5 comments about Back to Before.

1. I'm a big fan of soprano voices, and Kim Criswell's voice is one of the most beautiful. She has a powerful voice, and handles each of the songs on this album very well. If you're a fan of Lisa Vroman or Sarah Brightman, I think you'll enjoy this album.



2. Kim Criswell delivers av varied collection of musical gems on
   "Back To Before". She is an accomplished singer and is truly worth listening to!



3. Thank you Kim for singing all those great songs from the shows. I have never liked most of the recordings of Memory, including the version sung by the original singer Elaine Paige but your heartfelt version just simply grabs me, everytime. The same is true with On My Own, I could not listen to the song sung by the original singer, whose whinny voice just turns me off everytime but your musical and emotional version is simply great. I love the song now, thanks to you. A great album with great songs sung in the way that I like and finally able to enjoy those songs that I could not when sung by the other singers. Wow! and thank you, Kim.



4. Am I listening the the same c.d. as those who say it is unimaginative and uninspired...? What? Is this a joke? I too have seem Kim live on many occasions. True, many of these songs have been done to death before, but, to be fair, many of these songs are the most moving interpretations available. "As Long as he Needs me" for example, has anyone ever heard such a wretched characterisation, which is surely the envy of all the "Nancy's" who have ever performed this song before? "Memory" also, is the most moving and powerfully charged version I have heard. "Rainbow High", well that speaks for itself, she goes off like a machine gun! its sheer dynamite! "Mr Monotony" - oozing with smooth sexxy jazz - well, I haven't heard a more delicious version of this number "A Very Unusual Way", tenderly sung and totally moving with a gorgeous vocal intro. And "Tomorrow" which I was dreading, found me swinging along with it, big time - Has anyone heard a better version than that? If so, by whom? Well, I think those people who have given this cd such astonishingly bad reviews actually would have preferred a more cutting edge repertoire on Kim's solo cd, rather than this very standard material. But, in truth, no-one can fault the quality of the material (whether they like the material or not)or the stunning performances of them, which are superb.

   Singing Weasel




5. Short but sweet, I was glad that I did not pay attention to negative reviews. If you are a fan of Criswell, I believe you will enjoy this offering. I particulary liked Tracks 14 and 16. Purists who may looking for the ultimate Brodaway diva album might not be drawn to this, but I m taking this one on the road with me.

2 comments about Very Warm For May: A Musical Comedy (1939 Original Broadway Cast).

1. Those interested in hearing this little-known Kern score beware: this is from a truncated radio version of the show mounted as a desperate attempt to keep the show afloat. Like many old radio sources, the sound is listenable but rocky, and here "enhanced" by rather ugly echo.

   There are only five of the songs here, interlaced with some spoken scenes and some forgettable jazz combo medleys played by a band-within-the-show. If you MUST hear the highly obscure gems "Heaven in My Arms", "That Lucky Lady" and "All in Fun", then this recording will serve that purpose. One bonus for some will be that these three are done within the dialogue that set them up, and in what appear to be the original arrangements.

   But otherwise, there's "In the Heart of the Dark", not exactly hard to catch elsewhere and even recorded in its original arrangement on Kim Criswell's solo album, and endless, drippy repetitions of "All the Things You Are", a song which of course one can also hear elsewhere, again even in its original arrangement (John McGlinn's BROADWAY SHOWSTOPPERS). For some reason this radio show included the entire original overture -- but this too has been recorded by McGlinn in modern sound, as has, for that matter, "Heaven in My Arms".

   Beyond this you get a little of Eve Arden slightly miscast as a society matron and the gibberings of swishy Walter Catlett. It would be one thing to hear the entire radio broadcast, but this abridged selection really isn't worth almost $20 unless you happen to have an archival bent. McGlinn is currently recording ALL of Kern's work beyond what he hasn't already gotten to. Unless you are a real fanatic, better to just wait for the full recording of this show that will come out of that project.




2. I was intrigued to discover that an original 1939 cast recording of "Very Warm for May" was available as I didn't think that producers had started this trend until the 1940's. This was the last show (unfortunately, it wasn't successful) composed by Jerome Kern who gave us his masterpiece "Show Boat" produced some 12 years earlier. The principal song "All the Things You Are" is probably one of the finest ever written. The best rendition is by Tony Martin, who wasn't listed as being a member of the cast, and his rich baritone comes across beautifully. The other singers mirror the style of vocal delivery reminicent of the era. One wonders if the handful of songs offered was the complete score as they have included some scenes and a couple of cuts where a band is auditioning (within the context of the story) playing classical pieces such as "William Tell" intersperced with Jerome Kern's music. I suspect that the CD was compiled from 78 RPM records as the sound is muddy and uneven. In the meantime, I'll be satisfied until some enterprising company decides to produce a studio session of the entire score.

1 comments about Remember Romance.

1. I had never heard of Steven Davis when I bought REMEMBER ROMANCE, but I was attracted by its mix of Broadway and classic American composers, so I took a chance. It's now my favorite CD, right up there with Sinatra's SONGS FOR SWINGIN' LOVERS. The title song, "Remember" was used as the theme in the Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan movie, YOU'VE GOT MAIL. Davis has a smooth, mellow voice, and he makes old standards like "Moonlight Serenade" sound fresh and contemporary. I particularly love his rendition of "I Have Dreamed" from THE KING AND I. It was originally a duet, but Davis turns it into a stand-alone love song as beautiful as "Night and Day." His background orchestration is lush, but not overbearing; Davis' voice is at the center of every song. If you are planning a an evening of romance, light a fire, uncork a good wine, and pop in this CD. It will work every time.

2 comments about Cocktail Hour.

1. A wonderful collection of American classics -- great to listen to, fun to dance to. Worth the money and then some. The disk comes with a number of recipes for cocktails and hors douerves, as part of the 'Musical Meals' series -- an interesting extra.



2. This is a wonderful CD! It captures all the energy of swing music, and is fun to dance to and sing along with. The musicians are deservedly famous, and this CD features some of their best performances. Listening to it always puts me in a good mood. These songs are classics, and are as much fun now as they apparently were when they were first released. The recording quality is excellent as well.

4 comments about Sugar Babies: The Burlesque Musical (1979 Original Broadway Cast).

1. I saw this in New York more than 25 years ago: it was a great show that gives a wonderful insight into the old Broadway. It's about time they re-edit this one - hopefully remastered - being one of the greatest musical revues ever.



2. It seems that the only albums I review are obscure and/or out of print.
   
   About a year ago after a lot of searching on e-bay and other places, I finally located a copy of SUGAR BABIES. I lost out on my first bid, but a second copy showed up and I was extremely happy to be the lucky bidder. I found the recording highly enjoyable, but since it was out of print, I did not write a review. (Mistake) Nor did I consider checking out Varese Sarabande's website. (Second mistake.)
   
   Even though Mickey Rooney gets first billing, it is Ann Miller who really shines on this recording. She's proof that sometimes things -- and people -- get better as they age. She was in top form for this album, and her performance is worth the price. At 56, she could sing and dance practically everyone else under the carpet.
   
   Featuring a number of great songs by Jimmy McHugh and new material by Arthur Malvin, the show is an affectionate tribute to burlesque and even includes some lame, off-color jokes. The whole thing is delivered with gusto and style.
   
   Running for 1208 performances and nominated for 8 Tony Awards, it went on to tour America with Carol Channing and Robert Morse in the leading roles. (The second National Tour headlined the original stars.) Audiences in New York and all over America enjoyed the show. You will too.
   Go for it!



3. Sugar Babies is worth every penny you spend on it!
   But, it is out of print. [...]I recomend this cd to everyone who loves tap dancing, good songs, and great laughs!



4. I was unfamiliar with Ann Miller when I first saw this show in Hollywood, CA during its tour. I only knew her as an MGM has-been with a lot of eye makeup. Well, after seeing Sugar Babies I became a life-long fan of the fabulous treasure named Ann Miller. What an incredible performer, with enough energy to power the lights of Broadway on her own. She is reknown as a great tap dancer, but she strangely has never been acknowledged as an amazing singer that could really belt out a tune. This soundtrack is amusing, exciting and heartwarming. Nothing about it, however, can compare to the incomparible Ann Miller.

1 comments about Late Nite Comic: 20th Anniversary Edition.

1. To coincide with the recent publication of the book We Bombed In New London--the Inside Story of the Broadway musical Late Nite Comic, Brian Gari has produced an all star 20th anniversary edition of Late Nite Comic to benefit The Actors Fund and featuring Larry Hochman's original Broadway orchestrations. The CD includes all cut songs and the performances of Broadway stars Brian D'Arcy James, Julia Murney, Karen Ziemba, Howard McGillin, Mary Testa, Liz Callaway, Chip Zien, Liz Larsen, Sal Viviano, Mario Cantone, Jason Graae, Paul Shaffer, Rupert Holmes, Tony Roberts, Daniel Reichard, Martin Vidnovic & Seth Rudetsky. A true masterpiece and well worth the wait.

No comments about Les 50 Plus Belles Chansons.

No comments about Great Entertainers.

3 comments about Super Hits.

1. The title, "Super Hits," is perhaps a misnomer for this CD. True, Johnny Mathis's two #1 hits are here: "Chances Are" (#1 for 1 week in 1957) and "Too Much, Too Little, Too Late" (a #1 duet with Deniece Williams from 1979). In addition, "Wonderful! Wonderful!" (#14 in 1957) and "The Twelfth of Never" (#9 in 1957) are included. However, the set doesn't contain some of his some of his biggest hits, such as "Gina" and "It's Not for Me to Say."
   
   In their place are some of Johnny's covers of classics, such as "My Funny Valentine" and "Somewhere My Love" (a hit for Ray Conniff). Johnny is a wonderful interpreter of songs, and his voice is velvet magic. Only one song hits a wrong note - the disco-tinged "Life is A Song Worth Singing" (a #54 flop from 1974). Overall, even though many of his biggest hits aren't on this collection, it's quite enjoyable and definitely well worth the price.



2. 
   This is one most unuseful hit collection on Mathis: what a loss of time. Only three out the ten tracks in this album are not in original albums currently issued in CDs that you can buy exactly here at Amazon. So, browse back to the original CDs, buy the 4 following CDs and you'll be much happier (I guaranty): "Johnny's Greatest Hits", "Johnny/Deniece Williams", "I'll Buy You a Star", and "Open Fire Two Guitars".



3. I heard that there were some new Mathis discs coming out today--and I was happy to see that one was a reissue of a classic album. But I grumbled to see that the other was another Greatest Hits package--stuff that Sony's milked countless times. Come on Sony--release some new Mathis material or unreleased material. (How many gems are in a vault somewhere?)

No comments about Home for Christmas 3cd.