5 comments about Hairspray (Soundtrack to the Motion Picture).

1. I am totally in love with the music and the video of this musical. The voices are great and the music immediately picks up my mood. I find myself humming or singing the tunes all the time. I even wake up with the songs playing in my head. It sets me up for a high energy and positive thinking day.



2. I LOVE HAIRSPRAY!! You cannot compare the movie and the Broadway show because they are both fantabulous in their own way. The cast in both deliver great singing and acting capabilities. This soundtrack is by far the only soundtrack from a movie or show that I enjoy every single song on it. If I absolutely had to choose 2 great songs off this soundtrack, it would have to be "Without Love" and "You Can't Stop The Beat". My son and I watch the movie every chance we get and I'm sooo looking forward to seeing the Broadway show AGAIN!



3. I don't regret this purchase. I'm not really a musical fan but this soundtrack is amazing.



4. The Hairspray Soundtrack is just pure fun! The all-star cast sound fantastic on this soundtrack especially Nikki Blonsky, Michelle Pfeiffer, Elijah Kelly, Amanda Bynes, and James Mardsen. I highly recommend purchasing this flawless soundtrack and don't forget to rent or buy the movie, so you can not only hear the great music but see the amazing dancing as well. Go out and have a ball with this one, enjoy!



5. This cd has great, upbeat songs that will get you dancing no matter how hot and humid it is. It goes great with a tall glass of lemonade and a grassy lawn, which makes a great dance floor. The lyrics are funny, witty, and support the civil rights movement to boot!

5 comments about The Lion King (1997 Original Broadway Cast).

1. Purchased this CD for one of my children as a gift. The quality of the music from the Broadway production is great.



2. Took forever to get it, ordered 07/13/08 and received 08/02/08, but well worth it as it is the original Broadway Cast recording. Awesome!



3. We've taken the kids to see the lion king broadway musical twice and this CD has all of the songs from the musical exactly as they are in the show. The kids love to listen to it--and so do I! The music is absolutely beautiful.



4. We have seen the movie and own it. We just saw the live Broadway performance and enjoy the differences in the music very much. My son refuses to listen to the movie sound track anymore. This CD is the best!



5. I do not own the soundtrack but I saw the show live on tour in Philadelphia and it is absolutely AWESOME!!! The soundtrack is a must-buy and if the live show is stopping in your area on tour it is a must-see!!! Two big thumbs up for The Lion King!!!

5 comments about Disney's The Little Mermaid (2008 Original Broadway Cast).

1. This CD is even better than the movie! Has 11 new songs not counting the reprises and the ones they rewrote for the better. Listen to it all the time. The storyline is even better than the movie! They are moving and hilarious! Sierra, Sherie, Titus, and Norman are a blast!



2. Saw the play "The Little Mermaid" and my Granddaughter can't get enough of this soundtrack CD. Super!
   Thank You



3. This is a Great Broadway Cast Recording! All of the new songs fit perfectly with the songs that we already know and love. My favorite new song "I Want The Good Times Back". I like that Ursela was given a bigger part and more than one song.



4. As a big fan of the film I was confident I would like this. I was disapointed. Just wasen't like the music in the movie. I'll stick with the original soundtrack.



5. When I first saw the animated movie The Litthe Mermaid I was hooked!! It has been my favourite ever since, and hearing all these new and wonderful songs the musical edition has brought along with it just makes it even more wonderful!! I wish I could just hop on a plane and go to Broadway to see the musical in its full!! But this cd takes me pretty close!! So I can only recomed it to all of you out there who loves Disney and who loves musicals!!

5 comments about Legally Blonde (2007 Original Broadway Cast).

1. While not destined to go down as one of Broadway's all-time great scores, "Legally Blonde" is enjoyable to listen to, and this recording nicely captures the spirit and energy of the show.
   For fans of the MTV "Search for Elle Woods" program, you might want to download contest winner Bailey Hanks' recording of "So Much Better" to go along with Laura Bell Bundy's original performance of that excellent song.



2. Can someone please tell me the order of the songs that are played in the musical on tv?? I am trying to download all the songs to watch it as a video. Please e-mail me at jessmovie1222@yahoo.com
   
   Thanks



3. Like "Wicked" it is girl friendly, and that is where the similarities completely end. Anyone saying that the score for this show is better than "Wicked" is a Sondheim hater; has bad taste or doesn't like the fact that he got his material from a book (remember those) instead of a movie. What is it with all these adaptions of movies lately! Read books people or come up with original stories. What a novel idea!
   I listened to this at my good friend's house, after her 11 year old daughter kept pleading me to listen to it, knowing that I love musicals. After her saying "Oh my God!" like an American, (nothing against Americans but I like to hear an Aussie accent coming out of the mouths of Aussie children.), I should have known that that was a bad omen of what was to come. After listening to the score, I now have a permanent wrinkle between my eyebrows that only botox can get rid of; during the whole score I just kept thinking "It's going to get better. Any moment now. Please get better!", swiftly followed by "WHY???"; and I now realize that my good friend's preteen daughter has NO taste! All I could do was look at my good friend and shake my head. She kept saying it was her husband's fault.
   To be honest I really don't know where to start with this show. It was so wrong on so many levels. Ok let me put it this way. If this show was done as a high school production, and written by a teen trying to break into the musical world I would applaud it. But the fact that this a proffessional show by people in the business: WHAT WERE YOU THINKING??
   The music style.....well, what style. It's just a mismash of 80's, disco, and whatever other style they could get their hands on. Even the "Pirate (Irate) Queen" Irish Style gets a look in.
   There is nothing in this score that even moves Elle's character. And if you think "So Much Better" is that song, think again. It is just Pop Junk that does not endear you to Elle's transition from dumb blonde to dumb blonde with a cause.
   I can see the line up of young girls lining up for this show and buying the album, but I just hope that when they grow up they will think "Why did I ever like this?"
   Parent's do your daughters a favour and go down the road a bit and see "Xanadu". The movie was bad but the music was great. And it has been lovingly ressurected as a wonderful Musical comedy that puts this score to shame. Whereas "Legally Blonde" was a fun movie, but has been turned into a bad musical.



4. Bailey Hanks is awesome. She does a great job with this song, not to mention the rest of the songs from the musical. This songs has such meaning (confused? watch the movie at the scene when Elle sees her name on the list, listen to the song, you'll get it). Bailey really gets the point across. Go Bailey!



5. The legally blonde CD is the funniest soundtrack from a Broadway musical that I've ever heard. I enjoyed very much the 'pink' history of a girl with a great sense of humor. I found in every song a phrase that applies for some phase of my life. I highly recommend this CD for the Broadway musicals lovers!

5 comments about The Phantom of the Opera (Original 1986 London Cast).

1. 
   As a PHANATIC, this double box set is a must-have. I must say that the box is cute, it has the complete libretto (with ALL dialogues)... all inside a little cute box.
   
   I used to have a 80' double K7 set, given by my aunt when she saw the Phantom for the first time back in 90'. The main difference is that those K7 had the COMPLETE DIALOGUES, with NO cuts. And these CDs do not have little dialogues... but it still worths buying.



2. Had just finished watching the film version and realized how much better the original cast sounded.



3. I chose to purchase this after my 4 year old became obsessed with the Highlights of Phantom of the Opera CD. We both like this one much better. I had forgotten some of the songs over the years since the Highlights CD does not cover them all. The 'new Phantom' as my son calls it is wonderful. My son listens to it every day during his rest time and I often catch him humming songs from the CD around the house!



4. The Phantom Of The Opera soundtrack by Andrew Lloyd Webber is the best and most meaningful music ever created. The music provides story with a catchy tune and still provides a powerful theme. Throughout the songs you can establish a story about a young opera singer named Christine, and how she has encounters with the Phantom. The song, "The Point of no Return", is the most meaningful because it has the Phantom giving Christine a decision to spend her days with him, or watch her boyfriend, Raul, get hung. This part is very suspenseful and is presented in a very awesome way because it has all of the characters singing in a trio.
   The theme of The Phantom Of The Opera is that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. The Phantom wears a mask over his face so people won't see how ugly he is. When the mask is on people don't think he's unattractive at all, but just mean. When Christine rips the mask off of his face, she sees how disgusting it looks and she freaks. Then she realizes the theme of this story and she gives him another chance by going back and looking for him so he'd teach her, but mysteriously all she sees when she goes back is his mask lying on a table before her.
   At first riding in the car to see the show, I thought that I would hate it because it was opera but then my mom slipped in the CD and my thoughts about opera totally changed. That's when I finally realized that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover because you never know. Someday you might try deep fried banana.



5. I purchased this CD because I have heard so much about 'Phantom of the Opera' being an avid Josh Groban fan. I have heard the songs 'Music of the Night' and 'All I ask of You' but never experienced the entire musical score. Once I heard the whole thing I was immediately taken over by the beauty of it all!!
   I am lucky enough to live in New York City where 'Phantom' is still playing on Broadway and I took my family to see it, we all loved it! Even my teenage Jonas Bros. fan is asking to hear more of 'Phantom'.
   If you've never seen the show or have seen it twenty times this is one CD you MUST have! It brings back all those wonderful memories! I still get teary eyed!

5 comments about Time to Say Goodbye.

1. Arguably the least flawed of her albums, Brightman's "Time To Say Goodbye" is a collection of songs (new and classic standards) which could argue were written exclusively for her. Flawless duets galore and high notes that bring tears to listeners, her powerful voice generates more emotion with its dramatic storytelling than any film actress alive could do with the same material, using voice and facial emotion. A must have for fans, and those interested in La Divina for the 1980s and beyond.



2. If you are looking for a versatile and pleasant female voice to listen to, this would make a great addition to your collection.



3. As a classical singer, I'm depressed to see Sarah Brightman listed in Classical Vocal at all. The world is full of excellent, clear-voiced sopranos; Sarah Brightman, like Andreas B, is a POP music singer. Broadway is a different industry with different priorities, and kudos to her for her excellent work there... but this is *not* classical music.
   
   The sound on this CD seems to underline the fact that Brightman's voice is not really made for classical repertoire like Orff and Puccini--I can *hear* the reverb and post-production added to "In trutina" and several other tracks. Bravo for Brightman introducing classical works to a new audience; I just wish people would stop categorizing her CDs as classical just because she sings "O mio babbino caro."
   
   I'm not deriding Brightman's accomplishments; she's a fine artist in her field. I wouldn't buy Eddie Vedder's Mozart Requiem, though, if HE decided to put one out.
   
   If you want to hear someone sing the soprano solos in Carmina Burana, the Slatkin / Saint Louis Symphony recording with Sylvia McNair is phenomenal. There are so many well-trained and beautiful instruments out there; Sarah Brightman had a successful career on Broadway, and has a different flavor of talent.



4. Sara Brightman is a very sexy women with an wonderfull voice.
   Hearing her sing is an relief from all the carbage we hear daily on the radio en TV



5. With that being said, I will never understand how anyone could not appreciate this album, or Sarah Brightman's music, in general. I would not go so far and say that she is the be all and end all of soprano singers, and there are most assuredly others who have a bigger range, or are capable of belting out powerful notes with ease. But there is no denying that Ms. Brightman is incredibly gifted. She sings with such a purity and grace, so much so that when listening to her you feel at ease with life-truly soothing and beautiful. This album is not pop, opera, classical, or easy listening-it is all four combined. For those who are searching for opera in the truest sense, I suggest you go see an opera. I find it entertaining to see reviews that are less than positive-I dare anyone who has shared their opinions on this site to attempt to sing any of the songs on this album as well as Sarah. Let us not forget that Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote the part of Christine in "Phantom Of The Opera" specifically with Sarah's voice in mind, and I would also encourage anyone who purchases this album to think about the soundtrack to Phantom, another beautiful example of the talent this woman possesses.
   
   It is a shame that some are faulting her, and this album, for the title of operatic singer that has been thrusted upon her-do not let that discourage you from purchasing this, or any album that she has to offer-you will not be disappointed. All you need to do is view the ratio of positive reviews to those of the negative if you need any assurance as to the quality of her songs.

5 comments about Hair - The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical (1968 Original Broadway Cast).

1. Hair...the seminal Rock Musical for the ages... Once upon a time in the mythical land called America great thoughts and changes began to appear across the land. People, especially the younger one's began to actually listen to the music...their music...Full of promises and prayers, asking the questions and finding the answers... Love...Understanding ...fellowship... permeated the soft sweet aromatic waves of the times.
   The age of Aquarius came and went...only the music remains.... Let the sunshine, let the sunshine, shine through...



2. I came to this backwards in time; I saw the movie version first and listened to that soundtrack. Go and buy that one, not this one; that one is way better. The musicality is outstanding on that one, whereas this has a second-rate AM radio sound. I was a pre-teen when the play of Hair came out and I remember most of the songs from AM radio in the late 60s--but after listening to the soundtrack I realize why most of the hits from Hair were recorded by other people. "Aquarius" was popularized by the Fifth Dimension. "Hair" was popularized by the the Cowsills. "Easy to Be Hard" was popularized by Three Dog Night. All those versions are better than the soundtrack (and some are not very good). Listen to Cheryl Barnes sing "Easy to Be Hard" in the film: it is outstanding.



3. This is certainly a classic of the era. To understand it fully you would have to have seen - even if it was 40 years ago.



4. Really enjoyed listening to fine tracks from the 60's. Anyone who lived through the sixties as a teenager will love this one.



5. The Quality exceeded my expectations. It brought back my original memories of the production of Hair I saw in 1968 in Los Angeles

5 comments about Passing Strange.

1. While Rodgers and Hammerstein and Andrew Loyd Webber are booming on Broadway, some interesting new voices are being heard and Stew is among the best. The style is contemporary and should be heard by everyone, but unfortunately the show had to clsoe because business is business and not enough people showed up to support it. Their loss, but you can get a feel for this exuberant score from the excellent cast recording.



2. I really enjoyed this show, and the CD captures it unusually well. I think it was a great choice the producers made in taping it live, as it captures the heart of the music.



3. This is an excellent cd.However the show was unreal!I can not wait for the dvd!



4. I was lucky enough to go to a show of Passing Strange--and be present at the recording of this CD. The music itself is a fantastic blend of genres--Stew and Heidi Rodewald evoke everybody from Kurt Weill to the Sex Pistols--and the story, the portrait of the African American artist finding himself in 1980s Europe--resonates for all of us. We all have to leave someone, some identity behind to grow up, and the result is often complicated and messy. The performers are both terrific singers and great storytellers. Don't miss this show if it comes to your town; in the meantime, remember, "Miracles are commonplace when you're on holy ground."



5. In 1972, Broadway presented a young prince who yearned desperately to find something "completely fulfilling" in life. That prince was Pippin, son of Charles the Great. He sought for meaning and fulfillment in higher learning, war, sex, politics, religion, art, love and other things. Though set in the Roman Empire in the 9th century, Pippin's quest for purpose was representative of Everyman. Now in 2007, that quest is refreshingly and satisfactorily undertaken by the "Youth" in the phenomenal new musical, Passing Strange.
   
   Passing Strange is subtitled "The Stew Musical" because it presents a semiautobiographical sketch of Stew; the writer of the book and lyrics, co-writer of the music, and the narrator in this recording. Stew's journey, though particularly his own (a California man's search for himself through Amsterdam and Berlin), is also universal. The main character, Youth, is searching for something real, or more poignantly, THE REAL. Not unlike Pippin, his search leads to experimentation with church, drugs, sex, philosophy/rebellion, music, etc. Throughout his journey, every new interest ends up a passing phase. No matter how exciting at first, each ends in ennui. In his words, "She's serving every one of my desires on a platter, but it doesn't even matter anymore... Paradise is a bore." His mother's experience is the same, "Having a big ol' house should make a woman sing... But then you gotta live in it and that's a whole `nother thing." The youth's path leads him in a roundabout from epiphany and fervor to emptiness and confusion.
   
   What's this life for? Perhaps the answer to this universal question is uniquely personal. I am reminded of another musical, the musical episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer - "Once More with Feeling" (season six). Buffy finds herself struggling with life, yearning for something worth singing about. Spike's response, "Life's not a song, life isn't bliss. Life is just this: it's living." Stew sums it up this way: "The Real is a construct... It's the raw nerve's private zone... It's a personal sunset... You drive off into alone." As Pippin's narrator might have said, "Ta-da". Meaning, fulfillment, purpose... they are uniquely our own. So we live.
   
   Beyond the meaning, the story is conveyed with wit, humor, and sincerity. Additionally, this production rocks! Stew, Heidi, and the band have nailed each number taking us authentically from a Holy Ghost Church service to angry punk to a German art-house and beyond. The band and actors all do a fantastic job - beautiful voices, cute accents, believable and touching portrayals. It is even more amazing when considered that this recording is a live performance. Passing Strange succeeds brilliantly both musically and narratively.

5 comments about Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas.

1. The Nightmare Before Christmas basically defines Halloween, what better way to have Halloween with you always then this CD? Load onto your iPod and it's good to go. The 3D cover art is really cool along with both CD's. The first CD is the original soundtrack and it's pretty much amazing. From The Overture to The End Title all the music is fantastic and clear as crystal. The second CD is remixes and demos. Most of the remixes are really cool. The only two I don't like are Sally's Song by Fiona Apple and Kidnap The Sandy Klaws by She Wants Revenge. I prefer Catherine O'Hara's version of Sally's Song and Kidnap The Sandy Klaws sounds way better when the cast sings it. All in all a great CD from a great movie. If your a fan of the movie, don't miss out! Buy this CD and you will not be disappointed!!



2. i waited about 5 weeks for this cd (i live in germany, thats why it took so long) but it was damn worth it!!!!
   
   on the first cd are all the original songs from the movie and on the second are the most important songs (e.g. "this is halloween", "whats this") performed by artists like panic at the disco, fall out boy or marilyn manson...
   
   for all who love the movie is this cd a "must-have"!!!!



3. Having searched all around for this CD, I was quite pleased to find it on Amazon at a great price. The CD arrived before the estimated delivery date and was a good shape. This is a great CD for Halloween.



4. Danny Elfman is the best and this is great double holiday CD!! If you love the movie you'll love singing along to this!



5. I'm very glad to have purchased Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas soundtrack special edition.
   
   The demo songs on disc two are very neat to listen to when compared to the finished products. This is a must-have for any Danny Elfman fan.

5 comments about Avenue Q (2003 Original Broadway Cast).

1. First, I'll tell you all about the weaknessess.
   
   Puerile? Yep. And I don't care much for puerile. I especially hate bathroom humor. Cliched? Yes it is, in many places. Self-pitying? Yeah, my generation has kind of perfected self-pity, haven't we? So yes, I am well aware that this is not perfection. However...
   
   Oh my God, I LOVE this!!! I love this passonately. I am just the right age to have watched Sesame Street fanatically through my entire early childhood (there was no cable in the city I grew up in until I was 14...Philly got cable VERY late). The songs have a sound sort of like songs I remember Sesame Street characters singing, but bigger.
   
   This is why with everything in Avenue Q that I didn't like, I'll give it five stars and recommend it to anyone that will listen: For all of the puerile humor, the cliches, for all of the assumed irony and even cynicism, there is genuine warmth in Avenue Q. This show actually loves it's stumbing along, trying-to-figure-out-how-life-is-supposed-to-work characters. Avenue Q, at it's heart, has no real cynicisim. If you're a member of a generation that truly (for the most part) has no desire to emulate its parents (Which part shall we reject first? The divorces? The materialism? The custody issues?), you kind of have no model to build your life on. If this is you, you have to find your own way and make your own rules. Avenue Q captures what this feels like better than anything else I've ever seen.



2. I first heard this back in 2004 and just recently began listening to it again. It was hilarious back then and it's still the funniest musical I've ever listened to. I'm not a huge fan of many musicals (Rocky Horror and Little Shop of Horrors are good in my book), but this one is just too much fun. As many may have heard, it has a fair amount of swearing, sexual references (and puppet sex in the live show apparently), and like one drug reference. But, if you aren't a total prude and want a good laugh, then take a listen or, better yet, go see the show on/off Broadway (I still haven't... sad face).
   
   It seems geared towards the post-college crowd (which is apparent in the second song). Then it gets into a variety of subjects such as failure, homosexuality, racism, love, purpose, and ends on a cheery number that reminds everyone that things can always get better. There's a lot of honesty that you get with this musical. The puppets say things that people might be thinking, but wouldn't admit to themselves *broad generalization*
   
   Of course, there's all sorts of silliness that is spliced into the mix with songs like "the Internet is for Porn," "My Girlfriend, who Lives in Canada," and "There is Life Outside Your Apartment." These are just as lewd, but a bit more playful than some of the other tracks, in my opinion.
   
   It's all in fun. I don't see how it could get a negative review, but of course my bias shows some since I love it so much. Just know that it's definitely racy and is not your typical musical.
   
   The other listing for Avenue Q has the tracks so you can listen.



3. Avenue Q's soundtrack is fantastic - every time I listen, it's like I'm back in my theater seat on Broadway. The recording is clear, crisp and has the same feel as the performers doing the show today. CD includes full lyrics for every song, which is also terrific. If you're a fan of the show (and how could you not be?), the CD is a must have.



4. No one will ever mistake this for Camelot, South Pacific, etc. But if you're in the right frame of mind, this is one of the most enjoyable musical OCRs on the market.
   
   The lyrics are clever and honest - sometimes a little too honest ("The Internet is For Porn").
   
   The tunes have a Sesame Street-esque hummability, and it's just a fun CD.
   
   Standouts are D'Abruzzo's "Fine, Fine Line" and the Cast's finale, "For Now".
   
   If you've ever been broke and unemployed and turning 33, this recording is for you.



5. I choose the original sound track from the musical and am glad I did. It was very clear, easy to understand and absolutely hilarious. The description that I had heard before I bought it; "Sesame Street meets South Park" is right on track. It was a great combination of ribald humor and just plain funny stuff. I highly recommend it.