Written in the Stars

Editorial Reviews
BillBoard Magazine
"One of those voices tailor-made to travel far and wide in the world of adult pop"

Backstage Magazine
"one of the most striking singers to emerge in the last few years...a voice that rivets the listener"

Album Description
"Written in the Stars" is acclaimed vocalist Tom Michael’s follow-up to his 1999 critically praised debut,"Sailing On". Released on LML Music, the CD is a stunning collection of pop songs, Broadway and movie favorites, as well as classic standards performed in Tom’s warm, expressive style. Among the material covered on this winning collection are the classics of Rodgers and Hammerstein, the Gershwins, Berlin, Sondheim and Bernstein along with the more contemporary works of Elton John, Tim Rice, Carol Bayer Sager, Melissa Manchester and Tom Snow. Among the CD’s highlights is Michael’s emotional delivery of "This Nearly Was Mine," his inspiring and soaring vocals on the uplifting "Better Than I," and a tender reading of "Two For The Road," which features Downbeat Magazine award-winning jazz guitar virtuoso Fareed Haque. Another standout is Tom’s haunting version of "How Deep is the Ocean." With one listen, you will understand why Backstage Magazine hailed him as "one of the most striking singers to emerge in the last few years." The CD also contains the Legrand/Bergman masterpiece "The Summer Knows" beautifully paired with "Autumn Leaves" as well as a lively, rhythmic arrangement of West Side Story’s "Something’s Coming" with "There’s Gotta Be Something Better Than This." A duet with Beckie Menzie of "Lost in the Stars" blended with Elton John’s "Written in the Stars" provides a musical showcase for the duo that the Chicago Tribune calls "an ingeniously conceived and searingly sung medley." Billboard Magazine has praised Tom Michael as "one of those voices made to travel far and wide in the world of adult pop." With his new release, "Written In the Stars," Tom proves that it is a laurel well deserved.

Written in the Stars

Tracks:

Another Pyramid - Sting
Written In The Stars - Elton John/LeAnn Rimes
Easy As Life - Tina Turner ft. Angelique Kidjo
My Strongest Suit - Spice Girls
I Know TheTruth - Elton John/Janet Jackson
Not Me - Boyz II Men
Amneris' Letter - Shania Twain
A Step Too Far - Elton John/Heather Headley/Sherie Scott
Like Father Like Son - Lenny Kravitz
Elaborate Lives - Heather Headley
How I Know you - James Taylor
The Messenger - Elton John/Lulu
The Gods Love Nubia - Kelly Price
Enchantment Passing Through - Dru Hill
Orchestral Finale - Elton John

Amazon.com

Following hot on the heels of their enormously successful collaboration for The Lion King, Elton John and Tim Rice have once again culled their talents to create another Disney contemporary musical, based this time on Verdi's opera Aida. The album, recorded by some of the biggest talents of pop, country, and R&B, features songs from the stage show, which recounts the well-known tale of a love triangle further complicated by slavery, royalty, and the armed forces. John duets to great effect with country crooner LeAnn Rimes, the enchanting Janet Jackson, and the lovely Lulu of To Sir with Love fame. Lush and lively, the soundtrack hits a hoot of a (decidedly not highbrow) high point with the infectious pop of the Spice Girls warbling the merits of undergarments on "My Strongest Suit" ("Always wear underwear/Anytime, anywhere"). Lenny Kravitz funks things up with "Like Father Like Son." Shania Twain's husky emoting makes a fine pop ballad of the brief "Amneris' Letter." "Not Me" chronicles the goodness of love as Boyz II Men coo dreamily, their harmonies nestling into John's sumptuous score. --Paige La Grone

Customer Reviews:

I would order from you again........2007-01-27

Product arrived in a timely manner in new condition, still wrapped in plastic. Thank you.

Loved it!!!.......2006-09-07

I'm so impressed with this album for several different reasons.
3) It's Elton John
2) I loved all but two of the songs!
1) I usually hate the original broadway cast albums and movie soundtracks. They don't do the songs justice. They usually have chopped up versions of the songs and include unnecessary dialouge.

I'd love to see every musical (broadway or movie) done this way!
I appreciate the b'way versions, but I don't want to listen to them in my car...

good variety and feeling.......2004-06-24

This is a very good CD. "Written in the Stars" is an extremely emotional song, and it is my favorite on the album. I would like to see the show on Broadway, but I have to say I don't think it can be too much better than this CD

Sour Concepts.......2003-06-29

It takes so much to try to get a musical to make its way upon Broadway. Sometimes you really need to understand how to make it really happen within the passion of the storytelling music. In that case with Elton John, he nearly seemed to make it with Aida. While the music for Broadway always seems to have at least something completely mgaical and a dash of power in it. Sometimes, you really need to understand it, to make it happen, and others don't see it from the start. Although Elton John has had great music for years, at least once in a era, something goes a little flat.

The 1999 Aida, was not a studio album from Elton, but a preview from what was happen on Broadway. The various artists record contains so many different artists in the record including Tina Turner, Boyz II Men, Dru Hill, and the upcoming Heather Headley. Before Heather made it as a singer, she made it right here in Aida, on this record. The only decent song that was a hit was Written In The Stars, which Elton performed with Leann Rimes. The song was also the last song Elton cracked Billboard's Top 40. Still, there really wasn't a lot of enjoyment within most of the record, and it fell into a sleeper. Considering that Elton is already planning on making another smash musical on Broadway, hopefully he'll do better with the concept record.

When it does come to making it on Broadway, it isn't really anything exciting, unless it truly is a smash, and Aida is a smash on Broadway, just not the record. Still, if you're a die hard fan of Aida, buy this record. Otherwise, it could be a hitless miss.

Living Elaborate Lives..........2002-11-02

Aida was Elton John and Tim Rice's baby, providing a concept soundtrack album before even setting the stage on fire, the tracks are generally sweeping show ballads.
Elton teams up with several lovely and talented ladies, in LeAnn Rimes, Janet Jackson, and Lulu. "Written In The Stars" could be a vocal gladiator battle, the way LeAnn and Elton sing it. Janet and Lulu prove themselves as more mellow duet partners.
Kelly Price makes "The Gods Love Nubia" her own, the song is tied up in soul with her voice being smooth as silk. The far too short "Amneris' Letter" shows off Shania Twain's voice to perfection also. Pop culture phenomenon the Spice Girls turn "My Strongest Suit" into the most obvious pop stomper of this set. Another strong point is Heather Headley's solo "Elaborate Lives". A rich ballad, Headley recently embarked on an R&B singing career with the track "He Is". The legendary Tina Turner provides a fiery perfomance, her track being the powerful "Easy As Life" with Angelique Kidjo.
Duds are also present, Sting and Dru Hill's tracks are admitted stinkers. James Taylor, Boyz II Men, Sherie Scott, and Lenny Kravitz also deliver perfomances on the album. This album is well put together, with strong tunes and a short-list of superstars presenting them. A fun buy.

Average customer rating:

Very Best of Broadway Music

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

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The Best of Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series)
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Ultimate Broadway

ASIN: B000068CC4
Release Date: 2002-06-25

Tracks:

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

Customer Reviews:

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

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

Average customer rating:

You'll be disappointed
Pretty good musical mix

Greatest Songs from the Musicals
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Soho
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Very Best Of Broadway Musicals
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ASIN: B000077JS0
Release Date: 2002-10-21

Tracks:

Aquarius [From Hair] - Steve Brooker, NSO Ensemble, , Caroline O'Connor
If I Can't Love Her [From Beauty and the Beast] - Ethan Freeman, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
I Could Have Danced All Night [From My Fair Lady] - Katrina Murphy, National Symphony Orchestra
Can You Feel the Love Tonight? [From The Lion King] - John Barrowman, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
What I Did for Love [from a Chorus Line] - National Symphony Orchestra, Catherine Porter, Martin Yates
This Is the Moment [From Jekyll and Hyde] - Gary Mauer, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
All That Jazz [From Chicago] - Paulette Ivory, Julian Kelly, Katrina Murphy, National Symphony Orchestra, Sally Ann Triplett
Impossible Dream [From Man of La Mancha] - Ethan Freeman, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
America [From West Side Story] - National Symphony Orchestra
Written in the Stars [From Aida] - Simon Bowman, NSO Ensemble, Sally Ann Triplett, Martin Yates
Mame [From Mame] - Jerry Lanning, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
Some Enchanted Evening [From South Pacific] - Thomas Allen, John Owen Edwards, Philharmonic Orchestra
I Am What I Am [From LA Cage aux Follies] - Janet Glazener, Leslie Uggams
One Song Glory [From Rent] - Sean McDermott, Martin Yates

Tracks:

Phantom of the Opera [From The Phantom of the Opera] - Ethan Freeman, Claire Moore, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
I Dreamed a Dream [From Les Miserables] - National Symphony Orchestra, Jacqui Scott, Martin Yates
Bui Doi [From Miss Saigon] - Ethan Freeman, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
As Long as He Needs Me [From Oliver!] - National Symphony Orchestra,
Time Warp [From the Rocky Horror Picture Show] - Anita Dobson, NSO Ensemble, Martin Yates,
Memory [From Cats] - Kim Criswell, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
Why God Why [From Miss Saigon] - Graham Bickley, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
I Know Him So Well [From Chess] - Katrina Murphy, NSO Ensemble, Sally Ann Triplett, Martin Yates
One Day More [From Les Miserables] - National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
Peggy Sue [From Buddy Holly Story] - Dominic Curtis
Empty Charis at Empty Tables [From Les Miserables] - Graham Bickley, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
Dancing Queen [From Mamma Mia!] - Julian Kelly, NSO Ensemble, , Caroline O'Connor
All I Ask of You [From The Phantom of the Opera] - Andrew Halliday, , National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
We Will Rock You [From We Will Rock You] - Martin Yates

Tracks:

It's a Grand Night for Singing [From State Fair] - National Symphony Orchestra
If I Were a Rich Man [From Fiddler on the Roof] - Jerry Lanning, National Symphony Orchestra
I Talk to the Trees [From Paint Your Wagon] - Ethan Freeman, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
Over the Rainbow [From The Wizard of Oz] - Gillian Bevan, , John Owen Edwards, , Royal Shakespeare Company
Bless Yore Beautiful Hide [From Seven Brides for Seven Brothers] - Hal Fowler, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
Grease [From Grease] - John Barrowman, NSO Ensemble, Martin Yates
Woman in Love [From Guys and Dolls] - Gregg Edelman, , Emily Loesser, National Symphony Orchestra
Secret Love [From Calamity Jane] - Debbie Gravitte, National Symphony Orchestra
Quintet [From West Side Story] - National Symphony Orchestra
I Will Always Love You [From the Best Little Whorehouse in Texas] - Salena Jones, John Pearce
Money, Money [From "Caberet"] - Maria Friedman, National Symphony Orchestra, Jonathan Pryce
If My Friends Could See Me Now (Sweet Charity) - Jacqueline Dankworth, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
Thank Heaven for Little Girls [From Gigi] - Ron Moody, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
Singin' in the Rain [From Singin' in the Rain] - Craig Barna, National Symphony Orchestra, Paul Robinson

Customer Reviews:

You'll be disappointed.......2006-09-02

Not the original artists. Very weak versions of beloved songs by marginal to downright bad vocalists.

Pretty good musical mix.......2006-03-10

Lots of great and clear vocals. I was looking for a musical mix and this has a nice sampling of many major songs but also some more recent stuff. I haven't purchased an import before but I would do it again if the opportunity presented itself. It is somewhat annoying to have three cds when I think it could have fit onto two. Still, more than I have complaints, I have compliments about it.

Average customer rating:

Disappointing effort from Bill Charlap
The album is supposed to feature the pianist not the rhythm section!
Nice standards collection
Bill Evans without the melancholy
Where have you been, INDEED!

Written in the Stars
Bill Charlap Trio
Manufacturer: Blue Note Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Stardust
Bill Charlap Plays George Gershwin
All Through the Night
You Taught My Heart to Sing

ASIN: B0000508UM
Release Date: 2000-11-07

Tracks:

In The Still Of The Night
Dream
The Man That Got Away
Blue Skies
Where Have You Been?
Where Or When
On A Slow Boat To China
One For My Baby
I'll Never Go There Anymore
Lorelei
It Was Written In The Stars

Amazon.com

It would be easy--too easy, in fact--to compare pianist Bill Charlap to the great Bill Evans. Easy because Charlap has the same kind of knack for spacious lyricism and impressionistic chordal harmonies that characterize the late jazz icon, and his interplay on Written in the Stars with his amazing rhythm team of bassist Peter Washington and drummer Kenny Washington recalls Evans's telepathic improvisation with Paul Motian and Scot LaFaro. Charlap treats the classic American songbook the way few young pianists treat it. Charlap, 33 years old as Stars comes to market, plays classics like "In the Still of the Night," "On a Slow Boat to China," and "Blue Skies" with such deep affinity that it's hard to believe he wasn't sitting right there when these tunes were written. His take on "Blue Skies" starts with a gorgeous rubato version of the tune's seldom-heard verse, weaves contrapuntal harmonies over the tune's chorus, and features some dazzling interplay between Charlap and bassist Washington--a recurring phenomenon, as the trio's members show remarkable empathy with each other on every track. In an age with no shortage of promising young pianists, Blue Note must have felt there was something special about Bill Charlap. One listen to Written in the Stars assures us that they made the right call. --Ezra Gale

Customer Reviews:

Disappointing effort from Bill Charlap.......2007-05-13

I've heard cuts from Bill Charlap's trio albums on FM and bought "All Through the Night" which I really like and so I purchased "Written in the Stars". This has been a disappointment--Charlap doesn't seem as inventive as his earlier effort and a couple of the tempos are way slow (The Man that Got Away and One for my Baby).

The album is supposed to feature the pianist not the rhythm section!.......2006-05-14

I would not buy this album because the bass fiddle is TOO LOUD and over-rides the pianist.

Nice standards collection.......2006-03-13

Bill Charlap is a sophisticated pianist, who has many subtlies in his playing, and a nice touch. To my ears anyway, he has been heavily influenced by the great Hank Jones, but at the same time shows that he has his own voice as well.

I don't listen to Charlap that often, but I like his style. Not exactly McCoy Tyner, but always enjoyable to listen to.

Bill Evans without the melancholy.......2004-01-13

This from the owner of uncountable jazz piano recordings going back to Tatem, Teddy Wilson, Nat Cole and with an overflow library of Bill Evans. Charlap does the best, most creative, most lively interpretation of standards I've ever heard. You need do no more than listen to the back-to-back cuts of "Slow Boat to China" (whoever did that one like this before?) and "One for My Baby" to get an idea of his versatility and creative range. He is just as good on his Stardust album and on "All through the night".

Where have you been, INDEED!.......2002-03-12

An amazing fact about jazz is that we keep rediscovering it.
I thought I knew all the great Cole Porter tunes, but here
comes a wonderful rendering of his "Where Have Your Been?" and I
cannot get it out of my head! Charlap makes everything sound
easy - sort of like Ralph Sharon....which is maybe why he has recently been playing with Tony Bennett.

The Nervous Set (1959 Original Broadway Cast)

Average customer rating:

An underrated gem!
Dig that beat...

The Nervous Set (1959 Original Broadway Cast)
Tommy Wolf , Fran Landesman , and Richard Hayes
Manufacturer: Drg
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00005YKIO
Release Date: 2002-02-26

Tracks:

Overture/Man, We're Beat
New York
What's To Lose/Stars Have Blown My Way
Fun Life
How Do You Like Your Love?
Party Song
Night People
Overture - Act II
Party Song (Reprise)
I've Got A Lot To Learn About Life
The Ballad Of The Sad Young Man
A Country Gentleman
Max The Millionaire
Travel The Road Of Love
Laugh, I THought I'd Die
Fun Life (Reprise)
Bonus Track 1: Fun Life (By Jackie Cain & Roy Kral)

Amazon.com

As fans of musical theater, we're used to offbeat projects, but this long-forgotten show takes the cake--and it's completely entrancing. The opening number alone makes nasty fun of the then-popular beatniks and is immediately followed by "New York," a list song enumerating all the awful things about the city. Rarely has so much bile been spilled on the New York stage--but perhaps that's because the show originated in St. Louis. Tommy Wolf's finger-snapping score and Fran Landesman's biting lyrics are very compelling, especially because it's hard to tell when they're serious and when they're drily sarcastic. The energetic cast, which includes Larry Hagman (best known as JR in Dallas), is backed by a jazz quartet, and the result often sounds strangely contemporary. And then you have some numbers, such as "Night People," that are almost Sondheimian. What a strange, wonderful little show this is. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

An underrated gem!.......2003-06-03

The songs in this musical are simply wonderful! Canny, passionate, "beat," and sardonic. The story, its characters, and the lyrics are classic Greenwich Village of the late 1950's. This CD features talented singers and actors (including a very young Larry Hagman),a great lyricist, lush and complex music. To reiterate, it's just WONDERFUL! I ruined my LP long ago, and am THRILLED to find this CD replacement.

Dig that beat..........2002-02-28

A fun recording to have on CD. Very beatnik oriented musical from 1959 with such interesting names in the cast as Tom Aldredge (Into the Woods, Passion) and Larry Hagman!? The song "New York" is a lot of fun. The best of the rest the score include "The Ballad of the Sad Young Man" sung by Tan Seitz and "Laugh, I Thought I'd Die" sung by Richard Hayes. Larry Hagman has one song, "Travel the Road of Love" and although he doesn't embarrass himself, thank God "I Dream of Jeannie" and "Dallas" were still be come. He definitely did not inherit his mother's singing ability. In fact, I think his mother was performing in "The Sound of Music" during the short run of this show.

Average customer rating:

Transcendent Vocalism
Beautifully delivered as always, but not my material.
Lives up to their reputation
One of the best I've picked up in ages
Fantastic recording of contemporary choral works

Colors of Love
Steven Stucky , John Tavener , Bernard Rands , Long Zhou , Chen Yi , Augusta Read Thomas , Steven Sametz , Marianne Kach , and Chanticleer
Manufacturer: Teldec
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000IWR3
Release Date: 1999-05-18

Tracks:

Cradle Songs: Rouxinol do pico preto (Brazil)
Cradle Songs: Lilajze, Jezuniu (Poland)
Cradle Songs: Buy Baby Ribbon (Tobago)
Village Wedding
Canti d'Amor: 'Winds of May, that dance on the sea'
Canti d'Amor: 'O cool is the valley'
Canti d'Amor: 'This heart that flutters near my heart'
Canti d'Amor: 'Silently she's combing her long hair'
Canti d'Amor: 'Gentle lady, do not sing sad songs'
Canti d'Amor: 'Sleep now, O you unquiet heart'
Canti d'Amor: 'All day I hear the noise of waters'
Words of the Sun
Tang Poems: Written on a Rainy Night
Tang Poems: Wild Grass
The Rub of Love
in time of
Love Songs: 'Look out upon the stars, my love'
Love Songs: 'Love is a beautiful dream'
Love Songs: 'Alas, the love of women!'
Love Songs: 'For stony limits cannot hold love out'
Love Songs: 'All mankind love a lover'

Amazon.com

This compilation of modern-day madrigals, the latest in a fascinating series of discs from the San Francisco-based all-male vocal group Chanticleer, won the Grammy for Best Small Ensemble Performance of 1999. The selections range over a variety of styles and aesthetics, from the haunting, hypnotic sounds of Steven Stucky's Cradle Songs to the archaic, ethereal beauty and Eastern inflections of John Tavener's "Village Wedding." There are the soft (and somewhat affected) asperities of Bernard Rands' Canti d'Amor as well as the gentle, almost English pastoralism of Zhou Long's "Words of the Sun" (beautiful!) and the colorfully exotic Orientalism of Chen Yi's Tang Poems. Other examples of the wide range here are the self-conscious busywork of Augusta Read Thomas's Love Songs to the darkly lush, 12-part weave of Steven Sametz's "In Time Of," with its radiant climax and pulsating chordal sonorites like the tolling of bells. All of this Chanticleer sings with striking freshness and commitment, virtuosic to a fare-thee-well, always sensitive to the emotional cues of the texts. The recording, made at Skywalker Ranch in January of 1999, is vivid and warm, and so is much of the music. Truly a winning disc. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

Transcendent Vocalism.......2005-01-31

This compilation is essential listening, especially (but not exclusively) for those already introduced to the marvels of Chanticleer. It features a wide variety of contemporary madrigals all dedicated to the theme of love. Gorgeous polyphony, entrancing dissonance; the music is very difficult, but Chanticleer's vocalism is exemplary, as always. The whole feel of the album takes some getting used to for the uninitiated. After a few listenings, though, one can fully perceive its unique and sublime beauty.

Highlights abound. The first three tracks, all lullabies by Steven Stucky, are brilliantly executed, but it is track four, Village Wedding by John Taverner, that first knocked my socks off. It seems to represent the absolutely ideal match between composer and performer, between written and sung text. It consists of a wonderful poem by Greek poet Angelos Sikelianos, with a recurring excerpt from the Eastern Orthodox wedding ceremony interspersed throughout. Taverner is himself a member of the Eastern Orthodox church, and the song is as much a spiritual experience as a musical one.

Another fantastic piece is Words of the Sun, by Chinese composer Zhou Long. It is probably the most accessible song on the CD, with numerous lovely subtleties and nuances that can be fully appreciated after multiple exposures.

Lastly, I'd like to express my sincere conviction that In Time Of (by Steven Sametz, set to a poem by E.E. Cummings) is the single most gorgeous piece of music I have ever had the great fortune to hear. The sonority is perfectly balanced, each arching phrase better than the one before. Please, for the sake of pure unadulterated beauty, purchase this CD. You will not regret it.

Beautifully delivered as always, but not my material........2002-07-30

I came to this album as a fan of Chanticleer more than of contemporary art music, though I like to think I do have a certain ear for the stuff. I haven't been educated in it, but I've sung some in my time in choruses, and I learned to appreciate those pieces the way that I learned to appreciate the more classical stuff as a child--by feeling it and hearing it come out of my own body, the ways that it worked, what was exciting, ect. That said, there is a point where I don't get it, and I reached that point all over this album. I thought I'd pass it on because it is hard for most of us to pick this kind of music off the shelf--there will be pieces that skewer us and some that make us fidget. For my part, I am grateful to have the album for the sake of three (long) songs. The Tavner Wedding song itself is probably worth it. But the album will never be put on leisurely.

Lives up to their reputation.......2001-03-07

Just recently had the opportunity to hear Chanticleer in concert...this CD certainly gives a cross section of their range...especially liked the "Tang Poems" and "Words of the Sun", which they performed live...very esoteric mix of musical styles...well worth the purchase for Chanticleer lovers!

One of the best I've picked up in ages.......2000-11-25

First of all let me state that the 4 stars isn't for the performance...which is truly outstanding...it is for a few pieces that are a tad sub-par. I also want to mention that its not that the pieces are modern either, I happen to be extremely sympathetic to modern music.

I usually don't like to do reviews this way, but I'm going to make a few comments piece by piece:

1) CRADLE SONGS - The first two of this trio of lullabies are great...the ones from Brazil & Poland are hauntingly beautiful...I'm not so crazy about the one from Tobago. A fairly strong piece, its certainly interesting.

2) VILLAGE WEDDING - This is one of the best three pieces on the album, and probably the best. Hearing John Tavener's work next to his contemporaries is an easy indicator of why he is considered one of this century's greatest and certainly one of the greatest living composers. Simultaneously it is joyous, austere, reverent & spiritual. Simply beautiful & amazing.

3) CANTI D'AMOUR - This is an up & down work. I'm not sure what the composer had in mind, but I find the first part to be amusing. It reminds me of barbershop quartet. It has more somber moments too that are quite moving. Overall though, its okay.

4) WORDS OF THE SUN - After the Tavener piece, this is my favorite one. I would like to hear some of Zhou Long's other works. It is a very subtle piece. Very Chinese too, yet simultaneously western. This is one of my favorite pieces by eastern composers of western music. Lyrically, it is amazing. Its borrowed from a 20th century Chinese poem that is gorgeous in English, I'm sure its even more so in Chinese. Musically, it is very stirring.

5) TANG POEMS - This piece too is written by a Chinese composer (Chen Yi) and it is distinctly Chinese. I am intrigued at some of the techniques used by the composer. I am really pleased with the piece, although I'm sure some find it a little "too eastern." It is extremely pretty if one is accustomed to eastern melodies. The 2nd part is a bit sharper and probably less accessible than the first part.

6) THE RUB OF LOVE - One of the duller pieces on the album.

7) IN TIME OF - Sublime. The opening few bars are unearthly. Definately one of the three best pieces. They definately need to keep this one in their concert repetoire (along with the Tavener and the two pieces by Chinese composers.) This is one of those works you have to hear to believe.

8) LOVE SONGS - This is a quirky collection of tunes by Augusta Read Thomas. It runs the gamut of serious to extremely silly. There are some strong points here, but some of it is too silly to stand the test of time ("Alas, The Love of Women"). Eventhough it is extremely unconventional, the part entitled "For Stony Limits Cannot Hold Love Out" is powerful. It is piercing & strange, but it really works with the text.

There are times when I love everything on this CD, and times when some of it gets on my nerves. It is, however, never boring and the performances are superb. I highly congratulate Chanticleer for not sitting on their laurels. This is adventursome stuff and it works 90% of the time, which is more than I can say for 99% of the ensembles out there.

I highly recommend this disc for "Village Wedding," "Words of the Sun," "In Time of," and "Tang Poems."

Pick it up, be adventuresome. Enjoy.

Fantastic recording of contemporary choral works.......2000-09-21

Chanticleer is one of the USA's finest choral ensembles, and they have picked a marvelous and diverse program for this recording -- with something that would appeal to absolutely everybody. The inclusion of two "husband-wife" pairs in the choice of music also makes for a special connection to the theme of the disc. Of special note to this reviewer are the "delicious" sonorities of Bernard Rands's "Canti d'Amor" and Augusta Read Thomas's "Love Songs" -- Chanticleer is a group who is able to pull off this difficult music beautifully. This recording was absolutely deserving of the Grammy that is received -- one of the finest discs of modern choral music in the past few years.

Average customer rating:

Bait and Switch: Rhonda Vincent tries to be a Country Diva again...
Rhonda Vincent - Written in the Stars

Written in the Stars
Rhonda Vincent
Manufacturer: Koch Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Alt-Country & Americana | Country | Styles | Music

General | Country | Styles | Music

General | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music

Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music

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Trouble Free
My Blue Tears
All American Bluegrass Girl
New Dreams and Sunshine
Timeless and True Love

ASIN: B0009VBTLO
Release Date: 2005-07-26

Tracks:

What Else Could I Do
Written In The Stars
Ain't That Love
In Your Loneliness
Mama Knows The Highway
When Love Arrives
Passin' Of The Train
I Do My Cryin' At Night
I'm Not Over You
If You Were Me

Album Description

Reissue of the 1993 album. Personnel: Rhonda Vincent (mandolin, vocals); Larry Byrom, Mark Casstevens (acoustic guitar); Chris Leuzinger, Brent Mason, Reggie Young (guitar); Weldon Myrick (steel guitar, dobro); Dan Dugmore (steel guitar); Stuart Duncan (mandolin, fiddle); Randy Howard (fiddle); Matt Rollings (piano); Glenn Worf, David Hungate (bass); Paul Leim, Eddie Bayers (drums); Curtis Wright, Darrin Vincent (background vocals).

Customer Reviews:

Bait and Switch: Rhonda Vincent tries to be a Country Diva again..........2005-09-12

Rhonda Vincent is a talented woman with a very pleasant voice that she uses well. She leads one of the premiere Bluegrass Bands in existence. Her last three Bluegrass recordings have been extremely well-received by critics and fans alike.

All that being said, she also appears to have a strong desire to be the next Reba McIntyre and appearances extend to the fact that she doesn't mind stepping on a few toes and offending a few folks to achieve that goal. Bluegrass has long been a weak "second fiddle" to Top Banana "Big Country", pretty much since the beginning of the rock and roll era. Prior to that Bill Monroe and Flatt and Scruggs played with equal billing to Ernest Tubb and Roy Acuff. With the advent of electric guitars and "Hee Haw" Bluegrass became the hayseed kin.

The hard-core Bluegrass fan kept the faith, though, and Bluegrass stars who "cross-over" are remembered, but not fully accepted in their Country mode. Alison Krauss began to change things with her "Now That I've Found You" album and Bluegrass, which hadn't had a "hit" or a gold record in decades, now has had many since (and including) that recording.

Rhonda Vincent grew up playing Bluegrass, then spent the better part of a decade trying to become a big Country star. Somehow the idea came to go back to Bluegrass and, as noted above, her last three albums were all as well-received as Bluegrass CDs are. She made Grand Ol' Opry appearances and even became the musical voice for Martha White - taking the position previously held with honor by no less than Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs.

Now this album - "Written in the Stars" - is released, and because of how well I liked her previous three bluegrass albums I bought it sight unheard.

I've been had. This CD is neither "new" or "bluegrass". Turns out to be a re-release of a Country album she recorded in 1993.

Is it a good country album? It's all right. It fits right in with the "big hair bunch". The singing is good, the playing is good, the harmonies are good.

It's just not Bluegrass and to lead the potential buyer to think anything else is misleading.

The truth is I like good country very much. But I like good Bluegrass a little better and I STRONGLY dislike being duped.

Rhonda Vincent - Written in the Stars.......2005-09-11

Excellent musicanship and harmonies, and very upbeat. Highly recommended. 'Ain't that Love' is my favorite.

Average customer rating:

BRINGS BACK A MUCH NEEDED SMILE IN MY LIFE !
A song stylist to treasure
Shine On!
Shine On!
Written In The Stars With A Voice From The Heavens

Written in the Stars
Tom Michael
Manufacturer: Lml Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

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Sailing On

ASIN: B000086B9E
Release Date: 2003-02-04

Tracks:

It Might Be You
Something's Coming / There's Gotta Be Something Better Than This
How Deep Is the Ocean
Lost in the Stars / Written in the Stars
I Can't Be Bothered Now / I Hear Music
Home to Myself
The Summer Knows / Autumn Leaves
Wonder Why / Like Someone in Love
This Nearly Was Mine
Two For The Road
How Can I Be Sure
Dialogue
Better Than I
It's Time

Album Description

"Written in the Stars" is acclaimed vocalist Tom Michael's follow-up to his 1999 critically praised debut,"Sailing On". Released on LML Music, the CD is a stunning collection of pop songs, Broadway and movie favorites, as well as classic standards performed in Tom's warm, expressive style. Among the material covered on this winning collection are the classics of Rodgers and Hammerstein, the Gershwins, Berlin, Sondheim and Bernstein along with the more contemporary works of Elton John, Tim Rice, Carol Bayer Sager, Melissa Manchester and Tom Snow. Among the CD's highlights is Michael's emotional delivery of "This Nearly Was Mine," his inspiring and soaring vocals on the uplifting "Better Than I," and a tender reading of "Two For The Road," which features Downbeat Magazine award-winning jazz guitar virtuoso Fareed Haque. Another standout is Tom's haunting version of "How Deep is the Ocean." With one listen, you will understand why Backstage Magazine hailed him as "one of the most striking singers to emerge in the last few years." The CD also contains the Legrand/Bergman masterpiece "The Summer Knows" beautifully paired with "Autumn Leaves" as well as a lively, rhythmic arrangement of West Side Story's "Something's Coming" with "There's Gotta Be Something Better Than This." A duet with Beckie Menzie of "Lost in the Stars" blended with Elton John's "Written in the Stars" provides a musical showcase for the duo that the Chicago Tribune calls "an ingeniously conceived and searingly sung medley." Billboard Magazine has praised Tom Michael as "one of those voices made to travel far and wide in the world of adult pop." With his new release, "Written In the Stars," Tom proves that it is a laurel well deserved.

Customer Reviews:

BRINGS BACK A MUCH NEEDED SMILE IN MY LIFE !.......2006-02-10

After losing my father, my home, my job and my best friend due to Hurricane Katrina (i live in New Orleans), i was so blessed and surprised to one day while at work hear this VOICE coming from my computer speakers while at work.
The song was "IT MIGHT BE YOU " from this album.
I immediately ordered both of TOM'S cds and have been smiling since.
WHAT A VOICE !!!
If you dont have this one in your collection, RUN NOW and get one.
It has brought much needed joy into my life, and i PROMISE, it will bring you many smiles and joy.

A song stylist to treasure.......2003-04-25

Interestingly, Tom Michael's dreamy voice occasionally sounds like what another, much more famous Michael -- Mr. Feinstein -- seems to be striving valiantly to achieve. I've no wish to diminish Feinstein's own accomplishments, but Tom Michael's pipes and talent are superior to that of any other male song stylist currently active.

Michael's voice has a yearning quality that is absolutely his and utterly unique. What's more, his sincerity and intensity burn through song after (well-arranged) song. There's no over-emoting here. Michael's instinct is unerring, and his interpretations are note-perfect.

But my best recommendation is to stop reading and listen for yourself. I think you will be as won over as I was. And like me, you're likely to look forward to what I hope will be many more CDs from this exceptional artist.

Shine On!.......2003-02-21

Tom's musical fervor shines through on his "Written In The Stars" CD. You can tell he enjoys singing these songs and it comes across. Tom inhabits each song he sings with a throbbing passion and a generosity of spirit. His voice flows through each song effortlessly. This CD shows Tom is equally at ease with an emotional ballad "Better Than I" or an upbeat tune "I Can't Be Bothered Now/I Hear Music." His voice lends a unique elegance to each track. Tom's rendition of "Two For The Road" is another favorite in this incredible collection.

"Written In The Stars" is simply a delight!

Shine On!.......2003-02-14

A vibrant, well-controlled, and drama-infused voice possessed by someone who understands and obviously feels what he is singing. Tom Michael is a winning performer who connects with the audience's heart immediately. Tom's songs are like old friends. There is a warmth and honesty to his style that pulls you into the emotions of his songs. I smile, I cry, but most of all I feel, even if just for a moment, inspired to sing too. Tom has a beautiful gift that he openly shares with all who hear him. Combined with an exquisite voice, elegant delivery, and extraordinary choice of material, he also pays remarkable attention to lyrics. Tom's orchestra and piano arrangements are terrific as well. Tom's musical fervor shines through on his "Written In The Stars" CD. You can tell he enjoys singing these songs and it comes across. Tom inhabits each song he sings with a throbbing passion and a generosity of spirit. His voice flows through each song effortlessly. This CD shows Tom is equally at ease with an emotional ballad "Better Than I" or an upbeat tune "I Can't Be Bothered Now/I Hear Music." His voice lends a unique elegance to each track. Tom's rendition of "Two For The Road" is another favorite in this incredible collection.

Tom Michael's performance of every track is simply a delight!

Written In The Stars With A Voice From The Heavens.......2003-02-07

No sophomore jinx here. "Written In The Stars" is the long anticipated (3 and a half long years) followup to Tom Michael's incredible debut "Sailing On." It was going to be a tough task to do - imagine Michael Jackson following up "Thriller" or Bruce Springsteen following up "Born In The USA." That is exactly what Mr. Michael faced and he pulled it off stunningly and triumphantly.. It was definitely worth the wait from one of the best male singers that I have heard in the last ten years.

Without a doubt, the best cut is "Better Than I," from the animated video sequel to Prince Of Egypt. That one cut alone is reason to buy this great CD. His voice literally soars to the heavens on this beautiful song. Other standouts include an old Melissa Manchester gem called "Home To Myself," which I think he does bettter than her, two beautiful obscure songs called Dialogue (with a superb haunting cello accompianant) and It's Time. His beautiful take on "Two For The Road with Fareed Haque on guitar is mesmerizing, as is his version of "How Deep Is The Ocean." My two other favorite cuts are "It Might Be ou" from the movie Tootsie and an emotional tour de force and definitive version of "This Nearly Was Mine."

The album also has several up-tempo numbers, proving that Mr. Michael can "get down" and jam with the rest of them - a cleverly arranged version of "Something's Coming" paired with "There's Gotta Be Something Better Than This" and another mini-medley of "Wonder Why" and "like Someone In Love."

As on "Sailing On," Tom is accompanied by the multi-talented Beckie Menzie (who provided most of the arrangements) and even joins Tom on two duets.

Tracks:

'Happy End': Surabaya-Johnny (1929)
'Happy End': Bilbao-Song (1929)
'Aufstieg Und Fall Der Stadt Mahagonny': Alabama-Song (1930) - Lotte Lenya/The Three Admirals
'Aufstieg Und Fall Der Stadt Mahagonny': Denn Wie Man Sich Bettet (1930) - Lotte Lenya/The Three Admirals
'Aufstieg Und Fall Der Stadt Mahagonny': Alabama-Song (1930)
'Aufstieg Und Fall Der Stadt Mahagonny': Denn Wie Man Sich Bettet (1930)
'Die Dreigoschenoper': Ouverture/Moritat/Ballade Vom Angenehmen Leben (1931) - Kurt Gerron/Willy Trenk-Trebitsch
'Die Dreigoschenoper': Liebeslied/Kanonensong (1931) - Kurt Gerron/Erika Helmke/Willy Trenk-Trebitsch/Chorus
'Die Dreigoschenoper': Die Seerauberjenny (1931) - Kurt Gerron/Lotte Lenya
'Die Dreigoschenoper': Erstes Dreigroschen-Finale (1931) - Kurt Gerron/Lotte Lenya/Erika Helmke/Erich Ponto
'Die Dreigoschenoper': Barbarasong/Eifersuchtsduett (1931) - Kurt Gerron/Lotte Lenya/Erika Helmke
'Die Dreigoschenoper': Abschied/Zweites Dreigroschen-Finale (1931) - Kurt Gerron/Erika Helmke/Willy Trenk-Trebitsch/Chorus
'Die Dreigoschenoper': Zuhalter-Ballade/Lied Von Der Unzulanglichkeit Menschlichen Strebens (1931) - Kurt Gerron/Willy Trenk-Trebitsch/Lotte Lenya/Erich Ponto
'Die Dreigoschenoper': Moritat/Schlusschoral (1931) - Kurt Gerron/Lotte Lenya/Chorus
Querschnitt, 1. Tiel: 'Aufstieg Und Fall Der Stadt Mahagonny' (1932)
Querschnitt, 2. Tiel: 'Aufstieg Und Fall Der Stadt Mahagonny' (1932)
'Happy End': Surabaya-Johnny (1943) - Lotte Lenya/Kurt Weill
'Aufstieg Und Fall Der Stadt Mahagonny': Denn Wie Man Sich Bettet (1943) - Lotte Lenya/Kurt Weill
Complainte De La Seine (1943) - Lotte Lenya/Kurt Weill
J'Attends Un Navire (1943) - Lotte Lenya/Kurt Weill
'Lost In The Stars': Lover Man (1943) - Lotte Lenya/Kurt Weill
'Lost In The Stars': Lost In The Stars (1943) - Lotte Lenya/Kurt Weill
'I've Got The Tune': And So The Last Thing, Too (1937 Interview) - Lotte Lenya/Marc Blitzstein/Shirley Booth

Tracks:

'Die Dreigoschenoper': Moritat (1955)
'Die Dreigoschenoper': Barbara-Song (1955)
'Die Dreigoschenoper': Seerauberjenny (1955)
'Aufstieg Und Fall Der Stadt Mahagonny': Havanna-Lied (1955)
'Aufstieg Und Fall Der Stadt Mahagonny': Alabama-Song (1955)
'Aufstieg Und Fall Der Stadt Mahagonny': Denn Wie Man Sich Bettet (1955)
'Happy End': Bilbao-Song (1955)
'Happy End': Surabaya-Johnny (1955)
'Happy End': Was Die Herren Matrosen Sagen (Matrosen-Tango) (1955)
'Das Berliner Requiem': Ballade Vom Ertrunkenen Madchen (1955)
'Der Silbersee': Ich Bin Eine Arme Verwandte (1955)
'Der Silbersee': Casar-Ballade (1955)
'Die Sieben Todsunden': Prolog/Introduktion (1956) - Lotte Lenya/Julius Kantona/Fritz Gollnitz/Sigmund Roth/Ernst Poettgen
'Die Sieben Todsunden': Faulheit (1956) - Lotte Lenya/Julius Kantona/Fritz Gollnitz/Sigmund Roth/Ernst Poettgen
'Die Sieben Todsunden': Stolz (1956) - Lotte Lenya/Julius Kantona/Fritz Gollnitz/Sigmund Roth/Ernst Poettgen
'Die Sieben Todsunden': Zorn (1956) - Lotte Lenya/Julius Kantona/Fritz Gollnitz/Sigmund Roth/Ernst Poettgen
'Die Sieben Todsunden': Vollerei (1956) - Lotte Lenya/Julius Kantona/Fritz Gollnitz/Sigmund Roth/Ernst Poettgen
'Die Sieben Todsunden': Unzucht (1956) - Lotte Lenya/Julius Kantona/Fritz Gollnitz/Sigmund Roth/Ernst Poettgen
'Die Sieben Todsunden': Habsucht (1956) - Lotte Lenya/Julius Kantona/Fritz Gollnitz/Sigmund Roth/Ernst Poettgen
'Die Sieben Todsunden': Neid (1956) - Lotte Lenya/Julius Kantona/Fritz Gollnitz/Sigmund Roth/Ernst Poettgen
'Die Sieben Todsunden': Epilog (1956) - Lotte Lenya/Julius Kantona/Fritz Gollnitz/Sigmund Roth/Ernst Poettgen

Tracks:

'Aufstieg Und Fall Der Stadt Mahagonny': Akt 1, Szene 1 (1957) - Lotte Lenya/Chorus Des NDR/Max Thurn
'Aufstieg Und Fall Der Stadt Mahagonny': Akt 1, Szene 2 (1957) - Lotte Lenya/Chorus Des NDR/Max Thurn
'Aufstieg Und Fall Der Stadt Mahagonny': Akt 1, Szene 3 (1957) - Lotte Lenya/Chorus Des NDR/Max Thurn
'Aufstieg Und Fall Der Stadt Mahagonny': Akt 1, Szene 4 (1957) - Lotte Lenya/Chorus Des NDR/Max Thurn
'Aufstieg Und Fall Der Stadt Mahagonny': Akt 1, Szene 5 (1957) - Lotte Lenya/Chorus Des NDR/Max Thurn
'Aufstieg Und Fall Der Stadt Mahagonny': Akt 1, Szene 6 (1957) - Lotte Lenya/Chorus Des NDR/Max Thurn
'Aufstieg Und Fall Der Stadt Mahagonny': Akt 1, Szene 7 (1957) - Lotte Lenya/Chorus Des NDR/Max Thurn
'Aufstieg Und Fall Der Stadt Mahagonny': Akt 1, Szene 8 (1957) - Lotte Lenya/Chorus Des NDR/Max Thurn
'Aufstieg Und Fall Der Stadt Mahagonny': Akt 1, Szene 9 (1957) - Lotte Lenya/Chorus Des NDR/Max Thurn
'Aufstieg Und Fall Der Stadt Mahagonny': Akt 1, Szene 10 (1957) - Lotte Lenya/Chorus Des NDR/Max Thurn
'Aufstieg Und Fall Der Stadt Mahagonny': Akt 1, Szene 11 (1957) - Lotte Lenya/Chorus Des NDR/Max Thurn
'Aufstieg Und Fall Der Stadt Mahagonny': Akt 2, Szene 12 (1957) - Lotte Lenya/Chorus Des NDR/Max Thurn
'Aufstieg Und Fall Der Stadt Mahagonny': Akt 2, Szene 13 (1957) - Lotte Lenya/Chorus Des NDR/Max Thurn

Tracks:

'Aufstieg Und Fall Der Stadt Mahagonny': Akt 2, Szene 14 (1957) - Lotte Lenya/Chorus Des NDR/Max Thurn
'Aufstieg Und Fall Der Stadt Mahagonny': Akt 2, Szene 15a (1957) - Lotte Lenya/Chorus Des NDR/Max Thurn
'Aufstieg Und Fall Der Stadt Mahagonny': Akt 2, Szene 15b (1957) - Lotte Lenya/Chorus Des NDR/Max Thurn
'Aufstieg Und Fall Der Stadt Mahagonny': Akt 2, Szene 16 (1957) - Lotte Lenya/Chorus Des NDR/Max Thurn
'Aufstieg Und Fall Der Stadt Mahagonny': Akt 2, Szene 17 (1957) - Lotte Lenya/Chorus Des NDR/Max Thurn
'Aufstieg Und Fall Der Stadt Mahagonny': Akt 3, Szene 18 (1957) - Lotte Lenya/Chorus Des NDR/Max Thurn
'Aufstieg Und Fall Der Stadt Mahagonny': Akt 3, Szene 19 (1957) - Lotte Lenya/Chorus Des NDR/Max Thurn
'Aufstieg Und Fall Der Stadt Mahagonny': Akt 3, Finale (1957) - Lotte Lenya/Chorus Des NDR/Max Thurn

Tracks:

'Knickerbocker Holiday': September Song (1957)
'Knickerbocker Holiday': It Never Was You (1957)
'Lady In The Dark': Saga Of Jenny (1957)
'One Touch Of Venus': Foolish Heart (1957)
'One Touch Of Venus': Speak Low (1957)
'The Firebrand Of Florence': Sing Me Not A Ballad (1957)
'The Eternal Road': Song Of Ruth (July Version) (1957)
'Street Scene': Lonely House (1957)
'Street Scene': A Boy Like You (1957) - Lotte Lenya/Darryl Richard
'Love Life': Green-Up Time (1957)
'Lost In The Stars': Trouble Man (1957)
'Lost In The Stars': Stay Well (1957)
'Lost In The Stars': Lost In The Stars (1957)
'The Eternal Road': Song Of Ruth (August Version) (1957)
'The Threepenny Opera': Pirate Jenny (1954)
'The Threepenny Opera': Solomon-Song (1954)
'The Threepenny Opera': Tango-Ballad (1954) - Lotte Lenya/Scott Merrill
'The Threepenny Opera': Lenya & Blitzstein TV Interview (1954) - Lotte Lenya/Marc Blitzstein
'Johnny Johnson': Mon Ami, My Friend (1956)
Young Blood (1969)
Welcome Home (1969)

Tracks:

'Die Dreigoschenoper': Ouverture (1958) - Lotte Lenya/Erich Schellow/Willy Trenk-Trebitsch/Trude Hesterberg/Johanna Von Koczian...
'Die Dreigoschenoper': Moritat (1958) - Lotte Lenya/Erich Schellow/Willy Trenk-Trebitsch/Trude Hesterberg/Johanna Von Koczian...
'Die Dreigoschenoper': Morgenchoral Des Peachum (1958) - Lotte Lenya/Erich Schellow/Willy Trenk-Trebitsch/Trude Hesterberg/Johanna Von Koczian...
'Die Dreigoschenoper': Anstatt-Dass-Song (1958) - Lotte Lenya/Erich Schellow/Willy Trenk-Trebitsch/Trude Hesterberg/Johanna Von Koczian...
'Die Dreigoschenoper': Hochzeitslied Fur Armere Leute (1958) - Lotte Lenya/Erich Schellow/Willy Trenk-Trebitsch/Trude Hesterberg/Johanna Von Koczian...
'Die Dreigoschenoper': Kanonensong (1958) - Lotte Lenya/Erich Schellow/Willy Trenk-Trebitsch/Trude Hesterberg/Johanna Von Koczian...
'Die Dreigoschenoper': Liebeslied (1958) - Lotte Lenya/Erich Schellow/Willy Trenk-Trebitsch/Trude Hesterberg/Johanna Von Koczian...
'Die Dreigoschenoper': Barbara-Song (1958) - Lotte Lenya/Erich Schellow/Willy Trenk-Trebitsch/Trude Hesterberg/Johanna Von Koczian...
'Die Dreigoschenoper': Erstes Dreigroschen-Finale (1958) - Lotte Lenya/Erich Schellow/Willy Trenk-Trebitsch/Trude Hesterberg/Johanna Von Koczian...
'Die Dreigoschenoper': Der Pferdestall (1958) - Lotte Lenya/Erich Schellow/Willy Trenk-Trebitsch/Trude Hesterberg/Johanna Von Koczian...
'Die Dreigoschenoper': Abschiedslied Der Polly (1958) - Lotte Lenya/Erich Schellow/Willy Trenk-Trebitsch/Trude Hesterberg/Johanna Von Koczian...
'Die Dreigoschenoper': Zwischenlied (1958) - Lotte Lenya/Erich Schellow/Willy Trenk-Trebitsch/Trude Hesterberg/Johanna Von Koczian...
'Die Dreigoschenoper': Ballade Von Der Sexuellen Horigkeit (1958) - Lotte Lenya/Erich Schellow/Willy Trenk-Trebitsch/Trude Hesterberg/Johanna Von Koczian...
'Die Dreigoschenoper': Die Seerauberjenny (1958) - Lotte Lenya/Erich Schellow/Willy Trenk-Trebitsch/Trude Hesterberg/Johanna Von Koczian...
'Die Dreigoschenoper': Zuhalter-Ballade (1958) - Lotte Lenya/Erich Schellow/Willy Trenk-Trebitsch/Trude Hesterberg/Johanna Von Koczian...
'Die Dreigoschenoper': Ballade Vom Angenehmen Leben (1958) - Lotte Lenya/Erich Schellow/Willy Trenk-Trebitsch/Trude Hesterberg/Johanna Von Koczian...
'Die Dreigoschenoper': Eifersuchtsduett (1958) - Lotte Lenya/Erich Schellow/Willy Trenk-Trebitsch/Trude Hesterberg/Johanna Von Koczian...
'Die Dreigoschenoper': Arie Der Lucy (1958) - Lotte Lenya/Erich Schellow/Willy Trenk-Trebitsch/Trude Hesterberg/Johanna Von Koczian...
'Die Dreigoschenoper': Zweites Dreigroschen-Finale (1958) - Lotte Lenya/Erich Schellow/Willy Trenk-Trebitsch/Trude Hesterberg/Johanna Von Koczian...
'Die Dreigoschenoper': Lied Von Der Unzulanglichkeit Menschlichen Strebens (1958) - Lotte Lenya/Erich Schellow/Willy Trenk-Trebitsch/Trude Hesterberg/Johanna Von Koczian...
'Die Dreigoschenoper': Solomon-Song (1958) - Lotte Lenya/Erich Schellow/Willy Trenk-Trebitsch/Trude Hesterberg/Johanna Von Koczian...
'Die Dreigoschenoper': Ruf Aus Der Gruft (1958) - Lotte Lenya/Erich Schellow/Willy Trenk-Trebitsch/Trude Hesterberg/Johanna Von Koczian...
'Die Dreigoschenoper': Ballade In Der MacHeath Jedermann Abbitte Leistet (1958) - Lotte Lenya/Erich Schellow/Willy Trenk-Trebitsch/Trude Hesterberg/Johanna Von Koczian...
'Die Dreigoschenoper': Der Reitende Bote (1958) - Lotte Lenya/Erich Schellow/Willy Trenk-Trebitsch/Trude Hesterberg/Johanna Von Koczian...
'Die Dreigoschenoper': Drittes Driegroschen-Finale (1958) - Lotte Lenya/Erich Schellow/Willy Trenk-Trebitsch/Trude Hesterberg/Johanna Von Koczian...
'Die Dreigoschenoper': Schlusstrophen Der Moritat (1958) - Lotte Lenya/Erich Schellow/Willy Trenk-Trebitsch/Trude Hesterberg/Johanna Von Koczian...

Tracks:

'Happy End': Introduktion (Hosiannah) (1960)
'Happy End': Bilbao-Song (1960)
'Happy End': Der Kleine Leutnant Des Lieben Gottes (1960)
'Happy End': Geht Hinein In Die Schlacht (Heilsarmee-Lied 1) (1960)
'Happy End': Was Die Herren Matrosen Sagen (Matrosen-Tango) (1960)
'Happy End': Bruder, Gib Dir Einen Stoss (Heilsarmee-Lied 2) (1960)
'Happy End': Das Lied Vom Branntweinhandler (1960)
'Happy End': Der Song Von Mandelay (1960)
'Happy End': Furchte Dich Nicht (Heilsarmee-Lied 3) (1960)
'Happy End': Surabaya-Johnny (1960)
'Happy End': Das Lied Von Der Harten Nuss (1960)
'Happy End': In Der Jugend Gold'Nem Schimmer (Heilsarmee-Lied 4) (1960)
'Happy End': Die Ballade Von Der Hollen-Lili (1960)
'Happy End': Der Kleine Leutnant Des Lieben Gottes (1960)
'Cabaret': So What? (1966)
'Cabaret': It Couldn't Please Me More (1966) - Lotte Lenya/Jack Gilford
'Cabaret': Married (1966) - Lotte Lenya/Jack Gilford
'Cabaret': What Would You Do (1966)
'Cabaret': Finale (1966) - Lotte Lenya/Bert Convy/Jill Haworth/Jack Gilford/Joel Grey

Tracks:

Unter Der Linde (1958)
Menschlich Elende (1958)
Das Rosenband (1958)
Der Tod Und Das Madchen (1958)
Abendlied (1958)
Der Bauer (1958)
Lebenspflichten (1958)
Gesang Der Geister Uber Den Wassern (1958)
Aus 'Romische Elegein' (1958)
Gefunden (1958)
Wo Bist Du Itzt (1958)
Der Handschuh (1958)
Hyperions Schicksalied/Aus 'Hymnen Der Nacht' (1958)
Mondnacht (1958)
Das Schloss Boncourt (1958)
Kommen Und Scheiden (1958)
Auf Geheimem Waldespfade (1958)
Der Weiher (1958)
Das Verlassene Magdlein (1958)
Der Wirtin Tochterlein (1958)
Mit Dummen Madchen (1958)
Im Wunderschonen Monat Mai (1958)
Ich Wollte Meine Lieder (1958)
Nachtlich Am Busento (1958)
Kehr Ein Bei Mir! (1958)
Altassyrisch (1958)
Die Musik Kommt (1958)
Wer Weiss Wo (1958)
Der Romische Brunnen (1958)
Vereinsamt (1958)
Der Werwolf (1958)
Der Arbeitsmann (1958)
Die Bieden (1958)
Du Schlank Und Rein Wie Eine Flamme (1958)
Spanische Tanzerin (1958)
Ich Liebe Frauen (1958)
An Den Leser (1958)
Die Entwicklung Der Menschheit (1958)
Der Vater (1958)
Erinnerung An Die Marie A (1958)
Von Der Freundlichkeit Der Welt (1958)
Kinderkreuzzug (1958)

Tracks:

A Hunger Artist (1959)
An Imperial Message (1959)
A Fratricide (1959)
The Care Of A Family Man (1959)
Up In The Gallery (1959)
A Dream (1959)
The Bucket Rider (1959)
Vergnugungen: What I Enjoy (Last Song) (1962) - Diane Clark/Anne Jackson/Lotte Lenya/Viveca Lindfors/George Voskovec/Michael Wager
Inscription On A China Lion (The Lion) (1962) - Diane Clark/Anne Jackson/Lotte Lenya/Viveca Lindfors/George Voskovec/Michael Wager
'Die Dreigroscheneroper': The Solomon Song (1962) - Diane Clark/Anne Jackson/Lotte Lenya/Viveca Lindfors/George Voskovec/Michael Wager
'Buckower Elegien': Changing Wheels (1962) - Diane Clark/Anne Jackson/Lotte Lenya/Viveca Lindfors/George Voskovec/Michael Wager
Burning Books (1962) - Diane Clark/Anne Jackson/Lotte Lenya/Viveca Lindfors/George Voskovec/Michael Wager
Written On The Wall (1962) - Diane Clark/Anne Jackson/Lotte Lenya/Viveca Lindfors/George Voskovec/Michael Wager
Lied Der Courage (1962) - Diane Clark/Anne Jackson/Lotte Lenya/Viveca Lindfors/George Voskovec/Michael Wager
Song Of A German Mother (1962) - Diane Clark/Anne Jackson/Lotte Lenya/Viveca Lindfors/George Voskovec/Michael Wager
'Buckower Elegien': The Dog (1962) - Diane Clark/Anne Jackson/Lotte Lenya/Viveca Lindfors/George Voskovec/Michael Wager
To The Next Generation (1962) - Diane Clark/Anne Jackson/Lotte Lenya/Viveca Lindfors/George Voskovec/Michael Wager
Bad Times For Poetry (1962) - Diane Clark/Anne Jackson/Lotte Lenya/Viveca Lindfors/George Voskovec/Michael Wager
Und Was Bekam Des Soldaten Weib (1943) - Lotte Lenya/Kurt Weill
Wie Lange Noch (1943) - Lotte Lenya/Kurt Weill
Lied Einer Deutschen Mutter (1943) - Lotte Lenya/Kurt Weill

Tracks:

'Die Dreigroscheneroper': Moritat Von Mackie Messer (1960)
'Aufstieg Und Fall Der Stadt Mahagonny': Havanna-Leid (1960)
'Das Berliner Requiem': Ballade Vom Ertrunkenen Madchen (1960)
'Happy End': Was Die Herren Matrosen Sagen (Matrosen-Tango) (1960)
'Das Berliner Requiem': Zu Potsdam Unter Den Eichen (1960)
'Die Dreigroscheneroper': Die Seerauberjenny (1960)
'Happy End': Bilbao-Song (1960)
Carnegie Hall Introduction (1965)
'Aufstieg Und Fall Der Stadt Mahagonny': Alabama-Song (1965)
'Aufstieg Und Fall Der Stadt Mahagonny': Havanna-Song (1965)
'Das Berliner Requiem': Ballade Vom Ertrunkenen Madchen (1965)
'Das Berliner Requiem': Zu Potsdam Unter Den Eichen (1965)
'One Touch Of Venus': Speak Low (1965)
'One Touch Of Venus': Foolish Heart (1965)
'One Touch Of Venus': Bilbao-Song (1965)
'One Touch Of Venus': Surabaya-Johnny (1965)
'Love Life': Love-Song (1965)
'Love Life': Susan's Dream (1965)
'Happy End': Was Die Matrosen Sagen (Matrosen-Tango) (1965)
'Happy End': Der Song Von Mandelay (1965)
'Happy End': Das Lied Von Der Harten Nuss (1965)
'Happy End': Lilli Of Hell (1965)
'Knickerbocker Holiday': September Song (1965)
'Die Dreigroscheneroper': Barbara Song (1965)

Tracks:

Moritat (1965)
Moritat (German Version) (1965) - Lotte Lenya/Turk Murphy
Mack The Knife (1965) - Lotte Lenya/Louis Armstrong
Mack The Knife (1965) - Lotte Lenya/Louis Armstrong
Lied Der Courage I (1965) - Lotte Lenya/Harry Buckwitz
Das Lied Vom Weib Und Soldaten (1965)
Lied Von Der Grossen Kapitulation (1965)
Lied Der Courage II (1965)
Lied Der Courage III (1965)
Eia Popeia, Was Ras Im Stroh (1965)
Lied Der Courage IV (1965)
The Dick Cavett Show (1975) - Lotte Lenya/Dick Cavett
Start (1975) - Lotte Lenya/Dick Cavett
American Films (1975) - Lotte Lenya/Dick Cavett
The Opening Night Ot The Rise And Fall Of The City Of Mahagonny (1975) - Lotte Lenya/Dick Cavett
'One Touch Of Venus': I'm A Stranger Here Myself (1975) - Lotte Lenya/Dick Cavett
Anita Berber (1975) - Lotte Lenya/Dick Cavett
The Great Inflation (1975) - Lotte Lenya/Dick Cavett
Thoughts On 'Oh, Calcutta' (1975) - Lotte Lenya/Dick Cavett
Berlin Visit 1955 (1975) - Lotte Lenya/Dick Cavett
Introduction To 'Bilbao-Song' (1975) - Lotte Lenya/Dick Cavett
Bilbao-Song (1975) - Lotte Lenya/Dick Cavett
Introduction (1966)
'Knickerbocker Holiday': How Can You Tell An American (1966)
'Knickerbocker Holiday': September Song (1966)

Average customer rating:

The best is wonderful, but there are a few duds
Beautiful Voice, Bad Choices
A Great Showcase of Hampson's Voice and Artistry
Comprehensive coverage of Hampson's range in song

Thomas Hampson - A Portrait

Manufacturer: EMI
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Musical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Soundtracks | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Opera & Vocal | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Leading Man
The Very Best of Thomas Hampson
Christmas with Thomas Hampson
Song of America
Cole Porter: Night & Day - Thomas Hampson, John McGlinn, London Symphony Orchestra, Ambrosian Chorus

ASIN: B000024D1I
Release Date: 1997-01-01

Customer Reviews:

The best is wonderful, but there are a few duds.......2006-07-17

No portrait of a singer can satisfy all cmers, so EMI has shrugged its shoulders and tossed a bit of everything into the pot. (Without including any bonus tracks, one should note.) Hampson is without a doubt the successor to Fischer-Dieskau as the world's most famous operatic baritone. His strengths, like F-D's, are in song, especially American song. Seven of the 19 cuts here are American songs, which isn't enough. We don't really need Hampson's rather plodding and earnest Viennese operetta aria, nor his duet, "Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better" with the shrill Kim Criswell (to tell the truth, neither does very well). Two small slivers from Schumann's Dichterlieve cycle seems rather silly, too.

But that leaves a lot that's wonderful--all the American selections, the Rossini and Liszt songs, the aria form Korngold's Die Tote Stadt, and above all Hampson's rollicking, let-'er-rip rendition of Figaro's aria form the Barber of Seville. If this omnium gatherum entices listeners to bu the complete recordings, it will serve a very good purpose.

Beautiful Voice, Bad Choices.......2003-11-25

Short and Sweet.

I love listening to this beautiful baritone's voice, but I really don't like his choice of songs on this album. Beautiful Dreamer is so hackneyed and I can't stand to listen to it (also why I didn't buy the Stephen Foster album). I did like is choice of two classic lieder by Schumann. I would have chosen more lieder for a different album, he does great things with it. The Live recording of Largo al factotum from Barber is distracting with audience claps and poor mics for the recording. You can hear him walking away from the mics (fading in and out). The absolute worst choice is "Anything You Can Do" from Annie Get Your Gun. It sounds nice but I hate this song. The rest of the songs swing from Sappy awful to beautifully sung.

Bottom Line: Inconsistent and Not worth your money. He can do much better

A Great Showcase of Hampson's Voice and Artistry.......2002-02-23

Thomas Hampson is definitely one of the greatest artists on today's musical scene. This CD displays the beauty of Hampson's voice and the intelligence and artistry that he brings to a great variety of musical styles (German, French and Italian Opera; Italian, French and German art song, and American music). Among the highlights are the first selection, the beautiful "Mein Sehnen, mein Wähnen" from DIE TOTE STADT by Korngold, sung with great control and melting pianissimos. The same can be said of the aria from TANNHAUSER. His live "Largo al Factotum" from IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA is just virtuosistic, with effortless high notes (even a cadenza up to high C) and energetic vocal acting. In the art songs he is no less impressive, with total involvement in the style and mood of the songs, being particularly impressive "Oh, quand je dors" by Lizt. The American repertoire is also a delight. Hampson displays all kind of nuances for this repertoire, from the estatic quality of "Beautiful Dreamer" to the humor and bawdiness of "Where Is The Life that Late I Led". In summary, this is a delightful and eclectic souvenir from one of the most charismatic and intelligent singers of our time.

Comprehensive coverage of Hampson's range in song.......2001-11-01

This EMI disc, "Thomas Hampson, Portrait" is an excellent example of the wide range of this melliflous baritone. From the first German aria, Korngold's "Mein Sehnen, mein Wahnen" one of my personal favourites, to Jerome Kern's "The Last Time I saw Paris" you have great variety of opera, lieder and popular song offering you examples of Hampson's great talent. Buy and enjoy! Jill Whitburn

Music:

Music

Music