5 comments about Once Upon a Mattress (1997 Broadway Revival Cast).

1. Perhaps if I were not familiar with the original, I would have appreciated this more. But, I am reminded of a Burma Shave sign I saw as a kid--Substitutes are like/a girdle/They find some jobs/they just can't hurdle.
   The pluses for this recording: Better sound quality; that is a given considering the age of the original. More music. A smattering of the dialogue.
   The minuses: The closing "The mouse had devoured the hawk" sequence is omitted, leaving the story incomplete. Then, the cast--especially Sarah Jessica Parker. Occasionally, she sounds as if she is trying to imitate Carol Burnett. Most of the time, she sounds as if she should be in "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown!" No reflections on Charlie Brown; just that it is a different kind of musical. Other cast members seem to be simply singing and reciting lines, with no semblance of characterization. The one bright spot in the casting is Lawrence Clayton's Minstrel.
   If you feel that you really need an updated version of "Mattress," buy the Tracy Ulman dvd. You'll get the added goody of Carol Burnett's Queen.



2. This is an ecxellent CD. Top shelf CD with great cast. This was exactly what we were looking for. Glad we spent the money, as it has helped us with a school production for 2006.
   Thankyou for the prompt and undamaged delivery also. Well worth doing.



3. Alright, this recording is of better sound quality than the original, but the actually singing simply pales beside the orginal. Sarah Jessica Parker sound like a rock next to Carrol Burnett. The rest of the cast is not too horrible though. The best songs are the chorus songs, with the exception Sensitivy.



4. I really enjoy listening to this recording. I actually bought the CD because I had to audition for the part of Lady Larken for my middle school play and wanted to pick an audition song. Up 'til then, I had not even heard of this show, but I listened to this recording and fell in love with it. Sarah Jessica Parker is awesome, particularly in SHY and HAPPILY EVER AFTER. The only song that I don't care for is MAN TO MAN TALK, but all of the other tunes are catchy and fun to listen to. Buy this CD!!!!!!!!!!!!!



5. Though the show was met with negative reviews, and the original script should have been used, the music was kept intact, and made even better. Sarah Jessica Parker is a perfect Winnifred, and her takes on "Shy" and "Happily Ever After" are wonderful. There is no way to mess up the Mattress music, (although they managed to murder and butcher the script) so there is no way to do this badly. My only beef with this is that if you're a performer, and you get this one, you'll be lost in rehearsals. The 1959 recording is the one liscensed by Rodgers and Hammerstein, and it does not include "Goodnight Sweet Princess" which is really a shame, although every production I've been in has been allowed to perform the number, which really gives the actor playing Dauntless (me everytime I've done it) to show voice, rather than talk singing, like Man to Man Talk. Speaking of that number, it's the only song on here I don't like. If you want Mattress as a referece, buy the 1959 version, but this is perfect for everyone else. The orchestrations are dazzling, and the whole production sparkles.

5 comments about Annie Get Your Gun (1999 Broadway Revival Cast).

1. This production of Annie Get Your Gun is tailor made for the legion of Bernadette Peters fans in the world. And only those fans. Peters made another misguided foray into the repertoire of the Musical Theater legend: Ethel Merman, when she attempted Gypsy. The results here are the same. Peters wan and light weight instrument simply do not suit the character or the vocalism. Her fans will argue that she "humanized" Annie in much the same way as she "humanized" Mama Rose. Neither character stand for this kind of adaptation. Both women are larger than life examples of distinctly different types of women that roam the land and the characterizations, and voices, demand a certain heft and explosion. Ms. Peters manages lilt and the explosion of a champagne cork from a bottle gone bad. Tom Wopat manages a charming Frank Butler. The new orchestrations and vocal arrangments pale next to the original. If you want a "real" Annie, get either Merman's original studio recording or her recording from the Lincoln Center revival. You'll be glad you did.



2. I purchased this CD because our local high school is doing the show this fall and as the director of the pit band, I wanted a good resource to help with the rehearsals. The music, especially the voice of Bernadette Peters is so appealing, that it is the only CD that I am listening to at this time.



3. This is definatly the best Annie Get Your Gun recording, especially since Ethel Merman isn't in this one. Such afun show!! A definate must buy!!



4. I did the Natl tour of this so it has a special place in my heart whether it sucks or not...I mean but lets all be honest here! "My defences are down" rocks!! and I wasnt in that part so that make this even better. I can pretend all day.
   
   John, NYC



5. A show stopper in every sense of the word. Every Irving Berlin fan should own this one. Tom Wopat (of Dukes of Hazard fame)is surprising talented, and Bernadette Peters is suberb.

5 comments about Make Me A Song-The Music of William Finn.

1. Just a lot of fun. William Finn's writing style is deep and pulls at your emotions (including humor!) without manipulating you. Even though you may already own different versions of the songs in this collection, it's worth it to hear them assembled and performed as they are in this collection.



2. Under the dark clouds of the theatre strike in 2007, this show was put on off-Broadway and served as a silver lining to everybody having audience withdrawal. The selection of Finn's songs overlooks some more obvious successes and concentrates on the rich lyrics of less well-known pieces. The singers are syncopated and spirited and just right.



3. This recording captures the energy of the live show exactly. I think it actually sounds better than the night I saw it. The more I listen to this CD the more I love the songs. William Finn's writing makes great musical theatre. We find here that each song is crafted so well it can stand on it's own apart from it's show. There are also songs on here that haven't been recorded anywhere else, and I love the new combo of Sailing/Set Those Sails.
   
   If you like any of William Finn's music or if you're new to his songs and looking for something to introduce you, Pick this up. It's well worth it!



4. This is a great compilation of William Finn Songs sung by very talented people. If you like William Finn, then you will love this CD.



5. William Finn's MAKE ME A SONG
   I have always been a great fan...The songs are great! I just wish there would be another musical coming someday. It's been too long.

No comments about Dirty Dancing.

2 comments about Broadway Bound 10 movie pack.

1. I loved the dancing and the music the singing. My nephew was dancing along with it. I just love these movies.



2. BROADWAY BOUND is a DVD sampler of sorts. All ten of these titles were previously issued by MILL CREEK in their FAMILY CLASSICS 100 MOVIE PACK and MUSICAL CLASSICS 50 MOVIE PACK. For the beginning collector of vintage films this box is certainly a nice way to examine the type and quality of musicals available on the larger sets, but for those with established libraries this package may only be redundant.
   
   As to some of what's here:
   ROYAL WEDDING is a pleasant Technicolor MGM musical that contains the famous trick sequence of Fred Astaire dancing on walls and ceiling.
   THE ROAD TO HOLLYWOOD is not a Crosby/Hope vehicle. It's primarily a compilation of film clips from early Mack Sennett shorts that Bing Crosby appeared in.
   PALOOKA stars Stuart Erwin as the Depression-era comic strip boxer.
   TILL THE CLOUDS ROLL BY is Hollywood's tribute to Jerome Kern and his many classic songs and showtunes.
   PRIVATE BUCKAROO is one of the numerous patriotic-themed musicals made during WWII.
   
   
   Parenthetical numbers preceding titles are 1 to 10 viewer poll ratings found at a film resource website.
   
   (6.6) Black Tights (France-1960) - Cyd Charisse/Maurice Chevalier/Moira Shearer
   (5.7) Calendar Girl (1947) - Jane Frazee/William Marshall/Victor McLaglen
   (6.0) Doll Face (1945) - Vivian Blaine /Perry Como/Carmen Miranda
   (5.7) Palooka (1934) - Jimmy Durante/Lupe Velez/Stuart Erwin
   (5.4) Private Buckaroo (1942) - Andrews Sisters/Joe E. Lewis/Shemp Howard/Harry James
   (5.2) The Road To Hollywood (1947) - Bing Crosby/Bud Pollard/Marion Sayers (in archive footage)
   (6.6) Royal Wedding (1951) - Fred Astaire/Jane Powell/Peter Lawford
   (5.7) Second Chorus (1940) - Fred Astaire/Paulette Goddard/Artie Shaw
   (6.4) Till The Clouds Roll By (1946) - June Allyson/Judy Garland/Frank Sinatra/Van Heflin
   (7.0) Trocadero (1944) - Rosemary Lane/Johnny Downs/Sheldon Leonard

5 comments about The Mills Brothers - All Time Greatest Hits.

1. This is great. I listened to this CD and went straight back to my mom and dad's era! Fun.



2. You have a lot of CD choices from which to choose in front of you, and reviewers (all experts) whine: which compilation sounds bad, how so many good ones were left out, how some are re-records, etc. So I am very glad to have this particular CD for my very own. I made a good choice. And the songs herein are all in such perfect harmony and covering so much of the Mills' career, and I am so glad to see so little negativity on the reviews of THIS compilation. Avoid the naysayers (who know better than us); buy THIS CD before they discover it and rain on your parade.



3. paper doll&cab driver alone make this a must have.there vocals are rich and timeless.they have exactly in there music everything that is missing from much of todays and that is harmony and structure.



4. I am a child of the '90s, and I first heard of The Mills Brothers on "Millenium", with their song "Till Then". I loved the song when I first heard it, and I still do. It's haunting melody and sooting lyrics that blend together to create a tune you'll carry with you forever.



5. While the Mills Brothers were "before my time," I remember my mother singing "Paper Doll" and "Glow Worm" to me while she brushed my hair when I was a very little girl. Then I heard the Mills Brothers sing both of those songs on an Oldies radio station, and I was hooked. Their voices blend so beautifully, and their harmony is so incredible that it's difficult to believe that anyone who loves music would not love this album. From the poignant "Till Then" of the WWII years to the upbeat "Be My Life's Companion," this group knows their way around a song. Everyone will have his or her personal favorites--mine are still "Paper Doll" and "Glow Worm." My one regret--I can't help but wish that this album also featured "When You Were Sweet Sixteen," but if it did, it would rate six stars, and I can only give five. If you like real melodies, meaningful lyrics, and voices that will never grow old, buy this album.

5 comments about The Essential Elmer Bernstein Film Music Collection.

1. These remakes done by The City of Prague Orch. are worthless. Thye come no where near the actual majesty of Bernstein's music. The original, or nothing.



2. Perhaps i was expecting too much after listening to other film composers.So i will put this in the play at a later time.



3. These CDs don't meet the standards that I expect from Elmer Bernstein's wonderful film music.
   *It's just Boring*
   The ensemble doesn't have the energy one would expect to play "The Magnificent Seven" and "The Man with the Golden Arm". I think the City of Prague and National Youth Jazz Orchestras were bargain orchestras used to make an inexpensive CD set of one of my favorite film composers. The conducting and arrangements were what made this an obviously bad album.



4. Silva Screen Records, presents this antology of the music from the late great composer/conductor ELMER BERNSTEIN, who supervised this recording just before die.
   Played the The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, and conducted by his one time assistant James Fitzpatrick
   Recorded in HDCD and Dolby Surround



5. it's unfortunate that more tracks weren't able to be recorded as theree was a good 15-20 minutes of space remaining on both discs. Regardless, this is an excellent sampler, especially in conjunction with Varese's Bernstein sampler including rare stuff like the Black Cualdron.
   
   
   With regards to this silva set, these recordings range back to 1994, with Sons of Katie Elder and True Grit being recorded for a John Wayne CD and Bridge At Remagen for a CD of classic War themes. The Great Escape was also recorded for that CD, but producer James Fitzpatrick opted to record a new arrangement (same with Magnificent Seven). In '97, The Buccaneer for included on a Swashbucklers disc, while Heavy Metal was on the popular 'Space and Beyond' compilation. In '98, the world premiere recording of Airplane first appeared on a DISASTERS film disc. So while it may technically be the world premiere RECORDING it certainly is not the world premiere CD RELEASE of that recording. Ghostbusters was included on Space 3: Beyond the Final Frontier, the second followup to the popular 'Space and Beyond'. Fast forward to 2002 and 4 recordings first appeared on WAY OUT WEST: ESSENTIAL WESTERN FILM MUSIC COLLECTION VOLUME TWO, those being The Comancheros, The Hallelujah Trail, The Scalphunters and The Shootist. Man With the Golden Arm and Walk on the Wild are from Silva's JAZZ IN FILM cd.
   
   
   The remaining tracks were all newly recorded for this release. They are of course the strongest tracks, seeing as the City of Prague Philharmonic has improved over time. I do wonder though why they did not include the older arrangements of Great Escape and Mag. Seven as bonus tracks.
   
   I also recommend the simultaneously released '40 years of Film Music: Jerry Goldsmith' for another great set honoring a late great film composer.

5 comments about Selmasongs: Dancer In The Dark (2000 Film).

1. 3 1/2
   
   Interesting soundtrack for Trier's "Dancer in the Dark" finds his star Bjork weeping and wailing her unique ways as usual over more orchestrated, but still familiar territory. Everything sounds good in a darkly whimsical and kooky sort of way, with typical electronic and vocal over-indulgences robbing most tracks of being completely spot-on, though the final track certainly ranks amongst her best work.



2. The imagery of the film is NOT necessary to enjoy the pain of this LP. You will feel masochistic, but you'll be pleased you cried. Salty tears will heal the wounds created by this LP. The scar is stronger than the tissue that was there before the insult.



3. This soundtrack goes to prove the ability of bjork. Overture in itself shows some of the best compositional prowess of our era, but add that to the rest of this soundtrack and you begin to understand how amazing Bjork truly is. The only complaint I have is the exclusion of the most moving and powerful song in the movie. The decision to exclude this track is a great misdeed to Bjork's singing ability as it is the single greatest representation of her vocal abilities ever recorded. Listening to her completely A Capella not only wrenches your heart if you have seen the movie, but also completely haunts the soul even if you do not understand the contextual meaning. Overall a great soundtrack to accompany one of the best movies I have ever seen.



4. I don't think you need to see the movie to appreciate the music on this album. I do think that you would be crazy NOT to see the movie though. While I was watching the movie, all I could think was _ I need this album. Okay, the movie is far more interesting and I thought many other things than, I need to buy this album.
   
   However, I am a music lover, and these songs simply tickle my ears and mind. This album is a wonderful blend of orchestral instruments and electronica. It will make you appreciate everyday sounds and want to find the natural rhythm that is present in every day life. I'm a bit too emotionally biased to give a good review...all I can think is...I love it.



5. If you like Bjork, you will love this movie soundtrack as she continues to set new trends in style. The duet with Thom Yorke of Radiohead is brilliant. Check out the version she sang at the Oscars in her swan outfit on youtube. Bjork is simply an awesome talent!

5 comments about Hair (Deluxe Edition) (1968 Original Broadway Cast and 1967 off Broadway Cast).

1. The product came in excelent condision but it took so long.
   I wanted to have the oportunity to hear a peace of the cd
   befor i buy it



2. I love this soundtrack. The storyline is more relevant than ever, but even if it weren't the music is terrific.



3. Hair...the seminal Rock Musical for the ages... Once upon a time in the mythical land called America great thoughts and changes began to appear across the land. People, especially the younger one's began to actually listen to the music...their music...Full of promises and prayers, asking the questions and finding the answers... Love...Understanding ...fellowship... permeated the soft sweet aromatic waves of the times.
   The age of Aquarius came and went...only the music remains.... Let the sunshine, let the sunshine, shine through...



4. I came to this backwards in time; I saw the movie version first and listened to that soundtrack. Go and buy that one, not this one; that one is way better. The musicality is outstanding on that one, whereas this has a second-rate AM radio sound. I was a pre-teen when the play of Hair came out and I remember most of the songs from AM radio in the late 60s--but after listening to the soundtrack I realize why most of the hits from Hair were recorded by other people. "Aquarius" was popularized by the Fifth Dimension. "Hair" was popularized by the the Cowsills. "Easy to Be Hard" was popularized by Three Dog Night. All those versions are better than the soundtrack (and some are not very good). Listen to Cheryl Barnes sing "Easy to Be Hard" in the film: it is outstanding.



5. This is certainly a classic of the era. To understand it fully you would have to have seen - even if it was 40 years ago.

5 comments about Hedwig And The Angry Inch: Original Cast Recording.

1. SHEER ROCK MUSICAL PERFECTION. JOHN CAMERON MITCHELL AND STEPHEN TRASK ARE AMAZING. FUNNY TO ROCK OUT TO A SHOW SOUNDTRACK... THAT WAS A FIRST. BUT YOU CAN'T HELP YOURSELF. I PREFER THIS TO THE FILM SOUNDTRACK FOR NO OTHER REASON THAN IT HAS A RAW EDGE TO IT UNLIKE THE SLICK STUDIO TRACKS OF THE OTHER.



2. This CD is right up there with "Purple Rain". It's just ____ing good, G_dd___ it! What more do I have to say? Buy this CD. If you don't like out it you can come down to New Orleans and kick my _ss. I left my real name. Like 2Pac said, "I ain't hard to find." So buy this. Buy this. Buy this. Buy this. Buy this.



3. This whole album is filled with so much emotion it makes you weep. Both the stage version and the film soundtrack are great albums if you are a fan of the show or not. No matter what anyone's personal views are or what they feel about the subject matter, you can't help but feel for this character and go with him/her on the journey.
   The songs are angry, beautiful and full of raw emotion. Who doesn't understand "Wicked Little Town" sometimes?



4. Even though I saw the show many years ago (with JCM), it took the film to get me to purchase the original soundtrack. I never felt a need to purchase the cast CD. However, I finally decided to take a chance and am very happy that I did. If you love the soundtrack, the cast CD adds another layer to the trauma of Hedwig. I enjoy listening to both of them equally.



5. I love this Album. Thats all. Anyway I can not stop listening to this CD. I listened to this only CD for four straight hours on a roadtrip. I still am not tired of this CD. Theres still little lyrics I have missed. If someone reading this does not buy the CD, there is seriously something wrong with you. Because its the best CD ever.