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Editor's picks

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  Angels' Visits & Other Vocal Gems of Victorian America

  Music (New World Records)
  

  Rating (3 reviews):

  (5.0/5)

  

  Of great historical interest

  After the Civil War, this country had what could be interpreted only as a massive guilt trauma if we go by the kind of songs that became very popular in the years after 1865. So many of them dealt with death, that the most excellent New World Records people put together a collection of such works, called the set <Angels' Visits and Other Vocal Gems of Victorian America> (80220-2), and assigned the solo part to Kathleen Battle (sop.), Rose Taylor (mez.), Raymond Murcell (bar.), several other soloists, and the Harmoneion Singers under Neely Bruce. As are most products from this company, the sound is utterly authentic, the accompanying notes are scholarly and generous, the texts are provided. Many of our longer-lived citizens might recall such classics as "Sweet By and By," "Rock of Ages," "The Last Hymn," and the title song of this set. I want all local choral groups to get a copy of this and match it with the versions they have sung in the past. And it certainly... 5/5 F. Behrens "Frank Behrens" (Keene, NH USA) - See all my reviews, May 17, 1999

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  a voice teacher and early music fan

  TWENTIETH CENTURY COUNTRY MUSIC AND NINETEENTH CENTURY AMERICAN VICTORIAN MUSIC STRONGLY RESEMBLE EACH OTHER! (Imagine that!)This album is a selection of American songs and hymns published mostly during the 1860's and '70s that deal generally with death, heaven and angels. Death and its associated aspects were major subject matter in fiction, poetry, art, and music during much of the nineteenth century, especially - though by no means exculsively - in Victorian England and Amercia. It was indeed a prominent theme in the high art of nineteenth century Romanticism, with its love for the tragic and the supernatural.Thus, these are songs that remind us of our own mortality, or place our human lives in a grander scheme of things, or contrast the secular and the divine. These do not always have an overtly sacred theme. There are some songs that use children as a theme, perhaps celebrating the love of parents for children or touching on infant death, or using... 5/5 George Peabody "Ariel" (U.S.A.) - See all my reviews, December 26, 2009

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  An Album of inutterable beauty, grandeur, bathos and charm

  We all snicker about 19th century sentimentality, but there's no way to patronize this amazing collection of songs, especially in these grandly serious and respectful performances. There's tremendous variety here, but on the whole, listening to these songs is like gazing into a majestic post-Hudson River School landscape of breathtaking grandeur and detail. The Harmoneion Singers are sensational as usual, displaying the tenderest attention to every nuance of emotion. The songs range from charming miniatures like "We are Happy Now Dear Mother," to rousing, marchlike hymns, such as "You Must Be a Lover of the Lord." My favorite is "Shall we Know Each Other?" which triggers celestial visions, and is darned catchy to boot. Ladies and gentlemen, THIS is the 19th century. 5/5 Waxwing Slayne - See all my reviews This review is from: Angels' Visits & Other Vocal Gems of Victorian America (Audio CD) We all snicker about 19th century sentimentality, but there's no way to patronize this amazing collection of songs, especially in these grandly serious and respectful performances. There's tremendous variety here, but on the whole, listening to these songs is like gazing into a majestic post-Hudson River School landscape of breathtaking grandeur and detail. The Harmoneion Singers are sensational as usual, displaying the tenderest attention to every nuance of emotion. The songs range from charming miniatures like "We are Happy Now Dear Mother," to rousing, marchlike hymns, such as "You Must Be a Lover of the Lord." My favorite is "Shall we Know Each Other?" which triggers celestial visions, and is darned catchy to boot. Ladies and gentlemen, THIS is the 19th century. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews&nbsp; Was this review helpful to you?&nbsp;, March 21, 2004

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  List Price: $17.99
  

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  The Paul Simon Collection: On My Way, Don't Know Where I'm Goin'

  Music (Warner Brothers)
  

  Rating (31 reviews):

  (4.1/5)

  

  Something So Right

  This latest Paul Simon collection provides a very good overview of his career, including songs from his first solo album released in 1972, up to 2000's "You're The One." As evidenced on this collection, Paul Simon's musical offerings include many genres of music. The reggae influenced "Mother And Child Reunion" starts this compilation off on a strong note. It's thirty years later, and the topical "Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard" still sounds as relevant today as when it was first released. "Loves Me Like A Rock," featuring the Dixie Hummingbirds, sounds like a traditional gospel standard, even though it was written by the prolific Paul Simon. The virtuoso drumming of Steve Gadd gives "50 Ways To Leave Your Lover" its distinctive sound, while the verse displays Paul Simon at his rhymin' best. The Latin flavored "Late In The Evening" combines semi-autobiographical lyrics with a propulsive beat, making it an... 5/5 Mike King "Mike Vegas King" (Taunton, MA United States) - See all my reviews This review is from: The Paul Simon Collection: On My Way, Don't Know Where I'm Goin' (Audio CD) This latest Paul Simon collection provides a very good overview of his career, including songs from his first solo album released in 1972, up to 2000's &quot;You're The One.&quot; As evidenced on this collection, Paul Simon's musical offerings include many genres of music. The reggae influenced &quot;Mother And Child Reunion&quot; starts this compilation off on a strong note. It's thirty years later, and the topical &quot;Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard&quot; still sounds as relevant today as when it was first released. &quot;Loves Me Like A Rock,&quot; featuring the Dixie Hummingbirds, sounds like a traditional gospel standard, even though it was written by the prolific Paul Simon. The virtuoso drumming of Steve Gadd gives &quot;50 Ways To Leave Your Lover&quot; its distinctive sound, while the verse displays Paul Simon at his rhymin' best. The Latin flavored &quot;Late In The Evening&quot; combines semi-autobiographical lyrics with a propulsive beat, making it an... Read more Help other customers find the most helpful reviews&nbsp; Was this review helpful to you?&nbsp;, November 10, 2002

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  Collection for newcomers and collectors

  Given the contraint of 19 tracks on CD 1 (78 minutes), the track selection is nearly perfect, and gives a very good overview of Simon's solo years. This is a good offer for newcomers to PS's music. The main problem with the selection is that 19 tracks is too little to include all essential songs. CD 1 is not for the fan, though: I own most official CDs (S + S&G), and CD 1 contains no news.CD 2 contains 5 live tracks. The sound is very good. Personally, I have a preference for the American Tune version on Greatest hits, etc. (with the cello) - one of the few omissions in my collection (the beautiful melody of AT (except the bridge) is found 3-4 times in the Matthew Passion (?) of Bach, as well as in several of Bach's cantatas; it is common to credit Hans Leo Hassler as the originator of this melody, in ca. 1600). I always loved the lyrics of Duncan, and this is a fine live recording. The Coast also differs somewhat from other recordings, in particularly in the guitar playing. Mrs... 5/5 highway_star (Hallandale, Florida United States) - See all my reviews This review is from: The Paul Simon Collection: On My Way, Don't Know Where I'm Goin' (Audio CD) This is an excellent collection of singer/songwriter Paul Simon's hits from his debut solo album simply titled &quot;Paul Simon&quot; (released in 1972) to his &quot;You're The One&quot; cd (released in 2000). In my opinion Simon is one of America's best (if not the best) songwriters ever. Every song has meaning and is sung with emotion. You've got all the hits starting with the catchy &quot;Mother And Child Reunion&quot;, &quot;Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard&quot;, the sensative &quot;Something So Right&quot;, the humorous &quot;Kodachrome&quot;, &quot;Fifty Ways To Leave Your Lover&quot;,&quot;Still Crazy After All These Years&quot;, &quot;Slip Sliddin' Away&quot;, &quot;You Can Call Me Al&quot; (remember the great video from MTV's glory days), etc. As a bonus disc you get rare 1973 concert performances of Simon performing several songs in &quot;American Tune&quot; and &quot;Duncan&quot; (New York &amp; London), &quot;Mrs. Robinson&quot; from a 1999 New York City concert,... Read more Help other customers find the most helpful reviews&nbsp; Was this review helpful to you?&nbsp;, February 17, 2003

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  Folk /Rock Icon Paul Simon's Best From His Solo Years!

  This is an excellent collection of singer/songwriter Paul Simon's hits from his debut solo album simply titled "Paul Simon" (released in 1972) to his "You're The One" cd (released in 2000). In my opinion Simon is one of America's best (if not the best) songwriters ever. Every song has meaning and is sung with emotion. You've got all the hits starting with the catchy "Mother And Child Reunion", "Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard", the sensative "Something So Right", the humorous "Kodachrome", "Fifty Ways To Leave Your Lover","Still Crazy After All These Years", "Slip Sliddin' Away", "You Can Call Me Al" (remember the great video from MTV's glory days), etc. As a bonus disc you get rare 1973 concert performances of Simon performing several songs in "American Tune" and "Duncan" (New York & London), "Mrs. Robinson" from a 1999 New York City concert,... 5/5 0, November 10, 2002

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  List Price: $18.98
  

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  The Complete Poems: Anne Sexton

  Book (Mariner Books)
  

  Rating (30 reviews):

  (4.7/5)

  

  Complete Indeed - Perfect!

  _You can like, or dislike, Anne Sexton. I won't describe her work (other reviewers have, and if you're here you're at least familiar), but say that if you've loved any poetry by Sexton, I highly recommend this book.It's organized, chronologically, by her books (and hence her life): each poem from each book is within this one, plus some previously unpublished poems. Each of her books--in this case, chapters--is thematically consistent: fairy tales (Sexton-style "homages"), "love poems," time in the institution, etc.You may not love every book/chapter, but the volume is a must-own. I don't see a need to buy "Love Poems," for example, or all or some of the rest of her books, when they're all in here - and each one not priced all that differently from this entirety. (It's also not oppressively long and hard to hold like some "complete" collections.) Within this book, if you don't connect to one, two, or any of her other books, you've got them at hand and while enjoying... 5/5 foundpoem - See all my reviews This review is from: The Complete Poems: Anne Sexton (Paperback) _You can like, or dislike, Anne Sexton. I won't describe her work (other reviewers have, and if you're here you're at least familiar), but say that if you've loved any poetry by Sexton, I highly recommend this book.It's organized, chronologically, by her books (and hence her life): each poem from each book is within this one, plus some previously unpublished poems. Each of her books--in this case, chapters--is thematically consistent: fairy tales (Sexton-style "homages"), "love poems," time in the institution, etc.You may not love every book/chapter, but the volume is a must-own. I don't see a need to buy "Love Poems," for example, or all or some of the rest of her books, when they're all in here - and each one not priced all that differently from this entirety. (It's also not oppressively long and hard to hold like some "complete" collections.) Within this book, if you don't connect to one, two, or any of her other books, you've got them at hand and while enjoying... Read more Help other customers find the most helpful reviews&nbsp; Was this review helpful to you?&nbsp;, January 13, 2004

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  Poetry as Therapy

  What first drew me to the poet Anne Sexton was a fragment I read from an essay in which she discussed the death of fellow American poet Sylvia Plath. What struck me was not just the disarming honesty of Sexton's remorse, but also the glimmer of a slightly less generous sentiment that belied her sadness. The precise nature of this sentiment became evident to me once I read Sexton's poem "Sylvia's Death," which revealed that Sexton's grief stemmed more from a profound sense of being left behind than from a sense of losing someone dear. In the poem, which is heartrending in its sincerity, Sexton mournfully addresses Plath: "Thief -- / how did you crawl into, / crawl down alone / into the death I wanted so badly and for so long, / the death we said we both outgrew, / the one we wore on our skinny breasts." What this passage and the entirety of her poem "Wanting to Die" reveal is just how clearly Sexton was aware of this death wish, this "suicide,"... 5/5 James Chong - See all my reviews This review is from: The Complete Poems: Anne Sexton (Paperback) What first drew me to the poet Anne Sexton was a fragment I read from an essay in which she discussed the death of fellow American poet Sylvia Plath. What struck me was not just the disarming honesty of Sexton's remorse, but also the glimmer of a slightly less generous sentiment that belied her sadness. The precise nature of this sentiment became evident to me once I read Sexton's poem &quot;Sylvia's Death,&quot; which revealed that Sexton's grief stemmed more from a profound sense of being left behind than from a sense of losing someone dear. In the poem, which is heartrending in its sincerity, Sexton mournfully addresses Plath: &quot;Thief -- / how did you crawl into, / crawl down alone / into the death I wanted so badly and for so long, / the death we said we both outgrew, / the one we wore on our skinny breasts.&quot; What this passage and the entirety of her poem &quot;Wanting to Die&quot; reveal is just how clearly Sexton was aware of this death wish, this &quot;suicide,&quot;... Read more Help other customers find the most helpful reviews&nbsp; Was this review helpful to you?&nbsp;, April 9, 2001

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  Sexon's Work Is Both Gritty and Incandescent

  To read the poetry of Anne Sexton is to drown in the moment between sleeping and waking. Although Sexton's poems range in tone from gritty to incandescent, her content is consistently sharp, insightful, and stinging. She's one of those rare talents who manages to write with a purpose AND a passion. The first time I read her work, the thought that sprang to mind was: "Wow. She's writing what everyone else is only thinking." Sexton has a great capacity to verbalize the unspeakable, and she does it in such a way that it scars you and heals you simultaneously. Take, for example, her "Transformations" series (the re-written fairy tales.) Here we have incest, beauty, fear, love, repression, magic...all tangled between translucent words with spines of steel. To say I am in awe of this book is to only scratch the surface. 5/5 "lauren1564" - See all my reviews This review is from: The Complete Poems: Anne Sexton (Paperback) To read the poetry of Anne Sexton is to drown in the moment between sleeping and waking. Although Sexton's poems range in tone from gritty to incandescent, her content is consistently sharp, insightful, and stinging. She's one of those rare talents who manages to write with a purpose AND a passion. The first time I read her work, the thought that sprang to mind was: &quot;Wow. She's writing what everyone else is only thinking.&quot; Sexton has a great capacity to verbalize the unspeakable, and she does it in such a way that it scars you and heals you simultaneously. Take, for example, her &quot;Transformations&quot; series (the re-written fairy tales.) Here we have incest, beauty, fear, love, repression, magic...all tangled between translucent words with spines of steel. To say I am in awe of this book is to only scratch the surface. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews&nbsp; Was this review helpful to you?&nbsp;, December 21, 1999

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  List Price: $19.00
  

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