x close

Kind of Blue

This is the one jazz record owned by people who don't listen to jazz, and with good reason. The band itself is extraordinary (proof of Miles Davis's masterful casting skills, if not of God's existence), listing John Coltrane and Julian "Cannonball" Adderley on saxophones, Bill Evans (or, on "Freddie Freeloader," Wynton Kelly) on piano, and the crack rhythm unit of Paul Chambers on bass and Jimmy Cobb on drums. Coltrane's astringency on tenor is counterpoised to Adderley's funky self on alto, with Davis moderating between them as Bill Evans conjures up a still lake of sound on which they walk. Meanwhile, the rhythm partnership of Cobb and Chambers is prepared to click off time until eternity. It was the key recording of what became modal jazz, a music free of the fixed harmonies and forms of pop songs. In Davis's men's hands it was a weightless music, but one that refused to fade into the background. In retrospect every note seems perfect, and each piece moves inexorably towards its destiny. --John Szwed

---

Futures

Original recording remastered;

---

Customer Review:

Greatest Jazz album ever!!!!

I have since bought other jazz cd's but this one is easily the greatest of all. It is in a class by itself. "Cannonball" and Coltrane are phenominal on this cd. The whole cd burns from the very opening notes of So What until the last track Flamenco Sketches. A must have for any jazz enthusiast or someone wanting to get into jazz and not sure where to start.

beautiful doesn't even begin to cover it

I waited for a while to buy a Miles Davis CD to make sure my musical tastes matured enough to receive his work. "Kind of Blue" is the first Miles Davis CD I've ever listened to, and I have to say I am blown away by its beauty in every way. It isn't just Miles but his band altogether - they make a perfect union on this disc and play absolutely flawlessly. I was amazed even more when I read that Miles got ideas for these compositions a few hours before laying them down with the band, and the band cut these pretty much without any rehearsing, pure improvisation, just doing one take of each song (with the exception of the last track). How the band could play the music so perfect in a setting like this is beyond me, but it happened, and each song is a masterpiece. I first listened to this CD through my Beyerdynamic headphones (to make sure I can hear the full range of sound, as they are some of the best closed headphones around), and I just concentrated on listening, without doing anything else. I sat there for 55 minutes, browsing the liner booklet that came with the CD and I had to have been smiling uncontrollably because I was simply taken and transported to an alternate universe by the magestic sounds of this disc. I am glad I waited, and I am glad I picked this masterpiece to start with. The only regret I have for this record is that it isn't long enough. This is jazz the way it's supposed to be, and I want more of it.

still finding spaces after all these years

over the years whether vinyl,tape,cd it has always been with me played it in different countries, times, and spaces; still has magic probably always will.

---

Keywords: Hard Bop; Jazz; Modal Music; Pop; Trumpet; United States of America;

---

---

x close

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

Loosely based on the popular Disney theme park audio-animatronic ride, one might expect a modicum of good-natured "Yo-ho-ho-ing"--or maybe a little rousing Korngold/Errol Flynn/Captain Blood orchestral romanticism--here. Instead composer Klaus Badelt initially entices us with some sparing Celtic folk charm, then unleashes a furious broadside of symphonic and choral thunder to rival his ominous score for K-19. The composer's fellow German mentor is an obvious influence throughout (the album is credited with a wink as "Score overproduced by Hans 'Long John' Zimmer") but Badelt brings his own muscular instincts to bear throughout. Perhaps shrewdly realizing that genre cliches are nothing if not for reinventing, Badelt delivers his rhythmically nervous Eurocentric sensibilities--sort of Holst duels Shostakovich on the Spanish Main--with the subtlety of a scorching cannonball. It's seasoned with a little romantic respite in the final act, if a bit gingerly, and could no doubt profit by some of Korngold's sparkling melodic verve. But it's a loud, unabashed Summer Blockbuster score at heart; alert the neighbors. --Jerry McCulley

---

Futures

Soundtrack;

---

Customer Review:

Modern Orchestral music at it's finest

Even movie scores occasionally stand on their own as orchestral music. This is truly the case with the music from Pirates of the Caribbean. The music is moving and exciting. Even if you've never seen the movie, you can appreciate the rhythms, the melodies, the transposition. A fine piece of modern orchestral music.

Medioca

I agree with many that some tracks befit the film down to a T but in some cases I think the wrong titles have been printed next to the wrong tracks. Apart from 'He's a pirate' and other tracks that play on this theme, I don't think some of the titles are appropriate.

I was dissappointed by the overall playing time of the CD- a measly 43 minutes. Some of the repetive themes in the score become irritating. The title of the film surely allows for a wider scope of variety than composed. I feel like I have wasted my pocket money.

For anyone that has listened to good film music this score can come nowhere near the top five. Yes i must admit when listening (to tracks such as He's a pirate), I am taken to a world of jolly pirates but as the pirates are at each others necks for most of the film- inbetween flirting with Elizabeth- I find it hard to identify which part of the film a track is supposed to be representing. The composer has illustrated the adveturous, dramatic and slightly scary quality of the film, but because of the lack of variety and depth in the score i feel it was not an essential element of the blockbuster. i could have watched it in absolute silence where music is concerned and still felt the same- bored.

When listening to the CD, Zimmer's influences can clearly be heard. This isn't bad at all as I do like the Gladiator sound track.

This is a highly disappointing work when Williams' scores are so easily accessible to compare it with. It is not bad or excellent just simply medioca. The CD would be enjoyed more by people that found the film amazing.

Great Soundtrack

This is one of the greatest soundtracks that I have heard in quite some time. They have a good selection of items from the movie, not leaving much out. The only 2 things i have against the soundtrack is that it is disorganized and that it doesnt contain as much music as it could have (Contains about 43 minutes). But it is still worth picking up if you enjoyed the movie.

---

Keywords: Film; Film Music; Original Score; Pop; Soundtrack; Soundtracks & Film Scores;

---

---

x close

The Phantom of the Opera (Original 1986 London Cast)

What's left to be said about Andrew Lloyd Webber's adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera a decade after its premiere? That it's maddeningly ubiquitous? A stitch-up of various themes shoplifted from the Italian operatic repertoire? A critic-proof crowd pleaser that's probably being staged somewhere in the world as you read this? A megahit that will likely outlive Titanic in the pop-culture pantheon, Phantom has largely redefined--for better or worse--the manner in which modern musicals are conceived, staged, and marketed. Its influence has reached far beyond the traditional confines of London and Broadway. A favorite example: an abridged version that was the centerpiece of Los Angeles's longest-running transvestite revue, replete with 14-inch chandeliers and a man-playing-a-woman-playing-a-man in the title role. --Jerry McCulley

---

Futures

Cast Recording;

Original recording remastered;

Box set;

---

Customer Review:

the best

This is the best cd I have ever heard. I love the music it is great.

Mess up the Phantom ---> Awful recording

I love POTO in all its interpretations. I love the ALW musical. But the OLC cast does nothing for me. Every time I hear Crawford's nasal, whiny voice I want to bang my head against the wall. Brightman's "acting" is non-existant and the passion was left out completely. Buy the Canadian CD with Colm Wilkinson, the original Swedish recording or the movie-soundtrack. But skip this sterile "performance"....

An overblown mess ~ and insipid fans

When I read the review below mine I was close to lose my faith is people who can put their dislike for something in polite words. I've never seen such shallow and insipid bashing of a movie that is just as...good...as this mess. I like Leroux's story but Webber failed to capture its essence and most of its fans or "phans" fail to understand it too. The cast, except for Steve Barton, is below mediocre (Crawford should stick to comedy, Brightman needs lessons before she ever opens her mouth to sing again...) and the music is nothing but 2-3 themes which are repeated until even a ditz can hum along. Skip this awful mess and listen to the beautiful interpretation of Yeston and Kopit, or, even better, read the book. This recording is not a keeper and I could care less if the "phans" vote my review down. (Biased as they are)

One word on the movie: At least it's what it is, entertainment. And it doesn't take itself so seriously, plus I prefer it to be a rock-opera with edge instead of "Opera Lite" for those who fail to appreciate the real thing.

---

Keywords: Cast Recordings; Music Theater; Musical Theater; Musicals; Pop; Show Tunes; Showtunes / B'way;

---

---

x close

Battlestar Galactica: Season One

---

Futures

Soundtrack;

---

Customer Review:

Best Soundtrack Ever

I am an avid collector of movie and TV soundtracks, I have to say, this is one of the best ever I have bought. The music is moving, deep and often quite thought provoking. This is especially so if you have seen the show.

If you are a fan of the series then I strongly suggest you buy this soundtrack. Tracks 24 and 27 are my favourate from Kobol's last gleaming.

Good Listening!

I've enjoyed listening to Battlestar Galactica's soundtrack driving to work. The music is remarkably varied and dramatic in its own right. Listening to the CD has piqued my interest to watch the series on TV. I now want to see how the young composer's remarkable talent enhances the action happening on the screen.
I think Bear McCreary's special talents are a wonderful contribution to contemporary music.

Celtic Scifi?

If you like the series and noticed the music at times, then I think you will not be disappointed. I bought this CD mainly to enjoy while driving and while programming at work. There are only about 3 tracks that I didn't enjoy. Some tracks have a definite celtic influence that somehow works.

---

Keywords: Film; Film Music; Pop; Soundtrack; Soundtracks & Film Scores; TV Soundtracks;

---

---