Oprahs Favorite Things 2008 » Music

Johnny Mathis – Let It Be Me

admin — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 23:19:09 +0000

For Let It Be Me: Mathis in Nashville, Johnny assembled a handpicked group of the finest musicians in Nashville to record an album that is devoid of modern studio tricks. The tracks which include What a Wonderful World featuring Lane Brody and Let it be me featuring Alison Krauss were recorded live in the studio over the course of a week. The approach to these country standards is sympathetic to the original arrangements, the manner in which the players musically interrelate allows for a refreshing openness and transparency that supports, but never overwhelms the vocal performance. Mathis in Nashville makes the point that sometimes simplicity is the ultimate in sophistication.

Illuminations by Josh Groban

admin — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 23:14:22 +0000

On 'Illuminations,' Groban worked with veteran producer Rick Rubin, known for his critically acclaimed work with Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Johnny Cash, and Dixie Chicks among many others. Groban co-wrote the majority of the songs, including 'Hidden Away,' which he wrote with Dan Wilson - former leader of the band Semisonic and co-writer of several cuts on the Dixie Chicks' 'Not Ready to Make Nice.' 'Hidden Away' was recorded live with Groban singing and playing piano, Matt Sweeney and Smokey Hormel on acoustic guitars, and veteran R&B icon Spooner Oldham on organ, with a striking orchestral arrangement by David Campbell added later. The opening piano chords and the unfolding melody evoke a timeless Americana, a thread from Stephen Foster through Aaron Copland through Paul Simon and Randy Newman, as Groban makes a heartfelt plea not to hide true love or one's true self.'Illuminations' finds both Groban and Rubin stepping out of each one's respective zone and creating an entirely new zone. The bracing result fulfills Rubin's vision of a 'fine art' Groban record, marrying the warmth of the sweeping American roots of Groban's writing and the grandeur of classical settings by matching the live, one-take performances by Groban and the intimate, core acoustic band with colorful orchestral arrangements by David Campbell and James Newton Howard.

The Beginning

admin — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 22:14:23 +0000

DELUXE EDITION INCLUDES 3 BONUS SONGS The Black Eyed Peas' sixth album, The Beginning is the follow-up to the group's blockbuster album The E.N.D. Released in June 2009, The E.N.D. has sold more than 11 million copies worldÂ¬wide, while spending 52 weeks on the Billboard Top 200 chart. It is also the first album in two decades by a duo or group to yield five Top 10 songs on Billboard's Hot 100 chart, including the No. 1 hits "Boom Boom Pow," "I Gotta Feeling" (which is the best-selling digital song in SoundScan history), and "Imma Be," as well as the Top 10's "Meet Me Halfway" and "Rock That Body." In addition, The E.N.D. was nominated for six 2010 Grammy Awards and won for Best Pop Vocal Album, "Boom Boom Pow" won Best Short Form Music Video and "I Gotta Feeling" won for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group. While the title of The E.N.D. was a play on words (standing for "The Energy Never Dies"), the new album's title, The Beginning, "refers to what is actually happening in the world right now," says will.i.am. "The Beginning is symbolic of adopting new technologies, such as augmented reality, 3D, and 360 video. It's also about being experimental and taking songs we've liked from the past and playing around with sick, crazy beats." In keeping with that manifesto, the first single from The Beginning is "The Time (Dirty Bit)," which is built around a sample from the classic 1987 theme from Dirty Dancing, ("I've Had) The Time of My Life," recorded by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes. "The song is a celebration of this amazing time in our lives," says vocalist Fergie. "We've been on tour all over the world, and looking out at stadiums full of people who came out to see us -- that's as big as it gets. After the shows, we go out to the clubs and meet the fans; those are moments that we have to remember." "Plus the fact that we get to experience it with each other," adds vocalist apl.de.ap, "that's the best feeling ever." "You never know what's going to happen, so you want to make the best of every day," says will.i.am. "We wanted to capture that feeling and release a song that celebrates with the fans because it wouldn't have happened without them." This album is the beginning of a new era of Pea world domination -- fasten your seat belts pea-ple enjoy the ride, declares Taboo. The Black Eyed Peas have shot a video for "The Time (Dirty Bit)," with director Rich Lee, who also lensed the Peas' "Imma Be Rocking That Body" video, as well as clips for Eminem ("Not Afraid"), The All-American Rejects ("The Wind Blows"), Fergie ("Clumsy"), and the Pussycat Dolls ("Hush Hush"). The Beginning will be released in several physical formats - a standard CD, a deluxe CD that includes 3 bonus songs, a full album vinyl and a combo two-disc set of 20 songs that includes The Beginning & The Best of THE E.N.D.. The E.N.D. was The Black Eyed Peas first original music since 2005's Monkey Business, which was certified triple platinum in the U.S., with worldwide sales of more than nine million. Monkey Business generated Grammy Awards over two consecutive years, for "Don't Phunk with My Heart" and "My Humps." The Peas' first Grammy Award came six years ago, for "Let's Get It Started," from their breakthrough 2003 album Elephunk, which introduced Fergie into the lineup, and transformed the group into internaÂ¬tional superstars with cumulative 25x platinum sales in nearly a dozen countries around the world. In 2006, Fergie released her six-million-selling solo debut The Dutchess and 2007 Producer of the Year Grammy-nominee will.i.am released Songs About Girls. Since forming in 1995, The Black Eyed Peas have sold more than 28 million albums worldwide and more than 30.8 million digital tracks. In addition, they have logged more than 300 headline tour dates in 29 countries with more than 2.2 million tickets sold. The group has been nominated for a 2010 American Music Award in the Favorite Band, Duo or Group category.

Oprah’s Favorite Things 2008

admin — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 07:15:42 +0000

Every year, right before Thanksgiving, Oprah does a show that showcases a wonderful variety of good Christmas ideas.

This year, Oprah still shared her favorite things, but with a twist – they cost next to nothing! She felt that because many people are struggling financially this year, it would be wrong to recommend items that cost hundreds of dollars, so she focused on gifts from the heart - that don't break the bank. From music to books to memorabilia, her ideas are unique and inspiring.

To add to your ideas, this year Oprah highlighted some additional items - all under $100 - in her "O" Magazine. We've posted some of our favorites at our Favorite Things 2008 Store, and further down on this page. Enjoy, shop, and don't go broke doing it!

Treasure boxes

Treasure Box

Oprah invited a woman named Connie to be on the show and share her idea about creating Treasure Boxes for her kids. She bought inexpensive treasure chests and finished them herself. Then, she collected up her children’s "treasures" that she had been saving for years. It might have been report cards, an Eagle Scout badge, or a piece of carpet from their first room - anything special and memorable for the child.

Connie's desire was for the treasure box to be a piece of furniture - not just a cardboard box. That way they could put it on their shelf and keep it forever. That's why she chose to go with treasure boxes. Her idea was that once you have your keepsakes collected together, that you organize them by year using folders and plastic sleeves from an office supply store.

We’ve done a little snooping around and found a box that looks like it would work very well for this gift – but you can always check out the craft stores like Connie did, and you might really be able to save some money. If the box you find is unfinished that's no problem - all you need to do is get down to your local hardward store and pick up some wood stain and a can of polyurethane finish. Put a coat of the stain on with a rag, then apply several coats of the polyurethane finish. The more you can put on, the better. Personally, I like to use a satin, or semi-gloss finish for the polyurethane. Then, you can buy a little decorative lock, and your treasure box is ready to give and get huge smiles on Christmas morning!

This is a fantastic idea for a gift from the heart, and one that's inexpensive and timeless!

Holiday Hits 2008

Another inexpensive idea is to give the gift of music. This year Oprah has picked out eight new Christmas CD's by some of her favorite artists. From artists like Aretha Franklin, Harry Connick, Jr., Josh Groban, and Tony Bennett, you're friend or relative is sure to be pleased. Oprah has also included titles from Faith Hill, Il Divo, Brian McKnight, and Amy Grant.

With a selection of artists like that, you're sure to find a CD that will satisfy just about anyone on your Christmas list - unless, of course, they're a major Grinch! These tunes might even warm the heart of that guy, too!

Plus, why let everyone else enjoy the sounds of Christmas. Pick up a couple for yourself, too!

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle

One of the gifts that Oprah loves to give and receive the most is a great book. She says "And if it's a book you loved reading, then you'll be sharing something special."

This year, Oprah has fallen in love with The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski. "It's an epic tale about the magical bond that this mute boy shares with his dog," Oprah says. "But it's so much more than a dog story."

Do you have someone on your list that is impossible to buy for? Maybe the gift of a book is just the ticket.

Amazon Kindle

Here's an item that wasn't on her show, but she was raving about anyway a couple of months ago.

It's called the Amazon Kindle, and it's a portable ebook reader available from Amazon.com. At the time, Oprah said it was her "new favorite thing". We've checked out the Kindle and written a review and also an article about how to use your Kindle.

This is a really cool device, and it's getting more and more popular all the time. Basically, what you do is download books, magazines, newspapers, and whatever right onto your device through a wireless service. Then, you can read it at your convenience. It's amazing!

Once again, this will make a great gift for that hard-to-shop-for person on your list.

Sold out at Amazon? You can always find it at , sometimes at an even better price!

Amazon Kindle Fire 8GB, Wi-Fi, 7in - Black

US $151.00 (9 Bids)
End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 16:00:05 PDT
Bid now | Add to watch list

Amazon Kindle Fire 8GB, Wi-Fi, 7in - Black bundled with carrying case

US $145.50 (5 Bids)
End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 14:46:19 PDT
Bid now | Add to watch list

Amazon Kindle Fire 8GB, Wi-Fi, 7in - Black

US $102.50 (13 Bids)
End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 14:00:57 PDT
Bid now | Add to watch list

Puccini: The Complete Operas

admin — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 07:14:04 +0000

Puccini: The Complete Operas

What a collection! If you know an opera lover (or are one yourself), you just have to have this set of CD's, exclusively from Amazon.com.

In anticipation of the 150th anniversary (December 12, 2008) of the birth of opera's most beloved composer - Giacomo Puccini - Sony BMG Masterworks has created the most definitive available collection of his operas in the exclusive, 20-disc PUCCINI: THE COMPLETE OPERAS.

All twelve of his operas are presented in acclaimed complete recordings - La Bohème, Tosca, Madama Butterfly, Turandot, Le Villi, Edgar, Manon Lescaut, La Fanciulla del West, La Rondine and Il Trittico (including Il Tabarro, Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi), featuring performances by such vocal legends as Plácido Domingo, Montserrat Caballé, Leontyne Price, Barbara Frittoli, Renata Scotto, Tito Gobbi, Carlo Bergonzi, Sherrill Milnes, Anna Moffo, Marilyn Horne and Ileana Cotrubas, in classic interpretations conducted by Sir Georg Solti, Lorin Maazel and Zubin Mehta.

WOW! Here's what you get, according to Amazon customer "Tramper Al":

Tosca
Stereo 1972
Leontyne Price, Plácido Domingo, Sherrill Milnes, Paul Plishka
New Philharmonia Orchestra, Zubin Mehta

La Bohème
Stereo 1973
Plácido Domingo, Montserrat Caballé, Sherrill Milnes, Judith Blegen, Ruggero Raimondi
London Philharmonic Orchestra, George Solti

Madama Butterfly
Stereo 1978
Renata Scotto, Plácido Domingo, Ingvar Wixell, Gillian Knight
Philharmonia Orchestra, Lorin Maazel

Turandot
Stereo 1998 (Live)
Giovanna Casolla, Sergej Larin, Barbara Frittoli, Aldo Bottion
Coro e Orchestra del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Zubin Mehta

Le Villi
Stereo 1979
Plácido Domingo, Renata Scotto, Leo Nucci, Tito Gobbi
National Philharmonic Orchestra, Lorin Maazel

Edgar
Stereo 1977
Carlo Bergonzi, Renata Scotto, Gwendolyn Killebrew
New York City Opera Orchestra, Eve Queler

Manon Lescaut
Stereo 1992
Nina Rautio, Peter Dvorsky, Gino Quilico, Luigi Roni, Aldo Bramante
Coro e Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala, Lorin Maazel

La fanciulla del West
Stereo 1991 (Live)
Mara Zampieri, Plácido Domingo, Juan Pons, Sergio Bertocchi, Luigi Roni
Coro e Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala, Lorin Maazel

La Rondine
Stereo 1966
Anna Moffo, Daniele Barioni, Mario Sereni, Graziella Sciutti, Piero de Palma
RCA Italiana Opera Orchestra and Chorus, Francesco Molinari-Pradelli

Gianni Schicchi
Stereo 1977
Tito Gobbi, Ileana Cotrubas, Plácido Domingo
London Symphony Orchestra, Lorin Maazel

Suor Angelica
Stereo 1977
Renata Scotto, Marilyn Horne, Ileana Cotrubas
New Philharmonia Orchestra, Lorin Maazel

Il tabarro
Stereo 1977
Renata Scotto, Plácido Domingo, Ingvar Wixell
New Philharmonia Orchestra, Lorin Maazel

Simply put: Puccini: The Complete Operas - a must have for any opera lover!