No comments about An American in Paris.

5 comments about Pins And Needles (1962 Revival Cast).

1. Though this score is quite tuneful the problem is the presentation can't even be close to the original. At the Labor Stage the ILGWU members and duo-pianists (one of whom for a time was the socialist firebrand Marc Blitzstein) surely imbued it with charm and innocent amateur enthusiasm; here a slick pop combo and chorus turn the thing into an early-sixties bank commercial. It's so slick it's hard to believe "One Big Union for Two" was once banned from the air for the word "scabbing". Ditto with Jack Carroll and Rose Marie Jun, veterans of Broadway demo recordings; they sound as if they stepped in from a jingle session, and stepped out to another. We'll say this for Harold Rome: he's amiable.
   
   Then there's...Babs. It's obvious why she was destined to be a superstar -- and, alas, a pill. She does the Miss Marmelstein shtick and you can't help thinking she got her political education from these songs, but she hasn't yet learned how to sing with bared fangs; she has a youthful simplicity and a yearning understatedness she would soon enough abandon for the theatrics, a shame, because she is so damned good here. Perhaps she could only become worse as she became her ego, but we should never forget the great talent and appeal her discoverers Jack Paar and Mr. Rome saw in her, and we see it here in a mere six songs.
   
   Strangely enough, this album spurred a kind of sequel: "Harold Rome's Gallery", an art-themed studio recording of some original tunes in a swing jacket, with most of the same crew minus Babs; it wasn't around long enough to become even a collector's item.



2. Barbra Streisand has sung hundreds of Broadway and musical theatre songs, yet she has never issued an anthology of musical theatre songs.
   It's not mere chance that she was given a special Tony Award
   around 1970 for her contribution to the Broadway musical. Many
   of the songs in Barbra Streisand's lp's and cd's come from the
   musical theatre, but many times were not properly credited on the record label, just limiting the information to the name of the composers.
   We, Barbra Streisand fans, demand now a MUSICAL THEATRE ANTHOLOGY that will include all recordings by Barbra Streisand
   related to the musical stage.
   This is Barbra Streisand's second released lp in May 1962.
   PINS AND NEEDLES ( 25th anniversary).
   The original show opened on broadway on November 27th, 1937.
   Music and lyrics by Harold Rome.
   Barbra sang 6 songs:
   -Doing the reactionary.
   -Nobody makes a pass at me.
   -Not cricket to picket.
   -Status Quo.
   -Four little angels of peace.
   -What good is love.
   These 6 songs should be included in THE BARBRA STREISAND MUSICAL
   THEATRE ANTHOLOGY under shows which opened in 1937.
   All shows should be listed in chronologicaL order, that is,
   the year in which the show first opened. This way we get a panoramic view of how songs from the musical theatre changed over the course of the 20th century.
   Let's get SONY interested in releasing a BARBRA STREISAND MUSICAL THEATRE ANTHOLOGY.
   This idea is my gift to Barbra, who has provided us with so much pleasure over many decades. Let's make this idea a reality.



3. Tribute album to an old Broadway favorite managed to catch a young Barbra Streisand on her early rise to fame(what was she?...Nineteen?). She's delightful on "Doin' the Reactionary" and "Status Quo", but her big number "Nobody Makes a Pass at Me" sounds as if it were written especially for her. She makes these songs her own, even though they were not from her generation. Far removed from the current era, it's amazing that "Pins & Needles" still sounds fresh and lively.



4. This review written by Harold Rome was a very disappointing recording. The satire of the songs did not have the punch they might have had. The music was forgettable and the performances were adequate.



5. Another one of Babra's early album if you are a great Streisand fan you have to have this album. Avery young Barbra but the voice is so pure it's wonderful her best song I think is DOING THE REACTIONARY.

No comments about Kate Smith: Original Recordings.

1 comments about Romance.

1. This is NOT a commercially made disc. It is a CDR produced on a large scale.

   Be warned that the DESERT SONG excerpts are not from the Movie soundtrack featuring Grayson and Gordon McCrea....but of an album that features W/ Grayson, Tony Martin. Martin does very well. Still, I wish a CD of the soundtrack were available

2 comments about Rosie Sings Bing.

1. Rosemary Clooney was such a great performer -- no vocal pyrotechnics, no melodrama, just an uncanny ability to get right to the heart of her material. "Rosie Sings Bing" is one of her finest -- great musicians and wonderful songs, delicately sung (and swung, listen to "Blue Skies" and "Pennies From Heaven"). The only possible complaint is that one wishes she had cut more than 10 songs at these sessions.



2. What a wonderful album by a wonderful woman who has lived through so much! If you have not already done so, please get Rosie's new autobiography-Girl Singer and you will learn that this is Rosie's favorite among all the albums she has recorded in her illustrious career. This is her tribute to Bing Crosby, with whom she has had a lifelong, cherished friendship. Highly recommended for all Rosemary Clooney fans.

1 comments about Side Man: Jazz Classics from the Broadway Play.

1. This compilation represents the music used in the Broadway show "Side Man" (winner 1999 Tony award for Best Play). From Ella's moody "Chelsea Bridge" to Clifford Brown's "Night in Tunisia," all the selections tranpose the audience to another time. Some of them standards and some you never hear on the radio. A great addition to any jazz afficionado's library.

3 comments about Oklahoma! (1947 Original London Cast).

1. The 1947 London cast of OKLAHOMA! recorded only highlights from the score arranged in 3-song medleys and spread over 4 78 RPM sides. You get sense of the story (wth the songs all out of order) and the performances - even the great Howard Keel - do not come across well due to the age of the masters. A curio for collectors who want every version of the score and possibly for Keel fans. Otherwise stick with the more complete albums. (WARNING: Total playing time for these OKLAHOMA! selections is about 16 minutes. Even with the bonus tracks this is a very short CD!)



2. I was thrilled with the price, but the CD doesn't contain the entire song. Aside from "Oklahoma!" and "Poor Jud is Daid", the songs are the first verse and the chorus. "People Will Say We're In Love" is Laurie singing, but Curly's verse isn't there at all. Too bad the sound clips don't show that....



3. I FEEL MANY ARTISTS HAVE LOST THE ABILITY TO SING AND BE UNDERSTOOD. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND MANY ARTISTS TODAY WHEN THEY ARE SINGING. THESE ARTISTS ARE CLEAR AND CONSISE. IT IS A PLEASURE TO LISTEN TO BETTY JANE WATSON AND HOWARD KEEL

5 comments about Chicago (1996 Original Cast Recording).

1. Makes the enjoyment of the show continue after you leave the theater. Definitely see the show before you by the soundtrack.



2. Chicago - The Musical (1996 Broadway Revival Cast)
   
   One of the top 10 best Broadway cast albums ever! A revival which surpasses the original. A must own for anyone who likes Broadway shows. Bebe Neuworth, Ann Reinking & James Naughton are stellar. Plenty of razzle dazzle and fun.



3. Chicago is a classic, and that classic status remains in the revival recording. Bebe Neurwith is truly a delight as Velma Kelly, and shines in the star number of "All That Jazz", but it's the men who steal the show. James Naughten and Joel Grey are perfect as Billy Flynn and Amos Hart. Every single one their numbers is absolutely perfect are true classics. There are, however, two downsides. First is that the film soundtrack exceeds vocally with Catherine Zeta-Jones as a belting Velma. Second, and ultimately, Anne Reinking's rendition of "Roxie" is downright awful. I love her versions of "Funney Honey" and "Me and My Baby", but "Roxie" is disgusting. In all, however, a wonderful, fun, and classic recording.



4. I understand that many of you who have bought this CD will be Broadway lovers (and I am one myself)and you will be used to the lead roles having amazing powerful voices. But just as important as good singing is good acting. I think that Ann interpreted Roxie as a wannabe who had the enthusiasm but lacked the talent, which makes her raspy tones and sing-speak completely plausible. It also supports the theme that you can use other things than talent to get yourself to the top This may not be the way you like Roxie played, but you shouldn't shun Ann's interpretation. It's a good thing if there is more than one way of having a character played, I think so anyway.
   Personally I love the Miramax film, but I enjoy comparing these 2 and seeing the differences.



5. The revival edition of CHICAGO could be a whole lot better (like the original or the movie soundtrack.) But it is good none the less.
   Bebe Nuewirth is fun to listen to on the recording, but Ann Reinking is HORRIBLE! She can't sing and she can't act as well as Ms. Nuewirth.
   I recomend this recording to all Chicago and Kander and Ebb fans.

No comments about On The Avenue (1937 Film) / Rose of Washington Square (1939 Film).

3 comments about Gold.

1. I don,t need to write a book to tell you about this disc.I will leave that to the ones that write as if they are getting paid by the word.
   Dont waste your money on this cd. There are a lot of singers on this cd. that dont have the voices and the range and richness to be singing this music. buy one with the best of the singers who sang in the stage productions.



2. There are numerous compilations out on the market full of Lloyd Webber's music. As most people know, Lloyd Webber is the most successful musical composer of all time and many of his songs became standards not only in the theatre history, but also as tops on the charts. This is the compilation Lloyd Webber personally supervised and it is the best thing to have if you can't afford his five-CD compilation called "Now and forever", which was selected and supervised by him as well. You should bear in mind, however, that there are two compilations called Gold out there: This one is for the British and the European market. There is another one, issued later and digitally remastered, aimed at the American buyers and although some songs are repeated on both of them, they contain different songs or the same songs sung by different artists. Therefore you should check your favourites and buy accordingly, or, if you can, buy them both.
   
   So here are my thoughts about the tracks in this one:
   
   1. "Superstar" and "I don't know how to love him" are both from the concept album of "Jesus Christ Superstar". They sound wonderful as ever.
   
   2. "Don't cry for me Argentina" is beautifully performed by Julie Covington, who was Evita at the 1976 concept album. She sounds like Madonna, only much better and the London philharmonics are the best orchestra ever used in this song. David Essex sings "Oh what a circus" with a strong voice, in my view, much better than Mandy Patinkin.
   
   3. From "Tell me on a Sunday" we have "Take that look of your face" sung by Marti Webb. This studio version blends perfectly Marti's voice and the strong back vocals.
   
   4."Memory" from "Cats" is probably the most famous of all Webber's songs, recorded by numerous artists. The one here is from the London cast recording, sung by Elaine Paige. I love Elaine's version very much, but this one is not the definite one. Her best rendition of this song, with the much matured voice, can be heard in "Cats" DVD or in her latest two-disc compilation, "Centre stage: The very best of Elaine Paige", issued in May 2004.
   
   5. "Pie Jesu" is the best known song from Webber's "Requiem". Sarah Brightman is joined by a young boy soprano Paul Miles-Kingston in this solemn deliverance. Very pretty.
   
   6. "The Phantom of the Opera" is represented by three songs in their single versions. In the song of the same title, we have Sarah Brightman and Steve Harley sounding very appropriate, although my favourite will always be the one with Sarah and Michael Crawford, which can be found on the American version of this compilation. Cliff Richard and Sarah sing the lovely ballad "All I ask of you" with passion, and Cliff has a wonderful warmth in his voice. Finally, Michael Crawford gives his unique and mesmerising interpretation in "The music of the night".
   
   7. "Aspects of love" boast here with its top song, "Love changes everything", performed wonderfully by Michael Ball. It was his #1 hit and is probably one of the most beautiful love anthems ever written.
   
   8. "The Joseph and his amazing Technicolor dreamcoat" was Webber's first musical and the signature song "Any dream will do" is performed here by Jason Donovan with a youthful warmness. Wonderful pop piece.
   
   9. For the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Webber wrote, together with his long-time lyricist Don Black, this next song, "Amigos para siempre or Friends for life". It's a nice duet between Sarah Brightman and Jose Carreras, their voices are a perfect fit. The melody itself is neat, especially when the orchestra takes the lead.
   
   10. "Sunset Boulevard" is marked here with two songs. Barbra Streisand's powerful voice shines all the way through in "As if we never said goodbye"; it's a shame she never played Norma Desmond on Broadway, since Patti LuPone wasn't allowed to take her Norma to New York, and Glenn Close butchered the role. "The perfect year" is here in its single version, sung splendidly by Dina Carroll, and it sounds much better with this orchestration than in the show on stage.
   
   11. As we approach the end, we have an Academy Award winner, that is, "You must love me" with Madonna, from the 1996 movie version of "Evita". This is another wonderful ballad with the haunting cello and piano solo. It just proves that Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice were the best collaborators. They really should do another musical together.
   
   12. The last two songs are from "Whistle down the wind". The first song has the same title and it's a pop single performed by Tina Arena. She has a really strong voice and the drums and guitars here are a well made combination. Boyzone's "No matter what" was a huge pop hit in the charts. Again, we have a song with the suitable orchestrations and vocals.
   
   All in all, this CD is a must have for all the Webber fans. It works well as the background music or on the headphones. The booklet contains some pictures and an introductory text. The sound quality is excellent. Every song here really is a pure gold.



3. This CD is subtitled "The Definitive Hit Singles Collection." And that it is. Eighteen tracks include the best known Webber hits. Julie Covington does "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina." If you haven't heard the other side of the Evita story, you need to hear David Essex's "Oh What a Circus," an answer to "Don't Cry . . ." Sarah Brightman and Steve Harley do "The Phantom of the Opera," and Michael Crawford does "The Music of the Night." Barbra Streisand does "As if We Never Said Goodbye," Michael Ball does "Love Changes Everything," Marti Webb does "Take That Look Off Your Face," and Madonna does "You Must Love Me." The rest of the album is not filler; is top notch Webber, truly a collection of hit singles.