5 comments about Quidam.

1. A long time ago I was visiting a very nice art website and they had "Atmadja" playing in the background. I was in love with the song, it was beautiful but creepy. I don't know how, but I happened to remember the name of the song. Soon it was taken off the website and I wanted to find it SO bad. At that time I barely knew Cirque du Soleil even existed. My search ended quickly, as I couldn't find it anywhere.
   
   A while later they were showing Quidam at my city, but unfortunately I didn't have enough time to go by the time I figured out it was here. One reason was that my mom wanted to go too, but I don't think she wanted to go nearly as badly as I did. Why did I want to go so bad? I really really liked that one song.
   
   I recently decided to look again, I have no idea what brought it on, but I was DESPERATE to download the song, though if I ever saw the CD I would have picked it up immediatly. Then I got a credit card. Oh Joy. I was so happy. I bought the album and have been listening to it non-stop so far. =). I can't complain that there are parts missing as people have said, because I haven't seen it. As a real first timer to the whole Quidam and even Cirque Soleil thing, I am delighted. The music is gorgeous.
   
   I think almost anyone can enjoy this music, it's absolutely lovely. I just wish that it were a bit longer. Oh well, we can't have it all. =)



2. OH MY GOD!!! Right now I'm doing to things: writing this review, and listening to the song "Rivage". I am playing "Quidam" 24/7!!! At home, at work while jogging ANYWHERE!!! I love it. It's that simple.
   
   Atmadja- Spooky, creepy, soft, and fantastic
   
   Incantation- Energetic and upbeat
   
   Marelle- Soft and soothing
   
   Rivage- Extremly high energy, Loud and Booming*
   
   Zydeko- Short and powerful
   
   Let me Fall- Soft and Beautiful*
   
   Innocence- A bit more classical
   
   Carrousel-An exelellent song with a nice beat
   
   Steel Dream- A nice song starting out slow and then geting funky
   
   Seisouso- An good yet slow song
   
   Reviil- A nice song quick at some parts and slow at others
   
   Quidam- A FANTASTIC way to end the CD*
   
   
   
   * My personal favorite



3. "Quidam" is a hard album to classify. It's not as stylish and flamboyant as "Saltimbanco," not as grand and echoing as "Mystere," not as atmospheric as "Varekai." What it is is...well...wierd. The music hops merrily from genre to genre, blindsiding the listener with unexpected twists and turns. Between them, the twelve tracks incorporate orchestral strings, vocal chants, bayou accordions, old-fashioned calliopes, middle eastern pipes, and steel drums -- and more. The album is a perfect echo of the show itself, which definitely represents the creative peak of Cirque du Soleil.

   "Quidam" has only two flaws that I can see. One: at forty-six minutes, it's the shortest of all the Cirque albums. Two: a lot of music from the show is missing, and a lot of the tracks in the second half are completely unfamiliar. The trick is to forget all this and just enjoy what there is to enjoy. My favorite tracks include "Incantation" (exotic and fun to dance to), "Zydeko" (short but full of energy), "Steel Dream" (pulse-pounding percussion), and the fantastic closing track, "Quidam," which is wonderfully uplifting. The songs benefit greatly from the gorgeous singing of Audrey Brisson-Jutras and Mathieu Lavoie, and even the background singers sound nice and enthusiastic.

   On the whole, I'd say that no Cirque fan should miss "Quidam." Once you get over its length and disconnection from the actual live music, you'll flip.




4. I love this cd! It's the best thing I've ever heard. I hope everyone enjoys it like I do!!!!!!!!!! I have to go, because my stupid brother wants to get on! But, I still could listen to this ALL DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



5. This CD gives a glimpse into the experience of Quidam, a quite inspirational cd- that I can listen to over and over and still feel touched by it's intensity, as if I just left the show. An artistic masterpeice.

5 comments about Floyd Collins (1996 Original Off-Broadway Cast).

1. I live in West Virginia, only seventy miles from where this story takes place. I've been exposed to Appalachian rhythms since I was born.
   
   And right off the bat, as soon as the beautiful melody kicks in on "The Call", it's immediately apparent that Guettel knows what he's doing. The gorgeous orchestrations sweep carefree from tempo to tempo, making brilliant use of Appalachian fiddle, banjo, and acoustic guitar, in addition to more traditional musical theater instrumentation. The melodies in each song careen along, bouncing off different musical genres, taking bits and pieces here and there, and with seemingly no regard for traditional song structure. The end result is genuinely American - Guettel can evoke more emotion and history in a single piano line or fiddle sting than any other composer currently working. I realize this is pure, fawning adulation, but listen to Floyd harmonize triumphantly with his echo on the wrenching final track, How Glory Goes, and tell me you're not moved.
   
   The cast is perfect, every member displaying a rangy and powerful voice. Christopher Innvar's rich, earthy baritenor rings clearly in all of his songs, bringing all of Floyd's emotion and yearning to life. It doesn't hurt that his acting is without flaw, either. As Floyd's little brother Homer, Jason Danieley navigates the stratospheric upper ranges of his tenor with ease. His voice is strong, crystal clear, and possesses astounding range. Theresa McCarthy, Don Chastain, Cass Morgan, Jesse Lenat, and Martin Moran are uniformly excellent in their supporting roles, and look for a young Brian D'Arcy James as one of a group of muckraking reporters.
   
   There is not a single bad song to be found. From the giddy yodeling of "The Call" to the enchanting, yearning beauty of "Daybreak" to the exhilarating "Riddle Song" to the comforting "Heart an' Hand"... actually, I should stop, because I'll just wind up naming every song on the album. Suffice it to say, Guettel's little slice of Americana never fails to amaze, revealing beautiful ballads, rollicking folk songs, duets, and quirky character numbers - sometimes within the same song.
   
   Floyd Collins is one of my favorite shows of all time.



2. Sometimes you can go to your local music store (or amazon.com, if that tickles your fancy), buy a soundtrack to a show you have never seen before, listen to it, and immediately fall in love with the show and really dont care that you havent actually seen a production of it. Unfortunately, Floyd Collins does not happen to be one of those shows. I have found that people who see the show and run out and purchase the soundtrack are much happier than those who pick up the CD without having see the show. I was one of the people who never saw Floyd Collins, but heard about Adam Guettel in a roundabout fashion and emptied my piggy bank to risk it on this CD. The results were mixed.
   
   When you first listen to Floyd Collins, a few things make themselves immediately clear. First is that their accents are dumb. There is no way getting around the fact that some music and lyrics that had the potential to be timeless are dragged down by silly Southern backwater twangs. While it may have given the show some sort of realism, it does nothing but hamper the recording. Next. There are no "tunes". By that I mean that there are no clear memorable melodies (with the one obvious exception being the ballad of floyd theme that is eerily catchy), and you probably wont suddenly start whistling one of the songs the next day as you are knitting or driving to work or whatever. The songs are made up of notes that dont fall on the beat and dischordant harmonies. It is beautiful, but unconventional, which really sets the tone for the entire show.
   
   The main thing that really took away from the Floyd Collins experience by not having seen the show was matching the songs up with some actual storyline. We all know that the show is about a guy who gets trapped in a cave, but a lot of the songs revolve what is happening above ground versus below ground, and I never really picked up on any of the changes between reality and Floyd's fantasy. I just recently saw an excellent amateur production, and I have a newfound appreciation for the actual storyline which drives the intense songs and plot along. If you ever have a chance to see a production of this show, take it, because it is an invaluable opportunity to making this soundtrack amazing.
   
   Now that I have walked a bit on top of Floyd, some highlights. The one thing that always amazes me, that I can listen to twenty times in a row and still be stunned, is the echo. Floyd Collins must be the only show in which a person sings in three and four part harmony with his own echo, and does so with such beauty... The best example of it is in Part 1: The Call, but throughout the show, Guettel infuses this self harmonization, which is original and, in my personal opinion, genius. Other peaks in the soundtrack include the reprise of the Ballad of Floyd Collins, which is a repeat of the haunting melody, sung with real raw passion, and the Riddle Song, which demonstrates the vocal prowess of the leading men and the ability for Guettel to write complex yet fun music. The rest of the album is filled with strong songs sung by a strong cast (Christopher Innvar really stands above the rest as a spectacular singer). As a side note, all of Adam Guettel's productions come packed exceptionally well, and I was very impressed Floyd Collins' large accompanying booklet thing. Just for people who care about those sorts of things. Anyway.
   
   Hopefully, now that The Light in the Piaza (or however you spell it) is getting so much acclaim, people with revisit Floyd Collins and find something new and exciting. And while Floyd has its flaws, it really is a remarkable album that I highly suggest people purchase.



3. From the reviews I read, I expected something amazing but all I got was mediocrity. Floyd Collins isn't bad, but it isn't exactly good. The actors are all top notch but the accents get annoying and the lyrics are sometimes hard to understand, though they are printed in the booklet. As far as I'm concerned, the best part about it isn't the music but the packaging. Beware.



4. We saw Floyd Collins in Chicago at Goodman Theater -- and saw it again and bought the CD. This confluence between Sondheim and country (?)/folk (?) music is just so remarkable, that it takes my breath away every time I hear it.



5. FLOYD COLLINS is one of those shows that is far more interesting to see than to just hear it on record. The story is rivetting and the characters fascinating. Adam Guettel is a major new talent and one whose career should be watched closely.
   
   That said, FLOYD being his first commercially produced musical, he sometimes tries to show off too much of his musical knowledge all at once. The score as a result becomes needlessly complex at times which instead of drawing the listener into the story has the curious effect of distancing us from the drama. The wonderful opening "Ballad of Floyd Collins" is about a simple and tuneful as the score ever gets. The lyrics are first rate...full of plot development and character insight. A detained synopsis and the lyrics are in the accompanying booklet.
   
   The cast on this recording is first rate. Christopher Innovar, Jason Danieley, Cass Morgan and especially Martin Moran as the reporter who befriends Floyd are all perfectly cast and sing and act the roles beautifully. The nine-piece band offers the sound of the period and place and is perfectly in balance with the singers. The album has been produced wirth extraordinary care by Tommy Krasker whose attention to detail reveals that he has a special fondness for this show. The prestige packaging only enhances the product.
   
   The recording is a must for anyone going to see the show on stage, and Stephen Sondheim has publicly praised the score. It needs to be said that Sondheim is a close friend of Guettel's mother, Mary Rodgers, and years ago worked with Guettl's grandfather: Richard Rodgers! Guettel has Sondheim's gift for lyric writing. If only he had inherited a little of his grandfather's gift of melody.

1 comments about Black Magic.

1. This CD is a compilation of a few CDs and LPs recorded with Decca. If you don't know the music of Mr. Black, begin with this and you will love and start to collect all his CDs. Vocalion, specially, has reissue the music that S.B. recorded in the golden years of London/Decca (I'm speaking about late 50's, 60's and 70's)

5 comments about The Music of Disney: A Legacy in Song.

1. This is a three disc box set of Disney music. The first two discs feature music from Disney cartoons, or live action films that featured animated sequences. The third disc features music from Disney live action films, television shows and theme parks. The songs from before the mid 1950s include whatever sound effects or dialogue that appeared in the film while the song was playing, sometimes to the detriment of the song. There are songs from almost every Disney animated film up to 1991, including the films the didn't have any good songs. But most of the songs are quite good, or at least fun to listen to for nostalgia's sake. If you are a Disney fan, you will enjoy this a lot.



2. I have this collection on cassette and I plan to buy the CD's. I love this set because it spans the history of Disney's wonderful songbook of music. Where else can you hear the Swamp Fox theme or Sean Connery singing Pretty Irish Girl? I am a total Disney fan and I would recommend this set to anyone who loves Disney or wants to show their kids Disney's amazing history in song. The one drawback is that it does not include the music from the last decade or so...but, that's okay because there are several good Disney CD's out there that do. Ultimate Disney volumes 1-3 actually. I think that is what it is called...Anyway, such a great variety of music here.



3. Not exactly what I expected. Nice for adult rememberance, it is the sound track for most of Disney movies. But, not really to entertain children.



4. This expansive and detailed collection of Disney music is the best out there. I've had mine since it came out in 1991, and I can't tell you how many times I've played each of it's three CD's!

   CD 1 starts off with the first Disney song in a cartoon, 'Turkey in the Straw' from Steamboat Willie and travels through the years (and 27 tracks) to The Sword and the Stone with 'Higitus Figitus'. Along the way films such as Pinocchio, Fantasia, Melody Time, Song of the South, Treasure Island and Sleeping Beauty are covered.

   CD 2 picks things up in 1962 with 'Supercalifraglisticexpialidocious', and runs through 20 tracks to 1991's 'Beauty and the Beast'. No rare songs are included on this disc, but a song or two from each animated film made in this time period is nothing to balk at.

   CD 3 heads in a new direction (that of live action, cartoon series and the Theme Parks) and serves up many gems and rarely heard recordings. Some of the 31 tracks included are; 'Enjoy It', 'The Ballad of Davy Crockett', 'Mister Piano Man' sung by Annette Funicello, the 'DuckTales Theme', 'Meet Me Down on Main Street', and the entire score for the 'Main Street Electrical Light Parade'!

   This set goes one step further by including a 60-page book that illustrates with words, and many full color pictures, Disney's musical legacy and packs it in a record sized keep-sake box. Much of the information in the book is enlightening and it does a superb job of giving backstory to the creation of the songs included. I've refrenced it many times and have always found it helpful.

   Yes, this set doesn't include songs from Toy Story, Tarzan or any of the more recent Disney offerings, but remember it was made in 1991. No matter though, over 10 years later, it's still the best and most comprehensive collection to date and believe me, I have enough Disney recordings to know! It's IMPOSSIBLE to be disappointed by this collection!




5. I take a trip to DIsney World Florida every year and before this latest trip I got this CD set. It is great!! I LOVE IT!!

   Jess

5 comments about Dawn Upshaw Sings Rodgers & Hart.

1. No complaints - Dawn is her usual delicious self.



2. Dawn Upshaw uses her beautiful voice to maximum benefit on the Rodgers and Hart songs.



3. Dawn Upshaw is absolutely marvelous in these renditions of classic Rodgers & Hart songs. Not since Rise Stevens has an opera singer shown such talent for singing showtunes. Unlike Renee Fleming, Ms. Upshaw sings these songs clearly and with perfect diction, without embellishments or unnecessary vocal pyrotechnics. These songs should be sung "straight" as if it were and Dawn sings each one beautifully. Her phrasing is impeccable, her voice is clear like a bell. This album should serve as a case study of how opera singers can tackle showtunes.



4. As I love both Rodgers and Hart's songs and the voice of Dawn Upshaw, this CD was an obvious choice. Upshaw is one of the very few opera singers today who are equally at home in popular song. Her crystal-pure voice and diction sound completely natural in these sixteen song classics. "He Was Too Good to Me," "Manhattan," "Sing for Your Supper," "Thou Swell," "I Didn't Know What Time It Was," "A Ship Without a Sail," "He Dances on My Ceiling," and the superbly arranged medley of "Nobody's Heart" and "Little Girl Blue" are among my favorite tracks. This is an essential disc if you love Rodgers and Hart.



5. Though I prefer her "I Wish It So" or Vernon Duke album, this is a great recording. The voice is a little too bright, but Upshaw does a wonderful job interpreting these pieces and she is never too operatic. It's a light, lyrical collection and lots of fun. I especially enjoyed "Sing for Your Supper," in which she sings her own back-up. If you are looking for a collection of light music sung by a fantastically trained singer, this is it!

5 comments about Les Parapluies De Cherbourg: Highlights (1964 Film).

1. Les Parapluies de Cherbourg is definitely one of Jacques Demy's great classics. This french 'musical' is unique in its innovative use of vibrant colours & the setting of its entire film dialogue to music! This Highlights album includes all of the memorable music from the 1964 film including the famous duet between Guy & Genevieve prior to their separation (cryptically titled "devant le garage" here but is better known to fans by its English title "I will wait for you") The sound quality is crystal clear, commendable indeed when you consider it is such an old recording from the '60s. Michel Legrand's film score is absolutely beautiful, even if you do not understand a word of French, the evocative music would move you. If you've enjoyed watching the film, you won't regret getting this album! Would have given this album a 5-star rating if not for the fact that i can't comprehend much of the lyrics; the fault obviously lies in this reviewer's poor grasp of the beautiful French language... The album itself is excellent!!



2. The first time I ever saw this film I was 7 years of age. Today I am 45. It created such an impact on me, that I have been searching for the Music/Movie for a while. I do have the LP, but unfortunately it is a bit hard to hear with the scratches and so forth.
   
   I would recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys musicals/love stories.
   
   
   Chula076/Pembroke Pines, FL



3. I bought this CD for my lady friend. I haven't seen the movie yet, but she is a big fan. I might rate this CD higher if I knew what they were singing about. Even in this "highlights" CD, the music is mostly singing conversation, like in an opera. The singers never combine in harmonies, though, so it isn't real opera. At times, the singing crystalizes into two powerful melodies which were remade as "I Will Wait for You" and "Watch What Happens." Since they are blended in, it is a little difficult to extract these songs as stand-alones.



4. Beautiful film. But for the folks who thought Catherine Deneuve sang in the film: it was the heavenly voice of Danielle Licari, the popular French singer of the time. It's hard to find any recording by Danielle for sale now.



5. This is a must-have soundtrack, absolutely great, but there is a double cd of the entire film score, at the end of which is great extra material, including Tony Bennett singing the "Watch What Happens" song and LeGrand playing jazzy renderings of some of the music with unbelievable creativity and virtuosity. Well worth the extra money, and there's not a bad track.

1 comments about We'll Meet Again: The Love Songs of World War II.

1. This is one of the best CD's I own. I listsen to it almost every day! Everyone should get themselves a copy!!

4 comments about The Irving Berlin Songbook.

1. It is said that more great songs were written for Fred Astaire than for anyone else. His forte was the very great respect he paid for the lyric, and his intuitive sense of timing and emphasis. His voice was small, certainly not particularly impressive but when you hear a song by him you feel you have really 'heard' the song.



2. Fred Astaire is a legend. Anybody who doesn't realize his talent isn't very smart. He was amazing (And this is coming from a Christina Aguilera/Metallica/Eminem fan) and he was a fabulous dancer. This collection is phenomenal. Unfortunately, my friend gave this to me and only had the first disc, so I have to miss out on the second dics, which looks great. The first CD though is a gem on it's own. Puttin' On The Ritz is a classic, as is Steppin' Out. I can honestly say I listen to this about once or twice every two weeks (Which is a miracle because of my CD collection's size) and I can listen to it all the way through. This is a definite buy. If you want some American musical history, look no further.



3. Fred Astaire proves that it phrasing and timing, and not voice, that make a great singer. This is a truly remarkable CD in all aspects. The sound quality, considering it was recorded in 1952, is superb. Astaire is in incomparable form, with the songs sounding much better than some of his earlier versions (this is the DEFINITIVE version of Puttin on the Ritz, for example). And the sextet supporting Astaire, including the marvelous Oscar Peterson at the keyboard, is as fine as any. Not to be missed for anyone who loves this genre. For a little more money, you can have the complete 2 CD version of this recording session featuring a variety of other songs by Porter, Gershwin, and others, entitled the Astaire Story. It is available on Amazon.com



4. There will never be another Fred Astaire. Even more sobering (if possible) is this: There will never be another Irving Berlin. Masters of their craft, these men literally gave us the Great American Songbook. Many of the songs here were written by Berlin expressly for Astaire, songs that first appeared in films such as Holiday Inn, Carefree, Follow the Fleet, Blue Skies, Top Hat, and of course, Easter Parade. And it's not hard to imagine why. Fred is, of course, known primarily as a dancer, but as a true song-and-dance man, he could do both very, very well. It's unfortunate that not enough is said of his singing -- that tender, persuasive voice that takes a song and sings it directly to your heart. If you've never heard the talents of Fred Astaire or the songs of Irving Berlin, then step right this way! I can't think of a better way to start you off on the right foot than with the Irving Berlin Songbook.

5 comments about The Girl I Left Home For.

1. I love this cd! Gwen Verdon was truly one of the world's greatest entertainers and this rare opportunity to hear her vocals is a true delight!



2. Verdon has a unique, one of a kind voice, which is vulnerable and defiant and the same time. The song selection and orchestrations are excellent. A must have for any serious show goer. Ms Verdon sounds like a cross between Blossem Dearie and Lena Horne!



3. I always have liked Gwen Verdon and wish she was still around to entertain us. She actually was a better dancer than singer. Still she had a very unique voice that one could easily listen to. The quality of this CD is good and it is fun to listen to her sing some old standard songs.



4. In addition to the great renditions of Ain't Misbehaving, The Lady Is a Tramp, Ms. Verdon also interpreted forgotten great songs such as 'Mr. and Mrs. Fitch' and 'Find Me a Primitive Man'. Ms. Verdon voice sounded lustrous and comedic at the same time. These songs remind me of the ability of great singers and composers to be 'dirty and naughty' without being vulgar



5. Gwen Verdon, certainly one of the finest talents ever to appear on any stage, only made one solo album and this is it. The true title is "The Girl I Left Home For" although Rodgers and Hart's "The Lady Is A Tramp" is one of the twelve songs on the CD....every one a gem.

   Recorded in the mid 1950's during her first starring role on Broadway, 'Lola' in "Damn Yankees," Verdon (backed by Joe Reisman & his orchestra) sounds terrific: sexy and innocent at the same time....wise and wicked and sly and very, very sweet (qualities that never left her, from her first Broadway appearances 'til her last, when she died this year-her final Tony Award for being co-creator of the spectacular song and dance tribute to her late husband, "Fosse.")

   Along with such famous songs as "Ain't Misbehavin,'" "The Saga of Jenny" and "I've Got The World On A String" are real curiosities such as "Hot Night In Alaska" and "Bettin' On A Man." All the lyrics are included in a booklet with a few notes in English and JAPANESE!

   Why (record company) won't re-release this treasure I have no idea, but the only way to purchase it now is through its Japanese distributor (BMG/Japan) and the cost is almost as high as three regular CD's. And yes, for anyone with a true love of musical comedy, it's definitely worth it. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

4 comments about Bells Are Ringing (1960 Film Soundtrack).

1. Dino at his best! Judy Holiday is charmingly funny. Her vocal talent is amazing!



2. This is the film soundtrack to BELLS ARE RINGING, which again features the incantory Judy Holliday as Ella Peterson, the lovestruck telephone operator. If you only want to buy one of the three currently-available recordings of BELLS ARE RINGING, this is the one to get.

   This recording has long been the favorite of many admirers of this score, primarily because of Andre Previn's gorgeous new arrangements, and secondly because of the better performance of Judy Holliday, who is more polished here than on the original Broadway cast-album. Added to the mix is crooner Dean Martin, who turns the rather passive character of Jeff Moss into a more fully-realised character in the piece.

   There are also seasoned Broadway veterans Eddie Foy Jr. and Hal Linden who both make the most out of their brief moments on disc. The highlights on this reissue by the good folks at DRG include "It's a Perfect Relationship", "I Met a Girl" and "It's a Simple Little System". Listeners will delight on Holliday and Martin's snappy wordplay in "Just in Time", and will be swept up into musical-comedy heaven with "The Party's Over". The brand-new Overture is a delight, too.

   I own all three recordings (original Broadway w/ Holliday and the revival w/ Faith Prince) but this is the recording I play most often.

   Highly-recommended.




3. The CD is a charmer, but contrary to the advertising, the 1960 "Bells Are Ringing" soundtrack has been on CD before, back in 1989. The CD version sounded great then, and it sounds great now. Lushly orchestrated film versions of Broadway shows usually sound swell on CD, and often make up for their film's flaws. Normally, the star's voices are fresh and rested (not ragged from eight stage appearances a week)and the performances are top-notch ("Paint Your Wagon" is still the big exception). "Bells Are Ringing," is a good film, but again, like virtually all stage-to-screen musicals, that little something always gets lost. On the plus side, several lesser songs were dropped, and the two replacements, "Better Than A Dream" (a counterpoint song just made for stereo) and "Do It Yourself" make the soundtrack far more pleasant than the Broadway album. In fact, "Better Than a Dream" was quickly added to the revised stage show after 1960. Why "Do It Yourself" wasn't added is a mystery -- it's far superior to its original stage counterpart "Independent" and serves the same purpose as the "You've Got to Do It" soliliquy that has never been recorded. Judy Holliday is wonderful, of course, and Dean Martin is quietly charming.



4. Film director George Sidney's (died May 5, 2002) 1960 movie musical version of Bell's Are Ringing provided a fine LP recording of Jule Styne, Comden and Green's gently sentimental and always humorous score. The effective musical direction was provided by Andr'e Previn resulting in a recording that many find preferable to the stage version. Judy Holiday and a correctly restrained, warm voiced Dean Martin provide the musical with the sparkling spirit needed. DGR has provided a perfect sounding stereo CD with an informative booklet. P.S. Two other LP movie soundtracks that are considered by some to be more enjoyable listening experiences than their stage versions are: Half A Sixpence and Finian's Rainbow. It would be wonderful to have them available on CD.