5 comments about Nunsense (1986 Original Off-Broadway Cast).

1. The performances are top notch, but you wouldn't listen to this just for fun. You would have to be either getting ready to be in this show or watch this show.



2. Goggin writes hilarious tunes but after a while, Nunsense becomes just a little ridiculous. The story is cute, the jokes are fun and the music is catchy. I'd recommend it for those theater lovers who, every now and then, need a picker-upper on one of those not-the-greatest nights. It's a great tool for laughter when you need it most. But warning: you'll be humming some of these songs everyday!



3. This is the funniest show I've ever seen! And The CD's Not Bad Either. If this CD doesn't make you laugh, I don't know what will! The only downside to the CD is that it doesn't have all the funny moments that are captured within the book. Like when Reverend Mother get's high... oops. I may spoil it for you. TWO THUMBS WAY UP. C'mon Support the nuns that still wear a habit!



4. Christine Anderson's voice and the funny theme of this CD make it worthwhile listening. After its Broadway debut "Nunsense" has been a dinner theater favorite as well. A bit of religious humor particularly Catholic,that is easily understood by all.



5. The score from "Nunsense" is as lighthearted and enjoyable as it can be! If you're looking for something "just for the fun of it" you've come to the right place! Let the Little Sisters of Hoboken brighten your day!

5 comments about Gold.

1. We have seen Miss Eder in person several times. She always performs to a standing ovation. What a beatiful voice.
   
   
   Cheryl Alaimo



2. The track "How In the World" is worth the price of the CD. Not all of the tracks are my favorite, but whatever Linda Eder sings is done so with immense talent and fervor. "How In the World" is a powerful piece.



3. I actually ordered this for "Son of a Preacher Man" and I do like her version. But if I wanted to hear Barbra Striesand I would listen to a cd by Barbra Striesand.



4. I love this CD. Linda Eder has a beautiful voice and can really deliver on some of the older, well known songs on this CD. I highly recommend to all who like to listen to great singers.



5. This album is pretty good, but it is not the best. Don't get me wrong I am a HUGE Linda Eder fan but these songs don't show off her voice enough. It is still good though and you should add it to your collection. "If I Had My Way" is a really touching song. She also does " Son Of A Preacher Man" very well. Again this is just my opinion and I know other people have different one's. And as always, LINDA RULES!

1 comments about Songs From Broadway Musical HAIRSPRAY (2 CDG Set).

1. This kind of double disc is excellent for learners to get all the rhythms of a song and Hairspray's track sounds good even if one performer is a little shrilly. If you are looking for an audition version some of these are perfect.

5 comments about One Voice.

1. Recorded after the disaster of Chernobyl in the 80s, Barbra Streisand decided to fight her notorious stage fright and put on a concert for many famous people of the day, and in turn charging $5000 per ticket. However, even though few people would pay that kind of money for one simple concert, Streisand delivers her best, and for that, $5000 is a discount.
   
   Unlike later concerts, where she takes you more on a personal journey through her life, she just comes out and sings her biggest hits, as well as a few other songs. "People" will still move you, "Happy Days are Here Again" sounds great, and "Somewhere" (for the first, and last time, being performed first) really sets the mood for the evening. The new songs are all great too, with "America the Beautiful" being a surprisingly addictive recording.
   
   This concert, however, is not perfect. First off, you get the feeling while listening that you'd get more if you were there, and you would. Also, her nerves are clearly present, even effecting her performance, where she oversings on certain songs (or, on "Happy Days," screams a note at an inopportune time). And seeing that it's a concert for her political causes, it is inevitable that she shoves her sometimes trite views down our throats (even more irritatingly, she seems to be mumbling when she talks throughout the speeches).
   
   Despite it all, though, this is a good live album if you just want a concert with all the hits, even if they are not flawlessly sung. While all Streisand fans will want it, it should not be the first album, either studio or live, of hers you own.



2. If it's Streisand, then it's definately good. This is no exception. One of her best.



3. "This woman may or may not be Barbra Streisand, but she certainly has a beautiful voice," my now dceased father said upon being introduced by me to Barbra; he was uncertain for about thirty-one years whether they had met, until he trusted me they, indeed, had. Since this album demonstrates the political voice Barbra had in part of 1986, it requires of me some (very-rare-for-me-so-far-in-my-sixty-three-plus-years) political comments. A then prospective uncle-in-law of Barbra noted that questions of use and weapons had been raised; this happened with this work in the midst of what has been termed the largest so-called defense build-up in history up to the end of the now deceased Ronald Reagan's U. S. Presidency. Mr. Reagan knew about this concert before I did; neither Barbra's current husband, who with her first husband performed in a movie suggesting that even more corruption was involved in landing on "the" moon than so far has been apparent, nor I were invited to this concert; I would have been impractically invited; so it's okay by me what happened.
   I suppose there have been Democratic and Republican candidates for office who ran via good-natured instead of cut throat competition. Certainly Al Gore's first book dealing largely with environmental issues disqualified himself in my, not Barbra's eyes, as an authority on them, due to his horrifying support for war the book clearly shows. I do not believe any weapons, including those made of symbols like this words, should be aimed at anyone.



4. Barbra Streisand puts her whole heart and soul in this performance. One is taken away as she sings "Somewhere," "Evergreen," and "Papa, Can You Hear Me?" Her voice touches deep within and brings you to a level of peace and serenity. So much passion is given to each song she sings.
   
   I especially enjoyed her rendition of "Over the Rainbow." Streisand shares with her audience a bit of reluctance she has in singing this song due to the fact that it is identified with one of the greatest singers of all time who first sang it. She dedicates the song to this wonderful woman (who we all know is Judy Garland and who Barbra had the privilege of working with.)She says, "Who knows...she might even be listening." Those words really touched me. A beautiful song sung by Judy Garland and now being sung by another legend. I once saw them perform together on Judy's television show. I'm sure Judy Garland would have wanted Barbra Streisand to sing the song with all the passion she had. And believe me, she didn't let Judy down. What a tribute! And what a voice!
   
   This is one of Barbra Streisand's greatest works. I'm sure glad I purchased this gem.
   
   Nancy Draper (Author) A Burden of Silence: My Mother's Battle with AIDS



5. 'One Voice' by Barbra Streisand is about the thirteen zillionth Streisand album I have bought, as I have been a fan of her singing since 1960, when the ver first album, 'The Barbra Streisand Album' was released and Rock and Roll was moribund, with Elvis in the Army, Buddy Holly recently deceased, and The Beatles an embryo performing in Hamburg.
   
   On that album, and on every album since then, Babs greatest talent was in her interpretation of her lyrics and her using some unusual pieces here and there, such as 'Happy Days are Here Again'. Unlike a performer like Tina Turner, the problem with that strength is that it doesn't bring a whole lot to the live stage. I saw Streisand perform live in Philadelphia's Veteran's Stadium in 1963, and unlike even the most sedate Rock or Folk performance, there was really not much to see or hear that you don't get from her expertly produced albums. There is a little banter with the audience, but not much to write home about. Babs also does her usual share of borrowing numbers which other performers have made popular, such as Judy Garland's 'Over the Rainbow' and Judy Collins' 'Send in the Clowns'.
   
   My whole point is that for even a long time Streisand fan, this album doesn't have a whole lot to offer over her studio albums.

5 comments about The Songs of West Side Story.

1. "West Side Story" is a classic musical, and what can people do to the music and still show the songs the way they were? With this CD.
   
   The album opens up with a nice version of "Something's Coming" by All 4 One. They were one of the groups that the more recent *NSYNC and Backstreet Boys had taken influence from. Selena's version of "A Boy Like That" is a great track. She is known for singing from the heart. Michael McDonald, James Ingram, and David Pack sing "Maria," one of the most beautiful songs ever. After that is Brian Setzer doing the prologue music and the famous "Jet Song" keeping it almost exactly to the original, but with guitar playing. Kenny Loggins and Wynona, afterwards, do a good rendition of "Tonight," which is followed by "Cool" performed by Patti Austin, Mervyn Warren, and Bruce Hornsby. "America" is performed by the legends of Natalie Cole and Patti LaBelle, with Sheila E. The funniest and most interesting track is "I Feel Pretty" performed by Little Richard. Tevin Campbell performs "One Hand, One Heart" which is great, but for a moment, everything has been forgotten when the rap version of "Gee Officer Krupke" is performed by a few too many artists to list, but I'll do the crazy thing and list them: Salt-N-Pepa, Def Jef, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, the Jerky Boys, and Paul Rodriguez. That's all forgotten when Trisha Yearwood sings "I Have a Love."
   
   However, the whole album, to me at least, has been a build up to "Prelude to the Rumble" and "The Rumble." The prelude is performed as an improvised piano solo by jazz legend, Chick Corea. It includes traces of earlier tracks, most noticeable is probably "Maria." That ends with a big musical boom done on piano which leads into a bigger boom performed by Chick Corea's Elektric Band and Steve Vai's Monsters, the latter of which was probably put together just for this album. There's a lot of multiple percussionists, and a lot of other stuff. Steve Vai's guitar playing is, like always, amazing, but I feel that Frank Gambale, Chick Corea's guitarist, after Steve Vai's solo, does a great solo himself. Later on in it, there's a big percussion section, with Steve Vai making guitar sound effects. This could be the first time a lot of the listeners hear Steve Vai, or even Chick Corea, and this really brings out what they're like everywhere else. This track is thought of as a duel between bands, but I feel that they were probably enjoying themselves because I feel that they were heavily working off of each other. The reason that I'm talking more about this than any of the other tracks is because not many other reviews have mentioned "The Rumble" when for a while, that was the only track I'd listen to.
   
   To end the album is "Somewhere" performed by Phil Collins, and earlier on the album, it was performed by Aretha Franklin. Both versions are great. I think of the Phil Collins version almost as a reprise, but there's also a prelude to it. The album was a build-up to "The Rumble" and now that the climax is over, "Somewhere" is like the solution. Most people I know say that Phil Collins should shut up and play the drums, which I honestly agree with. However, I think that he is a good pop singer. He also has a very sweet voice and does a great job singing soft songs. I do think it would be great to hear him play drums on this CD because he is an incredible drummer.
   
   Overall, this is a great album, and except for missing "The Quintet (Tonight Reprise)" which is understandable, this is a great album.



2. Leonard Bernstein would have approved of this all star salute put together by ex-Ambrosia's David Pack. Most of the artists are west coast pop stars. Some of the tracks could have used better singers. Although
   "A Boy Like That" was Selena's final song before her murder, it might have been done better by Natalie Cole and even put together with "I Have a Love" as in the show. "I Feel Pretty" should have been sung by Celine Dion since she's got the voice. Had he gone to New York he might have gotten some better names. But Pack wanted to do the rightful tribute and he did! The standouts are Kenny Loggins "Tonight" and Packs Three Tenors salute "Maria" with two of his regular singers James Ingram and Mike
   McDonald.



3. It's premature for me to do this, but I must. I knew this album had been recorded years ago. For some reason I never bought it, though I'm a huge fan of WSS. I somehow stumbled upon "I Have a Love" on i-tunes. Apple should bow its head in shame, because it doesn't identify ANY of the "various artists" -- I had to come to good ol' Amazon to confirm that it was Trisha Yearwood who sang "I Have a Love." -- Now, this is the only song I've listened to, and I must say this: Trisha has a great voice, no question about that. But WHY did they adjust the melody for her so she didn't have to sing the high notes? She sings the song so beautifully, but then... she doesn't go for it. It fails. The arrangement, which is really quite brilliant, took this incredible Bernstein/Sondheim masterpiece, and gave it this beautiful, touching country-music feel. And Trisha -- wow, she can sing... but then, in the middle of the song, and especially the end of the song... she doesn't go for the money notes. Why? Why bother singing this song, this stupendous heart-tugging melody, this soaring, gorgeous song, unless you're going to sing it right? I'm not saying not to take artistic license, but unless you're deaf, it's very clear that this "arrangement" (which is fantastic) was done to suit Ms. Yearwood's range... but again, why? I'm so upset. I love hearing her sing it... until it's clear she's not really going to! So, I'm sorry, thumbs down, and this fails. I'd rather listen to the original soundtrack and hear the notes the way they were meant to be sung. Change an arrangement; sure; make the notes LESS dramatic and LESS moving? No. But I still love, ya, Trish! (But get some vocal coaching so you can SING the damn thing right!!!)



4. Bought the CD through Amazon after hearing the Little Richard cut, "I Feel Pretty". Playing to type, LR gives one of his all time best performances. This cut alone is worth the price of CD.
   
   The rest of the CD - fair (Tevin Campbell - poor song choice for his otherwise cooool voice) to good (Selena - expected better) to outstanding (Aretha)



5. Hearing Little Richard sing "I feel Pretty" is worth the price alone!
   I found this to be a really neat way to introduce younger generations to this classic Broadway show.
   
   I would love to see more R&B versions of Broadway hits.

2 comments about The Essential Fred Astaire.

1. THE ESSENTIAL FRED ASTAIRE IS A GOOD OVERVIEW OF HIS MANY FILM AND THEATRE SONGS. HOWEVER, PREVIOUS ISSUINGS OF ASTAIRE HAVE INCLUDED MANY, MORE SONGS FROM HIS FILMS AND SHOWS. WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE IS TO OFFER A THREE-DISC SET THAT WOULD DOCUMENT ASTAIRE'S EXTRAORDINARY RECORDINGS SHOW BY SHOW AND FILM BY FILM. WHEN ONE CONSIDERS THE IMPORTANCE OF THESE SONGS, THEIR COMPOSERS AND FRED ASTAIRE'S ENORMOUS CONTRIBUTION TO AMERICAN POPULAR MUSIC IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THESE RECORDINGS BE ISSUED IN THEIR ENTIRETY AND WITH AN ESSAY DETAILING THIS NEVER EQUALED, PHENOMENAL MUSIC.....PLEASE SONY DO THE RIGHT THING AND ISSUE THE COMPLETE FRED ASTAIRE ON CD..........GARY JASINKONIS........EAST NORTHPORT, NEW YORK........



2. This CD contains some of Fred Astaires most well know songs like Check to Check and Lets Face the Music and Dance, all well restored. The only reason I didn't give it a 5 is that some of the scores were not from the movies they originally appeared in so they are a little different versions than the one most people would know. But all in all it is a wonderfull light hearted CD well worth the money.

5 comments about Live From Las Vegas.

1. We have always loved Sinatra. Just happy that we can still get this kind of music.
   Thanks



2. I am not being over the top with the title of my review. I have noticed various negative reviews for this album. I myself have been a Sinatra fan since I was a little kid. I have various live recordings of The Chairman Of The Board in concert on both cd and dvd, and very few of them come close to matching the quality of this cd culled from Frank's December 1986 engagement at The Golden Nugget.
   
   Despite being 71 years old, Sinatra performs with the same vigor and energy he had when he waa 25. Kicking off with a blistering rendition of "I've Got The World On A String", Frank is loose, informal, relaxed and in overall top form throughout the entire show. He converses with the audience, jokes around with the orchetra and pours his heart and soul into every performance. This is most apparent on the uptempo numbers, which among others include old warhorses like "I Get A Kick Out Of You", "Luck Be A Lady" and an utterly fantastic "I've Got You Under My Skin", as well as blistering rendition of the then newly recorded cover of "Mack The Knife". Mellower numbers like "What Now My Love", "My Heart Stood Still", a lovely "I've Got A Crush On You" and "Maybe This Time" g over just as well, and the croaky rasp that settled into Frank's voice as he aged somehow makes their sentiments seem more endearing. "My Way" and "New York, New York" are of course fantastic.
   
   But the undisputed highlight for me is the Rodgers & Hammerstein standard "I Have Dreamed". Not a lot of reviewers have mentioned this one, but it's the best song on here. Sinatra imbues the song with an unprecented amount of warmth and tenderness as he dedicates it to two audience mebers celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. Sinatra was always a crowd pleaser, and this performance provs why. It's the most passionate Sinatra has ever soundend.
   
   Also of note is the magical version of "Someone To Watch Over Me". Sung in a longing whisper, Frank really hits the sot with this one. This tender classic has rarely sounded better, as Frank goes for the heart and wrenches it. At 71, Frank already had more than his hare of women to watch over him, but he sings this song with so much passion and sincerity it makes it completely believable.
   
   A lot of reviewers have complained about the uneven sound quality. I myself haven't noticed a great discrepancy at all, and probably would never notice it if it hadn't been pointed out at all. As long as you have a decent pair of headphones or a good stereo system, you're set.
   
   The packaging and liner notes are attractive and informative. This cd makes a great companion to the 5 dsic "Sinatra: Vegas" boxed set, which along with this cd gives you the most entertaining performances of the greatest entertainer of our time, and of all time.



3. This Las Vegas appearance from December 1986 may not present the elder Frank Sinatra at his absolute vocal best for the period, but there are enough high spots to make this a very worthwhile purchase. Indeed, Sinatra actually sounds better on many tracks of this 1986 concert than he does on the post-retirement "Main Event" from 1974. Fans and musicians have said for many years that as Sinatra's voice weakened, his interpretive skills actually increased - and there are many such moments in this CD. For swing aficionados, one of the highlights is a pounding "Mack the Knife," vastly improving on Sinatra's studio readings of the song due to the brighter tempo heard here (probably courtesy of Sinatra's impossible but invaluable drummer, Irv Cottler). In spite of the occasional vocal rasp or lapse of intonation, Sinatra really delivers the goods on "Live From Las Vegas."
   
   Refreshingly, Sinatra loses much of his Vegas "jokiness" and attitude here, turning this CD into a fairly accurate document of how genuinely respectful this icon was of both his art and audience in countless cities and concerts across the world.
   
   A word or two about the audio: Only Charles Pignone and a handful of others would know for sure, but this sounds like a off-the-board recording that was fed to an early digital recorder with relatively low track count. If that's the case, it would certainly limit the amount of post-production repair that could be done to the original tapes. Sinatra's announcements have been kept dry and relatively echo-free in center channel mono, while the songs themselves suddenly bloom into stereo, adding some reverb to the voice in order to achieve a "warmth" that couldn't be achieved in the Golden Nugget showroom itself (which was no prize, sonically speaking). Thanks to the overall power of Sinatra's performance, these little audio oddities are easily and quickly forgotten.
   
   With the recent release of a 1987 Golden Nugget live CD in the new 5-disc "Sinatra: Vegas" set, fans now have two fine representations of latter-day, in-person Sinatra for their collections. As a live CD, I found this vastly preferable to "Sinatra: 80th" on Capitol.



4. This is an essential CD to celebrate Sinatra, the man, singer, the legend. When this show was recorded in the 80's Sinatra's voice may not have been "what it was", but Frank kept performing and in turn paid the ultimate respect to his fans. In fact he kept performing into the ealy 90's when he reached a point where he simply could not continue.
   
   At this show we have Mr. Sinatra well past his "Rat Pack" days, and in lies the beauty of this show. In place of his sometimes arogant posturing, we have an icon, clearly happy and even humbled to still be delighting his legions of fans. Frank is relaxed and clearly he is having as good a time as the adoring crowd,
   
   As always he is backed by first rate musicians, and he gives the crowd many of the songs that they have come to hear. He salutes his friend from the "age of cool" Bobby Darin with Mack The Knife, and does his take on the already by then reworkings of standards with his take on I've Got A Crush On You, a song made popular in again in the 80's, by Linda Rhonstadt.
   
   Fo me, other highlights include; I Have Dreamed, Maybe This Time, and One To A Customer.
   
   A great feature is having New York, New York, live. How many performers are lucky enough to land a new singature song later in their careers. Frank had a hit with this track back in 1981, and it became his "new" it song and he usually closed out his shows with it (as he does here).
   
   We all loved the one and only Frank Sinatra, and at this point we knew he loved us back.
   
   I had the pleasure of seeing him live around this time in Atlantic City, and I'll never forget that evening.
   
   Ken



5. This CD is a reminder that Frank Sinatra was a powerhouse live performer well into his seventies. Not only is he in great voice on this recording--he is clearly in great spirits. He is having the time of his life and it shows.
   
   In a few years, Sinatra would begin forgetting lyrics on a regular basis. He would also soon jettison his monologue, or as he refers to it on this recording as, "Now comes the time to talk." These warm and witty moments were always a highlight of any of his concerts. It certainly is in this one.
   
   The songs chosen for this program are among the best you could find in a Sinatra concert. In the early 1960's, an album titled The Concert Sinatra contained the pieces that weren't neccesarily Sinatra hits, but songs that were concert favorites. He includes three of those in this performance, "Luck Be A Lady," "My Heart Stood Still," and "I Have Dreamed."
   
   The Sinatra staples are included as well: "I've Got You Under My Skin," "I Get A Kick Out of You," "I've Got The World On A String," "My Way," and "The Theme From New York, New York."
   
   Each wonderful arrangement on this album let the songs take flight due to the incredible 40 piece orchestra.

5 comments about Sweet Charity (2005 Broadway Revival Cast).

1. Christina Applegate is a totally endearing, multi-faceted performer, but there is no way you can forget Gwen Verdon, or to a lesser degree, Shirley MacLaine in the so-so movie. However, I love revival recordings, if only because they tend to record a more complete score, and they are technically so superior to most of the older originals. On that score, this Sweet Charity doesn't disappoint.
   While Applegate is fine, Dennis O'Hare shines as Oscar. The rest of the cast are okay. Nothing more, nothing less. And as Nicki, Janine LaMama can't overcome Bebe Neuwirth in the Debbie Allen revival in the 80's. Allen also suffered the same comparison as Applegate.
   One note about the score, one of Coleman's best, the song Too Many Tomorrows is beautifully done here. A gorgeous ballad, I think has been under appreciatted among all the bigger, brassier numbers.
   The bonus tracks at the end of the CD of Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields are mere annoying curiosity pieces, to be listened to once, then turned off.
   Overall a pleasant CD, Christina Applegate still needs that one big role that can make her a bona fide broadway star, she has the talent and versatility, now she has to get the right show.



2. To begin, I saw this show twice before it bowed out at the Al Hirschfeld theatre. I had no intention of seeing it, but unfortunately, nothing else was available.
   
   I didn't have the pleasure of seeing Gwen Verdon in the title role, but I don't consider myself unfortunate; Ms. Verdon, with all her dancing capability, could never carry a tune (See: Chicago, Damn Yankees, and yes, even Charity). She may have been the toast of Broadway a few decades ago, but Mrs. Bob Fosse is about as over-rated as Les Miserables.
   
   I only recently caught the movie version with Shirley MacLaine...needless to say, not even the great Chita Rivera nor the incomperable Sammy Davis could save that version, which removed several wonderful pieces from Cy Coleman's score.
   
   I found Christina Applegate to be completely endearing and poignant. Her character may have been a little watered down, but she was still effective. There were times where her lack of vocal capability was front and center (See: You Should See Yourself, If My Friends Could See Me Now), but it never took away from her performance. She absolutely shines in "I'm the Bravest Individual" and, on stage, had wonderful chemistry with co-star Dennis O'Hare. Each number serves as a modern tribute to it's 1966 counterpart, although each is a little more sugar-coated than the last.
   
   Will Christina Applegate ever be regarded as Gwen Verdon? Never. Should she be shunned for her turn as Charity? Certainly not. I'd take Applegate over MacLaine any day.



3. Why do TV stars with little or no singing ability try to do a big Broadway musicial?
   
   I gave Christina Applegate's version of Sweety Charity a chance. I love the previous versions of Charity with actres's Gwen Verdon, Shirley MacLean, and Debbie Allen . I listened with open ears. However Applegates version seem TOO Jersey, TOO Tart and TOO green to give this Broadway soundtrack any UMF!
   
   The Pussycats Dolls should record this arrangement of the Signature tune, "Hey Big Spender" I think it would be a great single of them, however it does not work for me in this soundtrack
   
   The other signature tune of "If my Friends could see me Now" under the singing of Christina was so bad...I felt she could have needed the use of a few FRIENDS. Is Matt Leblanc available?
   
   One of the highlight is the talented Ernie Sabella singing "I always Cry at weddings". I'd cry too if i was on this soundtrack.
   
   A bonus highligh is the original demo recording of Cy Coleman's tumes. Great threater history. However this is the wrong CD it should have been on
   
   Have some charity for yourself and miss this one
   
   Bennet Pomerantz, Audioworld



4. everyone goes on and on about how great the new revival of sweet charity is. well i found it AWFUL. Christina Apelgate(i know thats not how you spell it..) is EXTREMELY annoying and "poppy", and this is what gives broadway a bad name.
   
   Truthfully, it doesnt deserve any stars. but i did find one song "The Rhythm Of Life" to be a relatuvely good song. On the original release of Sweet Charity, back in the sixties, this song is done terribly, but i did enjoy it on this CD.
   
   so basically do not purchase this CD, but get the song, "The Rhythm Of Life" individually off of itunes or something.



5. Although vocally not as strong as previous Charity Hope Valentine's and of course no one can or should compare Christina Applegate to Gwen Verdon, Christina exudes charm throughout this recording. David Hare is wonderful and the supporting cast does a fine job of keeping the charm and integrity of this musical intact. I would loved to have seen it live. I completely enjoyed myself listening to this cd and will enjoy it several times more.

5 comments about Experiment.

1. Mandy Patinkin's CD "Experiment" is just that, an experiment in voice production and creative presentation. I was not aware of Mr. Patinkin's vocal ability until after he left the TV production, Criminal Minds. His ability to sing from falsetto to strong baritone is wonderful. If you are into a different sound of famous and not so famous songs produced from a different sound, this is a CD to enjoy.



2. Mandy Pitinkin has an extremely original voice. I was shocked when I found out that the man whose name I remembered usually as 'Inigo Montoya'(from his role in "The Princess Bride") could sing! My friend had his cd "The Secret Garden" and he was just amazing in it! Especially "Lily's Eyes'! His fire and passion in the song was magnificent so naturally I have wanted to hear other cd's (after I bought the Secret Garden, of course). This one was very good. Soothing, and with his highy recognizable tenor falsetto voice. I can't quite give it five stars because it is, as I said, very mellow, but if you want a mellow cd- this is it! (By the way, I have very little trouble remembering his real name anymore! :])



3. This is an album that people will love or hate. Mandy Patinkin's voice is very unusual... does he sing falsetto, or tenor or is he a baritone? Perhaps he is all of this - a singer with a huge range. If you are expecting something predictable, you'll be disappointed.
   As the title says, Mandy experiments with this album, in ways that are reminiscent of Streisand in the 70s. The results are exciting and surprising.
   This is the album that I listen to whilst driving long distances. The variety keeps me alert and eagerly anticipating the next track. This is, I think, Mandy Patinkin's greatest album. I love it.



4. I can remember the occasion with perfect clarity, if not the actual date. Keith Lockhart had just been appointed as the replacement for John Williams as conductor of the Boston Pops, and the occasion was the PBS broadcast of his premiere "Evening at Pops" concert.
   
   The guest artists were Sylvia McNair, Mandy Patinkin and Doc Severinson. After a few decades of watching Doc on Johnny Carson's "Tonite Show," I held no high expectations for Doc's contribution, and he didn't disappoint me. On the other hand, I was (and still am) a big fan of Sylvia McNair, who sang a grouping of pop and jazz classics memorably. I remember remarking to my wife that Sylvia was my main reason for watching the concert broadcast, to which she remarked, "You ain't seen nuttin yet!" Or something like that; the paraphrase is certainly accurate enough for purposes of my comments here.
   
   Prior to this concert, I knew who Mandy Patinkin was, but "just barely." I recalled with a little wistfulness the Original B'way Cast Album of "Evita" (a 2-CD set that had been lost or misplaced but never replaced). And I enjoyed Mandy in Rob Reiner's classic "The Princess Bride." But that was about it.
   
   As matters turned out, Mandy was the last guest to appear, after Sylvia (thereby making my wife's prophecy, well, prophetic). The guy just bowled me over; can't put it any more succinctly than that.
   
   About half of the songs Mandy sang at that concert were from this "Experiment" album, and the balance from his eponymous "Mandy Patinkin" album. This is the newer by about five years, and on balance the better of the two. But not by all that much: Both albums are excellent. This one DOES get more playing time, however, so much so that I now simply refer to it as "the yellow album" (thanks to the color of the CD printing).
   
   Unquestionably, Mandy Patinkin is an "acquired taste." He has a distinctive style - perhaps too distinctive for some - in which his singing seems to be divisible into two ranges (a light falsetto tenor and a husky baritone). Well, I acquired it just by watching that Boston Pops concert. And took the trouble to follow up on Mandy's stage and singing career, and found that I also liked the guy simply for what he stood for: Family ahead of personal career gain and all that good stuff.
   
   There IS a downside to having heard him at that Pops concert. Now, unfortunately, I can't remember for the life of me what the titles of the songs were that Sylvia McNair had sung at that concert. I guess I'll just have to "go to the videotape."
   
   Bob Zeidler



5. His unique, beautiful lilting voice and showmanship are evident in every aspect of his music.
   I absolutely love this cd. I will definitely be purchasing his others.

3 comments about Holiday In Plaid.

1. This is a wonderful addition to the Plaids! Now I can have them truly all year long! Saw this show in San Diego this year, loved it. I have seen Forever Plaid many times (huge fan!), but this was really special.



2. This is a lovely compilation of Christmas music in the Plaid tradition. I just wish the song "Merry Christmas" had been recorded by the original Smudge, David Engel, whose rendition of this song is just gorgeous. What we *really* need is a cast recording of the recent productions in San Diego and La Mirada (winter 2006) starring three of the original Plaids. But this CD does include several songs from the show and is a terrific addition to a holiday library.



3. First of all, if you're looking for a soundtrack to the show Plaid Tidings, this is not it. I was dissappointed when I found that out, as there are some great non-Christmas songs in that show. However, that is my only complaint about this fantastic holiday CD featuring the Plaids. Great songs, fantastic vocals, wonderful sense of humor, if you like the Plaids or classic guy groups in general, or hey, a fan of Christmas music, you owe it to yourself to pick this up.