Customer Reviews

Rhapsodesia: Ultra Lounge 6

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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?

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.

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.

One of my favorites of the UltraLounge series. Smooth songs to listen when the evening ends and that you need to relax. Best is Julie London's "Go Slow". Sit down, take a nice drink. You won't regret it!

This, without a doubt, has got to be THE most beautiful music I have ever heard, especially in the Ultra Lounge series. It is soooooo relaxing....BUY IT NOW!

This is a compilation of lounge gems from the 50's and 60's. The album has a nice flow that entices the listener from one track to the next. "Girl Talk" is a classic that'll have you humming the tune for the rest of the day. All tracks leave a lasting impression. Highly recommended from the series of Ultra-Lounge cd's.

This one (and Mondo Hollywood) are the absolutely mindmelting best! Indeed, "Tenderly" makes me wistful and gooey inside (and I impulsively grab my incredulous wife for a slow-dance). "Turquoise" is a close second. "Lunar Rhapsody" starts like a zany, corny 40's number and then sends electric shivers when Dr. Hoffman's Theimen kicks in. And when "Ebb Tide - Al Anthony-Wizard Of The Organ" softly flows into my earphones, the whole Meaning of Life suddenly becomes clear for a few precious seconds.

Rhapsodesia is the best volume yet of the UltraLounge series, From "Go Slow" to "Sleep Walk," pure, dreamy, smooth. Play it at a barely audible volume sometime around 3:00 in the morning.

I agree with reviewer Julie Stuart....I never imagined that Nurse Dixie from Emergency 51 (Julie London) could sound so HOT ! "Go slow" always gets me going.

Jackie Gleason's "Tenderly" is outstanding as well. It's good proof why Jackie truly is "The Great One"...not just for his comedy but for the whole package....he really was the real deal.

Just take a chill pill, spin Rhapsodesia and recline in your favorite lounge chair. If you can't catch your ZZZZZs under the hypnotic spell of Rhapsodesia, you need to lay off the No-Doze. There's plenty of languid instrumental lounge classics like "Sleep Walk", "Ebb Tide", "Dansero" and "Turquoise" to bring out your somnolent stupor. And a few bewitching vixens cast their spell in the smoldering "Go Slow", "You're My Thrill" and "Do It Again". If you should happen to fall asleep at the wheel, no worries, the piercing whistlings of "Willow Weep For Me", deftly sequenced in the middle, will wake you up in a hurry. Your dreams will be enhanced by the variety of instrumentation including the theremin on "Lunar Rhapsody" and harmonica on "Ruby".