This is a wonderful album full of great songs sung by women from Latin America. Countries such as Peru, Brazil, Argentina, Cuba, Columbia, Mexico, Chile and the Dominican Republic. These are upbeat songs for the most part, which reflect the influences of African and European music on the Native South and Central American cultures. The 27 page booklet contains a photo and information on each artist and song as well as an introduction to Latin American music and the roles that women played in it. The booklet is written in both English and Spanish. Each and every song on this album is wonderful, impossible to choose a favourite.

This is a wonderful album that will put you in a dancing mood. An instant pick-u-up. This is zouk, soca and reggae music from Martinique, Barbados, Haiti and Jamaica. This album, like most of the Putumayo releases, not only has well known artists such as Bunny Wailer and Arrow, but also little known artists as well. It is a great place to begin for someone who wishes to explore Caribbean music. Every song on here is irresistible and will make you wish you were in the Caribbean. The 15 page booklet contains information on each artist and the song they perform.

This album contains 16 wonderful songs as only Billie Holiday can sing them. Chosen for this album by the great Shirley Horn, they include songs from 1945 through to 1956. When I first got this album I thought that half of the songs I already had on a different compilation, but no...they may be the same songs but not the same performances, which was a nice suprise. Some of the tracks are live performances, while others are studio. This is truly a great album, and Shirley Horn writes such touching notes on how she saw Billie perform shortly before she died, that just reduced me to tears it was so sad. This is an album that EVERY music fan should own.

From beginning to end, this is a 'new-age' work of art. I have a few George Winston albums, and this is one of my favourites. He has the ability to transport you to another place and conjures up pictures in the mind...on this album, as the title suggests, forests. It is truly awe-inspiring what GW can do on the piano. This album is so much more than just "background music" as one reviewer suggested. It may take a few listens to really get the music in your soul, but that's always the way with good music. It begs you to listen. Highly recommended.

This is a Greatest Hits collection with a bonus. No fewer than 7 newly recorded songs which help to take off the monotony of an album whose songs have been so overplayed on the radio, that people actually get sick of them. I do enjoy Celine's music, but I have to admit that sometimes her "screaming" does annoy me. She has an absolutely beautiful voice and it would be lovely to hear her sing without the "power" sometimes. She also sings a 'duet' here with the late Frank Sinatra. The results are pretty good, and I'm sure that Frank wouldn't mind at all, and would probably love it. But a lot of Franks fans will not approve. The 16 page booklet contains photos and the lyrics for the 7 new songs.

It's funny...the previous reviewer states how this album was originally issued on vinyl as "Golden Streets of Glory". Well the cd that I have is called "Golden Streets of Glory" and it does feature Dolly gazing out of the window with a big hairdo. Plus it has also been remastered which is nice. The songs are in a slightly different order to those listed here, but otherwise are exactly the same. I am not an overly religious person, but to listen to this album you do not need to be. They are uplifting songs that are bound to make you feel good. Highly recommended no matter what your religion. Your soul will thank you.

Sonny Rollins has selected his favourite Coleman Hawkins 'Verve' performances for this album. This is a great cd to start with for someone not too familiar with Hawkins' work. Here we can hear him play solo on "Picasso", as well as in small groups and larger bands. The years covered are 1944 through to 1957. On a couple of tracks there is some surface hiss...but it does state in the booklet that some recordings were transferred from disc sources so surface noise is audible. It's a shame as I'm sure remastering would have solved that. But anyway, this is an excellent place to start a collection of Coleman Hawkins. Sonny also writes his thoughts on Hawkins and his music which is interesting.

This album is sure to open up people's minds about the Celtic culture...I know it did mine. I didn't, until hearing this cd realize that "Celtic" does not only mean Scotland and Ireland, but is far wider. The music on this album helps to show the spread of the Celtic people and culture, with music from Africa, Spain, Norway, England, Italy and others. The 23 page booklet contains a 2 page essay about the Celtic culture and influences worldwide, as well as a page on each artist and their song. This album showcases how music as diverse as reggae, Arabic and African can be blended with traditional celtic instuments and melodies. This album is truly an experience not to be missed.

I think the best way to look at, and listen to this cd, is to try and get over the fact that it is Garth Brooks. His country fans may be dissapointed in it, but looked at in a non-country way, it is a good album. Some songs have the unmistakable Garth 'voice', while others it is hard to believe it is Garth. This album sure did confuse a lot of people, and to my knowledge, there hasn't been a movie about "Chris Gaines" or a follow up album either. But, getting over the confusion and definate 'strangeness' of this concept, the songs on this album are pretty good rock/pop/r&b fare. The 20 page booklet really only adds to the mystery, with its photos of Garth not looking at all like Garth...I can't imagine any other context in which Garth would consent to wear a pair of tights and sport a 'grunge' hair style.

James Carter, who selected the songs for this album, sure knows his Ben Webster. His selections show Ben in a variety of settings, from small groups to orchestral, and even throws in a couple of rare tracks with Ben playing piano instead of sax. We also get 3 vocal songs, one with Dinah Washington, the other two with The Ravens. James also writes a very informative essay on Ben Webster. This is a wonderful album,...for those who wish to learn more about Webster this is a great place to start.