CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

Danny Boy

CD-Charts > Music > Voices
by: John Mcdermott

Release Date November 20, 1992
I love the Irish tenors This CD was a bit more than I'd bargined for. It tears your heart out. A voice like that and a subject matter so powerful. I listened to it then went back the next day to listen again. It's absolutely overpowering in it's emotion. Don't expect light entertainment, expect to be moved.

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

CD-Charts > Music > Voices
by: John Mcdermott

Release Date March 25, 2003
This CD has given me such joy. John McDermott is one of my favorite artists. He gives such depth to these beautiful songs. I have listened to this over and over, and have given it to many of my friends as gifts. You will enjoy this for years, these songs stand the test of time. I hope he records more hymns like this in the future.

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

Ellis Island

CD-Charts > Music > Voices
from: Universal Music Group

Release Date November 16, 2004
Long a fan of Irish music, I have turned to a series of artists to satiate my appetite. Bing Crosby and John McCormick have been succeeded by the Irish Tenors.

This CD has a bit more of an Irish American theme as "Isle Of Hope, Isle Of Tears" and "God Bless America" illustrate. Interspersed among these tunes are traditional Irish tunes such as "Macushla" and "Croppy Boy", along with newer songs, such as "The Green Fields Of France" and "How are Things In Glocca Morra?"

The singing is excellent, the words understandable. I appreciate the inclusion the lyrics of the songs contained on the insert of the cover. These are songs you will want to learn, whose stories you will want to research. I have. Listen again and again!

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

Intro To Der Ring Des Nibelung

CD-Charts > Music > Voices
from: Universal Music Group

Release Date May 17, 1995
Wagner's Ring Cycle is arguably the most complex musical work in existence. This CD set is a commentary on and explication of Wagner's basic method in constructing the Ring Cycle. This set was originally a BBC broadcast aimed at educating a broad audience. Cooke's explanations are lucid and organized well. This set is accessible to any interested individual of any level of musical sophistication.
Wagner's basic method was to develop an extensive set of musical themes, leitmotivs, associated with important characters, plot elements, objects, and motivations in the Ring Cycle, The leitmotivs are esthetically and psychologically appropriate to the things to which they are associated. The leitmotivs exist in families with many derived from a basic set ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

A Time To Remember

CD-Charts > Music > Voices
by: John Mcdermott

Release Date February 26, 2002
i love this cd. i also saw the pbs special, and was instantly a fan. the old man is my favorite song. it is so touching. i cry everytime i listen to it. you will love all the songs on this cd. they're all unique in their own way and john's beautiful accent enriches the songs even more! buy it, you won't be disappointed!

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

Joshua

CD-Charts > Music > Voices
from: Hyperion

Release Date September 01, 1998
This wonderful recording not only provides further proof, not that it is necessary, of Handel's genius, but demonstrates what can be achieved when academia and passion integrate. This is, without question, sublime Handel and it is performed with such conviction that one wonders how it is that Joshua is not on the top of everyone's list of favorite Handel works. It is certainly one of mine, now. "O Had I Jubal's Lyre" sung with great delicacy and precision by Emma Kirkby and "See, The Conquering Hero Comes" are most probably the two most well-known pieces in "Joshua" but they are not, by any means, the only memorable one's. This oratorio abounds with beautiful music both in the form of arias and choruses. This is another ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

Suor Angelica Comp

CD-Charts > Music > Voices
from: Universal Music Group

Release Date March 17, 2008
With so many great recordings of 'Suor Angelica', the Puccini fan can hardly choose just one version. Each notable recording and its star (including Tebaldi, Scotto, Ricciarelli, and Popp) has made an individual stamp on the role, and consequently, on the opera. This recording is no exception, and gives the listener a regal Angelica, and at times a rather dreamlike atmosphere. The character of Angelica was of royal birth, a princess forced into life as a nun because of her illegitimate child - and Joan Sutherland's bearing and large voice gives us the most royal heroine of any recording. Recorded in the early 1970s, Sutherland is in remarkable voice, and she has dramatic involvement in the character greater than many of other recorded performances. Also, in this ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

We Three Kings

CD-Charts > Music > Voices
by: Irish Tenors

Release Date October 21, 2003
This recording is a wonderful addition to any Christmas collection. It has power, charm and just enough reverence! Anthony Kearn's "Lord's Prayer" is magnificent! Finbar Wright's "How Great Thou Art" is awe-inspiring! After four years with the "Irish Tenors" poor Mr. Wright still must endure the ignorance of a few "fans", being constantly compared to John McDermott. Finbar took the "Irish Tenors" to a new level, as acknowledged by both Kearns and Tynan. I wonder how long "Ringo" had to endure being compared to Peter Best? Get over it people!

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

Sallinen: Kullervo - Opera in

CD-Charts > Music > Voices
from: Ondine

Release Date January 01, 1995
This recording is a wonderful addition to any Christmas collection. It has power, charm and just enough reverence! Anthony Kearn's "Lord's Prayer" is magnificent! Finbar Wright's "How Great Thou Art" is awe-inspiring! After four years with the "Irish Tenors" poor Mr. Wright still must endure the ignorance of a few "fans", being constantly compared to John McDermott. Finbar took the "Irish Tenors" to a new level, as acknowledged by both Kearns and Tynan. I wonder how long "Ringo" had to endure being compared to Peter Best? Get over it people!

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

Turandot Comp (Ital)

CD-Charts > Music > Voices
from: Universal Music Group

Release Date January 01, 1990
If you're primarily a voice buff, you'll find plenty to enjoy in this version. As Calaf, Pavarotti delivers one of his very greatest performances, the voice at its effortless best, the vocal acting superb. Ghiaurov is a sensational Timur, and Caballe's singing makes you wish Liu had a more expansive role. Kraus, Poli and Palma give excellent support as Ping, Pang and Pong and the John Alldis choir supplies high-voltage excitement or low voltage atmosphere, as appropriate, in the important crowd scenes.
I'm far less enthusiastic about Sutherland in the role of Turandot, hitting all the notes but mooning her way through the words and, to me, adding little in the way of dramatic interest. Pears, too, doesn't live up to the billing he received from the English ... Read More: