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The Hits of the 30's and 40's

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Jazz
by: Various Artists

February 16, 2004
This is the epitome of easy listening, as it evokes a time when everything was so less complicated. Some would say it tends towards the cheesy, but...bring it on.The songs remind me so much of when I was small and the radio was always on, and everyone sang along. so different from sitting glued to the TV today. This is a brilliant collection at a remarkable price.Some of the titles I was unfamiliar with, but all in all, a most welcome and enjoyable addition to my collection.

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Rock Swings

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Jazz
by: Paul Anka

October 03, 2005
Rock Swings is the first of two albums by Paul Anka. The man who famously penned "My Way" covers some contempory songs "his way" in a swing/big band manner. If your a lover of differing cover versions of songs you love, then is is one for the eclectic collection. Do check out the second album Classic Songs: My Way and enjoy.

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Stax - 50th Anniversary Celebration

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Jazz
by: Various Artists

May 21, 2007
Clambering out of my bat cave I stumbled into,no not robin,but this box set.It's a blinder.Hay 'mr.big stuff''Time is tight'can I do the'soul limbo."A what am I going on about back there",here's the big stuff it's a great box set from stax.Iv not got that much soul,so most of it was new to me,what a treat. P.S. sorry I have nothing to add as from where Stax came from,but I am a smart arse!

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High Society

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Jazz
by: Original Soundtrack

May 07, 2007
So who would have thought of teaming Bring Crosby, Satchmo Armstrong AND Frank Sinatra together with the music of Cole Porter to dream up a "society story" around the well-heeled Newport Rhode Island clan? Well it works as a stylish collection of romantic tunes with laid back performances by Crosby. Sinatra brings a hard edge to the dialogue and albeit a slightly unusual pairing with Celeste Holm as magazine reporter/photographer duo. Grace Kelly is beautiful but almost too clean cut to be real and frankly over acts throughout. Louis Armstrong and his band adds spice in a few places and the "Well Did You Evah" duo by Crosby & Sinatra is a classic. O.K. the story is badly contrived but as long as we get to the wedding all's well that ends well. ... Read More:

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Floating Point

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Jazz
by: John McLaughlin

June 30, 2008
This album does take some getting used to. And you do have to take some space from it and go back again with fresh ears before you are able to sort out what's new. The Meeting of the Minds - The Making of Floating Point [2008] DVD, which is awesome, helped clinch the album for me. The first thing you have to deal with is the overwhelming drums and percussion throughout. At first you can't help but think that this is some kind of mistake in the mixing, but persist and you can get used to it. It's a deliberate decision that ensures that the whole album operates at a very high energy level. John's albums have always been about joy and ecstasy and seldom on the mellow side of those values. The album is meant to be rhythmically overwhelming, from start ... Read More:

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Invisible Cinema

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Jazz
by: Aaron Parks

September 15, 2008
This album does take some getting used to. And you do have to take some space from it and go back again with fresh ears before you are able to sort out what's new. The Meeting of the Minds - The Making of Floating Point [2008] DVD, which is awesome, helped clinch the album for me. The first thing you have to deal with is the overwhelming drums and percussion throughout. At first you can't help but think that this is some kind of mistake in the mixing, but persist and you can get used to it. It's a deliberate decision that ensures that the whole album operates at a very high energy level. John's albums have always been about joy and ecstasy and seldom on the mellow side of those values. The album is meant to be rhythmically overwhelming, from start ... Read More:

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Beyond Skin

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Jazz
by: Nitin Sawhney

June 11, 2001
I've never reviewed an album on Amazon before, but I have to just stop by and echo the comments of almost everyone else here.... A superb album, where melodic piano notes intertwine beautifully with Indian tabla and Spanish guitar, underpinned by a drum- and- bassy line.

Yes Sawhney does put across a strong political message throughout the album, but I feel the soundbites really add something to an already excellent piece of work.

Tracks 1,2,5,& 7 are particular favourites of mine.

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A Walk Across the Rooftops

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Jazz
by: Blue Nile

May 20, 1985
This is one of those CD's that grows on you with each listen. I first listened to it over 10 years ago and I can safely say that I am only now appreciating its brilliance. The lyrics are not published on the inlay card, and that is maybe a good thing because it forces you to pay attention. The later songs seem to question God: "From Rags to Riches" & "Easter Parade". Mere existence is a theme on "Stay" & "Heat wave".

"From Rags to Riches" is juxtaposed with images of P.Buchan growing up and leaving home set against an image of the Jewish exodus from Egypt to the promised land with references to `a coat of many colours' yet at the same time it is relevant to modern life with its struggles of poverty and promises of riches. In some ways it's a prayer ... Read More:

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A Brief History

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Jazz
from: Virgin Records

November 12, 2001
what a fantasic album. i first heard of the penguin cafe orchestra on irelands classic radio whilst on holiday there. on my return home i bought a copy of "a brief history" and my ears have been truly treated. if you have heard anything by the pco but dont own any of their stuff, but like this sort of music then take the plunge you wont regret it and just like me treat your ears.

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Death of the Revolution

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Jazz
by: Quantic

July 14, 2008
There is an old saying in music that you are only as good as your last album, and I am afriaid Quantic may be suffering from this in the public's perceptions at the moment.
The Fifth Exotic, Stampede and Apricot Morning are all wonderful albums that have been played and played to death on my system...but his last effort An Announcement To Answer left me cold. There seemed to be little spark or originality there. So when this new release hit the streets I have to admit to being a little non-plussed. Could I be bothered to make the effort?

Well I read a couple of positive reviews and my curiosity started to gnaw, so I decided to take the plunge. So glad I did...we are back to the beautifully produced sunshine and buoyancy of his earlier works. He is still doing ... Read More: