The adult contemporary star's 1998 return to her country roots. Featuring guest appearances from Babyface & David Foster. 11 tracks including 'I Honestly Love You'. MCA. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.
Back with a Heart,Olivia Newton-John,Mca Special Products,Adult Contemporary,Country,Country-Pop,Pop,Popular Music,Rock/Pop,Soft Rock
Average customer rating:
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100 Favorite Patriotic Songs
Manufacturer: Bci / Eclipse Music ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0000A1HT8 Release Date: 2003-08-12 |
Tracks:
- America the Beautiful
- All Quiet on the Potomac Tonight
- Ballad of the Green Berets
- On Top of Old Smokey
- Coyote Warrior
- Semper Fidelis
- Breeze from Alabama
- Onward Christian Soldiers
- Come Where My Love Lies Dreaming
- Patriot
- Sweet Betsy from Pike
- Marines' Hymn
- America Is
- When Johnny Comes Marchin' Home
- Happy the Soldier
- American Trilogy
- Home Sweet Home
- Washington Post March
- Enraptured I Gaze
- Jeannie With the Light Brown Hair
- Yellow Rose of Texas
- Over There
- Simple Gifts
- Liberty Bell
- Star Spangled Banner
Tracks:
- God Bless the USA
- Yankee Doodle Dandy
- Katy Cruel
- I Vow to Thee My Country
- King Cotton
- Beautiful Dreamer
- America
- American Patrol
- Mine Eyes Have Seen the Beauty
- Mohican Dream
- Red, White and Blue
- Some Folks
- Liberty Song
- Pomp and Circumstance
- Hail to the Chief
- Bennington Rifles
- Peace on the Battlefield
- I've Been Working on the Railroad
- Under the Double Eagle
- Red River Valley
- My Country 'Tis of Thee
- Camptown Races
- Wild Blue Yonder
- Hands Across the Sea
- Fanfare for the Common Man
Tracks:
- Stars and Stripes Forever
- Living in America
- Home on the Range
- Old Colony Times
- Clementine
- Invincible Eagle
- Ring Ring de Banjo
- Yankee Doodle
- Largo from "The New World"
- To a Wild Rose
- Hail Columbia
- Alexander's Ragtime Band
- Gettysburg
- Carry Me Back to Old Virginny
- Capitan
- Prairie Daughter
- Little Brown Jug
- Marching Through Georgia
- Entertainer
- Steamboat Around the Bend
- Revolutionary Tea
- Cassions Keep Rollin' Along
- Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier
- Amazing Grace
- Grand Old Flag
Tracks:
- God Bless America
- National Emblem
- Soldier, Soldier Won't You Marry Me
- Anchors Away
- Oh, Susannah
- Tramp, Tramp, Tramp
- Toast
- Dixie
- St. Louis Blues
- Appalachian Spring
- Bonnie Blue Flag
- Old Hundreth
- Swanee River
- Battle Cry of Freedom
- U. S Field Artillery
- Sidewalks of New York
- Chester
- Auld Lang Syne
- Kingdom Come
- My Old Kentucky Home
- Hail to the Spirit of Liberty
- Battle Hymn of the Republic
- Shenandoah
- Abraham's Daughter
- This Land Is Your Land
Customer Reviews:
not to great.......2007-04-04
Not so bad, 100 tunes for 4$.......2005-06-22
You get what you pay for........2004-07-04
Now I know why there were no song samples to listen to ..........2004-07-04
Average customer rating:
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The Incredible Film Music Box
Manufacturer: Silva America ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0007S687Y Release Date: 2005-05-10 |
Tracks:
- Gone With The Wind: Overture
- Citizen Kane: Overture
- Casablanca: As Time Goes By
- It's A Wonderful Life: It's A Wonderful Life
- The Third Man: The Harry Lime Theme
- The Searchers: Suite
- The Bridge On The River Kwai: Colonel Bogey March
- Vertigo: Prelude
- Touch Of Evil: Main Title
- Ben-Hur: Parade Of The Charioteers
- North By Northwest: Prelude
- Psycho: Suite
- The Magnificent Seven: The Magnificent Seven
- Lawrence Of Arabia: Overture
Tracks:
- To Kill A Mockingbird: Suite
- The Great Escape: Main Title
- Doctor Zhivago: Main Title & Lara's Theme
- The Good, The Bad And The Ugly: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly
- Once Upon A Time In The West: Jill's Theme
- 2001: A Space Odyssey: Also Sprach Zarathustra
- Midnight Cowboy: Midnight Cowboy
- Get Carter: Main Title
- A Clockwork Orange: Ode To Joy
- The Godfather: Waltz & Love Theme
- Jaws: Jaws
- Rocky: Gonna Fly Now
- Taxi Driver: Suite
- Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope
Tracks:
- Superman: Main Theme
- Alien: End Title
- Raging Bull: Intermezzo From Cavalleria Rusticana
- Raiders Of The Lost Ark: Raiders March
- Blade Runner: End Titles
- E.T.: The Extraterrestrial: Adventures On Earth
- Once Upon A Time In America: Deborah's Theme
- Back To The Future: Main Theme
- Witness: Building The Barn
- Aliens: Main Title
- Cinema Paradiso: Cinema Paradiso
- Glory: Charging Frot Wagner
- Dances With Wolves: The John Dunbar Theme
- Unforgiven: Claudia's Theme
Tracks:
- The Piano: The Heart Asks Pleasure First
- Schindler's List: Main Theme
- Braveheart: End Credits
- Titanic: My Heart Will Go On
- Saving Private Ryan: Hymn To The Fallen
- American Beauty: Any Other Name
- Gladiator: Now We Are Free
- Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring: The Fellowship
- The Girl With The Pearl Earring: Griet's Theme
- Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl: Suite
- Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban: Suite
- Lemony Snicket's A Series Of Unfortunate Events: The Letter That Never Came
- Finding Neverland: Impossible Opening
- The Incredibles: Overture
Customer Reviews:
Six Decades of Film Music.......2007-05-13
Excellent collection with fine performances.......2007-03-28
"essential film scores from 1939 to 2004 ~ Incredible Music".......2005-05-16
There are compilations and then there are "Compilations" beginning with a classic that even the youngsters today recognize "GONE WITH THE WIND" (1939) (Max Steiner), sweeping score that captures the tragic history of the South during the Civil War, one great cue after another, it doesn't get any better than this, nominated by the Academy for Best Original Score...and closing on Disc 4 with "THE INCREDIBLES" (2004) (Michael Giacchino), the big hit in computer animation from Walt Disney & Pixar that once again pit Super-Heroes against the forces of evil...our family of five Supers prove crime doesn't pay, but box-office receipts do...gotta love it!
Silva Screen Classics as usual, has put quality into this 4-CD-Set featuring The City Of Prague Philarmonic Orchestra and the Crouch End Festival Chorus conducted by Kenneth Alwyn, Bill Ashton, Paul Bateman, James Fitzpatrick, Mario Klemens, Derek Wadsworth, and Nic Raine. Recorded in "Dolby Surround" with the new technology of "HDCD", this is a "film-score-buffs" dream, one to treasure now and years to come.
Some selections are missing, but when you think of what Silva has included, it is impossible to please everyone...was happy to see "TOUCH OF EVIL" (1958) from composer Henry Mancini, as I feel this composer deserves all the recognition that has been overlooked recently in the music world...This collection is aimed directly at the "Serious Film Score" music fans and collectors...Silva is as always, perfect in every way...just the way we like 'em!
Total Time: 4-CD-Set ~ Silva America 1181 ~ (5/10/2005)
Average customer rating:
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(Not) Your Standard Spike Jones Collection
Spike Jones Manufacturer: Collector's Choice ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00007JR3K Release Date: 2003-04-08 |
Album Description
Holiday blues comin' on? Well, put a spike in `em! Here's the zaniest, wildest and just plain sickest Collectors' Choice Music exclusive yet79 tracks from Spike Jones and his City Slickers! These represent Spike's complete Standard Transcription sides, but these tunes are anything but standard; Mr. Jones brought his full bag of tricks for these non-commercial recordings (made in Hollywood during the early `40s). Add to that the fact that most of these have never been on CD or even LP, and any lover of Spike's mayhem-filled mixture of laughs and hot licks is going to flip over this set! Notes and great pictures accompany this 3-CD walk on the wacky side from the greatest novelty band of all time.Customer Reviews:
Great set of wartime rarities.......2003-05-14
Cure for the Blues.......2003-04-25
Standard Transcription Collection.......2003-04-12
Average customer rating:
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Andrew Lloyd Webber: Now & Forever
Various Artists Manufacturer: Decca Broadway ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00005R5UJ Release Date: 2001-11-20 |
Tracks:
- Jesus Christ Superstar: Overture - Andrew Lloyd Webber
- Jesus Christ Superstar: Everything's Alright - Yvonne Elliman/Murray Head/Ian Gilllan
- Jesus Christ Superstar: I Don't Know How To Love Him - Yvonne Elliman
- Jesus Christ Superstar: Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say) - Steve Balsamo
- Jesus Christ Superstar: Superstar - Murray Head
- Evita: Oh What A Circus/Sing You Fools - Antonio Banderas
- Evita: I'd Be Surprisingly Good For You - Elaine Paige/Joss Ackland
- Evita: Another Suitcase In Another Hall - Barbara Dickson
- Evita: Don't Cry For Me Argentina - Julie Covington
- Evita: High Flying, Adored - Mandy Patinkin/Patti LuPone
- Cats: The Jellicle Ball - Andrew Lloyd Weber
- Cats: Memory - Elaine Paige
- Cats: Gus: The Theatre Cat - Susan Jane Tanner/John Mills
- Cats: Mr Mistoffelees - Paul Nicholas
- Song And Dance: Take That Look Off Your Face - Marti Webb
- Song And Dance: Tell Me On A Sunday - Marti Webb
- Song And Dance: Unexpected Song - Sarah Brightman
- Song And Dance: Nothing Like You've Ever Known - Sarah Brightman
- Song And Dance: Introduction - Andrew Lloyd Webber
- Song And Dance: Variations 1 -4 - Andrew Lloyd Webber
Tracks:
- Starlight Express: Starlight Express - El Debarge
- Starlight Express: Crazy - Greg Ellis/Reva Rice/Caron Cardelle/Samantha Lane/Voyd
- Starlight Express: Next Time You Fall In Love - Reva Rice/Greg Ellis
- Starlight Express: I Am The Starlight - Lon Satton/Ray Shell
- Starlight Express: Light At The End Of The Tunnel - The Company
- Requiem: Hosanna - Placido Domingo
- Requiem: Pie jesu - Sarah Brightman/Paul Miles-Kingston
- The Phantom Of The Opera: The Phantom Of The Opera - Michael Crawford/Sarah Brightman
- The Phantom Of The Opera: The Music Of The Night - Michael Crawford
- The Phantom Of The Opera: All I Ask Of You - Sarah Brightman/Steve Barton
- The Phantom Of The Opera: Entr'acte - Andrew Lloyd Webber
- The Phantom Of The Opera: Masquerade - The Company
- The Phantom Of The Opera: Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again - Sarah Brightman
- Aspects Of Love: Aspects Of Aspects - Orchester Der Vereinigten Buehnen Wien
- Aspects Of Love: Love Changes Everything - Michael Ball
- Aspects Of Love: Seeing Is Believing - Michael Ball/Ann Crumb
- Aspects Of Love: The First Man You Remember - Kevin Colson/Diana Morrison
- Aspects Of Love: Anything But Lonely - Sarah Brightman
- Aspects Of Love: Chanson D'Enfance - Sarah Brightman
Tracks:
- Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Any Dream Will Do - Jason Donovan
- Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Joseph's Coat - Maria Friedman/Richard Attenborough/Donny Osmond
- Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Close Every Door - Donny Osmond
- By Jeeves: Travel Hopefully - John Scherer/Martin Jarvis/Don Stephenson
- By Jeeves: When Love Arrives - Steven Pacey/Diana Morrison
- By Jeeves: Half A Moment - Sarah Brightman
- Sunset Boulevard: With One Look - Glenn Close
- Sunset Boulevard: New Ways To Dream - Glenn Close/Alan Campbell
- Sunset Boulevard: The Perfect Year - Glenn Close/Alan Campbell
- Sunset Boulevard: Sunser Boulevard - Alan Campbell
- Sunset Boulevard: As If We Never Said Goodbye - Glenn Close
- Whistle Down The Wind: Whistle Down The Wind - James Graeme/Lottie Mayor
- Whistle Down The Wind: Cold - Everly Brothers
- Whistle Down The Wind: No Matter What - Children/Adult Chorus
- Whistle Down The Wind: The Nature Of The Beast - Marcus Lovett/Lottie Mayor
- The Beautiful Game: Overture - Andrew Lloyd Webber
- The Beautiful Game: The Beautiful Game - The Company
- The Beautiful Game: Our Kind Of Love - Hannah Waddingham
- The Beautiful Game: Dont Like You - Josie Walker/David Shannon
- The Beautiful Game: Let Us Love In Peace - Josie Walker/Omagh Youth Community Choir
Tracks:
- Oh What A Circus - David Essex
- Memory - Betty Buckley
- The Phantom Of The Opera - Sarah Brightman/Steve Harley
- All I Ask Of You - Sarah Brightman/Cliff Richard
- Love Changes Everything - Michael Ball
- Any Dream Will Do - Donny Osmond
- Amigos Para Siempre (Friends For Life) - Sarah Brightman/Jose Carreras
- As If We Never Said Goodbye - Barbra Streisand
- The Perfect Year - Dina Carroll
- With One Look - Petula Clark
- You Must Love Me - Madonna
- The Heart Is Slow To Learn - Kiri Te Kanawa
- A Kiss Is A Terrible Thing To Waste - The Metal Philharmonic Orchestra
- Whistle Down The Wind - Tina Arena
- No Matter What - Boyzone
- The Vaults Of Heaven - Tom Jones
- Try Not To Be Afraid - Boy George
- Pie Jesu - Charlotte Church
Tracks:
- Make Believe Love - Wes Sands
- Down Thru' Summer - Ross Hannaman
- I'll Give All My Love To Southend - Ross Hannaman
- Believe Me I Will - Sacha Distel
- Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1969 Radio Luxembourg Commercial) - Joseph Consortium/Pete Murray
- Try It And See - Rita Pavone
- Come Back Richard Your Country Needs You - Time Rice And The Webber Group
- Goodbye Seattle - Paul Raven
- John 19:41 - The Andrew Lloyd Webber Orchestra
- What A Line To Go Out On - Yvonne Elliman
- Disillusion Me - Gary Band
- The Ballad Of Robert And Peter - Tim Rice
- Christmas Dream - Maynard Williams
- It's Only Your Lover Returning/All Through My Crazy And Wild Days/Don't Cry For Me Argentina - Julie Covington
- It's Easy For You (1977 Jungle Room Session Version) - Elvis Presley
- Magdalena - Tony Christie
- Buenos Aires - The Roja Rockers
- Pollicle Dogs And Jellicle Cats - Andrew Lloyd Webber
- Mungojerrie And Rumpleteazer (Live At The Sydmonton Festival 1980) - Gemma Craven
- I Could Have Given You More - Petula Clark
- I've Been In Love Too Long - Marti Webb
- Benedicite - The Stephen Hill Singers
Album Description
Disc 1: Selections from Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Cats, and Song and DanceDisc 2: Selections from Starlight Express, Requiem, Phantom of the Opera, and Aspects of Love
Disc 3: Selections from Joseph nad the Amaziong Technicolor Dreamcoat, By Jeeves, Sunset Boulevard, Whistle Down the Wind, and The Beautiful Game
CD 4: 1. "Oh What a Circus" --David Essex 2. "Memory" - Betty Buckleey 3. "The Phantom of the Opera" -Sarah Brightman, Steve Harley 4. "All I Ask of You" --Sarah Brightman, Cliff Richard 5. "Love Changes Everything"--Michael Ball 6. "Any Dream Will Do"--Donny Osmond 7. "Amigos Para Siempre (Friends for Life)"--Sarah Brightman, Jose Caerras 8. "As if We Never Said Goodbye"--Barbra Streisand 9. "The Perfect Year"--Dina Carroll 10. "With One Look" --Petula Clark 11. "You Must Love Me" 12. "The Heart Is Slow To Learn" --Kiri Te Kanawa 13. "Whistle Down the Wind"--Tina Arena 14. "A Kiss Is a Terrible Thing To Waste"--The Metal Philharmonic 15. "No Matter What"--Boyzone 16. "The Vaults of Heaven"--Tom Jones and Sounds of Blackness 17. "Try Not To Be Afraid"--Boy George 18. "Pie Jesu"--Charlotte Church
Disc 5: (All tracks available for the first time) 1. "Make Believe Love"--Wes Sands 2. "Down Thru' Summer"--Ross Hannaman 3. "I'll Give All My Love to Southend"--Ross Hannaman 4. "Believe Me I Will"--Sacha Distel 5. "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: 1969 Luxembourg Radio Commercial--The Jospeh Consortium, Pete Murray 6. "Try It and See"--Rita Pavone 7. "Come Back Richard Your Country Needs You"--Tim Rice and the Webber Group 8. "Goodbye Seattle"-- Paul Raven 9. "John 19:41"--The Andrew Lloyd Webber Orchestra 10. "What a Line To Go Out On"--Yvonne Elliman 11. "Disillusion Me" --Gary Bond 12. "The Ballad of Robert and Peter"--Tim Rice 13. "Christmas Dream" --Maynard Williams 14. "It's Only Your Lover Returning/All through My Wild and Crazy Days/Don't Cry for Me Argentina--Julie Covington 15. "It's Easy for You" (1977 Jungle Room Session version)--Elvis Presley 16. "Magdalena"--Tony Christie 17. "Buenos Aires"--The Rioja Rockers 18. "Pollicle Dogs and Jellicle Cats"--Andrew Lloyd Webber original demo 19. "Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer" (Live at Sydmonton Festival 1980)-Gemma Craven 20. "I Could Have Given You More"--Petula Clark 21. "I've Been in Love Too Long"--Marti Webb 22. "Benedicte"-- Stephen Hill Singers
Customer Reviews:
I waited for this for five years.......2006-06-30
It was worth the wait.
The concept is great. The packaging is great. The recording is great. Disc five is really cool for an ALW aficionado. There are a few real gems on it; my favorites are Petula Clark's "I Could Have Given You More" and "Benedicite."
I've always thought "Gus the Theatre Cat" made a great medley on the piano with "Unexpected Song" and "I DOn't Know How to Love Him," but wished there was an alternate lyric to match the other two songs. Now that I know there *is*, and it's a good lyric, it's a dream come true.
The melody of "Benedicite" is one of my favorites from _Sunset_ (the book mis-identifies it as "SUrrender"; it's actually "The Lady's Paying" and "Eternal Youth is Worth a Little Suffering"). The lyrics are the canticle from Daniel 3, which comes up every odd Sunday in the Divine Office, so it's nice to have cool music to sing it with.
I haven't bought _By Jeeves_ or _THe Beautiful Game_ yet, to it was great to sample them.
There are other parts of the CD taht aren't found in my collection. I like CD 4 "The Hits."
But the selections on CDs 1-3 don't make sense.
First, any self-respecting ALW fan has the Original London Cast of _Phantom_, so six tracks are totally useless. Why not draw from the Canadian cast with Colm Wilkinson? Or pull out some obscure recordings never published.
Why two different tracks with Michael Ball singing "Love Changes Everything", yet they're hardly any different?
On Disc 5 is "It's Only Your Lover Returning," sung by Julie Covington. It's an early draft of the song (Lloyd Webber and Rice went through several suggested titles) and quite nice. The very thing one expects on a Boxed Set.
So why have the Julie Covington "Don't Cry for Me" on disc 1?? The only difference is a few words, but it's otherwise identical. Why not Elaine Paige or Patti Lupone or Madonna?
The _Evita_ section is otherwise the best, choosing a sample from each major recording, though I'd have chosen slightly differently (as above).
There is a great selection of "Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer" from the Sydmonton festival, using the original music that was changed when _Cats_ went to Broadway_. It would have been nice if they'd included more recordings from Sydmonton, like the original lyric of "All I Ask of You" shown on the second DVD to the _Phantom_ movie.
With so many great actress-singers who've played Norma Desmond, why does the collection beat us over the head with Glenn Close?
Paul Miles Kingston must be set for life in royalties, for the number of albums the original recording of "Pie Jesu" has appeared on. "Amigos Para Siempre" is nice, but it reminds me of Shari Lewis's "The Song that Doesn't End," especially when it's been used on so many compilations.
In short, this is a great collection for the obscure material, if you can get it cheap. But for a boxed set, it's a poor sampling, drawn mostly from the most familiar recordings.
Excellent collection but BIG PUBLISHING MISTAKE! .......2006-01-10
ONE OF LLOYD WEBBER'S BEST COMPILATIONS, DESPITE A FEW FLAWS.......2005-03-21
Over the years many compilations of his work have emerged. In the late 80-is and early 90-is it was the "Encore" series and lately the one-disc collection called "Gold". The one in question here can be considered one of the best currently on the market. First, it includes a 3-disc selections from all of his shows, minus the latest one, i.e., "The Woman in White", which, considering the triviality of the score, is no great lost. The fourth disc covers some of his most known songs sung by the famous artists. Then, there is the fifth disc with previously unreleased material, most of which are the songs ALW wrote with Tim Rice for various artists during the 70-is. The disks are all neatly packed in a hardcover book that features 67 pages of pictures and text with information about each of ALW's shows. One of the other assets here is the perfect sound quality, since all of the tracks have been digitally remastered.
Here are my basic impressions and comments regarding the material on the discs:
* Disc #1 has the selections from "Jesus Christ Superstar", "Evita", "Cats" and "Song & Dance". The Superstar material mostly comes from the Concept Recording. Although the songs sound beautiful as always, their orchestration is a bit dated now. Only Steve Balsamo's "Gethsemane" from the 1996 revival cast has a modern rock sound. "Evita" comes with the material from all of the major recordings: London, Broadway and the movie productions, as well as the Concept album. No objections here; since this is one of ALW's most satisfying works, every song is just perfect, although Patti LuPone, the Broadway and overall the best Evita, is left with only a couple of lines. With the selections from "Cats", however, I have some doubts. A plus to the choice of the "Jellicle ball" impressive orchestral sequence from the 1998 movie version and "Mister Mistoffelees" from the 1981 London cast. One of the best known ALW's songs, "Memory", also comes from that album. It's a pretty version and Elaine Paige's rendition cannot be matched, but why include this when the definite version, featuring an 80-piece orchestra and Elaine Paige with much better interpretation, can be found in the same movie version. Thusly, one has to buy Elaine Paige's latest 2-disc compilation "Centre Stage: The very best of Elaine Paige" to get that one. And "Gus the theatre cat" is more a recital than a song, so there was not much point in including that. Marti Webb brings her vocal charm to the "Song & Dance" sequence, Sarah Brightman sings "Unexpected song" with her famous soprano, but as much as I like her version, Bernadette Peters, who was in this show on Broadway is strangely left out here.
* Disc # 2 starts with "Starlight Express". This was never one of my favorite ALW's shows; the plot is even lighter than in "Cats" and the 1984 original cast recording is terribly dated. Yet, here we have one terrific duet, "I am starlight" from the original together with three songs from the later revivals and it seems that fresh orchestrations were just the thing Starlight needed. My favorite remains a touchy ballad, "Next time you fall in love". "Requiem" is the most solemn of all ALW's compositions, written in 1985 to commemorate the death of his father. Placido Domingo's tenor rides together with the chorus all the way through the strong "Hosanna", only to be joined by Sarah Brightman in the final moments of this song. She then gives an echoing deliverance of "Pie Jesu". What can be said of ALW's next show, "The Phantom of the Opera"? A phenomenon in its own right, it's easy to see from the six numbers included here why this is one of the best and most beloved musicals of all time. The cast, the music, the story - everything is perfect. Although "Aspects of love" was never a popular hit, it does have some of the most beautiful love melodies ALW has ever written. "Love changes everything" sung by Michael Ball is probably one of the best tunes ever about love. The rest of the selected material here has a dreamy love flavor and the melodies find their way into your brain in the best Lloyd Webber way.
* ALW's first musical, "Joseph and the amazing Technicolor dreamcoat" was more successful in its revival form than the original from the 70-is. The three songs included here are sung by the show stars, Jason Donovan and Donny Osmond. Maria Friedman was not a lucky choice to play the narrator, as the track from the 1998 movie version shows. "By Jeeves" was ALW's only big flop when it came to the stage in the 70-is. The 1995 revival sounds much better though, full of funny numbers in the best manner of the musical comedy. "Travel hopefully" remains one of the show's highlights on this compilation. "Sunset Boulevard" comes next. "Sunset" remains for me one of Webber's best scores; lush and beautiful. I listen to the original cast recording with Patti LuPone all the time. However, here most of the songs are performed by Glenn Close. A big mistake. If you've ever listened the American premiere recording with her, you'll know what I am talking about. She may have a strong stage presence, but her vocal abilities are too limited, and her aggressive approach to the role lacks any subtlety. Therefore, the two big numbers from this show, "With one look" and "As if we never said goodbye" are ruined by the fact she can't sing. The same goes for the American Joe Gillis, who was played by Alan Campbell. Luckily, Patti LuPone and Kevin Anderson, the original Norma and Joe from the London production, make their brief entrance here with the "Perfect year"; enough to show how better they are. The funny thing is, on the jacket and inside of it, Glenn Close and Alan Campbell are credited as performers in this song as well. If this was a mistake on ALW's part, it was a good one. The next ALW's show, "Whistle down the wind" was never a critic's dear and yet the audiences rushed in to see it in London. The score brings back ALW to his rock and roll roots of the seventies and the story is quite interesting. But the selections here are not the happiest, since the cast recording boasts with much better songs. And finally, "The Beautiful Game". Again, we have one of those ALW's shows that is worth in its individual parts rather than as a whole. "Our kind of love" and "Let us love in peace" are two catchy ballads. The latter is a nice amalgam version not available elsewhere. The two other tracks here I could live without.
* Disc # 4 has the songs from all the above shows performed by different artists. The assembled tracks have their pros and cons. For example, we have some previously unreleased stuff, like Dame Kiri Te Kanawa's operettic rendition of "The heart is slow to learn", or a stunning and epic "A kiss is a terrible thing to waste" from "Whistle down the wind", performed by The Metal Philharmonic Orchestra. Then again, what was the point in including almost identical tracks as the ones on the previous disks? So we have Michael Ball again singing "Love changes everything" with only a bit different orchestration; Sarah Brightman comes out again with the same Phantom duets, but only with the different male singers. It would be much more appropriate to include tracks from the Toronto Cast of the Phantom, with Colm Wilkinson. Other pop deliverances (Tina Arena's "Whistle down the wind", Barbra Streisand's "As if we never said goodbye", Boyzone's "No matter what" and many more) were wisely chosen. Patti LuPone is again nowhere to be found and Petula Clark's "With one look" sounds too worn-out.
* The last disc is probably the one that will be of most interest to Lloyd Webber aficionados. It consists of entirely previously unreleased material ALW for the most part wrote for various artists during his early years, with Tim Rice. Some of these tunes, not successful as a singles, were later used in his shows. Thus "Down thru' summer" became "Buenos Aires"in Evita, "Try it and see", an unsuccessful attempt for the Eurovision was used for "King Herod's song" in "Superstar" and so on. Some of these songs are nicely made pop songs: "Make believe love", ALW's first recorded composition, for which he provided the lyrics; "Goodbye Seattle", sung by Paul Raven, who later became Gary Glitter; "Come back Richard, your country needs you", from a never made musical, sung here by Tim Rice, or Latin flavored "Magdalena", with Tony Christie singing. My all time favorite here is a song called "It's easy for you", sung by none other than Elvis Presley himself. Lloyd Webber and Rice sent him a demo recording that he accepted and recorded this live version a couple of weeks before he died. It's amazing to hear how his voice remained in the perfect shape. Also, there is a track of Andrew Lloyd Webber singing "Policle dogs and Jellicle cats" while plying the piano. His voice doesn't sound bad at all.
Taken as a whole, this compilation makes a perfect birthday or Christmas present to any fan of Andrew Lloyd Webber shows, or just anybody interested in some of the best tunes from the modern era of the musical theatre; despite the flaws I mentioned above. To the former, it may just be the final addition for the Andrew Lloyd Webber collection.
SUCH MAGICAL MUSIC OF THE NIGHT!.......2003-01-19
Opera") and the longest-running show of all time ("Cats"), the man whose homes are filled with three Grammys, five Oliviers, a Golden Globe, and Oscar and too many other honors and hosannas to mention, the man knighted in 1992 certainly doesn't need an introduction. Now Decca Broadway pays tribute to Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber with "Now and Forever," a spectacular 5-CD set compiled and produced by Sir Andy himself. It's cheaper than a
ticket to "The Producers" ... and more much exciting. This treasure trove contains highlights from all of Webber's shows, and a bonus disc of tunes sung by Betty Buckley, Barbara
Streisand, Jose Carreras, Boy George, Charlotte Church, Madonna, Tom Jones, Petula Clark, even Elvis! A must for lovers of theatre---and good music.
A Must Have for Sir Andrew fans.......2002-05-21
The cuts from the musicals are great but are likely owned by ALW fans as they are on the original cast albums. And I'm glad that there were tunes included from the composers most recent efforts which have yet to make it beyond London (Whistle Down the Wind, Beautiful Game).
My only complaint is the inclusion of way too many tracks by Sarah Brightman. She must've received a great divorce settlement that included having tunes on any ALW collection until the end of time!! Her interpretations of some of the tunes were limp and uninspired. I would've much rather heard casts from around the world rather than yet another song by this disdainful soprano! How about Colm Wilkinson's version of "Music of the Night" from the original Canadian cast of "Phantom"? Or Michael Crawford's version of "Unexpected Song"? What? No Betty Buckley from "Sunset Blvd."? And of course there are songs you KNOW are going to be on the collection before you even listen to it as they have been on EVERY ALW collection for the past decade or so.
A great collection but too much Sarah Brightman!
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Back with a Heart
Olivia Newton-John Manufacturer: Universal Special Products ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000006R8I Release Date: 1998-05-12 |
Tracks:
- Precious Love
- Closer To Me
- Fight For Our Love
- Spinning His Wheels
- Under My Skin
- Love Is A Gift
- I Don't Wanna Say Goodnight
- Don't Say That
- Attention
- Back With A Heart
- I Honestly Love You
Album Description
The adult contemporary star's 1998 return to her country roots. Featuring guest appearances from Babyface & David Foster. 11 tracks including 'I Honestly Love You'. MCA.Customer Reviews:
Great title song but...........2006-10-29
Still, it's a pleasure to hear again Olivia back to her country roots.
Uno de los cd's mas hermosos de Olivia..........2005-09-19
Muy recomendable a todos...
An unexpected return to country music.......2005-07-18
The album was recorded at four different recording studios with six different record producers, which makes for a varied album although, for the most part, it hangs together quite well. If you think that one or two songs sound as if they don't really belong, you know why. Among the producers, Don Cook was responsible for two tracks while John Farrar, Tony Brown and Gary Burr each produced two tracks. Chris Ferrer and David Foster both produced one track, the latter being responsible for the new version of I honestly love you.
There are plenty of great songs here although if I have to pich out highlights, I'll go for Precious love, Love is a gift, Don't say love and Back with a heart. This album will probably appeal more to those fans who (like me) prefer Olivia's early recordings than to those who like her best for Grease and Physical. While this is not as obviously country as Olivia's early recordings, it clearly falls within the ambit of contemporary country music.
The best penny i ever spent........2005-04-03
The comeback kid - wrong first single.......2003-07-05
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Britten: Holy Sonnets Op35 / Bostridge, Johnson
Benjamin Britten , Ian Bostridge , Graham Johnson , Edward Perry , Jeremiah Taylor , John Donne , Peter Burra , Arthur Waley , Thomas Lovell Beddoes , Louis MacNiece , and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Manufacturer: Hyperion UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000002ZWS Release Date: 1995-11-21 |
Tracks:
- Harmonia Sacra: Pelham Humfreys: Lord! I Have Sinned
- Harmonia Sacra: Pelham Humfreys: Hymn To God The Father
- Harmonia Sacra: William Croft: A Hymn On Divine Musick
- The Way To The Tomb...: Evening
- The Way To The Tomb...: Morning
- The Way To The Tomb...: Night
- W H Auden Settings: Night Covers Up The Rigid Land
- W H Auden Settings: Fish In The Unruffled Lakes
- W H Auden Settings: To Lie Flat On The Back With The Knees Flexed
- The Red Cockatoo & Other Songs: A Poison Tree (Blake)
- The Red Cockatoo & Other Songs: When You're Feeling Like Expressing Your Affection (Auden)
- The Red Cockatoo & Other Songs: Not Even Summer Yet (Burra)
- The Red Cockatoo & Other Songs: The Red Cockatoo (Waley)
- The Red Cockatoo & Other Songs: Wild With Passion (Beddoes)
- The Red Cockatoo & Other Songs: If Thou Wilt Ease Thine Heart (Beddoes)
- The Red Cockatoo & Other Songs: Cradle Song For Eleanor (MacNeice)
- The Red Cockatoo & Other Songs: Birthday Song For Erwin (Duncan)
- The Red Cockatoo & Other Songs: Um Mitternacht (Goethe)
- The Holy Sonnets Of John Donne, Op. 35: Oh My Black Soule!
- The Holy Sonnets Of John Donne, Op. 35: Batter My Heart
- The Holy Sonnets Of John Donne, Op. 35: O Might Those Sighes And Teares
- The Holy Sonnets Of John Donne, Op. 35: Oh, To Vex Me
- The Holy Sonnets Of John Donne, Op. 35: What If This Present
- The Holy Sonnets Of John Donne, Op. 35: Since She Whom I Loved
- The Holy Sonnets Of John Donne, Op. 35: At The Round Earth's Imagined Corners
- The Holy Sonnets Of John Donne, Op. 35: Thou Hast Made Me
- The Holy Sonnets Of John Donne, Op. 35: Death, Be Not Proud
Customer Reviews:
rarely heard music.......2007-01-07
A voice teacher and early music fan.......2006-02-07
I bought this album because the music of Britten has always intrigued me and I was not disappointed in the variety of songs included on this album. The nine Holy Sonnets of John Donne are profound religious meditations,all of which are concerned with death and repentance. The songs 'Evening','Morning', and 'Night', are taken from the incidental music for Ronald Duncan's Masque 'This Way to the Tomb'.There are songs with settings of W.H. Auden, and several other writers too numerous to mention, but suffice it to say that there is sufficient variety to keep all listeners interested throughout the disc. Some of the songs I found particularly interesting are:'The Red Cockatoo',Waley-'A Poison Tree',Blake-'Cradle Song for Eleanor',MacNeice-and 'Death be not Proud'. When you have an Ian Bostridge available there is no need to look for anyone else. He has all the vocal skills and nuances to sing each song as an island in itself; simply marvelous interpretations, and he is fortunate to have Graham Johnson to accompany him.
Good, but could be much better..........2004-11-02
Peter Pears' recordings of many of these songs are still in many ways the difinitive performances, but I do like to hear other voices sing this repertoire and unfortunately very few options are out there. So, kudos to Bostridge for recording these songs, but lets not crown him THE new Britten singer of our time.
THE English Singer sings music by THE English Songwriter.......2000-02-29
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81st Birthday Concert
Manufacturer: Bridge ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000003GJ4 Release Date: 1993-11-01 |
Tracks:
- Zion's Walls
- At The River
- Simple Gifts
- Three Moods: Embittered
- Three Moods: Wistful
- Three Moods: Jazzy
- Night Thoughts
- Conversation With Aaron Copland, Donald L. Leavitt And Leo Smit
- Introduction By Jan DeGaetani/Twelve Poems Of Emily Dickinson
- Nature, The Gentlest Mother
- There Came A Wind Like A Bugle
- Why Do They Shut Me Out Of Heaven?
- The World Feels Dusty
- Heart, We Will Forget Him
- Dear March, Come In!
- Sleep Is Supposed To Be
- When They Come Back
- I Felt A Funeral In My Brain
- I've Heard An Organ Talk Sometimes
- Going To Heaven
- The Chariot
- The Little Horses (From Old American Songs, Second Set, 1952)
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Purcell: Theatre Music
Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0001Y4JHA Release Date: 2004-10-12 |
Customer Reviews:
Fine reissue of a classic set.......2006-05-24
This set originally appeared as separate LPs in the 70s and 80s, and has been long out of print. That's a pity, since Purcell spent a good deal of his short professional life in the theatre, either writing the incidental music contained on these CDs, or the music for his larger works, the semi-operas (King Arthur, The Fairy Queen, and the like). Almost all of these works are enjoyable gems; certainly, they represent a pinnacle of English 17th century music. Purcell had a genius for spinning musical gold out of the most leaden lyrics (check out his Odes and Welcome Songs on Hyperion if you don't believe me), and he does the same with the song texts in these plays.
Hogwood and the AAM offer clean, listenable performances, and the sound on these old analog discs has been cleaned up and brightened--although they were pretty good, even in the late 70s. As with most Hogwood, emotional extremes are kept to a minimum, so the "otherworldly" nature of late 17th century music, so often emphasised in more recent Baroque performances, doesn't come across here. It would be interesting to see what a group like The King's Consort would do with this music, but this set fills the major gap in the Purcell canon quite nicely.
My only beef with the reissue, as with many reissues, is that the liner notes are rather thin for a 6-cd set--the lyrics to the songs, for example, are especially missed. Still, it's a worthwhile set, and a must for fans of Purcell, English Baroque music, or anyone who just wants to experience a taste of the last days of the Restoration stage.
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The English Anthem, Vol. 3
Manufacturer: Hyperion UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000002ZRW Release Date: 1995-04-16 |
Tracks:
- O How Glorious
- The Lord Is My Shepard
- Hymn To The Mother Of God
- Expectans Expectavi
- Faire Is The Heaven
- Come, O Holy Ghost, Our Souls Inspire
- In Exitu Israel
- At The Round Earth's Imagined Corners
- Set Me A Seal Upon Thine Heart
- Turn Back, O Man
- There Is An Old Belief
- Give Unto The Lord
Customer Reviews:
Satisfying programme.......2001-01-07
St. Paul's Cathedral Choir recorded it at about the same time that they made their Kenneth Leighton disc, hence the featured treble soloist on both is Thomas Colwell. His voice is particularly arresting, for instance, at the opening of Thomas Attwood's "Come, Holy Ghost" - by far the simplest work on the disc, within the grasp of even the smallest of choirs. At the other end of the spectrum is Robert Saxton's "At the round earth's imagined corners," commissioned by the choir in the early 90s, which is surprisingly effective and accessible compared to some of his (and his contemporaries) other works. As always with this series, the choir make these contrasted simple and complex works sound effortless.
Other works on the programme include Basil Harwood's "O how glorious is the Kingdom," William Harris's evergreen "Faire is the heaven," William Walton's exquisite and much-loved setting of "Set me as a seal" and one of Hubert Parry's "Songs of Farewell" - in this case, "There is an old belief." John Tavener's "Hymn to the Mother of God" makes a good impression here, although it's a pity that it's companion "Hymn for the Dormition of the Mother of God" is absent - the two are always presented together on recordings and were first performed together liturgically. "Turn back, O man" by Gustav Holst receives a most stirring rendition. The disc ends with Edward Elgar's very fine, cantata-like setting of Psalm 29, "Give unto the Lord," written for first performance at St. Paul's and sounding particularly glorious in the vast resonance of the building under the care of John Scott and his forces.
A worthy companion to the others in the series: well-recorded, beautifully performed and ingeniously devised. This is cathedral music at its best.
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John McCormack: The Acoustic Victor and HMV Recordings (1912-14)
Manufacturer: Romophone ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B0000061K8 Release Date: 1998-02-10 |
Tracks:
- Maire, My Girl
- Like Stars Above
- Take, O Take Those Lips Away
- A Child's Song
- Asthore
- A Farewell
- My Commander As Envoy Bids Me Come
- I Know Of Two Bright Eyes
- Eileen Aroon
- The Wearing Of The Green
- The Rosary
- The Harp That Once Through Tara's Halls
- Silver Threads Among The Gold
- T'eri Un Giorno Ammalato
- At Dawning
- Dai Campi, Dai Prati
- Giunto Sul Passo
- Mi Par D'udir Ancora
- Nirvana
- There Is a Flower That Bloometh
- My Dreams
- Sweet Genevieve
- I'll Sing Thee Songs Of Araby
- Where The River Shannon Flows
- Silver Threads Among The Gold
Tracks:
- Within The Garden Of My Heart
- Dear Love, Remember Me
- Chiudo Gli Occhi 'Il Sogno'
- Molly Brannigan
- A Foggy Dew
- The Low Back'd Car
- Sospiri Miei, Andate Ove Vi Mando
- Say 'Au Revoir', But Not 'Goodbye'
- Mother O' Mine
- Down In The Forest
- Votre Mere Avec Moi Sortait De La Chapelle
- I Hear A Thrush At Eve
- Goodbye
- A Little Love A Little Kiss
- Questa O Quella
- Nearer My God To Thee
- Eileen Allanah
- Goodbye, Sweetheart, Goodbye
- Le Portrait
- Angel's Serenade
- Le Nil
- Beneath The Quivering Leaves
- Ave Maria, D.839
- Ave Maria 'Meditation On J.S. Bach's Prelude In C'
Customer Reviews:
When looking for "the most".......2001-05-14
A superb McCormack collection.......2000-10-21
Simply the Best.......2000-01-27
Music Album:
