The First Recordings

The First Recordings

ASIN: B000000QIJ

Track Listings

1. Won't You Sometimes Think of Me

2. Why Should I Cry

3. Calling You

4. You Broke Your Own Heart

5. Pan American

6. Mother Is Gone

7. I Watched My Dream World Crumble Like Clay

8. In My Dreams You Still Belong to Me

9. Wealth Won't Save Your Soul

10. I Told a Lie to My Heart

11. Singing Waterfall

12. I'm Going Home

The First Recordings,Sr. Hank Williams,Country Music Found.,Country,Country & Western,Honky Tonk,Pop,Traditional Country

My Fair Lady (1956 Original Broadway Cast)
Average customer rating:

Excellent Sound Track

Great gift!

Good, but not for the Family

fantastic......

"A" for Andrews

My Fair Lady (1956 Original Broadway Cast)
Alan Jay Lerner , Rex Harrison , Julie Andrews , and Frederick Loewe
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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West Side Story (1957 Original Broadway Cast)

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Fiddler on the Roof (1964 Original Broadway Cast)

ASIN: B000067AS1
Release Date: 2002-05-28

Tracks:

Overture
Why Can't The English?
Wouldn't It Be Loverly
With An Ordinary Man
I'm An Ordinary Man
Just you Wait
The Rain In Spain
I Could Have Danced All Night
Ascot Gavotte
On The Street Where You Live
You Did It
Show Me
Get Me To The Church On Time
A Hymn To Him
Without You
I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face
A Post-Recording Conversation (bonus track)
Playback: Alan Jay Lerner & Frederick Loewe (bonus track)

Amazon.com

The 2,700 performances of Lerner and Loewe's musical adaptation of George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion gracefully spanned the Eisenhower and Camelot eras, then begat a wildly popular film version, whose 1965 Best Picture Oscar capped the show's decade of prominence. The crowning achievement of Lerner and Loewe's rich body of work began its recording life on this 1956 cast recording, a collection of performances that long ago became a ubiquitous and indispensable fixture of American musical theater. Indeed, it's hard to imagine anyone else but Julie Andrews and Rex Harrison in the roles of the cockney Eliza Doolittle and her long-suffering mentor, Henry Higgins, delivering definitive versions of the show's embarrassment of riches: "Why Can't the English?," "Wouldn't It Be Loverly," "The Rain in Spain," "I Could Have Danced All Night," and "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face." This new edition offers a digitally burnished take of the already glorious recording, now supplemented with a post-recording conversation track featuring Harrison, Andrews, Lerner, conductor Franz Allers, and original producer Goddard Lieberson, as well as a 1961 audio interview with Lerner and Loewe. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Sound Track.......2007-06-27

I found My Fair Lady full of beautiful arrangements and excellent vocals. Can't get better then the sound of Julie Andrews!!!! Although Julie did not get the movie roll this makes me appreciate the movie even more.

Great gift!.......2007-06-01

Bought this as a gift for a friend.Received it quickly and she was delighted.

Good, but not for the Family.......2007-05-29

I initially really enjoyed the movie my fair lady and wanted a sound track so I could continue to enjoy the music. However, upon recieving the cd, I was especially disappointed with one aspect - the language. I knew Professor Higgins and others had used profanity on the film, and was ok with it. You hear it once and move on. However, I don't want a cd playing around my family that my kids are learning to dance, sing, and act out a song that has rather obvious swear words. After 1 listen I picked out at least three instances of swearing, the worst being I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face (my otherwise favorite song!) The song starts out d--n, d--n, d--n! It's shouted.

fantastic.............2007-05-16

MY FAIR LADY, one of the most well-loved and beautifully made musicals, was a definitive vehicle for the career of (then) twenty year old Julie Andrews, as the "loverly" Cockney flower girl, Eliza Doolittle. Between Andrews' soaring soprano (which is especially poignant to hear, today, considering that she can no longer sing as she once did) and the great supporting cast, lead by Rex Harrison, as Dr. Henry Higgins, the bored professor who takes her under his wing as a special project to mold into a dignified lady, this is a five star show!

The story was actually based on PYGMALION, by the late, great playwright, George Bernard Shaw, inspired by Greek mythology. In the original Greek play, Pygmalion is the sculptor who creates a depiction of a woman, out of ivory, and falls in love with it. He prays to Venus, and then his sculpture is brought to life, as Galatea. In the musical, the gist is similar but the journey and characters veer from this concept considerably. For starters, no one starts out as a piece of stone--especially not Eliza Doolittle. She has definite opinions and a distinctive personality (saucy language and all), that Dr. Doolittle is very keen on shaping up for society. The music is perfectly in synch with the mood of this great play, which is in some ways a true parable about human behavior and the treatment of women in society. Some of the most beautiful music by Lerner and Loewe is featured here. The songs include "Wouldn't It Be Loverly," "I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face," and "Get Me to the Church On Time." This is brilliant. Buy this today! I am not sure how great the sound quality is on audio cassette, in comparison to the original recording on vinyl that I heard, as a little girl. I have a feeling it's pretty spectacular though!

"A" for Andrews.......2007-04-15

For years I had only the movie soundtrack and I was perfectly content with it, it was after all one of the best shows ever to hit the boards and I think Marie Nixon did a wonderful in the role of Liza Doolittle - she matched Hepburns voice closely plus she's a professional singer who soars with good material.

It's amazing listening to Ms. Nixon in The King & I; she is much closer to Deborah Kerr's voice and they sounded more natural between speaking and singing but that was the clinker for me. I realized the distance between Ms. Hepburn and Ms. Nixon in the movie version - so I went back to square one and GOT THE ORIGINAL.

You have to hand it to Goddard Leiberman (head of Columbia years ago and protege of Fanny Brice) for starting the tradition of recording Original Broadway Cast 'albums' at the time they opened.

Finally listening to Julie Andrews sing the most popular songs from one of the best shows ever penned almost made me cry. You can tell she's riding the crest of the wave - she literally soars, defying gravity. Her diction, as always, is perfect but she's perfect as the brash cockney flower girl, a young girl on an adventure and a refinded lady. I will always be grateful to Marnie Nixon for the work she did for the film but once you listen to original Eliza Doolittle you will realize there is only ONE and that ONE is JULIE ANDREWS.

Yes, her leading man is also good. One surprise however was Stanley Holloway - it was a shock to realizae that it was about ten years between the show and the film and he does sound ten years younger. The man is a delight at any age, it's not important, it just adds to the fun.

If you really like the show, and the songs, treat yourself and get the Original Broadway Cast - the cast hit the studio at the peak of their form with a solid hit under their belt and that confidence sets this recording light years ahead of any other recording.

Now if it were in stero that would make it a 5 star review.

Average customer rating:

well, well well
The Robert Johnson of 1968
caught my baby cheatin', now home aint where it used to be
Best Blues CD EVER
Great Acoustic Guitar Playing

First Recordings
R.L. Burnside
Manufacturer: Fat Possum
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Mississippi Hill Country Blues
Burnside on Burnside
Too Bad Jim
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Wish I Was in Heaven Sitting Down

ASIN: B00009IB1I
Release Date: 2003-06-10

Tracks:

Just Like A Bird Without A Feather
Goin' Down South
Come On In
Little Babe
Rollin' And Tumblin'
Jumper On The Line
Skinny Woman
Poor Black Mattie
Long Haired Doney
Peaches
Walkin' Blues
Hobo Blues
My Time Ain't Long
Sat Down On My Bed And Cried

Amazon.com

Today, at age 77, this popular North Mississippi singer-guitarist is a master of dirty juke-joint blues. But Burnside was a farm hand when these late '60s recordings captured him developing his staples "Goin' Down South," "Jumper On the Line," "Poor Black Mattie," and "Long Haired Doney"--and his playing style--in bare-boned acoustic form. Burnside practically cries over the roiling John Lee Hooker-influenced guitar lines of the heartbroken "Like a Bird Without a Feather," which he's never again recorded, winning sympathy until he admits that he murdered his lost lover. In "Skinny Woman," covered recently by the North Mississippi Allstars, he offsets the rippling picking style associated with John Hurt by beating his knuckles against his six-string's body. Burnside's slide on "Walkin' Blues" favors the low strings until his solo stabs into the high register with keening, measured authority, matching the sweet and dusty tones of his voice, which then possessed a youthful flexibility that wrung all sorts of nuances from these 14 songs. --Ted Drozdowski

Album Description

Following up R.L. Burnside's Grammy nominated Burnside on Burnside, this CD goes back to R.L.'s beginning. For the first time on CD, these are the complete George Mitchell recordings from 1968. Digipak. Epitaph/Fat Possum Records. 2003.

Customer Reviews:

well, well well.......2006-01-26

Basically, this album is a must for any blues fan. I bought his recent live album "Burnside on Burnside" and thought that was good, until i heard just how good his early recordings were. His songs capture the feeling of the blues in the same way that Robert Johnson could. His simple single guitar and vocals style is in many ways right at the heart of the blues. And this older recording is incredibly high quality. Great, early blues music by a musician who had incredible staying power.

The Robert Johnson of 1968.......2005-11-16

I 'm not interested in any fusion of hill country blues with hip-hop junk, so when I wanted to buy an R.L. Burnside CD, I went to the beginning. And man, I struck gold! R.L. just spellbinds the listener with his raw emotion and remarkable guitar playing. If you appreciate Robert Johnson's recordings, you're sure to like this as well, even though the music itself is a little different than Johnson's blues. Kind of a cross between Johnson and John Lee Hooker, with the "hypnotic trance" thing going. It's its own thing, actually--hill country blues!

caught my baby cheatin', now home aint where it used to be.......2004-11-30

this cd is the kind of thing that can get you lost on your way home from work. literally. one wrong turn around this place and im out twenty minutes. burnside just sucks you in and there's nothing you can do about it. emotion to rival 'a love supreme'. backhand to the cheek. swagger.

Best Blues CD EVER.......2004-11-28

I can't say enough about this CD, I can't get enough of it and ended up buying all the Burnside I could get my hands on. I don't understand why this guy isn't HUGE. Bird Without a Feather is the best blues song I've ever heard. Deep, raw, hypnotic Mississippi delta solo acoutic blues.

Great Acoustic Guitar Playing.......2004-07-31

If you like R.L.'s guitar playing than this is the album for you. Man R.L. could play when he was that age, this THE best Cd to showcase R.L.'s Guitar playing. His voice isn't as good as it is now, but you won't care about that once you here his guitar. He does good Versons of his later standers like "Skinny women" and "Jumper hangin' on the line". Plus he does a great version of "My Baby" which is titled here "Little Baby". Oh and for all you guitar players. Burside drops his guitar a whole step for this album.

Oh and P.S. R.L. DID record "Bird Without a Feather" again. It is recorded under the title "Lost Without Your Love" on his Mississippi Hill Country Blues album.

With a Song In My Heart (from the 1952 film)/ Pal Joey (with 1952 cast members)

Average customer rating:

with a song in my heart/pal joey sound tracks
With A Song In My Heart CD
A Jane Froman double feature.
"Pal Joey's" Pal
another great twofer from DRG

With a Song In My Heart (from the 1952 film)/ Pal Joey (with 1952 cast members)

Manufacturer: Drg
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Jane Froman: With A Song In My Heart / Yours Alone - Original Recordings 1930-1952
My Heart Speaks
I'll Cry Tomorrow
I'll Cry Tomorrow
Susan Hayward Double Feature: Smash-Up/Tulsa

ASIN: B0000AGWH6
Release Date: 2003-08-26

Tracks:

Opening
It's A Good Day
Tea For Two
Blue Moon
That Old Feeling
Embraceable You
Get Happy
I'll Walk Alone
They're Either Too Young Or Too Old
I'm Thru With Love
An American Medley
WIth A Song In My Heart
Overture
You Mustn't Kick It Around
I Could Write A Book
Chicago
That Terrific Rainbow
What Is A Man?
Happy Hunting Horn
Bewitched
Pal Joey
The Flower Garden Of My Heart
Zip
Plan You Now, Dig You Later
In Our Little Den
Do It The Hard Way
Take Him
Bewitched (Reprise)
Finale

Album Description

First time collection on CD! This Jane Froman package features the 1952 Broadway Revival of "Pal Joey" (where Jane provided the lead vocals for Vivienne Segal) along with the original soundtrack to "With Song in My Heart" - the 1952 film starring Susan Hayward in the life story of Jane Forman (Jane provided vocals for the film). The classic Rodgers & Hart "Pal Joey" album also features a standout performance from a young Elaine Stritch singing her showstopper "Zip." Digitally Remastered.

Customer Reviews:

with a song in my heart/pal joey sound tracks.......2007-03-31

I actually was so pleased to see a CD available because I have been longing for the movie "with a song in my heart" to become available on VHS and then on DVD, and it never has, so now at least I can enjoy the songs from the movie. The cast track from Pal Joey was just an added bonus.

With A Song In My Heart CD.......2007-03-19

I saw the film, "With A Song In My Heart" when I was twelve or thirteen years old and have wanted the sound track for many years. As an impressionable teenager in the 1950s, I have collected over time many of the films from that time on VHS or DVD, to satisfy my memories of the period. I regret that this particular film is not available on VHS or DVD, but, this CD is the next best choice. It is really enjoyable to hear the richness and depth of the voice of Jane Froman, who was one of the best singers of the time. I can still recall many scenes from the film and this CD revives the memories so well.

A Jane Froman double feature........2006-09-16

This DRG CD pairs two recordings starring Jane Froman.

WITH A SONG IN MY HEART

Susan Hayward played Jane Froman in the film but Froman herself dubbed the vocals. This album of songs was originally issued as a 10" Lp. None of the tracks are taken from the film: They are all studio re-recordings. Later, Capitol re-released it as a 12" LP with two extra songs added. It is that expanded [program included here. Froman is in great voice, though the orchestrations are overly lush and string heavy. Still, the songs include such standards as "It's a Good Day", "Get Happy", and "Embraceable You" making for an enjoyable mini-concert.

PAL JOEY

Capitol's cast album of the 1952 revival has long been a collector's item. The original Lp was deleted in 1960 and did not resurface until Broadway Angel released it on CD (briefly) in 1993. As the stars of the revival Harold Lang and Vivienne Segal had already made a studio cast album for Columbia - an album that helped inspire the revival - they were unable to re-record their songs for Capitol, and the label turned to Jane Froman and Dick beavers to fill in. The revised orchestrations sound dated now, but here is a chance to hear Elaine Stritch singing "Zip" and to enjoy the lusty voice of Helen Gallagher early in her career.

In the end it's the WITH A SONG IN MY HEART selections (making their debut on CD here) that make this CD worthwhile. For PAL JOEY the studio recording (available from SONY) is preferable, however if one is so inclined you can assemble your own cast album of the '52 revival by combining tracks from both releases.

"Pal Joey's" Pal.......2006-07-30

While the legubrious and over-orchestrated songs from the film "With a Song in My Heart" are typical of their era (and Jane Froman's stilted renditions are what once stood for emoting) the "Pal Joey" cast recording is an absolute delight. The orchestrations are bouncy and jazzy in a way that has long been forgotten, and the performances (except for the aforementioned Ms. Froman, whose Vulgnarian renditions are at times quite disconcerting, and who hits the sonic notes like lazer beems but misses the emotional ones by a country mile) are exceptional. Helen Gallagher deserved her Tony from the evidence of this recording, with Elaine Stritch not far behind her. But the overall impact surpasses any recording of "Joey" including the historic one that lead to this revival. There's energy, intensity and a whole lot of fantastic song writing (leave it to to Rogers and Hart) to satisfy any musical theater fan. A must have for anyone who loves "Old Broadway."

another great twofer from DRG.......2004-01-21

Jane Froman was one of the top vocalists of her era. Froman's greatness is celebrated in this new 2-on-1 album, which comprises the film soundtrack of WITH A SONG IN MY HEART as well as the 1952 Broadway revival cast album of PAL JOEY.

WITH A SONG IN MY HEART was the life story of Jane Froman, with the lovely Susan Hayward in the lead role. Froman herself supplied the singing for the film. Numbers include "It's a Good Day", the bittersweet and humorous "They're Either Too Young or Too Old", "Blue Moon", "Get Happy", "Tea for Two" and "I'm Thru with Love".

The 1952 Broadway revival of PAL JOEY was the result of the huge success of a studio album released by Columbia the year before (which featured Vivienne Segal reprising her original role of Vera and Harold Lang as Joey). Segal and Lang headlined the new revival with Helen Gallagher (SWEET CHARITY, HAZEL FLAGG) as Gladys Bumps and Elaine Stritch (ON YOUR TOES, GOLDILOCKS) as reporter Melba Snyder.

Having already recorded their roles for the Columbia album, Segal and Lang saw little need in re-recording them for the revival album on the Capitol label. Instead, the roles of Vera and Joey were covered by Jane Froman and Dick Beavers.

The cast album suffers on many levels. First, the absence of Segal and Lang is quite distracting, and secondly the new Overture can't even compare with the scintillanting original.

The Columbia studio album is the version to buy in addition to this, though both albums have their strong and weak points. As per usual, Elaine Stritch brings her impressive and formidable comic timing to the fore in the show-stopping "Zip", and Helen Gallagher's silvery voice is perfect for "That Terrific Rainbow".

Tracks:

Overture - Orchestra
Prelude - Orchestra/Daniel McDonald
Willing To Ride - Karen Ziemba
Everybody Dance - Gregory Harrison/Mary Illes/Rosa Curry/Sarah Solie Shannon/Ronn Carroll/Gregory Mitchell...
Second Chance - Daniel McDonald/Karen Ziemba
A Powerful Thing - Gregory Harrison/Ronn Caroll
Dance With Me/The Last Girl - Gregory Harrison/Mary Illes/Rosa Curry/Sarah Solie Shannon/Daniel McDonald/Ensemble
The Shag - Orchestra
Everybody's Girl - Debra Monk
Two Step - Orchestra
Wet - Karen Ziemba/Daniel McDonald
Harmonica Specialty - John C. Havens
Lovebird - Karen Ziemba/Adam Pelty/Gregory Mitchell/Daniel McDonald/Ensemble
The Sprints - Gregory Harrison/Ronn Carroll/Daniel McDonald/Company
Entr'Acte - Orchestra
Leave The World Behind - Daniel McDonald/Karen Ziemba/Ensemble
Somebody Older - Debra Monk/Jim Newman
Running In Place - Karen Ziemba
Two Little Words - Kristin Chenoweth/Gregory Harrison/Daniel McDonald/Karen Ziemba/Adam Pelty/Company
First You Dream - Daniel McDonald/Karen Ziemba
Steel Pier - Gregory Harrison/Mary Illes/Rosa Curry/Sarah Solie Shannon
Steel Pier (Reprise) - Karen Ziemba/Gregory Harrison/Company
Final Dance - Daniel McDonald/Karen Ziemba/John Kander

Customer Reviews:

Kander and Ebbs' Score Stands Alone.......2007-01-21

The biggest criticism of this Broadway musical was the book. It allegedly meandered, bored the audience and included unfocussed or unnecessary sequences such as the "dream sequence". Well, I never saw the show and can only evaluate this score on its own merits. Based on that alone, it's a complete winner. Memorable songs, great performances, and the score itself tell a clear story that might have been muddled by an overly fussy book (again, that's from heresay...I never saw the show, which flopped in its initial presentation -- unfortunately, because there is much to admire and enjoy in this typically complex Kander and Ebb score).

First of all, top-rate performances abound here. Karen Ziemba makes every one of her songs sail into the stratosphere. She is a true wonder and deserved her Tony nomination against incredible competition (Bebe Neuwirth got it for the much more popular "Chicago", but Ziemba's her equal). Debra Monk once again makes her mark as a Broadway character actress, although her song "Everybody's Girl" is easily the worst song in the show and certainly beneath Kander and Ebbs' standard, but she wins you over with her energetic and well-placed rendition. Daniel MacDonald does a suberb job as the ill-fated hero, exposing innocence and wry commentary in his very presence, but he is equalled by Gregory Harrison's slimy and ultimately ferocious performance as Mick, the emcee.

The score evokes the time (the 1930s) without relying on pastiche to put it over. Of note, Ziemba's intro, "Willing to Ride", the ensemble "Everybody Dance" (which gives Harrison his chance to shine), "Two Little Words" (which provides the auspicious debut of a most impressive Kristen Chenowith and augers the great things yet to come for her), the touching "First you Dream" and, finally, the both ferocious and mournful reprises of the title song display a powerful and underrated score that deserves reevaluation.

If the book got it wrong, the composers and actors got it quite right the first time. This Original Cast Recording will always be proof positive of that undeniable fact. Always "dream".

Great Score, lousy show........2006-07-22

I think it's one of Kander and Ebbs best, better than Chicago and close to Cabaret. Sadly, the book ruined the show, it bored people. Yet, listening to the ravishing music on the CD, it's hard to realize that it all didn't come together. Maybe someday, someone will revise the book and make it work. Till then, enjoy the CD, it's absolutly gorgeous, had great character numbers, spirited dance numbers and dazzling ballads. The performances are wonderful, with Gregory Harrison (who knew Trapper John could sing?) , Daniel MacDonald and Karen Ziemba shining through on every song. The opening and closing theme is haunting.

Kander and Ebb in a Major Key.......2006-02-09

I first heard excerpts from this on Accuradio.com, and thought it sounded great. It is. In the Kander and Ebb canon, Steel Pier may not rank with Chicago, but I enjoy listening to it as much as to Cabaret. It's sweeter and less dark than either of those, but set in the same period (1933) and just as evocative of that period.

First, the performances of the leads are excellent. Karen Ziemba is superb. Daniel McDonald has a wonderful light baritone, and who knew Gregory Harrison (Trapper John, M.D.) could sing, let alone sing well. Debra Monk performs an excellent comic turn. Kristen Chenoweth's Broadway debut number was corny as can be, but did show off her talent and range well.

The music is just wonderful. Willing to Ride is a spirited waltz. Everybody Dance is a near-perfect Charleston opener top the dance marathon that forms the backbone of the plot. Power is a Powerful Thing may be a little weak in the lyrics, but its set to a spirited and charming ragtime melody. Dance with Me and The Last Girl are sung in a medley format. This is almost a shame because both numbers are excellent in their own right. In fact, The Last Girl is as gorgeous a ballad as you can find anywhere.

Wet is a tinkling, sparkling number in which Ms. Ziemba charms, and Mr. McDonald has a teriffic counterpoint melody. Ms. Monk has a showstopper in Everybody's Girl and a torchy number with Somebody Older. The Shag is a dance piece that may be the best number of all. It seems to alternate between twenties hot jazz and the swing that was just starting to be heard around then. There's also a great bluesy harmonica specialty number, whose only flaw is that it's too short. All in all, the score is a gem, especially compared to most of what we've heard in the last twenty years or so.

This is one of those recordings that makes you wonder why the show was a flop. I went back and read the reviews. Basically they didn't like the plot and felt the production strained too hard to be likeable, but lacked energy at the same time. The show also suffered from comparison to the stunning revival of Chicago that opened in the same season. The critics even managed to be lukewarm on the score. The show closed shortly after being nominated for eleven Tony's and winning none - that was the year Titanic swept the boards. With all that, I'd still say the score is marvelous when heard on its own merits. And I'd go to see a revival if someone would do it. Buy it. I recommend it without reservation.

Weak Plot ... Nice Score.......2005-08-06

The overall plot for Kander & Ebb's 1997 "Steel Pier" is fairly weak, but the score is actually quite good and sung by a terrific cast (Karen Ziemba, Daniel McDonald, Debra Monk, Gregory Harrison, and Kristin Chenowith). Not in the same league as their brilliant "Chicago", "Cabaret" or "Kiss Of The Spider Woman", but a worthy effort with several nice tunes.

Best tracks:

Willing To Ride
Second Chance
Running In Place
First You Dream

Unfortunately, "Steel Pier" was overshadowed by that season's remarkable revival of "Chicago" and dreadful "Titanic". A fine addition, however, to a theatre-lover's collection!

WONDERFUL!.......2005-04-28

I love this album! I bought it a few weeks ago and from the moment I listened to "Two Little Words" I knew this was going to be one of my favorites! The music absolutely gorgeous! I reccomend it!

Average customer rating:

THE MIKADO HAS NEVER BEEN HOTTER!!
I don't listen to broadway shows, but this....

Hot Mikado (Original 1995 London Cast)
W.S. Gilbert , Arthur Sullivan , and Rob Bowman
Manufacturer: First Night Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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

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Gilbert & Sullivan - The Mikado / WNO · Mackerras
Urinetown (2001 Original Off-Broadway Cast)
Curtains (2007 Original Broadway Cast)
Grey Gardens - A New Musical (2006 Original Broadway Cast)
The Drowsy Chaperone (2006 Original Broadway Cast)

ASIN: B000026F43
Release Date: 2002-01-01

Tracks:

Overture
We Are Gentlemen of Japan
Wand'ring Minstrel
And the Drums Will Crash
Behold the Lord High Executioner
I've Got a Little List
Three Little Maids
This Is What I'll Never Do
I Am So Proud
Let the Throng Our Joy Advance
Katisha's Entrance
For He's Gonna Marry Yum-Yum
Hour of Gladness
Finale/Act One
Entr'acte
Braid the Raven Hair
Sun and I
Swing a Merry Madrigal
Here's a Howdy-Do
Mikado Song
Alone and Yet Alive
Tit-Willow
Beauty in the Bellow
Finale
Playout

Customer Reviews:

THE MIKADO HAS NEVER BEEN HOTTER!!.......2006-05-03

I have heard about this show when it was performed near by me and a director I had loved it. A year later he gave me the CD and I am upset I missed it. I have never listened to a musical theatre and have been so excited when I was done. Not only is the CD amazing, but how the writers have adapted the G&S text and melodies to jazz, pop, gospel, and R&B styles. The CD features amazing performances from a great cast and a really strong tight jazz combo. My favorite number being the first act finale, I could listen to that all day!

I don't listen to broadway shows, but this...........2005-01-13

This CD from the Musical The Hot Mikado, is one of my favorite CD's to listen to. I actually am a big fan of punk and ska, and have never listened to any musical soundtracks. My girlfriend made me listen to it, and i fell in love with the sound. The Orchestra pit is amazing and the singers are second to none. I reccomend this CD to anyone who loves music.

Gott, Kaiser, Vaterland: Military and Patriotic Music of Imperial Germany in Archival Recordings, 1903-1915

Average customer rating:

Gott Mit Uns!
Gott, Kaiser, Vaterland raises the bar !
John H Wilson III DDS
Marching for the Kaiser!
Historical CD

Gott, Kaiser, Vaterland: Military and Patriotic Music of Imperial Germany in Archival Recordings, 1903-1915

Manufacturer: Brandenburg Historica
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

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Grossdeutschland: Von der Wachtruppe zum Panzerkorps
German Military Marches
Stormtrooper Marches
Landser Marches
More German Military Marches and Polkas, Vol. 2

ASIN: B000EON6GM
Release Date: 2005-09-21

Tracks:

Neujahrsreveille im Berliner Lustgarten (Golde-Trad.)
Heil Dir im Siegerkranz - Hymne (Carey-Schumacher)
Der Kaiser lebe hoch! - Marschlied (Press)
Reichsadler-Marsch (Nieslony)
Hohenzollern-Marsch (Unknown)
Hipp, Hipp, Hurra - Marschlied (Kunoth)
Kaiser Parole - Marsch (Teike)
Kaiser Fanfaren-Marsch (Liebisch)
Unter Deutscher Kaiserkrone - Marsch (Wilke)
Ich bin ein Deutscher... - Marschlied (Golde-Thiersch)
Marsch der Hannoverschen Garde du Corps 1866 (Anon.)
Grosse Parade auf dem Tempelhofer Feld - Potpourri
Preussens Gloria AM II, 240 - Marsch (Piefke)
Parademarsch der 2. Garde-Infanterie Division (Trad.)
Auf des Adlers Schwingen - Marschlied (Gnauck)
Hurra unser Kronprinz! - Marsch (Ruckenschuh)
Prinz Eitel Friedrich-Marsch (Blankenburg)
Kaiser Friedrich-Marsch (Friedemann)
O Strassburg, O Strassburg - Marschlied (Trad.)
Unter deutschem Schutze - Marsch (Blankenburg)
Germania-Marsch (Keil)
Lobe den Herrn - Hymne (Neander)
Kaisergeburtstagsfeier - Rezitation und Hymne (Anon.)
Kaisermarsch WWV 104 (Wagner)
Gott, Kaiser, Vaterland - Hymne (Blech-H

Product Description

This TWENTY-FIVE-TRACK CD-Compilation presents the marches, anthems and "Vaterlandslieder" that animated the German Empire of the Hohenzollern Emperors from 1871 to 1918, with PERIOD performances by the bands of the élite guard regiments of the Prussian Army, German soldiers' choruses and leading classical artists of the Wilhelmian era. The ancient recordings assembled in this compilation date from 1903 to 1915 and have been painstakingly restored and reengineered to maximize the surprising degree of fidelity already inherent to them WITHOUT altering their "imperial" ambience in ANY way whatsoever. This album presents the sounds of the ACTUAL military bandsmen and vocalists of Kaiser Wilhelm IIs Germany and also features many long-forgotten treasures of German military music, all presented EXACTLY as recorded in the German Empire of NINETY- TO ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO. As an added bonus the CD is accompanied by a lavish, twenty-page illustrated booklet that features a detailed discussion of German military bands, German martial music and the development of the German Empire after 1871.

Customer Reviews:

Gott Mit Uns!.......2006-05-20

This fascinating CD makes available the sounds of German military music from a century ago. Its indeed refreshing to have historical German martial music that is not Nazi era for a change! These recordings pre-date that period signifiantly, and thanks to the superb enhancement process involved they sound almost as good if not better. There is a lot of fascinating material here, all well researched and documented. The extensive booklet provides one of the most thorough backgrounds of German military music available in English. The selection of music provide a nice balance between well known and less well known material. We have a classic "Prussia's Glory" played by one of the Guards bands, as well as some lesser known compositions by famous composers like Blackenburg and Tieke. While "Alte Kameraden" would have been a stnadard to include here, I am just as glad the temptation was resisted. My only quibble is that the hymn "Heil Dir Im Siegerkranz" is presented in different versions three times! I think twice would have been enough. Missing is a good version of the official "Presentier Marsch" AM1 which was a standard at most reviews of the period. Perhaps there was not a version available for this collection. This is hardly a compliant for what is a fascinating collection. At last we can hear the German military band in its heyday. The folks at Brandenberg Historica are romantics at heart, and one can't help thinking they miss the old days of the Kaiser! Lets hope they can put together a volume two someday.

Gott, Kaiser, Vaterland raises the bar !.......2006-03-05

Modern reissues of vintage 78 rpm military band recordings have been around a quite while. Some are good and many not. With Gott, Kaiser, Vaterland, the folks at Brandenburg Historica have definitely raised the bar on this genre. It's an A+ product in all respects, technically & creative. The menu of the 25 recordings offered is a thoughtful & balanced mix of many well known marches of the era and other not so well known, all superbly produced. The pages of accompanying photographs commentary and notes on Imperial Germany, its martial music and the chosen recordings add much more to what is already an outstanding CD. Any discerning listener is ready to play this one again and again and await a volume 2.

John H Wilson III DDS.......2006-02-28

I have been collecting German Military Music since I was stationed there,Nierstein Oppenheim, 1962.The new CDs of Pre WWI broaden my collection and this is a terrific selection of the early bands. The 78rpms could have been lost to us,but now we can retrieve the sounds of history. Thanks to Brandenburg Historica..I hope this is Vol 1.

Marching for the Kaiser!.......2006-02-27

Absolutely one of the best military music collections I have ever owned! The clarity of the ancient recordings is amazing. The martial airs are clear and stirring. Makes me want to put on my pickelhaube and join the parade!

Historical CD.......2006-02-25

Collectors of historical recordings of military music should rejoice at this release. I completely agree with the comments made on the previous review. There is simply nothing like this available for us collectors excepts perhaps for the cd they Brandenburg Historica sell of marches from Saxony. The marches are taken from recordings from the early part of the 19th century so make allowance for the sound, though some of the recordings have almost modern sound. I look forward to future releases. Thank you, BH!

Average customer rating:

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

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

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Similar Items:

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

ASIN: B00005R5UJ
Release Date: 2001-11-20

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

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

Album Description

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

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

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

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

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

Customer Reviews:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Average customer rating:

Delightful

Duets for Mandolin & Guitar

Manufacturer: Soundart Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Mandolin Magic
Appalachian Mandolin and Dulcimer
The Magic of the Mandoline
Bluegrass Mandolin Extravaganza
Vivaldi: Concerti per Mandolini

ASIN: B00000DI36
Release Date: 1998-12-01

Tracks:

Quadro Pavin/Galiarde
La Coranto
Phillips Pavanne/Galiarde
Jesu Joy Of Man's Desiring
Ariso
Minuets I & II
Romance
Sonata No.483
Sonatine
Cantabile
Estudio No.6
Recuerdos De La Alhambra
Gymnopedie No.1
Bolero

Customer Reviews:

Delightful.......2006-12-31

I've bought other alubums of mandolin and guitar and enjoyed them, but this is my favorite. All the selections are enjoyable.

The blend and balance between Baldassari's mandolin and Mock's guitar are the best I've ever heard on any recording of mandolin and guitar recordings.

I wasn't sure how a bluegrass mandolin player would do on classical pieces, but Baldassari is more than equal to the task in my opinion. He chose to play his Gibson F-5 and F-5C mandolins and could not have made a better choice. He produces the best tone I've ever heard from any mandolin; full, rich and balanced. Any limitations inherent in the mandolin are not to be heard; nothing tinny, nothing hollow, just pure golden tone.

John Mock's guitar playing blends seamlessly with Baldassari's mandolin.

I'm a cassual listener to classical music. I enjoy what I enjoy, but I'm not tutored or schooled. All I know is that I like what I like. This is good stuff.

Seven Brides For Seven Brothers (1985 Original London Cast)

Average customer rating:

exceptional recording and performance
average production, average recording
A welcome recording

Seven Brides For Seven Brothers (1985 Original London Cast)
Johnny Mercer
Manufacturer: First Night Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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

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Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
Seven Brides for 7 Brothers: Vocal Selections
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954 Film Soundtrack)
Curtains (2007 Original Broadway Cast)
110 in the Shade (2007 Broadway Revival Cast)

ASIN: B0000038VZ
Release Date: 1993-11-01

Tracks:

Overture
Bless Your Beautiful Hide
Wonderful Wonderful Day
One Man
Goin' Courtin'
Love Never Goes Away
Sobbin' Women
The Townsfolk's Lament
A Woman Ought To Know Her Place
We Gotta Make It Through The Winter
We Gotta Make It Through The Winter (Reprise)/Lonesome Polecat
Spring, Spring, Spring
A Woman Ought To Know Her Place (Reprise)
Glad That You Were Born
Love Never Goes Away
Wedding Dance
Finale: Goin' Courtin'/Wonderful Wonderful Day

Customer Reviews:

exceptional recording and performance.......2005-06-08

I find I can't agree with the other appraisals I see here of this delightful recording of this musical. Both Roni Page and Steve Devereaux are truly exceptional with Devereaux in particular bringing a very pleasing baritone and a great characterization to the part. Personally, I do not feel either of them give up anything to Powell or Keel in the quality of their singing and I, in many ways, find them preferable.

I think this set is also more complete than the MGM issue containing songs like "One Man", "Love Never Goes Away", "We Got To Make It Through the Winter" and "Glad That You Were Born" that are just not in the MGM CD. Moreover, the sound quality is excellent in this issue. The impact of the score comes over exceptionally as a result.

Frankly, I would prefer to have both recordings, but if I could have only one, it would be this one.

average production, average recording.......2004-04-27

SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS was tricked-out for the stage in the early 80's, and quickly met its demise in London. This production opened in 1984 but met with mixed reviews, and closed after a relatively short run.

Roni Page and Steve Devereaux hardly compare with Jane Powell and Howard Keel (though who could?), but aquit themselves with their solid voices. Roni Page beautifully handles Millie's elation in "Wonderful Wonderful Day" (which features a rewritten lyric and setting).

Steve Devereaux has a powerful voice, used to his advantage in "Bless Your Beautiful Hide" and "Sobbin' Women". Although the new songs written by Al Kasha and Joel Hirshhorn don't fit in well with the original Johnny Mercer-Gene de Paul songs.

The supporting cast includes Peter Bishop, Victoria Lynson, Michaela Strachan, Anna Rees and Tom Barritt.

Stick with the 1997 studio cast with Katrina Murphy and Hal Fowler, available on the JAY/Showtime! label.

A welcome recording.......2000-10-28

I was glad to get this recording simply because it had the songs that were added after the movie. The problem is that it just doesn't have the musical feel that I was expecting, the Barn Dance isn't on here, and the guy that plays Adam is just ridiculous sounding. The rest of the cast sounds decent, and the woman who plays Millie shows just the right amount of feistiness and tenderness. All in all, I'd say it's only for the completists, otherwise wait until the Jay Masterworks recording coming soon.

First Time in a Long Time: The Reprise Recordings

Average customer rating:

Outstanding early all girls band
Fanny
FANNY IS AWESOME!!!
Fanny was the first
Actually, this is one killer set

First Time in a Long Time: The Reprise Recordings
Fanny
Manufacturer: Rhino Handmade
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Proto Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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Golden Classics
Ramatam
Born to Be//Affectionately Melanie
In April Came the Dawning of the Red Suns
The Good Book/Gather Me

ASIN: B0000DJYPI
Release Date: 2003-11-04

Tracks:

Come and Hold Me
I Just Realized
Candlelighter Man
Conversation With a Cop
Badge
Changing Horses
Bitter Wine
Take a Message to the Captain
It Takes a Lot of Good Lovin'
Shade Me
Seven Roads [First Version]
Charity Ball [First Version]
Place in the Country [First Version]
Changes
One Step at a Time
Nowhere to Run
Seven Roads [Second Version]
Lady's Choice
New Day
I Find Myself [Demo Version]
Queen Aretha [Demo Version]
Flame Tree [Demo Version]
Fanny Reprise Records Promo One
Fanny Reprise Records Promo Two
Fanny Reprise Records Promo Three

Tracks:

Charity Ball [Second Version]
What Kind of Lover
Cat Fever
Person Like You
Special Care
What's Wrong With Me?
Soul Child
You're the One
Thinking of You
Place in the Country [Second Version]
Little While Later
Charity Ball [Single Version]
True Blue
Candlelighter Man
Summer Song
Tomorrow
Rock Bottom Blues [Backing Track]
Ain't That Peculiar
Knock on My Door
Blind Alley
You've Got a Home
Wonderful Feeling
Borrowed Time

Tracks:

Hey Bulldog
Think About the Children
Rock Bottom Blues
Sound and the Fury
First Time
Rock Bottom Blues [Original Version][Version]
Wonderful Feeling [Single Version]
Young and Dumb
Hey Bulldog [Live]
Summer Song [Live]
It Takes a Lot of Good Lovin'
Badge [Live]
Young and Dumb [Live]
Last Night I Had a Dream [Live]
Ain't That Peculiar [Live]
Borrowed Time [Live]
Place in the Country [Live]
Knock on My Door [Live]
Charity Ball [Live]

Tracks:

Lonesome Pine
Beside Myself
I'll Never Be the Same
All Mine
Old Milwaukee
Long Road Home [Demo Version]
Back in My Arms Again [#]
No Deposit, No Return [#]
Last Night I Had a Dream
Long Road Home
Old Hat
Solid Gold
Is Otvreally You?
All Mine
Summer Song
Polecat Blues
Beside Myself
Regular Guy
I Need You Need Me
Feelings
I'm Satisfied
Fanny Reprise Records Promo Four
'Till Then [Demo Version]

Customer Reviews:

Outstanding early all girls band.......2006-12-24

One of the most outstanding early 70's band aound. I first heard them at a friends house in Twin Falls Idaho. We quickly orderd all the records from our local music shop. We had friends in Spokan WA who also told us about them. We thought they didn't get the promotion they really deserved.

Fanny .......2006-10-31

I loved this group when I was 18. They came to the University of Houston to play and , even though I was not a student, went to see them in person. The best live show I have ever seen. Music was clean and clear and my little brother , who was 15, danced to their music in the UC.
I have had all their albums and played them till they were so worn, I had to throw them away.
If you like Girl Bands and you like good music, Fanny is it! This release brings back the good ole days when life was good and simple. Rock on!

FANNY IS AWESOME!!!.......2006-07-07

I just wish this set weren't so pricey-lol-because I'd snatch it up in a millisecond!!!! In the past year, I've purchased their LP's on E-bay "Charity Ball", "Fanny Hill", and "Mother's Pride"-MAN-they just don't make stuff like this anymore!!! What a band-such a shame they didn't get the recognition they most definitly deserved!!!!

One of my all-time favorite bands!!!

Fanny was the first.......2006-06-30

"Fanny Hill" was one of the first rock albums I ever listened to in its entirety - and repeatedly. It belonged to my older brother, and, bless his heart, he never seemed to mind his ten-year-old sister going through his record collection. Before I had any preconceived ideas about what rock should look or sound like, I remember being really excited by the fact that here was a group of women who played their own instruments, wrote their own songs, AND made good, loud music! Looking back, I can definitely say that listening to "Fanny Hill" raised my consciousness in more ways than one.

I've yet to listen to all of the songs included in this handsome boxset (thanks again, Gary!) - I'm kinda stuck on my favorites from "Fanny Hill" - but kudos to Rhino for doing the band justice and for bringing Fanny back in all their glory.

Actually, this is one killer set.......2004-10-04

The Reprise years were the meat and potatoes of Fanny. Starting with Richard Perry as their Svengali and, later, working with the likes of Todd Rundgren, they developed into a smart, sexy, real rock and roll band as their middle period (1971-72) evidences on this set. The review that asked about Butter Boy not being on the box was correct. It wasn't on Reprise. They did an album for Casablanca in 1974 called Rock and Roll Survivors which had their remake of "I've Had It" and the almost hit, "Butter Boy"...but this wasn't the same Fanny. Key members were gone and so the magic. Indeed, the band itself gave up within a year of that album, as I recall.
This is the set to get. Well laid out, it tells a great rock and roll story.

Album Review:

Album Review

Album Review