Way Home

Track Listings

1. There Goes Sundown

2. Here in This Town

3. Wouldn't That Be Something?

4. For Such a Time as This

5. Urgency (Of the Generally Insignificant)

6. Growing

7. Long Way Home

8. Perception

9. What Are You Still Doin' Here

10. Come Home

Way Home, Music, Wayne Watson, Black Gospel, CCM, Gospel/Christian Music, Inspirational, Pop, Religious / Contemp. Christian

Once Upon A Mattress (1959 Original Broadway Cast)
Average customer rating:

"Mattress" CD was excellent

an oldie but a goodie

Nothing like the original --

Awesome

I saw the original on Broadway

Once Upon A Mattress (1959 Original Broadway Cast)
Marshall Barer
Manufacturer: Decca U.S.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Once Upon a Mattress

Once Upon a Mattress (1997 Broadway Revival Cast)

Once Upon a Mattress : Vocal Selections

Bye Bye Birdie (1960 Original Broadway Cast)

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (2005 Original Broadway Cast)

ASIN: B000002ONH
Release Date: 1993-04-13

Tracks:

Overture - Orchestra
Many Moons Ago - Harry Snow
An Opening For A Princess - Joe Bova and Ensemble
In A Little While - Allen Case, Anne Jones
Shy - Carol Burnett, Joe Bova And Ensemble
Sensitivity - Jane White, Robert Weil
The Swamps Of Home - Carol Burnett, Joe Bova And Ensemble
Normandy - Harry Snow, Matt Mattox, Anne Jones
Spanish Panic - Jane White
Song Of Love - Carol Burnett, Joe Bova And Ensemble
Quiet - Jane White And Ensemble
Studio Dialogue - Carol Burnett
Happily Ever After - Carol Burnett
Man To Man Talk - Matt Mattox, Joe Bova
Very Soft Shoes - Matt Mattox And Ensemble
Yesterday I Loved You - Allen Case, Anne Jones
Nightingale Lullaby - Ginny Perlowin
Finale - Joe Bova, Matt Mattox, Jack Gilford And Ensemble

Amazon.com

Based on Hans Christian Andersen's tale The Princess and the Pea, Once Upon a Mattress opened in May 1959 and was a solid success, if not a huge blockbuster. It did well enough, in any case, to warrant a 1997 revival starring Sarah Jessica Parker. The show was far from revolutionary, but it provided a really fun vehicle for a cast of top stage personalities, including black actress Jane White, who played Queen Aggravain (a part originally written for comedienne Nancy Walker) in whiteface. But of course, Once Upon a Mattress's heart and soul was Carol Burnett, who, in her Broadway debut created the part of Princess Winnifred and delivered two of Mary Rodgers's best songs, the hilarious "Shy" and the spunky "Happily Ever After," which sounds a bit like Jule Styne at his most rhythmic. Burnett's timing and performance remain as sharp as they were 40 years ago. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

"Mattress" CD was excellent.......2007-01-09

I've really enjoyed this CD. I only wish the play was available on DVD.

an oldie but a goodie.......2006-03-15

Loved Carol Burnett then and love her now. This original cast CD is a lovely trip down memory lane.

Nothing like the original -- .......2006-01-30

No offense to any of the subsequent "Freds" but Carol Burnett OWNS this role. The recording is as fresh and funny as anything being done today and this is the version musical theatre fans should have in their library. Get it.

Awesome.......2006-01-22

My school did this musical last year (Spring 2005) and I had never heard of it before, so I bought both the Revial and the Original Cast Recordings. Fell in love. I was Sir Harry and loved both songs that I sang in. In my opinion, those are the two best songs in the entire musical, but then again, I'm biased.

Once Upon A Mattress OCR is by far the best out there. Don't get me wrong, the Revival Cast did a wonderful job (soundtrack at least) But There is something about Carol Burnett. She was meant to sing be Fred. But one thing that I didn't like is that "The Minstrel, the Jester & I" wasn't in this recording. But that is really the only problem I had with this.

My fav songs include:
In a Little While (because I sang it)
Yesterday I Loved You (again, I sang it)
Many Moons Ago
Shy

Would I recomend this CD? YES I WOULD!! I would shout it from the rooftops that people should by this CD! It's a funny, quaint little musical that people need to know about. I LOVE IT!

I saw the original on Broadway.......2005-12-19

Once Upon a Mattress was one of the first Broadway shows that I ever saw and I was totally mesmorized and laughed so hard that my side hurt. Carol Burnett was the perfect person to play Fred and it was one of those magical performances that stays with you for a lifetime. The original cast album captures the fun and spirit of the show.

Later during the run of the show a friend of mine joined the chorus and when we talked about the experience, he told me that the joy that was on stage was similar to that felt by the cast and that was apparent on the album. They especially liked working with Ms. Burnett as she was a giving and caring actress.

I recommend this album to anyone who wants to spend some time just feeling good.

Average customer rating:

Mid-tempo rockers and ballads 3.5 out of 5
REO Has Topped Their Best
Home run!
REO Greatwagon!!
It wouldn't get any better than this...

Find Your Own Way Home
REO Speedwagon
Manufacturer: Mailboat Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Snakes & Arrows
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POISON'D!
Humanity-Hour 1

ASIN: B000OCY776
Release Date: 2007-04-24

Tracks:

Smilin' in the End
Find Your Own Way Home
I Needed to Fall
Dangerous Combination
Lost on the Road of Love
Another Lifetime
Run Away Baby
Everything You Feel
Born to Love You
Let My Love Find You

Customer Reviews:

Mid-tempo rockers and ballads 3.5 out of 5.......2007-07-17

I've been a fan of Reo Speedwagon since "Hi Infidelity" in late 1980 and although I preferred the seventies rock to the top forty pop direction that the band pursued in the eighties, I have to say that this is a solid release. Sure, we all wish the band would release another "Reo Two" or a hard rocking "Nine Lives" all over again, but the times have definitely changed. Since Richrath left the group, Cronin is in the driver's seat and he seems to go for a polished and contemporary mid-tempo sound. The stand out songs on this release are "Smilin' In The End," "I Needed To Fall," "Dangerous Combination," "Another Lifetime," and "Everything You Feel." I think that the sound that the band achieved on "Everything You Feel," is particularly refreshing and something new for Reo. In a perfect world, "I Needed To Fall" would be another Billboard top forty, but the band does not have the following that it did in the eighties. The only three songs that are just average are "Run Away Baby," "Born To Love You," and "Let My Love Find You." I wish that there were more guitar solos on this CD. If you need to learn about how great Reo was, then pick up "Reo Speedwagon," "Reo Two," " Nine Lives" and "You Can Tune a Piano," to find out how the underrated Gary Richrath played the Gibson Les Paul.

REO Has Topped Their Best.......2007-07-10

If you're a fan of the early REO that rocked, you'll love this album. If you're a fan of the 80's pop rock REO, than you'll learn to appreciate how good REO can be. This sounds like the uninhibited REO doing music that they love, as opposed to what a record company wants. The more you listen, the more you'll find yourself playing the whole thing again and again!

Home run!.......2007-07-02

As a REO fan from the early 80's I'm positively surprised! Great songs, brilliant musicians, slightly updated but still familiar REO Speedwagon sound, that's what you find here and more you play it, more you like it. If you manage, get yourself the 3-box set (Find Your Way Home cd, Hi Infidelity Then Again Live cd and XM Artist Confidential dvd). Live performance of Hi Infidelity is pure magic. Particularly Dave Amato really shines there.

REO Greatwagon!!.......2007-06-30

I've got to be blunt, this is one great CD. You may think that after all these years the band can no longer deliver the goods, but do they ever with this collection! From hard rockers to slow ballads, this CD has a little bit of something for everyone. The songs are quite catchy, and they leave you wanting more.

Whether you're cranking up Smilin' in the End, or slow jammin to I Needed to Fall, this is one CD you'll want to keep close by at all times.

Like I said, REO Greatwagon delivers the goods.

It wouldn't get any better than this..........2007-06-23

Please don't get me wrong. This album isn't bad at all.
It's just not REO. It doesn't sound the same, it doesn't feel the same.

REO is a classic and REO is all the fans wanted to hear. Somewhere, in a shaded distance, "I needed to fall" finds its way home and slightly brings back the powerful, unmistakable REO sound. But only for a split second and like a familiar face in the crowd, it's gone.

It's an honest album. But maybe it was never meant to be recorded.

With no computers, no fancy editing tools, the remastered version of "Hi Infidelity" is a much better choice for the hardcore REO fan. And it gets better every time you hear it. "Find your own way home" doesn't.

Les Miserables (Highlights from the 1987 Original Broadway Cast)

Average customer rating:

BEST OPERA MUSIC EVER
Time well spent.
Great Score, But Highlights Missing Critical Songs
Buy the full version, please
Argh Matey!

Les Miserables (Highlights from the 1987 Original Broadway Cast)
Alain Boublil , Claude-Michel Schonberg , and Colm Wilkinson
Manufacturer: Decca U.S.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Highlights From The Phantom Of The Opera: The Original London Cast Recording (1986 London Cast)
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Miss Saigon (Original 1989 London Cast - Highlights)
Selections From Cats (1982 Original Broadway Cast)
The Very Best Of Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Broadway Collection

ASIN: B000084TRM
Release Date: 2003-01-28

Tracks:

Overture/Work Song
I Dreamed a Dream
Who Am I?
Castle on a Cloud
Master of the House
Stars
Do You Hear the People Sing?
A Heart Full of Love
One Day More
On My Own
A Little Fall of Rain
Drink with Me
Bring Him Home
Javert's Suicide
Empty Chairs at Empty Tables
Wedding Chorale/Beggars at the Feast
Finale

Amazon.com

While not overly generous at 55 minutes, the highlights album of the 1987 original Broadway cast recording of Les Miserables is intelligently selected and likely to prove satisfying to most fans. It includes the best-loved numbers of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg's score, beautiful ballads ("Bring Him Home," "I Dreamed a Dream") and rousing anthems ("One Day More," "Do You Hear the People Sing?") alike, but eliminates some choral numbers ("Lovely Ladies"), redundancies ("Red and Black"), and connective tissue that propels the plot along ("Valjean Arrested," "Come to Me (Fantine's Death)"). Sure, a more perfect selection could have lasted longer than half of the two-disc set's 104 minutes by adding "At the End of the Day" and "In My Life," among others, but it's still a good representation on a convenient single disc. Of course, those who always want to re-create the theatrical experience will never be satisfied with a highlights album.

Re-creating their roles from the London production, Colm Wilkinson plays the heroic Valjean and Frances Ruffelle is the despondent Eponine. Randy Graff (Fantine), Terrence Mann (Javert), David Bryant (Marius), Judy Kuhn (Cosette), Michael Maguire (Enjolras), and Leo Burmester and Jennifer Butt (the Thénardiers) fill out the cast. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

BEST OPERA MUSIC EVER.......2006-11-03

This is the BEST!! I would highly recommend this to anyone who likes this kind of music!

Time well spent........2005-09-14

Each member of the Les Miserables cast stands to deliver this musical to its audience. Within moments we are transported to France during their Restoration. We experience sadness, laughter and, indeed, want to join in their crusade. The music and deliverance, in my opinion, is excellent.

Great Score, But Highlights Missing Critical Songs.......2005-08-05

Composers Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg's score for "Les Miserables" is simply brilliant and the spectacular Broadway cast, led by Colm Wilkinson, Randy Graff, Terrence Mann, and Frances Ruffelle, help bring this incredible music to life!

While I normally enjoy "highlight" cds, this one clocks in at a mere 55 minutes and could have easily included a couple of additional tunes (thus losing one star). Most notably missing: "At The End Of The Day", "Come To Me", "Red And Black", and "In My Life". The show's most memorable songs, however, are included.

Best tracks:

I Dreamed A Dream
Master Of The House
Stars
Do You Hear The People Sing
On My Own
A Little Fall Of Rain
Bring Him Home
Empty Chairs At Empty Tables

Great cast, great score ... even a good buy. But I would suggest the full double-disc score instead.

Buy the full version, please.......2005-01-20

Highlights are never worth it. You will never get the little in-between songs which make a show complete, montages will be cut together badly instead of being full songs as they should be...so much is left out. This is a fantastic show and deserves to be heard in full.

Argh Matey!.......2004-11-22

"Highlights" albums are not the full show, blah blah blah... THIS TAKES UP ONLY ONE SPACE IN YOUR CD RACK INSTEAD OF TWO LIKE THE FULL RECORDING. I rest my case.

Average customer rating:

Fiorello
A sleeper of the first order
A new York-centric non-hit
Laguardia isn't just an airport
a classic, underrated Broadway gem

Fiorello! (1959 Original Broadway Cast)
Sheldon Harnick
Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Carnival (1961 Original Broadway Cast)
A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum (1962 Original Broadway Cast)
The Rothschilds: A Musical (1970 Original Broadway Cast)
The Pajama Game (1954 Original Broadway Cast)
She Loves Me (1963 Original Broadway Cast)

ASIN: B000002SOJ
Release Date: 1993-09-14

Tracks:

Act 1: Overture - Fiorello Orch
Act 1: On The Side Of The Angels - Bob Holiday/Nathaniel Frey/Patricia Wilson
Act 1: Politics And Poker - Howard Silva/Chor
Act 1: Unfair - Tom Bosley/Chor
Act 1: Marie's Law - Patricia Wilson/Nathianiel Frey
Act 1: The Name's La Guardia - Tom Bosley/Chor
Act 1: The Bum Won - Howard Do Silva/Chor
Act 1: I Love A Cop - Pat Stanley
Act 1: 'Til Tomorrow - Ellen Hanley/Chor
Act 1: Home Again - Bob Holiday/Nathaniel Frey/Patricia Wilson/Pat Stanley/Tom Bosley/Howard Da Silva/Mark Dawson...
Act 2: When Did I Fall In Love - Ellen Hanley
Act 2: Gentleman Jimmy - Eileen Rodgers/Chor
Act 2: Little Tin Box - Howard Da Silva/Chor
Act 2: The Very Next Man - Patricia Wilson
Act 2: Finale - Tom Bosley/Patricia Wilson/Chor

Amazon.com

The team of composer Jerry Bock and lyricist Sheldon Harnick came up with only six shows--but what shows! In addition to the phenomenally successful Fiddler on the Roof, aficionados usually gush about 1963's She Loves Me and 1959's Fiorello!. The latter turned a not particularly appetizing topic--the years leading to Fiorello LaGuardia's election as mayor of New York--into a great musical. (It even won the Pulitzer Prize for drama, only the third musical to do so.) Harnick and Bock's versatility was in evidence as they wrote numbers in every Broadway style: novelty, ballad (about sweatshops), duet (the absurdly catchy and funny "Marie's Law"), and, of course, a rousing number that doesn't really fit anywhere but is so good that it simply must be included (Eileen Rodgers's "Gentleman Jimmy"). This may be one of the wittiest, most melodic shows you've never heard. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

Fiorello.......2007-03-09

Great music. Only; I wish I had a DVD of the show.....

A sleeper of the first order.......2007-03-06

Fiorello is a very dark comedy about the corrupt back-room politics, croneyism, and skulduggery surrounding Fiorello laGuardia's political career. Oh, and there's a romance thrown in. "Politics and Poker" in particular has a timely poignancy in light of the runup to the 2008 elections with Clinton, Obama, and -um - whoever the heck else is on the Democrat wanna-be list. I have to think there are some pretty stark parallels here. But then, that's what this timeless, delightful sleeper of an operetta is all about.

A new York-centric non-hit .......2006-11-15

This never rose to the level of a 'hit'. At this time (2006) it is dated
technically and artisticly. It didn't win in '59, there is little hope that it will be remembered fondly in '06.
In the end I bought it for archival purposes only and I'm being kind.

Laguardia isn't just an airport.......2006-08-07

Fiorello! was basically a play about New York City's great mayor, Fiorello Laguardia, that was turned into a musical by having an overture and 14 songs. Long ago, back in the late 1950s, I saw it as a child and really liked it - I've always wondered what it would be like to hear it again. Well, it is nothing less than spectacular! It has the best song about politcal corruption (!) ever written, Little Tin Box; a great song about a broken date, Marie's Law; a lyrical paean to back-room politics, Politics and Poker; and 11 others, all equally good (in fact, there's not a single dud in the score - as you would expect since it was written by the writers who did Fiddler on the Roof). The voices are great, the lyrics are all to the point, the music is unforgettable, and, for all those who don't know the story, the disc notes are really helpful. Maybe this is politcs seen through rose-tinted glasses, but it's wonderful to hear!

a classic, underrated Broadway gem.......2003-11-04

FIORELLO! is a lovely, ahead-of-its-time musical, based on the career of New York mayor Fiorello La Guardia. It starred Tom Bosley as La Guardia with a dream cast including Ellen Hanley, Pat Stanley and Eileen Rodgers.

The score, an early collaboration from Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick (SHE LOVES ME, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF) is very strong, and includes several show-pieces like "Politics and Poker", "Little Tin Box" and "On the Side of the Angels".

Ellen Hanley (who had previously been criminally under-used as Polly Bergen's understudy in FIRST IMPRESSIONS) glows in the role of feisty Thea, the sweatshop workers' leader. She has two of the score's best ballads, "'Til Tomorrow" and "When Did I Fall in Love".

Pat Stanley (who earned a Tony for her performance in the disastrous GOLDILOCKS) gets the cute number "I Love a Cop". Eileen Rodgers (who later starred in a successful off-Broadway revival of ANYTHING GOES) sings the showstopping "Gentleman Jimmy", a manic flapper tune. FIORELLO! is a fantastic show in that it has no less than 3 strong female roles.

For those who only started following Tom Bosley's career during his 'Happy Days', the fact that he was a top-drawer musical theater talent will come as a big surprise. Bosley played the entire run of 795 performances. Bosley later made many more successful Broadway appearances including BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and (as of this review's writing) a triumphant stint in the Sam Mendes revival of CABARET.

Tracks:

I'm Looking for Something, Baby
Goin' Downtown
Takin' the Long Way Home
Move (You're Steppin on My Heart)
Scene: Fifty bucks says the Dreamettes don't win
Fake Your Way to the Top
Scene: It ain't working, Marty
Cadillac Car
Cadillac Car (On the Road)
Cadillac Car (Recording Studio)
Scene: I don't believe they can do that
Steppin' to the Bad Side
Scene: I'm working on a long shot
Party, Party
I Want You, Baby
Scene: I'm a woman now
Family
Scene: What are you doing to that girl?
Dreamgirls
Press Conference
Heavy
Walkin' Down the Strip/Scene: Las Vegas
It's All Over
And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going

Tracks:

Opening Act II: Dreams Medley
Scene: Effie White is the best singer you're gonna find
I Am Changing
Vogue Sequence
When I First Saw You
Ain't No Party
I Meant You No Harm
The Rap
I Miss You, Old Friend
One Night Only
One Night Only (Disco Version)
I'm Somebody
Hard to Say Good-bye
Dreamgirls (Reprise)

Amazon.com

A Chorus Line may be better known, but Dreamgirls was a towering achievement for director Michael Bennett. Loosely based on the Supremes' story, the 1982 musical told a typical show-biz tale of fame, backbiting, and survival. As is often the case for one-night only events, the cast in this concert version (recorded in New York on September 24, 2001) is led by an eye-popping assortment of Broadway powerhouses: Lillias White (The Life), Audra McDonald (Ragtime, Marie Christine), and Heather Headley (Ragtime). McDonald reveals a previously undisclosed comic streak, while Headley confirms her status as a rising star. Reprising the role of Effie Melody White (created by Jennifer Holliday), White belts the classic "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going." But the beauty of Dreamgirls is that it's so packed with catchy, Motown-influenced R&B numbers that each lead can sink her teeth into some prime material and get a turn in the spotlight. This double-CD set really makes you wish you'd been there when the show was recorded: you can hear the crowd going berserk at times, and the temptation is strong to do the same thing in the comfort of your living room. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

Dreamgirls 2001.......2007-06-27

This was the worst reproduction of Dreamgirls that I ever heard. I was so disappointed the CD went into the garbage. This is one CD that I would not sell to the public because I expect so much and get so little.

Not the real "DREAM" experience.......2007-04-04

Forget about the film sountrack. Get this CD set. And it's far better than the original cast recording which goes lacking. More songs and more everything that makes a live performance just what it is. Live (compared to film where anything can be done to enhance a performance!) -- the energy, the excitement and the performances make this a rare treat for anyone wanting to share in the real DREAM experience.

Isn't a full Broadway revival long over due. But wait: I've heard rumors that a rvial may be "in the works. I certainly hope so. Maybe this time it will receive the Tony award it deserved in the first place.

Absolutely brilliant!.......2007-01-28

There is atleast 5 new songs on this album that were not in the movie! These girls kill it I mean they are just amazing singers, and this all live! This is needed for any Dreamgirls fanatic like me! You are gonna love it! Enjoy! love live laugh :)

Amazing!!!!!!.......2006-12-04

As a theatre lover, this recording is amazing. I actually prefer this recording to the OBC. Sheryl Lee Ralph is okay, but can't touch Audra's Deena. The first time I heard Ms. White's "And I Am Telling You..", goosbumps all over my body. The only weak cast member in my opinon is Heather Headly. Vocally, she just isn't there. Too much Aida, not enough Dreamgirls. But all in all, a great live recording of a great show.

One Night Only .......2006-07-19

I was lucky enough to attend this One Night Only concert performance of Dreamgirls and it was a night I will never forget!! The cast was brilliant and the cd is as good if not better than the Broadway cast recording because it is the entire show not just the songs. Bravo to everyone involved !!!

Big: The Musical (1996 Original Broadway Cast)

Average customer rating:

didn't work for rehearsals
Big for folks doing the Musical
It's Awesome, It's Amazing, It's BIG!!!!
a lost gem
Ungodly awful

Big: The Musical (1996 Original Broadway Cast)
Richard Maltby Jr.
Manufacturer: Decca U.S.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Big: The Musical
Baby (1983 Original Broadway Cast)
Curtains (2007 Original Broadway Cast)
Little Women The Musical (2005 Original Broadway Cast)
Seussical: The Musical (Original Cast Recording)

ASIN: B000005AY0
Release Date: 2001-09-25

Tracks:

Overture/Can't Wait
Talk To Her/Carnival/Zoltar Speaks
This Isn't Me
I Want To Go Home
The Time Of Your Life/Fun
Josh's Welcome/Here We Go Again
Do You Want To Play Games?/Stars, Stars, Stars
Cross The Line
It's Time
Stop, Time
The Nightmare
Dancing All The Time/I Want To Know
Coffee, Black
The Real Thing
One Special Man
When You're Big/Skateboard Ballet
I Want To Go Home/Stars, Stars, Stars (Reprise)/Finale

Customer Reviews:

didn't work for rehearsals.......2007-03-22

I used this CD to help me rehearse for the BIG production I was in, but it didn't match the libretto at all. I think there was one song on there that I could use.

Big for folks doing the Musical.......2006-03-20

If you're getting this CD to help prepare for your school or community group doing the musical, there are a lot of changes from the CD to the book. Aside from finding the book in a new key and some chunks added/deleted, Here We Go Again and When You're Big aren't included anymore.

Overall, the music's a little trite, but there are some nice moments -- mostly the stuff sung by the female leads.

It's Awesome, It's Amazing, It's BIG!!!!.......2006-01-22

My high school did "Big" my sophomore year, and oh my god, it was such a fun musical to do. I kind of forgot about it until my senior year, when I suddenly craved some of that music again. So I purchased this CD and I've been loving it since. They got rid of a couple of the songs and replaced them with others as the show progressed on Broadway, so I was suprised to hear new material (to me anyways), and for the most part, I actually enjoyed these original songs over their replacements that my production contained. This cast is phenomenal and the guy who plays Josh Baskin sounds so much like Tom Hanks at points, its crazy. It's a simple, yet a bit fantastic musical about growing up, and it's funny and romantic, and a lot of fun. I love all the songs, and it's a shame it didn't do too well on B-way. At least this recording will keep the music alive.

"This Isn't Me" is one of my favorite tracks, as it's a lot of fun and has a great beat, but suprisingly it was replaced with "Good Morning to Mom", which was only so-so. "I Want To Go Home" is a great ballad that Josh sings, and its simple, a bit funny, and the ending is the best, as its cute and sad. Another song they got rid of, "Here We Go Again", is a song Susan sings, and again, I like it alot. It has a quirky melody that I like. "Stars, Stars, Stars" is another great song, and is quite cute. One of the more popular songs. "Cross The Line" is the finale to Act I and is also very excellent and up beat, and makes you want to dance. "Stop, Time" is my favorite song on the album by far. Sung by Josh's mom, it is one of the more poignant moments of the show. Heartfelt, sad, and truly beautiful, it defiantely makes you appreciate your mom. Barbara Walsh sounds superb on this: she has a great voice. I love this one. "Dancing all the Time" is another good Susan song, and it leads into "I Want To Know" by Young Josh, which is another good ballad. "Coffee, Black" is another showstopper, fun ensemble song, and again, very comedic. "One Special Man" is Susan's ballad to Josh, and it is very beatiful. My only regret is that its only 2:21 so its a short one, and I just want her to start belting at the end, but no, its a quiet ending. Still, I love this one too. The finale is great too, and features an amazing duet between Josh and Susan. I love the harmonies they do.

All in all, this is a great album. Sample the songs and give it a try. This is a must have!!

a lost gem.......2004-10-14

i saw this musical at the local high school in 2001 and was plesently suprised i of course saw the movie and the only thing i knew about this musical was it didnt stay long on broadway, so when i saw it was i shocked this is a delight cross the line still resenates in my head 5 years later.

Ungodly awful.......2004-06-19

BEWARE. This musical is perhaps one of the five worst pieces of music I have ever experienced. I began to wonder if the composer was attempting to make the world's worst musical. Listen for yourself and enjoy the disjunct vocal lines, the desperate attempt at "fun music", and - worst of all - how the highlight of the entire show both dramatically and musically is the insipidly awful "Heart and Soul". Stick to the movie because this baby is horrendous.

Average customer rating:

Disappointing
Enough with the damn compilations!
worth buying, has seven good Vangelis songs
Excellent Overview of Vangelis' Best Known Songs
Hip-O Records trying to make money from us

Odyssey: The Definitive Collection

Manufacturer: Hip-O Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Reprise: 1990-1999
Themes
Oceanic
Voices
Heaven and Hell

ASIN: B0000DHK5T
Release Date: 2003-11-04

Tracks:

Pulstar
Hymne
Main Theme From The 'Chariots Of Fire'
Main Theme From The 'Missing'
Love Theme From 'Blade Runner'
End Titles From 'Blade Runner'
The Tao Of Love
Theme From 'Antartica'
Theme From 'Cavafy'
Opening Titles From 'Mutiny On The Bounty'
Conquest Of Paradise
La Petite Fille De La Mer
L'Enfant
Alpha
Celtic Dawn
Movement 1 From 'Mythodea'
I'll Find My Way Home
State Of Independence

Album Description

18 remastered tracks including titles from 'Missing', 'Blade Runner', '1492 Conquest Of Paradise' & the Oscar-winning 'Chariots Of Fire', as well as 2 bonus tracks, 'I'll Find My Way Home' & 'State Of Independence'. Digipak. Universal. 2003.

Customer Reviews:

Disappointing.......2006-08-19

I like the music, but the sound quality is terrible. I bought this CD because it was released in 2003, but there is ZERO improvement in sound quality from previous older tracks.

Enough with the damn compilations!.......2005-06-11

First of all I like Vangelis very much. However I have had it with the way that his music is being released. We are consistently given compilation releases (usually of the same tracks that are on other releases). WHAT IS THE POINT????!!
All the more frustrating is that Vangelis has a ton of unreleased music that many fans like myself have been after for years. Sorry the bootlegs on Ebay just don't cut it.
Where's an official release of "Cavafy", "The Bounty", "Francesco", and "Bitter Moon". Where is all the still unreleased music from "1492", "Blade Runner", "Antarctica" and "Chariots of fire", yes he released soundtracks for these films but they were sadly lacking.
Unfortunately we will probably have to wait for Vangelis to demise before we ever get these tracks, if even then.

worth buying, has seven good Vangelis songs.......2005-05-25

Some may complain that this is not a definitive Vangelis CD. Nope, it is far from being that, but it has seven good songs on it that make it worth purchasing for less than $20. Those seven good songs are: Hymne, Alpha, Chariots of Fire, Missing, Pulsar, Petite Fille de la Mer, and L'enfant. Of course, those are just my personal favorites.

Excellent Overview of Vangelis' Best Known Songs.......2004-06-10

It's hard to keep track of the number of compilations of Vangelis. Off the top of my head, I can think of "The Best of", "Greatest Hits", "Themes", "Portraits", and "Reprise". But they never got it right, something was always off, or one period or another of his career was not covered. Now comes "Oddisey: The Definitive Collection". While it may be pushing your luck to proclaim anything as a Vangelis "definitive" compilation", given his prolific output over the years, I am here nevertheless to tell you that this compilation is as good as it will get.

"Oddisey: The Definitive Collection" (18 tracks, 78 min.) in my opinion truly does compile all of Vangelis' best know tracks and greatest hits. Most of the tracks on here will sound immediately familiar, many because they are movie themes (Chariots of Fire being the most famous of course, but also The Missing, Blade Runner, thankfully containing both the beginning and end titles, Mutiny on the Bounty, and others), and other that became well known in commercials (Hymne, L'Enfant, among others). There can be no denying the creativity and talents of Vangelis. There are 2 bonus tracks, "I'll Find My Way Home" and "State of Independence", the 2 best known tracks of Jon & Vangelis, a nice touch to the album.

I share my frustration with other reviewers here that there is tons of great Vangelis music out there that remains unreleased. To be sure, Vangelis deserves a box-treatment of rare and unreleased tracks. But if you are looking for a single-disk overview of his best known songs, look no further: "Oddisey" is it. Released in Fall, 2003, it is a nice way to commemorate Vangelis turning 60 (say it ain't so!).

Hip-O Records trying to make money from us.......2004-04-20

Hos this company dares to call this compilation definitive collection??? Bring something new and then I'll consider your work. Shame of you!!!

The Rocky Horror Show (2000 Broadway Revival Cast)

Average customer rating:

One of my favorite cast recordings
Thougt You Were The Candyman Didn't ya freggy!
The Rockiest Recording to Date
Good recording, bad show.
Oh Daphne!

The Rocky Horror Show (2000 Broadway Revival Cast)
Alice Ripley , Tom Hewitt , Raul Esparza , Sebastian Lacause , Jarrod Emick , Lea Delaria , Daphne Rubin-Vega , and Richard O'Brien
Manufacturer: RCA Victor Broadway
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Rocky Horror Show (Original 1973 London Cast - Rhino)
The Rocky Horror Show: Original Roxy Cast (1974 Los Angeles Cast)
The Rocky Horror Show (1995 Studio Cast)
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Widescreen Edition)
The Drowsy Chaperone (2006 Original Broadway Cast)

ASIN: B00005B605
Release Date: 2001-05-15

Tracks:

Overture
Science Fiction Double Feature
Damn It, Janet
Over At The Frankenstein Place
Time Warp
Sweet Transvestite
The Sword Of Damocles
I Can Make You A Man
Hot Patootie
I Can Make You A Man (reprise)
Touch-A-Touch-A-Touch Me
Once In A While
Eddie's Teddy
Planet Schmanet-Wise Up Janet Weiss
Floor Show/Rose Tint My World
I'm Going Home
Spaceship
Super Heroes
Science Fiction Double Feature (reprise)
Time Warp (reprise)

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

The movie version of The Rocky Horror Show has turned into such an enduring cult success that it has pretty much obliterated the fact that it all started with a stage show. And now Richard O'Brien's musical is back on stage, where some say it truly belongs (it was nominated for the category Best Revival of a Musical in the 2001 Tony Awards). With a great cast that includes Dick Cavett, Alice Ripley (Janet), Tom Hewitt (Frank 'N' Furter), and Daphne Rubin-Vega (Magenta), the revival fires on all cylinders. Note that while Joan Jett was in the cast as Columbia, she's not on the CD (Kristen Lee Kelly is). But Lea DeLaria, last seen stealing the show in On the Town, more than compensates by playing both Eddie (Meat Loaf in the movie!) and Dr. Scott--and doing great by both. As a bonus, the song "Once in a While" is back after being cut from the movie. Bursting with energy, this recording brings the rock back in Rocky. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

One of my favorite cast recordings.......2007-01-17

This was the first Rocky Horror album I've ever listened to besides the movie soundtrack. Despite the lack of Joan Jett as Columbia and the 2nd Usherette, this album is sweet. Daphne-Rubin Vega is perfect as Magenta. And Tom Hewlett 's interpretation as Frank N. Furter is just in sync with the character. But he's still no Tim Curry. And the rest of the cast is sublime. And with Dick Cavett as the Criminologist and famed lesbian comedienne Lea DeLaria as both Eddie and Dr. Scott is just excellent.

Thougt You Were The Candyman Didn't ya freggy!.......2006-06-22

I thought that this was gonna be just another edition of the Rocky Horror Show.But boy was I wrong.I loved it they really modernized and gave it more of a Rock flavor than in the original play which was more pop.I just loved how they had the Overture and Space shipa partof the cd.They really recreated great for broadway.When i heard that broadway was doing Then Rocky Horror Show I didn't know what to think.Because Rocky Horror had been an off-broadway show for many years.The thought of it being onBroadway was just amazing Because people back in the 70's and 80's always thought that The Rocky Horror Show was much too trashy to be put on Broadway.Because you always think about broadway plays as being classy and eligent.They didn't want a play about Sex and Horror and Gay Transvestites.But this was just a head turner.I loved it.It's definitely 5 stars.The cd quality was great.It was so professionally done and it was great.I think any RHS Fan will love it.This was no candyman!

The Rockiest Recording to Date.......2006-06-07

This 2000 Broadway revival of the cult classic THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW boasts a completely re-vamped orchestration of Richard O'Brien's score. This is certainly the most rock-fused version of these songs to date, and right from the "Overture" the listener can assume this. Many may not be able to accept this harder, bolder score and I myself am a bit skeptical, considering the more piano-driven and sci-fi sounding orchestrations of the film soundtrack or Roxy cast recording. However, it is so interesting to hear these songs done like this that I cannot help but enjoy it. The performances are half-and-half. Daphne Rubin-Vega belts out the opening number in that great gravelly voice she has, and Raul Esparzza sends chills down my spine every time I hear his two great solo moments ("The darkness must flow down the river...." and "Frank 'N' Furter, it's all over..."). Sebastian LaCause is amazing as Rocky, as thankless a part that is. Eddie and Dr. Scott being portrayed by a woman (Lea DeLaria) is one of the strangest casting decisions ever and is too distracting to be able to even listen to her (his? I don't know!!!) songs: "Hot Patootie" and "Eddie's Teddy." Tom Hewitt does his best as Frank 'N' Furter, but the character was so well defined by Tim Curry in the film (one of the most underrated performances ever) that one can't help but ignore him. I'd say that this recording is something every ROCKY HORROR fan should listen to; it just all depends on whether you like the new or original orchestrations.

Good recording, bad show........2006-03-10

Rocky Horror is an American institution. It's indelible, unforgettable, and entirely unique. But without the audience participation, the show is revealed - it's simply not very good. It's a passable (if dated) parody of '50s B-movies with a transvestite main character and some halfway decent songs. The show lives with and dies without an audience. The lyrics, the characters - nothing is half as fun without the audience throwing and shouting and bantering right along.

That said, this is a VERY good recording of what's there. Tom Hewitt does as good a job as anyone trying to fill Tim Curry's sequined heels, and brings some nice twists to the table instead of going the Curry-imitation route. Raul Esparza as Riff-Raff is electric - his rendition of "Time Warp" is unlike anything else you're likely to hear on a cast recording. He blasts it right into outer space, screaming like the world's going to end. Daphne Rubin-Vega is plenty of fun as Columbia, giving a nicely sinuous and raw-edged sexiness to the role. The orchestra gives their all to the new arrangements, and they sound crystal clear.

It's definitely the best recording of the show available, even sans Tim Curry.

Oh Daphne!.......2005-12-29

Most of the reviews have it right here - this production wasn't really Rocky at it's best. That being said, I must say that Daphne Ruben-Vega as magenta is probably one of the most interesting, refreshing, and note worthy things about this recording. Very cool in that regard.

That's All...

Average customer rating:

Stephen Foster
Terrific choral renditions
Make the exquisite into the mundane
Great Drinking Music!
One of my favorite CDs

Stephen Foster Song Book

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Swanee: The Music of Stephen Foster
American Dreamer: Songs of Stephen Foster; Thomas Hampson; Jay Unger; Molly Mason
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Songs by Stephen Foster, Vol. 1-2
Battle Cry of Freedom

ASIN: B000003FAZ
Release Date: 1993-05-11

Tracks:

Ring de Banjo
Beautiful Dreamer
Gentle Annie
Way Down in Ca-i-ro
My Old Kentucky Home
Old Black Joe
Dolcy Jones
Thou Art the Queen of My Song
Old Folks At Home
Come Where My Love Lies Dreaming
Oh! Susanna
Gentle Lena Clare
Nelly Bly
Some Folks
Laura Lee
Camptown Races
Traditional:Steal Away
Traditional:Nobody Knows (duh Trouble I See)
Traditional:I Want to Die Easy
Traditional:Dere's No Hidin' Place

Customer Reviews:

Stephen Foster.......2007-05-13

I saw a program on OPB about him so I got this. But, I didn't like it and don't listen to it. It is now under my bed collecting dust.

Terrific choral renditions.......2006-01-27

I own this CD and am especially fond of it for the solos by Thomas Pyle and Clayton Krehbiel, particularly the latter's singing of "I Want to Die Easy." All other soloists and choristers are equally superb, but those two gentlemen, sadly since deceased, were personal acquaintances and musical influences. If you don't have a taste for great choral arrangements, then pass, but you'll be missing out on something special. Enjoy it, you who adore the finest.

Make the exquisite into the mundane.......2004-07-21

Oh, puleeze, this is the sappiest rendition of these gorgeous songs ever recorded, right up there with sing-a-long with Mitch Miller.

I always hate when songs that are meant to be sung intimately as solos or duets are done by 7,000 harmonized voices.

I recommend this recording only to be listened to in a nice comfortable elevator

Great Drinking Music!.......2002-07-20

This CD Kicks ...! BR>The trombone riff in "Camptown Races" is incredible. The screaming axe in "Oh! Susanna" is mind-blowing. The fantastic jamming on this CD reminds me of HMTT. This CD is one monster hit after another. "Steal Away To Jesus", is a real kicker, although not quite as good as "Will You F'n Give Me Jesus".......

Just sit back, pop a cold one, maybe a whiskey shooter , pop this
baby on the victrolla and enjoy.......

Here's to ya Hawks...........

One of my favorite CDs.......2000-08-09

This is one of the best recordings of historic American music that I have heard, along with Joel Cohen's "Liberty Tree." The arrangements and interpretations of the songs are very beautiful. Some of the banjos are cheesy, but it is much much better than every other Foster recordings that I have heard. If you are in the mood to hear great music of Antebellum America, than I highly recommend this CD to you. You won't regret it!

Average customer rating:

What!? How is this possible?
Beauty and grace, charm and wit - Maury's got it all
A perfect marriage of music and lyrics
The Maury Yeston Songbook
One of the best broadway/composer compilations ever made!

The Maury Yeston Songbook
Maury Yeston , Christine Andreas , Brent Barrett , Betty Buckley , Liz Callaway , Alice Ripley , Sutton Foster , Brian d'Arcy James , and Philip Chaffin
Manufacturer: P.S. Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Drowsy Chaperone (2006 Original Broadway Cast)
Jule Styne in Hollywood
December Songs
Grey Gardens - A New Musical (2006 Original Broadway Cast)

ASIN: B00008H2LJ
Release Date: 2003-04-08

Tracks:

Please Let's Not Even Say Hello - Alice Ripley
Only with You - Brent Barrett
I Want to Go to Hollywood - Sutton Foster
Danglin' - Johnny Rodgers
I Had a Dream About You - Betty Buckley
My True Love - Philip Chaffin
A Call from the Vatican - Alice Ripley
Now and Then - Laura Benanti
You're There Too - Christopher Fitzgerald
Is Someone Out There? - Eden Espinosa
New Words - Brent Barrett
My Grandmother's Love Letters - Christine Ebersole
By the River - Christine Andreas
I Am Longing - Philip Chaffin
Home - Laura Benanti & Robert Cuccioli
Another Day in the Modern World - Michael Holland
Simple - Liz Callaway
Unusual Way - Brian d'Arcy James
Be On Your Own - Betty Buckley
No Moon - Howard McGillin

Amazon.com

Despite racking up Tony nominations and/or box-office success with Nine, Grand Hotel, and Titanic, Maury Yeston remains a relatively unknown Broadway auteur. And yet, what a fabulous songwriter he is. Listen to "Home," for instance: This excerpt from Phantom (the other adaptation of Phantom of the Opera) has great melodic hooks, along with natural sweep and unrestrained emotion. Like every song on this CD, it also has such dramatic drive that it easily stands on its own outside of its regular narrative frame. This collection of new recordings provides an excellent overview of Yeston's talent, juxtaposing numbers from his three best-known scores (though there's only one from Titanic) with rarities and a generous selection from his 1991 song cycle December Songs. Christine Ebersole, Liz Callaway, and Betty Buckley turn in expectedly strong performances, but watch also for Laura Benanti (the star of the 2003 revival of Nine), Christine Andreas, and Foster Sutton, who completely make the material theirs. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Description

The Tony Award-winning composer/lyricist -- who's given us the smash hit musicals Titanic, Phantom and Grand Hotel, and whose first stage show, Nine, is currently being revived in New York with Antonio Banderas -- is celebrated in song by the best stars o

Customer Reviews:

What!? How is this possible?.......2007-01-20

How could one put together a Maury Yeston Songbook cd without a track from Andrea Marcovicci? He wrote a song cycle for her. Granted there are some great singers here but a grave oversight to not include Ms Marcovicci.

Beauty and grace, charm and wit - Maury's got it all.......2006-11-14

Maury Yeston may be musical theatre's unsung genius to the public at large, but I've heard his praises sung many times. A friend convinced me to buy the original Broadway cast of "Nine", and while there were some fantastic songs and an undeniable melodic gift throughout, it left me lukewarm. The same with "Grand Hotel". And I couldn't stand "Titanic" - too big, too self-important, too reliant on booming low brass and bombastic orchestral swells.

"Phantom" was the only one of his scores that touched something other than distanced admiration in me. It was everything Sir Lloyd Webber's popera travesty could never quite aspire to - epic yet human, beautiful and touching, with songs that showed actual details and emotions. So it was with that in mind that I purchased this, figuring that maybe Maury could prove me wrong, shorn from the restrictions of a book musical format.

And by God, did he prove me right and then some.

Maybe it's the singers. Maybe it's the perfect orchestrations. Maybe it's just the absence of a plot to follow. More than likely, it's all three, but this is one of the most gorgeous, enjoyable, heartbreaking albums I've ever purchased. Yeston has assembled an impressive cast to give voice to his music - such heavy Broadway hitters as Alice Ripley, Brent Barrett, Betty Buckley, Christine Ebersole and Howard McGillin mix with up-and-comers like Eden Espinosa, Sutton Foster, and Brian d'Arcy James. But the most impressive turns are given by people I'd never heard of before - Johnny Rodgers (who?) has a voice spun from gold, and he's absolutely perfect in "Danglin'", a simple and powerful song despite some odd lyric choices by Yeston. Likewise Philip Chaffin in "My True Love" and "I Am Longing", and Michael Holland displays a warm and untrained performance of "Another Day in the Modern World". These three men, who I'd never heard of before, absolutely stole the show. It doesn't hurt that they're given some of the best songs from the album.

Of course, the rest of the ensemble uniformly turns in worthwhile performances. The professionalism of Broadway is gloriously evident here, each singer making their song uniquely theirs. Brent Barrett made me hear "Only With You" as if for the first time. Betty Buckley is surprisingly vulnerable in "I Had A Dream About You". Alice Ripley is her usual bundle of raw emotion in "Please Let's Not Even Say Hello", and turns in a rare comic performance in "Call From The Vatican" to great effect (listen to that surprise high note near the end! Wow, Alice!). Christine Ebersole is heartbroken, elated, vulnerable, and tough all in the course of "Grandmother's Love Letters"' 4 minutes.

There are some weak spots - Eden Espinosa is mostly one-note during her song, and while it's certainly a high note, it's nothing you haven't heard her do better elsewhere. Laura Benanti's "Now and Then" goes by without much notice, which is a shame for this talented actress. And Betty Buckley goes back to her usual high-volume stridence in "Be On Your Own", which despite its chilling music deserves a more nuanced performance than Buckley gives here. But these songs would be standouts on any other album, and it's only the company they keep that prevent them from being excellent.

Oh, and "Unusual Way", possibly Yeston's best-known song, is so beautifully performed here by Brian d'Arcy James and a three-piece band that I nearly cried hearing it. And that's quite a feat for a song that I swore never to listen to again after the seventeenth girl in a day auditioned with it (badly). But the gender swap works perfectly, and d'Arcy James' golden Irish tenor swings through the music effortlessly.

As for the band - there are no missteps here. Each song is given exactly what it needs, from the Romantic-with-a-capital-R string section on "Home", to the jazzy saxophone on "Letter From the Vatican", to "Be On Your Own", which is given a Herrmann-esque string section. Some particular touches stand out - that lovely acoustic guitar on "Danglin'", the simple piano line on "Modern World", and the sublime cello/piano outro in "Unusual Way" really stuck with me after the album stopped playing. And the recording is without fault - crisp, encompassing, personable and expansive as the mood requires. The whole album sounds fantastic.

There is such a wide range of style and substance here that each song would deserve purchasing individually. As a collection? It's bliss. If you're a fan of theater music, appreciate great vocals, or just need something to keep you company on long nights, this is required purchase.

A perfect marriage of music and lyrics.......2006-09-07

I think Yeston must be the most underrated talent in music theatre. And not just music theatre ... for as far as I know, "Danglin'" is not from a show - a jewel of a song ... and a disarmingly honest rendition from Johnny Rogers (what a beautiful voice! Why hasn't he made more CD's?) Some other favourites are "New Words" (not enough parent-child love songs out there ... and I can't imagine it could be sung any better than this), "You're there too" (with a charming and unexpected twist), "Simple" (Callaway is superb), "Only With You" (loveable rogue!) ... to name but a few. Inspired music theatre writing. A must for any musical buff, composer or singer seeking repertoire that will help them stand out from the crowd.

The Maury Yeston Songbook.......2006-08-30

A good album sung by good singers. I have been an admirer of Maury Yeston for a number of years . I am a great fan of "Nine"
which I consider his best work.(If possible try to listen to the
Australian Cast Recording with John Diedrich) I enjoy listening to artists like Alice Ripley, Brent Barrett, Sutton Foster,and my very favourite singer Liz Callaway. All in all a great CD to just sit back ,relax and enjoy Les Breen

One of the best broadway/composer compilations ever made!.......2006-06-29

There are so many brilliant performances on this CD that I don't even know where to begin. From start to finish, this CD sweeps you away on a rollercoaster of emotions. Now, this CD isn't perfect by any means; a few of the artists are performing songs that aren't really suited to their abilities, but the heart is there and that's really all that matters in the end.

If you love Broadway, if you love GOOD music in general, and you want to be moved by songs rather than merely entertained, you must get this CD.

Music:

Music

Music

1. There Goes Sundown
2. Here in This Town
3. Wouldn't That Be Something?
4. For Such a Time as This
5. Urgency (Of the Generally Insignificant)
6. Growing
7. Long Way Home
8. Perception
9. What Are You Still Doin' Here
10. Come Home