Wishing & Dreaming with George Jones

Wishing & Dreaming with George Jones

ASIN: B00005NEQZ

Track Listings

1. She Thinks I Still Care

2. All I Have to Offer You Is Me

3. Sweet Dreams

4. Even the Bad Times Are Good

5. Window up Above

6. Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town

7. Don't You Ever Get Tired (Of Hurting Me)

8. Wedding Bells

Tracks:

Overture
Think Of Me
Angel Of Music
The Mirror (Angel Of Music)
The Phantom Of The Opera
The Music Of The Night
Prima Donna
All I Ask Of You/Reprise
Entr'acte
Masquerade
Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again
The Point Of No Return
Down Once More.../Track Down This Murderer

Amazon.com

Highlight versions of cast recordings are by definition a compromise, and this reduction of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera is no exception. Weighing in at 59 minutes, it's over 40 minutes shorter than the two-disc version, excising many musical scenes that convey the flow and impact of the show (which include, admittedly, a lot of patter and screaming). On the other hand, all the hits are here--"Think of Me," "Angel of Music," the title tune, "The Music of the Night," "All I Ask of You," "Masquerade," and "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again"--and Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman are still on hand to make their distinctive contributions to the original London cast. So if you're looking for a convenient, inexpensive single disc that will let you enjoy Lloyd Webber's scrumptious melodies without having to immerse yourself in the action, this just might be for you. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

Music of the Night????????.......2007-02-28

I really liked the idea of a highlights cd; however, The Music of the Night is not the same one that is on the original two-disc cd. The words aren't even the same. If you enjoy Music of the Night, skip this cd. Otherwise, this cd would be 5 stars.

Great short version!.......2006-12-06

If you only want to hear the songs from this musical, this one is for you. But if you want the full version, get the 4-disc version. I listen to this version in my car when I'm on the road, but I listen to the 4-disc version at home. Both versions are worth the purchase.

A long time favorite.......2006-08-26

This is one of my most treasured CDs. The voices of the cast are incredible! "Think of Me" and "All I Ask of You" are 2 of my favorites. If you enjoy the story behind Phantom, yu will like this soundtrack.

The Best Recording of this Show Available.......2006-04-21

I think that this is the best PHANTOM soundtrack out there:

1)It has the original Broadway cast, the best.
2)It cuts out the more risqu? parts of the show (believe me, there are some), making it "appropriate for the whole family."
3)The entire CD is on one disc, so you can go through the show w/o switching discs.
4)The only song that the movie soundtrack has on it that this doesn't is "Learn to Be Lonely," which appears in the credits, and isn't really a great song anyways.

Great CD.......2006-03-14

I bought this CD as a birthday gift for my boyfriend. We had misplaced the one that we had and needed a new one. This is one of our favorite cd's. Such beautiful music.

Average customer rating:

The Andrew Lloyd Weber Collection
Andrew Lloyd Webber
The Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection
The Best You'll See from Sarah
The Angel of Music

The Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection

Manufacturer: Decca Broadway
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Love Changes Everything: The Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection, Vol. 2
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Time to Say Goodbye
La Luna
Harem

ASIN: B00000I0XW
Release Date: 1999-06-01

Tracks:

The Phantom Of The Opera: The Phantom Of The Opera
Song & Dance: Unexpected Song
Aspects Of Love: Chanson D'enfance
The Phantom Of The Opera: All I Ask Of You
Evita: Don't Cry For Me Argentina
Evita: Another Suitcase In Another Hall
Aspects Of Love: Love Changes Everything
Friends For Life
Cats: Memory
Cats: Gus: The Theatre Cat
Aspects Of Love: Anything But Lonely
Cats: Macavity: The Mystery Cat
Tell Me On A Sunday/Song & Dance: Tell Me On A Sunday
The Phantom Of The Opera: Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again
Requiem: Pie Jesu
The Phantom Of The Opera: The Music Of The Night

Amazon.com essential recording

Sarah Brightman's career was launched by her success in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera, so it's no surprise to hear the soprano paying homage to the composer on this disc. Really a Brightman best-of, the album includes the Phantom theme (a duet with Michael Crawford), the light-opera fare of "Chanson D'enfance" from Aspects of Love, "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina" from Evita, and numerous other Lloyd Webber classics. Throughout, Brightman's diminutive voice lends a fragility to these musical theater tunes that you'll either love or despise. On Evita's "Another Suitcase, Another Hall" and Cats' "Memory," she literally chirps through the vocal lines. No matter. The growing legion of Brightman fans wouldn't have it any other way. --Jason Verlinde

Album Details

Another Compilation of Stage Favourites - Some Tracks Are Hard to Find Elsewhere.

Customer Reviews:

The Andrew Lloyd Weber Collection.......2007-05-12

Sarah Brightman sings in good form classic songs and does a great job!!

Andrew Lloyd Webber .......2007-02-12

Excellent Broadway music--a true master. Sing along or just listen. First heard her on PBS.

The Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection.......2007-01-05

Sarah Brightman has always been a favorite of mine, and this CD is outstanding. The duet with Jose Carreras (Friends for Life) is especially good--worth buying the CD for that song alone.

The Best You'll See from Sarah.......2006-09-09

This CD is - wow! I have so much to say about it and so little time! This album features three pieces from "The Phantom of the Opera" - Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again, The Music of the Night, and The Phantom of the Opera theme. They're all beautiful. The second piece on the album is "Unexpected Song". It has beautiful octaves and orchastrations. Chanson d'Efance is an amazing French piece with vibrato - and then some. I forgot to mention that there is another piece from The Phantom of the Opera - All I Ask of You - except that the song is not sung by the original cast from the musical. The next few pieces are fairly decent, until you get to Memory from Cats. WOW - is it spectacular! Then we get to two other pieces from Cats - Gus: The Theater Cat and Macavity: The Mystery Cat. Gus is a song that just tells about a cat and his history. A man speaks the lines that Gus would say in the actual musical - and it makes the song interesting. Macavity is AWESOME! I know that I said that I didn't prefer this song for Brightman on her album "Surrender". I finally listened to it more carefully, and found that it's really interesting to listen to! My favorite song on the whole entire album - however - has to be "Tell Me on a Sunday". Beautiful lyrics, orchestrations, and overall spectacular voice talent ties the whole song together. Pie Jesu is a fairly nice piece from both Brightman and Paul Miles-Kingston - the 16 year old boy soprano. His voice is pure and straight with minimal vibrato. However, Brightman's voice shows a little bit TOO much vibrato! Overally, it's a good piece from Andrew Lloyd Webber's Requium. THIS CD IS AMAZING! If you love Sarah from the Phantom of the Opera, then this collection of Lloyd Webber's work is just for you.

I also recommend Charlotte Church - (in her earlier career) - including Voice of an Angel and her self-titled album. I also recommend Love Changes Everything - The Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection Vol.2 - just another grouping of Webber's classics. I also recommend Andrea Boucelli - he's awesome!

The Angel of Music.......2006-03-13

This is the third copy of this I've purchased. I wear them out listening to them. Awesome, Awesome music. Sarah's range and depth is so powerful!

The Phantom of the Opera (Highlights from the 1989 Original Canadian Cast)

Average customer rating:

Iffy
Rebecca Caine is what made me buy this album.
Very Nice!!!!
NOT AS GOOD AS THE LONDON CAST RECORDING
I liked Colm Wilkinson better in Les Miz

The Phantom of the Opera (Highlights from the 1989 Original Canadian Cast)

Manufacturer: Decca Broadway
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Stage Heroes
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The Phantom of the Opera (Original German Cast)
Highlights from Phantom of the Opera
The Phantom Of The Opera (1999 Japanese Cast)

ASIN: B0000072VS
Release Date: 2002-11-26

Tracks:

Prologue-The Stage Of The Paris Opera House, 1911
Overture
The Dress Rehearsal Of Hannibal
Think Of Me
The Mirror... (Angel Of Music)
The Phantom Of The Opera
The Music Of The Night
Notes/Prima Donna
All I Ask Of You
I Gave You My Music...
Entr'acte
Masquerade
The Graveyard
Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again
Wandering Child.../Bravo Monsieur...
The Point Of No Return/Down Once More
The Phantom's Lair

Amazon.com

A few years after The Phantom of the Opera debuted in London, Harold Prince unveiled Andrew Lloyd Webber's gothic musical in Canada, in 1989. It was so good that this recording of highlights from the Canadian cast is--dare we say it?--more enjoyable than the equivalent London cast highlights album. No, it doesn't have the authenticity of London principals Sarah Brightman (for whom then-husband Lloyd Webber wrote the role of Christine) and Michael Crawford, but it doesn't have their idiosyncrasies, either, and it does have the richer voices of Colm Wilkinson and Rebecca Caine (who played Jean Valjean and older Cosette, respectively, in the 1985 London cast of Les Misérables). At 69 minutes, the Canadian album is also 10 minutes longer than the London, allowing inclusion of the prologue and dress rehearsal for Hannibal. Of course, Lloyd Webber's melodies--"Angel of Music," "The Music of the Night," "All I Ask of You," "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again"--are scrumptious on any continent. --David Horiuchi

Album Description

1990 Polydor release featuring highlights from Andrew Lloyd Webber's epic musical by the Original Canadian Cast, including Colm Wilkinson and Rebecca Caine. Directed by Harold Prince, it features 17 tracks, including 'Think Of Me', 'Notes/ Prima Donna', 'Masquerade' and 'Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again'.

Album Details

Contains highlights from the Andrew Lloyd Webber brainchild performed in Ottawa, Vancouver, Montreal & Calgary during April, 1991 through September, 1992. Stars Colm Wilkinson & Rebecca Caine in leading roles.

Customer Reviews:

Iffy.......2007-01-22

I've only listened to clips here and online, but I personally would not buy this entire album. Why? Well, I would LOVE to have Rebecca Caine's "Think of Me" and "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" - she has a beautiful voice, much stronger than either Sarah Brightman or Emmy Rossum, and much better trained. But what I have heard of the Raoul annoys me. He's supposed to be the good guy, not a dork!

And Colm Wilkinson as the Phantom? Whose idea was that??? I really do not like his voice, even as Valjean in Les Miz. I highly doubt he's a strong enough singer to pull of "Music of the Night" the way Michael Crawford or Hugh Panaro (best Phantom EVER) can.

If, however, this was on iTunes, I'd jump at the chance to get Rebecca's songs!

Rebecca Caine is what made me buy this album........2006-12-04

Rebecca Caine is my favorite Christine. I think that she has one of the most amazing voices, and I loved her in the title song.

As for everything else...
Honestly, Colm Wilkinson cannot sing. His voice is just too weak for the role. Like one of the reviewers before me said, he's no Michael Crawford, not even Gerard Butler. Maybe I should hear him sing in Les Miserables to appreciate his voice.
As for Byron Nease, he's okay, but I've easily heard better.

In all, the album's okay, but there are many better recordings.

Very Nice!!!!.......2006-08-25

Although this is a specatcular Disc, I find it very hard to appreciate fully Colm Wilkinson's voice in the role of the Phantom after being so used to Michael Crawford's for that role (and being used to mr. Wilkinson's as Jean Valjean in Les Misérables). Don't get me wrong I very much like Colm wilkinson, but not so much as the phantom.
Apart from that Rebecca Caine is a stunning Christine!!!! And at times seems to me to be...dare I say.... better than (my personal favourite singer) sarah brightman, Ms. Caine's "Think Of Me" blew me away, it was very inspiring....

Overall the rest of the cast is very good as well and if you are a true "phan" this is a must have CD very much worth its price!!!!

NOT AS GOOD AS THE LONDON CAST RECORDING.......2006-07-02

Today, after Phantom of the opera became the longest running musical in history of Broadway, and being one of the most produced of Andrew Lloyd Webber's work around the world, we can only agree with the statement of "The Times" reviewer which appeared on October 10, 1986, a day after the premiere in London, who wrote: "One thing is clear: Gaston Leroux's famous story is God's gift to the musical theatre. It wraps up the legends of Faust, Svengali, and Beauty and the Beast into a grand final death rattle of the romantic agony. It turns a theatre--the Paris Opera--into a replica of the universe, from the Statue of Apollo above the city's rooftops down to the infernal regions with their furnaces and stygian lake. And, musically, not only does it unfold to an accompaniment of the operatic repertoire, but also features a protagonist who is himself a great composer."

Phantom, with its operatic and lush melodies, intensive story and grandiose staging, remains one of the best and most beloved musicals of all time.

The musical is based on the Gaston Leroux's novel of the same title. It is set in the second part of the 19th century Paris and its famous opera house. The young soprano, Christine, is discovered as a talented young opera singer in the opera house. She is noticed by an old childhood friend, Raoul, and they fall in love. However, we find out that a third person, the mysterious Phantom, hiding behind a mask, is a musical genius who had been giving Christine singing lessons and who has developed a mad passion for his young pupil. He hides in the catacombs of the opera house, lurking on the outside world. He is determined to keep Christine for himself and the story evolves from here.

Apart from this interesting plot, the audiences were swept away by Lloyd Webber's tremendous score, which probably remains his best work. It combines the beautiful love songs and sweeping operetta-like arias, with numerous orchestral leads and crescendos. You can't help but being charmed by this beautiful and haunting score. The large numbers, especially, the last one, will probably move you deeply. The most popular numbers are "The phantom of the opera", a vibrating duet between Christine and the Phantom; "All I ask of you", a lovely love duet between Christine and Raul; Phantom's mesmerizing voice will hold you till the end in "The music of the night", Christine in "Wishing you are somehow here again" will evoke sadness, and many more.

One of the main reasons for the early success of this show and this recording was its original London cast. All of the three principals: Sarah Brightman as Christine, Michael Crawford as The Phantom and Steve Barton as Raoul gave the performances of their lives. Michael Crawford's take on the role of The Phantom became stuff legends are made of, due to his amazing vocalisation and the powerful, almost hypnotic attraction in his voice and performance, exactly how the Phantom is supposed to sound.

The lyrics by Richard Stilgoe and Christopher Hampton are the weakest link here, but they manage to convey the basic story.

After the show's success in London and on Broadway, the Canadian production was mounted and it premiered in Toronto's Pantages Theatre in September 1989. This CD captures the highlights of that production. All the important musical numbers are here, however, the problem is the cast, that is, some of them. Colm Wilkinson is a great singer, his interpretation of Jean Valjean being the best example. Unfortunately, he doesn't have what it takes to play the Phantom. His interpretation lacks the depth of Michael Crawford and he struggles to stretch his voice, especially on the high notes. Overall, he sings too deep for the role, sounding as if he is still in Les Miserables. Still, he is much better than the mediocre performance Gerard Butler gave in the 2004 movie version. Rebecca Caine is a fine Christine, her soprano has no problem of getting into the character. Byron Nease, who plays Raoul, also fails to deliver, sounding too old and squeaky. The unwritten rule of the musical theatre, that the miscasting can affect the best of materials, is regrettably evident here. There is also a minor problem with the orchestrations, since some parts have a faster tempo than in the original. The aficionados will notice small lyrical changes in comparison with the original cast recording.

The CD comes with a synopsis (a rear treat in the Andrew Lloyd Webber's cast recordings), the lyrics and production photos.

This recording works best as an addition to the existing Phantom collection. For the first time listeners, I highly recommend the 2-disc 1986 London Cast Recording. Not only does it feature almost the entire musical, but also the cast is much, much better, as well as the orchestrations, which have a more classical touch.

I liked Colm Wilkinson better in Les Miz.......2006-05-12

Not to say that he doesn't do a good job in this role as well, but often times it just sounds like Jean Valjean singing the Phantom. He does have some great moments but I think the Christine is the best thing about this recording. I don't know why, but I find her voice incredibly sexy. It's easy to see why the Phantom would want to seduce her and foster her talent. Raoul's line (and vocal) delivery is a little too "Dudley Do Right" for my tastes. It sounds almost comical at times. I dunno, maybe that's what he was going for. The London Cast recording is probably still the gold standard simply because the actors have become so synonymous with the roles they played, but you should pick this one up if you want a more up-to-date version of the orchestrations and, subsequently, the libretto.

Average customer rating:

The beginning of an all-too short career
folk punk? the Maniacs started out as much more than folk
A classic album
Brisk, cheerful, folky-pop by top maniac Merchant and crew
Still in my cd player

The Wishing Chair
10,000 Maniacs
Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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MTV Unplugged

ASIN: B000002H2U
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Can't Ignore The Train
Scorpio Rising
Just As The Tide Was A Flowing
Lilydale
Back O' The Moon
Maddox Table
The Colonial Wing
Grey Victory
Among The Americans
Everyone A Puzzle Lover
Cotton Alley
Daktari
My Mother The War
Tension Makes A Tangle
Arbor Day

Customer Reviews:

The beginning of an all-too short career.......2005-05-15

When Natalie Merchant left 10,000 Maniacs in 1993, she made a huge mistake as far as I'm concerned. Although I do enjoy her solo albums, especially Ophelia and Live in Concert, nothing she has done as a solo artist can possibly compare to the work she produced with 10,000 Maniacs. This album is just one of the too few examples of what a great band they were when Merchant was the lead singer. This album has more of a folky sound than their later releases, probably due to John Lombardo's strong influence on the sound (he wrote most of the music) but this album can rock out as well. Songs like Scorpio Rising and My Mother the War are among the best tracks on the album, along with Lilydale (one of the best Robert Buck/Natalie Merchant compositions, IMO) and Cotton Alley. The only bad thing about this album is the fact that it's hard to figure out anything Merchant is singing. Her voice is sometimes overbearing, like on Arbor Day and Just as the Tide Was a Flowing but that's only a minor complaint since Merchant has gone on to become one of the best vocalists out there, IMO. I highly recommend this album for Natalie Merchant/10,000 Maniacs fans or for those interested in hearing the beginning of a terribly underrated band who deserved to have a much longer career with Natalie Merchant at the helm.

folk punk? the Maniacs started out as much more than folk.......2004-11-30

all these reviews are pretty on target, I've reviewed
this, one of my favorite albums of all time, earlier in
the amazon annals, reading some recent reviews here made
me think though, a lot of people peg this album and the band
at that time as a folk thing....I think one has only to
listen to the angry, punky almost "hard rock" of Scorpio
Rising, or the incendiary My Mother The War (1000 times better
here than on the earlier indie release version compiled
on Hope Chest) with Rob's angry feedback and Jerry's ferocious
pounding of his drum kit to realize this has more to do with
punk or post-punk than really "folk" music. Bob Dylan
never came close to rocking as hard as either of these two
songs. The quieter, lovelier songs on the album are
certainly closer to what most of you guys have in mind by
saying "folk", this was the more Fairport Convention, Sandy
Denny, Nick Drake-inspired material on the album. Even
Fairport Convention never rocked that hard as "Scorpio
Rising." An earlier Maniacs song "Death of Manolete"
is similar, rocking out with Rob's feedback and a heavy
groove, whilst Natalie's thoughtful telling of the legend
of the fall of the great bullfighter Manolete is not lost
in the chaos! My point is that this mix of punk, folk,
groove, dance, reggae, and traditional music was what
set the band apart at their inception, and until their
breakup. The band has slagged this album off and Joe
Boyd's production of it (or lack thereof), but it's an
undeniable testament to their powers that the album can
go from the sheer fury of Scorpio Rising (my head is shaking
violent) to the pastoral, yet reflective sadness of the likes of
ode-to-a-cemetary-and-its-inhabitants "Lilydale" (it's a hollow ground). The latter covers the same ground as The Smiths' later
song "Cemetary Gates" with a lot more subtlety and less
pretentiousness. A LOT LESS. The songs are brilliant,
Natalie's voice never better, or more raw yet in command...
and I fear no lineup of her solo bands will ever come close
to matching the raw power, on most nights, than the Maniacs
and Natalie live. You had only to witness, as I did in
1990 on the Hope Chest Tour (the band doing mostly the earlier
material) to realize what that power, unbridled, was like.
I, for one, miss that band and that power. If you don't
own this album you cannot really be a Maniacs fan.
I can't recommend a record more highly. I'm just glad I had
the chance to see the Maniacs live on many occasions
from 1986-1991 or so, and cherish The Wishing Chair
as evidence of their sheer brilliance, even though
the likes of Blind Man's Zoo or Our Time In Eden, though
worthy efforts, get less frequent airings in these parts....
The Wishing Chair has had enormous staying power, which
to me, must mean something about it is very special.
Most of my CDs collect dust after a few years, but not this one.
(Scott Briggs, NYC)

A classic album.......2004-10-24

If you like them you have to have this one. The only thing that it suffers from is some below average production on some songs - just a case of inexperience.

Brisk, cheerful, folky-pop by top maniac Merchant and crew.......2003-10-18

The novelty of 10,000 Maniacs song are its brisk poppy folk rhythm in bite-sized three to three and a half-minute tidbits, of which there are fifteen on The Wishing Chair. The songs are more poetry rather than mere songs. Here are some of the highlights.

"Scorpio Rising" starts with a crash of guitars, and is an exhortation for someone to be more honest, calm, and restrained. She says "trust is/the greatest human error/empty/used me as a vessel/ruthless/you're not known for subtlety." So, "amaze me now" she demands.

"Just As The Tide Was A Flowing" is a song with traditional music about a young woman lamenting her life as a lonely wife of a sailor, who's "widowed by the sea." There's a nice folky cant to this song

"Lilydale" is an interesting song about how two friends find solitude in reading gravestones at the cemetery, away "fronm the noise of the street." "There's a stillness here thankful found" she sings.

"Back O' The Moon" is simply danceable and cheerful song about someone who exhorts her older friend Jenny, whose "mood is never giddy" and who'd "rather pout", that there's so much more to life, to explore the back of the moon, that part we never see, i.e. the road less travelled. My favourite song here.

"Maddox Table" is the story of a hard-working woman who fancies herself the spitting image of an ox: "at Maddox Table a yoke was carved for my neck". And what for? "Not just for smokes, spirits, candy and cologne/but for automobile keys/cash in the bank/and the deed on a place called home."

"The Colonial Wing" is like a painting displaying the spoils of the British Empire, including ivory tusks, "raw silk and spices by the barrel load", which she summarizes as "a world wide rampage/rampage of greed."

The use of the Maniacs' poppy dancing melody draws a question mark in its applicability of "Grey Victory". With the lyric "Enola Gay had made a casual delivery", guess the subject of the song? The horror of Hiroshima is portrayed well: "neighbours lay beside each other/each other unknowing/faces scorched of all familiar bearing/too few hands/wounds for closing." Merchant gives a cynical ending for us all: "Here we stand at the door to Gold Atomic Age/Don't spoil your faces with worry/trust in earth bound kingdom come."

"Among The Americans" is about another somber subject: the Trail of Tears. "Come the small black book/come the brandy cask/one strange disease/the well worded paper/signed by the drunken hands of thieves/and suddenly they were told to leave." And who is the villain? "Jaksa Chula Harjo", the Cherokee name of Andrew Jackson. The bitter condemnatory ending goes: "Gone the way of flesh/turned pale and died/by your god's decree/for he hated me."

"Cotton Alley" is a fond reminsicence of a girl who remembers the boy who played pranks on her, such as tying her laces together, putting spiders in her hair, the things boys do to girls they like but can't admit. She says "say sorry/let it be the word you mean."

"Daktari" sports an African/South American dance rhythm, with words spoken quickly with the rhythm. "My Mother The War" sports a fiery guitar and pounding drums. Inbetween verses, the guitars squeal and wail, accompanied by a prominent bass.

The remainder of the songs sport the upbeat folky music, with lyrics that at first glance appear as poetry to be recited, but that work amazingly well with Natalie Merchant's unique voice, quickly sung. The subjects veer from serious to nostalgic, even if the music is very festive.

Still in my cd player.......2003-04-12

I bought this album on vinyl when it first came out, and the cd version is still in my cd player today. Absolutely one of the greatest folk rock albums of all time.

Average customer rating:

AMAZING! She is so much better live!
AMAZING! She is so much better live!
Inspiring, Beautiful and The Sweetest Voice!
astounding performance
Great, of course

Harem World Tour: Live from Las Vegas
Sarah Brightman
Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Sarah Brightman - Live from Las Vegas
Harem
Sarah Brightman Classics
Fly
Dive

ASIN: B0002VYPCG
Release Date: 2004-09-28

Tracks:

Kama Sutra
Harem Overture (Cancao do Mar)
It's a Beautiful Day
Dust in the Wind
Who Wants to Live Forever
Anytime, Anywhere
La Luna
Nessun Dorma
The War Is Over
Free
A Whiter Shade of Pale
The Phantom of the Opera Suite
WIshing You Were Somehow Here Again
Time To Say Goodbye
Question of Honor
Snow on the Sahara (Bonus studio track)

Amazon.com

While the sales of Sarah Brightman's ambitious, Middle Eastern-themed 2003 album Harem may have fallen short of its predecessor, the veteran UK chanteuse's popularity as a live performer has only mushroomed. This live recording of her ambitious, sold-out Harem World Tour engagement at Las Vegas' MGM Grand Arena is testament to that appeal, begging the question: Will Brightman become the Grateful Dead of classical crossover? Indeed, abetted by the rich sonic textures of longtime producer/collaborator Frank Peterson, the worldbeat conceits of her recent studio recordings are folded into a larger, even more expansive live vision here. Brightman's overt dramatic instincts and oft-chaemeleonic vocal abilities drive a slate of material that stretches from the Arabian Nights/Madame Butterflypastiche of Harem's seductive "It's A Beautiful Day" through surprisingly effective classical/rock reinventions of Kansas' "Dust in the Wind" and The Moody Blues' chestnut "Nights in White Satin" to expected classical bowings "Nessun Dorma" and the obligatory nod to "Phantom of the Opera" Amazon.com

Sarah Brightman Photos

More from Sarah Brightman

Time to Say Goodbye
Classics
Eden

Diva: The Video Collection
Live from Las Vegas
La Luna (Live in Concert)

Customer Reviews:

AMAZING! She is so much better live!.......2006-12-02

This CD rocks! This is Sarah Brightman on her Harem World Tour, and this performance was recorded at her stop in Las Vegas. The first two tracks, "Kama Surta" and "Harem Overture" debut from her newest album, entitled HAREM. The two tracks are connected, but in the actual Harem Tour, the full piece "Harem" is sung. If you go to www.youtube.com and type in "Harem Tour" in the Search Bar, you can see live videos. I would prefer that the album has placed "Harem" instead of these other two tracks. The third track, "It's A Beautiful Day", is from Madame Butterfly, written by Puccini. This version is Brightman's twist, which some more pop and some English. It's pretty cool. The fourth track on the album, "Dust in the Wind" is from EDEN, an amazing album. Track 5 is, "Who Wants to Live Forever", and it seems as though Brightman never creates a tour without putting this piece in it. It's a beautiful tribute to Queen's rendition. Track Six is "Anytime, Anywhere", also from EDEN. I'm not really into the Foreign Language - English songs, but this works very well, especially because she ends the song with the classical foreign language. The seventh track is Brightman's rendition of Dvorak's "Song to the Moon", or "La Luna". The track is beautiful! The eighth track is Puccini's "Nessun Dorma", and Sarah masters this beautifully! There is no other soprano I know that can sing this piece one octave up and can hold the ending note for ever!!! Track 9 is "The War is Over", which is followed by "Free", both from HAREM. Track 11 is "A Whiter Shade of Pale", from LA LUNA. It's beautiful to listen to. Sarah's version is very gentle, but has a lot of energy in the chorus. The twelfth track on this album is "Twisted Every Way", followed by an instrumental version of "The Phantom of the Opera" Theme. The next track is "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again", which is extended at the end, in which you hear some men cry out "WE LOVE YOU SARAH!", and she responds cutely with an, "I love you, too." The audience laughs! Track 14 is "Time to Say Goodbye", the duet that made Andrea Bocelli famous, and skyrocketed as the number one single sold in German history! The last live track on the album is "A Question of Honour", from "Fly", which is awesome! The last track on the album is a bonus track, which I don't really prefer. However, the whole album is simply amazing. I much prefer Sarah when she is live. She has a more magical quality! If you love Sarah Brightman, then you will love this album.

ALSO RECOMMENDED : Since there is so much Sarah Brightman to choose from, I also recommend EDEN, TIME TO SAY GOODBYE, LA LUNA, CLASSICS, and DIVA.

AMAZING! She is so much better live!.......2006-12-02

Inspiring, Beautiful and The Sweetest Voice!.......2005-08-21

What an album, absolutly beautiful!
We, the fans of this great artist finelly have in our hands a live album, and it's amazing:
-The voice is totaly live, she sang about 24 complete songs in the show, but the album only contains 15.
-Snow In The Sahara is a lovely song.

If you have the chase of get this alubum, don't doubt and get it; It wond disapoint you!

astounding performance.......2005-06-07

an impeccable concert experience that successfully elevates the album to majestic heights. I had long been a fan of Dead Can Dance and the unparalleled work of Lisa Gerrard. When Sarah Brightman ventured into these Middle Eastern sounds on the Harem disc, I thought it was too derivative of the Dead Can Dance sounds (there is even a sample used on one of SB's songs that had previously been used within DCD).

However, experiencing this epic and intensely mystical concert compelled me to realize the individual and unique glory of Sarah Brightman. Also, this concert is so phenomenally entertaining at many levels that I couldn't help but fall absolutely in love with the special magic of Sarah Brightman. Obviously, the expansive Middle Eastern milieu can accommodate more than one angelic vocalist!

I now consider Lisa Gerrard and Sarah Brightman to be geniuses who both warrant goddess status in the pantheon of lyrical greats. To see either one of them perform live is surely one of the most powerful and memorable sensory experiences one could ever have!

Great, of course.......2005-03-18

Sarah's voice and style are terrific, as usual. However, I have to say that her version of Anggun's "Snow on the Sahara" is fairly bland, especially compared to the original Anggun version. Sarah has the chops but lacks soul on this great song. Everything els here is very nice.

Average customer rating:

Wishing Tree Bearing Fruit
Rediscovering Charlie!
Wired and Rippin'
a classic
Oh Yeah, It's Charlie Sexton

Under the Wishing Tree
Charlie Sexton Sextet
Manufacturer: Mca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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Cruel and Gentle Things
Arc Angels
Pictures for Pleasure
Charlie Sexton
20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Charlie Sexton

ASIN: B000002OVC
Release Date: 1995-03-28

Tracks:

Neighborhood
Wishing Tree
Ugly All Day
Everyone Will Crawl
Billy
Dark
Sunday Clothes
Plain Bad Luck And Innocent Mistakes
Home Sweet Home
Railroad
Spanish Words
Broken Dream

Amazon.com

The only redeeming thing about the demise of the Arc Angels, who flamed out in classic drugs-and-rock-&-roll fashion in 1994, is that they freed this preternaturally gifted 26-year-old to establish himself finally as a major-league star. Joined by a crew of Austin soulmates, Sexton delves for surprisingly mature, though restrained, and deceptively hard-hitting rockers unlike anything he's done before. Coproducer Malcolm Burn's risky and indelible spirit haunts the music, which conjures dreamy images of Dylan ("Billy"), Del Amitri ("Everyone Will Crawl"), Mellencamp ("Sunday Clothes") and ultimately no one but Sexton himself ("Neighborhood," "Wishing Tree"). --Jeff Bateman

Customer Reviews:

Wishing Tree Bearing Fruit.......2006-04-13

This work drifted into earshot after reading more closely Dylan's insightful notes in,'Biograph' where Sexton's prodigious talents get passing mention. Little did I know that said Charlie was to figure as guitar support with one of Dylan's touring bamds in the 90s. Following the most oblique and casual remarks of Dylan has always been rewarding. It helped me stumble on his buddy, James Dickerson's brilliant,'Free Beer Tomorrow'. And so to Sexton, whose ,'Wishing Tree' gloves beutifully with,'Free Beer', if your into a southern-fried sort of mood. There is so much quality music issuing from the Lone Star State it's just not feasible, granted the size of the entertainment market, for all wannabes to get the big spotlight. But Sexton is decidely worthy of a brighter beam than has, thus far, fallen on him. The panoramic, atmospheric scape of the Lanois school of sound is evident throughout. Someone has been listening to their ,'Joshu Tree' to great effect.'Neighbourhood' and the title track kick off the set and its hold is sustained throughout. I love the despairing,'Everyone Will Crawl's' dream of flying where the singer climbs a moutain, sneaks up on a man with his notebook of stone. It's quasi religious mutterings of first learning the humble path of crawling strike as aptly expressing the simple, but far from simplistic honesty of Sexton's muse. Jim Crace's book,'Quarantine' came to mind. It's a generous sampling and if I have a quibble (as with the lengthy Joseph Arthur's,'Redemption's Son') I'd have left the last two tracks for another date to toughen the impact.

Rediscovering Charlie!.......2005-08-12

Charlie had my attention from the first time I saw him on an MTV new year's concert right after "Pictures For Pleasure." I unfortunately lost track of him after that. I recently came across that cassette (!) and rediscovered him. All this time,I never knew the Arc Angels existed. If I had, I would have moved myself straight to Austin! I didn't know what to expect when I found "Under the Wishing Tree." What I found was brilliant...

Charlie's beautiful, mesmerizing voice, musical talent and raw emotion on such personal songs as "Sunday Clothes" "Plain Bad Luck" and "Spanish Words" has me captivated. I just want to listen to him over and over. It amazes me that more people have not discovered Charlie Sexton.

I am eagerly awaiting his new work out in September.

Wired and Rippin'.......2005-07-19

They were going to make a superstar out of Charlie Sexton when he was 17. They took him in a studio, obliterated anything he had to offer and then forgot about him. I guess he went home and played his guitar. Then he made this record and toured it in a ratty van. Saw him in New Orleans in 1995 at the Howling Wolf when he toured this record. One of the hottest live shows I've ever seen! Bar none! This is a record you can go back to time and again. The next time I saw Charlie, he was on stage with Mr. Dylan and nobody knows how to assemble a band like Bob does. Listen to the tracks they offer here. I hate to make lame comparisons about how one guy sounds like someone else. Charlie doesn't sound like anyone else. This is good stuff!

a classic.......2005-06-01

Charlie Sexton is a bit of an odd duck- guitar slinger prodigy to the stars with little previous indication that he was capable of an album like this. Haunting, sepia toned production by Dan Lanois alumni Malcolm Burns combined with superbly well arranged, well written tunes make this one those overlooked masterpieces. Reams of intricately woven guitars, mandolins, atmospheric washes and heartfelt singing make for a stirring experience.

Oh Yeah, It's Charlie Sexton.......2004-06-15

The Austin of 1995 isn't the Austin of 2004, that's for sure. But thankfully it's still mostly intact.

Whenever I have friends come visit, this is one of the first records I play for them to get them "into" what Austin is all about. Anybody living here will totally identify with and understand what Charlie is talking about.

The beautiful thing about this LP is that Charlie isn't just "representin' Austin here, this music's language is universal in scope and feeling.

Still his best work as an artist, by far. It makes one proud to live and work in this city, knowing we have people of this caliber.

Wishing Well
Average customer rating:

Intensely Emotional Performances

Simply Sublime. . .

A beautiful CD. Singer and songs in perfect harmony.

Angels cannot sing as well

Another Gem

Wishing Well
Connie Dover
Manufacturer: Taylor Park
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music
General | Folk | Styles | Music
General | International | Styles | Music
General | Celtic | International | Styles | Music
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The Border of Heaven

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Daughter Of Lir

Celtic Voices: Women of Song

ASIN: B0000017KZ
Release Date: 1995-08-29

Tracks:

In Aimsir An Fheir (At Hay Cutting Time)
Laddie, Lie Near Me
Hugh The Graeme
Siuil A Ruin
Weston
Where Shall I Go? (A Cowboy's Hard Times)
Ubi Caritas
Willie Of Winsbury
The Colorado Trail
The Wishing Well
Summer Before The War

Customer Reviews:

Intensely Emotional Performances.......2006-04-07

Until a chance discovery on "Thistle & Shamrock" some years ago, I had never heard of Connie Dover before. Thanks to Fiona Ritchie and her selection of Ms. Dover's 'In Aimsir An Fheir', my socks were promptly knocked off, and I rushed out to buy the CD. The afore-mentioned song, the first on the CD, somehow carries an incredible amount of emotional content and weight ... considering it's sung in Gaelic, and hence unintelligible to me. Even after many years, every time I listen I get goose-bumps and moved to tears. I'm not alone in that, either, as the first time I played it for my wife (saying "you have to hear this"), she was crying within 15 seconds. It is difficult to imagine the level of artistry that some folks possess ...
Each song on the CD is a gem, and as others have related, the songs span a considerable range of genres and topics. Whether it's the noble-but-betrayed 'Hugh the Graeme', the winsome 'Summer Before The War', or the end-of-the-trail heartbreak of 'Where Shall I Go (A Cowboy's Hard Times)', they're all little masterpieces.
If you're a fan of Celtic music, folk music, old fashioned western music, or the territories between, snag a copy of this CD: you'll enjoy every minute.

Simply Sublime. . ........2006-02-19

is how I would describe this CD. My piano teacher is from Ireland, so I recently became interested in listening to Celtic Music. I started checking out everything I could find in the public library system in November '05, and the first CD I fell in love with was Narada's "Celtic Spirit" and, in particular, the "Ubi Caritas," however, the booklet was missing from the library copy, and there was only one copy in the system, so I purchased the CD so that I might discover the artist's name, and, in turn, purchased this CD for which I have no regrets.

I just opened the CD this evening and am now on my 5th listening. Ms. Dover has a crystal clear voice, great diction, love her turns, for those of you who are trained singers will understand what I mean when I say her voice is connected - no breathiness here - good intonation - excellent harmonies and instrumentation. Every song on this CD is a treat, with many heart wrenching moments. This CD makes you want to own all of Ms. Dover's recordings. If you are a Celtic music lover, this is a must-have in your collection!

A beautiful CD. Singer and songs in perfect harmony........2002-05-25

This wonderful collection of songs is sung by the little known, but angelically beautiful voice of Connie Dover - possibly the finest singer of this kind of material in the world. Connie is a Missouri-based singer who combines a love of ancient Scottish and Irish ballads and other traditional songs, with an interest in her 'cowgirl' roots as an American who has spent time as a trail cook on the cattle ranches of the west listening to the folk sounds of America's past. The musical fruit of these varied tastes, is the diverse range of the songs recorded on this CD. There's Celtic folk, there's cowboy songs, there's even the spiritual 'Ubi Caritas' - a 20th century melody penned to the words of a 9th century Gregorian chant. What is remarkable is how well these pieces all gel together - but then these are great songs, and great songs sound good whatever the context in which they are heard.

Every single one of the tracks on 'The Wishing Well' is worthy of mention, so it's difficult to select favourites. Perhaps Connie's voice is best suited to those gentle Scottish ballads, the pretty 'LADDIE, LIE NEAR ME' and the very beautiful 'WILLIE OF WINSBURY' (I'm glad it's very beautiful because it's also very long!) Another really nice song is 'HUGH THE GRAEME'. However, if Celtic ballads are a forte of Connie's, the two cowboy pieces on this CD, 'WHERE SHALL I GO?' and the lovely 'THE COLORADO TRAIL' are equally good, and splendidly compliment the old world pieces. 'SUMMER BEFORE THE WAR' is another song from a very different era written around a very different theme, and yet again it is first rate material. So is the aforementioned 'UBI CARITAS'. Ironically one of the very best tracks on this CD of vocal delights is the sole instrumental piece 'WESTON' - but that is no reflection at all on the quality of Connie Dover's voice. Rather it is a testament to her skills as a composer, for Connie wrote this melody about the Missouri river town herself. If I must choose a favourite piece however, then it has to be the title track. 'THE WISHING WELL' is the song in which Connie's voice achieves it's greatest expression. This superb song is well worth the price of the CD by itself.

I cannot nitpick over this CD as there is nothing to nitpick about. It's beautiful, and Connie Dover's voice was a revelation to me when I first heard it. This was the first CD I ever purchased which moved me sufficiently to inspire me to write a review; I wouldn't lightly award five stars to anybody, but this unison of singer and songs in perfect harmony certainly deserves five (or six if I could!) and if I can persuade just one person to enrich their musical life by purchasing this CD, then it will have been well worthwhile. Buy it!!!

Angels cannot sing as well.......2001-12-31

Suffice it to say that Connie Dover has the voice of an angel. I have had the pleasure of seeing her perform in person and she is every bit as delightful as her albums indicate. Her voice is sweet and compelling as a bell; her tone as pure as a nightningale's, her performance flawless, and her delivery captivating. Those of you who like Celtic music will love Connie. I have all four of her albums and I gave several more out for Christmas presents. If you have not heard Connie, take a chance on her. You will definitely and immediately fall in love with her angelic voice.

Another Gem.......2001-04-29

This album gets more beautiful with every listen. It contains a lot of what Connie Dover does best - textured, moving ballads with a hint of the Irish and sung with Connie's admirably trained, richly textured voice. It also contains some uplifting jigs and an acapella that will bring tears to your eyes.

Tracks:

The Phantom Of The Opera
The Music Of The Night
Think Of Me
Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again
All I Ask Of You
Angel Of Music
As If We Never Said Goodbye
The Greatest Star of All
With One Look
Memory
I Don't Know How To Love Him
Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say)
King Herod's Song
Don't Cry For Me, Argentina
Starlight Express
Any Dream Will Do

Customer Reviews:

Kunzel's different perspective on ALW's musicals.......2005-11-06

Kunzel's offering of Andrew Lloyd Webber suites is a worthwhile tribute to this modern-day titan of globalised musicals. Although this album has a different feel from the original cast albums, Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops still perform these affectionate arrangements of Lord Lloyd Webber's musicals expertly, superbly and voluptiously. The creative arrangements by Crafton Beck and Steven Reineke are tastefully and, for the most part, faithfully done, and allow Kunzel to offer a fresh perspective to these musicals in their orchestral settings. And as always Telarc provides its trademark audiophile-quality recording - surround sound quality with a sumptuous spatialiser such that you might be overwhelmed by the Phantom's laughter in the Phantom suite.

Kunzel contrasts the dramatic and lyrical sides of the PHANTOM and SUNSET BOULEVARD suites as if they were written for the Pops. The Phantom suite gains from a breathtaking organ introduction of the Phantom's theme, and from the contrasts in Music of the Night that match the lyrics perfectly, even without the cast album. The tender arrangement of Think of Me cleverly weaves the Angel of Music melody as a counterpoint, while All I Ask of You, complete with some of the details of the original orchestrations, makes a calming answer to Christine's Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again. The JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR suite depicts the contrasting and conflicting moods of this groundbreaking rock opera, from the contrasts in I Don't Know How to Love Him to the sheer anguish in Gethsemene (I Only Want to Say).

There are some interesting arrangements on this ALW offering, especially the arrangement of Don't Cry for Me Argentina from EVITA. Although some listeners might be offended when it transmorphs itself into the Ravel Bolero after doing an about-turn from its lush, Spanish feel, it still depicts Evita's rise to power and her manipulative trait in her character, well-suiting an orchestral concert arrangement of the tune and fitting in with the spirit of the musical. Another interesting arrangement is the rousing theme-and-variation finale of Any Dream Will Do from JOSEPH, which incorporates many different musical styles throughout the variations, from ballroom waltzing to jazz, movie music (Magnificent Seven) and circus-style music. I know some listeners might be offended, but in their own inimitable and creative way, Kunzel and the Pops still pay tribute to this early ALW musical by evoking the myriad of colours on the coat and the diversity of musical styles in the original JOSEPH musical. This arrangement certainly fits the trademark style of the Pops perfectly.

The only fault with this collection is in the arrangement of Memory from CATS. Here, this song is treated as a flat-out romantic ballad, rather than as the haunting anthem for respect that Grizabella sings. Nevertheless, the arrangement by Tommy Newsom (who wrote this arrangement for a Doc Severinson album) is innofensive to this well-loved ALW melody (this is the only arrangement that Crafton Beck or Steven Reineke didn't write for this album). Also, I wish that Kunzel had included Love Changes Everything and Whistle Down the Wind, but given the fact that this was a 1996 recording, ALW hadn't written Whistle down the Wind as yet. But these are minor caveats, since Kunzel offers much to savour in these infectuous and spirited performances.

Yet I still feel that Kunzel's ALW offering is a winner in its lush orchestral suite arrangements of his well-loved and great musicals, far superior to any shopping-mall synthesised arrangement. This would surely count towards another feather in Kunzel's cap and stand pride of place with his rousing offering of Rodgers & Hammerstein. I'm sure Lord Lloyd Webber would have been proud.

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
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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:

Missing Key Tracks
Dreamy and Hypnotic; Outstanding New Wave Rock
IT'S ABOUT TIME!!!!!!
Their best.
Yes, incomplete... although blissful this was re-released!

Listen
A Flock of Seagulls
Manufacturer: Superfecta
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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A Flock of Seagulls
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ASIN: B0002ZDW80
Release Date: 2004-10-12

Tracks:

Wishing
Nightmares
Transfer Affection
What Am I Supposed To Do
Electrics
The Traveller
2:30
Over The Border
The Fall
(It's Not Me) Talking
Committed (Extended Version)
Quicksand
I Ran (Live)

Album Description

The Grammy-Award winning band's 1983 album finally makes its compact disc debut in the United States. A Billboard Top 20 album, Listen features four hit singles: "Wishing (I Had a Photograph of You)", "Nightmares", "Transfer Affection", and "(It's Not Me) Talking". Three bonus tracks have been added, including the 80s alternative radio classic, "Committed". All songs are newly digitally remastered and the booklet contains complete lyrics for the first time. Furthermore, journalist Stephen "Spaz" Schnee has compiled new liner notes based on a 2004 interview with Mike and Ali Score.

Customer Reviews:

Missing Key Tracks.......2006-08-14

The reissue of A Flock Of Seagulls brilliant second album "Listen" disappoints for a number of reasons. First, why has the album never included the beautiful 9:38 version of "Wishing" that was released as a 12 inch single in the UK? Even the US promo EP has a 6:05 version that has the same gorgeous intro as the UK 12 inch. (The US album version clocks in at 5:30, this has been the version issued ad nauseum, except for the seriously truncated 3:58 US 45 version). Second, where are "Rosenmontag" and "The Last Flight of Yuri Gagarin"? I have a former edition of the CD, released in 1992 by Beehive Trading Limited (perhaps UK?) which has these two tracks, as well as "Quicksand", but no "Committed", which I only have on the aforementioned US EP and UK 12 inch. Buy this disc for what's here; the rating is for the "business" end of things, not for the fantastic music.

Dreamy and Hypnotic; Outstanding New Wave Rock.......2005-04-18

Dreamy and Hypnotic; Outstanding New Wave Rock

All right, I'll admit, maybe this band from Liverpool, England, took themselves just a little too seriously in 1983, what with the silly hairstyles and odd fashion sense. Maybe they let the Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental in 1982 go to their hair-do's. And maybe my 4-Star rating might be just a bit inflated, being that I've been an undying fan of AFOS since their first record, which is still today one of my all-time favorite albums. But cast all that aside, and you'll find that this is a darn good album, difficult as that may be for the casual listener to believe. While "Listen" departs from the harder-edged sound of the debut LP, it does find its own groove within a somewhat softer and more techno-fied atmosphere. Don't get me wrong; a few songs still rock pretty good, highlighting the work by amazing lead guitarist Paul Reynolds. But for the most part, the in-your-face guitar licks of the first album are relegated to the middle-ground, or background completely, while the drums and keyboards are pushed forward (could it be that the Score brothers; singer and keyboardist Mike, and drummer Ali, wanted their handiwork to overshadow that of Reynolds and bassist Frank Maudsley? Who knows.). In general, the formula works, in the context of the album as a whole. "Wishing" is brilliant, except for the annoying "buzz" sound heard on every single drum beat of the song (too bad that wasn't eliminated for the remastered release). "Nightmares" reminds one of how it felt to be eight years old and alone in the dark. "Transfer Affection" is a lovely ballad, found also on the Flock's "Best Of" CDs. "What Am I Supposed To Do?" is a fast-tempo tune, but does evoke sadness from the listener, as the song is about a painful breakup. "Electrics", "The Traveler", "Over The Border" and "It's Not Me Talking" are all New Wave-Rock oriented, while "2:30" seems to be really not much of anything; just synth effects that open with what sounds like an earthquake. Only "The Fall" causes me to hit the skip button. It's not all that bad, just a bit too slow and a bit too monotonous, even for the `Gulls. Two of the three bonus tracks are worth the price of the disc alone. The grunge-like "Quicksand" could have been a rock-radio favorite, had the group used it as a single instead of a b-side. It still stands up as one of the Flock's very best rock songs. And the live version of "I Ran" (the b-side of "It's Not Me Talking", at least in the U.S.) manages to capture the raw energy of the original studio recording. For some reason, there are two songs from the original CD and cassette releases that are missing from this reissue; "Rosenmontag" and "The Last Flight of Yuri Gagarin." Both were weird techno-flavored instrumentals, which tells me that AFOS, along with other British synth-rock bands and artists (like Gary Numan), were musical visionaries rather than One Hit Wonders. So if you're reading this you must be thinking about buying the CD. Do it, and also what the title suggests.

IT'S ABOUT TIME!!!!!!.......2005-02-15

In the year 1983, we were introduced to (among other things)both Listen by A Flock of Seagulls AND the CD. So why it took 22 years for Listen to come out on CD (and why we were stuck with nothing but 'best hits' albums by A Flock on CD during this time)is quite beyond my comprehension. But as they say, better late than never. Now I have to agree that it would have been FAR better to include the omitted songs than get another version of I Ran (like you can't find this song in enough places already). But I guess we just have to take what we can get. And an actual CD beats scratchy old vinyl (or a CD-R made from scratchy old vinyl) ANY DAY. If you like A Flock Of Seagulls, or if you just like New Wave in general (Admit it, you do. After all, you entered A Flock Of Seagulls as a search parameter. And Deftones and Linkin Park fans don't do this!), this CD is a must-have. Give your turntable a rest and hear this album WITHOUT the pops and scratches!

Their best........2004-11-18

Oh my gosh! Am I dreaming? This can't be! Just as I was fixing to leave the record/electronics last week after being there for 2-3 hours, it suddenly occurred to me that I almost forgot to check the bin for my favorite band of all time, A Flock of Seagulls. And, lo and behold, what do I find but a CD reissue (!) of 1983's "Listen", as well as a copy of "Platinum and Gold". I couldn't help but get 'em both!

In fact, I still have their first 3 TAPES--their self-titled debut, "Listen", and "The Story of a Young Heart". I think most AFOS fans would agree that "Listen" was the best of their 4 records. (The 4th album was "Dream Come True", apparently a really bad one.) They sound more mature on it with better songwriting, whether it's the dance groove of "Over the Border", the techno-punk fun of "Electrics", the dreamy vocal of "Nightmares", or the adventurous "Traveller". Flock's sound was/is so unique that one should admit that no one has sounded like them since. A song like "Wishing", with it's clashing synth/guitar/bass chords, still sounds rather exotic 20 years onward. You just don't hear such originality nowadays.

Speaking of tapes, the outside of my original tape of "Listen" says it contains 3 extra songs, "Rosenmontag", "Quicksand", and "The Last Flight of Yuri Gagarin". However, they're not on the tape itself. I have the Jive/RCA version, maybe that's why. The other tapes say Jive/Arista. Anybody know what gives? Of the 3, "Quicksand" is featured on this reissue and is actually one of their 'heavier' moments with the deepest groove of any AFOS song.

Yes, incomplete... although blissful this was re-released!.......2004-11-14

I am in agreement about the missing tracks "Last Flight of..." and "Rosemantag". Those were two hellaciously alternative songs, given the time of its original release. I will miss them.

I have waited many years to hear this CD again. I originally had the cassette when first released, but after taking that damn cassette everywhere I went for many years, it faded with the scenery. I have looked for the CD version on ebay and every so often one can find one going for $80 out of some remote village half way around the globe. Now that it is rereleased and two very important tracks were omitted I will still wait for that day I can get the original CD on ebay for $50.

The song Committed was a treat for me since I only had a sound snippet memorized in my head from the one time I had heard the song back in 83. Thanks for the memories.

Anyway, get this CD. It, in my humble opinion, is a work of art. The songs are strong and good. THe Production is very much unique for the time, the reverb fills up your speakers and gives an unmistakeable sense of place while you 'listen'. I wish they would have graced the bottom end of the sound spectrum a bit on the remaster, but then it wouldn't true to how Mike Howlett produced it. I guess I can just use my stereo's EQ.

Album Review:

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