No comments about Original Jazz Legends, Vol. 3: Salute to Gershwin.

No comments about Ella Fitzgerald: Portrait.

No comments about Golden Greats.

4 comments about Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Music, The Magic.

1. Someone bought this anthology for my mom for Christmas a few years ago, and so I insisted on borrowing it. I didn't even listen to the whole thing, I was so disappointed.
   
   If you're looking for a regular anthology, pass by this one. None of the songs sound like they would on the Broadway or West End soundtracks; they are performed like opera, and bad opera at that. Webber's work is written for the musical theatre, not the opera, and singing in musical theatre is completely different than operatic singing; musical theatre involves acting, and this comes through in the vocalization. Operatic performance of songs written for musical theatre simply doesn't work.
   
   The songs, which are written to be expressive and emotional, come across as rigid and boring on this CD. For example, "Too Much In Love To Care" (from "Sunset Boulevard") is supposed to communicate both Betty's idealism and her confusion/fear of real love. None of that comes through in this version - the words are the same, but none of the emotion is there.
   
   It is obvious that some of the singers are not comfortable with the genre in their performances, exemplified by this CD's version of "Take That Look Off Your Face". The singer in this song doesn't seem to know what to do - it's not a musically demanding song, the range is relatively small - and so it sounds like the singer is trying to complicate and "dress up" the song, which doesn't work at all.
   
   Also, there are several intrumental tracks on this CD, which I think were poorly chosen. Most people think of his vocals when they think of Andrew Lloyd Webber, but so much of his instrumentals are brilliant. Why they chose some of his most uninspired passages to represent his instrumental work on this CD is beyond me.
   
   I gave it a 2 because the orchestra on the recording is good, possible the best thing about the CD. But I wouldn't buy it for the orchestra. If you're looking for a good compilation or anthology, try "The Premiere Collection: The Best Of Andrew Lloyd Webber" or "The Very Best Of Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Broadway Collection" for Webber's earlier ("Phantom" and before). Both these anthologies include either the original Broadway or London recordings - there are a few duplicate tracks, but not too many. For more post-Phantom tracks, check out "Gold: The Definitive Hits Collection", which includes tracks up through "Whistle on the Wind", newer recordings of some some songs included on the earlier anthologies, and the 1992 Olympics theme by Webber.



2. I collect ALW and musical stuff, so I've heard a lot of ALW. This is a great CD, and the singers are really talented, but I really wish they had gotten someone else to do the POTO songs. Whoever does the Phantom (Justin White, I think?) did a REALLY BAD job, and the Christine (I think it's Margueritte Krull) isn't too swell, either. They do great on other songs, but it was just plain WRONG. This CD was just cursed when it came to Phantom songs. The Overture wasn't that good, either.

   But all the other songs are wonderful. I love Rainbow High from Evita. If you're shopping for ALW and don't care if Phantom was messed up, then go ahead and get this CD.




3. This is not a rare piece. I bought it at Kmart. The singers undoubtedly have great skills but it seems to me they are justing performing for performing's sake. There is little passion in the music.

   Good stuff for relaxing and yard work. Not for true Webber lovers.




4. This hard to find cd set is the best collection I have seen of classic Webber songs. Great variety from his most popular shows- Phantom, Cats, Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita etc. I have had this cd set for probably a year and thoroughly enjoy it, so I decided to get it for my dad for Father's Day! Its the perfect addition to his cd collection and he can listen to hours of non-stop Andrew Lloyd Webber as he does yard work! I totally reccomend this cd set for any music theatre geek-like me-or anyone who just enjoys lloyd webber- like my Dad.

1 comments about Big Band, Vol. 5.

1. As far as I can ascertain, this set contains the original recordings of each of these songs listed. What that means, is that many of the vocals and lyrics that we've come to know some of them to have (sing sing sing, etc) are not part of this CD. I think they must have been added later when people performed them. Some of the songs have lyrics, but many of them don't (as I'm sure some of these songs don't even have lyrics). I'm just pointing out that some songs that we've come to know with words to go with them do not have words here. But then again, it has Louis Armstrong singing "when the saints go marching in."

No comments about Broadway's Best.

No comments about Jones/ Martino/ Williams - Greatest Hits Live!.

No comments about Collection.

5 comments about Legendary.

1. You can listen to parts of these songs from Amazon before you buy. Call 'em Re-made, Rip-off, Whatever..... Still for under $15 used, not bad. Good Songs and a Good Voice. I've wasted money on a lot worse things, but to me this seems to be a nice collection, for a decent price. Don't like it.... Don't get it. I bet he sings a lot better in the shower than you do! The 3rd disc. is a little weak, but I still think for the money, you still have a lot of good music



2. Not the original recordings.... but don't just blame the Aussies here... part of the blame goes to Roger for re-recording them!



3. Kudos to M. B. Richardson's assessment of this classic rip off, complete with non-original recordings, PLUS his opinions of the Australians responsible for this sham! And pftttttt to Barron Laycock "Labradorman"'s review which "forgets"
   to mention "the problem". At least somebody's honest out there.



4. Excellent collection of Roger Whittaker's recordings. Great selection.



5. two people give this product a bad review...and the third person gives a commercial advertisement for how great the product is. I think i'll trust the first two, and ignore the fact the the producer of the product is trying to boost his rating by posting a bunch of crap that doesn't seem to be accurate.

2 comments about As Time Goes By.

1. I am a huge fan of the greatest male jazz vocalist ive heard, and Tony Bennett has a huge recorded legacy of magnificent performances. They wont be found on these discs though. Here is a budget box set of uninspired stuff, which im glad i didnt pay very much for. There are a few nice numbers scattered throughout - 'Manhatten' and 'The Lady is a Tramp' are pleasant - but it utterly pales in comparison with every other Bennett recording i own.

   It should be said that i (like Tony Bennett himself) dislike the early 60's pop style that a lot of his work of that time fell into. And this album in places is thus styled, which is partly why i dont much like it. But even if you are a fan of that style of his work, this isnt spectacular, since the recording quality is unbearably bad - whenever he goes for the big notes the recording distorts horribly. Also, Bennett himself though still very good, is not on top form, and the backing musicians and arrangements are unimpressive - just a guitar, banjo maybe, and a trumpet hear and there for the most part. This is not the prestigious company which Bennett is accustomed to keeping. If you want early Bennett, just buy the original albums, many of which have been reissued in Columbia's Tony Bennett Remasters Series.

   But as i said, Bennett is above all a jazz singer, and this set doesnt show him at his best, singing jazz. Far better, infinitely so, are all time classic jazz recordings from his career such as his two Bill Evans colaboratons, or his more recent jazz oriented projects from the 90's.

   If you want Bennett at his magnificent best, steer clear of this one.




2. I'm familiar with some of the recordings in this box set, and it really is the BEST of Tony Bennet. Unfortunately, I ordered it for a Christmas present, and they changed the order availability to 4-6 weeks. (12/13/1999)