4 comments about Songs from Sweeney Todd (Accompaniment 2-CD Set).

1. I bought this CD bc I needed to perform a song from it for a Musical Review and needed a good accompaniment. This CD did just that. The Orchestrations and tempos are very accurate to the Original Cast Recording and do well for supplying a professional sounding back-up track.
   
   That being said, I must say I was just a tad disappointed when I heard the very synthesized brass blaring at the beginning of "God, That's Good!". This particular recording uses keyboards and computers to reproduce the score. Although you can't really tell for the most part, sometimes it can be rather obvious. The singers are a tad annoying here as well. They are very good singers, however, they really aren't acting the role well. They play their charecters undeveloped and sound like they don't really know what their charecter is doing or feeling. I know it's not a Cast Recording and they aren't supposed to be acting it, but it's still irritating when any performace of "A Little Preist" feels hollow and unfun. Also, the CD boasts being in the same Keys and Tempos of the Original Cast Recording, the very beginning of "Pretty Women" is obiously slower. Although I prefer the slower recording, I was surprised that they made a change after making such a blatent claim.
   
   In Conclusion, The CD works well for what it is intended for, but not much else.



2. EL DIABOLICO BARBERO DE LA CALLE DEL INFIERNO
   Estas pistas estan muy bien realizadas y son muy recomendables para los grupos amateur, solamente faltan dos pistas (por cierto bastante importantes,la cancion del barbero y la secuencia final) obviamente para que no plagien la obra, pero los arreglos son exactos para poder utilizarlos para cualquier representacion o concierto, los sintetizadores han avanzado muchisimo y muchos sonidos sobre todo las cuerdas suenan muy bien y muy reales. tambien otra gran ayuda es que no tiene grabado los coros asi que es muy viable hacer traducciones y adaptaciones



3. This is a great recording! My daughter and her friends are putting on a ST production for fun, and this will be a great addition. The music is very well done, and the practice singers are all fine.



4. This is a really great product, especially because Sweeney karaoke tracks are hard to come by. The instrumentation and quality of the songs is impressive, and they are in both the original keys and tempos. I'd recommend this product to anyone rehearsing for a production of the show or for any fan wanting to sing-along to a great, classic musical!

No comments about The Pajama Game: The New Broadway Cast Recording.

4 comments about The Aristocats.

1. This is absolutely great! I will listen to this alot . It is so upbeat,jazzy and woolala French!



2. DELIVERY WAS FAST CASE WAS IN PERFECT CONDTION PLUS WAS BRAND NEW..... REALLY ENJOYING THE MUSIC...PAID LESS THEN WHAT I GOT FANTASTIC



3. If you love the movie, you'll love this soundtrack. Songs are mostly authentic and sound great. We were not disappointed.



4. I have always collected Disney soundtracks and have always been waiting for more releases of soundtracks such as The Aristocats, Robin Hood, The Sword in the Stone, Saludos Amigos and The Three Caballeros. Always the ones never being released. I do own the other version or should I say song EP called Songs from the Aristocats that features She Never Felt Alone.. which is oddly missing from this version! Not sure why it isn't inlcuded on this cd release... the sound isn't the best that is certain... I doubt it went under any audio restoration like the other Disney soundtracks that have been released in the U.S. This cd has been released by Walt Disney Records in the UK under distribution by EMI records and it is NOT a bootleg. It is a legal copy.

5 comments about The Andy Williams Christmas Album.

1. It's my Uncle Bob and Aunt Kay still being here, it's Christmas morning 1967, when I got an electronic shaver(!), it's Grandma still being alive, it's some of the best Christmas music ever. It's my late Mom, it's energy, it's Sweet Little Jesus Boy and Kay Thompson's Jingle Bells, and it may just be the best Christmas album ever recorded. It could not possibly be Christmas without listening to this wonderful album. It's warmth, it's comfort, it's stability in an unstable world, It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year. It's home and it's family, and it's mine on CD, better than ever. Thank you, Andy.



2. My sisters and I grew up listening to Andy Williams Christmas music. I remember sitting on the couch in the basement waiting for my mother to put it on for us, then we would just go crazy singing and dancing along with all of the wonderful songs. Years later we tried desperately to find it at countless record stores, at least that's what they were called back in the 80's, but we could never find it. I was so happy to find it here! It is timeless! It has become a part of my children's holiday tradition now too!



3. Without a doubt,this is one of the best-selling Christmas albums of all-time. This album was released in late 1963,several months after Andy Williams' best-seller,DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES. I hear several songs from this album over the satellite feed at my workplace. The best tracks are THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR,also recorded by Johnny Mathis and Amy Grant. A SONG FOR THE CHRISTMAS TREE(I hope the title is correct) is a slightly different version than what's known as THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS. THE HOLIDAY SEASON is awesome. All the other songs are good. The cover photo is very ideal,with Williams sporting a tuxedo. After 41 years since the release of this album,it still sells by the dozens every holiday season. Many people who own an LP copy have gotten a CD copy as well. Originally,this album was available in both mono and stereo. Around 1968 or '69,monaural LP copies have ceased production.



4. If there ever was a classic Christmas album, this is it. Andy Williams' legendary voice along with pitch-perfect orchestrations make this an essential Christmas album. Just listen to his version of "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year"-- Christmas songs just don't get better than that.



5. I was driving home the other day in dismal pre-Christmas winter weather, and I wasn't quite feeling in the Christmas mood yet. Then Andy Williams holiday paen "It's the Most Wonderful Time Of the Year" came on the radio,and it felt like a big warm hug! Suddenly, Christmas came alive for me again, and I ordered this as soon as I got home. I should be getting it any day now, and I'm pre-rating it 5 stars 'cause I know I'm going to love it. Williams' honey vocals combined with these holiday classics will make this one of our best Christmases ever! I grew up watching Andy's Christmas specials and I should have bought this years ago! Now I can share it with my children! Thank You Andy! And Happy Holidays to everyone! :-D

5 comments about Lyrically, Alan Bergman.

1. How wonderful to know that one of America's all time great lyricists is a great singer as well. Alan's vocals are sincere, honest and vulnerable, as if he is in the room speaking directly to you. The arrangements completely support his vocal approach and the selection of songs will take you on a jouney of memories of your own. Every song is familiar and to hear them from the writer himself is a treat! A great gift for anyone who loves movies and music!
   Linda Addington



2. Too special for words! If you love the songs, you must have this CD--it's magically--lovely orchestration, sensitive renditions, well-crafted
   CD--



3. Alan Bergman's CD called Lyrically, Alan Bergman, is a masterpiece. It was a pure delight hearing this man sing like a robust, highly seasoned 20-year-old jazz male vocalist. And singing his own personally written songs nonetheless. Alan has completely stunned the jazz world with his voice, never before heard from in such a professional setting. The orchestra accompanying him is both traditional and understated. One can immediately recognize some of the most famous songs that Alan wrote, along with his wife and several other lyricists, that bring fond memories to mind for anyone who has been exposed to quality music throughout the years. This has been an enlightening experience for me and one that should be equally pleasurable to all listeners. Buy this CD and guard it with your life. It is brilliant!



4. Alan Bergman and his wife Marilyn have been penning some of the best loved compositions ever for the Great American Songbook. I cannot think of better treatment of a song than what I've experienced in listening to Alan's "Love Like Ours" and "What Matters Most." I hope Alan will continue to lend his vocals to more of his songs and perhaps even cover others. As a person who cherishes the likes of Bennett, Shirley Horn, Nat Cole, Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, I say add this one to your collection. It is most beautiful.



5. ...I really enjoy hearing songwriters sing their own work -- even if they are not necessarily known as performers. Bergman is a lyricist, not really a melody writer, which is probably what drew me to this...and indeed, it is fascinating. Some may complain about his lack of formal singing talent, but I don't think he ever really claims to be the equal of Sinatra or anything. He delivers these songs casually and with a knowing intimacy which really reinvents them. His vocals take a lot of the bombast away from the songs, and invest them with a beautiful, lived-in quality.
   
   That said, some things bother me. I feel like the orchestra is unnecessary. A small combo would have been fine. Even more troublesome, though, is what sounds like the rampant use of pitch-correction software. Check out the weird vocoder-like sounds on "It Might Be You." If he wasn't able to sing on-key, maybe a second take was in order...that really bothers me...maybe I'm wrong, but I hear it...

1 comments about My Boy.

1. He was a true artist and his singing voice makes you want more and more but unfortunately that is not possible...therefore we must appreciate what we have.

5 comments about Jekyll & Hyde Resurrection.

1. A very nice re-orchestration of the musical that has seen many-many revisions. I especially enjoed the many electric guitar riffs.



2. I listened to it once and went back to the broadway cast album. I was disappointed because I did see Rob Evans on Broadway in J&H (He was so good you wanted to hide under your seat!) but this CD is a little too heavy on the electric guitars. Overall, I gave it a chance but would have been better off saving the money.



3. A new point of view for a Classic! The Broadway cast album is very good. The Anthony Warlow's is a masterpiece but this new record is a new and modern vision with an spectacular sound. Heavy metal & Rock and Roll on each song!!! Good performers and great sound. Thank you Mr Wildhorn...



4. I saw the U.S. concert tour version of Jekyll & Hyde with this cast in Las Vegas in 2005. I have to say that though I enjoyed the performance. It didn't stand out as the best concert ever. However, when the album came out, I bought it anyway hoping to have a souvenir of that particular concert.
   
   The album consists of 3 main singers: Rob Evan as Jekyll/Hyde, Former Miss America Kate Shindel as Lucy and Brandi Burkhardt as Emma. All the cast are very talented and performed their hearts out but what is wrong here is probably the arrangement of the songs.
   
   I have read somewhere that Frank Wildhorn, the show's composer, wanted J&H to be more of a rock musical. And that's why this concert version happened, to newly arrange all the song in a more rock 'n roll way. The feeling that I got from this CD is that this doesn't sound like a cast recording and it doesn't give you any feel of the musical or the characters they portrayed.
   
   On the contrary, this is more like a compilation album of pop singers trying to sing J&H songs in their own styles. Still, most of the time the music overshadows the singer's voice especially the annoying sound of electric guitar. And the balance in music seems to never find its place.
   
   For Broadway lovers, some of the changes here might be weird for you. "In His Eyes" changed from the Broadway showstopping duet to a pop-ish ballad with a soft ending, not the belting one. Emma became "Girls of the Night"?!?!?! That's kinda weird. "The Way Back" is weirdly out of tune with all the drums and electric guitars in the background. The rest range from mediocre to bad in terms of musical arrangement, at least to my opinion.
   
   For the concert tour, a new song is added which is "If You Only Knew" sung by Emma. This comes out as a pop-ish kind of soliloquy which is fine but not outstanding. The newly arranged epilogue which is a reprise of "Once upon a Dream" sung by all 3 characters is fine and seem to be the nice ending for the production since there are only 3 characters in this version.
   
   The booklet includes notes from the show composer and lyricist, thank you notes from the cast and producers, the lyrics to the new "If You Only Knew" along with some headshot photos of the lead singers.
   
   This is definitely NOT a definitive recording of J&H. Get it if you want to try something new but don't put your hopes up too high. If you can't handle rock music, don't buy it at all. It will get on your nerves. Some of them did get on mine. If you have no idea about the show but interesting in getting a recording, I'd recommend either the Original Broadway Cast with Rob Cuccioli or the Complete Recording with Anthony Warlow. Observe that the Broadway cast is better polished as a whole with better Female leads but Anthony Warlow is the best Jekyll and Hyde and the complete version is, of course, more complete.



5. I was trying to figure out what to write in my review, but after reading other reviews, I pretty much echo the review by Steven Valenti here. I was, I thought, excited for a recording with Robert Evan having seen him on stage in the role of Jekyll/Hyde. While he has a great voice, this CD Recording just doesn't do it for me. I'll keep the double CD set of the Complete Works of Jekyll & Hyde playing on my CD player, thank you. I plan on seeing the show again in October 2007 - the touring companies have been great, putting together a complete show and not the "edited, changed" version done on Broadway. I still love Jekyll and Hyde. Did you hear the rumor, they are planning a musical movie, basically like they did with Phantom of the Opera. No casting yet. I'm gonna keep my ear open on the progess of the movie.

5 comments about The Wizard of Oz - Vintage Recordings from the 1903 Broadway Musical.

1. The Wizard of Oz - Vintage Recordings from the 1903 Broadway Musical FANTASTIC RECORDINGS FOR A COLLECTOR OF ANTIQUE MUSIC!!!!!



2. This Double-Disk Collection contains music from the original and varied Oz Stage Productions: "the Wizard of Oz", "the Woggle-Bug" (based on 'Marvelous Land of Oz) and "the Tik-Tok Man of Oz" (based on 'Ozma of Oz'). There are plenty of "Wizard" songs and music, but there isn't a lot of "Woggle-Bug" and/or "Tik-Tok Man".
   I often wondered how different the 1st & Original Production of 'Oz Wizard' was different to the book, and thanks to Mark Evan Schwartz's book "Oz: Before the Rainbow" I found out for myself (WORTH A READ!!). Later I got this CD to go along with the book's stage telling (more or less) and I listened in interest to the songs which, I read, were entirely different to the future Musicals of Oz. The songs are good, but not all of them are actually completely restored to perfection, so the singing may/will sound somewhat muffled. Also, due to the time it was made (for some reason), the songs don't actually fit into the story (even the stage's rewritten story) and sound distant/unrelated. But there are songs that sound similar to the original story ("Rejoice! The Wizard is No Longer King"). CD 2's Track 3 has music played during Silent Oz Film "His Majesty, Scarecrow" on the MGM 3-Disk DVD.
   The best thing about this CD Collection is the two booklets packaged along with the disks: the first (entitled "The Records") has writing on "What the Wizard Was" with a synopsis of the stage production story and "About the Recordings", a listing of all the songs on CD 1 (which are helpful for "Selection" Tracks not specifically named on the back) and notes on the songs like their origins and background. Booklet 2 (entitled "The Lyrics") has the words to the songs (in case you can't make out the words/want to sing-along). BOTH CDs include b&w photos of the actors, performance (few of which can be seen in "Oz: Before the Rainbow" book) and even reprints of a few illustrations made for the stage. The pictures are the best part of this purchase.
   The Entirely Different Songs may not fit with the story, original or rewritten, but there's nothing really wrong with the music when one enjoys to what they're listening to.
   I know that there is also another 'Oz on Stage' CD Collection called "Before the Rainbow" . . . hmmm, I wonder if I should get that too?



3. This truly remarkable 2-disc collection of old cylinders, discs, music boxes and piano rolls explains why the 1903 musical version of "The Wizard of Oz" did not survive the early thirties. It wasn't because it was before its time or even of its time, but simply because it was way behind the times. Its producers resisted composer's Paul Tietjens' attempts to write plot-driven numbers. His contribution survives only in the incidental music preserved on piano rolls (and the most interesting element on this collection) linking very disparate and even incongruous vaudeville acts by various authors and performers that graced the stage during the musical's multi-decade run. In other words, Baum was telling a story and the songs were telling another... As fascinating as they are for historical reasons, those numbers are commonplace, mostly uninspired flash-in-the-tin-pan ditties, with timid syncopation and a stong reliance on musical clichés. There is not a single standard among them and not even a decent lyric where "fine" doesn't rhyme with "mine" and "love you" doesn't rhyme with "I do"- or even "I know you know I know you do", as happens more than once. As an assemblage of shtick pieces and ephemeral sentimental or nonsensical ditties, this collection cannot be topped and it represents a monumental effort. Without it and its very generous and informative liner notes, I would not have the same appreciation for the absolute genius of Victor Herbert's operettas ("Babes in Toyland" came out the same year) where the more memorable songs are plot-driven and introduced and linked by the most luscious, inventive and varied incidental music ever heard outside an opera house. This sort of unified concept would culminate in Jerome Kern's "Show Boat" and it remains a truth today that the integration of plot and music - reminiscent of opera - is the true secret of successful and perennial musicals, whatever the current idiom. This collection also makes one appreciate the complete originality of the Hollywood film for actually going back to Baum's books, entrusting the songs, lyrics and music to Harold Arlen, Yip Harburg and Herbert Stothart and scrapping the musical's colourful but checkered history (except for casting ex-vaudevillians as the main characters, of course!). Highly recommended for its nostalgia value, its irreplaceable rarities and a better understanding of the history of American popular music.



4. Although it was one of the most financially successful stage musicals of the early 1900's, very little information is presently available on the 1903 production of THE WIZARD OF OZ. In what was obviously a labor of love, David Maxine has done much to correct this oversight by releasing a 2-CD set with over 145 minutes worth of extremely rare recordings of music from this and other OZ-themed musicals dating back to before World War I. Recorded materials include vintage acoustical disc and cylinder phonograph records, piano rolls, and music box discs, many of which go back almost a century. In addition, he has included two booklets worth of historical background information on the 1903 WIZARD OF OZ production, its stars, the individual musical numbers, and lyrics for the songs included on the CDs. (Lavishly illustrated with rare old black and white photos and artwork, these booklets, and the information they contain, are themselves worth the price of the set!) Several bonus CD tracks are included that offer rare recordings by Montgomery & Stone (the original Tin Woodsman and Scarecrow) and Bessie Wynn, who was also in the 1903 cast. Not just for dedicated Oz fans, this set is a "must have" for anyone interested in the history of American musical theater and American popular culture of the early 1900's.



5. One hundred and three years ago, author L. Frank Baum published the best-selling children's book of the 20th century, THE WIZARD OF OZ. Although the book was adapted several times as plays, silent motion pictures, animated cartoons, and radio shows in the next few decades, it is the 1939 MGM film that most people think of as THE WIZARD OF OZ. The success and popularity of that film completely eclipsed the memories of previous incarnations and even the book itself in popular culture. However, prior to the film's release, there was a successful stage version which premiered on Broadway in 1903 and delighted audiences for many years, making stars of Fred Stone and David Montgomery, the original Scarecrow and Tinman. As with the MGM film, chilren who saw THE WIZARD OF OZ on stage carried fond memories of the production into adulthood. Ray Bolger was so impressed with the Fred Stone's Scarecrow, that he remembered it vividly as an adult and based his own protrayal of the character in the movie on Mr. Stone's stage version.

   Unfortunately, time and Judy Garland have pushed the once popular Broadway Smash into history. It has been all but forgotten...until now.

   As the show moved from theater to theater and casts changed, so did the songs. Many of these were recorded on the primative equipment of the day: Wax cylinders, 78-RPM records, piano rolls, and music Boxes, and surprisingly many of these still exist. Now, thanks to those hard-working gents at HUNGRY TIGER PRESS, you can own these historic recordings on this awesome 2-CD set. THE WIZARD OF OZ: Vintage Recordings From The 1903 Broadway Musical contains over 145 minutes of terrific early 20th century music. You won't find "Over the Rainbow" or "Ding! Dong! The Witch Is Dead!" here. Instead, this WIZARD OF OZ contains tracks like "Budweiser's a Friend of Mine", "Sammy", "Hurrah for Baffin's Bay", and "Rejoice! The Wizard is No Longer King", each one a portal over the rainbow to the Broadway stage of a century ago.

   Obviously the play was quite different in plot from the movie--Dorothy travelled to Oz with her cow Imogene instead of Toto, for starters--, but the songs represent the style of popular music of 100 years ago and are collected here in a beautiful compilation. The set contains two booklets of liner notes which contain credits, lyrics, a written history of the production, and are extensively illustrated with photos and illustrations. Although the sound quality of the source material is not always up to today's standards, the songs are presented in the best versions possible, and the music is highly enjoyable. With 60 tracks and the wealth of information contained here, both written and photographic, this 2-CD set is good value for the money. A must-have for all collectors of WIZARD OF OZ memorabilia, an insightful look at popular music and Broadway history from a century ago, a glimpse into ethnic and racial stereotypes that were accepted at the time, and a curiosity for fans of the 1939 film, this set is big on appeal. Kudos to the Hungry Tiger Press for rescuing this treasure trove of musical history from obscurity!

5 comments about Purlie: The Original Broadway Cast Recording.

1. I've had a taped copy of "Purlie" for many years but I wanted it on DVD.
   I love the show very much and thoroughly enjoy listening to it much more now that it's on DVD.
   The music is very toe-tapping and exciting. I recommend it to anyone who loves a good listen.
   Tony.
   Australia



2. This is wonderful, funky music you can sing along with. A positive message in an unforgettable musical production. I have it in 33 rpm, cassette tape, and now a cd.



3. It is a very good musical. Look forward to having the 1981 dvd of Purlie when it comes out.



4. I had seen the play on PBS several years ago and really enjoyed the music, so when I saw that this CD was available I purchased it. It is a wonderful CD and I enjoy listeneing to it.



5. Just hearing Melba Moore sing "I Got Love" is worth the price of the CD. And Linda Hopkins blows me away every time I hear her sing "Walk Him Up the Stairs". I was somewhat disappointed with parts of the score, but I'm still glad to finally have the CD in my collection. Love the cover art.

5 comments about Follies in Concert (1985 Live Performance) + Stavisky Film Score.

1. I have very definite views on this - in other words, my word rules, ignore the others. Random thoughts - pay no attention to those who disparage Mandy Patinkin singing "Buddy's Blues." This is an album of brilliant pastiche songs, right? Patinkin is giving us the old vaudville, split week in Jersey, performance. Of course he's over the top! Outstanding. However - sorry, I love Barbara Cook, and it's a lovely rendition of "Losing My Mind," but no one, I repeat no one, does it like Dorothy Collins from the original cast. Dorothy Collins, the Hit Parade lady? Come on! Well, OK, I don't know how she did it, what she pulled up from inside herself, but it tears your heart out. The song belongs to her. "Beautiful Girls" is ... well, if you're a woman (or not!) I dare you to listen to this and not get up and pretend you're strutting down an imaginary runway (particularly if your kids are in diapers and you haven't been out of the house for 82 weeks and my husband better start helping out or I'll GO MAD)... Sorry,got carried away there. I could go on and on (remember, it's been 82 weeks), but those are just three highlights ... oh, and the overture, oh, and "Waiting for the Girls Upstairs" and heartbreaking George Hearn and absolutely terrific Lee Remick and of course, Elaine Strich!! and you've got to get this so we'll enjoy it over and over together, vicariously, and I better stop now, it's almost spring, maybe I'll get out. A girl can hope.



2. A WONDERFUL RECORDING OF "FOLLIES" WITH A LOT OF BRILLIANT PERFORMANCES
   BY THE STARS ON STAGE. A "MUST" FOR ANYONE WHO CARES FOR THIS GREAT MUSICAL.



3. The original is my perferred version, even though it is very watered down. Here, all the songs are complete, but it comes out uneven somehow. The really great performers here are Carol Burnett and Barbra Cook. They really shine. The rest do mediocre performances. Out of the rest, Lee Remick, and Elaine Strich do a great job. Buy this you want the "complete" version and four stellar performances, but the original is the one to get performance wise.



4. If any one album makes a case for FOLLIES is is this set of FOLLIES IN CONCERT. It is not the definitive FOLLIES, but about as close as we're likely to get. The sound is very VERY good, especially for a live recording, but as such there is quite a bit of applause on this disc.

   Producer Thomas Shephard originally taped the dress rehearsal so he would have quiet endings for all the numbers but when the audience nearly tore the roof off Avery Fisher Hall, he decided that eliminating applause would negate the event that led to the album. So, he comprmised and used applause after the "follies" numbers but not after plot songs. If you didn't know this you might wonder why "Beautiful Gilrs' gets such a huge hand and the next song "don't Look at me" seems to be met with stoney silence.

   The cast is sensational. Perhaps not in the same league as the originals but a fine "revival" cast. Lee Remick and Barbara Cook are ideal as leading ladies Phyllis and Sally and its a joy to hear Cook's glorious voice in "Losing My Mind." Mandy Patinkin effectively uses his energy to put a new spin on "Buddy's Blues. " I know some object to his over-the-top style but it was effective on stage. Elaine Stritch has fun singing "Broadway Baby" and Carol Burnet makes the most of "I'm Still Here." Really, there isn't one bad track in the whole package.

   Completists may quibble with the slight cuts here and there..the last bit of the Overture (including a segment of "Can That Boy Foxtrot") has been cut, as has "Bolero D'amour." The original montage ending of "Rain on the Roof/Ahh Paris/Broadway Baby" was dumped, and the spoken interludes in "Loveland" have been re-arranged. NONE of this will impair your enjoyment of this wonderful show.

   As a bonus RCA has filled out the second CD with the soundtrack of Sondheim's score for STAVISKY. Many cut songs from FOLLIES were used in this film score, so its a natural tie-in.

   The booklet has all the lyrics but no synopsis to place the songs within the context of the story. It is a minor flaw in an otherwise first rate package.




5. This is, in my opinion, the best recording of Follies you can buy. The quality of the recording isn't the best for reasons of staging and the lack of wireless mics back then, but who cares? Take a look at the list of famous singers in this cast. A big plus of this recording is the complete overature that wasn't on original. Barbra Cook is absolutely wonderful. Her voice doesn't age! I like the fact that they raised the key of a few of Sally's songs for Barbra since Sally is supposed to be the soprano of the two female leads anyway. Babra sings every single song with feeling and vocal perfection. I feel that her rendition of Losing My Mind is the definitive version of that song. Her final, "you said you loved me," is gorgeous and really shows the pain that Sally is feeling in her dramatically perfect interpreation of the song.

   Lee Remick is wonderful as Phyllis. She has the icy beauty that really makes her song, Story of Lucy and Jessie really make sense. Her version of Could I Leave You? Is great! She is just really great.

   George Hearn is absolutely wonderful! He sings every song like a god and it's nice to hear him sing something other then Sweeney Todd, which he tended to scream a lot in. I adore his voice and think he is perfect for the character of Ben.

   Mandy Patinkin is so annoying. He emphasizes things that aren't supposed to be emphasized and he's just ridiculous in all of his songs. His voice isn't the problem, it's his high voltage, uneccasary dramtization that turns me off.

   The supporting cast is wonderful. One More Kiss sounds so much better when it's sung by Opera singers, and these two are amazing. I mean look at their names and you'll go, Oh my god! Elaine Strich's interpreatation of Broadway Baby is very different for she truly sees the true irony of the song and portrays it very well. Everyone else is wonderful also. This CD is a must buy!