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Celtic Woman

Fueled by healthy public appetite for traditional melodies and quasi-ethnic roots, the crossover genre continues to flourish with this debut release from Ireland's Celtic Woman ensemble. The brainchild of Sharon Browne, Dave Kavanaugh (founders of Ireland's successful Celtic Collections label) and young Riverdance touring company musical director David Downes, CW's five young women musicians and vocalists offer up an ever pleasant, Eire-savvy fusion of folk, pop and classical influences. Avoiding the intrusive, club-beat/sex kitten window dressing of Bond, the ensemble tackles material that ranges from the expected (spare, lovely covers of "Danny Boy" and "Ave Maria") to more adventurous fare like "Nella Fantasia" (Ennio Morricone's vocal adaptation of his rapturous theme from The Mission) and Enya's "Orinoco Flow." Elsewhere, "The Butterfly" offers up fiddle-fueled take on their Riverdance parallels (which also get a workout on the live bonus tracks), if renditions of Downes' originals like "One World" and "Send Me a Song" and "Someday" from Disney's animated Hunchback of Notre Dame hew slavishly to the middle of the road -- which largely seems the album's easy-listening intention. --Jerry McCulley

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Customer Review:

Eire de Toilette

The most revolting piece of Irish drivel since the onslaught of the execrable Enya, this dreary, detestable piece of Irish goop inches slowly to gold status thanks in no small part to the profusion of PBS. Their animism naive, and the soft-core eroticism snares the male demographic for all its perky refrain. My grade: D

More than a fad ... delightful renaissance of musicianship and melody

You've seen these world music phenomena happen before: a sudden interest in some exotic fare such as Cuban music or teen opera or tap dancing or pretty Asian violinists, and all of the sudden, millions of suburbanites are rushing to keep up with their neighbors and the newest musical trend. Not that there's anything wrong with that. But CELTIC WOMAN is so much more than a fad and so much more than a token of the listener's trendiness.

These ladies have spine-tinglingly lovely voices and their interpretations add new life to many familiar tunes and cast a warm glow on some tunes that are not as familiar. The traditional Celtic instrumentation is rich, but restrained and played flawlessly. However, "flawless" doesn't mean "soulless." In fact, each singer and musician brings a great deal of passion and loving care to this presentation.

Standout cuts...and it's tough to choose because they are all good...would include: "Harry's Game," "May it Be," "Nella Fantasia," and the standard "She Moved Thru the Fair."

This is a Must-have CD. Not because your neighbor has it. But because you will find a great deal of comfort and inspiration each time you hear it.

One thing this release proves (as well as some of the other PBS-fueled phenomena in the past) is that American audiences are very hungry for classical melodies, stellar musicianship, and thoughful vocals.

PBS scores!

This CD is an excellent example of why some of us have stopped contributing to PBS. Why do I bother to review something I find so irrelevant? Only because the term "classical" is used by the Amazon reviewer and others. There is nothing remotely approaching classical music in this compilation of dental office Muzak; no potential buyer should be conned into thinking there's classical music here. Even Lawrence Welk would have been ashamed to put his name on drivel like this.

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Keywords: Celtic Pop; Celtic/Irish; Contemporary Celtic; Int'l & World Music; Pop; Television Soundtrack;

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I Am Sam - Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture

Jessie Nelson's poignant tale of a mentally challenged man named Sam (Sean Penn) who recruits a lawyer to help him regain custody of his young daughter leans heavily on the lead character's obsession with Beatles songs, and his innocent trust in their wisdom and emotional truth. It's an artistic gambit that shrewdly lends itself to this mostly rewarding collection of Beatles covers by a wide range of contemporary artists, many of whom no doubt leapt at the chance to record a treasured song by their own musical heroes. The renditions are by and large faithful, and inform the elemental genius of the originals by the strength and variety of the artist's voices alone. The husband-wife team of Aimee Mann and Michael Penn (Sean's brother) can't help but find resonance in "Two of Us," just as Nick Cave's latter-day, heart-on-his-sleeve crooner infatuation makes "Let It Be" all his own. It's the reinterpretations that are riskier. While Paul Westerberg's stripped-down, nasal reading of "Nowhere Man" perceptively underscores Lennon's inherent Dylan fetish and Howie Day turns "Help!" from anxious plea to desperate dirge, Grandaddy smugly alt-rocks the energy right out of "Revolution." The Beatles hardly need anyone to burnish their reputation, but this album goes a long way toward underscoring their most undersung legacy as rock's most transcendent melting pot. -Jerry McCulley

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Futures

Soundtrack;

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Customer Review:

Keep An Open Mind

First, a warning: if you're the kind of person who holds Beatles music sacrosanct, and believes nobody but the Beatles should be playing Beatles songs, you'll probably dislike this album intensely. Stay away from it.

For the rest of us (those of us who prefer that our music not be trapped in amber): if you like to hear good songs thoughtfully reinterpreted, this is the album for you. Some covers will probably appeal more than others, according to taste, but don't let your preconceptions stand in the way of liking a song on its merits - for instance, I'm not any kind of fan of Eddie Vedder or the Stereophonics in other contexts, but their respective cover versions here are favorites of mine.

So, once again: if you don't believe any popular music recorded since 1970 is worthy of your attention, don't buy this album. Everyone else: open your mind and your ears, and give it a spin.

A Travesty

I accidently heard this and think it is a terrible album. Why would anybody in their right mind want to listen to bad cover versions of classic songs by mediocre "artists?" Why not listen to the originals? Nobody should be allowed to touch The Beatles' music. Ever. The horrible versions of "Strawberry Fields Forever" and the masterpiece "Let it Be" are especially heinous, but they are all terrible in their own ways. Some are almost insulting. The people contributing to this soundtrack can only wish that they'll be remembered and relevant in 40 years. Maybe I'm sounding harsh, but if you are truly a Beatles fan, you will probably agree with me. Oh, and the movie was terrible too.

Ghastly

This is piece of filth. Beatles songs should not EVER be covered--especially by this untalented menagerie of "performers." The ghoul who sanctioned this album should be tracked down and psychologically evaluated (and imprisoned with a life sentence). I would never wish the trauma associated with listening to this garbage on my worst enemies. The songs are butchered beyond belief and some are almost unrecognizable. I shouldn't have expected any better based on the quality of the film and cast. Any true Beatles fan will be horrified by how badly these treasured songs were brutally maimed. I honestly get nauseous when seeing the track listing. I have never even heard of most of these singers (for good reason, obviously). So please do EVERYONE a favor and buy the original Beatles albums if you want to hear the songs the way they were meant to be heard.

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Keywords: Alternative Pop/Rock; Pop; Soundtrack; Soundtracks; Soundtracks & Film Scores; Tribute Albums;

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Barrio Fino

Reggaeton star Daddy Yankee balances dance music with philosophical tunes on this 21-track CD. The engine driving this collection is the smash single "Gasolina," with its basic reggae beat and its catchy chorus "Dame mas gasolina!" ("Give me more gasoline"). Also highly danceable are "No me Dejes Solo," featuring guest singers Wisin y Yandel, and the English-language pop-reggaeton tune "Like You." But Daddy Yankee also reflects on his barrio on "Salud y Vida" ("Health and Life"), a rap tune that questions society's endless pursuit of material things. Like fellow raggeton artists Tego Calderon, Daddy Yankee admires big-band salsa. Among his influences he counts noted singer Andy Montanez, who guests on the track "Sabor a Melao." Montanez's distinctive gruff vocals add a soulful flavor to the track. --Ramiro Burr

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Customer Review:

an energy boost!

About the album well is amazing isn't the best album of reggaeton, but isn't the worst, THIS IS THE ALBUM that make a place for reggaeton in the world. "lo que paso paso" "Gasolina" "Corazones" "Salud y vida" the man is amazing.

About reggaeton for the people that don't know anything and spoke a lot of s**t about, well let me tell u this is the heart of the people of the ghetto in Puerto Rico, is the mix of the sounds of our latin culture, reggaeton is DANCE isn't about social problems, that's why u listen salud y vida or corazones = HIP HOP and not reggaeton, the topic of the sex is in all kind of latin music, when I wanna listen a good album of hip hop talking about social problems I listen 79 but when I Wanna enjoy a good time with my girl in the disco I listen Da-ddy Yan-KEEE! About the song Gasolina of course is stupid, but man the music, the chorus, IS AMAZING who cares about the lyric of this song or everyone was talking trash about the vengaboys for the stupid song "UP N DOWN" in the 90's, these are songs created with one objective "Dance" another question about the new latin movement? Reggaeton isn't reggae isn't HIP HOP so don't try to judge the movement, just enjoy it.

Hot Daddy Yankee

i love his cd barrio fino it is the bom my favorite song on is "no me dejes solo" and he is so hot i say my self i might be able to go to one of his concerts some day and get his autograph.

This Man Is So Fine.

I went to a concert of his,and i couldn`t keep my eyes oh him, and his music is catchy and club banging.
You should tottaly buy this,along with don omar`s cd totally tight.

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Keywords: Latin; Latin Pop/Rock; Reggae; Reggaeton;

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Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory: Music From The Original Soundtrack Of The Paramount Picture

Originally released in 1971, Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory was an imaginative film that drew as much inspiration from the leftover vibes (and drugs) of the psychedelic '60s as it did from Roald Dahl's fanciful children's book, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. If you doubt it, check out this special 25th anniversary edition of the original soundtrack album, which features lyrics and music by Anthony Newley, who was a major influence on David Bowie and whose work on this film has clearly inspired '90s rockers from Veruca Salt (who took their name from the spoiled rich girl) to the Butthole Surfers (who could easily cover the sinister, trippy "Wondrous Boat Ride". C'mon, everybody, let's sing: "Oompa loompa/Doomp-ity-do/I've got another lesson for you...." --Jim Derogatis

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Futures

Original recording remastered;

Soundtrack;

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Customer Review:

Oompa-loompa, doopity doo, i've got another puzzle for you

The musical score from Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory is as catchy and memorable as the movie. Oompa-loompa, doopity doo, i've got another puzzle for you, I mean, is this the best soundtrack in the world or what? Every hummable tune (Especially Gene Wilder's little 'Pure Imagination' song) just makes me want to sing along with the music, it's so fundiddlyscrumptious that I can't stop listening to this all day. Like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Mary Poppins, these are soundtracks that I shouldn't like, but I do and then some! 'The Candyman Can' is another inspired tune. Buy it now and have a musical adventure. And if you already have it, you're humming it right now aren't you? Like Willy Wonka says: 'A little nonsens now and then is relished by the wisest of men. Cherish this fantastic soundtrack forever. All together now: 'Oompa-loompa, doopity doo, i've got another puzzle for you...' This is the Citizen Kane of movie music.

Good!

Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory is a wonderful movie and it has some cute songs so I really like this soundtrack though I do have to agree with the reviewers who said it would have been even better if the sound effects from the movie had seperate tracks instead of being blended into the songs. All of the tracks on this CD are good but my personal favorites are Candy Man, Pure Imagination, I've Got a Golden Ticket and the main title instrumental track. I highly recommend this soundtrack to anyone who likes the movie!

Pure Genious

This cd is absolutley AWESOME!!!!!!!! i love the movie, i love the book and the music defintly plays a big part of how the movie is. I can listen to this over and over and over again. Seriosuly, you should get this cd. it is abosutley amazing. i was so excited when i bought this because i could listen to the songs as many times as i wanted.

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Keywords: Original Score; Pop; Soundtrack; Soundtracks & Film Scores;

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