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 | Joni Mitchell - The Hissing of Summer Lawns |
 | "The first Joni Mitchell song I remember hearing: Edith and the Kingpin" | 2009-08-22 |
I was 14 years old and I don't recall hearing a Joni Mitchell song before one summer day on vacation down the NJ shore when her voice singing "Edith and the Kingpin" came drifting and echoing across the lagoon from a house opposite us. I was blown away by her voice and the story she told so vividly of this couple that started out so sweetly and was unraveling as she painted the picture of their relationship with her lyrics. I was hooked and have been a fan of Joni Mitchell ever since.
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 | Paul McCartney - McCartney |
| "A musical window into Paul McCartney's life at the time (Cherries On the Sidewalk)" | 2009-08-11 |
I love this album. It always makes me feel like I have been invited into Paul McCartney's farm house while he was creating this music. I recommend listening to the whole album each time because it has a flow where one song leads to the next. He so loved Linda and his children and it shines through in each song. I find it to be a romantic poem which can sometimes be touching, sometimes silly and sometimes passionate. I have never owned this on CD only a record. The photos taken by Linda are what also makes the album so special. They are intimate and sweet as if you were looking through their own personal photo album. I know the album is just called McCartney, but I have always referred to it as "Cherries On the Sidewalk", because of the interesting cover shot. If you enjoy music that tells a story and allows you a window into an artist's soul, you will love this album.
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 | Paul Mccartney - Mccartney |
| "A musical window into Paul McCartney's life at the time (Cherries On the Sidewalk)" | 2009-08-11 |
I love this album. It always makes me feel like I have been invited into Paul McCartney's farm house while he was creating this music. I recommend listening to the whole album each time because it has a flow where one song leads to the next. He so loved Linda and his children and it shines through in each song. I find it to be a romantic poem which can sometimes be touching, sometimes silly and sometimes passionate. I have never owned this on CD only a record. The photos taken by Linda are what also makes the album so special. They are intimate and sweet as if you were looking through their own personal photo album. I know the album is just called McCartney, but I have always referred to it as "Cherries On the Sidewalk", because of the interesting cover shot. If you enjoy music that tells a story and allows you a window into an artist's soul, you will love this album.
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 | The Firm - Cross Trainers: Firm Cardio |
| "THIS TAPE MADE ME STRONG" | 2003-07-28 |
If you are already in good shape, this tape will help you maintain/get stronger, if you need muscle toning and strengthening, this tape will help you. I did not have much upper body strength before I did this tape and "Firm Strength" on a regular basis, but after about two weeks of alternating the two tapes, I noticed I felt and looked stronger in both my upper and lower body areas. Like all the Firm videos, it is high quality and moves smoothly from one segment to the other. My favorite exercise on this one is the last thing which is the gluteal exercise while wearing ankle weights. It is tough, but it really did firm up my butt and other areas. You can modify it by using no weights at first, (recommended), lighter, than heavier weights as you get stronger. Good teamed with "Firm Strength". See my review of that.
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 | The Firm - The Firm Cross Trainers: Firm Strength |
| "THIS VIDEO AND FIRM CARDIO MADE ME STRONG" | 2003-07-28 |
Done alone, or teamed with "Firm Cardio", this is a fine Firm workout. This tape focuses a little more on the upper body, especially the triceps, but still includes great lower body segments. I never felt I had much upper body strength until I had been doing this workout and "Firm Cardio" for about two weeks. I saw more muscle definition in that time, but felt the results even sooner. It is a tough workout so I really feel a great sense of accomplishment after I finish it each time. It is good for those days when you really feel like "pumping it up."
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 | Karen Voight - Cardio Strength Circuit Training |
 | "Karen sweats and so will you!" | 2003-04-28 |
A tough workout not for beginners. Cueing is quick. I found I had to do it about four times before I started getting some of the steps down. I like that the workout seems to go fast because of Karen's "get down to business" attitude. The longest cardio segment is in the beginning, 9:15 minutes, so you know you got the longest one out of the way after it is over. By then, I am very warm and in the zone. The moves are not dancy but I do find this tick-tock move she does a bit difficult. The aerobics alternating with the weights and then abs and butt really makes me feel like I have had a workout from head to toe.
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 | Ali MacGraw - Yoga Mind & Body |
| "Feel peaceful and toned after this workout :)" | 2003-04-28 |
After a few times doing this workout, I began to get better at the Ujjayi breathing which I found relaxed me and made me feel energetic at the same time. You can not be in a distracted mood when you do this. For me, my breathing is not as relaxed if I am thinking about what I need to get done after the video. The music is very motivating to me. The scene is beautiful, but often my eyes are closed or I am not facing the TV, so the scenery is wasted on me. The music, which is a sort of new age flowing type, helps me to get into the flow of doing the warm up sun salutations. Some poses I found a little difficult to maintain at first, (the tree), difficulty holding the balance, but I got better at it as I practiced more. I could really feel the toning effects in my legs, (bridge pose), and arms, (downward dog). So, this is not a hurry up and get your cardio workout video, but you will get a good, different workout. It helped me to be still. I recommend using a good yoga sticky mat to help with the poses and for safety.
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 | Kathy Smith's Latin Rhythm Workout |
 | "Shake those hips!" | 2003-04-28 |
This is a fun dance workout if you enjoy Latin dance music and really get into the dances: Salsa, cha, cha, samba and merengue. I am a good dancer so I found the steps very easy to learn. You just have to let yourself go and get into the enthusiasm of the dancing. I find it to be an intermediate kind of aerobic workout. beginners can just do the first 20 minutes. I do work up a sweat. Do it in work out clothes you feel kind of sexy in, not lumpy sweat pants. It seems to help me get into the spirit of the video which is definately sexy! I gave it 3 stars because Kathy Smith herself looks a little awkward to me doing this video. She is not wearing the right outfit for it either. She looks like she is going on shopping errands in her modest sweater set. The dancers around her look much more natural and sensual as they dance. But, that's just my opinion. Her moves are stiff compared to the other dancers, so I prefer to follow the other dancers. They are more fun to watch. Other than that, it is fun to do as a break from my other videos.
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 | The Firm - Total Body - Fat Blaster |
| "upbeat fat burning" | 2003-04-28 |
This is a high energy workout. If you don't like upbeat and perky, this is not for you. But some, like me, like perky. Different instructers step up and take turns with the aerobic sections. There are dancy ones and more straight forward ones. The music is fun and varied. The aerobics are floor and step. I never did get one of those fanny lifting steps. I just use my 8" step for everything. I still get an effective workout. You will use light weight dumbbells and need a dowel or broomstick for two of the segments. The abdominal section is great with this rocking move that I don't have on any other tapes. I did not find the steps complicated. L steps are not difficult to learn and that is just one segment. I like tapes that provide aerobics and toning. I get a great workout from this one.
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 | The New York City Ballet Workout |
| "learn a little ballet and get a great workout" | 2002-12-29 |
This workout requires extra focus and concentration simply to stay balanced while doing some of the exercises. I have arthritis and I found it helpful in working out some of the stiffness I experience in the morning. It is somewhat aerobically challenging, but this video really does work on strengthening muscles all over the body. I find it challenging to hold my arms up the whole time in the ballet positions for some of the exercises. It is definitely challenging for me, who has never taken ballet, to do repetitive tendus and degages. I noticed my posture feels better all day after I do this tape. Doing the ballet exercises also makes me feel more graceful as well. The workout can be done barefoot or with dancer aerobic shoes. The dancers are shown with and without shoes. I enjoyed learning the ballet terms and the classical music is a refreshing change from the usual exercise video soundtracks. Peter Martins instructs the class in a easy to follow, soothing voiceover. This is a good tape to buy if you have always wanted to take a ballet class but never did. The tape features short bios on each dancer, (four of them,) after the workout. It is interesting to watch at least once.
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 | Denise Austin - Power Yoga Plus |
| "20 minutes to a better day" | 2002-12-28 |
I like to do this workout when I only have 20 minutes to spare in the morning before getting ready for work. I really like that the first workout is the yoga and the second one is the pilates. It is like two tapes in one. The only thing I don't like is she talks too much before beginning the yoga segment, but you can fast forward over that part. I would say both workouts help me to feel better in that I feel awake from all the deep breathing Denise has you do and the flowing movements. It is mildly challenging for someone in pretty good shape like me. The yoga tape is pretty easy to follow and is a quick introduction to yoga if you are not familiar with the art. The Pilates segment is great for the abdominals and is a bit more challenging, but still pretty easy. Denise always makes me feel good about myself with her positive affirmations. I feel like at least I exercised for 20 minutes on those days when I did not get up early enough. I have done it in the evening also, but somehow I prefer doing this tape in the morning. I have also turned it into a longer workout by doing both workouts. If you like Denise Austin videos I think you will like this one.
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 | The New York City Ballet Workout |
| "learn a little ballet and get a great workout" | 2002-12-28 |
This workout requires extra focus and concentration simply to stay balanced while doing some of the exercises. I have arthritis and I found it helpful in working out some of the stiffness I experience in the morning. It is somewhat aerobically challenging, but this video really does work on strengthening muscles all over the body. I find it challenging to hold my arms up the whole time in the ballet positions for some of the exercises. It is definitely challenging for me, who has never taken ballet, to do repetitive tendus and degages. I noticed my posture feels better all day after I do this tape. Doing the ballet exercises also makes me feel more graceful as well. The workout can be done barefoot or with dancer aerobic shoes. The dancers are shown with and without shoes. I enjoyed learning the ballet terms and the classical music is a refreshing change from the usual exercise video soundtracks. Peter Martins instructs the class in a easy to follow, soothing voiceover. This is a good tape to buy if you have always wanted to take a ballet class but never did. The tape features short bios on each dancer, (four of them,) after the workout. It is interesting to watch at least once.
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 | Denise Austin - Complete Workout |
| "A good basic cardio workout with high/low impact" | 2001-12-31 |
This workout was the first Denise Austin video I purchased years ago. It really helped me increase my aerobic endurance and helped me back on the road to fitness. If you prefer exercise videos that offer aerobics and toning all in one, this video is a good, basic, complete workout. The steps are easy and basic, but some may find them boring. There are jumping jacks in this workout which are highimpact. Denise shows you how to modify them. This workout gets your heart pumping and will leave you feeling toned and relaxed.
In her newer "Sizzler" workout, which I highly recommend, Denise incorporates the use of 1-5 pound dumb bells into the complete workout.
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 | First Knight |
| "Have a "thing" for Richard Gere? See this movie!" | 1999-11-30 |
This is such a great chick flick! I found this movie to be visually stunning with its lovely depictions of the Old English countryside and all the gorgeous period costumes. Now the good part...From the first time Richard Gere looks into Julia Ormonds eyes with his sexy, dark eyes, (who cares what color her eyes are,) I could feel the chemistry between them. Yes there is a great fairytale like story there as well, but the sexual/romantic tension is sooooooo delicious! Remember when you were a little girl and pretended to be a princess waiting for your prince? Just see this movie okay?
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