Sitting Pretty

Sitting Pretty

ASIN: B00019MRY2

Track Listings

1. Sitting Pretty

2. Sleepwalker

3. Together

4. Never Look Back

5. April

6. Temptation

Editorial Reviews
Fort Worth Weekly Music Awards 2004
Lauren Gifford's latest disc, Sitting Pretty, with its multifarious moods and colors, is quite an achievement.

Product Description
Style and Sound

An organic blend of Pop, Rock, Jazz and Classical elements with the occasional Country twang. Flawless vocals, feel-good vibe and groove, intricate vocal harmonies, ... and an acoustic upright Bass all the way...

Influences

Lauren Gifford's music is influenced by today's alternative culture and at the same time by James Taylor, Paul Simon and Dave Brubeck - and a touch of Billy Holliday

Comparison

John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Norah Jones, Sarah McLachlan (voice), Fiona Apple (vocal talent), James Taylor and Paul Simon (songwriting), Ani DiFranco (diversity), Dave Brubeck (piano)

The Songs

1) Sitting Pretty - Ogden Nash inspired lyrics over a seductive, SRV-guitar-driven acoustic Hip-Hop groove

2) Sleepwalker - A Monday morning wake-up call with sensational vocal harmonies

3) Together - Ancient Italian romanticism with emotional overdrive ... and then there is THAT guitar solo...

4) Never Look Back - Light-hearted swing playing off a reflective mood

5) April - Sticky Texas heat dripping from a slow moving Honky Tonk ballad

6) Temptation - Playful Piano extravaganza (instrumental)

Sitting Pretty

Tracks:

English Madrigals: A Little Pretty Bonny Lass
English Madrigals: Weep No More, Thou Sorry Boy
English Madrigals: Shoot False Love
English Madrigals: Now Is The Month Of Maying
English Madrigals: Four Arms, Two Necks, One Wreathing
English Madrigals: Hark, All Ye Lovely Saints Above
English Madrigals: Since Robin Hood
English Madrigals: Though Philomela Lost Her Love
English Madrigals: O Wretched Man
English Madrigals: Weep, O Mine Eyes
English Madrigals: The Nightingale, The Organ Of Delight
English Madrigals: Come, Sirrah Jack, Ho!
English Madrigals: Cruel, Behold My Heavy Ending
English Madrigals: Fair Phyllis I Saw Sitting All Alone
English Madrigals: Sing We And Chant It
English Madrigals: On A Fair Morning
English Madrigals: Oft Have I Vowed
English Madrigals: Is Love A Boy?
English Madrigals: Say, Love, If Ever Thou Didst Find
English Madrigals: All At Once Well Met
English Madrigals: Construe My Meaning
English Madrigals: Lord! When I Think
English Madrigals: Cruel, Wilt Thou Persever
English Madrigals: Fine Knacks For Ladies
English Madrigals: Strike It Up, Tabor
English Madrigals: I Love, Alas I Love Thee
English Madrigals: Farwell, Dear Love
English Madrigals: See, See The Shepherd's Queen
English Madrigals: Have I Found Her
English Madrigals: Lady Your Words Do Spite Me
English Madrigals: Were I A King
English Madrigals: Come Again
English Madrigals: Tan Ta Ra, Cries Mars
English Madrigals: Why Should I Love?
English Madrigals: This Sweet And Merry Month Of May

Customer Reviews:

Very pleased.......2007-06-10

I wasn't sure what to expect when I bought this CD. True, I could have listened on line before buying but that would have taken the fun out of the purchase. Besides, I really didn't care for the CD the first couple of times I listened but now I really love it. It's not something to listen to all the time but given the right circumstances e.g. a small gathering of friends, it's perfect. If I'd listened to online, I wouldn't have purchased it.

Sumptuous and mellow.......2002-11-28

The six men of the King's Singers present sweet and light-hearted madrigals of such English composers as Morley, Weelkes, Dowland, Wilbye and Byrd. The thirty five selections include "Now is the Month of Maying", "Though Philomela Lost Her Love", "Sing We and Chant It," the celebration of tobacco entitled "Come, Sirrah Jack, Ho!" and a host of other fa-la-la-la-la venues interspersed with wistful laments. I love the rich, sonorous sound of a male vocal ensemble, with countertenors, tenor, baritones and bass, and these six singers do a great job. Occasional instrumental accompaniments by lute and tabor are included, but this group doesn't really need it--I could listen to them for hours all by themselves. Also quite enjoyable, as well as educational, is their earlier release, "The King's Singers' Madrigal History Tour: Italy, England, France, Spain and Germany". For a more risque' take on the vocal music of Renaissance England, you might get a kick out of "The Art of the Bawdy Song" by the Baltimore Consort with the Merry Companions.

One of the Best Collections of English Madrigals.......2002-03-27

Any fan of the King's Singers will regret not having this album in their collection.

This album offers a veritable feast of the choicest English madrigals found on any comparable album. From the obligatory "Now is the Month of Maying" and "Fair Phyllis" to the more obscure "Tan ta ra, cries Mars," there is certainly enough on this album to bring a smile to lovers of Renaissance music - and a spark of recognition to anyone who sang traditional madrigals in high school or university. For serious students of early music, this album comes very highly recommended.

Among the more sonorous offerings on this album, Jones' "Farewell, Dear Love" and Dowland's "Come Again," cannot be ignored. Nor can Bennet's immortal "Weep O mine eyes" be matched more musically than here by the King's Singers.

This album has been played again and again for almost 6 years as both serious listening and background working music. And it has yet to lose its delight.

A Delightful Collection of English Madrigal.......2000-08-16

With 35 tracts to enjoy you're sure to find a couple of favorites. I gave this CD 4 of 5 stars compared to 5 stars for the King's Singers World Madrigal Tour CD. If you prefer all your songs in English, this will be your 5 star CD. Tract 32 "Come again" is my favorite due to the surperb tenor lead and melodic development. Compared to many polyphonic early music styles (1300s-1485), this era (1500-1610) provides many memorable melodies.

A wide variety.......2000-04-28

This is an excellent sampling of English madrigals. This presentation, given by an older roster of the Singers, is a nice introduction to the world of the madrigal, and English madrigals in particular.

The Wizard of Oz - Vintage Recordings from the 1903 Broadway Musical

Average customer rating:

A Collection of the Original Oz Stage Productions
Ain't it a Shame!
Why the 1903 "Wizard" was forgotten
A long overdue revisit to a classic American musical
Long-Forgotten Broadway Hit Gets First Rate Revival

The Wizard of Oz - Vintage Recordings from the 1903 Broadway Musical

Manufacturer: Original Cast Record
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

The Shirley Temple Storybook Collection: Land of Oz/The Reluctant Dragon
The Wizard of Oz (1988 London Cast)
Before the Rainbow : The Original Music of Oz
Shock Treatment (1981)
Into the Woods (Original Broadway Cast)

ASIN: B00009MPYQ

Tracks:

Wizard of OzSelection (Arthur Pryor's Band)
The Bullfrog and the Coon (Ada Jones)
Pocahontas (Edward M. Favor)
Daisy Donohue (Harry Tally)
Down on the Brandywine (Collins & Harlan)
Come Take a Skate with Me Sung (Collins & Harlan)
I Love You All the Time (Harry Macdonough)
The Moon Has His Eyes on You (Ada Jones)
When You Love, Love, Love (Thomas E. Whitbred)
When We Get Whats a-Comin to Us
Mister Dooley Sung (Edward M. Favor)
Julie Dooley (J. W. Myers)
Meet Me Down at the Corner (Jones & Spencer)
Budweisers a Friend of Mine (Billy Murray)
Theres a Lot of Things You Never Learn at School (Bob Roberts)
Under a Panama (Billy Murray)
Good Bye Fedora (Collins & Harlan)
Sitting Bull (Collins & Harlan)
I Love Only One Girl in this Wide Wide World (Harry Macdonough)
Sammy (Harry Macdonough)
The Tale of a Stroll (Morgan & Stanley)
Cant You See Im Lonely? (Ada Jones)
Are You Sincere? (Byron G. Harlan)
Hurrah for Baffins Bay (Collins & Harlan)
Football (Dan W. Quinn)
Id Like to Go Halves in That (Burt Shepard)
Rejoice!The Wizard is No Longer King
The Traveler and the Pie
Must You? (Dan W. Quinn)
Thats Where She Sits All Day (Dan W. Quinn)
The Sweetest Girl in Dixie (Henry Burr)
Scarecrow Laugh (Fred Stone)

Tracks:

Sammy Mira (Music Box Disc)
Must You? (Mira Music Box Disc)
Opening Prayer
Phantom Patrol
Just a Simple Girl from the Prairie
Poppy Song
Love is Love
When We Get What's A-Comin' to Us
The Traveler and the Pie
When You Love, Love, Love
Rejoice! The Wizard is No Longer King
Phantom Patrol (Aeolian Piano Roll)
My Little Maid of Oz Aeolian Piano Roll
The Tik-Tok Man of OzSelection (Rythmodik Piano Roll)
The Tik-Tok Man of OzSelection (Piano Roll)
Ask the Flowers to Tell You (Macdonough & Dunlap)
My Beautiful Dream Girl (John Barnes Wells)
My Pretty Little Piece of Dresden China (Bessie Wynn)
Gay Paree (Montgomery & Stone)
Travel Travel Little Star (Montgomery & Stone)
A Scotch Moriah (Montgomery & Stone)
Hurrah for Baffins Bay (Dan W. Quinn)
Daisy Donohue (Trombone Solo by Arthur Pryor)
Mr. DooleyMedley (Xylophone Solo J. Frank Hopkins)
Down on the BrandywineMedley (Edison Military Band)
The Bullfrog and the CoonMedley (Six Brown Brothers)
Ill Take You Back to Italy (Ada Jones & Billy Murray)
Father Goose Songs (Sallie Osbourne)

Album Description

The Wizard of Oz a musical with book and lyrics by L. Frank Baum and music by Paul Tietjens premiered on June 16, 1902, at the Grand Opera House in Chicago. It was an instant hit and made stars of David Montgomery (the Tin Woodman) and Fred Stone (the Scarecrow). On January 21, 1903 the show opened at the Majestic Theatre in New York. It ran for nine months and set out on the road with a second company right on its heels. The show toured, came back to New York, toured, and returned to New York again many times until finally disbanding around 1911. Stock and amateur companies continued to present it into the 1930s when it was overshadowed by the classic MGM film starring Judy Garland.

The show was legendary for its success and its impact on American culture. It was the Cats or Les Mis of the early 1900s--but the show has been swallowed by history. What made audiences of the early 1900s devour the show and return for more again and again? In this unprecedented 2-CD set—featuring over 145 minutes of vintage recordings and 64 pages of lyrics, photos, notes and synopsis—you can discover how The Wizard of Oz entertained the American public for the first two decades of the 20th century. And like the audiences of nearly a hundred years ago, you can hum along to "Budweiser," "Sammy," and "Hurrah for Baffin's Bay"—everyone's favorite songs from The Wizard of Oz! Also included in this comprehensive collection are recordings from later Oz musicals, The Woggle-Bug and The Tik-Tok Man of Oz written by Oz creator L. Frank Baum, as well as vintage non-Oz recordings by original "Wizard of Oz stars" Montgomery & Stone and Bessie Wynn

Customer Reviews:

A Collection of the Original Oz Stage Productions.......2006-12-07

This Double-Disk Collection contains music from the original and varied Oz Stage Productions: "the Wizard of Oz", "the Woggle-Bug" (based on 'Marvelous Land of Oz) and "the Tik-Tok Man of Oz" (based on 'Ozma of Oz'). There are plenty of "Wizard" songs and music, but there isn't a lot of "Woggle-Bug" and/or "Tik-Tok Man".
I often wondered how different the 1st & Original Production of 'Oz Wizard' was different to the book, and thanks to Mark Evan Schwartz's book "Oz: Before the Rainbow" I found out for myself (WORTH A READ!!). Later I got this CD to go along with the book's stage telling (more or less) and I listened in interest to the songs which, I read, were entirely different to the future Musicals of Oz. The songs are good, but not all of them are actually completely restored to perfection, so the singing may/will sound somewhat muffled. Also, due to the time it was made (for some reason), the songs don't actually fit into the story (even the stage's rewritten story) and sound distant/unrelated. But there are songs that sound similar to the original story ("Rejoice! The Wizard is No Longer King"). CD 2's Track 3 has music played during Silent Oz Film "His Majesty, Scarecrow" on the MGM 3-Disk DVD.
The best thing about this CD Collection is the two booklets packaged along with the disks: the first (entitled "The Records") has writing on "What the Wizard Was" with a synopsis of the stage production story and "About the Recordings", a listing of all the songs on CD 1 (which are helpful for "Selection" Tracks not specifically named on the back) and notes on the songs like their origins and background. Booklet 2 (entitled "The Lyrics") has the words to the songs (in case you can't make out the words/want to sing-along). BOTH CDs include b&w photos of the actors, performance (few of which can be seen in "Oz: Before the Rainbow" book) and even reprints of a few illustrations made for the stage. The pictures are the best part of this purchase.
The Entirely Different Songs may not fit with the story, original or rewritten, but there's nothing really wrong with the music when one enjoys to what they're listening to.
I know that there is also another 'Oz on Stage' CD Collection called "Before the Rainbow" . . . hmmm, I wonder if I should get that too?

Ain't it a Shame!.......2006-05-20

I think that this is a wonderful album of HISTORICAL value. Not too many people know this, but "the wizard of oz" was made into a smash hit in 1903, but because all the history was BARELY in obscurity, hungry tiger press wanted to educate the blockheads in the world about this remarkable piece of history. that being said, david maxine collected all of the old material, such as Piano rolls (my especial favorite of all of them is "the poppy song", i LOVE the bass notes: "nnn-ded-deh mmmm-ded-deh"), and music boxes, and cylinders, and records!
however, it is quite a shame that that CRAPPY movie with judy garland pushed this lovely musical into obscurity. i would have liked to see it in my day, but it was already lost in darkness, but thanks to the highly DIGNIFIED people in the world, this cd is available!! BUY IT!!!! I *ORDER* YOU!!! YOU CANNOT BE DIGNIFIED WITHOUT THIS REPLACING YOUR "RAP" GARBAGE WITH THIS JEWEL!!!!

Why the 1903 "Wizard" was forgotten.......2004-03-20

This truly remarkable 2-disc collection of old cylinders, discs, music boxes and piano rolls explains why the 1903 musical version of "The Wizard of Oz" did not survive the early thirties. It wasn't because it was before its time or even of its time, but simply because it was way behind the times. Its producers resisted composer's Paul Tietjens' attempts to write plot-driven numbers. His contribution survives only in the incidental music preserved on piano rolls (and the most interesting element on this collection) linking very disparate and even incongruous vaudeville acts by various authors and performers that graced the stage during the musical's multi-decade run. In other words, Baum was telling a story and the songs were telling another... As fascinating as they are for historical reasons, those numbers are commonplace, mostly uninspired flash-in-the-tin-pan ditties, with timid syncopation and a stong reliance on musical clichés. There is not a single standard among them and not even a decent lyric where "fine" doesn't rhyme with "mine" and "love you" doesn't rhyme with "I do"- or even "I know you know I know you do", as happens more than once. As an assemblage of shtick pieces and ephemeral sentimental or nonsensical ditties, this collection cannot be topped and it represents a monumental effort. Without it and its very generous and informative liner notes, I would not have the same appreciation for the absolute genius of Victor Herbert's operettas ("Babes in Toyland" came out the same year) where the more memorable songs are plot-driven and introduced and linked by the most luscious, inventive and varied incidental music ever heard outside an opera house. This sort of unified concept would culminate in Jerome Kern's "Show Boat" and it remains a truth today that the integration of plot and music - reminiscent of opera - is the true secret of successful and perennial musicals, whatever the current idiom. This collection also makes one appreciate the complete originality of the Hollywood film for actually going back to Baum's books, entrusting the songs, lyrics and music to Harold Arlen, Yip Harburg and Herbert Stothart and scrapping the musical's colourful but checkered history (except for casting ex-vaudevillians as the main characters, of course!). Highly recommended for its nostalgia value, its irreplaceable rarities and a better understanding of the history of American popular music.

A long overdue revisit to a classic American musical.......2003-09-30

Although it was one of the most financially successful stage musicals of the early 1900's, very little information is presently available on the 1903 production of THE WIZARD OF OZ. In what was obviously a labor of love, David Maxine has done much to correct this oversight by releasing a 2-CD set with over 145 minutes worth of extremely rare recordings of music from this and other OZ-themed musicals dating back to before World War I. Recorded materials include vintage acoustical disc and cylinder phonograph records, piano rolls, and music box discs, many of which go back almost a century. In addition, he has included two booklets worth of historical background information on the 1903 WIZARD OF OZ production, its stars, the individual musical numbers, and lyrics for the songs included on the CDs. (Lavishly illustrated with rare old black and white photos and artwork, these booklets, and the information they contain, are themselves worth the price of the set!) Several bonus CD tracks are included that offer rare recordings by Montgomery & Stone (the original Tin Woodsman and Scarecrow) and Bessie Wynn, who was also in the 1903 cast. Not just for dedicated Oz fans, this set is a "must have" for anyone interested in the history of American musical theater and American popular culture of the early 1900's.

Long-Forgotten Broadway Hit Gets First Rate Revival.......2003-09-17

One hundred and three years ago, author L. Frank Baum published the best-selling children's book of the 20th century, THE WIZARD OF OZ. Although the book was adapted several times as plays, silent motion pictures, animated cartoons, and radio shows in the next few decades, it is the 1939 MGM film that most people think of as THE WIZARD OF OZ. The success and popularity of that film completely eclipsed the memories of previous incarnations and even the book itself in popular culture. However, prior to the film's release, there was a successful stage version which premiered on Broadway in 1903 and delighted audiences for many years, making stars of Fred Stone and David Montgomery, the original Scarecrow and Tinman. As with the MGM film, chilren who saw THE WIZARD OF OZ on stage carried fond memories of the production into adulthood. Ray Bolger was so impressed with the Fred Stone's Scarecrow, that he remembered it vividly as an adult and based his own protrayal of the character in the movie on Mr. Stone's stage version.

Unfortunately, time and Judy Garland have pushed the once popular Broadway Smash into history. It has been all but forgotten...until now.

As the show moved from theater to theater and casts changed, so did the songs. Many of these were recorded on the primative equipment of the day: Wax cylinders, 78-RPM records, piano rolls, and music Boxes, and surprisingly many of these still exist. Now, thanks to those hard-working gents at HUNGRY TIGER PRESS, you can own these historic recordings on this awesome 2-CD set. THE WIZARD OF OZ: Vintage Recordings From The 1903 Broadway Musical contains over 145 minutes of terrific early 20th century music. You won't find "Over the Rainbow" or "Ding! Dong! The Witch Is Dead!" here. Instead, this WIZARD OF OZ contains tracks like "Budweiser's a Friend of Mine", "Sammy", "Hurrah for Baffin's Bay", and "Rejoice! The Wizard is No Longer King", each one a portal over the rainbow to the Broadway stage of a century ago.

Obviously the play was quite different in plot from the movie--Dorothy travelled to Oz with her cow Imogene instead of Toto, for starters--, but the songs represent the style of popular music of 100 years ago and are collected here in a beautiful compilation. The set contains two booklets of liner notes which contain credits, lyrics, a written history of the production, and are extensively illustrated with photos and illustrations. Although the sound quality of the source material is not always up to today's standards, the songs are presented in the best versions possible, and the music is highly enjoyable. With 60 tracks and the wealth of information contained here, both written and photographic, this 2-CD set is good value for the money. A must-have for all collectors of WIZARD OF OZ memorabilia, an insightful look at popular music and Broadway history from a century ago, a glimpse into ethnic and racial stereotypes that were accepted at the time, and a curiosity for fans of the 1939 film, this set is big on appeal. Kudos to the Hungry Tiger Press for rescuing this treasure trove of musical history from obscurity!

Classic Broadway, Vol. 2
Average customer rating:

Wonderful... the next best thing to watching the movies!

Classic Broadway, Vol. 2

Manufacturer: Deuce Boxed Sets
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Rodgers, Richard | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
Musical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00005YNDA
Release Date: 2001-06-18

Tracks:

Wilkoommen
Two Ladies
Maybe This Time
Sitting Pretty
Money, Money
Heiraten (Married)
If You Could See Her
Tomorrow Belongs to Me
Cabaret
Finale

Tracks:

Some Enchanted Evening
Younger Than Springtime
This Nearly Was Mine
Cockeyed Optimist
Dites-Moi
Wonderful Guy
Honey Bun
I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair
There Is Nothin' Like a Dame
Bloody Mary

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful... the next best thing to watching the movies!.......2002-08-21

This CD contains highlights from Cabaret:
1. Wilkoommen
2. Two Ladies
3. Maybe This Time
4. Sitting Pretty
5. Money, Money
6. Heiraten (Married)
7. If You Could See Her
8. Tomorrow Belongs to Me
9. Cabaret
10 Finale
and highlights from South Pacific
1. Some Enchanted Evening
2. Younger than Springtime
3. This Nearly Was Mine
4. A Cockeyed Optimist
5. Dites-Moi
6. A Wonderful Guy
7. Honey Bun
8. I'm Gonna Wash that Man Right Outta My Hair
9. There is Nothing Like a Dame
10. Bloody Mary
This CD (and volume 1 which has highlights from My Fair Lady and Fiddler on the Roof) are great to sing a long with, listen to, or have as background music.

Average customer rating:

A pre-Showboat gem
A forgotten gem
This CD caught me by surprise.
McGlinn rescues a wonderful musical

Sitting Pretty (1990 Studio Cast)

Manufacturer: New World Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

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

General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Broadway & Vocalists | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Traditional & Vocal Pop | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | Soundtracks | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Tip-Toes/Tell Me More
Lady, Be Good! (1992 Studio Cast Recording)
Very Good Eddie: A Musical Comedy (1975 Broadway Revival Cast)
Oh, Kay! (1994 Studio Recording)
Girl Crazy (1990 Studio Cast)

ASIN: B0000030GC
Release Date: 1992-12-08

Tracks:

Overture
Act One: Is This Not A Lovely Spot?
Act One: You Alone Would Do
Act One: Worries
Act One: Bongo On The Congo - Jerome Kern/P.G. Wodehoe
Act One: Mr. And Mrs. Rorer
Act One: Ther Isn't One Girl
Act One: A Year From Today
Act One: Shufflin Sam
Act One Finale

Tracks:

Entr'Acte
Act Two: Opening Act Two
Act Two: Days Gone By
Act Two: All You Need Is A Girl
Act Two: Tulip Time In Sing Sing
Act Two: On A Desert Island With You
Act Two: The Enchanted Train
Act Two: Shadow Of The Moon
Act Two: Sitting Pretty
Act Two: Finale Ultimo
Appendix: Opening Act One (Original Version)
Appendix: All The World Is Dancing Mad
Appendix: I'm Wise
Appendix: Just Wait

Customer Reviews:

A pre-Showboat gem.......2004-10-25

"Sitting Pretty" is the last show of the immensely successful partnership of Guy Bolton, P. G. Wodehouse and Jerome Kern. Bolton created the plot and wrote the dialogue, Wodehouse pounded out the lyrics and Kern composed the music. To fans of Wodehouse, this show will seem to be a non-series PGW novel set to music (as does, to a slightly lesser extent, Cole Porter's "Anything Goes".)

This set offers about 100 minutes of music presented by a strong cast who perform in the Broadway mode, except for one number by opera great, Roberta Peters.

Kern is one of the giants of American song. PGW's fans may also know Kern as the original of some of characters in the stories. The most obvious one being, of course, the Broadway-based hero of "A Damsel in Distress." When Kern read the novel, he instantly made the identification. He was so impressed that he wrote a score and brought the story to the screen with Fred Astaire in the lead.

"Sitting Pretty", while full of good stuff, does not have any songs that became standards or that stand alone from the show. I had heard a couple of earlier BW&K shows in concert form (alas, with much-reduced accompaniment), but I was not prepared for this full-scale rendering. Kern was something of a chameleon as a stylist. His "Showboat", for example, is a compendium of two generations of American song. At least half of "Sitting Pretty" is, surprisingly to me at least, styled very much in the form of Viennese operetta.

In fact, it is in the style of one Viennese operetta in particular, "The Merry Widow." When "Sitting Pretty" opened in 1924, "The Merry Widow" was only 19 years old and was unquestionably the most popular show in all the world. Kern obviously knew a good thing when he heard it. "Sitting Pretty's" orchestration is exactly the orchestration of "The Merry Widow." Whole songs could be transferred from one to the other without any change. "You Alone Would Do" and "There Isn't One Girl", both from Act I, could easily be sung by Count Danilo of Pontevedria. With only minor changes in the plot, "I Go Off to Maxim's" would sit happily in "Sitting Pretty." If the style of singing on this recording shifted from Broadway bumptuous to operatic sumptuous, the similarity would be exact.

A good performance of a good show is well worth five stars.

A forgotten gem.......2000-12-09

After the success of SHOW BOAT in 1988, it looked as if John McGlinn was going to record several of Kern's other, less familiar works: alas, this beautiful little recording of SITTING PRETTY was the only Kern "Princess Theatre" musical that came of it. But what's here is such a treat: a terrific cast (O'Hara, Blazer, Gaines, and Graae--not to mention Roberta Peters on the lovely "Days Gone By"), and several masterful little songs, including "Is This Not a Lovely Spot?" and the remarkably witty "You Alone Would Do."

This CD caught me by surprise........2000-08-10

I listened to this CD not expecting much--but from the overture on I was hooked on the lilting tunes and delightful singing. Thank you, John McGlinn, for making CDs like this for those of us who love a lovely melody and sweet, romantic story. I loved "Is This Not a Lovely Spot?" and Davis Gaines singing "All You Need is a Girl." In truth, every song on this CD is wonderful. Now I'm in the mood for listening to more old-fashioned musicals...

McGlinn rescues a wonderful musical.......1999-05-08

If you love show music, you know that John McGlinn does it better than anyone. Sitting Pretty is the most wonderful musical that no one has ever heard of, and with this disc McGlinn has rescued it from obscurity. Listen to the disc at least twice, and if Sitting Pretty hasn't become one of your favorite musicals then you probably don't really like musicals.

Average customer rating:

De Janequin Aux Beatles

Manufacturer: EMI Classics Imports
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Chansons | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Partsongs | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

A Cappella | Folk | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00008PW6L
Release Date: 2003-10-07

Tracks:

La Guerre
This Sweet And Merry Month Of May
Come Sirrah Jack Hol
Fair Phyllis I Saw Sitting All Alone
Contrappunto Bestiale Alla Mente
Valle, Che De Lamenti Miei
Pastime With Good Company
Downderry Down
A Little Pretty Bonny Lass
Weep No More Thou Sorry Boy
Shoot, False Love
Exultate Deo
Jesus Dulcis Memoria
Nigra Sum
La Belle Margarite Dit 'Clemens Non Papa'
Baisez-Moi
Petite Camusette
Mon Cuer En Vous
Au Joly Jeu
I Laid Me Down To Slumber, Op.30 No.1
Little Thora, Op.30 No.3
Kwallin's Halling, Op.30 No.4
When I Take A Stroll, Op.30 No.6
Billy Boy
Puppet On A String
One Day
The Mermaid

Tracks:

No.1 Ilhubo (Chant)
No.2 Mambabo! (Wow)!
No.3 Lala Mntwana (Berceuse)
No.4 Uhambo Ngesitimela (Voyage En Train)
No.5 Egoli (Johannesburg)
No.6 Umdanso Wasegoli (Jo' Burg Dance)
Pavane, Op.50
La-Bas Dans Le Limousin
The Slow Train
Resonet In Laudibus
Short People
Short People
Humpty Dumpty
Chi Chilichi?
The Oak And The Ash
Now Is The Month Of Maying
Veronika, Der Lenz Ist Da
My Spirit Sang All Day
You Are The New Day
Romance
Greens
When Pa Was Courtin' Ma
Dayton Ohio
Marry, A Woman Uglier Than You
I'm Train
After The Gold Rush
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
King's Singers Rag

Average customer rating:

Highlights From Cabaret

Manufacturer: Showtunes
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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

General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Tracks:

Willkoommen
Two Ladies
Maybe This Time
Sitting Pretty
Money Money
Heiraten (Married)
If You Could See Her
Tommorrow Belongs To Me
Cabaret
Finale

Average customer rating:

Add it to your cart
Soothing
Give this girl a Grammy
Heard it, Loved it

Sitting Pretty
Lauren Gifford
Manufacturer: EL8ED
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00019MRY2
Release Date: 2004-01-01

Tracks:

Sitting Pretty
Sleepwalker
Together
Never Look Back
April
Temptation

Album Description

Style and Sound

Influences

Lauren Gifford's music is influenced by today's alternative culture and at the same time by James Taylor, Paul Simon and Dave Brubeck - and a touch of Billy Holliday

Comparison

John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Norah Jones, Sarah McLachlan (voice), Fiona Apple (vocal talent), James Taylor and Paul Simon (songwriting), Ani DiFranco (diversity), Dave Brubeck (piano)

The Songs

1) Sitting Pretty - Ogden Nash inspired lyrics over a seductive, SRV-guitar-driven acoustic Hip-Hop groove

2) Sleepwalker - A Monday morning wake-up call with sensational vocal harmonies

3) Together - Ancient Italian romanticism with emotional overdrive ... and then there is THAT guitar solo...

4) Never Look Back - Light-hearted swing playing off a reflective mood

5) April - Sticky Texas heat dripping from a slow moving Honky Tonk ballad

6) Temptation - Playful Piano extravaganza (instrumental)

Customer Reviews:

Add it to your cart.......2004-02-26

I have seen her live (traveled from Boston to Dallas to see if she really had it) - simply amazing! The CD is even better. Norah Jones and Diana Krall have some stiff competition.

Soothing.......2004-02-11

Laurens music is very soothing yet seductive in its own way. Her style is full of JAZZ and a crisp refreshing sound. This is a cd I was glad to have received straight from the singer herself. The price of her CD is well under its value and is worth listening to over and over again.

Give this girl a Grammy.......2004-02-05

Lauren Gifford is the most talented new artist. I am completely enamoured with her ability. She is a breath of fresh air. She has the most beautiful voice. She should get a Grammy for best new artist.

Heard it, Loved it.......2004-02-04

I heard this artist on the Russ Martin Show. He has been playing her music and after hearing it I'm going to buy her album right now. Her music is well written, artful and real. It doesn't sound like an effort to be famous (although her music is good enough to warrant that) but rather an effort to really let loose emotion and energy. Also, from the interview, I've learned she often plays her own backup instruments and sings her own backup tracks. It is mind boggling how she could do this and still sound so angelic. Can't wait for mine to get here in the mail.

Gershwin, Kern, Porter: Overtures, Film Music / John McGlinn

Average customer rating:

my desert island choice

Gershwin, Kern, Porter: Overtures, Film Music / John McGlinn
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000002SCI
Release Date: 1996-11-19

Tracks:

A Damsel In Distress (Ste From The Film, arr.McGlinn) - New Princess Theater Orch
Ov: Girl Crazy - New Princess Theater Orch
Ov: Of Thee I Sing - New Princess Theater Orch
Ov: Tip-Toes - New Princess Theater Orch
Ov: Primrose - New Princess Theater Orch
Ov: Stiff Upper Lip (Funhouse Sequence From A Damsel In Distress) - New Princess Theater Orch
Ov: Oh, Kay! - New Princess Theater Orch
Ov: Anything Goes - London Sinfonietta/John McGlinn
Ov: Can-Can - London Sinfonietta/John McGlinn
Ov: Kiss Me, Kate - London Sinfonietta/John McGlinn
Ov: Gay Divorce - London Sinfonietta/John McGlinn
Ov: 'Night & Day' (From gay divorce) - London Sinfonietta/John McGlinn

Tracks:

Ov: The Cat & The Fiddle
Ov: The Girl From Utah
Ov: Leave It To Jane
Ov: Have A Heart
Ov: Sweet Adeline
Ov: Oh, Lady! Lady!
Ov: Sitting Pretty
Ov: Very Warm For May
Music From The Film Swing Time I: Main Title/Pick Yourself Up
Music From The Film Swing Time II: The Way You Look Tonight
Music From The Film Swing Time III: Waltz In Swing Time
Music From The Film Swing Time IV: Never Gonna Dance
Music From The Film Swing Time V: Bojangles Of Harlem
Ov: Showboat

Customer Reviews:

my desert island choice.......2003-05-06

It's impossible to get tired of this. Gershwin, Porter and Kern were musical giants and this 2-CD set showcases a bundle of their best: overtures from their Broadway shows, ranging from the well-known (Kiss Me Kate) to the undeservedly obscure (Very Warm for May). It's bouncy and breezy and a guaranteed cure for what ails you. Mondegreen fans will have a ball trying to catch all the words in the "Swing Time" sequence.

Average customer rating:

Cabaret
1993 London Studio Cast
Manufacturer: Curtain Call
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music

General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Broadway & Vocalists | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Tracks:

Set - Youssou N'Dour
Zing Zong - Kanda Bongo Man
Hawa Dolo - Ali Farka Toure
Tres Impoli - Franco
Kaokokorobo - Papa Wemba
Demgalam - Baaba Maal
Den Te San - Kasse Mady Diabate
Zunguluke - The Four Stars
Big Blow - Manu Dibango
Nanan - Meiway
Jelebi - Ismael Lo
Hanzvadzi - Thomas Mapfumo
Andrada - Koffi Olomide

Average customer rating:

Sitting Pretty
Blazer , Ohara , and Gaines
Manufacturer: New World Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000E036
Release Date: 1990-07-31

Jazz Music:

Jazz Music

Jazz Music