Return of the B-Girl [EP]

Track Listings

1. What's My Name? (3/4)

2. I'm Coming

3. Wanna-Beez - Chali 2na, T-Love

4. Return of B-Girl - Kool Keith, T-Love

5. To Brooklyn

6. Love Shots

Return of the B-Girl,T-Love,Pickininny,Alternative Rap,Hip-Hop,Jazz-Rap,Pop,Rap & Hip-Hop,Underground Rap

Average customer rating:

strangely disappointing in Verdi
Live wire
Contemplative performances from Karita Mattila
Mattila superb in Verdi, Puccini, and Wagner!
Interesting Recital

Karita Mattila Live in Helsinki

Manufacturer: Ondine
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Czech | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000053SLK
Release Date: 2001-01-23

Tracks:

Tannhauser: I Greet You, Dear Hall
Rusalka: Song To The Moon
Aida: Return, Victorious!
La Forza Del Destino: Peace, Grant Me Peace O Lord
Tosca: I Have Lived For Art
Die Fledermaus: I Like To Invite Guests
Die Fledermaus: My Dear Marquis
Die Fledermaus: Sounds Of My Homeland
The Tryst
You Thought I Was Watching You
Why I Sing
I Still Have A Suitcase In Berlin - Finnish RSO/Jukka-Pekka Saraste
Falling In Love Again
Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend
Porgy And Bess: Summertime (Encore) - Karita Mattila/Peter Lerche

Amazon.com

Any doubts that Finnish singer Karita Mattila--fresh from her triumph in the Met's new production of Fidelio in the 2000-2001 season--has moved from the top ranks of today's sopranos into the rarefied aura of full-fledged diva status are dispelled by this remarkable disc capturing her in full flight at a concert in Helsinki. She opens with an ecstatic "Dich teure Halle" from Tannhäuser, follows with a sinuous Dvorák "Song to the Moon" from Rusalka, moves on to satisfying Verdi and Puccini arias, then launches into three delectable arias from Strauss's Die Fledermaus, in which she perfectly portrays three characters of wildly different voice types: Orlofsky, Adele, and Rosalinde. As if that wasn't enough, Mattila then lavishes her gorgeous soprano on a group of Finnish songs, does a convincing version of a Marlene Dietrich classic, and finishes with an idiomatic "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend" and a bluesy "Summertime." It's hard to think of another soprano who could tackle a program this varied or sing it as well. Throughout, Mattila beautifully characterizes each piece and sounds as if she's having a great time. So are we. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

strangely disappointing in Verdi.......2006-03-14

On the whole, this is an enjoyable live recital. Mattila opens with a very plugged-in, alive delivery of the Hall of Song aria from Tannhauser. I hope she records this in the studio, if she has not already done so.

Unfortunately, though her best roles include Amelia from Simon Boccanegra, she doesn't excel in the arias from Aida and La Forza. Ritorna Vincitor fares the worst. Her pacing is schizophrenic, her pronunciation of the vowels rather odd. Instead of choosing such a "heroic" Verdi aria, she should have turned to something more lyrical. Something from Un Ballo in Maschera, perhaps?

Pace, Pace Mio Dio fares better, though marginally. Mattila makes the most out of the lyrics, drawing much from the text, even better than some revered artists from the fifties and sixties. Her urgent singing of "fatalita" will rankle the purists. I, for one, welcome something more than mindless floating and note-spinning, a la Zinka Milanov. Karita's ability to draw even more from the text than native speakers reminds me of Edita Gruberova. However, like Gruberova, such passioned delivery comes at the expense of some covered notes and laborious approach.

Things improve dramatically with the three arias from Die Fledermaus. Most enchanting is Mein Herr Marquis. Mattila proves herself to be a ravishing coquette in this delicious interpretation. She even makes an honest-to-goodness stab at the coloratura, acquitting herself quite well, given that she is a lyric soprano.

Of the Finnish songs, the first one, The Tryst, is the best. Then, near the end, we are treated to some lighter fare. Her hommage to two other blonde sirens, Dietrich and Monroe, is spot-on. Falling in Love is my favorite of the two, with Mattila showing off a very convincing lower register.

Now, I couldn't get through Summertime with the guitar accompaniment. Still, there are enough tasty morsels in this recital to whet the appetite.

Live wire.......2005-09-26

Karita Mattila has more vocal brilliance & stamina and dramatic spunk than just about any other soprano singing today and I first became aware of that when listening to this collection.
Her technique is perfect, and she has lungs of steel- not that she cannot drop the opera hat in a second and adopt a cabaret persona, as aptly demonstrated here.
That she is drop dead gorgeous, and a great actress, doesn't hurt either, but this is an audio CD and opera recital first, and she has the goods, in spades, when it comes to hardcore opera repertoire.
And what a selection it is- soaring Wagner, full blooded Verdi, fantastic Tosca, a beautiful, lyrical Song to the Moon, the three heroines from Fliedermaus- each different and absolutely spot on- plus Finnish songs and some old fashion diva selections- Marilyn Monroe's and Marlene Dietrich's songs, and for finish, Summertime. This list is as crazy as it gets, and yet somehow everything works- and how! The word sparkling is often to use to describe singing of fluffy coloratura sopranos, but that would apply- there's a sort of electrical buzz that Mattila creates: every song is exciting, utterly absorbing. This is a recording of one fully-fledged diva in a great live performance.

Contemplative performances from Karita Mattila.......2001-11-01

I love live recordings. I first became aware of this music several months ago. I listen to this CD quite a bit at home and in the car. I really relish her performances. And then there is Wagner's music!

Mattila superb in Verdi, Puccini, and Wagner!.......2000-12-03

A friend of mine sent this CD for me, and I was stunned. There are great Verdi singers in the world after all! The opera arias are all outstanding, packed with emotion, sung in resplendent tone and perfect technique (portamento, legato line, strong chest voice). My favourites on this disc are hauntingly beautiful Rusalka's aria, "Pace, pace, mio Dio" from Forza, and Elisabeth's greeting from Tannhäuser. Operetta pieces are wonderful. I don't care that much about the lighter department, but she certainly shows her versatility. Marlene Dietrich song (from Blue Angel) is more succesful than the Marilyn one.

This is a must have for every opera lover! IMO she is the most exciting opera personality in the world today. BTW - the CD program in here looks strange, my copy does not include Elsa's dream (I wish it would) or Edith Piaf song. I became a fan of her after seeing her as Manon Lescaut (I wish she would record "Sola, perduta, abbandonata" someday).

Interesting Recital.......2000-11-27

The CD is a live recording from a concert Karita Mattila gave here in Helsinki. I did not get a ticket, but listened the concert on the radio (Mattila is accompanied by Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra). She was almost tireless, singing for over three hours (no guest artists).

The programme was interesting. I would love to hear Mattila as Elisabeth, Leonora or Aida, because she sings their arias beautifully. Her lyric but strong voice suits Verdi and "lighter Wagner" very well, I think. Vissi d'arte was also very good; Tosca would be a perfect role for a diva like Mattila. She sang Musetta's waltz in the concert, but it has not found it's way on the recording. The Fledermaus arias show the artist's versatility and make it clear that Mattila likes to sing operetta.

Mattila is generally better suited to opera than lied, but in Finnish music she is excellent - my personal favorite is "Flickan kom ifrån sing älsklings möte" by Sibelius. The "lighter" music is not that successfull, and I wonder why trained opera singers are so enthusiastic in performing and recording music that obviously does not fit their voices. Mattila imitated Marlene Dietrich and Marilyn in the concert, which was quite fun, but not to my liking. In addition, Mattila's encore was "Summertime" (included in the recording), a song she obviously likes very much, but sings less successfully. I think she should stick to classical music.

Tracks:

Maritana: Brilliant Fantasia
To A Wild Rose, Op.51No. 1
Salut D'Amour, Op. 12
Le Jet D'Eau
La Serenata
Tarantelle Brillante
Humoresque, Op. 101 No. 8
Traumerei
The Bohemian Girl (Morceau De Salon, Op. 107 No. 2): Variations On 'Where Other Lips'
Lily Of Killarney: Eily Mavourneen
'Concerto'
Lily Oh The Valley
The Old Refrain
The Robins Return
Irish Confetti

Product Description

Romantic piano rarities. Includes Mr. Sheridan's own arrangemnets of "The Old Refrain", "Eily Mavourneen" (from the opera Lily of Killarney, by Jules Benedict, "When other lips" (from The Bohemian Girl) by Balfe, arranged by Charles Voss(1815-1882). Disc also includes world premier recordings of five piano pices by Sydney Smith(1839-1889).Trully a wonderfull collection or rare piano romance.

Customer Reviews:

English Salon Music? Indeed, and Enjoyable Rarities.......2007-04-14

This is an extremely unconventional piano recording, promoting English and Irish piano miniatures, mostly from the 19th century. With the exception of Schumann's beloved Traumerei, the Dvorak Humoresque and Elgar's Salut d'Amour, I've never even heard of the composers of some of the pieces here. Balfe, Voss, Braga, Wallace, O'Carolan? Who has heard of these guys? Sydney Smith, however, a 19th century English piano virtuoso who studied with Moscheles, is slightly more prominent. I've encountered some of his piano transcriptions before and was fairly receptive. On this recording, the Irish pianist J.J. Sheridan shares some absolutely obscure piano miniatures, and I have to say, most of these are superb pianistic desserts.

Sydney Smith's works are the most notable of these miscellaneous pieces. His "Brilliant Fantasia on Wallace's Maritana" opera exhibits facile ornamentation and a bel canto emphasis akin to the fantasies of Herz or Kalkbrenner. Smith's "Le Jet d'Eau" in particular, is a sparkling pleasure that employs a constant flow of Thalbergian arpeggios. The transcription of Braga's "La Serenata" is another gushing Chopinesque salon piece, brimming with tenderness and warmth; an agitated central section provides a brief but nice contrast. A more successful contrast, though, is Smith's exuberant "Tarantelle Brillante." In addition to the Maritana Fantasia, this is probably the most virtuosic work on this recording. But it seems like Sheridan is playing too slow; I think the music needs more energy and gusto. The last Smith piece, "Lily of the Valley," is lovely enough and possesses a tinge of Mozartian charm.

Other remarkable miniatures are the Balfe-Voss Variations, the Benedict-Sheridan and the piano arrangement of Elgar's "Salut d'Amour." Oddly, the Balfe-Voss is essentially a theme and one variation, but has plenty of filigree passages. Sheridan's transcription of Benedict's "Eily Mavourneen" shimmers with lyrical grace, while Elgar's Salut d'Amour is the most melodic of them all. The rest of the pieces on this disc are pleasant trifles. Saving a major negative comment for last, I should warn the reader that the sound of the piano is awful. The acoustics are so bad that the piano comes off as sounding like a midi file: bad recording devices and engineering are to blame.

Bottom line: This music is intellectually light, not emotionally profound, and yet still endearing. There are a few of these miniatures which I feel deserve a higher popularity and a greater champion. While Sheridan's efforts to expose these unequivocally rare pieces to the light are appreciated, I think his interpretations are questionable. Maybe it's the weak piano sound that does Sheridan's execution's harm. Nevertheless, these pieces are delightful miniatures and if you've had your pianistic fill of meaty Beethoven or Liszt, treat yourself to this musical cheesecake.

RARE SALON PIANO.......2000-10-12

A really marvelous disc, The highlight for me was the marvelously impressionistic "Le Jet Deau" by Smith and the fantastic novelty piece "The Robin's Return" by Leander Fisher.

Wonderfull playing by J.J. Sheridan

RARE SALON MUSIC.......2000-03-24

I loved this cd. I loved the Sydney Smith transcriptions. Listen to Smith's arrangement of Wallace's "Maritana". It's great. All piano lovers should check this out, Great.

Marvellous Salon Piano.......1999-10-12

I loved this CD. It truly is a Romantic recording. I loved "Irish Confetti" The "opera" transcriptions were marvelous, beautifull melodies in great arrangements. This is truly a great find. Lets have Volume 2

Average customer rating:

{3 CD Dance Pack / 39 songs} featuring: Inline, Fly Girl, Benny Moore, Mo'reece Marks, Barbara Nelson, Julio Sole, Sonni Bebe, Latin Lou/Mambo All Stars, Dick Martian, Sonni Bebe, On Time, The Party Boys, Mini Trio, Buckwhead, The Black Pack, Brand New Heavies, Robin, Basscut, Aja, Pharcyde, Omar Gosh, Masta Ace, Apocalypse, Fatlip, Nuyorican Soul, Black Magic, Taylor Dayne, Vanessa Daou, Sandy B, Groove Collective, Kenlou III, Fresh Fish, Soul Solution, Joi Cardwell, D'Still'd, Planet Soul, Ace Of Base
So Close - Inline / If You Had My Love - Fly Girl / Never Too Busy - Benny Moore / Return Of The Mack - Mo'reece Marks / Genie In A Bottle - Barbara Nelson , / Bailamos - Julio Sole / Strong Enough - Sonni Bebe / Mambo #5 - Latin Lou/Mambo All Stars / Living La Vida Loca - Dick Martian / Believe - Sonni Bebe , / Tearin Up My Heart - On Time / We Like To Party - The Party Boys / Give It To You - Sola Kid / Austin Powers (Theme) - Mini Trio , / Smoker's Emporium - Buckwhead / Used To Be My Lover - The Black Pack / Sometimes - The Brand New Heavies / All My Love - Robin , / New World - Basscut / Say A Little Prayer - Aja / Jealousy - The Pharcyde / Saturday Nite - The Brand New Heavies , / Millenium Jump - Omar Gosh / Observations - Masta Ace / Too Many - Apocalypse / What's Up Fatlip? - Fatlip , / Mind Fluid - Nuyorican Soul / Freedom (Make It Funky) (Lil Louis 'Freedom' Remix) - Black Magic / Say A Prayer (Morales Mix) - Taylor Dayne , / Sunday Afternoons - Vanessa Daou / Make The World Go Round (Deep Dish 12in) - Sandy B / I Want You - Groove Collective / What A Sensation - Kenlou III , / Bang Da Bush (Cadet Mix) - Fresh Fish / Can't Stop Love - Soul Solution / You Got To Pray - Joi Cardwell , and / Stopgo - D'Still'd / Set U Free (Fever Mix) - Planet Soul / Don't Turn Around - Ace Of Base
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000OSVXO0

Product Description

Great Collection Of Dance Music.

Average customer rating:

T-Love flows to terrific production.
Excellent in every respect.

Return of the B-Girl
T-Love
Manufacturer: Nu Gruv/Pickininny
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Experimental Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Tracks:

What's My Name? (3/4)
I'm Comin'
Wanna-Beez
Return Of The B-Girl
LA To Brooklyn
Love Shots
Bonus Track 1
Bonus Track 2
Bonus Track 3

Customer Reviews:

T-Love flows to terrific production........2002-06-26

"Return of the B-Girl" features a great deal of excellent rapping over tracks sampled and mixed by That Kid Miles. Guest appearances and strong verses from T-Love herself make this album and excellent listen through and through.

Miles digs to the dusty depths of the record crates to pull out great samples you've never heard anywhere else. If you're into jazz-based hip-hop that doesn't get too agressive, then this is the album for you.

Excellent in every respect........2001-09-10

This is pretty difficult to find, but if you can get it, don't hesitate to pick it up at once! This EP is produced by "That Kid Named Miles" productions so you are reliable getting a strong, jazzy compilation where beats are dug DEEP from the crates and you're guaranteed to listen to each without hearing a lot of cliche or generic rhymes. T-Love also is backed up by a myriad of strong freestylers, Siah and Yeshua, and the freestyle nutball god himself, Kool Keith. The overall sound of this album is jazzy, laid back and smooth, but at the same time, T-Love can deliver at an aggressive, inspiring tone without getting out of control. A well controlled production with a tight, uniform style.

Rap Music:

Rap Music

rap music

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