Boston

This album was released on compact disc in October of 1990 but it was released on vinyl records sometime between 1969 to 1972. I grew up listening to it most years until I started on my own path. Of course in my younger days the appreciation for Christmas orchestra music was not there. Only rediscovered it on amazon.com in 1994. It's great to play low as background music on Christmas day while opening gifts or while friends and relatives are talking about. The music has a whimsical flare which really brings out the Christmas spirit. Highly recommended for initiating cheer and maintaining calm in the household.

I like Christmas music that I can play and replay without getting tired of it. This certainly fits that criteria. I listened to it frequently during the season and enjoyed it every time.

Our whole family enjoyed this CD very much. It was the first CD we played on the 1st of December as the family tradition has been to play the first Christmas CD in the early hours before sunrise. I especially liked the range of music from tradiitonal favourites to more contemporary sounds.Each piece was unique. Truly a musical feast!

As far as I'm concerned this is a "must have" for any Christmas music collection. I also own two other Boston Pops Christmas CD's conducted by John Williams and Keith Lockart which are newer and also great but this one from Artur Fiedler is the "Master". Over an hour of pure classic holiday pleasure. Christmas music like fine wine only improves with age.

I'm a Christmas music junkie and I absolutely love the Boston Pops! My favorite on the CD is Sleigh Ride. This would be great background music for a Christmas party or gathering. I recommend it!

As a serious Boston fan, I wanted to get this CD so I don't leave gaps in my collection, but I realized some of the best songs have been omitted on this CD, like "Hitch a ride" , "Used to bad news" , "It's easy", "I need your love"... Obviously, no compilation is perfect, but why did you omit "Hitch a ride" Mr. Scholz? This song has one of the best, if not THE BEST guitar solo ending, and it could have been included instead of having 2 versions of "Higher power" (which is a crapy song, in my opinion of course). Anyways, to make it short, this compilation is VERY good for casual Boston listeners who don't have the previous CDs, but as far as I am concerned, I'd rather make my own "Best Hits" and save my $$ for new Boston material.

Got to admit, can hear most of this on an FM radio, but listening to them back to back still rocks. Much of the later stuff Amanda is horrible, but the magic of the first album comes through. Be forewarned, the booklet expouses a bunch of goofy radical policical causes that detract from the music. Hard to believe anyone could make music this good and believe in such nonsense like the vegan crap.

This disc has most of the essential Boston songs. It features some of their best album cuts like "Cool The Engines", "Smokin'", "Rock And Roll Band", and "Feelin' Satisfied". "Cool The Engines" is also a nice addition to this collection. Most of the hits are present like "More Than A Feeling", "Foreplay/Long Time", "Peace Of Mind", "Don't Look Back", "A Man I'll Never Be" and "Amanda". However songs like "We're Ready", Cantcha Say/Still In Love" and "I Need Your Love" are not included on this collection though they should be. According to Boston's web site, Tom Scholz is remastering this CD for re-release. Maybe "We're Ready", Cantcha Say/Still In Love" and "I Need Your Love" will be included this time. "Tell Me" and "Higher Power" are outstanding tracks as well.

Great music from a great band but I have problems (no CD in there) with playing the CD on 2 different CD-Players (Pioneer and Marantz) only on my Laptop it is working. How can that be?? What`s wrong with this record? Has anybody an idea?? Let me know. Thank you so far and greatings from germany!!!

This cd has all of the classic Boston songs we all love, and a few new ones at the time of release. But this compelation could have been much better. I thought that a greatest hit cd was just that, a "greatest hits". How come "We're Ready", and "Can'tcha Say/Still In Love" were omitted? Both of these songs charted in the top 50 when released as singles. Also, what in hell is Tom Scholz obsession with "Living For You"? He also put that song on "Corporate America" Come on Tom that song is really not that good. If you felt the need to include something from the "Walk On" cd then "Surrender To Me" would have been an much better choice. Of the newer songs "Higher Power" is really good. It rocks with the trademark Boston guitar sound that we all know so well. "The Star Spangled Banner/4th Of July Reprise" is totally cool. Very up-tempo with melodic guitars; not to mention the awsome begining with the hyper space pedal guitar effects unique to Boston. Good cd to add to your collection.

We ALL lost when we heard that Brad Delp decided to end his life not all that long ago. But when we want to reminisce with what I personally consider the greatest debut rock & roll record of all-time, all we need do is dust off the vinyl (or 8-track if you prefer...) and throw in this collection of absolutely incredible songs.

I know of NO other debut record where I really LOVE each and EVERY song. This record also has the distinction of being one of the biggest selling collections in history, not to mention the biggest selling debut to boot. While their subsequent releases never quite came close to the greatness of this selection (while 'Don't Look Back' was amazingly underrated) I find myself still turning the volume knob up every single time I hear pretty much any song begin from this album.

Being in radio, I have an interesting view of Boston having had the privilege of seeing them in concert (for free--one of THE major perks in this biz) to getting to play their songs on a regular basis for many, many years. But in all that time, never once have I become tired of hearing Brad's incredible vocals--which I honestly feel can stack up against virtually ANY singer in history--if you've seen them Live, you know what I'm talking about. Since Brad's death, the band has been in a tailspin wondering whether the band can even survive without him, and yet they have and went the same route that Journey did and recruited a new lead singer (who worked at Home Depot) off of You Tube. Whether or not he can fill Brad's shoes...? That remains to be seen, but I have high hopes full well knowing that even if this new guy is actually really good, nobody can take Brad Delp's place. NOBODY.

In short: Boston's Self-Titled debut album is as good as you will find anywhere, and the sales alone prove that to be true--but even better, the music has stood the test of time and not only still sounds great, but has managed to even improve a little with age...or maybe is that just me?

if by chance she's reading this...SHE KNOWS WHO SHE IS! "So many people have come and gone..." This, my friends...is the girl that got away. I confess, I am not worthy. For it is I, who severed the bond. Her star will shine so bright in my heart, until my last breath. "I pray...she knows..., I love her!".....
"WAY..."MORE THAN A FEELING"..............thanks...D.C.J.

"I shoulda married ya."

Boston another one of those "stadium rock" bands from the 70s that now a days are long broken up and or not touring and currently realising skimpy hits complimation cds for low prices(8.97, 6.97 or lower) anyways Boston's debut album is probaly there best album and the only one you need of them. Huge success when it came out and is one of those great debut albums that are hard too find but people look whats better, Are You Experienced by The Jimi Hendrix Experience a classic great rock album or Bostons first album. Puh leeze people come on and please comment on this review if you disagree otherwise. These guys had a few hits that are still popular today, "More Than A Feeling", etc. Over all a good album buy today

This album could almost be thought of as the soundtrack to America's Bicentennial, not coincidently in that it was released that same year. Any pop cultural review of 1976 would be incomplete without a mention of this powerful, stunning (and even patriotic-feeling!) musical debut from Tom Scholz, Brad Delp, Barry Goudreau, Fran Sheean, and Sib Hashian ---- the boys from Bean-Town.

Every song on here is a classic and this remasterd version of the original album sounds better than ever. Like the opening track, this whole collection of songs really is 'more than a feeling', it's a state of mind that listening to the cd takes you to. It's a natural mood lifter for me ; energizing, optimistic and purist in nature. I consider this debut by Boston to be the quintessential classic rock album of 1976.

The fact that Boston aren't as respected in the world of music as they should be may be borderline criminal, but don't make the mistake of ignoring or disregarding the impact they've had on music. After this debut, virtually ever heavy metal band that followed in the 80's copied some variation of the drums and percussion style that Boston originally designed and patented. Plus, Boston are musical pioneers and there's no doubt many of the young rock bands and musicians on the scene today owe their very existence as artists to Boston.

Besides, how many other bands out there can actually boast a graduate of M.I.T. in their lineup? Yes, that's right, Tom Scholz is a musical genius in the true sense of the word. He designed the first-ever, one-of-a-kind equipment used on this album's recording.

So take note, modern musicians and critics everywhere : even if you don't like Boston, show them the respect they deserve.

This album is by far the best work from this band. Granted, it is their first album of the five so far. 'Boston' showcases what makes the record companies stand up and say "That's what I'm talking about!" An album of this quality has everything it takes to beat any test. Songs that keep you listening from beginning to end, there's no skippng tracks here. If you've got an hour to kill, play this, and you won't be disappointed when, in three, you find out you left 'loop' on. All the rest just look pale in comparison to this master work. Don't Look Back Third Stage Walk On Corporate America

I remember this from when I was a child and I'm so happy to be able to share it with my own children. They absolutely love this: in the car, at home, to fall asleep to. The music is just as phenomenal as I remember it and my kids love identifying the different instruments!

I LOVE the narration of this version. David Bowie does an outstanding job of representing all of the different characters. My only problem is that there are some "skips" in track 1. I'm not sure if this is representative of all downloads of this MP3 CD or if something went screwy during my personal download, but it's very disappointing.

Just bought this for my son, he loves it. Ever since he started listening to it, he is always humming the tune of the music. Great introduction for kids. BTW my son is 5.

I LOVED LISTENING TO IT WITH MY GRANDCHILDREN AND WATCHING THEIR FACES AS THEY LISTENED TO THE INSTRUMENTS AND THE STORY. I RECALL THE SAME EXPERIENCE WITH MY OWN CHILDREN MANY YEARS AGO. THEY WERE EQUALLY DELIGHTED WITH THE INTRO TO CLASSICAL MUSIC.

We took our children to the Santa Cruz Symphony's production of Peter and the Wolf. Since the concert, they have been very interested in this classical music collection and listen to it regularly. We purchased this CD and the book "Peter and The Wolf" by Vagin Vladimir (fabulous illustrations). Together, they're a charming gift that any child will love and it could very well be their introduction to classical music for a lifetime.

When we play this Christmas CD, we suddenly find ourselves back in time when we were kids listening to the stereo at home on Chrismtas Day. It's a perfect way to create or recall Christmas memories.

This CD has a good selection of traditional Christmas songs from the original artists that I remember from my childhood. You know, when it was still OK to say "Merry Christmas" to someone on the street. I played this CD and the other Time-Life Christmas CD all December long. I want my kids to have these songs as their Christmas memories as I do.

I enjoy Méhdi"Christmas Treasures",Charlie Brown Christmas ,Mannheim Steamroller etc.and this a magnificent production that I also enjoy just as much. The Time-Life Treasury of Christmas combines both volumes of the series into a two-CD set. Christmas Spirit features some of the season's liveliest pop hits, such as Perry Como's "Home for the Holidays," Ella Fitzgerald's "Jingle Bells," and Julie Andrews' "Joy to the World," as well as mellower songs like Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" and Andy Williams' "Do You Hear What I Hear?" Meanwhile, Christmas Memories gathers more nostalgic Christmas favorites, including Gene Autry's "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," Johnny Mathis' "Sleigh Ride," Elvis Presley's "I'll Be Home for Christmas," and Guy Lombardo's "Auld Lang Syne." Comforting and traditional, The Time Life Treasury of Christmas is a worthwhile collection of some of Christmas' biggest hits.

Although I love the CDs, I was disappointed that there were only about half of the songs I thought there would be. I bought the original double cassette set back in the early 90's and when I found the CDs with the same name and cover, I thought I was getting the same thing only on CD. But the Cassettes had twice as many songs, including Let it Snow,Have Yourself a merry Little Christmas,The First Noel, Jingle Bells by Jim Reeves, The Christmas song by the Carpenters and so many others!!

It reminded me of Christmas as a child. I played this all throughout the holidays.

This product is wonderful and i would recommend it to anybody who is expecting a baby. It can be used also later on when the baby is born of course so it is a never-ending beautiful piece of music.

I absolutely loved this product!! And my baby girl did too!! As soon as I put on a song with my fetal earphones she bounced around and kicked up a storm. It was very soothing for me as well, when I couldn't sleep at night or just relaxing in general. If you love classical music this is one CD worth buying.

thanks Natalie

Superb music selection and not just for the unborn baby but for mom and dad as well. Real orchestra playing very relaxing classics! Even though it was my baby's first gift... because he is still in the womb, I took advantage and often listen to the CD myself!

While this CD is a nice idea, it isn't really that enjoyable! The reproductions of the featured classical pieces sound more like elevator music and have become annoying to me. I have searched for music that I can play for baby while I am pregnant and continue to play after she is born. I guess my advice is not to buy something that YOU can't enjoy also, because you'll be hearing it a lot!

I purchased this product for my expectant daughter, and she says that it is the best gift she has ever received. She, herself, finds the music very soothing and relaxing, and she is certain that it is wonderful for her child.

I am not sure if it is the best Vivaldi recording ever but it must definately place high on the list. It is a pleasure to listen to!!!

This is my favorite CD. In fact, I own two. (one in the car and one in the house). If you are starting your classical music collection, or adding to it, this is one CD that is essential.

Right after I load in to CD player. Oh my god! I thought I play my old old LP with my turn table.... there's needle scratch noise. right after finished song before it start next music play shocking needle scratches. somebody made this CD from old LP Wow!!!

The Four Seasons by Vivaldi always provides for 'easy listening'. Hearing it when conducted by Seiji Ozawa makes it even better. I have it on another CD which I now keep in the car, but the CD on which Ozaza conducts the BSO is the one I keep at my computer for near-daily listening.

By the way, your quick, efficient service was noted and is appreciated.

regards,
P.A Mancini

I have not yet found a better recording of Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" than this one by the Boston Symphony on the Telarc label. It is so clear and crisp and Joel Silverstein will move you with his violin. Highly recommended for any lover of Vivaldi!

I am not an expert on classical music. Having said this, I can tell anyone who loves to listen to simply beautiful music, you cannot go wrong with this CD. It is heavenly. It is certainly aptly titled. One can easily day dream, work, read, dine, or make love whilst listening to this music.

Claude Debussy had been one of my favorite composers even before I knew how to write and behave like a big kid. Growing up my mother would play his tunes on the piano and flute and later I got to follow her footsteps and enjoy his dream like compositions. The French composer has been called the Impressionist and no surprised here, along with another favorite of mine, Ravel, dominated the turn into the twentieth century with his ethereal and magnificent creations. His unusual, radical harmonies have influenced artists that shape the world of music to this day.

This album has all of my favorite pieces, the melancholy Syrinx, bright and almost as if from a magical movie - Maiden with Flaxen hair, silky and soothing Reverie, Clair de Lune -something that sounds like star sprinkled night sky , Deux Arabesques - which I can play but not as well as my mom does - fantastic piano piece with waves of sound and floating chords. Other than Chopin no one else compares to Debussy when it comes to elegance and piano that touches me. This is perfect in the morning, afternoon or night, anytime I need soft, charming but never boring background music. Sometimes it's easy to forget that I'm listening to classical music, it simply sounds the way music should, without labels, taking my mind far away into a happier state. Those who like piano or harp compositions will enjoy this disc; it's really deliciously dreamy and cozy, very yum yum.

- Kasia S.

Definitely for daydreaming, or for putting the little one down at bedtime. Good start to those wanting to see if they like Debussy. Includes many of his most famous works (Clair de lune, etc.)

This is an excellent collection of interpretations of Debussy's works. This collection is a "must have" for those who want to lose themselves in some of Debussy's most touching compositions.

This CD is just pure magic. I know that is such a cliche' thing to say, but it really is. Of course, it really won't appeal to those people who are into EXTREME LIVING...whatever the hell that means, because to me, extreme living is living close to the soul, close to the spirit, close to the Invisible Source that makes and creates all things in and out of Itself.

Debussy was a composer who lived very close to this Invisible Stream. His music reflects a gentleness and yet a strength that flows throughout each composistion. The arrangements are dreamy and mystical and allows one to go into their "inner chamber" and pray in secret to the One who knows their heart as well as their soul.

As much as I love this CD, I tend not to listen to it in the car. I once listened to it while making a routine drive to Santa Monica. The CD stopped and I had somehow missed all of my exits and ended up in Ventura...talk about being in dreamland!

It's a great CD to put in your walkman and go to an outdoor cafe' where you can sip a cafe latte and write poems to an unknown lover whose face you cannot remember, but whose gentle breath is the scent of lavendar...oh, I wax poetic...so sorry...

If you are into quiet and stillness, get this CD...it's truly a breath of fresh air in this noisy, crowded, extreme world we have to be in but not necessarily of...

Peace & Blessings

I purchased this CD, for a good price from Amazon, to replace the heavily scratched original which kept skipping. I've since ripped this to my MP3 player.

I've got to say, the remaster has a little more dynamics, but the biggest difference is the liner notes. Where the original only had a few lines and photos (my favorite quote is from Tom, "Thanks to CBS for their patience" a sarcastic remark for rushing him to finish the album), this album has more photos and a 'critique' if you will from a friend of Tom's.

Tom may have been rushed into making the album, but it was the '70s. Every record label was pushing their artists to put out an album every year, sometimes more. As a Rush fan, Neil Peart once spoke of 'finally emerging from a long, dark tunnel' after which the band put out no fewer than 11 albums in 8 years (1974-1981). Record and tour, that was the way things were done back then.

Obviously, this album doesn't sound nowhere near as tight as the first or third albums. But there are still 4-5 really good songs on the album; not a bad sophmore recording if you ask me.

Boston's follow up to their #1 selling debut record. Another excellent recording that no collection should be without. Title track "Don't Look back" is an excellent track that still gets tons of radio play today. Combined with other excellent tracks like a man I'll never be and Used to bad news. Don't hesitate on buying this great LP from one of the most respected rock and roll bands of all time. Enjoy!

This CD brought back alot of old memories also as well as the other CD's I've ordered.

The perception is that this was a disappointing follow-up to their spectacular debut. However, if you listen to it today, without the unfair comparisons to the first album, you realize this is just more great music from an underrated, overcritized band.
Ironically, the biggest complaint about the album when it came out was that it took "so long" for them to release their second album. It was only 2 years! Now, a lot of bands go five years between releases.
The centerpiece of the album, for me is "A Man I'll Never Be." This brilliant, gut-wrenching" song is especially poignant now with the suicide of lead singer Brad Delp. Fortunately, Brad lives on forever in this incredible vocal.

THE BAND: Tom Scholz (guitars, piano), Brad Delp (vocals, guitar), Barry Goudreau (guitar), Fran Sheehan (bass), Sib Hashian (drums & percussion).

THE DISC: (1978) 8 tracks clocking in at approximately 33 minutes. Remastered* edition released in 2006. Included with the disc* is a 10-page booklet containing song titles/credits, 4-page intro from writer David Wild, numerous band photos, and thank you's. All songs written by Tom Scholz, except "Party" (by Scholz and Delp) and "Used To Bad News" (by Delp). Label - Sony/Legacy/Epic.

COMMENTS: After Boston's amazing '76 debut, their next album was bound to be a let down (after all, their 1st album is still the all-time selling debut, ever). But can you really compare them? I prefer not to. I don't compare Led Zeppelin's first album to their 2nd, Van Halen's 1st to their 2nd, or Nirvana's "Nevermind" to "In Utero". I accept these 2nd releases for what they are... sometimes a continuation, other times a complete departure. Though "Don't Look Back" took 2 years in the making, I think of it as a continuation. Similar songs - similar sounds - trademark guitars and Delp's soaring vocals. It's a good rock album. Though honestly, if I'm in the mood for some Boston, 4 out of 5 times I still pull out their debut. As the numbers go, "Don't Look Back" reached #1 on the Billboard pop charts in 1978 and had 3 hits - "Don't Look Back" (#4), "A Man I'll Never Be" (#31), and "Feelin' Satisfied" (#46). With 4 million albums sold in the 1st month of it's release, the listening public was clearly hoping for another powerhouse album. For me, the best songs were always the title track, "Party" and "Feelin' Satisfied". The power ballad "A Man I'll Never Be" may have been geared toward the ladies - but to my ears, it was simply too soft with depressing lyrics. "Don't Look Back" also had 2 very obscure tracks - the last 2 songs on the album, "Used To Bad News" and "Don't Be Afraid". Both decent rock songs, but the melodies ultimately forgettable... thus ending the album on a down note. While this album can't match the power of their enduring debut, it's easily the band's 2nd best effort. Label and contract issues came into play on every album after (Boston's 3rd album, "Third Stage" was released an amazing 8 year after "Don't Look Back" to mixed/poor reviews). "Don't Look Back" as a whole is very short. Some will say that you shouldn't mess with a classic. I say the label missed a nice opportunity to fill some space with some unreleased songs or live material from the era. Remastered sound is crisp to a flaw as Scholz himself looked after the project (4 stars).

Perhaps it is the romantic in me that enervates a sense of anticipation when superlative musicians take up period instruments to play great master's works in the manner in which they were written.

In this case I believe that also means enjoying the work with a slightly faster Tempi than accustomed.

Beautiful music making for beautiful space.

I bought this recording after seeing rave reviews here on Amazon and elsewhere. Mostly those reviews are justified. The sound is outstanding, whether because of the period instruments or the quality of recording. The many voices are brought out, especially in the first concerto, as they rarely are on other recordings. The musicianship is outstanding.

Now the things I didn't like (but others may like them):

1. The tempi are way too fast for my taste. One of my favourite movements, the last "allegro" of the third concerto, is played prestissimo, which entirely spoils it for me. And it is not the only one. Most movements are faster than normal, none are slower.

2. In the solo bits -- particularly the cadenza in the fifth concerto -- there is too much rubato. Too often rubato is used as an excuse for disentangling the fingers rather than to add to the music. If it is such a good idea, why is it never used (unless explicitly scored) in the orchestral sections?

3. Bach wrote only two cadence chords for the middle movement of the third concerto. A cadence concludes a movement, but what do they conclude here? Obviously an impromptu movement that a soloist is supposed to conclude. Some performers oblige (eg, Neville Marriner/Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields; the long out-of-print Harry Newstone/Hamburger Kammerorchester). Some cop-out by introducing an extraneous slow movement, from another Bach piece, that ends in the same chords (eg, Menuhin/Bath Festival Orchestra). But the worst sort of cop-out is to just play those two chords and nothing else. Which is what these performers do. Pearlman states sonorously, in the liner notes, that "there is no reason to suppose that anything else is meant to be supplied here..." Oh yes, there is. To play just those chords and nothing else is "musical nonsense" (as I recall the liner notes to the Newstone LP saying.) Moreover, though improvisation fell out of favour in 20th-century classical music, it was an important part of music from before Bach (the Handel/Scarlatti duel is famous) up until Liszt and beyond.

If things like the above bother you, don't buy these CDs -- at least, not without hearing them first.

This two CD music set is wonderful, I have listen to it every week and am delighted to have added it to my collection. Worth the money.

If you are a lover of the baroque era, then this 2-CD collection performed by Boston Baroque is as good as it gets. The recordings have a faster tempi which sounds very good on most of these concertos and they are crisp and clear. The transitions, from the end of one , to the beginning of the next concerto are particularly good...they appera continuous. This is a collection that I had been looking for a long time and finally managed to find.

This is a fantastic set of Concertos with a unique period sound, brisk pace and clear articulation. I highly recommend this distinct recording for those individuals with an interest in J.S. Bach and/or the famous Brandenburg Concertos.

Highly recommended.