South Pacific (Original 1949 Broadway Cast) [Cast Recording]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
Based on James Michener's Tales of the South Pacific, Rodgers and Hammerstein's Pulitzer prize-winning South Pacific is one of the most beloved musicals ever to hit the stage. The appeal is simple: a collection of stunning compositions--immense symphonic sound orchestrated by Rodgers collaborator Robert Russell Bennett--and characters with a simple though cohesive through-line. On this original Broadway cast recording, the lovely, girlish Mary Martin (Peter Pan, Annie Get Your Gun) is the heartily feminine American nurse Nellie Bly to the dashing former Metropolitan Opera bass Ezio Pinza as French plantation owner Emile de Becque. This release takes from the original high-quality tapes cut in 1949 (rather than the acetates, which were recorded simultaneously for the vinyl release of the day). There are alternate takes of a few songs and the restored original version of the hard-hitting racial commentary number "Carefully Taught." Pinza's "Some Enchanted Evening" is tender and lovely without being cloying. Martin's confidence and warm vocal expressiveness on numbers such as "Twin Soliloquies" and the bonus track, "Loneliness of the Evening," are stellar, and the choral numbers are both solid and spunky. --Paige La Grone

South Pacific (Original 1949 Broadway Cast), Music, Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein, Cast Recordings, Original Cast Recordings, Pop, Showtunes / B'way

South Pacific (1958 Film Soundtrack)
Average customer rating:

Some Enchanted Soundtrack!

south Pacific Sound track

South Pacific

A dramatic, heartfelt and sometimes even brooding score--but still one of the best happy albums of all time !!!

"Happy Talk"

South Pacific (1958 Film Soundtrack)
Mitzi Gaynor , Giorgio Tozzi , Muriel Smith , Bill Lee , and Alfred Newman
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00004ZDXK
Release Date: 2000-10-24

Tracks:

South Pacific Overture
Dites-Moi
Cock-Eyed Optimist
Twin Soliloquies/Some Enchanted Evening
Bloody Mary
My Girl Back Home
There Is Nothin' Like A Dame
Bali Ha'i
I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair
I'm In Love With A Wonderful Guy
Younger Than Springtime
Happy Talk
Honey Bun
Carefully Taught
This Nearly Was Mine
Finale

Customer Reviews:

Some Enchanted Soundtrack!.......2007-03-11

My family had this album in the house when I was a kid, so I knew most of these songs by heart when I was about 8 years old. Recently I saw the film on TV, and when I heard "Bali Ha'i", I knew I had to get this CD. This is one of the best soundtracks that I have ever heard, equalled only by, perhaps, "West Side Story". "Bali Ha'i" is my favorite. It works on me like magic, still evoking the mysterious wonder surrounding that "special island". In fact, the movie, with all of its colorful effects, plays in my head when I hear these songs. There are the fun numbers like "Bloody Mary" and "There Is Nothin' Like A Dame". The ballads "Some Enchanted Evening", "Younger Than Springtime" and "This Nearly Was Mine" are all that one could want in a romantic song. And Mitzi Gaynor's big moments - "Cockeyed Optimist", "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair" and "I'm In Love With A Wonderful Guy" - are pure joy. She conveys the hopeful naivete' of the 50's to perfection. "Dites-Moi" is a treat for me because, guess what? Je comprends le francais! But you don't have to speak French to appreciate this album. These songs have universal appeal with interesting, recognizable melodies, fun to sing along with. The remastered sound gives the orchestral arrangements (Ah, those soaring strings!) a new clarity that I could not have appreciated when I was much younger. The entire CD sounds fantastic, so if you like this movie, you will love the soundtrack.

south Pacific Sound track.......2007-01-09

music is very good all the way.. I made the mistake of ordering the sound track instead of the movie,, my fault,,, the soundtrack is excellant!

South Pacific.......2007-01-09

The CD came as promised and in the condition promised. I'm very satisfied.

A dramatic, heartfelt and sometimes even brooding score--but still one of the best happy albums of all time !!!.......2006-12-23

Movie buffs and fans of the great musicals will not be disappointed in the original soundtrack recording of the words and music from the epic motion picture South Pacific. The digital transfers by Mike Hartry provide us with a fresh sound exactly the way it was intended to be heard; and the quality of this sound on my portable CD player is excellent.

The CD begins with the "South Pacific Overture." This beautiful, bold and striking piece of music sets the tone for a musical of magnificent acting, singing and cinematography. The next track is very sweet; "Dites-moi" is a ballad performed by Mitzi Gaynor as Nellie Forbush and a children's choir playing the roles of island native children.

A number of songs and ballads on this CD are worth special mention. "Twin Soliloquies/Some Enchanted Evening" deals with the emotions two people feel as they are falling in love; and "There Is Nothin' Like A Dame" is a memorable homage to beautiful women sung by incredibly talented men playing the roles of soldiers. In addition, "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair" is an amusing ballad about a lady who cannot tolerate her man's flaws while "I'm In Love With A Wonderful Guy" and "Happy Talk" express the joy of love. Finally, "This Nearly Was Mine" is a touching ballad by a man who has lost a love. Excellent!

The Ken Darby Singers work wonders to enhance the beauty of songs including "Bali Ha'i;" "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair" and "I'm In Love With A Wonderful Guy." You will be thrilled with their performances.

The liner notes offer us a track listing of the songs on the CD. Moreover, Joseph F. Laredo writes an extensive essay about the history of the Broadway show and how it was transformed into a major motion picture. Of particular note we learn that the film version of South Pacific has several "ghost singers." Mitzi Gaynor sang her own songs; but leading man Rossano Brazzi's vocals were dubbed by Giorgio Tozzi. Juanita Hall played Bloody Mary but her vocals were dubbed by Muriel Smith who had played Bloody Mary in the London production. John Kerr plays the role of Lieutenant Cable; but his vocals are dubbed by Bill Lee.

South Pacific remains one of the greatest motion picture musicals to this day and this CD proves why. The songs are written by Rodgers and Hammerstein; consequently both the vocals and the musical arrangements are flawless. The performers who sing these songs express every single emotion--even mixed emotions--with great sensitivity and much thought. Fans of great classic musicals will be thrilled by the quality of this CD; and people who appreciate music from both stage and screen will never be dissatisfied. ENJOY !!!

"Happy Talk".......2005-09-30

I used to purchase LPs in the 70s of every Broadway cast recording or film soundtrack I could afford as a teen with a part time job. It is odd that it took me so many years to update my CD library with classic R & H scores. This CD of the soundtrack to "South Pacific" is fine in sound quality with ample liner notes. My only caveat is that it did not get the classic Angel Records treatment accorded to "Oklahoma!", "The King & I" and "Carousel".

South Pacific (Original 1949 Broadway Cast)

Average customer rating:

Best ever !
beautiful recording of a very important musical......
Enchanting Evening Always.
Some Enchanted Soundtrack!
Wha-?

South Pacific (Original 1949 Broadway Cast)
Richard Rodgers , and Oscar Hammerstein
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000DHSL
Release Date: 1998-11-10

Tracks:

Overture
Dites-moi
A Cockeyed Optimist
Twin Soliloquies
Some Enchanted Evening
Bloody Mary
There Is Nothin' like A Dame
Bali Ha'i
I'm Gonna Wash that Man right outa My Hair
A Wonderful Guy
Younger than Springtime
Happy Talk
Honey Bun
You've Got to be Carefully Taught
This Nearly Was Mine
Finale: Dites-moi (reprise)
Loneliness of Evening
My Girl Back Home
Bali-Ha'i
South Pacific: Symphonic Scenario for Concert Orchestra

Amazon.com essential recording

Based on James Michener's Tales of the South Pacific, Rodgers and Hammerstein's Pulitzer prize-winning South Pacific is one of the most beloved musicals ever to hit the stage. The appeal is simple: a collection of stunning compositions--immense symphonic sound orchestrated by Rodgers collaborator Robert Russell Bennett--and characters with a simple though cohesive through-line. On this original Broadway cast recording, the lovely, girlish Mary Martin (Peter Pan, Annie Get Your Gun) is the heartily feminine American nurse Nellie Bly to the dashing former Metropolitan Opera bass Ezio Pinza as French plantation owner Emile de Becque. This release takes from the original high-quality tapes cut in 1949 (rather than the acetates, which were recorded simultaneously for the vinyl release of the day). There are alternate takes of a few songs and the restored original version of the hard-hitting racial commentary number "Carefully Taught." Pinza's "Some Enchanted Evening" is tender and lovely without being cloying. Martin's confidence and warm vocal expressiveness on numbers such as "Twin Soliloquies" and the bonus track, "Loneliness of the Evening," are stellar, and the choral numbers are both solid and spunky. --Paige La Grone

Customer Reviews:

Best ever !.......2007-07-10

South Pacific has been part of my life, forever, from when I listened to it on 78's from the book until now on CD. With its great music, thought provoking lyrics and a "just right" cast, nothing in my opinion is wrong with it. Every time I play it I am lost in the whole being of it. Pure and utter enjoyment that crosses the generations. Leaves you feeling you are a cockeyed optimist!!

beautiful recording of a very important musical.............2007-05-19

Though, SOUTH PACIFIC was made into a successful movie, I would take this, the original recording with Mary Martin (as Nellie Bly) and Enzio Pinza (as Emile de Becque) over it any day! For starters, there is so much spunk and great chemistry between the two leads--star crossed lovers who meet, by chance, in the South Pacific, when Bly is working as an on-site nurse for soldiers stationed there. This beautiful musical really has it all. Romance, humor (though, sometimes a little dated!) and drama. The sweeping score and powerful, punchy lyrics, written by the great team of Rodgers and Hammerstein, remains as compelling today as it was, at first release on Broadway, in 1949.

Some of the best-loved songs (plus many more) are featured on this remastered recording, available on CD. They include "You've Got to Be Carefully Taught," which alludes to racism and also how we are raised to be products of our environment, "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair," and "Some Enchanted Evening." You will really hear the powerful messages that the more dramatically intense songs convey and will smile over the others that are more light-hearted in nature. Just wonderful! They don't write songs like this anymore.

Enchanting Evening Always........2007-01-19

This Broadway Show Original Recording CD is still the best. Mary Martin and Ezio Pinza are unmatchable. It is a treasure and a pleasure to listen again, and every time the whole score provides an enchanted evening. Look also at American Medicine MisManaged Care: How we can improve quality, cover the uninsured, add pharmacy and have $billions left over. This is the time to make it happen.

Some Enchanted Soundtrack!.......2007-01-17

I have an original copy of the Broadway cast recording of South Pacific on vinyl. The vinyl is in excellant condition and plays as if it were a brand new record. Mary Martin is superb in the role of Nellie Forbush. I love to hear this lady sing, she is excellant! Ezio Pinza provides his rich bass voice as Emele DeBeck and Ray Walston sings up a storm as Luther Billis. This soundtrack is pure enchantment!

Wha-?.......2007-01-09

Although I love the message behind the story, I must admit that the soundtrack left me a bit...cold. Mary Martin must have been one of those "you had to be there" actresses- because her voice seemed flat and lifeless to me. I am sure I will get a lot of flack about this comment, Mary Martin was my mother's favorite actress, topped only by Ethel Merman and any kind of review less than stellar will irk many.

South Pacific in Concert from Carnegie Hall

Average customer rating:

Better than I could have imagined
Fantastic
Sensational!
Truly wonderful!
WHAT AN AWESOME PERFORMANCE!

South Pacific in Concert from Carnegie Hall
Richard Rodgers , Oscar Hammerstein II , Reba McEntire , Brian Stokes Mitchell , and Alec Baldwin
Manufacturer: Decca Broadway
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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South Pacific in Concert from Carnegie Hall
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ASIN: B000EMG9AY
Release Date: 2006-04-18

Tracks:

Overture
Dites-Moi / Oh, and what's that flower over there?
A Cock-Eyed Optimist
So when you joined the Navy...
Twin Soliloquies
One waits so long for what is good
Some Enchanted Evening
Dites-Moi (Reprise)
Bloody Mary
Say, is that a boar's tooth bracelet on your wrist?
There Is Nothin' Like A Dame
Ah, hello... you make trouble for me?
Bali Ha'i
Bali H'ai (Reprise)
So tell us, Nellie, what did old Ironbelly want?
I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair
Hello, is that a new American song?
Some Enchanted Evening (Reprise)
Will you come to my party Friday?
A Wonderful Guy
What should I do, Captain? / Bali H'ai (Reprise)
You wait, Lootellan...
Younger Than Springtime & Bali H'ai (Reprise)
A Wonderful Guy (Reprise)
This Is How It Feels & A Cock-Eyed Optimist (Reprise)
Finale Act 1 - Some Enchanted Evening (Reprise)
Entr'acte
Happy Talk
It is my great pleasure to bring you our skipper...
Honey Bun
You've Got To Be Carefully Taught
This Nearly Was Mine
Well, de Beque, I take off pretty soon for Marie Louise...
Some Enchanted Evening (Reprise)
Alright, Let's Start Those Trucks... / Honey Bun (Reprise)
Finale Act 2 - Dites-Moi (Reprise)

Amazon.com

From the second the majestic overture of Rodgers and Hammerstein's 1949 show starts, you know you're in for a treat: In this age of diminished Broadway pits, hearing the 45-piece Orchestra of St. Luke's firing on all cylinders is just thrilling. And that's only the beginning of the fun in this most traditional, most delightful musical, recorded live at Carnegie Hall in June 2005. As Nellie Forbush, Reba McEntire deploys a homespun Southern charm that works marvels against the urbane Emile de Becque, i.e., Brian Stokes Mitchell and his impossibly buttery baritone (check out his rendition of "Some Enchanted Evening"). Of course we shouldn't be surprised, since country star Reba had turned out to be musical-theater star Reba when she replaced Bernadette Peters in Annie Get Your Gun on Broadway. Here, she brightly delivers classics (yes, the show is packed with them) like "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair" and "A Wonderful Guy." And let's not forget Lillias White, chewing the scenery in spectacular fashion as Bloody Mary ("Bali Ha'i," "Happy Talk"--what was that about the show being packed with memorable tunes again?). When the classic American musical is done with such gusto, it's hard not to be won over. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

Better than I could have imagined.......2007-06-09

To compare this recording with the original cast recordings of the 1950's is like comparing a jr. high science experiment with a space shuttle launch. Reba McIntyre is wonderful, giving a slight country twang just where and when it was needed (wasn't Nellie from Arkansas, after all?) And what can one say about Mr. Mitchell? That booming baritone filled every nook and cranny of Carnagie Hall, and his clever, halted, French-accented dialogue made his character interpretation enjoyable and realistic. Danieley and White were probably who Rogers and Hammerstein had in mind when they wrote this musical. I loved every song and every word of dialogue.

Fantastic.......2007-05-14

A great recoding. I think Reba makes a much more believable Nellie than Mary did. I keep it in my car, to play frequently.

Sensational!.......2007-03-25

I approached watching this production on PBS with some trepidation, especially after the R&H organization's last attempt at mounting this piece, that hideous television film version with Glenn Close.

I was especially wary of the casting of a "country" singer to play Nellie. But Reba's warmth and sincerity in the role won me over. This was a splendid choice. Nellie is indeed a "hick" and Reba takes that character clue quite literally. Though the role was originally written for a girl from Texas, Mary Martin, she never took the character too far in that direction, at least from the evidence of the cast recording and the television performances I've seen. But Reba does, quite courageously, never totally shedding her "country" approach to the role, and yet, really singing it! Quite an achievement.

The rest of the casting achieves the same level of perfection. Stokes-Mitchell is not quite an opera singer (the role was written for Ezio Pinza, an operatic bass-baritone) but he manages the part nicely, though his "French" accent is a little inconsistent. Alec Baldwin is totally hilarious as Billis, taking the role in another direction than others have, but it works.

Someone here commented on the casting of black actors in the Polynesian roles, rather than using Asian actors. I would normally agree with the writer, but not in this instance. This show was written in 1949 to directly address the racial inequality between blacks and whites in mid-century America in a way that had never been done before, and in the orginal production, black actors were used to make just that point. This is an attempt to do an "authentic" production, true to the show's original intent. So I respect the producers' decision in this production.

This concert performance is "authentic" in that it uses all of Bennett's original orchestrations, which are a joy to hear, and most if not all of the dialogue, keeping all the songs in their original context. Some songs that never made sense to me in the original cast recording, heard here in context for the first time, suddenly make total sense.

In a way, I prefer the CD of thios performance to the video presentation. One can listen to it and imagine this is NOT a concert performance, but a fully staged one, with a live audience present. It's quite an authentic experience. I did not see the original Broadway production, but I did see the New York City Opera's revival in 1965, and this audio recording helps me relive those memories of a live stage performance.

Truly wonderful!.......2007-02-06

"South Pacific" seems to be one of those "forgotten" classics of the musical theatre. The score is magnificent, and the overture is enough get a dead man's heart beating again.

There's not enough to say about Brian Stokes Mitchell. I first saw him in "Kiss of the Spider Woman" and haven't missed his starring roles since them. His version of "This Nearly Was Mine" gave me chills. He is a truly gifted performer.

Reba McIntire is obviously having a great time with the role of Nellie Forbush. She's endearing in the role, and I hope she finds other avenues besides country music to show off her talents.

I liked Alec Baldwin's portrayal of Luther very much. He's not exactly a major musical talent, but he gives it all he's got.

Very highly recommended!

WHAT AN AWESOME PERFORMANCE!.......2007-02-01

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS RENDITION OF THE STAGE PLAY. I LISTEN TO IT AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK, OFTEN DAILY. YOU WILL LOVE IT!

Average customer rating:

Introducing the Greatest Voice of All Time
The Greatest Tenor of the 20th Century.
Easy listening
Lanza of the joyous voice!
Not bad as an introduction to Lanza

Lanza: Greatest Hits

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000003FVZ
Release Date: 1995-04-11

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The Toast Of New Orleans: Be My Love
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Very Warm For May: All The Things You Are
The Student Prince: Serenade
Rigoletto - La Donna e Mobile
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Customer Reviews:

Introducing the Greatest Voice of All Time.......2007-03-13

A new generation of music lovers deserves to know, understand and appreciate the greatness of Mario Lanza. Five decades after his passing, millions of lovers of "grand voices" still are held in awe by the power, passion and beauty of his voice.

This selection of recordings has a number of fine selections that give a small "flavor" of his fantastic talent and skills. It is a good beginning for someone who wants to know "The American Caruso."

The Greatest Tenor of the 20th Century........2007-01-21

In a professional career that lasted just a bit over ten years Mario Lanza created more memorable recordings, broadcasts, concert perfomances and feature films than any other major vocalist in the classical and pop-jazz music genre. He was a man blessed with arguably the finest tenor voice in recorded music. Fans of Caruso, Pavarotti, Jan Peerce, Placido Domingo or Careras may argue that their tenor interpreted a particular aria better than anyone else but few if any can argue against the sheer beauty, power and emotion of Mario Lanza. He achieved worldwide success too fast and his penchant for the good life: wine, women and good food got the best of him in the end. It is so sad, when one contemplates Lanza's short but brilliant career and what might have been, that he was gone at age 38, an age when some tenors are just beginning to hit their stride. This album is a fine overview of some of his most memorable heavy classics as well as lighter operetta standards and showcases his voice so well. Nearly fifty years have transpired since his untimely death in 1959 and there is yet to appear on the scene a tenor with the power, charisma or sheer beauty of Lanza's voice. I highly recommend this album to the Lanza novice or those just starting their Opera CD collections.

Easy listening.......2006-02-27

I have always liked Mario Lanza and the album is wonderful and relaxing.

Lanza of the joyous voice!.......2005-07-14

This album has some really splendid songs, and yes, it's a good introduction to the King of the high last notes. I grew up with one of Lanza's albums and more or less learned to sing by singing along with his wonderful warm voice. What good energy he had... and too bad he died so young (sigh). It certainly lifts my spirits to listen to his music again and I hope anyone reading this will take a chance and get to know him too.

Not bad as an introduction to Lanza.......2001-11-13

I recommend this collection as a good starting point for those interested in this extraordinary tenor. It's not a complete representation of the man by any stretch of the imagination, but it includes a handful of unforgettable recordings that will make newcomers to Lanza sit up in astonishment.

Highlights include the immortal Serenade & Golden Days from The Student Prince, Beloved (from the film version of the Student Prince, and arguably Lanza's best English-language love song), Because You're Mine, If I Loved You, and the stirring Addio Alla Madre from Cavalleria Rusticana. If love songs seem a little over-represented at the expense of arias and (notably) Italian & Neapolitan Songs, then blame BMG for their habitual neglect of Lanza's more serious side. In any event, this is essentially a one-CD version of the three-CD set, The Mario Lanza Collection. All of the renditions are the same as on the earlier CD, as are the sound sources. With the exception of The Student Prince Serenade, most of the selections here have never sounded better.

Be aware, however, that several of the arias are in fact retakes of more familiar versions. Vesti La Giubba, for instance, is an alternate take from Lanza's May 1950 session, and although the tenor is in great voice, the orchestra lets him down on the climactic phrase by moving on before he has finished his High A on the word "infranto". The Flower Song is even more unrestrained than the familiar take - great fun, but not the kind of recording you'd want newcomers to Lanza to hear! (Lanza never quite "nailed" this aria, but his heart was in the right place.) La Donna E Mobile is the familiar 1950 version in the first half, but is replaced by an inferior retake in the second half, followed by an edited-in High B ending (on "pensier") from the original recording!

The only truly bad recording is the inexplicably popular With A Song In My Heart. Lanza is unfocused, and strains his way throughout the piece. Yours Is My Heart Alone is somewhat better, but is easily surpassed by the tenor's 1956 recording with the conductor Henri Rene (and currently unavailable on CD).

Tracks:

Tonight
Carrickfergus
Habanera
Bali Ha'i
Papa Can You Hear Me?
The Flower Duet
The Little Horses
From My First Moment
The Water Is Wide
Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man
The Laughing Song
If I Loved You
A Bit Of Earth
Somewhere
The Prayer

Amazon.com

Of course, we couldn't expect time to freeze its relentless path and forever preserve the Welsh sensation Charlotte Church in a chrysalis of precocious youth. And yet, at 15 and now taking bolder steps into expanding her repertory on Enchantment, the soprano remains a marvel of a prodigy. Here, she scours a wider range of sources than on her previous albums. Church moves with breathtaking ease from classic Broadway (West Side Story, Show Boat, South Pacific) to traditional Celtic, film ballads, and even a couple of high-operatic numbers. Church's straightforward approach to the melody of "La Habanera" may not exactly be what Bizet had in mind for his Carmen, but fans will get double pleasure out of the singer's exquisite duet with herself on the haunting "Flower Duet" from Delibes's Lakmé. What's more, there's a greater freedom of expression and sense of how to shape a phrase in many of these tracks--notice how much there is to savor, for instance, in "The Water Is Wide" and "Carrickfergus." It all adds up to a widely varied course, demonstrating the continued growth of a singularly gifted young artist. --Sarah Chin

Customer Reviews:

Bleck!.......2007-05-30

Charlotte has a producing voice, not quite mature, but it's bearable. I don't really appreciate opera unless your name is Sarah Brightman, Hayley Westenra or Holly Stell. Carrickfergus and Somewhere are decent for her voice, but "The Prayer" and "The Water is Wide" is very damaging to my ears due to the fact, her Italian sucks, her range is not wide enough in "Water".

Voice of an Angel!!.......2007-02-05

I enjoy listening to this cd by Charlotte Church! She has such a lovely voice. I especially love listening to Habañera and The Flower Duet as both are sung beautifully by Ms. Church!!

fun cd.......2006-12-29

I love this cd and have had it quite a while. I was just enjoying it again today and thought I'd write a review because I do enjoy it so much. It's just a fun, enjoyable album. Pretty orchestration, a lovely voice, nice to sing along with. Especially at the top of my lungs in the car (alone when no one can hear me!)
I really don't know why one would NOT enjoy this cd.

Good? Yes. Great? No. Over-rated? HECK YES!.......2006-12-15

I bought this CD when I was still in high school, singing soprano I & II in choir. It's not bad but she does much better than even some older kids attempting soprano. I think due to the popularity she gained this poor girl has endured much harsh criticism. True, we can't cut her slack JUST because she is a little girl but on the other hand for someone to sing opera at that age her work IS superb. Whether she's a prodigy or victim of over-ambitious parents & media, she deserves credit where it's due. At least she DID break out as some-what of a mainstream artist & exposed this type of music to those who stereotyped it as fat ladies w/powder-white make-up belting out notes that would shatter glass. Some say the same for Josh Groban who broke into the scene as a mainstream tenor/baritone vocalist. As far as skills & talent, he not the greatest either but many people adore his music. The same credit should go to Charlotte Church.

As far as feedback on the quality...
It's VERY hard to believe the deliverance of her performance. A 15-year-old (even younger on her debut cd) singing songs about love & being able to see the world seems silly. Cracking voice? Yeah, you can really tell she had a difficult time hitting the high note in The Laughing Song because it got all air-y. Honestly, some trained sopranos over-shoot their high notes too & get extremely SHARP so I didn't mind her air-i-ness. I think she did a great job on The Flower Duet though. It still has the same relaxing quality as some other versions I've heard from various movie soundtracks. But compare this to the likes of professionals - real professionals - she's merely tolerable. Try Sarah Brightman if you want to listen to some nice musical sopranos. She even has some pretty remakes of modern songs.

Enchantment Indeed!.......2006-08-20

This CD is simply amazing! However, I am sick and tired of people pressuring her to be someone that she's not! Trying to fit into today's popular music scene, Charlotte has turned to pop, and her career isn't flying well because of it! Her voice is simply amazing for opera, and I will not hear another insulting word about her!

Anyways, the CD is genius! Tonight from "West Side Story" is beautifully sung. Carrickfergus, Habanera, and Bali Ha'i are sung with a hypnotizing beauty. Papa, Can you Hear Me and The Flower Duet are amazing as well!

However, on The Flower Duet, Church's vocals seem strained a bit. The Little Horses is a decent piece, a remake of the standard English folk song. I prefer it straight instead of a varied beat, so that Church's voice could soar on and on.

From my First Moment is a fairly nice song, but The Water is Wide is simply amazing! Her vocals are soaring and mezmerizing!

Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man is NOT the song for her, because she puts a weird accent on the song, like she's trying to sound like a hoodlum! The Laughing Song is something that SHOULD NOT be tried by children, because the vocals are so strained! If I Loved You is a simple yet wonderful piece!

A Bit of Earth and Somewhere are both beautiful pieces, with excellent work from the orchestra.

Overall, this CD is very beautiful! BUY IT!

Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series)

Average customer rating:

Fabulous for any Broadway-lover
Top Shelf
TERRIFIC CD'S
Great Collection of Broadways greatest Songs
Great Compilation!

Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series)

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Best of Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series)
Broadway: The American Musical
Broadway: The American Musical
Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series)
Somewhere over the Rainbow: The Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals

ASIN: B00064ADMK
Release Date: 2004-10-19

Tracks:

Give My Regards To Broadway- Joel Grey
Swanee- Al Jolson
When The Moon Shines On The Moonshine- Bert Williams
A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody- John Steel
My Man- Fanny Brice
Fascinating Rhythm- Fred Astaire, Adele Astaire
If You Knew Susie (Like I Know Susie)- 78rpm Version Eddie Cantor
Someone To Watch Over Me- Gertrude Lawrence
Bill- 78 rpm Version Helen Morgan
Ol' Man River- Paul Robeson
Ain't Misbehavin'- Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra
Ten Cents A Dance- Ruth Etting
Body And Soul- Libby Holman
Brother, Can You Spare A Dime- Bing Crosby
Night And Day- Fred Astaire
Heat Wave- Ethel Waters
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes- Tamara
You're The Top- Ethel Merman
Summertime- Anne Brown
September Song- Walter Huston
My Heart Belongs To Daddy- Mary Martin
It Never Entered My Mind- Shirley Ross
Bewitched, Bothered, Bewildered- Vivienne Segal
Oh, How I Hate To Get Up In The Morning- Irving Berlin
Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'- Alfred Drake

Tracks:

New York, New York- Cris Alexander,Adolph Green,John Reardon
If I Loved You- John Raitt,Jan Clayton
Come Rain Or Come Shine- Ruby Hill,Harold Nicholas
There's No Business Like Show Business- Ensemble
How Are Things In Glocca Morra? From "Finian's Rainbow"- Ella Logan
Once In Love With Amy- Ray Bolger
Wunderbar- Alfred Drake,Patricia Morison
Some Enchanted Evening- Ezio Pinza
Lost In The Stars- Todd Duncan
Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend- Carol Channing
Luck Be A Lady- Robert Alda,Guys
Getting To Know You- Gertrude Lawrence
Who Cares?- Jack Carson,Betty Oakes
Stranger In Paradise- from " Kismet" Doretta Morrow,Richard Kiley
Ballad Of Mack The Knife- Gerald Price
Hey There- from "The Pajama Game" John Raitt
Whatever Lola Wants- Gwen Verdon
I Could Have Danced All Night- Julie Andrews
Standing On The Corner- from "The Most Happy Fella, 1956" Shorty Long,John Henson,Alan Gilbert
The Party's Over- Judy Holliday
Glitter And Be Gay- Barbara Cook
Tonight- Larry Kert, Carol Lawrence

Tracks:

Seventy-Six Trombones- Robert Preston
I Enjoy Being A Girl- from "Flower Drum Song, 1958" Pat Suzuki
Everything's Coming Up Roses- Ethel Merman
My Favorite Things- from "The Sound Of Music" Mary Martin
Put On A Happy Face- from "Bye Bye Birdie" Dick Van Dyke
Try To Remember- Jerry Orbach
Camelot- from "Camelot" Richard Burton
Love Makes The World Go 'Round- Anna Maria Alberghetti
I Believe In You- Robert Morse And Co.
The Sweetest Sounds- Diahann Carroll,Richard Kiley
Comedy Tonight- Zero Mostel
What Kind Of Fool Am I?- Anthony Newley
As Long As He Needs Me- Georgia Brown
Hello, Dolly!- Carol Channing,Cast
People- Barbra Streisand
Anyone Can Whistle- from "Anyone Can Whistle" Lee Remick
If I Were A Rich Man- Zero Mostel
Night Song- Sammy Davis, Jr.
The Impossible Dream- Richard Kiley
If My Friends Could See Me Now- Gwen Verdon
Open a New Window- from Mame Voice

Tracks:

Willkommen- from "Cabaret" Joel Grey
Let The Sunshine In- James Rado,Lynn Kellogg,Melba Moore,Cast
I'll Never Fall In Love Again- Jill O'Hara,Jerry Orbach
The Ladies Who Lunch- from "Company" Elaine Stritch
Tea For Two- Roger Rathburn,Susan Watson
I'm Still Here- Yvonne De Carlo
I Don't Know How To Love Him- Yvonne Elliman
We Go Together- Adrienne Barbeau,Barry Bostwick,Walter Bobbie,Cast
Corner Of The Sky- John Rubinstein
Send In The Clowns- Glynis Johns
Ease On Down The Road- Stephanie Mills,Tiger Haynes,Ted Ross,Hinton
One- from "A Chorus Line" Cast
All That Jazz- Chita Rivera,Ensemble
Tomorrow- Andrea Mcardle
Don't Cry For Me Argentina- Patti Lupone
Come Follow The Band
Lullaby Of Broadway- Jerry Orbach
And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going- Jennifer Holliday
The Bells Of St. Sebastian- Raul Julia

Tracks:

Memory- Betty Buckley
I Am What I Am- George Hearn
Move On- Bernadette Peters,Mandy Patinkin
Do You Hear The People Sing?- Michael Maguire,Cast
The Music Of The Night- Michael Crawford
You're Nothing Without Me- James Naughton,Gregg Edelman
The American Dream- Jonathan Pryce,Cast
Doctor Jazz- Gregory Hines,Company
With One Look- Glenn Close
On Broadway- Adrian Bailey,Frederick B. Owens,Ken Ard,Victor Trent Cook
Le Jazz Hot- Julie Andrews,Ensemble
Seasons Of Love-
Hakuna Matata- Max Casella,Tom Alan Robbins,Scott Irby-Ranniar,Jason Raize
I Wanna Be A Producer- Matthew Broderick,Ensemble
Dancing Queen- Louise Plowright,Jenny Galloway
Good Morning Baltimore- Marissa Jaret Winokur
Movin' Out- Michael Cavanaugh,Band
I Go To Rio- Hugh Jackman,Company
Defying Gravity- Kristin Chenoweth,Idina Menzel

Customer Reviews:

Fabulous for any Broadway-lover.......2007-01-30

Packs into 5 CD's a sampling of Broadway tunes from the 20's thru (almost) today, mostly from original cast recordings. Includes not just well-known hits, but also some lesser-known gems. Sound quality is first rate, booklet is informative too. Have given this as a gift to several friends with rave reviews.

Top Shelf.......2007-01-04

This is THE definitive collection of Broadway hits. I have other collections, and none of them measure up. A great deal of care was obviously taken in compiling and presenting this box set. It covers a lot of ground, starting with some long-forgotten but still very enjoyable hits from the days of yore, and finishing with present-day favorites. To the best of my knowledge, the recordings are by those who made them famous. You won't be disappointed.

TERRIFIC CD'S.......2006-03-23

THESE BROADWAY MUSICALS CD'S ARE A BROADWAY LOVERS DREAM. WITH EACH SONG, MEMORIES COME FLOODING BACK. BOTH THE FAMILIAR AND THE FORGOTTEN SONGS ARE A TRUE LISTENING PLEASURE. IF YOU LIKE BROADWAY, YOU'LL LOVE THIS SET.

Great Collection of Broadways greatest Songs .......2005-06-14

This Collection was perfectly made it has almost all the most famous Broadway songs on this 5 cd set. The Music is great and has Broadways greatest treasures like "Memory""People""With One Look""Give my regards Too Broadway" just to name a few of this numerous cd set with over 100 songs. This is a great buy if you like musicals or The music of Broadway

Great Compilation!.......2005-01-17

If you are a fan of the Broadway Musicals, this is a collection that you should purchase. Since I got the 5 disc set I've enjoyed listening to it. The majority of the songs are done by the original singers. The collection is priceless considering that you will have over 100 songs from popular musicals since the beginning of Broadway

Average customer rating:

Very Best of Broadway Music

Very Best Of Broadway Musicals
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Metro Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Greatest Songs from the Musicals
The Best of Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series)
Only Broadway CD You'll Ever Need
The Best Of Broadway (Cast Recording Anthology)
Ultimate Broadway

ASIN: B000068CC4
Release Date: 2002-06-25

Tracks:

All That Jazz
If I Can't Love Her
Maybe This Time
People Will Say We're In Love
The Impossible Dream
Seventy Six Trombones
Can You Feel The Love Tonight?
Still
Send In The Clowns
One
Younger Than Springtime
This Is The Moment
Good Morning Starshine
Your Getting To Be A Habit With Me
Wunderbar
Maria
I Could Have Danced All Night
Singin' In The Rain
Written In The Stars
One Song Glory

Customer Reviews:

Very Best of Broadway Music.......2007-05-08

I really like Broadway music so this is the BEST!!!!!!
I let someone else borrow this to listen at her house--She liked it also

Putumayo Presents: South Pacific Islands

Average customer rating:

Does not disappoint!!!
Upbeat and unexpected...
A musical mai tai
the best music to wake up to
Tropical paradise

Putumayo Presents: South Pacific Islands
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Putumayo World Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Islands
Putumayo Presents: Music from the Chocolate Lands
Putumayo Presents: Mali
Music From the Tea Lands
Putumayo Presents: Afro-Latin Party

ASIN: B00063MC0W
Release Date: 2004-11-23

Tracks:

Iuliana (Tokelau/Samoa/New Zealand) - Te Vaka
Mana Ma'Ohi (Rapa Nui/Easter Island) - Matato'a
Sei Ma Le Losa (Tokelau/Samoa/New Zealand) - Te Vaka
Abebe (Papua New Guinea) - Telek
Haloa Olohega (Tokelau/Samoa/New Zealand) - Te Vaka
Nengone Nodegu (New Caledonia) - OK! Ryos
Whine Whakairo (New Zealand) - Whirimako Black
Nukukehe (Tokelau/Samoa/New Zealand) - Te Vaka
Siasi (Papua New Guinea) - O-Shen
Co Era So (New Caledonia) - OK! Ryos
Watolea (New Caledonia) - Gurejele

Amazon.com

Bring up the subject of Polynesian music to most Americans and they might mention Hawaiian slide-guitars and ukuleles, the hula or perhaps slack-key finger-picking. But Hawaii is a mere pin-spot within Oceania, a huge area consisting of more than of 25,000 islands that are in turn subdivided into regions known as Melanesia, Polynesia, and Micronesia. As well, there are the related native cultures of Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. Many of the traditions seem to share a passion for melody which is often expressed via exquisite close-harmony singing. The songs on this collection, while contemporary, bear out this reputation for fine vocals. But the selections are otherwise quite varied, ranging from Auckland New Zealand-based Whirimako Black's Sade-like delivery, to Gurejele's sun-drenched, almost South African-sounding vamps, to the glistening, multi-layered pop of Papua New Guinea's O-Shen. The enhanced CD features a video of Co Era So by OK! Ryos. --Christina Roden

Album Description

Blessed with stunning natural beauty and unique cultures, the islands of the South Pacific have long symbolized paradise on Earth to outsiders. Of course, life is more complicated than travel brochures and Gauguin paintings would lead one to believe. The people of the South Pacific, like elsewhere, struggle with the impact of modernization and are fighting to revitalize and redefine their traditions before they disappear.

Both Telek and O-shen come from Papua New Guinea, a tropical archipelago of dense rainforests and active volcanoes. Telek combines ancient Tolai traditions and contemporary Western music without compromising his native culture. O-shen, the son of American missionaries who was raised in a remote Papuan village, fuses traditional Pacific music with hip-hop and reggae.

OK! Ryos and Gurejele are leading figures in New Caledonia's Kaneka movement, a unique music that blends local polyphonic singing styles and traditional rhythms of the Kanak culture with pop and world beat flavors.

Te Vaka, a New Zealand-based band with members from across Oceania, is creating a pan-Pacific pop music that incorporates elements from a variety of cultures into an appealing fusion. Fellow New Zealander Whirimako Black endeavors to bring Maori music, culture, and language to a broader audience.

Finally, from far-off Rapa Nui, better known as Easter Island, comes Matato'a. Their native language is now spoken by less than 3000 people and is blended here with an upbeat, cross-cultural mix of music.

This enhanced CD features an OK! Ryos music video filmed on the picturesque beaches of New Caledonia, as well as informative liner notes in English, Spanish, and French, striking Lonely Planet photographs and the recipe of a traditional South Pacific dish.

Customer Reviews:

Does not disappoint!!!.......2007-06-07

Every track on this CD is excellent and makes you envision the islands of the south pacific. Just makes me want to visit these areas.

Awesome treasure courtesy of putumayo.

Upbeat and unexpected..........2007-02-09

This is one of those albums that just makes you happy. We have quite a few Putumayo collections and like all of them, but most of them have at least one song we could skip. Not this one. Every single track makes me smile. Enjoy!

A musical mai tai.......2006-06-13

This CD has EVERYTHING--a great recipe,a music video AND of course,wonderful music.It's the musical equivalent of Trader Vic's.It's a mai tai of music.

Highlights-
1)Mana Ma'Ohi-A group from Easter Island (Rapa Nui).Yes,there is more to this island than the giant heads that now adorn tiki rooms everywhere.
2)Sei Ma Le Losa-A song in honor of Greenpeace's founder.Very beautiful.
3)Siasi-A joyous love song.If you look in the liner notes,the lead singer is as easy on the eyes as he is on the ears.
4)Co era so-This has a music video.Wonderful.
5)Watolea-A rousing tune.

Drink this music down!

the best music to wake up to.......2005-05-06

want to start the day right? want to start light, carefree, and happy? then this CD is a must-have for your collection. whenever i listen to this i can't help but imagine the sun, sand, waves, and the beautifully round, dark and happy polynesian people with yukeleles (spellcheck please!) singing and dancing along the shore. this, for me, is the best putumayo album i've ever listened to. thank you, putumayo, for this CD release!

Tropical paradise.......2005-04-21

The South Pacific Islands collection comes from Tokelau, Samoa, New Zealand, Rapa Nui, Easter island, Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia. Here the easy listening contemporary music with a traditional feel moves along at a comfortable speed, conjuring up romantic islands and emerald seas. To help put you in the picture the CD is enhanced with a video from New Caledonian band OK! Ryos featuring dreamy images that make you wish you were on holidays in the tropical sun, not stuck in that damn job! Harmony vocals are a feature, and there's a touch of funk as well. Don't worry if you don't know the artists, they're all professional and engaging.

Average customer rating:

Perfect for Tahitian dancers too!
Sounds of the Islands

South Pacific Drums
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Playasound
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Drums of Bora Bora
Magic of the South Seas
Tahiti Dances to Drums of Bora Bora and Papeet
Heiva I Tahiti: Festival of Life
Tahiti Kaina Party

ASIN: B000005G0G
Release Date: 1994-08-08

Tracks:

Hoe - Te Hia' Ai Ora
Piti - Te Hia' Ai Ora
Toru - Te Hia' Ai Ora
Maha - Te Hia' Ai Ora
Pae - Te Hia' Ai Ora
Ono - Te Hia' Ai Ora
Hitu - Te Hia' Ai Ora
Va' U - Temaeva
Iva - Temaeva
Ahuru - Temaeva
Ahuru Ma Ho' E - Maeva Tahiti
Ahuru Ma Piti - Maeva Tahiti
Ahuru Ma Toru - Maeva Tahiti
Ahuru Ma Maha - Maeva Tahiti
Ahuru Ma Pae - Maeva Tahiti
Ahuru Ma Ono - Maeva Tahiti
Ahuru Ma Hitu - Tiare Tahiti Otea
Ahuru Ma Va' U - Tiare Tahiti Otea
Ahuru Ma Iva - Tiare Tahiti Otea
Piti Ahuru - Tiare Tahiti Otea
Piti Ahuru Ma Ho' E - Tiare Tahiti Otea
Piti Ahuru Ma Piti - Takiti Ma Drums
Piti Ahuru Ma Toru - Takiti Ma Drums
Piti Ahuru Ma Maha - Takiti Ma Drums
Piti Ahuru Ma Pae - Takiti Ma Drums
Piti Ahuru Ma Ono - Saloman Drums
Piti Ahuru Ma Hitu - Saloman Drums
Piti Ahuru Ma Va' U-Puaa Otea - Marquises-Nu' Uhiva
Piti Ahuru Ma Iva-Puaa Paoa - Marquises-Nu' Uhiva
Toru Ahuru - Marquises-Nu' Uhiva
Toru Ahuru Ma Ho' E - Tuamotu Folklore
Toru Ahuru Ma Piti - Tahiti Drums
Toru Ahuru Ma Toru - Tahiti Drums
Toru Ahurua Ma Maha - Tahiti Drums
Toru Ahurua Ma Pae - Tahiti Drums
Toru Ahurua Ma Ono - Tahiti Drums
Toru Ahurua Ma Hitu - Bimbo Ma
Toru Ahurua Ma Va' U - Tiare Tahiti-Paulina
Toru Ahurua Ma Iva - Tiare Tahiti-Paulina

Customer Reviews:

Perfect for Tahitian dancers too!.......2006-04-17

Not only is this album great to listen to... it is also helpful to beginning Ari Tahiti students who need to hone their faarapu and tairi skills. Because the drummers can't follow you home and play while you practice in front of your bathroom mirror, this album provides basic beats that every Tahitian dancer should be able to follow.

Sounds of the Islands.......2000-06-30

In the days of old, every social, political and cultural event in an islander's life was accompanied by the beating of drums. In this compilation , the importance of the drum in the cultural life of pacifica is transmitted by the drums' varying beats and rhythms. "Maha" and "Pae" reminds the listener (Pacific Islander or not) of what has been lost, but most importantly of what has been preserved.

Tracks:

OKLAHOMA: Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin'
State Fair: It Might As Well Be Spring
South Pacific: Some Enchanted Evening
OKLAHOMA: The Surrey With The Fringe On Top
South Pacific: Bali Ha'i
Carousel: June Is Bustin' Out All Over
The King And I: Something Wonderful
Allegro: So Far
Allegro: A Fellow Needs A Girl
The King And I: I Have Dreamed
Allegro: What A Lovely Day For A Wedding
Me And Juliet: No Other Love
The Sound Of Music: Edelweiss
Carousel: If I Loved You
South Pacific: There Is Nothin' Like A Dame
South Pacific: Younger Than Springtime
Allegro: Come Home
South Pacific: This Nearly Was Mine
Carousel: Soliloquy
Carousel: You'll Never Walk Alone

Amazon.com

In the opening song of "Something Wonderful," Welsh bass-baritone Bryn Terfel sings, "All the sounds of the Earth are like music." They most definitely are when Terfel surrounds them with his resonant baritone. Every phrase of Rodgers and Hammerstein's music is imbued with uncommon sensitivity, impeccable phrasing, and dazzling beauty. Terfel's rich and meaty voice shares a plate with delicate pianissimos, unabashed sentimentality, and swaggering forthrightness. He successfully tackles songs originally written for women. In "It Might as Well Be Spring," he transforms dippy into dapper. And he turns "Bali Hai" into a foreboding, demanding, and seductive call; the listener must helplessly succumb to the world of his sensitive manliness. His interpretations of the old standards--"If I Loved You," "Soliloquy," "This Nearly Was Mine," "Some Enchanted Evening"--are stellar. Despite the temporary lulls caused by the second-class songs from "Allegro," Terfel does a first-class job of bringing them to life. Undoubtedly one of the best crossover records of all time. --Barbara Eisner Bayer

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

I have just been introduced........2007-01-22

I came across the CD by sheer accident and am I glad I did. Wonderful music. Thanks for the music Bryn.

Great Music + Terrific Lyrics +Decent Singing = Very Nice CD.......2005-01-27

While not an expert on technical singing I really, really like this CD. I think Terfel's voice is pretty decent & he sings both male/female lead R & H songs for a total of twenty cuts. One cut I really enjoyed , but had never heard before was the song "So Far"
from R & H's "Allegro" with those Richard Roger's hooks & terrific Oscar Hammerstein lyrics. Felt that the orchestra on this session made a good move using the original orchestrations for a classic R & H feel. I concur with the reviewer regarding the miking of Terfel's voice in this session which seems too low forcing the listener to turn up the volumne.

A new meaning of throat singing........2004-06-11

I cannot believe that the critics of today can rave about such an inferior singer as Byrn Terfel. He sings so badly, I can't believe he has had the career he's had. I don't care how many roles he's sung, he hasn't any vocal technique at all. If anyone would care to hear great singing, buy the; "Thomas L. Thomas" Voice of Firestone video and listen to a great Welsh singer. This is a great artist and vocal technician. Try; "John Charles Thomas," "Lawrence Tibbett," or "Nelson Eddy." Bryn Terfel couldn't carry their music cases!

Superb matchmaking in Terfel's R&H recital.......2004-03-09

You might think that it is a very superflous mismatch for an opera singer to try his vocal cords on the Broadway songs of Rodgers & Hammerstein. However, in this R&H offering by Bryn Terfel, he proves that it is a perfect match between singer and repertoire for a classical crossover record of this pedigree. Terfel communicates the essence of each of the 20 songs to the listener, and allows them to sound fresh and new. And it helps that he has been a R&H fan for many years with the music already close to his heart. He is given superb backing from the well-conducted Opera North forces an warm, natural recording.

From the first phrase of Terfel's uplifting opening version of "Oh, what a beautiful morning" from Oklahoma!, we listeners intuitively know that this is not going to be your superflous run-of-the-mill classical crossover offering of R&H songs. Terfel uses his big voice to great effect in Billy Bigelow's two songs from Carousel, "If I loved you" and the pivotal "Soliloquy" that builds up to a devastating climax. When he does this for Emile's two big solos in South Pacific, "Some Enchanted Evening" and "This Nearly Was Mine," he also makes them sound fresh and intuitively conveys their essence. He also thrills us even when his voice is soft and tender, such as on Lietunant Cable's "Younger than Springtime" and especially on Captain von Trapp's "Edelweiss" from The Sound of Music.

Besides the obvious highlights in this R&H offering, Terfel unearths some new delights. He does this by trying his vocal cords on songs that were originally intended for women, most notably in Nettie's two big numbers in Carousel, "June is busting out all over" and "You'll never walk alone", which he pulls off convincingly in a straight-laced and serious manner without sounding cliched. (In the booklet, "You'll never walk alone" was stated as being sung by the Chorus, but then in the show, it is sung by Nettie.) He is also wistful on "It might as well be Spring" from State Fair, and philosophical on Lady Thiang's "Something Wondreful" from The King and I. He also evokes a dreamlike quality on Bloody Mary's "Bali Ha'i" in South Pacific. The other unusual thing that Terfel does is include some unknown songs and treat them ravishingly. Four of them are from Allegro, highlighted by a charming "So Far," a reflective "A Fellow needs a girl" and a powerful "Come Home", and he also sings "No Other Love" from Me and Juliet as ravishingly as "I Have Dreamed."

If I have any quibbles, there are only two minor ones. Terfel's R&H offering runs for 74 minutes, and still has six minutes of empty space on a CD. I'm sure that Terfel could have given thought to the Mother Abbess's "Climb Every Mountain" from The Sound of Music, which I consider a more universal and less-cliched song than "You'll never walk alone" from Carousel. It would have suited his full-throated, big-voiced characteristic very well. Also, this offering of R&H seems to be lopsided to emphasise more of the first part of R&H. Sixteen tracks cover R&H from Oklahoma to South Pacific, with four tracks that cover their second half from The King and I to The Sound of Music. As such I would have liked to hear him sing a more balanced repertoire of R&H songs with equal emphasis to both halves of their collaboration. Perhaps he might record a Volume 2 with songs from the latter part of their collaboration in the near future. But with 74 delightful minutes of Terfel's R&H offering, how could anybody complain about the quality of this recital, especially with a lavish booklet complete with copious notes by R&H expert Ethan Mordden and full lyrics.

Overall, though, I'm very sure that this R&H offering is both a highlight of Terfel's discography, and can ably recommended with his recording of Schubert songs to anybody who wants to get to know his work well. It can also be recommended to Rodgers & Hammerstein fans old and new.

By the way, I also recommend the Rodgers & Hammerstein Songbook for Orchestra, with another superlative Telarc offering by the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and Erich Kunzel. This recital is just as outstanding as Terfel's R&H offering. And, there is a wealth of cast recordings that new R&H fans will want to snap up, so this Terfel disc will be an ideal stepping-stone for them.

Broadway or Opera... This CD is indeed ýSomething Wonderfulý.......2003-07-25

It becomes clearer with every disk Bryn releases... he turns whatever he touches into gold! This CD is indeed `Something Wonderful'. From the first listen I was in love with this disk and can't get enough.

To begin, Rodgers and Hammerstein couldn't be more appropriately sung. From a time before electric amplification the sweeping melodies of Richard Rodgers were intended to be sung as Bryn illustrates. As I say every time, his diction is impeccable, his musicianship is unsurpassed, and his enthusiasm is wonderful. As for Oscar Hammerstein, I'm sure he doesn't mind a little foreign accent... because every word is clear and understandable.

To compare the accent of Terfel to Pavarotti and Carreras is simply misguided. Although Pavarotti and Carreras are top-notch for what they do, neither pursues `Broadway' music seriously. Their ventures into the medium are limited to Gala concerts and the occasional snippet on a CD... not on stage depicting a role, but simply to sing a beautiful song. Mr. Terfel, on the other hand, researches the roles, coaches them, and is constantly pursued to perform them. His accent is one of slight vowel or consonant differences, which do not detract from the beautiful music. The music is well done and the story clear. Lets not nitpick diction or the French will have our hides for Les Miserables!

For the music, the recording quality is great. One reviewer mentioned poor sound quality and I do believe that person may have a bad disk or player... on my end the sound is full and robust; Bryn's voice dominates the sound. The orchestrations are full and lush. When dealing with modern houses and theatres the orchestra pits are usually quite small, and consequently the ensembles themselves. CDs like this one allow for fully orchestrated music to be heard, with a large symphony of musicians. The numbers that utilize chorus, which sings very well, are well balanced.

This disk is a great buy in my book. Bryn Terfel is a phenomenal performer and he sings this genre excellently. Check out his `If Ever I Would Leave You', `Under The Stars', `We'll Keep a Welcome', `Songs of My Welsh Home', and numerous classical recordings like `Opera Arias', `Meet Bryn Terfel', `The Vagabond', `Wagner', `Schumann Lieder', and an large collection of full opera recordings. Enjoy.

Music:

Music

Music