written to go along with the movie, but I don't feel that American Beauty the film had a negative impact on this music by any means.  They are symbiotic...each would lose some power without the other.  If you like this disc, I strongly recommend the soundtrack for Bodies, Rest and Motion.  It has the same type of depth and beauty as this music.
3797075
Coming with a synopsis of the plot of the film this CD evokes images of beauty, romance and life itself and the array of tunes bubbles out of your stereo. Having fallen in love with the film the first time I saw it and having also started trying to explore the world of acoustic guitar - which features prominently in the film and on this disc - it was a given that I'd eventually score myself a copy of this aural accompaniment to the Woody Allen flick.

Those of you who have watched the film a number of times will rejoice in being able to recognise what scenes the various songs came from and if you enjoy the tunes here, well, you are in luck as full credits have been given as to the song titles and performers so you can use this CD as a springboard to further exploration of this style of music.

Really the only tune here that doesn't work for my mind is the lead cut Barcelona which for me is a touch too twee to survive on it's own outside the context of the movies opening scenes. But that is a minor quibble and is more than made up for given the useful liner notes and overall feelings evoked by the other numbers.

For heavens sake stop reading this review and buy the album!
4243051
I'm a fan of both Neil's writing and Amanda's music. This is a really lovely collection of spoken word, music and conversation between two really amazing artists. It is a well put together selection that was curated by the artists picking the best of the best from their live sessions. Highly recommend.
4722272
I love this cd so much I bought two of them. The music is rich, gorgeous and up lifting. You won't be disappointed.
3754391
The problem with so much of the available archival footage of vintage jazz performances is that it is usually truncated performances of dubious audio/visual quality. Not so here. The music on this DVD is stunning, not only in the elegant performances by Ella and her musicians (among whom, bassist Ray Brown can be heard with utter clarity, and his playing is jaw-droppingly beautiful), but visually, including sustained medium and close-up shots that made me realise, for the first time, that part of what made Ella special, besides her unmatched swing and musicality, was how nice she seemed, so kindhearted and gently humourous. She sings like an angel, particularly in the 1957 set, and you get the sense that that's how she was. You enjoy spending the time with her. With so many DVDs of live jazz performances only to be viewed once or twice and then forgotten, this one, I guarantee you, you will watch many times. This DVD is incredibly soothing, to mind and body, and it is actually one of the great Ella Fitzgerald recordings, as great as any album she made, but with the visual dimension added. The version of "April in Paris" in the 1957 set is nothing if not definitive, and the 1963 set offers a slightly more energetic take on her persona (but what's with the great Tommy Flanagan's persistent deadpan?).
11803
Los Angeles is an album that will have you asking the question "what's next?"  The plethora of sounds are simply mind boggling.  The way each song seamlessly leads into the other make this such an enjoyable listen.  This album may not be for everyone, but if you're willing to take the time to listen and feel carefully it'll definitely keep your attention and take your mind on an exciting trip!
2362431
Peter Rauhofer is once again, superb! This collection takes you on a journey into HIS world. Peter plays in clubs all over Los Angeles and San Diego. He's one of our favorites (my partner and I). Anybody into the gay L.A. afterhours, circuit scene will certainly hear familiar tracks on this set. Just putting this CD in my player makes me want to drive to the Mayan in downtown L.A. and work up a sweat dancing to Peter all night (and morning) long. It's dark and heavy on the bass.......so sweet!
1982069
Amy Winehouse is gone so prematurely and so sadly; but it remains fascinating to hear at least some of the music that must have inspired her and influenced her artistry and style. Overall, these tracks are presented here in excellent sound and that's terrific! There is a good diversity of artists which indicates Amy really listened to a lot of people for inspiration.

The Shangri-La's do "The Leader of the Pack" with a great flavor to it that I really like; now THIS is great music especially with those motorcycle sound effects packed in for effect! Sarah Vaughan's "'Round Midnight" is beautiful and I enjoy listening to this anytime; and there's yet another gem in "Honest" by Sly Stone. Ray Charles' "What'd I Say" is very well done and that percussion enhances the music even more, too.

Billie Holiday is at her finest on "God Bless the Child;" how sublime this is--and how Billie delivers this faultlessly. This is easily one of my very favorite songs here. "Every Beat of My Heart" by Gladys Knight & The Pips has so genuine emotion; this is just wonderful music and Gladys' excellent diction enhances her performance all the more. Dinah Washington's rendition of "Unforgettable" showcases her superlative ability to interpret a lyric to perfection--and beyond; I really like that lush musical arrangement that complements Dinah's singing every step of the way.

The Shangri-Las return for another fine number they made famous, "Remember (Walkin' in the Sand);" and "A Fool in Love" by Ike and Tina Turner couldn't have been done any better! Marvin Gaye's "I Heard it Through the Grapevine" is yet another classic; this particular recording is a treat! "He's a Rebel" by The Crystals has their signature sound that I always love to hear and listen for yet more excellent music with another live track--this time by Ray Charles as he sings the terrific "Georgia on My Mind" with some keyboard work and flute that just can't be beat!

Dionne Warwick's "Walk on By" always impressed me; she sings this without ever letting go of a single superfluous note and that's grand. Billie Holiday's "Lover Man" is sublime; wisely the musicians never even try to steal the spotlight--Billie remains squarely front and center which is right where she belongs and will always belong! Wilson Pickett's "If You Need Me" shines when he performs it; and Sarah Vaughan is featured yet again when she sings "The More I See You" with a stunning arrangement that makes this easily an evergreen standard. "Our Lips Are Sealed" by Jane Wiedlin is a more modern track that demonstrates her and her peers' tremendous sophistication and the track set ends with another Wilson Pickett tune entitled "I Can't Stop." Excellent!

After listening to these tracks as MP3 files, there is no doubt that Amy Winehouse was influenced by some of the very best recording artists the world has ever seen. This is a must-have for any die-hard fan of Amy Winehouse; and people who enjoy the artists on these tracks will also want to download them for their collections. In addition, people who enjoy mid-century pop, blues, girl-group music and more will enjoy these songs forever.