The definitive version
346836
Cole's version of the Hoagy Carmichael song is his and his alone. Like Christmas Song all other renderings are compared to this standard and a high standard it is. This was used in Sleepless in Seattle where Tom Hanks' character reminisces his beloved wife. I defy you to hear it and not have teary eyes.
2884640
This is my favorite version.  In modern English, yet completely carries over the essence of the Living Word.  Crossway had done a great job with this edition.  I've had my Bible now for a year and it is always nearby, a comfortable respite from the world.  The print is clear and large even for over 60 eyes.
4120975
This is a great collection - not definitive of course. You'll need to purchase separately Jaguar and Thunderbird, Run Rudolph Run, It's My Own Business... etc. But this is the best definitive collection that you can purchase and download. The best collection is really the Chess Box, but it's not available to download, only available on CD.
4604887
I have just finished my first viewing, and I would consider this the definitive edition of The Lord of The Rings movie trilogy.  While extras are nice (and this set contains lots of them), I was primarily interested in the best quality copy of the extended edition movies.  The picture was crystal clear, and the sound was excellent.  The disks came securely and safely packaged - no complaints here about flimsy wrapping.  Playback was flawless.
1056955
This disc, recorded in 1983, provided arguably definitive versions of all three pieces. Larrocha may not have made a finer disc and as such, this has dominated the catalogue in terms of this repertoire since it was first issued.

The main work known to most collectors is, of course, the Falla Nights in the Gardens of Spain. This is a curious work being more substantial in both length and content than many non-concerto compositions while not being as substantial in the normal concerto manner. Neither is it such a show-piece, being more reflective and descriptive in its nature. It is therefore a difficult piece to program in a concert or on record. Rubinstein was well-known for this piece but his recordings really sound too elderly nowadays particularly when compared with this fine and more modern account. It has successfully triumphed over all other recordings since 1983.

Much the same can be said about the two pieces by Albeniz and Turina. Both of these are more outwardly effective and make excellent companions to the Falla and together they make this disc a most attractive and unique combination.

Therefore for those who are attracted to this program the choice seems obvious. Buy it! The recording is as excellent as are the contents and performances.
2798820
The English Standard Version is the best version of the Holy Bible available, and the closest to the original text that you can find.
4504531
This is just a brief review written for Amazonians who already know this album well. (Like me, you may rate this as one of the Top 100 rock discs of all time.)

I now possess two versions of this on CD -- this hybrid SACD and the earlier SPOON CDoo9 release of 1989. My brother also has the original LP. I have to admit that I am a little disappointed by the SACD, but that is largely because I have been so eagerly waiting for its release.

Although the SACD version is the clearest edition, it isn't that much clearer than the 1989 cut. 'Bel Air', for example, is still pretty murky. The SACD comes with informative inlay notes (and a good selection of photos), which remind the reader of the balmy 1972 summer in Cologne, the malfunctioning heating system in the Inner Space studio, the two-track recording equipment, and the enormous number of edits and treatments given to the music.

So there you have it. I assume this is the best version of the classic that it will ever be commercially viable to produce. (It would be nice to have 5.1 surround mix rather than the two-channel offering we have here.) My only complaint is with some of the bass; despite it being indistinct, I still got a headache from playing 'Bel Air' at volume. Happy Days!
4099777
I have waited for years for an official pristine copy of this performance. I've worn out my VHS copy, and this DVD contains more material than the original half-hour TV show.

The sound quality is top-notch, as well as the video transfer.

This belongs in every Eric Johnson fan's collection.
2215912
Out o fall the 2009 remasters, which have been cleaned up and properly put to digital form, this one probably benefits the most alongside The Man Machine. Tape hiss is cleaned up, bass is more prominent, and the overall sound of the record fits more within the ideas that they promulgated throughout the 70s and 80s. It's a purely amazing record, and probably their best one all told. The US master seems very close to the German master unlike the Computer World duo, where the US one had a bit more bass and compression and possibly used a different source.

TEE is a timeless album and one that everyone should have on their shelf. The big debate then is English vs German. Well, it's hard to say here. In the end I think I prefer the US version overall, as the language to me just seems more musical and engaging. The German version is great to, and you should at some p0int pick up a copy any way you can, but if you are just getting into the band I think the US version is the way to go.

The dynamics on this release are solid and fully use the peaks of the modern digital age while still keeping the inherently shifting nature of the music intact.
2987601
One of the most famous songs, re mastered and improved. It still has the original sound but does not sound like a Vinyl record and neither a digital. Beautiful sound and it is better than the other versions.
2054462
This is a definitive recording, with these works collected in this way for the first time I can find anywhere. Violin and cello duos are often overlooked as the masterpieces they are, but  Morgenstern and Adkins' performances and approach cleary exhibit an understanding to the contrary. This particular recording should be the texbook for these works for students, masters and listeners alike.
3450291
A read through of the previous comments seems to suggest that many of these reviews aren't for this particular version or publisher.  Long story short, this is an excellent edition with strong and consistent translation.  Anyone interested in an edition of this classic of Stoicism but can't read it in its original language should pick it up.
4468801
This is the definitive recording of Kearn and Hammerstein's Showboat. It was recorded in England under the EMI label. It is flawless! It is to be noted, however, that this is a 1-disc collection of the key songs, not all songs. If you want to hear the essential songs, then this is it. The alternative is the complete 3-disc set, but this can be quite costly, as this version of Showboat remains the most desirable one.
1763944
The merits of this masterpiece need no repetition. What is notable, especially for teachers, is that this American translation is particularly good. Though there are some cumbersome sentences in this version of the Apology, generally, this is a modern and accurate edition. Unfortunately, the publishers price it high which makes it less tempting for students. Barnes and Noble should make an inexpensive version of this translation. The Jowett is dated.
4370297
Scream Factory did again. Just like when they knocked it out of the park with Nightbreed, here we get the most definitive version of the Exorcist III we will ever see. The bonus, this release includes tons of extras as well that give insight into how we ended up with two vastly different versions of the film. If you haven't revisited this movie in awhile you need to give it another shot and this version will help you appreciate it even more. Certainly among the best releases from Scream Factory.
1211807
It has been swimming around the rumor mill for years but finally, the wait is over. Kansas' monumental 1978 double-live album "Two For The Show" has finally been remastered and reissued in its most definitive edition ever. All of the original album tracks are here as well as the restored original artwork. Additionally, there is a second disc of mostly unreleased material from the same tour as well as an extensive essay and unseen concert photos in the CD booklet.
Musically, "Two For The Show" captures Kansas at their peak and shows the band's versatile musicality in full force. Classics such as "Song For America", "Point of Know Return", "Portrait" and "Magnum Opus" are all performed with such precision, they are almost superior to their studio counterparts. Likewise goes for the other tracks I failed to mention. The second disc complilemts the original album's material beautifully with stellar renditions of "Child of Innocence", "Miracles Out of Nowhere", "Down the Road" and "Bringing it Back". There's also a jaw-dropping unreleased drum solo from Phil Ehart that precedes the complex instrumental "The Spider" that has to be heard to believed.
One minor complaint is that as the opening drumbeat of "Portrait" is heard at the end of the "Spider" track, it fades out ("Portrait" is heard among the original album tracks on disc one). It would've been nice to have heard these tracks in continuous performance instead of the way they're presented here.
Apart from this minor glitch, the deluxe edition of "Two For The Show" is a revelation compared to the older releases of this album. The whole thing sounds amazing as if you were standing right there in the middle of the arena as the band performed. As mentioned earlier, this is classic Kansas at their peak and is a testament to their solid musicianship. This is definitely a must for any Kansas die-hard and is a solid live album from beginning to end (bonus tracks and all).
2453248
There are many ways to approach this Handel masterpiece  - form the original instruments and choral techniques from Handels time to the big blustery Victorian version that has thankfully faded from the performance halls.

For Christmas to be complete there must be a performance of the Messiah in accompaniment. This 1983 version is about as pure and ethereal as any currently available. The Monteverdi Choir and the English Baroque soloists (Antony Rolfe Johnson, Robert Hale, Charles Brett, Catherine Robbins, Margaret Marshall) are conducted with finesse by John Eliot Gardner.

The result is a performance that is timeless. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, December 17