Too Close

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This short collection of crude-sounding live tracks is worth listening to simply because it's by the fabulous Staple Singers. Most of the tracks are from the '60s, and they do bristle with Pops's unearthly guitar, Mavis's impeccably strong voice, and the distinctive backing harmonies of the Staples clan. Surprisingly, none of the new noise-reduction techniques appear to have been used on these hissy live takes, two of which can be found in superior form on the essential collection Uncloudy Day. Completists will want to hear the charged concert versions of "The Last Time," "Sit Down Servant," and "Respect Yourself"; more casual admirers are advised to skip over this substandard offering by one of gospel music's greatest groups. --Mike McGonigal --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

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!

Average customer rating:

Heart Inspiring
Too Close to the Mirror
Too Close to the Mirror
So Many Times
"Too Close To The Mirror"

Too Close to the Mirror
Eddie Ruth Bradford
Manufacturer: Juana
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00008DKD6
Release Date: 2003-03-11

Tracks:

Too Close to the Mirror
Trouble of the World
Thank You Lord
I've Got a Feeling (Everything's Gonna Be Alright)
So Many Times
We've Come a Long Way
It Will Be Glory
Come and Go to That Land
Because He Lives
Battle Hymn of the Republic

Customer Reviews:

Heart Inspiring.......2007-05-07

I loved listening to her (Eddie Ruth) voice and the music is heart inspiring and peaceful. It will take you another state and helps to calm those fears we have as we too get "Too Close to the Mirror".

Too Close to the Mirror.......2004-10-10

This CD is great. I have played this cd over and over once I received it. This song is a blessing to all. I found out that others have been searching for this cd also and I have recommend them where it can be located. I wish that I can locate the video to watch also.
Thank you and God bless

Too Close to the Mirror.......2004-09-22

The title song is awesome. If you are an old school gospel music lover than you will love the entire CD. The Holy Spirit ministered to my spirit through these songs like only it can. I am so blessed to be in receipt of this CD. I also plan to purchase it for several other "old schoolers'". I speak blessing over it now in Jesus Name!

So Many Times.......2004-09-03

I also heard Too Close to the Mirror on the radio one morning on my way to Church. It captivated me and I've been lifted and inspired ever since. I bought the CD and the more I listen to it, the more I enjoy it. But, my favorite is So Many Times. AND it's the way she sings these songs that motivates me. I now know every word to every song. Both my fiance and I enjoy this CD, and like Lee Williams and the Spiritual Q C's.....she's right on time with this one. I can't wait for her next CD.

"Too Close To The Mirror".......2004-06-01

I heard the song on the radio a little while back, and I was like, "I GOTTA GET THAT SONG." So, I searched and searched to find the album, b/c the stores were all sold out. I finally found the CD and I did not enjoy it at all.

"Too Close To The Mirror" is the best song on that album. I'm not downing Sister Bradford, because God has blessed her with the gift to sing, but I just don't care too much for her style of singing, but I do love the titled song!

God Bless!

Average customer rating:

Good, but get the other edition
Good though not great
A Beautiful Show of Soul
More from the "Fisherman's Blues" sessions!
The title "Too Close to Heaven" says it all

Too Close to Heaven
The Waterboys
Manufacturer: Bmg Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Fisherman's Blues

ASIN: B00005NUV7
Release Date: 2001-10-01

Tracks:

On My Way To Heaven
Higher In Time
The Ladder
Too Close To Heaven
Good Man Gone
Blues For Your Baby
Custer's Blues
A Home In The Meadow
Tenderfootin'
Lonesome Old Wind

Album Description

The unreleased Fisherman's Blues sessions recorded from 1986, 1987, 1991 and 2001. Ten tracks including 'On My Way To Heaven', 'Higher In Time' & 'Good Man Gone'. 2001.

Album Details

"too Close to Heaven" features 10 of the Original 159 Songs that were Recorded During The"Fisherman's Blues" Sessions in 1986-88.

Customer Reviews:

Good, but get the other edition.......2006-03-24

This album was released in the US under the misleading title "Fisherman's Blues Part 2" with a bonus disc which includes a superb slow-burning live version of "Too Close to Heaven". I would recommend that edition rather than this single disc set.

Good though not great.......2002-02-04

As Fisherman's Blues is my favorite album by this band I ordered this album via Amazon and have listened to it a couple times so far. My main criticism with this release is that several songs seemed unfinished, tentative and not as cohesive as FB. Granted, the bar is set high but so is this bands ability.

Fav albums by this band are, in order: Fisherman's Blues, The Waterboys, The Best of The waterboys 1981-90, This Is The Sea, The Whole of The Moon: Best of Mike Scott and The Waterboys, and finally Too Close To Heaven.

A Beautiful Show of Soul.......2001-12-05

This is the Waterboys at their best - free and creative, full of life and energy, Fisherman's Blues was only a hint. In a word, I'd call this release no less than breathtaking. The fiddle is piercing and beautiful, playing in time with the soul, and I have never heard a more heartfelt sax in my life. As always, Mike Scott rips the vocals from the bottom of his open soul. Mike seems to have let the music have its full life, a life of its own, born from him but free to run wild. All the energy and moments of that precious period in the Waterboys history are in evidence, shouting out "Thank you God for life, love and music!!!"

More from the "Fisherman's Blues" sessions!.......2001-10-20

This is what fans of the "Fisherman's Blues" album have been waiting for: more tracks from those sessions. We get a dozen unreleased tracks recorded with the same band that made the 1988 classic (with one exception, a track recorded in 1991 that Scott wrote at the time of "Fisherman's Blues." A great document. The only thing that keeps me from rating this 5 stars is that Scott seems to have picked tracks that sound less Irish than the songs on the original. Not that this is necessarily a bad thing, but it does mean less trad-style fiddle from Steve Wickham.

The title "Too Close to Heaven" says it all.......2001-10-17

For a period of time Mike Scott and the Waterboys (this particular incarnation) were exactly as the tile says, Too Close to Heaven. The chemistry generated shines through on these tracks just as they do on Fisherman's Blues. If you liked (loved) Fisherman's Blues you'll do the same with this CD. If you liked their earlier music, try A Rock In the Weary Land, their latest, also highly recommended.
These outtakes of the Fisherman's Blues sessions are like the second disk that should have been released with Fisherman's Blues. The liner notes contain information on what was going on at that time and why it's taken so long for this to be released. All I can say is, how much longer until we see more material from these sessions.

Average customer rating:

Webber: The Greatest Hits

Manufacturer: Compendia
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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

General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Broadway & Vocalists | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

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4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00000J83O
Release Date: 1999-06-08

Tracks:

Phantom Of The Opera: The Phantom Of The Opera
Phantom Of The Opera: All I Ask Of You
Phantom Of The Opera: The Music Of The Night
Phantom Of The Opera: Masquerade
Evita: Don't Cry For Me, Argentina
Evita: High Flying, Adored
Evita: Another Suitcase In Another Hall
Evita: On This NIght Of A Thousand Stars
Evita: Buenos Aires
Evita: Oh What A Circus
Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Any Dream Will Do
Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Close Every Door
Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Go, Go, Go, Joseph
Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Song Of The King
Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Benjamin Calypso
Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: One More Angel In Heaven

Tracks:

Cats: The Rum Tum Tugger
Cats: Mr. Mistoffelees
Cats: Memory
Cats: Mungojerrie & Rumpelteazer
Cats: Macavity: The Mystery Cat
Cats: Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat
Starlight Express: Pumping Iron
Starlight Express: Rolling Stock
Starlight Express: Starlight Express
Starlight Express: Next Time You Fall In Love
Starlight Express: Uncoupled
Starlight Express: Make Up My Heart
Starlight Express: One Rock n' Roll Too Many
Jesus Christ Superstar: Everything's All Right
Jesus Christ Superstar: I Don't Know How To Love Him
Jesus Christ Superstar: King Herod's Song
Jesus Christ Superstar: Jesus Christ Superstar
Jesus Christ Superstar: Heaven On Their Minds
Jesus Christ Superstar: Hosanna

Average customer rating:

Scottish pop at its Best
A fantastic record!
don't ignore this band
Good News, Bad News
Bad Artwork, Bad Sound Quality, GREAT Album!

Too Close to See Far
Cosmic Rough Riders
Manufacturer: 429 Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Stars Look Different from Down Here
Is There Something on Your Mind?
Star City Baby
Tim O'Reagan
Twelve Stops and Home

ASIN: B00024G96S
Release Date: 2004-06-01

Tracks:

Justify the Rain
For a Smile
Because You
There's Nothing Wrong
Life in Wartime
Sunrise
Tomorrow May Never Come
She's Never Around
Kill the Time
Blind
The Need to Fly
Now That You Know
Stupid You
Smile

Customer Reviews:

Scottish pop at its Best.......2007-04-03

Much less produced and younger sounding than "Stars". "For A Smile" is beautiful and melodic while "Blind" is a harmony driven power pop gem. This is a very breezy, easy record.

A fantastic record!.......2006-07-27

I liked "Enjoy The Melodic Sushine", and was bummed when I heard the band would go on without their singer and primary songwriter. It turns out, this band is miles beyond what they were with Daniel Wiley. Now the songs are no longer frivilous over-produced faux hippy pop, which was entertaining, but not something I ever took seriously. These songs feature vocals that are a step up from Wiley and songs that are stronger in almost every way. This is no longer a "just for fun" band, this is now a fantastic band with classic songs. If you really want to have your mind blown, check out the album that came out after this ("The Stars Look Different From Down Here"), which features a slightly darker feel and 11 of the 12 tracks are unbeleiveable. It is already one of my favourite records of the last 10 years.

don't ignore this band.......2006-07-08

CRR is a marvelous band that gets lost in the shuffle of the garbage that passes for music these days. Lots of splendid harmonies and good songs. I don't know why others are down on this CD; it seems just as good to me as the others although my favorite CRR CD is Enjoy the Melodic Sunshine.
I would listen to Too Close to See Far all day before I'd even think of turning on the radio to listen to the junk music it spews.
It's a shame in a way that this CD is so cheap since it demeans the effort the band put into it. Who cares about the cover art; it's the music that counts. The sound quality sounds good to me since I play it on a real stereo and CD player. Maybe playing super compressed mp3 copies of the CD is what makes the sound quality bad for one of the reviewers.
You should buy it if you like cool harmonies, lots of poppy guitar jangle, and sing-along tunes.
Oh yeah - a pox on all the Boy Bands who steal the airwaves and your money from great groups like Cosmic Rough Riders.

Good News, Bad News.......2005-07-24

I didn't know the lead singer had left when I first heard this album and was initially disappointed. The great vocal melodies of Enjoy the Melodic Sunshine made that an outstanding and unique album and this just ain't the same. The lyrics are a lot less hippy dippy, the guitars are more electric instead of the old acoustic emphasis and the overall sound is a lot like Teenage Fanclub. In fact, I'd recommend this album very highly to anyone into Fanclub because its probably better than anything they've done since Grand Prix. You can get this album very cheaply, there's no reason not to give it a listen.

Bad Artwork, Bad Sound Quality, GREAT Album!.......2004-10-18

"Too Close To See Far" is a great album. Don't be fooled by the terrible cover art (the worst I've ever seen in my life; what were they thinking?) or the less-than-incredible sound quality of the recording, this is a really, REALLY good effort. I haven't heard the band's other albums, so I can't compare it to anything they've done in the past. It's a good purchase if you're into melodic "jangly" rock 'n roll.

Average customer rating:

a voice teacher and early music fan
Dan Schutte's Here I Am, Lord
Dan Schutte's Here I Am, Lord
God is an Englishman

English Hymn 1

Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

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Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Jerusalem the Golden
English Hymn 3
Lead, Kindly Light: Hymns of Faith and Assurance
All Things Bright and Beautiful
A Vaughan Williams Hymnal

ASIN: B000038I68
Release Date: 1999-12-14

Tracks:

Christ Triumpant, Ever Reigning (Guiting Power)
How Shall I Sing That Majesty [Coe Fen]
Like a Mighty River Flowing (Old Yeavering)
Father, Hear the Prayer We Offer (Cypress Court)
I Vow to Thee, My Country (Thaxted)
We Sing the Praise of Him Who Died (Bow Brickhill)
I, Lord of Sea and Sky (Here I Am, Lord)
All My Hope on God If Founded (Michael)
Give Me the Wings of Faith (San Rocco)
Lord Jesus Christ (Living Lord)
For All the Saints (Sine Nomine)
My Song Is Love Unknown (Love Unknown)
Praise the Lord of Heaven (Vicars' Close)
Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken (Abbot's Leigh)
Come Down, O Love Divine (Down Ampney)
Hark What a Sound, and Too Divine for Hearing (Highwood)
King of Glory, King of Peace (Redland)
Holy Spirti, Ever Dwelling [Salisbury]
For the Fruit of His Creation [East Acklam]
Lead, Kindly Light (Alberta)
Lord, for the Years Your Love Has Kept and Guided (Lord of the Years)
Thy Hand, O God, Has Guided (Thorbury)

Customer Reviews:

a voice teacher and early music fan.......2007-02-05

This is a really good representation of 20th century hymn tunes sung by a typical British Choir made up of boy sopranos, male altos and the usual number of tenors and basses. The choir sings very well using good diction and appropriate interpretation. The arrangements are varied, different groups of voices singing parts of a hymn usually alternating and eventually the full choir joins in; nothing unusual in the arrangements themselves. There is a nice variety of hymns, some more interesting than others. I will comment on a few of them as follows:
The opening hymn:'Christ, triumphant, ever reigning' is a good opener in that it is quick and begins with the boy sopranos and immediately gets your attention. John Barnard's majestic 'Guiting Power' tune sweeps the words up in a wide-ranging,flowing melody that creates from them a fine hymn.
'I, the Lord of sea and sky(Here I am, Lord) is a truly striking hymn! The words of this song begin with a proclamation in the verses; this is answered in the refrain by the singer's commitment to service. This is reflected in the tune. The melody for the verses has a vigorous movement to proclaim the work of God in creation, His continuing love for that creation,and His call for service. Both the words and music are by the American Jesuit musician Daniel L. Schutte, who has served both on college campuses and in parish ministry.
'All My Hope On God Is Founded' the tune of which is written by Herbert Howells and is called 'Michael'in memory of his son who died in childhood. It is a lovely melody and the words suit it very well.
The composer Ralph Vaughan Williams was the music editor of the 'English Hymnal'. The most widely used of his own tunes was the 'Monk's Gate' which he created from a folk tune. It is subtly contrived, as the rhythm of the alleluias shows. 'Sine nomine' simply means without a name.The resulting hymn is 'For All the Saints'.

The Wells Cathedral Choir under the direction of Malcolm Archer accompanied by Rupert Gough on the organ have produced an excellent disc.

Dan Schutte's Here I Am, Lord.......2001-01-08

I bought this collection because I saw the song, Here I Am, Lord written by Daniel Schutte. I grew up singing this song and many other pieces from the St. Louis Jesuits and this continues to be one that has deep meaning for me. In addition, the other pieces in this collection are very enjoyable to listen to, not only for worship but for time of reflection.

Dan Schutte's Here I Am, Lord.......2001-01-08

God is an Englishman.......2000-06-05

After the Anglican Communion, particularly the American branch, has completed its transformation from a church to a political-social club, at least it will be remembered for two things: the beautiful and influential language of its Book of Common Prayer (1662) and its wonderful music. The English Hymn, volume 1, is a promising start to another English music series by Hyperion. This series complements Hyperion's English Anthems series, its Psalms at St. Paul's (many volumes of Anglican chant), and its two-CD collection of "Mags and Nuncs" (My Soul Doth Magnify the Lord and My Spirit Hath Rejoiced). Volume 1, "Christ Triumphant," features hymns written in the 20th century. The styles of the hymns range from confident, pre-Great War, "God is an Englishman" roof-raisers to insipid, happy-clappy jingles, which inadvertently, I assume, parallel the decline of the church. The Wells Cathedral Choir sings with gusto and, typical of Hyperion, the sound quality is excellent. My only disappointment came when the CD ended - is this all there is to the 20th century? I hope Hyperion plans to include more than one volume on the 20th century in this series. If you enjoy this type of music, you will be satisfied with this CD. If you have CDs from the other series listed above, the English Hymn, vol. 1, and a programmable, carousel-CD player, now you can click your heels and transport yourself to Evensong at King's College, Cambridge, or St. Paul's, London!

Average customer rating:

Nice intro to Mr. Bradford.

Too Close
Prof. Alex Bradford
Manufacturer: Specialty
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Rainbow in the Sky
Shakin' the Rafters
The Best of the Caravans
Precious Lord: The Great Gospel Songs of Thomas A. Dorsey
The Best of the Davis Sisters

ASIN: B000000QNG
Release Date: 1993-07-01

Tracks:

Too Close To Heaven
Lord, Lord, Lord
He Lifted Me
I Don't Care What The World May Do
He Leads Me Safely Through
God Is All
Just The Name Of Jesus
Right Now
Don't Let Satan Turn You 'Round
Life's Candlelight
He'll Wash You Whiter Than Snow
Oh Lord, Save Me
Holy Ghost
Crossing Over Jordan
If Mother Knew
I Dare You
I Can't Tarry
Without A God
Safe In Jesus' Arms
The Meeting Ground
What Did John Do
There's Only One Way (To Get To Heaven)
What Folks Say About Me
The Truth Will Set You Free
God Searched The World
The Lifeboat
The Man Is Wonderful
Move Upstairs
This May Be The Last Time

Amazon.com

Bradford was not just a powerful singer who could go from croon to shout without hesitation but also one of the best songwriters of the Golden Age of Gospel. This album, which contains 29 recordings (including seven unreleased takes) from 1953 to 1958, showcases both sides of his talent. Bradford often came up with vivid images like "Life's Candlelight" or "The Lifeboat" for his spiritual messages and then proclaimed his tidings in a bluesy voice set against the tightly arranged harmonies of his backing group. --Geoffrey Himes

Customer Reviews:

Nice intro to Mr. Bradford........2004-06-01

Alex Bradford is my favorite Gospel male vocalist (Mahalia Jackson is my favorite Gospel female vocalist). There's just something about this man that's different from all the others in Gospel. I purchased this CD a few years ago, and I still enjoy listening to it. Some of my favorites include "What Folks Say About Me," "This May Be The Last Time," "Lord, Lord, Lord," and the titled track, "Too Close."

Tracks:

Too Close(Radio Edit)
Too Close(Phatboy Club Mix)
Butta Love(You Got The Love Remix)(Dirty Version)
Too Close(London Connection 2 Step Dub)

Album Description

Single for chart-topping hit by Minneapolis-based R&B triocomparable to Barry White & late-period Marvin Gaye. 'TooClose' is taken from their 1997 & top 50 debut album, 'RatedNext', which Kay Gee of Naughty By Nature produced. Containsthree mixes of 'Too

Customer Reviews:

Review of Too Close.......2000-06-30

This song is one of my all time favorites. It has a lot of different tunes in one. It is a fun song to listen to at any time and it is extremely danceable.

This is the best song ever........1999-04-28

These guys look fine and they can sing real good too.I just love all of there songs expecially Too Close, cause that song is the truth.

Average customer rating:

Incredible ... She can really rock

Too Close to the Sun
Jill Jack
Manufacturer: Drumdancer
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Watch Over Me
Moon and the Morning After

ASIN: B00000HF5U
Release Date: 2000-02-09

Tracks:

Travels On
Do You Believe It
Does You No Good to Be Good
It Makes Me Wonder
Captain Tony
Time to Fly
Not Look Back Again
Freedom
Too Close to the Sun
Seed
Who Knows Where the Time Goes?
Lady Lucy

Customer Reviews:

Incredible ... She can really rock.......1999-06-03

This artist is absolutely incredible, being a Detroiter, I am able to see her live and I must say that she can really put on a great show. She has the voice and the image to really succeed. I just hope more people listen, and she really takes off.

The Essential Songs of Andrew Lloyd Webber

Average customer rating:

Okay, but kind of disappointing
Not quite what I expected...
Some great performances, some not so great...
Disappointed
Musical Talent at Its Best

The Essential Songs of Andrew Lloyd Webber

Manufacturer: Metro Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

The Very Best Of Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Broadway Collection
Gold: The Definitive Hits Collection
Swings Cole Porter
Reflections From Broadway
The Best of Simon & Garfunkel

ASIN: B00005Y47E
Release Date: 2002-02-22

Tracks:

Any Dream Will Do
Close Every Door
Heaven On Their Minds
Everything's Alright
Gethsemane
I Don't Know How To Love Him
Jesus Christ Superstar
Could We Start Again Please?
Don't Cry For Me Argentina
Another Suitcase In Another Hall
Buenos Aires
Rainbow High
High Flying Adored
Memory
Jellicle Cats
Mister Mistofeles
Unexpected Song
Last Man In My Life
Rolling Stock
U-N-C-O-U-P-L-E-D

Tracks:

Only You
Starlight Express
There's Me
Pie Jesu
Angel Of Music
Masquerade
Wishing Somehow You Were Here Again
All I Ask Of You
The Phantom Of The Opera
Music Of The Night
Love Changes Everything
The First Man You Remember
Seeing Is Believing
As If We Never Said Goodbye
Sunset Boulevard
With One Look
Too Much In Love To Care
Half A Moment
Whistle Down The Wind
Our Kind Of Love

Album Description

Full title, 'Essential Songs Of Andrew Lloyd Webber'. UK budget-price compilation. 40 superlative performances featuring songs from every one of Andrew Lloyd Webber's hit musicals. Guest artists include John Barrymore, Issy Van Randwyck, Dave Willetts, Maria Friedman, Kim Criswell, Graham Bickley and the National Symphony Orchestra. Housed in a slipcase. 2002.

Customer Reviews:

Okay, but kind of disappointing.......2006-04-17

This isn't a bad recording, but the tracks are not the actual performances off of any cast recording of any of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musicals. The reditions of the songs on the disc are of varying quality. Some are pretty good. Some are borderline awful.
It is a good collection for inexpensively getting a lot of Andrew Lloyd Webber's most popular songs in one place and having them there to be able to listen to get the idea of what a certain song sounds like and is about. It isn't the collection of definitive recordings for certain roles. In fact in a couple examples, I wonder if the performer fully understood the context of the song he or she was singing &/or what it was about. Overall, the album is good, for the most part, if not excellent.

However, the liner notes for "The Essential Songs of Andrew Lloyd Webber" is another matter. I don't mean to be unkind, but the author of the comments on the different tracks (one Rexton S. Bunnett) is blatantly WRONG in multiple instances. I don't mean just in nit-picky details, but in major plot details/context of songs, like the fact that Bunnett identifies "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" as being sung by "our heroine" (who he does not even identify by name as Christine Daae) as she thinks about her lover, not as being sung about Christine's dead father. He also says that the Phantom has found his perfect love and "Angel of Music" in Christine... because HE is the Angel of Music who Christine believes has been sent to her by her dead father, and because although the Phantom is obsessed with Christine, that relationship is far from "loving" (even if Christine shows him compassion. I feel like these (and a couple other mistakes) are major plot points to get wrong. A good amount of the commentary reads as if Bunnett might have written it at the last minute, fudging his way through entries on musicals of which he had little knowledge; like what an essay I might write on a book I never read for my college class but had quickly looked up on Cliff's Notes would sound like. In terms of sheer editing, there are spelling mistakes, run-on sentences and spacing errors ("Any DreamWill Do")in the liner notes. Where was the copy editor?
And the most frightening fact of all, under Bunnett's credentials, it says "Harper Collins has just published his revision and updating of the Collins Book of the Musical."
I am being very critical, but I think that for a widely-released CD it is reasonable to expect the liner notes to be at a professional level, as they were most likely supposed to be.

Not quite what I expected..........2005-04-23

I was looking for a CD of the original performances and this CD doesn't have them. I suppose it was my fault for not looking closer, but the songs just weren't the same. Personally, I was not impressed. If you don't care that they aren't the originals then it is nice to listen to.

Some great performances, some not so great..........2005-04-18

This CD is actually pretty good, considering you get 40 songs for less than $16. Let's evaluate the pros and cons.

Pros:

Two classic songs that are performed excellently are Phantom of the Opera and I Don't Know How to Love Him.

Of course you want to compare Phantom to the classic Michael Crawford/ Sarah Brightman version. Well, guess what? This version is BETTER. The woman has a deeper voice than Brightman, and her singing style is just awesome. The ending of this version (you know, the "Sing, my angel of music, sing for me!") is different, but in a good way... I think.)

And of course, the standard for I Don't Know How to Love Him is Yvonne's version. This version is different, but it grew on me quickly. This version has a country feel to it, almost. Somehow it works and sounds great.

There are a lot of great performances in this collection. My favorites include: Heaven on Their Minds, Everything's Alright, Could We Start Again Please, Another Suitcase in Another Hall, Buenos Aires, Rainbow High, Only You, Starlight Express, Angel of Music, Masquerade, All I Ask of You, Half a Moment, and Whistle Down the Wind. I think they're all great versions of their more famous counterparts.

Cons:

First of all, there are some technical problems that are kind of disappointing. A few of the songs have a very echoey sound. Any Dream Will Do, Another Suitcase in Another Hall, Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again, and There's Me are the songs that come to mind that are the worst in this regard. It isn't really bad, just enough to be slightly annoying, more so when the volume is turned way up on your CD player.

A few songs are worthy of skipping over when listening to this collection. In my opinion, Superstar, Sunset Boulevard, and Gethesmane are the biggest disappointments.

Superstar just doesn't cut it for me. The singer really overdoes it, making it overstylized... really makes you yearn for Murray Head. I can't stand listening to it. Just my opinion.

Sunset Boulevard is one of my very favorite musicals, so I was really hoping that the singer would do justice to its title song. Unfortunately I don't think he did. You can't help but compare it to Alan Campbell's fantastic version. This guy has a very choppy way of singing, when I'm used to it being sung so smoothly. Maybe it would grow on me, but I don't think I'll give it a chance to. However, that last note is much stronger than Alan Campbell's. It doesn't make up for the rest of the song, though.

Finally, Gethsemane. The inevitable fact is that NO ONE can sing this song like Michael Ball. This guy tries, he really does. But he doesn't have the right voice or the right style. So please listen to Michael Ball's performance of Gethsemane if you want to know how breathtaking of a song it can be. It's on the Royal Albert Hall DVD, and I'm sure he's got it on one of his CDs.

Anyway, overall, this is a good CD if you like quantity over quality. Don't buy it for the classics, you'll probably end up disappointed with many of them. Buy it for the lesser known songs. You probably won't like every song, especially if you're a big ALW fan, but for the price, it's worth it.

If you want classic versions of classic ALW songs, you might prefer something like "The Very Best of Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Broadway Collection".

Disappointed.......2005-03-11

The singer(s)does not do justice for the lyrics. It was grating to the ears. Save your money for the originals.

Musical Talent at Its Best.......2003-01-03

What a pleasure to hear a collection of Andrew Lloyd Webber's beautiful music from such wonderful voices accompanied by an outstanding symphony. This sensational CD is a treasure to own.

Music Review:

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