Rhapsodesia: Ultra Lounge 6

Ultra Lounge (series) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 20, 1996)
• Original Release Date: February 20, 1996
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B000002U21
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #33,822 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #24 in Music > Pop > Easy Listening > Retro Space Age
  • #59 in Music > Pop > Easy Listening > Lounge
  • #60 in Music > Pop > By Decade > 1950s

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best in the series, July 10, 2000

By 

Vunzya Vugax "Luxuria" (Brooklyn, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rhapsodesia: Ultra Lounge 6 (Audio CD)

This album, without a doubt, the absolute best album in the ultra lounge collection. It's that album that you reach for when you need to sit back, and relax. It's the perfect mood music for those lazy afternoons, or early evenings hanging out with your baby sipping a few drinks. I prefer to listen to it, while I'm soaking in 20 dollar bubble bath. It brings me relaxation, especially Julie London's "Go slow" Boy is that song sexy or what?

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sit back and relax, while the lights dim down low..., June 21, 2005

By 

Peter LoRicco "Twentysomething Retrophile" (NJ/NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rhapsodesia: Ultra Lounge 6 (Audio CD)

This album was one of my first forays into the lounge/easy listening music of the 1950s and 60s. I bought it during the summer of 2004 and haven't looked back since! I now own nearly 14 entries in the Ultra-Lounge series, including their Christmas Cocktails pt. 1 & 2, but this album is one of my absolute favorites. To me, Rhapsodesia is the epitome of late night, end of the day, melt your sorrows away music. It is slinky, sexy, and ready made for a candle lit dinner for two. Just press play on the old hi-fi system and let songs such as "Go Slow," "You're My Thrill," and the poignant "Tenderly," performed by none other than Jackie Gleason himself, do the wooing of your sweet heart for you!

Comprised of hits by well known artists, Rhapsodesia also features many lesser known renditions from the Capitol Records vaults - and many of the tracks are only available on CD from Ultra-Lounge. I highly recommend this album, to anyone who's ever dreamed of, been in, or fallen out of love. Remember the good times and forget the bad. Dim the lights, pour yourself a martini, and treat yourself to Rhapsodesia.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Light Mood Music for Lounge Lovers, May 7, 2000

By 

"loungelizard7" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rhapsodesia: Ultra Lounge 6 (Audio CD)

This volume is not one of my immediate favorites in the series, but it does have a charm that is inescapable.

Standouts include The Mallet Men's hypnotic "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes," Julie London's steamy "Go Slow," Jackie Gleason's misty, longing "Tenderly" (check out his wonderful set, 'The Romantic Moods of Jackie Gleason') and great George Shearing's sweeping, dramatic "If I Should Lose You."

Milt Buckner (who did "The Beast," one of the best tracks on Vol.4) turns in another winner with the sexy, silky, seductive "Turquoise," although much of the praise is due to the saxophonist. I totally agree with one of the below reviews about Les Baxter's "Lunar Rhapsody." It sounds like a spacey fluff piece at the beginnins, but when that theremin flows in, you're taken away... "Girl Talk" is probably the most memorable song here, if only for the reason that the tune will worm its way into your brain and never leave. The liner notes call it "a pink powder puff of cushioned insinuation." You can't describe it any better than that. It recalls memories of Santo and Johnny's era-defining "Sleepwalk." Perhaps the compiler thought this too, because a version of that song isn't long after. The gently swinging introduction lets you know something special is ahead, and it is. This is a great cover, although I must confess I've never heard a bad one. (The Brian Setzer Orchestra does an incredible Grammy-winning version on their 'Dirty Boogie' CD.) And you know it wouldn't be complete without a cover of "Fever." (The original by Peggy Lee is on Volume 5.) With its pounding opening, its naughty muted trumpet, and chiming, climbing vibes, this is easily the jazziest entry on this volume, with its snazzy, slightly audacious feel.

Al Anthony's enchanting "Ebb Tide" puts you under a spell. When you hear this one, it's best to just sit back, close your eyes, and let the music wash over you like ocean waves. This, lounge lizards, is mood music at its greatest.

A great late-night soundtrack (along with Volume 4), this is one everyone should hear.