Ornithology (Classic Recordings 1945-1947) - Charlie Parker

Advantages: Charlie Parker of course.
Disadvantages: None.

...Crazeology - Charlie Parker Jazz time again folks, well bebop to be precise (mostly). I make no secret of being a huge Charlie Parker fan. Not just because he was arguably the greatest alto saxophone player ever, but because he was a pioneer. At a time when black music was seen as something that was somehow less accomplished, and the musicians somewhat less worthy than their white counterparts (in fact it was thought that hardly any black musicians could read music, a common myth), Parker broke the mould. He wrote, he practically invented a new genre (be bop), well maybe I exaggerate, he was certainly one of the leading lights. He also played with chord structure and melodies and harmonies, tearing up the rule book and inventing his own style. His sound is incredibly distinctive, despite the fact that he played... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Pure joy for Charlie and Lola fans, both children and parents alike
Disadvantages: The track 'Bat Cat' does not go on long enough.

...If you are fed up of nursery rhymes, pop or childrens stories on car journeys and have a Charlie and Lola fan this CD is fantastic for them and you. It has saved us from hell on many a car trip, for the pure sillyness and fun of the songs and lyrics. The CD combines out takes from the TV series of Charlie and Lola talking, with music from the show, and tracks I haven't heard before. Highlights include, 'The bestest in The Barn' which has the lyrics on the inner sleeve (and apparently you can watch the video by loading the CD in your computer, but I haven't tried this yet), 'Germs' which has the best bug noises you will ever hear (I challenge you not to laugh), and 'Bat Cat' which is pure genius. I can't wait for an excuse to put this on in the car, it has us all in a good mood and singing along, in no time. The best value childrens CD... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Great lyrics | Very funny | Very original
Disadvantages: Some weak tracks | Will offend | Hard to find

...If you’ve heard the previous two South Park albums, especially the soundtrack for the movie, then you will then know that Matt Stone and Trey Parker can be a dab hand at coming up with twisted songs as well as animated shows. The third, and less well-known album came out with minimal fuss in the Christmas of 1999. Mr Hankey’s Christmas Classics is anything but the Christmas albums we are used to and this is no surprise considering who it’s by. With a mixture of old and new Christmas songs the album has the trademark South Park shocks and humour that the show has got only this time in a truly festive way. It is worth pointing out that this is the prolonged soundtrack to the episode Mr Hankey’s Christmas Classics in the third season of South Park. It has a few more extra songs because of the 20-minute length of the show. 1... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful