Steve Perry

What can I say? This recording of Sonny Rollins live recordings is just awesome !!This is truly a must have for the Sonny Rollins fan,and the jazz fan in general.I mean every track is filled with fire, passion,and energy.This cd is truly a masterpiece, and I look forward to the additional volumes to come.

Sonny Rollins deserves the title of greatest living tenor saxophonist, here he is live and at his best.

It's just magical what this man has done, can do and continues to do even into his 80's. I've listened to Sonny since my youth and have seen him on a number of occasions. He is on fire on these live recordings and lifts the roof on the Tenor Madness cut. This the one he did with Coltrane in the 56. His group is superior and anyone who likes jazz must own this. Sonny plans to release a number of live recordings that span the last 30 years. I am already anticipating the releases. I bow to the genius. Thanks Sonny, I love you man.

Without question, this is one of the best Sonny Rollins recordings in the last 40 years.
Sonny starts on fire with "Best Wishes" and smokes his way through this wonderful cd. What's really intersting is the mix of revolving personnel over the years. It reveals Sonny's taste as a bandleader who likes consistency but spontaneity as well.

Well done Newk !

Skip Norris
Jazz Artistic Director
The Music Hall for the Performing Arts Center
Detroit,Michigan

Well, unsurprisingly, it's brilliant. Frustrating and hence hard to listen to but brilliant. Alone out of everyone on the planet, I get the feeling Perry's voice in the end brought him no joy at all. He seems to find some satisfaction in the joy it brings others, but singing itself appears to have been just a miserable experience for him, which makes listening to this bittersweet to say the least; it's most enjoyable to watch people who share their miracles with joy, not pain. It's hard to watch someone bleed on stage; this makes his earlier work a lot easier to enjoy when doing so doesn't feel like schadenfreude.

It's a marvelous CD, worth ten stars much less five, but for such a miraculous voice to have generated only two collections of solo work in its lifetime and spent the rest of its career releasing retreads and the very occasional ancient demo is an appalling loss. I know I've used the word twice so far, but I don't use it lightly: along with Titta Ruffo and Marian Anderson, Perry's voice truly was one of the 20th century's three miracles, and it's an absolute tragedy that it was placed in the throat of a man who could apparently only be happy when not performing.

Nevertheless, it is worth buying, even simply for the very old, surprisingly wonderful unreleased work; this is one of the greats, after all. But it's not an unalloyed joy, by any means.

This CD was so much better than I thought it would be. There is variety in the types of songs and shows how his work has evolved over the years. Steve Perry has explained some of the background for the groups of songs, giving more reasoning into why those were chosen. I actually enjoyed the songs that had never before been released more than some of the "greatest hits." If someone wants to buy one Steve Perry CD, this is the one to buy.

Steve Perry. That voice that goes deep down into your heart and changes you with each and every note. He's such a powerful singer. I have followed him for years. When he does those looooooonnnnnggg (long) notes no other singer comes close. He makes it sound so easy. Keep on singing STEVE PLEASE!!!

Steve has had some good solo hits but none on the level of his hits with Journey. I don't know him personally, but his actions make him look like a prima donna. He came out and said that "he never felt like part of the band" but he was the one that went solo and basically forced Ross Valory and Steve Smith out of the group. He also changed the scarab theme and proposed name "Freedom" to that goofy "Raised on Radio" album. Sorry Steve, but you could have had it made if your ego hadn't gotten in the way (see Dennis DeYoung).

It's too bad steve perry isn't with Journey anymore, because with him he rocked, this album is so so!

This CD is wonderful!. I tried to locate it at a local Best Buy ann the never had it so I remembered Amazon and as always you came thru for me.

This CD is very hard to find in my area because I is Steve Perry solo without Journey. All I was able to find in my area was Journey CD.

I would encourage anyone who was a fan of Journey they must have this Steve Perry-Street Talk CD!

This is an album you will not tire of. The lyrics are meaningful to everyone's life to the point of surprise that someone else feels like you.When put with the music, the songs are haunting and beautiful and remarkably fresh no matter how many times you listen. Buy this you will NOT be disappointed. Perry's voice is magnificent.

i was pleasantly surprised to find this coming to me packaged in a digipak version like the other journey 2006 reissue albums that i have been collecting so of course i had to go buy the rest of perry's albums which thankfully for the pocketbook spans only 3 albums while journey is something like 20 albums with all the various compilations and permutations. best song on this album is definitely oh sherrie and foolish heart, the others are ok but take some repeated listening to really enjoy. if you're a perry fan definitely get this album. not as rocking as a journey album but some listenable pop ballads can be found.

Steve Perry's first solo effot,1984's "Street Talk",is softer and more pop-oriented than the albums with Journey,but there's still that distinctive soulful vocal and musical quality that is pure Steve Perry-enough to produce 4 Top 40 singles-the Top 10 "Oh Sherrie",plus "Foolish Heart,"She's Mine" and "Strung Out".Other highlights include the 60s soul homage "I Believe",the ballad "Go Away",and the moving tribute to fallen 60s rock and soul icons "Captured By The Moment".The 2006 edition has excellent remastered sound(by Dave Donnelly)that is vastly superior to previous CD editions,3 interesting unreleased bonus tracks with his pre-Journey band Alein Project in the 70's("My My My My","Harmony","Makes No Difference"),the B-side to "Oh Sherrie"("Don't Tell Me Why You're Leaving")and a song from the "USA For Africa" album("If Only For The Moment,Girl).If you're a fan of Journey or 80's pop-rock,then this is right up your alley.

I had bought Street Talk when it had orignally came out in the 80's, on Album band tape. Bought it about a year ago on CD, Now again I have bought the new "remastered" version. LOVE it even MORE.... the addition of the bonus songs are great. I can't stop playing "Don't Tell Me Why Your Leaving" and "Makes No Difference" over and over again. What a refreshing change in style and these songs show his fans just what a wonderfully talented performer/artist Mr. Perry is... And "The Voice" should be a standard for what a singer/entertainer should be. Wish he would put out something BRAND NEW.... Doesn't matter what it is, as long as the "Perry Voice" is singing again.

Steve Perry is exceptional. In "For The Love Of Strange Medicine" The sheer talent and vocal range is recognizable; but it is the emotion and depth that is shining in this album.
"Missing You" is up there with Mathis's "Twelvth Of Never" and other classic love songs. It makes your heart ache. "Anyway" and "I Am" are heartfelt and painfully honest vocals--Perry cannot write much fluff.... his heart is poured out in his soaring vocals and succinct lyrics. This man means what he sings.

The added joy of the 5 bonus tracks is wonderful! "If You Need Me Call Me" ans the bluesy upbeat "Can't Stop" stays with me for days... and I find myself listening to them over and over! The live version of "Missing You" is impeccable..... in a time where so many artists lack genuine talent ( now it is mostly about getting an acceptalbe figure-head who neither writes their own material nor adds to the creative process at all musically) Steve Perry is from a generation of music where talent meant we get something.... he gives a bit of himself in every lovely note that emits from his mouth.

It may not be the driving R&R you were used to from the days he was with the band... but if you want to experience some of the God-given talent that was bestowed on Mr. Perry.... get this CD.

I originally purchased this album as a cassette tape back in '94 when it came out, & hadn't heard it in years. Steve Perry came to mind recently, & I realized that I didn't have any of his music on CD. I remembered how much I loved this particular album, & bought it. I play it all of the time now - I LOVE every single song, & his voice just resonates so beautifully on all of them! I highly recommend this for any Steve Perry/Journey fan! You won't regret it!

This 2nd solo effort by Steve Perry ex-lead singer of Journey is so-so. It lacks the originality of his 1st solo album Street Talk. Without his Journey bandmates to pull him out of long painful ballads, this album is dreadful. There are a few standouts like You Better Wait which has a catchy hook. Most of the others did not match the rocking magic of Journey. Instead of a solo work, Perry should return the mothership of Journey and pump out more great tunes.

This is a fantabulous album. All of the tracks are excellent. My two favs are "Anyway", a beautiful, sweet and tender song and "Can't Stop" a sultry, sensuous, and sublime song. And honey if you don't get the multiple double entendres of "cutchie-coo", then baby you are just one cold dead fish. That song should keep your motor hummin' and purrin' like a kitten...

This was not what I was expecting based on "Street Talk"..but it is AWESOME. I just love "Somewhere There's Hope"......definitely a different sound but still the 'voice' is recognizable.

I enjoy all of Rebecca Luker's albums, and this Aria series does not disappoint. It's soothing and relaxing, and her voice is, of course, lovely.

review review review review blah blah blah blah and stuff, man.

I have never liked opera, but this music is a gentle introduction with enough contemporary addition to pique my interest. Very well done. I have also purchased the first Aria CD and also number 3.

This CD speaks to the heart. It expresses powerful emotions of longing, grief, and tenderness. A baring of the soul with such beauty. Clair Marlo's vocals in Lullabye (Sviraj) are absolutely divine. It sends me. Here we are treated to at least three different vocals, not just Rebecca Luker, and they blend and flow so beautifully. It's just wonderful. What a treat. Can't say enough about this CD. I love it.

ARIA volume 1 was certainly a winner and this follow-up CD is fantastic. I liked the first CD so much that every time I went to the record store or online at Amazon I would look to see if Paul Schwartz and written a sequel. Schwartz selects wonderful works from classical music and re-arranges them so that they maintain the essential spirit and intent of the original but are made accessible for the ears of contemporary listeners. Thus, you owe it to yourself to listen to these gems.

Rebecca Luker's super voice is wonderful as she weaves a mystical mood with Monteverdi's Lament of Arianna; Catalani's "Ebben ne Andro Lontano" from La Wally; "Addio" from Verdi's La Traviata; "Barcarolle" from Offenbach's Contes De Hoffman and "Ave Maria" by Caccini. I looked Luker up on the web and found that she has starred in various Broadway productions. Her voice is incredible and Schwartz integrates her angelic sound into the electronic instrumentation. The "Ave Maria" is somewhat odd, with the strong precussions, but the choir and Rebecca Luker keep it within bounds.

This CD differs from the first ARIA in that we are treated to several instrumental works arranged by Schwartz. "Horizon" is a moody composition anchored by viola and cello. "Cantilena" is a piano solo played by Schwartz, a charming piece that echoes back to Verdi's "Addio" as well as the Croatina Lullabye sung by Clair Marlo.

A second outstanding singer, Clair Marlo, delivers "Sviraj, a Croatian Lullabye" which Schwartz offers in two distinct arrangements, once in Croatian and then again in English.

Faure's "Pavane" is very well done with Marc Antoine playing the guitar solo. The work is improvised so that a contemporary jazz interpretation is offered.

Steve Barton's voice, accompanied by the oboe, offers us "Leiermann" from Die Wintereise by Schubert. This is a dreamy sad odd spacey work with lyrics about a freezing ancient shoeless hurdy-gurdy man. The work is full of mystery and retains Schubert's complexity.

Paul Schwartz makes the outstanding compositions of previous generations come alive for contemporary audiences.

I performed in the orchestra for a production of this musical recently. In my 30-odd years of playing shows, I've learned that if I'm doing a show I don't know, it takes a while for me to warm up to the music.

Not so with Grand Hotel! The first time I listened to the CD, I was hooked. I thought, wait a minute, it can't be this good. But it is. The music, the orchestrations, the singing all add up to a fabulous CD. Kudos to the entire creative team, orchestra, and cast.

Just hearing the bonus track of David Carroll singing "Love Can't Happen" makes me wonder how BETTER the original cast recording could have been. Brent Barrett vocally sounds shrill and tense in his upper range, marring the official recordings of "Roses at the Station" and "Love Can't Happen". What a tragedy!!! And Carroll's other recording--the Broadway version of Chess--is no longer in print (according to Amazon). This is a double tragedy, because David played Anatoly in the show and gets to sing the powerful "Anthem" at the end of Act 1.

Generally, the score sounds cobbled together with no memorable melodies (other than "Love Can't Happen", which burrows its way into your psyche at the first or second hearing). Perhaps Yeston should have written the whole score and find some legal way to discard the derivative songs provided by Forrest and Wright. Perhaps a revival (and major rewrite) is in order...

This is not a good representation of this show, vocally and compositionally speaking. Unfortunately, there are currently no other representation. My two cents.

The original cast recording of Grand Hotel is grand indeed. Exellent orchestrations and as excellent cast. The emotion of the piece is conveye d thoroughly on this recording.

"Grand Hotel" is a fine musical with songs by George Forrest and Robert Wright and some additional material by Maury Yeston. What stole the show in this musical, however, was Mr. Tommy Tune's inventive staging. That doesn't mean audiences went out humming the staging, though. The songs are excellet as well. Some standouts include the opening number, "Grand Hotel" or "The Grand Parade" as it is officially titled written by Mr. Yeston is a wonderfully jaunty opening number. "At The Grand Hotel\Table With a View", performed by the incomparable Michael Jeter is a lovely selection. "Maybe My Baby Loves Me" is tuneful fun. "Love Can't Happen" is a very romantic ballad and "What You Need" is a wonderful Weill-esque number performed with conviciton by one my favorite performers, Karen Akers. "We'll Take a Glass Together" is also a great showstopper performed by Mr. Jeter and Brent Barret.
The performances are excellent. Ms. Akers and Mr. Jeter steal the show. Thinking about the performances of their songs "What You Need" and "We'll Take a Glass Together" performed by Akers and Jeter respectively sends chills through my body. Brent Barret is fine as the Baron and Liliane Montevecchi as the retiring balerina is excellent, although her role in "Nine" was better suited for her. Jane Krawkowski is also great as a young wannabe movie star.
The orchestrations by Peter Matz are excellent. The original cast album includes a bonus track of David Carroll performing "Love Can't Happen" at a cabaret. Mr. Carroll starred as the Baron durring the beginning of the run, but was diagnosed with HIV and was replaced by Brent Barrett. Because of legal issues, the cast album was recorded late in the run. The creative team thought that it'd be a good idea to have the still living, if very ill Mr. Carroll perform his songs. Alas, he died of AIDS in the studio before his tracks could be recorded. The bonus track is nice for people who enjoy the vocalizing of Mr. Carroll. I don't particulary like his voice and prefer Mr. Barrett's performance of the song. However, his passing was very unfortunate and he is missed.

Traveled from AZ. to NYC specifically to see Michael Jeter perform live in "Grand Hotel". A man of remarkable talent who went way too soon. He is the only reason I went and the only reason I have this cd. For him I give it 4 stars.

This is classic 80s music from probably the most recognizable corporate rock voice of the era. Steve Perry played with Journey from 1977 (Infinity album)through the end of the Raised on Radio Tour in early 1987. There was also a brief but short lived reunion in the early 90s for Trial By Fire, which unfortunately saw the end of the Steve Perry with Journey lineup. Steve Perry's Greatest Hits is a collection of his original work apart from Journey, including 5 previously unreleased selections. He has affectionally has been come to known as "the Voice", and that nickname is well deserved. His majestic soaring tenor voice has left many karaoke enthusiasts thinking better of choosing to sing Journey tunes, which Im sure in hindsight must please him greatly. He is well loved and very missed in the music scene today. One can only hope one day he will return to his many fans.

If you dont have this, you dont like music period...Steve Perry is "The Voice" One of my most played cd's in the car at home at work on my Ipod etc. Journey needs Steve back!

What can I say? This album removes some of the great tracks on "Street Talk" and replaces them with songs which aren't quite as good, then calls it "Greatest Hits". Not my idea of greatest hits really. The mish-mash rearrangement of tracks doesn't hold together as well as Street Talk either. The song-order seems off, in my opinion. No doubt the fault of some exec, rather than someone who actually cares about such things...

I *STRONGLY* suggest you buy "Street Talk" and "Love of Strange Medicine" if you want to hear all the *great* Perry (solo) songs.
Don't get me wrong, Perry is always awesome, but this collection isn't as good as the original album(s).

This CD was re-issued, along with the entire Journey & Steve Perry catalog, in November 2006. All CD's were remastered and many have additonal tracks, including this one: It now has an 18th song added to the new version.

It is now just titled Greatest Hits.

So, this disc was a Seller's bonanza while it was OOP, but there's no reason any longer to pay anything more than ten smackeroos for it.

This CD was re-issued, along with the entire Journey & Steve Perry catalog, in November 2006. All CD's were remastered and many have additonal tracks, including this one: It now has an 18th song added to the new version.

It is now just titled Greatest Hits.

So, this disc was a Seller's bonanza while it was OOP, but there's no reason any longer to pay anything more than ten smackeroos for it.

At the risk of not being Politically Correct, the London cast, while not bad, is simply not as good as the American cast. It's that simple.

This remake is crisper, and slightly different than the original, but I still like the original better.

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, the cheerfully-mindless musical by the Sherman Brothers, was mounted for the West End stage in 2002, opened at the London Palladium and enjoyed a run of nearly three and-a-half years (the subsequent Broadway production fared less well). The Sherman Brothers score sparks either rapture or revulsion depending on whom you ask, but the musical does offer some quaint charms.

The stage version of CHITTY operates almost like a glorified pantomime, the story remains the same but the score has been re-jigged and altered. In this cast album of the original 2002 London Palladium cast, Michael Ball adds his own special touch to the eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts, with newcomer Emma Williams as Truly Scrumptious. Ball is at his best with the plaintive lullaby of "Hushabye Mountain". Emma Williams doesn't get all that much to warble as Truly (her big movie number "Lovely Lonely Man" was mercilessly cut from the stage score), however Williams has a charming way with "Doll on a Music Box".

Brian Blessed and Nichola McAuliffe push the 'camp' gear into overdrive with their performances as Vulgaria's hideous Baron and Baroness ("Bombie Samba", one of the additions to the stage score, has to be heard to be believed). Richard O'Brien of ROCKY HORROR fame plays the equally-odious Child Catcher with yet another bland addition, "Kiddy-Widdy-Winkies". Carrie Fletcher and George Gillies play Jeremy and Jemima. Stage veteran Anton Rodgers is wonderful as Grandpa Potts.

Happily though, all the best movie songs ("Me Ol' Bamboo", "Toot Sweets", "Posh", "The Roses of Success" and the Oscar-nominated title song) are all here, making the new additions to the score even more inferior by their presence.

[Sony Music/Chitty Records MRBB001]

Sickly, effeminate broadway adaptations of the movie soundtrack. The rendition of Hushabye Mountain is... it makes me sick thinking about it. Don't purchase if your looking for anything remotely similar to the original movie soundtrack. When in a rush, I mistakenly purchased thinking it was the original.

WOW!! I have no clue what is happeneing to broadway? What is with the boring show of this year like, Little Women, The Light in the Piazza, The woman in White and this crap, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Now just from the title this show should be a romping, roaring, good-time musical. Instead we get half-assed atempts at being cute which in turn are syrupy enough to keep New York in pancakes FOR-EV-ER! The sappy-ness goes way overboard when the KIDS, sing "Truly Scrumptious" to , you guessed it! Truly Scrumptious.
Other AWFUL songs include:
You Two
Them Three
Toot Sweets
Think Vulgar!
Hushabye Mountain
Come to the Funfair
Me Ol' Bamboo
Posh
Vulgarian National Anthem
The Roses of Success
Kiddie-Widdie-Winkies
Teamwork
Chu-Chu Face
The Bombie Samba
Doll on a Music Box/Truly Scrumtious (Reprise)
You Two/Chitty Prayer
Chitty Flies Home

The only good song in the entire show is the title one and it came from the original movie, As did some of the others but you would never be able to tell because they are done so badly.

PLEASE SAVE YOU MONEY AND GET A GOOD MUSICAL FROM LONDON'S WEST END LIKE
MARY POPPINS OR ALMOST ANY THING FROM ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER.
OR SOME GOOD ONES FROM BROADWAY LIKE
SPAMALOT
DIRTY ROTTEN SCOULDRELS
THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE
AVENUE Q
WICKED
HAIRSPRAY...ANYTHING!!!

Never before in my life was i moved so intensely and directly by classical music. I put the first cd in my player and a few minutes later tears are flowing. I find myself dancing and moving to a rythm i already seem to know. Wow, i just have to share that.

John adams is one of the most popular living composers of"modern" classical music[I believe the cutoff point, though arbitrary is usually WWII}.I came to him late, through my husband. Modersn classical music , I said? What the hell is that?My husband kept playing bits and pieces of adams for me, and more and more i found myself amazed. and swayed. His operas have been groundbreaking{Nixon in China} controversial{Death Of klinghoffer},his compostions sublimely beautiful{shaker Loops or harmonium].HIS STATURE IS WORTHY THEN OF SUCH A MONUMENTAL CAREER SPANNING BOX SET.This 10 disc set[great value, again from NONESUCH}encompasses Adams' entire career,and though there are some misses here{I was looking at the ceiling and then i saw the sky doesnt quite fit},it is still magnificent. the Highlights are ,{for me} the Wound Dresser, Chamber symphony,Violin Concerto, of course, Shaker Loops and Harmonuim are wonderful. The true jewels here are Nixon in China,the Chairman dances and the Death of Klinghoffer,which is simply a masterpiece. The set comes with a wonderful book, which contains essay's by Robert Hurwitz {An Uncommon Man}renaud Machart[John adams as seen from europe} and Essays before an earbox by Adams himself.A Chronology and dicography are included. A wonderful study of an American original,worth the investment, Highly highly recommended

I must agree with Mr. Bartlett, particularly with regard to "Ceiling." It may well be because his Violin Concerto and Harmonielehre are so powerful. 4.5 stars.
Interesting, and likely intentional, is that two names in the extensive liner book fail to mention two great and glaringly obvious precursors: Carl Orff and Raymond Scott. Without "Carmina Burana," there would be no "Harmonium." Orff has his mark all over Adams's gifted and epic compositions. Similarly, though there are glib references to "cartoon music," the polymath engineer/musician Scott is a seminal figure in American music, and casts a large shadow over the witty juxtapositions and sense of play one loves in Adams's work. In all, an excellent career overview.

As a composer, I'm staggered that anyone could fail to be gripped by this music.

That anyone can use the words "spoiled, overrated" amazes me. I emphatically disagree with "A music fan"'s review.

I don't think it's "mind-numbing"; I think it's spiritual and exciting. To me it's the most substantial music being created in our times.

I'm really sorry that anyone could fail to enjoy it, and really recommend others to listen for themselves.

This compilation should turn even the most curmudgeonly listerner into a fan. Beautifully recorded, great notes -- and it's a heck of a bargain!