Vocal Pop Music

Back to the quality of her first and second album. If you like Nora you'll enjoy this album.

Norah Jones and her music is not my faorite. The was purchased for my Mother, who likes her music.

I first fell in love with "Sinkin' Soon", but have now fallen in love with many other tracks on this CD. "My Dear Country" has become a new favorite, especially considering all of the political debates filling every TV station and Pub lately... can't get away from it! There is a good variety of sounds and influence... some blues, some jazz, a bit of folk, and some hauntingly burlesque beats. And of course, Norah's beautiful voice carries you through each song as if reading tales from a storybook. I highly recommend this CD!

The music is what you get on the unenhanced CD, vintage Norah with several of her best tracks yet. My favorite is 'The Sun Doesn't Like You' - very dark, threatening, totally non-specific, with this really neat strong music (vocal and instrumental).

I hoped for one or two different songs on the DVD (you get that on her first DVD), but that doesn't happen. I'm not a great fan of videos. These are far better than most (visual quality, concept, execution), but I'd have been happier with more of the rehearsal footage,or small-house concert ...

And I'm picky.

Whether folk, country, jazz, pop, or whatever music style she pleases, I will listen. She has the curiosity and imagination to travel to these areas and beyond. This is the voyage of a musician that is gifted with a conscience possesion of her own naivete. Her minimalist piano and guitar virtuosity is the canvas for the delivery of her exceptionally pure art. Telling glimpses of her life, thought, and truth seasoned with dreamy fairy tales of moonbeams and lullabies. She does all of this and more, with a voice that is the sexual-audible equivalent only comparable to Emmy Lou Harris, Dolly Parton, or Diana Krall. I hope she still throws in the classical tune now and then, and doesn't feel pressured into creating all her own new material.

The Perry Danos album is great for anyone who likes the standards sung in the way they should be sung. Great musical arrangements and strong crooner's style make this an excellent choice.

I have been lucky to see a few Perry Danos performances! And let me tell you- they are so much fun! What I love about Perry's album is that you can hear it in his voice how much he loves to sing. And speaking of his voice, it is so very clear, warm, and controlled. Very smoky sounding...

I bought this album and my foot has not stopped tapping since- there are lots of fast fun songs on the albums. And if upbeat music is not what your looking for, he also has the slow heartfelt songs as well- The Long and Winding Road and Somewhere Over The Rainbow.

Swingin' on the Moon is a great album! I have it on repeat in my car and at home. My personal favorite songs are the title track, Swingin' on the Moon, and Help Yourself. One minute you'll be listening to the CD, and the next you're up on your feet dancing. Strange how it happens that way... :)

Just love it! I would recommend this album to anyone anyday!

If you like Swing music, this is a must buy. Perry's got talent and a great voice. I really enjoy this CD and am looking forward to more.

After living with this fine CD for a few days, I was lucky enough to hear Perry sing some of these songs in a small conference room, mid-day, with a lone (but remarkably played) acoustic guitar as his only accompaniment. And you know what...he sounds just as cool as he does on the CD. This fellow is the real deal - a natural singer with an ear for great songs. I'm a tough sell, but I'll bet that Perry has a great future ahead. If you believe in talent and not studio trickery, give this CD a try - you won't be sorry.

This CD has me already looking forward to the next one. There's something about Perry's voice that makes me want to hear him sing about every song I've ever heard because I suspect he could make any song new to me again as he does with so many classic selections on Swingin' on the Moon. Danos has a grit, and an edge to his voice that is signature, setting him apart from Buble and also a lot of the great crooners of the past. The production and arrangements - top shelf - create the perfect backdrop. The packaging says this is a class act and the music delivers. My favorite tracks - Swingin' on the Moon, Snap Your Fingers, Somewhere over the Rainbow and Young and Beautiful. Help Yourself to one of these - hurry!

Despite some great singing and masterful guitar work, this album is no doubt Ozzy's lamest studio album in his 40 year career. For Ozzy, the songs are just way below the standard he set for himself on his previous and following releases. Possibly due to the reported friction between Ozzy and Jake E. Lee going on at the time. This CD is really just for Ozzy die-hards only.

Great album from an alltime great rock n roll superstar. I personnaly prefer this album over Ozzy's first solo album (but that's just me). Jake E. Lee's guitar playing is amazing. Not too take away from Randy Rhodes - who was also tremendously gifted - as is Zakk Wilde. But for me, this album, The Ultimate Sin, just rings true in so many areas.

this and ultimate sin are the only two albums jake e. lee were on he is different than randy but a great guitar player bark at the moon great song the whole album is great ozzy's first five albums are the best he has ever done after no rest for the wicked they just didn;t have the punch as his older albums do a must for ozzy fans

Since Ozzy Osbourne's "Bark at the Moon" album was released in 1983; with new guitar axeman Jake E. Lee, because Randy Rhoads was very hard to replace for Ozzy. Even the thought of using Night Ranger guitarist Brad Gillis or Dokken's George Lynch were in the mix. Since guitarist Gillis played on Ozzy's "Speak of the Devil" live album. Jake E. Lee held his own playing with the hit songs "Bark at the Moon and Rock N' Roll Rebel".
In 1986 this album "The Ultimate Sin" was released and Mtv rock videos were really popular. Ozzy and Jake got to be in a few classic videos; with songs "Shot in the Dark and Lightning Strikes" and with clips from the VHS live video "The Ultimate Ozzy" was also released. I think this album "The Ultimate Sin" was Jake E. Lee's better guitar work than "Bark at the Moon", even though there are just 9 songs on the album/cd. I also think songs "Thank God for the Bomb and Fool like You" really stand out.
It's worth jamming, so turn it up! I also had to order this cd import from Germany for my collection. The Ultimate Sin

The Ultimate Sin would be not bothering to give this great album a chance because it's not listed as one of Ozzy's finest moments. Personally I like it a lot more than No More Tears because back in the mid 80's the spirit of heavy metal was in full bloom. I know Ozzy was going through some personal problems at the time it was recorded, but honestly, it didn't really affect the music in a negative way if you ask me. It's the same old "love him or hate him" Ozzy that's we've known for years.

It's funny how some people think "Shot in the Dark" is the only good song on here. No way! That means we'd have to ignore the ultra melodic "Never Know Why", "Thank God for the Bomb", and the flat out awesome "Lightning Strikes". The title song is pretty good too.

"Killer of Giants" reminds me of "Fire in the Sky", and if you like that song from No Rest for the Wicked, you'll like this one as well. It's songs like this that make Ozzy an excellent singer. I don't care if he has a high pitched voice that drives some people insane- when he sings a song like this, with the meaningful war lyrics and everything, it makes him a very good singer. You care about the lyrics, and you care about the way he sings them because you can remember the vocal melody. He's a good singer.

"Secret Loser" is a classic. It's like a heavy pop song that really sounds good. I like this album a lot. The guitar playing might be somewhat lacking in a couple areas, but it's seriously not enough for me to dislike it or anything.

This album is a nice easy album to listen to. The songs are nice to.

I was pleased with the price and the fast delivery. I would purchase from these people again. And I am impressed with the range and diversity of Amazon's sales products. I am a person new to computers so Amazon is amazing!

When it comes to Barry Manilow, he often gets unfair deal when it comes to both the critics and the publics. In addition to being a terrific vocalist, pianist, songwriter, and arranger - Barry Manilow provides the ability to entertain. Much of this comes from the excellent songwriting (whether it's Manilow's or third party) and the passion that is delivered by Barry Manilow. Manilow's career spans more than 30 years - but the peak of Manilow's career came in the early years of his career that took place in the mid 1970s. While there are many Greatest Hits compilations that are available by Barry Manilow. While Barry Manilow had already released some greatest hits collections, in 1989 Barry would release three CDs. I'm not sure what the logic is behind these re-compilations. While there is still good Barry Manilow music on this collection, I would question why this would be the set you would get.

One thing that makes Barry Manilow's music special is his ability to work the song and "build it to a climax/crescendo". The music group Air Supply employed a similar approach with many of their songs. Like Air Supply, Manilow does a fabulous job at building the song to this "climax". It was during the "peak" period of the mid 1970s where Manilow did this better than he ever did. It is worth listening to the "build up" to a "climax" in many of the Manilow songs such as "Mandy", "Looks Like We Made It", "Daybreak", and "Can't Smile Without You". While Barry didn't write all of these songs, his style works just as well to "build up" the song as it did with the songs he wrote.

The naming of this collection is something that is going to be very confusing. In 1989, Arista Records came out with three new "Greatest Hits" collections, Barry Manilow already had already released two Greatest Hits CDs. In 1978 Barry Manilow released a widely popular Greatest Hits collection called "Barry Manilow Greatest Hits" (I'll call this "Greatest Hits (1978)" to keep the names straight). This would cover Barry's material over his first seven albums through 1978. Five years later, Barry would release a follow-on collection called "Barry Manilow Greatest Hits Volume II" (I'll call this one "Greatest Hits Vol II (1983)") that would basically contain 11 songs that were done on albums following the 1978 release. Now along comes the three new "Greatest Hits" CDs (which I will call "Greatest Hits Vol 1, 2, 3 (1989)"), and they immediately use a similar naming convention - very confusing.

However, what I don't like is there really seems to be no rhyme or reason for how the "Greatest Hits Vol 1, 2, or 3" were assembled. It seems that "Greatest Hits (1978) was split over 1989's "Greatest Hits Vol 1 and 2" and "Greatest Hits Vol II" was the basis for "Greatest Hits Vol 3" - with a few exceptions here and there. At least with "Greatest Hits (1978)" and "Greatest Hits Vol II (1983)", you could basically look at it and say "Greatest Hits (1978) will provide Manilow's best work prior to 1978 and "Greatest Hits Vol II (1983)" will provide Manilow's best work from 1978 through 1983. That is not the case with the 1989 CDs as the Manilow tracks are shuffled. As a result getting one of these CDs might not give you the Manilow songs you want unless you purchase one of the other two volumes.

Focusing on "Greatest Hits Volume 1 (1989)", most of the songs come from the period prior to 1978. In fact, there is only one post 1978 song and that is "Some Kind of Friend" which is from Manilow's 1982 "Here Comes the Night" album. If you look at the 10 tracks on "Greatest Hits Volume 1 (1989)", you will see that the first 9 tracks resemble the order of the tracks on "Greatest Hits (1978)". With the exception of "Ready to Take a Chance Again", the order of 9 of the first 10 tracks on "Greatest Hits (1978) is exactly the same as the order of the first 9 tracks on "Greatest Hits Volume 1 (1983)". The 10th track is "Some Kind of Friend".

In addition to the "Greatest Hits (1978)" and "Greatest Hits Vol II (1983)", there are two other Barry Manilow collections worth considering:

"Ultimate Manilow": This is a 2002 release of 20 tracks. Once again most of the tracks are from "Greatest Hits (1978)" and "Greatest Hits Vol II (1983)". There are actually three key tracks that aren't a part of this collection: "New York City Rhythm", "All the Time", and "Beautiful Music". Those three tracks happen to be found on "Greatest Hits (1978)"

"The Essential Barry Manilow": This is the most comprehensive collection that is available in one package. This Barry Manilow release contains 34 tracks. While this may contain more songs than several of the other Greatest Hits collections, it is still missing one track - "All the Time".

Another thing that I don't like about "Greatest Hits Volume 1 (1989)" is that the tracks are not arranged in chronological order. With Greatest Hits collections, I prefer the tracks to be arranged in chronological order. This allows me to see how an artist has progressed during a period of time. This is clearly not the case with "Greatest Hits Volume 1 (1989)"

"Greatest Hits Vol 1 (1989)" focuses on 1978 and before. My advice is if you could find "Greatest Hits (1978)" (which is out of print), then I would try to get that one first. Otherwise, you may want to consider getting the newer "Essential Barry Manilow" or "Ultimate Manilow" collections. While there is some good music on this collection, my feeling is that the "Greatest Hits Vol 1 (1989)" is only worth the investment if you are going to buy all three volumes. Overall, I don't recommend this collection simply because there are better ones out there.

that's a line taken from one of my all-time favorite Manilow songs. "Even Now" was a huge Adult-Contemporary hit in 1978 back when the chart was called Easy-Listening or Middle-of-the-Road {or MOR for short}. on the pop side of things, it was a good-sized Top-30 hit. the simple fact that Manilow's long standing appeal has been with the AC audience doesn't surprise me that he was named the #1 Radio & Records AC Artist in 1989 for that publication's first 15 years in business (1974-1989) because in that time span the legend of Barry Manilow was crafted and set in motion. This 1989 CD was part of a three CD set that brought his classic hits to the CD age for the first time. Arista took 1978's 2-LP set "Greatest Hits" and the 1983 LP "Greatest Hits, Volume Two" and filled out these three 1989 CDs with selected material. each CD contains 10 songs {30 selections in all}. on volume two and three the fans are treated to two newly recorded songs {one new song on each CD} not found on the previous hits albums these songs were taken from. However, we're talking about Volume One today. This set includes 10 songs (8 were actual hits, two of them: 1975's "New York City Rhythm" and "Bandstand Boogie", were not). "Mandy", "Even Now", "Can't Smile Without You", "Tryin' To Get The Feeling Again", and "Looks Like We Made It" are all signature Manilow songs that all belong on Volume One. "Daybreak" and "It's a Miracle" are also good...i love "Some Kind of Friend" and i wish Arista would've put that song as track #2 and ended the CD with "New York City Rtythm" but instead "Some Kind of Friend" closes the CD. i'm not afraid to admit i like Barry Manilow to anyone who asks. i take pride in praising an act in pop music that actually cares for the LYRICS and not the fads or trends of the day. Manilow was a breath of fresh air in pop/rock music then and he remains a loyal supporter of the lyrics at a time when dance moves and stage antics are taken more seriously than song content.

This is the best collection of the 3 volumes in my opnion: "Mandy", "Looks Like We Made It", and "Can't Smile Without You" are classics! However, if you buy this, then you MUST buy the volumes 2 & 3 to get his other essential songs.

Before "Ultimate Manilow" was available, this was the best collection to have. It's ok if you buy this, but the packaging is not too good: no notes, no pictures, just song credits.

Great concert, I had never seen this before. Was really cool to see the white dove at the end of the show and not leave her hand, magical show for sure! Wish there had been more songs.

For all you die hard Stevie Nicks fans..this may be the last chance in aquiring a copy of her older solo concert...I`ve come to find out that anything older than this is out of print now...so jump on it...
The concert itself is as beautful and as enchanting as Stevie herself, with the ampitheater of Red Rocks in her backround, its a must for any fan who LOVES Stevie!!

Stevie is timeless and anyone who can truly delve into the meaning of her lyrics is truly a fan. She's a cherished poetic goddess and God bless her.

Stevie Nicks: Live at Red Rocks
Stevie at her best. Mick Fleetwood, and special appearance by Peter Frampton. This is the best vocal by Stevie that I've had the pleasure of hearing. She is sexy, tough, always a lady and belts them out with the best of them. She is a Diva before the name was thrown about by everyone in the music business. "White Wing Dove" is introduced by the letting go of actual white doves during the start of the performance. If you are a Stevie Nicks fan you must have this DVD, you will enjoy every moment and the many songs that made her and Fleetwood Mac a household name and still wows audiances again and again. Experience the music!

A classic performance from the reigning Queen of Rock and Roll.
It must be frustrating to people who knock Stevie Nicks: she just won't go away! For over 30 years, this lady has sold millions of records and sold out concerts, with Fleetwood Mac and as a solo artist. Yet some people still try to knock her. Let's put it this way: of her female(and male for that matter) contemporaries such as Pat Benatar, Heart, Blondie, and The Pretenders, who charted at #5 and sold 2 million copies to date of their latest CD in 2001 and had the #7 tour of 2001? Stevie Nicks. Who had the #1 world tour of 2003? Fleetwood Mac. While her former popular contemporaries(Many of whom I like a lot) play rodeos, cruise ships and state fairs, Stevie Nicks sells out arenas. Why? This concert video is a great explanation, especially during the end credits of Stevie shaking hands and interacting with her adoring fans. Both seem equally touched. Stevie isn't fake. She hasn't had her 10th face lift, upteenth botox injections or done the "Cher" thing. She has survived 30 years of rock stardom, kicked drugs, lost over 60 pounds, and kicked smoking. She doesn't try to be "hip", nor does she change her image the way Madonna(not knocking her) does. Stevie is Stevie. That is why we love her and that is why she will always remain a rock and roll legend.

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1FLLKOPVIM968 I hope you enjoy this video review!!! My name is Jeremy Gloff. I am a musician (check me out on Amazon!) and retro music enthusiast. If you enjoyed this review make sure to check out my Amazon user profile to check out my other reviews. I am always up for making new friends and discussing the music I love!!!

Whenever you see reviews of an album that are as polarized as the reviews are for this one, check it out!! Those listeners expecting Ronstadt and Harris to stay in the same musical box as their previous "Trio" releases will be quite surprised. This music cannot be easily categorized. But it will enter your consciousness and you will find yourself thinking about it long after you've listened to it, and wanting to hear it again. For those who haven't heard it yet, give it a chance. For those who have heard it and dismissed it, listen to it again. For those who have heard it and love it, listen to it again.

This 1999 collaboration between Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt is more folk rock than country in its unique atmospheric sound. It opens with Loving The Highwayman, where the two share lead and harmony vocals. Written by Emmylou, Raise The Dead has her on lead, harmony and electric guitar on a moving tribute to Hank Williams and Bill Monroe.

They lovingly interpret Rosanne Cash's Western Wall, whilst 1917 is a slow melancholy ballad with some lines sung in Latin. The tempo picks up a bit on He Was Mine, a gorgeous display of interweaving voices, and on Sweet Spot, which is a type of brooding rock ballad. For me, the highlight of the album is definitely this evocative cover of Sisters Of Mercy. The simple arrangement does not stray too far from Cohen's original, but the harmonies are exquisite as are the backing vocals by Canadian folk legends Kate and Anna McGarrigle.

The next track, Falling Down is in the big rock ballad mould and is followed by the lilting Valerie, a gripping song of the road. Another highlight of the album is the Sinead O'Connor song This Is To Mother You that gets a fragile and tender treatment. Emmylou's composition, the mostly acoustic All I Left Behind, is very poetic and moving. The album concludes with Bruce Springsteen's Across The Border, a beautiful song of transcendence and hope.

Western Wall is a masterpiece in its execution, but requires some getting used to for devoted fans of Emmylou. Unlike all of her work, from Pieces Of The Sky to Stumble Into Grace, this album entirely lacks Emmylou's characteristic soulful expression. I award it four stars only in comparison to the best of Harris' work; as a folk rock album, it certainly belongs in the five star league next to the work of artists like Richard and Linda Thompson, the McGarrigles and Lucinda Williams.

This album contains a selection of fine songs from several different songwriters. The music is more folk than country, with maybe one or two songs belonging to neither of these genres, there's even some pop/soft-rock influence. EH and LR turn in some pretty good performances (but I don't think either ladies are 'at the top of their game').

The lead and harmony vocals are good - the fragile soprano of EH combines well with the velvety alto of LR. The instrumental accompaniment is also good - courtesy of a bunch of consummate session musicians (and also Neil Young); BUT, a few tracks feature layered electric guitars/synthesized sounds and I think these should have been 'mixed back' because, at times, the vocal/instrumental backing and the lead/harmony vocals seem to be competing with each other (very noticeable with the opening chorus on the first track). This 'problem' doesn't exist on those tracks which are predominantly semi-acoustic (the tracks which I tended to prefer). Also, in more general terms, I found the sound to be a little 'bright' (but this could be my hearing) - to compensate, I play this album with my amp's treble taken down a few notches.

I liked all tracks (some more than others) - a few brief comments about my personal favourites (songwriters in brackets) :

FOR A DANCER (Jackson Browne) - Jackson Browne's voice has, I think, a slight edge to it, but this edge isn't present with LR's lead vocals (not a criticism, just an observation) - hers is a fine, straight forward and 'easy on the ear' rendition of a classic song from the mid-1970s L.A. singer/songwriter era. The song demands a wide vocal range and LR certainly has the skill to handle it well.

WESTERN WALL (Rosanne Cash) - The lead vocals are shared by LR and EH (sometimes, on the lower notes, LR sounds a little like Rosanne). I haven't heard the original version but this version loses none of the poignancy that I often associate with Rosanne's songwriting. The instrumental accompaniment and the sound balance are both fine.

SISTERS OF MERCY (Leonard Cohen) - Another 'blast from the past' ('blast' isn't entirely appropriate because this is a gentle song given a suitably gentle treatment - again, with LR and EH sharing the lead vocals). The track features a (now obsolete) instrument called an 'optigon' - a sort of organ. If you hear some occasional and faint background hum and crackling, rest assured that it is not your hi-fi, your hearing or the production - these 'sound effects' are characteristics of this instrument. It seems a rather curious choice to have on a modern digital recording and I found it's rather 'lo-fi' effect somewhat disconcerting (but some people might like it).

1917 (David Olney) - A poignant song with remarkable lyrics about soldiers during WW1 seeking brief refuge from the horrors of trench warfare in the killing fields of Flanders. The 'story' is told from the perspective of a prostitute who fulfils her role by providing her clients with a night of comfort and 'cheap ecstasy', before they return to the battlefield and almost certain death. EH's lead vocals are superb and the instrumental accompaniment is restrained; but, a song which may not be to everyone's liking.

THIS IS TO MOTHER YOU (Sinead O'Connor) - An exquisite song - a lullaby with a soft lilting melody. Sinead almost whispers her original version and I much prefer the more 'full bodied' vocals which LR lends to the song (but the ambience of the original is not lost, by any means).

ACROSS THE BORDER (Bruce Springsteen) - A smooth 'laid back' sound with a slight Mexican feel to it. Everything works for me with this track - from LR's fine vocals to the outstanding playing (especially the wistful sounds of Neil Young's harmonica and Greg Leisz's pedal steel guitar).


If you are a fan of either ladies, particularly their music from the mid to late 70s, then I strongly recommend that you do NOT buy this album on an 'unheard' basis. There are many substantial customer reviews here and I think you should also take look at some of these (5-star thru' 1-star), So, in conclusion, there was something about the sound/production, on a few tracks, that I found a bit distracting - had it not been for this, I would have unreservedly rated this album 4.5/5.0 stars; but, as it is, I can only give a rating of 4-stars.

Emmylou and Linda are a perfect duo on this CD. The vocal backing of Kate and Anna McGarrigle makes it even extra interesting. The most catching title on this CD,I think, is "Valerie".

About a number of songs where Emmy does the lead vocal, one can hear that her stile is building up towards her later CD "Red Dirt Girl".

Once you love Emmy's and Linda's music, no doubt you should have this CD in your collection.

I always found Sinatra "Over rated", A big So what? I enjoyed an occasional "New York" or "My Way" (very occasional)
However, I heard the duet of "Mack the Knife" with Jimmy Buffet on Satelite radio and could only find it on this disk and figured I'd give it a shot.
Boy was I pleasantly surprised!
I have a VERY high end stereo setup and this is a great recording. (technically) that wasn't surprising
But the content is also impressive! I'm sure it was that I was enjoying the great mix of the other artists from Barbara Streisand to Chrissie Hynde to Willie Nelson.
Then I realized, I actually liked Frank too!
Maybe if you are a Sinatra devotee, this may not be the set for you. But if you want to give him a shot, this is the way to go!

This projet was done for money. Frankie in his elderly state was in no condition to sing. I hated it! The first time I have been disappointed by Sinatra. I love his music but everyone is allowed a mistake or two now and then. Rest in peace maestro.

Just fine, nothing to add. I wish i received this cd sooner but anyway i'm happy flying to the moon...

These duets are wonderful. Sinatra had such style. There will never be anyone like him. The duets on these CDs are fabulous. The people who sing with Sinatra did a great job and the songs chosen were great. I would recommend this CD to anyone who is a Sinatra fan.

If you ever loved or like Frank Sinatra then you will want this collection of his favorite duets with some of the biggest stars of today so if you loved swing then buy your copy.And remember the name Duets & Duets 2 90th birthday limited collector's edition by Frank Sinatra.

Rondall Banks

This is an absolutely wonderful compilation of Irish Folk music. The familiar and not so familiar are all in the same presentation. A must for Irish music devotees.

Purchased for my parents who are both from Ireland and lkove Irish music. The only problem is they wont stop watching it. Excellent

What an absolute treasure this is; for anybody with even a passing interest in traditional Irish music, this compilation is both entertaining and enlightening. Many of the featured musicians are now credited with having been (pardon me) instrumental in keeping traditional Irish music alive ... Paddy Keenan, Andy Irvine, Paul Brady, etc. Their talent and skill are extraordinary and they have since achieved well-deserved celebrity. And it was a delight to see them perform in their early days. The footage of perhaps lesser known musicians and dancers, though, represents an absorbing peek into the past, nostalgic for those fortunate enough to have grown up in such a time and place and culture, and a vicarious pleasure for the rest of us. Not only have I watched it numerous times, I have lent it to friends who have kept it for weeks only to return it reluctantly. Pure transport.

Whether you are just past the point of figuring out that you really do like Irish trad musicor if you are someone like myself who has devoured tunes, concerts, books, videos and everything Irish for most of your life, then buy this DVD. This DVD is a great antidote to the treacly tidbits offered by the likes of Celtic Women and Celtic Thunder. It offers a wide range of styles, musicians and eras from the most trad to the ceili band to the rock influenced. Upon repeated listenings, there will be some you want to skip, but many more you will want to play over and over. I attended a Fleadh Ceoil (All-Ireland music festival)way back in the 1970's and some of the cuts make me nostalgic for the straight-ahead, but brilliant sounds I heard at that time. You can't go wrong with this DVD!

This DVD is an amazing collection of gems of traditional Irish music. Hardcore traditionalists (myself included) will almost drool over some of the selections herein. For fans of more progressive Irish music, I can't recommend this highly enough, if only as a frame of reference as to where the younger musicians are coming from. For anyone wishing to play (or sing) Irish music, this should be required viewing!

Bain sult as an DVD seo!

I like this CD and really like what he does to these songs. He gives them his own style but yet can sing them the way they should.

Did not enjoy the song selection on this CD. Only like 2 of the songs. His 70's CD is much better.

Another great album by Barry Manilow. Good selection of songs, all done
exceptionally well.

I've listened to this album yesterday and I'm keeping it very close to my preferred CDs to keep on listening to it in the near future. I love the way he sings and recreated this album but also consider (as another review writer before) that he is a very good writer of new songs and I hope he will write new songs for a new album not only new versions of oldies but ... this is a very good album either.

I think BM did great justice to these songs and I enjoyed his singing as always and the traditional arrangements by such a wonderfully talented man and one I have enjoyed since I first heard him in the 70's with his beautiful piano playing a wide ranging voice. Keep it up Barry and thanks for your originals and these tributes to some of your favorite songs of the various decades.

This is my favorite Laura Nyro album, a favorite among favorites. Many cite New York Tendaberry as her best work but for me that album is less accessible, whereas the songs on Christmas blend together better. That's just my two cents, of course, but I would say that this is not only my favorite Laura Nyro album, it's my favorite album, period.

That's not the main reason for this review, however. I bought the CD thinking that it was a remastered version since Amazon lists it as being released in 2008. In case anyone is interested, this is exactly the same recording as the original CD issued several years ago so if you have that one, don't bother buying the 2008 release.

And as for Ms. Nyro - if you like her works and don't have this particular album, by all means get it. You will not be disappointed.

This is another overlooked gem by Laura Nyro. I think I prefer her version of Carole King's "Up on the Roof" more than I do King's or James Taylor's. The subtitle to the title written on the CD is ("Laura Nyro Accompanying Herself on the Piano") and thus is similar in style to the "New York Tendeberry" album in that the performances are intimate - just Laura on piano, her voice, from tender to raging, yet the album isn't quite as dramatic as "New York Tendeberry." Every song is a standout - especially "Brown Earth," "When I Was a Freeport and You Were the Main Drag," "Blackpatch" and "Been on a Train" reminiscent of the intensity of the Eli and Tendeberry albums, and "Upstairs by a Chinese Lamp," "Beads of Sweat" and "Christmas in My Soul."

I have to say this about all Laura Nyro and her albums, especially the early ones with which I am most familiar. Laura is one of the most overlooked and greatest of the female "confessional, "poetic" and hit making songwriter/singers of that generation. She belongs up there among the best, with Joni Mitchell, Carole King, Judy Collins, Phoebe Snow, Janis Ian, Roberta Flack and Rickie Lee Jones. I was shocked that Sheila Weller's book "Girls Like Us: Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon--and the Journey of a Generation" included Carly Simon and not Laura Nyro. No offense to Carly Simon, but Simon didn't come anywhere close to the talent of Laura Nyro in songwriting ability, or in Laura's searing, idiocratic, distinct, unique and heartbraking, haunting and unforgettable singing voice. As Nick Drake rightfully has been, Laura should be rediscovered and listened to intently for anyone who likes these other singers. She'll have you listening intently with your eyes closed, or about to get up sing, shout and dance along with her.

I first heard Laura Nyro when I was in my second year of high school. I was listening to an AM station and they were playing Laura's single "Up On The Roof." I thought it was wonderful. I knew of her for a couple of years as a songwriter for selections of the 5th Dimension and other artists but this was the first time that I had heard her sing.
Someone that I knew told me that she had this album so I borrowed it. I loved it from the first time I listened to it. It also became the first of Laura's albums that I would buy.
My favorite selections are "Upstairs by a Chinese Lamp" and "Map to the Treasure." The lyric to "Upstairs" give you such detail of what is going on and it makes you feel as if you are right in the scene. The vocals are perfect for the song and the instrumentation flows beautifully throughout the song. The wondrous moment comes when Alice Coltrane comes in with the harp and you are now transformed into the song "Map to the Treasure." It is not something you can stop. You have to stay for "Map" and hear it out. It starts slowly with two short verses and then Laura's piano work begins to take you on a journey as it starts slowly and begins to pick up the tempo as it goes until the crescendo where she starts singing again and you are totally hooked to it. The tempo has become very fast as you feel as though she is singing to you saying "Take my hand now." You can't let go and then the tempo slows and she repeats the first verse and close with the fading piano. You think you hear the last note and then there a few addtional short notes that close the song.
"Up on The Roof" is a fresh version from the faster paced versions of the early Sixties. Carole King did a slower version on her album "Writer" and maybe Laura heard this version and used it as a basis for the slower tempo. This was the only Laura Nyro song that I ever heard on AM radio at the time and I never have heard it on FM stations.
The song "Christmas in My Soul" is a beautiful tribute to some of the troubles of the time. Unfortunately it also dates the album but it is a strong testament of the times.
"Brown Earth" is a great opener and then "Freeport" and "Blackpatch" come in followed by the haunting "Been on a Train." "Train" was also a testament of the times as deaths from heroin use were becoming epidemic.
"Beads of Sweat" is a rocket paced tune not unlike "Eli's Comin'" from her earlier album. Like "Eli" it starts off slowly and then picks up a very fast pace with a great electric guitar along with Laura's piano playing.
I highly recommend this recording to any fan of Laura Nyro. Laura has stood the test of time and never received the recognition that she deserved but maybe her songs by other artists that were played on the radio then and now gave her enough satsisfaction since recording a song written by someone else is a great reward in itself.
Thank you Laura, you were a great writer and you are missed.

I got this CD to replace my original vinyl album, for which I no longer have a turntable. I had forgotten how beautiful this album is... Between the haunting poetic lyrics and Laura Nyro's truly incredible soprano (which frequently soars so high in this collection that your dog may be the only one who will be able to make out some of the lyrics), you may feel as though you're listening to an angel--and you are! If you like Joni Mitchell, you're going to love Laura! Be sure to read the lyrics in the liner notes. She's not just an accomplished singer--this girl can WRITE.

In 1974 I hung out in dingy smoke filled bistros absorbing atmosphere and jazz. I bought a record for the title! Christmas and the Beads of Sweat.
My friends loved it too! We created our own bistro in my flat with Laura's haunting presence of voice and words transporting us to heights of relief. Rhubarb pie was the climax with "Christmas in my Soul".
A timeless escape from beginning to end, "Christmas and the Beads of Sweat" is a must-have for anyone who wanted to climb up on the roof!

The CD cover unfolds and there in beautiful handwriting are all the words.
What a fantastic bonus!