5 comments about Burl Ives Sings Little White Duck (And Other Children's Favorites).

1. Burl Ives' voice is a treasure. My sister and I were so entertained by his singing back in the 1950's. We wore out his LP albums from listening to them over and over. And now my grandchildren can enjoy his music on CD.
   He is like a grandfather or great-uncle, and a wonderful folk singer, story teller. Too bad he's passed on. One of the greatest. I liked Burl Ives in the movie, "So Dear To My Heart" which is for sale on Amazon:So Dear to My Heart (82 Minutes Version. Burl Ives, Beulah Bondi, Bobby Driscoll)



2. Burl Ives... Joyful Sounds, Melow, Warm, Intriguing, etc. The Best in Childrens Music & Folk Songs ever... He's got the good stuff! My Sisters & me would listen to his Music over & over. We're Adults now & still listen... Thankyou Burl Ives....



3. a classic, must-have for any children's music library. i had the album when i was little and was happy to find it here to enjoy again and share with my son.



4. This is a wonderful children's CD. My two kids loved it when they were little (it was a record then) and now I keep several on hand to include in gifts for babies and small children. Burl Ives' voice is "easy on the ears" for adults as well.



5. I highly recommend this CD. I grew up listening to Burl Ives as a child (his adult stuff), and was looking for some of his music for my son. This CD is perfect - my 2 1/2 year old son's current favorites are the "train song" (little engine that could) and the "goose song". We listen to it over and over in the car.

5 comments about Side Show (1997 Original Broadway Cast).

1. While I enjoy the music as well as the story, I was bothered by the scream-singing that seemed to be a part of the last verse of so many of the songs. An example is Who Will Love Me as I am. I really like this song, but on this recording it is ruined in the last verse by all the overdone belting. In my book, just being able to be LOUD and doesn't make you a good singer - in fact it kind of hurt my ears sometimes. On so many songs, it seemed to me that the singers had been instructed to blow out their vocal cords at the ends of songs, not to add to the emotion, but just "because that's what you do". This totally ruined perfectly good songs for me, because this belting seemed to come from nowhere, like it was just thrown in because those involved felt it was what an audience wanted to hear. The resulting sound kind of made me feel like I was listening to a Forbidden Broadway CD that was making fun of this type of vocal use in musicals.



2. I saw this terrific show shortly after it opened on Broadway and loved it, best musical to come along in a very long while. Riply and Skinner were fantastic as the Hilton sisters and the rest of the cast was perfect. If you want a great C.D., this is the one to buy even if you haven't seen the show.



3. A marvelous musical, different and creative using the art of stagecraft (without techno special effects) to tell an extrordinary story of real life co-joined twins (I have been told that the label "Siamese twins" is un-PC). Emily Skinner and Alice Ripley were amazing as the twins, effectively convincing even though they didn't have a prosthetic device or costume joining them. They deserved the co-Tony nomination they received.
   The score is extremely melodic, several gorgeous ballads, as well as assorted numbers for the Sideshow and theaterical venues the twins moved on to, making it all colorful and effective.
   One of the best musicals of the 90's, hugely overlooked and totally deserving of a longer run than the 3 months that it played.



4. The music is really good and the singing is breathtaking. Skinner and Riply have gorgeous voices. Thoroughly enjoy, wish i could have seen the show on broadway.



5. I'm not sure if this show was intentionally trying to be depressing or if it just happened.
   Why is this show soo very serious?
   
   Anyway, since I'm here to review a score and not a show, here it is.
   Side Show is the story of the Hilton sisters, not Paris and Nicky, but Daisy and Violet Hilton Conjoined twins who rose to fame In Vaudeville in the early years of the 20th century
   the Cast recording captures the Best and Worst parts of the show itself. Most of the song are service-able in the context of the show and some are even good. Outside the show and on this CD they seem dull and boring, the singing seemes forced and the rhyme scheme on a lot of the songs is terrible. However there are a few that are still ok
   1. Come Look at the Freaks
   8. When I'm by Your Side
   10. Leave Me Alone
   15. New Years Day
   19. Tunnel of Love
   When I heard about this show I was truly excited to see it but after I did I was extremly dissapointed. I bought the Cd tryng to find somthing good but it didn't help. this show could have been one for the ages and instead it is stuck as another forgetable broadway show that in a few years might get a revival and might not. Too bad.

5 comments about Child of the Promise.

1. God Gave Us Christmas (God Gave Us...)Not your typical Christmas songs. I was surprised at first, but I love it more and more. It is a dramatic presentation of the Christmas story- from prophecy to fulfillment. It is wonderful to hear the entire Christmas story through song. I love to listen to it with my children. It has a variety of styles but all of them fit perfectly to move you through the story. Crystal Lewis as Mary and Donna Summer as Elizabeth are incredible. The songs seem to really bring the moment to life. All the other Christmas CDs are empty and shallow compared to this one. Child of the Promise reminds us of the only reason for our hope- the coming of the One who brings peace on earth. That is why we celebrate Christmas.



2. Buy Child of the Promise and listen to an amazing musical rendition of the events leading to Christ's birth. Adults and children will love it. I've given a dozen copies to friends, it's become a favorite of all.



3. As a hard-core Donna Summer fan I had to have this CD even if it meant buying it for three DS tracks. Thanks to this CD I also discovered Crystal Lewis - WHAT a voice and her duet with Donna Summer on "I Cannot Be Silent" has been played to death already.
   
   Anyone who dares to doubt Donna Summer's vocal ability needs to listen to another track on this CD called "When The Dream Never Dies"
   
   Brilliant, BRILLIANT compilation!!!



4. I listened to this CD today and love it. It would make a good Christmas cantata. The music is wonderful. I also liked the shepherds' song -- very comical. All in all, an excellent recording.



5. This is my favorite Christmas CD. The songs tell the Christmas story (like a musical). They music is phenomenal. My kids love it too.

5 comments about The Christmas Album.

1. The Andy Williams Christmas Album is perfect for anyone who grew up watching his television Christmas specials. While his age does show a bit in these recordings, his heartfelt phrasing and attention to dynamics as they pertain to the lyrics and arrangement are still top notch. And he is still able to hold a note with quality and feeling.



2. This is a live album and it just doesn't have the nostalia of some
   of his other Christmas albums, but thanks for trying Andy and it
   adds a little variety to the other albums.



3. Andy Williams has always had a wonderful light tenor voice for popular (not really pop) music. This was recorded live at his Moonriver theater in Branson Missouri. His voice is a bit aged from its very best in the sixties, but it is still quite good. Williams shows us what he is capable of today and puts on a very fine Christmas show. He has some guest singers with him included the Osmond Brothers (whom he helped launch on his television show way back when).
   
   He opens with his signature song, "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year". It is a delightful piece and a perfect way to set the tone for what follows. He has a variety of pieces, some light ("I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus"), some sacred ("O Holy Night". He even has an audience sing along for some traditional sacred carols.
   
   Williams also reads the famous Jimmy Bishop piece recounting how Jesus, basically a nothing as far as the world is concerned, has transformed the world more than all the armies, navies, philosophers, kings, or Presidents. Nice touch.
   
   A fine addition to your Christmas disk collection and a very nice choice to have filling your home with Christmas joy.



4. I have heard countless attempts at good Christmas albums. I must say that this Andy Williams cd is unparallel. He truly is, in my opinion, the greatest Christmas singer ever. He has a fantastic voice and his guests on the cd just compliment his music that much more. Definitely worth buying.



5. Andy Williams is certainly one of the finest classical singing showmen. He'll never be the legend that Frank Sinatra is, but his smooth, enthusiastic voice and pleasing demeanor are unmatched when it comes to putting an audience at their ease.

   This Christmas album is a prime example. It consists of many traditional carols in their usual way. If you shy away from the more "contemporary" Christmas music - the kind which may incorporate rap, R&B, electric guitars, etc. - this is a sure-to-please purchase. Andy Williams also sings a couple of original songs including, "Christmas Needs Love to Be Christmas".

   Lorrie Morgan and the Osmond Brothers bring some wonderful harmonies about halfway through the album...as well as a few corny jokes (but the good music makes up for that). If you remember the Sweeny Sisters comedy/music act from Saturday Night Live (during the mid-late 80s), the jokes are about on that level.

   But it's still a great Christmas album well worth buying. It's certain to compliment any Christmas music collection.

5 comments about School Daze (1988 Film) [SOUNDTRACK].

1. I am going to make this short and sweet! The soundtrack was perfect. If you are a School Daze fan then you will love this cd. It has all of the popular songs from the movie and a few extras I believe.



2. Wow, how time flies. It's been 20 years since the film/soundtrack and as I listened to the soundtrack today, memories of college filled my mind. This soundtrack is chock full of gems - EU introducing the world to go-go music with Da [...] and Tisha Campbell's fantastic vocals on Be Alone Tonight, remember the scene with Tisha and Giancarlo when the thumping bass line of The Perfect Match begins? The disc wraps up with the light and airy We've Already Said Goodbye. Good times!



3. If you bought the movie, you definitely need the CD to go with it!



4. It is one of Spikes best efforts. The music is great in every way.



5. I loved all of the songs. Spike Lee's day, Bill Lee produced most and wrote some of the songs from this movie and I am a fan. Not one of Spike's most popular movies, but I enjoyed it.

5 comments about Finian's Rainbow.

1. beautiful loves songs, ole devil moon sung by don franc is enough to leave you swooning and makes you want to hear more



2. I have always loved this movie and its music. The director, Frances Copploa, provides a commentary. This is one of is very early works and it didn't seem to be one of his favorites.



3. I was really impressed with this CD. The sound quality was fantastic. Crisp and clear, no fuzziness or tape noise. My only real objection is that Og's reprise of Something Sort of Grandish that he sings while the kids are searching for his pot of gold, was left out. It's such a charming song, so I do kind of miss it. Otherwise, the music is wonderful. I never tire of listening to this soundtrack.



4. What the other reviewer failed to mention is that Collectors' Choice omitted the 3 bonus tracks which appeared on the Rhino Handmade edition of this soundtrack, thereby rendering it absolutely worthless to true soundtrack collectors and devoted Petula Clark fans. People who fall into both categories already have the vinyl edition of this soundtrack, which is the same as this CD. I, for one, would not even CONSIDER purchasing this sham of a release from Collectors' Choice. I, and I suspect many other soundtrack and Petula fans who were not able to get the Rhino Handmade edition, will hold out for finding a used one at a reasonable price. BOO and Shame On You Collectors' Choice!



5. In 2004, Rhino Handmade released the long out-of-print soundtrack "Finian's Rainbow" on CD. But because it was a limited edition, it was only available for a short term and sold at a high price.
   
   Collector's Choice has wisely released the soundtrack at a lower price, and with fine remastering, fans of the underrated musical can finally own the soundtrack without paying too much money.
   
   "Finian's Rainbow", directed by Francis Ford Coppola, was released in 1968, a period when the era of musicals was pretty much over. The film was not a big hit, but it's actually a beautiful film despite some creaky plot points and some outdated ideas.
   
   What makes the film so special is the music and the performers who sing it. Fred Astaire and Petula Clark make an ideal father and daughter. Astaire is as charming as ever, and Clark truly comes into her own as a singer and actress. Although I love Clark's own recordings in English and French, this film is what made me a true fan. She glows on "Look to the Rainbow" and her duet with Don Francks on "Old Devil Moon" is both romantic and sensual, not the typical sentimental duet you see in musicals.
   
   It's been a long time since this soundtrack has been readily available. I highly recommend this soundtrack if you are a fan of the film, and especially if you are a big Petula Clark fan.

5 comments about Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1993 Los Angeles Cast).

1. By far the best recording I've heard and definitely the best vocal - and I've seen this musical more than I'd care to admit!



2. I agree with many reviewers that Michael's "Joseph" is a little subdued. Donny Osmond's Joseph is superior. HOWEVER...I would buy only this version because of the superiority of the remainder of the cast. I LOVE THIS CAST. No one sounds cartoony...which for some reason I dislike for this musical. The brothers are all delightful, the narrator superb, and PHAROAH...wow...the best. I do believe this Pharoah was the same used in the video version of Joseph with Donny Osmond. I don't know...I don't mind the lackluster Joseph...because the rest of the cast just beams from this album! Go Go Go Joseph!



3. Better than Donny Osmond Cast by a long shot. michael Damien is great and well as narrator Keli (im bad with names) She is The BEST Narrator of ANY Joseph cast



4. This version of Joseph is the best. The voices are beautiful! My family saw Joseph three times and we found this particular version to be better than the other ones that are available.



5. Wow! This was a great CD including the whole cast! The only thing is I think Donny Osmand is a tiny bit better than Michael Damian for the Josephs in my opinion.

5 comments about Late Night at the Cafe Carlyle.

1. This is an very special gem. I love Mr. Shorts handling of the music. His voice is as nimble as the feet of Astaire and soothing and beautiful as cool water on a sizzliing summer day. For my birthday last year My partner and I dined at the Carlyle it was pure joy. We could feel the warmth and spirit of Mr. Short everywhere. If you love American songbook as much as We do this will be a welcome addition to the family.



2. The music is great and the setting is intimate, but Bobby Short's delivery ocassionally annoys me. He has a tendency to break into an abrupt piercing warble and his phrasing seems choppy to me. It's not enough to ruin the album, but it can be distracting.



3. Owning nearly all of Bobby Short's albums, this is the one I play the most. I love his style! He recorded at an actual preformance which added more intimacy to the of the album.



4. There cannot be a better night of classic American music than a Bobby Short gig at the Carlyle.



5. This is Short at his best. There's no brass section to drown out his voice or his piano, and you can hear the audience at the Cafe Carlyle react to his performance. Short's interpretation, along with Beverly Peer's and Robert Scott's, never gets stale. You can listen to this CD a hundred times and hear new aspects each time.

5 comments about Nice Work If You Can Get It: Songs by the Gershwins.

1. 
   Oh, yes!
   
   So, if you're in the mood for a pulls-out-all-the-stops, "Grand Production" number, you'll find none on any of his DVDs that's moreso than Mikey's rendition of the "Fascinating Rhythm" medley.
   
   But you can't stop there, oh, no. If what you want (and I so do) is his "fun-est" number ever (except, maybe, something from "Pure Imagination"....and that's just for kids--Ha, Ha), then grab a listen to his "Anything for You." If it doesn't stoke your fires for the next month, I don't know what will. (Oh, yeah, the title track's a kick, too).
   
   Enjoy!
   
   ****



2. Shortly before this CD was published, I had the pleasure to see Mr. Feinstein perform on a snowy April evening at RAINBOW AND STARS in New York City. The night was magic, his performance flawless, his charm contagious, and the memory is fixed into my "hard-drive" for the rest of my life. This CD is the closest I have been able to replicate that evening's performance. It captures the beauty of the night, and more importantly, the scope and magnificence of the Gershwin songbook. IF YOU ONLY OWN ONE FEINSTEIN CD, this should be the one.



3. The brilliance of George Gershwin in composing music, the ingenuity of Ira Gershwin in writing the lyrics and the artistry of Michael Feinstein in interpreting these timeless classics make this album one of the best recordings of all-time. It's a common knowledge among Gershwin fans that Mr. Feinstein has worked for Ira Gershwin for years until the songwriter's death in 1983. He's one lucky guy to have worked with one of the greatest songwriters of all-time.
   
   He interprets thirteen selections of which six I consider the very highlights of this recording. My topmost favorite is an unpublished song until 1983, "Ask Me Again," one of the less famous songs of the Gershwins but its words and music are simply splendid and I love it! The flawless arrangement complements his outstanding vocal artisty. Thank you Mr. Feinstein, for being one of the key figures in keeping the music of Gershwin brothers alive forevermore.
   
   The rest of the highlights are "Nice Work If You Can Get It," a medley of "A Foggy Day" (In London Town)/"Things Are Looking Up," a song arranged by the singer himself with Harvey Cohen, "Who Cares?" from the musical comedy "Of Thee I Sing" (who would think this song is 73 years old?) and "Someone To Watch Over Me," a song Ira Gershwin wrote about himself around the time he married his wife Leonore ("he may not be the man some girls think of as handsome..."). This charming version was arranged and conducted by a fine arranger, Don Sebesky. And my all-time favorite - Oscar-nominated "They Can't Take That Away From Me," from the 1937 film "Shall We Dance?" To me, this is the most ear-catching interpretation I've ever heard and has become my favorite for its hauntingly beautiful orchestral arrangement, which was based on the original arrangement by Conrad Salinger in 1948 recording. This charming arrangement was reconstructed by Christopher Palmer and Jeff Atmajian, and conducted by Larry Blank.
   
   "But I'll always, always keep the memory of ...
   The way you wear your hat
   The way you sip your tea ...
   The way your smile just beams
   The way you sing off-key
   The way you haunt my dreams
   No, no they can't take that away from me."
   
   Don't miss out on this CD. This is one of Michael Feinstein's nicest compilations of songs by the Gershwins. A must-have for all Gershwin and Feinstein fans. I enjoyed listening to it and I'm sure you will, too.



4. If you get only one Feinstein CD, make it this one. Each lovingly presented track stands on its own. Most of the songs are accompanied with lush and imaginative orchestrations, some with Michael at the piano. Those are the ones whose sweet simplicity will stay with you the longest. My two favorites are "For You, For Me, Forevermore", and the very obscure "Will You Remember Me?" both of which are hauntingly beautiful. Michael has the rare gift of making you feel that he is singing only to you. If you ever have the opportunity to see him perform live, grab it. He is funny, charming, and loves his audiences.



5. Michael Feinstein worked with Ira Gershwin during the last six years of the elder Gershwin's life and this helped form a bond between him and the musical legends.

   His first Gershwin album was a pianist's tribute, and quite good. This album being vocal is a welcome addition indeed. We hear the familiar songs such as "Someone To Watch Over Me", "Fascinating Rhythm", "They Can't Take That Away From Me," but more importantly, he introduces a number of previously unpublished songs. "Ask Me Again", "For You, For Me", "Luckiest Man In The World", all are noteworthy.

   Feinstein has a large range, and ability to encompass several styles. On "A Foggy Day", one may well recall Fred Astaire. Basically, though, his interpretaion is his own.

   This CD is especially recommended for those with a Gershwin collection as well as those who are seeking to develop such a collection.

5 comments about G.I. Blues.

1. I bought this for my Dad, who at 63 still rocks out with Elvis. He Loves it and calls it his traveling music. My Mom liked it so much I had to get one for her car too.



2. Elvis was fresh out of the Army when he starred in "G.I. Blues". You can tell it isn't the 1950s Elvis anymore, but a more polished vocalist who has more mature sense of himself. The soundtrack is loaded with awesome vocals, starting with the ballads "Tonight Is So Right For Love", "Pocketful of Rainbows", "Doin' The Best I Can" and "Wooden Heart".
   
   From there, you have the more up-tempo foot tappers in "G.I. Blues", "Frankfort Special", "Shoppin' Around" and "Didja Ever". Throw in a the little ditty of "Big Boots" -- a future theme of corny songs stuck in Elvis movies during the 1960s -- and the remake of "Blue Suede Shoes" -- not as rocky as the 1956 version -- and you have a very solid soundtrack from top to bottom.
   
   Like I said, not the Elvis of the 1950s, where he was edgy and untouchable in the Rock world. This was now the new Dean Martin version of Elvis, which we would see throughout most of his 1960s movies and basically in most of his non-movie singing, too. A strong ballad singer with a few fast-paced songs, but nothing like the rebel image of the 1950s. He was a new man with a new image.



3. I play the CD daily....LOUD....VERY LOUD!!
   Without a doubt, this is my favorite Elvis movie/CD for many reasons. Being the 1st movie made after his military stint, Elvis is very unpretentious and actually looks like he's having FUN. (We all know how much he disliked his own movies, which makes this one even extra special). When I play the CD...I can picture the scenes from the movie.
   The "Special Edition" CD was also a bonus with tid-bits about the making of the movie and great pictures. Have even been thinking about getting another one because I'm wearing the original out!!



4. This was one of Elvis' biggest hit albums, staying at number 1 on the US album chart for 8 weeks. It did this despite not producing a big hit single in the US (although "Wooden Heart" was a huge hit internationally, it never charted in the US). In my opinion, it is his best 1960's movie soundtrack (though not quite as good as some of his groundbreaking 1950's soundtracks). "Shopping Around" is an underapreciated rocker and I also really liked "Pocket Full of Rainbows" and "GI Blues". It is a shame that this CD has to be imported. A superior collection of early 60's pop and rock!



5. "GI Blues" has stayed in my CD changer for months, as my two year-old boy never tires of dancing to the lead track. And I never tire of the album as a whole. Elvis' voice is great, and you can tell from the outtakes that he really put his best effort into singing each song as he strove to re-establish himself post-Army.
   For me (a big Elvis fan, but not someone who likes every song he made), there's not a dud on this album. Most of the songs were unknown to me before I bought this disc, as none get airplay on oldies stations or elsewhere. Great songs that I had never heard before include "Pocketful of Rainbows," a lovely, upbeat song with great vocals, recently featured in the film "The Five People You Meet in Heaven."
   Unlike many cds with bonus tracks, most of the outtakes are also good. Some have completely different tempos than the originally published versions. For example, "Big Boots" is a sleepy lullaby on the soundtrack, but the fast bonus version is a lively little finger-snapper.
   The overall tone of this cd is that of a "rocking" Broadway musical from the Rogers & Hammerstein era (I'm not an expert on Broadway, but that's what it makes me think of): Boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl, and the corresponding combination of fast and slow songs that follow that script.
   If that doesn't sound interesting, the title track and "Blue Suede Shoes" are basic must-haves for anyone who loves rockin' Elvis.
   Summary: I love this album (as does my wife and little boy).