5 comments about Cinderella (1965 Television Cast).

1. The Rodgers & Hammerstein musical version of the fairy tale Cinderella is a timeless story of love and fulfillment of one's dreams. Despite her life of drudgery at the hands of a mean step-mother and two equally mean step-sisters, beautiful, sweet-natured Cinderella remains ever hopeful that one day she will find someone to love and care for her. The music is simple, but hauntingly beautiful, and you find yourself singing it long after hearing this lovely music. After 43 years, this is still one of the most enjoyable musicals I have ever heard.



2. I loved this version of Cinderella as a girl, have a few songs on my ipod, but wanted to have them all. I've been singing along to it since I received it!



3. Quality product. Got it for the grandkids for family shared activity.



4. Very fast shipping and a really great product - thank you very much!



5. The CD was new, but the cover was broken maybe in shipping. Very fast!!! recomended

5 comments about Oliver! (1968 Film Soundtrack).

1. The soundtrack to this movie sucks, they cut a lot of the songs on the soundtrack and I hate it. I can say this just watch the movie don't buy the soundtrack, the soundtrack is not worth buying. I don't like cut songs. "Oom-Pah-Pah" for instance is 4 minutes & 29 seconds in the movie will on the soundtrack it is only 2 minutes & 30 seconds long. All the songs save 2 were cut. "Who Will Buy?" the annoyingly longest and most boring song is one & "As Long As He Needs Me" which I love are the only 2 songs that weren't cut on the soundtrack. This soundtrack really sucks, don't buy it. The movie is the one you need to buy and hear the songs. I know people like to listen to them on their radio and what not but this soundtrack is not worth it at all.



2. The songs are great but when I listen this CD, I remembered I had it on vinyl on RCA Victor label which the sound was much better with a rich clear sound enhancement. And I'm not confusing with the broadway version either. I purchased this CD due to the fact that I lost the LP. The LP had a better sound quality.



3. A little disappointed because this was not the full sound track that i was looking for which i remember included Mr Sourberry's song as the undertaker. But, very refreshing listening to a blast from the past from my younger days.



4. As others have said, many of the songs are incomplete, missing verses from the movie. However, this may not be fixable, if the masters are lost. But the mix needs a major overhaul.
   
   Currently bundled as a throwaway with the DVD, which also needs some help, before everyone associated with the production is dead...most of the cast and important crew are gone.



5. I got this CD before I saw the movie. I fell in love with the songs immediately. It's easily one of the best musicals ever (in my opinion). But then I saw the movie. There was so much the soundtrack left out! "Pick a Pocket or Two" is missing verses; they don't have the reprise of "Pick a Pocket or Two" or "Reviewing the Situation"; and other songs are missing things. Hopefully they will re-release this on a better CD in the future.

5 comments about Blue Hawaii.

1. CD arrived when promised. Overall, it was in OK condition although there were scratches on one song and that was unfortunately the one song I needed to be scratch free. I know I ordered a used CD, but I don't recall the description mentioning any scratches.



2. I RECENTLY MARRIED AND MY HUSBAND AND I WANTED "THE HAWAIIAN WEDDING SONG" SUNG AT OUR WEDDING. ELVIS PRESLEY'S VERSION OF THE SONG WAS PERFECT! IT WAS BEAUTIFUL AND TOUCHING. THE SONG TOWARDS THE END OF THE CEREMONY MADE OUR WEDDING EVEN MORE MEMORABLE. IN ADDITION, THE OTHER SONGS WERE GREAT, TOO, AND WE ENJOY LISTENING TO THE CD FREQUENTLY.



3. Fantastic cd. Great Hawaiian music. Arived in just a few days of placing my order. Would order again from this seller.



4. Very unhappy for the purchase of CDs because both came in damages cases. They were not well prepared for mailing. I couln't give them as a gift, which was the main purpose for this purchase.
   Unhappy client:(



5. this is fantastic. if you're a fan of the islands or a fan of elvis, you'll love this cd. i can't stop listening to this music!! i keep it in the car and i listen to it every day and never get tired of it.

5 comments about Christmas Album.

1. What can you say, if you love burl ives, you'll love his christmas cd! how can you not! it's burl ives singing christmas! can it get any more merry!!



2. My assessment of this CD ranges right around the middle of those giving it 5 stars and the one reviewer who went as low as 1 star. Certainly, it's far from the best album of Christmas music ever released by Burl which, in my humble opinion at any rate, is his 1965 Decca LP Have A Holly Jolly Christmas.
   
   This one, which first came out on CD in October 1995 with this cover, and was re-released in September 2000 with a different cover, mixes narration with vocals, with tracks 5, 6 and 10 being solely narratives. There are also 12 tracks, not 11 as indicated. Although they indicate that track 11 is a Medley of Thy Rebuke from The Messiah, and Behold, written by the well-known orchestra leader Robert Mersey, it's simply the former, with Behold located at track 12.
   
   The sound quality for this material, all recorded in 1969 when Burl was 59 years of age and in great form, is excellent. The liner notes, however, are limited to four brief paragraphs written by author Fred Flanagan.
   
   A better bet on CD for traditionalists would be the Geffen release The Very Best Of Burl Ives which contains his three tunes from the 1964 animated TV show Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, the other two being Silver And Gold and A Holly Jolly Christmas.
   
   That last, incidentally, was his only Christmas charted single, first hitting # 13 on the Billboard Christmas charts in 1964 on Decca 31695 b/w Snow For Johnny (which never seems to be included in any of his compilations). It charted again at # 29 in 1968, and in 1998 a new version went to # 30 Adult Contemporary from the 1996 album Rudolph, Frosty And Friends Favorite Christmas Songs on Sony Wonder 67766. Another hard-to-find on CD.



3. Our favorite Christmas albumn is "Holly Jolly Christmas" by Burl Ives and we adore his many folk song albumns too. Burl has such a unique voice and a wonderful delivery that makes him one of a kind. I gave 10 "Holly" CDs to people for Christmas this year. We are HUGE Burl Ives fans. Having said that, I was a little disappointed in this albumn. I actually felt bad for him because it would seem that he just couldn't muster enough singing out of his voice and he narrates many of these songs. He was pretty old when he made this albumn. I don't mind some narration and I WANTED to enjoy this CD, but I didn't. We will continue to wear out our "Holly Jolly Christmas" CD but this one will probably get once-a-Christmas-season playing, if that. Maybe it will grow on me and I'll feel differently years from now, but in retrospect, I wish I hadn't purchased this CD. Sorry, Burl.



4. santa mouse makes me wanna drink a 40 whilst stumbling around the christmas tree!burl always knew how to take any man,woman,or child on "a trip so light and airy"!!!!



5. This CD was everything and more than I had hoped for. It brought back great memories of Christmas with my children. It felt like old times decorating the tree listening to Burl Ives singing the Christmas classics as only he can.

5 comments about Urinetown (2001 Original Off-Broadway Cast).

1. Excellent recording quality, nice insert with photos and lyrics. I've always been a sucker for clever lyrics, and URINETOWN - THE MUSICAL delivers that in a big way! It also features loving tributes to a variety of music styles. Each song has taken its turn being my favorite for the day. The show, itself is riotously funny, but also offers some pretty deep food for thought for anyone inclined in that direction. But you don't have to notice the deeper message if you don't want to. You can just enjoy the immensely enjoyable songs.



2. I ordered this CD so my 2 high school kids could practice for their audition for this musical. It had enough dialogue that they could get a good feel for the show, and had all the songs. If you want the songs from this musical, this is the way to get them.



3. Listen to the original Broadway Cast in the recording I didn't know that John Cullum from the TV series Northern Exposure could sing! He was Nominated for Tony award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for the role of Mr. Cladwell in "Urinetown", May 2002.



4. If there was ever a show which one might admire and yet on some level actively dislike, "Urinetown" might be the one. Admittedly, the score is tuneful and catchy, and the melodies are sometimes surprisingly beautiful (when they aren't overly Kurt Weill-esque). The orchestra--sounding like a combo of maybe five--does wonders with the score. "Look At the Sky" and "Run Freedom Run" are stirring, "Don't Be the Bunny" and "Snuff that Girl" are as musically irresistable as they are lyrically biting, and the cast performs with vigor. (Special props to Hunter Foster, who's just sensational.) Yet ultimately the show is so relentlessly snarky and pleased with itself that it begins to paint itself into corners, and then resort to philosophies that are downright bewildering. When things get really black in Act II and Officer Lockstock and Little Sally patronizingly try to answer the rhetorical question "What kind of a musical is this?", one is tempted to yell at the stereo: "Clearly, one written by people who've never seen 'Sweeney Todd' 'Phantom of the Opera' 'Les Miserables' 'Follies' 'Cabaret' 'West Side Story' 'Into the Woods' or even 'Carousel,' which bumped off its hero in Act I!" "Urinetown" thinks it's daring and "edgy"--which is why people who claim to hate musicals often love it--but its plotting is ridiculous, and at the end the bookwriters basically throw up their hands and resort to a sort of chipper nihilism. They then berate the audience and the listener for daring to enjoy themselves, like some sort of grim Soviet-era brainwashing; however, the entire plot of the show revolves around freedom for individuals and rebellion against the powerful--which then results in environmental apocalypse. Do the writers of this show seriously believe that a fascist intersection of government and business that suppresses humanity is the only thing PREVENTING enviromental meltdown? (The show never seriously addresses reducing overpopulation; that would detract from its ability to chastise the audience at the end of the show.) "Urinetown" ultimately is about nothing but its own cleverness, like the brainiest kid in the classroom who's "too cool" to be emotionally engaged or make a difference; its only real goal is to make a listener or audience member go, "Wow! I'm such a bourgeois loser for thinking I can make a difference politically in the world, and liking 'Hairspray!'" If you want real cynicism and pitch-black comedy, go with Kander and Ebb's "Cabaret" or "Chicago"; if you want sucker-punch tragedy, go with Sondheim's "Follies" or "Sweeny Todd."



5. I'd heard such rave reviews about this musical, but kept passing on chances to see it. I was turned off by the title -- and this is strange for me, a person not afraid of scatological humor. But maybe I knew something I could not say.
   
   The funniest thing about the musical, I am now convinced, is the premise. Urinetown is a place where you have to pay to pee. A conglomerate has taken over all toilet facilities, and if you don't pay, you don't pee -- unless you go into the bushes, and risk getting arrested.
   
   But it's just not funny. It's supposed to be a satire, but it just doesn't work. Why? I don't know. But I listened to many songs on the CD, and none of them had that true spark that makes you want to laugh. The opening number is "Too Much Exposition" making fun of musicals that open by explaining too much with words instead of action. And perhaps this song is in there to deflect criticism for the main reason this musical doesn't work -- it's too busy explaining, instead of getting on with the business of being funny.

5 comments about Parade: Music from the Motion Picture "Under the Cherry Moon".

1. Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R33S4NUQSY8MWJ My name is Jeremy Gloff. I am a musician (check me out on Amazon!) and retro music enthusiast. If you enjoyed this review make sure to check out my Amazon user profile to check out my other reviews. I am always up for making new friends and discussing the music I love!!!



2. This is one of Prince's richest and most colorful releases. He covers an awful lot of ground stylistically in a pretty short amount of time, so there's little consistency in tone and sound, and that ends up being both an asset AND a weakness on this album. The good thing though is that even the weakest material isn't so much bad as it is just really, really mediocre, so the album still ends up making for a pretty solid listen throughout (some people think "Venus De Milo" and "Do U Lie?" are really bad, I just think they're painfully mediocre--well, I guess "Do U Lie?" is pretty bad, but it has at least one major redeeming quality). There's a lot of airy instrumentation and the focus primarily is on bright, bold and colorful chords (that's one thing that's fairly consistent about the album). Prince really piles it on with the multilayered arrangements on many of the tracks, with rich horn sections being key and multipart harmony also frequently playing a significant part. He starts things off with the full blown orchestration of "Christopher Tracy's Parade" which features an absolutely magnificent multipart harmony with him, Wendy, Lisa, and Wendy's sister Susannah (who shows up on multipart harmonies throughout the album from what I've read). He gives a strong nod to Caribbean music here too in part of the horn section and I think this marks the first time that Prince delved into that area. He keeps it up on the next track too; a Caribbean style steel drum turns up on "New Position" (much of this album has a real celebratory feel, and what better way to express "celebratory" than to focus on parades and spending time in the Caribbean Islands :). "New Position" is a solid, bare, stripped down Funk number. Wendy, who seems to have really stepped into the forefront on this album, actually sings the lead on "I Wonder U"; it isn't as strong as the first two songs, but it at least still has a great groove going for it. The ballad "Under the Cherry Moon", with its obvious nod to traditional French music, (the movie was based in France so this soundtrack is sprinkled with both subtle and not so subtle French references throughout) is solid if unremarkable. The Funk track that follows it though is outstanding; "Girl and Boys" is a fully layered Funk number with a clever reference to the French theme in the chorus. He then goes from doing a little too much (the somewhat cluttered "Life Can Be So Nice") to doing a little too little (the flowery but borderline insipid instrumental piece "Venus De Milo"). The next track "Mountains" is another solid, fully layered Funk number (an interesting note about this track is that the music was actually written by Wendy and Lisa while the lyrics were penned by Prince). I don't know if Prince was trying to make up for the fact that "Mountains" is built primarily on a single chord or what, but there are constant changes in key on the follow up, the faux-early-French music schmaltz-fest "Do U Lie?". This song isn't exactly stellar, but being able to listen to Prince go through almost his entire vocal range in under 3 minutes makes listening to it worth it. I don't know too many people who aren't familiar with "Kiss", but this stripped down Funk number with the butt-kicking both lead and rhythm guitar work fully deserves to be the big hit that it is. "Anotherloverholenyohead" is just phenomenal. The arrangement is just brilliant and the chord progressions, especially in the second verse are just absolutely incredible. There's a multipart harmony with Wendy and Lisa singing the countermelody towards the end of the 2nd verse that just blows me away every time. Then he ends the album off on a really high note with the slow, affecting ballad "Sometimes It Snows In April". This album was a tough one to rate; it sags a great deal in the middle but even the weaker material usually has at least a few interesting ideas, and even the weaker moments don't really detract from it being a generally solid listen all throughout. So, even with the weaker material, I still think this is essential listening: it really helps in giving you an understanding of Prince's breadth as a composer, even when the results of his experiments aren't exactly staggering. All of the material here isn't great, but when it's good, it's *really* good ("Christopher Tracy's Parade", "Girls & Boys", "Kiss", "Anotherloverholenyohead", "Sometimes it Snows in April"..."Mountains" is really strong too), and even the weak material still at least has something interesting going on. So, taking the time to dig into this one should prove to be well-worth it.



3. Prince-Parade ***1/2
   
   This is rare of a Prince album released in the 1980's. almost everyone of his albums from that decade broke new ground musically one way or another and this one really fails to do so, which is really disappointing. Parade is the soundtrack to Prince's second film "Under A Cherry Moon" which was meant to be a romantic comedy but came off as awkward and flopped horribly. They album however didn't flop because of the hit single 'Kiss' but with out that this album would have flopped easily.
   
   The musicianship here is average, and for Prince that is, well, sad. He is easily one of the most talented musicians in history and here he just seems not to be trying. 'I Wonder U' is a awful song lyrically and vocally but musically I think it is great. The weird southern fried funk thing he does somehow works and sounds amazing. 'New Position' has potential but falls short. The slow grooveless piano driven 'Under The Cherry Moon' however is a breath of fresh air. 'Girls And Boys' should be a classic. 'Kiss' was the big hit and is one of Prince's all time great songs, especially since it is yet another groove without the essential goove instrument...bass. 'Kiss' especially stands out on this album because of the mediocrity it is surrounded by. The album closes with 'Sometimes It Snows In April' which is among if not the very best song that Prince has ever written, it is especially stunning when done live, and is the perfect song to close the album. The rest of the album is hit or miss and not very memorable making this album a disappointment.
   
   Every song on parade had the potential to be a great song but I think Prince's focus was more on the film then on the album making the music suffer. It is not a total waste however, it is fun once and a while, and is worth owning for 'Kiss' but since you can get that on any hit collection this album is worth owning for 'Sometimes It Snows In April' as to my knowledge this is the only place it is available.



4. After Purple Rain broke Prince big, he made his first of many decisions that baffled fans and critics alike: he abandoned his signature funk-rock sound and put on a trippy sheen. This resulted in the "whimsical" personal displayed on Around the World in a Day. Then he filmed the infamous, widely panned vanity project Under the Cherry Moon (which I've never seen), and put this out as its soundtrack. It sure is a weird one - it opens with a good four part suite ("Christopher Tracy's Parade", "New Position", "I Wonder U", "Under the Cherry Moon") that has elements of jazz, R&B, psychedelia and experimental music, but not funk, and even the funky "Girls and Boys" has an endearingly eccentric arrangement, including a retro bari sax and a quacking keyboard. "Life Can Be So Nice" seems like a pop song, but it's oddly built on flute, ocarina and harpsichord. The loopy "Mountains" also has a lot of Prince's eccentricity, and it was one weird choice for a single. Sadly, there's also some soundtracky stuff, like the gloppy instrumental "Venus de Milo" and the flat-out incompetent "Do U Lie", with an awful accordion. But after that comes one of his best tunes, the enthusiastic no-bass funk of "Kiss", one of the few songs with Prince's infamous hypersexual lyrics and an awesome wah-wah guitar solo. And he keeps the hot streak up with the even funkier "Anotherloverholenyohead", with a really long title that rules (I like really long one word-titles that are pretty much a bunch of words sqgluiashed - yes, "sqgluiashed", I couldn't make up my mind between "squashed", "squished" and "glushed", so I just sqgluiashed the three words together), a fantastic piano hook, and slap bass. I love slap bass. It can make any song good all by itself. I bet that if even the Eagles made a song with a slap bass in it, it would be good just because of the slap bass. Then again, the Eagles have no sense of funk, because they have no sense of groove or sense of humor or sense of how to make even remotely worthwhile music. The Eagles aside, the album closes with one of Prince's loveliest acoustic ballads, "Sometimes it Snows in April", concerning death and the afterlife. There's a lot to like about this album, but it also marks the first time in Prince history when he didn't shake things up and put out an album that had nothing to do with what came before it. In short, this is Prince getting set in his ways, and you'll get the same mileage out of this as you will out of Around the World in a Day. But he would quickly get out of this semi-rut, forget about genre barriers entirely, and put out the double-album that everyone but me considers his defining artistic statement.



5. Usually when an album does not follow the success of a landmark album, the expectations for the second follow-up are not high. Not was the case when Prince would prepare to release his 1986"Parade" album. Prince was less than one year from his "Around the World in a Day" album which was the follow-up to his landmark album "Purple Rain". "Around the World in a Day" would go in a completely different direction from "Purple Rain" - abandoning the Rock-infused style of "Purple Rain" in favor of a psychedelic sound on "Around the World in a Day". This sound might have disappointed some of the expanded fan base that Prince acquired during the success of "Purple Rain", but it would add a whole new element to both Prince's music and the "Minneapolis Sound". However with the case of "Parade", things were different because "Parade" was going to represent the soundtrack for Prince's follow-up film to "Purple Rain" - "Under the Cherry Moon". Many fans of that film were also hoping for a film with the energy and intensity of "Purple Rain". Unfortunately even many loyal Prince fans would be disappointed with the follow-up film. However, while musically Prince did not re-create "Purple Rain", he would once again continue to refine the "Minneapolis Sound" and keep his legacy moving forward.
   
   The "Minneapolis Sound" contained a mixture of Funk, Pop, R&B, and Rock. Prince was largely responsible for being a contributing architect to this sound movement. As mentioned for 1985's "Around the World in a Day", Prince would add a psychedelic element to the "Minneapolis Sound". On "Parade", Prince would continue to explore the psychedelic element as well as focus around a Funk element. The one new element he would add is a "European influence" - this would be because "Parade" served as a soundtrack for "Under the Cherry Moon" which would take place in France.
   
   Here is a song by song synopsis of the nine tracks of "Around the World in a Day". Most of the songs seem to follow a loose segue from one to another, but the first four songs are near continuous and tightly coupled.
   
   "Christopher Tracy's Parade": This song is best described as psychedelic music meeting marching band. I loved this track and was surprised that this didn't get any radio airplay. This song is named after the lead character in "Under the Cherry Moon" John L. Nelson - Prince's father is a co-songwriter on this track and once again proves he is a worthy songwriter.
   
   "New Position": This song proves this isn't "Purple Rain". This song takes a little while to get used to. I would describe this song as Funk with some Caribbean percussion.
   
   "I Wonder U": This song begins with a quasi "live setting". The beginning also almost sounds like 2000's hip-hop, but quickly this song takes on the psychedelic feel of "Around the World in a Day". Not my favorite track, but the song does have an interesting sound.
   
   "Under the Cherry Moon": This is another song co-written by John L. Nelson. This is the title of the movie from which the music from this film comes from. This is the first song with a strong "European Sound" (this almost has an Eastern European sound). This is a slow track and like "New Position", this song is going to take a few listens to get used to.
   
   "Girls and Boys": This is classic "Minneapolis Sound" funk. Prince effectively uses Sheila E, Wendy Melvoin, Susannah Melvoin, and Lisa Coleman to provide female vocals. When Prince collaborates with other vocalists, it usually works very well. This song is no exception.
   
   "Life Can Be So Nice": A terrific mix of psychedelic sound and Funk. This song "flew under the radar" in terms of recognition. I particularly like the use of the percussion on this track. This song also has a perfect segue as it flows from "Girls and Boys".
   
   "Venus de Milo": The opening piano sequence reminds me of Tears For Fears' "I Believe", but this quickly flows into a very classical sounding instrumental that is dominated by piano. This song is pure instrumental and once again shows the European influence that is present on this album.
   
   "Mountains": This song flows very nicely from the classical "Venus de Milo" and back into a good mix of psychedelic music and Funk. While this song garnered radio airplay, I'm surprised it didn't climb to number one. The harmonies of this song are simply outstanding. I also like the horn work on this song.
   
   "Do U Lie": This is perhaps the most European sounding song of the whole collection - and in particular the most French sounding song. This song also takes a few listens to grow on you.
   
   "Kiss": This would become a number one song. This song is near a cappella and has become a fan favorite. However, I just don't like it. I feel Prince has many songs which are better than this one.
   
   "Anotherloverholenyohead": This song has a perfect hand-off and transition from "Kiss". It almost starts out like Jody Watley's "Looking for a New Lover". It quickly becomes classic Funk-infused "Minneapolis Sound". This was a single and I'm surprised it didn't have greater success.
   
   "Sometimes It Snows in April": This is a very soft and sad song. It is not one to listen to while you are depressed. It contrasts the positive sounds heard on the opening "Christopher Tracy's Parade". I think this song wraps up the CD perfectly.
   
   There are no lyrics in my liner notes on this collection. This would turn out to be the last album Prince would do with his band - the Revolution. Overall, while Prince doesn't try to recreate "Purple Rain", he does succeed in continuing to refine and solidify the "Minneapolis Sound". While still not as strong an album as "Purple Rain", I do think this is stronger than "Around the World in a Day". Definitely worth checking out.

5 comments about Hairspray (2-Disc Collector's Edition Soundtrack).

1. I got the cd box with both disc's inside and love the music and extras, but upon looking through the libretto book, I realized that the center spread had been miss cut and the top had the extra bottom...does that make sense? Anyways, you can see all the words, its just the last 2 lines on the center 4 pages are on the top of those pages. So if you just want to listen and do not care about reading the words, this worked great.
   
   Hope this helps.



2. Hairspray is an excellent film with equally excellent music. The music, which was composed by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman is a complete knockout and the ensemble cast deliver the goods. This collector's editon features an extra disc which features a song peformed by Nikki Blonsky, which was cut from the film, entitled "I Can Wait", as well as demos of songs which did make it into the film and various other recordings specially made for this album. The CD is great value for money and any Hairspray fan will love it! The album also includes a booklet containing lyrics as well as stickers and photocards of the cast of characters. Amazing! :]



3. The Collector's Edition contains 2 discs. The first is exactly the same as the original soundtrack. The second disc contains extras from the film - outtakes and alternate recordings - fine with that as well - although some of the material is also on the DVD (I did not check all details)
   The most disapointing part however is the Karaoke Section. On the cover it promises 5 songs although on the disc are only three songs. On my edition the songs "Welcome to the 60's" and "Come so far" are not on the disc although they are featured on the index on the box.
   If you are looking for the Karaoke Version of either of these two songs - be aware and do not purchase the disc.



4. Although the music is the same as in other albums, the second CD it's a good one. It has excellent pieces played by the composers, and "You can't stop the beat" instrumental is great. Those songs neither played in the movie nor in the live musical are included here. Good pair of CDs!



5. This is the best cd ever! It SOOO much better than the original single disc version! The second disc has alot great songs. My favorite is I can wait. The only bad thing is that it doesn't have Big, Blonde and Beautiful(Reprise) Velma Only Version that is on the 2-disc dvd. Other than that it is ABSOLUTELY GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5 comments about Michael Crawford Performs Andrew Lloyd Webber.

1. I like to say that Michael Crawford's voice, tone, and the yaw he sings is matchless. I love it and so my wife.



2. Released in the U.S. in 1992, Michael Crawford's musical tribute to the phenominal British Composer who gave him the role that put him on the map is stupendous.
   He kicks it off with a bouncy and fun version of "Any Dream Will Do" from "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" in which his enjoyment of singing with children really shines through.
   Moving closer to familiar territory, Crawford performs "All I Ask of You", the duet Raoul and Christine sing in "The Phantom of the Opera", with Barbara Bonney, gives us a wistful rendition of Christine's solo, "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" from the same musical, fires things up with "Evita's" "And the Money Kept Rolling in(And Out)with the Stephen Hill Singers, gives us a solemn rendering of "Nothing Like You've Ever Known", from "Tell Me on a Sunday", followed by a wrenchingly expressive version of that musical's title song.
   Buttressed by the Stephen Hill Singers and The Boys Choir of Harlem, Crawford presents the darkest, most passionate number, "Gethsemene", from "Jesus Christ, Superstar", which I ritually play on Maundy Thursdays because it wholly sums up the drama of Christ's impending doom despite its use of the modern vernacular in certain areas.
   The second half of this program finds Crawford rendering his signature performances, "The Phantom of the Opera" with Barbara Bonney, and his usual stunning solo on his definitive number, "The Music of the Night".
   Afterwards there is the signature tune from "Cats", a version of "Memory" in which Crawford starts out gently, saving the fire for the end.
   Frances Ruffelle, "Les Miserables'" original Eponine, joins Crawford in a sensuous peformance of "Only You" from "Starlight Express".
   Next, we are treated to a warm, sweet, and wonderfully poetic duet with his look-alike daughter, Lucy, on the combined songs" Other Pleasures/The First Man You Remember" from "Aspects of Love". We can hear that Lucy has inherited her father's high and light singing tone.
   Lastly, there is the bold and brilliant "Love Changes Everything", in which Barbara Bonney, and Crawford's "Barnum" co-star, Sharon Benson are given solo lines. The Boys Choir of Harlem is also featured in this number and the performers' enjoyment is obvious.
   Albums are created for listening pleasure, and 15 years after buying this album, I still have pleasure in listening.



3. His best so far, and it is great to be able to sing along with al of the songs on the CD



4. I had this CD in a tape cassette and lost it. I felt like I had lost a good friend. My son helped me find where I could get it on CD. So I bought the CD.It is my MOST FAVORITE album. Michael's voice and interpetation of the songs is just teriffic. I never hear the song "All I ask of You" without crying. The songs, the way he sings them touch me deeply.



5. Hate the first song. A little soupy, like "The Candy Man". But the other songs are beautiful. A very young Crawford voice.

5 comments about Altar Boyz (2005 Original Off-Broadway Cast).

1. We just came back from seeing the touring production at The Little Theater on the Square in Sullivan, Illinois, and we were totally blown away. This is a terrific show, hilarious, and with wonderful songs, clever lyrics, and incredible dancing. If you're into Broadway shows at all, you will love this one. Just go with an open mind and be ready to laugh your heads off.



2. A musical about a Christian boys band -- a dubious idea at best, but Altar Boyz executes it beautifully for a result with subtle lighthearted satire and very catchy music. Haven't seen the show yet, but I'd jump at the chance.



3. This has got to be a joke! I couldn't stop laughing when I heard this. It's an absolute riot.
   
   A hip-hop teenie Christian broadway musical? OMG. It's just so funny. The lyrics couldn't be worse. "We are the altar boys - we always kneel when we pray - We are the altar boys - we're going to knock the Devil down - We are the altar boys - we quote the scripture all the time!"
   
   Seriously, this couldn't be worse. If you've seen Boogie Nights, when Mark Wahlburg tries to become a pop singer, and is just awful? This is worse.
   
   I seriously can't believe this. If you want some really, really, really bad music for a retro party, this is it.



4. i really enjoyed this CD, the only problem i have with it is that the show was so amazing live that a CD can't quite do it justice. Regardless, it still made me happy.



5. Having totally enjoyed the show live in San Francisco, every time I play this CD I am allowed to relive the experience. It was a fabulous production and I am so happy to hear them sing again and again.

5 comments about This Time of Year.

1. Having discovered June Christy only a year or so after she passed away in the early 90's, and having had so many holiday albums and CD's over the years, this one has to be the best. For those who long for a non-religious holiday album with sharp arrangements, witty lyrics, and superb singing need look no further! I can't remember a holiday album with all the "stars aligned" from conception through rendition. The vocal stylizings of June Christy, probably too difficult for many other vocalists to emulate, save perhaps Sarah Vaughan or Keely Smith, explains why others simply haven't tried to re-create this wonderful ode to the sophisticated holiday season.



2. This CD from 1961 was apparently so different when it was released that it went by without much fanfare. However, this Collectors' Choice reissue of the Capitol LP has gotten better with age. The concept of recording NEW songs written specifically for the project rather than a collection of standards was ahead of its time, but is certainly welcome to revisit 46 years later. The songs deal with feelings people have at holiday time and good wishes. It accents blue feelings that Christmas can generate as we think of things lost and people gone from our lives. "Seven Shades of Snow" is a fascinating song with a lovely arrangement with a cello that adds lovely depth and flutes that trill, "When the lights come on I see snow red as the holly & snow green as a pine tree, Everyone I meet wears a smile just for a little while." "The Merriest" is a delightful uptempo jazz swing track, "Friends for the loners, a song for the singers, grins for the groaners." The opener "Christmas Heart" is a gorgeous track with Christy's vocals oozing sweet sincerity, "For Christmas I would like to give a friend to every lonely heart, a peaceful country stream to the folks afraid to dream, that would be a start." This set bubbles with creativity and is well worth discovering for those looking to celebrate with variety in holiday music. Enjoy!



3. It was great to finally see some of the old great recordings come out on cd now. Being a collector of holiday music, & a fan of Christy's, had me jump at the purchase of this disc. Nice to have refreshing & origional holiday songs instead of the same ones year after year. I had several of these songs on about 6 different cd's, but to have them all together on one is great. Hopefully more of this style of great music will be re-released in the future? You can't go wrong with this one.



4. Does the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season make you more than a little blue? Have you decked the halls and trimmed the tree yet still don't feel the warm glow of the holidays? Do all the incessantly cheerful carols and timeworn standards make you want to pull your hair out this time of year? If so, then June Christy's 1961 holiday album should be just the gift you never knew you wanted!
   
   I've been a fan of June's for quite some time now, and when I read that Collectors' Choice Music was re-issuing "This Time of Year," I immediately ordered a copy. My only familiarity with the album was her hit song, "The Merriest" which was included on some other Christmas compilation CD I already owned. I knew nothing of the other songs - production style, lyrical content, vocal styling - and was a bit worried about the lack of traditional fare on "This Time of Year." Would I dig a seemingly non-holiday Christmas album? The short answer to that question is a resounding "YES!" Despite the omissions of "White Christmas" and "Winter Wonderland," among other holiday chestnuts, "This Time of Year" sparkles with the spirit of the season in such songs as "The Little Star," "Hang Them on the Tree," and "The Merriest." June's voice echoes the sentiments that the holidays are not the same wonderful occasion for everyone and provides the flip side to each beloved Bing Crosby, Nat "King" Cole, and Dean Martin carol piped incessantly throughout shopping malls from Thanksgiving till December 24th!
   
   June sums up the theme of "This Time of Year" on the final track, "Winter's Got Spring Up its Sleeve," when she sings:
   
   "So the season makes you sad and sentimental/Memories it brings to mind are things you'd rather leave behind."
   
   "This Time of Year" has something for everybody and if you're like me and often find something lacking in the celebration of the holidays, do yourself a favor and buy this album. Give it an honest listen and I can all but guarantee June's voice will win you over with songs of her sometimes joyous, sometimes melancholy Christmas.
   
   Isn't it nice to know you're not the only one who feels a little blue this time of year?



5. CHRISTMAS ALBUMS JUST DON'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS. OF ALL THE CHRISTMAS ALBUMS I HAVE--THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST ORIGINAL AND BEST. CAN YOU IMAGINE ANYONE ELSE DOING THESE SONGS [LIKE "THIS TIME OF YEAR" "THE MERRIEST" "CHRISTMAS HEART" AND THE OTHER SONGS ON THIS ALBUM] OTHER THAN THE LATE AND GREAT JUNE CHRISTY