5 comments about Marry Me A Little (1981 Original Off-Broadway Cast).

1. The songs are hard to find, but the recording is mediocre. These people are not the greatest vocal talents in the world, and ocassionally they come off harsh. Then there is the piano. Some of these songs are quite energetic, and the piano does not do them justice. It is really quite boring sometimes. There are some high points though. "The Girls of Summer", "Bang", "Saturday Night", and the title song. Buy it you are a Sondheim completeist, or a fan who likes the obscure Sondheim, rather than "Send in the Clowns".



2. One of the greatest Sondheim musicals of all time! I recommend this to any lover of the great Stephen Sondheim.
   A never-ending track list of his greatest, rare numbers with a gentle, soothing and lulling piano accompianent. Although some here have complained about only the piano, I believe it makes the album even better than some of his others. You can actually enjoy the rhapsody of a piano and a singer without the overpowering orchestra in musicals like SWEENEY TODD. Sometimes a piano and a singer make things all the more beautiful.
   With two of my favorite songs, "There Won't Be Trumpets" and "Marry Me a Little", this album has some songs you've heard on other Sondheim albums, like SATURDAY NIGHT and ANYONE CAN WHISTLE, this is a compilation of his earlier numbers with a romantic plot of a loving couple who seems to last forever... but, like many, face the ups and downs of love. Ending with a touching rhapsody, "Who Could Be Blue?", MARRY ME A LITTLE is one of Sondheim's finest masterpieces. Your collection will not be complete without this piece of genius.



3. Judging by previous reviewers, this seems to be a very under-appreciated CD. Yes, the piano accompaniment can be a little off-putting at first (especially in the more densely harmonic songs like "Silly People"), this CD is still worth buying for the beauty of these songs. So Craig Lucas isn't a top-notch singer/actor. His voice is certainly pleasant enough, and I love his "Uptown/Downtown" and "Happily Ever After." Suzanne Henry is also more than acceptable, shining on "So Many People" and "Can That Boy Fox-Trot."

   After a person listens to this CD, he'll probably want to see the show. And isn't that the ultimate goal of all cast albums?




4. This is very good. Even though I own the 2000 cast recording of 'Saturday Night', The remaining is highly enjoyable, especially the songs cutout of 'Company'. All in all, A very good recording, despite previous reviews.



5. I am a huge Sondheim fan, and his songs are great...but... although this show was a good concept, the lack of orchestra or even more inspired singers makes his songs fall a little flat. They're brilliant, especially "So Many People", "Happily Ever After", and "Two Fairy Tales", to say the least. But this recording doesn't do justice to such a genius. :P

2 comments about It's a Lovely Day.

1. Never knew how sexy and kittenish Kate Smith could sound until I listened to this wonderful collection of songs! Her voice is vulnerable and sexy , so different from her "God Bless America" sound. A great easy listening disc to add to your collection!



2. This CD captures all the allure of Kate at her lyrical best: that seamless vocal line, her amazingly unaffected diction, her rich golden tone and her own unique styling of each song are in abundance. Only occasionally does a rendition seem to be a bit rushed (perhaps given the limited time per 78 rpm side?...or conductor Jack Miller's tempo of choice?)
   Sony has done an exceptional job of filtering out the common annoying sounds inherent in the records of that era, thus making Kate sound like she's in the room with you. The one caveat re the sound is that the treble dominates, but some smart adjusting of one's amplifier tone controls quickly remedies this to an exceptable degree.
   My one complaint is that the CD contains only 10 selections, amounting to just barely over 30 minutes of music. Kate recorded literally 100's of songs for Columbia [Sony], so this tiny sampling seems a might stingy on Sony's part--even if it is a "Special Production" CD. Yet, no one can deliver these songs like Kate can--just listen to "The White Cliffs of Dover", and you'll know what I mean.

2 comments about Always.

1. Michael Ball is one of my favorite singers of all time and I have grown quite an impressive collection of his C.D.s and merchandise. If you don't know Michael Ball than shame on you- he played Marius in "Les Miserables" and Raoul in "Phantom of the Opera." Recently Michael has turned away from his career in the theater to focus on strictly singing. Michael has one of those voices that just speak to you a mixture of Frank Sinatra meets Josh Groban.
   
   I own this C.D. but, out of my collection it is the one that gets listened to the least. Although there are some impressive songs "Tell Me There's A Heaven" is my favorite track. But, somehow this C.D. bores me more than anything else. I think it's the lyrics to the songs and perhaps the fact that there are not enough tracks from Broadway showtunes that is what I enjoy the most of what Michael sings Broadway showtunes.
   
   So instead of buying this if you want a real good Michael Ball C.D. I recommend "Stage and Screen" which has his best Broadway showtunes and some of our favorite songs from the screen. In my opinon that is definately the Michael Ball C.D. to own! But, no matter what Michael sings he will always be the "Musicals Man."



2. Michael Ball is at his best as always he puts qoo percent into his singing He sings with such emotion a really great classy singer with a great style of his own. I highly recommend thi scd or any of his cds Most contain really romantic songs a lot of broadway show songs, ballads pop , a little of everything

5 comments about Lullabies of Broadway.

1. I first heard this recording at a pre-school that I worked at. One of the teacher's used it at nap time for her class. I fell in love with it the first time I heard it and had to get it. I actually listened to it myself at bedtime. When I was assigned to a 4 year old class when their aide was out sick for a week, I took the CD with me and used it for their nap time. The teacher commented on how lovely it was. I left it in her class and forgot to take it when I left the school and moved away. I have wanted to order another copy ever since....and I just did! :)



2. My little girl falls asleep to this CD every night. The songs and the voice are just so calming and sweet, I sometimes turn it up enough so that I can hear it as I go to bed, too. I would definitely recommend this CD to anyone, but especially those who love Broadway music and want to introduce their kids to musical theater in a gentle way.



3. and as such am constantly singing songs to my newborn son. When I saw this CD, I thought, why not?

   I find Mimi Bessette's voice to be eminently listenable without being saccharine or cloying and I am very fussy about the singers to whom I choose to listen. She has a simple style of delivery and the arrangements are likewise simple and not overproduced.

   The choice of songs is great. Aside from well-known tunes like "Castle on a Cloud" from Les Miserables and Edelweiss from The Sound of Music, there is a charming lesser-known tune entitled "New Words" that both my son and I adore. I am also partial to Irving Berlin's "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep" and was happy to find a rendition of it included on this CD.

   My only complaint (and it is a minor one) is that the CD is too short. The running time is under 60 minutes and I would have like to have had more songs included.

   After purchasing it for my son, I bought it for two other "theater friends" who were having babies and they love it too.




4. This CD is not only one of the things we will most remember from my daughter's youth but it is one of my favorite CDs. Mimi Bessette's voice is pure with beautiful high-end reach. If you have ever had a tough day put this one in the player.......



5. I recieved this CD from a friend for my first baby, and I am hooked. I have bought 5 for friends of mine that are pregnant. It is soothing and helpful on those long nights with a newborn. I hightly recommend it.

4 comments about Get Out Those Old Records: Fifty of His Many Greatest Hits.

1. If you grew up with this sound every New Year's Eve, you have missed it for 30 years. Not what I'd listen to daily, but after seeing my parents dance again after so many years, and appreciating Lombardo's peculiar quality, I had to say to my Mom that they sounded "mella", which she agreed.



2. I ordered this for my father, and according to him, there was only one disk in the package. Very disappointing. He didn't want to bother with sending it back.



3. Enjoy yourself, it's later than you think, sip a glass of fine with with your girlfriend and dream of the good old days when music was grand and times were simple!



4. For those of us raised on the music of the second half of the twentieth century, the music contained on this CD does not sound like music to dance to - more like easy listening music to relax to - but Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians were one of the leading dance bands of their day.

   They had 218 hits of their own on the American charts, of which 50 can be found here. They also had other hits as the backing group to Hildegarde, Kate Smith and Bing Crosby.

   The band featured Carmen Lombardo (Guy's brother) on vocals up to 1941, but most of the recordings here are from the period after 1941. Carmen sometimes sang with the band after 1941 and there are a few earlier tracks here, so you get a chance to hear him on some tracks here. The band sometimes re-recorded their earlier hits and Jasmine have sometimes included those rather than the originals, possibly because Guy recorded for several record labels. The recordings on this collection were all made for Decca, for whom Guy recorded in 1934 and 1935, then from 1938 to the end of his hit-making career in the fifties.

   Even if you are new to Guy's music, fans of the music of that era may recognise some of the songs, including The trolley song, Shoo-fly pie and apple pan dowdy, Five feet two eyes of blue, Swinging on a star, Blues in the night, For me and my gal, Red sails in the sunset, By the light of the silvery moon, After the ball, St Louis blues, Little Dutch mill, The band played on, South of the border, Easter parade and The moon of Manakoora. In those days, it was customary for several versions to be in the charts simultaneously, so some of these songs also charted for Jo Stafford, Dinah Shore, Bing Crosby and others. Sometimes Guy ended up with the biggest hit, sometimes not. When it comes to whose version was best, it's all a matter of personal preference. In any case, all of them are brilliant in different ways.

   People may not dance to this kind of music these days, but Guy and his orchestra made some very high quality music. This collection contains 50 of their finest recordings. This would make a great start to any collection of Guy's music, but I recommend the ASV collection The band played on 25 number one hits, which I've already reviewed, as an even better starting point. There is very little overlap, as this collection avoids most of the number ones, which occurred mainly in the early part of his career.

5 comments about Animaniacs Variety Pack: Ingredients - 16 Delicious Songs From The Hit TV Series.

1. I love Animaniacs like the next person. Hence, I'm absolutely in love the songs that were featured. So, buying this CD and listening to it, I couldn't help but feel disappointed. About at least 98% of the songs on this CD are NOT the versions used on the show. BUT the CD does not fail to deliver great, catchy, superbly written songs, musically and (especially) lyrically.



2. Have fun listening to this cd with your children. We love it. The songs are fun and catchy. We enjoy listening to this cd.



3. I believe this was the second album of songs from the Animaniacs TV show. Pretty funny stuff. If you're a fan of the TV show, you will enjoy it. Narf!



4. Why aren't these cartoons on DVD yet? If you too love the Animaniacs, go here to help us get them put out on DVD... www.petitiononline.com/toon0001/petition.html



5. Another fine collection of musical nonsense from the Animaniacs folks. Here the Warners share (?) the stage with other Animaniacs favorites. Pinky shines in his fantastic "Cheese Roll Call" (as Pinky himself would say, "Yummy! NARF!") while Slappy Squirrel at least gets her theme song on. Meanwhile the Warners tackles another "list" song with great aplomb ("The Presidents"), and could that be Yakko actually parodying (gulp) *himself* on "All the Words in the English Language I II & III"? Other highlights include the worldish "Moneky Song", the Mary Tyler Moore parody "Dot's Song", and the two Hollywood songs "Variety Speak" and "At the Big Wrap Party Tonight". There are a few clinkers - "Dot's Quiet Song" isn't very interesting (as a song or a cartoon), and "Multiplication" sounds quite forced. Otherwise, a fine fine collection. Throw it in during your next cocktail party.

5 comments about Flora The Red Menace: The Original Broadway Cast Recording (1965).

1. Recently I saw a revival of FLORA and loved it. I was fooled to buy the original version, and I can see why it closed after playing 87 performances. Minnelli might have been great on stage, but she is raw and shrill on this CD. FLORA has been redone in 1987, and it has better story and music! This CD is a waste of money -let it die in peace.



2. Gosh,I wish I could have seen this in person.
   Liza was only about 17 if I remember.She was mesmerizing when
   she was young and a star ready to burst in her own right.
   
   It is unfortunate things have not worked out well for her in
   later years.She is so interesting,and what a family to come from.
   I actually think she could be as commanding on stage as her mom,
   she was that good !
   
   Good luck Liza.



3. WHat fun...bright brassy...at times it appears that liza may be auditioning for the road tour of funny girl. For shear energy and and fun show music..don't miss it. The last song has always seemed kind of lame to me...but hey....DO NOT mistake this for the 1987 revival- i love peter frechette...but its just not the same.



4. If you listen to the 1987 off-Broadway recording or read the script which I believe is still out there, I have a copy of it, you will get quite attatched to it and enjoy it's intimacy and small cast.
   But if you listen to the 1965 recording...this once and you read the production synopsis, you get the feeling the book is very weak and the story choppy which is absolutely true.
   I think this: The first Kander and Ebb Broadway score is one of their most beatiful and meledious. The late Fred Ebb's lyrics often use witty and comic rhymes, with his touch of sentiment while John Kander's music truely is a standout for a first Broadway show.
   If the show had 1-Been written by another author other than George Abbot and 2-Directed by Hal Prince, it would have taken Communists more seriously. George Abbott treats the show as a musical comedy, treating "The Flame", a song about a truely evil communist as a comic number and adding "Palomino Pal", "Hello Waves" and "Knock-Knock" as comic relief. I also feel, from the production synopsis, the story has too many charachters and secondary plots and oldschool ideas. Communist is not musical comedy material.
   But back to the score and the recoring: Liza Minnelli's vocals stand out, she brings that quiet-ness to "A Quiet Thing" and that alive-ness to "Sing Happy" (my personal favorite from the show.) Other performers do not vocally stand out, but are just as decent.
   I really did enjoy this CD, the score and Liza and the cast's performances are terrific, it would have been more sucessful if it hadn't been a musical comedy.



5. FLORA THE RED MENACE features an endlessly-delightful score by John Kander and Fred Ebb. It marked the Broadway debut of Liza Minnelli in the title role (following her acclaimed performance in an off-Broadway revival of BEST FOOT FORWARD the previous year), and netted the young belter her first Tony Award. FLORA was a middling failure, running only 87 performances at the Alvin Theatre (by the time Minnelli received her Tony, the show had well and truly vanished into the void). As mentioned above, the score is endlessly delightful, there is not a single clinker here. The beautiful ballad "A Quiet Thing", the manic "Sign Here" and the waltz-like "Dear Love" are only a few of the big stand-outs. There are also hilarious numbers like "The Flame", "Express Yourself" and "Palomino Pal". The supporting cast includes Bob Dishy with Mary Louise Wilson (CABARET) and Cathryn Damon (THE BOYS FROM SYRACUSE) as the two main female comrades, Ada and Charlotte respectively. The cast album for FLORA THE RED MENACE is a must-own for all serious Broadway fans.

3 comments about Brownstone the Musical (2003 Studio Cast).

1. A pleasant score. Fine singing, especially the wonderful Liz Callaway. The score, however, doesn't have those one or two numbers that stand out and stop you in your tracks. I haven't seen the show, and perhaps when integrated with the text.....



2. I have bought this CD with Wild party and each of them was amazing. Fist I have heard Wild party and after that I haven't thought that I would enjoy the second one but Brownstone was simply so amazing. I didn't skip songs, because all of them are beautiful sung by actors who's singing voice are pure, strong and wonderful.
   As you can see, I'm a true Brian D'arcy James fan but each singer amazed me, really.
   Buy this Cd if you want to hear a fantastic musical.



3. I bought BROWNSTONE at the recommendation of a friend and have mixed feelings. I know this show has quite a history as far as transfer from off-Broadway to Broadway and the controversy surrounding its revamping for its journey to the Great White Way. I think the songs are catchy and clever, I just am sort of turned off by the orchestrations. The instruments sound like they are coming from a computer built in 1990. They sound too fake and I think there could be better orchestration, though the melodies are nice. Some songs are just corny like The Cell Phone Song, added only recently. Certain songs are great like The opening, Fiction Writer, Camouflage, and Babies on the Brain.

   I would say that if you are looking for a musical CD to add to your collection that is a little different from what you're used to, BROWNSTONE is for you. And also, it features an amazing cast of seasoned veterans and new comers as well.

   All in all, a nice CD.

5 comments about Simple Song.

1. Simple Song is simply the best! I have a copy in my office and in my car! Can't wait to see more from Matt!



2. While neither "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" nor "Ruby Baby" are enhancements to this CD, the balance of the program is pure pleasure. The title selection, from Bernstein's "Mass" is worth the price of the album. I had the recent pleasure of seeing Mr. Bogart appear in the role of Lancelot in Molly Smith's wonderful production of "Camelot" at Arena Stage in Washington. This exposure lead me to find this CD, and I am very glad I did. He tackles some standards as well as some lesser known Broadway tunes and makes each one of them his own. If you are a fan of theatrical singing, you will find Matt Bogart keeping up with Brent Barrett and others of today's stars. Buy this CD. Encourage record companies to continue making such releases available. And by the way, Matt, skip the faux rock and roll next time out.



3. I have been a fan of Matt's ever since I saw him in Aida. My disappointment of not seeing principle, Adam Pascal was short lived. This Ohio native truly knocked my socks off that night. I immediately ordered Simple Song. I would love to hear more of JFK after hearing Matt's A New America. I'm so glad he has chosen the songs he is known for, Why, God Why?, Soliquoy, the Aida duets, Tell My Father, and Ruby Baby!! They conjure so many pictures. But songs that blew me away was Proud Lady and If You Still Love Me?(a duet with brother, Dan). Since then I have seen him in Camelot...he can sing If Ever I Would Leave You. Robert Goulet move over here's the new Lancelot. And his Curly is to die for. I never knew Oklahoma! was a fan participation musical. But a few of the audience were whispering responses back to questions like "Handsome ain't I?" This CD is all I thought it would be and much more. If you are a fan of Matt's and/or Simple Song. Run and buy More Simple Songs. Here you will hear If Ever I would Leave You and Oh What Beautiful Morning, Much more.



4. SIMPLE SONG really shows off this good looking guy's beautiful voice and way with a song.

   While I have heard stronger versions of the famous "Soliloquy" from CAROUSEL (John Raitt's is tough to beat)and "Simple Song" from Bernstein's MASS, Matt Bogart's versions of "Her Face" from the musical CARNIVAL! and "The Rain Song" from 110 in the SHADE are outstanding. His final note on the wonderfully sung "Proud Lady" from THE BAKER'S WIFE left me in awe.




5. With smoldering good looks and a deep beautiful baritone Matt Bogart is taking the theatre world by storm. His debut CD, Simple Song, an eclectic compilation of songs from the Great White Way is a strong addition to any music collection - you don't even have to like show-tunes. If you like solid singing without over-embellishment you wont be disappointed.

   I've had the opportunity to watch Mr. Bogart live on stage; both as a leading man and a supporting player. The Washington D.C. area still remembers his triumphant turn in "Side Show" at Signature Theatre (why no songs from "Side Show" Matt?). In this album, Mr. Bogart brings the intensity he takes to the stage directly into your living room, car, or wherever you have a portable CD player.

   Notable tracks include "I Could Write a Book" from "Pal Joey," "Rain Song" from "110 in the Shade," and "Tell My Father" from "The Civil War." If you think you've heard "I Could Write a Book" before, you must listen to Bogart's track. He takes the song at a slightly-faster tempo than normal bringing life into the old jewel while at the same time delivering a flawless Chicago accent. In short, the number swings.

   Bogart also delivers in "Tell My Father," from the short-lived musical "The Civil War." In this track, Bogart will bring you to tears as he embodies the soul of a Civil War soldier recounting his dying wish. Bogart sings the song simply, with great tenderness. If you're having problems with your own father the song may even inspire you to pick up the phone and give him a call.

   The album does have a weak spot in that the two duets from "AIDA" are not up to the level of Bogart's other recordings. Bogart and LaChanze seem unable to find their stride together and sometimes the recording feels like they are each singing two different songs at the same time. LaChanze's delivery on both numbers is at best mechanical - at worse, she embellishes songs that should remain simply delivered. LaChanze's embellishments do not mesh with Bogart's simple, elegant style.

   This CD is a must buy. Keep it in your car and listen to it again and again. Each time you listen to it, you'll discover another treasurer. You wont be disappointed.

2 comments about Sings Songs of Jerome Kern with Dick Hyman at the Piano.

1. I just saw Sandy Stewart and her gifted son, jazz pianist Bill Charlap, at the Old Mill Inn as part of the Toronto Jazz Festival. She is simply an amazing singer and can put across a lyric with grace and elegance wrapped around true emotion. And vocal control and technique to burn! A couple of numbers left the audience in awe. I can only compare her with (her friend) Carol Sloane. Enough said. The duo album with Bill Charlap is beyond belief. This earlier album of Jerome Kern favorites and some unknown songs was recorded during two sessions several years apart. It is in the top class of Kern albums. André -- Toronto



2. Kern is a very conservative musicwriter and wouldn't be pleased if his work is given a very experimental treatment. For this, Ms. Stewart has abided to that dictum and the result is simply undiluted Kern melodies. Sandy's velvety voice and with Dick Hyman accompanying her on the piano, the result is simply thrilling!
   
   All the 21 songs (6 are part of a 2-parts medley) are all familiar to anyone who knows Kern although it would be my first time to hear Day Dreaming penned by Gus Khan and Dorothy Field's How'd You Like To Spoon With Me. As always, Kern came up with beautiful melodies even to such rarely heard compositions. This is one of the best Kern Songbook - the other one would be Margaret Whiting but I would say this one is more polished. Ella Fitzgerald recorded one but it pales in comparison with her other songbooks. Elizabeth Welch did an exceptional recording under a British label. They all have their own qualities but Ms. Stewart did a remarkable compilation of Kern's greatest in an intimate setting. This is a 4.5 stars actually!
   
   Too bad, I don't see much of her recordings to discover more.