Starlight Express (1984 Original London Cast) [Cast Recording]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Between his megahits Cats and The Phantom of the Opera, Andrew Lloyd Webber came up with one of his slightest efforts, Starlight Express. The composer admitted it was targeted at kids--centering on a set of trains and the plot of The Little Engine That Could--yet it lacks the charm of his other kids' show, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. While the live staging was exciting, featuring costumed roller skaters racing around, over, and through the audience, the score is one of Lloyd Webber's least subtle demonstrations of his ability to compose in different musical styles--country ("U.N.C.O.U.P.L.E.D."), blues ("Poppa's Blues"), rock ("Rolling Stock"), funk ("C.B."), rap ("The Rap"), and the like. Of course, there are some catchy tunes plus one hit (the title tune), and Richard Stilgoe's lyrics are sometimes cutely clever and sometimes banal ("Starlight Express, you must confess, are you real, yes or no / Starlight Express, please answer 'yes,' I don't want you to go."). The show was revised and revived in 1992, switching some songs, removing the most obvious cold-war references, and adding one pop single ("Next Time You Fall in Love"). --David Horiuchi

Tracks:

Phantom Of The Opera
Take That Look Off Your Face
All I Ask Of You
Don't Cry For Me Argentina
Magical Mr. Mistoffeles
Variations 1-4
Superstar
Memory
Starlight Express
Tell Me On A Sunday
The Music Of The Night
Another Suitcase In Another Hall
I Don't Know How To Love Him
Pie Jesu

Amazon.com essential recording

There are many, many Andrew Lloyd Webber albums out there, including cut-and-paste compilations and songbooks from individual artists, most notably Sarah Brightman, Michael Crawford, and even Jose Carreras. The Premiere Collection is probably as authentic as you can get in a hits album, however. In addition to the most popular selections from the original casts of Evita, Cats, and Jesus Christ Superstar, the 57-minute album includes two selections from Tell Me on a Sunday (also recorded by Bernadette Peters as Song and Dance), the title tune from Starlight Express, the "Pie Jesu" from the Requiem, and a snippet from the Paganini Variations, thereby allowing you to hear the good stuff without having to spring for the complete albums. Note that the three selections from Phantom of the Opera are the 1986 pop singles instead of the cast recordings, meaning Steve Harley rather than Crawford sings with Brightman on the title tune and Cliff Richard subs for Steve Barton on "All I Ask of You." (Crawford does sing "The Music of the Night," of course.) This 1989 compilation was too early for Aspects of Love or Sunset Boulevard, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is ignored, but these omissions are rectified in the follow-up album The Premiere Collection Encore, and the American-slanted version, The Very Best of Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Broadway Collection. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

Musical Pleasure.......2007-07-03

I enjoy all of this music, listening frequently. Some not original cast members, so less than 5 star. Product exactly as advertised.

The Premiere Collection.......2007-01-17

My sister had this and it got destroyed. She wanted an other, This was the only place I have found it!! Very hard to find! I have been to every music store in my area. She loved it!! And was so happy to have it again. Anyone who loves Andrew Lloyd Webber will love this. As it has many songs from some of his most famous plays with the original cast. Great item.

beautiful.......2006-12-21

This CD is a great compilation of some of Andrew Lloyd Webber's hits. If you are just looking for a "quick fix" for your Broadway craving, this is a great value.

Fair Album with 1 starlight and 0 aspects.......2004-07-09

I think this album is F-A-I-R because it has one starlight express song and zero aspects of love songs. This is why i liked the album The reason i said that this is a fair album is that I like Starlight Express better. Song i like are "The Phantom of the Opera", "Take That Look off Your Face", All I Ask of You", "Don't Cry For Me Argentina", "Mr. Mistofflees," "Superstar," "Memory", "Starlight Express", "Tell Me On A Sunday", "Music of the Night", "Another Suitcase in Another Hall", and "I Don't Know How To Love Him". I dislike the following songs:" Track 6" and the last one because the last one was hard to understand and track 6 is instrumental.

Superb collection.......2003-08-11

... It is a collection of the best of ALW's creative efforts, and a collection of great performances. Anyone who loves "Broadway" should have this disk in their collection.

Music & Songs From Starlight Express (1987 Studio Cast)

Average customer rating:

Good Show...Bad album
Not bad at all!
Doesn't Age Well .. but A Few Good Songs
NIce Score...........BUT !
I found it!

Music & Songs From Starlight Express (1987 Studio Cast)
Andrew Lloyd Webber , and Richard Stilgoe
Manufacturer: Decca U.S.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Starlight Express (1984 Original London Cast)
Coco (1970 Original Broadway Cast)
The New Starlight Express (1992 London Revival Cast)
Follies (Highlights from the 1971 Original Broadway Cast)
Me And My Girl (1986 Original Broadway Cast)

ASIN: B000002O3X
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Starlight Express - El Debarge
Engine Of Love - Peter Hewlett
Lotta Locomotion - Josie Aiello
There's Me - Peter Hewlett
AC/DC - Josie Aiello
Pumping Iron - Marc Cohn
Engine Of Love - Earl Jordan
Only You - Josie Aiello & Peter Hewlett
The Race Is On - Harold Faltermeyer
Make Up My Heart - Josie Aiello
I am This Starlight - Richie Havens & Peter Hewlett
One Rock & Roll Too Many - Marc Cohn
Light At The End Of The Tunnel - Richie Havens

Customer Reviews:

Good Show...Bad album.......2007-01-10

I loved the show when it came out and had the original cast recording on a record, but this is not it. The songs on this CD just do not have the feeling, emotion and pop that they deserve. These pop singers do not understand the characters, let alone the story, therefore do not do the songs justice. If you want to get a CD of Starlight Express, take the time and spend the money on the original cast recording!

Not bad at all!.......2006-08-01

Alot of people don't like this album, but I do. Most of the songs are catchy, if not addicting. Especially "Make Up My Heart" and "Light at the End of the Tunnel"

Don't miss the brief operatic cameo by Sarah Brightman halfway through "AC/DC."

Doesn't Age Well .. but A Few Good Songs.......2005-07-10

I really enjoyed the show when it first came out in 1987 and listened to this cd often. Since then, however, the show has aged ... and not particularly well.

Mr. Webber's scores for "Phantom Of The Opera", "Evita", "Sunset Boulevard", and "Jesus Christ Superstar" hold up better.

There are a few good tracks, however, on this "concept" recording:

Starlight Express (very catchy tune)
Engine Of Love
There's Me (personal favorite)
Only You

I wish they had released a Broadway cast recording (the London one is available as a double disc), but this is a fine substitute.

NIce Score...........BUT !.......2004-02-23

If you were amongst the few lucky audience members to assist viewing a presentation of STARLIGHT EXPRESS when it graced the boards in NYC during it's breef 80s run, then you'll enjoy this compacted ensemble of songs on this CD. However, if you are searching for a CD that best represents the show; this is NOT THE CD TO PURCHASE. I strongly suggest the recently revised CAST version from LONDON. EL DeBARGE as a lead vocalist ("where is he now?") does not cut it when trying to listen to the main theme composed by LOYDD WEBBER.

I found it!.......2001-12-07

I've been looking for this recording for a while now and I'm really glad that amazon had it. My Uncle was a part of the original cast and my sister and I used to sing Starlight Express together all the time (we were 4 and 6... give us a break). It brings back lots of memories and even though the show didn't last long and some of the music is goofy, I'll treasure this thing :)

Starlight Express (1984 Original London Cast)

Average customer rating:

Why? Andrew, Why?
Hasn't Aged Particularly Well
This is indeed the best version of the "Starlight Express" CDs
The best recording of the best musical!
BETTER TO WATCH THAN TO LISTEN...

Starlight Express (1984 Original London Cast)
Andrew Lloyd Webber , and Richard Stilgoe
Manufacturer: Decca Broadway
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Aspects Of Love (Original 1989 London Cast)
Whistle Down The Wind (1998 Original London Cast)
Sunset Boulevard (1993 Original London Cast)
Cats (1981 Original London Cast)
The New Starlight Express (1992 London Revival Cast)

ASIN: B00000742S
Release Date: 2000-05-09

Tracks:

Act One: Overture
Act One: Rolling Stock
Act One: Call Me Rusty
Act One: A Lotta Locomotion
Act One: Pumping Iron
Act One: Freight
Act One: AC/DC
Act One: He Whistled At Me
Act One: The Race
Act One: There's Me
Act One: Poppa's Blues
Act One: Belle The Sleeping Car
Act One: Starlight Express

Tracks:

Act Two: The Rap
Act Two: U.N.C.O.U.P.L.E.D.
Act Two: Rolling Stock (Reprise)
Act Two: C.B.
Act Two: Right Place, Right Time
Act Two: I Am The Starlight
Act Two: He Whistled At Me (Reprise)
Act Two: Race: The Final
Act Two: No Comeback
Act Two: One Rock 'N' Roll Too Many
Act Two: Only He
Act Two: Only You
Act Two: Light At The End Of The Tunnel

Amazon.com

Between his megahits Cats and The Phantom of the Opera, Andrew Lloyd Webber came up with one of his slightest efforts, Starlight Express. The composer admitted it was targeted at kids--centering on a set of trains and the plot of The Little Engine That Could--yet it lacks the charm of his other kids' show, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. While the live staging was exciting, featuring costumed roller skaters racing around, over, and through the audience, the score is one of Lloyd Webber's least subtle demonstrations of his ability to compose in different musical styles--country ("U.N.C.O.U.P.L.E.D."), blues ("Poppa's Blues"), rock ("Rolling Stock"), funk ("C.B."), rap ("The Rap"), and the like. Of course, there are some catchy tunes plus one hit (the title tune), and Richard Stilgoe's lyrics are sometimes cutely clever and sometimes banal ("Starlight Express, you must confess, are you real, yes or no / Starlight Express, please answer 'yes,' I don't want you to go."). The show was revised and revived in 1992, switching some songs, removing the most obvious cold-war references, and adding one pop single ("Next Time You Fall in Love"). --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

Why? Andrew, Why?.......2006-11-06

I can't believe this is by the same Man who wrote Phantom of the Opera. If you like Webber for Phantom, then DONT GET THIS! If you like Whistle Down the Wind by Webber, than you might like this as well. The story is a bit much, the songs get very repetitive, and the vocals are questionable. I just can't see spending almost 40.00 on a CD you wont listen to, but maybe twice. I would put this amount of money into Cats before this. ALthough, Starlight Express does have a quite a poppy edge so if you want something not so classical, this is ok. I still don't think its worth it. If you want a poppy musical get Tarzan. Favorite Song: "Poppa's Blues"

Hasn't Aged Particularly Well.......2006-08-18

Though by no means his crowning achievement, Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Starlight Express" was a dazzling piece of fluff, directed primarily towards children. The futuristic staging and skate-wearing cast was amazing to look at and the score includes several pop gems.

Best Tracks include:

Rolling Stock
A Lotta Locomotion
There's Me
Starlight Express
I Am The Starlight
Only He
Light At The End Of The Tunnel

Definitely not a musical to be taken too seriously, nor in the same league as "Phantom" or "Sunset Boulevard", the score for "Starlight Express" is simply fun..though I prefer the concept album recorded before the show's transfer to Broadway.

This is indeed the best version of the "Starlight Express" CDs.......2005-09-23

Being a "The Phantom of the Opera" and Michael Crawford fan, as well of Cats, I have rarely listened to anything outside of the, so called, classical Broadway sound. But I got tempted to see and hear this show after seeing the pictures from the various productions around the world, which is, ironically, partly, I got interested in "The Phantom of the Opera" .

But this show, Starlight Express, blew me away. Visually it, like Cats, The Phantom of the Opera, is in the same leagues. But score wise, it is a mixed one.

It is indeed a show, like Cats, and unlike The Phantom of the Opera, for children and, although I am not particularly fond of ALW himself, but it is sweet he wrote this show for his children, who were at the time from his first wife Sarah Hugill. The story is based more or less on the old children's tale of "The Little Engine that Could" and perhaps, not sure on this, on the old "Thomas the Tank Engine" show (I may be incorrect on this). I have not yet seen the show as a whole, but I can fully concur that, although the plot in the original was a bit weak, and at times today, even still, I will say that indeed it holds its own and it is a delightful show.

Of the numbers that are on the Original London Cast Recording; I will say this:)-

"The Overture" - Like all of ALW's shows, with the possible exception of "Joseph and the Amazing Techincolor Dreamcoat" , "Aspects of Love", and some of his later shows; ALW writes very intriguing at time eerie sounding music (The Phantom of the Opera, The Woman in White, Cats, and Evita are no exception) and this certainly fits that league. I would definitely say this deserves, if given 5 stars as the best, it is a 5. I love this number indeed.

"Rolling Stock" - This song, or this version, is really quite good, but I admit not as good as the New London Version. But they are both good. :D The singer who sings this sounds alot, strangely enough, like Gerard Butler who does the Phantom in the filmed version of ALW's stage show of "The Phantom of the Opera". Perhaps if Gerry did a movie version of Starlight and played Electra, he would fit quite well in it. But getting off topic, this is a really powerful number and on stage its really quite fun. Of the characters in the show, Electra is certainly the most heavily made up, and has been since the OLC production in 1984. The beat is a bit slow at best, not as more normally paced as the New London, but definitely both versions get a 5!

"Call Me Rusty" - Not crazy about this number personally, and that is only because its not among my favourite songs, but it is a really good number in of itself. Strong, creepy, almost too dark undertone to the music and the plot really flows through this number. Indeed another 5.

"A Lotta Locomotion" - Having been a fan of Frances Ruffelle (best known, later, for creating the role of Eponine Thenardier in Cameron Mackintosh's (non ALW) production of "Les Miserables") for a while, she really shines in this number and her voice still has all the power, fun, intrigue, and the surprising gentleness to her tone that she is known for. She is, out of all the ladies I have heard play her, is the best Dinah. :D Music wise, this song, on this recording at least, is very 80s and it shows through. The synthesizers and the electric keyboards really are the focal point in the instruments used in this. But with that said, the performers really blended well together and I must say it definitely deserves a 5, as well. :D

"Pumping Iron" - This indeed is another cute number with Greaseball playing an Elvis figure (ALW seems to have a obsession with Elvis having incorpriated alot of him into Joseph and the Amazing Techincolor Dreamcoat and some of his other shows). I like this version very much, the performer, at the moment his name illudes me, is really quite good at portraying the sort of macho, but nice, tough guy part of Greaseball (unlike the macho, but evil, Electra). Again another 5. :P

"Frieght" - Is very child-like and really is quite suitable for children, music wise as, unlike its former numbers, is not as dark or adult in nature. But there again the flow of the music is weak and here is where it needs perhaps a little punch, but that is only my personal opinion. For children this is a good number but even then still weak. I give this a good even (out of 5 stars) 3 and a half.

"AC/DC" - Well, this is certainly more in line with his other shows, and it really is quite a good number. The music flows really well, and here Ray Schell (?) shows he played the part well. 5 stars.

"He Whistled At Me" - This is perhaps when the romance section really comes through. The late Stephanie Lawerence is amazing as Pearl and the song at times switches from child-like to an almost creepy note when at the end of Rusty (Ray Schell) whistling it slides down on the synthesizers. The flow of the music is of course slow in this and deserves so to be, and in this it does get a 5 as well.

"The Race" (or the first race) - This is where, in the show, it becomes quite electrically charged, although the show is already enough exciting visually in the former tracks, but here is when it reaches it's first peak. The race on stage is quite thrilling (although perhaps, maybe, not as thrilling as the Final one) and the track really captures the nerve and fire of this scene and number. Definitely a 5!!

"There's Me" - This song is quite sweetly done, and is definitely well played out and indeed is more in line with ALW's other shows. Quite gently played and suitable for children. The flow of the music is perfect, the cast does excellent, no complaints here! 5 stars!

"Poppa's Blues" - You would think that ALW, being a more classically minded composer, would stick to more classically themed music. But here he as already done rock, 60's style music, his own unique style, children's style, (I want to say goth but that's not the word for it so I will say..) dark, 80's style music. You would think he would switch back to classical, but nope. Here, as one reviewer commented, this show combines all of ALW's taste or attempts in music. And here is when, in a shocker for ALW, ALW tries to write a blues number. And surprisingly, for those who don't know that he does this, but not surprisingly to those who do know this, he achieves it. Lon Satton is brilliant as Poppa, as has Frances Ruffelle as Dinah and the actor who performed Greaseball (Ray Schell I am not too keen on at alot of points, but he is good, just not my fave) and really shines through in this number. It is a great thing that he later on recreated his role for the New London show. :D The flow of the music really goes well and ALW has really captured the feel of the blues (although I am not a personal fan of the style myself). 5 stars!

"Belle The Sleeping Car" - This is where I have the harshest criticism. I don't know if its the singer or the music, but it is definitely the first really weak point in the show and I think, personally, when thinking about the plot, slows the show down a bit . The flow of the music is confused at best, and bad at least and the performer does not do justice to this number, if the music is already weak. This gets 2 stars.

"Starlight Express" - I remember when I heard this on the Premiere Recording, I did not know who that singer who sang along with Lon Satton was, I did not know at first if it was Ray or a woman. It said on the track it was Ray and Lon. :P But this really captures the essence of the show, this song is about the show and holds everything. Its a combination of the dark undertone, as I said already in play in the show, and the lightness that is tolerable for children. At the time, being into TPOTO, I was not too crazy with it but I did admit it had a good beat, good lyrics (if the singers were not my fave) and was a bit creepy. But now, I quite like it and it captures the show perfectly. Back to 5 stars!

"The Rap" - This is a really confusing number and indeed, I am not a fan of this at all. Its like a combination of 80's style music and rap. :S I would give this 1 star.

"U.N.C.O.U.P.L.E.D" - ALW has wrote Country?? Yes he has. And once again, although the flow in the music is its one major flaw (not on Frances Ruffelle's part), Frances Ruffelle really shines through and the song itself is lovely. Very sweet and sad in a good way. :) Frances Ruffelle indeed, never fails to incorrectly sing, although perhaps, with the beginning flow a bit distorted as its only fault, she did not do as good as she usually does, could have sung country music, if she lived over in the USA. :D Bravo, Frances!! 5 stars!

"Rolling Stock: rephrise" - Being a girl, I could not sing the former version; but this version is especially written for girls (thank you ALW:D) and, for any female performer wanting to do the show and learn the score, this is at a good slow pace to start with and then slowly increases in the later recordings. But this works well and should have remained as is, in the OLC. :D 5 Stars.

"C.B." - This is really 80's style and it really shows Electra being, as he is in the show, an.. (considering children may read this) a jerk. But nevertheless, its a very confusing style and this, while not as bad as "Belle" or the other poor songs on this, it seems to have some strong points. But my only complaint is the style and crescendos and flow of the piece is confusing. I would give this a 2.

"Right Place, Right Time" - HAHAHA! I had to laugh at that comment, "Rocky 1 and Rocky 2" and the "If I had any brains". :D But with that said, this is a good sturdy number, although not as strong as the others. 4 stars at best. :D

"I am the Starlight" - Ray does not shine here as much as I wished he had, but he really does well nevertheless. Lon does not do as good on this, but the song is the peak of the show in that Rusty realizes he is the "destined" or Starlight :D. The music flows in a very classical, in line with the other classical shows that ALW does, and is brilliantly written (if not cast wise written). So for the music a 5, with the singers a 4.

"He Whistled At Me: Rephrise" - The singer, who sounds alot similar to someone from "My Fair Lady" , is really quite cute and this number, I have only one complaint, that Ray again does not show his fuller potential. 5 stars though.

"Race: Final" - This is the climax, where Rusty and Electra go head to head and in the stage show, this is incredible to see and the music is just electric for this, literally in style and in emotion. No complaints at all here! Both children and adults would love this number or at least, find it thrilling if they saw the show live. If you ever see the show, this is probebly, if the children are bored with the former songs, this is where they MAY have fun and get a musical theater buzz. 5 stars indeed!!! :D

"No Comeback" - In regards to the singer here, he does really badly. His flow and style of singing is, perhaps, a bit strained in some notes and poorly done (but to his credit, it may be the score for his voice). But the music really comes through and does briliantly. 5 stars, even with the bad singing!

"One Rock n' Roll Too Many" - This is another confusing number, but it is not the fault of the singer. The style of music is really complicated and indeed in this, this is one rock n roll too many. But with that said, 2 stars.

"Only He" - I have heard this when it was combined with "Only You", as done by, ironically, Frances Ruffelle and, my favourite Phantom and ALW star, Michael Crawford on Michael's Music of ALW CD . This shows Stephanie at her best. 5 stars!!

"Only You" - Here Ray Schell does very badly, but while Stephanie shines through. :D This is a good number and it is a tragedy that ALW cut this out. Oh well, seeing as he cut out alot of stuff from the ALW TPOTO Movie version, I am not surprised. 5 stars, btw. :D

"Light At the End of the Tunnel" - Finally we are reaching the end of the show, where the beginning starts out very dark, this is very upbeat and cheerful. Lon, in contrast to when he did badly, he redeems himself here. 5 stars!!

OVERALL, with all that said and done, I would give it indeed 4 stars. :D And indeed, try and see this show if it comes to your city or town, if you live in the USA. Although if you want a really GOOD production; I highly recommend the versions in Bochem (in Germany, where it is the longest running production of the show, having been here when the OLC and OBC ) and the Las Vegas one. :D

This indeed is one of the rarest of ALW's shows, as its not as well known or popular here in the USA (which is their loss, not mine), and is quite sublte in ALW's various other tastes in music. As a former critic said, this is the best of the recordings.

The best recording of the best musical!.......2005-04-04

Well, where to start, the songs on this CD show the musical how it should be presented. The singers are great and songs are fantastic. You should definitely choose this CD over the New (London) Starlight Express recording. The only thing I think the New recording has over this one is three tracks : Crazy, Coda of Freight, and the Megamix. This however has Call Me Rusty, A Lotta Locomotion, He Whistled At Me, Belle, Girls' Rolling Stock, Only He and Only You and a slightly different Light At The End Of The Tunnel. These are the basic differences, with there being others which are smaller, less obvious differences.

Starlight is my favourite musical of all time. I have had this recording on some medium or other since I was 4 (15 yrs ago) and I have managed to wear out every copy I have owned - I love it that much. I think it is probably true to say that you would have had to see the show live on stage to fully appreciate it however. This recording does sound quite dated and is quite blatantly 80s, however some of the tracks (A Lotta Locomotion and He Whistled Me) are so 80s that they would pass as cool/retro nowadays.

In conclusion - the best Starlight recording I own.

BETTER TO WATCH THAN TO LISTEN..........2005-02-28

Seeing that his "Cats" have become a musical phenomenon in its own right after the London (1981.) and Broadway (1982.) premiere, Andrew Lloyd Webber decided to use the same formula on his next project, "Starlight Express". He collaborated with the same people, including Trevor Nunn as a director; Gillian Lynne as a choreographer and Richard Stilgoe provided the lyrics. The main problem of "Starlight Express" is that it pushes the Cats formula to a much bigger and higher degree. The composer dedicated this show to his children and to his own fascination with train toys.

Most of the show's appeal lies in its visual performance rather than in the score or the lyrics. The plot is even lighter than in Cats: it tells the story of the different trains. Rusty, a steam engine is in love with a glamorous carriage Pearl, but has to compete with other trains by racing them to win her affection. The holes in this simple plot were overshadowed by the grandiose staging that involved vigorous light show and cast members on roller-skates racing through the specially made stage. Because of that, Starlight proved to be a family-oriented show guaranteeing an entertaining evening. It was probably one of the main reasons why the show lasted in the West End until 2002. And yet the fact remains that on Broadway it passed rather unnoticed and didn't cover the basic investment.

This two-disc recording captures much of the original show that opened in March 1984 in London's Apollo Victoria theatre. You should be aware, however, that the score was revised in the early 90-is in order to get a more modern sound. The cast recording here has several problems. First, the orchestrations are full of synthesizers and the disco-beat of the 80-is is more than evident and therefore much dated. The story lacks coherence even more than in the case of Cats, so you don't have the feeling that anything is happening. And the score itself is not among ALW's best, for the most part it's just derivative. That said, some of the songs on this recording are worth noting.

The best of the lot is "Only he", a wonderful love ballad sung by Pearl to Rusty. It's not the music here that matters, it's the lady singing it. The late Stephanie Lawrence had a sweet and tender voice and it will hold you throughout this powerful song. It's amazing that this number was later completely dropped out. Her second big number, "He whistled at me" is a little lighter, but still very pretty. And from the rest of the cast, only Ray Shell's Rusty sticks out. He manages to portray the liveliness of the character in songs such as "Call me Rusty", which has a catching melody. And the other song not to skip is "I am Starlight" on disc 2, sung by Rusty and his father. This is also the only melody that comes close to ALW's symphonic extravaganza, with the perfect blending of the score and the cast. The rest is rather plain and unnoticeable.

The CD package comes with the complete lyrics of the performed songs, but just like in "Aspects of love"; you need a magnifying glass in order to read it. The lyrics are among the most banal I've ever heard in a musical.

This version of "Starlight Express" should therefore be appreciated for its innovative staging and its individual moments rather than its worth as a whole. In this respect, it belongs to the less satisfying scores of Andrew Lloyd Webber and is not at all a must-have, but rather a mere addition to the collection of the composer's work.

Julian Lloyd Webber plays Andrew Lloyd Webber

Average customer rating:

Awful and Tacky!
Julian Lloyd Weber Plays Andrew Lloyd Weber
Too much of a good thing and I prefer the originals
Lloyd Webber Plays Lloyd Webber
Absolutely excellent!

Julian Lloyd Webber plays Andrew Lloyd Webber

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Lloyd Webber Plays Lloyd Webber

ASIN: B00005BJNF
Release Date: 2001-05-08

Tracks:

Whistle Down The Wind: No Matter What
The Phantom Of The Opera: The Phantom Of The Opera
The Phantom Of The Opera: Music Of The Night
Cats: Memory
Evita: Don't Cry For Me Argentina
The Beautiful Game: Our Kind Of Love
Sunset Boulevard: With One Look
Jesus Christ Superstar: I Don't Know How To Love Him
Starlight Express: Starlight Express
Evita: Buenos Aires
Aspects Of Love: Love Changes Everything
Sunset Boulevard: The Perfect Year
The Phantom Of The Opera: All I Ask Of You
The Beautiful Game: God's Own Country
Song And Dance: Tell Me On A Sunday
Vars: Vars 1-4
Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Close Every Door
Jesus Christ Superstar: John
Requiem: Pie Jesu
Whistle Down The Wind: Whistle Down The Wind - Julian Lloyd Webber/Andrew Lloyd Webber

Amazon.com

Apparently, Julian and Andrew Lloyd Webber's first collaboration occurred when the latter was 9 and the former 6. It took place on the stage of a toy theater, and Julian's role was then limited to operating the collection of tiny plastic soldiers that made up the cast of Andrew's latest musical. More than 40 years have passed since then but, as this disc proves, the brothers still enjoy a remarkable familial and musical relationship. Julian first recorded a series of cello arrangements of hits from Andrew's musicals in 1990, and this disc updates the enterprise with six new tracks from Whistle Down the Wind, The Beautiful Game , and Sunset Boulevard. The orchestral arrangements are deliciously soupy (especially "All I Ask of You" from Phantom of the Opera, "Love Changes Everything" from Aspects of Love, and the Riverdance-esque "God's Own Country" from The Beautiful Game) and suit Julian's appropriately swoony and uninhibited approach to the music. Fans of the Lloyd Webbers shouldn't be disappointed. --Warwick Thompson

Customer Reviews:

Awful and Tacky!.......2005-05-11

The reason I checked out this CD from local library is because I just watched the disappointing movie version of `Phantom of the Opera' and hoped Andrew Lloyd Webber who appears suffering from `over-esteem' would redeem himself in this format of presentation. It really would have worked, considered the similar quality of cello and human voice and the already famous melodies.

But it didn't! This is a tacky and totally forgettable presentation only suitable for elevators and ... well, you know, some public facilities. It makes the critically panned 'Phantom of the Opera' movie like a masterpiece! It's not so much the music's or musician's faults. There just isn't any thought process in the music making at all. If the cello is just going to play by the numbers, what's the point then? And the music arrangements on the orchestra side are just as shameful and insulting.

Compare to 'Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone', it's a clear example how a good taste of music adaptation can make a difference between Heaven and Hell.

It should be a minus star!

Julian Lloyd Weber Plays Andrew Lloyd Weber.......2001-07-14

Fantastic collection for true Andrew Lloyd Weber fans. A perfect gift for you or your friends. Everyone who hears mine wants a copy.

Too much of a good thing and I prefer the originals.......2001-06-02

Certainly Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote some superb melodies and certainly his brother Julian is an accomplished, outstanding cellist. That said, while it is fine to listen to a couple of these songs at a time played in this format, the real greatness of Andrew was in his collaboration with his lyricists like Tim Rice, and the songs just work better in my opinion as Broadway/theatre, with the rich diversity of soloists who have sung them.

Lloyd Webber Plays Lloyd Webber.......2001-05-22

I got an e-mail recommending this CD....Being the Andrew Lloyd Webber fan that I was, I just decided to buy it thinking it was his greatest hits by the original casts of his Play.

Boy was I wrong...but pleassantly so. Julian Lloyd Weber does a brilliant job of his brothers work...Purely instrumentational and incredibly beautiful... definately worth buying if your are ALW fan

Absolutely excellent!.......2001-05-14

An updated and improved version of Lloyd Webber plays Lloyd Webber. The original was great; and this new one is even better. The old songs have been enhanced, and there are six new selections from Sunset Boulevard, Whistle Down the Wind (the title song featuring Andrew on piano) and the two best Andrew songs brother Julian has ever done: "Our Kind of Love" and "God's Own Country" from the Beautiful Game. Even if you aren't into the Lloyd Webber brothers, any fan of classical and/or show music would absolutely love this CD.

Erich Kunzel - Andrew Lloyd Webber (Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Evita, Sunset Boulevard, Jesus Christ Superstar, Starlight Express, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) / Cincinnati Pops Orchestra

Average customer rating:

Kunzel's different perspective on ALW's musicals

Erich Kunzel - Andrew Lloyd Webber (Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Evita, Sunset Boulevard, Jesus Christ Superstar, Starlight Express, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) / Cincinnati Pops Orchestra
Andrew Lloyd Webber , Erich Kunzel , Ernest [organ] Hoffman , Randolph Bowman , Timothy Berens , and Cincinnati Pops Orchestra
Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000003D18
Release Date: 1996-01-23

Tracks:

The Phantom Of The Opera
The Music Of The Night
Think Of Me
Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again
All I Ask Of You
Angel Of Music
As If We Never Said Goodbye
The Greatest Star of All
With One Look
Memory
I Don't Know How To Love Him
Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say)
King Herod's Song
Don't Cry For Me, Argentina
Starlight Express
Any Dream Will Do

Customer Reviews:

Kunzel's different perspective on ALW's musicals.......2005-11-06

Kunzel's offering of Andrew Lloyd Webber suites is a worthwhile tribute to this modern-day titan of globalised musicals. Although this album has a different feel from the original cast albums, Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops still perform these affectionate arrangements of Lord Lloyd Webber's musicals expertly, superbly and voluptiously. The creative arrangements by Crafton Beck and Steven Reineke are tastefully and, for the most part, faithfully done, and allow Kunzel to offer a fresh perspective to these musicals in their orchestral settings. And as always Telarc provides its trademark audiophile-quality recording - surround sound quality with a sumptuous spatialiser such that you might be overwhelmed by the Phantom's laughter in the Phantom suite.

Kunzel contrasts the dramatic and lyrical sides of the PHANTOM and SUNSET BOULEVARD suites as if they were written for the Pops. The Phantom suite gains from a breathtaking organ introduction of the Phantom's theme, and from the contrasts in Music of the Night that match the lyrics perfectly, even without the cast album. The tender arrangement of Think of Me cleverly weaves the Angel of Music melody as a counterpoint, while All I Ask of You, complete with some of the details of the original orchestrations, makes a calming answer to Christine's Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again. The JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR suite depicts the contrasting and conflicting moods of this groundbreaking rock opera, from the contrasts in I Don't Know How to Love Him to the sheer anguish in Gethsemene (I Only Want to Say).

There are some interesting arrangements on this ALW offering, especially the arrangement of Don't Cry for Me Argentina from EVITA. Although some listeners might be offended when it transmorphs itself into the Ravel Bolero after doing an about-turn from its lush, Spanish feel, it still depicts Evita's rise to power and her manipulative trait in her character, well-suiting an orchestral concert arrangement of the tune and fitting in with the spirit of the musical. Another interesting arrangement is the rousing theme-and-variation finale of Any Dream Will Do from JOSEPH, which incorporates many different musical styles throughout the variations, from ballroom waltzing to jazz, movie music (Magnificent Seven) and circus-style music. I know some listeners might be offended, but in their own inimitable and creative way, Kunzel and the Pops still pay tribute to this early ALW musical by evoking the myriad of colours on the coat and the diversity of musical styles in the original JOSEPH musical. This arrangement certainly fits the trademark style of the Pops perfectly.

The only fault with this collection is in the arrangement of Memory from CATS. Here, this song is treated as a flat-out romantic ballad, rather than as the haunting anthem for respect that Grizabella sings. Nevertheless, the arrangement by Tommy Newsom (who wrote this arrangement for a Doc Severinson album) is innofensive to this well-loved ALW melody (this is the only arrangement that Crafton Beck or Steven Reineke didn't write for this album). Also, I wish that Kunzel had included Love Changes Everything and Whistle Down the Wind, but given the fact that this was a 1996 recording, ALW hadn't written Whistle down the Wind as yet. But these are minor caveats, since Kunzel offers much to savour in these infectuous and spirited performances.

Yet I still feel that Kunzel's ALW offering is a winner in its lush orchestral suite arrangements of his well-loved and great musicals, far superior to any shopping-mall synthesised arrangement. This would surely count towards another feather in Kunzel's cap and stand pride of place with his rousing offering of Rodgers & Hammerstein. I'm sure Lord Lloyd Webber would have been proud.

Average customer rating:

I waited for this for five years
Excellent collection but BIG PUBLISHING MISTAKE!
ONE OF LLOYD WEBBER'S BEST COMPILATIONS, DESPITE A FEW FLAWS
SUCH MAGICAL MUSIC OF THE NIGHT!
A Must Have for Sir Andrew fans

Andrew Lloyd Webber: Now & Forever
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Decca Broadway
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00005R5UJ
Release Date: 2001-11-20

Tracks:

Jesus Christ Superstar: Overture - Andrew Lloyd Webber
Jesus Christ Superstar: Everything's Alright - Yvonne Elliman/Murray Head/Ian Gilllan
Jesus Christ Superstar: I Don't Know How To Love Him - Yvonne Elliman
Jesus Christ Superstar: Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say) - Steve Balsamo
Jesus Christ Superstar: Superstar - Murray Head
Evita: Oh What A Circus/Sing You Fools - Antonio Banderas
Evita: I'd Be Surprisingly Good For You - Elaine Paige/Joss Ackland
Evita: Another Suitcase In Another Hall - Barbara Dickson
Evita: Don't Cry For Me Argentina - Julie Covington
Evita: High Flying, Adored - Mandy Patinkin/Patti LuPone
Cats: The Jellicle Ball - Andrew Lloyd Weber
Cats: Memory - Elaine Paige
Cats: Gus: The Theatre Cat - Susan Jane Tanner/John Mills
Cats: Mr Mistoffelees - Paul Nicholas
Song And Dance: Take That Look Off Your Face - Marti Webb
Song And Dance: Tell Me On A Sunday - Marti Webb
Song And Dance: Unexpected Song - Sarah Brightman
Song And Dance: Nothing Like You've Ever Known - Sarah Brightman
Song And Dance: Introduction - Andrew Lloyd Webber
Song And Dance: Variations 1 -4 - Andrew Lloyd Webber

Tracks:

Starlight Express: Starlight Express - El Debarge
Starlight Express: Crazy - Greg Ellis/Reva Rice/Caron Cardelle/Samantha Lane/Voyd
Starlight Express: Next Time You Fall In Love - Reva Rice/Greg Ellis
Starlight Express: I Am The Starlight - Lon Satton/Ray Shell
Starlight Express: Light At The End Of The Tunnel - The Company
Requiem: Hosanna - Placido Domingo
Requiem: Pie jesu - Sarah Brightman/Paul Miles-Kingston
The Phantom Of The Opera: The Phantom Of The Opera - Michael Crawford/Sarah Brightman
The Phantom Of The Opera: The Music Of The Night - Michael Crawford
The Phantom Of The Opera: All I Ask Of You - Sarah Brightman/Steve Barton
The Phantom Of The Opera: Entr'acte - Andrew Lloyd Webber
The Phantom Of The Opera: Masquerade - The Company
The Phantom Of The Opera: Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again - Sarah Brightman
Aspects Of Love: Aspects Of Aspects - Orchester Der Vereinigten Buehnen Wien
Aspects Of Love: Love Changes Everything - Michael Ball
Aspects Of Love: Seeing Is Believing - Michael Ball/Ann Crumb
Aspects Of Love: The First Man You Remember - Kevin Colson/Diana Morrison
Aspects Of Love: Anything But Lonely - Sarah Brightman
Aspects Of Love: Chanson D'Enfance - Sarah Brightman

Tracks:

Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Any Dream Will Do - Jason Donovan
Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Joseph's Coat - Maria Friedman/Richard Attenborough/Donny Osmond
Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Close Every Door - Donny Osmond
By Jeeves: Travel Hopefully - John Scherer/Martin Jarvis/Don Stephenson
By Jeeves: When Love Arrives - Steven Pacey/Diana Morrison
By Jeeves: Half A Moment - Sarah Brightman
Sunset Boulevard: With One Look - Glenn Close
Sunset Boulevard: New Ways To Dream - Glenn Close/Alan Campbell
Sunset Boulevard: The Perfect Year - Glenn Close/Alan Campbell
Sunset Boulevard: Sunser Boulevard - Alan Campbell
Sunset Boulevard: As If We Never Said Goodbye - Glenn Close
Whistle Down The Wind: Whistle Down The Wind - James Graeme/Lottie Mayor
Whistle Down The Wind: Cold - Everly Brothers
Whistle Down The Wind: No Matter What - Children/Adult Chorus
Whistle Down The Wind: The Nature Of The Beast - Marcus Lovett/Lottie Mayor
The Beautiful Game: Overture - Andrew Lloyd Webber
The Beautiful Game: The Beautiful Game - The Company
The Beautiful Game: Our Kind Of Love - Hannah Waddingham
The Beautiful Game: Dont Like You - Josie Walker/David Shannon
The Beautiful Game: Let Us Love In Peace - Josie Walker/Omagh Youth Community Choir

Tracks:

Oh What A Circus - David Essex
Memory - Betty Buckley
The Phantom Of The Opera - Sarah Brightman/Steve Harley
All I Ask Of You - Sarah Brightman/Cliff Richard
Love Changes Everything - Michael Ball
Any Dream Will Do - Donny Osmond
Amigos Para Siempre (Friends For Life) - Sarah Brightman/Jose Carreras
As If We Never Said Goodbye - Barbra Streisand
The Perfect Year - Dina Carroll
With One Look - Petula Clark
You Must Love Me - Madonna
The Heart Is Slow To Learn - Kiri Te Kanawa
A Kiss Is A Terrible Thing To Waste - The Metal Philharmonic Orchestra
Whistle Down The Wind - Tina Arena
No Matter What - Boyzone
The Vaults Of Heaven - Tom Jones
Try Not To Be Afraid - Boy George
Pie Jesu - Charlotte Church

Tracks:

Make Believe Love - Wes Sands
Down Thru' Summer - Ross Hannaman
I'll Give All My Love To Southend - Ross Hannaman
Believe Me I Will - Sacha Distel
Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1969 Radio Luxembourg Commercial) - Joseph Consortium/Pete Murray
Try It And See - Rita Pavone
Come Back Richard Your Country Needs You - Time Rice And The Webber Group
Goodbye Seattle - Paul Raven
John 19:41 - The Andrew Lloyd Webber Orchestra
What A Line To Go Out On - Yvonne Elliman
Disillusion Me - Gary Band
The Ballad Of Robert And Peter - Tim Rice
Christmas Dream - Maynard Williams
It's Only Your Lover Returning/All Through My Crazy And Wild Days/Don't Cry For Me Argentina - Julie Covington
It's Easy For You (1977 Jungle Room Session Version) - Elvis Presley
Magdalena - Tony Christie
Buenos Aires - The Roja Rockers
Pollicle Dogs And Jellicle Cats - Andrew Lloyd Webber
Mungojerrie And Rumpleteazer (Live At The Sydmonton Festival 1980) - Gemma Craven
I Could Have Given You More - Petula Clark
I've Been In Love Too Long - Marti Webb
Benedicite - The Stephen Hill Singers

Album Description

Disc 1: Selections from Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Cats, and Song and Dance

Disc 2: Selections from Starlight Express, Requiem, Phantom of the Opera, and Aspects of Love

Disc 3: Selections from Joseph nad the Amaziong Technicolor Dreamcoat, By Jeeves, Sunset Boulevard, Whistle Down the Wind, and The Beautiful Game

CD 4: 1. "Oh What a Circus" --David Essex 2. "Memory" - Betty Buckleey 3. "The Phantom of the Opera" -Sarah Brightman, Steve Harley 4. "All I Ask of You" --Sarah Brightman, Cliff Richard 5. "Love Changes Everything"--Michael Ball 6. "Any Dream Will Do"--Donny Osmond 7. "Amigos Para Siempre (Friends for Life)"--Sarah Brightman, Jose Caerras 8. "As if We Never Said Goodbye"--Barbra Streisand 9. "The Perfect Year"--Dina Carroll 10. "With One Look" --Petula Clark 11. "You Must Love Me" 12. "The Heart Is Slow To Learn" --Kiri Te Kanawa 13. "Whistle Down the Wind"--Tina Arena 14. "A Kiss Is a Terrible Thing To Waste"--The Metal Philharmonic 15. "No Matter What"--Boyzone 16. "The Vaults of Heaven"--Tom Jones and Sounds of Blackness 17. "Try Not To Be Afraid"--Boy George 18. "Pie Jesu"--Charlotte Church

Disc 5: (All tracks available for the first time) 1. "Make Believe Love"--Wes Sands 2. "Down Thru' Summer"--Ross Hannaman 3. "I'll Give All My Love to Southend"--Ross Hannaman 4. "Believe Me I Will"--Sacha Distel 5. "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: 1969 Luxembourg Radio Commercial--The Jospeh Consortium, Pete Murray 6. "Try It and See"--Rita Pavone 7. "Come Back Richard Your Country Needs You"--Tim Rice and the Webber Group 8. "Goodbye Seattle"-- Paul Raven 9. "John 19:41"--The Andrew Lloyd Webber Orchestra 10. "What a Line To Go Out On"--Yvonne Elliman 11. "Disillusion Me" --Gary Bond 12. "The Ballad of Robert and Peter"--Tim Rice 13. "Christmas Dream" --Maynard Williams 14. "It's Only Your Lover Returning/All through My Wild and Crazy Days/Don't Cry for Me Argentina--Julie Covington 15. "It's Easy for You" (1977 Jungle Room Session version)--Elvis Presley 16. "Magdalena"--Tony Christie 17. "Buenos Aires"--The Rioja Rockers 18. "Pollicle Dogs and Jellicle Cats"--Andrew Lloyd Webber original demo 19. "Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer" (Live at Sydmonton Festival 1980)-Gemma Craven 20. "I Could Have Given You More"--Petula Clark 21. "I've Been in Love Too Long"--Marti Webb 22. "Benedicte"-- Stephen Hill Singers

Customer Reviews:

I waited for this for five years.......2006-06-30