Best Pop Oldies
The classic original Beatles studio albums have been re-mastered by a dedicated team of engineers at Abbey Road Studios in London over a four year period utilising state of the art recording technology alongside vintage studio equipment, carefully maintaining the authenticity and integrity of the original analogue recordings.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"It has Bungalow Bill, Back in the USSR, Rocky Racoon, and Blackbird plus a lot more."
"A 2 CD "mini-box" with a picture book, and a small version of a collage poster that may have been part of the original album all those years ago."
"Album cover was slightly warped, but other than that it was sure nice to hear these old songs again."
"I could go in depth about this album in my review, but don't need to: This mono issue has different versions of many tracks that cannot be heard anywhere else, including the Anthology series."
"As any Beatles fan already knows this album (CD)may be the groups best ever compilation of original music, in my opinion the Beatles changed the face of music and created sounds that no one before them ever thought of as music, alarm clocks, crowing roosters,sustained notes the list goes on and on."
"The Beatles."
"While some tracks seem decidedly tongue-in-cheek like the swagger on "Rocky Raccoon" or "Piggies," some of these songs remain classic and the set wears well over 40 years after it was released. The White Album varies sounds and allows the band to explore and stretch, one of the most interesting and provocative of the Beatles' sets."
"Rocky Raccoon, Why Don't We Do It Ii the Road, Blackbird, I Will...I keep it in my CD player in the car as a back up to my Bluetooth device."
Plus, of course, chart-toppers like Superstar; Rainy Days and Mondays; Top of the World; (They Long to Be) Close to You; We've Only Just Begun; Goodbye to Love; Yesterday Once More; Ticket to Ride; Sing; Hurting Each Other; For All We Know; Please, Mr. Postman , and more.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This CD offers a great selection of the Carpernter’s hits over the years, but as other reviewers have commented the original songs aren’t so original as you remember them on the radio as they have been remastered: some songs have more bass and background vocals, etc."
"Karen's singing and Richard's arrangements.....how lucky are we to have this beautiful music in our lives?!"
"After the partying, the loud club music, and other stuff; the Carpenters ease you back down; The music prevails on two points: Karen's unique voice and Richard's musical Arrangements."
"I like this CD tho there are many B side type songs that I could do without."
"It is a pity that she passed away so young as she would have likely grown and advanced the type of music that she sang past pop hits."
"I bought this as a gift for my mother and she absolutely loves it."
"Absolutely lovely!"
""Carpenters Gold" includes their greatest hits (the 12 songs on the album "The Singles 1969 - 1973"), the best of their later releases ("Let Me Be the One," "Bless the Beasts and the Children," etc. I remember many of the later albums ("Horizons," "Passage," "A Kind of Hush") and am thrilled so many of the best from those releases are included on these two discs. The real gold nugget of this CD set is a Barry Manilow hit, "Tryin' to Get the Feeling Again." Dicarded at the time because that album had enough other ballads, Karen's lead vocal was lost until the early 90's. There, in the quiet before the second verse starts you can hear her turn the page, a ruffle of paper. The last several iTunes versions allow a higher quality download IF you go to "Preferences>Advanced>Import," you can select a 256 kbps quality in AAC encoding or 196 kbps for MP3 encoding. These are quite a bit larger files than 96 kbps, taking longer to import and more space to store, but it also follows that they will provide better sound. But it is her soul that drove that voice to greatness, to the place it occupies in my heart."
The classic original Beatles studio albums have been re-mastered by a dedicated team of engineers at Abbey Road Studios in London over a four year period utilising state of the art recording technology alongside vintage studio equipment, carefully maintaining the authenticity and integrity of the original analogue recordings.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Hard to believe this album is 50 years old."
"Good price, great music."
"I lost my album and then my CD."
"Great product!"
"Great product and a great price!"
"The Beatles."
"I purchased this for my mom because someone stole hers."
Best Baroque Pop
The classic original Beatles studio albums have been re-mastered by a dedicated team of engineers at Abbey Road Studios in London over a four year period utilising state of the art recording technology alongside vintage studio equipment, carefully maintaining the authenticity and integrity of the original analogue recordings.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"In fact, much of the album was written in India."
"I wrote this review in order to assist the general consumer make an informative decision when purchasing a product that they can't touch prior***."
"It's the Beatles' White Album - what else is there to say?"
"It has Bungalow Bill, Back in the USSR, Rocky Racoon, and Blackbird plus a lot more."
"A 2 CD "mini-box" with a picture book, and a small version of a collage poster that may have been part of the original album all those years ago."
"Awesome tunes written/performed by 4 awesome talented me."
"Album cover was slightly warped, but other than that it was sure nice to hear these old songs again."
"I could go in depth about this album in my review, but don't need to: This mono issue has different versions of many tracks that cannot be heard anywhere else, including the Anthology series."
Best Bubblegum Pop
Nearly every one of these 104 tracks is a hit, and we mean a big hit, from 36 different, very famous artists-the Supremes, Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Martha Reeves & the Vandellas et cetera, et cetera .
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This box set was a gift to me back in the 80's. I was and still am big fan of MOTOWN , so I invested in vol #2."
"(If you are looking for the more esoteric material, however, you may need to supplement this with other collections or individual albums."
"The only other music that is in the same "league" is The Beatles music for the complete and udder joy and emotional rescue these magnificent songwriters, musician's, producers, arrangers, techs, etc...etc...provided from both sides of the "pond.""
"HITSVILLE USA is a box set that's clearly marked as a SINGLES COLLECTION-- that means these 104 tracks are in the original monaural sound. Each CD jewel case is fronted with a repro of a Gordy Co. label, including one of the very first MOTOWNs, which was pale pink in color."
"Awesome compilation of old school music!"
"Some songs were put out by other singers but it's great to hear the Motown take."
"Some of the songs even brought tears to his eyes because, in his words, he had "not heard them since he was a young scrap of a boy"."
"My dad's one of those guys that doesn't like getting gifts, but I figured I'd grab him this collection for his birthday."
Best Doo Wop
THE VERY BEST OF FRANKIE VALLI & THE 4 SEASONS packs a single CD with 20 classics recorded for Vee-Jay, Phillips, Curb/Warner, Private Stock, and RSO between 1962-1978.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"My favorite of the three Frankis Valli CD's I bought."
"Buy the album, if you own nothing by The Four Seasons."
"Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons are incredible."
"Makes me feel young again to listen to their old hit songs."
"Every song a hit every song I remember growing up."
"This CD was a great trip down memory lane and reminded me that, much like the Beatles' music, the music of the Four Seasons is always timely and exciting."
"Someone should digitally re-due the original recordings, as they now sound "tinny" compared to the new digital recordings from the show."
"I love this album... it's got just about any hit by this group you could want, including a couple from when Frankie Valli broke away and went single (Grease)... Not to crazy about the couple of Disco era songs (I just don't like disco) but there are only about two or so, and some 16 or better are just great listening."
Best Girl Groups
Nearly every one of these 104 tracks is a hit, and we mean a big hit, from 36 different, very famous artists-the Supremes, Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Martha Reeves & the Vandellas et cetera, et cetera .
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This box set was a gift to me back in the 80's. I was and still am big fan of MOTOWN , so I invested in vol #2."
"(If you are looking for the more esoteric material, however, you may need to supplement this with other collections or individual albums."
"The only other music that is in the same "league" is The Beatles music for the complete and udder joy and emotional rescue these magnificent songwriters, musician's, producers, arrangers, techs, etc...etc...provided from both sides of the "pond.""
"HITSVILLE USA is a box set that's clearly marked as a SINGLES COLLECTION-- that means these 104 tracks are in the original monaural sound. Each CD jewel case is fronted with a repro of a Gordy Co. label, including one of the very first MOTOWNs, which was pale pink in color."
"Some songs were put out by other singers but it's great to hear the Motown take."
"Some of the songs even brought tears to his eyes because, in his words, he had "not heard them since he was a young scrap of a boy"."
"My dad's one of those guys that doesn't like getting gifts, but I figured I'd grab him this collection for his birthday."
"Fast service, and a great price."
Best Tin Pan Alley
Imagine hearing George Gershwin play his own compositions in pristine sound!
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Close your eyes and imagine that you are listening to George Gershwin play right there in your living room!"
"I bought the CD to give to her as I think it's an outstanding compilation of Gershwin's pieces."
"As it turns out, long before George and Ira Gershwin's golden age, when they were turning out musicals with tunes that are still performed today, George (sometimes with Ira, sometimes not) was writing tunes for musicals now forgotten, and recording them on piano rolls."
"This is one of my favorite recordings of Gershwin material."
"Someone on a music forum that I watch online posted a clip of Rhapsody In Blue from this recording and I was immediately blown away."
"Had to rearrange some part to play some tunes in 4hands-1piano instead of 2 pianos."
"It's wonderful to hear Gershwin compositions played by the composer himself!"
"Its just that type of music you have to sit and listen."
Best Traditional Pop
The soft, soothing sounds of Karen and Richard Carpenter are perfectly suited to a white Christmas with a crackling fire; here are their Christmas Portrait ('78) and An Old Fashioned Christmas ('84) LPs, together in one 2-CD set: It Came upon a Midnight Clear; O Holy Night; Christmas Waltz; Sleigh Ride; Silent Night; Jingle Bells; Ave Maria; Carol of the Bells; My Favorite Things; Do You Hear What I Hear; Santa Claus Is Coming to Town , and more!
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"great music and something I did not expecp the lyrics being staged to follow along, I keep hearig it over and over in my mind."
"The Christmas collection was not similar to the ones I heard earlier."
"Joy to hear them again."
"There are breaks/pauses between the tracks which were NOT on the original recordings of the albums ."
"He won't stop playing it."
"One of the best female voices of all time."
"I absolutely love this album!!!!"
"Love all the Carpenters music."
Best Piano Blues
This 2CD set offers 50 classic Fats Domino songs including the timeless 'Blueberry Hill'.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"love you Fats."
"When I found his Greatest Hits CD on Amazon I ordered it immediately."
"ur Best buy !!"
"Just loved this."
Best Power Pop
2 CDs chronicling the golden age of classic rock.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Great collection of 70's sound."
"Good listening music."
"Grew up in the 70's and these bring back memories."
"Nice option to idiot radio..."
"Great collection, as advertised."
Best Motown
2 episodes.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"There are songs included that I didn't realize were sung by Marvin Gaye."
"Classic Marvin Gaye."
"Classic album."
"Marvin Gaye was one of a kind and his talent shines brighter than ever on this recording."
"Marvin Gaye, this CD is so relevant to what's going on today, excellent music!"
"Great album definite classic but the deluxe edition with the CD’s and Vinyl seems to always arrive in bad shape possibly due to a flaw in the design the spine arrives with bends and dents my guess is the plastic wrapping is a to bit to harsh."
"5 Stars...beginning to end!"
"Item arrived quickly in good condition.It's a classic!"
Best Swedish Music
ABBA GOLD (JEWEL BOX).
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"However, my memory has softened and I need to hear ABBA and the BeeGees, and Donna Summer and Karla Bonoff once in a while."
"Was deliberating on getting one of the Mamma Mia soundtracks, and then figured it would be better to actually purchase this greatest hits album which contained all of those songs and more."
"Great memories from my teenage years listening to this music."
"I got this in preparation for seeing Mama Mia!"
"A great album with all of Abba's hits."
"This is the perfect round up of all your favorite abba songs!"
"Friends gave me an old CD I could not get to transfer to my Kindle, so I purchased this so I could enjoy this delightful collection on-the-go."
"Abba Gold - Their Greatest Hits all on Lp Album."
Best New Orleans Blues
Great collection: Ain't That a Shame; Blueberry Hill; I'm in Love Again; Blue Monday; I'm Walkin'; The Fat Man; Goin' Home; All by Myself; Poor Me; Whole Lotta Loving; Going to the River; Honey Chile; Valley of Tears , and more.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"LOVE this cd, many great recordings, every one is a treasure - blues with plenty of rock&roll, hints of swing, creole and big band- you know where this is coming from if you have an ear for it."
"Not as good as I expected."
"The best of Fats , I love the music you can sing along and dance with the music."
"Great songs; nice presentation."
"Everything was a-ok with this disc."
"What's not to like about Fats."
"Excellent audio recording’s of the most popular songs."
Best Classic R&B
That Songs retains an enormous amount of visionary relevance, though, is demonstrated not only in Coolio 's borrowing of "Pastime Paradise" as a template for "Gangsta's Paradise," but in the cold-as-ice synthesized string quartet of "Village Ghetto Land."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Ever since I first heard Songs in the Key of Life -- more 'Funk Epic Poem' than 'album' -- I've loved its giant scale: 30 or so songs, danceable pop, stirring gospel, angry protest, instrumental jam, you name it."
"YOU LIKE STEVIE, YOU'LL LIKE THIS AWESOME 2-CD & BONUS SONGS PACKAGE! FROM 1976, AFTER MOTOWN MOVED TO L.A. AND DUMPED DETROIT, STEVIE WONDER WAS ONE OF THE VERY FEW MOTOWN GREATS TO KEEP PRODUCING AND OUT-PERFORMING HIS PREVIOUS RECORDINGS YEAR AFTER YEAR . 'SONGS IN THE KEY OF (HIS) LIFE' JUST ABOUT ROUNDS-OUT HIS MUSIC, COMPOSING AND VOCAL CAREER. THIS CD SET HAS ALL THE VARIETIES AND MORE OF WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THIS DETROIT HOMEBOY."
"It brightened dingy walls with falling plaster and watermarked stains that held a kid that wanted to be an "artist." Stevie Wonder gave a set of songs that I can put on in times I'm utterly soundless to solutions and exhausted, waiting to get through, or slip by, and find myself inspired. Without the violin serenades, minus the metronome of our actions and measured against our words, he's as ever simple genius here. It's just a feeling of the power of the music, its ability to bring you joy. I loved setting up my turntable with this one late nights painting."
"Stevie Wonder's "Songs in the Key of Life" was everything I was searching for in great music and more."
"I used to use many of the songs for music presentations with my students and then my album set disappeared."
"This shouldn't need my two cents!"
"I bought this for my daughter's birthday a few weeks before we went to his "Songs in the Key of Life" concert!"
Best Iranian Music
Renowned for his work with Ghazal , a group that bridges Indian and Persian music, he applies a similar approach to Iranian folk and classical forms on Night Silence Desert . The Radif (Persian classical repertoire) grew from folk forms, but over the centuries the music evolved from its simple rural origins into an elaborately ornamented and rigorously structured style. Kayhan Kalhor, master of the kamancheh (the bowed four-string precursor to most Asian and European bowed instruments) and setar (four-string long-necked lute), composed Night Silence Desert as a contemporary experimental suite fusing Iranian folk and classical traditions.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This is a beloved evening in the desert of our hearts."
"Fascinating traditional persian music."
"I enjoy music from Pakistan and India and this is a nice fusion from a Persian mix."
"Poetry and music as beatiful as the landscapes it describes...simply phantastic and delightful... ...a muscial journey in a wonderful world...."
"Rich sound and voices, Mohammad Reza Shajarian offers an amazing immersion into traditional Persian music."
"nice for giving massage treatment or relaxing."
"The exquisite spiritual beauty and true loving instrumental/vocal mastery of this work is a collector's item - one of the best in Persian music."
"This is my third CD from Iran, and I must say, I've become very attached to Iranian music now."
Best Surf Guitar Rock
What really makes this disc a blast though is the way the quartet weaves 1960s pop signatures into every tune; warping "Woolly Bully" into "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," "I Feel Fine" into "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," and so on.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I then somewhere got the stereo cassette from 1980 and now I finally got this CD with the stereo and the mono version."
"kick out the jams SATNTA CLAUS."
"Great alternative to the traditional Christmas offerings."
"My all time favorite Christmas album, each starts with a Ventures instrumental version of a popular 60's pop song and then morphs into the various holiday tunes their inimitable surf influenced sound."
"The Ventures are my all time favorite band and Amazon has all their music."
"It's the Ventures, man."
"great to hear both the mono and stereo versions."
"Great sounding album."