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

1. Seems a bit silly reviewing something so well known but, having the original with Sarah Brightman on vinyl and not playing it I really did want it on CD, beautifully done and a delight to play again. However i do have one big grouch. Each time I put it in my basket I got a message that it could not be sent to my address (In OZ). I wonder why, I even tried a site that said posted from Australia, no go. I only got it from the UK and was charged an exhorbitant price in the end. Certainly nothing like when I buy from USA, so Aussie buyers beware where you purchase from.



2. 
   With 356 four- and five-star reviews already posted, there is not much more to be said about this show or this recording. This is almost the complete musical--good solo lines, strong choral parts and orchestrations that become part of the package, not just background.
   I cannot give this a five-star rating, because the lyrics and dialogue are very difficult to understand at times. This is partly because of the accents, and partly because of unprecise enunciation. If you want this as background music, or listen-to-on-the-headset-while-walking, it is fine. But to immerse yourself in the story, you must stay glued to the libretto.



3. "The Phantom of the Opera" is a show I like, but for the wrong reasons.
   
   For many it's their first musical often because as a global hit there are productions around every corner. The result is a lot of people, including myself, being attached sentimentally to the show rather than for its artistic merit.
   
   That's not to say it doesn't have its moments - despite very self-indulgent and over extended "Music of the Night" has become a standard. The reprise of "All I ask of you" with Michael Crawford's haunting falsetto can be moving and "The Point of no Return" can be a showstopper. "Poor Fool, he Makes me Laugh" is funny and "The Mirror" is a haunting revelation of the Phantom, but this revelation can become tiresome with the over repetition of the melody - unskillfully transposed to add some interest by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The title song also needs to be re-arranged into the 21st century as the synthesized drums have not aged well (there was some improvement in the 2004 film cast). In this particular recording Sarah Brightman can also be unintelligible at points.
   
   Still, there is no denying the music is catchy and hard to dislike (except when it's repeated throughout the show many times). It's no "Fair Lady", but because of its few redeeming tracks, its very high quality recording, Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman's definitive performance of their roles and its place in musical theatre history, the 1986 cast recording of "The Phantom Of the Opera" is a must buy for anyone who listens to music.



4. 
   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.



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

3 comments about Frankenstein.

1. It's all here. I have waited too long to get this music. Since seeing the show I was intrigued and captivated by the music and I am so happy the music is finally available! Outstanding musical performances by the entire cast, and yes, this music can be enjoyed even if you did not see the show, but have the slightest inking of the story.
   Hunter Foster is amazing in this masterpiece of Musical Theater.



2. I saw this show last fall during the stagehands' strike on Broadway. I so wanted to like this show. It seemed like a poor Off-Broadway underdog playing at the same time the big Broadway show Mel Brook's Young Frankenstein premiered. I'd been attracted by the amazing credentials and voices of the performers involved. This show is in what I'd call the Les Miz-style. Mostly sung, with the story hurtling forward with hardly a chance for a breath. And everything is so very, very earnest. You're made to feel a little guilty for just wanting a good, suspenseful, eerie monster story. Maybe with a little tragic romance. Instead it takes itself so very serious with its important issues of God and man and creation and, well, I just couldn't care because ultimately I didn't really care about any of the characters moving around an extremely uninteresting set with it's PowerPoint projections that told us where we were in what year. And it often seemed that everything truly dramatic and suspenseful happened off stage or behind a scrim.
   
   Oh. And the music. The music didn't make me care too much about the characters either. Every "song" seemed more or less like the one preceding it. Except they didn't really seem so much like songs -- you could never really feel the shape of any tunes to grab onto, or that allowed any of the performers to shape into something enjoyable. I was so thankful when Hunter Foster finally got to sing "The Coming of the Dawn" almost at the very end. It was really the first time I felt he was able to just sing something that felt like a song and not just directionless declamatory drama. Amazingly, it seemed to be a real song. A nice power ballad that had a melody that stuck with me. It was the only thing that made a favorable impression on me. Well, I did buy a nice t-shirt in the lobby. I liked it. Still have it. It fits me well.
   
   Check Frankenstein out for yourself though. If you enjoyed Les Miserables and some of the other attempts a bringing these old or gothic tales to musical theater (Jane Eyre, Lestat, Jekyll & Hyde and Phantom of the Opera come to mind) then you might find something to like in this.



3. I had the pleasure of seeing this show Off-Broadway at 37Arts. I knew some of the score from the Workshop production (the cast recording of which is hard to come by these days) prior to seeing the show, but didn't know what to expect with this production. Little did I know that I would fall head-over-heels for the cast, the music, and the design of this show.
   
   Of course, this new recording (featuring the entire cast from 37Arts minus Eric Michael Gillett - who is replaced by the splendid Richard White) doesn't SHOW anyone the design or staging of the show...but it manages to capture 74 minutes of the 95 minute show perfectly!
   
   The cast includes Hunter Foster (URINETOWN, THE PRODUCERS), Steve Blanchard (BEAUTY AND THE BEAST), and Christiane Noll (JEKYLL & HYDE). I won't go into detail about these wonderful performers, but I will say that each gives a truly unique and powerful performance. Foster's "Birth to My Creation" and "The Coming of the Dawn" are more than worth the price of the CD (or download). Blanchard's savage "The Waking Nightmare" and haunting "These Hands" show a tortured Creature worthy of pity. Noll's beautiful voice and presence deserve a standing ovation, especially on "Dear Victor" and "The Workings of the Heart." Also a standout is Jim Stanek (LESTAT), particularly in "The Modern Prometheus."
   
   The orchestrations are not the "biggest," but that lends to the show's intimacy. The recording is perfectly engineered and produced.
   
   If anyone were to make the perfect cast recording of a fantastic musical, this would be it!

5 comments about A Catered Affair (Original Broadway Cast Recording).

1. What a GREAT listen - The Catered Affair has always been a favorite movie - and Harvey Fierstein, et al, translated it to the stage very well. It's a shame it didn't play longer on Broadway.



2. This musical was VERY under appreciated. With every listen, you get more and more out of the words. If you like musicals, you will LOVE this one.



3. "The Catered Affair" was not a success on Broadway, but the score deserves to be heard. The cast is excellent.



4. I don't see this as ever winning a Tony. The voices are excellent and the story line captures your interest, but I didn't walk away from this humming any of the tunes.
   
   I will recommend that many of my friends listen to this sountrack for the sake of the story line & the production quality, but it will never be one of my top ten



5. A very small pleasure, no pretty melodies, no complex story.
   
   The songs allow you to follow the story well. Unfortunately the story is exactly the same as the old Bette Davis movie.
   
   Faith Prince is fine, she has her Bronx accent perfect. Tom Wopat in good voice but his accent is not so satisfying. But Harvey Firestein is terrible! The raspy voice that was such fun in Hairspray is such an annoyance here.
   
   I was disappointed when the show closed before I could get tickets. Now I'm glad I saved the $200.

5 comments about Candide (1956 Original Broadway Cast).

1. This is what it is, as they say. Not the greatest version of Candide, but it's a faithful rendition of the 1956 production. I gave it as a gift to a friend, who was very happy with it.



2. After more than half a century, the original cast album of "Candide" still glitters, so to speak. Although this production flopped on Broadway, this album has become a cult classic, primarily due to Barbara Cook's clear, sweet, and warm soprano, a "sui generis" voice, unlike the many generic Broadway sopranos of today.
   
   Although this is not my favorite "Candide" overall, the style of some of the performances being a little stilted, Cook is certainly my favorite Cunegonde.



3. This is an American Classic...fantastic score performed by the original cast. Can't be beat! Should be in the collection of everyone who enjoys American musical theatre - and opera.



4. I currently own two recordings of Candide, this one and the 1997 revival. It is hard to say which one is better; however it is easy to say this one is more important. This is the original. Many have come after it (including a revised version by Bernstein himself) but this is the basis for them all. Each revision is different in some way, so you really should own this one to know the true Candide. In circles of major Broadway fans this recording is considered the definitive way to sing "Glitter and Be Gay" and I must say it is really quite amazing. Candide leans heavily into the styling's of operetta so some west side story fans may be surprised with what they hear, but it is still beautiful music. So why even consider another recording? The 1997 recording has almost the full orchestrations and they sound glorious. Some reworking of libretto and plot may not be, but hearing the magnificent composition of Bernstein is well worth the investment. Bottom line: If you can only get one, this is the one to get. Favorite song: "It Must Be So"



5. An uneven disk. Some parts are very good, but much of the story line is absent and the tension expected between the fuzzy headed romantic thoughts of some characters and the devious real world does not happen. It seems diluted and while better than the Soundheim stuff of later years is still not at the level expected for this work.

5 comments about Classic Disney, Vol. 1: 60 Years of Musical Magic.

1. The CD arrived in good time and was of excellent quality for a used product.



2. 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 "Someday My Prince Will Come" from Snow White, "Colonel Hathi's March" from the Jungle Book, and "Chim Chim Cher-ee" from Mary Poppins. What's also wonderful is that the hits are from the great Disney movies right up to the present, with such songs as "Beauty and the Beast" from the movie of the same title.
   
   My whole family loves these songs, and often sings along with them. As a wonderful bonus, we were not aware of "Minnie's Yoo Hoo!" which sounds like a 1920s, snappy little tune, and my children often play it twice and even three times in a row.
   
   Buy this CD you won't regret it!



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



4. I have all 5 CD's and it is an awesome collection! All of my favorite songs are on the 5 CD's and every Disney fan like I am should have this collection!



5. There isn't one single song from the 1977 classic "The Rescuers" included in this collection, I don't see why Disney chose not to include any of those songs which are all gorgeous, when they did include unmemorable and weak songs instead, I've seen these CD's with songs that aren't half as good as "Tomorrow is Another Day," "The Journey," "Someone's Waiting for You" or "Rescue Aid Society."
   
   Very disappointing, The Rescuers is a fine Disney classic and it should be included with all of the others.

5 comments about Movin' Out (Based on the Songs and Music of Billy Joel) (2002 Original Broadway Cast).

1. The show wasn't what I expected, but it was wonderful and now I have the memories of it whenever I want!



2. I never got the chance to see this musical on Broadway, so I bought the the CD - I absolutely love Billy Joel, and really like the musical! The CD came in brand new condition. Very happy with my purchase =]



3. I still have to warm up to the guys voice a bit, but the music is awesome. It's amazing how well this music transitions and blends together. There was also a couple of things that got me by surprise. We Didn't Start the Fire is really different, and shows just what his music can do. I'm a little disappointed that Only The Good Die Young didn't get more appreciation, but none the less it still rocks.



4. I saw the show and it was one of the greatest show ever, highly entertaining, great collection of music, as you listen to each song, you can actually imagine the show being played over and over, 5 stars!



5. I love Broadway and grew up on the Piano Man (no I am a Chicagoan and haven't yet seen anything on New York's Broadway). This show did justice to both an now I listen to the CD to re-live the event!

5 comments about White Christmas.

1. Wow, what a singer! I agree she doesn't sound like she did in her prime, but even after a tough life, she is still great. Love this CD and all the songs. Wish I was born 20 years earlier to enjoy her when she was still around.



2. "Rosemary is truly one of the greatest interpreters of modern song. She has the ability to capture the spirit of a song and to communicate it like no other. With this record, she uses her ability to tell us, in her own way, about the spirit of Christmas. She will always be a part of the legendary film. But this record is all hers. This is Rosemary Clooney's "White Christmas." ~ Glen Barros, President - Concord Records, 1996 ~
   
   "Here's a multi-layered celebration of the holiday we can't get enough of from a singer who can transport us a few ever could - to a place where a newborn can help us believe again that all things are possible. Where hope is a renewable resource. Where " ... through the years we all can be together..." If that's not worth celebrating, what is?" ~ Nick Clooney ~
   
   I agree with Rosemary Clooney's brother, Nick Clooney, on what he said about hope, about believing and about its possibilities.
   
   This Christmas album was recorded in 1996 when Rosemary Clooney's vocal artistry was not at its prime, but she still renders these Christmas songs so beautifully with such affection and respect to the real essence of each and every song. The arrangements are beautifully and superbly done. There are twenty-one great performances from one of the greatest singers of all-time. She is backed by an orchestra conducted by Peter Matz, and some of the skilled musicians Gary Foster, Dan Higgins, Warren Luening, John Oddo and Chuck Berghofer, to mention a few. She starts off with a glowing rendition of "The Christmas Song," which features saxophonists Gary Foster (alto) and Dan Higgins (tenor).
   
   The Earl Brown Singers sung shortened versions of the best-loved traditional Christmas carols of all-time, "O Little Town of Bethlehem," "Joy To The World," "Silent Night" "The First Noel" and "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer."
   
   One of my highlights is a wonderful medley of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" and "Hey Kris Kringle." She is joined by another great singer, Michael Feinstein, who's a very close friend of Ms. Clooney. You'll hear that fascinating accordion from soloist Frank Morocco on the intro and all throughout this song, and George Robert's nice trombone playing as well.
   
   She sings with such grace in "Winter Wonderland" with soloists Gary Foster and Warren Luening on sax and trumpet, respectively. There's that special glow in her voice as she sings Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne's "The Christmas Waltz" and "Let It Snow" with that beautiful piano solo by John Oddo. "I'll Be Home For Christmas," "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" and "Christmas Memories," a composition by Don Costa and Alan & Marilyn Bergman are all elegantly performed.
   
   Two of the highlights are Irving Berlin's "Count Your Blessings" and "White Christmas" from the movie of the same title, which stars Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney, who sings this carol with warmth and love. And as "she dreams of a White Christmas, she wishes everyone's Christmas to be white."
   
   Christmas is truly the most wonderful time of the year and it really brings out the child in me. I simply love Christmas! And true to the lyrics of Alan & Marilyn Bergman, "Christmas memories are the sweetest ones I know." The songs in this CD will transport you back in time with your fondest memories of Christmas.
   
   "There'll be much mistletoeing
   And hearts will be glowing
   When loved ones are near
   It's the most wonderful time of the year."
   
   I merrily recommend this superb CD and as you listen to it during Christmas Holidays, may the true spirit of Christmas reign in your hearts.



3. This CD has become a family favorite. Rosemary's voice never sounded better. Brings back many fond memories of cherished family gatherings. A must have for any holiday collection. Rosemary lives on.



4. I love Rosemary Clooney. She was among the very best singers this country ever produced, and was "class" with a capital C. Rosemary had a special way with a song: perfect enunciation, an incredible sense of rhythm, and a style that showcased both simplicity and deep emotion--a rare combination. It was so sad in the last years of her life that her voice let her down. Rosemary's voice had been a little rough for years, but her sheer musicianship and emotional connection with lyrics enabled her to rise above this problem--especialy on up-tempo numbers--however "White Christmas" marked the beginning of her greatest decline.
   
   Over the years I have tried repeatedly to like this album, but I cannot. Poor Rosemary sounds so tired, maybe even sad. I own practically every album she made for Concord Jazz up to this point and enjoyed them all, but after this point her voice only got worse and worse. It was painful to listen to the decline of such a great singer, so I stopped buying her CDs. I would like to give this album a better rating because it contains two of my favorite things--Rosemary Clooney and Christmas songs--but I can't. If she had only recorded this album a few years earlier, we might have had a classic Christmas album for the ages.



5. A music fan from Falls Church, VA USA HE CALLS HIMSELF????
   READ HIS STUFF ABOVE..

   Our darling Rosemary just aged beautifully on all her recordings..
   I really preferred the aging Rosemary to the younger one..
   I absolutely adore her and always will..

   Let's keep in touch "mr music fan"..
   maybe by then you will come up with someone better than our Rosemary??
   I won't hold my breath waiting for you.

   You irritate me by your obvious stupity in NOT REALIZING YOUR VOICE AGES ALSO ????????????

   Lots of singers couldn't hold a candle to her that are younger but aging..
   give it another listen..

   Hey,you might learn something..
   once a great girl band singer/performer/ =always and forever..

5 comments about Smokey Joe's Cafe: The Songs Of Leiber And Stoller (1995 Original Broadway Cast).

1. Love hearing these songs, most in a different style from the hits. The artists are very good. Two criticisms: First, a few have very abrupt cuts at the end, as if part of the song is dropped. Second, the title song is not on the album even through the insert says that it is on disc 2.



2. Saw this on Broadway in 1996, had the last row way in the back of the theater, the songs are memorable to everyone. You will surprised at the songs performed. The vocals are just outstanding. I have purchased this twice (the first one just wore out). Great for long car rides.



3. What a FABULOUS CD !!! This is my second purchase of it as a friend
   liked it so much when we were listening to it in the car that I pulled
   it out and gave it to her to listen to when she drove home, knowing I could get another !!



4. This was a great show. The arrangements of the songs were masterful. A pleasure to listen to.



5. The album is great, i needed it because i work at a dance studio and i have a dance to the song Trouble. The song and whole album is awesome.

5 comments about Nipper's Greatest Hits - The 20's.

1. Since I'm a big fan of Roda Monroe and that sort of sound a friend told me to get this cd and it was well worth it. It's a must get!



2. At twenty songs, this is a decent sized compilation into the popular music of the decade that roared. Some of these songs are familiar (Rhapsody in Blue) and other songs you'll be surprised to find familiar, having never known their name before.
   
   Now, the 1920s is a bit before my time. I love this music though. This, aside from the movies, was really my introduction to it.



3. I recognized so many songs from movies and cartoons I've seen, and who knows where else. For some reason I just love this music. I bought something from the forties, at the same time, and it was a big disappointment - but this made up for it. I was so surprised at how great it sounds and the music is really the "bees knees", as someone else mentions. Even though the Charleston craze was way before my time, I wanted to jump up and dance. Everything is good, but even if you only like a few, "Rhapsody In Blue" will make you swoon and be glad you bought it. Now I am looking for more music like this. I hope the Archeophone ones are as good. I looked them up at [...] and, as someone commented on Amazon, they have samples. I listened to the music and it did sound wonderful plus it comes with a lot of historical background. I just bought two C.D.'s by them on Amazon and will let you know. I can't wait to hear the songs from the prohibition era where they sing about their pal Al (Alcohol) and the moon shining on moonshine, etc. I love the play on words.



4. Suffice to say, Nipper has great taste in selecting the greatest hits of the 1920s! "Collegiate" can bring a laugh and a smile to every listener, and "My Blue Heaven" never grows old. This is a must-have!



5. Great music from the twenties, Shared it with my Lindy dance troupe and now we use it in our skit for nursing homes and church. Great fun!! The sound is good, original productions. I recommend it.

5 comments about The Best of Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series).

1. The range of songs chosen for this compilation is awesome. Just what I was looking for.



2. Note that some of the recordings are not in stereo. While I expected that for some of the very old songs recorded in the 1920's to 1940's, I thought that the songs from the 1950's and more recent would have been recorded in stereo.



3. This is a pretty good compilation, but I have to wonder at some of the choices that went into it.
   "Good Morning Baltimore" is almost the least impressive song from Hairspray. "You Can't Stop the Beat" was a much more anthemic song from that show.
   I agree that it's too bad Les Mis didn't make it in. I would have traded that for anything Sondheim, although that's a personal preference :) .
   Still, the opportunity to hear the original performers and orchestras perform these works, all in one place, is a great deal.



4. This one plays in the car, on the ipod and in the house. When the kids were little they would ask if we could take them to "The Street". That is what they called Broadway (little did they know at that time how famous that street is). They still love it and we can not get enough of it. This CD covers the best and makes you want to go and see a live performance. You can not beat that.



5. This CD from Decca Broadway is a wonderful selection of some of
   
   the "Greatest Hits" of the Broadway stage. Decca and Sony have
   
   done an excellent job of remastering the various recordings, some
   
   of which still show some of their age, but come across quite
   
   well. Are there a lot of songs that I would have put on this
   
   disc? Yes, but the ones on here are good choices. I may have to
   
   get a copy of the Five disc set and the DVD's just to see if any
   
   more of my favorites made it on the list. What this disc seems to
   
   try to do is show the evolution of the Broadway song from it's
   
   early days to the present. It succeeds quite well I think.
   
   If you enjoy Broadway theater this CD is a must!