For All Seasons [Clean]

Track Listings

1. Intro

2. Man's World

3. We Ain't Friends

4. Like This

5. Ultimate High - Nas, Nature

6. Young Love

7. Go Ahead

8. Nature's Shine

9. Smoke

10. Remember

11. Talking That Shit

12. I Don't Give a F***

13. Don't Stop

For All Seasons,Nature,Sony,East Coast Rap,Hip-Hop,Pop,Rap,Rap & Hip-Hop,Social Commentary

For All Seasons [Clean]

Average customer rating:

pure genius
Another great Yo-Yo Disc
first disc great- second a flop
Encore
The Versatile Yo-Yo Ma

The Essential Yo-Yo Ma

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Appassionato
Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone
Vivaldi's Cello
Classic Yo-Yo
Silk Road Journeys: Beyond the Horizon

ASIN: B000A7Q29G
Release Date: 2005-08-16

Tracks:

Prde from Suite No. 1 in G Major for Cello, BWV 1007
II. Largo from "Winter", Op. 8, No. 4, RV 297 from the Four Seasons
Jesus, bleibet meine Freude (Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring), BWV 147
Schafe kn sicher weiden (Sheep May Safely Graze), BWV 208
Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme (Sleepers Awake), BWV 645
The Swan from Carnival of the Animals (Chamber Version)
Havanaise, Op. 83
Mtation from Tha
Liebesfreud Instrumental
Allegro ben ritmato e deciso from Three Preludes
Vocalise Vocal
IV. Allegro from Sonata in D minor for Cello and Piano, Op. 40
Andante Cantabile for Cello Solo and String Orchestra, Op. posth.
IV. Rondo alla Zingarese. Presto from Quartet No. 1 in G minor for Piano and Strings, Op. 25
III. Finale. Allegro moderato from Concerto in B minor for Cello and Orchestra, Op. 104

Tracks:

Cristal
A lenda do caboclo
Chega de Saudade Live
Wapango Live
Libertango
Appalachia Waltz Solo Cello Version
Butterfly's Day Out
1B
Pickin' from Three Pieces for Solo Cello
Simple Gifts
The Mission
Gabriel's Oboe
The Falls Album Version
The Eternal Vow from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
The Cellist of Sarajevo - A Lament in Rondo Form for Solo 'Cello, Op. 12
Chi passa per'sta strada
Mido Mountain (Chinese Traditional)
Mohini (Enchantment)
Baroque in Rhythm from Suite for Cello and Jazz Piano Trio
Anything Goes Instrumental
I Could Have Danced All Night Extended version

Amazon.com

Here are three dozen pieces of music, all played by Yo-Yo Ma, culled from his extensive discography. Aside from the technical mastery and beautiful tone that are absolutes in all of his playing, one is dazzled by his curiosity and ability to adapt to so many forms and types of music. His Bach and Vivaldi are pellucid and played with non-sentimental crispness, his tango music gritty and rhythmically pungent, his jazz seemingly spontaneous, the "Meditation" from Thais simply ravishing, "Anything Goes" a romp, and the Appalachian music performed with both respect and a great twang, while the traditional Chinese music is fascinating. It's really a matter of how much Ma loves whatever he plays here, how entirely he becomes involved in it, and what a fine partner he invariably is to other musicians. This collection is a doozy--it is truly "essential." --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

pure genius.......2007-05-21

No instrument asks more from the soul of an artist as the cello does.
Yo Yo Ma shows to be master of the instrument and his interpretations en technique are pure genius. Everyone should have this album in his (or hers of course) basic classical collection

Another great Yo-Yo Disc.......2007-05-15

The set-up with the classical pieces on the first disc and the other on the second is excellent.

first disc great- second a flop.......2007-04-12

the first disc is awesome. the second disc is weird and boring.

Encore.......2007-03-31

Incredible. My young cellist (son) loves it. Beautiful music. The album is well organized and each song transitions nicely.

The Versatile Yo-Yo Ma.......2007-03-29

I've found this collection to be extremely delightful! It gives you a sense of the versatility of Yo-Yo Ma like no other, with one disc being dedicated more to his classical side, while the other explores jazz and world music venues. Not your typical "greatest hits" collection.

Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series)

Average customer rating:

Fabulous for any Broadway-lover
Top Shelf
TERRIFIC CD'S
Great Collection of Broadways greatest Songs
Great Compilation!

Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series)

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Best of Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series)
Broadway: The American Musical
Broadway: The American Musical
Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series)
Somewhere over the Rainbow: The Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals

ASIN: B00064ADMK
Release Date: 2004-10-19

Tracks:

Give My Regards To Broadway- Joel Grey
Swanee- Al Jolson
When The Moon Shines On The Moonshine- Bert Williams
A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody- John Steel
My Man- Fanny Brice
Fascinating Rhythm- Fred Astaire, Adele Astaire
If You Knew Susie (Like I Know Susie)- 78rpm Version Eddie Cantor
Someone To Watch Over Me- Gertrude Lawrence
Bill- 78 rpm Version Helen Morgan
Ol' Man River- Paul Robeson
Ain't Misbehavin'- Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra
Ten Cents A Dance- Ruth Etting
Body And Soul- Libby Holman
Brother, Can You Spare A Dime- Bing Crosby
Night And Day- Fred Astaire
Heat Wave- Ethel Waters
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes- Tamara
You're The Top- Ethel Merman
Summertime- Anne Brown
September Song- Walter Huston
My Heart Belongs To Daddy- Mary Martin
It Never Entered My Mind- Shirley Ross
Bewitched, Bothered, Bewildered- Vivienne Segal
Oh, How I Hate To Get Up In The Morning- Irving Berlin
Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'- Alfred Drake

Tracks:

New York, New York- Cris Alexander,Adolph Green,John Reardon
If I Loved You- John Raitt,Jan Clayton
Come Rain Or Come Shine- Ruby Hill,Harold Nicholas
There's No Business Like Show Business- Ensemble
How Are Things In Glocca Morra? From "Finian's Rainbow"- Ella Logan
Once In Love With Amy- Ray Bolger
Wunderbar- Alfred Drake,Patricia Morison
Some Enchanted Evening- Ezio Pinza
Lost In The Stars- Todd Duncan
Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend- Carol Channing
Luck Be A Lady- Robert Alda,Guys
Getting To Know You- Gertrude Lawrence
Who Cares?- Jack Carson,Betty Oakes
Stranger In Paradise- from " Kismet" Doretta Morrow,Richard Kiley
Ballad Of Mack The Knife- Gerald Price
Hey There- from "The Pajama Game" John Raitt
Whatever Lola Wants- Gwen Verdon
I Could Have Danced All Night- Julie Andrews
Standing On The Corner- from "The Most Happy Fella, 1956" Shorty Long,John Henson,Alan Gilbert
The Party's Over- Judy Holliday
Glitter And Be Gay- Barbara Cook
Tonight- Larry Kert, Carol Lawrence

Tracks:

Seventy-Six Trombones- Robert Preston
I Enjoy Being A Girl- from "Flower Drum Song, 1958" Pat Suzuki
Everything's Coming Up Roses- Ethel Merman
My Favorite Things- from "The Sound Of Music" Mary Martin
Put On A Happy Face- from "Bye Bye Birdie" Dick Van Dyke
Try To Remember- Jerry Orbach
Camelot- from "Camelot" Richard Burton
Love Makes The World Go 'Round- Anna Maria Alberghetti
I Believe In You- Robert Morse And Co.
The Sweetest Sounds- Diahann Carroll,Richard Kiley
Comedy Tonight- Zero Mostel
What Kind Of Fool Am I?- Anthony Newley
As Long As He Needs Me- Georgia Brown
Hello, Dolly!- Carol Channing,Cast
People- Barbra Streisand
Anyone Can Whistle- from "Anyone Can Whistle" Lee Remick
If I Were A Rich Man- Zero Mostel
Night Song- Sammy Davis, Jr.
The Impossible Dream- Richard Kiley
If My Friends Could See Me Now- Gwen Verdon
Open a New Window- from Mame Voice

Tracks:

Willkommen- from "Cabaret" Joel Grey
Let The Sunshine In- James Rado,Lynn Kellogg,Melba Moore,Cast
I'll Never Fall In Love Again- Jill O'Hara,Jerry Orbach
The Ladies Who Lunch- from "Company" Elaine Stritch
Tea For Two- Roger Rathburn,Susan Watson
I'm Still Here- Yvonne De Carlo
I Don't Know How To Love Him- Yvonne Elliman
We Go Together- Adrienne Barbeau,Barry Bostwick,Walter Bobbie,Cast
Corner Of The Sky- John Rubinstein
Send In The Clowns- Glynis Johns
Ease On Down The Road- Stephanie Mills,Tiger Haynes,Ted Ross,Hinton
One- from "A Chorus Line" Cast
All That Jazz- Chita Rivera,Ensemble
Tomorrow- Andrea Mcardle
Don't Cry For Me Argentina- Patti Lupone
Come Follow The Band
Lullaby Of Broadway- Jerry Orbach
And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going- Jennifer Holliday
The Bells Of St. Sebastian- Raul Julia

Tracks:

Memory- Betty Buckley
I Am What I Am- George Hearn
Move On- Bernadette Peters,Mandy Patinkin
Do You Hear The People Sing?- Michael Maguire,Cast
The Music Of The Night- Michael Crawford
You're Nothing Without Me- James Naughton,Gregg Edelman
The American Dream- Jonathan Pryce,Cast
Doctor Jazz- Gregory Hines,Company
With One Look- Glenn Close
On Broadway- Adrian Bailey,Frederick B. Owens,Ken Ard,Victor Trent Cook
Le Jazz Hot- Julie Andrews,Ensemble
Seasons Of Love-
Hakuna Matata- Max Casella,Tom Alan Robbins,Scott Irby-Ranniar,Jason Raize
I Wanna Be A Producer- Matthew Broderick,Ensemble
Dancing Queen- Louise Plowright,Jenny Galloway
Good Morning Baltimore- Marissa Jaret Winokur
Movin' Out- Michael Cavanaugh,Band
I Go To Rio- Hugh Jackman,Company
Defying Gravity- Kristin Chenoweth,Idina Menzel

Customer Reviews:

Fabulous for any Broadway-lover.......2007-01-30

Packs into 5 CD's a sampling of Broadway tunes from the 20's thru (almost) today, mostly from original cast recordings. Includes not just well-known hits, but also some lesser-known gems. Sound quality is first rate, booklet is informative too. Have given this as a gift to several friends with rave reviews.

Top Shelf.......2007-01-04

This is THE definitive collection of Broadway hits. I have other collections, and none of them measure up. A great deal of care was obviously taken in compiling and presenting this box set. It covers a lot of ground, starting with some long-forgotten but still very enjoyable hits from the days of yore, and finishing with present-day favorites. To the best of my knowledge, the recordings are by those who made them famous. You won't be disappointed.

TERRIFIC CD'S.......2006-03-23

THESE BROADWAY MUSICALS CD'S ARE A BROADWAY LOVERS DREAM. WITH EACH SONG, MEMORIES COME FLOODING BACK. BOTH THE FAMILIAR AND THE FORGOTTEN SONGS ARE A TRUE LISTENING PLEASURE. IF YOU LIKE BROADWAY, YOU'LL LOVE THIS SET.

Great Collection of Broadways greatest Songs .......2005-06-14

This Collection was perfectly made it has almost all the most famous Broadway songs on this 5 cd set. The Music is great and has Broadways greatest treasures like "Memory""People""With One Look""Give my regards Too Broadway" just to name a few of this numerous cd set with over 100 songs. This is a great buy if you like musicals or The music of Broadway

Great Compilation!.......2005-01-17

If you are a fan of the Broadway Musicals, this is a collection that you should purchase. Since I got the 5 disc set I've enjoyed listening to it. The majority of the songs are done by the original singers. The collection is priceless considering that you will have over 100 songs from popular musicals since the beginning of Broadway

Average customer rating:

not their best, but still decent
Yuck - dull, uninspired
Superb recording
At best, an iffy transition album 2.5 stars
Exceptionally beautiful pop album

Song for All Seasons
Renaissance
Manufacturer: Wounded Bird Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Novella
Turn of the Cards
Scheherazade & Other Stories
Azure d'Or
Ashes Are Burning

ASIN: B00005A48J
Release Date: 2001-03-06

Tracks:

Opening Out
Day Of The Dreamer
Closer Than Yesterday
Kindness (At The End)
Back Home Once Again
She Is Love
Northern Lights
A Song For All Seasons

Album Description

Originally released in 1978, this is the U.S. CD debut with the original album cover artwork. 8 tracks including, 'Opening Out', 'Closer Than Yesterday' and 'She Is Love'. Standardjewel case. 2001 release.

Customer Reviews:

not their best, but still decent.......2007-07-06

This is a step down from Renaissance's early work. Most of the songs are more pop-oriented. Still, a couple of songs stand out as good examples of the progressive genre, including the title track and the opening track. The best known track, "Northern Lights", is pure ear candy, but it is good listening just the same.

Yuck - dull, uninspired.......2007-06-15

Now I remember why I didn't fret when I lost the LP version of this disk. Renaissance has made terrific music, but this outing isn't among their better efforts. Everyone sounds out of energy and there's no overarching theme or unity of direction to tie things together. Check out the band's other fine disks.

Superb recording.......2006-11-25

Everything a Renaissance fan would expect. Annie Haslam couldn't be better and the excellent male vocals on "Kindness" and "She is Love" is an unexpected surprise. The title cut "Song for All Seasons" as well as "Day of the Dreamer" are Renaissance classics. This is an excellent recording, recommended for all. You don't have to be a Renaissance fan to enjoy this one.

At best, an iffy transition album 2.5 stars.......2004-07-21

With Novella, Renaissance were showing signs of wear. The old formula was still working well for them, but it was obvious that it wasn't working nearly as well as it had on the albums that preceded it, especially their high-water mark "Scheherezade And Other Stories." Sales were down, and something had to change, and fast.

It was becoming apparent that they weren't having a tremendous amount of commercial success, so they simplified their approach, used more synthesizers, and in what had to have been a crazed descision thinking that their fans would want a little variety and not hear Annie on a couple songs, they let Jon Camp sing a couple tunes.

For Renaissance, writing pop songs should not have been hard. The hearts of all of their epic pieces were basic, lovely pop songs with catchy, memorable vocal hooks. In short, songs that stick with you.

Unfortunately, part of the fat-trimming process of this album meant not only losing a lot of outside orchestration and instrumental complexity, but the memorable vocal melodies as well. Songs such as "Closer Than Yesterday" and "Back Home Once Again" have pleasant, enjoyable melodies. Despite this, they unfortunately go in one ear and out the other, lacking the coveted "hook" that will give you that magic hit. These are songs I've heard multiple times that I can't seem to remember much of as far as lyrics. "Kindness," the one tolerable Camp-sung tune on the album, once again has a nice structure musically but sticks with you like a small salad. Luckily, they hit it big time with "Northern Lights" which is without a doubt the best pop song the band ever wrote and coincidentally, gave them their first hit. Unlike the other songs on here, this one is near impossible to get out of your head once it's stuck there.

As far as the epics which bookend the album, the title track is one of their best. It has a great, driving instrumental opening and is one of their most bombastic and glorious tunes. I wish I could say the same for the "Opening Out/Day Of The Dreamer" suite, which are 2 tunes that should have been one. Neither one sounds like a fully developed song. Right when "Opening Out" sounds like it might take off somewhere, it totally dies on you. It hits you with a punch in the beginning and whimpily just kind of dies off. Melodies in this song are reprised generously in "Day Of The Dreamer" and I still can't figure out why. Maybe they couldn't come up with enough material to finish it? Who knows. Regardless, the first half of "Dreamer" is just fantastic, one of the most lighthearted, energetic, and euphoria-inducing sections of music in their catalog sure to send you into uncontrollable fits of joy. Unfortunately, this half of the suite suffers the same fate as the first half, and a little over halfway through you will be wishing it was over. Towards the end, they reprise the chorus of the first half of the song in a key that's way too low for Annie to deliver powerfully, which totaly kills any momentum the song was building up to that point (which wasn't much, but out of the dreary, slow middle section something really powerful would have been nice here.) In the end, it is just frustrating that they wasted so many marvelous sections of music on such a pointless, rambling mini-suite.

As far as "She Is Love," it is one of the ultimate low points of the Renaissance catalog and disgustingly sung by John Camp. It is almost as bad as the proceding Camp-sung track "Only Angels Have Wings" on Azure D'Or but not nearly as wretched as "Auto-Tech" from the Time Line album.

All in all, a lot of stuff on here is pleasant enough to listen to, yet it struggles to hold your attention and comes across as unfocused and messy. It doesn't hold well together as an album, the better individual songs would fare much better on a homemade compilation disc. They would get the pop songwriting down a lot better on the next album, Azure D'Or (which has a handful of my favorite Renaissance tracks) yet their abilities to create complex music would wane even further. The beginning of the end for one of the great 70's prog acts. A recovery was never made.

Exceptionally beautiful pop album.......2004-01-01

This is the first Renaissance album I have heard and I am amazed of the beauty of this album. I have heard lots of pop albums and I think this is defenetively one of the best, if the best of all! Annie's voice is exceptionally beautiful, "classical" and all songs except last prog song are very good songs. It is a pity that this band is not too familiar to larger public nowadays although at least this album is a pop classic. I highly recommend this album to all who like melodic pop music.

Average customer rating:

Focus on the Recordings
This is a fantastic deal!
Excellent, Broad Selection
$70....when was this???
$70/40... you do the math.

Vivaldi: The Masterworks (Box Set)

Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Complete Works (170 CD Box Set)
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ASIN: B00062FLHY
Release Date: 2004-11-30

Customer Reviews:

Focus on the Recordings.......2007-07-23

I've made this small review of the Vivaldi Masterworks set because it is SO difficult to find a review of such a big collection.

The price is killer and you HAVE to buy it, but be warned: these are not the best recordings, you get what you pay for.

First of all, I'm not a Vivaldi expert, but I've heard his compositions throughout my life in so many different places and recordings and have a vague idea of how some have to be played. Secondly, I'm not a classical music connoisseur, but I love it and have over 300 discs of various composers and styles. Third, I know what a good audio recording should sound like and this will influence my critique of some discs in the collection. Finally, it's easy to get lost among all the tracks contained, so in some cases I will give you my favorite tracks in a disc.

I'm sorry, but I've only reached disc 20 of the box-set, as I listen to more this review will be expanded.

DISC 1:
Why would you use an AAD recording as a first impression for a 40 disc box-set and for the "Four Seasons", which is probably Vivaldi's best know work. The concertos are played enthusiastically, but lack any additional virtuosity to put it ahead of other much better recordings out there.

DISC 2:
Same as DISC 1, played and recorded by the same people.

DISC 3:
The pieces in this disc are VERY well played, nonetheless, you can hear heavy breathing from the soloist which can be a bit annoying.

DISC 4:
Very well performed as well, heavy breathing is less present.

DISC 5:
A very good recording, excellent execution by the hapsichord and good by the recorder.
Tracks 4, 6, 7 and the whole "La Notte" are extraordinary.

DISC 6:
Exquisitely recorded and performed by the Budapest Strings.

DISC 7:
Marvelous performance on the whole disc.
Tracks 22 & 24 are non-plus-ultra.

DISC 8:
Great performance too.
Suggested tracks: 7, 12, 15, 24

DISC 9:
To have an original baroque organ playing is a plus.
Solo strings are lacking in quality (for example: tracks 6 & 7).
Suggested tracks: 1, 4, 8, 15

DISC 10:
Despite being and ADD recording, the quality is fairly good. The cello is very well played.
Suggested tracks: 3, 4, 12
Excellent track: 13

DISC 11:
Same musical group and soloist as DISC 10. The contrabass is extremely distorted sometimes, and if you take into consideration that this is an ADD recording, it can get pretty bad. Some background noise is perceived.
Suggested tracks: 3, 6, 9

DISC 12:
The compositions are somewhat boring, either way the performance is plain decent.
Suggested tracks: 10, 12

DISC 13:
Good performance and sound quality.
Suggested tracks: 1, 4, 6, 7
Excellent track: 12

DISC 14:
Good performance and sound quality too.
Suggested tracks: 10, 14, 16
Excellent track: 5

DISC 15:
Badly mixed, the basoon is blocking the whole ensamble by being in the foreground.
The playing precision is lacking.
An AWEFUL thing about this recording is that you can hear the basson key-sticking with the instrument and the saliva. It's horrible.
Such a pity, the sound of the basson with other instruments can be pretty interesting.

DISC 16:
Violins sound a bit off tempo.
Suggested tracks: 4, 8

DISC 17:
Good sound quality and performance.
Suggested tracks: 1, 7, 9

DISC 18:
Despite being an old recording, it is a very welcome one.
The performance is very well above par. Tempo is fantastic.
The quality of the recording could have been better due to some string plucking that is heard and which can become bothersome.
These are some of Vivaldi's best know tunes.
Suggested tracks: 4, 6, 13
Excellent tracks: 1, 3

DISC 19:
Lively recording.
Track 6 is the same piece found in another disc in the collection, but with a better performance.

DISC 20:
By now you've heard all of this pieces before in the other discs. Nothing new here, nor better.

This is a fantastic deal!.......2007-02-25

If you are a fan at all of the Four Seasons you should love this music. I will admit right now that I am a classical music fan. I don't write or perform it. I am a novice listener. I have never taken any music lessons(though I am leaning in that direction) and certainly have not gone through any university music training. I started out in rock and roll but found classical as I got older and fell in love with it a few years ago.

With that context in mind I do hope I am able to recognize quality and this work is of the highest. It helps when you are starting with good ingredients in the first place. You can't bake great bread without great ingredients and Vivaldi's music library has some of the greatest musical ingredients of the last 300 years. They are very much the foundation for modern western culture and music. His talent is woven through what we are

The first 26 CDs are instrumental starting with the four seasons and working through many of the Master's many popular works. I will admit the four seasons are not the best interpretation I have heard but it is definitely acceptable. The rest of the music shows us many facets of the Baroque style and you can see themes emerging through some of the pieces that give us a 'fingerprint' of Vivaldi's style and the parameters of the stylistic leanings of the genre at the time. If you want to immerse yourself in 18th century music this is your chance

This music would be ideal for someone who owns a store and is looking for background music. With over 26 CDs of instrumental music alone you could have those constantly looping and you'd probably never get bored of them(OK I may be stretching it a little there). The reason is that the music does not leave a bad 'aftertaste' in your mind. It fits into the background as easily and naturally as it is to listen to it consciously in the foreground. If you are a fan of classical Baroque you don't usually need to be in the mood for this, it will adjust your mood to itself and Vivaldi's music is almost always of an uplifting sort if this collection is any indication. If you want something to listen to at your job 8 hours per day this is good for the mind and it would take you over a week to get through it if you listened to it every minute of every work day. You will also work without the worry of the music distracting your concentration. I find it enhances it when I'm working. I don't know how well this would work on school kids but teachers might want to try playing this during school time. You may create a few geniuses, we certainly could use more!

If you are looking for something to ease your sleep and oil your dreams I have put these CD's on in the background. Not only can I easily fall asleep when they are playing quietly in the background but it helps you sleep and you wake up in a very pleasant atmosphere if the music is still playing quietly when you wake(you probably would need to rip them to your MP3 player to do that). It's like napping at a classical music concert without the worry of being nudged by your spouse or offending the other concert goers with your snoring. That will be quite a unique experience for you and possibly give you some real sweet dreams. It has for me

So to wrap it up this is very intelligent, uplifting music that is great for your mind and your soul. It is definitely worth the purchase if you are a fan of the Four Seasons and the Baroque genre in my novice classical music fan's opinion

Excellent, Broad Selection.......2007-01-25

This 40-cd collection affords me a rare pleasure almost daily: the thrill of hearing something new by Vivaldi. Despite my best efforts over the years, I've managed to miss hearing a lot of great works by the master. Listening to a single CD now and then, catching tunes on the radio... you can't possibly get a comprehensive understanding of Vivaldi's output that way.

But when you work your way systematically from CD 1 through 40, you're sure to find many pleasant surprises. I've been skipping through everything I already know -- in some cases, it has only taken me about a minute to get through a whole CD (first 3 seconds of each track is usually enough). But then I stop and listen carefully three or four times to anything that's new.

Ah, what a pleasure. I've already acquired some new favorites. And some old standbys have proved even more rewarding, e.g. at first I thought RV 127 (CD 7, tracks 10-12) was performed too slowly (Naxos No: 8.553742 is much faster), but now I'm not sure; maybe it's BETTER that way! I can't recommend this set highly enough.

$70....when was this???.......2006-11-25

Wish the cost was $70 now. Guess the record producer (or Amazon) got tired of making less than $2 per CD.

$70/40... you do the math........2006-04-07

No, I don't own this collection...yet. However, the price of the collection compels me to review it beforehand. Never have I seen such a complete collection of Vivaldi compositions at such an incredibly low price. At $1.75 dollars a CD, the record producer (Brilliant Classics) isn't making much of a profit. The compilation pulls some of its works from DG Achiv Produktion's vault (see Standage), such as the violin concertos, as well as from unknown producers (the Poland Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra is heavily featured). The collection is so complete that it is academic, and I would not be surprised if music libraries quickly emptied it from Amazon's shelves. The collection is simply worth it for the incredible price (English Concert's recording of the violin concertos cost nearly 30 bucks, and is exactly featured here). Overall, the price alone makes this collection exceptionally attractive, and the ensembles featured aren't bad either.

Average customer rating:

excellent entertainment
The Christmas I Love
A Christmas Collection That Is Just Plain Fun
Wonderful; marvellous
ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL

The Christmas I Love
Andre Rieu , and Johann Strauss Orchestra
Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Pop Instrumental & Easy Listening | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music

Pop Instrumental & Easy Listening | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
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Tuscany
At The Movies
The Homecoming
The Vienna I Love, Waltzes From My Heart
Romantic Moments

ASIN: B0000041OB
Release Date: 1997-10-21

Tracks:

O Daughter Of Zion
White Christmas
Sleigh Ride
From Heaven High I Come To You: Tomorrow's The Day Children/Gloria In Excelsis Deo...
Ave Maria
Transeamus
Softly Falls The Snow: Ring Out Little Bell/O Come Al Ye Faithful
Evening Prayer (From Hansel & Gretel)
Jingle Bells
Lullaby: O Sweet Child Jesus/Let Us Be Happy And Jolly
Mille Cherubini In Coro (Lullaby)
Christmas Rose
The Four Seasons: Winter: Largo
O Christmas Tree: The Little Drummer Boy/Lullaby
Every Year A New: Oh, How Joyfully/Never Have The Bells Sung More Sweetly
Dearest Believe Me
Come Little Children
The Christmas Concert: Pastorale
The Holy City
Silent Night

Customer Reviews:

excellent entertainment.......2007-01-20

I thoroughly enjoyed this Christmas DVD . I want to buy more of Andre Rieu.

The Christmas I Love.......2007-01-10

I was very pleased with the CD and would recommend it to everyone.

All of Andre Rieu's music is very enjoyable to listen to.

A Christmas Collection That Is Just Plain Fun.......2005-11-19

Sometimes I think the only person who is happy that Public television is financially challenged, other that certain legislators who believe that it is too liberal and the culmination of all that is evil, is Andre Rieu. Now don't get me wrong, this happy Dutch musician who models himself after Johan Straus is not a cruel or vindictive person. At least from what I can tell he's not, but let's face it. If PBS did not have financial woes, Andre Rieu, one of its favorite stars, would not have received the exposure he has, and his sales in the United States would probably be next to nothing. Of course for anyone who has ever seen one of his extravaganzas, we would be missing something enjoyable. He's musically sound and he knows how to entertain, and quiet frankly, though some classical purists may cringe at his name, I don't believe the composers whose music he uses are rolling in their graves because it's become popular once again.

Of all his concerts and CDs, I enjoy THE CHRISTMAS I LOVE the most. The jitterbug version of "Jingle Bells" shows that an old tune can produce new tricks. His arrangement of "The Holy City" (a.k.a. "Jerusalem") is almost as moving as when it is performed with a vocalist. The recording has a number of medleys that include favorites from all over Europe show how Christmas has such an international flair. For me, however, this album provides true variety. Many of the carols are not familiar to Americans, so we hear something different yet also authentic to the holiday season.

I'm surprised that there have not been other Rieu Christmas discs. He's an original musician and a consummate showman, so I'm sure there's more he could do with holiday music, but maybe he knows he has a classic with this collection and it will stand the test of time.

Wonderful; marvellous.......2000-09-30

Andre Rieu proves again he is the best of the best! I bought this CD in october 1997, a few weeks before Andre's concert In Quebec city. In this CD, you'll find all the classics of Christmas. They are well played because Andre and his orchestra know how to bring us the atmosphere of Christmas. The desing of the CD is well done. If you,re looking for good music, please try this CD You'll enjoy it. If you have the occasion to see his Christmas concert on TV, watch it. It's very beautiful.

This his not the first CD made by Andre. In 1992, he released "Spielt Die Schonten Weihnachtslieder".

ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL.......1999-08-18

Another wonderful Andre Rieu CD. All the Rieu recordings and videos are a breath of fresh air - a joy to the soul.

Average customer rating:

Excellent But Obscure Modern Rock
Best Underdog Band of 2006?
Nu metal from Dave Ellefson?
Megadeth? Naw...
F5 doesn't get you Safe Mode with this CD

A Drug for All Seasons
F5
Manufacturer: Cleopatra
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Alternative Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
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Slave to the System
Suckerpunch
Avarice and Absolution
10 Second Drop
For the Taken

ASIN: B000AE8FY4
Release Date: 2005-09-13

Tracks:

Faded
Dissidence
Fall To Me
A Drug For All Seasons
Bleeding
What I Am
Dying On The Vine
Hold Me Down
Defacing
X'd Out
Look You In The Eyes
Forte Sonata

Product Description

1. Faded
2. Dissidence
3. Fall To Me
4. A Drug For All Seasons
5. Bleeding
6. What I Am
7. Dying On The Vine
8. Hold Me Down
9. Defacing
10. X d Out
11. Look You In The Eyes
12. Forte Sonata

Format: CD

Customer Reviews:

Excellent But Obscure Modern Rock.......2007-03-24

F5 is probably one of the better modern rock/metal albums of the past few years, but was not much more than a blip on the music scene's radar. Most people (myself included) probably purchased this album to find out what erstwhile Megadeth bassist Dave Ellefson has been up to since quitting Megadeth, a band whose sound he had helped define since it's inception.

Unfortunately, Ellefson's playing is not only subdued on this album, but placed low in the mix. Fortunately, what this disc delivers is a solid platter of meat & potatoes modern rock/metal which is quite an enjoyable listen, with cool riffs, great vocals, and dynamic, grooving songs. I actually have found this album in heavy rotation lately. Sure, it's not exactly breaking ground, but it's not trying to. I found this album's sound somewhat like a combination of the guitar on James La Brie's solo project, "Elements Of Persuasion" and the vocal style of Filter. A cool album....check it out!

Best Underdog Band of 2006?.......2006-11-24

Chances are the only reason anyone's heard of this band is because they were wondering where 'the other Dave' went after his abrupt exit from Megadeth. This band retains a bit of MD's aggression, but is very modern, and the byword here is melody. With the possible exception of 'What I Am' (a quasi-Limp Bizkit rehash), every song here is a keeper - nothing earth-shattering, but very, very solid. Memorable choruses (lacking a bit of background vocals usually) and great musicianship. The album flows well, the vocalist/lyricist does a great job, and the whole thing just has a cool, driving, heavy vibe to it. Recommended for fans of Godsmack, Disturbed, Jon Corabi (Scream, Motley Crue), and Lynam. But with better songs. Can't wait to see what the future holds for these guys (hopefully some more exposure!).

Nu metal from Dave Ellefson?.......2006-03-07

This really caught me by surprise. I saw Ellefson was in the group and assumed it would have thrash/speed tendencies. Think again. This is pretty much a nu metal style album. There are some thrashy riffs at points but overall they stay away from old school metal.
These are mostly straight ahead rockers that don't stray too far from each other. Song 3 has a cool melodic intro and song 9 flirts with a brief metalcore breakdown in the middle. Vocally the singer is almost a cross of Mike Howe era Metal Church and Scott Stapp. Some of the guitars hearken to Creed's heavier stuff in fact. May be the first time I've thought Metal Church and Creed in the same music.
Though I'm not a huge nu metal fan I do like some of it, and the musicianship here is high quality. Except song 6. Edie Brickell? Don't do it!

Megadeth? Naw..........2005-12-22

In spite of the fact that Dave Ellefson, of Megadeth fame, is a force handling the low end of this group, it is NOT a Megadeth clone---which is good. This is a definite metal/hard rock group that goes its own direction---which is heavy and crunching or moderate and soothing---sometimes within the same song. The musicianship is solid, vocals on target, lyrics worthy of any thinking adult, production is well-thought out. This CD is good to run from first to last---no need to skip any tunes.

My only complaint is from a production standpoint; some of the pauses within songs sound too clipped, not naturally paused, but paused by manipulating the recording. Not sure what's up with that. It just sounds too chopped to have been naturally muted by player technique.

By the way, the Edie Brickell cover works very well in contrasting light and heavy. It is one of my favorites on the album.

F5 doesn't get you Safe Mode with this CD.......2005-11-18

Wonderful hard beat rock screams at you with this awesome CD by F5. This band has the hard rock out style that I love with smooth, electric, thrilling guitar rifts that encourage head banging at its best. Alternative and rough this music is just what I needed.

The Frontman has a excellent handle on his lyics, style and direction and does it with a flare in an exciting and unique voice.

Yep...I love this CD.

"What I am is what I am"

The Best Classical Album in the World... Ever!

Average customer rating:

Forget what they SAY
Most Aggravating Album in the World!
A fair introduction to Classical Music
Great for Beginners
Exellent compilation

The Best Classical Album in the World... Ever!
Stanley Myers , Antonio Vivaldi , Gregorian Chant , John Williams , Edward Elgar , Giuseppe Verdi , Giacomo Puccini , Michael Nyman , Edvard Grieg , Ludwig van Beethoven , Umberto Giordano , Riccardo Muti , Fryderyk Chopin , Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni , Georges Bizet , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Johann Pachelbel , Antonin Dvorak , Carl Orff , Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky , Léo Delibes , George Gershwin , Maurice Ravel , Charles Gounod , Erik Satie , Sergey Prokofiev , and Sergey Rachmaninov
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

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

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

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
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The Best Opera Album in the World...Ever!
Best of the Millennium: Top 40 Classical Hits
The Most Relaxing Classical Album in the World...Ever!
Simply the Best Classical Anthems
The Most Relaxing Classical Album In the World Ever, Volume II

ASIN: B000002S6K
Release Date: 1996-04-23

Tracks:

The Four Seasons: Concerto No.1 In E 'Spring': I. Allegro
Schindler's List: Theme
Requiem: Ingemisco
The Piano: The Heart Asks Pleasure First
Symphony No.5 In C Minor: I. Allegro con brio
The Deer Hunter: Cavatina
Puer natus est nobis
Cello Concerto In E Minor: I. Adagio
Turandot: Nessun dorma
Piano Concerto: I. Allegro molto moderato
Andrea Chenier: La mamma morta
Waltz No.6 In D Flat, 'Minute'
Adagio In G Minor
Carmen: Habanera
Horn Concerto No.4 In E Flat: III. Rondo (Allegro vivace)
Canon In D
Gianni Schicchi: O mio babbino caro
New World Symphony: II. Largo
La Traviata: Brindisi
Carmina Burana: O Fortuna

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No.1In B Flat Minor: I. Allegro non troppo e molto maestoso (Opening)
Symphony No.3 'Symphony Of Sorrowful Songs': II. Lento e largo - Tranquillissimo
Flute and Harp Concerto In C: II. Andantino
Lakme: Flower Duet
The Four Seasons: Winter: I. Allegro non molto
Porgy And Bess: Summertime
Bolero
Ave Maria
Gymnopedie No.1
Romeo & Juliet: Montagues and Capulets
Rhapsody On A Theme OF Paganinni: Variation 18
Walking In The Air
Sonata No.14 In C Sharp Minor 'Moonlight': I. Adagio sostenuto
Messiah: Hallelujah Chorus
Eine kleine Nachtmusik: I. Allegro
NIMROD: Enigma Variations
Swan Lake: Act One: Finale
Orchestral Suite No.3 In D: Air on the G String
The Planets: Jupiter
1812 Overture

Customer Reviews:

Forget what they SAY.......2003-11-10

Many of these prior reviewers complain that the abundance of operas and vocals degrate this compilation. They don't know what they're talking about. These genres are what made Classical music popular in it's age. In that era the forum for showcasing "classical music" was operas! Hence why most of these works are lost in the shuffle. Most of us know Mozart and Beethoven's compositions by ear but there are so many other great composers that existed and these CD's will show you but a PIECE. But, fair warning, these CD's show only a small fraction of the whole movement (song). If you truly dig the genre you're in for a treat, investigate!

Most Aggravating Album in the World!.......2002-05-26

This CD is the first thing I ever returned to Amazon. It is an inferior product--selections cut off abruptly before the end, volume fades and returns in the middle of a cut...production values are pure schlock here. Maybe I should have expected as much from such a sophomoric title.

A fair introduction to Classical Music.......2001-03-03

I purchased this CD because I am new to Classical Music and thought this would be a good introduction CD. There is some wonderful music on this CD. The only problem I have with this CD is every other track is Opera of one form or another. As a new listener I found that after the Opera tracks I felt I had been yelled at and it was a distraction to the other music contained on the CD. I now know to hit the skip button on my CD player just about every other track. I only gave it 3 stars because I felt put off by the vocal tracks. I believe that when someone is new to Classical Music they do not think of Opera. If you don't mind hitting the skip button a lot or if you like Opera this CD is for you!

Great for Beginners.......2000-07-14

This is a nice recording for folks who don't know much about classical music, and would serve as a wonderful introduction. It covers centuries of great music in a very listener-friendly format. I am sure that I will use this CD in my music classroom. For a seasoned classical music lover, however, the CD proves a bit frustrating, including only segments of masterworks (not even the entire movement of the Holst). I bought the CD for a few recordings, which I truly enjoy and make the CD a worthwile purchase. But I found (and I think that most classical musicians will find) that I already had many of these works in their entirety.

Exellent compilation.......2000-04-12

This is a fine collection of classical songs for those that have little experience with classical music. Howver, I truly love it.

Average customer rating:

christmas music
Relaxing it is.
Here's Your Chance to Hear the Masters and Masterpieces of Christmas Music in Superb Sound

The Ultimate Relaxation Christmas Album

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music

More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

Instrumental | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music
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Christmas Adagios
A Christmas Festival
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Joy to the World - Eugene Ormandy, Philadelphia Orchestra

ASIN: B00006LHWN
Release Date: 2002-10-15

Tracks:

Christmas Bells - Mantovani & His Orchestra
O Holy Night - Mantovani & His Orchestra
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Ronnie Aldrich And His Two Pianos
White Christmas - Mantovani & His Orchestra
The Christmas Waltz - Ronnie Aldrich And His Two Pianos
Winter Wonderland - Ronnie Aldrich And His Two Pianos
Mary's Boy Child - Mantovani & His Orchestra
The Christmas Song - Ronnie Aldrich And His Two Pianos
Adeste Fideles - Mantovani & His Orchetra
The Golden Carol (What Child Is This?) - Frank Chacksfield And His Orchestra
Coventry Carol - David Willcocks
Away In A Manger - Frank Chacksfield And His Orchestra
In Dulci Jubilo - David Willcocks
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring - Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra
Es Ist Ein Ros Entsprungen - Georg Ratzinger
Ave Maria - Arthur Grumiaux
O Tannenbaum - Vienna Boys' Choir
Winter (Largo From Concerto No.4 In F Minor, RV297 'The Four Seasons') - Sir Neville Marriner
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - Mantovani & His Orchestra
I Saw Three Ships - Mantovani & His Orchestra
Sinfonia From Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248 - Sir Neville Marriner
Silent Night, Holy Night - Mantovani & His Orchestra

Customer Reviews:

christmas music.......2007-01-14

this was a very nice cd for quiet listening, but it did not inspire any emotional feelings.

Relaxing it is........2007-01-09

This music could be played at any Dentist or Doctor's office just to take the edge off. It's not a masterpiece, but it is relaxing.

Here's Your Chance to Hear the Masters and Masterpieces of Christmas Music in Superb Sound.......2006-01-08

Decca has come out with the "Ultimate" Series of albums, ranging from Opera Divas to Tango, from Patriotic to Relaxing Classical. I ordered this album last fall from a high school student in my neighborhood going door to door raising funds for her hockey team. I had no idea what the Christmas music was, I just wanted something relaxing. When it arrived in the mail I was delighted to hear favorites from my youth - Annunzio P. Mantovani, Frank Chacksfield (remember him?), and Ronnie Aldrich - all remastered in terrific sound! The liner notes are fun to read, providing a story for each carol and song. This generous album of 22 tracks runs a total time of 63:25, providing holiday ambience from Thanksgiving through New Years Day.

Average customer rating:

One of the Best Ever
Love It_check ... Hate It_check
classic solo debut
Nature- For All Seasons
Possibly, hip-hop's most underrated album.

For All Seasons
Nature
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

East Coast | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

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

Wild Gremlinz
Lake Entertainment Presents: The 41st Side
Ghetto Millionaire
Pieces of a Man
The Natural

ASIN: B00004W5AW
Release Date: 2000-09-19

Tracks:

Intro
Man's World
We Ain't Friends
S**t Like This
The Ultimate High
Young Love
Go Ahead
Natures Shine
Smoke
Remember
Talking That S**t
I Don't Give A F**k
Can't Stop

Amazon.com

"Queensbridge's finest" is more than a token tag line when it comes to The Firm's former silent storm trooper, Nature. The self-proclaimed rhyme animal's compelling storytelling techniques make for an excellent solo debut, For All Seasons. Nature's prolific verbal talents unfold before your ears on tracks like "Man's World," which samples the James Brown classic of the same name. In the same vein, Nature lyrically catches hell from a woman scorned on the dramatic rim-shot alternating track "Young Love," where the rapper brings mistress trauma to life. Even on "We Ain't Friends," with its drowsy drum beat and intriguing xylophone instrumental, Nature masters the art of riding an atypical instrumental score. An overall A+ album, Nature nurtures each verse, presenting his listeners with more than a season of songs to nod their heads to. --Elon D. Johnson

Customer Reviews:

One of the Best Ever.......2006-10-21

I've heard almost every rap cd that has come out the last decade, and I can honestly say that Nature is my overall number one favorite rapper. It's Cds like this that slip through the cracks that give me my inspiration to keep writing. From a production standpoint, I wouldn't get overally excited, you won't hear any beats that will blow your mind away. It's just his flawless confident approach in every line in every bar that makes him one of rap's elite. I'm not gonna sit here and write a whole novel trying to get you to buy it, but I will say that if you have never really heard much of this guy and you enjoy good rap music, this Cd might go down as one of your favorites of all time. There is no one else out there that sounds anything like Nature. There's about 9-10 tracks that are just fire. There's only one song on the cd that i skip. This is a must, must, must listen to

Love It_check ... Hate It_check.......2004-11-20

Let me start off by saying Nature is an enigmatic hip-hop artist. To say the least, his debut album For All Seasons also defines that of engimatic. Sections of this album are true hip-hop bangers. On the other hand, you have areas that are truly distasteful music. For All Seasons has a little something for everyone. Many feel this album is underrated, and it is when you compare it to the mainstream market, but when you take into consideration many are claiming this to be a classic, that's just not correct information.

Nature is a unique breed of emcee, with a very special delivery (no pun intended). He's actually one of my favorites. His debut album, while somewhat genius, was also somewhat gruesome to my hip-hop ears. I feel For All Seasons was pushed, and because of Nature's quarrel with The Firm, this album was probably altered from the original. In other words, Nature was forced to release an album he wasn't that much in control over. His second album, Wild Gremlinz wasn't a better album, but it was a true Nature project. It's too bad For All Seasons wasn't a proper Nature venture, because if it was, there may have been a classic in the making.

Tracks like We Ain't Friends, Man's World, Ultimate High, S**t Like This and Remember make up classic tunes. Then you have tracks such as Smoke, Nature's Shine, I Don't Give A F**k and Don't Stop that wreck this album. Young Love and Go Ahead are tolerable, but even that's giving too much credit. It's almost like For All Seasons starts off with a brilliant intro, then four classics, followed by two bearable tracks, then the rest is pretty much junk. They say one man's trash is another man's treasure, but with this album, there's no logic behind that theory.

In the end, Nature's For All Seasons is one of hip-hop's most bizarre albums of 2000. After hearing Man's World, We Ain't Friends, S**t Like This and Ultimate High, I had the impression For All Seasons was going to be a sure classic, but I was wrong. While Nature isn't a well known emcee, he's still one of the better talents out there in today's rap world. I think many are giving this album a classic rating based on that alone, which isn't fair. You can't put For All Seasons in the same boat as Illmatic, Ready To Die, Dr. Octagon, Liquid Swords, etc. It's not on that level. People who would argue and say it is, must really be experiencing the "Ultimate High".

classic solo debut.......2004-11-05

Nature delivers a powerful classic debut album finally. Features no other rapper except one verse by Nas. It has 12 songs total. Out of these there are 4 classics and 2 near classics with 2 ok songs but none worth skipping. Production is great on some songs and average on others. Poke & Tone do 5 songs, Lord Jamar does 2 and LES, Ski, EZ Elpee, Goody, and Tyme Riley all do 1. A highly slept on album that should have sold much better. This CD is a must have classic east coast QB gangsta masterpiece.

#2 - 10 (classic - remake of James Brown's "A Man's World))
#3 - 10 (classic - deep song)
#4 - 8.5
#5 - 10 (classic f/ nas - great beat)
#6 - 8.5
#7 - 8.5
#8 - 9.5
#9 - 9.5 (about the good smoke)
#10 - 10 (classic - about his days growing up)
#11 - 7
#12 - 7
#13 - 9

b. Jermaine Baxter -- b. 1972 -- Queenbridge, NY
QBC

check all my reviews

Nature- For All Seasons.......2003-08-29

Nature's (Jermaine Baxter) debut album "For All Seasons" (2000) is a slept on gem, maybe not a diamond- more like a ruby. It took me awile to realize what a nice album this is, and what a talented rapper Nature can be. Throughout this album he masterfully drops some memorable reality raps while showing impressive skills at storytelling, coming across like an established rapper on his first release. I first heard this Queensbridge rapper on the title track for the soundtrack "In Too Deep" with Nas. He was also a part of the Firm. The powerful "Man's World" has Nature dropping three ill verses inbetween an outstanding chorus. This is followed up by the memorable "We Aint Friends" a track about being betrayed by someone close to you. On the upbeat "S*** Like This" Nature drops some nice rhymes and reps himself. Nature and Nas deliver the goods on "Ultimate High" a wicked collabration track that will make you nod. Nature's storytelling skills shine on "Young Love" a track about having two loves, backed by an accoustic guitar Nature rhymes and at briefly sings, delivering another nice track. On "Nature's Shine", Nature talks about who he raps for and kicks some street knowledge. "Remember" is another standout track which has Nature reminiscing from 83 onwards. Two decent tracks follow then "Don't Stop" closes off the album. There really are no bad tracks on this though a few could have used better production and therefore fall into filler material for me (Go Ahead, Talking that S***) . Nature's lyrics do not dissapoint and his flow is memorable. The fact that he keeps his rhymes realistic and his ego in check enhance his music. I was also impressed by how this album has just one guest appearance (Nas). Nature keeps his listners entertained rhyming creatively, and by doing his own hooks and chorus's and even occasionally singing a line or two. Highly recommend checking out Nature's "For All Seasons" a strong first effort from a still relatively unknown rapper.

Possibly, hip-hop's most underrated album........2003-05-21

Amazon.com really needs to incorporate the half a star rating tiers. Nature's For All Seaons is a four and a half star project, and nothing short of it.

First off, Nature is a truly gifted emcee. Solid flow, hot lyrics, and a true lyricist. Major street credibility can be awarded to this cat. I don't care how corny you claim that sounds, step back and realize this dude is one of the game's best. Just simply overlooked and left in the dust. There's no telling what this cat's doing these days, but the man is gifted with the art.

Tracks:

Just Friends - Johnny Frigo/Bucky/John Pizzarelli
Sugar Blues - Clark Terry
Charles Christopher - Phil Woods
Miss Bea - McCoy Tyner
Congo Blues - Red Rodney
Tricotism - Eddie Daniels
I Love Lucy - Paquito D'Rivera
Meditation - Ana Caram
Grandma's Hands - Livingston Taylor
What You Don't Know - Sara K.
Mama Let Me Lay It On You - Cephas And Wiggins
What Am I Gonna Do With You? - Kenny Rankin
The Word Around Town - Rebecca Pidgeon
Samba De Orfeo - Luiz Bonfa
Caribbean Sunrise - Mongo Santamaria
Rhythms - Badi Assad
Rewind - Oregon
No Quiero Verte - Carlos Heredia

Tracks:

Concerto No.2 In C Minor, Op.18: Moderato - The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Jascha Horenstein/Earl Wild
Symphony No.2 In D, Op.43: Allegretto - The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir John Barbirolli
Symphony No.4 in E Minor, Op.98: Allegro Energico E Passionato - The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Fritz Reiner
The Four Seasons Concerto In G Minor 'L'Estate' (Summer), RV 315: Presto - The Connecticut Early Music Festival Ensemble/Igor Kipnis
The Flute Quartets: No.4 In A, KV 298: Rondeau - Allegretto Grazioso - Gary Schocker/The Chester String Quartet
Piano Concerto No.9 In E-flat, KV 271: I. Rondo - Presto - Mozarteum Orchester Salzburg/Nicola Frisardi
Goyescas: El Fandango De Candil - Benita Meshulam
Piano Trio In A Minor: Final (Anime) - The Ahn Trio
The Soldier's Tale For Three Actors & Instrumental Ensemble: The Soldier's March - Solisti New York/Ransom Wilson
The Fantasias For Solo Piano: Choro No.21 - David Chesky
Choro No.1 - Orquesta Nova/Carlos Franzetti
Antiphon: Like As A Heart Psalms and Spiritual Songs - Westminster Chor/Joseph Flummerfelt