5 comments about Dralion.

1. I bought this CD to surprise my daughter after we had seen the Dralion DVD. It was so inexpensive I thought I would just take a chance. I had read the warning reviews saying that the music wasn't exactly the same as the show and also to be aware that Victor Kee's music [the amazing juggler] had been left out. After listening to it the first time, I thought it was OK and worth the couple bucks I paid for it. But the more I really listened to the music, the more I heard IN the music. ...And the more I liked it. Perhaps the music in the show is an evolutionary journey [regarding the music not being exactly the same as in the live show or the DVD]. ...Different point in the journey, different sounding music... I am SO glad I bought this CD. I really love it now, and so does my daughter, who I originally wanted to surprise in the first place. We both play it all the time.



2. I had never heard of Cirque Du Soleil when I saw this show...but I was in awe.
   
   Afterwards, I bought this soundtrack. Sometimes the vocals from Erik Karol are not all that wonderful...but the instrumentals are stirring. I can sit and listen or dance around the room and I feel the emotion in the music. My personal favorites are Stella Errans, Ombra, Miracula Aeternitatis, Ballare, and Ninkou Latora.
   
   Sometimes I'm not in the mood for it, but at times it can be beautiful and overall, amazing. This is creative, beautiful, colorful, and just gorgeous. I'd definitely recommend this, even if you haven't seen the show, because I didn't even remember what I'd seen by the time I bought this and it still holds a place in my heart.



3. Let me just start off by saying that Dralion is the first CdS show I came across on Bravo. After seeing it for the first time, I couldn't wait for it to come on again!

   Soon after seeing it yet again, I knew at that moment I had to get the DVD and the soundtrack. I have acquired both, and I think the CD is amazing! I was immediately blown away by Erik Karol's vocals once I heard the soundtrack. I'd have to choose "Stella Errans" and "Kamande" to be my favorite songs on the soundtrack. Although, I would have to give 5 stars to all of the songs on the soundtrack.

   The music from Dralion is probably the best music I have heard from CdS. Again, I was blown away by the music on the Dralion soundtrack and recommend it for all Cirque fans out there!




4. The reason I bought this CD was because I wanted the music from Victor Kee's Juggling act from the show. It wasn't on the cd. I was disappointed. The rest of the cd is okay, but it didn't have the song I wanted.



5. I bought this after seeing the show, and I am very impressed. Violaine Corradi (Who also composed VAREKAI) has brought music from around the world together in this spectacular work. Whether you have seen the show or not, this album is great.
   NOTE: You might be a little shocked at the gender-bending vocal performance by counter-tenor Erik Karol, but it sounds great.

5 comments about Streets Of Fire: A Rock & Roll Fable (1984 Film).

1. this was a gift, and it was much enjoyed. i love this movie, and the music is a big reason for that.



2. The movie looked promising on every level. Seeing it in a theater, it fell extremely short of my expectations. Good actors who for some reason delivered lines in this movie like they were reading it off a cue card. And played it so "stereotypical" of the "character type" they were portraying it was sometimes "smirk inducing".
   
   That said...in the end it is kinda fun to watch. I bought this soundrack 'cause it is a great sample of some great rock acts of the 80's (without sounding 80's). You've got the "voice" of Contact (who had a hit with "10.9.8"), Marylin Martin (w/ Stevie Nicks doing some of the best b/g vocals on her own song), Maria Mckee doing Tom Petty "justice" yet again.
   
   If you can it's probably best to buy a download (where??) of the cuts you like. Hearing all the songs in context of the film is fine. At home it's a different story. My rating is 50/50 but after all these years
   I've made an effort to track down the DVD and this CD so parties involved must have done something right.



3. The variety of genres spans the album and it works as a great road trip CD as well as suitable backdrop for the film. The sequence of songs does not follow the film, but the album is the better for it. Great Songs/songwriters are the key
   Tom Petty and Benmont Tench (He could never be you) Stevie Nicks (Sorcerer)Dan Hartman(I can dream about you) and Ry Cooder(Hold that Snake)-also the music director for the film make the music meaningful outside the movie theater.
   orchestral rock, blues, R&B and rockabilly all come together in a tight little package that will get you from here to there



4. I was on a soundtrack kick for awhile which emerged cause I was looking for some EG Daily music, well I came across this soundtrack really cheap and though there's no EG there's plenty of interesting songs and stories to keep me listening.
   
   A complete 80s creation, Streets Of Fire is dubbed a rock & roll fable and though I remember seeing it as a child I can't recall much of it, but luckily it's sitting on my TV thanx to Netflix and I'll let you know how that goes - as for the songs the two main gems here come from Jim Steinman - the man behind "Total Eclipse Of The Heart" and the Meat Loaf Bat Out Of Hell series to name but a few - I love Jim's take on theatrics; everything's a rushing flame of passion and intensity - the two songs on here performed by Fire Inc. (I'll have to do a search to see who that really is) are "Nowhere Fast" and "Tonight Is What It Means To Be Young" - high energy duets with a male and female lead and that 80's synth drum and heavy back vocals pushing it to the end - "even if you've got nowhere to go/ you and me we're getting nowhere slowly/ and we gotta get away from the past/ there's nothing wrong with going nowhere baby but we should be going nowhere fast.." I love it, it makes me feel like a kid; though the middle part of "Nowhere Fast" (godspeed, speed us away) is a little theatrical even for this campy boy.
   
   The main reason I purchased the CD is because Marilyn Martin is on here - I love her and her booming voice and to kick it all to the curb the song she does on here is "Sorcerer" written by Stevie Nicks. And as much as I love Marilyn, I love me my Welsh witch as well. Stevie even shows up singing back up and taking a lead on the Marilyn song - and the song itself obviously written awhile ago ended up on Stevie's 2001 album.
   
   A strange ethereal (this is Stevie after all) the lyrics seem to be talking of cocaine addiction but who knows with that woman (Sorcerer / who is the master/ man or woman / in the middle of a snow dream/ Sorcerer/ come inside/ let me put you on ice) Even with Stevie only on the back and side lines the song is just as dramatic sung by Marilyn, and one day I will make that Marilyn Martin comp I've been thinking of.
   
   On top of these three gems, there's the hit single "I Can Dream About You" by Dan Hartman - though I would prefer the Lisa Hartman version of it; and Maria McKee of Lone Justice doing "Never Be You" a Tom Petty written number that would end up on Rosanne Cash's album a few years later; and both are genuinely good. There's even "Deeper & Deeper" by The Fixx pushing the earthy fire ambience of the whole album together. If the film version of Streets Of Fire isn't truly a rock & roll fable, this little collection of a soundtrack certainly has all the elements of one.



5. Very diverse styles of music on this CD. If you like a song you really like it. If you don't, you really don't. It is worth having the CD for the songs that we really like.

5 comments about Leonard Bernstein's New York.

1. I agree that this is a great collection. But I have to wonder: Am I the only one who got a bum copy of the CD? The songs are all mixed up on my copy, as in, most of the tracks are mislabeled: "A Quiet Girl" is really "Tonight", The Balcony Scene, printed as "Tonight" is really "Somewhere". The list goes on.
   
   So, who do I kvetch to? I'd like a copy that isn't a complete mishmash.



2. Having spent most of my working years in NYC, I felt this CD brought the city to me. Bernstein has allways been a favorite.



3. As a tribute to Bernstein on Broadway, this CD is hard to beat. All the singers are stars but of a generation, ro two, beyond the originals. Naturally here's been a change of style, and these renditions are more knowing, sophisticated, and at times ironic than the originals. On their own, Donna Murphy, Dawn Upshaw, and Mandy Patinkin, among others, are masters of their craft, but I hope anyone who loves LB will also seek out the original cast albums for all of his musicals, or the clesest one can get (On the Town was remade in the Fifties). Those recordings cast a unique spel, but the next stop is this marvelous CD.



4. And speaking of "Wonderful Town," it's so nice to hear music from this least appreciated of Bernstein's musicals. "What a Waste," "A Quiet Girl" and Audra McDonald's enchanting "A Little Bit in Love" have never sounded better. Donna Murphy burns the house down with the torchy "Ain't Got No Tears Left," and has fun with Patinkin and Blazer on the raucous "Ya Got Me." "One Hand, One Heart" sung by Dawn Upshaw and Richard Muenz is movingly rendered, as is Patinkin's wonderful delivery of an all-time Bernstein favorite, "Some Other Time." My only comlaint? Where is "I Can Cook Too?" A terrific recording.



5. I loved this CD, but there was some things that kept it fromgetting four stars. First Mandy Patkin, I loved him in Sunday in The Park With George, also I have a CD of him singing yiddish songs all good, but in this CD I just don't like him. Like in the song "Come Up To My Place" I didn't like his voice and I never could quite see him as the character for that song. Also I would have liked to see (well actually "hear") some more of the dance numbers or overtures, I realize the main point of the CD was all the singers they put together, but the real highlight of the CD for me was the sections from Fancy Free, and Ballet At The Village Vortex from Wonderful Town. Also I liked "One Hand One Heart" a lot. Overall I would get this CD if you like Bernstein or any of these musicals, it is good listen, just not outstanding.

3 comments about Black Nativity.

1. The Black Nativity is truly Gospel on Broadway--mixed with Jazz and Blues. From the mezmerizing Sweet Little Jesus Boy to the explosive Christ is Born, tThe Black Nativity is a delight for all who listen. Also, it's a great Christmas gift for those who are looking to add some soul to the Christmas music collection.



2. This is a fabulous collection of gospel songs about the Christmas story. If you're tired of the "commercial classics" I suggest this fresh grouping to get you in the mood for what this season really represents.



3. The Black Nativity explodes with the power of faith unleased. Hearing the songs is second only to witnessing the production. Everytime I hear the songs, I want to meet the Jesus they are singing about.

4 comments about Summer Stock / In the Good Old Summertime (Movie Soundtracks) (Rhino Handmade).

1. The last two musicals Judy Garland completed at MGM were In The Good Old Summertime and Summer Stock. This is an excellent CD for Garland fans; but it is also a wonderful addition to your collection if you love those classic MGM musicals. There's plenty of music and a few outtakes here; and I think you will enjoy it.
   
   The album opens with the words and music to Summer Stock. The MGM Studio chorus does a great job on the movie's opening medley; and Judy Garland performs "If You Feel Like Singing, Sing" with a lot of positive energy and great emotion. Judy never misses a note here, either. "(Howdy, Neighbor) Happy Harvest" is another great track that Judy sings along with the MGM Studio Chorus; and this number really impresses me. The upbeat lyrics, the positive flavor to the music and the energy in the overall performance is truly convincing and a pleasure to enjoy.
   
   "You, Wonderful You" is a great duet Judy Garland performs with the great Gene Kelly; and "Friendly Star" affords Judy the opportunity to sing so sweetly from her heart. Judy sings "Friendly Star" like the consummate pro that she always was--great!
   
   "Get Happy" proved to be a huge hit for Judy Garland; she performed it to the end of her days in concerts around the globe. The movie rendition stuns me with its beauty and Judy conveys every little nuance of every word. Wow.
   
   The CD then goes on to give us the music--and some outtakes--from the movie In The Good Old Summertime. Judy delivers "Meet Me Tonight in Dreamland" flawlessly; and Judy's outtake of "Last Night When We Were Young" is so good it truly should have been included in the picture. Judy sings "Last Night When We Were Young" with panache and a tender sensitivity that I rarely hear or enjoy.
   
   "I Don't Care" is a very peppy little number that Judy performs to perfection; she hits all the right notes and gives this one her all--and you can tell when you hear it. The finale music from In The Good Old Summertime is also very good.
   
   The CD comes with great artwork. This impresses me!
   
   Overall, if you want to enjoy some of the best singing MGM ever released to the public, get this CD and listen especially for Judy Garland's fine numbers. I also recommend this for Judy Garland fans.



2. I love both movies and was thrilled to find the original music. It's amazing...LOVE IT!!!!!!



3. AS with their other recordings, Rhino makes the MGM catalogue sound like it was recorded yesterday. Couple that with the excellent graphics and liner notes and you have a movie soundtrack lover's dream come true



4. This movie soundtrack compilation from Rhino of ?Summer Stock? and ?In the Good Old Summertime? has all of the music from both films, including some outtakes. One minor drawback ? some songs have all extraneous material removed, such as dialogue bridges, tap sounds, etc. It gives them a somewhat flat sound. Overall, though, this a great CD for fans of these movies. Sound quality is excellent.

No comments about Traditional Jazz Christmas.

No comments about Broadway Gold.

5 comments about Riverdance on Broadway.

1. What made me listen to riverdance in one word is, Thrilling.
   And the rest of the good stuff attributed to something as famous as this one.
   This CD lacks the thrill and excitment which Riverdance: Music From The Show [SOUNDTRACK] ASIN: B000005B2O this CD has, however this is a excellent CD for those audiance who love riverdance and usually go very easy on their ears, and not looking for riverdance to increase their heart rate 1 and a half the normal. I am very passionate about music, I said precisely "passionate". so this is not a good buy for me.



2. Riverdance on Broadway shouldn't be considered a standalone album. It has wonderful music, and I liked all of the tracks, even those that had more of an African flavor. If you're a Riverdance fan, you need to pick this up- though don't forgo Music from the Show, as some tracks from MftS just wouldn't fit on RoB. Taken together, they are a wonderful aural experience.



3. Alternately driving and lilting, energizing and haunting, this is music from the Broadway version of "Riverdance", which incorporates highlights of both the "Riverdance" touring show and its sequel, "American Wake". The taps and other percussive foot-pounding of the step dancers and flamenco dancers, an integral part of the livelier tunes, can be clearly heard along with the fiery instrumentals. Bill Whelan's Celtic-, African- and Spanish-inspired compositions are performed here by a variety of artists, including the choral group Anuna, the Riverdance Singers, the Amanzi Singers, fiddlers Maire Breatnach and Eileen Ivers, piper Davy Spillane, vocalists Brian Kennedy and Tsidii Le Loka, Bill Whelan on piano, percussionists Tommy Hayes, Desi Reynolds and Noel Eccles, and the Riverdance Orchestra, conducted by Proinnsias O'Duinn. Though the title "Riverdance" is conveniently memorable, I've never been particularly convinced by the attempt to connect these world-inspired performances to "rivers". However, the integration of music and "dance" in this theatrical masterpiece is obvious, exhiliarating and ingenious. Bravo!



4. I bought into the Riverdance craze when it first came out, and I am the proud owner of the video, a T-shirt, a coffee table book, and the original soundtrack. When I'd heard that Bill Whelan had composed several new songs for the Riverdance on Broadway spectacle, I rushed out to buy it even though I already owned the Riverdance:Music from the Show soundtrack.

   One of the most pleasing aspects for me was the addition of vocals by Brian Kennedy, a singer from Belfast with a voice of spun gold whose voice adds a remarkable dose of Irish pathos. I was familiar with some of Brian's other works: he was a backup singer with Van Morrison for several years, has appeared as a guest artist on at least a dozen albums, and recently recorded a beautiful track on the new Secret Garden release "Once In A Red Moon" titled "You Lift Me Up." His smooth, soulful voice is a much-needed lift to Riverdance favourites such as "Lift the Wings" and "Reel Around the Sun," and a driving force for the new songs (including "At the Edge of the World" and "Endless Journey"). Unfortunately, Brian is relatively unknown in North America and the majority of his albums are only available in the UK.

   Also, Tsidii Le Loka (Rafiki in the Lion King on Broadway) is a spectacular regal presence that truly imparts a new African feel (most evident on the new song "Amanzi") to a tried-and-true show.

   Other than the six new songs and the additions of two new singers, the album closely follows the Riverdance: Music from the Show formula. It is a foot-tapping blend of Celtic, flamenco, Eastern, and African, blending low whistles, accordion, Uillean pipes, fiddle and percussion, with performances by such notable musicians as Davy Spillane, Eileen Ivers, Tommy Hayes and Maire Breatnach. Riverdance on Broadway is perfect for Riverdance fans, stepdancers, and fans of Irish/ world music.




5. I saw the show on Broadway and bought the album from Amazon. They sell the same album at the theater, but at a higher price. Hearing the album brings many of the scenes from the show back to memory. It was a great show for the family, and the recording reflects that. I suppose you would put it in the category of acoustic folk music, or some such.

   The show I saw featured Athena Tergis on fiddle, although I don't believe she performed on this album. If you like this genre, you might consider her excellent album, Journey Begun, as well.

4 comments about Starting Here, Starting Now (Original 1977 Off-Broadway Cast).

1. "Starting Here, Starting Now" contains some wonderfully written songs about human relationships and emotions. Maltby and Shire give us good tunes and well crafted lyrics (touching and catchy, too). The combo plays very well. The dissapointment comes from the out-of-tune singing done by all three of the cast members. Loni Ackerman, George Lee Anderson, and Margery Cohen throw themselves into their characters (which change every song), delivering their messages loud and clear. But, there isn't one cut that is not affected by flat intonation. Too bad, really.



2. In April of 2000 I was a student at Santa Fe Community College, Gainesville, Fl. During that semester I was one of the performers starring in Starting Here, Starting Now put on by the college's theater department. We performed the show with four females and four males. I had the honor of singing



3. I was recently in a revue consisting only of Maltby & Shire songs. The songs were taken from Big The Musical, Baby, Closer Than Ever, and of course Starting Here, Starting Now. This CD contains some of the most beautiful songs in musical theatre. "I Hear Bells" is phenomenally lovely, a tune anyone would love to live to. "Song of Me" is hauntingly beautiful and achingly brief. "Travel" and "One Step" are entertaining numbers with engaging melodies. "I Don't Remember Christmas" is amusing and intriguing in its own way. Each song here is worth listening to. Starting Here, Starting now is certainly a good buy.



4. Starting Here, Starting Now is a musical review from the 1970's examining the ups and downs of human relationships. The CD is, in fact, the show. The music encompasses the gamut of emotions that accompany family,friendship, dating, love, marriage, separation. "A Little Bit Off" is an amusing number recounting the first feelings of attraction between two people. "I Don't Believe It" is a sardonic look at all those "perfect" relationships out there. "I Hear Bells" is a lyrical tune about looking beyond the not-always-beautiful surface of life and seeing the goodness deep down. "Song of Me" is a haunting melody about a dysfunctional family and the resulting emotional scars. "Today is the First Day of the Rest of My Life" and "A New Life Coming" end the show and CD by reinforcing the lesson that time does heal our wounds and allows us to move on in our lives. No matter what the state of your relationships with family, friends and spouses, there will be something in this CD for you.

5 comments about Liza's Back.

1. I got Liza's CD, "Liza's Back" full of curiousity and expectation and hope. And, it is now one of my favorites. I was stunned by her very last song on the CD that she sang without any accompanying arrangement. She makes me feel timeless, and you will feel that way too. This CD is going to be timeless. You will never want the CD to end. I would like to hear Liza sing some more and remind me again how great I feel when I listen to her sing her songs. How I wish I could see her in person perform. So will you after you listen to this CD.



2. I know I'll upset people with this review, but here goes ... I have loved Liza Minnelli from the time I first saw her perform. She was an incredible talent, absolutely incredible. The key word here, though, is WAS. This CD is just plain awful. It broke my heart to listen to it. Her voice is gone. It is actually painful to listen to this. If you want to hear Liza sing some of her Cabaret songs or others from the past, buy the old CD's, not this one. Remember her as she once was. I'm going to destroy this CD so that someone else does not get hold of this and listen to it. Heartbreaking.



3. I am so happy I purchased this item! It certainly had some great tracks on it! Including some of her best work like: "Mein Heir" which you don't find on many of her Cd's. Also of course was included was her one and only: "New York, New York".
   
   Note: I did not rate this five stars because Liza is getting older, and her voice isn't what it was, but it still is pretty good for what she has gone through! I wouldn't be surprised if some people like her modern voice today better than her old voice. Because it still is good! I recommend to any Liza Fan!



4. Liza Minnelli stuns her audience with her strong performance on this CD recorded over two nights at New York's Beacon Theater in June, 2002. Liza's voice is in excellent form; indeed her energy is infectious just listening to this recording! She impresses the audience with many numbers which are masterfully performed; and this CD proves it.
   
   Liza starts out with a song written especially for her entitled "Liza's Back." Liza sings of how she's in better health then ever before and the crowd loves every minute of it. Her rendition of "Something Wonderful" is done with great sensitivity, too.
   
   Another song written especially for Liza by Kander and Ebb is entitled "Don't Smoke In Bed." Liza performs this well and the musical arrangement is excellent.
   
   There are also many classic Minnelli songs on this CD that any Liza fan will be delighted to hear once again: "City Lights;" "Some People;" "Maybe This Time;" "Cabaret;" "But The World Goes 'Round" and "New York, New York." Excellent!
   
   In addition, Liza gives her audience a very rare treat in the song entitled "Never Never Land/Over the Rainbow." Liza sings a few bars of her mother's infamous song, "Over The Rainbow." Liza rarely, if ever, performs any part of "Over The Rainbow" in concert and her audience roars with delight! When Liza says "Thank you, Mama," you know she really means it. I was touched.
   
   Liza's final encore is an a cappella version of "I'll Be Seeing You." Excellent!
   
   The sound quality couldn't be better and the liner notes by then-husband David Gest sing her praises greatly. There is great artwork in the liner notes and the back cover of the liner notes offers a wonderful profile photograph of Liza.
   
   My only disappointment is that I don't think this 74 minute recording is the length of an entire concert. I wish they had released this as a two CD set with an entire concert or at least a combination of two concerts to highlight Liza's performance even more! However, this is a minor concern: Liza sounds wonderful and she gives all heart and soul to each and every number she performs.
   
   This CD is a must-have for any Liza Minnelli fan. I also recommend this CD for fans of female vocalists as Liza's three octave range does not disappoint. I treasure this CD; and I hope that you enjoy it every bit as much as I did!



5. It seems that "Liza's Back", recorded at the Beacon Theatre, in June 2002, WAS done on DVD, but in EXTREMELY LIMITED NUMBERS.
   What I was told is that there were only 200 DVDs produced, (NONE of them ever made it to retail) and these DVDs were given to friends and family of Liza Minnelli, and also to the employees who worked at the Beacon Theatre.

   I have 2 copies of this ULTRA-RARE DVD, and they are for sale.
   Contact me at: freedomfighters127@yahoo.com for details.