Learn to sing,  "I love LA" and sit on the edge of your chair...
340171
Paula Woods takes us to the space of an affluent black professional woman connected viscerally to the multicultural essence of Los Angeles.  She's been there, done that, although not on the LAPD.  That choice, made after extensive consultations with members of the force, is edgy for a black woman who actually saw the Watts riots and the mini riots that followed the Rodney King incident up close and personal.  Who are these LAPD people and are they at all on my side?  Charlotte is one of them, but she has to deal with that question frequently.  Not just racial but sexual harassment comes into play, not to mention inter-racial distrust and strife and all manner of sexual deviance and surprise: politics.  It's LA.  But what I love about this book, and all of her work, is her ear for the LA ethnic interactions, her sure touch in throwing people of different groups together and letting them sort out their differences. Her writing rings true, and plenty of other writers placing detectives in LA just can't do it right.  Write on, Paula Woods!
2019848
Come back and tour in LA.  Saw them live at "The Mint"...one of the best concerts I've seen.  Bought the CD and own the iTunes...
1835715
When listening to music I want to feel its power. I made the mistake of listening first to the title track La Luna on Sarah Brightmans new cd. Is it just me, or does she continue to get better with each new adventure?  Although the other songs are also wonderful, Im still having a problem  even getting to them.
At a time when pop, hip hop and rap singers are  promoting themselves as divas, Sarah Brightman not so quietly lets her  voice speak for itself. Shes a diva all right... and not just because of  her exhilarating arias. She continues to be an inspiration to my own  work.
If you like Sarahs near perfect timing, pronunciation, range and  power, youll love this cd.
Cliff Hollenbeck
1639038
In the modern day music scene of mediocre (supposedly "hot") songs, hit song-singing, platinum wearing mc's, hip-hopped out boy bands, and done-to-death Timbaland beats....we occasionally come across a genuine  artist with a passion for CREATING real music. Amel Larrieux is one of  those artists. Lyrics - filled with imagery. I myself feel a personal  connection with 'I & I'. Her self-produced solo debut is  layered with  deep bass lines, multi-tracked vocal arrangements, rich chords, and  features a voice that is an insrument in itself. 'Infinite Possibilities is  inspiring. Truly the type of music that makes you feel alive. No, not the  type of music that will fade as times passes by, but the sort that stirs  one's soul. With each listen, the album improves. With her studies of vocal  jazz pioneers Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Carmen McRae, Lena Horne  (the list goes on), Amel holds her own in the art of scatting and amazing  modulations, and impressive breathing tactics that make singing appear  deceivingly easy. A force in her own right in terms of vocals and rhythm.  Give her a melody, and she will walk up, down, left, right over the track  accenting on a given note with perfect timing. I recently saw her perform  in San Francisco at Bimbo's. Even more impressive. She really knows how to  work a crowd to an extent that indicates that she is at peace with herself  and enjoys what she is contributing to music. We can only be so lucky to be  given an opportunity to share in her world of serenity. Do yourself a  favor. Buy the album. And if you really want to treat yourself, see her in  concert!
1639225
Singing and playing the guitar is perhaps akin to singing and touch typing - you need to be both expressive and accurate at the same time. Tutty has created a detailed, step-by-step, easy-to-follow guide to singing and playing guitar at the same time.  He writes in an encouraging way, from the perspective of "I've been where you are, I did it, you can do it too!" Following his advice, you'll be able to isolate singing and guitar playing, then integrate the two. He includes advice about performance and writing your own songs.
You'll wow the audience at your next living room family gathering, open mic, or American Idol/Britain's Got Talent audition!
3269081
This cd will become a daily habit in your classroom. Your studentswill benefit and you de-stress.

Try #1,2 AND 19 AND YOU WILL BE in love!
676400
i loved this dvd, my roomates and I do it all the time. its easy to follow and her voice makes it a soothing experience. if you cannot perform the exercise, her assistant does an intermediate version, making it easy for any level to follow. but don't be fooled, it is challenging! im definately a fan.
3751709
As someone studying to lead prayer service (a Sheliach Tzibbur) I had begun a journey to find my voice. I am very lucky to have ended up fining an outstanding Voice teacher as well as great Cantorial teacher. The Cantors in the city have get-to-gethers on a monthly basis (I promise I am getting to the point about this book) and recently had an eminent Canadian Tenor come speak to us. He first did a very challenging Cantorial piece and then proceeded to say: "Remember when you started and you did Italian songs and arias as part of your training? I've got news for you. This is something you should do every day for the rest of your singing career. This and proper vocal technique will allow you to sing for many years past the time when most people can no longer sing". This is the best of those books. My voice teacher always chooses this version as the best choice of Italian and the best version. The piano cd is an enormous help (unless you are such a diva that you have a live-in rehearsal pianist). Enjoy!!!
476865
This live recording of Buddhas' Fun guided meditation took my dusty practice and polished it to a brilliant finish for me.  Johwa Choi is the voice of reason en route for exploring deeper consciousness.  No wonder I was having such a hard time meditating well, before.  I realize now, that I'm just not capable of spontaneously creating the wisdom -filled self-guidance I needed in order to reach a true meditative-state, by myself.  It's too difficult to flow in meditation while guiding the experience, at the same time, as it progresses.  Whether you are a beginner or an experienced practitioner, you need to get your hands on this CD for the best advice on meditation, I've ever encountered!  Now that I've listened and followed the suggestions behind the context, I can attain a profound meditation experience, on my own!
The calming voice said, "Don't trace your thoughts, trace your breath."  When I did as instructed on the first track, my breathing became so alive and it was wonderful to experience it that way: in just 10 short minutes.  I was in awe!  My mind was marveled by the sensation of my breath and my body naturally reacted to the extra attention I was giving myself, with affectionate responses.  I was able to notice the gentle rise and fall of my chest and abdomen, the cool and warmth of the breath itself and my brain was so serene yet so sharply focused, at the same time.  "Take it easy," is the title of track 2 and its basic premise.  This track is half as short as the first yet very empowering.
In track 3, you are lead away from, "too silent meditation."  You are told and influenced to, "wake up and do meditation."  I found this track especially appealing because it follows up with a warning you really need to be aware of in case you take the two previous tracks' guidance too far.  Isn't it true that you should relax while meditating but you shouldn't be asleep?  This track directs you through an awakening experience in 11 minutes.
The next track is longer (about 18 minutes) and it reminds you how to redirect your focus to where you want it to be.  "The more you give attention to the traffic jam, the more you will listen to them.  The more you can enjoy the fresh air, the freer your mind will be."  When I heard that, I thought it was so fundamentally profound, yet so easily forgotten when in practice and in life, in general.
The last track is by far my favorite and it is the longest (about 23 minutes.)  It takes you through an extreme journey in and almost out, of consciousness, several times.  It ends with a prolific message:  "There is no way that you cannot be you."  I could imagine Buddha's fulfilled smirk, as so often he is depicted to have, once I heard that final wisdom and I could feel true fulfillment in my own heart, as well.
2351094
This course has done more to improve my voice in a few short months than all of the vocal coaches that I have had put together.  It doesn't try to teach you to sing like some one else.  It just shows you how to get the most out of whatever you have been gifted with and sound like you at your best.  It will also teach you how to be able to keep singing for years to come without damaging your voice.  It will make you the best you can be and help you keep that.  Buy it and use it!  You will be glad you did.
2698580
I have only read 5 pages of this book and my whole life has changed.
Things I've learned so far:
1. I lead with my head which puts a strain on my neck and I guess my vocal chords. Balancing my head has relaxed my body in new ways.
2. Sitting on my sitz bones has helped my posture and I can feel the vibrations taking over a larger part of my body when I sing or speak.
3. The collaboration with the walls of the room concept.

I just lost my copy to my brother-in-law who is a professional singer. Now, I'm going to get another copy. It's so good.
4165134
I love this CD.  The songs are full of heart, calming & fun to sing!  Singing "Close Your Eyes" to my 1 yr old energetic daughter seems to always result in heavy eyelids... its like magic!  And a valuable tool for car rides & road trips.  The artist wrote many of the songs for her own baby-child and the love, sweetness & caring is just right there.  If you love to sing, these are some creative, simple tunes to add to your family's repertoire. Sweet dreamzzzz
70622
If you're "sitting on the fence" wondering if this book is for you, I double dog dare you to make a move, step out of your comfort zone and devour it, as did I.  Resist the urge to dismiss it because of the simplicity of it because it WORKS.

Attending one of her workshops, seminars, or meetup groups is the equivalent of winning the lottery and it is worth the drive no matter where you live.

I promise you will leave more energetic and inspired to master and live the process--because you owe it to yourself. I mean, really--what do you have to lose?
2776344
I have played guitar for years, and always wanted to sing along with my playing, but the best I could ever manage was tight, off-pitch croaking.  It was pretty grim, and I was convinced that I was one of those people who was born damned with a horrible voice.

I might be damned, or I might not be, but after working with this book for a month-and-a-half or so, I am definitely improving.  I can't say I'm a *good* singer, but I'm certainly a better singer.
I have two other books on singing (the "...for Complete Idiots" guide, and the "Rock-n-Roll Singers Survival Manual") and this is easily the best of the lot, at least for me.  The exercises on the accompanying CD are great, and start to help almost immediately.  I have not seen these exercises in either of the other two books I own, or anywhere on the web.

The writing is clear and direct.  Love doesn't waste page after page discussing the most minor details of anatomy, the way, say, the "Survival Manual" does.  The information is organized clearly and sensibly, and the book presents exercises that help undo bad habits.  You might feel funny making some of these bizarre sounds at first, but they work; I practice them on the 25-minute drive to and from work.  It's time better spent than listening to the radio.

My biggest problem was--and still is--a rising larynx.  Both the other books I have identify this as a common problem, but give virtually no instruction on how to keep the larynx low, and no indication of how difficult a problem this is to lick.  Love does.  No, I haven't licked the problem, but at least now I know HOW to lick it, and that it isn't going to happen overnight.

This book doesn't contain instruction on sight reading, but that doesn't bother me, since I have no interest in it--I just want to get to a point at which I will not embarrass myself singing along with guitar, and I feel that this book has set me going in that direction.
2003400
I admit it. I fell victim to Starbucks.  I bought this CD standing in line at Starbucks, and as soon as I got out to the car, I looked at it and said "What were you thinking?".  But I had just paid too much for it to ignore it, so I put it in the player.  And at first, I was disappointed.  I had heard Hugh Laurie play as part of his character on Jeeves and Wooster (a wonderful show)--he would toss off wonderful renditions of jazz/ragtime influenced pieces from the 20's and 30's.  He really is a talented pianist, and his voice was pleasant in the show.  Here, his voice is much rougher, and--what?  He's playing New Orleans Jazz?  Really?  Yes.  Really.  And guess what--after the initial shock was gone, after I read the liner notes and realized how much he truly loved this music for music's sake, I loosened up, gave it another 2-3 listens, and started dancing in my seat as I drove.  I started playing it for my kids, who thought it was a blast.  I lent it to some friends.  I listened to it some more. And the more I listened, the more his voice grew on me, the more the songs were just fun, and the more I enjoyed it.  This will never be my "go to" NOJ album, but it is not a vanity project in the strictest sense of the word.  This is music by a musician who happens to be an actor as well.  It is music that he loves, he is supported by some VERY talented folk (like the sublime Dr. John) and his love for the music comes through.  Some of these songs I had never heard before, and I am grateful that I have now heard them.  I'm gonna keep this one on my shelf, pull it down now and again, and have myself a good time every time that I do.  Listen to a few of the samples before you buy--make sure you are really up for this--but if you are willing to take a chance on having a little fun, and you like New Orleans Jazz, then it is time (and money) well spent.
2964184
This is another wonderful Katherine Jenkins offering, like fine wine and cheese for your next gathering. The beautiful girl with the amazing voice. The Welsh singer and sometime model bridges that gap between classical music and popular Andrew Lloyd Webber theatre type songs. She wants to keep classical music alive by bringing it to the masses so it is not forgotten and more importantly, it is understood. Whether she's singing in Italian, English or Spanish, she projects the feeling and passion of the song or aria, even if you don't know the meaning of the lyrics or libretto. She's a one of a kind, doing something very special. Much like a picnic along a Scotish countryside with a castle in the background, take her along to add some extra sparkle to your day.
1982599
I was 1st introduced to this CD because my choir performed the AMAZING song "Defying Gravity". So I went out and bought the CD not only to practice, but to listen through it because I love hearing new materials and broadways. I was instantly hooked! Idina's amazing voice (The Wizard and I) (Defying Gravity), Kristen's poppy personality (Popular) (Thank Goodness), and their unbelievable way to work off eachother in duets (For Good) (Loathing). So when i went to New York on vacation with my choir I had to go see it! AND I WAS IN AWW! This is a must have! I've owned the CD for months and I STILL listen through it!