Traditional Pop Music

This is a great cd for anyone who is a true baseball fan, whatever team, whatever era.

Fun to listen to, is it available in CD media.....jb

I had hoped that the rendition of "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" would have been recorded with a baseball stadium organ and maybe even with the crowd singing along.The guitar version was cute but not in the "ballpark" of reality.

This is (obviously) a compilation of baseball related songs, sketches and what have you. The songs here cover a wide variety of styles, including bluegrass, big band, rhythm & blues, pop, jazz, novelty, country, rock, soul, a capella, folk, gospel and rap. Not all of the songs are good, but a majority of them are. Of course, one of the highlights is Abbott & Costello's classic routine "Who's On First". The classic poem "Casey at the Bat" is here, but the recitation by DeWolf Hopper is a bit too "hammy" for my taste. Not everything here will appeal to everyone, but like I said, there is more good than bad. Recommended for baseball fans.

This is a great baseball CD.

True you probably would have to create a 10 CD box set to cover all the great songs of baseball, but this CD will get you started on a private collection.

I have an mp3 file of the Who's On First bit, but this version is 10 times better since it has been digitized.

Joltin' Joe, the Willie Mays Song, and D-O-D-G-E-R-S Song (Oh Really? No, O'Malley) are songs you'll find yourself singing along with.

My two favorites on this CD are Land of Wrigley and Dying Cub Fan's Last Request. Steve Goodman really makes last request a good listen. What a good singer.

Talkin' Baseball is also a song you'll be singing along with, and you'll be picturing baseball days of old.

The Lasorda recording is classic, and had me laughing the hardest.

Baseball Dreams is the kind of song I could picture putting behind a highlight film.

The only two major downsides to this CD are the recording of We Are the Champions not being sung by the right group, and I just can't listen to Casy At the Bat more than once every so often. That reading really gets on my nerves.

Other than that this is a perfect CD to begin a collection of great baseball songs. Get this for playing in the car on your way to the next baseball game, or at your childs little league game.

Love the music on this cd...especially "Sadie has her new dress on." I received this item promptly...just in time for Christmas.

This is Bluegrass at its finest. These songs are SUPERB. Forget that New Grass and other stuff that is not quite right. This is TRUE BLUEGRASS. You won't regret this purchase. I PROMISE

This is one of his best for all-around Bluegrass. He has always been in the top of his class for Bluegrass Gospel, but this one is less gospel and more traditional bluegrass. Good stuff!

Another great song selection from Doyle..... and oh how I love those ballads... if your at all a bluegrass fan and even if not I'm sure this will be a hit :-)

I really enjoyed the Sadie's got a new dress song, but the rest of the CD was rather unevetful. Not up to Doyle's standard, and definitely not as good as "Knee Deep in Bluegrass."

A momentus collection from a momentus musician who will never be equaled in his uniqueness and impeccable skill. A great album.

Truly.... "Honey in the Horn"!
One of Al Hirt's Best Ever!

He does a magnificent job on "I Can't Get Started"
and "Al Di La"!

Absolutely Beautiful!

A Master of the Trumpet!

I just got back into playing my trumpet after several years and this cd is one of the reasons why. Beautiful music! Al Hirt is a master at what he does. His trumpet is played so smoothly, with feeling and great ability. I thoroughly enjoy the cd and plan to buy as many other of his as I can find.

"HONEY IN THE HORN" is a great album but I prefer the sound on the RCA Victor labeled CD titled "Honey in the Horn/Our Man in New Orleans" which sounds much more fuller and deeper than this version. Please see my further review there.

Al Hirt's teaming with co-producer Chet Atkins out of Nashville and the Anita Kerr singers as backing vocalists make "Honey in the Horn" arguably his best album. The beautiful Anita Kerr vocals give the album a sweet, sometimes melancholy feel, lush and relaxing--like one of Henry Mancini's best soundtrack records. To me, Al Hirt displayed more of his genuine personality when he sang a little bit himself, and on "That Honey Horn Sound" he gives a little lift to "Fiddler on the Roof" just with his shy vocals alone. He's a showman behind the trumpet, but his voice revealed an extremely sweet, somewhat self-conscious man. Even non-jazz fans will find a lot to treasure here.

Imagine my surprise this past summer when I picked up my local newspaper and read that Al Martino would be the headliner at an Italian-American festival in our fair city. When I checked our calendar I discovered to my great dismay that a previous commitment would preclude my wife and I from attending this huge outdoor concert. We were so disappointed because Al Martino is pretty much the last of his generation still performing. He is 81 now and from all reports can still belt out a tune. In 1992, Capitol records released "Al Martino: Capitol Collectors Series". This single disc 25 track anthology remains the finest collection of this legendary performer.
Al Martino grew up in Philadelphia and was a childhood friend of the great Mario Lanza. He too dreamed of a career in show business and his career was launched after winning first prize on Arthur Godfrey's popular "Talent Scouts" television program in 1952. His very first record on the tiny B.B.S. label "Here In My Heart" went all the way to #1 on the Billboard charts in the summer of 1952. Shortly thereafter, Al signed a deal with Capitol records and he managed to hit the charts 3 more times over the next couple of years. For a variety of reasons discussed in the excellent liner notes Al Martino would not have another hit record for a decade. In 1963 Al Martino recorded a pop cover of Eddy Arnold's country hit "I Love You Because". The record was an immediate smash and Al was on his way to a decade and a half of chart success. You will find just about all of Al's biggest and best hits on "Al Martino: Capitol Collectors Series". Enjoy once again Al's marvelous rendition of "Painted, Tainted Rose" from 1963. "I Love You More and More Every Day" would prove to be one of Al Martino's biggest hits ever. That one is included here as well. Among the other favorites you will find here are "Daddy's Little Girl", "Mary In The Morning" and a tune that I heard for the first time in a very long time "Think I'll Go Somewhere And Cry Myself To Sleep" from the spring of '66. What a great record! And no Al Martino collection would be complete without a pair of his biggest hits.
"Spanish Eyes" remains Al Martino's most memorable tune and his rendition of the Italian favorite "(Alle Porte Del Sole) To The Door Of The Sun" was a surprise hit shortly after Al's appearance as singer Johnny Fontane in the motion picture "The Godfather". Meanwhile, don't forget to sample the rather curious five minute plus "disco" version of "Volare"! The liner notes were highly critical of this 1975 hit. I must admit I kinda like it! In addition, there are a whole host of some of Al's less well known singles included as well. Much to my disappointment, his 1966 recording of "The Wheel of Hurt" (also a big hit for Margaret Whiting that year) was not included in this collection. I always loved that tune and was astounded to discover that it did not make the cut.
"Al Martino: Capitol Collectors Series" comes with a wonderful 16 page booklet that includes an extremely interesting biography of the artist and detailed chart information on each tune. This is a disc I have been threatening to buy for years and I am glad that I finally got around to it. These are all the original Capitol singles you would remember from the radio. No cheesy re-recordings here. Highly recommended!

It's more than I ever expected it to be when I ordered it. I can't say there is even 1 song on it that I don't like. Al Martino has a beautiful voice. I cannot believe he had such a struggle making it. I certainly do remember his being on my radio a lot back in those days. Maybe it was the same few songs over and over. I don't remember, however, over and over is how I could listen to this CD. Just received it today in the mail and I'm on the 3rd go round with it. I understand that he is still singing and he's in his 80's. I heard this just recently. I hope he is still out there singing. There are a few new songs out there that I'll bet he could make even better than the folks who have already tried. I ope he has someone to seek some new material for him so that he can continue to record. I'll buy every one. Keep going Al for as long as you can. I'm not far behind you.

Al Martino - born Alfred Cini on October 7, 1927 in Philadelphia - was one crooner who grandly defied some pretty big odds stacked against him in the 1960s.

Once employed as a bricklayer, his obvious vocal talent, bordering on the operatic, resulted in some hefty encouragement by another Italian-American singer of note named Mario Lanza, a boyhood friend. Armed with his endorsement, and backed by Monty Kelly & His Orchestra, he took Here In My Heart to # 1 in the summer of 1952 on the BBS label. That original version is in this set, as is his second hit that year, Take My Heart.

Now on the Capitol label, and again backed by Kelly, it peaked at # 12 even as the first hit still rode high on the charts. Subsequent singles, however, struggled badly, and by the time 1955 and the Rock Era arrived it looked as though he would join fellow crooners like Eddie Fisher in hit oblivion.

And that's the way it was throughout 1955 to 1958 until he recorded a little number called I Can't Get You Out Of My Heart which just missed making the Billboard Pop Hot 100 Top 40 in June of 1959, leveling off at # 44. That was followed in October by Darling, I Love You which, although it only made it to # 63 in October, also became a # 27 R&B - his only such crossover. Lamentably both are missing from this compilation - but the first one can be found on Hey! Look What I Found Vol. 9. He was back - but only tentatively since his next charter didn't come until August 1961 when a re-make of Here In My Heart made it to # 17 Adult Contemporary (AC)/# 86 Hot 100 (that can be found on his Greatest Hits (Curb) CD).

1962 was also a washout, but in 1963 he was back with a vengeance. After I Love You Because made it to # 1 AC/# 3 Hot 100 that June, he would never be off the charts again right through the height of the British Invasion and on into the Seventies. No mean feat. And fourteen of them are in this fine set, beginning with the other two 1963 charters, Painted, Tainted Rose (# 3 AC/# 15 Hot 100) and Living A Lie (# 8 AC/# # 22 Hot 100).

From 1964 you have I Love You More And More Every Day (# 3 AC/# 9 Hot 100), Tears And Roses (# 7 AC/# 20 Hot 100), Always Together (# 4 AC/# 33 Hot 100), and We Could (# 6 AC/# 41 Hot 100), while 1966 is represented by Spanish Eyes (# 1 AC for 4 weeks/# 15 Hot 100 that January), Just Yesterday (# 12 AC/# 77 Hot 100), and Think I'll Go Somewhere And Cry Myself To Sleep (# 2 AC/# 30 Hot 100). In March 1967 he took Daddy's Little Girl to # 2 AC/# 42 Hot 100, and that summer had a # 1 AC/# 27 Hot 100 with one of my all-time Martino favourites, Mary In The Morning.

From 1970 you have Can't Help Falling In Love (# 5 AC/# 51 Hot 100) and, following the regeneration of his career by his appearance as Johnny Fontane in The Godfather, the 1975/76 hits To The Door Of The Sun [Alle Porte Del Sol](# 7 AC/# 17 Hot 100) and Volare (# 9 AC/# 33 Hot 100).

There were many other hits in the period 1965-1972 which are not in this set, a few of which may be found on these other Al Martino CDs: My Cherie (# 26 AC/# 88 Hot 100 in 1965) is on I Love You Because/My Cherie, while The Al Martino Collection has Wiederseh'n (# 3 AC/# 57 Hot 100 in June 1966) and Forgive Me (# 7 AC/# 61 Hot 100 in October 1965), More Than The Eye Can See (# 1 AC/# 54 Hot 100 in October 1967), Sausalito (# 13 AC/# 99 Hot 100 in May 1969), and Speak Softly Love (from The Godfather) - a # 24 AC/# 80 Hot 100 in May 1972.

Categorized as "hard-to-finds" are, from 1965, My Heart Would Know (# 11 AC/# 52 Hot 100 in February, and written by the legendary Hank Williams) and Somebody Else Is Taking My Place (# 11 AC/# 53 Hot 100 in April), The Wheel Of Hurt (# 12 AC/# 59 Hot 100 in November 1966), A Voice In The Choir (# 5 AC/# 80 Hot 100 in December 1967), 1968's Lili Marlene (# 7 AC/ # 87 Hot 100 in May), and I Can't Help It [If I'm Still In Love With You], another Hank Williams tunes which made it to # 10 AC/# 97 Hot 100 that December. Missing from 1969 is I Started Loving You Again (# 19 AC/# 86 Hot 100 in December, and written by Merle Haggard).

While we await - hopefully - for another CD from Capitol giving us those missing hits, you can't go wrong with this fine compilation.

Al Martino is one of those great artists that never quite received the respect he deserved. He grew up with Mario Lanza and tried to follow him, then had the courage to re-make himself and his style to become a truly enjoyable singer.

Us "Old Timers" say "Oh yes! I remember that!" When listening to almost any of his recordings although few made it to the TOP of the Hit Parade. Not the top, but they were always being played and enjoyed.

It was a Happy Day to find this treasure amid the last 30 years of "Desperation Racket" made by untrained children trying to prove they were alive.

Capitol Collectors Series - Al Martino has an excellent assortment of twenty-five wonderful hits and ballads sung by the great Al Martino. Al Martino doesn't get the full recognition that he is due these days; but hopefully with time and sales of CDs such as this that will change. The quality of the sound is excellent and the artwork is very nicely done.

"Here In My Heart" features Al Martino squarely in the spotlight--and that's quite all right with me! The strings are used very well and Al's voice never sounded better! This melody is very pretty and it makes a fine start for this CD. "Take My Heart" was another hit for Al Martino; and he sings this marvelously without a superfluous note! Al is able to convey all the subtle nuances of all the lyrics to the songs that he sings; and this impresses me an awful lot. In addition, there's also "When You're Mine;" this tune lets Al Martino show off the operatic qualities of his voice--and how's about that musical interlude with that horn solo?

"I Love You More And More Every Day" touches me with its message and beauty; and the country flavor of the music enhances the natural beauty of this number. Wow, how Al Martino could sing out a tune! "Always Together" really shows Al at his very finest--and he could easily sing alongside the very best of them! The percussion is very nicely done and the arrangement overall is very thoughtfully done.

"Red Roses For A Blue Lady" is a tune made so famous by the great Wayne Newton; but when Al Martino sings it this number sounds fresh and new all over again! The percussion marks the beat and Al never misses a beat--terrific! "Spanish Eyes" is easily a highlight of this album; "Spanish Eyes" has some banter before the tune begins and this is a rare treat indeed! "Think I'll Go Somewhere And Cry Myself To Sleep" also works very well when Al Martino sings this one out with loads of energy; and listen also for "Can't Help Falling In Love." "Can't Help Falling In Love" is a tune I associate with Elvis; but Al Martino puts his own mark on this love song by speeding up the tempo and making a few key changes that all work very well.

"Speak Softly Love" is a theme from the movie called The Godfather; and when Al Martino sings this it takes off like a jet! The strings are great and the percussion enhances the music as well. "To The Door Of The Sun (Alle Porte Del Sole)" has a fine arrangement with Al singing brightly; and "Volare" shows how Al could take a tune and "modernize" it well by giving it a funky disco beat--and it works! The CD ends with Al Martino performing "The Next Hundred Years;" this country flavored ballad is very beautiful-and I love every minute of it!

Al Martino could sing with the best of them--just try out this CD and you'll agree with me for sure! Al's fans will want this for their collections, too.

Andy Griffith choose some of the most beautiful old hymns and he does a beautiful job with them, love the arraingements and his voice. Glad he chose to do an album like this one, most artists ignore these old hymns. They are classics and so is this album!

So many people have done the memorable and cherished music of the past, whether we call them traditionals, Christian, spirituals, or gospels, they signify a love for the a special genre of world music. What a surprise to listen to Andy Griffith sing with such strength, and rest assured, you may hear him in a total different light. If I didn't know these selections were done by Griffith, I would not have recognized him at all. He reminds me of a lighter side of George Beverly Shea, known as America's best loved gospel singer.

The favorites are here, from some of the most well-known gospel songs, Amazing Grace, How Great Thou Art, and The Old Rugged Cross. And if you haven't grown up listening to the gospels, or don't listen to the gospels, somewhere in your life you have heard these. And since I did not grow up listening to these, one memorable song for me was Soft and Tenderly and with a male take, Griffith, too, does it wonderful.

To accompany Griffith is a beautiful chorus of voices, and they harmonize on the upbeat We're Marching Up to Zion. Another fast and upbeat, song that you were sure to have heard is When the Saints Go Marching, its popularity increased when sung by Louis Armstrong. I especially like Shall We Gather at the River/Will The Circle Be Unbroken, the latter often sung by country artists.

I love to just sit and listen to the piano music, various instruments, the background vocals, and especially Andy Griffith who has shown me another side of his beloved self. I believe these gospels were recorded quite a long time ago. And rest assured you won't hear a peep out of Barney. For extended pleasure, try Alan Jackson' DVD Precious Memories-Live at the Ryman and with an accompanying CD. This is special!...Rizzo

All of the hymns Andy sings are older hymns which my mother enjoys. He has a great voice, and he sings selections suited to his voice.

In his golden years, Andy Griffith has bestowed a tremendous gift upon us in his "I Love To Tell The Story" collection. I've heard critics complain that he does not offer the slick polish of a young man's voice, but I wouldn't trade the sincere feeling and heart-touching depth Andy Griffith can put across for anything. There's a lifetime of warmth that resonates through his voice in these beautiful old songs. Creating such meaning with voice comes from time spent living. Listening makes me wish I'd grown up in his part of the south. This is my second of Andy's CD's, the first was The Christmas Guest (truly superb - a must have). I Love To Tell The Story arrived only a few days ago but has already logged many hours playing. If I had to choose favorites on this cd, (two of them tied for absolute favorite) they would be (1A) Precious Memories: gentle sweet and peaceful (1B) Sweet Prospect: both tenderly reverent and compelling; makes an excellent showcase for the gentle power of Andy's classical trained voice. (2) Softly and Tenderly: lovely, heartfelt and moving (3) How Great Thou Art: like listening to his sincere private conversation with his maker (4) Amazing Grace: stirring rendition. All together it is a beautiful collection, well executed, classically. This is not flash, this is substance. This will be in my collection always, played often.

As a member of a musical family (even my detective in TDA sings) that still gathers at the piano to sing many favorite songs, including the good ol' hymns of yesteryear, I love Andy's CDs. When I need a lift, I pop one into the CD player...car or home...and sing away. They're great to use for family get-togethers when there's no piano handy. Andy's background musicians are also superb. I cherish Andy's CDs that I own. Keep singin' and recordin', Andy! We can feel your sincerity in each number.

I gave it as a gift to a relative who has a 8 month old and it is a big hit...

For all those who do not know the musical legacy of Harry Belafonte this would be an excellent starting point. Filled with classics, fun and emotional, it has everything a Belafonte's "greatest hits collection" must have.

Harry Belafonte's clear, penetrating voice and crisp, precise phrasing are instantly recognizable, and on this collection of his greatest hits we hear him at his finest, running through everything from calypso standards ("Day O", "Hold 'em Joe", "Coconut Woman"), to spirituals ("Mary's Boy Child", "Michael Row the Boat Ashore") to syrupy ballads ("Scarlet Ribbons") to American folk and protest songs ("John Henry", "Abraham Martin And John"). This album is highly recommended for both the Belafonte faithful and those endeavoring to get a sense of his work for the first time.

I still remember the Carnegie Hall performance by Harry Belafonte. It was an excellent recording. This Vol 1 greatest package is very very good. 'Dayo' and 'Island in the Sun' are of course included. If you only want one Belafonte recording, make it this one.

Harry Belafonte - All Time Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 is a fine introductory type of CD to Harry Belafonte. True blue fans will probably have these numbers in their collections already; but there are always newcomers to Harry Belafonte and this CD will be perfect for them. The quality of the sound is quite good and the artwork is nicely done as well.

"Day O" was one of Harry Belafonte's best known calypso hits ever. Harry sings this to perfection with a strong male choir behind him to bolster his performance. "Day O" is a wonderful calypso song that will always remain a Harry Belafonte classic and he sings this with his usual uncanny sense of timing and his excellent diction as well. "Day O" makes a strong start for this album. There's also "Don't Ever Love Me;" this touching ballad really impresses me and the tune is very beautiful. It sounds somewhat like "Yellowbird" but make no mistake about it--"Don't Ever Love Me" is a stunning number that will have you loving Belafonte if you haven't loved his singing yet! Harry never sounded better! "Jump In The Line" has great percussion to help carry the melody and Harry Belafonte sings this very well with some male backup singers to enhance the natural beauty of this number--not that Belafonte needed it. At the time, however, many songs were recorded with a background chorus; that was simply the style at the time. Of course, this number may have always been recorded with a chorus; it works very well in any event.

"Scarlet Ribbons" is probably one of my very favorite numbers by Harry Belafonte; and only Harry could sing this ballad this well. Harry's rendition of "Scarlet Ribbons" is clearly THE definitive rendition of this classic, gorgeous ballad. "Scarlet Ribbons" tells a most interesting and touching story of a girl who hopes against hope that her poor family can afford to give her scarlet ribbons for her hair--and just how she gets them remains somewhat of a mystery. "Michael Row The Boat Ashore" gets the royal treatment from Harry Belafonte who delivers this flawlessly; and the best is quite good, too.

"Island In The Sun" has a very pretty calypso melody that I could never tire of hearing; and Harry sings this with great sensitivity. I love it! The music fits in wonderfully with Belafonte's singing, too. "Abraham Martin And John" is an excellent ballad that Belafonte delivers with lots of feeling and that's incredible.

"Hallelujah I Love Her So" is an excellent love ballad that Harry Belafonte delivers with panache. I have heard Peggy Lee sing this number often; but Harry's version shines just as brightly! "Mary's Boy Child" has another very sweet melody that I love; and listen for "Jamaica Farewell." "Jamaica Farewell" ends the album very well and the guitar fits well with Harry Belafonte's singing.

Harry Belafonte was one of the best male vocalists of the entire twentieth century; and we are all better off for his sharing his gifts with us. I highly recommend this for his fans who don't yet have these numbers in their collections. However, I think that they will have these tunes so this CD is probably best suited toward the newcomer or casual fan.

A great selection of Belafonte's music, showing his ability to sing everything from touching ballads (Scarlet Ribbons) to Calypso (Mama Look a Boo Boo) to American traditional (John Henry). He has a great voice and can convey an astonishing range of emotions, from humor to pathos. And it is all capped by one of the great songs of all time Jamaica Farewell. Very good sound quality too.

I got this CD as a gift for my Birthday. This is the first celtic CD in my collection and I must say, a great addition to it. This is a very good introduction to celtic music. The CD/DVD combo for this price at Amazon, is a steal.

I've tried three times to get this CD duo, but there is a problem with the second CD in all three sets. It doesn't appear to have anything burned onto it, as every player I tries cannot play Disc Two. I enjoyed the first CD but have had to send this back for the third time. I give up.

I CONSIDER MYSELF VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE SEEN SOLAS SEVERAL TIMES . THE MOST RECENTLY AT THE CHRISTMAS SHOW AT THE MAJESTIC THEATER IN BOSTON BOTH 2006 AND 2007. THEY JUST KEEP GETTING BETTER WHICH I BELIEVED IMPOSSIBLE UNTIL I SAW AND HEARD IT FOR MYSELF THIS DVD IS WONDERFULLY PRODUCED AND VERY EXCITING. ANY SOLAS FAN SHOULD OWN IT.. PENNY HUFF MARTHAS VINEYARD

I saw Solas in concert last night in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Why they came here, I'll never know, but it was fantastic.
I am more of a rock and roll guy myself, but I enjoy Irish music, and when my wife got tickets to see Solas in concert, I went gladly. I'd never really heard of them before, but I was game.
I was almost literally blown away. This band is incredible. I guess there must be some vestigial Irish DNA in me that makes me love this kind of music, because from the first note, the band had me.
I picked up the CD before attending the concert. The CD is even better. Not only do you get a full ten-year retrospective on this highly talented band, but you get a full-length concert DVD as well. The DVD features all the former members of the band, as well as current members.
Quite simply, this band is the top Irish band out there. They mix traditional sounds with a more updated sound.
This is a great CD and DVD combination. I paid twenty dollars for mine. At the Solas concert, this CD/DVD was going for $25. It is amazing that you can get the CD/DVD on Amazon for under ten dollars. What a great buy. If you like Irish music, use Amazon and buy this today. You will not be disappointed.

This CD/DVD is a joyful reunion of the current Solas members with all (?) of the past members, like Karen Casey. They sound (and look, on the DVD) like they are really having fun, playing together once more. If you know Solas, this is a memento to listen to over and over. If you don't know them, it's a fine way to start!

The Roach sisters' style, words, and tunes blend to produce songs that go directly to my heart and then to my mind. A great compilation of their music.

I was delighted to see that the Roaches produced a collection of their best. Wish they would tour more.

The Roches are ultra talented, excellent musicians, stunning vocalists, wonderful songwriters and a very interesting and rich band. However, they are probably not for everyone. Do not evaluate them by 30 second samples on this web site b/c their songs have drama and substance and they need to develop over their proper timespan.

This is whimsical folk, beautiful melodies and heartfelt harmonies. This is nothing to rock out to although the musicianship is on par with anything that is out there.

The Roches are for people that enjoy beauty.

"Love Radiates" could melt the coldest heart. It is such a terrific and beautiful melody.

I saw them live (circa 1995) and they were tremedous. The vocals and musicianship are not the results of studio tricks. Their "Hallelujua chorus" is the equivalent to listening to Hendrix. It was a sight to be seen.

As you can see, I love the Roches. This is an excellent representative of their best songs. The 3 part harmonies, raw accoustic guitar, Robert Fripp infused guitar, its all there. This is the cream of their work.

If you go to their website, their participation in music is so earnest. If you want an autographed glossy of them, just e-mail and ask and you shall receive.

I wish they were still together and wish they toured outside of the northeast.

The Roches have always been the critics darlings and they absolutely deserved their praise!

Their best works are the Robert Fripp produced works, "The Roches and "Keep on Doing".

My introduction to The Roches was an article in the local paper; intrigued I checked them out on Amazon.com and heard enough to want more. This CD is an outstanding choice to represent them in your collection. The nineteen tracks not only span their carrier but also contain some of their best work.

This is Folk and/or Harmony and/or comedy and/or serious music. I am not sure if it is one or all of the above. I know in a world of cookie cutter sounds, this group is unique and real fun. The Hallelujah Chorus needs to be heard to be appreciated; it is a centerpiece and a great one. However, this track is not the "normal sound". Mr. Sellack, Hammond Song seems to be their sound. Until they change for The Troubles, which is another sound altogether. My point being that this is an interesting CD with multiple sounds, great songs and no small amount of surprises. Be sure to listen to the lyrics, they are as much fun as the music.

I first heard the Roches on Saturday Night Live in the 70's doing the Halleluiah Chorus. I was a little boy then, but it implanted itself in my memory forever. Now, as a 33 year old Daddy and Husband, I find that the vocal harmonies and unique nuances of their well blended voices still brings a chill down my spine. Excellent! Even if you only buy it for this one track, it will be well worth your money!