Retrospective [Box set] [Original recording remastered]

Retrospective [Box set] [Original recording remastered]

ASIN: B0002Y4TUQ

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The classic room-warming sound of the Hammond organ has so ingrained itself in the jazz consciousness--and Jimmy Smith has figured so prominently in that ingraining process--that some fans may forget that the B-3 master had all manner of sounds in his bag of tricks when he started out. Retrospective, a choice four-disc sampling of his work for Blue Note from the mid '50s to early '60s, celebrates the variety of his attack: the rough swipes and charming clip-clopped phrases, the convulsive chords and breakneck notes. Bringing his profound blues sensibility to originals, standards, and bop, Smith started out and has spent much of his career leading a trio including drums and guitar, a format that gave him the freedom to wail (and to showcase his incomparable skills on foot pedals). But he scored some of his greatest triumphs in expanded groups that included members of the close-knit Blue Note family: trumpeter Lee Morgan, alto saxophonist Lou Donaldson, guitarist Kenny Burrell, drummer Art Blakey, and, on expanded tunes such as the consistently rewarding, 20-minute "The Sermon," neglected tenor saxophonist Tina Brooks. After leaving Blue Note for Verve, Smith elevated his commercial profile with big-band orchestrations, movie themes, and superstar summits, but as ear-opening as some of those recordings are, they lack the seat-of-the-pants magic and spiritual thrust of these inspired tracks. --Lloyd Sachs

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!

Original Masters: Leopold Stokowski: Decca Recordings 1964-1975 [BOX SET]

Average customer rating:

My own life is behind these recordings
Don't go for broke unless you're a die-hard Stokowski fan
More Sensational Stokowski

Original Masters: Leopold Stokowski: Decca Recordings 1964-1975 [BOX SET]

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00067R3BQ
Release Date: 2005-02-08

Customer Reviews:

My own life is behind these recordings.......2007-06-10

I can assure that one of the reason I love music is due to these recordings of Mr. Stokowsky. My father had the record of Scherezade and, though my father was an ignorant about cultivated music, he knew very well what to appreciate. We never argued when I played Beethoven's first symphony so loud, however, he always did when I played Rolling Stones so loud. I adore that he taught me to appreciate Rimsky-korsakov's music as well as Tchaikovsky's Capriccio Spagnolo so young. He was wise, on his way. I can't help to cry for him, listening to Borodin's Palatsovian dances, because, it is great music, and, having into account that I used to love it by Mr. Stokowsky's work, it doubles my crying and my remembrance. He loved the record so much. I love you, daddy.

Don't go for broke unless you're a die-hard Stokowski fan.......2006-09-22

When Stokowski began to make Phase 4 recordings for Decca in 1964, he was already 82, but he hadn't lost his energy or his tendency to shape music in outlandish ways. I mostly love him, but this box set duplicates recordings that can be found on the Cala label, which has been releasing everything Stokowski in the world, and on Decca single CDs if you go to the used market.

I mention this because the whole box set, Vol. 2 in the Original Masters series, continas some forgettable performances, in particular the rhythmically slack Beethoven Sym. 5 and 7, the over-highlighted Schubert 'Unfinished,' and a live Brahms First that seems manic and forced too much of the time. However, if you think of Stokowski having little to offer in the German classics, here is an exceptional Beethoven Ninth, one of the best things from his late career and wonderful in every way.

Decca knows that the crowd-pleasers are the gaudy, multi-miked Phase 4 versions of Scheherazade, as bombastic as you could imagine, and lots of Russian fare, including Stoki's signature synthesis from Boris Godunov. The 1812 Over., by the way, isn't over the top and yet needed to be. Finally, this German-Russian collection contains a thrilling disc of Wagner excerpts, much of it grossly over-miked, but at its core containing very impressive, vital interpretations.

In all, I'd select the Wagner, the Beethoven Ninth, and the legendary Scheherazade as the best things here. Buy them separately or take the plunge for this whole box, your choice.

More Sensational Stokowski.......2005-06-08

It took me a while to purchase this six-disc set in UNI's "Original Masters" series, but I finally did this past weekend. Classical music fans seem to either love or hate Leopold Stokowski (I, of course, love him), and unfortunately much of "Decca Recordings 1964-75, Volume 2" will be old news to serious devotees of the conductor. While I'm not familiar with the complete Decca back-catalog, at least three full discs worth of material have been previously available in the old "Weekend Classics" series -- Beethoven's 5th & 7th, Beethoven's 9th, and the Wagner selections. (I'm pretty sure the Rimsky-Korsakov material on disc five, and the Tchaikovsky and Mussorgsky pieces on disc six have been issued prior too.) This is good news for those who came to collecting classical CDs late (like me) because while the Wagner is still available individually, the Beethovens have been fetching absurd prices in the Amazon Marketplace. The only material receiving its first international release is contained on disc 3 -- a Schubert "Unfinished" with the London Philharmonic from 1969 and a rousing live performance of the Brahms 1st with the London Symphony on the occasion of the conductor's 60th anniversary leading that body. The original instruments crowd will surely turn up their noses at these legendary performances, but me, I'll just sit back and listen to some more sensational sounding Stokowski.

Average customer rating:

Great compilation, that's not just the usual stuff.

50 Original Recordings
Ella Fitzgerald
Manufacturer: Prism Boxed Set
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Pure Ella: The Very Best of Ella Fitzgerald

ASIN: B00005J9JM
Release Date: 2001-04-11

Tracks:

One I Love (Belongs To Somebody Else)
My Heart Belongs To Daddy
I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)
When My Sugar Walks Down The Street
T'aint What You Do
My Man
Stairway To The Stars
My Melancholy Baby
Cry My Heart Out For You
Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall
Holiday In Harlem
Baby Won't You Please Come Home
Tisket A Tasket
I Found My Yellow Basket
My Last Goodbye
Sing Me A Swing Song
I'll Chase The Blues Away
Love You're Just A Laugh
I Must Have That Man
Deep In The Heart Of The South
I'm The Loneliest Gal In Town
Love And Kisses
Paper Moon
Didja Mean It
Little White Lies
It's Only A Paper Moon
Oh! Lady Be Good
You Won't Be Satisfied (Until You Break My Heart, With Louis
That Old Feeling
It's A Pity To Say Goodnight
A Sunday Kind Of Love
How High The Moon-
For Sentimental Reasons
I'm Beginning To See The Light (With The Ink Spots)
I've Got A Feelin' I'm Fallin'
The Frim Fram Sauce (With Louis Armstrong)
I'm Confessin'
Guilty
Peetootie Pie (With Louis Jordan)
You Turned The Tables On Me
Flying Home
My Heart And I Declined
You're Breakin' In A New Heart
Sentimental Journey
That's The Way It Is (With The Ink Spots)
Robbin's Nest
He's My Guy
Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall (With The Ink Spots)
Cow Cow Boogie (With The Ink Spots)
Baby, It's Cold Outside (With Louis Jordan)

Album Details

Budget CD with 50 Tracks from the Songstress.

Customer Reviews:

Great compilation, that's not just the usual stuff........2002-05-01

I've owned a number of the song-books for years, and love them. If you want something more, or different, though, it's hard to sort through all the other albums out there. I think this collection gives a great overview of her other work, especially the early stuff. All of the performances are good, although one or two of the songs are duds (like the sequel to "A Tisket A Tasket"). A number of the tracks feature the "Ink Spots" and Louis Jordan as well. With 50 tracks there's a lot here for any taste. For my money, this was a great buy.

Complete Original American Victor Recordings

Average customer rating:

Complete Original American Victor Recordings
Count Basie
Manufacturer: Definitive
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00005NZYV
Release Date: 2001-08-21

Tracks:

Bill's Mill
Me and the Blues
Free Eats - Count Basie, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Harry "Sweets" Edison,
Brand New Wagon
Open the Door, Richard - Count Basie, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Harry "Sweets" Edison,
One O'Clock Boogie
Meet Me at No Special Place (And I'll Be There at No Particular Time)
I'm Drowning in Your Deep Blue Eyes
Futile Frustration
Swingin' the Blues
St. Louis Boogie
Basie's Basement
Backstage at Stuff's
My Buddy
Shine on Harvest Moon
Lopin'
I Never Knew
Sugar
Jungle King
Take a Little off the Top - Count Basie, Ted Donnelly, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Harry "Sweets" Edison
I Aint Mad at You (AKA High Tide)

Tracks:

After You've Gone
House Rent Boogie
South
Don't You Want a Man Like Me
Blue and Sentimental
Seventh Avenue Express
Mr. Roberts' Roost
Sophisticated Swing
Guest in a Nest
Your Red Wagon
Money Is Honey
Just a Minute
Baby Don't Be Mad at Me
I've Only Myself to Blame
Robbins Nest
Hey Pretty Baby
It's Monday Everyday
Bye, Bye, Baby
Ready, Set Go!
Brand New Dolly
Cheek to Cheek

Tracks:

Just an Old Manuscript
Katy
She's a Wine-O
Did You Ever See Jackie Robinson Hit That Ball?
Shoutin' Blues
Did You Ever See Jackie Robinson Hit That Ball?
St. Louis Baby
Wonderful Thing
Slider [Take 1C]
Mine, Too [Take 1D]
Walking Slow Behind You
Slider [Take 2]
Normania (Blee Bop Blues)
Rocky Mountain Blues
If You See My Baby
Solid as a Rock
Rat Race
Sweets
Slider [Take 1B]
Bugle Call Rag
One O'Clock Jump [All Star Jump]

FRANK SINATRA: 45 ORIGINAL RECORDINGS / 2 CD BOX SET / DISC 1: ALL OF ME / 22 SONGS / DISC 2: THE GOLDEN VOICE / 23 SONGS / 2001 PRISM LEISURE CORP. (ENGLAND IMPORT)

Average customer rating:

FRANK SINATRA: 45 ORIGINAL RECORDINGS / 2 CD BOX SET / DISC 1: ALL OF ME / 22 SONGS / DISC 2: THE GOLDEN VOICE / 23 SONGS / 2001 PRISM LEISURE CORP. (ENGLAND IMPORT)

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000MXAJS8

Product Description

FRANK SINATRA: 45 ORIGINAL RECORDINGS / 2 CD BOX SET / DISC 1: ALL OF ME / 22 SONGS / DISC 2: THE GOLDEN VOICE / 23 SONGS / 2001 PRISM LEISURE CORP. (ENGLAND IMPORT)

Average customer rating:

Musak Crap!
broadway elevator music

The Best of Broadway
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Madacy Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Tracks:

Phantom Of The Opera: Title Theme
A Chorus Line: What I Did For Love
Cats: Memory
Evita: Don't Cry For Me Argentina
Show Boat: Old Man River
West Side Story: Tonight
The Sound OF Music: Climb Every Mountain
Porgy And Bess: It Ain't Necessarily So
High Society: What Is This Thing Called Love
Can Can: I Love Paris
Camelot: If Ever I Would Leave You
My Fair Lady: The Rain In Spain
My Fair Lady: I Could Have Danced All Night
West Side Story: Overture

Tracks:

Gigi: Gigi
Porgy And Bess: I Got Plenty O' Nuttin'
Flying Down To Reo: Cheek To Cheek
Can Can: C'Est Magnifique
My Fair Lady: I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face
The King And I: Hello Young Lovers
Oklahoma: Oklahoma
Brigadoon: Almost Like Being In Love
West Side Story: Somewhere
High Society: True Love
Porgy And Bess: Summertime
My Fair Lady: With A Little Bit Of Love
South Pacific: Bali Hi

Tracks:

West Side Story: Maria
Carousel: You'll Never Walk Alone
Show Business: There's No Business Like Show Business
High Society: Begin The Beguine
Top Hat: Isn't This A Lovely Day
Annie Get Your Gun: Anything You Can Do I Do Better
Holiday Inn: White Christmas
Kiss Me Kate: From This Moment On
Can Can: I Love Paris
Red, Hot And Blue: It' De-Lovely
High Society: My Heart Belongs To Daddy
Girl Crazy: Embraceable You
Damsel In Distress: Nice Work If You Can Get It

Customer Reviews:

Musak Crap!.......2004-09-03

This is not a CD of the original recordings. These are simply horrible Musak versions of the real deal. Don't touch this collection unless you plan on piping it through an elevator speaker somewhere.

broadway elevator music.......2000-02-22

This CD is not a good one if you are looking for the tunes as you would hear them in the musical. Most of the songs do not have words and those that do are poor quality. Look for a Broadway CD that says "original cast" unless you want more of a background music collection.

Average customer rating:

8 CD Box Set
George Gershwin
Manufacturer: Gershwin History
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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General | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music

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Tracks:

Variations on Fascinating Rhythm/Variations on Liza - George Gershwin
Second Prelude - George Gershwin
Interview - George Gershwin
I Got Rhythm - George Gershwin
Signature - George Gershwin
Of Thee I Sing (Overture) - George Gershwin
Man I Love - George Gershwin
I Got Rhythm - George Gershwin
Commercial - George Gershwin
Swanee/Sign-Off - George Gershwin
Signature - George Gershwin
Mine - George Gershwin
Variations on "I Got Rhythm" - George Gershwin
Love Is Sweeping the Country - George Gershwin
Commercial - George Gershwin
Wintergreen for President/Sign-Off - George Gershwin
Introduction/Summertime - George Gershwin, Abbie Mitchell
Woman Is a Sometime Thing - George Gershwin, Edward Matthews
Act I, Scene 1: Finale - George Gershwin
My Man's Gone Now - Ruby Elzy, George Gershwin
Bess, You Is My Woman Now - Anne Brown, Todd Duncan, George Gershwin

Tracks:

Rhapsody in Blue - George Gershwin, Paul Whiteman Orchestra
Prelude, No. 1 - George Gershwin
Prelude, No. 2 - George Gershwin
Prelude, No. 3 - George Gershwin
Andante from Rhapsody in Blue - George Gershwin
American in Paris - Victor Symphony Orchestra
Second Rhapsody Rehearsal Performance - George Gershwin, The Orchestra

Tracks:

You've Got What Gets Me [From Girl Crazy] - Mitzi Green, Dixie Lee, Eddie Quillan, RKO Studio Orchestra
Fascinating Rhythm [From Girl Crazy] - Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra, Mickey Rooney
Embraceable You - Ralph Blane, Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra, Judy Garland, Henry Kruze
Boy! Look What Love Has Done to Me [Extended Version] - Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
Treat Me Rough [Extended Version] - June Allyson, Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra, The Music Maids, Mickey Rooney
I Got Rhythm - Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra, Trudy Erwin, Judy Garland, Hal Hopper, The Music Maids, Mickey Rooney, Six Hits and a Miss
Could You Use Me? - Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney
Ouverture Medley: Swanee/Somebody Loves Me/Fascinating Rhythm/Embr ... - Warner Bros. Orchestra
Swanee - Al Jolson
135th Street Blues (Blue Monday) - John B. Hughes, Warner Bros. Studio Chorus
Summertime [Extended Version] - Ann Brown
Delishious [Extended Version] - Sally Sweetland
Third Prelude [Outtake] - Oscar Levant

Tracks:

Shall We Dance (Ouverture) (Shall We Dance) - The Orchestra
Slap That Bass - Fred Astaire, , Chorus
(I've Got) Beginner's Luck - Fred Astaire, RKO Radio Orchestra, Nathaniel Shilkret
They All Laughed [With Extended Chorus] - Ginger Rogers
Let's Call the Whole Thing Off - Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers
They Can't Take That Away from Me - Fred Astaire, RKO Radio Orchestra
Promenade (Walking the Dog) - RKO Radio Orchestra, Nathaniel Shilkret
Shall We Dance? - Fred Astaire
I Can't Be Bothered Now [From A Damsel in Distress] - Fred Astaire, RKO Radio Orchestra
Foggy Day - Fred Astaire, RKO Radio Orchestra
Nice Work If You Can Get It - Pearl Amatore, Fred Astaire, Mary Dean, Jan Duggen
Things Are Looking Up - Fred Astaire, Victor Baravalli, RKO Radio Orchestra
I Was Doing All Right [The Goldwyn Follies] - Ella Logan
Love Walked In [Artie Shaw Symphony in Swing][Outtake] - Samuel Goldwyn Studio Orchestra, Jon Hall, Edward B. Powell, Virginia Verrill
Oh, Lady Be Good - Artie Shaw & His Orchestra, Artie Shaw & His Orchestra

Tracks:

Strike Up the Band [Broadway Rhythm] - Judy Garland, M-G-M Studio Chorus & Orchestra, Mickey Rooney, Six Hits and a Miss
Somebody Loves Me [Broadway Rhythm] - Lena Horne, MGM Studio Orchestra
Babbitt and the Bromide [Ziegfeld Follies of '46] - Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly
Liza (All the Clouds'll Roll Away) - Avon Long
Opening Music/Sweet Packard [The Shocking Miss Pilgrim]
Changing My Tune - Betty Grable
Stand Up and Fight - Chorus
Aren't You Kind of Glad We Did? - Betty Grable, Dick Haymes
Changing My Tune (Reprise) - Betty Grable
Back Bay Polka (But Not in Boston) - Betty Grable, Allyn Joslyn, Charles Kemper
One, Two, Three/Waltzing Is Better Sitting Down/Waltz Me No Waltzes - Betty Grable, Dick Haymes, Chorus
For You, For Me, For Evermore - Betty Grable, Dick Haymes
For You, For Me, For Evermore (Reprise) - Dick Haymes
Aren't You Kind of Glad We Did? (Finale) - Betty Grable, Dick Haymes

Tracks:

Somebody Loves Me [From George White's Scandals of 1922] - Columbians
I'll Build a Stairway to Paradise - Paul Whiteman Orchestra
Nashville Nightengale [Musical Nifties] - Fred Waring & His Pennsylvanians
I Won't Say I Will (But I Won't Say I Won't) [The Frence Doll] - Irene Bordoni
Boy Wanted (The Rainbow Song) - Heather Thatcher
Song of the Flame [Oh, Kay!] - Tessa Kosta
Clap 'Yo Hands - Roger Wolfe Kahn & His Orchestra
Do, Do, Do - Gertrude Lawrence
Someone to Watch Over Me - Gertrude Lawrence
Fascinating Rhythm [Lady, Be Good!] - Cliff "Ukelele Ike" Edwards, Paul Whiteman Orchestra
Oh, Lady Be Good [From Lady Be Good] - Paul Whiteman Orchestra
Funny Face - Adele Astaire, Fred Astaire
That Certain Feeling [Tip Toes] - Percival Mackey & His Band
Looking for a Boy - Roger Wolfe Kahn & His Orchestra
Sweet and Low-Down - Paul Whiteman Orchestra
Man I Love [From Strike Up the Band] - Vaughn DeLeath, Fred Rich and His Hotel Astor Orchestra

Tracks:

My One and Only [From Funny Face] - Johnny Johnson and His Statler Pennsylvanians
'S Wonderful [From Funny Face] - Victor Arden, Phil Ohman
Oh Gee! - Oh Joy! [From Strike Up the Band] - Ben Selvin Orchestra
Liza [From "Show Girl"] - Leo Reisman & His Orchestra
Soon [From Strike Up the Band] - Victor Arden, Phil Ohman and Their Orchestra
I Got Rhythm [From Girl Crazy] - Ethel Waters
Bidin' My Time [From Girl Crazy] - Blue Jeans
Sam and Delilah - Chick Bullock, Duke Ellington
My Cousin in Milwaukee - Lyda Roberti
Let 'Em Eat Cake [Let' Em Eat Cake] - Paul Whiteman Orchestra
Overture from of Thee I Sing - NBC Radio Orchestra
Who Cares? [Of Thee I Sing] - Victor Arden, Phil Ohman and Their Orchestra, Phil Ohman and Their Orchestra
Buzzard Song [From Porgy and Bess] - Lawrence Tibbett
I Got Plenty O' Nuttin' - Todd Duncan
Man I Love [From Strike Up the Band] - Lena Horne

Tracks:

Somebody Loves Me [George White's Scandals of 1924] - Benny Goodman & His Orchestra
I'll Build a Stairway to Paradise [From George White's Scandals of 1922 - Johnny Williams Swing Sextet
Summertime [From Porgy and Bess] - Billie Holiday
'S Wonderful [From Funny Face] - Goodman Group, Benny Goodman Quartet
Liza (All the Clouds'll Roll Away) [From Show Girl][Version] - King Cole Trio
Who Cares? [Of Thee I Sing] - Fred Astaire
But Not for Me [From Girl Crazy] - Helen Forrest, Harry James & His Orchestra
Embraceable You - Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra, Jo Stafford
But Not for Me - Ivan Ditmars, Judy Garland
Mine [Let 'Em Eat Cake] - Bing Crosby, Judy Garland
Aren't You Kind of Glad We Did? - Vaughn Monroe, Betty Norton
Man I Love [From Strike Up the Band] - Billie Holiday
Someone to Watch Over Me [Oh, Kay!][Live] - Frank Sinatra, Axel Stordahl & His Orchestra
Embraceable You [From Girl Crazy] - Charlie Parker Quintet

Jazz Music:

Jazz Music

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