CD-Charts Position 11
Average Rating:

The 18th Day...

by: Estelle

Release Date January 01, 2004
from rapper/singer Estelle. This cd has been huge over in Europe and various songs are rocking on the 18th Day as well.

1980
Free
Go Gone
Dance *****es
I'm Gonna Win

Its even more impressive being that she wrote every song on her debut cd and each song has a purpose and some meaning. Along with a great beats and flow whether rapping or singing. Estelle is an artist that folks should pay attention to for real.

Check out The 18th Day and see what the fuss is all about.

CD-Charts Position 12
Average Rating:

Mozart - Apollo et Hyacinthus / Augér, Mathis, Wulkopf, Schwarz, Rolfe Johnson, Hager

by: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Leopold Hager, Arleen Auger, Edith Mathis, Cornelia Wulkopf, Hanna Schwarz, Anthony Rolfe Johnson

Release Date September 12, 1991
I play this set about once a week and, every time, I am filled with awe at what the 11-year-old genius could do! The oeverture is sheer delight and the arias already show promise of the operas, and even instrumental music, that was yet to come of Mozart's short but prolific career. The arias are liberally peppered with Mozart's 'signature' bars; the melody from one of the duets would later appear in his Symphony in F. Unfortunately, since Philips label has discontinued publication of the 'Complete Mozart Edition', this set is hard to find or is being sold at premium price but this operetta is well worth any price.

CD-Charts Position 13
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Mozart: Zaide / Mathis, Schreier, Wixell, Hollweg, Süß, Ude - Der Schauspieldirektor / Grant, Rolfe Johnson, Welting, Cotrubas

by: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sir Colin Davis, Ileana Cotrubas, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, Clifford Grant, Ruth Welting, Edith Mathis, Peter Schreier, Ingwal Wixell, Werner Hollweg, Armin Ude, Reiner Süß, Johannes Knittel

Release Date November 08, 1991
First off - the operatic vocals on this production are what you wish life FELT like - the quality of intention and essence of the singer as song is nothing , or rather something that takes you right out of every day mundane planet earth - professional is a very weak word - as the vocal beingness is sheer magic-trite perhaps, but this is the essence of how opera should sound. And Mozart going fast? In orchestration - (Grin!) Oh - this is Mozart at the speed of Mozart! The orchestral rendering of his music leaves one dancing on clouds, or relaxing - you just happen to be in a universe where rapid is actually on a whole new level - and you have all the time out of this world beween notes! And Zaida - a masterpeice on it's own - but Der Schau ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 14
Average Rating:

Why Go?

by: Faithless, Estelle

Release Date July 12, 2005
If you had any appreciation for the original Boy George version then you'll love this. It's chocolate for your ears. All 3 versions are great.

The original Boy George version was nice, but this is a lot more fun. It's the Radio Mix version of the Boy George version, but done right.

I know it's a lot to pay for just 3 versions of one song, but you won't regret it.

CD-Charts Position 15
Average Rating:

Mozart - Ascanio in Alba / Augér, Baltsa, Mathis, Sukis, Schreier; Hager

by: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Leopold Hager, Arleen Auger, Agnes Baltsa, Lilian Sukis, Mozarteum-Orchester Salzburg, Peter Schreier, Edith Mathis

Release Date September 12, 1991
The opera, composed by the teenage Mozart for the Archduke of Austria's wedding to the Princess of Parma, does not have much specific meaning in its libretto.
Even so, it is a very good showcase of opera seria of that era.
The first castrato is of course the protagonist Ascanio, a character that represents the Archduke Ferdinand himself. The prima donna is Venus, the royal mother none other than Empress Maria Theresa herself.
All soloists are impeccable, but the standout is the then young Greek mezzo-soprano Agnes Baltsa in the title role. Baltsa sang Ascanio as if a royal teenager about to be married - excited yet cautious, charismatic yet polite. The clear boyish tinge disappears in later recordings (like Idamente in Idomeneo ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 16
Average Rating:

Shine

by: Estelle

Release Date July 01, 2008
Estelle's vocals are a mix between three: Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey and Lauryn Hill: There seems to be a bit much over-dubbing going on in post production.

This collection of tunes isn't bad though. The writers are given kudos: The writing is great. The compositions are what need work. There are no real hooks here. I think if Rodney Jerkins had produced / written this LP for Estelle, this would have been major ear candy.

CD-Charts Position 17
Average Rating:

Mozart - La finta semplice / Hendricks, Blochwitz, Lorenz, D. Johnson, Lind, Schreier

by: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Barbara Hendricks, Hans Peter Blochwitz, Peter Schreier

Release Date September 12, 1991
Mozart - La finta semplice / Hendricks, Blochwitz, Lorenz, D. Johnson, Lind, Schreier is a great recording of one of the earlier Operas written by Mozart. It is under the direction of Peter Schreier. The vocal assembly includes such talents as Barbara Hendricks and Hans Peter Blochwitz to mention a few. Philips Classical Productions have created a massive book-let(244 pages all in all). This contains some very fine photographs of the singers and a strange cover for the album. The essay on the background of the Opera written by Carolyn Gianturco is very well-written and quite informative. So is also the sypnosis written by Rudolph Angermuller. The book-let also contains the text of the entire Opera in 4 different languages. Yes this is not nearly as ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 18
Average Rating:

Mozart: La clemenza di Tito / Sir Colin Davis

by: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sir Colin Davis, Dame Janet Baker, Lucia Popp, Frederica von Stade, Yvonne Minton, Stuart Burrows

Release Date February 11, 1992
i have to disagree somewhat with the reviewer below. baker doesn't sing badly, but there isn't a lot of separation between her and minton, a mezzo who sings sesto. even when singing the soprano's part, baker sounds too much like a mezzo. when the two are singing together, it's often hard to tell who is who. compare this with the hogwood set where a soprano, della jones, sings vitelia opposite cecilia bartoli, a mezzo with a dark and easily distiguishable, timbre. much better contrast; much easier to follow and appreciate.

the other singers here are well cast and sing well. stuart burrows, in particular, unlike many other tenors in this role, actually sounds like an emperor. lucia popp is lovely, though i prefer barbara bonney's servilia: ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 19
Average Rating:

Estelle Reiner Sings Grown Up Songs For Kids

from: Clear Productions, Inc.

Release Date November 15, 2004
Sorry, the singing is just terrible, and I'm sorry I spent the money on it. I was planing on sending it to family with little ones, but once I heard it, I changed my mind!

CD-Charts Position 20
Average Rating:

Ultimate Collection

by: Don Estelle

Release Date May 01, 2006
Sorry, the singing is just terrible, and I'm sorry I spent the money on it. I was planing on sending it to family with little ones, but once I heard it, I changed my mind!