No comments about The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Plays Broadway's Best Musicals, Vol. 1.

3 comments about Your Own Thing (Original 1968 Off-Broadway Cast) [CAST RECORDING].

1. I fell in love with this musical from the first time I saw it back in the sixties in Chicago. I was working as an usher at the Studebaker Theater and I fell head over heels in love with the terrific music and extraordinary characters.

   I never tired of listening to it night after night. I'm glad it's been reissued after so long an absence. It's still as fresh and upbeat as it was so many years ago. Listening to it makes me feel young again. I can and do listen to it over and over and over again!

   If you want to partake in all the fun and craziness of a sixties musical, buy this one. You will love it. And Shakespeare would be proud!




2. This is a must for those who love the bard, a blast from the past and a real look at the "RENT" of the 60's!! Rock-musical extraordinaire! N "Joy" !



3. "Your Own Thing" has better music and story than "Hair" its contemporary piece. Long overdue for re-issue.

5 comments about The Best of Kate Smith.

1. I ordered the CD for my husband as a Christmas gift. We were both pleased to hear the voice we loved years ago. I ordered it to hear God Bless Ameruca, but we both enjoed all the songs especially (When The Moon
   Comes ver the Mountain). We are both in our 70's and wish that there would be more of the good music on TV.



2. This CD brings a beautiful voice out of the past and into the present. The renditions are all one could ever expect and this CD is a much appreciated addition to my collection.



3. I knew Kate Smith during the 50's when I was a small child. She was a warm and wonderful woman who loved children, and to cook for others in her "summer home" in Lake Placid, NY. And could that woman SING! She came to embody America during the 40's and and 50's ... to the point that when FDR introduced her to the then King and Queen of England (Elizabeth's parents) he said, "This is Kate Smith. This is America."

   This CD brings it all back for me ... brings Kate back as clearly as my memories. It captures the power of her voice, the warmth of her smile, the very essence of the irreplacable Kate Smith.




4. I remember Kate Smith from my Mother's recollection of her in the 1930's...

   A vivacious dancer, even though she was on the 'heavy' side, always physically 'weight challenged'. But, Kate Smith had an awesome clear singing voice, and, despite her weight challenges in the 30's, had an incredible agility and ability for dancing...............

   Her best signature in her later years was 'honorable' guest singer for the Philadelphia Flyers of the NHL. When She sang "God Bless America", The Flyers always were inspired and so were the fans.. My friends tell me that Kate was NOT the inspiration of the saying..."The game is not over until the FAT lady sings.........

   This was supposedly attributed to the operas...

   I think that "Kate" made the saying a "reality" in Philadelphia! We love you, Kate!




5. All of the tracks on this CD, except for "God Bless America," were arranged by Nelson Riddle. It's unfortunate that they did not do more albums together, for their collaboration resulted in twelve wonderful tracks. His arrangements gave her the chance to explore her range from intimate to all-out exuberance. "Ridin' High" and "Who Cares" are two of my favorites on this CD.

2 comments about Stairway to the Stars (Original 1989 London Cast).

1. This is a hard to find CD of the show at the London Paladium. Some great artists and unusual songs.



2. This was a charity benefit concert at London's Palladium Theater recorded November 12, 1989. Hosted by Van Johnson, the tracks are
   
   THAT'S DANCING - Stephen Hill Singers, dancers
   MA BELLE MARGUERITE / S'WONDERFUL - Georges Guetary
   WHO'S SORRY NOW - Gloria De Haven
   YOU STEPPED OUT OF A DREAM - Tony Martin
   SOUTH SEAS MELODY (sic) - Dorothy Lamour
   NOT EVEN NOMINATED - Lorna Luft
   A FINE ROMANCE / LIFE UPON THE WICKED STAGE - Virginia O'Brien
   THREE LITTLE WORDS - Arlene Dahl
   BUTTONS & BOWS/BYE BYE BABY - Jane Russell
   I GOT A GIRL IN KALAMAZOO/CHATANOOGA CHOO CHOO/LUCKY NUMBERS -
   Nicholas Brothers
   BOSOM BUDDIES - Jane Russell & Arlene Dahl
   ROSE'S TURN - Dolores Gray
   HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD - "Full Company"
   
   I don't know if this is the full concert or just excerpts. Most of the folks here (all but Lorna Luft actually) were all senior citzens at the time so don't expect their voices to be a strong as in the old movies of yore, still it must have been a thrill for this British crowd to see stars from many decades ago in the flesh at long last. I bought this CD because I love Dorothy Lamour and Jane Russell. Lamour's "South Seas Melody" is actually a quite long melody of her famous movie hits, many of them from non-South Seas films. The lady was a month from turning 75 at the time, she would make her last appearances in the next few years before passing away in 1996 at 81. Her voice is frail at times, yet other times lively and charming, clearly the audience is thrilled to see her judging by the huge ovation she receives at the end of the number. Jane Russell has a briefer hits melody which is oddly includes part of "Tall Man" from her movie of the same name but not the chorus which identifies the song! She sings well too at 68 and her duet of "Bosom Buddies" with Arlene Dahl (in quite good voice) is a lot of fun for both the audience and the CD listener. An odd cd but with nearly all these legends either now gone or quite into retirement, one to be rather cherished.

5 comments about Warner Brothers 75 Years Entertaining The World: Film Music.

1. All four of these CD's are great! The way they are compiled and the way they are packaged is wonderful also. I highly recommend this!



2. entertainment at its best a great selection of artist



3. Because this set covers such a variety of musics some of it will fail to satisfy, but once you've programmed your favourite tracks it's great. While the concept of scores and songs is a good one, even 4 discs cannot do everything justice; it may have been a better idea to have separate sets for scores and songs. And the velvet cover may have seemed like a good idea, but I know the tacky plastic case won't last, and the whole set will eventually look pretty ragged.



4. I Actually Thought The Compilation Was Good.Discs 1 And 4 Are The Best.The Music Selection Is Good,But They're Missing Tracks From Films Like "THE OUTSIDERS","SESAME STREET PRESENTS:FOLLOW THAT BIRD" And Others That Escape My Mind At The Moment.On The Whole,I Liked It.



5. It`s a great set. But in the film scores section, we`ve been shortchanged.In the 50 years set, we have Korngold`s Adventures of Robin Hood, Sea Hawk and Kings Row cues unavailable else where esp. Randy and Drake - love theme from Kings Row. The Rhino Korngold double CD set is very disappointing in sonics but great on quantity. Wish the studios would release the original film soundtrack from Kings Row including the choral ending.

   Will put forward my views later - got to get some sleep !

5 comments about Andy Williams - Greatest Hits.

1. ANDY WILLIAMS JOINS MATHIS, SINATRA, COLE AND BENNETT AS OUT GREATEST
   VOCALISTS OF ROMANTIC BALLADS. MY VERY FAVORITE IS ANDY'S ARRANGEMENT
   OF 'MORE'..AND SECOND IS 'ON THE STREET WHERE YOU LIVE'...AND THERE
   ARE OTHERS WHICH AREN'T FAR BEHIND.......



2. Fast ship and my parents love this CD. A great addition for the Andy Williams fan.



3. Absolutely beautiful! It reminds me of days gone by. They certainly don't make them like this anymore. Thank you....



4. Andy Williams is definitely one of my very favorite vocalists of the twentieth century. Although he's not remembered the way Bing Crosby or Sinatra are he deserves the honor very much. This CD is geared toward the casual listener; it gives us several of Andy's biggest hits. The quality of the sound is very good.
   
   The album opens with Andy crooning one of his signature songs, "Born Free." Andy's vocals demonstrate his ability to sing in an operatic style like few other classic pop vocalists ever could. "Days Of Wine And Roses" features Andy's vocals squarely in the spotlight while the instrumental arrangement makes good use of the strings, brass and piano. Moreover, listen for "Dear Heart;" Andy makes this a great ballad and a sweet story both at once.
   
   "More" again features Andy's strong voice with its operatic qualities; and Andy never misses a beat. The percussion and strings enhance the natural beauty of this number; and I predict that you will like "More" very much.
   
   "Charade" is a great ballad from the movie of the same name; and Andy again sings this to perfection. The strings on "Charade" impress me as well. I really like "Can't Get Used To Losing You;" Andy sings this with a slightly folksy twist to it and he pulls it off rather well. The strings also enhance "Can't Get Used To Losing You."
   
   The album ends very nicely with "May Each Day." Andy sings this number flawlessly as he expresses his hopes for the best for everyone. Great!
   
   The artwork on the cover is beautiful.
   
   Andy Williams scored so many hits it's impossible to put them all on one single CD. However, this is one of the better overviews out there; and I highly recommend it especially for casual fans of Andy Williams who don't want the expense of buying every album he recorded.



5. I was pleasantly surprised at the sound quality for an old recording.
   The CD is excellent.

No comments about The Essential Broadway Musicals.

1 comments about Les Miserables & Miss Saigon: Symphonic Pieces.

1. 'Boubil and Schonberg's Symphonic Pieces' is a very good choice to buy if you are a fan of Miss Saigon or Les Miserables. I thought the Miss Saigon piece was very well composed and played, and the Les Miserables piece wasn't one of my favorites but still good.

5 comments about Classic Disney, Vol. 2.

1. This CD is a wonderful collection of some 25(!) of the most beloved Disney hits. Indeed, the songs on this CD are all songs from the great Disney movies that you remember from your childhood. There's "The Bare Necessities" from The Jungle Book, "Supercalifragilisticexpialdocious" from Mary Poppins, and "So This Is Love" from Cinderella. What's also wonderful is that the hits are from all of the Disney greats like Beauty And The Beast, Aladdin, and The Little Mermaid.
   
   My whole family loves these songs, and often sings along with them. I have several personal favorites from this album, including "So This Is Love" and "Candle On The Water." But, heck, I love them all!
   
   So, what's the final verdict? Buy this CD you won't regret it!



2. We bought this CD to practice my daughter's dance recital number to the "MICKY MOUSE CLUB MARCH"...however after listening to the whole thing over and over and over we are totally in love with classics like "THe Bear Neccessities" and "Supercalifragilistic (SP?)....we love the songs from all our favorite Disney movies, and this CD showcases a lot of them! :) A total bargain for variety music that is appropriate for children and families alike.



3. I purchased this to keep my kids occupied on vacation, and it performed beautifully! I can recommend it fully.



4. I have the classic disney volume 2 audio cassette which is very rare this is a great collection of music. It has a lot of very old peices in it. Disney Did a great job at cleaning them up. It even has a peice from song of the south which most people dont even know what that movie is. I would say yes to by this item on cd or cassette. I give it five stars. Their was only one or two songs i disliked.



5. My kids and I love to pop this into the CD player when we are on road trips together. We sing along and have a great time.

4 comments about So Long, 174th Street (1976 Original Broadway Cast).

1. The music and lyrics are first rate. The recording is great fun, as is the revival soon to take place at York Theatre in NYC this Fall. Now called "Enter Laughing, The Musical", it is a laugh riot, as was the original Broadway, non musical, production. It is a shame that the musical was such a failure that the composer did not write another.



2. Also, I believe the "quavering voice" Victoria has identified as Charles Nelson Reilly is actually the delightful George S. Irving - perhaps best known for his voice-over work as the narrator of the TV cartoon series "Underdog" - along with many Broadway appearances throughout the years. He recently (September 2007) recreated this role at the York Theatre in New York when they presented this musical, retitled "Enter Laughing" as part of a Joe Stein (the bookwriter of the musical) retrospective of readings of his lesser-known works. I understand he was the highlight of a very enjoyable evening.



3. Just to kindly note to correct Victoria on her review.....this show was done in 1976....about 15 years after Robert Morse created Finch in How To Succeed....otherwise....I know nothing of the recording...but Victoria's review has convinced me to buy it....so thanks Victoria.....



4. I am thrilled that this wonderful, little-known musical recording is available through Amazon.com! The only version of it I have ever heard was given to me on a cassette tape by an old stage manager years ago . . . but I digress. You must hear this hilarious musical version of "Enter Laughing" starring the brilliant Robert Morse (before his star-making turn as J. Pierpont Finch in "How to Succeed. . . "), Charles Nelson Reilly at his quavery-voiced best as Morse's side-kick and my favorite, Kaye Ballard, as the quintessential Jewish mama. This show is chock-full of great character numbers (perfect for an unusual audition piece!) and is a real find for afficionados of delightful but obscure Broadway musicals.