Search - John [04] Stafford Smith, John Philip Sousa, Randol Alan Bass :: The Red Sox Album

Boston Pop's Cookout Orchestra

RichBoston | Boston | 04/17/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Look, I love Boston, the Boston Pops and the Boston Red Sox but I'm not sure someone in Topeka will be too thrilled with this. I bought it to play at a cookout this summer but other than maybe a once a year play, this will be getting a bit dusty.



First let me say that I'm sick of "Sweet Caroline" and it should be banned from Fenway Park forever! It was cute the first billion times I heard it but...ENOUGH!!! (and take 'the wave' with you!)The Dropkick Murphy's "I'm Shippin' Up to Boston" from the movie "The Departed" is great (and closer Jonathan Papelbon's theme song) but it's been done - albeit with a different arrangement.



Other tracks include "The Star Spangled Banner" (naturally - to begin the album), "The National Game", "Casey at the Bat", "God Bless America", "Take Me Out to the Ball Game", and the usual Pops great rendition of "The Stars and Stripes Forever."



Keith Lockhart doesn't get enough credit. He has been, an is, a treasure in Boston. However, like many people, he won't be appreciated until he is much older or leaves town. Here's hoping he gets his due and receives more recognition nationally for all his hard work and for what he's meant to Boston and New England.



The arrangements are all well done and the sound is flawless. Just don't expect to be playing this often on your iPod. This is a great summer cookout CD.

"

Boston Pops Red Sox Album

Butterfly1016217 | 09/07/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I loved the Boston Pops Red Sox Album. I have been a huge fan of the Red Sox and the Boston Pops forever, so I was thrilled when two of my favorite things combined! The sound is fantastic, and the arrangement of "Shipping Up To Boston" was very well done! I had never heard an instrumental version of that song before, and it was wonderfully done!



I bought the album after seeing the Pops perform it live, and was impressed with the performance. I think they chose a nice variety of songs. The album starts with "Star Spangled Banner," as any good ball game cd should start. Other highlights are the "Theme From The Natural," "Shipping Up To Boston," "Sweet Caroline," "Casey At The Bat," "Take Me Out To The Ballgame," and, of course, "Stars and Stripes Forever." Anyone who likes patriotic music mixed with traditional Sox Songs will enjoy this cd. Sure, the songs are familiar, but that is what gives the cd some of it's charm! Sox fans may also enjoy the fact that during the song "National Game March" when you hear the bat crack it is actually David Ortiz who is doing the crack!



The only thing I could complain about is the fact they they didn't have "Tessie" or "Dirty Water" on there. I hope they will make another album and include those songs on there! For those who think the songs are over played or tired, yes, they are constantly played at Fenway Park, but it is the charm of the park, and fans have come to almost expect to hear these songs played when they go to a game. I for one never tire of hearing the songs of the Red Sox!



Great Job, Keith Lockhart and the Symphony!"