Peter and the Wolf

I am not a huge fan of opera music. Most of it gets on my nerves but I do like it when opera music is mixed in with a smidgeon of pop music. Amici Forever may not create opera music that is pure but their music is nice to listen to when I just want to unwind after a long day at the office. THE OPERA BAND is the group's first album. I heard about it through a television commercial a few years ago and bought a copy. I like the combination of male and female singers. While the song selection is rather predictable (because they have been covered by other artists in the classical/crossover genre), I thought the group did a good job. I particularly enjoyed their version of "Unchained Melody" and Elgar's "Nimrod". The music is a bit bland and the group offers nothing new that I haven't heard before in the classical/crossover genre, I still enjoy listening to their music. Their fusion of pop and opera helps take off the edge from the dark, heavy music I normally listen to on a regular basis/

Beautiful! Even friends who've never cared for opera love this one. A tonic at the end of a grueling day, a weekend afternoon introspective, a late-night lead-in to a flight of dreams ... a whisper of angels.

this was a gift for family. family member loves album quality and selections.

Amici Forever is suberb in every way. Their arrangements are exceptional and the original lyrics are perfect poetry.

Bought the album after hearing someone talk about the group. Thought the voices were okay (baritone was the best) but in some songs didn't blend properly. Selection of pieces was interesting . . . pop, classical, opera. Good album for "background" music.

The engineering and audio quality of these 1960's performances are surprisingly good. The songs are wonderfully peformed and cover a range of periods and styles, but I find myself returning to her recording (also re-released on CD) of Strauss' "Four Last Songs", which I would give 6 stars -- my favorite recording of all time.

This set is a fine tribute to this extraordinary singer and musician. I was saddened to read about her passing. She had a long life (90 years) and inspired a whole generation of singers and music lovers throughout the world.

I only want to say that you can hear, in this double cd, one of the great singers of all time. Elisabeth Schwarzkopf. Why? Because she sings all the arias and lieder with pure of tone, brilliance, perfect inflexion, modulation, excellent control breath, measured vibrato, and, all above, great emision of colours. She is master in this art.

La mejor recopilación de la discografía de Elisabeth Schwarzkopf. Su belleza de voz, la impecable hilación de frases, y, sobre todo, su expresiva interpretación son algunas de las sorpresas que se podrán escuchar en estos dos discos. Sin duda, UNA DE LAS MEJORES SOPRANOS DEL SIGLO XX.

Hasta el momento, no existe mejor recopilación del arte sonoro de Schwarzkopf que el realizado por EMI en "The Very Best of...", porque nos presenta las mejores interpretaciones de la soprano, cantando los papeles que la convirtieron en una de las mejores cantantes del siglo XX. Me refiero, principalmente, a los roles de LA MARISCALA en El Caballero de la Rosa, y LA CONDESA en Las Bodas de Fígaro, donde su cálida voz y su expresiva actuación resultaron adecuadas para estos personajes.

Todas las grabaciones de las arias de las óperas de Mozart y Richard Strauss son referenciales e insuperables. Además de apreciar la pureza de su tono, el sorprendente legato, agudos bien colocados, el asombroso control de la respiración, el excelente y no excesivo manejo de la coloración, la aplicación justa del vibrato, podemos disfrutar su maestría en la emisión clara de muchos TIMBRES. Para conseguir la emisión de una inmensa gama de colores, no hay mejor soprano lírica que Elisabeth Schwarzkopf. Basta escuchar "Comme scoglio...".

Mencionaba que la recopilación es completa, porque no sólo nos muestra sus mejores atributos en sus famosos papeles de ópera, sino, además, ofrece su soberbia faceta como cantante de LIED, sobre todo del repertorio de Schubert y Hugo Wolf. ¿Podría alguien mencionarme alguna otra intérprete de las canciones de WOLF? En ellas, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf exhibe, aparte de su perfecta técnica, su sincera y justa dramatización.

Aunque se ha comentado ya mucho sobre la interpretación "artificiosa" de LAS CUATRO ÚLTIMAS CANCIONES,de STRAUSS, cabe señalar que todas las notas están bien colocadas, el fraseo es firme, y desde el punto de vista musical, es sumamente expresiva y sincera. Creo que esa "falta de sinceridad" que aprecian algunos críticos y melómanos, surge de la apreciación subjetiva de los detractores de Schwarzkopf. Sucede siempre lo mismo con los grandes cantantes. Pero después de haber escuchado a Jessey Norman, Lisa Della Casa, Cheryl Studer, he llegado a la conclusión de que en la grabación de Schwarzkopf/Szell, la perfección técnica y la sinceridad interpretativa están de la mano.

En los demás tracks, podemos encontrar las mismas fortalezas vocales de la cantante, como en las arias de OPERETA,incluso, en las arias de las óperas de Weber y Wagner, en las que no se especializó, pero que de cualquier forma hace un magnífico trabajo.

Por todo ello, "The Very Best of..." es altamente recomendable no sólo para los admiradores de Elisabeth Schhwarzkopf, sino para el público en general. Simplemente, una de las MEJORES sopranos líricas del siglo XX.

La MEJOR MARISCALA Y CONDESA (LAS BODAS DE FÍGARO Y CAPRICCIO) DE LA HISTORIA.

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I loved this movie, and I love the soundtrack too. It's beautiful. We listen to it all the time.

I am no expert on music; however, I believe that this soundtrack was a good one. I can listen to all 7 songs, I agree with the rest of you that there should be an 8th in the form of Aerosmith's "Dream On." I absolutely love this movie and the music to it. If you love the movie then you need to have this soundtrack.

I was all set to get the CD until I heard it and found out there was no "Dream On." What???!!! How could they? The best song in the movie, the one they used for the trailers and TV spots and in the credits, and they don't have it? That was the only reason I wanted the CD. Even though I like "Don't Fear the Reaper" by the BLue Oyster Cult. But I don't understand how they could not add "Dream On".

Even so, I still love the movie. Thank God I have the DVD to listen to "Dream On" in the credits all I want.

I was disappointed that this CD did not include the theme music played when the US tied Sweden (two staccato eigth notes, quarter rest, two staccato eighth notes, quarter rest, etc.).

Nevertheless...

Three notes. Over and over. And over. Mark Isham has made a good attempt at composing varations on a theme which consists of just three notes. During the earlier parts of the movie it works, as we are being introduced to the characters and the journey they're following. Isham was fantastic with the music he wrote for that ten minutes of tension and bedlam that occurred while the US was hanging on to their 4-3 lead.

But when time finally ran out and the game officially won, we hear those same. Three. Notes. And it lacked meat. It sounded like a small chamber orchestra. It was very disappointing. By the time the movie is over, we feel like those three notes have been beaten into our skull with a broken hockey stick. A worthy effort, but an unsuccessful one.

Also disappointing was the fact that the "Miracle" track on this CD was "summarized." All we hear is the music for the goal scored by Buzz Schneider, then a Soviet goal, then the buildup of the final 10 minutes, then the ending. Again, where was Mark Johnson's tying goal (the same theme as when the US tied Sweden)?

Still, it's a must-own for anyone who is insanely addicted to the movie like I am. It's just too bad they weren't able to get John Williams for the score.

A great movie, with great music, and great script. Casting was superb.

I watch this with my 8 year old grandson who is empowered by its magic and miracle.

I just jumped on net to order soundtrack and found that Dream On is missing. What a tradegy to cheat the public of such a song that was the eternal identifier and the guts of the movie.

Somebody screwed up. Where are they working now?

Bill

I bought this album when it came out in 2002. I liked it, but at the time I was listening to so many new albums, this sort of got lost in the shuffle. I just found it as of late, and am quite impressed. This ain't no classic era J. Geils record, but it may be one of the best albums Peter Wolf has ever done. Even if you don't dig that Geils band sound. This is more of a folky, country blues feel.
It's a mellow somber album. The single NOTHING BUT THE WHEEL hit me immediately back when I first heard it on the radio. Mick Jagger does backing vocals on this track and it sounds great!
Peter Wolf sort of drops his old woooooaaaaaahaaatcha type of attitude, and comes off as a dude thats been travelling too long, but has some fond memories to share. Truly a heartfelt album by Wolf, who has really proven that he could write great songs even after the seventies were over. It's too bad I haven't seen another record out of him since. Dig this one out or seek it out, you'll be pleased.

I also heard one of the selections on this CD (Nothin' But the Wheel) on KPIG and I immediately bought the CD. I didn't remember Peter Wolf and I was never a J Geils fan, but to my surprise, I loved all of the selections. In fact, I lost the first CD and I just replaced it through Amazon. This is a first for me.

I bought this CD on the basis of hearing "Nothing But The Wheel" on the radio (yay, KPIG!) and expected, like a lot of music by artists I'm not very familiar with, to grow and love the rest of the songs.

I was wrong. I've tried, but something about this CD doesn't do it. "Nothing But The Wheel" is a classic, but after the first run through, the rest of it irritates me to the point of having to put on something else. I'm still glad I bought it, but I can't recommend it if you want that one CD for your car, or are stuck on a desert island with limited choices.

after more than 30 years, peter wolf, of j. geils fame, actually still has it in him to outdo himself. an amazing album, track for track, no filler, a mix of rockers, ballads, blues, soul. probably the best "classic" rock album of the last 5 years. fans of j. geils, the stones, stax/volt: do NOT pass it up.

One of the best albums I've ever heard. Intelligent, mature, and damn good rock and roll too. May we all be as productive for so long.

I'm not a big J. Geils fan and am basically lukewarm on other solo Wolf recordings. But this one - it's one of the best records I've ever heard. The harmonica work is subtle and masterful, and the songs themselves are so well crafted that Wolf's sledgehammer vocals--which could easily get in the way--don't. For the most part, he sings soulfully, and he effortlessly plays the part of the veteran bluesman. This is worth $25. Buy it now.

Peter released the best CD of his solo career in "Long Line" of 1996. This is a must for any true fan of the "woofa-goofa." Johnny A. who played and produced the "Long Line" CD brought out the best in Peter that had not been done since Seth Justman when Pete was in J Geils. If I were Peter, I'd work all the time with Johnny A as he understands Peter's music in a way only Seth had.

"Fools Parade" is Peter indulging his r&b side but not doing it in an interesting way. It seems to plod along without a focus and aside from a few songs is dull. If you own it or want to own it, I say great because Peter is to be respected but, in the final analysis, "Fools Parade" is not his best effort by a long shot.

Buy "Long Line" to get Pete's finest solo moment and, perhaps, a release that holds up to much of his J Geils work as well.

Okay, so if you think of Peter Wolf at all, you remember him from way back with J. Geils. Put your preconceptions aside because this is one of the most overlooked CD's of all time. The songs are instantly memorable; you find yourself singing along the first time. And they just get better. Honest, understated, passionate. Wolf proves himself again and again. Like Dylan? Dig Peter Himmelman? Then you'll love this. The style conjures up 60's soul with the 90's sensibilities of a mature artist working on all cylinders. "Waiting on the Moon," "A Roomful of Angels" -- all the tracks shine, actually. You will play this and play it and play it some more.

Great stuff........Still wish that he or The J. Geils Band would go back on tour....

Good album. Some songs are boring, though. STRICTLY FOR FANS, unless you like this type of music.

I think Wolf says it all in the liner notes with something like: this is how he thought the Masters would play if they had a Marshall Stack and a Whammy Bar. How a metal axeman out of Accept can be so delicate is beyond me, but the delicacy loses none of the Accept power, even some of the old Accept boys are listed as back up muso's. As a metalhead of old, I never thought I'd listen to the Classics let alone appreciate them, but hearing them from this point of view, metalised maybe, I have discovered a whole new musical appreciation. Introducing metal friends of mine and others who are classical freaks to this album gets the same response ... how brilliant is this, how unbelieveable is Hoffman's guitar work? This brings together 2 worlds that never looked like getting it on - Classical Metal or a Metal Classic(?) you decide - you won't be disappointed!

I don't understand the reviewer above that claims "The album sounds like an Accept album without UDO's famous vocals."

It's VERY different than Accept's music, but it's still VERY fun and entertaining. Having been an Accect fan for about 20 years (geez, I'm getting old), I appreciate getting to hear some music that he likes ... that he grew up with ... that influenced him.

I especially like the fact that these are not just exact copies of the tunes that we already know. On most of the songs, he added his own syle and interpretation of the original.

For instance, the intro to "In Hall of the Mountain King" is completely original (although it sounds almost AC/DC-like). Even the rest of that song (with the horns and blues-like arrangement) screams originality (which is hard to do with such a well-known piece of music).

I especially like the wide range of styles. From his "trademark" hard-rocking guitar sound to some mellow accoustic (and electic) runs to bluesy electric soloing (like on "Habanera") to a slgihtly middle-eastern sound and many other styles.

Other guitarists have done similar songs or even full albums (see Yngwie Malmsteen's "Concerto Suite for Electric Guitar & Orchestra" or Cirith Ungol doing Bach's "Tocatta"), but I really like this one.

German guitarrist Wolf Hoffmann was always the real talent behind German heavy rock group Accept, a band that, in its zenith, was one of the most recognizable metal acts in Europe, and was on the verge of making the United States. The band was, of course, always hold down due to having Udo Dirkschneider in their ranks, a singer with a "voice" that, no matter how original and aggressive, was totally ugly and distorted. Accept was gone due to a lot of fighting between its members, some of them wanting to go for a commercial approach to succeed in America, others voting for sticking with their aggresive formula.

Even in Accept, Wolf displayed clearly his classical skills, with beautiful solos, even when they were fast.

Now, he at last seems to unleash a solo career, and, wisely enough, he has chosen to play covers from classical masters (this album has only one original song from Wolf), to "feel the terrain". Master producer Michael Wagener did a splendid job, and the album sounds amazing.

Go on, Wolf, you deserve it

Being an Accept fan from the early 80's I have always thought that Wolf Hoffmann is one of the most underrated guitarists in the past 20 years. If you like Accept then you will hear this awesome guitarist in a whole new light...if you don't know Accept then you will be introduced to a really awe inspiring guitarist.

Wolf's guitar mastery really shines on this CD. There is so much to listen to that you need to just listen to it over and over again to get the most out of it. There are so many multiple guitar styles and tones in each of the tracks that it always keeps you wanting more but it never gets cluttered. This is a well produced and engineered CD that obviously has a lot of hard work behind it.

This CD is one that needs to be in every collection!

This is an incredible meld of classical and metal music. I doubt that anyone else could do this as well as Wolf Hoffmann, who has nourished his love of classical music throughout his career as guitarist for the metal band Accept.

If you love classical music, treat yourself to a wrenching, gripping new take on it. If you love metal music, treat yourself to the classics in a way you've never heard before; a way that will win you over to classical music at last.

I give copies of this CD as presents to people I love a lot.

I was hooked on the genre by "East Village Opera Company", and this group has some similarities, but they're closer to traditional opera by vocal production style, so I didn't appreciate them quite as much. As with most opera singers, their technique is admirable, and it's the sort of thing you'd like, if you liked that sort of thing.

The first time ever I saw this group "Amici forever" as they were singing "Unchained melody", I have confused that song like classical music. Because, it was very familiar. Actually, I didn't know exactly what's that song that moment. Finally, I knew that song is popular music I used to sing. So, laughed myself.
It was brilliant and great performance I ever heared before.
I bought DVD, too. And I recommended my friend and he also felt their singing like me. He said great and thanks to me.

AMICI FOREVER ARE THE ORIGINAL OPERA BAND - all others are just 'pretenders to the title'.

I have just read the review by Bob - to clarify this Special Edition is the same as the original version with a couple of added extra tracks - hence Special Edition so there obviously is not much of a difference!!

Having said that, the extra tracks are beautiful, but Amici are best appreciated live on stage where you can really appreciate their individual styles, which then blend together.

If you want to hear different tracks then buy Defined there second Original Album and not a re-issue as is this Special Edition Opera Band.

There is now talk of a 3rd Album which I await in anticipation.

After really enjoying the Amici Forever album, I went shopping for another Amici album and found this one. There really is no comparison between the two. I've tried listening to it several times to see if I'm missing something, but somehow the selections and arrangements seem more appropriate for the Lawrence Welk generation than anyone interested in a spicy little opera troupe. I was very disappointed.

This CD is outstanding and I enjoy listening to it over and over. I even have one in the car and one in the house so I can have easy access to listening to this CD anytime.

...well, not really. But he is one of those rare songwriters that is both prolific and talented. With four (five?) albums under his belt to date, Peter and the Wolf is but the latest incarnation of Red's genius.

Featuring haunting-yet-tear-jerkingly-beautiful harmonies from Dana Falconberry, this collection finds Red making recordings wherever the mood strikes him. The result is an album with a sound so unique and wonderful that it quite literally forces you to pay attention to it.

Don't be the last kid on your block...