5 comments about Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris (1966 Original Off-Broadway Cast).

1. I have been looking for this CD for a long time. I have the album but it lacked one of the songs that the CD has. Now I can play this CD in my car and enjoy this special arrangement of Jacques Brel. Many thanks !



2. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Saw this in the village in 1969 and it brought back a lot of great memories. I have the album and now I am in the process of switching all the "vinyl" over to CD's. It will take me a while as it gets pretty expensive trying to do it all at once. To any of you who experienced the magic being 19 in 1969 and awakening to everything around you, this music enveloped it all!
   
   
   
   



3. Sadly, although I loved the show when I saw it, this cd seems dated to me.



4. This Jacque Brel digitally remastered is truly an ecellent to outstanding rendition of the long running NYC production. I have been playing it constantly since I received the recording. I had the old vinyl record of the show and the records disappeared many years ago. However, I am sure that the sound clarity could not have been close to this recording.



5. The music and musicianship is as exciting as it ever was. Brel is gone, but at least we still have this recording of the best production of his wonderful revue. The extra song is a grand bonus.

5 comments about Josh Groban Live at The Greek (CD/DVD).

1. I used to like Josh Groban, but this DVD made me turn my back on him so completely. Somewhere in his giddy success he has lost the gift of touching hearts, now he's just a platinum singing machine that's powered on by his fame and the highly-placed crowd he's associated with. Very boring.



2. Leather pants? Josh was wearing leather pants at this concert? Hmmm. I'll just have to look at the DVD again, only this time more closely.
   
   I recently bought this oldie for two reasons. First, I've gotten everything else I could find that Josh has put out, and second, it's the only thing available that has his cover of Linkin Park's "My December."
   
   Josh's voice wasn't up to par on this DVD, but that doesn't mean it was terrible. It just wasn't at its glorious best. Many of the negative reviewers were a tad melodramatic, in my opinion.
   
   This DVD is uneven. I thought the beginning of the concert was boring, but later there were some inspired numbers, including "My December." Yes, Josh sounded nasally during part of it, but shoot, I really didn't care. His performance was passionate, powerful, and stunning. I wish that I could get a studio recording of it.
   
   Reading the negative reviews for this DVD was kind of amusing and kind of scary. It was like the people who hated it felt as if they had been betrayed, particularly because Josh didn't look or sound like he did on his first PBS special (which I agree was wonderful).
   
   "Live from the Greek" came out in 2004. Four years later, Josh's voice and career are far from being in the toilet, despite the dire predictions from some of the reviewers here. His singing was exquisitely beautiful on the 2007 "Noel," which was the biggest selling Christmas album ever. Sales of the "Awake" CD have done quite well, too.
   
   Released in May 2008, the "Awake Live" DVD of a concert before 15,000 people shows Josh to have grown into a polished performer with great stage presence and great vocals. However, it also is not in the style of the first PBS special. He's not going back, people. As for his appearance, he looks just as unkempt on "Awake Live" as he did at the Greek, only with fancier footwear (boots instead of athletic shoes). Some of us find the look adorable. Hundreds of thousands of us admire his mix of classical-style pop and an edgier pop sung in his golden voice, and we can hardly wait to hear what he does next.
   
   "Live from the Greek" is part of Josh's developmental history as a performer, musician, and vocalist. That's why I'm glad to have it. That and because his version of "My December" kicks butt.



3. I love this album! I got it for my sister. She really likes it as well. I don't understand why so many people trashed it. Yes, there were several non-english songs, but oh...the music and That Voice!
   
   He just keeps getting better and better.



4. Wow, I'm glad I listened to the commenters over at YouTube in choosing to purchase this DVD/CD, it's quite negative hereabouts! I have no beefs with the sound quality, JG's clothing, lightsticks, or flags! I have enjoyed watching the evolution in Josh's stage presence: he was just lovely in the first concert DVD, but it was very controlled and didn't reveal much about him. I love his personality and varied tastes, and how they started to come through on this first tour. The clips I've seen from the "Awake" tour show even more of that personality, I can't wait for that DVD.
   I would have given this another 1/2 star for the wonderful violinist that is Lucia Micarelli, she is a wonder to behold!
   I do agree that the first few songs were a little nasally, it's really too bad Josh was unwell and just goes to show that life isn't perfect, even for him! The nasal tone does go away as the concert goes on (maybe the medicine kicked in.) All in all, highly recommended...



5. I LOVE this cd/dvd. The dvd is almost better than being at the actual concert!

5 comments about Surrender.

1. I'm not a big ALW fan but his x-wife's singing turns his pompous, melodramatic works into sincere and romantic love songs.



2. Very happy in general with this CD and Sara's beautiful voice. A mixture of musical selections that wear well.



3. This CD is simply amazing! I prefer this album over "Dive" because Brightman sticks to what she knows best - which is opera! Surrender, Unexpected Song, Chanson D'efance, Tell Me on a Sunday, and Nothing Like You've Ever Known are simply brilliant and beautiful pieces music! Sadly, I do not prefer the 2 songs from Cats - about Macavaty and Gus. They really do not seem to fit to Brightman's style of music, for they are more outgoing! However, Memory from Cats (in Italian) is beautiful with soaring octaves! Everything's Alright is genius, with a 5/4 tempo, and it makes the song amazing. Pie Jesu is a beautiful piece, but I prefer Charlotte Church singing it. Brightman's vocals show to much vibrato, and it makes the song seem annoying! Amigos Para Siempre and the Spanish version of "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" are fairly decent pieces from Brightman. If you love the Brightman from "The Phantom of the Opera", then buy this album!!!



4. The first couple of songs were fair the next few were crap and the next were hogwash and the last showed how a beautiful voice could crumble with lousy songs chosen for her Terrible ablum especially for 30.00 really terrible



5. I surrendered ..... you should too!

   This album is just incredible. As I'm sure you already know, this is a collection of Sarah singing the works of brilliant composer (and ex-husband) Andrew Lloyd Webber.

   Sarah just takes my breath away. Her technique is incredible and her voice is perfect- which I unfortunately can't say for all of her albums. Her Spanish pronunciation is nothing short of amazing on one of the album's highlights, 'No Llores por Mi Argentina', 'Don't Cry for Me Argentina' from 'Evita' in Spanish. Another incredible highlight is 'Piano', 'Memory' from 'Cats' in Italian. Sarah really throws herself into it and it comes out sounding almost like an operatic aria. If you're looking for her famous 'Music of the Night' that's here too, as well as a brand new version of 'Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again', which definitely improves on the already fantastic version that's on the 'Phantom of the Opera' cast recording. 'Macavity: The Mystery Cat' from 'Cats' shows off a whole new side to Sarah's voice. When I first heard it I was amazed! I couldn't believe that it was Sarah singing it. Other amazing highlights (for me at least) are 'Unexpected Song' from 'Song and Dance', 'Tell Me On a Sunday' from the musical of the same name, and 'The Last Man in my Life' from 'Song and Dance'.

   The album includes fantastic liner notes explaining each song and the musical that it's from, courtesy of Andrew Lloyd Webber himself, and some really cool behind the scenes pictures. I strongly urge you to buy this album even if you already own the 'Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection'. I don't own that album myself, but from what I understand, it's basically a repackaging of this with a few song changes and different pictures. I'll probably buy it to get the songs that I don't have one of these days .....

   I adore this album. All Sarah Brightman, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and musical theater fans in general need this. In my opinion it's one of Sarah's 3 best works, (the other two being 'La Luna' and 'Time to Say Goodbye'.) Of course, with Sarah's huge and varied discography, your opinion is bound to differ from mine but I'm saying mine anyway.

   This album is one of my top favorites of all time. It's worth every penny. Buy it- you won't regret it.

5 comments about Nipper's Greatest Hits - The 20's.

1. At twenty songs, this is a decent sized compilation into the popular music of the decade that roared. Some of these songs are familiar (Rhapsody in Blue) and other songs you'll be surprised to find familiar, having never known their name before.
   
   Now, the 1920s is a bit before my time. I love this music though. This, aside from the movies, was really my introduction to it.



2. I recognized so many songs from movies and cartoons I've seen, and who knows where else. For some reason I just love this music. I bought something from the forties, at the same time, and it was a big disappointment - but this made up for it. I was so surprised at how great it sounds and the music is really the "bees knees", as someone else mentions. Even though the Charleston craze was way before my time, I wanted to jump up and dance. Everything is good, but even if you only like a few, "Rhapsody In Blue" will make you swoon and be glad you bought it. Now I am looking for more music like this. I hope the Archeophone ones are as good. I looked them up at [...] and, as someone commented on Amazon, they have samples. I listened to the music and it did sound wonderful plus it comes with a lot of historical background. I just bought two C.D.'s by them on Amazon and will let you know. I can't wait to hear the songs from the prohibition era where they sing about their pal Al (Alcohol) and the moon shining on moonshine, etc. I love the play on words.



3. Suffice to say, Nipper has great taste in selecting the greatest hits of the 1920s! "Collegiate" can bring a laugh and a smile to every listener, and "My Blue Heaven" never grows old. This is a must-have!



4. Great music from the twenties, Shared it with my Lindy dance troupe and now we use it in our skit for nursing homes and church. Great fun!! The sound is good, original productions. I recommend it.



5. I bought this cd initally for a laugh, as my family are holding a birthday party themed *gangsters and molls* for my dad. I was browsing and found this fantastic soundtrack to the 20's, and I fell in love with the music!! I love it!!

5 comments about Ultimate Broadway.

1. A great compilation of Broadway hits with original performances that will be enjoyed again and again.



2. This is really a good selection. You can't go wrong with 'West Side Story', 'Man of La Mancha', 'Fiddler on the Roof', or 'The King and I'. I guess you can always argue why two songs from one show were selected, while another show may be completely omitted.
   
   My only real disappointment is with the selection of the Aretha Franklin version of 'I Dreamed a Dream'. The song is too stylized by Aretha, and sounds nothing like it is performed in 'Les Miserables'. I didn't care for this version in the least. I would have much preferred Randy Graff or Patti LuPone.



3. I am an avid fan of show tunes and this one is "Ultimate Broadway" and it is wonderful. The songs are performed by the original Broadway artists so you get to hear the music performed as it was meant to be. The sound is great and all in all I couldn't be more pleased.



4. I was pretty pleased with this cd. There were some songs that made it in this from a few musicals where there could have been much better choices, but all in all. it is a good two disc cd. I do not plan on buying the second one due to the repeats. I must agree with one other reviewer of the second cd, with so many great Broadway musical numbers out there, there is, truely, no excuse for repeats. Happy shopping all! q:-)



5. Great CD's set. My only disappointment was that there was no music from Jesus Christ Super Star. This, however, did not take away from the quality of the music selected. I hum the show tunes all of the time.

5 comments about Stones.

1. This has long been one of my favorite Neil Diamond albums. I enjoy listening to almost everything he has ever recorded, but this one is among the best. I guess we all prefer the music we listened to during our formative years, and Neil Diamond was a prominent part of my early teens and young adult life. You drift away from things as you get older, but you always go back to the things you enjoyed most, especially with music. If you are a Neil Diamond fan and have never had the opportunity to hear this complete album, you have really got to give it a try.



2. One of my first recordings ever. Back in the early seventies bought my
   first music casettes some three years into my first job after high school.
   I remember buying first my portable Sony cassettedeck/radioplayer with the
   the most beautiful sound ever. Neil Diamond and Johny Cash were the first
   tryouts. Amazing "" Man in Black"and "Stones"" were absolutely the best
   songs to play on my Sony Cassettedeck. Each and every song I remembered
   and liked very much. From Neil Diamond I got to know Leonard Cohen's
   songs. Now that almost all music recordings are on disc I had to upgrade
   to this latest medium. The sound is as good as it was then so I am quite
   pleased. J.Brown



3. This was the album (sorry, showing my age) that I'd always wanted and never found. To buy the disc was not just a great trip back to teenage years but also a reminder of what an incredibly gifted singer and song writer Neil Diamond was. Like all good music for me this has stood the test of time and the haunting title track is worth the price of the disc.



4. I was somewhat dissappointed because the CD was not the same as the tape but that is the fault of those that produced it. Quality and delivery of the CD was very good.



5. Neil Diamond has always been my favorite. You can't go wrong with this CD

5 comments about The Pajama Game (1954 Original Broadway Cast).

1. If you're a Broadway musical comedy fan you'll enjoy this CD
   "Hey there" by John Raitt is a standout



2. My father was a big fan of Broadway musicals. I remember going to see the Pajama Game and Damn Yankees in a summer stock theater in Warwick R.I. which contributed to me developing my own love for musicals in the 50's and 60's. This recording though in monaural is an excellent reproduction of the LP record my father had and I used to listen to (sans scratches!). I would recommend this to any person who used to like these old classics. I would like to see a local theater group do this some day before it's completely forgotten. The interviews with the composer/lyricist and notes in the CD were wonderful too.



3. A monster hit when it opened in 1954, and still a staple of community theatre groups, PAJAMA GAME has a delightfully refreshing score that never takes itself too seriously. On the whole it offers a better-than-average number of stand-out songs: "I'm Not At All in love", "Hey There", "Small talk", "Steam heat", "Hernando's Hideaway" and the ensmble "7 1/2 Cents." There are, however a few stumbles. "A new Town is a Blue Town" is dreary. "Her Is" is silly although the Bob Fosse dance routine made it work on stage. Both these were dropped from the movie version, so I suspect the authors also felt this material was weak.
   
   The movie retained all of the original cast leads except for Janis Paige as Babe (replaced by Doris Day.) Day sings Babe's songs better, so your choice between the cast album and the movie soundtrack will depend on whether you need the whole score or not.
   
   As for ths reissue...once again Sony has done a first-rate job. The sound is full bodied and rich, though necessarily mono, and the package includes some well-written liner notes.



4. "The Pajama Game" is a truly great musical. Although it's most popular songs have truly been immortalized, such as "Hernando's Hideaway" and "Hey There", the show itself seems to be sadly forgotten by many (depite winning both Best Score and Best Musical in the Tonys). It remains very popular with amateurs and high schools, though.

   This recording of The Pajama Game, a remastered version on the original cast, has VASTLY improved sound and some great extra tracks. Despite the new tracks, though, a lot of the score is completley missing from this recording, and a lot of the songs have been abridged, cutting out dialogue sections and a lot of dance music, like the wonderful "Jealousy Ballet" number, but the loss can be both a blessing and a curse.

   The cast is the best recorded, in my opinion.

   John Raitt as Sid - I'm not sure if this show was Raitt's star turn or Carousel was, but regardless, he is a fantastic talent and it really shows on this recording. His solos on this recording are superior to any other renditions. "Hey There", "A New Town Is a Blue Town", and "There Once Was a Man"(my personal favorite) are just fantastic. Great all around.

   Janis Paige as Babe - Ok...she grows on you. If Paige is not singing in a more characterized voice, than she needs to be shot because she sounds like a wounded animal, BUT for the role her funky voice is very well suited. Her belt voice doesn't use much vibrato or any classical broadway norms, but her much grittier voice brings a more "real" feel to her character. "I'm Not At All In Love" is great and her comedic-like turn in "There Once Was a Man" is also fantastic.

   Eddie Foy Jr. as Hines - I just recently finished performing as Hines in a production of "The Pajama Game" so I know the role well. Foy is my favorite recorded Hines, he has such a different voice and personality to his character that simply cannot be imitated. It's a shame so much of his role was cut from the movie. "I'll Never Be Jealous Again" is pleasantly comic, "Think Of The Time I Save" is cute and pleasant, and the opening is also great. An excellent performance.

   Carol Haney as Gladys - Gladys is THE show stealing role of "The Pajama Game", and the underrated and underused Carol Haney stole this production way back when. Haney is cooky, lovable, and on stage, a fantastic dancer. Haney stepped into the role originally envisioned for Gwen Verdon and made it the role it is today, funny and wonderful. Haney sings two of the show's classics, "Steam Heat"(the best recorded), and "Hernando's Hideaway" both totally wonderful.

   Stanley Prager as Prez - A really great performance. Prager gives a rough, growling voice to Prez and it comes off as a great perfomance. "Her Is" is great, as is "Seven and A Half Cents"(although Prager's voice humorously cracks in mid-verse). A good performance.

   Reta Shaw as Mabel - Can't pull off a cute and perverted old lady any other way. Shaw's performance is solid in "I'll Never Be Jealous Again" with Foy. Pleasant to listen to.

   Well, all in all, this recording, though very abridged, has the best cast and is just as good as a choice for a recording of the show. Both is better, but for casual and curious listeners, this one beats the London cast. For those who really want the full score, go London. If I had to pick the superior, I would very reluctantly choose this one(reluctantly, due to the abridged score and Ms. Paige. One thing is for sure, every theater lover must own a copy of this wonderful show.




5. I love the Pajama Game. First of all, it had an immense influence on me, having been the first musical I ever heard and the force that originally set in motion by fixation on Broadway musicals.

   I also have to _deeply_ disagree with Mr. Stuart Howard, and to suggest that he in fact has no idea what he is talking about. All the musicals he said were "more important" than the Pajama Game only seem that way because they have been revived time and again. "Pajama Game" simply had the bad luck to become hopelessly dated due to cultural changes, and thus nearly impossible to revive successfully. Still, I personally think "Hernando's hideaway" and "Think of the time I save" still qualify as modern classics, and certainly it's hard to argue that "Once-a-year-day" hasn't been absorbed into our cultural consciousness.

   As for Ms. Paige, I _love_ her cynical, witty delivery and extremely unique voice and style of singing, and I tend to believe that anyone who can't see her appeal has, to be blunt, outlandishly poor taste in music.

   I love the Pajama Game, and, incidentally, I _highly recommend this CD. John Raitt's voice is a little cold, but it is also amazingly beautiful. The three comedy relief roles will all have you howling, Janice Paige is, as stated before, a genius, and unlike in my musicals, the songs will give you a sufficient idea of not only the story, but the characters...and "The Pajama Game" has deeper and more complex characters than any of the other old-fashioned musical comedies I can think of.

5 comments about Cry Like a Rainstorm, Howl Like the Wind.

1. This record opens with "Still Within The Sound Of My Voice", one of the most beautiful songs ever written, superbly arranged, played and performed by all involved. It then segues on with the title track, which is another masterpiece. Linda's voice is in top form, musicianship is particularly inspired, with a rhythm section formed primarily by the great Carlos Vega and Russ Kunkel on drums and the wonderful Lee Sklar on bass.
   
   I personally prefer Bette Midler's version of "I Don't Know Much" ("All I Need To Know", on her "No Frills" album) to Linda's, but you can't have all, right? You got four Jimmy Webb compositions, a cool multiple co-performance by angelic-voiced Aaron Neville (especially on the Nick Lowe/Paul Carrack number "I Need You", a perfect take on Sixties Motown R&B), powerful arrangements and on top of this Linda's unerring ability to make it all sound so easy and simple.
   
   "Cry Like A Rainstorm" has the same dramatic impact of a subsequent Ronstadt album like "Winter Light", but the choice of material here is more adventurous (no big, already well-known Bacharach standards). The perfectly classic production values combine the adoption of a large orchestra and a Gospel choir with a natural feel to Linda's performance that will resurface again in the basic, quasi-'live' "We Ran" rock album almost ten years later.
   
   What are you waiting for?



2. This is a great pop release from Linda Ronstadt. Linda has one of the best female voices of all time and in large part because of her range and ability to do so many different styles of music.



3. After reading all the reviews numerous times, I bought the album, despite not ever hearing even one song off of it. I recognized it as a GREAT album on the first hearing, and it has only gotten better. Thanks to ALL the reviewers. I agree that there is not one bad song on the whole thing, although we all have our favorites. It was very much worth the time to find this outstanding album.



4. This CD showcases Linda's tremendous vocal talent and there are many great moments scattered throught the 12 songs that comprise "Cry Like a Rainstorm, Howl Like the Wind." I am not really an Aaron Neville fan so the duets, except for "I Need You", really didn't do much for me. The Skywalker Symphony Orchestra compliments Linda's style very well, however David Campbell's arrangements are a little heavy-handed and overly dramatic when compared to Nelson Riddle's earlier work with Linda. But, all in all, this is a fine addition to Linda's discography.



5. I love this cd thankyou amazon for finding it for such a low price including the shipping and handling it was cheaper than than any store! Thankyou again!

5 comments about The Music Man (1957 Original Broadway Cast) [Angel Reissue].

1. I suppose that everyone who is interested in Broadway musicals is familiar with "The Music Man," from seeing it on Broadway, to the movie version, to touring companies, to the unfortunate recent television adaptation, and even to local theater groups.
   And, I suppose that most of them listen to the music repeatedly, as I do.
   Meredith Willson has written a wonderful variety of music: the rowsing "Seventy-Six Trombones," which became the musical trademark of the show; the hilarious "Pick-a-Little;" the romantic "My White Knight;" and what about the combination of "Trombones" with "Goodnight, My Someone."
   The original cast is superb. This is a role which suits Robert Preston's voice and demeanor to a tee. Barbara Cook, of course, is the best, and it really shows here. Add in the supporting cast and the Buffalo Bills, and you have as near perfection as a musical will ever reach.
   As I said, a must for Broadway fans.



2. I cannot rate this product because I gave it as a gift.
   I haven't heard the CD.
   All I can say is that my friend was thrilled to get it for Christmas.



3. though not for everyone, if you enjoy a classic Broadway musical, and a thoroughly classic Broadway performer, then this Original Cast Recording of Robert Preston singing The Music Man can hardly disappoint. The score, the voice, the show, is all well-known - it is hard to imagine anyone being unfamiliar with the production. Yet if you do not recognize this recording, or have not heard it - if you are a true fan of classic Broadway productions, you won't want to exclude this one from your collection.
   in its own stubborn Iowa way, it is timeless.



4. I loved this show when I saw it on Broadway and I love it now. Thanks!



5. One of the greatest American musicals. The score, book, performances...all combined to make one of the greatest musicals in American theater. Robert Preston was magnificent, Barbara Cook was perfection,the supporting cast were delightful! This is a GREAT cast recording. Fortunatley for the world, Preston's performance is preserved on film. Sadly, Cook's is not (though Shirley Jones is wonderful). Barbara Cook is one of the great treasures of the theater world. Just see one of her concert performances today (nearing 80 yrs old) and you will see why. Her voice is still glorious, she is positively ethereal!

5 comments about Roy Orbison - 50 All Time Greatest Hits.

1. I was a youngster when most of these song came out, I don't remember Roy releasing any song on the first disk. They are all re-makes. And the one song I wanted wasn't there. I had it on 8 track in 69 and would listen to it repeatedly speeding up I5. Nothing. He sang about his 'big motor turning'. That's what I had in my 69 Camaro. Still have the car, the engines even bigger and I still have the 8 track in the car,,,,,but no song.



2. Goergia Public TV featured this collection from Roy as a means to raise funds for the access channel. Excellant performance, excellant music, Roy never fails to deliver....The whole family was up dancing and singing along. We had to have a copy, but instead of buying it through the access channel at almost $50 plus dollars at the lowest contribution level, I went out to Amazon and was able to purchase this collection at less than half that. Delivery was quick, and the sound quality of this collection was excellant. Two thumbs up !!



3. I was thrilled to find this set - it's got several of the less-popular Orbison tunes (esp. "Evergreen") that are hard to find. Worth every penny.



4. This is the best collection of the original, legendary hits (and album cuts) Orbison recorded for the Monument label. Lot of bang for your buck. It has all the greatest hits and some great favorites ("Beautiful Dreamer" is a personal fave)not always found on CDs featuring anywhere between 16 and 20-something tracks. It also contains three cuts from Roy's mid 50's Sun period as well as some tunes he recorded when he returned to the Monument label in the 1970s. These later tunes sound out of place on this collection. I would have preferred 50 all-Monument sides circa '59 -- '65 (where is the cool "Blue Avenue" darnit?).



5. That's how Elvis Presley introduced Roy Orbison from the stage when he spotted him in the crowd at an Elvis concert. The King got that one right. Where other compilations leave out a memorable song or two, the memorable are all here and an assortment of Roy's covers of other artists' hits. If you don't care for that, there is no shortage of other CDs with just the basics, but look for the possibility that one of two of the songs you'd expect are not included. As for re-recordings you may find, there is little harm because of Roy Orbison's extreme talent in reproducing the original sound. This is a good long-term investment if you can't get enough of the Big O. I saw him in concert in the early 70s in a relatively small acoustically-perfect venue. The strings,etc. had been replaced by a synthesizer but Roy did not disappoint. This package I can highly recommend.