Music Box is the latest release from Pop Star Mariah Carey, and I can only think of one word to describe this CD… AWESOME!

I wish it weren’t the case but, it’s not everyday that I get a CD from an artist that I can just pop in and comfortably listen to from beginning to end. There is usually a song or two that I just can’t force myself to get through. Not at all the case with Music Box. Every track is enjoyable and was pretty easy for me to listen to from start to finish.

These days it’s a very rare CD on which every single song is good or better than the one before it. This CD is certainly one of those rare CDs.

Listen and I think you’ll agree that the song choices are excellent, the production is outstanding and Mariah Carey is clearly in top form.

While this entire CD is outstanding some of my favorites are track 3 – Anytime You Need A Friend, track 8 – Just To Hold You Once Again, and track 10 – All I’ve Ever Wanted

My Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 1 – Dreamlover. Good stuff!

Music Box Release Notes:

Mariah Carey originally released Music Box on August 31, 1993 on the Columbia label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Dreamlover

2. Hero

3. Anytime You Need A Friend

4. Music Box

5. Now That I Know

6. Never Forget You

7. Without You

8. Just To Hold You Once Again

9. I’ve Been Thinking About You

10. All I’ve Ever Wanted

Personnel: Mariah Carey (vocals); Michael Landau (guitar); Walter Afanasieff (Hammond B-3 organ, keyboards, synthesizers, programming); Dave Hall (keyboards, synthesizers, programming); Babyface (keyboards, drums); David Cole (keyboards); Kayo (bass), Robert Clivilles (drums); Ren Klyce, Gary Cirimelli, Ricky Crespo, Shawn Lucas, James T. Alfano (programming); Mark C. Rooney, Cindy Mizelle, Melonie Daniels, Kelly Price, Shanrae Price (background vocals).

Producers include: Walter Afanasieff, C&C Music Factory, Dave Hall, Babyface, Daryl Simmons.

Engineers: Dana Jon Chappelle, David Gleeson, Manny LaCarrubba.

An endearing childhood memory for many women is the music jewelry box they had as a little girl. Their music jewelry box was a place that not only stored their most prized possessions; it played for them a song that they may still recognize so many years later. Jewelry boxes have always come in all shapes and sizes and played different songs, and they are as popular today as they ever were. Whether you are looking to recapture the magic of years gone by, or pass on the gift of a jewelry box to a young girl in your life, the ageless appeal of the music jewelry box still holds true today.

A music jewelry box can come in a wide range of sizes. Some are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Others may be the size of a shoebox that fits neatly on your dresser or nightstand. And still others are like pieces of furniture that stand on their own and have compartments to hold your rings, necklaces, and everything in between.

Large music jewelry boxes are usually constructed primarily out of wood, although they may be inlaid with glass, metal, or other embellishments that serve to decorate the box. The wood may have a natural finish – where the wood grain is visible – or it may be painted with a glossy, colored finish instead. Smaller boxes can also be made of wood, but it is not uncommon for them to be constructed of metal or even glass as well. But what is on the outside of a music jewelry box is only half of the equation; the real magic lies inside.

The inside of a music jewelry box is the place where all the treasures are stored. Tiny drawers, compartments, and hiding places are there to provide a home for all your treasures. But more important, it is where the music lies. Nearly every style of music jewelry box begins to play its song when you open the box. The simple, yet charming sound of a music jewelry box is one that will create lasting memories, or take you back to a simpler time.

If you have an interest in jewelry boxes there are many avenues for you to explore. There are retail stores that specialize in new music jewelry boxes, but you can also find them in antique stores or online. There are even music jewelry boxes that are considered works of art that cost thousands of dollars. No matter what avenue you choose, a music jewelry box can provide enjoyment now and for years to come.

There are many vintage and antique music boxes and music collectibles that the music box and antique collector can seek. These include wooden jewelry boxes, inlaid music boxes, wooden keepsake boxes, and disc music boxes. The top three disc music boxes are the symphonion, polyphon, and Regina music box.

Symphonion

Symphonion music boxes were made in Germany beginning in 1886. Paul Lochmann, founder of Kuhro-Lochmann was the first manufacturer of disc music boxes. They symphonion was produced in many sizes, types, and styles. Some of the more popular items in the 1890′s were disc-playing clocks, the three-disc Erocia the “Rocco” which was contained in an attractive wooden case, and the “Gambrinus” which was a coin-operated machine made in the shape of a barrel.

Since many collectors consider the tone of symphonion music boxes superior to the polyphon music boxes, finding a music box such as this would be a real treat for the music box and antique collector.

Polyphon

Established by Gustave Brachhausen in 1897, the Polyphon Company created a line of strong interchangeable music boxes and musical objects such as coin operated clocks fitted with disc movements and the polyphon-concerto. The polyphon-concerto was as a disc orchestra, which played a piano, bass drum, snare drum, and glockenspiel. In later years, the company also made a very rare “folding-top” table box as well as the casket model, which included paper rolls. Discovering the rare “folding-top” table box would be a tremendous find for the music box and antique collector as well as a great asset for any collection.

Regina

Many music box and antique collectors view the Regina disc music box as having the best sound.

The company was established in 1892 when Polyphon founder Gustave Brachhausen, went to the U.S. to found the Regina Music Box Company in New Jersey. Some interesting music boxes and musical items made by Regina before its demise in 1922 included a hand-operated vacuum cleaner, and the disc orchestrions that played piano, tublar bells, drums, and triangle. In addition, the company came out with the Reginaphone, which had a turntable, and horn that could be removed as well as a phonograph arm that could be turned to one it. This enabled it to be used as a normal music box.

For the music box and antique collector interested in collecting antique and vintage music boxes, the symphonion, polyphon, and Regina music boxes would make great additions to any collection. Why not add them to your current collection of inlaid music boxes, musical jewelry boxes, wooden jewelry boxes, and wooden keepsake boxes today?

Copyright 2006 Monique Hawkins