No comments about The Ultimate George Gershwin, Vol. 1.

5 comments about Beauty and the Beat: Favorite Disney Tunes in Steelband Style.

1. I thought this album must be a very ordinary album when I first saw its cover. I thought it must be like other Disney song collection, confused and ordinary. However, I was still very curious that how this album could be and I listened to all the tracks with Amazon Listening Sample. Then, I felt it was a wonderful album had glorious musical tracks in it. It makes me recognize Jim Brickman's album "Disney Song Book".
   I viewed the track list on the back of the CD box when I began to listen to this album. All the tracks were so familiar to me. The original version of "A Spoonful Of Sugar" from "Mary Poppins" is good, though I don't love it so much. Then, this musical track gives me different feeling. It feels as lively as the original version in the movie but gives me purer feeling to my ears. "Someday My Prince Will Come" is a romantic love song, and in this musical track, it feels still so good. The initial romantic feeling hasn't lost at all! There are 3 tracks of songs from "The Little Mermaid" which I love best. I think "Under the Sea" is the best in these 3. The sound of the instruments that played the melody is wonderful, it feels still vivid but not noisy. "Part of Your World" is my favorite song in the movie, but this musical track of it is not as good as the one of "Under the Sea". And 3 classic songs from "The Lion King" are in this album. My favorite musical tracks in these 3 is "I Just Can't Wait to Be King". It feels pretty good. "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" is wonderful too, it gives us romantic and tender feeling just like "Someday My Prince Will Come" does. At first, I mede a mistake that I thought this is a album of "Beauty and the Beast" because I see the word "Beat" on the cover as "Beast"! However, there are tracks of "Beauty and the Beast" in this album indeed, and they're really glorious. 2 of them were from the Broadway Musical, "No Matter What" and "Home". Their original versions are good and so are their musical ones. Tracks of "Beauty and the Beast" are my favorites in this album.
   Generally speaking, the only shortcoming of this album is that all the tracks have the same style, I feel hard to tell the particular of each track though their melodies are different and they're so classic. However, this is a wonderful album, the tracks are tender and beautiful even there are no words to sing. This is my recently must-listen before my bedtime, the tracks often make me calm and I can have a nice dream. I think this album is fit for children very much, and also fit for many Disney fans who love light music.



2. One of my favorite resorts at Disney World is the Caribbean Beach. I can't say for certain that this is the ambient music of the resort, but it sure comes close.
   
   It's just the thing if it's too long until your next trip to Orlando, or if your having a tropical themed party at home.



3. If you love Disney Music, and are looking for a good way to countdown your time for your Disney Cruise, this is the perfect CD. My son and I like to listen to this on the weekends and plan our Disney Cruise!



4. My 4 month old daughter loves her grandparents Harry Belafonte cd. I saw this and thought that it would be fun Disney music similar in style to Harry Belafonte. I was very disappointed. To me, it was not danceable and the couple songs I heard lacked vocals. I would not recommend it if Harry Belafonte is what you are looking for. Unfortunately, I do not have audio on my computer, so I could not listen to it ahead of time.



5. I would be lost without it. Even if you hate Disney, I can't recommend it enough. I can put it on while working and it just brightens up my day!! No vocals, all instrumental, wonderful for anyone who wants to relaz or liven up.

1 comments about 12 Songs From Call Me Madam (1950 Studio Cast) With Selections From Panama Hattie (1940 Original Cast Recording).

1. There may indeed be no business like show business. RCA was a major backer of this musical, and fully expected to record the original cast album. Decca, Merman's recording label, wouldn't allow her to appear. The solution the two compnaies decided on was an original cast album on RCA featuring Dinah Shore doing Merman's numbers, and this mediocre studio album.

   Decca was never a winner when it came to modern recording techniques. Merman's voice has no echo or reverb to enhance her performance. The arrangements are by Gordon Jenkins, which fit Ethel's style like it was a dress bought in a bargain basement. It is a shame that in the later years of her life, Ethel didn't choose to revisit this score and re-record it, as she did with Annie Get Your Gun twice.

   The selections from Panama Hattie are a nice rarity, but they are taken from scratchy shellac originals. There are several compilations that include these numbers with no annoying extraneous noise.

5 comments about That Old Feeling: Classic Ballads from The Judy Garland Show.

1. Judy Garland will always remain the world's greatest entertainer. She could sing, act and dance far better than any of them; and this CD provides us with a wonderful track set of just a few of the ballads she sang on her critically acclaimed television series on CBS. Judy fans will be delighted with this album; and anyone who doubts Judy's ability to interpret a song in her own singularly beautiful way will be confident that she was the best after they listen to this album.
   
   The track set begins auspiciously with "Once In A Lifetime." Judy sings this with great panache and all her heart. Judy's excellent diction and the musical arrangement bolster this number. Wow! You truly get the feeling that she really is singing of her brand new world. "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows" changes the mood to one of melancholy; and judging by the audience reaction Judy really sold this song. Judy performs this number as only a consummate entertainer ever could; and I predict you will enjoy "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows" very, very much.
   
   "Ol' Man River" was a number Judy enjoyed singing; and she delivers "Ol' Man River" with such heart and soul that Paul Robeson would have been green with envy! The musical arrangement makes great use of the strings and horns; but Judy's vocals remain squarely in the spotlight. Excellent!
   
   "What'll I Do" again proves only Judy could bat this one straight out of the ballpark! Judy infuses this number with all the melancholy emotion she ever could while keeping her performance strong, neat and clean. The piano accompaniment in the background works well for "What'll I Do." "That Old Feeling" comes from the past but in Judy's capable hands it sounds new and fresh; you'll swear you never heard this ballad before as Judy massages the lyrics to make this song fresh--and her own, too. Love those strings in the musical arrangement, too! "By Myself" boasts a wonderful strings arrangement and Judy sings this straight from her heart. Judy's interpretation makes "By Myself" THE definitive rendition of "By Myself."
   
   Another treat on this CD is a beautiful but all too brief duet between Judy and Tony Bennett; together they sing "I Left My Heart In San Francisco." You can tell Tony and Judy ARE in love--with their music. You also get the famous duet Judy did with Barbra Streisand as they deliver a medley of "Get Happy/Happy Days Are Here Again." This is a rare treat because these two artists rarely worked together. Magnificent!
   
   The CD track set ends with one of Judy's very favorite songs entitled "Through The Years." Judy begins with a touching spoken introduction about people being nicer to each other; and when she begins to sing "Through The Years" she positively takes flight! Judy's strong performance of "Through The Years" gives us a solid ending for this album. It'll leave you wanting more, too!
   
   The liner notes include an informative essay by John Fricke. You also get the song credits and recording dates. Great! The artwork reflects good judgment; the stunning photos of Judy enhance the quality of the artwork greatly.
   
   Judy was easily one in a trillion; and I highly doubt we'll ever see another one quite like her. Judy Garland could take a song and massage it to new heights of beauty with her singular and ingenious talent. It is a fitting tribute to Judy that her CDs and DVDs still sell very well despite the passage of time--you could never keep this great artist down.
   
   I highly recommend this CD for Judy's fans; and anyone who enjoys classic pop vocals will cherish this CD for years to come. If you are new to Judy Garland and want to experience her singing talent this CD would be a great place to start.
   
   Enjoy! God Bless You, Judy! We miss you!!!



2. Judy Garland has the deepest most emotional way of singing ballads. This CD has beautiful songs. Judy's signature was a style, she created it and that's why noone else can do what she did ever again. She has a way of making songs come to life. I highly recommend this CD. The Last Dance is my ultimate favorite song.



3. If you are in need of learning how to sing a ballad the correct way; please purchase this CD. Judy Garland knows how to get a ballad sung correctly. She is one of my favorite ballad singers.



4. Here's proof that what sounds like a great idea on paper can flop when transferred to compact disc. The tunes on these recordings have been culled from Liza's mom's '60s small-screen variety series, but the less-than-stellar sound quality hurts, making them more grating than gracious. The rambling bits of dialogue feel hollow and disconnected when heard out of context; those wanting to hear Judy sing these songs should watch her as well. Geneon Entertainment will take die-hard devotees over the rainbow --- they have released Judy's entire ill-fated series on DVD, proving you can go home again. And again. And again.



5. This CD, culled from performances of Judy's TV show (1963/64) is an excellent way of getting Garland recordings of songs not normally associated with her. The weekly grind of creating 48 minutes of TV over 26 episodes gave Judy the chance to perform many songs that were new to her repertoire at that time. It's great that they're pulling those performances out and creating CD's from that time period.
   
   Her highs and lows are well documented and the series wasn't without its troubles, but this was Judy's last sustained effort at a regular gig and she didn't disappoint. Hindsight suggests she might have done better in a series of specials rather than weekly TV, but who knows?
   
   This has a lot of great performances and the imperfection of pulling audio from the TV masters should be overlooked by all who are interested in hearing Judy give these songs a spin. John Fricke and company do a great job, as always.

1 comments about Madwoman of Central Park West.

1. TRACK LISTING:
   
   1. Up! Up! Up!
   2. My Mother Was A Fortune Teller
   3. Cheerleader
   4. What Makes Me Love Him
   5. Don't Laugh
   6. Women's Medley
   7. Up! Up! Up! (reprise)
   8. Better
   9. Copacabana
   10. My New Friends
   11. A Song Of Lists
   12. Fortune Teller (reprise)

3 comments about Music from the Singing Detective and More.

1. 20 popular songs from the 1930s and 1940s which Dennis Potter used in his award winning 1980s British television serial. Honey vocals and punchy orchestration are good, but I wish I'd bought the 3CD set.



2. I'm not an expert of the music of the early first half 20th century but it sure seems and sounds like a great roundup of the greatest hits of the 1920's, 1930's and 1940's. You get a lot of big name artists and while the tracks that are more obscure and not necessarily recognizeable to someone my age, once you hear the songs - they still hold up as great songs, excellent perormances and seem to be the classics of the time - and if you're a music collector - great music at a great price (if you don't already own these). It's an excellent collection all around: famous artists, nicely choosen performances (for artists my generation doesn't know), classic songs that still hold up, very nice sound quality AND even a great value for the money.



3. If you loved the original British production of The Singing Detective, as I did, you won't be disappointed with this fine collection of oldies.

5 comments about Miss Saigon.

1. Following the huge success of their grand masterpiece, LES MISERABLES, Alain Boubil & Claude-Michel Schonberg came out with MISS SAIGON. For those looking for the best version of the show on CD, this is the one you want. The show is basically a love story between an American G.I., Chris (Simon Bowman) and a young Vietnamese girl, Kim (Lea Salonga) just before the American departure from Saigon in 1975. The show attempts to address some similar issues from LES MISERABLE, such as the cruelty and injustice of unfair working conditions and timeless love, but these are basically camouflage for an ill-fated love story. My favorite songs from the album and show include:
   
   "Why God Why"
   "I Still Believe"
   "This Is the Hour"
   "Bui-Doi"
   "The Fall of Saigon"
   "The American Dream"
   
   The performances by the actors are very well done, especially Simon Bowman, Lea Salonga, and Jonathan Pryce (as The Engineer). LES MISERABLE, with a central story about the life-changing power of grace, is a stronger show than MISS SAIGON. However, MISS SAIGON does have its moments and is a grand musical story of tragic love.



2. I love Miss Saigon, but I bought this CD just because of Lea Salonga. I really love her, but I was a little disappointed in this performance. I watched her in Miss Saigon in 2001 and thought she was amazing. She sung the songs with much more power. I thought she was good in the CD, but not great. She was only 18 when she recorded this CD. I guess it was a mistake thinking she sung as well as she does now. I did love the CD, though, and I'm happy I bought it. The reason I keep listening to it is for the great songs and story. They lyrics really are amazing.



3. Great service. Product arrived 8 days earlier than promised. Well packaged and postage costs were reasonable. would buy from Amazon again. Cast not as good as the original Taped Set which features some of the original Australian Cast. This one was produced by Festival Records in Australia in 1995, Featuring Joanna Amphil and Peter Cousens, and is the best version I have heard. If anyone has a CD of this version I would love to purchase. Patricia



4. The 1989 Original London Cast Recording of Miss Saigon is absolutely amazing!!! I have never seen the show, but I have wanted to for a long time - I was actually supposed to see it with my family when I was about 12, but I ended up being sick so they went without me (and unfortunately, it is now no longer on broadway). Listening to this soundtrack, however, I feel like I am there. The music is so powerful and captivating. (And thankfully, the cd insert provides the storyline with the lyrics so I was able to understand what was going on when things were not exactly clear - I listened once through without looking at the cd insert and it was amazing, but then I listened again following along and it was even more amazing.) The storyline is heart-wrenching and powerful (very classic of Alain Boubil and Claude-Michel Schonberg (at least in my opinion)), and it is brought home with the passion in the voices of the cast. It made me wish I could take a time machine to London in 1989 so I could see this live. I am now still praying that there will be a revival on broadway (and I can only hope that there will be a cast even half as amazing as the original london cast).



5. When I was a kid, Mom used to put on the soundtrack of Oklahoma!, turn it up loud, and clean house while she sang along. Eventually, my brother replaced her music with West Side Story... and then one day my daughter introduced me to the music of Miss Saigon and Les Miserables. I love both equally, though I can't say I'd ever clean house while listening; the music here is so deeply moving in terms of subject and lyric that I usually end up just sitting, staring, listening. And I've never even seen the actual production....

5 comments about Chef Aid: The South Park Album (Television Compilation) [Extreme Version].

1. i got my copy. i was laughing so hard. Isaac Hayes lampooning his own funk!..totally hilarious! that alone gets 4 stars from me :)



2. I bought this for one piece, Sail Away. I had no idea it was so gratuitously raunchy. Got what I paid for. Prompt shipment.



3. It is so refreshing to get a n album that gets the humor of South Park. I bought it for 'Chocolate Salty Balls,' but was pleasantly suprised by the rest fo the album. This is a 'Must Have'.



4. alot of good south park songs but needed more of naughty ones on it,but its worth buying if you enjoy the show



5. When I was a kid, I bought this album (the edited version) and thought it was great. Now, as an adult, (eight years later) I re-purchased it and it's funnier than ever! The songs are well written and fun, but very explicit, so not for children. I find myself wondering how on earth they got the artists to agree to do this album. A must for any South Park fan!

5 comments about House of Flowers (1954 Original Broadway Cast).

1. I am becoming quite irritated by peopel releasing "Original Broaway Cast Recordings" of shows and then substituting different cuts of some songs that never were on the original ALBUM in the first place.
   
   I got this cd because of "Two Ladies in the Shade" and they include two different versions -- neither of them were the version I grew to love from the album. There is also a song mising that was on the album that started out as something silly like "I'll have to tie you to the bamboo tree..." - WHERE IS IT ON THE CD?
   
   The IDIOTS who took the liberities with this musical ruined the few highlights it had going for it. The folks who wrote the notes for the book were equally unprofessional to defame one of the stars by talking about how difficult that person was during the development of the play. Excuse me, the person is no longer living; dissing them NOW is childish and unprofessional.
   
   I'm scrapping this POS, finding a fresh album and recording it digitally.
   
   Diahann Carroll is, quite simply - breath taking beautiful in the majority of her cuts, however.



2. With all the appropriate hype surrounding the film "Capote" it may be hard to imagine the author of "In Cold Blood" writing the book and lyrics to "House of Flowers". This original cast album with bonus tracks sheds light on the multi-faceted author as well as on the talents of the legendary cast album producer Goddard Lieberson. This disc would grace the library of anyone who either appreciates the golden age of Broadway musicals or who aspires to appreciate that special time.



3. In "American Songbook" retrospectives, Harold Arlen is usually given about 20 seconds of due compared to the 10 - 15 minutes given to the likes of the Gershwins, Jerome Kern, or Richard Rodgers. Buy this album and you'll see why that is such an injustice.
   
   Arlen's complex, blues-style melodic phrases add extreme beauty to the title song and "I Never Has Seen Snow". The latter is now one of my all-time favorites. "Have I Let You Down" is a sneaky comic delight, and "A Sleepin' Bee" provides a nice moment of hopefulness.
   
   Pearl Bailey adds her signature tartness to the proceedings, and thereby sometimes undermines your enjoyment. Diahann Carroll goes from girl to woman quite nicely. I'm not so sure Juanita Hall's song ("Slide, Boy Slide") contributes much to the musical but it may appeal to one's prurient side.
   
   I suggest reading the liner notes AFTER you have heard the CD.



4. From the start of its unusual Overture (with it's strange transitions) HOUSE OF FLOWERS is something unique. The Harold Arlen score has the proper Carribean flavour, but is still rooted in the Broadway vernacular. Truman Capote's book and lyrics are more variable, and the show has failed twice (1954 and an off-Broadway revival in 1968, recorded by United Artists but not issued on Cd) for the same reason most shows fail: A faulty or unintresting book. Still, its not the book that is showcased on the CD.

   Although Columbia's original 1954 LP release was a fairly full record for its day (53 min 55 seconds) this CD offers longer takes of both "Mardi Gras" and "Slide Boy Slide" adding nearly 2 minutes to the album proper. The reissue also includes 12 minutes of bonus tracks making a very attractive mid-priced reissue.

   The original LP artwork adorns the CD cover, and there are excellent liner notes and a synopsis. The original LP jacket did not include a synopsis, a rare omission for Columbia records. The LP also juggled some of the songs so the record actually ended with the Mardi Gras number (which actually belongs in the first act!)

   Some people here have questioned placing "The Turtle Song" as the last number in the show. This is correct. According to my copy of THE BEST PLAYS OF 1954-55, the song listing indicates that "Don't like Goodbyes" was sung in Act II, Scene 5 with "The Turtle Song" (and the un-recorded Finale) in Act II, Scene 6. What is strange about this song listing (which was taken from the opening night playbill) is that the song "Gonna Leave off Wearing My shoes" is NOT listed at all (although a song called "Husband Cage" is listed at the top of Act II, it is sung by Pansy, Tulip, Gladiola and Ensemble...but not Ottilie!) Even stranger... a 1980 reissue in Time Life's AMERICAN MUSICALS series puts the song in Act One but that placement may be based on the out-of-town try-outs. The song certainly makes a pleasing opening to Act II on the Cd. On this CD reissue it is listed as "Can I Leave off Weaing My Shoes" but Diahann Carroll clearly sings "Gonna..." in the lyric.

   The sound quality of this reissue is greatly improved over the muddy sound of the previous Columbia Special Products issue, and restores the original mono mix. (In 1963 Columbia re-released this LP in fake stereo and that was the version in general circulation though to the end of the LP era.)

   The performances are unmatchable today. Pearl Bailey's now famous quip at the end of "One Man Ain't Quite Enough" ("Supposed to have an ad-lib filled in here for the record date but we've been so terribly busy over at the theatre we haven't had time!") alludes to the show's tumultuous try-out and preview period, even though Bailey herself was cause of much of the trouble. Despite a cold, Diahann Carroll sounds fine. Juanita Hall is given surprisingly little to do for 3rd billed role.

   Richard Rodgers has cited "A Sleepin' Bee" as one of has favoutite songs from the score, and Barbra Streisand has recorded several songs from this show on her early albums, so even if the show spun off few "hit parade" hits, the songs did become standards.

   Given Sony's desire to concentrate on re-mastering and re-issueing teh big hit shows from their catalogue (MY FAIR LADY, WEST SIDE STORY etc) it's nice the label has given attention to this forgotten flop.




5. Frankly, this score is not as great as the sum of its parts. However, there are indeed some great numbers in this show. Arlen's music is always wonderful. Capote's lyrics are beautiful (it's hard to believe that he had never written lyrics before or that he never wrote them again - what a waste for musical thaetre fans.) Probably the best known song from this score is "A Sleepin' Bee" sung in the show by Diahann Carroll and included on Barbra Streisand's first Grammy award winning album [Streisand loves this score and has also recorded "Don't Like Goodbyes," "House of Flowers" and "I Never Has Seen Snow" - this last is one of her finest vocal performances ever and can be heard on "Barbra Streisand and Other Musical Instruments"]. Pearl Bailey has a couple of terrific numbers here, especially "One Man Ain't Quite Enough." "Can I Leave Off Wearing My Shoes" is lots of fun. However, what makes this CD an absolute must is the inclusion of Capote reading from his original short story "House of Flowers" and Arlen's demo recording of "A Sleepin Bee" as a work in progress. What a treat.

5 comments about The Sound Of Music: An Original Soundtrack Recording (1965 Film - 30th Anniversary Edition).

1. This CD has the musical numbers from the 1965 motion picture entitled The Sound Of Music. While this is not the latest version of the soundtrack CD with all the bells and whistles; this still remains a solid album giving us every last hit song from this major motion picture musical. The quality of the sound is clear and crisp; and that artwork is really very beautiful.
   
   The CD begins with the music from the prelude and the overture to the movie musical. This music is delightful and they never miss! The strings and percussion are used to great advantage and we essentially get a musical medley of the arrangements for the major songs in the movie. Excellent! "Maria" is sung by several actresses playing nuns at the convent; they sing flawlessly about Maria, a nun who just doesn't fit in with the rest of the nuns. The melody is really very pretty and it all holds its own very well. Julie Andrews finally comes in on her number entitled "I Have Confidence." Julie Andrews' magnificent voice is rich, warm and very vibrant. Julie handles the tempo and key changes like the pro she always was and only Julie Andrews could have delivered this so well.
   
   Charmian Carr and Dan Truhitte perform "Sixteen Going On Seventeen" with grace and style; this song highlights their young love and it's very well done. Neither one of them ever misses a note! "My Favorite Things" brings back Julie Andrews to do yet another smash-up flawless job on this excellent, very memorable number from this movie. Listen also for Julie Andrews to sing "D-Re-Mi" with the captain's children; this number really takes off when the children come in! The children also perform an astounding rendition of "The Sound Of Music."
   
   "The Lonely Goatherd" has Julie Andrews again singing with the children; this charming number never ceases to delight me. The horn solo enhances the natural beauty of this number; and there's also "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" sung by the Mother Superior (Peggy Wood) at the convent when Maria (Julie Andrews) does decide to leave the convent.
   
   The CD ends with two very stirring and emotional numbers: we get "Edelweiss" with Christopher Plummer, Julie Andrews and the children singing very well and the reprise of "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" is sure to please!
   
   Rodgers and Hammerstein sure did their best on this one! They were practically infallible and this album proves it easily. I highly recommend this album for fans of this movie and people who enjoy show tunes will also want this album for their collections.



2. I love this cd; It remembers me my childhood and my teenager years!! I saw the movie at the cinema when I was 12 years old and I purchased it on vinyl; now, when I found it on the cd format, I bought it inmediately!! The songs are beautiful and in excellent condition, without scratch and in a very good restoration!! buy it!!



3. This is one of my favorite CD. The song I like most is `Prelude and the Sound of Music'. The lyric is so wonderful: My heart wants to beat like the wings of the birds that rise from the lake to the trees / My heart wants to sigh like a chime that flies from a church on a breeze / To laugh like a brook when it trips and falls over stones on its way / To sing through the night like a lark who is learning to pray....It seems that the song is telling me "Although sometimes people have to be realistic, there is much beauty in life. Just treasure and cherish your life." Each time I listened to this CD, I felt pleasant or even cheerful ^_^ I once gave it to a friend as a Christmas gift. I think songs in this CD are genuine.



4. Una de las bandas sonoras más formidables de todos los tiempos. Prueba de ello fue la inclusión de tres de sus canciones en el top 100 de las mejores bandas sonoras de los 100 años del cine.
   Canciones como "My favorite things", "Do-re-mi" y "The sound of music" son ejemplo de la calidad de las composiciones.
   
   Excelente proceso de restauración y remasterización... Se lo recomiendo a todos los amantes de las bandas sonoras.



5. The music is great and excelent quality, but It should come with the lyrics