My Favorite Broadway: The Love Songs

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This follow-up to 1998's My Favorite Broadway: The Leading Ladies allows the gentlemen in, but that's not always an advantage. Sure, Michael Crawford developed a great following as the Phantom and Nathan Lane is a comedian nonpareil, but Tom Wopat, Peter Gallagher, Adam Pascal, and Ron Raines, while all fine performers with good resumés, simply can't match the marquee power of the original's Liza Minnelli, Audra McDonald, Jennifer Holliday, Nell Carter, and many others.

Even when old vets appear, Robert Goulet seems closer to Las Vegas than Lancelot. That said, this is still an enjoyable live show from New York's City Center. Among the ladies returning, Rebecca Luker and Marin Mazzie shine in songs from the revivals they star in, and superdiva Linda Eder raises the roof with a three-song medley. And there are other additions to the roster, one legend (Chita Rivera), and one up-and-comer (Heather Headley). The real star is the host, Julie Andrews, who also hosted the original show and conspicuously did not sing in it, following her infamous, lawsuit-laden vocal-cord surgery that effectively ended her music career. Throughout the evening, she teases the audience, reciting lyrics and making references to My Fair Lady. So when Crawford begins "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face" and Andrews enters, the audience holds its breath: Will she or won't she? It's an electric moment, and perfect theater (also available as a video). --David Horiuchi

My Favorite Broadway: The Love Songs, Music, Various Artists, Cast Recordings, Pop, Popular Music, Show Tunes, Showtunes / B'way
My Favorite Broadway: The Love Songs
Average customer rating: 3 out of 5 stars
  • Broadway fans will likely be disappointed by this one
  • I LOVE THE LOVE SONGS!
  • Unfocused and Unnerving
  • Just shy of good
  • Good, but not great
 My Favorite Broadway: The Love Songs
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Hybrid Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
Similar Items:
  1. My Favorite Broadway: The Leading Ladies
  2. Broadway's Greatest Love Songs
  3. My Favorite Broadway - The Love Songs
  4. The Greatest Love Songs From The Musicals (Musical Compilation)
  5. More Broadway's Greatest Love Songs

ASIN: B000059LY8
Release Date: 2001-02-20

Tracks:

  1. Introduction - Julie Andrews
  2. Lullaby Of Broadway - Tom Wopat
  3. Sue Me - Nathan Lane
  4. He Touched Me - Heather Headley
  5. Gigi - Ron Raines
  6. When Did I Fall In Love? - Marin Mazzie
  7. If Ever I Would Lrave You - Robert Goulet
  8. Love Song Medley I: Come Rain Or Come Shine/I Don't Know How To Love Him... - Linda Eder
  9. Seasons Of Love - Adam Pascal
  10. Music Of The Night - Michael Crawford
  11. Every Single Day - Barry Manilow
  12. Love Song Medley II: To Late Now/Sometimes A Day Goes By/Not A Day Goes By - Rebecca Luker/Peter Gallagher/Marin Mazzie
  13. I'm A Brass Band - Bebe Neuwirth
  14. How Lucky Can You Get? - Chita Rivera
  15. My Fair Lady Medley: I've Grown Accostomed To Her Face/The Rain In Spain - Michael Crawford//Julie Andrews
  16. Finale: Lullaby Of Broadway (Reprise) - My Favorite Broadway: The Love Songs

Amazon.com

This follow-up to 1998's My Favorite Broadway: The Leading Ladies allows the gentlemen in, but that's not always an advantage. Sure, Michael Crawford developed a great following as the Phantom and Nathan Lane is a comedian nonpareil, but Tom Wopat, Peter Gallagher, Adam Pascal, and Ron Raines, while all fine performers with good resumés, simply can't match the marquee power of the original's Liza Minnelli, Audra McDonald, Jennifer Holliday, Nell Carter, and many others.

Even when old vets appear, Robert Goulet seems closer to Las Vegas than Lancelot. That said, this is still an enjoyable live show from New York's City Center. Among the ladies returning, Rebecca Luker and Marin Mazzie shine in songs from the revivals they star in, and superdiva Linda Eder raises the roof with a three-song medley. And there are other additions to the roster, one legend (Chita Rivera), and one up-and-comer (Heather Headley). The real star is the host, Julie Andrews, who also hosted the original show and conspicuously did not sing in it, following her infamous, lawsuit-laden vocal-cord surgery that effectively ended her music career. Throughout the evening, she teases the audience, reciting lyrics and making references to My Fair Lady. So when Crawford begins "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face" and Andrews enters, the audience holds its breath: Will she or won't she? It's an electric moment, and perfect theater (also available as a video). --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Broadway fans will likely be disappointed by this one.......2004-10-01

"My Favorite Broadway: The Love Songs" is a major disappointment, mainly because the title would leave you to expect some of the classic love songs from Broadway musicals. But whatever songs immediately pop into your mind, they are probably not in this collection. For that matter you not recognize most of the performers, but it is not recognizing some of these songs that will bother you more. For those who were charmed by "My Favorite Broadway: The Leading Ladies," this follow-up effort pales in comparison and when Tom Wopat starts the evening off singing "Lullaby Of Broadway" from "42nd Street" I was not wondering what the former "Dukes of Hazard" star was doing singing but how this song qualified as a "love song." From such a strange beginning this evening never really gets off the ground.

The two best tracks are a pair of medleys. Linda Eder does the first one which combines "Come Rain Or Come Shine" from "St. Louis Woman," "I Don't Know How To Love Him" from "Jesus Christ Superstar," and "What Kind Of Fool Am I?" from "Stop The World! I Want To Get Off." Marzin Mazzie does the second medley, which has "Too Late Now" from "Royal Wedding," "Sometimes a Day Goes By" from "Woman of the Year" and Peter Gallagher joining her for "Not a Day Goes By" from "Merrily We Roll Along." The pair of tracks that sadden you are Robert Goulet doing "If Ever I Would Leave You" from "Camelot" and Michael Crawford reprising "Music of the Night" from "The Phantom of the Opera." In both instances the singers are showing their age and I do not really want to think of either of them as nostalgic figures. When host Julia Andrews manages a couple of notes at the end of the show you know at least she has a medical excuse and that the effort is what matters in her endeavor. The bottom line is that "My Favorite Broadway: The Love Songs" is worth a listen, but is not going to be a keeper.

5 out of 5 stars I LOVE THE LOVE SONGS!.......2002-12-04

I have the DVD of this concert, and it is awesome! I play Adam Pascal and Heather Headly's "Elaborate Lives" all the time. However, despite all the talent it is Julie Andrews night! SHe looks so beautiful and sings great! For all those out there who love broadway, love songs, or both, the this is for you. IT is a great evening with great songs and great performers.

2 out of 5 stars Unfocused and Unnerving.......2001-08-10

Wouldn't it seem a logical decision to start off a night that's supposed to be about Broadway's finest love songs with a love song? Doing so would set the tone for the evening, establish its theme, and define the concert's purpose. It wouldn't have to be a slow, solemn ballad - a medley of up-tempo love tunes performed by some of the evening's featured performers might do the trick. Instead, producers for this program decided to kick things off with "The Lullaby of Broadway" - a great song yes, but not exactly romance-inducing. Unfortunately, what follows that number for the remainder of the program proves mostly disappointing, with all too many poor combinations of singer and material. From Nathan Lane's "Sue Me" to Michael Crawford's feeble rendition of his once glorious "Music of the Night," this night's music is bad news. Rather than highlighting some of the more obvious talents of today's theatre, the roster is filled with old stars who've lost some of their luster. Robert Goulet's unintentionally comic rendition of "If Ever I would Leave You" is at par with the one-time glittering Chita Rivera's now rhetorical "How Luck Can You Get?" The answer, by the sound of things, is "Not very." There are good parts to the show. Marin Mazzie is undoubtedly the evening's finest singer, delightful in both her solo "When Did I Fall In Love" and her powerful "Not a Day Goes By" - a triumphant contribution to an otherwise ghastly trio also featuring Rebecca Luker and Peter Gallagher. Linda Eder gets a medley of her own, and, surprisingly, she isn't singing Frank Wildhorn's music. Her selections, however, expose the most unflattering elements of her versatile and capable singing voice by forcing her to belt so high that her words are unintelligible. While it's nice to see newcomers Heather Headley and Adam Pascal, though their performances are not exemplary, one cannot help but wonder, "Where were some of the more talented performers from the theatre?" Where were Patti LuPone, Bernadette Peters, Michael Ball, Betty Buckley, Barbara Cook, and Colm Wilkinson? How about Ruthie Henshall, Mandy Patinkin, Christine Andreas, or Terrence Mann? Probably home cringing at poor Julie Andrew's two-note contribution in an absurd finale with Michael Crawford. Shame on the doctor who destroyed Broadway's fairest lady's angelic voice, and shame on the producers of "My Favorite Broadway" for this misconceived recording.

3 out of 5 stars Just shy of good.......2001-04-21

After locating completely by accident and listening to the first in this series; My Favorite Broadway; The Leading Ladies, I was quite anxious to see and hear this second entry. My joy in seeing the first was not duplicated in this second venture. Although once again visually beautiful, the selection of music and performers were not at the same level as The Leading Ladies. Where the first kept you entranced from beginning to end, there were long stretches of very boring performances included here. Some of the artists were just not up to the effort. I'll admit to a lump-in-the-throat/tear-in-the-eye reaction to Julie Andrews brief vocalization at the end, and for that it was worth the price.

3 out of 5 stars Good, but not great.......2001-04-11

I was really looking forward to this after Broadway Leading Ladies which I thought was amazing, but this wasn't nearly as wonderful. It wasn't that the men were bad, but it didn't have the show stopping numbers we saw in Leading Ladies. It was kind of dull and bland through most of it, lacking pizazz, Mazzie, Headly, Eder , Luker and Pascal are really good on the CD though:)
The Best of Broadway
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		The Best of Broadway

    Manufacturer: Compendia
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    All Works by BernsteinAll Works by Bernstein | Bernstein, Leonard | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    Rodgers, RichardRodgers, Richard | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
    Musical TheaterMusical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Compilations | Rock | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
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    ClassicalClassical | Indie Music | Stores | Music
    Broadway & VocalistsBroadway & Vocalists | Indie Music | Stores | Music
    ASIN: B000000BM8
    Release Date: 1997-08-26

    Tracks:

    1. The Phantom Of The Opera
    2. Evita
    3. The Sound Of Music
    4. Annie
    5. Fiddler On The Roof

    Tracks:

    1. Les Miserables
    2. Cats
    3. West Side Story
    4. A Chorus Line
    5. Oklahoma!
    Broadway
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      		Broadway

      Manufacturer: Intersound Records
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

      All Works by BernsteinAll Works by Bernstein | Bernstein, Leonard | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
      Rodgers, RichardRodgers, Richard | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
      General ModernGeneral Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
      Musical TheaterMusical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
      Broadway & VocalistsBroadway & Vocalists | Indie Music | Stores | Music
      ASIN: B00005YOX8
      Release Date: 1996-03-04
      Best of Broadway
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        		Best of Broadway

        Manufacturer: Intersound Records
        ProductGroup: Music
        Binding: Audio CD

        All Works by BernsteinAll Works by Bernstein | Bernstein, Leonard | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
        Rodgers, RichardRodgers, Richard | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
        Sondheim, StephenSondheim, Stephen | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
        OverturesOvertures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
        General ModernGeneral Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
        Musical TheaterMusical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
        ASIN: B00000DUNW
        Release Date: 1996-03-04

        Music:

        1. Not Perfect
        2. Once and for All
        3. Out Of The Blue
        4. Out on Broadway [Cast Recording]
        5. Pacific Overtures (Highlights from the 1987 English National Opera Cast) [Original recording remastered]
        6. Panpipes: Music of Lloyd Webber [Import]
        7. Patterns
        8. Romance & The Stage [Import]
        9. Saints Praise and Worship
        10. Saturday Night Fever: Themes from the Musical (Instrumental)

        Music

        Music