Now Is Early [CD-single]

Now Is Early [CD-single]

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Digitally remastered 1997 reissue on K7 of the former Massive Attack vocalist's 1992 solo debut, originally issuedon Shut Up And Dance. 11 tracks, including 'No Government', 'Dove Song' and the unmarked bonus tracks 'School Of The World' & 'Udi Egwu'. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Tracks:

The Holly & The Ivy
Gaudete
L'Amour De Moi
Salva Nos
Glass Window
There Is No Rose of Swych Vertu
Kinderly
In Dulce Jubilo
Love Me Broughte
I Am Eve
Quan Vey La Lauzeta
The Coventry Carol
Undrentide
Ecce Mundi Gaudium
Blow Northern Wind

Customer Reviews:

buy this one first.......2006-06-29

This is not really a Christmas, or even a seasonal, album, more of a best of the Babes. yYs, they lead off with "The Holly and the Ivy" (and do it beautifully) but do not buy this as a "holiday music album"... or do... you won't regret buying it whatever your reasons!
This was my introduction to this band and I was absolutely floored. It lived in my car CD player for 2 months straight, and still is in the first section of my CD storage unit.... a rare honor for *any* Cd. It is also responsible for causing me to go out and try to buy every other CD the band has out, and I have not been disapointed in any of the ones I have gotten so far.
Speaking as a former music major, religious student, and medieval re-creationist, I know I can be pretty nit picky when it comes to "medieval" music; all too often it is neither medieval, nor (in my opinion) music! This is one of those rare exceptions that can manage to get you out of a chair to dance, while singing at the top of your lungs in Olde Englishe, Latin, or whatever. There isnt a bad voice in the lot (although some of the harmonies can be a bit odd if you arent used to medieval music) and the instrumental backings are pure gold.

Great introduction to Mediaeval Baebes.......2006-02-27

This CD has many songs from previous albums and a few new songs. It is a great introduction to Mediaeval Baebes music and serves as "best of" type of collection. It is billed as a "holiday" collection but I listen to it year round and quite often. The Mediaeval Baebes have a very unique and wonderful sound.

Great choral versions of ancient songs.......2005-11-19

I first heard the Mediaeval Baebes on a UK double CD (Best carols in the world ever) featuring three of their trackss (Guadete, Coventry carol, Adam lay ibounden), all of which can also be found on their debut album, but my curiosity only became aroused when that UK double CD was updated and repackaged with a different title (Best Christmas carols ever) and all the Mediaeval Baebes tracks were omitted with other choirs replacing them. My research showed that they have become an established group (albeit with line-up changes) and are now very successful in their chosen style, which some may regard as classical but (since they sing with their natural voices rather than operatic voices) seems more like traditional folk music to me.

This is not a Christmas album in the true sense of the word although there are some recognizable Christmas carols here - rather it is a compilation of music taken from their earlier albums together with a couple of re-recordings and two completely new recordings. I would have liked some liner notes giving some detailed information about the songs but very little information is actually provided. Apparently, much more information can found in the booklets provided with the original album releases. Still, it's the music that counts and, when it comes to choral music, this is as good as it gets.

The set opens with The holly and the ivy, set to the tune that everybody is familiar with. I seem to remember reading somewhere that this tune, although old, is not the original tune written for the song. This is where liner notes would be useful - and as this is one of the new recordings, their original albums won't help. Given that the Mediaeval Baebes aim to re-record very old songs, it would have been nice to hear them sing it to its original tune if it really was different from the current one. I suppose it doesn't matter since they sing the song superbly anyway.

Other Christmas carols that you are likely to recognize are Gaudete (revived most famously by folk-rockers Steeleye Span), In dulce jubilo (a new recording for this album, it was recorded in the seventies by Mike Oldfield, who had a UK hit with his instrumental version) and The Coventry carol. The other songs are unfamiliar to me but the group perform them all brilliantly. The other song of theirs on that UK carols compilation (Adam lay ibounded) is not included, but there's plenty else to make up for that omission.

The instruments used to back the group (mostly played by members of the group) are interesting. They include a zither, a hurdygurdy, a citern, a glockenspiel, an astrowheel and three different types of recorder - not the kind of instruments to be heard regularly on pop and rock albums. I was particularly pleased to find the recorders here. Like many Brits of my generation, I was forced to learn to play the recorder at school (I did so very badly) and so the recorder has never had a great reputation, but when played well and in the right setting (as here), it sounds wonderful.

This is a fine compilation in many ways but it may be that one of the original albums (which apparently have detailed liner notes) will provide an even better introduction to the music of the Mediaeval Baebes. Despite my reservations, this is still (easily) a five-star album and I'll certainly listen to more of their music eventually.

A pleasing tone.......2004-12-02

This is probably one of my new favorite Christmas albums. It is an absolute gem. It isn't an over-powering album with new or different things but they have recorded a few lesser known Latin Carols that are not given much attention anymore. Gaudete was one that stood out. The arrangement is rather simple and beautiful and the song itself is melodic in an unusual way. I have found that this CD has appealed to a fairly wide spectrum of people and would make a great album to play in the background during the Holidays. I think this would be the perfect thing to put on in the late afternoon in December while curling up with a good book or wrapping presents.

A "best of", not really a Christmas record.......2004-03-27

Potential purchasers should bear that in mind. As with the Medieval Baebes debut album it contains a small proportion of `holiday season' material, but most of it can be listened to without embarrassment at any time of the year. (In my experience, all of it can - even on a warm spring afternoon I can't bring myself to program out `In Dulci Jubilo', `The Holly...' etc).

Another thing potential purchasers should bear in mind - this compilation winds up being a better "best of" than the album of that name.

It's more representative - career-spanning and able to demonstrate the increasing ambition and complexity of the arrangements, and of Katharine Blake's compositions. (Of course, some of their experiments with modern instrumentation on the `Undrentide' album didn't work, but they don't appear here).

It's also more enjoyable on a basic musical level - there are no over-repetitive pieces, no odd song-fragments...nothing that drags. Or maybe there are a couple of weak spots - "I Am Eve" which goes on a little too long, and Audrey Evans's rendition of "L'amour de moi" which is suprisingly weak, and no substitute for the original featuring the much-missed Dorothy Carter - but these are easily forgiven.

Customer Reviews:

The Better of the two.......2006-06-03

I have both disc in the series. I liked the music on this disc much more than the first. The selections seem more focused and the sounds are much clearer. Also, the particular pieces fit better together. I love the sound of this group and hope they make more in the future.

Not as good as version 1 in this series.......2004-09-03

This is by the same group who did the wonderful & engaging Early American Choral Music 1. Somehow this CD did not live up to its predecessor in some ways. The performance is still top notch, but somehow the CD as a whole isn't quite as engaging to listen to as the first. Perhaps version 2's strength is also its weakness. Its diversity of composers allows you to pear past the shadow of William Billings and sample other notable early American hymn writers. That exposure is valuable & appreciated. I just couldn't get into it as much.

A final note: many of the texts are beautiful (and available from the publisher's web site). However, I would criticize "Who is this that cometh from Edom?" as dwelling just a bit too much on the Jews' rejection of Jesus. Among other reasons & issues, Christianity says that we are all sinners & there is no cause to single a particular group out negatively.

Same as 'Goostly Psalmes: Anglo-American Psalmody 1550-1800'.......2004-02-21

Please note this CD is a duplicate of His Majestie's Clerkes's "Goostly Psalmes: Anglo-American Psalmody 1550-1800" -- identical contents but a different name and cover. I ordered both and was irritated to discover this. This CD is cheaper, so I recommend this one. It is a lovely choral work from a little-known period of sacred music.

Lay Aside All Earthly Cares: Orthodox Choral Works in English

Average customer rating:

Just heavenly

Lay Aside All Earthly Cares: Orthodox Choral Works in English

Manufacturer: Cappella Romana
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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The Fall of Constantinople
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When Augustus Reigned: Christmas Music from the Byzantine Tradition
A Brush With God: An Icon Workbook
The Glory Of Byzantium

ASIN: B000AXWHE4
Release Date: 2005-09-13

Tracks:

Bless the Lord, O my soul
O gladsome Light
Lord, now let Thy servant
Rejoice, Virgin Theotokos
Praise the Name of the Lord
The Great Doxology, No.1
Bless the Lord, O my soul
The Second Antiphon
Only begotten Son
Holy God, No.2
Alleluia, No.1
Cherubic Hymn (Special melody: The thief beheld)
A mercy of peace
It is truly meet
Our Father / One is holy / Praise the Lord, No.1
Praise the Lord from the heavens, No.2
I will receive the cup, No.2
Their proclamation has gone out, No.2
Rejoice in the Lord
Receive the Body of Christ, No.1,2,1
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Psalm
All of creation
Troparion for the Sunday of Orthodoxy
Let my prayer arise
Now the Powers of heaven
Taste and see
Thy bridal chamber
The wise thief, No.2
The wise thief, No.3
Let all mortal flesh
What shall we call you, Mary

Customer Reviews:

Just heavenly.......2007-01-30

An extraordinary, original collection of vocal music that defies categorization. An inspiring pleasure to own.

John Rutter: Te Deum and Other Church Music

Average customer rating:

John Rutter: Te Deum
Absolutely amazing
Up to the usual high standard
Beautiful, excellent album
A new experience in familiar pieces

John Rutter: Te Deum and Other Church Music

Manufacturer: Collegium
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Te Deum | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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Be Thou My Vision

ASIN: B0000031HH
Release Date: 1993-09-11

Tracks:

Te Deum
Be Thou My Vision
I Believe In Springtime
Lord, Make Me An Instrument Of Thy Peace
O Be Joyful In The Lord
All Creatures Of Our God And King
A Choral Fanfare
As The Bridegroom To His Chosen
Christ The Lord Is Risen Again
They Perfect Love
The Lord Is My Light And My Salvation
Go Forth Into The World In Peace
Now Thank We All Our God

Amazon.com

Englishman John Rutter is today's most popular composer of church music, primarily owing to his accessible style and purposeful commitment to both professional and amateur choirs. This recording features some of Rutter's most popular sacred choral works from the 1980s--definitively performed by Rutter's own Cambridge Singers, conducted by the composer himself. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews:

John Rutter: Te Deum .......2007-05-14

Outstanding music and outstanding recording quality. This is a must for all who like the choral music of Rutter, a musical treat from the time you que up the disc.

Absolutely amazing.......2006-08-21

Of the 5 Cambridge Singers recordings in my possession, this is my favorite. I absolutely love "Be thou my vision," and find the title track inspiring each time I listen to it. This is a CD that will not disappoint!

Up to the usual high standard.......2006-07-13

What better version of the Rutter "Te Deum" than the composer and his group? This CD does not disappoint. Highly recommended!

Beautiful, excellent album.......2006-02-19

I have wanted this album for several years and have finally found it and purchased it. I have listened to it dozens of times since I received it, and love it! I hesitated to buy it because it is more expensive than most music CD's, but it is worth it.

A new experience in familiar pieces.......2005-10-05

This recording of the Cambridge Singers has them recording pieces composed by their own director, John Rutter. The 'Te Deum' is Rutter's version of a standard piece of liturgical music, representing classic influences ancient and modern, typical of Rutter's compositional style. This was recorded at in 1990 at the Henry Wood Hall in London, with the City of London Sinfonia and organist John Scott collaborating.

--Music--
'The Te Deum' is a piece that is standard for liturgy in Catholic and Anglican services. It is a song of praise, and here is it bright and powerful. 'Be Thou My Vision' is an Irish folk hymn, gentle and graceful, but Rutter has added something quite new to the rendition with his arrangement. The initial flourishes and fanfare for the standard piece 'All Creatures of Our God and King' lead to a triumphant song experience. 'The Lord is My Light and My Salvation' is once again a meditative and gentle moving piece, with good spirit.

The songs here are familiar for the most part, but Rutter's arrangements and compositions make this a thoroughly new experience in many ways.

--Liner Notes--
The notes include an introduction to the CD by Rutter describing some of the influences and expressions in his composition. Lyrics are included, all of which are in English on this collection. There is no listing of the performers of the Cambridge Singers, no description of the group, nor biographical information about John Rutter.

--John Rutter--
Rutter was born in London and educated at Clare College, Cambridge. This was where his career as a composer, arranger and conductor began. His early work was with groups at King's College Chapel at Cambridge as well as the Bath Choir and Philharmonic Orchestra. He has worked for the BBC providing music for educational series such as 'The Archaeology of the Bible Lands', until in 1979 he began forming the Cambridge Singers, and has continued a remarkable career of performance and recording as their director ever since.

--The Cambridge Singers--
The Cambridge Singers are a mixed choir of voices, many of whom were members of choir of Rutter's college, Clare College, Cambridge. While they specialise in English and Latin liturgical pieces, they have a wide range of recordings that span from modern compositions (including a remarkable requiem by Rutter) to English folk songs of the Middle Ages. Many are former members of the choir of Clare College and other Cambridge collegiate choirs (hence the name, Cambridge Singers). In the quarter-century since the founding, the Cambridge Singers have produced an impressive body of recordings.

This is a wonderful collection.

Average customer rating:

You don't need a Wayback machine
A Very Good Compilation of Elizabethan Music
Light classics with historical charm

Elizabeth's Music

Manufacturer: Dorian Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
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Panorama: Dances of the Renaissance

ASIN: B00000IGPC
Release Date: 1999-03-23

Tracks:

Jane Pickering Lute Book: The Queen's Treble
Consort Lessons: O Mistris Mine (Twelfth Night)
Consort Lessons: My Lord Oxenfords Maske
Robin Is To The Greenwood Gone
Why Ask You
Paduana - Lachrymae
The Fifth Galliard (My Lady Nevell's Book)
Shall I Come Sweet Love To Thee?
In Darkness Let Me Dwell
Packington's Pound
Never Weather-Beaten Sail
It Was A Lover And His Lass
Howells Delight
Green Garters
There Were Three Ravens
(Ballet Lute Book c.1590): Greensleeves
(Thysius Lute Book c.1600): Greensleeves
Greensleeves
See, See The Shepherd's Queen
Willy Prithee Go To Bed
Now Is The Month Of Maying
Weep You No More, Sad Fountains
Beauty, Since You So Much Desire
Fine Knacks For Ladies
Captain Digorie Piper's Galliard
My Lord Willoughby's Welcome Home
Melancholy Galliard
My Lady Hunsdon's Puffe
Fortune My Foe
Queen Elizabeth's Galliard
Mrs. Winter's Jump

Customer Reviews:

You don't need a Wayback machine.......2001-12-05

Just get a CD like this one to get a broad brush review of the popular hits of the late 1500s. While I would have liked a few more recorder pieces, almost every cut was interesting in its own way. If you want just one early music CD with English songs, this is probably the one to get.

A Very Good Compilation of Elizabethan Music.......2001-09-27

"Elizabeth's Music" is a great cd to listen to if you are an enthusiast of ballads, the lute or old fashioned jigs. This cd really puts you in the alehouses, courts and courtyards of the Elizebethan age. The music is preformed well and the voices are very authentic and beautiful. The CD loses one star because most of the songs are on other Dorian-released CDs! I got the cd and found out most of the songs were the exact same ones on my "Shakespeare's Music" CD and other Dorian CDs. Ah well. All Elizabethan enthusiasts will enjoy this eclectic collection.

Light classics with historical charm.......2000-01-07

Really enjoyed this CD. Light and pleasant, without being too pretentious. Great background music for home or office.

Average customer rating:

The best of the 4 I recently bought
a little jewel of Renaissance music

At the Sign of the Crumhorn

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Chansons | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00004GLLP
Release Date: 2000-04-11

Tracks:

Come Out All
Needles, Needles
Den III. Ende VI. Ronde + Quatre Branles
In Sorrow Must I Die
I Carry In My Heart
Be Sure To Drink In Moderation
A Venus Creature
How Sorrowful Is My Heart
New Almanack
In The Middle Of May
A Guild Has It's Wench
My Heart Has Secretly Departed
My Beloved's Brown Eyes
Ye Noble Young Spirits
Ronde IV-I-VI
Fool's Entr'acte
Beautiful Venus
Hoboken Dance
I Went Out Last Night
Allemande IV-III-IV
Gaillarde I-II-III
You Are The Most Precious
Pain And Sorrow + I Mourn
O Time So Heartily Full Of Melodies
Now Take Note
Here We Come
A Girl Came Walking By I
A Girl Came Walking By II
Ronde III - IV

Customer Reviews:

The best of the 4 I recently bought.......2005-04-27

For some reason I recently decided to buy a variety of Early Music CDs from Amazon. I purchased four, including this one, enough to spend $25 for free shipping. Of the four (the others being 'Praetorius: Dances from Terpsichore', 'Music of the Troubadours', and 'Music of the Crusades'), this is my favorite.

I particularly like the song whose title is translated on this page as 'Be sure to drink in moderation' - I don't know enough contemporary Dutch to know if learning to sing this as recorded on this CD would be comprehensible to native speakers of Dutch today, but I certainly hope so, because it would make a terrific ice breaker at parties in Holland.

As for the music, it's hard to imagine that a gaggle of trained geese would sound as good as these Crumhorns. This album really rocks.

a little jewel of Renaissance music.......2004-01-17

If you are looking for an album with all types of renaissance-music from the Low Countries this is the album. Different composers from that time-area and different types of music are recorded. Some songs are very modest, others makes it difficult not to hum with. This cd is a jewel worth listening. Renaissancofiles: this album should be in your collection.

Average customer rating:

A unique vocalist...a great song writer.
O nene, o nene, o si o nene, o nene
Nicolette - a wonderful overlooked artist

Now Is Early
Nicolette
Manufacturer: K7
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

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Let No One Live Rent Free in Your Head

ASIN: B0000013E3
Release Date: 1998-06-16

Tracks:

No Government
Dove Song
Single Minded Vocal
I Woke Up
Waking Up Remix
O Si Nene
It's Only To Be Expected
Wicked Mathematics
A Single Ring
School Of The World
UDI EGWU

Album Description

Digitally remastered 1997 reissue on K7 of the former Massive Attack vocalist's 1992 solo debut, originally issuedon Shut Up And Dance. 11 tracks, including 'No Government', 'Dove Song' and the unmarked bonus tracks 'School Of The World' & 'Udi Egwu'.

Album Details

Remastered and Re-Issued 1992 Debut CD.

Customer Reviews:

A unique vocalist...a great song writer........2004-05-17

I was entranced by the vocals of Nicolette when I first heard her on Massive Attack's 'Protection'. While the media seemed so focused on Tracey Thorn, there was something utterlty familiar and cosmic about Nicolette's voice and what she was saying. I was hooked on her meandering vocals that seemed to come at you from some other place. Worldly is the word that comes to mind. Her writing style is definately her own as this release and "Let No One Live Rent Free..."exemplified. Her subject matter deals with a certain existentialism that runs it's course through the political and social human conditions. Her voice favors Eartha Kitt on "acid" and seems to counter the harsh snares that spew proto-drum and bass/ house rhythms(it was '92 when this was released). This seems like an odd combination but it works surprisingly well. This musical contrast was pushed further on her follow up. Favorites include the downtempo version of "No Government". The flirtatious "Waking up", the playful "Osi Nene", the self-procaliming "Dove Song" and the awesome drum & bass ballad "It's Only to Be Expected". I hope she makes another record... it's long overdue.

O nene, o nene, o si o nene, o nene.......2001-02-25

If only I could give more stars.

Nicolette needs more recognition because she is a great artist. She has sung on "Sly" and "Three" on Massive Attack's "Protection". She also did some collaborations with Plaid ( "Extork" on "Not For Threes" and DJ-Kicks ) and LA Style ( "I'm Raving" ).

This cd starts with "No Government". A new version of this song can be found on her "Let No-One Live Rent Free In Your Head"-album. This version is much slower, and her voice sounds different. With this album she proves that she can cover many styles. There is some drum 'n' bass in the nervous "Dove Song" and some playfull dance pop in "Single Minded Vocal" ( a song about being narrow minded and ways of thinking in our society ) and "School Of The World" and "Wicked Mathematics". But Nicolette is about dance and she proves this with "O Si Nene" which has the same "o nene" vocals as from "I'm Raving" with LA Style. It's one of her most famous songs and there is a remix of the song that is called "Udi Egwu" which concentrates more on the techno. "Waking Up Remix" is another great house/techno song. "I Woke Up" is a jazzy, bluesy song with some trip hop, just like "A Single Ring" which is a funny little trip hop story.

Just buy this album, because she's great.

Nicolette - a wonderful overlooked artist.......2001-02-02

It's a shame that fame didn't come to Nicolette after her two dreamy songs on Massive Attack's Protection, "Three" and "Sly." Considered a dance diva for intellectuals, Nicolette has won a cult following in Europe, and a few brave Americans have discovered her fine second album Let No One Live Rent Fee in Your Head, a multi-textured dance/trip-hop/jazz album with several tracks produced by UK electromeisters Plaid.

But as for her debut? Now Is Early is a lovely album, with lots of catchy beats and offbeat electronic grooves (though minus the involvement of Plaid). It's not quite as mature as Rent Free, but it still sparkles with eccentricity, warmth, and Nicolette's inarguably effervescent personality. The second track, "Dove Song," is the only dud in this album, with a rather headache-inducing rhythm that goes on for 5 minutes. But even it can't dispel the magic of Nicolette's childlike, yet worldly, voice.

Customer Reviews:

great, great!!!.......2006-12-05

This is the way ,I think, Purcell should sound. No pomp and surcomstance but only great music.

ALL THE MUSIC YOU EVER NEED!!.......2003-05-23

This boxed set is by far one of the best purchases I have ever made. As a Purcell freak, this hits every button I have. The cast of characters include the inequitable Robert King, New College Choir, Bowman, and a host of other venerable persons. Likewise the attention to period performance of these works makes it an essential addition to the library of any serious anglophile/Musicologist etc. Now if only the Britten Realizations of all Purcell's songs could be recorded alongside the originals! You will Love this set!