Best Of The EMI Years (1961-1972) - P.J. Proby

Advantages: A new facet of rock's greatest
Disadvantages: Not for the casual fan

...Anthology 1 documented the backroom saga of the Beatles' career to the end of 1964. Part 2, to quote their publicist Derek Taylor, documented 'the years of dash and daring', which began with "Ticket To Ride" in 1965 and culminated in the psychedelic madness that was 1967. The vast majority of these songs are alternate takes, demos and rehearsal recordings of songs which they released at the time, like a hilarious version of "And Your Bird Can Sing" which ends in hysterical laughter (what else was in the studio at the time, one may ask), and instrumental takes of "Eleanor Rigby" and "Within You Without You". The few new songs to be found include "That Means A Lot", which they wrote and recorded at the "Help!" sessions and rejected and gave to P.J. Proby, who covered it and enjoyed a Top 30 hit as a result, and another reject from... Read review

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Advantages: All the hits on one Album, Easy Listening, Value for Money
Disadvantages: Addictive

...' - DUSTY SPRINGFIELD (1964) * 16. THIS (GIRL'S) IN LOVE WITH YOU - PETULA CLARK (1968) 17. LIVING TOGETHER, GROWING TOGETHER - THE 5TH DIMENSION (1972) 18. ODD AND ENDS -DIONNE WARWICK (1969) 19. I WAKE UP CRYING - CHUCK JACKSON (1961) 20. TO WAIT FOR LOVE - TONY ORLANDO -1964 21. IT'S LOVE THAT REALLY COUNTS (IN THE LONG RUN) - THE SHIRELLES (1962) 22. ARTHUR'S THEME (THE BEST THAT YOU CAN DO) - CHRISTOPHER CROSS (1981) * 23. THE WINDOW OF THE WORLD - THE PRETENDERS (1988) 24. THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR. -DIONNE WARWICK & FRIENDS (FEATURING ELTON JOHN, GLADYS KNIGHT & STEVIE WONDER) (1985) * 25. GOD GIVE ME STRENGTH - BURT BACHARACH & ELVIS COSTELLO (1996) This is a great album. Before I bought this CD, I had a number of CD's with a few of the songs on; a few Dionne Warwick Albums etc. Never did I imagine that I would be able... Read review

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Advantages: Smooth voiced protagonists, nice sound
Disadvantages: Slightly tame Escamillo, maybe lacking in some french style

...Arguably the best recording of Carmen in the past 30 years. Teresa Berganza has a smooth and warm voice here, rather darker than Victoria de los Angeles (Thomas Beecham conducts, EMI) but smoother and lighter than Maria Callas (Georges Pretre conducts, EMI) and Regine Resnik (Schippers conducts, Decca). Her performance is similarly balanced - dramatic without being too vampish and with that sultry latin quality (a little bit lacking in Victoria de los Angeles in my opinion). She sings with greater precision in the runs and leaps than Resnik and her voice seems like balm after the altogether different instrument of Maria Callas (even at the later's best she growls rather more than Berganaza which you either love or hate). Placido Domingo is a king amongst recent Don Joses on record. Jose Carreras with Karajan may bring more passion... Read review

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