Best Of Susan Maughan, The - Susan Maughan

Advantages: Susan Graham sings nearly everything
Disadvantages: She doesn't live next door to me...

...The American mezzo-soprano opera singer Susan Graham is in high demand at all the major opera houses of the world. This CD is a good introduction to this talented singer and her wide ranging repertoire (from the hard core operas by Haendel, Gluck, Mozart, and Berlioz to the light operettas of Yvain and Messager to the contemporary songs of Ned Rorem and Jake Heggie). Due to her strong voice and imposing physique (standing 5'10'' tall), Ms Graham is particularly successful in the 'trouser roles' where the female singer plays a male part on stage (tracks 1-6 features arias sung by 2 of her best known trouser parts). Her voice is a light lyric high mezzo soprano with effortless high notes. It is radiant, clear, and rather lighter than what one would expect from a typical mezzo (similar to Anne-Sofie von Otter's and Magda Kozena... Read review

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Advantages: Early 80's synth-pop pioneers' best collated
Disadvantages: No "Don't You Want Me"!

..., in my rush to purchase my three CDs and get back to the office before Fat Glenn the clockwatcher starts having a go. Then I played it. Here's my usual track listings with the obligatory mark out of five. Afterwards follows a brief list of the glaring omissions. How could I have been so dumb? There's a lot of weak links here...... **Love Action (I Believe In Love)** "I believe in you/In believe in me/And you know I believe in love" goes the hookline in the bridge before the chorus. Anyone who owned a pair of ears and a radio in 1981 will know this number three hit from the Sheffield sextet. It makes an impressive start to this best of album and it's whinging synth and tinny beats epitomise an era. (4/5) **Mirror Man** More whinging synths before Jo and Susan's "ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh" refrain kicks in with some natty finger... Read review

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Advantages: See op
Disadvantages: none

...I have been a fan of Madonna’s since I was 9 yrs old and I’m still a big fan of hers now. I think she’s amazing and the best female artist around. I do like some of her songs off her ‘Music’ album but I still prefer all her early career stuff she has done. I have never seen her live, but would like to one day. The Immaculate Collection is Madonna’s first, greatest hits collection. It was released in 1990. It contains 15 of her greatest hits since her career began in 1983 and has 5 UK number ones on it. The album itself takes you though a journey of Madonna’s early career from 1984-1991. It is arranged in chronological order. It has all the well known tracks that you would expect to find. So for all that it’s well worth £12.99. This by far is my favourite album she’s... Read review

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