No comments about 20 Broadway Showstoppers: From Show Boat to South Pacific.

4 comments about Anne and Gilbert, The Musical.

1. The songs faithfully capture the musical show, with the only complaint being that the CD does not include ALL of the selections from the show.



2. I am a huge anne of green gables fan. I was in Anne of green gables the two act musical. While in it i found out about Anne and Gilbert. The songs fully cature the spirit of Anne. I pre prderd this cd. It still is the cd i listen to most.
   Mr. Blythe is a very fun song
   Fallingin love with love is the bvest duet
   Days ahead is the best group song and the part where Phil talks about her Beaus is the funny est part of the entire cd
   Hot house flower is a great song of Gilberet telling Anne that he knows what will make her happy in the long run



3. The musical "Anne And Gilbert" by Nancy White, Bob Johnston and Jeff Hochhauser is based upon the L.M. Montgomery novels "Anne of Avonlea" and "Anne of the Island." When we left Anne Shirley at the end of "Anne of Green Gables," she had come around a bend in the road and had realized that Gilbert Blythe was going to be the man she would marry. But when the surprising success of her novel dictated a sequel, Montgmoery backed off of her original conclusion and had Anne and Gilbert make it through two more novels before the scales fell from her eyes and she finally accepted Gilbert's proposal. For all those who have enjoyed the long-running "Anne of Green Gables" musical it is great news to know that the story continues and that we have this CD to tide us over until we can make our way back to Prince Edward Island.
   
   This musical, which premiered last year at Edwardian-era Victoria Playhouse outside of Charlottetown (and which is slated to run July to September at the Jubilee Theatre in Summerside, PEI), plays out the love story of Anne (Marla McLean) and Gilbert (Peter Deiwick) as they spend time teaching on PEI and then studying at Redmond Unviersity in Halifax. Obviously I have not seen the show yet, but I know the two novels well enough to be able to piece together what happens. We find ourselves back on PEI where the locals tell us what it means to show "You're Island Through and Through." Gilbert is also teaching and while all of the girls swoon over "Mr. Blythe," it is Josie Pye (Natalie Sullivan) who has set her cap for him, figuring he cannot wait for Anne forever.
   
   But Anne is caught up in her romantic ideals, personified by the story she has written and "Averil's Ideal." For Anne and Gilbert, being "Carried Away by Love" means different things. So he spends his time grading papers on "Saturday Morning" and resisting Josie's advances ("Hello Gilbert!"), knowing that with someone like Anne, "All You Can Do Is Wait." Meanwhile, Diana (Sarah Sheps) has added some bits about Rollings Reliable Baking Powder to Anne's short story and gotten it published ("Averill's Ideal Reprise"). The idea of a career as a writer beckons to Anne who feels "Someone Handed Me the Moon." To push Anne out of the nest, Marilla (Laura Smith) asks her friend Mrs. Rachel Lynde (Pam Stevenson) to move in to Green Gables, so that Anne can go off to college along with Gilbert ("The Days Ahead").
   
   Marilla does not want Anne to become a spinster ("When He Was My Beau"), but at college Anne has met debonair millionaire Roy Gardner (Sean C. Robertson), who personifies her ideal but who pointedly does not get a song as a gentle reminder to us he is not really good enough for our Anne. As for Gilbert, while Anne seems to be slipping away he may well be tempted by others ("Hothouse Flower"). But when she writes Diana a letter about Roy all Anne can do is lament that "Gilbert Would Never Compoase a Sonnet To My Eyes." But in the end everybody, even Anne Shirley knows what has been clear from the very beginning: "Gilbert Loves Anne of Green Gables."
   
   My only complaint with this musical is that there is not a song for Anne to sing regarding the book of revelations when Anne finally realizes that it is Gilbert she has always loved and the moment when "Love Takes Up the Glass of Time" and she finally says yes. But then Leonard Bernstein could never write an aria for Maria to sing at the end of "West Side Story" and it could well be that the musical sticks more directly to Montgomery's final two chapters in "Anne of the Island" (I should point out that I used Anne's "I don't want sunbursts and marble halls. I just want YOU" as part of my wedding vows, so I was especially hoping to hear that as a song). Besides, these are "Selected Songs Performed by the Original Cast," so maybe there is more to be heard.
   
   That aside this is an utterly charming musical. There are some wonderful harmonies on the first two tracks and "Gilbert Wold Never Compose a Sonnet to My Eyes," and Laura Smith singing Marila's "When He Was My Beau" will reduce you to tears ("Open up your eyes and see the man who's waited"). For me the most romantic character is Gilbert, because he has to wait for the woman he loves to come to her senses. The poor guy has to wait the entire two-and-a-half-hours of the musical for that to happen and all things considered my favorite track is when Deiwick as Gilbert sings "All You Can Do is Wait":
   
   All I can do is wait
   All I can be is optimistic
   All I can do is sigh
   All I can do is try
   Try not to tell you I love you when you walk by
   Trr to believe in fate
   When you love someone like that
   All you can do is wait
   
   That opening stanza alone shows you the simple elegance that you will find throughout these songs. Now the only question is how long will I be willing to wait to see this musical in person.



4. Twenty-one scenes are arranged around twenty-eight songs. The lyrics and music are wonderful. Musical Director, Lisa St. Clair oversaw the first delivery of many future classics, songs like, "Your Island through and through," during which the youthful cast members join in traditional dance, and "Our Duty," in which Marilla and Rachel Lind profess their Presbyterian motivation.
   
   The sung delivery of the majority of verbal exchange allows the actors emotional command over the audience. The song "Hot House Flower" explains,symbolically, a very pivotal episode in the play, when Anne is forced to be true to herself. Dances and blocking are masterfully choreographed with the music.

5 comments about Leonard Sillman's New Faces of 1952.

1. "New Faces of 1952" has long been one of my favorite musical reviews. After wearing out my LP edition, I'm delighted to own it again on a CD. Does it get any better than "Boston Beguine"?



2. I thought I was THE ONLY ONE who grew up with this album and was obsessed to find a CD version, though I own the LP, and it is in delicate shape.
   Seeing that familiar album cover made my old heart skip a beat.
   I memorized this by age eight and loved performing Lizzie Borden for anyone who'd listen.
   I do own the VHS, but all songs are not on it, though it is a rare treasure to see those long- gone people very young with such great careers in front of them.
   New Faces of 52 was a rare combination of talent. Too bad there are no such showcases for new artists. What a blast from the past!



3. This is the original broadway cast album. It contains songs which went on to become hits for their performers, such as Lizzie Borden, Lucky Pierre, Love is a simple thing, Guess who I saw today, Bal petit bal and Monotomous. Now re-released on Jasmine label, it was originally released by RCA Victor so the quality is excellent, but from the mono era.



4. Loved having this on the CD form. I wore out the 33 1/3 record. Thank you for carrying this CD!



5. I bought a recording of this show in the middle '70s when RCA was re-isuing a lot of their rare soundtracks. The record made a big deal about isuing a lost track called "Time For Tea" from this show sung by June Carroll and Alice Ghostley. This track is not included on this CD. Luckily I still had the record, and was able to make a version of the CD and add the second last track just before Lizzy Borden. Buyer beware however, this CD is not complete!

5 comments about Sarafina! The Sound Of Freedom: Music From The Motion Picture.

1. This is a very good collection from some great African legends. The songs in hope for freedom. Thank you Mama, is undoubtable my best track on this CD, especially listening to the inspiring voice of Miriam Makeba backed by Hugh Masekela and Mbongeni Ngema.



2. I popped this into the DVD player after partially watching two turkeys, and in the first 15 minutes we got two full-length musical numbers, and one of them was black South African students trying to sound like white American gospel singers. I almost gave up right there. But I'm glad I didn't.
   
   What we obviously have here is a Broadway musical turned into a film. It's only 98 minutes, and if it had no music at all it'd be about 75 minutes.
   
   I certainly have nothing against music, especially if it's got some African rhythms to it -- and before you ask, I'm white -- but when it gets in the way of the story, as those first two numbers did, we don't need it. After that, it was just fine. After the first two musical numbers, somebody realized that 4 minutes feels much more than twice the length of 2 minutes.
   
   The problem with this movie is that it's got little more than one conflict. Its heart is most certainly in the right place, and the acting is powerful, but when a 98-minute movie has padding, that's a problem. Hence the three stars. Even so, I recommend it. I'm glad I saw it.



3. Sarafina is an excellent movie to show students with parent permission on Apartheid. After teaching Apartheid students were able to view this film and relate to what life was like being being placed in a homeland and losing your citizenships. Students were able to identify with being a citizenship of the homeland but no longer a citizen of Africa. The role Whoppi played as a teacher demonstrated the restrictions placed on Africans by the government. The Bantu police in the film at the school and the prison really enforced what I was teaching in class.
   Students wrote an excellent view on the film portraying what they actual learned in the classroom.



4. A great movie which gives an overview of what occured during the apartheid regime in South Africa. It tells the story of a young black girl living in Soweto, who has dreams to make it as a star before she realises the true reality of the situation around her. Not a morbid movie at all but has its serious moments. The funny side of people living in their situation is portrayed very well.



5. 
   "Sarafina" is a powerful and moving film about the struggle of South African school kids for survival and freedom against apartheid. It is a story of determination, perseverance and courage against tremendous odds. It teaches us that good will always triumph against evil: that the oppressed will always fight back and die to regain their freedom and dignity. The viewer will have a picture of what life was like under apartheid, ranging from school life, living conditions for blacks, the prisons and the brutal police.
   
   I particularly love the beautiful South African music with its rich and outstanding vocals, percussion, horns and the like. You will love the sounds of veterans musicians like Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba.
   
   This is highly recommended for those who want to learn the history of the struggle against social injustice in South Africa.

No comments about The Glory of Gershwin.

5 comments about How Glory Goes.

1. This is my first album from Audra McDonald, so I will not make the error of determining her ability based only on this album.
   
   McDonald has a classic Broadway voice, and one that can be pictured in nearly any Disney production or classic stage work. Whether it is my adapted ear that hears the "belter" style as abrasive, or it is an actual problem wit McDonald's voice, there are points in this album when I feel my own larynx growing tight just listening to her! But that is traditional Broadway sound, and these classic pieces are performed quite well and within the suitable genre.
   
   I would only challenge her to work to understand the difference in perceived timbre (sound quality) from stage to studio recording. What sounds beautiful on a large stage, in a theater filled with people, can sound harsh on a high-quality recording.



2. There need to be more stars than five for this one! Incredible voice,phrasing and music arrangements.Absolutely beautiful!



3. Here's the thing about music and those who listen to it. There are some wonderful singers out there and I think Audra McDonald is one of them. But listen to her sample tracks (or, for that matter, anyone's sample tracks, if you can) BEFORE buying this.
   
   Her voice is a bit too high for me, not warm and melodic. Others may disagree and so I hesitate to be negative because I do think what appeals to some will leave others cold. I listened to this CD in a store as well as on Amazon, just to make sure I wasn't hearing the sound wrong. I can't say she does a thing wrong and yet her style simply doesn't reach me the way others do, even those with lesser voices. But then I guess thats what makes any work, from music to books, so personal. Very few have a universal appeal.



4. I've owned this CD for so long and had to stop listening to it when a very jealous girlfriend of mine was around that I forgot to share with others how good it is. Audra McDonald is already a legendary figure on Broadway with four Tony awards, exemplifying the complete package of drama and artistry she is on stage. Yet that voice, which could just as easily have taken her to the Met as it did to the theatres downtown, is in rare expressive form on this CD tribute to Harold Arlen and others.
   
   I don't want to spoil the experience of the songs by going into detail. Just know from the moment you hear "Anywhere I Hang My Hat is Home" with her beautiful voice, wonderful technique and deeply poignant subtext that celebrates her ability to interpret to the point of personalize the songs she sings, you will be more than satisfied with this CD.
   
   Not Judy Garland or Barbra Streisand yet? Don't worry, she's got time. And she's on her way.



5. I am most definitely an Audra McDonald fan. I saw her live recently at Linclon Center in the American Songbook Series and was blown away.
   
   This CD is a must buy for anyone who loves musical theater or great singing. Ms. McDonald is able to take a song you've heard a million times and make you feel like you've never heard it before. She is able to capture the emotional content of a song without making it sappy or overly sentimental. From Showboat's "Bill," which she sings with child-like wonder, to "The Man That Got Away," which drips with lament and regret, every song in this collection strikes the right chord.
   
   An amazing voice and a gift for acting make her one of the best entertainers around. If you get a chance to see her live, don't ask questions, just do it. In the meanwhile listen to this wonderful CD.

5 comments about At the Corner of Broadway + Soul.

1. I can't believe how much I love this CD! The songs themselves are amazing, and he magnifies it's greatness with his soulful voice. I only heard it once and it was worthy of my ipod. He makes every song his own; and he even wrote some! He definatley deserves an award. I love this CD and I want to share it with all I come in contact with. There's nothing more to say.



2. This album is simply amazing. I love many musical genres, but am an old school R&B girl at heart. Billy's album bridges soul, Broadway, and gospel so effortlessly, without compromising the integrity of any of these genres.
   
   I've loved Billy Porter all of my adult life. His voice is so very clear and pure, and he evokes the emotion of the lyrics in every note. I first experienced him on Broadway in the early 90s, and his voice is so distinctive that when I heard "Love Is On the Way" while watching First Wives Club, I immediately knew it was him!! I have listened to "Untitled" for the last decade - how many cds have that kind of staying power? I walked down the aisle on my wedding day to the song "Untitled" because his simple rendition of such meaningful lyrics moved me to tears.
   
   If you've never experienced the musicianship of Billy Porter, try him...you won't be disappointed.



3. i am not a real big GOSPEL/BROADWAY music lover. But this CD does not leave my side. I listen to it all the way home and bring it into the house for further listening pleasure. Billy Porter is in a league of his own. I feel I am really at the concert. His music is a true gift from God. Everyone I tell about him are in love from the first track to the last. His version of "On top of the World" is exhilirating. I am waiting for his concert to come to Los Angeles. Please if nothing else sample the last track "Sunday"
   
   GO BUY THIS CD AND YOU WILL BE HOOKED FROM BEGINNING TO END



4. Billy Porter is undoubtedly the most pure singer I have ever heard. I have a tremendous amount of respect, not only for his talent, but also for the ability to make decisions based on his character, not his career. I am desperately seeking a copy of "Untitled". I lost mine shortly afer receiving it in a move and I have been devastated ever since! Billy, you rock!



5. I'd give ole billy a 5 but I don't want him to sit back and coast. this man is friggin' amazing with a voice that knows what limits are and how to transcend them. I always knew there was the song from Fist Wives Club but that unfortunate woman from canada recorded it and that sorta squashed it for me. once i found amazon I found what a great educational tool it is -- research, find the movie, find the song, find the man.
   
   Man o man -- what a man. I'm ordering all his cd's but I'm amazed he has so few. When I saw Hair I thought, "Whoa, I hope he's singing 'Easy to be Hard'" With his sense of humor, and sincerity, he's be great. He could put a spin on that song NO ONE ELSE COULD. Ahh well -- dream on -- let's see Billy in a studio, unlimited food, musicians of his choice, a few back up singers and a few duets "You will sing with Tracy Nelson and like it." Maybe just him and a piano -- he could do it.
   
   I must say singing live he is capable of sounding just as good as in a studio, I have his cd singles. I don't how much was doctored in processing but I was amazed, and appreciative, that his live audience showed such respect for him -- when he sang, they shut up and listened.
   
   Incredible voice and good grip on reality, great perspective. Favorite cuts are 'Time' and "King of the World' and I'm amazed at the mastery he displays on Sondheim -- this man has done his homework. He SOARS. This man needs to be KNOWN.

5 comments about Ultra-Lounge: Tiki Sampler.

1. Hold on to your fedora and don't spill your martini, this is going to be wild man. If you dream of the old, dirty Vegas, the era of the Polynesian bar, of a time when American hot-rods roamed the country and your gas was pumped buy a guy in a paper hat, then this album is for you.
   
   There are only two down sides to this sampling. First, it's on CD and not vinyl. This is a positive in that it'll never wear out, but there is a certain amount of authenticity given up for the sake of convenience. For most, it's well worth it. You'll just have to pick up the old records yourself.
   
   The other down side is that you'll want to play this a lot, which means your friends will be amused at first, but on the third or fourth time they hear the Mel Torme's version of "Happy Together" they may very well crack and beat you senseless.



2. My daughter is a big fan of this kind of music and anything tiki. This was a Christmas present for her and she loves it. Great quality and prompt service from Amazon. Thanks!



3. The entire ultra-lounge series is excellent. However, all of the CD's in this collection only add up to a small tantilizing taste of the huge back catalog of vintage easy listening albums from the 50's & 60's - not to mention the Hawaiian LP's which are surpisingly underrepresented on the Tiki Sample and in the Ultra-Lounge series as a whole. Common Captiol/EMI, start releasing some of these vintage albums in their complete form!!!!!!!!!!



4. This is a great CD. Full of tracks that are perfect for almost any occasion: The Beach, Backyard Bar-B- Ques, Vacations or just Relaxing. This is an album that supports drinking and a carefree lifestyle. It supports what I believe in so I support it!



5. I never got the lounge music thing but this collection worked for me because it's the very best one or two tracks from the large amount of lounge CD collections available from Capitol. 23 tracks including Nelson Riddle doing My Three Sons, Peggy Lee doing The Boy From Ipanema, , Mel Torme butchering Happy Together, Les Baxter, Jackie Gleason, Julie London, Lena Horne, Nancy Wilson, and so on. Plus the theme's from The Munster's and Get Smart. Lot's of fun here.

5 comments about Baker Street, A Musical Adventure of Sherlock Holmes (1965 Original Broadway Cast).

1. A singing Sherlock Holmes? It happened in 1965 with BAKER STREET, the ill-fated, ill-conceived Broadway musical written by Marian Grudeff and Raymond Jessel, with book by Jerome Coopersmith. Taking as it's starting point the original "Sherlock Holmes: A Scandal in Bohemia" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the final product bore a closer similarity to a second-rate variation on "My Fair Lady", with Holmes and Watson accompanied by lovely singer Irene Adler, traipsing all over London, closely pursued by arch-enemy Professor Moriarty.
   
   The one thing that BAKER STREET has in it's favour is a fabulous cast, including Shakespearean veteran Fritz Weaver as Sherlock Holmes, Martin Gabel as Moriarty, Peter Sallis as Watson and Inga Swenson as Irene.
   
   Fresh from the national tour of "110 in the Shade", Inga Swenson shines with the lion's share of musical numbers, including "I'm in London Again" (cut shortly after the opening), "Letters" and "Finding Words for Spring". "I'd Do It Again" is the perfect 11 o'clock number. "Cold Clear World" is an ideal summation of the Holmes character, and Weaver delivers handsomely as well.
   
   For all BAKER STREET's similarities to "My Fair Lady", Weaver and Swenson had the last laugh, when they were quite ironically reunited for the 1968 City Center revival. BAKER STREET also faced some competition from other musicals of the 1965 season ("Half a Sixpence", "Fade Out-Fade In" and "Golden Boy"), but gamely hobbled along for 313 performances at the Broadway Theatre, moving to the Martin Beck shortly before it closed.
   
   Decca Broadway's CD premiere of the original cast album is crisply remastered. Bonus tracks comprise of Richard Burton's take on "A Married Man"; and Kai Winding's orchestra performing "Baker Street Mystery" (adapted from the "London Underground" sequence).



2. 1. There were two Broadway shows that somehow unfairly did not get the "press & praise", or whatever, to get the attention of the theatre-going public to catch on and become smash hits.
   
   2. Luckily for us, there were recordings of these two Broadway shows on lp.
   
   3. Sadly, for those of us who enjoyed those old lp albums and wished and waited for years and years for them to be remastered to cds, it seemed we would never be able to enjoy these "lost" scores ever again.
   
   4. Now, through some lucky stroke of unlikely chance, we have recently been twice blessed with the remastering and release of BOTH of them on compact disk! All I can say is "There IS a God!" and also "Thank You", "Thank You", "Thank You" to those responsible for the "saving" and "preservation" of these two works by digitizing and releasing them for us again.
   
   One of these two works is "Cyrano" with the great portrayl by Christopher Plummer of certainly one of the greatest characters in all literature. This show sadly closed after only a very few performances. The songs, while not really "great" are certainly quite listenable--but ONE, is spectacular and makes it worth the cost of the whole album, and that is "You Have Made Me Love"--what a winner it is!
   
   The second of these works is "Baker Street" with Fritz Weaver and Inga Swenson. Luckily, I was fortunate enough to see this one before it closed, also, shortly after it opened. I could never understand why it did not catch on. Weaver and Swenson were simply marvelous, it was exciting, funny, and had great tunes and catchy lyrics. I dispaired for years over the non-release of this show on compact disc. I even wrote Universal, who has the rights to Decca's catalogue, and they blew me off. Then, out of the blue this spring there it was listed as a pre-release on amazon here! I immediately went to my local music shop and ordered a copy. And guess what.......there is a bonus track of the Great Richard Burton singing the best song from the show "A Married Man"!
   
   If you love Broadway Cast albums, you need these two disks. If you remember the shows, you need these two disks. And lastly, if you are totally unfamiliar with these two works, you need these two disks. In short--You Need These Disks! Period!
   
   Take my word, both of these albums are wonderful "keepers" that you will listen to over and over, both because they are unusual and not so well known, and also because they are truly great works. I wish you much happy listening to them. ~operabruin



3. I have had the record album of Baker Street for years, but have not been able to play it for a loooong time. My parent's owned a copy, and around the time of my early teens when I got into Sherlock Holmes, I listened to it and was quite delighted with it.
   
   I purchased the cd with some trepidation, not knowing if it would have the same affect on me now that I am in my early 40's. Although a song that I loved back in the day, does not resonate with me now...others do. All in all a delightful musical.
   
   If you are into musicals one can hear elements of "My Fair Lady" and "Oliver!" as well as early hints of "Sweeney Todd" types of musical stylings.
   
   What makes this an even better cd is the booklet that describes the show, its changes, and its problems.
   
   If you are into classic musicals and/or a true Sherlock Holmes fan you will probably enjoy this.



4. I was lucky enough to see this lush musical twice - once on opening night and the second time when they changed Inge Swenson's opening number (I thought that "I'm in London Aagin" a much better and more appropriate opening number for Irene). I sorry though that the second number was not put on as an extra on this CD for posterity - it may never have been recorded. I have been waiting for years for this to appear on CD - well worth the wait. Inge Swenson is absolutely glorious and well balanced against the cold, clear portrait of Fritz Weaver's Holmes. Then there is the exhuberance of Teddy Green, who also brought his great presence to Darling of the Day. The musical may have been a 'flop' but I am sure that those who saw and loved it will always have fond memories of a 'hit'. An intriguing score with the soaring voice of Swenson so very memorable. It will more than likely never be revived to the level it was originally produced but thank you Decca for bringing this marvelous musical to life again on CD! Now how about "A Time For Singing".



5. Fascination with "Baker Street, a Musical Adventure of Sherlock Holmes" during the years since the final curtain came down at the Martin Beck Theatre on the night of November 14, 1965 has grown to the point that Decca Broadway has finally released - for the first time on CD - the long out-of-print original cast recording. All of us who share an interest in the history of the American musical should raise a glass of stout and say, "Well done, mates."
   
   I've probably listened to my LP no more than once or twice, but "Baker Street" always has maintained a special place in my memory. It is, after all, one of the two recorded shows that features my all-time favorite actress/singer - and fellow Nebraskan - Inga Swenson. First appearing in "The New Faces of 1956," she went on to win the 1957 Theatre World Award for "The First Gentleman" and understudied Julie Andrews ("Camelot") before receiving her first Tony nomination for "110 in the Shade." ( In spite of its wonderful Tom Jones/Harvey Schmidt score and Ms. Swenson's outstanding performance, RCA has had the chutzpah to drop the OC recording from its catalogue. Go figure.)
   
   I must admit that I was disappointed the first time I listened to the CD. For the most part, the score sounded derivative and uninspired. What disappointed me most was the fact that, as wonderful as Ms. Swenson is, the songs she is given to sing can't hold a candle to those in "110 in the Shade." Furthermore, one gets the impression, just from listening, that the creators of this show never really decided what the focus should be. Instead of ending Act I with a dramatic musical spot, it ends with a "Perils of Pauline" ticking time bomb. Additionally, the final number, sung by a band of thieves, falls quite some time before the end of the show, which ends with Holmes disappearing into the fog, presumably on his way to America in romantic pursuit of Irene Adler (Ms. Swenson).
   
   Only after reading the published script (Doubleday & Company) and listening for a second time, did I come to appreciate the way the musical numbers fit into the play. Not only was I able to better appreciate the songs, but now, for the life of me, I can't get "What a Night This Is Going To Be" out of my head!!!
   
   With Oliver Smith's Tony-winning sets, Motley's period costumes and the Bill Baird Marionettes enacting the Diamond Jubilee parade, it must have been a fun show to see. But 1965 was the year of "Man of LaMancha" & "Sweet Charity;" "Hello, Dolly" & "Fiddler on the Roof" were still going strong. "Baker Street" closed after 311 performances, with a loss to its investors.
   
   Recommended, especially because of Inga Swenson. ALSO recommended is "Holmes and Watson Sing," Ken Mandelbaum's expert critique of the "Baker Street" CD and fascinating background of the show. If you buy this recording - and I hope you will - then you must read this article. You can find it at www.Broadway.com.

5 comments about Return to Never Land (Original Soundtrack).

1. The soundtrack in total is better than most Disney Films...But the song "I'll Try" is a classic and the CD should be purchased to hear the singing and songwriting of Jonatha Brooke. Why this song did not get an Oscar nod, when songs of less substance do each year is perplexing. If you liked the film or did not even see it...the CD is worth the price. In addition Jonatha Brooke has many more CDs out of her music and one can instantly be hooked (no pun intended) at first listen...



2. I like this CD. The songs are beautiful and transport you to a fantasy world.



3. When I saw the movie, I first saw it in the movie theater and then on Disney Channel. I heard the song "I'll Try" and immediatly wanted the soundtrack. I also wanted the movie. Jonatha Brooke's song made me want to fly. :) I personally never want to grow up and this movie and song help you stay childish and care-free longer. It trully is a beautiful song and a beautiful movie.



4. The movie was okay, but the song "I'll Try" just made me want to see it again and again. It's so great!! I love it!!



5. Have to say I hated the movie, but when the song 'I'll Try' played, I immediately recognized the amazing talent of Jonatha Brooke. It is a beautiful song and if you enjoy it, I highly recommend you listen to her other stuff. She has several solo albums, all of which are good, but her best work (in my opinion)is the stuff she did as part of a Boston based duo called 'The Story'. Their album 'Grace in Gravity', is one of my all time favorites. The harmonies on the album are astounding and complex. Jonatha has a penchant for minor keys and her phrasing is unmistakeable. Superb stuff for the music enthusiast.