Christine (1960 Original Broadway Cast) [Cast Recording]

With the entire libretto and lyrics taken from Gertrude Stein's writings, Loving Repeating is one of the few musicals to explore women's conditions and gay sexuality. This latest musical from Stephen Flaherty (Ragtime, Dessa Rose) premiered in Chicago in 2006, produced by The About Face Theatre in conjunction with the Museum of Modern Art.

Customer Reviews:

Good combination of music and lyrics.......2007-07-02

This musical is based on Gertrude Stein's Loving, Repeating (a long gay book). I heard previously the opera Four Saints (by Virgil Thomson) with libretto by Gertrude Stein. I am also familiar with some of the works of Flaherty. I must say that this one is the best so far. Once on This Island is very accessible, but this one entices you to listen to the lyrics. An individual listening would really not do justice to the work. It requires one complete listening. the songs seem to be weaved together (much better than Passion i must say, and this is a great compliment). The songs grow on the ears. Very subtle. Angsty musicals and writers will learn a lot from this one. Not your typical broadway music mind you.

Amazing score, lyrics, and talent.......2007-03-26

I have been listening to this non-stop. Being a Stephen Flaherty fan, the music as always is quite innovative and exquisite. The voices of the cast, especially that of the incomparable Christine Mild, induces goosebumps, and veteran actress, Cindy Gold, brings the spoken portions of the recording to life. Amazing and truly heartfelt show.

Loving Repeating Wows!.......2007-03-12

Beautifully written story and lyric,performed by a wonderfully gifted cast.This is a definite keeper!

I love it and can't stop repeating it (on my cd player).......2007-02-27

I was lucky enough to see this show three times: twice on the Northwestern University Campus (original musical title was "a long gay book,") and a third time at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago. This show is stunning. I found myself humming melodies from the show - even though I hadn't seen it in over a year (and didn't own the recording)! The music and lyrics have a way of staying with you. This is a real work of art - poetry and song, based on the work of Gertrude Stein.

If you're a fan of musicals with soul, wit, and class, then you'll love this.

The voices of Christine Mild and Jenny Powers (Little Women) are extraordinary and Cindy Gold's narration is engaging and uniquely powerful. Combine these talents with that of Frank Galati (Tony Award Winner ... Director, Adapted Script) and Stephen Flaherty (Ragtime, etc.) and you have one AMAZING musical.

Highly Recommended!!!!

Average customer rating:

Not perfect, but close.
Christine Mc Vie
C. McVie
Christine Proves She's "The Songbird"
Lovely Christine.

Christine McVie
Christine McVie
Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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In the Meantime
Go Insane
Law and Order
Mirage
Out of the Cradle

ASIN: B0000062UB
Release Date: 1997-11-25

Tracks:

Love Will Show Us How
The Challenge
So Excited
One In A Million
Ask Anybody
Got A Hold On Me
Who's Dreaming This Dream
I'm The One
Keeping Secrets
The Smile I Live For

Amazon.com

When Fleetwood Mac regrouped in 1975, trading its British blues pedigree for a sunnier Californian spin on pop rock, vocalist, songwriter, and keyboard linchpin Christine McVie fit right in, belying her English origins to prove comparatively mellow alongside the edgier Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks' brooding crystal visions and anguished confessions. This 1985 solo outing is predictably solid, paced by midtempo rockers and vulnerable ballads that showcase McVie's cool, velvety alto, tidily crafted songs, and blue chip session help from friends like Buckingham, Mick Fleetwood, Eric Clapton, and Steve Winwood, who pitch in behind McVie's own crisp quartet. The set's most enduring track remains the single hit, "Got a Hold on Me," featuring Winwood's signature synthesizers, but admirers of McVie's work with the platinum Mac will find other charms. --Sam Sutherland

Customer Reviews:

Not perfect, but close........2006-11-20

I'll always remember "Christine McVie" as the only album I ever bought without having the slightest clue what it was going to cost me. I spotted it at a music shop in a mall...it was so new, the store hadn't gotten around to putting a price sticker on it yet. Tells you what I thought of Christine McVie, and how long I'd waited for her to put out a solo record like her bandmates.

While I prefer her "In the Meantime" CD, this one has a lot of great tracks. Favorites, in addition to the two singles, include "The Challenge" and "I'm the One" -- the latter of which SHOULD have been a single. Given the emphasis on Stevie Nicks in the Fleetwood Mac history, one tends to forget how great a singer McVie is, with or without Lindsey Buckingham's production. Well, "I'm the One" erases any doubts. She's got a strong set of pipes. So sue her for often letting them grace gentler fare like the classic "Songbird".

Unfortunately, I never saw the video of "Love Will Show Us How," which I understand had McVie playing a Lucille Ball type character. Too bad. It would fit how I view this recording...a bit more playful and upbeat than Chris ever was with the Mac, and worth giving a look.

Christine Mc Vie.......2006-11-06

I had this album as black vinyl in the 80's. I enjoyed it then and enjoy it now. The sounds are outstanding even though it was recorded some 25 years ago. Christine Mc Vie is an excellent song writer and musician and her new album In the Meantime is just as good.

C. McVie .......2006-05-04

Christine McVie has many songs in this album that makes me love her voice and music and Fleetwood Mac also. I remember that the first song i hear of them - Got a hold on me- i begun to taste and like their work. This was many but many years ago, and till today produce something that makes me run .

Christine Proves She's "The Songbird".......2005-06-16

This Christine McVie solo album is one of my all time favorite albums ever recorded by anybody.

It has that marvelous "woody clarinet" voice of Christine at its absolute best and some of the most driving and melodic songs ever penned.

From the very fist note of the very first track: "Love Will Show Us How" you just know that you've made the best musical selection ever when you purchased this album.
Every track is a "keeper" . . . "Ask Anybody" . . . and then my own best of the best choice, "Got A Hold On Me" -- "I got a love . . this love . . got a hold one me . . . " the syncopated rhythmic beat is like a clock ticking away heart-beat after heartbeat of "this love" . . and it does have a hold on me!

And the beautiful poetic question in song, "Who's Dreaming This Dream" -- (who's dreaming this dream with me?) . . . this track alon all by itself will make you glad that you own this particular cd by Christine McVie!

If you were or are a fan of Fleetwood Mac . . or if you never even heard Fleetwood Mac . . or even if you didn't particularly like Fleetwood Mac, get THIS Christine McVie cd . . . you will never take it out of your cd changer . . it will find a permanent home there . . and in your musical heart and memory!

Thank You Ms Christine McVie for all of your musical gifts to us over the years . . and special thanks for THIS one . . it will always be remembered as your greatest and your best work! :)

Lovely Christine........2004-09-11

All of these songs are wonderful and would have fit on any Fleetwood Mac album. A must have for any Fleetwood Mac fan. Perfect Christine Pop sound.

Oklahoma! Broadway (1979 Broadway Revival Cast)

Average customer rating:

Not Complete, but the Best Recording of Oklahoma!
good revival of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic
Oklahoma! is GRAND
You'll Love This One!!!
You'll Love This One!!!

Oklahoma! Broadway (1979 Broadway Revival Cast)
Oscar Hammerstein II , Christine Andreas , and Laurence Guittard
Manufacturer: RCA Victor Broadway
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! (London Stage Revival)
My Fair Lady (20th Anniversary Broadway Cast)
The King And I (1977 Broadway Revival Cast)
Carousel (1994 Broadway Revival Cast)
Oklahoma! Selections from the Theatre Guild Musical Play: A Decca Broadway Original Cast Recording (Original 1943 Broadway Cast)

ASIN: B000002W4N
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Overture - N/A
Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin' - Laurence Guittard
Laurey's Entrance - Christine Andreas
The Surrey With The Fringe On Top - Laurence Guittard
Kansas City - Harry Groener
I Cain't Say No - Christine Ebersole
Many A New Day - Women's Chorus
It's A Scandal! It's A Outrage! - Bruce Adler
People Will Say We're In Love - Laurence Guittard
Pore Jud Is Daid - Laurence Guittard
Lonely Room - Martin Vidnovic
Out Of My Dreams - Women's Chorus
The Farmer And The Cowman - Ensemble
All Er Nuthin' - Christine Ebersole
People Will Say We're In Love (Reprise) - Laurence Guittard
Oklahoma Finale: Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin' (Reprise) - Company

Customer Reviews:

Not Complete, but the Best Recording of Oklahoma!.......2006-02-04

This is a terrific recording of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic. Christine Andreas is a FANTASTIC Laurey, bringing real independent spirit and a vivacious energy to "Many a New Day", while soaring with a her lovely soprano over her big ballads, "Out of My Dreams", and "People Will Say We're in Love", a duet with Laurence Guittard, who sings all of his songs with warmth, heart, and beautiful voice.

Harry Groener is the ideal Will Parker, and Christine Ebersole is the best Ado Annie on record, bringing tons of humor and a healthy, strong belt to "I Cain't Say No".

Martin Vidnovic's Jud is in very good voice, and although her doesn't bring the emotional turmoil to "Lonely Room" that Shuler Hensley does on the 1998 London Recording, he comes in a very close second.

The rest of the cast is in fine shape, the orchestra plays at ideal tempos, the sound is crystal clear, and the orchestrations are vibrant and fantastic.

Not including the dream ballet is a disapointment, but other than that, this is the best recording of Oklahoma!, due to the sparkling cast and terrific orchestrations.

good revival of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic.......2003-09-29

This cast album to the acclaimed 1979 Broadway revival of OKLAHOMA! is a perfect testament to its amazing cast and the everlasting legacy to the genius of Rodgers and Hammerstein.

Laurence Guittard (A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC) and Christine Andreas (MY FAIR LADY, ON YOUR TOES) headlined the revival as the starcrossed lovers Curly and Laurey, respectively, with the delightful Mary Wickes in her element as Aunt Eller.

Making their Broadway debuts as the secondary couple Ado Annie Carnes and Will Parker were, respectively, Christine Ebersole (42ND STREET) and Harry Groener (CRAZY FOR YOU). Martin Vidnovic (THE KING AND I) played the menacing farmhand Jud.

Laurence Guittard has a warm and resonant voice, which is well-suited to the role of easygoing Curly, and he sings a gorgeous version of "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'". Dulcet-toned Christine Andreas is a perfect Laurey, singing a thrilling and yes, dreamy, version of "Out of My Dreams", whilst her rendition of "Many a New Day" turns into a jaunty anthem of defiance. Utterly delightful.

Christine Ebersole, who won a Tony for the 2001 revival of 42ND STREET, is a perfect fit for the comical soubrette role of Ado Annie Carnes. Her "I Cain't Say No" drips with humour, while her duet with Harry Groener in "All 'Er Nuthin'" is perfectly-performed.

Given the huge abundance of OKLAHOMA! cast albums available, this one may not seem essential; but the perfect cast and top-drawer performers of Laurence Guittard, Christine Andreas and Christine Ebersole make it one of the best.

Oklahoma! is GRAND.......2001-08-18

I saw this production twice when it came to Oklahoma City on it's way to Broadway. It is the best yet, and this CD captures the energy of that show very well. All of the performers are first rate and the memory of the cast singing "OKLAHOMA!" up to the footlights still sends chills down my spine. The show will be back on Broadway in 2002 for the Richard Rodgers 100th Birthday celebration.

You'll Love This One!!!.......2000-10-09

Probably one of the most engaging recordings of this Rodgers and Hammerstein classic. Christine Andreas will move you with her haunting version of "Out of My Dreams". Christine Ebersole is right on the money as "Ado Annie". Her "I Cain't Say No" captures all the country bumpkin innocence needed and will have you chuckling. The highlight "Oklahoma" is performed the way Rodgers and Hammerstein intended, with all the vocal harmonies distinctive. The inclusion of the great stage, television and motion picture character actress Mary Wickes is only a sweet bonus to the collection of fine performances here.

You'll Love This One!!!.......2000-10-09

Average customer rating:

Great music with a great performance.
Thomas Bloch's Interpretation is Second-to-None
unbelievable
Thomas Bloch is a great 20th century composer
interesting, generally excellent

Glass Harmonica
David August von Apell , and Johann Abraham Peter Schulz
Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Music for Glass Harmonica
Cristal: Glass Music Through the Ages
The Art Of The Theremin
Crystal Carols
The Glass Armonica CD/DVD Set

ASIN: B00005QISL
Release Date: 2001-11-20

Tracks:

Schulz: Largo
Holt Sombach: Adagio
Reichardt: Rondeau
Naumann: Sonata No. 3: Recit
Naumann: Sonata No. 3: Andantino amoroso
Mozart: Adagio K.B. 356
Mozart: Adagio
Mozart: Rondo
Beethoven: Melodram
Rollig: Kleine Tonstucke: Grave
Rollig: Kleine Tonstucke: Commodetto
Apell: Trionfo della musica, cantata
Holt Sombach: 1ere Suite: Fantaisie
Holt Sombach: 1ere Suite: Allemande
Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor: Mad Scene
Holt Sombach: 1ere suite: 2eme Menuet
Bloch: Sancta Maria

Customer Reviews:

Great music with a great performance........2006-08-15

I found the glass harmonica music most relaxing with an etherial quality. The performance is outstanding.

Thomas Bloch's Interpretation is Second-to-None.......2003-01-02

This is a great introduction to the exquisite Glass Harmonica. Naxos once again enlarges our listening pleasure by allowing such gifted musician/composers as Thomas Bloch a wider audience than other, more recondite labels have afforded him. This instrument, invented by Franklin, and taken seriously by such greats as Mozart and Beethoven, is only now coming into its own again. Bloch is an integral part of that rebirth. Delicate, eerie, rumored to drive the listener mad, or to attract ghosts, the sound of the Glass Harmonica hovers at the very edges of hearing: a clean, celestial tone. You will never forget it once you hear its distictive sound. Liner notes give the instrument's fascinating history. Bloch himself attempts (along with such great post-moderns such as John Cage) to create a future for the Glass Harmonica with his "Sancta Maria" and does an extraordinary job. The price, too, for this CD is extraordinary. What a bargain!

unbelievable.......2002-12-11

the music of the glass harmonica is so unusal that it is a joy to listen to. it is a shame that it is not more main stream the tones are so unearthly that is is like a song from a fantasy you really start to believe that elves are playing the music it is something out of Tolkin

Thomas Bloch is a great 20th century composer.......2002-10-09

All right. This is a great album. It explores the history of the glass harmonica since the classical period. But to add to the other reviewers, there is one cut - the last cut - done by Thomas Bloch in the last century - Sancta Maria - that makes the whole album worthwhile. It is an extraordinary track and I don't care if the soprano is female or male. It is great music and a great listening pleasure. You will want to play it over and over again. Make it you most favorite MP3.

interesting, generally excellent.......2002-04-05

I would disagree with the reviewer below that this is anything more than a curiosity. Even the works on this disc by great composers such as Mozart and Beethoven are generally trivial. At the same time, this is fine playing of a highly unusual instrument by a polished virtuoso. Some of the pieces, however, I could do without. For instance, while Thomas Bloch's playing is excellent, his compositional skills are somewhat lacking. His own original work, complete with overdubbed whiny male soprano, is the disc's finale and sounds more like a corny film soundtrack than anything else. In addition, it must be noted that the performance here of Donizetti's "Mad Scene" from Lucia utilizes possibly the worst soprano ever recorded (short of Florence Foster Jenkins). I wouldn't wish her off-pitch shrieking on my worst enemies.

Average customer rating:

Hartke: The Greater Good

Manufacturer: Naxos American
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Howard Hanson: Merry Mount

ASIN: B000Q6ZUVC
Release Date: 2007-06-26

Tracks:

Rouen, A Tuesday In Late February, 1871, 4 AM
Count?
I Know, I Know, You Never Want To, Girl
Cigar?
A Lonely Street Or An Alley
Say, You Know Why They Call Her Ice Cream?
You Can Get In If You Want
Aboard the Coach, Starting Out
There Was a Boat
These Really Are Wonderful
Darling, Look!
Do You Know Mme. De Vidoudet?
Very Bad For Business, War
What Time D'you Have?
If I Were a Big Bad Wolf
See Anything?
Oh My God!
I Gotta Hand It To You, Girlie!
Gentleman, Pardon Me
These Are the Tastes Of...
Tiny Gherkins, Pickled Onions!
Men Don't Understand
You Know How It Was
At First I Thought I'd Stay
Someone Helped Me Out
It's Like That Badinguet
God It's Cold!
Nothing But Snow
I Think I See Lights!
Raus! Raus! Raus!
Come In, Come In
Monsieur Follenvie!
Things Are Looking Up!
Mademoiselle Elisabeth Rousset?
Well, You See How Things Are
It's a Funny Thing Waking Up Under Occupation
They're Pigs!
An Unprovoked Attack Is Barbaric!
What a Collection!
Our Little Miss Has To Siss
Come To My Room
Oh Boy!

Tracks:

The Inn At Totes, Wednesday, 8 AM
What the Devil?
Yes?
M. Follenvie! We Demand An Explanation!
I Miss My Cat
This Snow. This Blasted Snow
Oh How I Wish I Was In My House
Who Is It?
Nein! Dunt Vant! Dunt Care!
Oh, Look, How Lovely
You Tell That Bastard
What's All This About?
Please, Eat
It's So Cold
I Have An Enormous Shipment
Oh Look! Isn't That Him?
Oh, Boule De Suif!
I Hate This Place
Going Out?
I Have a Child
Let's Face It
Let's Just Tie Her Up
Ah! Mme. Follenvie, We Thank You
Now See If I Remember
I know, I Know!
I've Got One, And It's a Real Corker!
Well Spoken, Loiseau
Listen To Me!
Oh But They Were Angels To My Boys
Yes, Good Sister
Child, You Don't Know What To Do, Do You?
Have You Seen Her?
Is It a Go?
I Think Everything's Gonna Be Just Fine
Good God! Forty Minutes!
This Is Infamous!
Good Lord! An Hour Twenty!
Courtyard Of the Inn, Saturday Morning
Good Morning!
Let's Go!
Good Morning, Madame
(Setting Off For Dieppe)
Prime...Bonds
Ubi Caritas
Good Heavens! One O'clock!
Darling Look!

Amazon.com

Based on a story by Guy de Maupassant, Stephen Hartke's The Greater Good is an effective piece of musical storytelling. Against the background of the Franco-Prussian War a group of arrogant French bourgeois, a political agitator and a pair of nuns are traveling by coach to escape the Germans. Among them is Boule de Suif (literally, "Butterball" or, more appallingly, "ball of lard"), a generously built prostitute. Trapped in the coach and then in a German-occupied inn, Boule turns out to be a sensitive, generous woman (yes, a prostitute with a heart of gold). When it looks as if the only way they group will escape is if Boule sleeps with the Prussian Commandant, she does so for "the greater good" despite her hatred of the Germans. Rather than being grateful, her dreadful coach-mates judge her and ostracize her. It's a nasty satire of petit bourgeois shallowness and hypocrisy and a good story.

Hartke's music is colorful and his orchestration paints situations - we hear the rocking of the coach, strings yawn out of boredom or exhaustion, the harps tinkle when it snows. He uses the light clanging of spoons when the group finally gets to eat at the Inn and, when Boule is doing her duty with the Prussian officer, we hear the creaking of bedsprings. The vocal lines are more exclamatory than melodic. The cast, led by Caroline Worra's Boule, is uniformly excellent. This is an interesting piece, worth hearing more than once. If only Naxos had supplied a libretto - the track-by-track synopsis is good, but much of the text gets lost. --Robert Levine

Miss Saigon (1995 Studio Cast)
Average customer rating:

Superb Saigon

1989 London Cast is much better that this CD

A must for any Miss Saigon fan!!

Superb

Fantastic

Miss Saigon (1995 Studio Cast)
Alain Boublil
Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Making of "Miss Saigon"

Miss Saigon (Original 1989 London Cast)

Jekyll & Hyde - The Musical (1997 Original Broadway Cast)

Les Miserables (1987 Original Broadway Cast)

Spring Awakening (2006 Original Broadway Cast)

ASIN: B000002SM0
Release Date: 1995-11-14

Tracks:

Overture: Back Stage Dreamland - The Orch/Kevin Gray/Sonya Swaby/Emy Baysic/Sylvia Dohi/Rona Figueroa/Lydia Gaston/Margaret Gates...
The Heat Is On In Saigon - Kevin Gray/Emy Baysic/Sylvia Dohi/Rona Figueroa/Lydia Gaston/Margaret Gates/Zoie Lam...
The Movie In My Mind - Sonya Swaby/Joanna Ampil/Emy Baysic/Sylvia Dohi/Rona Rigueroa/Lydia Gaston/Margaret Gates...
The Transaction - Hinton Battle/Kevin Gray/Peter Cousens/Joanna Ampil/Company
The Dance - Peter Cousens/Joanna Ampil/Kevin Gray
Why God Why? - Peter Cousens
This Money's Yours - Peter Cousens/Joanna Ampil
Sun And Moon - Joanna Ampil/Peter Cousens
The Telephone Song - Peter Cousens/Hinton Battle
The Deal - Peter Cousens/Kevin Gray
The Wedding Ceremony (Dju Vui Vai) - Peter Cousens/Joanna Ampil/Emy Baysic/Sylvia Dohi/Rona Figueroa/Lydia Gaston/Margaret Gates...
Thuy's Arrival - Charles Azulay/Peter Cousens/Joanna Ampil
The Last Night Of The World - Joanna Ampil/Peter Cousens
The Morning Of The Dragon - Tito Abeleda/Alan Ariano/Norman Kauahi/Ray Santos/Francis J. Cruz/Juan P. Pineda...
I Still Believe - Joanna Ampil/Ruthie Henshall
Back In Town - Kevin Gray/Joanna Ampil/Charles Azulay/Tito Abeleda/Alan Ariano/Norman Kauahi/Ray Santos...
Thuy's Death/ You Will Not Touch Him - Charles Azulay/Joanna Ampil/Company
If You Want To Die In Bed - Kevin Gray
Kim & Engineer - Kevin Gray/Joanna Ampil
I'd Give My Life For You - Joanna Ampil/Company

Tracks:

Entr'Acte - Orch
Bui Doi - Hinton Battle/Chor
The Revelation - Hinton Battle/Peter Cousens/Ruthie Henshall
What A Waste - Kevin Gray/Company
Please - Hinton Battle/Joanna Ampil
Chris Is Here - Junix Inocian/Hinton Battle/Kevin Gray/Joanna Ampil
Kim's Nightmare - Thuy's Ghost/Joanna Ampil/Peter Cousens/Hinton Battle/Company
Room 317 - Joanna Ampil/Ruthie Henshall
Now That I've Seen Her - Ruthie Henshall
The Confrontation - Ruthie Henshall/Peter Cousens/Hinton Battle
The American Dream - Kevin Gray/Company
Finale - Joanny Ampil/Peter Cousens

Customer Reviews:

Superb Saigon.......2007-01-26

Wonderful to be able to catch the entire essence of Saigon. The highlights are good but, to be able to catch EVERY aspect of the show.....is amazing. Completely suggest for any diehard fan!

1989 London Cast is much better that this CD.......2006-12-15

Lea Solonga will always be Miss Saigon. Not putting her on this CD is a crime.

A must for any Miss Saigon fan!!.......2006-08-20

Miss Saigon is my favorite all-time musical! I was hesitant when buying this recording because in my mind Lea Salonga is and always will be Kim! But I was pleasantly surprised. Joanna Ampil as Kim holds her own. While she doesn't have the vocal range of Lea, she has a beautiful, crisp voice which she uses to emote the emotional turmoil of Kim. She expresses herself in a way that makes you feel her love, pain and anguish and in turn she makes this part her own. The rest of the cast is superb (especially the amazing Ruthie Henshall as Ellen) but make no mistake, this show belongs to Ampil!

I also fell in love with some of the material left out of the LCR. There a beautiful bridges and songs which enrich the story. "Back in Town" stands out for me because of the gorgeous melodies. Anyone who has fallen in love with the story of "Miss Saigon" will appreciate these added gems! This cast recording is definitely worth a listen!!

Superb.......2006-06-30

This 1995 studio recording is fabulous. While I don't necessarily prefer it entirely over the original cast recording, there are elements to this recording that are over and above the original.

Joanna Ampil, while delightful as Kim, lacks Lea Salonga's essence. There are moments I find her, how shall I say it - too much? - even when the score calls for drama. Perhaps it is the over enunciation of certain words, or perhaps it is my yearning for Salonga's angelic, crystal clear rendition. I might have preferred Toronto's Ma-Anne Dionisio on this recording as well. Kevin Gray, as The Engineer, is nothing short of thrilling. He was fabulous on stage and just as magical on this CD - lending a greasy, snake-like feel to the role. Hinton Battle and Peter Cousens disappoint slightly (what is it with Peter Cousens' heartless, cold reading-esque "You shouldn't be here"?); Sonia Swaby a perfect Gigi; but Ruthie Henshall - beyond words! What I would have given to see her and Lea Salonga in New York. And perhaps the most wonderful performance on this CD is that of Charles Azulay's - his Thuy is deeper and much more complex than the original Thuy.

The extra music and lyrics suddenly provide the bridge between gaps found in the OLC. For example, in the original recording, on disc one, it goes straight from Kim and Ellen's beautiful ballad, "I Still Believe," straight into the Engineer's shrieking, "Are you waiting for them to kill me? Did you not get what he said? There's a big screw loose inside you - I will rip it out of your head!" Even having seen the show, I'd forgotten what the moments in between were - what was the Engineering going on about? On this complete recording is a vital part of the show - a powerful explanation of Kim and Thuy's past, and an essential look into the very things Thuy himself hopes for, as well as the man he has has become. Also, whereas the OLC finishes disc one at This Is The Hour, the studio recording goes straight into I'd Give My Life For You, providing us with the Entr'acte on the second disc.

The finale is an improvement as well. While seemingly shorter, it is undoubtedly more forceful and significant. The heart is the same; but there's less of Kim "praying" to her parents and more of her concentrating on her very last moments with Tam, the very one who has "sustained her for miles."

The music of Miss Saigon is captivating, capturing the very essence of Kim and Chris' doomed love, as well as the shattered fantasies of the other characters. It is all at once heartbreaking, hopeful, and soaring. A lovely addition to any music theater lover's collection.

Fantastic.......2006-05-21

After listening to the OLC all my life, I was desperate to see the show, but it had closed in London. But then something amazing happened - Cameron Mackintosh announced a new touring production. Off I went, and it was not disappointing. I immediately invested in the CSR, eager to know the parts omitted from the OLC, and again, it was certainly not disappointing.

First of all, like the Les Miserables CSR, there is much more 'voice acting', (in lack of a better term), such as shouts in 'The Heat is On' and more screams in 'The Fall of Saigon'. When I listened to it, it felt like I was there, in the action. I could see the show play out in front of me.

The cast is also fantastic, and I enjoy Joanna Ampil's performance as Kim just as much as Lea Salonga's, as well as strongly favouring Peter Cousens as opposed to Simon Bowman, whose vibrato is just too much to bear someatimes. And Kevin Gray, well, fantastic! He really brought out the sinister character of the Engineer, stealing the show in my opinion. Sonia Swaby is a nice alternative as Gigi, (with somewhat of a 'cleaner' voice than the OLC), and Thuy is excellent also, providing an intense performance. The only weak link in my opinion is Hinton Battle as John, who, though he plays the American G.I. aspect of the character well, his ad libs in Bui Doi are simply awful, (a shame as it is one of my favourites).

As for the orhcestrations...well, the orchestrations don't seem to be too different from the original, but obviousley feel fuller.

My two favourite tracks are Back in Town/You will not touch him, as it's great to see it in its full form, (this bit also got me the most emotionally in the theatre, not Bui Doi or the ending, this bit), and The American Dream, with the dance section intact! I do however favour the original orchestrations for the dance section, (heard on 'The Heat is on' VHS), to the slinky saxaphone on this CD). I also love 'The Fall of Saigon'.

One thing mentioned alot when regarding Miss Saigon is the lyrics. Many complain about their simplicity, but apart from some occasional comically horiffic rhymes, ('first stop Bangkok, then I roam, cross that ocean white with foam'), I don't think the lyrcis are terrible at all.

What makes Saigon most special for me, (along with Phantom, Les Mis and Cats), is that I was in love with the music long before I ever saw the show, so it wasn't the helicopter, the cadillac, or the Ho Chi Minh statue that wowed me. It was the music, and this CD is a perfect testament to the fact that British (well, French/British in thisnd for making grown men across the world cry like babies, ;-). case), musicals don't depend on scenery after all. Bravo Boubil & Schonberg for a fantastic show, a

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