Lucky to Be Me

Editorial Reviews
Chip Deffaa, New York Post
"His voice is appealingly warm."

Cy Coleman
"Gerard is a spectacular talent and his album is the kind that I would rush to the store to buy."

Album Description
GC Records is an independent label featuring singer/trombonist Gerard Carelli performing classic american standards and Carelli orginals.

Lucky to Be Me

Lucky to Be Me, Music, Gerard Carelli, Jazz Vocals, New York singer/trombonist backed by a top-notch rhythm section and several horns performing a collection of American popular standards and one original done in a swing style.

Average customer rating:

Full of surprises!

Taylor Eigsti's "Lucky to be Me" is wonderful!!1

Where Does He Go From Here?

Nice CD, but.....

Amazing Pianist

Lucky to Be Me
Taylor Eigsti
Manufacturer: Concord Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music
General | Jazz | Styles | Music
Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music
General | New Age | Styles | Music
General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Resonance

Eldar Live at the Blue Note

Rewind That

What Love Is

Eldar

ASIN: B000E6EIRQ
Release Date: 2006-03-28

Tracks:

Giant Steps
Get Your Hopes Up
Love For Sale
I've Seen It All
Argument
True Colors
Woke Up This Morning
Promenade
Adventure
Darn That Dream
Freedom Jazz Dance
Lucky To Be Me

Customer Reviews:

Full of surprises!.......2007-02-03

I learned about Eigsti late last year from the November 2006 issue of "Jazziz" magazine. Not only was he on the cover but the sampler CD that came with the magazine also featured his song "Get Your Hopes Up" with its brilliant interplay between Eigsti and Julian Lage. I only had to hear the first few bars to know that this was a dude whose music I had to know more about. I was surprised (surprise #1) to learn that he already had several CDs under his belt before this one. I was also surprised (surprise #2) to learn that this particular CD had been out almost a year!

According to the article in the magazine "former child prodigy" Eigsti doesn't like a fuss being made about his age. He especially wants this album "to be seen as a musical statement and not in terms of 'good for [his] age'". At 21, he says he'd rather not see the word "youth" mentioned in any reviews of his work at all. Lucky for me then that he probably won't be reading this one but I was truly staggered (surprise #3) to learn he was so young. But then I considered the fact that Herbie Hancock was only 22 when he released "Takin' Off" and that I had never once made an issue of that fact; it was, and always ever has been, all about the music. So I see his point and will thus never mention his age again, not even among my friends.

Previous reviewers have said all that needs to be said, really. The man and this CD are simply awesome. I was shocked though, (surprise #4) to learn that "I've Seen It All", probably my favourite song on the whole album, is not just a cover but a Bjork song. An e-correspondent of mine has been urging me for some time now to get into Bjork but I've always resisted. I think I might check her out now though if she writes songs this good.

Other covers like "Giant Steps", "Love For Sale" and "Woke Up This Morning" (or the "Sopranos" song) are all handled well and Eigsti is surrounded by top-notch talent like Christian McBride (bass), James Genus (bass) Lewis Nash (drums) and Julian Lage (guitar). Even so, this album really is all about him and his piano playing. His own compositions, "Get Your Hopes Up", "Argument", "True Colors" (written with Julian Lage) and "Adventure One" are all just as brilliant. It's the ballads that I usually love the most and rarely like fast-paced playing but I was surprised (surprise #5!) to realise that even on the fast-moving cuts on this CD, (like "Freedom Jazz Dance" for instance), I was thoroughly enjoying myself.

Surprises all round then, and a thoroughly enjoyable CD. The album is produced, recorded and mixed by Al Schmitt. I remember him doing excellent work recording and mixing alongside producer Tommy LiPuma on albums by people like George Benson, Joe Sample, Natalie Cole and even Diana Krall. He's done a great job here; the music is crystal clear.

Taylor Eigsti's "Lucky to be Me" is wonderful!!1.......2006-08-25

What a find for me when I ordered this album. I had not heard of Taylor Eigsti before, but knew I would like his music by the samples I was able to hear first. His ability to play the piano far surpasses anything I had hoped for. He is amazing. But it is more than just his incredible talent. He has an astonishing way of communicating a language of music, a voice from many brilliant artists from the past, yet a very distinct style of his own that is captivating and exciting. I love his work. And the other players on this album compliment it so well, as they are wonderful artists too. It is a superb album, and I look forward to getting more of his work.

Where Does He Go From Here?.......2006-07-18

Listening to this brilliant 20 year old, I kept asking myself what this guy needs to grow into as a pianist. Much of what I thought might be missing I suddenly heard. So the question is, where does he go from here? What a delicious thought to contemplate.

Nice CD, but............2006-06-01

Seems to be now emulating Joe Sample somewhat in his style on this CD. I had watched him develop a unique style over the past decade during his schooling at the Stanford Jazz workshops and also here in the San Jose area. He seems to be wandering from his early years IMHO. Great talent though and one of the better pianists.

Amazing Pianist.......2006-04-14

I got this CD with the other two new Concord releases (Christian Scott and Erin Boheme). Its amazing how Taylor seems to be an accomplished veteran musician yet is only in his 20's I believe! The CD is great, its soulful and imaginative, while the piano skills are nicely crafted, for all jazz and piano fans this is a great CD to listen to, Taylor has a big future.

Wonderful Town (Original 1953 Broadway Cast)

Average customer rating:

Wonderful Town is a wonderful show
Light and lively musical comedy
a must-have recording for REAL Broadway fans
Leonard Bart-stein? Listen for yourself....
Quality over quantity

Wonderful Town (Original 1953 Broadway Cast)
Leonard Bernstein , Betty Comden , and Adolph Green
Manufacturer: Decca U.S.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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

General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music

Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Soundtracks | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Classical | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

On the Town
Wonderful Town (2003 Broadway Revival Cast)
Bernstein - Wonderful Town / Audra McDonald, Kim Criswell, Thomas Hampson, Wayne Marshall, Simon Rattle, Berlin Philharmonic
Fiorello! (1959 Original Broadway Cast)
Redhead (1959 Original Broadway Cast)

ASIN: B00005O6KS
Release Date: 2001-09-25

Tracks:

Christopher Street
Ohio
One Hundred Easy Ways
What a Waste
A Little Bit in Love
Pass the Football
Conversation Piece
A Quiet Girl
Conga!
My Darlin' Eileen
Swing!
It's Love
Ballet at the Village Vortex
Wrong Note Rag
Opening (from the original Decca recording of "On the Town")
Carried Away (from "On the Town")
Lonely Town (from "On the Town")
I Can Cook Too (from "On the Town")
Lucky to Be Me (from "On the Town")
Ya Got Me (from "On the Town")

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful Town is a wonderful show.......2004-10-25

This is a terrific show. It has a famous composer, great tunes and a good, upbeat story. Why it has so thoroughly faded from memory is a question that puzzles me greatly.

The orchestrations are attributed to another individual, but Bernstein must have taken some substantial role in their creation, for large parts of "Wonderful Town" resemble only one other musical, "West Side Story."

Rosalind Russell is the star here, and rightly so. She sings--or rather croaks--her material very well, indeed. Only in "Swing" is she overmatched by the musical requirements and even then she fights them to a draw.

Edith Adams is very good, too, as Eileen. I think of her as Edie Adams, a sixties icon, wife of comedian Ernie Kovacs, mayhem-minded member of the Nairobi Trio and super-sexy pitchwoman for White Owl Cigars. I had no idea that she had also starred on Broadway. It was a pleasant surprise to find her here.

The men in the lead parts sing in that typical Broadway growl: perfect diction and lousy tone. They are endearingly awful. And I mean that in the best possible sense.

Five stars, no doubt about it!

Light and lively musical comedy .......2004-08-07

The first cast album of WONDERFUL TOWN sounds even better than ever in Decca's latest remastering. The sound is still somewhat flat (as are all Decca albums from the 40s/50s) but the Decca engineers have worked wonders on the 50 year old tapes making them sound as good as possible. Rosalind Russell was a perfect choice to play the acerbic Ruth. She doesn't have much of a singing voice but the songs were tailored to her limited range and she makes the character come alive. Edith Adams sounds properly winsome as her sister Eileen. In the supporing roles, Jordan Bentley comes off best as Wreck, but George Gaynes makes for a ponderous, somehwat stuffy Bob Baker.

In terms of album production, Decca eliminated the Overture and some of the dance music, and re-arranged "Christopher Street" to eliminate the spoken vignettes. Otherwise the score is presented in a faithful aural re-creation. The booklet offers a detailed synopsis to guide you through the score.

The bonus tracks are six songs from ON THE TOWN originally recorded when that show was playing on Broadway. This is NOT the definitive recording of ON THE TOWN. For that you need the 1960 album avaialble on Sony. But, the excerpts heard here provide an enjoyable bonus.

a must-have recording for REAL Broadway fans.......2002-12-26

This marvellous new re-issue of WONDERFUL TOWN is a must-have for Broadway buffs. In fact, this is really two albums in one, as it also contains the rare 1945 studio recording of ON THE TOWN as a bonus!

The story is based on the play "My Sister Eileen", written by Joseph Fields and Jerome Chodorov; as well as the stories written by Ruth McKenney. The play was later turned into a successful Columbia film starring Rosalind Russell (as Ruth Sherwood) and Janet Blair as Eileen. Several years later Columbia released a musical version (following the success of WONDERFUL TOWN) which starred Janet Leigh and Betty Garrett.

WONDERFUL TOWN originally starred Rosalind Russell (repeating her film role) as Ruth and Edith 'Edie' Adams as Eileen. The cast also included George Gaynes (GIGI, 'Punky Brewster') as the romantic male lead.

The score by Betty Comden and the late Adolph Green is gorgeous, and features the comical "100 Easy Ways", the lilting "A Little Bit in Love" and the showstopping "Conga!" and "Wrong-Note Rag".

No Broadway-recording collection is complete without the original cast of this landmark musical.

This re-issue from the superb Decca Broadway range also includes the rare 1945 set of ON THE TOWN, which featured original cast-members Betty Comden, Adolph Green and Nancy Walker singing their songs from the show, with Mary Martin singing "Lonely Town" and "Lucky to Be Me".

Highly-recommended.

Leonard Bart-stein? Listen for yourself...........2002-09-23

Leonard Bernstein never erred on the side of subtlety, and this original-cast album contains two of his most enjoyable essays in musical near-mayhem: "Christopher Street" and "The Wrong Note Rag." The former is vastly like the theme music to "The Simpsons," and the listener can decide for himself how much of a coincidence this is or isn't. "The Wrong Note Rag" uses the tritone of the scale and a varied meter to make life difficult for the singers and anyone trying to count along. Unlike so many send-ups of the 1920s, this song ingenioulsy captures the musical and lyrical feel of novelty numbers like 1924's "Fascinating Rhythm"--or, better yet, the slightly later "Crazy Rhythm." A parody of the 1920s that shows any sense of the 1920s is a rare item, indeed. "Wonderful Town" is an interesting, enjoyable, and valuable historical piece, and I can only imagine what later performers did with it. I don't want to know.

Quality over quantity.......2002-05-19

Yes, the original 1953 cast recording of "Wonderful Town" may not be the most complete cast recording of the hit musical BUT I would wholeheartedly reccommend this CD over any other version. Why? Because of its original cast members and its original orchestrations! Rosalind Russell is peerless as Ruth Sherwood (I consider her version of "One Hundred Easy Ways" one of the funniest songs in musical theatre history) and Edie Adams shines through radiantly. Listen to her sing "A Little Bit In Love" to understand what I'm talking about. Also, the original orchestrations gtive this CD more vibrance than any of the later incarnations INCLUDING the 1999 studio recording, which to me sounds too mechanical and the British orchestrator doesn't seem to get the rhythms right. The original cast recording is A MUST for the true theatre fan, abridged score or not

DRG 25th Anniversary Show Stopping Performances

Average customer rating:

Great compilation
A disappointment

DRG 25th Anniversary Show Stopping Performances

Manufacturer: Drg
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Broadway & Vocalists | Indie Music | Stores | Music

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

Barbara Cook at the Met with Special Guests
Curtains (2007 Original Broadway Cast)
110 in the Shade (2007 Broadway Revival Cast)
ABC (Adler, Bock, Coleman)
The Drowsy Chaperone (2006 Original Broadway Cast)

ASIN: B00005Q6IN
Release Date: 2001-10-23

Tracks:

A Day In Hollywood A Night In Ukraine: Just Go To The Movies - Priscilla Lopez/David Garrison/Frank Lazarus/Stephen James/Peggy Hewett/Kate Draper
Babes In Arms: I Wish I Were In Love Again - Christopher Fitzgerald Jessica Stone
Pal Joey: Bewitched, Bothered And Bewildered - Patti LuPone
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes: Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend - KT Sullivan
Nunsense: I Just Want To Be A Star - Christine Anderson
Louisiana Purchase: Wild About You - Debbie Gravitte & New York Voices
Oil City Symphony: Beaver Ball At The Bug Club - Mike Craver/Mark Hardwick/Debra Monk/Mary Murfitt
Falsettoland: The Baseball Game - Michael Rupert/Chip Zien/Faith Prince/Janet Metz/Heather MacRae/Stephen Bogardus
Very Good Eddie: Isn't It Great To Be Married? - Virginia Seidel/Spring Fairbank/Charles Repole/Nicholas Wyman
The Fantasticks: A Perfect Time To Be In Love - Harvey Schmidt
Call Me Madam: You're Just In Love - Tyne Daly/Lewis Cleale
Taking My Turn: Fine For The Shape I'm In - Margaret Whiting/Marnie Nixon/Cissy Houston
A Party With Betty Comden & Adolph Green: The French Lesson - Betty Comdon/Adolph Green
The Madwoman Of Central Park: Better - Phyllis Newman
Greenwillow: Never Will I Marry - Anthony Perkins
Song Of Singapore: I Can't Remember - Loretta Swit & Company
Tintypes: Elite Syncopation/I'm Goin' To Live Anyhow, 'Til I Die - Lynne Thigpen
I Love My Wife: Someone Wonderful I Missed - Joanna Gleason/Ilene Graff
The Good Companions: The Pleasure Of Your Company - Malcolm Rennie/Christopher Gable
Forbidden Broadway 20th Anniversary: Liza One-Note - Christine Pedi
Meet Me In St. Louis: The Trolley Song - Donna Kane & Ensemble

Tracks:

4 Guys Named Jose...And Una Mujer Named Maria!: Feel It - Philip Anthony/Henry Gainza/Allen Hidalgo/Ricardo Puente
Fame - The Musical: There She Goes!/Fame - Natasha Rennalls & Ensemble
Do Re Mi: What's New At The Zoo? - Heather Headley/The Animal Girls
High Society: Once Upon A Time/True Love - Melissa Errico/Daniel McDonald
Tenderloin: Artificial Flowers - Patrick Wilson
State Fair: Driving At Night/Our State Fair - Company
Kiss Me, Kate: Were Thine That Special Face - Brian Stokes Mitchell
Black And Blue: Black And Blue - Linda Hopkins/Ruth Brown/Carrie Smith
The Green Bird: O Foolish Heart - Company
Out Of This World: From This Moment On - Marin Mazzie/Gregg Edelman
The Boys From Syracuse: This Can't Be Love - Davis Gaines/Sarah Berry
Snoopy!!!: Poor Sweet Baby - Pamela Myers
SeesawNobody Does It Like Me - Michele Lee
March Of The Falsettos: I Never Wanted To Love You - Michael Rupert/Stephen Bogardus/Alison Fraser/Chip Zien/James Kushner
Lunch: Perfectly Alone - Carol Burnett
3hree: Foolish Dreamin'/Something Beautiful/Real Enough To Change My Mind - Jessica Molaskey/Will Gartshore/Rachel Ulanet
Lucky In The Rain: Love Me As If There Were No Tomorrow - Barbara Cook
Godspell: All Good Gifts - Sal Sabella & Company
The Act: Walking Papers - Liza Minnelli & Company

Customer Reviews:

Great compilation.......2002-05-10

I don't actually own this particular compilation, however, since I own nearly every recording represented on these discs...I think I'm qualified to comment. This is a wonderful representation of the high quality of work that DRG Records does.
The previous review is way off the mark. This is definitely not a waste of time or money. This is 25 years of preserving Broadway shows, Off-Broadway shows, studio recordings (mostly from the city center concerts), etc. So what if they "aren't as good as the original", DRG is preserving many recordings and artists that other mainstream labels don't or won't. You have wonderful recordings from Brian Stokes Mitchell, Nathan Lane, Debbie Gravitte, Tyne Daly, Anthony Perkins, Joanna Gleason, Marin Mazzie, Carol Burnett, Heather Headley, Patti LuPone, Barbara Cook, etc., and many of these are from Original Cast Recordings just as they appeared on Broadway. This is an excellent sampler of the work going on at DRG. No...I'm not an employee...just an avid listener and collector of theatre recordings.

A disappointment.......2001-12-15

There's a reason you've probably never heard of most of the songs and shows on this album, not to mention most of the artists. This is a second-rate collection of second-rate numbers performed by mostly second-rate artists. In the case of the shows that were revivals, the performances on the original cast recordings were better. Don't waste your money.

Puccini - Madam Butterfly / Cheryl Barker, PO, Yves Abel [in English]

Average customer rating:

A touching English Butterfly

Puccini - Madam Butterfly / Cheryl Barker, PO, Yves Abel [in English]
Giacomo Puccini , Yves Abel , Cheryl Barker , Paul Charles Clarke , and Simon Birchall
Manufacturer: Chandos
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

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Turandot (Chandos Opera in English)
Puccini - La bohème / Haymon · O'Neill · Opie · McLaughlin · A. Miles · Dazeley · Shore · PO · Parry
Verdi: La Traviata
Tchaikovsky - Eugene Onegin / Te Kanawa · Hampson · Rosenshein · Gedda · Sir Charles Mackerras [in English]

ASIN: B00005QF3K
Release Date: 2001-11-20

Tracks:

Act I: Introduction - Cheryl Barker
Act I: 'So The Walls And The Ceiling...' - Ann Taylor/Stuart Kale
Act I: 'I Think Your Honour's Smiling' - Jean Rigby/Ann Taylor/Stuart Kale
Act I: 'It Can't Be Much Further Now!' - Gregory Yurisich/Stuart Kale/Ann Taylor
Act I: The Whole World Over - Ann Taylor/Gregory Yurisich
Act I: 'Fate Can't Crush Him' - Ann Taylor/Gregory Yurisich
Act I: 'Is The Bride Very Pretty?' - Gregory Yurisich/Stuart Kale/Ann Taylor
Act I: 'True Love Or Fancy' - Ann Taylor/Gregory Yurisich
Act I: 'See Them! They're Climbing The Summit Of The Hill!' - Gregory Yurisich/Cheryl Barker/Gregory Yurisich
Act I: 'We Are Honoured' - Cheryl Barker/Ann Taylor/Gregory Yurisich/Stuart Kale
Act I: 'The Imperial Commissioner' - Stuart Kale/Ann Taylor/Cheryl Barker/Simon Birchall
Act I: 'Oh, Indeed, My Friend, You're Lucky!' - Gregory Yurisich/Cheryl Barker
Act I: 'Come, My Beloved' - Ann Taylor/Cheryl Barker/Stuart Kale
Act I: 'My Fate I Have To Follow' - Cheryl Barker
Act I: 'Silence! Silence!' - Stuart Kale/Roland Wood/Cheryl Barker
Act I: 'Congratulations' - Roland Wood/Ann Taylor/Gregory Yurisich/Frances Brett/Clive Bayley/Stuart Kale
Act I: 'Dearest, My Dearest, Weep No More' - Roland Wood/Ann Taylor/Jean Rigby
Act I: 'Evening Is Falling...' - Roland Wood/Ann Taylor/Jean Rigby
Act I: 'Child, From Whose Eyes The Witchery Is Shining' - Ann Taylor/Cheryl Barker
Act I: 'Ah, Love Me A Little' - Cheryl Barker/Ann Taylor
Act II Part I: 'Izaghi Izanami' - Jean Rigby/Cheryl Barker
Act II Part I: 'One Fine Day' - Cheryl Barker

Tracks:

Act II Part I: 'Come, Let's Enter' - Stuart Kale/Gregory Yurisich/Cheryl Barker
Act II Part I: 'Yamadori, And Has your Unrequited Love Not Yet Released You? - Cheryl Barker/D'Arcy Bleiker/Gregory Yurisich/Stuart Kale
Act II Part I: 'Now, At Last!' - Gregory Yurisich/Cheryl Barker
Act II Part I: 'Just Two Things I Could Do' - Cheryl Barker/Gregory Yurisich
Act II Part I: 'This Child! This Child, Then!' - Cheryl Barker/Gregory Yurisich
Act II Part I: 'Do You Know, My Darling' - Cheryl Barker
Act II Part I: 'I Must Be Going' - Gregory Yurisich/Cheryl Barker/Jean Rigby
Act II Part I: 'Ah! Ah!' - Stuart Kale/Jean Rigby/Cheryl Barker
Act II Part I: 'Look, It's A Man-of-war!' - Jean Rigby/Cheryl Barker
Act II Part I: Flower Duet: 'Shake The Cherry Tree' - Cheryl Barker/Jean Rigby
Act II Part I: Humming Chorus - Geoffrey Mitchell Choir
Act II Part 2: Prelude - Jean Rigby/Cheryl Barker
Act II Part 2: Daybreak Over Nagasaki - Jean Rigby/Cheryl Barker
Act II Part 2: 'It's Morning' - Jean Rigby/Cheryl Barker
Act II Part 2: 'Who Is It?...' - Jean Rigby/Ann Taylor/Gregory Yurisich
Act II Part 2: 'I Know For Such Misfortune There Is No Consolation' - Gregory Yurisich/Jean Rigby/Ann Taylor
Act II Part 2: 'Farewell, Oh Happy Home!' - Ann Taylor/Gregory Yurisich
Act II Part 2: 'Then Will You Tell Her?' - Ann Taylor/Jean Rigby
Act II Part 2: 'Suzuki, Where Are You?' - Cheryl Barker/Jean Rigby
Act II Part 2: 'You, Suzuki, You're Always So Faithful' - Cheryl Barker/Jean Rigby
Act II Part 2: 'Viper! I Want You To Answer' - Cheryl Barker/Jean Rigby/Gregory Yurisich/Ann Taylor
Act II Part 2: 'Your Little Fluttering Heart Is Beating' - Jean Rigby/Cheryl Barker
Act II Part 2: 'Death With Honour Is Better Than Life With Dishonour' - Cheryl Barker

Amazon.com

This performance, the only one available in English, is problematic. Best is Yves Abel's leadership of the orchestra, which sounds wonderful, imbuing Puccini's lush score with just the right exoticism and emphasis. But aside from Gregory Yurisch's fine Sharpless, the singers don't please. Paul Charles Clarke as Pinkerton is lacking stylistically and vocally, and as Butterfly, Cheryl Barker sounds under strain and never pretty. While she has the power and feeling for the big second-act climax (the sighting of the ship), she never for a moment sounds fragile or girlish, not even in the all-important early scenes. English or not, this set isn't in the running. Stick with Callas or Scotto in Italian, and follow the libretto. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

A touching English Butterfly.......2002-03-27

Anyone familiar with Cheryl Barker's Butterfly will be interested in hearing this recording. I have heard her in the role twice - in Auckland and London - and her voice has filled out as the years have gone on. She hasn't a large italianate soprano; the sound is too slender somehow. Yet there is the paradox - it has great carrying power and a decent cutting edge to make itself heard above the orchestral climaxes. What really impresses is the sense of vulnerability and moral strength she imparts, making sense of the big moments of the secong act. The sound in Act one is gorgeous (and a super D flat in theentrance aria) and she differentiates impressively between the child-bride and the embittered woman of the two acts.

She is surrounded by a mixed supporting cast. Jean Rigby is maternal, warm and affecting as Suzuki. Gregory Yurisich makes Sharpless' dilemma more understandable than usual, rather than being completely ineffectual. Paul Charles Clarke perhaps illustrates Pinkerton's arrogance with a degree of vocal swagger, but the sound is rough-hewn and unlovely save for some moments in the love duet. Stuart Kale's Goro is suitable ingratiating and oily.

Abel's conducting is the other chief draw of this set. That he has experience of the score in the theatre means that his pacing is really superb, and the lush orchestration is given its due, the potent intermezzo during the overnight vigil sounding suitably ominous.

Tracks:

On The Town (Hlts): New York, New York - David Garrison/Kurt Ollmann/Thomas Hampson
On The Town (Hlts): Taxi Number: Come Up To My Place - Kurt Ollmann/Tyne Daly
On The Town (Hlts): Carried Away - Frederica Von Stade/David Garrison
On The Town (Hlts): Lucky To Be Me - Thomas Hampson/London Voices
On The Town (Hlts): Ain't Got No Tears Left - Cleo Laine
On The Town (Hlts): Pitkin's Song - Samuel Ramey
On The Town (Hlts): Some Other Time - Frederica Von Stade/Tyne Daly/David Garrison/Kurt Ollmann
Candide (Hlts): The Best Of All Possible Worlds - Adolph Green/Jerry Hadley/June Anderson/Kurt Ollmann/Della Jones
Candide (Hlts): Oh, Happy We - Jerry Hadley/June Anderson
Candide (Hlts): Glitter And Be Gay - June Anderson
Candide (Hlts): Old Lady's Tango: I Am Easily Assimilated - Christa Ludwig/London Sym Chor
Candide (Hlts): Finale: Make Our Garden Grow - Jerry Hadley/June Anderson/Christa Ludwig/Della Jones/Nicolai Gedda/Kurt Ollmann/Adolph Green...
West Side Story (Hlts): Jet Song - Kurt Ollmann/David Livingston/Stephen Bogardus/Peter Thom/Chorus
West Side Story (Hlts): Maria - Jose Carreras
West Side Story (Hlts): Balcony Scene: Tonight - Jose Carreras/Kiri Te Kanawa
West Side Story (Hlts): America - Tatiana Troyanos/Louise Edeiken/Stella Zambalis/Angelina Reaux/Chorus
West Side Story (Hlts): One Hand, One Heart - Jose Carreras/Kiri Te Kanawa
West Side Story (Hlts): I Feel Pretty - Kiri Te Kanawa/Louise Edeiken/Stella Zambalis/Angelina Reaux
West Side Story (Hlts): Gee, Officer Krupke - David Livingston/Marty Nelson/Stephen Bogardus/Peter Thom/Todd Lester/Chorus

Tracks:

Candide: Ov - Israel PO/Leonard Bernstein
Ser: 1. Phaedrus - Pausanias. Lento - Allegro Marcato - Gidon Kremer
Ser: 2. Aristophanes. Allegretto - Gidon Kremer
Ser: 3. Eryximachus. Presto - Gidon Kremer
Ser: 4. Agathon. Adagio - Gidon Kremer
Ser: 5. Socrates - Alcibiades. Molto Tenuto - Allegro Molto Vivace - Gidon Kremer
Chichester Psalms: 1. Psalm 108 (Verse 2); Psalm 100 (Comp): Maestoso Ma Energico - Allegro Molto - Wiener Jeunesse-Chor/Wiener Sangerknaben
Chichester Psalms: 2. Psalm 23 (Comp); Psalm 2 (Verses 1-4): Andante Con Moto, Ma Tranquillo... - Wiener Jeunesse-Chor/Wiener Sangerknaben
Chichester Psalms: 3. Psalm 131 (Comp); Psalm 133 (Verse 1): Prld - Sostenuto Molto - Peacefully... - Wiener Jeunesse-Chor/Wiener Sangerknaben
Symphonic Ste from the Film 'On The Waterfront': Andante (With Dignity) - Israel PO/Leonard Bernstein
Symphonic Ste from the Film 'On The Waterfront': Ste: Adagio - Israel PO/Leonard Bernstein
Symphonic Ste from the Film 'On The Waterfront': Andante Largamente - Israel PO/Leonard Bernstein
Symphonic Ste from the Film 'On The Waterfront': Moving Forward, With Warmth - Israel PO/Leonard Bernstein
Symphonic Ste from the Film 'On The Waterfront': Allegro Non Troppo, Molto Marcato - Israel PO/Leonard Bernstein
Symphonic Ste from the Film 'On The Waterfront': A Tempo (Poco Piu Sostenuto) - Israel PO/Leonard Bernstein

Average customer rating:

A wonderful recording...with one big flaw

Handel: Semele [Highlights]
George Frideric Handel , John Eliot Gardiner , Norma Burrowes , Della Jones , Monteverdi Choir , Robert Lloyd , Elisabeth Priday , Anthony Rolfe Johnson , and Catherine Denley
Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000005EE5
Release Date: 1995-07-18

Tracks:

Ov - English Baroque Soloists/John Eliot Gardiner
Act I: Scene I: 'Lucky Omen Bless Our Rites' - English Baroque Soloists/John Eliot Gardiner
Act I: Scene I: 'O Jove!' - Norma Burrowes
Act I: Scene I: 'Why Dost Thou Thus Untimely Grieve' - Robert Lloyd
Act I: Scene I: 'Endless Pleasure' - Norma Burrowes
Act I: Scene I: 'Endless Pleasure' - English Baroque Soloists/John Eliot Gardiner
Act II: Scene I: 'Hence, Iris, Hence Away!' - Della Jones
Act II: Scene I: 'Come, Zephyrs, Come' - Elisabeth Priday
Act II: Scene I: 'Oh Sleep, Why Dost Thou Leave Me?' - Norma Burrowes
Act II: Scene I: 'Lay Your Doubts' - Anthony Rolfe-Johnson
Act II: Scene I: 'Now Love' - English Baroque Soloists/John Eliot Gardiner
Act II: Scene I: 'Where'er You Walk...' - Anthony Rolfe-Johnson
Act II: Scene I: 'But Hark! The Heav'nly Sphere...' - Norma Burrowes
Act II: Scene I: 'Prepare Then, Ye Immortal Chr!' - Norma Burrowes
Act II: Scene I: 'Bless The Glad Earth' - English Baroque Soloists/John Eliot Gardiner
Act III: Scene 2: 'My Racking Thoughts' - Norma Burrowes
Act III: Scene 2: 'If I Persist In Gazing' - Norma Burrowes
Act III: Scene 2: 'Thus Let My Thanks Be Pay'd' - Norma Burrowes
Act III: Scene 2: 'Come To My Arms' - Anthony Rolfe-Johnson
Act III: Scene 2: 'Above Measure Is The Pleasure' - Della Jones
Act III: Scene 2: 'Happy, Happy Shall We Be' - English Baroque Soloists/John Eliot Gardiner