| 1. Scamper Dread |
| 2. Leave This Town |
| 3. New Way |
| 4. Doomsday |
| 5. Pay The Price |
| 6. Check Me Out |
| 7. Why |
| 8. Isn't This Love |
| 9. I Miss De Morning Star |
| 10. True Love |
| 11. Journey |
| 12. New Way - Part2 |
Editorial Reviews
Maccow's voice exhibits the influence of Bob Marley, coating each Reggae and rock 'n'roll track with warm island melodies. Female backing harmonies add a pleasant touch.
(Reviewed by Jesse T.)
New Way,Jahmings Maccow & E-Rif
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A Chorus Line - The New Broadway Cast Recording (2006 Broadway Revival Cast)
Marvin Hamlisch , Edward Kleban , Charlotte d'Amboise , and Michael Berresse Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000HEZF8Q Release Date: 2006-10-10 |
Tracks:
- Opening: I Hope I Get It
- I Can Do That
- At The Ballet
- Sing!
- Montage, Part 1: Hello Twelve, Hello Thirteen, Hello Love
- Montage, Part 2: Nothing
- Montage, Part 3: Mother
- Montage, Part 4: Gimme The Ball
- Dance: Ten; Looks: Three
- The Music And The Mirror
- One
- What I Did For Love
- One (reprise) / Finale
Amazon.com
In the fall of 2006, A Chorus Line came back on Broadway 16 years after its original run closed, and it felt as if it had never left. The new production, put together by alums from the first one, is a carbon copy of Michael Bennett's groundbreaking staging, and the cast recording follows suit. The good news is that Marvin Hamlisch's energetic, pop-inflected score sounds as great as ever; the bad news: well, you might quibble with the staging but when it comes to the CD, there isn't really any bad news. This time around, the songs are performed in the order in which they are performed live, and the recording includes more of the incidental music and the dialogue. Among the highlights are Natalie Cortez's fabulous "Nothing" (check out the Bacharachian trumpet-and-piano arrangements, which aren't all that surprising since co-orchestrator Jonathan Tunick had worked on Bacharach's sole musical, Promises, Promises) and Jessica Lee Goldyn's uproarious "Dance: Ten; Looks: Three." And then there's "One," which remains one of the most memorable songs in the musical-theater catalogue-lucky for us, we get it twice since it's reprised at the end. --Elisabeth VincentelliCustomer Reviews:
This Show is AMAZING.......2007-07-11
If you appreciate fine vocals, love A Chorus Line or love the sounds of the 1970's, this cd is perfect for you. I highly recommend that you buy this cd!!!
Spot the difference.......2007-06-24
And yet... this is A Chorus Line, and we love it. Having just seen the show for the first time live (on Broadway, with this cast) I now undertand that the show really is as wildly inconsistent and totally odd as the movie suggests. But the cast give it their all and act like they at least pretend they know what's happening.
I've marked this down one star for Charlotte d'Amboise's rendition of The Music and the Mirror. Boy this lady can dance. In heels! But I can't admire her for the way she sings "Gimme a chaaaaance to come thruuuuuuu". It was even worse on stage, so we are spared at least some of the horror.
Other than that there are very few differences compared with the slightly better 75 OBC recording, just the muffled sound is removed.
Interesting both for novices and for those buying it just to compare to the original.
It's "A Chorus Line".......2007-06-05
"Dance 10, Voice 2".......2007-03-05
While there are a few cast members with exceptional voices, a few of them (including one in particular - you'll know who when you listen to the recording) fall a bit short of today's standards in the vocal department.
They should have added a song in this version called "Dance 10, Voice 2"...and not for Val!
I was disappointed when I saw the revival on Broadway (again, a few standouts like the actors who play Bebe, Don, Al, Val), but figured that they'd "correct" the vocal mistakes I heard while seeing it live on the recording (where they could do multiple takes). Alas, it's not any better on the recording.
The new orchestrations are nice and it's great that more of the amazing score was included, but this recording falls short. I'm sticking to the original.
Ineffective Revival.......2007-03-03
While there is a little more music on this cast album, stick to the OBC to get what it was all about.
I thought to the novice who'd never seen ACL, that this production would seem wonderful, but I have a sister and her husband who recently saw this (and had never seen any production before) and they found it rather dull and ineffective. The original simply overwhelmed with it's brilliance...not here. BTW avoid the dismal mess of a movie at all costs.
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Thoroughly Modern Millie (2002 Original Broadway Cast)
Jeanine Tesori , Dick Scanlan , and Sutton Foster Manufacturer: RCA Victor Broadway ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000066B4Y Release Date: 2002-06-11 |
Tracks:
- Overture (Orchestra)
- Not for the Life of Me (Sutton Foster)
- Thoroughly Modern Millie (Sutton Foster and Ensemble)
- Not for the Life of Me (Sutton Foster, JoAnn M. Hunter, Alisa Klein, Jessica Grove, Megan Sikora, Catherine Brunell and Kate Baldwin)
- How the Other Half Lives (Angela Christian and Sutton Foster)
- Not for the Life of Me (reprise) (Ken Leung and Francis Jue)
- The Speed Test (Marc Kudisch, Sutton Foster, Anne L. Nathan and Ensemble)
- They Don't Know (Harriet Harris)
- The Nuttycracker Suite (Orchestra)
- What Do I Need with Love? (Gavin Creel)
- Only in New York (Sheryl Lee Ralph)
- Jimmy (Sutton Foster)
- Back at Work (Orchestra with Sutton Foster, Anne L. Nathan and Ensemble)
- Forget About the Boy (Sutton Foster, Anne L. Nathan and Ensemble)
- Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life/I'm Falling in Love with Someone (Marc Kudisch and Angela Christian)
- I Turned the Corner/I'm Falling in Love with Someone (quartet/reprise) (Gavin Creel and Sutton Foster, Marc Kudisch and Angela Christian)
- Muqin (Harriet Harris, Francis Jue and Ken Leung)
- Long as I'm Here with You (Sheryl Lee Ralph and Male Ensemble)
- Gimme Gimme (Sutton Foster)
- Finale (Thoroughly Modern Millie) (Gavin Creel, Angela Christian and Ensemble with Sheryl Lee Ralph and Sutton Foster)
- Final Bows (Entire Company)
Amazon.com
Although it's based on the 1967 movie of the same name, Thoroughly Modern Millie is almost thoroughly new. Composer Jeanine Tesori (Violet) and lyricist Dick Scanlan wrote a whole batch of songs, while retaining a couple from the movie--including the Jimmy van Heusen-Sammy Cahn title tune--and recycling even older material (look for Victor Herbert's "I'm Falling in Love with Someone" and the inventively arranged "Nuttycracker Suite"). Miraculously, the show, set during the jazz age, doesn't feel stitched together, and Tesori does a great job cranking out swinging melodies. Sutton Foster is appropriately brassy as Millie, but she can also tone it down, as in the beginning of "Gimme Gimme" (of course, she then proceeds to project up to the last rafters as the song builds to its climax). Harriet Harris, as nasty Mrs. Meers, steals the show with "They Don't Know." Close your eyes, listen to her, and you'll be back in Broadway's golden age. --Elisabeth VincentelliCustomer Reviews:
Excellent Musical, But Product Quality - Eh.......2007-07-15
My problem was not with the quality of the cd, but with the plastic case. The cd cases always come cracked. Although it doesn't affect the quality of the cd itself, it's rather disheartening that Amazon charges customers for its poor shipping.
MODERNIZE your music collection!!!.......2007-07-13
A must to add to your collection.......2007-05-18
Delightful.......2006-06-12
YOU WILL LOVE IT.......2006-02-17
Have Fun!
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A Day to Remember - Instrumental Music for Your Wedding Day
O'Neill Brothers Manufacturer: O'Neill Brothers ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000066RG3 Release Date: 2002-04-25 |
Tracks:
- Falling in Love - Tim and Ryan O'Neill
- Wachet Auf - J.S. Bach
- Air on a G String - J.S. Bach
- Air (from Water Music) - Handel
- Reminiscent Joy - Tim and Ryan O'Neill
- Canon in D - Pachelbel
- Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring - J.S. Bach
- The Wedding Song (There is Love) - Stookey
- Ave Maria - Schubert
- I Will Be Here - Steven Curtis Chapman
- The Gift of Love (Water is Wide melody)
- Spring (from The Four Seasons) - Vivaldi
- Ode to Joy - Beethoven
- From This Moment On - Shania Twain
- The Way You Look Tonight - Kern
- Forever in Love - Kenny G
Album Description
After performing at more than 200 weddings, Tim and Ryan O'Neill recorded this beautiful CD of favorite wedding songs. It features a full hour of instrumental piano, string quartet, flute, and guitar music that can be played at your ceremony or reception.It also gives suggestions for music at your wedding, including a special bridal website!
*Over 1,000 song titles listed
*Listen to samples of songs
*More ideas for each part of your ceremony, reception, and dance
Customer Reviews:
A Beautiful Wedding.......2007-07-10
Wonderful!.......2007-03-23
Good CD for Wedding.......2007-03-21
A Day To Remember--Instrumental Music for Your Wedding Day, O'Neill Brothers.......2007-02-07
great choice!.......2007-01-10
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Fats Domino Jukebox: 20 Greatest Hits the Way You Originally Heard Them
Fats Domino Manufacturer: Capitol ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00005YW4I Release Date: 2002-03-12 |
Tracks:
- The Fat Man
- Goin' Home
- Going To The River
- Ain't That A Shame
- All By Myself
- Poor Me
- I'm In Love Again
- Blueberry Hill
- Blue Monday
- I'm Walkin'
- It's You I Love
- Valley Of Tears
- Whole Lotta Loving
- I Want To Walk You Home
- I'm Gonna Be A Wheel Someday
- Be My Guest
- Walking To New Orleans
- My Girl Josephine
- Let The Four Winds Blow
- Jambalaya (On The Bayou)
Customer Reviews:
Just As Advertised.......2007-06-08
Fats Domino Jukebox.......2007-05-19
I'm happy, thanks!.......2007-03-09
Fats Domino Jukebox: 20 Greatest Hits the Way You Originally Heard Them.......2007-01-11
Fats Domino CD, 20 year review.......2006-11-10
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Peter Pan: Original Broadway Cast Recording (1954 New York Cast)
Moose Charlap , and Jule Styne Manufacturer: RCA Victor Broadway ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000002W5G Release Date: 1990-10-25 |
Tracks:
- Overture
- Prologue
- Tender Shepherd
- I've Gotta Crow
- Never Never Land
- I'm Flying
- Pirate Song
- Hook's Tango
- Indians
- Wendy
- Tarantella
- I Won't Grow Up
- Oh, My Systerious Lady
- Ugg-A-Wugg
- Distant Melody
- Captain Hook's Waltz
- Finale: I've Gotta Crow/Tender Shepherd/I Won't Grow Up/Never Never Land (Reprises)
Customer Reviews:
Wonderful Recording of a True Original.......2007-07-02
Great for those of us who grew up plus Broadway music lovers.......2007-03-13
Perfection!.......2007-03-12
It may be miles beyond the moon
Or right there where you stand
Just keep an open mind
And then suddenly you'll find
Never never land
The Jule Styne / Betty Comden and Adolph Green music is glorious and should be perfomed more often. What a showcase this music would be for young singers.
Peter Pan: Original Broadway Cast Recording (1954 Newa York Cast).......2007-03-08
Peter pan: Original Broadway Cast Recording.......2006-08-08
If you know where to get it please email me at tmcmillen@lecenter.com
Thanks
Terri
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Anything Goes - The New Broadway Cast Recording
Cole Porter , Howard McGillin , and Patti LuPone Manufacturer: RCA Victor Broadway ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000002WBK Release Date: 1990-10-25 |
Tracks:
- Prelude
- I Get A Kick Out Of You
- There's No Cure Like Travel; Bon Voyage
- You're The Top
- Easy To Love
- I Want To Row On The Crew; Sailors' Chantey
- Friendship
- It's De-Lovely
- Anything Goes
- Entr'acte
- Public Enemy Number One
- Blow, Gabriel, Blow
- Goodbye, Little Dream, Goodbye
- Be Like The Bluebird
- All Through The Night
- The Gypsy In Me
- Buddie, Beware
- I Get A Kick Out Of You / Anything Goes (Reprises)
Amazon.com
One of the leaders in the trend of big splashy revivals in the late 1980s and early '90s, Lincoln Center's 1987 production of Anything Goes was the perfect evocation of the 1930s, from the period pit band to James McMullan's striking poster art to the large photograph of Cole Porter that smiled over the stage like an approving spirit. While the score earns its share of authenticity by resurrecting numerous songs from the original score, it also tosses in a few ringers such as "Friendship" and "It's De-Lovely." (Porter himself did not mind when people staging his shows borrowed songs from his other shows.) Then-rising star Howard McGillin sings sweet ballads and the ensemble numbers are excellent, but the show belongs to Patti LuPone, who in the role of Reno Sweeney grabs the baton from Ethel Merman and never lets go. Her "I Get a Kick Out of You" is one of the great performances of her generation, and the title tune and "Blow, Gabriel, Blow" make almost every other song sound like filler. LuPone was upset in the Tony race by Joanna Gleason, but the show did win for Best Revival. The booklet includes full lyrics, synopsis, production notes, and photos. --David HoriuchiCustomer Reviews:
This Sound Track is Ship-Shape.......2006-07-26
OTOH, I *bought* the CD because it features all the songs for Anything Goes, which I've been cast in. So for several days it was ALL I listened to. [We're also learning our tap routines to this sound track.] I haven't run screaming from the car yet.
Solid, entertaining, recording -- recommended without caveat.
Not Anything But One of the Best .......2006-06-28
A REAL CLASSIC!.......2006-06-16
revival is quick and snappy.......2006-03-22
Some bits are great, but others are mediocre.......2006-01-27
Buy this if you want to, because it's still a great CD, but don't expect too much from anyone but Patti Lu Pone. Is there anything she can't do?
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Songs for a New World (1996 Original New York Cast)
Jason Robert Brown , Andrea Burns , and Jessica Molaskey Manufacturer: RCA Victor Broadway ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000003G5U Release Date: 1997-03-11 |
Tracks:
- Opening: The New World - WPA Theatre
- On The Deck Of A Spanish Sailing Ship, 1492 - Ty Talor/WPA Theatre
- Just One Step - Jessica Molaskey/WPA Theatre
- I'm Not Afraid Of Anything - Andrea Burns
- The River Won't Flow - WPA Theatre
- Stars And The Moon - Jessica Molaskey
- She Cries - Brooks Ashmanskas
- The Steam Train - Ty Taylor/WPA Theatre
- The World Was Dancing - Brooks Asmanskas/WPA Theatre
- Surabaya-Santa - Jessica Molaskey
- Christmas Lullaby - Andrea Burns
- King Of The World - Ty Taylor
- I'd Give It All For You - Brooks Ashmanskas/Andrea Burns
- The Flagmaker, 1775 - Jessica Molaskey
- Flying Home - Ty Taylor/WPA Theatre
- Hear My Song - WPA Theatre
Amazon.com
Jason Robert Brown, one of musical theater's brightest young composers, made his first New York splash in 1995 with Songs for a New World at the WPA Theatre. It's a revue of 16 of his cabaret and theater songs, directed by Daisy Prince (Hal's daughter) and realized by a crack cast of Andrea Burns, Jessica Molaskey, Brooks Ashmanskas, and Ty Taylor (who sang the role on this recording only because cast member Billy Porter had a contractual conflict), with Brown himself leading a small combo from the piano. Soaring melodies and irresistible rhythms mark a wide range of songs that encompass jazz ("Just One Step"), gospel ("The River Won't Flow"), funk ("Steam Train"), and Kurt Weill ("Surabaya Santa," sort of Mrs. Claus's lament as it would be sung by Lotte Lenya). Most memorable are two songs of lost love: the Ashmanskas-Burns duet "I'd Give It All for You," which perfectly captures romantic yearning, and Molaskey's wry yet poignant "Stars and the Moon," which has become something of a jazzy standard, recorded by such luminaries as Audra McDonald and Betty Buckley. Brown went on to win the 1999 Best Score Tony for his powerful Parade, then reunited with Prince on The Last 5 Years. --David HoriuchiCustomer Reviews:
Songs for A New World - A truely magnificant musical that soars!.......2007-05-13
Songs For A New World first showed off-Broadway in 1995. Jason Robert Brown delivered what is now one of muscial theaters hidden treasurs.
Any true musical theater fan who is tired of the new lack luster shows or revival after revival clustering their shelfs will find this cd a new favorite.
Ironically, all these songs have been selected from differnt shows written by Jason Robert Brown, yet have a noticeable connection. Even Jason Robert Brown wrote, "No one tried to weave these songs together. Yet when the show was completed we couldn't help but notice how many of these characters and songs could be portrayed as the same individual."
For myself, each and every song can be a personel favorite. But of coarse certain numbers clearly rise above the rest.
The New World- Truely one of my favorite songs of all times, from the lyrics, the vocals and the message.
Just One Step - A hilarious and briliant song. You will be humming this hugely catching the first moment you hear it.
Stars and the Moon - A haunting and truely significant song. Any theater fan will appriciate this song for its soluful lyrics and heart warming message.
King of the World - Quite simply, one of the most brilliant vocal performances you will ever hear.
Each actor gives each and every song meaning and heart. And when all four are put together (The New World, The River Won't Flow, Hear My Song) produce awesome results.
This is a MUST HAVE for muscial theater fans who miss shows you can actually listen through entirely! I highly recommend this to be added to your collection!
JRB shines!.......2007-01-04
Fantastic debut for a talented composer.......2006-11-03
for a while now...........2006-10-25
standout pieces include:
King of the World
I'd Give it All for You
The River Won't Flow
But they are all awesome!!
And JRB pieces are actually incredibly difficult to play...so much of the piano part is exceedingly intricate. Listen to King of the World.
Wonderful Work of Art.......2006-08-01
Enjoy!
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Mendelssohn: Elijah
Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0002XV31A Release Date: 2005-02-15 |
Tracks:
- Introduction: As God The Lord Of Israel Liveth
- Overture
- No.1 Help, Lord! Wilt Thou Quite Destroy Us?
- No.2: Lord! Bow Thine Ear To Our Prayer!
- No.3: Ye People, Rend Your Hearts
- No.4: If With All Your Hearts
- No.5: Yet Doth The Lord See It Not
- No.6: Elijah! Get Thee Hence
- No.7: For He Shall Give His Angels Charge Over Thee
- Recitative: Now Cherith's Brook Is Dried Up
- No.8: What Have I Do To Do With Thee?
- No.9: Blessed Are The Men Who Fear Him
- No.10: As God The Lord Of Sabaoth Liveth
- No.11: Baal, We Cry To Thee: Hear And Answer Us!
- No.12: Call Him Louder, For He Is A God!
- No.13: Call Him Louder! He Heareth Not!
- No.14: Lord God Of Abraham, Isaac And Israel!
- No.15: Cast Thy Burden Upon The Lord
- No.16: O Thou, Who Makest Thine Angels Spirits
- No.17: Is Not His Word Like A Fire?
- No.18: Woe Unto Them Who Forsake Him!
- No.19: O Man Of God, Help Thy People!
- No.20: Thanks Be To God!
Tracks:
- No.21: Hear Ye, Israel; Hear What The Lord Speaketh
- No.22: Be Not Afraid, Saith God The Lord
- No.23: The Lord Hath Exalted Thee
- No.24: Woe To Him, He Shall Perish
- No.25: Man Of God, Now Let My Words Be Precious
- No.26: It Is Enough; O Lord Now Take My Life
- No.27: See, Now He Sleepeth
- No.28: Lift Thine Eyes To The Mountains
- No.29: He, Watching Over Israel, Slumbers Not
- No.30: Arise, Elijah, For Thou Hast A Long Journey
- No.31: O Rest In The Lord
- No.32: He That Shall Endure To The End, Shall Be Saved
- No.33: Night Falleth Round Me, O Lord!
- No.34: Behold! God The Lord Passed By!
- No.35: Above Him Stood The Seraphim
- No.36: Go, Return Upon Thy Way
- No.37: For The Mountains Shall Depart
- No.38: Then Did Elijah The Prophet Break Forth
- No.39: Then Shall The Righteous Shine Forth
- No.40: Behold, God Hath Sent Elijah
- No.41: But The Lord, From The North Hath Raised One
- No.41a: O Come Everyone That Thirsteth
- No.42: And Then Shall Your Light Break Forth
Customer Reviews:
Wonderful, but not my first choice.......2007-04-07
Fischer-Dieskau roughens up his voice for the role, and therein lies a problem. The voice spreads and his diction suffers because of it; that and his unidiomatic pronounciation, with far too many rolled "r"s. He does the drama well, but what works well in lieder works here less well on the large scale. Odd, given his success as on opera singer (check out his Iago), that here he frequently comes off blustery.
Dame Gwyneth Jones belies her reputation and gives a contolled, dramatic performance, using her "edge" to advantage in "Hear Ye, Israel". Gedda's diction is amazing, with exactly the right color for this literature, and projecting a little more blood than an English tenor.
Dame Janet Baker is my star in this performance. Dramatic, heart-rending when need be, and in wonderful voice. She'll chill your blood when she tells the people of Baal to "slaughter him, do what he hath done!".
And as for the people of Baal, the Philharmonia Chorus is wonderful. Incisive and dramatic, with beautiful tone. I could do without the trick of the boy choir for "Lift Thine Eyes", and I miss the small ensembles, but all in all a fine performance, and good recording, circa 1968.
First choice in English, Daniels/Terfel: better Elijah in Terfel, better recording, more authentic orchestra, small vocal ensembles (as per the score) but inferior women (including Fleming: beautiful tone, but where's her head?). In German, it's Sawallisch/Adam all the way.
But if you're singing Elijah, and have a score, this is a good choice.
THE BEST recording of the BEST oratorio ever..........2006-08-15
This recording is in every way wonderful. Starting with Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau. He IS Elijah to me. His singing is perfection. He has amazing phrasing and his diction makes it possible to understand the lovely, inspired libretto to this heavenly music. There are so many pieces that are ephemeral, but a couple of my favorites are: #14, Lord God of Abraham and #37, For the Mountains shall Depart. Dieskau does a great job of what I think of as compassionate, heartfelt singing. His interpretation sounds like the voice of God himself. It has a quality of kindness and yet he sounds just as convincing reprimanding the people of Baal. He is the true highlight of this recording.
That said, the rest of the cast is wonderful as well. Gwyneth Jones has a lovely, silvery voice that has a clarion bell-like tone that rings over the large orchestra with ease. She has occasional "misfire" but is a consistent performer. Dame Janet Baker and Nicolai Gedda both perform at a consistently lovely level. The orchestra and chorus are both wonderful. #15, Cast thy Burden upon the Lord, #32 He that Shall Endure to the End, and #38 Then Did Elijah are all highlights.
All said, for me the main reason to get this recording is Dieskau's Elijah- after all, he's the main character. But don't forget the lovely music. This story is exciting and passionate and sacred all at the same time. For me, it's the best oratorio that has a moving story and great music too.
Too bad there are so few recordings of Elijah.......2006-07-03
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Porgy & Bess
Ella Fitzgerald , and Louis Armstrong Manufacturer: Polygram Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0000046Z5 Release Date: 1990-10-25 |
Tracks:
- Overture
- Summertime
- I Wants To Stay Here
- My Man's Gone Now
- I Got Plenty O'Nuttin'
- Buzzard Song
- Bess, You Is My Woman Now
- It Ain't Necessarily So
- What You Want Wild Bess?
- A Woman Is A Sometime Thing
- Oh, Doctor Jesus
- Medley: Here Come De Honey Man/Crab Man/Oh, Deh's So Fresh And Fine (Strawberry Woman)
- There's A Boat Dat's Leavin' Soon For New York
- Bess, Oh Where's My Bess
- Oh Lawd, I'm On My Way
Amazon.com
Getting the two most personable voices in jazz to sing an hour's worth of George Gershwin's opera Porgy & Bess (Ella doing all the female parts, Satchmo all the male) was a good idea, but not quite as great as it sounded. Armstrong savors the down-and-dirty Charlestonisms that inspired the cadences of the music and lyrics, and they fit his happy rasp like an old shoe; Fitzgerald, conversely, sounds almost prissy every time she has to sing the word "ain't," though her melodic genius gets Gershwin's bold, supple tunes over. The arrangements are full-throttle Broadway, with a few leaps into Dixieland (including some fine Armstrong trumpet solos), but the disc works best when the vocalists break character and let their jazz side out. --Douglas WolkCustomer Reviews:
Absolutely peerless.......2006-11-17
Gershwin and Gershwin must be among the top composers of the last century and this opera showcases their talents more than anything I've heard. Ella and Louis are peerless as a vocal duo and though I doubt the West End performance will capture the magic in the same way they did, I still remain very keen to go see it. Is it opera or is it a jazz performance? I don't really know. I just know that I love it. And strongly recommend it.
once-in-a-lifetime greatness.......2006-10-06
But after its premiere in 1935, no less than Duke Ellington said, "It has grand music and a swell play, but the two didn't go together. It does not use the Negro musical idiom --- the times are here to debunk Gershwin's lampblack Negroisms."
A quarter of a century later, the producers of the film version had trouble assembling a cast. Harry Belafonte rejected their offer to play Porgy. Sidney Poitier took the part --- and wished he hadn't. Poitier later wrote that the movie insulted black people; when he chose clips of his best performances for his tribute at the American Film Institute, he picked nothing from "Porgy and Bess."
And in 1985, when Grace Bumbry was a sensation as Bess in a Metropolitan Opera production, she slammed the opera: "I thought it beneath me, I felt I had worked far too hard, that we had come far too far to have to retrogress to 1935."
All that may be. All I know is that I have, in a long life, rarely been confronted with more genius than in the Fitzgerald/Armstrong recording of "Porgy & Bess." Set aside the achievement of George and Ira Gershwin in transforming DuBose Heyward's novel into a folk opera. Let's just focus on Armstrong and Fitzgerald, who were at the peak of their popularity when this record was made in 1957.
"Summertime" --- the first song --- sets the tone. A baleful horn figure, then violins. And then Armstrong's trumpet: slow, steady, dignified. But wait --- here comes a slurred note. And a cool little improvisation. Just enough of each. Very tasty.
Fitzgerald sings a verse. She is cool and formal. A lady. Not to be taken lightly. Now it's Armstrong's turn. Tender, but let's not kid ourselves --- this is not singing as others define it. This is melodic speech: rough, gutteral. And thus he is ideally cast: His Porgy may have his charms, but he'll have to stretch to keep Bess.
And so it goes throughout the CD. Trumpet mastery --- Armstrong has dazzling control. His tone is bright, but never shrill; there's a warmth in his playing no one else could produce. And Fitzgerald is just a study in inevitability; to hear her is to wonder how anyone could sing these songs any other way.
"I Got Plenty O' Nuttin'." "Bess, You Is My Woman Now." "A Woman Is a Sometime Thing." "There's a Boat Dat's Leavin' Soon for New York." "Bess, Oh Where's My Bess?" "Oh Lawd, I'm on My Way."
All brilliantly conceived, orchestrated and recorded.
The greatest trumpet player in this history of jazz.
The father of scat singing.
The queen of the jazz vocal.
There are no-brainers, and then there is this Ella Fitzgerald-Louis Armstrong collaboration --- music that imprints on your soul.
We love this album.......2006-08-22
Simply great.......2006-03-04
A must have for everyone!
Porgy and Bess.......2005-10-14
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Grease: A New 50's Rock 'N Roll Musical - The Original Broadway Cast Album
Jim Jacobs , and Warren Casey Manufacturer: Polydor / Umgd ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000001FG6 Release Date: 1990-10-25 |
Tracks:
- Alma Mater/Alma Mater (Parody)
- Summer Nights
- Those Magic Changes
- Freddy, My Love
- Greased Lightnin'
- Mooning
- Look At Me, I'm Sandra Dee
- We Go Together
- It's Raining On Prom Night
- Born To Hand-Jive
- Beauty School Dropout
- Alone At A Drive-In Movie
- Rock 'N' Roll Party Queen
- There Are Worse Things I Could Do
- Look At Me, I'm Sandra Dee (Reprise)
- All Choked Up
- We Go Together (Reprise)
Customer Reviews:
This is the REAL Grease........2007-01-08
Love it!.......2006-12-30
I've always been a fan of Grease whenever it would come on TV I'd watch it and sing to the songs and I always wanted to be Sandy. But, by listening to the soundtrack I've changed my mind into trying out for Marty because "Freddy, My Love" is, in my opinion, the best song on the soundtrack, the only problem, it's an alto song and I'm a soprano.
Anyway, enough about my life, let's talk about the album. As I said before I've always been a Grease fan, but this version has made me love it even more. This original version is way better than the movie version, the songs seem to fall into place better than in the movie (because they were written for the play of course). Actually, the songs NOT in the movie are the best songs in the play, other than "Freddy, My Love" there are "Mooning" sung by Roger and Jan at a picnic, "Raining on Prom Night" (replaced by "Hoplessly Devoted to You" in the play, Sandy sings this song in her room instead of going to the dance as she did in the movie), "Alone at a Drive-in Movie" (replaced by "Sandy" in the movie, basically, it says the same thing as "Sandy" does), and "All Choked Up" (replaced by "You're the One That I Want", I'm kinda glad it was replaced because I like "You're the One That I Want" better).
I hope this helped you, it probably didn't because of all the personal anecdotes I had to put in there. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that it's a good album and worth buying if you're a Grease fan.
Grease, Grit and Parody.......2006-11-18
fun, innocence, rock and roll, and postwar prosperity. The realty being it was a decade that also included
economic issues, open descrimination, and very tame music (the name "the quiet generation" was there for a reason).
Grease came to life as a parody of the 1950's nostaglia craze, and it painted a truer, grittier portrait of the late 50's at an urban high school. The movie that came out in 1978, and the Broadway revival of the 90's whitewashed the story, and cleaned up the language so much the original Broadway musical got lost in the shuffle.
The great score is lead by Adrienne Barbaue, Barry Bostwick, and Carol Demas, and a number of songs never made it to the film, including Those Magic Changes, and Freddy My Love. Yes, in the 1950's there still was a draft!. Adrienne's character of Rizzo steals the show with her numbers, Look At Me I'm Sandra Dee, and There Are Worse Things I Could Do, finally the "Bad Girl" is allowed to be human. Summer Nights, It's Raining On Prom Night, and Rock N Roll Party Queen speak to the teenager that remains in all of us.
Enjoy this very real trip into the late 1950's
Ken
Greased Lightning has struck.......2006-09-06
The original, stll the best!.......2006-07-22
International Music: