Allegresse - Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra (The)

Advantages: Great jazz tunes from the Golden Age
Disadvantages: None

...-performed and fluid love song. Sadly the female singer with the honey-dripping tones is not credited on this CD. There's Harry James and his Orchestra with a waltz time piece called Carnival of Vencie, with some trumpet playing that is straight out of the trumpet section of a classical orchestra. There's Moonlight in Vermont sung by Ella Fitzgerald. If you haven't heard her sing, hear this song and you'll know why Ella Fitzgerald is so well-loved to this day by people from all over the year. Prisoner of Love by Teddy Wilson is good, solid jazz fare. A simple rhythm, slightly muted trumpet and lilting piano. Eventually, the music is joined by a female singer with a voice that is slightly reminiscent of Mae West. Closing Hour Blues by Meade Lux Lewis is a blues jazz cross-over. Somehow the crackles from the original master recording just add a little... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: A top quality orchestra playing Meat Loaf, great back or foreground music
Disadvantages: As predicted, some of the songs aren't full length.

...This CD is just what it claims to be, classic Meaty favourites performed by a full blown orchestra (I didn't know there was a piano in an orchestra, but there is in this one {there may even be a guitar but I can't remember}). The songs are performed to the highest quality and are instantly recognisable (assuming you know the original of course). This album is full of tracks spanning Bat 1 right up to Welcome to the Neighbourhood, and although epics like "I'd do anything for love" have been cut down to under 6 minutes, you get good value for money. I bought my copy on ebay for £4, but would have happily paid double now I've heard it. It'll be great background music for cocktail parties or anything that needs jazzing up, and I particularly enjoy listening to it as I drift to sleep at night...... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: amazing artists, amazing tracks
Disadvantages: Some really weird other tracks

...Imagine bringing all the true classic greats onto one album; Vanessa Mae, Nigel Kennedy, Pavarotti, Leslie Garrett, Paul McCartney (no you didn't misread that last one) It should be the most phenominal album of all time, all these great names on 2 CDs, and in places it is, but there are some really odd, weird choices on this album that completely spoil it for me and in my opinion create an opportunity missed. The album opens with the amazing Ave Maria sung by Bocelli this piece always gives such a fantastic feeling of calm and serenity and always lifts any mood. There are some truly great tracks here and the highlight for me is Vanessa Mae performing Bachs Toccata and Fugue in D minor (The piece associated with Dracula movies) This piece is usually played accompanied by a full traditional orchestra or there is a great arrangement... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful