CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

Songs from the Labyrinth (Music by John Dowland)

from: Deutsche Grammophon

Release Date October 10, 2006
I really like the music on this CD and that includes the spoken parts. It is meaningful in a way that the English tend to capture very well, the intersection or overlapping of happy feelings and tragedy.

I have been biased towards Sting for a long time but especially since his song 'russians' which captures some difficult times I had around 1985.

but thankfully the Cold War is over.

interestingly enough, I have an Irish last name and I used to have an English housemate who feared that I supported the IRA. Growing up in a military family I understood the basis for his concern but I said, don't worry about it. terror is not something I endorse.

which is my way of saying that times change ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

Art of Segovia

by: Andres Segovia

Release Date October 08, 2002
Segovia is for purists. He's not a showman, but rather he's the most authentic performer of classical Spanish guitar that you will find. This CD contains a generous number of selections that provide a tour of styles and time periods. The artist's competence is apparent as he makes the difficult sound relatively simple. He never seems overwhelmed by the challenges of the music, but instead it the master. Whether you are looking for sophisticated background music (some would consider this use a sacrilege) or for a front row seat at a home concert, this CD would be a great addition to your collection. Perhaps he will inspire you to bring forth greater sounds from your old wide-necked guitar!

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

The Journey & The Labyrinth: The Music of John Dowland (DVD & CD)

from: Deutsche Grammophon

Release Date February 13, 2007
I'm an early music fan. I also love the work of John Dowland, have lived in Denmark, and visited the castle of King Christian IV where Dowland spent an unhappy time. I resisted having anything to do with this DVD/CD at first, until the PBS presentation that showed Sting at his castle in the U.K. with the amazing lute player. Now I tell all my early-music friends that, yes, the CD is good, but the DVD is better! It's not what we've been used to hearing, but it's an interesting and world-view-expanding experience to see and hear what Sting has done. Now, I'm buying it for all my friends who are Sting fans who would never listen to early music!

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

Crystal Tears [CD+DVD]

from: Harmonia Mundi Fr.

Release Date June 10, 2008
I'm an early music fan. I also love the work of John Dowland, have lived in Denmark, and visited the castle of King Christian IV where Dowland spent an unhappy time. I resisted having anything to do with this DVD/CD at first, until the PBS presentation that showed Sting at his castle in the U.K. with the amazing lute player. Now I tell all my early-music friends that, yes, the CD is good, but the DVD is better! It's not what we've been used to hearing, but it's an interesting and world-view-expanding experience to see and hear what Sting has done. Now, I'm buying it for all my friends who are Sting fans who would never listen to early music!

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

Discover Early Music

from: Naxos

Release Date November 01, 2005
For anyone hoping to discover new types of music, compilation CDs offer an accessible overview from which they can pursue areas which interest them. The project is always a daunting task - how should one go about it and what should be included? Inevitably, the selection of chosen material is determined by the record company's existing catalogue; thus the resulting CD says more about them (here Naxos) than the repertoire itself (here early music). Nevertheless, 'Discover Early Music' is a laudable attempt, attractively packaged and supplemented with a readable booklet.

However, there are some real anomalies here...

1. Why is Guillaume de Machaut (c.1300-77), the most important figure of the Ars Nova, unrepresented? Why is the Italian Renaissance ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

The Royal Family of the Spanish Guitar

by: Isaac Albeniz, Enrique Granados, Federico Moreno Torroba, Anonymous, Fernando Sor, Celedonio Romero, Francisco Tarrega, Robert de Visee, Luys de Narvaez, Vincenzo Galilei, Luis de Milan, Johann Sebastian Bach, John Dowland, Jean-Philippe Rameau, Gaspar Sanz, Harold Lawrence, The Romeros, Pepe Romero, Angel Romero, Celin Romero

Release Date May 13, 1997
After attending an excellent live concert, we ordered this CD for home use, particularly while doing indoor exercise routines. Many of the selections are not new and include performances with the family patriarch. That is part of this recording's value and charm! It has a wide variety of works with differing tempos and intensities, but they all have technical excellence and communicate the spirit behind the music. There is an undeniable excitement to their music, and it evokes the feelings and images of Old Spain. If you dabble at classical guitar, you will appreciate the almost endless talent of this family, but also suffer if you compare your own talent to theirs! Of course listening to the composer of Malagueña perform his own work is priceless!

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

Juliian Bream Ultimate Guitar Collection

from: RCA

Release Date March 09, 1999
"Always pleasant, never a false cord." That's what I think each time I listen to this collection. I guess I should be listening more closely, but I find the music and the virtuosity with which it is played to be a springboard to other thoughts and activities. I can read with it in the background, write with it or simply drift into thought. And that is really quite enough for me.

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

The King's Singers Greatest Hits

from: EMI Classics

Release Date February 05, 2008
King's Singers Greatest Hits was disappointing. The contemporary music included did not have the smooth feel that one expects, and the classical pieces were all right but not spectacular. I did not feel that some of these pieces were greatest hits. I will probably go back to listening to older collections of their music.

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

All At Once Well Met: English Madrigals; The King's Singers

by: John Dowland, Thomas Morley, Thomas Weelkes, John Wilbye, William Byrd, John Farmer, The King's Singers

Release Date October 25, 1990
I wasn't sure what to expect when I bought this CD. True, I could have listened on line before buying but that would have taken the fun out of the purchase. Besides, I really didn't care for the CD the first couple of times I listened but now I really love it. It's not something to listen to all the time but given the right circumstances e.g. a small gathering of friends, it's perfect. If I'd listened to online, I wouldn't have purchased it.

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

Early American Choral Music, Vol. 2

from: Hmf Classical Exp.

Release Date April 09, 2002
This has become a favorite album of mine. As a shape-note (Sacred Harp) singer myself, I was familiar with many of the American songs here. But the pairings with English 17th century psalmody opened up an entirely new connection for me and are quite convincing. The performances are first-rate. The singing is both powerful and nuanced -- rare with recordings of this music. The recent Anonymous 4 recordings from this tradition are also great, but with the possible exception of some Boston Camerata performances, no group I know of does a better job of getting the balance just right. They bridge the cultural divide between (on one side) "serious" choral musicians who can't quite get into shape-note music and (on the other) those of us for whom no other style has as much power and vigor. Alas, they ... Read More: