1 comments about Summer Song - Original London Cast.

1. SUMMER SONG was a modest hit in London in 1956, starring Sally Ann Howes. It was loosely-based around a real-life incident during composer Anton Dvorak's visit to America.
   
   Inspired by the sucess of "Song of Norway" and "Kismet" (which both featured scores lifted from pre-existing classical compositions); the music of SUMMER SONG was adapted from Dvorak themes, newly-orchestrated by Bernard Grun. Thank you, Sepia, for restoring another forgotten London musical to the catalogue!
   
   The show's leading lady, Sally Ann Howes, was fast becoming one of the most popular talents on the London stage, having previously dazzled in productions of "Paint Your Wagon", "Bet Your Life" and "Romance in Candlelight" (all of which are available on other Sepia discs). Her romantic role of Karolka in SUMMER SONG gave her the lion's share of musical numbers, and she delivers them in her creamy, textured contralto/soprano voice beautifully. Partnering her is David Hughes, and their duets are fantastic. Playing the central role of Dvorak himself is the celebrated character actor Laurence Naismith; with the comical secondary romantic couple played by Bonita Primrose and Van Atkins.
   
   Following a preview period at Manchester's Opera House in December of 1955, SUMMER SONG opened at London's Princes Theatre in February 1956, where it received good reviews, but shuttered after 148 performances.
   
   There are indeed some gem-like numbers in this score. Inevitably though, the loveliest go to Miss Howes ("Just Around the Corner", "My Darling Karolka", "I'll Be Remembering", and the Title Song); but the score as a whole is charming. This is a more-than-worthy successor to the classically-adapted scores of "Kismet" and "Song of Norway".
   
   For the long-awaited CD premiere of SUMMER SONG (restored from 78 rpm recordings), Sepia has filled out the remainder of the disc with bonus tracks, including rare cover singles featuring David Hughes and Edric Connor; plus an orchestral medley from SUMMER SONG performed by the Melachrino Orchestra.

5 comments about Dudley Moore - Live From an Aircraft Hangar.

1. A fantastic recording of a unique concert with Dudley and his trio and the BBc Concert Orchestra.



2. The fact that this is live, and an album Dudley actually edited himself just years before he passed on, makes it super special. I never got to listen to him perform live but this album gives me a sense of what it would have been like to be there. I thoroughly enjoy his great sense of humor and spontaneity. It makes me miss him even more. I especially love the emotionally charged music from the film "Six Weeks", performed with orchestra. I can't get over the beauty of this arrangement.
   
   His skill and versatility truly shine here! It's a must to listen to. Anyone who hears this album will no doubt realize he was a truly special, incomparable artist and loveable person.



3. At the moment these are the last available recordings of Dudley Moore before illness ended his playing career. Recorded in 1992 at the Royal Albert Hall its an eclectic collection of Jazz, his Film Score music and comedy pieces.
   
   The CD kicks off with a swinging version of "Love Walked In". Dudley displays his Jazz Piano skills to great effect with the trio. You can hear the influence of Erroll Garner and Oscar Peterson in his playing on this track. Typically witty, Dudley then introduces the trio and explains that Peter Morgan the bass player is half Greek and half Welsh and is sometimes known as Zorba the Leek!! Three tracks from the film "Bedazzled" follow and these are typically romantic Moore compositions. Also supporting him on these tracks are the BBC Concert Orchestra.
   
   As you'd expect the remaining tracks maintain a remarkably high standard demonstrating Moore's compositional skills as well as his reknowned comic ability which is ablely displayed between the musical pieces.
   
   This recording was released in 2000, after Dudley had announced that he was suffering from PSP, and at least part of the proceeds from the sale of the disc will go towards research into this debilitating and deadly decease. Buy the disc you wont regret it.



4. A great audio CD. Good songs and all affair of a great man.



5. Dudley Moore accurately and affectionately recreates 4 cues (13+ minutes) from his great and groovy soundtrack for "Bedazzled" (tracks 3-6). They are performed with his trio, woodwinds, and strings, and feature arrangements virtually identical to those on the soundtrack LP. (The 4 tracks are separated by brief pauses without audience applause between). The "Bedazzled" music is tough to find in any format, and these tracks are gems in that irresistible easy-euro-bossa style, especially "The Millionaire" and "Lillian Lust." A must for 60s soundtrack fans. Get this now - it will probably vanish as quickly as one of Stanley's wishes after making a raspberry...

No comments about Bob Hope's Christmas Party.

1 comments about A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night.

1. Several months ago I added my comments - along with those of many others - to the alternate version of this album, an Australian import with the title, As Time Goes By.

   Paraphrasing that review, I mentioned that it is my favorite pop recording of all time, and that it clearly demonstrated Harry Nilsson's ability to create near-definitive performances of many classic popular tunes. I would add to that assessment here that I don't think there's a finer version of "Over The Rainbow" available from any other vocalist - not even Judy can wrench you heart out quite as completely as Harry does.

   The few extra dollars for this one over the Australian version are justified by two things.

   First, this release restores the artwork from the original 1973 release on LP. This doesn't appear in the shorter, standard USA release (that omits tracks 13 - 18 found here). While I would have liked to have the newer essay found in the Australian version IN ADDITION to the original artwork, an either/or situation would have me selecting the original art.

   Second, the British release has slightly better sound quality. If you are an audiophile with a system capable of revealing very high resolution, you will find this one will exceed the Australian one in several important aspects: transparency, dynamic range and spatial correctness being the three that come to mind now. PLEASE NOTE the typical audio system will display no difference in the sound whatsoever. If you own neither version and are considering one or the other, buy this higher priced one for the complete artwork restored, but buy the other one to save a few dollars if you are not a completist as I am. In either case, you will be buying one of the best recordings to be made in the 1970's. That, I can tell you with complete confidence.

5 comments about La Cage Aux Folles: The Broadway Musical (1983 Original Broadway Cast).

1. I bought this to learn the music for our production of "la Cage" now I take it out at parties & everyone dances around the room to some of the songs. Great if you are having a "French" dinner party.



2. The product came quickly and in excellent condition. Doing business was easy
   and very satisfactory. This was the second time I purchaced a product through
   Amazon and it was easy and satisfactory and I won't hesitate to continue to
   use Amizon.



3. This is one of the best soundtrack I have. It is outrageously funny as well as extremely touching. I recommend it highly



4. Was very pleased with the beautiful music and the quick delivery time.



5. this CD is a very good introduction to the musical score from a very succesful stage musical ~ if you like good musicals this is a must have.

5 comments about A Chorus Line.

1. "Chorus Line" has to be one of the greatest of Broadway Musicals. It is particularly apropos to people who either are in show business or are well-familiar with the ups and downs of that craft. This recording just magnifies this!



2. We have the album version--the purchase of the CD was overdue. This play was my first Broadway show and I'll never forget the experience. Listening to this CD makes you feel like you are in the theatre again and the songs are classics that will stand the test of time. "At the Ballet" never fails to bring tears to my eyes. Forget the movie soundtrack version--no comparison to the original Broadway cast. This is a "must have" addition to your collection.



3. I live in NYC and recently saw A Chorus Line on Broadway. I remember it being my favorite show when i first saw it in 1977. While not as great as the original, but still wonderful, I came home realizing that I had to have the CD from the original production. This is a great CD, very well priced. Buy it. And sing along to the fabulous score.



4. i ordered the soundtrack from the movie NOT the original cast recording. When I opened it and put it in the cd player I was sorely dissappointed upon listening to it.



5. The CD was unplayable and we received no response to our emails to the dealer.

No comments about The Best of Tony Bennett.

1 comments about The Coast of Utopia.

1. "The Coast of Utopia" was a mammoth, 3-part, 9-hour epic play, all about expatriate intellectual Russians during the mid-1800's, no less, which had a limited run at Lincoln Center in New York over this past season, 2006-07. What this means is that it takes a certain kind of audience member to be interested in this kind of presentation. I am one of those people, having traveled from San Diego to New York just to see it. Interestingly, I met a lot of other people there, who also traveled quite far to see this show.
   
   What this means is that this CD will also require a specialized audience. There's only a little over 30 minutes of music on it, mostly short cues. But it does have that exhilarating music for that mysterious opening, as well as that sublime ending, as well as the sort of polonaise accompanying the curtain call, and that makes it well worthwhile for me.
   
   As someone who loved this show, I heartily recommend the score. But, if you know very little about it, I doubt the music will be that much more revealing. As one of only a few actual background music scores, released to CD, it enters a rarified category. It will probably be a collector's item very soon...
   
   Still, I'm really glad I have it.

4 comments about Capitol Sings Harry Warren, Vol. 18: An Affair to Remember.

1. I read the two reviews before buying this cd, and was particularly eager to hear "September in the Rain" which was knocked by "a music fan". I don't know what kind of music he is a fan of, because I loved "September in the Rain" and all of the cd. There has always been a close and wonderful relationship between the American popular song and jazz. Good stuff!



2. I bought this CD and gave it a TWO Star review because of Dakota Staton's version of "September In The Rain." Under these circumstances you ethically CANNOT rate this as a five star album. The best it can rate is four-plus something, Do the right thing and rate it in a mathematically correct manner.



3. I bought this CD and gave it a TWO Star review because of Dakota Staton's version of "September In The Rain." Under these circumstances you ethically CANNOT rate this as a five star album. The best it can rate is four-plus something, Do the right thing and rate it in a mathematically correct manner.



4. I have found this CD to be extremly pleasing to my cocktail hour of adults who appreciate fine music and good booze!

No comments about O Say Can You See! (1962 Original Off-Broadway Cast).