60th Anniversary Issue Commemorating Geraldine Farrar

Advantages: Classic recordings from a master of his trade.
Disadvantages: Mono recordings, Crackly in parts.

...Cottone, Umberto Giordano, Francis Lapitiono, Geraldine Farrar and more. The conductors are: Walter Rogers, Josef Pasternack, Giulio Setti Orchestra/Ensemble: Orchestra, Metropolitan Opera Chorus, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. Tracks include: Carmen: La fleur que tu m'avais jetée "Flower song" by Georges Bizet Les pêcheurs de perles: Je crois entendre encore by Georges Bizet L'Elisir d'Amore: Una furtiva lagrima by Gaetano Donizetti La Favorita: Spirto gentil by Gaetano Donizetti Lucia di Lammermoor: Chi mi frena in tal momento? (Sextet) by Gaetano Donizetti Germania: Studenti! Udite! by Alberto Franchetti Fedora: Amor ti vieta by Umberto Giordano Andrea Chénier: Un dì all' azzuro spazio "Improvviso" by Umberto Giordano Die Königin von Saba, Op. 27: Magische Töne by Karl Goldmark Faust: Salut! demeure chaste et pure by Charles Gounod... Read review

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Advantages: Extra tracks - A Must for Collectors
Disadvantages: Can't think of any

...Whilst I realise that these early Bowie album re-issues are mainly playing on the enthusiast's aim for completeness, this is one of the better, in my opinion. I am, admittedly, a big fan of the Duke, and as such am interested in the Arnold Corns versions on the second disc (especially as I hadn't really heard of them until the Bowie at the Beeb BBC sessions release). My main reason for this purchase (as I already owned the single CD version) was the track Velvet Goldmine, of which I hadn't got a copy. The demo versions of Lady and Ziggy Stardust are interesting but John, I'm Only Dancing and The Supermen seem to be simply fillers. To a certain extent this is true of Round and Round and Holy Holy, but I'm not sure they are otherwise in CD format, so I can see the appeal. It is a good presentation - I do really like book style without... Read review

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Advantages: Soothing and relaxing music from a superb singer and Celtic harpist
Disadvantages: Not recommended for in the car - too relaxing

...clearly demonstrate Claire's remarkable talents. Take, for instance, the opening track. It begins with the sound of the wind and Claire-the-storyteller reading her creation-myth poem "In the Beginning", which she wrote to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Corbenic Camphill Community, where Claire gives voice and music therapy. We are made to feel happy to be indoors as the wind howls and Claire draws us into her story. The storyteller is joined, slowly but surely, by harp and drum, with handbells played by the Corbenic Music Group, and before we know it we have been lulled into her wonderful arrangement of the traditional "Iondo, Seal Woman's Croon". Seemless! These soundscapes are occasionally augmented by recordings taken from nature, such as the sound of thunder, or waves crashing on a beach. These are used to such good effect... Read review

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