FREE/BARGAIN — Media Deals (non-eBook/non-audiobook)

[GtrsRGr8]

Performance much better than passable. The group is so good that they could pass for being professional.

It has a Phil Collins feel to it, at a lot of times.

Song: Being There
Artist: Tall Tall Trees
Album: Freedays
Label: Joyful Noise Recordings / SC Distribution
Genre: Alternative/Punk

EMusic's Free Daily Download.

[GtrsRGr8]

Today's YourClassical daily freebie comes from the album of an obscure (obscure to me here in the U.S., anyway) record publishing company out of the U.K., Nimbus Records. The Wihan Quartet performs the free piece, as well as others, on the eponymously-titled album Wihan Quartet - Suk - Dvorak - Janacek. Unfortunately, we do not get access to a dedicated webpage for information on the entire album, as we usually do, and a search that I did of Nimbus Records' website for more information about the album was fruitless.

Our free piece is the one composed by Josef Suk, entitled Meditation on old Boehmian Chorale St. Wencesias. I think that the pieces from all three composers are performed with strings only. That is specifically stated for the Dvorak and Janacek pieces and, as I listen to the free Suk piece now, I hear nothing but strings on it, as well.

The piece is a 6 minute, 54 second one. It is formatted in MP3. On this dedicated Your Classical webpage for the free piece, you may download the free piece by clicking on "Direct MP3 download link." A stream bar is located on the same webpage should you wish just to listen to it, or "try before you 'buy'."

Despite the obscurity of the composer, the album, and the quartet, to me, I thought that the free piece sounded good. There were no screeching violins (violins, yes, screeching, no) on the piece, and the volume was generally low. It's the kind of string performance that I can enjoy.

[tubemonkey]

Amazon Smile -- 5% Donation -- Today Only (16 Mar)

Amazon Thanks Customers for #1 Ranking in American Customer Satisfaction Index

ACSI surveyed over 10,000 customers to measure perceptions of quality and value across retailers nationwide

To thank customers, Amazon will donate 5% (10 times the usual donation rate) of the purchase price of eligible products when customers shop at AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com) today only

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar. 16, 2017-- (NASDAQ: AMZN)—Customers have ranked Amazon #1 in the recently released American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) with a score of 86. ACSI surveyed over 10,000 customers to measure perceptions of quality and value across retailers nationwide, and this recognition follows movies from Amazon Studios winning three Oscars and Amazon being ranked #1 for corporate reputation in the Harris Poll.

To thank customers, Amazon will donate 5% (10 times the usual donation rate) of the purchase price of eligible products to the customer’s charity of choice when they shop today at AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com). AmazonSmile is a way to shop that offers the same shopping experience as Amazon.com, but every eligible purchase customers make at smile.amazon.com helps support a charity of their choice. To date, Amazon has donated over $46 million.

[GtrsRGr8]

With today being Friday, today's free YourClassical download will be the last one until Monday.

Today's free piece comes from composer Gabriel Faure. It is his Cello Sonata No. 1: Finale. It is performed by Maria Kliegel (cello) and Nina Tichman (piano). This rendition is 5 minutes, 43 seconds long.

The album from which this free piece comes is one from Naxos Publishing: Faure - Cello Sonatas Nos. 1 and 2 - Apres un reve - Papillon -Sicilienne. Check out their dedicated webpage for the entire album here, if you are interested in more information about the entire album.

As always, I listened to the entirety of the giveaway piece. I must say that I did not care for this one. To begin with, the cello and piano don't seem to me to be instruments which blend well together, or complement each other, in any circumstance. On top of that, this song seems to be one which, even then, does not optimize the potential of each instrument being played with the other. That's about the best that I can verbalize, given my limited knowledge of the vocabulary and other aspects of music.

But, don't let me be the judge for you! Stream the piece at this webpage and have a listen for yourself. You might want to download it. If so, from that very same webpage, you can click on "Direct MP3 download link" and do just that.

Feel free to share your thoughts!

[GtrsRGr8]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Amazon Smile -- 5% Donation -- Today Only (16 Mar)

Amazon Thanks Customers for #1 Ranking in American Customer Satisfaction Index

I'm thinking of starting a non-charitable organization called the GtrsRGr8 Fan Club. Do you think that I would qualify for Smile funds? 

[GtrsRGr8]

Here is eMusic's download du jour. I think that it has hit potential, or maybe one of the group's other songs does:

Song: Moment 2 Moment
Artist: Mozart's Sister
Album: Field of Love
Label: Arbutus Records / SC Distribution
Genre: Electronic

Just think: one of these days you could brag to your friends that you heard this or that group and liked their music before they made it big.

I think that most everyone knows this, but the offer ends around midnight Eastern time U.S. (but a functioning new one doesn't begin for several hours after that).

http://www.emusic.com/dailydownloads/toolbar/main.html.

[GtrsRGr8]

I know that music publishing executives, the executives at eMusic, and the editors of all of the music magazines have all been awaiting my opinion on today's free download from eMusic.

Well, it passes. I love, love, love the electric guitar, though; this piece has it, and it sounds great. I don't know if I would have passed this freebie or not if it weren't for the electric guitar on it.

There is at least some explicit language on the song, but there probably is on just about any song written by teenagers and 20-somethings nowadays. I just rarely hear it because it is harder to understand sung lyrics than ordinary verbal communication. I am not inclined to look up the lyrics to every song that has lyrics, to see how much or little vulgarity is on them. Anyway, songs with lyrics amount to a very small percentage of the total amount of music that I post.

Song: Noon
Artist: Slot
Album: The Sweet Black Bear
Label: Small Stone Records
Genre: Alternative/Punk

http://www.emusic.com/dailydownloads/toolbar/main.html.

[GtrsRGr8]

I just knew that today's free eMusic piece sounded familiar. I checked the file name in my downloads folder and noticed that, sure enough, it was a second copy on my hard drive. I am almost certain that the reason that the preceding are true is that eMusic had featured it as one of their free downloads in the past (and the not too distant past at that).

Well, I don't remember them making any promises not to do something like that, so I can't be too annoyed. Besides, I think that this is an awesome song. It sounds like something from the early to mid 00's, though. In fact, the singer sounds a lot like the frontman for the band Nickelback IMHO. The electric guitar in the free piece is awesome. Simply awesome.

Someone who would like this song might have missed it the first free go around.I'm happy to post it again.

Song: Mystic Lover
Artist: Brain Police
Album: Beyond The Wasteland
Label: Small Stone Records
Genre: Rock/Pop
Styles: Rock

There are a couple of up-and-comer bands that I keep track of. I'm adding Brain Police to those. In fact, as soon as I get through with this post, I'm going to head over to my free Spotify account and see what else of theirs that I might like.

http://www.emusic.com/dailydownloads/toolbar/main.html

[GtrsRGr8]

Where I live, springtime comes earlier than most other places in the U.S. I noticed today, for the first time this year, that my River Birch tree in the front yard is starting to show some leaves already!

With the approach of spring here in the northern hemisphere, YourClassical's free track to start off the week (M-F) is certainly appropriate. It is Vivaldi's beautiful The 4 Seasons: Spring: I. Allegro.

This particular rendition is performed by Capella Istropolitana, and also Takako Nishizaki on the violin. Stephen Gunzenhauser is the conductor. It comes come a compilation of what Naxos must think are Vivaldi's best pieces, as the title of the album is called The Very Best of Vivaldi. I call it an "album," but purists, sticklers, or picky people may wish to know that it's actually a 2-CD set. YourClassical has provided a dedicated Naxos webpage for the entire album/2-CD set, here.

There are two things that I would like to bring to your attention on YourClassical's dedicated webpage for the free piece. First, there is a stream bar located just beneath the top thumbnail image of the album cover so that you can stream the 3 minute, 34 second piece, if you would like to.Second, you may download the piece by clicking on the link that says, "Direct MP3 download link."

[tubemonkey]

Last Day -- Alexa Voice Shopping -- exp 20 Mar

FREE -- $5 Amz Promo Code -- when you reorder w/ Alexa --> details

[GtrsRGr8]

YourClassical must be offering their free daily songs this week along the theme of "spring." Yesterday's was about spring, and today's is On Hearing the First Cuckoo In Spring.

The piece was created by a composer whose name that I don't think that I had heard heretofore--Frederick Delius. We don't have cuckoos here in the U.S. that I know of (well, not the bird kind, anyway. ha!), so I suppose that Delius is a European.

This particular rendition of his work is performed by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (I've heard of them before! ha), with David Lloyd-Jones conducting.

This free piece has been excerpted from a Naxos album entitled Delius - On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring. Would you like to know more about the entire album? Well, YourClassical has kindly provided a dedicated webpage from Naxos for the album, containing gobs of information, and placed it at this URL.

YourClassical has provided a dedicated webpage for the free piece, also, here. Among other things, you can stream the song, or download it (as an MP3) from that webpage. Download it by clicking on "Direct MP3 download link."

While writing up this post, I got to listen to the entirety of this 5 minute, 53 second Delius piece. I like his composition. It is not flashy in the least (I like that), and was, as I like to say of songs like this one, "is becalming."

[tubemonkey]

Prime Now w/ Alexa -- exp 30 Apr

FREE -- $5 Promo Code -- while supplies last --> Prime members only

Order from Prime Now with Alexa and receive a $5 promo code via email in about 7 days to use on a future Prime Now purchase.

Offer ends April 30. Restrictions apply.

See Press Release about this new service


Instructions:

1. Place an order from Prime Now with Alexa voice shopping. Make sure to say “from Prime Now” to get FREE 2-hour delivery and to qualify for the $5 promo code.
2. Receive an email with your $5 Prime Now promo code from Amazon.com in about seven (7) days after your order.
3. Apply your Prime Now promo code at checkout on a future Prime Now order at www.primenow.com or in the Prime Now app.

Amazon Prime members who complete a Prime Now order via Alexa Voice Shopping on an on an Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, Amazon Tap, Amazon Fire TV, or Fire Tablet device between March 21, 2017 and April 30, 2017, will get $5 off a future order from Prime Now, while supplies last.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Spoiler:

What can I buy with Alexa on Prime Now?
You can buy tens of thousands of daily essential products. Prime Now customers in Seattle, Columbus, and Cincinnati can also order alcohol, including wine and beer.

How does it work?
You can simply say, “Alexa, order [product] from Prime Now.” Alexa will return the best results from your order history or the best result from a search of the Prime Now catalog. Once you confirm the item, Alexa will ask if you want to buy more items. If you cannot think of more items to buy, and your total is below the Prime Now minimum order value, then Alexa will provide recommendations for products to buy so you meet the minimum order value. You can confirm the recommendations or ask to buy different items.

Do I have to specifically say, “from Prime Now?”
If you would like to shop with Alexa and get your order within the next 2-hour delivery window via Prime Now, then you must specify "from Prime Now."

How does Alexa make recommendations?
Alexa will provide recommendations using the same personalized recommendation systems that power the Prime Now app and website; you will see recommendations based on what other customers frequently buy together, and based on your own order history. Alexa will also provide recommendations that have wide appeal at various price points, depending on how far from the minimum order you are.

What if I ask for an item that is not available from Prime Now? Will Alexa automatically ship from Amazon?
You can either shop from Prime Now or Amazon in a single shopping session; Alexa will not switch between the two. If you requested ordering from Prime Now, Alexa will only shop from Prime Now for the rest of the multi-item shopping session. You will have to initiate a new shopping session to order from Amazon.com.

If I added items to my Prime Now cart using the Prime Now app or website, can Alexa include those items with my voice order?
No, currently Alexa does not support storing or retrieving items from a Prime Now cart started on the app or website while ordering with voice.

Can I cancel my order using their voice?
Yes, you can simply say “Alexa, cancel my order” within eight seconds of placing the order. After eight seconds, you can visit the Prime Now app to cancel an order. In the Prime Now app, go to Your Account, select Your Orders, and select the order you wish to cancel. If it can be canceled, you'll see a Cancel Delivery button. If it can't be canceled through the app or website, you can contact Customer Service to attempt to cancel the order.

Can Alexa track my Prime Now order?
No. You will need to visit the Prime Now app or website to track your order.

How does Alexa choose the delivery window?
Alexa will select the next available free 2-hour delivery window.

Can I get one hour delivery for an extra charge similar to what Prime Now offers on Alexa?
Currently only 2-hour delivery is available from the next 2-hour deliver window.

Is alcohol delivery supported?
Beer, wine, and spirits are currently available to order with Alexa on Prime Now in Seattle, Columbus, and Cincinnati.

Can I add a tip?
You can add a tip for your courier in the Prime Now app or on the website.

What do I need to do to shop with Alexa?
To shop with your Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, Amazon Tap, Amazon Fire TV, or compatible Fire Tablet device, you must be a Prime member with 1-Click ordering enabled.

Terms & Conditions

Spoiler:

Alexa Voice Shopping $5 Prime Now Promo Code Offer

Offer expires earlier of 11:59 p.m. (PT) April 30, 2017, or while supplies last.
Offer is available to Prime members who complete a Prime Now order via Alexa Voice Shopping on an Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, Amazon Tap, Amazon Fire TV, or compatible Fire tablet device between March 21, 2017 and April 30, 2017.
Offer is subject to the Prime Now minimum order amount in your delivery area.
If your purchase qualifies for the offer, about seven (7) days after purchase you will receive a $5 Prime Now promotional code in an email from Amazon to the account associated with the qualifying purchase. The email will also provide instructions on how to redeem the promotional code.
Offer does not apply if your Prime Now Alexa Voice Shopping qualifying order is canceled or refunded.
Limit one $5 Prime Now promotional code per customer, account, and device.
Prime Now promotional code expires at 11:59 p.m. (PT) December 31, 2017.
Prime Now promotional code only applies to products shipped from and sold by the Amazon store on Prime Now. Products sold by third party sellers that are available via Prime Now will not qualify for this promotion.
Prime Now promotional code does not apply to digital content, alcohol, or to orders placed through Amazon.com, voice shopping using Alexa, or any Amazon mobile application other than Prime Now.
Offer is non-transferable and may not be resold.
Taxes, tips, and delivery fees, do not apply when determining Prime Now minimum order amount.
Delivery fees and taxes may apply to discounted and free promotional items.
If you violate any of these terms and conditions, the promotion will be invalid.
Void where prohibited.
Amazon reserves the right to modify or cancel the promotion at any time.
The maximum benefit you may receive from this offer is $5.
Offer discount will be allocated proportionally among all promotional items in your order.
If any of the products or content related to this offer are returned, your refund will equal the amount you paid for the product or content, subject to applicable refund policies.
Prime Now promotional code may not be redeemed for Amazon Gift Cards.

.

[GtrsRGr8]

YourClassical obviously continues on the theme of "spring" with its giveaways this week.

Today, we are being offered, free, the long (13 minute, 49 second) piece by Russian composer Alexander Glazunov called simply, Spring.

This piece is taken from a Naxos album Orchestral Works - 6 Glazunov. This free piece from the album, as well as the rest of them, are performed by the Moscow Symphony Orchestra, with Igor Golovschin directing. There is more information about the album at this dedicated Naxos webpage for it located here.

I was not familiar with Alexander Glazunov nor his music. I found this piece to be generally soft and mellow, broken only by a few mild (in volume) crescendos. I could listen to it all day. I look forward to exploring more of Glazunov's works in the future.

To simply listen to the piece, point your browser to this webpage, which is YourClassical's dedicated webpage for the free piece. There is a stream bar located just beneath the top image of the album cover. To download the free piece, click on "Direct MP3 download link," located on the same webpage. The free download is available, until tomorrow's comes online between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time.

[GtrsRGr8]

Alexander Street's free downloads come out once every two weeks. The newest biweekly one is now available.

You must be registered with Alexander Street in order to get the free download. If you are not, you might want to go ahead and take care of that, if not for today's freebie, then for access to future freebies from them. Alexander Street's downloads are mainly intended for libraries and some other institutions, so the process to sign up is a little complicated (they do not forbid individuals from downloading their freebies, however). Unfortunately, I am not able to help you with this process, because the sign up webpage is no longer available to me since the time, a couple of months ago, that I accidentally wiped out the access information (I get access from an email message that they send me). Sorry, you're on your own, or will need the help from a kind MobileReader, if you run into trouble. Here is a link to Alexander Street's homepage, anyway.

Anyway, this bi-week's freebie is by composer Giuseppe Verdi. I'm going to be lazy, and just quote a blurb from Alexander Street about it:
The stunning aria "Addio, del passato bei sogni ridenti" (Farewell, lovely, happy dreams of the past), is from Act III of Giuseppe Verdi's opera La Traviata. Nearing death, Violetta bids farewell to the beauty in her life, and laments her lonely end as she fears she will die before her love, Alfredo, comes to see her.

This recording is performed by soprano Anna Tomowa-Sintow and the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Rouslan Raychev.

On an Alexander Street webpage somewhere, if you are a registered user, you will see an image (painting) of Giuseppe Verdi (you might be able to directly access the webpage by pointing your web browser here). To download the free piece (usually there are several of them, but this time just one), click on the bright blue "Download" button. That will take you a webpage with a link to the free piece. It is in light blue, within a light aqua blue box located near the top righthand corner of the webpage. Click on the link to download the piece. Alternatively, you might try directly entering this URL: http://openmusiclibrary.org/person/2...H_21_2017#hero.

I intensely dislike arias and operas (if they are different from arias, I don't know), so I won't give my opinion of this piece.

[GtrsRGr8]

Thursday's free YourClassical piece is a 6 minute, 58 second Johann Strauss II piece, called Voices of Spring.

This rendition comes from a Capriccio compilation album or, to be more specific, 2-disc set: Fruhling in Wien (Spring in Vienna). There is a bevy of additional information about this album/2-disc set, provided by Naxos, at this webpage.

Here are credits for our free piece. The piece is performed by Vienna Johann Strauss Orchestra (you can know that a composer is a really good or famous one if there is an orchestra devoted to his/her works!). Joseph Francek is the conductor.

YourClassical provides, as always, its own webpage dedicated to the free piece. You can find it at this URL. Two of the important things that you can do from this webpage are to stream the piece, via a stream bar on the webpage, and/or to download the free MP3 (click on "Direct MP3 download link).

I may post an addendum, later today, giving a short (as typical of me) review of the free piece.