5 comments about A Connecticut Yankee.

1. Well, I was not expecting to like this one. Its SO old, and very classic (Rodgers and Hart.) But one good thing about it being Rodgers and Hart, is it has lovely lyrics. Clever and witty on every song. Mark Twains book was done justice I think, but I've never read the book. I would suggest this to classic lovers, and newer Broadway fans who want to hear a`"classic" other than Oklahoma. This is a good one. The other great thing about this CD is you get not only A Connecticut Yankee, but also highlights from two other Rodgers and Hart musicals: Higher and Higher and By Jupiter. AWSOME. Favorite Song: "To Keep My Love Alive"



2. One of Decca's earliest cast albums (recorded just a few weeks after their famous OKLAHOMA! album) this very nearly became a lost treasure. Recorded on 16" glass masters in 1943, the original release was on 78 RPMS (complete witha booklet givinga detailed synopsis and all the lyrics.) The revival was not a success and when Long Playing records were introduced in the late 1940s, CONNECTICUT YANKEE was not reissued in the new format.
   
   At one time in the 1960s Decca had the masters transferred to tape for a possible LP reissue. That reissue never happened, and in shipping the discs back to the storage facility, they were broken. The tape was taken from the company's archives and did not turn up until almost 30 years later. Though modern technology could probably have coaxed even better sound from the master discs, we must be thankful that the tape was made when it was.
   
   In the meanwhile there were three unautherized isses of these tracks. A new York based private label called Box Office transferred the 78's to one side of an Lp in the 1970s. Later, AEI released an elaborate gatefold Lp with not only the full score (again dubbed from 78s) but also fabricated some additional tracks reprising some of the songs (in theatrical order) by editing portions from the existing tracks. Finally there was a release on CD from Box Office with horrible sound that stil sometimes turns up for sale. Avoid it. Decca actually sent a request that Box Office withdraw the bootleg Cd.
   
   This edition has much better sound and the bonus tracks by Hildegard and Shirley Ross from BY JUPITER and HIGHER AND HIGHER make the package very worthwhile.



3. "A Connecticut Yankee," by Lorenz Hart and Richard Rodgers, contains more hit songs than the average Broadway season nowadays. "My Heart Stood," "Still," "Thou Swell" and the redoubtable "To Keep My Love Alive" all sound fresh and vibrant in this fabulously remastered 1943 recording. Particularly wonderful is the total and complete recording of "To Keep My Love Alive," sung by the one great (female) love of the Lyricist's life, Vivienne Segal ... nearly seven minutes of the wittiest ways to do in a husband. This is one of the first "original cast" recordings ever recorded, and it sounds as crisp and clear as a recording made today. Bravo! (Submitted by staff member Stephen J. Finn)



4. A wonderful rerelease of glass discs made for the 1943 revival of this charming musical. While the orchestra is less than polished (there is one particular trumpet you can hear over and over that is awful and flat!)--it has a lot of zest to it, and makes one yearn to see the play - indeed, to see more of the Rodgers and Hart shows performed.



5. This CD collection of tracks from the 1943 revival of the Rodgers & Hart musical is advertised as the first CD presentation of these tracks. This is incorrect. I have a CD issued in 1999 by Box Office Recordings called "A Collector's Rodgers & Hart" which contains all the "Connecticut Yankee" tracks plus 14 additional tracks of Rodgers & Hart covers (different from the covers on the Decca CD).

   Worse, I have an AEI LP recording of the revival which has three additional tracks from the show. Why weren't these selections included in this recording?

   On the other hand, even the 9 tracks from Connecticut Yankee are worth owning. As a previous reviewer said, just Vivienne Segal's "To Keep My Love Alive" is worth the price of admission!

2 comments about Singin' in the Rain (Original 1984 London Cast).

1. The 1984 West End production of the classic SINGIN' IN THE RAIN was a very successful revival of a classic film which translated perfectly to the stage, and heading the cast was veteran musical performer Tommy Steele as Don Lockwood. It played at the London Palladium to packed houses.

   The cast also featured Roy Castle as Cosmo Brown, Danielle Carson as Kathy Seldon and Sarah Payne as Lina Lamont. A fantastic ensemble was headed by Joyce Carpenter.

   Danielle Carson brings the house down with the 'Valentine Girls' in "I Can't Give You Anything But Love", which replaced "All I Do Is Dream Of You". Ms Carson also gives a lovely treatment of "Would You?".

   Tommy Steele proves his showmanship with "You Are My Lucky Star", "Singin' In The Rain", and "Fascinating Rhythm". Roy Castle is great in the comical "Make 'Em Laugh", while Sarah Payne is given time to shine in "Temptation".

   Overall a fine recording.




2. I've heard two London recordings of the classic Singin' in the Rain, and I have to say that they just don't translate well. In my opinion Gene Kelley made the recording and the movie. It's a musical about the Golden age of Hollywood, it just doesn't have anything outstandingly British about it. The actors give terrible American accents, and Make Em Laugh made me weep. It just isn't worth the money, kids. Stick to the OBCR.

No comments about Hot Shoe Shuffle (1993 Original Australian Cast).

5 comments about Boy George's Taboo.

1. I bought the Cd it was very good music especially when i need time to relax. This music also helps me meditate. I reccomend this Cd to anyone that can have a few minutes to enjoy good music. Although the music can be loud it is easy to sleep with it on.



2. My best friend had purchased tickets for us to see Taboo before they announced the clsing date. We both enjoyed the show which I personally thought was phenomenal. Euan was great, Raul was amazing, and the Boy, of course, was VERY flamboyant! All good ingredients for this wonderful show...especially George's solo in a glass box, "Ich Bin Kunst". Even the solo performance of "Il Adore", by George's wife for George's death scene was spectacular. If they were still open, I would be there at least once a month. Definitely getting the soundtrack when it's released!



3. This is not the NYC recording!!! This is the London cast. The NYC cast is slated to record Feb. 2.



4. Just got back from NYC where I saw TABOO. In all my years of seeing musicals, TABOO was by far the best!

   Amazing music and every voice powerful & unbelievable! Raul Esparza & Brooke Elliott as the narrators (Philip & Big Sue) are incredible. Brooke's solo "Talk Amoungst Yourselves" was absolutely incredible! That girl can sing!

   Euan Morton is a dead ringer for the Boy George of the 80s. And he has the voice of an angel. Boy George himself is great as Leigh Bowery and does a stand-up bit in Act II! Euan & George are the only 2 from the London cast that are on Broadway.

   I wish I had another day to spend in NYC to see it again!

   Definetly get the London Cast CD and wait anxiously for the Broadway cast to release one!




5. The above just about describes my reaction after coming out of the theater this weekend. I actually didn't see Raul Esparza, but Donnie Keshawarz was incredible just the same. I don't buy soundtracks often, but the songs in this show were just... le sigh. "Stranger in This World" had me near tears, as did "Out of Fashion." As for "Talk Amongst Yourselves", I doubt I could do Liz McCartney justice. I could've sworn Euan Morto was George, and only a look at the playbill convinced me otherwise. As for George himself... Just listen to "Ich Bin Kunst". It's his character in a nutshell. Overall, a Grade A kick-a$$ performance.

No comments about Broadway Super Hits, Vol. 2.

1 comments about Broadway Today.

1. If you are a broadway passer-by, someone who looks to getting to know just what's on broadway and not what's it like, someone who says he's seen all of the broadway shows after reading the "what's on listings" in the papers this is a CD for you. I don't own the CD but own all of the Cds from which songs were taken to make this CD. every musical has it's own style and kind of music, and this CD doesn't even take all the highlights. If you are into really experiencing something when listening to a cd, if you are a real broadway-lover and you are interested in modern musical-writing, every one of the original cast recordings (from which songs were taken to this CD-hairpsray, producers, millie, aida, b&b, boheme, moving out) will be a much bigger enjoyment for you than this one. and most preferabely- all of them! :)

1 comments about How Great Thou Art.

1. I loved the messages to his songs. They are positive ones. Here's a good example. One of the songs is called, Count Your Blessings. the kind of songs you might sing in church. Others the listener might be familiar with are Rescue the Perishing; Shall We Gather At The River; and God Be With You. All the songs have either organ or piano accompaniment. Burl Ives has a very beautiful baritone voice. I think anyone who loves gospel music sung in the traditional manner that it was meant to be sung will love this album.

4 comments about The Sound Of Music (1987 Studio Cast).

1. the sound of music is my favite musical ever in the whole wind wold thanks Rachel Fishbein



2. There have been a number of attempts where musicians most at home in the classical repertoire have attempted the scores of some of the greatest Broadway and Hollywood musicals. The results for some have been less than spectacular, at least as far as critics are concerned, but the public seems more than pleased with the results. One recording that received both critical acclaim and public praise is Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra's recording of THE SOUND OF MUSIC. Some critics believe this recording is Kunzel at his best. This set contains music from both the stage and film, much like the 1998 Broadway revival recording but ten years earlier.
   
   The cast is spectacular, led by Frederica von Stade as Maria. Von Stade's voice is different from that of Mary Martin and Julie Andrews who immortalized the role on stage and screen respectively, yet she brings more to her interpretation than her gorgeous voice and we see another definitive interpretation of the role of Maria. The Von Trapp children, all students from Cincinnati's School for the Creative and Performing Arts, stand out as well and have camaraderie with von Stade. The cast is rounded out with some other opera greats: Haken Hagergard as Captain Von Trapp, Barbara Daniels as the villain we all love to hate Baroness Schraeder and the immortal Eileen Farrell is the Abbess in one of her last recordings. The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra is at home with the score and Kunzel's direction demonstrates his love for the score and involvement with the project. This should come as no surprise to people familiar with Kunzel during his tenure as conductor of the Cincinnati Pops. He is at home with a variety of musical styles as his many recordings show and he seems to have a god idea of what people will enjoy.
   
   People who love THE SOUND OF MUSIC will find the liner notes helpful, giving a history of the work and its place in American musical theatre. The music alone is the perfect "pick me up" and listeners are certain to enjoy this disc for years to come.



3. Behind the movie version of the Sound of Music this one in my opinion ranks next in line. The voices are so amazing and I love the childrens voices together. Them singing the sound of music is absolutely beautiful. Maria's voice is a little bit too operatic, but I listen to hear the children and the beautiful accompaniment to the songs.



4. I like THE SOUND OF MUSIC very much, so I have five recordings of it. This recording is good. Especially, this disc includes two numbers for the movie, and three numbers for the stage. It's worthing to listening to them. Probably, this disc contains all the numbers for THE SOUND OF MUSIC at the first time. Frederica von Stade's Maria is too operatic at some numbers, but her Maria is good. But, Farrel's CLIMB EV'RY MOUNTAIN is not so good. Other singers, like Barbara Daniels, are very good. Of course, without to saying about orchestra.

1 comments about Harlem in My Heart.

1. Fine swing vocals and cabaret jazz from this New York native, who sang and acted in revues on both sides of the Atlantic. Welch's long career started in 1923 with her introduction of a new dance -- the Charleston (!) -- in the "Runnin' Wild" revue, an entrance into showbiz that led to roles in several of the most notable shows of the next decade. In the early '30s, Welch emigrated to England, and though she recorded infrequently, she worked constantly. This disc recaps the best of her studio work, featuring collaborations with Ted Lewis, Paul Robeson, Ivor Novello and swing saxophonist Benny Carter. It's nice stuff, showing Welch as a capable jazz singer -- maybe not as soulful as Ivie Anderson or as genteel as Ethel Waters, but definitely pitching in the same league. Worth checking out!

5 comments about Debbie Does Dallas (2002 Off-Broadway Cast).

1. As a musical theatre connoisseur, this just doesn't cut it for me. There's not nearly enough songs to even really qualify as a musical, just a bunch of underscored dialogue. It's funny to listen to but not worth repeated listenings. Sherie Rene Scott is amazing though, as usual.



2. I am looking for the sheet music for debbie does dallas, does anybody know where i can find it?



3. I bought this because I enjoy Sherie Renee Scott's performances in "Aida" and "The Last Five Years." This is one of the funniest recordings I've heard. Don't be mislead, I think this could hardly be considered a musical, aside from the few songs that are actually sung, I would think of it more as a play with music - and the occasional sung song. This is part of the charm, however. The cliche cheerleaders and football players are hillarious to listen to. Be advised, it is based on a porn movie, so there is a lot of things that could make it uncomfortable to listen to in mixed company, but it's humor and naive charm, make it worth while.



4. Majority of the songs have no actual substance, but besides the few gorgeous melodies Sherie Rene Scott sings with such oomph, this cd is jampacked with dirty jokes and nothing but. ...



5. This recording is fantastic. I've a collection of over 300 Theatre Cast Albums. And this, by far, is very original. Definitly not something for children, while not explicit, the references to sexual acts are pretty thinly veiled.
   There are a total of maybe 4 actual songs on here. But, the spoken word is fantastic, and the visuals you create with your mind are even more amusing.
   The girls, which are totally believable as a group of not too bright, but sexually charges adolescents speak in a group voice, with a Valley accent, that's just too funny. You can't help but laugh.
   And the men, which are never the focus in the type of movie this is based on, come through as unimportant bystanders that just help to move the action along, but still show some small glimmers of personality that make you laugh at the genre of adult movies.
   All in all, this CD is a humurous romp through the sexual discovery of an 18 year old girl pursuing her dreams. I would recommend to anyone who enjoys hearing something new, different, and that will certainly make you SMILE, if not LAUGH OUT LOUD!!!