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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
(Holds Breath) Neil Sedaka is seventy three years old. Yup 73!
Love him or hate him (I'm firmly in the first camp)) this is,
in so many ways, a remarkable recording; a distillation of
more than half a century in a fickle business and still in
possession of a voice as clear as a bell and a way with the
ivories to rank with the very best singer/songwriters one can
imagine. Sure his material might be a little bit schmaltzy and
his grin a little too well set in the jaw but there's nothing
wrong with fixing your sights firmly on the middle of the road
when you can produce words and melodies of such timeless quality.
It's good to hear these songs in the raw; just Mr Sedaka and his
piano (the occasional vocal harmony embellishments are somewhat
unnecessary given the purity of his tone but this small misjudgment
is easily forgiven) stripped down to the glorious bare essentials.
There are seventeen numbers in the set (including an extravagant,
Gershwin-esque, intrumental piece for piano and orchestra - 'Manhattan
Intermezzo') and it's heartening to re-experience some of his most
memorable compositions without their accompanying razzamatazz.
'Breaking Up Is Hard To Do' gets a delightfully jazzy facelift; 'You'll
Be There' is a little piece of Broadway to its very bones; 'Runaway Lover'
displays a real sense of immediacy and drama in its staccato arrangement;
the sprightly 'Amarillo' is as daft as a brush in the nicest possible way and
the rendition of 'Mi Amour' is simply as lovely as lovely could possibly be.
Call me a soppy old thing but I can be a sucker for a bit of nostalgia when its
as perfectly formed as this!... Read more ›
Love him or hate him (I'm firmly in the first camp)) this is,
in so many ways, a remarkable recording; a distillation of
more than half a century in a fickle business and still in
possession of a voice as clear as a bell and a way with the
ivories to rank with the very best singer/songwriters one can
imagine. Sure his material might be a little bit schmaltzy and
his grin a little too well set in the jaw but there's nothing
wrong with fixing your sights firmly on the middle of the road
when you can produce words and melodies of such timeless quality.
It's good to hear these songs in the raw; just Mr Sedaka and his
piano (the occasional vocal harmony embellishments are somewhat
unnecessary given the purity of his tone but this small misjudgment
is easily forgiven) stripped down to the glorious bare essentials.
There are seventeen numbers in the set (including an extravagant,
Gershwin-esque, intrumental piece for piano and orchestra - 'Manhattan
Intermezzo') and it's heartening to re-experience some of his most
memorable compositions without their accompanying razzamatazz.
'Breaking Up Is Hard To Do' gets a delightfully jazzy facelift; 'You'll
Be There' is a little piece of Broadway to its very bones; 'Runaway Lover'
displays a real sense of immediacy and drama in its staccato arrangement;
the sprightly 'Amarillo' is as daft as a brush in the nicest possible way and
the rendition of 'Mi Amour' is simply as lovely as lovely could possibly be.
Call me a soppy old thing but I can be a sucker for a bit of nostalgia when its
as perfectly formed as this!... Read more ›
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Roblet
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
The two absolute stand-out songs for me are Broken Street of Dreams, and Heart of Stone, especially, in their intensity. Those two songs really should become standards.
Also the bonus track, Manhattan Intermezzo, a 19 minute piece of music, with Neil at the piano, is a homage to New York, and shows off his piano and melodic skills to their full.
All in all, Neil is in fine voice and with the back to basics approach, the recordings showcase Neil's immaculate piano playing.
Also the bonus track, Manhattan Intermezzo, a 19 minute piece of music, with Neil at the piano, is a homage to New York, and shows off his piano and melodic skills to their full.
All in all, Neil is in fine voice and with the back to basics approach, the recordings showcase Neil's immaculate piano playing.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By D READ
Format:Audio CD
I will keep this short, this is a superb album from Neil. Having just seen him in concert in Birmingham,UK, it really is in the title (The Real Neil) sounds like you have Neil all to yourself via CD. Just the voice and piano, and it's sounds like most of it was done live in one take, on only a few songs I can detect that Neil has over dubbed himself with backing vocals.
As already stated this makes for a very personal sounding album. My standout tracks are "Beginning To Breathe Again",and the classic "Laughter In The Rain", it's worth mentioning that there is an outstanding 18 min instrumental track at the end.
In Short a fantastic album,by a musical legend.
As already stated this makes for a very personal sounding album. My standout tracks are "Beginning To Breathe Again",and the classic "Laughter In The Rain", it's worth mentioning that there is an outstanding 18 min instrumental track at the end.
In Short a fantastic album,by a musical legend.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
My mum bought this for herself after seeing in on the tv and enjoyed listening to it, one of her all time favourites .
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By kitty
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
You have got to love the guy, he keeps churning out wonderful new songs, and can recycle old ones to bring them up to date. Great .
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Songwriter
Format:Audio CD
I was lucky enough to have seen Neil perform for the second time at the Royal Albert Hall at his 'Real Neil' tour. If you haven't seen him live then you're missing out! If you have enjoyed his previous wonderful recordings (where even the sad songs have uplifting melodies!) then you will not be disappointed with this new album. Three years after the release of his terrific 'Music of My Life' cd, this collection of (mostly new) songs is superb.
With just the piano as accompaniament (apart from the last track) there is a lovely intimate, gentle feel to these recordings which can be appreciated even more so because of this. Neil's voice and songwriting is in fine form as usual - I can't think of any other singer aged 73 who has ever sounded quite this good and energetic, capable of singing without backing!
The (new) stand out songs for me are 'Beginning to Breathe Again' which is started intriguingly as acappella (a new classic in the making?), plus 'Heart of Stone', 'Captured by Your Love' - a lovely little love song and 'Sweet Music' - with a very catchy melody (aren't they all?), but I have only heard the cd a few times so far! Manhattan Intermezzo is also a very exciting piece of classical music.
So to summarise, have a listen to these wonderful songs and you'll be completely moved and uplifted and will probably want to hear all of his other songs again. 'The Real Neal' is a real treat.
With just the piano as accompaniament (apart from the last track) there is a lovely intimate, gentle feel to these recordings which can be appreciated even more so because of this. Neil's voice and songwriting is in fine form as usual - I can't think of any other singer aged 73 who has ever sounded quite this good and energetic, capable of singing without backing!
The (new) stand out songs for me are 'Beginning to Breathe Again' which is started intriguingly as acappella (a new classic in the making?), plus 'Heart of Stone', 'Captured by Your Love' - a lovely little love song and 'Sweet Music' - with a very catchy melody (aren't they all?), but I have only heard the cd a few times so far! Manhattan Intermezzo is also a very exciting piece of classical music.
So to summarise, have a listen to these wonderful songs and you'll be completely moved and uplifted and will probably want to hear all of his other songs again. 'The Real Neal' is a real treat.
By G. Child
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Chose for a family member who loved Neil when he was high up in ratings years ago. Just trust it brought back happy memories for them.
By mo
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Anyone that likes Neil Diamond will love this Neil at his best he sounds just like he does when he is live
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5.0 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Audio Reproduction At It's Best
Bought this cd some time ago, shortly after it's release and the sound quality is outstanding. Some old tunes on the cd, some new.
I would most definitely recommend.
I would most definitely recommend.
Published 3 months ago by johnboy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Neil Sedaka's best
Fantastic new songs, and the old ones are in a nice new suit.This is the real Neil. Aged but still young.
Published 3 months ago by W.Chr. Zinkhann
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best
This cd is just perfect for a Neil Sedaka fan. A good mix of songs to suit many moods. Will be listening to this many times.
Published 5 months ago by madmum
5.0 out of 5 stars
MUST BUY
THIS CD IS TYPICAL NEIL SEDAKA, IF YOUR A FAN I WOULD SUGGEST YOU SHOULD PURCHASE THIS. THIS IS A MIXTURE OF OLD AND NEW RECORDS.
Published 5 months ago by Tony
5.0 out of 5 stars
The last track is frankly superb - the rest is also very acceptable
Most unusual just Neil at the piano on all but last track. the depth of his piano playing is proof of his background and training. Read more
Published 5 months ago by flossy
4.0 out of 5 stars
A master of his trade
I had just seen Neil in concert and this album shows him to good effect although earlier songs were livelier
Published 5 months ago by JIMBO
5.0 out of 5 stars
Neil Sedaka
I bought this product as a present for my wife.She really loves it and it gives me lots of brownie points
Published 6 months ago by Bill
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