Ecoutez Les Mandolines (Original Recordings 1933-1950) - Tino Rossi

Advantages: Fresh and enthusiastic rendition of a great classic
Disadvantages: May have to be ordered

...in the CD tells us that although ‘playing on original instruments is nothing out of the ordinary in Germany, England or the Benelux countries, the musicians of Il Giardino Armonico have done pioneering work in Italy.’ This freshness of approach certainly comes across in the performances and makes the music very absorbing indeed. Although all the CD is high class the Concerto in G major for two mandolins and strings is without doubt the highlight of a very high standard performance, this features Duilio Galfetti and Wolfgang Paul on mandolins (the mandolins were made in Milan in 1792) The insert contains much information on the musicians and their instruments as well as giving some history of Das Alte Werk. At £25 this CD is not the cheapest and you will probably have to order it, but when you consider you would pay more than... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: See text
Disadvantages: See text

...Having originally made their mark as a brightly-dressed psychedelic pop band in 1968, Status Quo did a complete about-turn a couple of years later when they donned the denims, grew their hair and started playing hard blues-based rock. ‘Piledriver’ was their first album on their second record label, and the first over which they had full artistic control. In recent years they’ve almost gone full circle, their last few albums reverting some way towards a more melodic pop sound, but in 1972 it was a different story. The opening track, ‘Don’t Waste My Time’, remained a long-time stage favourite. One of the three songs they played when opening Live Aid in July 1985, it lays down the template for that classic heads-down Quo boogie as shown on the cover shot, with just enough variation on the old 12-bar... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Beautifully encapsulates the film
Disadvantages: You'll drive people around the bend listening to it!

...Brief film overview: Amelie lives in France, she is a happy person who yearns to improve the lives of those around her. What follows is mystery, intrigue, surrealism of only the highest French order... This bouncy soundtrack begins with a few staccato pieces, merged together with classicly French-sounding instruments. The first, 'J'y suis jamais alle', is a great opener that sets the scene, and is then furthered in beauty by 'les jours tristes', which is bound to lift your spirits. It sounds something like gliding over the French continent and being able to watch the hustle-bustle without actually smelling of cheese yourself. 'La valse des vieux os' is duetted on the accordion and evokes images of tres, tres French men standing on the cobbled Parisian streets, playing for playing's sake. This CD is about fun (after all, Amelie looks... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful