Customer Reviews

Candles in the Rain/Leftover Wine

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I happened on Melanie by accident, the song Brand New Key was playing in the background of something, I'm not even quite sure where, but I totally focused on the song, not what I was watching. My dad used to listen to a lot of 60's/70's stuff and I must have heard it then, as the song took me back to that time. After a certain point in my life, I had absorbed all of the current music of my generation, and had wanted to start to expand my musical pallette, and thus I began buying older cds and seeing if there was something there I might enjoy. I began enjoying tons of singers/bands from before my time, and I guess I had matured enough to realise that there was more to music than just what my peers were listening to. However, somehow I had never gotten any of her stuff. And it was not even reccommended by the music store owners that would give me ideas on what to buy next. Now that I had heard this song, I decided to look online, and found a greatest hits cds to see if she was a one hit wonder or whatever. What I found was very impressive. This lady had raw talent. Her vocals were a bit quirky at times, but not without its charms. I was totally drawn now to her music. So I searched and searched online hoping to find more of her stuff in cd format. However I did not find much, aside from Crazy Love which was a newer cd. NOW finally there are three cds out that contain two whole cds on each one. so that's six original albums. This of course is one of those three reissues. So obviously I was happy. But I was worried. As with some artists, sometimes the greatest hits is pretty much all the best that they have. Of course there are those artists where their greatest hits only tell/show part of the story. This is how it was with Melanie. The remasters sound beautiful. And the songs shine because of it. One beautiful side effect of new technology is that music always gets new ways of being improved and shared.I was very happy with the overall quality of the cd, and impressed by the writing and singine to the point, that I bought all three reissues. And hopefully they will have more. The first cd, candles in the rain was great and a definite treasure to add to my growing collection, as with leftover wine, a live album, I was impressed. some singers tend to sound watered down on live albums. However, she is the type that translates well live, and her music is as well performed and enjoyable as any studio cd. Another Welcome addition. Anyone who is a fan of "real music" (not the producer-driven-cookie-cutter-ipod-friendly-plastic music that seems prevalent today)will definitely enjoy Melanies body of work. Although perceived as a flower child (from what I have read) she's more than just 60's feel-good hippie culture. It is kinda folksy at times and bluesy at others. But no matter the musical mood, it is always well written and beautifully performed. I hope that more people will discover her as I have, because she is definitely a treat. I think I'll need to revisit some of those old record stores and let them know they left out something very very important. Until then I hope to pass along this discovery for anyone else wishing to expand their musical pallette. You won't be disappointed.

As kids, my brother and I grew up listening to this record (Candles in the Rain) from my parents' collection. Melanie's folk-rock style was a favorite in our family, and I remember each song on that album. This CD is wonderfully remastered, and it contains a whole second album that, although I haven't heard, is another one of Melanie's popular collections.

Among the songs from "Candles in the Rain" that stuck in our minds was Alexander Beetle, and my brother and I would (valiantly try to) sing that for our respective kids. We looked for the album everywhere, specifically for that one song, but were unable to find it until I stumbled across this Amazon store. I'm glad I did. I've been slowly building my music collection with music that framed our generation, and this album is an important piece.

Candles in the Rain is a collection of some of the greatest songs of the time by an artist who deserves an even wider audience. This is truly a great album. Leftover Wine gives an intimate insight into Melanie's ground breaking live performances. If you have attended one of these, you will never forget her power, her affection and her humility. Two great albums from a great artist.

Just a few months ago I was whinning about the disappearance of certain films (MEDEA, PHAEDRA) and music--specifcally Melanie's. I attributed this sad situation to corporate greed (if the items lost their mass appeal, screw 'em.) Now I'm sitting here listening to Melanie's CANDLES IN THE RAIN album & LEFTOVER WINE in a single, 2-CD format! Maybe somebody really is listening? Of course, the fact that Melanie still has legions of adoring fans might also have something to do with it.

One reviewer expressed concern that the younger generation might not "get it." Melanie had/has? a very individualistic, intimate delivery & persona, so maybe they won't. She doesn't show her breats or wear tons of make-up or shake her butt around. Her music experesses CARING...maybe for the new kids that's corny. Well, for one, I think she's great & I LOVE her music.

I don't remember LEFT OVER WINE as a live concert, but it is, and that's fine. You get a little bit of a more intimate impression of the singer. CANDLES IN THE RAIN is remastered & I think some of the accompaning music is brought a little foreward which I like. It's a bit more of a "wall of sound" than I remember.

Now, maybe if somebody IS listening, please, please, please copy Melanie's STONEGROUND WORDS into CD format. Her MAYBE I WAS is a fantastic song. Because our Castle is located in the remote vastness of Northern California mountains, even with satelite we can't download music or videos. Have a heart!

MELANIE, WE LOVE YOU!

Fantastic to re live my youth thru Melanies renditions. Good twin CD but "Candles in the Rain is TOPS with me.

It was a delight re-discovering these full length LP's on one CD.

It took me back to my Woodstock days! Great listening enjoyment.

I have been updating my old LPs lately and these two-for CDs are great. Got them for a great price and enjoyed the sound quality. Melanie may never get her due as a songwriter or singer, but listening to her since the early 1970s has been a treat that should extend beyond radio's obsession with "Brand New Key."

Following her success at the 1969 Woodstock festival, Melanie released Candles in the rain, a 1970 album that became hugely successful, making the top five in the British album charts and the top twenty in the American album charts. A top ten hit in each country, but with different songs, no doubt helped those album sales. Lay down candles in the rain (the American hit, which featured the Edwin Hawkins singers who are famous for Oh happy day) didn't chart in Britain, where Melanie's distinctive cover of Ruby Tuesday (a Rolling Stones song) charted instead. Melanie didn't like the arrangement of Ruby Tuesday and wrote another song here (What have they done to my song Ma?) as a protest. That song became an international hit for the New Seekers. Of the other tracks, I particularly like the children's song, Alexander Beetle, while there's also a fine cover of James Taylor's Carolina in my mind. Several other excellent songs make up the album including Leftover wine, which became the title of the live album that forms the second CD of this set. Before we reach that, there are six bonus tracks appended to the re-mastered original studio album.

The liner notes appear to state that the six bonus tracks all come from a soundtrack (All the right moves) but the track listing only credit's the first four as being from that soundtrack, the last two being credited to an album (Sunset and other beginnings) that I once had on vinyl. Almost like being in love (a cover of an oldie from the Great American songbook) and Dream seller meet me on the corner (a cover of the Lindisfarne classic) are the two songs in question. I certainly remember them being on Sunset and other beginnings, although I disposed of that album many years ago along with most of my vinyl collection many years ago. Were those two tracks also on the soundtrack? I don't know, but the actual movie apparently made little impact.

Melanie recorded the live album at Carnegie Hall, New York, on the occasion of Margie English's birthday, hence the inclusion of Happy birthday. I've never been a huge fan of live albums generally although I have been impressed by some of them. This one is fine although studio versions of most of them, including the title track, can be found on Melanie's earlier albums. While I would have preferred another studio album instead of this live set, I realize that it had to be included because it was successful in the British and American album charts. As such, I know that a lot of Melanie's fans will welcome its re-issue. In any case, it's better than a lot of live albums.

Whether or not you care for live albums generally (and even if you don't, you may enjoy this one), this set is worth buying just for the first CD.

I was going thru some of my old LP's...For you young people that's how us older people use to listen to music. Any Hoo, I was going thru some of my old albums & came across Melanie's Candles in the Rain. I remembered when this song came out & discovered Melanie for the lst time. She is a very talented song writer in addition to a great singer. The words to her songs have real meaning. Her voice is a voice so unusual that you couldn't help but love to hear her sing. I would sit in my room & listen to this album over & over. I had an 8 Track player (Now I am really telling my Age)in my Volkswagon which I would listen to her while I was driving. It was an era in which the US was still in turmoil & sorrow. Her songs took me to a place of peace & understanding. So after seeing my album I really wanted to see if I could get it on a CD. I found it, bought it & played it & the words came back to me as fast as the years have past. If you like Joan Baez, Joanie Mitchell, Carol King, etc....You will love Melanie. Some of her songs are really quirky but they too have meaning. Listen to the words. I have a few of her albums & probably will purchase more CD's.

I enjoyed hearing that Melanie is still producing, and she still sounds great after so many years! It makes my day to listen to her music.