Country, My Way [Import]

Editorial Reviews
Album Details
Features "Such a Pretty World Today", "oh Lonesome Me", "Lonely Again", "Are You Growing Tired of My Love" and the Massive Hit "Jackson".

Country, My Way, Music, Nancy Sinatra, Country-Pop, Pop

Best of the Red Army Choir
Average customer rating:

Soviet Army Band & Chorus aren't taking any prisoners!

Good music.

Magnificent!

I loved it!

The ultimate collection

Best of the Red Army Choir
Red Army Choir
Manufacturer: Silva America
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music
General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Soviet Army Chorus & Band

Russian Favourites

The Hunt For Red October: Music From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Best of Communism: Revolutionary Songs

Echoes of a Red Empire

ASIN: B000066RMJ
Release Date: 2002-06-25

Tracks:

Kalinka
Partisan's Song
Souliko
Korobelniki
On The Road (A Soldier's Song)
My Country
The Red Army Is The Strongest
Moscow Nights
Along Peterskaia Street
Smuglianka
Troika Gallop
Ah Nastassia
Echelon's Song
My Army
Civil War Songs
Bella Ciao

Tracks:

National Anthem Of The USSR
Oh Fields, My Fields
The Cliff
The Cossacks
In The Central Steppes
Gandzia
Cossack's Song
The Roads
Song Of The Volga Boatman
Dark Eyes
Let's Go
The Birch Tree
The Road Song
The Samovars
Varchavianka
Slavery And Suffering

Customer Reviews:

Soviet Army Band & Chorus aren't taking any prisoners!.......2007-05-12

If you enjoy a good stiring martial male chorus then spend some time with these guys. They're all graduates of Soviet musical acadamies and any one of them could have graced the top opera houses of the world. You don't have to know any Russian to appreciate this CD. The songs are glorious (just don't translate them -- machine guns, death to foes, etc.), and will make you want to march on Berlin all over again.

Good music........2007-03-09

I had heard a few songs by the Red Army Choir in the past and happened upon this CD set a while back, I found it to be far better than I had hoped and would reccoment it to anyone who enjoys Russian folk music, choir in general, and cultural items from when Russia was still the Soviet Union.

Magnificent!.......2007-02-27

I'm so glad I stumbled onto this.

Spirited, committed, manly singing. Soul-shaking stuff! The ensemble is incisive; soloists are marvelous. The folk melodies are enchanting. The songs--and the singers--are bound up in the cultural fabric of the Cossacks, Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, Tolstoy, Dostoevsky...on and on.., Chekhov, Trotsky, Nabakov... This music conveys the great romantic, dignified, boistrous soul of the Russian People. (Loosely speaking. Some members of the chorus were presumably of other nationalities once part of the Soviet Union. And some of the songs are not Russian).

I don't speak Russian, but listening to this makes me wish I did. What a beautiful-sounding language it is.

I loved it!.......2007-02-22

Even though I cannot speak Russian, the quality of this choral group is beyond excellent. Many of these pieces are extremely moving and stirring. The rendering of the Soviet anthem and the song "Let's Go" (V'put) come to my mind. "Let's Go" became a huge hit in Russia when it was featured in a movie about the Great Patriotic War, and indeed, hearing it - you can well imagine ranks upon ranks of hard-eyed, grim-faced Soviet soldiers striding into battle against the Wehrmacht.

The ultimate collection.......2004-06-15

Excellent performance by the choir and the orchestra. The grandeur, the charm, and the romance! Great collection of songs, sure to bring back memories!

Way Out West: The Essential Western Film Music Collection, Vol. 2

Average customer rating:

Not My Style
Rockin' Western Collection
Hard to Find Great Western Themes
Western Music
A great follow-up

Way Out West: The Essential Western Film Music Collection, Vol. 2

Manufacturer: Silva America
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Orchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Television Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

The Wild West: The Essential Western Film Music Collection
Songs Of The West, Vol. 4: Movie & Television Themes
From Alamo to El Dorado, Vol. 2
My Rifle, My Pony and Me (Western Movies Songs)
The Essential Elmer Bernstein Film Music Collection

ASIN: B000060PBU
Release Date: 2002-03-26

Tracks:

The Hallejuah Trail-Overture
The Alamo-The Green Leaves Of Summer
The Alamo-Davy Crocket
The Big Country-The Welcoming/Finale
The Big Valley-Main Theme
Blazing Saddles-Blazing Saddles
Bonaza-Main Theme
Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid-raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head
The Comancheros-McBain/Main Title
Duel In The Sun-Main Title/The Legend/Orizaba
A Fistfull Of Dynamite-Duck You Sucker
For A Few Dollars More-Main Theme
Friendly Persuasion-Thee I Love
Giant-Main Theme
The Good, The Bad And The Ugly-Main Theme
The Good, The Bad And The Ugly-The Ecstasy Of Gold
Gunfight At The O.K. Corral-Suite
Hang 'Em High-Main Theme
The Hanging Tree-Main Title

Tracks:

High Caparral-Main Theme
How The West Was Won-Prelude/The Land
High Noon-Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darlin'
The Jayhawkers-The Lynching/Two Brothers/The Hayhawkers
The Lone Ranger-William Tell Overture: Finale
Nevada Smith-Main Title
Old Gringo-Main Themes
Once Upon A Time In The West-Man With The Harmonica
One Eyed Jacks-Main Title
The Proud Rebel-Main Titles
The Quick And The Dead-End Titles
Quigley Down Under-End Titles
Rio Bravo-Rio Bravo/De Guella
The Scalphunters-Main Title
Shane-Main Theme: The Call Of The Farwaway Hills
The Shootist-Main Title
The Unforgiven-The Need For Love
Viva Zapata-Gathering Forces
The Virginian-Main Theme

Customer Reviews:

Not My Style.......2007-05-11

This CD has a lot of good songs on it, but it just too bland for our taste. We prefer Western music to sound as though genuine cowboys are singing it - not a fancy chorus!

Rockin' Western Collection.......2006-08-28

For anyone who likes movie/tv music from westerns should purchase this CD. What a wonderful collection of both film and tv with great renditions of each piece. I'm about to purchase Vol. 1 to complete my collection.

Hard to Find Great Western Themes .......2006-03-16

This CD has a number of great western themes that are not in some of the standard lists. For example it includes "The Hallejuah Trail", "Blazing Saddles", and "Giant". This CD also has what I consider the true theme of "The Comancheros". I have been disappointed with some other CDs I have purchased listing "The Comancheros" which had a song rather than this theme. Many of the tracks on this two disk CD go beyond the main theme music and are actually suites. The "Big Country" and "How the West Was Won" are just a couple of examples. It may be a little more expense than some CDs, but not bad for a two disk set. I am really happy with my purchase.

Western Music.......2005-07-29

I enjoy this CD. It has many familiar melodies. Good background for reading, nice to listen while driving. It is also the only CD I've ever found that has the great theme from the movie "Giant."

A great follow-up.......2003-08-29

This is the second collection by SilvaScreen, who are also responsible for "The Wild West: The Essential Western Film Music Collection" (see my review). And it's just as good as the first. There are themes in here that everyone will recognize ("Bonanza," "A Fistful of Dollars"), themes that may not be so familiar ("Duel in the Sun," "The Hanging Tree," the lively "Blazing Saddles"), and even themes you may not associate with Westerns at all ("The Friendly Persuasion"). And no duplication either: when this disc includes a piece from one of the same sources covered in its predecessor, it's a different piece. One great treat: the full lyrics to "Gunfight at OK Corral," which I've never heard outside the soundtrack of the movie itself. The arrangement from "Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid" includes not only the familiar song "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head" but an overview of the music--seguing almost seamlessly into Bernstein's magnificent "The Comancheros," a rare find indeed. An expensive item, but if you love Western film music, well worth it.

Sondheim - A Celebration at Carnegie Hall (1992 Concert Cast)

Average customer rating:

Great CD
Simply the Best
Inconsistent, but mostly excellent
"Celebration" is not strong enough a word
A maginificent evening, a magnificent album

Sondheim - A Celebration at Carnegie Hall (1992 Concert Cast)
Stephen Sondheim , Betty Buckley , Paul Gemignani , Patti LuPone , Liza Minnelli , and Bernadette Peters
Manufacturer: RCA Victor Broadway
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

1990s | By Decade | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

1990s | By Decade | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Musicals | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Side By Side By Sondheim (1976 Original London Cast)
Sondheim Evening: A Musical Tribute (1973 Concert Cast)
Send in the Clowns: The Ballads of Stephen Sondheim
Sondheim - A Celebration at Carnegie Hall
Sondheim, Etc.: Bernadette Peters Live at Carnegie Hall

ASIN: B000003FDW
Release Date: 1993-02-23

Tracks:

Symphonic Sondheim: Sweeney Todd--orchestra, Jerry Hadley ("Johanna"), Eugene Perry,Herbert Perry ("Pretty Women")
Evening Introduction--Bill Irwin
Loveland/Getting Married Today--Ensemble, Jeanne Lehman, Mark Jacoby, Madeline Kahn
Waiting for the Girls Upstairs--George Lee Andrews, Michael Jeter, James Naughton/Love, I Hear--Michael Jeter/Live Alone and Like It--James Naughton
Someone Is Waiting--Richard Muenz/Symphonic Sondheim: Barcelona--orchestra
Being Alive--Patti LuPone
Good Thing Going--The Tonics
Losing My Mind/You Could Drive a Person Crazy--Dorothy Loudon
Our Time--Boys Choir of Harlem/Children Will Listen--Betty Buckley
Anyone Can Whistle--Billy Stritch
Water Under the Bridge--Liza Minnellli, Billy Stritch
Back in Business--Liza Minnellli, Billy Stritch, Ensemble

Tracks:

Symphonic Sondheim: Comedy Tonight--Bill Irwin, orchestra
Sooner or Later--Karen Ziemba
Pretty Lady--Mark Jacoby, Eugene Perry, Herbert Perry
Green Finch and Linnet Bird--Harolyn Blackwell
The Ballad of Booth--Patrick Cassidy, Victor Garber
Broadway Baby--Daisy Eagan
I Never Do Anything Twice--BETTY
With So Little to Be Sure Of--Jerry Hadley, Carolann Page
Not a Day Goes By--Bernadette Peters
Remember?--Ron Baker, Peter Blanchet, Carol Meyer, Bronwyn Thomas, Blythe Walker (Quintet)/A Weekend in the Country--Kevin Anderson, George Lee Andrews, Mark Jacoby, Beverly Lambert, Maureen Moore, Susan Terry, Quintet
Send in the Clowns--Glenn Close
Old Friends--Liza Minnelli
Sunday--Bernadette Peters, Broadway Chorus

Customer Reviews:

Great CD.......2006-08-06

This is a wonderful double CD of fabulous musical numbers performed by theatre greats and directed by a legandary musical director.

Simply the Best.......2005-06-29

First, to the person who criticizes the recording b/c of "Broadway Baby." Daisy Egan (who sings in in this recording) sounds like she's 10 becuase she IS young. She had just appeared on Braodway in Secret Garden and won a Tony for it. It's a joke...Broadway BABY...hello, it's a joke.

In a compilation of songs like this you're always going to have tracks that you prefer over others, but the majority of the renditions in this CD are great. This is simply one of the best collections of Sondheim out there. You get interpretations that span from "classical" (Green Finch), to bordering on insane (Anything Twice). This is to demonstrate how versatile this composer really is.

In my opinion, some of the best renditions are "Not a Day Goes By," "Anyone Can Whistle", "Girls Upstairs Medley," "Losing My Mind/Drive a Person Crazy," and "Weekend inthe Country." Makes me wish I had been there to witness it first hand.

If you love Sondheim and enjoy hearing Broadway performers, get this CD. A great recording.

Inconsistent, but mostly excellent.......2004-03-21

I am sure no knowledgeable person would deny how absolutely perfect all these songs are. However, the performances on this album are extremely inconsistent. It will go from an excellent rendition (Waiting for the Girls medley, Sunday, With So Little To Be Sure Of, Sooner or Later, Green Finch, Send in the Clowns, Pretty Lady) to the weird (I never Do Anything Twice), to the bad (Broadway Baby, Our Time). I still have absolutely no idea how they managed to butcher one of the best songs ever written--Good Thing Going--and turn it into smooth jazz elevator music. Why would they give Broadway Baby to someone who sounds like she's 10? That said, Liza Minelli, Glenn Close, Karen Ziemba, Dorothy Laudon and the "Waiting for the Girls" performers are all very good. And ending with Bernadette Peters and "Sunday" ends the set on a absolutley fabulous note.

"Celebration" is not strong enough a word.......2003-04-30

This review is by Crosley.

I have been a major Sondheim fan for quite some time, and I finally obtained a copy of this album. I was blown away by the excellent cast and phenomenal selection of music. It is obvious how much work went into this production, considering that this is the live recording of a one time show, and it's flawless. The songs cover all of his shows with the exception of "Passion," which was released 3 years after this show. Also, the shows for which he wrote only lyrics are ommited, like West Side Story, Gypsy, etc. Thus, you can find material from A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Anyone can Whistle, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Pacific Overtures, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Merrily we Roll Along, Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods, and Assassins.

There are two striking things about this CD (besides the music and performers themselves). First of all, some of the songs are completely stylistically reworked. The most obvious are "Good Thing Going" and "I Never do Anything Twice." Both are traditionally very ballady with a piano accompaniment, but here they have been redone as jazzy tunes. The result is excellent. Such reworkings demonstrate that Sondheim writes music for virtually any style, and in these cases, across several styles. It's a great example of his variety. The other interesting thing is how many songs have overlapping melodies of songs from different shows. Case in point, "Our Time" and "No one is Alone" are sung seperately by the Harlem Boys Choir and Betty Buckley (the original Grizabella in Webber's atrocious "CATS," although Buckley was excellent) respectively, and then combined. Putting these two songs together offer different meanings to each, and the music is only enhanced. Another example, the trio of "Waiting for the Girls Upstairs," "Love, I Hear," and "Live Alone and Like It" are sung in that order, and then the latter two are combined. Again, the meanings of the songs change, this time in an almost narrative style, and offering different takes on love in the same montage. Lastly (at least for this review, there are more), Dorothy Laudon's (the original Ms. Hannigan in Annie) combination of "Losing my Mind" and "You Could Drive a Person Crazy" is brilliant. Those who are familiar with these songs will wonder how exactly they fit, but trust me, they do. She swtiches back and forth between melodies to create a number that starts poignant and beautiful, and soon moves to become uproariously funny. Both the song reworkings and overlapping melodies of unrelated songs are all for the better.

I recommend this recording to anyone wanting to get better acquainted with some of Sondheim's best work, or those already familiar who want to hear a tour de force of phenomenal music. It has been said that Sondheim is a masterful lyricist (which he is), but lacks real talent for music. This CD is the final proof that such critics are wrong. His music may take a few listenings to get into, contrary to Webber or Wildhorn, but unlike those two, he doesn't cater to the audience. He challenges them to think outside of traditional musical theater in a glorious repertoise of shows that reach for a smarter, more sophisticated form.

A maginificent evening, a magnificent album.......2001-12-16

There's something to be said for the first concert you ever see at Carnegie Hall. I was fortunate enough to have this be my first. This entire evening was devoted to his genius and the performers did not disappoint.

This wonderful double CD shows off the best and brightest of the musical theatre composer and it is, as one person put it, "an embarassment of riches." With songs from his finest works done in amazing arrangements (listen to that harmony in "We Had a Good Thing Going"!) combined with fabulous performers this is a Sondheim lovers delight.

My favorite song is, without a doubt, Dorothy Louden and her wonderful medley of "Losing My Mind" into "You Could Drive a Person Crazy" followed very closely by the recently departed Madeline Kahn singing "Getting Married Today."

Modern Rock 1982-1983
Average customer rating:
Modern Rock 1982-1983
1. Down Under -- Men At Work 2. Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) -- Eurythmics 3. Come On Eileen -- Dexy's Midnight Runners 4. Hungry Like The Wolf -- Duran Duran 5. Shake It Up -- The Cars various artists , 6. She Blinded Me With Science -- Thomas Dolby 7. Too Shy -- Kajagoogoo 8. (She's) Sexy + 17 -- Stray Cats 9. Steppin' Out -- Joe Jackson 10. In A Big Country -- Big Country , 11. Love My Way -- The Psychedelic Furs 12. Mexican Radio -- Wall Of Voodoo Track Title 1. True -- Spandau Ballet 2. One Thing Leads To Another -- The Fixx , 3. Back On The Chain Gang -- The Pretenders 4. Vacation -- The Go-Go's 5. Love Plus One -- Haircut 100 6. I Want Candy -- Bow Wow Wow 7. Our House -- Madness 8. Always Something There To Remind Me -- Naked Eyes , and 9. Only The Lonely -- The Motels 10. I Ran (So Far Away) -- A Flock Of Seagulls 11. Goody Two Shoes -- Adam Ant 12. I Know What Boys Like -- Waitresses
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000NHZHKS

Product Description

Year: 1982 Track Title 1. Down Under -- Men At Work 2. Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) -- Eurythmics 3. Come On Eileen -- Dexy's Midnight Runners 4. Hungry Like The Wolf -- Duran Duran 5. Shake It Up -- The Cars 6. She Blinded Me With Science -- Thomas Dolby 7. Too Shy -- Kajagoogoo 8. (She's) Sexy + 17 -- Stray Cats 9. Steppin' Out -- Joe Jackson 10. In A Big Country -- Big Country 11. Love My Way -- The Psychedelic Furs 12. Mexican Radio -- Wall Of Voodoo Track Title 1. True -- Spandau Ballet 2. One Thing Leads To Another -- The Fixx 3. Back On The Chain Gang -- The Pretenders 4. Vacation -- The Go-Go's 5. Love Plus One -- Haircut 100 6. I Want Candy -- Bow Wow Wow 7. Our House -- Madness 8. Always Something There To Remind Me -- Naked Eyes 9. Only The Lonely -- The Motels 10. I Ran (So Far Away) -- A Flock Of Seagulls 11. Goody Two Shoes -- Adam Ant 12. I Know What Boys Like -- Waitresses

Average customer rating:

Lovin' the sound!
+1/2 -- Modern country that's very likable
Another great CD by Daniel Lee Martin

On My Way to You
Daniel Lee Martin
Manufacturer: Chin Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music

General | Country | Styles | Music

Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

All That I Am
Pure BS
Live It Slow
Rhinestoned
Big Dog Daddy

ASIN: B000NJL106
Release Date: 2007-04-03

Tracks:

Stark Ravin' Crazy In Love
Moonshine Mama
You Know Me
Roll On By
That's What God Made Rivers For
It's All How You Look At It
Take Me Home, Country Roads
Take Me Home, Country Roads
On My Way To You
Then It Hits You
Keep Your Hands To Yourself
Just What You Did
You Can't Be Everything To Everybody
Through And Through
Crazy's All They've Got
That's Where I'll Be

Customer Reviews:

Lovin' the sound!.......2007-06-23

This CD plays a lot at my house. I love the variety and the feeling in each song.

+1/2 -- Modern country that's very likable.......2007-06-16

This former Florida advertising exec's second release continues to swim in the same mainstream country sounds as his 2003 debut. What saves this from sounding like Nashville product is Martin himself; he's likable in the manner of George Strait, and though the songs, arrangements and production aren't particularly different than that being offered by the majors, the end result is substantially more charming than CMT's flavor of the day.

The generous sixteen song track list, composed mainly by Nashville writers, is filled with sensitive ballads and introspective mid-tempo rockers. The romantic upbeat opener shows off Martin's charms, with an easy vocal buoyed by a driving drum beat, electric guitars and plenty of fiddle. It's may be nothing new, but it has good hooks and will play well on country dance floors. Martin's sole original, "Moonshine Momma," adds a clever twist to the home-brew genre by turning the moonshiner into an object of lust.

A pair of covers finds Martin to be a thoughtful interpreter. His slow rendition of John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads" builds from guitar and mandolin to a full band arrangement, with a vocal that builds from initial reserve to an emotional finish. He revitalizes the Georgia Satellites "Keep Your Hands to Yourself" as a swampy blues, with a vocal assist from World Series champion pitcher (and record label partner) Bronson Arroyo; this is a fan concert favorite brought powerfully to disc.

Throughout the disc, Martin's defining characteristic is earnestness. Singing a sly country blues like "Just What You Did," or crooning more gentle for the fingerpicked "Through and Through," you can sense his commitment. Martin kickstarted his indie career with a relentless Wal-Mart tour, and followed up with endless road gigs, a divorce, and rounds of gathering material, musicians and funding for CD releases. Whether or not this adds up to national success, Martin's clearly happy just playing music for a living. 3-1/2 stars, if allowed fractional ratings. [©2007 redtunictroll at hotmail dot com]

Another great CD by Daniel Lee Martin.......2007-06-13

We first heard Daniel Lee Martin as an opening act for Lee Greenwood at a benefit concert a few years ago. We bought his CD while we were there. I enjoy it and it's one of my wife's favorites. When his new CD came out there was no doubt that we were going to buy it. We both enjoy it very much. Hopefully we'll be seeing more of him in the future.

Average customer rating:

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

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

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

Contemporary Musicals | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Broadway & Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Box Sets | Stores | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
Similar Items:

Gold: The Definitive Hits Collection
The Very Best Of Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Broadway Collection
Evita (Original London Cast)
Andrew Lloyd Webber - The Royal Albert Hall Celebration
Andrew Lloyd Webber - Masterpiece (Collector's Edition) (Bonus CD)

ASIN: B00005R5UJ
Release Date: 2001-11-20

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

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

Album Description

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

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

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

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

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

Customer Reviews:

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

Between Amazone, Ebay and Napster, I don't usually buy CDs anymore, and I usually wait till I can buy them cheaper "new and used". When this set came out, I was excited, mainly by Disc 5, but wasn't going to spend $70 on it. I waited till it was cheap enough, and got it for Father's day this year.
It was worth the wait.

The concept is great. The packaging is great. The recording is great. Disc five is really cool for an ALW aficionado. There are a few real gems on it; my favorites are Petula Clark's "I Could Have Given You More" and "Benedicite."
I've always thought "Gus the Theatre Cat" made a great medley on the piano with "Unexpected Song" and "I DOn't Know How to Love Him," but wished there was an alternate lyric to match the other two songs. Now that I know there *is*, and it's a good lyric, it's a dream come true.
The melody of "Benedicite" is one of my favorites from _Sunset_ (the book mis-identifies it as "SUrrender"; it's actually "The Lady's Paying" and "Eternal Youth is Worth a Little Suffering"). The lyrics are the canticle from Daniel 3, which comes up every odd Sunday in the Divine Office, so it's nice to have cool music to sing it with.

I haven't bought _By Jeeves_ or _THe Beautiful Game_ yet, to it was great to sample them.

There are other parts of the CD taht aren't found in my collection. I like CD 4 "The Hits."

But the selections on CDs 1-3 don't make sense.

First, any self-respecting ALW fan has the Original London Cast of _Phantom_, so six tracks are totally useless. Why not draw from the Canadian cast with Colm Wilkinson? Or pull out some obscure recordings never published.

Why two different tracks with Michael Ball singing "Love Changes Everything", yet they're hardly any different?

On Disc 5 is "It's Only Your Lover Returning," sung by Julie Covington. It's an early draft of the song (Lloyd Webber and Rice went through several suggested titles) and quite nice. The very thing one expects on a Boxed Set.
So why have the Julie Covington "Don't Cry for Me" on disc 1?? The only difference is a few words, but it's otherwise identical. Why not Elaine Paige or Patti Lupone or Madonna?

The _Evita_ section is otherwise the best, choosing a sample from each major recording, though I'd have chosen slightly differently (as above).

There is a great selection of "Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer" from the Sydmonton festival, using the original music that was changed when _Cats_ went to Broadway_. It would have been nice if they'd included more recordings from Sydmonton, like the original lyric of "All I Ask of You" shown on the second DVD to the _Phantom_ movie.

With so many great actress-singers who've played Norma Desmond, why does the collection beat us over the head with Glenn Close?

Paul Miles Kingston must be set for life in royalties, for the number of albums the original recording of "Pie Jesu" has appeared on. "Amigos Para Siempre" is nice, but it reminds me of Shari Lewis's "The Song that Doesn't End," especially when it's been used on so many compilations.

In short, this is a great collection for the obscure material, if you can get it cheap. But for a boxed set, it's a poor sampling, drawn mostly from the most familiar recordings.

Excellent collection but BIG PUBLISHING MISTAKE! .......2006-01-10

Please beware they made a mistake on this. It's actually the shortened Ray Shell version of STARLIGHT EXPRESS from the original 1984 London cast - NOT the El Debarge single from 1987 like it says on the box. I don't know how they let that goof pass. Sorry to Ray Shell. Having said that, this is an outstanding compilation of Lloyd Webber's greatest hits.

ONE OF LLOYD WEBBER'S BEST COMPILATIONS, DESPITE A FEW FLAWS.......2005-03-21

Regardless of the fact that some of his latest efforts (most notably, The Woman in White) are disappointing, there can be little doubt that Andrew Lloyd Webber is one of the greatest composers ever to work in the musical theatre. Ever since his "Jesus Christ Superstar" hit the stage in the early 70-is, it was clear that the conception and perception of musicals are never going to be the same again. Many of his songs became standards not only in the theatre history, but also as tops on the charts. Even though he's British, his influence on the shape of the modern musical theatre expanded over the West End boundaries long ago and has thus made an enormous impact on Broadway. Two of his shows ("Cats" and "The phantom of the opera") hold the record as two the longest running shows in the history of Broadway. He has also been the only composer to have three of his shows running at Broadway concurrently. Some of his awards include three Grammies, a Golden Globe, an Oscar and a bunch of Tony awards. But perhaps most of all, Lloyd Webber is responsible for bringing the musicals and the theatre appealing to the wide audiences, who in different circumstances would not consider seeing a musical. The secret of his success is probably the mixture of beautiful and catchy melodies, interesting subject matter (though some, like Starlight Express, are too thin) and grandiose staging.

Over the years many compilations of his work have emerged. In the late 80-is and early 90-is it was the "Encore" series and lately the one-disc collection called "Gold". The one in question here can be considered one of the best currently on the market. First, it includes a 3-disc selections from all of his shows, minus the latest one, i.e., "The Woman in White", which, considering the triviality of the score, is no great lost. The fourth disc covers some of his most known songs sung by the famous artists. Then, there is the fifth disc with previously unreleased material, most of which are the songs ALW wrote with Tim Rice for various artists during the 70-is. The disks are all neatly packed in a hardcover book that features 67 pages of pictures and text with information about each of ALW's shows. One of the other assets here is the perfect sound quality, since all of the tracks have been digitally remastered.

Here are my basic impressions and comments regarding the material on the discs:

* Disc #1 has the selections from "Jesus Christ Superstar", "Evita", "Cats" and "Song & Dance". The Superstar material mostly comes from the Concept Recording. Although the songs sound beautiful as always, their orchestration is a bit dated now. Only Steve Balsamo's "Gethsemane" from the 1996 revival cast has a modern rock sound. "Evita" comes with the material from all of the major recordings: London, Broadway and the movie productions, as well as the Concept album. No objections here; since this is one of ALW's most satisfying works, every song is just perfect, although Patti LuPone, the Broadway and overall the best Evita, is left with only a couple of lines. With the selections from "Cats", however, I have some doubts. A plus to the choice of the "Jellicle ball" impressive orchestral sequence from the 1998 movie version and "Mister Mistoffelees" from the 1981 London cast. One of the best known ALW's songs, "Memory", also comes from that album. It's a pretty version and Elaine Paige's rendition cannot be matched, but why include this when the definite version, featuring an 80-piece orchestra and Elaine Paige with much better interpretation, can be found in the same movie version. Thusly, one has to buy Elaine Paige's latest 2-disc compilation "Centre Stage: The very best of Elaine Paige" to get that one. And "Gus the theatre cat" is more a recital than a song, so there was not much point in including that. Marti Webb brings her vocal charm to the "Song & Dance" sequence, Sarah Brightman sings "Unexpected song" with her famous soprano, but as much as I like her version, Bernadette Peters, who was in this show on Broadway is strangely left out here.

* Disc # 2 starts with "Starlight Express". This was never one of my favorite ALW's shows; the plot is even lighter than in "Cats" and the 1984 original cast recording is terribly dated. Yet, here we have one terrific duet, "I am starlight" from the original together with three songs from the later revivals and it seems that fresh orchestrations were just the thing Starlight needed. My favorite remains a touchy ballad, "Next time you fall in love". "Requiem" is the most solemn of all ALW's compositions, written in 1985 to commemorate the death of his father. Placido Domingo's tenor rides together with the chorus all the way through the strong "Hosanna", only to be joined by Sarah Brightman in the final moments of this song. She then gives an echoing deliverance of "Pie Jesu". What can be said of ALW's next show, "The Phantom of the Opera"? A phenomenon in its own right, it's easy to see from the six numbers included here why this is one of the best and most beloved musicals of all time. The cast, the music, the story - everything is perfect. Although "Aspects of love" was never a popular hit, it does have some of the most beautiful love melodies ALW has ever written. "Love changes everything" sung by Michael Ball is probably one of the best tunes ever about love. The rest of the selected material here has a dreamy love flavor and the melodies find their way into your brain in the best Lloyd Webber way.

* ALW's first musical, "Joseph and the amazing Technicolor dreamcoat" was more successful in its revival form than the original from the 70-is. The three songs included here are sung by the show stars, Jason Donovan and Donny Osmond. Maria Friedman was not a lucky choice to play the narrator, as the track from the 1998 movie version shows. "By Jeeves" was ALW's only big flop when it came to the stage in the 70-is. The 1995 revival sounds much better though, full of funny numbers in the best manner of the musical comedy. "Travel hopefully" remains one of the show's highlights on this compilation. "Sunset Boulevard" comes next. "Sunset" remains for me one of Webber's best scores; lush and beautiful. I listen to the original cast recording with Patti LuPone all the time. However, here most of the songs are performed by Glenn Close. A big mistake. If you've ever listened the American premiere recording with her, you'll know what I am talking about. She may have a strong stage presence, but her vocal abilities are too limited, and her aggressive approach to the role lacks any subtlety. Therefore, the two big numbers from this show, "With one look" and "As if we never said goodbye" are ruined by the fact she can't sing. The same goes for the American Joe Gillis, who was played by Alan Campbell. Luckily, Patti LuPone and Kevin Anderson, the original Norma and Joe from the London production, make their brief entrance here with the "Perfect year"; enough to show how better they are. The funny thing is, on the jacket and inside of it, Glenn Close and Alan Campbell are credited as performers in this song as well. If this was a mistake on ALW's part, it was a good one. The next ALW's show, "Whistle down the wind" was never a critic's dear and yet the audiences rushed in to see it in London. The score brings back ALW to his rock and roll roots of the seventies and the story is quite interesting. But the selections here are not the happiest, since the cast recording boasts with much better songs. And finally, "The Beautiful Game". Again, we have one of those ALW's shows that is worth in its individual parts rather than as a whole. "Our kind of love" and "Let us love in peace" are two catchy ballads. The latter is a nice amalgam version not available elsewhere. The two other tracks here I could live without.

* Disc # 4 has the songs from all the above shows performed by different artists. The assembled tracks have their pros and cons. For example, we have some previously unreleased stuff, like Dame Kiri Te Kanawa's operettic rendition of "The heart is slow to learn", or a stunning and epic "A kiss is a terrible thing to waste" from "Whistle down the wind", performed by The Metal Philharmonic Orchestra. Then again, what was the point in including almost identical tracks as the ones on the previous disks? So we have Michael Ball again singing "Love changes everything" with only a bit different orchestration; Sarah Brightman comes out again with the same Phantom duets, but only with the different male singers. It would be much more appropriate to include tracks from the Toronto Cast of the Phantom, with Colm Wilkinson. Other pop deliverances (Tina Arena's "Whistle down the wind", Barbra Streisand's "As if we never said goodbye", Boyzone's "No matter what" and many more) were wisely chosen. Patti LuPone is again nowhere to be found and Petula Clark's "With one look" sounds too worn-out.

* The last disc is probably the one that will be of most interest to Lloyd Webber aficionados. It consists of entirely previously unreleased material ALW for the most part wrote for various artists during his early years, with Tim Rice. Some of these tunes, not successful as a singles, were later used in his shows. Thus "Down thru' summer" became "Buenos Aires"in Evita, "Try it and see", an unsuccessful attempt for the Eurovision was used for "King Herod's song" in "Superstar" and so on. Some of these songs are nicely made pop songs: "Make believe love", ALW's first recorded composition, for which he provided the lyrics; "Goodbye Seattle", sung by Paul Raven, who later became Gary Glitter; "Come back Richard, your country needs you", from a never made musical, sung here by Tim Rice, or Latin flavored "Magdalena", with Tony Christie singing. My all time favorite here is a song called "It's easy for you", sung by none other than Elvis Presley himself. Lloyd Webber and Rice sent him a demo recording that he accepted and recorded this live version a couple of weeks before he died. It's amazing to hear how his voice remained in the perfect shape. Also, there is a track of Andrew Lloyd Webber singing "Policle dogs and Jellicle cats" while plying the piano. His voice doesn't sound bad at all.

Taken as a whole, this compilation makes a perfect birthday or Christmas present to any fan of Andrew Lloyd Webber shows, or just anybody interested in some of the best tunes from the modern era of the musical theatre; despite the flaws I mentioned above. To the former, it may just be the final addition for the Andrew Lloyd Webber collection.

SUCH MAGICAL MUSIC OF THE NIGHT!.......2003-01-19

"Evita." "Sunset Blvd." "Starlight Express." "Jesus Christ Superstar." "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." "Requiem." "Aspects of Love." The man who is the most recognized composer in the history of the musical theatre, the man who has won more Tonys than any other composer, the man who boasts the best-selling show of all time ("The Phantom of the
Opera") and the longest-running show of all time ("Cats"), the man whose homes are filled with three Grammys, five Oliviers, a Golden Globe, and Oscar and too many other honors and hosannas to mention, the man knighted in 1992 certainly doesn't need an introduction. Now Decca Broadway pays tribute to Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber with "Now and Forever," a spectacular 5-CD set compiled and produced by Sir Andy himself. It's cheaper than a
ticket to "The Producers" ... and more much exciting. This treasure trove contains highlights from all of Webber's shows, and a bonus disc of tunes sung by Betty Buckley, Barbara
Streisand, Jose Carreras, Boy George, Charlotte Church, Madonna, Tom Jones, Petula Clark, even Elvis! A must for lovers of theatre---and good music.

A Must Have for Sir Andrew fans.......2002-05-21

This five-CD collection of Andrew Lloyd Webber's career is fantastic. It leaves virtually no stone unturned. I have no doubt that diehard Webber fans will love this, especially for the 5th disc entitled "From the Vaults." This disc alone is worth the price as it contains tunes never before heard by the typical fan. Who knew Elvis did a Lloyd Webber tune?!? I didn't! Also the tune "Benedictine" which the composer wrote for his most recent marriage is not only pretty, but it has the same medley as "The Lady's Paying" from "Sunset Blvd." which I found highly enjoyable. Another great track is the composer himself singing a cut song from "Cats" entitled "Pollicle Dogs and Jellicle Cats" which has the same tune as "Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats," but to hear Sir Andrew sing is a blast...he sounds a lot like Al "Year of the Cat" Stewart.
The cuts from the musicals are great but are likely owned by ALW fans as they are on the original cast albums. And I'm glad that there were tunes included from the composers most recent efforts which have yet to make it beyond London (Whistle Down the Wind, Beautiful Game).
My only complaint is the inclusion of way too many tracks by Sarah Brightman. She must've received a great divorce settlement that included having tunes on any ALW collection until the end of time!! Her interpretations of some of the tunes were limp and uninspired. I would've much rather heard casts from around the world rather than yet another song by this disdainful soprano! How about Colm Wilkinson's version of "Music of the Night" from the original Canadian cast of "Phantom"? Or Michael Crawford's version of "Unexpected Song"? What? No Betty Buckley from "Sunset Blvd."? And of course there are songs you KNOW are going to be on the collection before you even listen to it as they have been on EVERY ALW collection for the past decade or so.
A great collection but too much Sarah Brightman!

A Little Night Music (1975 Original London Cast)

Average customer rating:

"The Definitive Recording"
Sondheim's Greatest
Not comparable to the broadway recording
A wonderful CD release
a beautiful recording

A Little Night Music (1975 Original London Cast)

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Musicals | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

A Little Night Music (1989 Studio Cast Recording)
A Little Night Music
A Little Night Music (1973 Original Broadway Cast)
Spring Awakening (2006 Original Broadway Cast)
Curtains (2007 Original Broadway Cast)

ASIN: B000002W7H
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Overture: Night Waltz
Now/Later/Soon
The Glamorous Life
Remember?
You Must Meet My Wife
Liaisons
In Praise Of Women
Every Day A Little Death
A Weekend In The Country
The Sun Won't Set
It Would Have Been Wonderful
Perpetual Anticipation
Send In The Clowns
The Miller's Son
Finale: (Reprise Of Send In The Clowns And Night Waltz)

Customer Reviews:

"The Definitive Recording".......2004-04-02

Having finally listened to the Original Broadway Cast Recording of this masterpiece, my verdict's in and clear: the London Cast Recording is the definitive version.

The voices of the London Cast are, to a man (and woman) far superior -- this is most obvious when listening to the Quartet who open the show, and act as the chorus. The American artists, while excellent, simply can't compare to the power, range and tone of the Brits.

The arrangements are gorgeous, the choral work astounding, and the version of "The Miller's Son" found here will floor you. Not only the best recording of this particular show, but possibly the best recording of any Sondheim show available on CD -- Sweeney Todd is the only other contender, for my money.

The Orginal Cast Recording is great for a historical value. The British Cast is what you listen to when you want to hear the best show you'll never have the privilege of seeing. It's ruined me. But I'm not complaining.

Sondheim's Greatest.......2003-07-10

I'm of the mind that A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC (and SWEENEY TODD) are Sondheim's two greatest works. Why? Because they drip with intelligence and exist entirely within the world of the music. NIGHT MUSIC is propelled by the steady pulse of 3/4, creating the impression that none of the characters would ever come to the realization that they are merely parts being acted and presented on stage--it happens in its own little universe. It's so yummy...

Having said that, I conclude that the perfect cast album could only be completed with the physical presences of Desiree Armfelt and Fredrik Egerman and the rest of the gang. It seems that, when approaching these personalities, actors and actresses treat the music as the music and not as a phase of the dialogue--they don't attack the parts with the brand of boldness and self-importance that each of these characters possesses. The London cast album suffers from such problems. None of the performers have the arrogant voices needed (unfortunately, only a couple have achieved voices somewhat-worthy of the score). Henrik cannot hit the high notes (he goes into falsetto); Charlotte is too shaky to be sufficiently biting; Fredrik seems too feminine; the Count--goofy instead of condescending--seems molded from Sesame Street. The quintet features voices too uneducated and careful. Still, Anne is cutely bubbly (even in voice), Petra is a fine belter, and Hermione Gingold as Mme. Armfelt really makes the listener savor every consonant in her speech. It is an excellent archive of Sondheim's greatest. I would recommend this over the New York cast simply because Jean Simmons creates the closest Desiree I could ever imagine.

Not comparable to the broadway recording.......2002-09-03

The performances are adequate, in some cases skillful, but from the opening note of the show (which the chorus member, in a misguided attempt at humor, aborts in order to insert a racous throat-clearing), this recording lacks the taste and dignity of its Broadway counterpart. I do not recommend this recording.

A wonderful CD release.......2002-02-15

I, ofcourse like so many other reviewers of the same cd, own both the London and original Broadway cast albums, and frankly the London recording does laps around the original. First- I will admit Jean Simmons is not the ideal Desiree, but what she lacks in beauty and glamour makes up for Glyniss Jhon's creaking melodies. There is no song on this recording that is worse then the original, and very few actors ( ofcourse, who could top the original Fredrick, definately including this one). Anne is supurb. Her voice is extremely beautiful, and makes up for the corny fluffieness of the original Anne, and her expression in such songs as " A Weekend In The Country" is simply hillariously funny. This Charlotte is also devistatingly wonderful, with her delicious voice, although you can't realy balance the two Charlottes out (the other from the original), as they play the charector with much difference. This Petra is also stunning, especially in "The Miller's Son," which is recomended in all of these reviews. And what a great operetta Quintet, along with Hermoine gingold's wonderful aged performance. All the male parts are also met to the very top, especially Henrick.
A few of my favorite songs on this album is the wonderfully light and fast paced, elegant little romp of "A Weekend In The Country," and "The Glamorous Life" (which has always been my favorite song from the production, with a much better Fredricka then the origianl).
In conclusion, this recording should certainly be bought by "A Little Night Music" fans, and especially Stephen Sondheim,in the words of another reviewer,who's lyrics are the real star,

a beautiful recording.......2001-12-19

After proving to producers that she could handle performing the role of Desiree on the National Tour, Jean Simmons was asked to come to London to debut with the show at the Adelphi Theatre. Running for a little over 400 performances the show also featured Hermione Gingold reprising her role of Madame Armfeldt.

Ms Simmons is quite affecting as the flighty and insecure Desiree who feels she is ready to pursue romance after years of broken promises and false hopes.

Gingold, now qute comfortable and honed in her role; performs the comical and contemplative "Liasons" wonderfully.

Stephen Sondheim's most complex and multi-faceted score is given a grand treatment here. Almost certainly this is Sondheim's most interesting and most beguiling score which runs the entire gamut of emotions.

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:

It's not stereo
classic arrangements by the classic gentlemen ~ Percy Faith

Lil Abner/Broadway Bouquet

Manufacturer: Collectables
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Lounge | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

Orchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

Solo Instrumental | New Age | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Subways Are for Sleeping / Do I Hear a Waltz
Porgy & Bess / Most Happy Fella
Kismet/Music From Hollywood
More Themes for Young Lovers/Latin Themes for Young Lovers
Born Free/Windmills of Your Mind

ASIN: B0000996GC
Release Date: 2003-09-16

Tracks:

It's A Typical Day
The Way To A Man's Heart
Love In A Home
Medley: Jubilation T. Cornpone / (What's Good For) General Bullmoose (Is Good For The U.S.A.)
Unnecessary Town
The Country's In The Very Best Of Hands
There's Room Enough For Us
Progress Is The Root Of All Evil
If I Had My Druthers
Oh Happy Day
Matrimonial Stomp
Namely You
Hello, Dolly!
Once Upon A Time
Somewhere
Sunrise, Sunset
Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)
A Quiet Thing
Make Someone Happy
What Kind Of Fool Am I?
Long Ago
The Sweetest Sounds
As Long As He Needs Me
Theme From "Golden Boy"

Album Description

The jaunty Gene DePaul score for the musical play "Lil' Abner" based on the comic strip by Al Capp is heard instrumentally - and it's quite a show! "Broadway Bouquet" from 1965 is an important part of the famed Faith "string" album series - perhaps the pinnacle of his rich string sound that spanned gorgeous melodies and counterlines across sections of the large orchestra. (Bill Halvorsen)

Album Description

Pianist Percy Faith, a pioneer of the Easy Listening genre, had a successful and lengthy career as the in-house conductor and arranger for Columbia Records. Faith was renowned for his musical interpretations of Broadway and motion picture music. These two reissues from Collectables on 1 CD were originally released in 1965. 24 tracks. 2003.

Customer Reviews:

It's not stereo.......2005-01-10

I bought this solely for "Once Upon a Time", and was dismayed that the CD is mono, not stereo. The quality of the recordings leaves much to be desired, as many of them lack the pristine quality I'm used to on a CD.

classic arrangements by the classic gentlemen ~ Percy Faith.......2004-02-16

Two albums from the Columbia Records people blending different decades "Li'l Abner" (originally released CL 955 in 1956) and "Broadway Bouquet" (originally released LS 9156 in 1965), sharing the unmistakable style of the "Percy Faith Touch" ~ you know in an instant you're in for the best of the best ~ Duke Ellington was so taken with Faith's arrangements, that he would give anything to be able to arrange in that fashion.

Let's begin with "IT'S A TYPICAL DAY" along with "LOVE IN A HOME", both from "Li'l Abner", wonderful opening counterparts and the stirring arrangements by Maestro Percy Faith ~ "JUBILATON T. CORNPONE", uplifting cue that will keep bouncing in your head for hours, maybe even days ~ "IF I HAD MY DRUTHERS", one of the forgettable tunes from the show ~ "NAMELY YOU", has to be the best and favorite song of the Johnny Mercer and Gene De Paul score ~ by the way, these two composers penned the lively screen musical "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers", both scores were sure winners from two talented songwriters, Percy Faith steps up to the podium and takes it to another level.

Now with "Broadway Bouquet", we have perfection within the realm of lush arranging, so flawless "HELLO, DOLLY!" (Jerry Herman), "ONCE UPON A TIME" (Adams/Strouse), "SOMEWHERE" (Sondheim/Bernstein), "SUNRISE, SUNSET/FIDDLER ON THE ROOF" (Harnick/Bock) (one of my all-time favorites, can't get enough of this score), "WHO CAN I TURN TO (WHEN NOBODY NEEDS ME)" (Bricusse/Newley), "A QUIET THING" (Ebb/Kander), "MAKE SOMEONE HAPPY" (Comden/Green/Styne), "WHAT KIND OF FOOL AM I?" (Bricusse/Newley) (two of the best songwriters in the business), "LONG AGO" (David Heneker), "THE SWEETEST SOUNDS" (Richard Rodgers) (his credit of compositions goes through the ceiling, will never be another like 'em), "AS LONG AS HE NEEDS ME" (Lionel Bart) (a wonderful classic that is still popular by today's standards), "THEME FROM "GOLDEN BOY" (Adams Strouse) (another team of composers that have made an impact on the Broadway scene) ~ an example of the "Percy Faith Touch", so effortless, you feel like you're floating on a cloud ~ falls into Percy's many albums of fabulous string arrangements, they grabbed the attention of the listener and wouldn't let go. Can't think of any other arranger/composer who left such a great legacy as this man!

Highly recommend to ALL fans of Percy Faith ~ thanks to Collectables for releasing this collection from the vaults of Columbia Records ~ so listeners sit back, relax and enjoy a small part of Maestro Percy Faith's fabulous career!

Tracks:

It's Such A Pretty World
Get While The Gettin's Good
Walk Through This World With Me
Jackson
When It's Over
Lay Some Happiness On Me
Lonely Again
By The Way (I Still Love You)
Oh Lonesome Me
End Of The World
Help Stamp Out Lonliness
Highway Song
Hello L.A., Bye Bye Birmingham
Are You Growing Tired Of My Love?

Customer Reviews:

Hotter than a pepper sprout........2006-06-26

For Nancy Sinatra's fifth album, Nancy and her producer Lee Hazlewood decided to make a country record. Instead of just covering some popular country hits, like Ray Charles did on his country albums, they commissioned some top country songwriters to write new songs for Nancy. Then, they went into a Nashville recording studio and taped the songs with some of the top Nashville session musicians. What they ended up with is a pretty fair approximation of a mid-'60s country album. True, Nancy doesn't sound "Southern", but the musicians sound authentic, complete with fiddle and steel guitar. The hit song was Nancy & Lee's cover version of Johnny Cash & June Carter's "Jackson", but the rest of the songs are enjoyable, too. The CD adds three bonus tracks from 1970, after Nancy stopped having hits. Not bad, though.

A great country album by a non-country artist!!!.......2004-04-23

I love this album as well as her others that she recorded for Reprise. The songs I like on this set are It's Such a Pretty World Today, Jackson, Oh Lonesome Me, and Lonely Again. I first had this album when I was in high school and was given to me by one of my friends, my bus driver. It sounded great, in spite of the fact that it was scratched due to being old, but, it was audible enough for me to hear. Some people would kind of think of this as a crossover album. I would say that one of her songs I mentioned on this album, Lonely Again, would be kind of a sad sounding song. She did a great job singing on this album.

"Nancy- My Way".......2003-04-24

I can honestly say that I love every album that Nancy Sinatra has recorded. Each has its own special "flavor" and sound and atmosphere. Her first, "Boots" has a unique and classic sound/delivery which will keep it alive forever. But my favorite Nancy Sinatra album is this her "Nancy Sinatra- Country My Way"
Recorded in Nashville during a classic period of Nashville songwriting and production, nancy proves that a city girl IS country! She doesn't just play at singing "hillbilly cowboy music"- she captured the real spirit and feel of country music in every sense. When she sings my favorite track on the album, "It's Such A Pretty World Today"- well, the world does become alot prettier, no matter what else is going on to the contrary. When she delivers "Walk Through This World With Me", you really believe her. . . and you'd really want to walk through this world with her. Then there's the up-tempt march for happiness: "Lay Some Happiness On Me"! And she does.
I loved this album a-way back when and I love it still and I'll probably always loved it. I know generations from now, if this album is still available (and it will be) it will be loved by future Nancy Sinatra fans. Thanks Nancy for all the music of our lives!

Nancy well suited to these songs.......2003-03-14

Despite Nancy's own background, it is clear from the music that Nancy understood what country music was all about - and the liner notes, including comments by Nancy, confirm that.

The album kicks off with It's such a pretty world today, a great upbeat song which sets the standard of the album. Get while the getting's good is the kind of feisty song that Nancy is so good at. Walk through this world with me, a cover of a George Jones classic, shows that Nancy could sing the slow songs.

Jackson, a duet with Lee Hazelwood, was the big hit from this album. It was every bit as good as the original version by Johnny Cash and June Carter - that's high praise from me, as I am a huge Johnny Cash fan. When it's over, a sad song, is Nancy's favorite song on this album. The sadness is swept away by Lay some happiness on me.

Two more great ballads, Lonely again and By the way, are followed by a second duet with Lee Hazelwood - the Don Gibson classic Oh lonesome me. Nancy does a fine cover of End of the World, a huge American pop hit for Skeeter Davis that also made the British top 20. The original album ends with the excellent, upbeat Help stamp out loneliness.

The three bonus tracks are not quite up to the exceptionally high standard set by the main album, but are still worth hearing. Of all the pop singers who ever dabbled in country music, few if any were better suited to it than Nancy, who also recorded the occasional country song for her later albums, most notably a cover of Dolly Parton's Down from Dover, which she sang as a duet with Lee Hazelwood.

Country your way? Bring it on, Nance--I'll listen!.......2002-07-07

There have been many pop artists who have done country to make a genre album (q.v. the Byrds' Sweethearts Of The Rodeo), or recording a song in that style (e.g. the Rolling Stones' "Faraway Eyes," Rod Stewart's "You're In My Heart," and Lionel Richie's "Deep River Woman," but they did nothing to advance the artist/group's career. One artist who did a tasteful country album was Nancy Sinatra.

The steel guitar and sound are there, but done without the cheesy twang, instrumentally and vocally. I don't remember Hee-Haw signing her up as a regular, so there's proof right there. Nancy's able to tackle ballads like "Walk Through This World With Me," Hank Cochran's "When It's Over," and heel-kickers such as the rollicking "Get While The Getting's Good" and the anti-loneliness anthem "Lay Some Happiness On Me." Nothing rough and loud like Hank Williams Jr. or about pickup trucks, barbecues, spouse abuse, or divorces here. Well, okay, there is "By The Way (I Still Love You)," about a ex-couple meeting up again and catching up.

There is the usual balance between happiness and loneliness. Right after "Lay Some Happiness," there follows "Lonely Again." Later on, her duet with Lee Hazlewood, "Oh Lonesome Me" is countered by "Help Stamp Out Loneliness."

I've heard "Jackson" so many times, maybe because it's on three different NS albums--Hit Years, this one, and Movin' With Nancy, plus I've heard the Pansy Division's punk/homosexual version of it. Anyway, Nancy and Lee belt this number out. The lyrics ridiculing a man's macho image work to a tee. "Go play your hand you big talkin' man, make a big fool of yourself." and "When I breeze into that city, people are gonna stoop and bow. All them woman gonna make me, teach them what they don't know how." Frankly, as I don't embody that stereotypical macho male image, I tend to side with the woman's lyrics.

The other big cover song is the forlorn "End Of The World," which I believe was originally done by Bill Frisell (someone let me know if I'm wrong).

Way back when, I wasn't able to handle country music but Nancy Sinatra's pop/country hybrid paved the way for me to like Sherrie Austin, Faith Hill, and Shania Twain.

Music:

Music

Music