Classics 1931-1932 - Duke Ellington

Advantages: Superb playing and well-written music, cliche free
Disadvantages: Nothing

...I've been reluctant to write about this CD, since I generally can't string together two words about it. However, it is hands down my favourite Duke Ellington CD, so I thought I'd share my thoughts with you all! 'Such Sweet Thunder' is dedicated to the Stratford, Ontario Shakespearean Festival, and all the pieces are based on Shakepeare characters or sonnets. This has absolutely no reflection in the music though, so it's best just to sit back and enjoy the ride. Track Listing (HUGE, bear with me) 1. Such Sweet Thunder, 2. Sonnet for Caesar, 3. Sonnet to Hank Cinq, 4. Lady Mac, 5. Sonnet in Search of a Moor, 6. The Telecasters, 7. Up And Down, 8. Sonnet for Sister Kate, 9. The Star-Crossed Lovers, 10. Madness in Great Ones, 11. Half the Fun, 12. Circle of Fourths, BONUS TRACKS: 13. The Star-Crossed Lovers, 14. Circle of Fourths, 15... Read review

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Advantages: Duchess is one of the best Genesis tracks.
Disadvantages: Some nasty synth-pop and bland tracks

...The three remaining members of Genesis hit the 1980s by starting to write synth-pop songs. Their prog-rock roots hadn't entirely disappeared though. leaving some of the material on this album neither pop nor prog and suffering as a result. Initially they created a suite of songs about "Duke", and then split up the suite and added other tracks, keeping the title for the entire album. Opening with a joyful fanfare, "Behind The Lines" sounds like it is going to be another good Genesis instrumental, however after a couple of minutes it decends into a rather mundane song with only an occasional glimpse of how it started. Luckily the Genesis magic hasn't completely gone just yet as "Duchess" is a glorious track. I love those drum machine sounds and swirling synths. The whole track has a raising-hairs-on-the-back-of-the-neck energy... Read review

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Advantages: Great songs - wonderful, popular tunes
Disadvantages: A few songs aren't as good as the others

...I recently bought this CD from amazon, costing £4.97 (which I thought wasn't too bad a price for a CD of anout 75 minutes of good, popular classical music), because I thought it would be nice to have to listen to when I'm learning to drive in a few months time. When the CD arrived I put it on the shelf, intending to keep it until I'm learning to drive but the attractive cover was too attractive and so I just had to listen to it - and I'm glad I did. The CD is really good, with some absolutely wonderful songs like Gabriel's Oboe and Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini (18th movement), played by famous orchestras like the London Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra etc. Tracks include: 1. Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 - first movement (07:12) This famous piece of music is played by the North German Radio Symphony... Read review

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