2005
ASIN: B0007Y09OG
Editorial Reviews
The Guardian (UK), John L. Walters
"Fuze's solos are as outrageous as you could want... charismatic, soulful, technically brilliant (vocalist) Dean Bowman is a star."
Product Description
The long awaited release by Screaming Headless Torsos is a powerful mélange of the incredibly funky and original jazz-rock that made their name as "Musicians' Musicians" - fantastically played, but totally burning. Not afraid to rock out, Torsos combine their soul, rock and jazz in exceptionally brilliant and unique ways. Screaming Headless Torsos is the brainchild of mad-scientist guitarist David "Fuze" Fiuczynski, and began in 1984 as a punk-funk-reggae-opera band. In 1990 they added vocalist extraordinaire Dean Bowman and began their original take on avant-funk rock. The Torsos exceptionally high energy and virtuosic musicianship inspired fans, other musicians, and numbers of cover bands all over the world, becoming a cult phenomena with their first CD "1995" (released originally on Warner-Discovery Records). Their 1996 "Live!!" CD further proved their incredible ability and creativity and has been chosen repeatedly for "Best of All Time" lists from prominent publications worldwide. The band's newest effort, "2005" is their ten year celebration of the unique musical chemistry of their iconoclastic and sometimes wacky artistry. The musicians of the Torsos are all incredible players in their own right, who have collectively played with many of the biggest names in the pop and jazz worlds. Bassist Fima Ephron is the big bottom of the group, with a fluid and fat sound that grounds the highly percussive music. Percussionist Daniel Sadownick, the "secret weapon" of the band, using everything from squeezy toys to burning congas, powers the whole band with his passionate playing. Star drummer Gene Lake is simply one of the best drummers playing today, with extreme chops and supremely funky pocket. With special guest vocals by soul-rock vocalist Freedom Bremner.
2005
2005,Screaming Headless Torsos,Fuzelicious Records,Alternative Pop/Rock,An incredibly funky and original jazz-rock combo of master Jazz musicians that are not afraid to rock out, Torsos combine their soul, rock, house, drum'n bass and jazz in exceptionally brilliant and unique ways.,Funk Metal,Jazz,Pop
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Jersey Boys (2005 Original Broadway Cast)
Ronald Melrose , Ken Dow , Anik Oulianine , Stephanie Cummins , Deborah Hurwitz , Kevin Dow , Joe Payne , Larry Saltzman , Dave Spier , Bill Hayes , Randall Andos , Bob Milikan , Debra Shufelt , Maxine Roach , Belinda Whitney , Cenovia Cummins , Eric de Gioia , Louise Owen , Robin Zeh , Sarah Schwartz , Shinwon Kim , Christian Hoff , Daniel Reichard , Donnie Kehr , Erica Piccininni , J. Robert Spencer , Jennifer Naimo , John Lloyd Young , Sara Schmidt , Tituss Burgess , Steve Orich , and Bob Gaudio Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000BFH2QY Release Date: 2005-11-01 |
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Although it squarely falls in the "jukebox musical" category, Jersey Boys doesn¹t try to integrate its songs in an artificial plotline. The show tells the story of the early-1960s group the Four Seasons, and the musical numbers tend to be introduced in context, as when songwriter Bob Gaudio comes up with a tune, or the quartet performs a show. This allows Jersey Boys to flow better than some of ill-fated peers, and the actors can shine without having to bend backward to accommodate an inane book. The show's most (only) daring move is to start with a hip-hop-tinged French-language version of "December 1963 (Oh, What a Night)," an actual hit in France in 2000. After that it's all VH1-biopic territory, but it's done with so much flair, taste and energy that the ride's a fun one. The Four Seasons had enough hits ("Sherry," "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Rag Doll," etc.) to easily fill an evening at the theater, so it's left to the cast to do right by them. And it does, particularly John Lloyd Young as the band¹s star lead, Frankie Valli. Young hits all the falsetto notes and brings real freshness to the part. His "Can¹t Take My Eyes Off You," a second-act peak, is signed, sealed and delivered with a star's acumen. --Elisabeth VincentelliAlbum Description
Recounting the rich history and reliving the timeless sounds of the phenomenal Frankie Vallie & The 4 Seasons, the new Broadway musical Jersey Boys answers the musical-and philosophical question, "How did four would-be wise guys from Newark, NJ, become one of the greatest chart-topping successes in pop music history?" Jersey Boys celebrates legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito, and Nick Massi who, as the 4 seasons, wrote their own songs, invented their own identity, and sold 175 million records worldwide-all before they were 30.
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Monty Python's Spamalot (2005 Original Broadway Cast)
Eric Idle , John Du Prez , Tim Curry , David Hyde Pierce , and Hank Azaria Manufacturer: Decca Broadway ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0007OY2TE Release Date: 2005-05-03 |
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As gleefully silly yet wickedly smart as the beloved British comedy troupe and their 1975 cinematic savaging of the Arthurian legend that inspired it, this adaptation of Monty Python and the Holy Grail by MP's Eric Idle and longtime musical co-conspirator John Du Prez has much more on its feverish agenda than merely trashing King Arthur and firmly upending his Round Table. The film's plot remains largely intact, but its core songs ("Knights of the Round Table," "Brave Sir Robin") and comic thrust have been both expanded and satirically redirected, a musical comedy shotgun that takes dizzy aim at pop culture in general, and Broadway in particular. After typically Pythonesque distractions that somehow find us in "Finland..," stars David Hyde-Pierce, Tim Curry, Hank Azaria and company get busy conjuring the Lady of the Lake with the unlikely help of "Laker Girls..," while cast members Sara Ramirez and Christopher Sieber deliciously skewer contemporary Broadway cliches via the loopy showstopper "The Song That Goes Like This," a tune whose reprise also deliciously sends up every overwrought stage diva from Merman to Minelli. Idle has shrewdly ripped off--well, interpolated--Life of Brian's "Always Look On the Bright Side" for the new show, and even a snatch of "The Lumberjack Song" in "He Is Not Dead Yet." "You Won't Succeed on Broadway" reveals the frankly Semitic secret to stage success, and the French get can-canned on "Run Away!" Meanwhile, our bravest knight is de-closeted on the Manilow-mauling "His Name is Lancelot" before the familiar sound of clomping coconut shells brings down the curtain on the season's goofiest if satirically dead-on comic delight. --Jerry McCulley
Have Fun with More Irreverent Musicals
Urinetown |
The Rocky Horror Picture Show |
The Frogs |
Zanna Don't |
Hedwig and the Angry Inch |
Avenue Q |
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Mary Poppins (2005 Original London Cast)
Manufacturer: Disney ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000AOF9NY Release Date: 2005-09-13 |
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Mary Poppins may be one of the most beloved film musicals of all time, but it took 30 long years for it to transfer to the stage. This recording of the original London cast shows the wait was worthwhile though. The new version mixes in elements from both the original books by P.L. Travers (which she started publishing in 1934) and the Disney movie starring Julie Andrews, from 1964. (Mary seems to take 30 years to do anything.) Most of the original songs by brothers Richard and Robert Sherman (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) are present--Mary Poppins is so associated with "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious," "A Spoonful of Sugar," and "Chim Chim Cher-ee," her Oscar-winning duet with Bert, that starting from scratch would have been unthinkable. But then George Stiles and Anthony Drewe came in and dusted off some of these songs, and wrote entirely new numbers as well. Miraculous, these are wonderful and blend in seamlessly with the 1960s tunes, thanks in no small to William David Brohn's lovely orchestrations. As the titular super-nanny, Laura Michelle Kelly is so warm and scrumptious that she might as well be referring to herself when she sings "I'm practically perfect in every way." The rest of the cast is equally adept, making this Mary Poppins sweet but not treacly, and the rare show to upstage its source. --Elisabeth Vincentelli
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Rent (2005 Movie Soundtrack)
Rosario Dawson , Wilson Jermaine Heredia , Taye Diggs , Idina Menzel , Adam Pascal , Jesse L. Martin , Anthony Rapp , and Tracie Thoms Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000AYEI4U Release Date: 2005-09-27 |
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It's not that surprising that Rent, a successful musical with a strong youth following, would have transferred from the New York stage to film. What is remarkable is that the material has aged very well and that most of the original cast have made the trip to the silver screen. This is no small feat since nearly ten years have elapsed since the show's Off-Broadway debut and the film's release. When it opened in 1996, Jonathan Larson's rock musical based on neobohemian life in the gritty East Village felt a bit hackneyed at times; now, Rent feels more like a Broadway fantasy about life on the edge, and that new element actually works in the show's favor. The two cast additions--Rosario Dawson (replacing Daphne Rubin-Vega as Mimi) and Tracie Thomas (replacing Fredi Walker as Joanne)--act well and with emotion, but aren't quite powerful enough. They are eclipsed by vets such as Anthony Rapp, Idina Menzel, Wilson Jermaine Heredia, and Taye Diggs, who of course had the chance to perfect their roles on stage and can also be heard on the original cast recording. It's a pleasure to hear these stalwarts New York performers strut their stuff again. This soundtrack will please the show's fans, and probably attract new ones. --Elisabeth VincentelliAlbum Description
One of the longest-running shows (since 1996) in the history of Broadway, and one of its most beloved, RENT was the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and four Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Based on Puccini's classic opera "La Boheme," Jonathan Larson's revolutionary rock opera tells the story of a group of bohemians struggling for success and acceptance while enduring the obstacles of poverty, illness and the AIDS epidemic in New York's gritty East Village. Now the powerful musical marks its 10th year on stage by coming to the big screen, accompanied by RENT The Motion Picture Soundtrack, produced by Rob Cavallo (Green Day, Goo Goo Dolls, Alanis Morissette).
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The Color Purple (2005 Original Broadway Cast)
Brenda Russell , Allee Willis , Stephen Bray , Linda Twine , Joseph Joubert , LaChanze , Elisabeth Withers-Mendes , and Renee Elise Goldsberry Manufacturer: Angel Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000C1ZFA2 Release Date: 2006-01-24 |
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On paper, this adaptation of Alice Walker's best-selling novel has all the markings of a hit. It makes Oprah Winfrey's debut as a theater producer, the libretto is by Marsha Norman (Night Mother), and the lyrics and music are by a trio of seasoned pop pros: Allee Willis (the eccentric woman behind "Neutron Dance" and the theme from Friends), Stephen Bray (who worked on such Madonna hits as "True Blue" and "Express Yourself"), and Brenda Russell (the smooth soul-jazz songstress behind "Piano in the Dark"). That team has put together a series of fairly catchy songs that may lack depth but adeptly handle various idioms like gospel ("Mysterious Ways"), R&B ("Push Da Button"), and African rhythms ("African Homeland"). Though the inspirational vibe can get a bit much, softening the edges and preventing genuine artistic complexity, The Color Purple is a great showcase for its cast. As Celie, LaChanze delivers one of her usual sensitive performances, but watch also for Elisabeth Withers-Mendes's Shug--who sings a passionate paean to Celie ("Too Beautiful for Words")--and Renée Elise Goldsberry's Nettie (duetting with LaChange on "African Homeland"). The chance to hear these women strut their stuff almost makes up for the show's weaknesses. --Elisabeth VincentelliCustomer Reviews:
Still gives me shivers..........2007-06-11
Excellent music from an excellent play.......2007-05-27
GOOD IF YOU HAVE SEEN THE PLAY ON BROADWAY.......2007-04-02
This album is a must have. Live singing. .......2007-03-26
It Gets no better.......2007-01-09
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The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (2005 Original Broadway Cast)
William Finn , Rachel Sheinkin , Derrick Baskin , Dan Fogler , Jesse Tyler Ferguson , Deborah Craig , Lisa Howard , Celia Keenan-Bolger , Jose Llana , Jay Reiss , and Sarah Saltzberg Manufacturer: Ghostlight Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0009A1AMS Release Date: 2005-05-31 |
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When was the last time you heard a musical with a truly hilarious book? Rachel Sheinkin has concocted such a thing for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, one of the most unexpected hits of 2005. Unfortunately, Sheinkin's wit is mostly lost on a cast album; fortunately, the show's songs are by the great William Finn. Set at the titular event, the musical never looks down on the competiting kids (played by adult actors), instead portraying them as endearingly nerdy but also smart, and endowing them with real personalities rather than predictably spelling-bee tics. The cast is uniformly superb, although personal faves include Sarah Saltzberg, playing Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre with a delicious lisp ("Woe Is Me"); Jesse Tyler Ferguson, bringing sweet innocence to Leaf Coneybear ("I'm Not That Smart"); and Dan Fogler, in a breakout comic performance as William Barfee ("Magic Foot," sounding like a sly tribute to Kander & Ebb). This show may be small in scale, but it's a huge winner. --Elisabeth Vincentelli
Other Great Musicals of the Season
Spamalot |
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels |
The Light in the Piazza |
Little Women |
All Shook Up |
Altar Boyz |
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The Light in the Piazza (2005 Original Broadway Cast)
Adam Guettel , Craig Lucas , Kelli O'Hara , Victoria Clark , and Matthew Morrison Manufacturer: Nonesuch ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0009A1AQE Release Date: 2005-05-24 |
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Like a shimmering pearl, The Light in the Piazza emerged from a sea of revivals, rehashings, and movie adaptations to secure 11 2005 Tony nominations, including Best Musical. Based on an Elizabeth Spencer novella (which was also made into a 1962 film), it follows a mother, Margaret (Victoria Clark), and her daughter, Clara (Kelli O'Hara), as they take a vacation to Italy. There, Clara and a young Italian (Matthew Morrison) fall in love, but Margaret is determined to keep them apart.The Light in the Piazza doesn't fit the model of most Broadway scores, with a splashy opener here, a swing number there, then the big ballad. The score is more of a unified whole, sometimes jarring, sometimes following the patterns of speech, and sometimes unfolding in glorious sheens of sound. (Heck, some of it's even in Italian!) In that sense, it's similar to another unconventional American musical set in Italy, Stephen Sondheim's Passion, which is more chamber opera than musical, and composer-lyricist Adam Guettel (song of Mary Rodgers, grandson of Richard Rodgers) seems the most likely heir apparent to Sondheim in the current generation of musical theater creators. O'Hara's voice soars in the score's most beautiful moments ("Say It Somehow," the title song), but Clark enjoys two exquisitely lyrical moments with "Dividing Day" and "Let's Walk." She was one of the show's six Tony winners (for Leading Actress), along with Guettel's score and the orchestrations, scenice design, lighting, and costumes, while O'Hara (for Featured Actress), Morrison, Craig Lucas's book, and Bartlett Sher's direction were also nominated. --David Horiuchi
Album Description
The Light in the Piazza is arguably one of the most highly anticipated theatrical events of the decade for serious Broadway theatergoers. The Los Angeles Times has already declared its creator, Nonesuch artist Adam Guettel, "a composer for the new century," on the strength of his two Off-Broadway productions, the 1996 Obie-Award winning "folk musical" Floyd Collins and the 1998 song cycle, Myths and Hymns, TIME has described him as "a startlingly original songwriter." Few theatrical composers have been watched as closely as Guettel, and few musicals in the course of their development have generated so much substantial press or been praised so highly on the road as The Light in the Piazza. Both the New Yorker and The New York Times magazine devoted in-depth coverage to the evolution of Guettel's sophisticated, deeply moving score. New Yorker critic John Lahr decided,"Guettel's kind of talent cannot be denied. He shouldn't change for Broadway; Broadway, if it is to survive as a creative theatrical force, should change for him."
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Retrospective 1995-2005
Natalie Merchant Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0009NR7YK Release Date: 2005-09-27 |
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Album Description
Album Information: Following a phenomenal early run in the '80s and '90s with alt-rock sensations 10,000 Maniacs, Natalie Merchant went on to even greater success as a solo artist. Her 1995 solo debut Tigerlily delivered the Billboard Top 10 Smash "Carnival," as well as "Wonder" and "Jealousy," #20 and #23, respectively. Through subsequent albums, Merchant's emotive vocals and literate songs have established her as one of the most distinctive and popular women in contemporary pop-rock. Compiled by Natalie herself, Rhino's new collection represents her first-ever solo "best of", beautifully highlighting her socially conscious and melodious signature style.Customer Reviews:
Greatest Hits.......2007-01-03
Wonderful.......2006-12-30
scorching guitar.......2006-04-07
Tigerlily album is a better intro.......2005-12-30
Great Introduction To Natalie Merchant.......2005-11-24
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Live from Bonnaroo 2005
Ray Lamontagne Manufacturer: Junket Boy ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000C4B544 Release Date: 2005-12-06 |
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Front and Center.......2007-06-04
Great reproduction of Ray's 2005 Bonnaroo show!.......2007-04-11
sexy comfy.......2007-01-12
All This Blood on the Floor.......2006-09-10
rayok.......2006-08-04
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Intersections 1985-2005
Bruce Hornsby Manufacturer: Legacy ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000G7PN9U Release Date: 2006-07-25 |
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