Sondheim Sings, Vol. 1: 1962-1972 [Cast Recording]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Imagine yourself sitting in Stephen Sondheim's living room as he sits at the piano and sings 19 of his songs, some still in the gestational stage. That's the gist of Sondheim Sings, Vol. 1: 1962-1972, the first installment of what promises to be a large collection of private recordings Sondheim made "for fun" at the home of a friend. Naturally they're from shows relatively early in Sondheim's career, such as Company, Follies, A Funny Thing..., Anyone Can Whistle, and A Little Night Music. But just because the songs were written for those shows doesn't mean they made the final cut, so the selections range from the ultra-familiar "Send in the Clowns" and "Broadway Baby" to the less-familiar "Pleasant Little Kingdom," "Marry Me a Little," and "Love Is in the Air." Of course anyone who's the least bit versed in Sondheim song collections probably already knows "Marry Me a Little" and other such fare, but more rare is "No, Mary Ann" (from a never-produced movie called The Thing of It Is), "Truly Content" (a single song from The World of Jules Feiffer), and "The Lame, the Halt and the Blind" (cut from Anyone Can Whistle). A further element of interest is that some of the songs are different from their final stage versions. The changes are minor--a word here, a line there--but they offer a glimpse into Sondheim's working process. The beautiful booklet reprints all the lyrics as sung here, with notations for where they were eventually changed and to what. It also includes historic photos and detailed notes by Sondheim archivist Peter E. Jones.

And how is Sondheim the performer? Broadway fans are well aware that performances by songwriters can be valued for their insight and passion, but not necessarily their beauty. There's a 1971 quote from Sondheim: "For those of you who have not had the pleasure of hearing my voice before, I tend to sing very loud, usually off-pitch and always write in keys that are just out of my range." That's a self-deprecating exaggeration, but it's probably best said that Sondheim is a good pianist who as a singer won't make anyone forget Barbara Cook. Sondheim Sings is a product of PS Classics' non-profit wing, and proceeds from the recording will go to Young Playwrights Inc., which Sondheim founded to support playwrights under 18. --David Horiuchi

Sondheim Sings, Vol. 1: 1962-1972, Music, Stephen Sondheim, Musical, Musicals, Pop, Show Tunes, Showtunes / B'way

Average customer rating:

Fascinating and Entertaining

Sondheim sings

Group One or Group A

Two Stars out of respect for the past.

I can't wait for Volume 2!

Sondheim Sings, Vol. 1: 1962-1972
Stephen Sondheim
Manufacturer: P.S. Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Sondheim, Stephen | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B0009299JC
Release Date: 2005-05-10

Tracks:

Love Is in the Air
Pretty Little Picture
Truly Content
Multitudes of Amys
Miracle Song
The Lame, the Halt and the Blind
The Glamorous Life
Everybody Ought to Have a Maid
Invocation
Dont Look at Me
Pleasant Little Kingdom
Everybody Says Dont
Losing My Mind
Broadway Baby
Anyone Can Whistle
A Hero Is Coming
No, Mary Ann
Marry Me a Little
Send in the Clowns

Amazon.com

Imagine yourself sitting in Stephen Sondheim's living room as he sits at the piano and sings 19 of his songs, some still in the gestational stage. That's the gist of Sondheim Sings, Vol. 1: 1962-1972, the first installment of what promises to be a large collection of private recordings Sondheim made "for fun" at the home of a friend. Naturally they're from shows relatively early in Sondheim's career, such as Company, Follies, A Funny Thing..., Anyone Can Whistle, and A Little Night Music. But just because the songs were written for those shows doesn't mean they made the final cut, so the selections range from the ultra-familiar "Send in the Clowns" and "Broadway Baby" to the less-familiar "Pleasant Little Kingdom," "Marry Me a Little," and "Love Is in the Air." Of course anyone who's the least bit versed in Sondheim song collections probably already knows "Marry Me a Little" and other such fare, but more rare is "No, Mary Ann" (from a never-produced movie called The Thing of It Is), "Truly Content" (a single song from The World of Jules Feiffer), and "The Lame, the Halt and the Blind" (cut from Anyone Can Whistle). A further element of interest is that some of the songs are different from their final stage versions. The changes are minor--a word here, a line there--but they offer a glimpse into Sondheim's working process. The beautiful booklet reprints all the lyrics as sung here, with notations for where they were eventually changed and to what. It also includes historic photos and detailed notes by Sondheim archivist Peter E. Jones.

And how is Sondheim the performer? Broadway fans are well aware that performances by songwriters can be valued for their insight and passion, but not necessarily their beauty. There's a 1971 quote from Sondheim: "For those of you who have not had the pleasure of hearing my voice before, I tend to sing very loud, usually off-pitch and always write in keys that are just out of my range." That's a self-deprecating exaggeration, but it's probably best said that Sondheim is a good pianist who as a singer won't make anyone forget Barbara Cook. Sondheim Sings is a product of PS Classics' non-profit wing, and proceeds from the recording will go to Young Playwrights Inc., which Sondheim founded to support playwrights under 18. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

Fascinating and Entertaining.......2007-04-14

As a huge Sondheim fan, it was fascinating to listen to the songs in their early form. Though his voice is not professional, the music is so good that it sounds wonderful no matter who is singing it. And coming from him you really hear the intended intonations and witticisms.

I would recommend this to anyone who loves Sondheim! Especially noteworthy tracks are "Love is in the Air," "Pretty Little Picture," "The Glamorous Life," "Pleasant Little Kingdom,"Everybody Says Don't," "No Mary Ann," and "Marry Me a Little."

It is interesting to see now the songs changed from this early recording to the final Broadway version. It really gives you more insight into the composer's artistic method.

Fabulous!

Sondheim sings.......2006-09-22

They say writers cant really read their own writing...well composer really cant sing their tunes

This is a collection of Stephen Sondheim demos from shows Follies, Company, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Anyone can Whistle and A Little Night Music. Some non classic tunes with a few chestnuts we all remember

It is worth it? To listen to composer Sondheim singing his showtunes digitally remastered for this CD. In my opinion, Sondheim can write wonderful pieces of music, but can't sing them.

So would I recommend it to a broadway fan? SURE. But for the common person, this is a composer's Golden Turkey. The last cut on the CD says it all, SEND IN THE CLOWNS

Bennet Pomerantz, AUDIOWORLD

Group One or Group A.......2005-12-21

Collectors of cast albums fall into two generalized categories: Group One is made up of die-hard fans that want every cast album of every show (including alternate versions.)

Group A consists of more casual collectors who just buy the titles they like and don't worry about being completists.

This CD is really for Group One.

For the serious theatre fans that appreciate Sondheim's dedication to polishing each lyric with even the subtlest changes, this CD is a treasure trove of material. Those who already know many of these songs from the cast albums will be amazed at the number of changes he has made in the lyrics and sometimes the tunes.

In a day when most Broadway lyric writers are content to have two lines that rhyme, Sondheim's obsessive re-writing and polishing must seem needless, but this is what has given the songs their ability to stand up to repeated listenings.

The CD is a Sondheim fan's dream. Almost a master class in how to write (or, in a few cases, how NOT to write) for the musical theatre.

The sound quality, given the source, is quite good. Sondheim's voice is untrained. Like most songwriters, he sings loud and enthusiastic and usually in the general vicinity of the note. But this CD is not a Sondheim recital. There are plenty of those around (Barbara Cook, Mandy Patinkin, Bernadette Peters etc.) Here we have an insider's look into the creative process.

Two Stars out of respect for the past........2005-09-21

No one has wanted even to hear Sondheim's writing of late, and you surely do NOT want to hear him sing. I loved his interviews where he'd play and sing in an insturctional mode. All composers are forgiven for that. The man is brilliant. But singing for real? Uh-uh.

I can't wait for Volume 2!.......2005-08-15

At last - the greatest musical theatre composer of the 20th century singing his own compositions. It's a treat for the Sondheim-ophile to hear his interpretation of material that was either cut from shows or included in some of his biggest hits.

Anyone who loves the musical genre will love this CD.

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