Talk to Your Heart

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
That old mix of singer-songwriter, honky-tonk, and bluegrass sensibilities still yields some attractive dividends on Talk to Your Heart. This quartet includes fiddler Jeff Wisor, bassist Ernie Sykes, and the bandleader's wife, Martha Adcock, whose lovely soprano and smoky restraint recall Emmylou Harris. Eddie Adcock plays as much acoustic guitar as banjo, and he demonstrates his facility on the Martin with his spry instrumental, "The Boy from Arkansas." Eddie and Martha wrote seven of the 15 cuts, but they still have a knack for turning commercial tunes into new-grass showcases. This time they turn the trick with the Statler Brothers' "Your Heart of Mine," David Allan Coe's "He's Taking It Hard," and J.J. Cale's "Call Me the Breeze." --Geoffrey Himes

Talk to Your Heart,Eddie Adcock,Cmh Records,Bluegrass,Country,Pop,Progressive Bluegrass
(Not) Your Standard Spike Jones Collection
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Great set of wartime rarities
  • Cure for the Blues
  • Standard Transcription Collection
(Not) Your Standard Spike Jones Collection
Spike Jones
Manufacturer: Collector's Choice
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
Contemporary ComedyContemporary Comedy | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
Novelty MusicNovelty Music | Comedic Music | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Comedic Music | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Strictly for Music Lovers
  2. Fonk
  3. Spike Jones - Greatest Hits
  4. Spiked!: The Music of Spike Jones
  5. The Spike Jones Story

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 yet—79 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:

5 out of 5 stars Great set of wartime rarities.......2003-05-14

Spike Jones was the king of the novelty song performers, with hits like "Der Fuehrer's Face" and the parody version of "Sheik of Araby" becoming huge hits during World War II. This is a swell 3-CD set, gathering a full eighty-one of Jones' best tracks from his 1940s heyday, drawn from an extensive archive of radio broadcasts made for the Standard Transcription service. The tightness of his City Slickers band is amply demonstrated in these manic, kookily orchestrated performances. Toots, squonks, blatts and bleats whiz by at lightning speed, as one daffy song after another will delight devoted fans. Amazingly, Jones had the unusual, almost unique ability to perform a repertoire almost entirely made up of comedic material, and yet still be quite listenable and engaging. His jazz chops were hardly in question, and from time to time Jones would dash off a non-novelty ballad or two, just to give the rubes something to think about. Of course, just as often he would perform a song that *sounded* like a straight ballad, but would turn out to be another goof. (One great example of this is the sultry "Serenade To A Jerk," sung in slinky, burlesque tones by Myrtle Horwin.) This collection may seem a little overwhelming, but like his studio recordings, these radio performances have a certain brilliance and joie de vivre about them that will leave you enchanted. Definitely worth checking out!

5 out of 5 stars Cure for the Blues.......2003-04-25

Here's the zaniest, wildest and just plain sickest Collectors' Choice Music exclusive yet-79 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.

4 out of 5 stars Standard Transcription Collection.......2003-04-12

This collection has remastered material from the large stack of Standard Transcription discs from the early 1940's. There are many songs not recorded on RCA, many on the theme of wartime ("48 Reasons Why"), and the quality is excellent. The packaging is threadbare but this is an essential CD package for true music lovers.
Andrew Lloyd Webber: Now & Forever
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • I waited for this for five years
  • Excellent collection but BIG PUBLISHING MISTAKE!
  • ONE OF LLOYD WEBBER'S BEST COMPILATIONS, DESPITE A FEW FLAWS
  • SUCH MAGICAL MUSIC OF THE NIGHT!
  • A Must Have for Sir Andrew fans
Andrew Lloyd Webber: Now & Forever
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Decca Broadway
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

RequiemsRequiems | Forms & Genres | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
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  1. Gold: The Definitive Hits Collection
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ASIN: B00005R5UJ
Release Date: 2001-11-20

Tracks:

  1. Jesus Christ Superstar: Overture - Andrew Lloyd Webber
  2. Jesus Christ Superstar: Everything's Alright - Yvonne Elliman/Murray Head/Ian Gilllan
  3. Jesus Christ Superstar: I Don't Know How To Love Him - Yvonne Elliman
  4. Jesus Christ Superstar: Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say) - Steve Balsamo
  5. Jesus Christ Superstar: Superstar - Murray Head
  6. Evita: Oh What A Circus/Sing You Fools - Antonio Banderas
  7. Evita: I'd Be Surprisingly Good For You - Elaine Paige/Joss Ackland
  8. Evita: Another Suitcase In Another Hall - Barbara Dickson
  9. Evita: Don't Cry For Me Argentina - Julie Covington
  10. Evita: High Flying, Adored - Mandy Patinkin/Patti LuPone
  11. Cats: The Jellicle Ball - Andrew Lloyd Weber
  12. Cats: Memory - Elaine Paige
  13. Cats: Gus: The Theatre Cat - Susan Jane Tanner/John Mills
  14. Cats: Mr Mistoffelees - Paul Nicholas
  15. Song And Dance: Take That Look Off Your Face - Marti Webb
  16. Song And Dance: Tell Me On A Sunday - Marti Webb
  17. Song And Dance: Unexpected Song - Sarah Brightman
  18. Song And Dance: Nothing Like You've Ever Known - Sarah Brightman
  19. Song And Dance: Introduction - Andrew Lloyd Webber
  20. Song And Dance: Variations 1 -4 - Andrew Lloyd Webber

Tracks:

  1. Starlight Express: Starlight Express - El Debarge
  2. Starlight Express: Crazy - Greg Ellis/Reva Rice/Caron Cardelle/Samantha Lane/Voyd
  3. Starlight Express: Next Time You Fall In Love - Reva Rice/Greg Ellis
  4. Starlight Express: I Am The Starlight - Lon Satton/Ray Shell
  5. Starlight Express: Light At The End Of The Tunnel - The Company
  6. Requiem: Hosanna - Placido Domingo
  7. Requiem: Pie jesu - Sarah Brightman/Paul Miles-Kingston
  8. The Phantom Of The Opera: The Phantom Of The Opera - Michael Crawford/Sarah Brightman
  9. The Phantom Of The Opera: The Music Of The Night - Michael Crawford
  10. The Phantom Of The Opera: All I Ask Of You - Sarah Brightman/Steve Barton
  11. The Phantom Of The Opera: Entr'acte - Andrew Lloyd Webber
  12. The Phantom Of The Opera: Masquerade - The Company
  13. The Phantom Of The Opera: Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again - Sarah Brightman
  14. Aspects Of Love: Aspects Of Aspects - Orchester Der Vereinigten Buehnen Wien
  15. Aspects Of Love: Love Changes Everything - Michael Ball
  16. Aspects Of Love: Seeing Is Believing - Michael Ball/Ann Crumb
  17. Aspects Of Love: The First Man You Remember - Kevin Colson/Diana Morrison
  18. Aspects Of Love: Anything But Lonely - Sarah Brightman
  19. Aspects Of Love: Chanson D'Enfance - Sarah Brightman

Tracks:

  1. Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Any Dream Will Do - Jason Donovan
  2. Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Joseph's Coat - Maria Friedman/Richard Attenborough/Donny Osmond
  3. Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Close Every Door - Donny Osmond
  4. By Jeeves: Travel Hopefully - John Scherer/Martin Jarvis/Don Stephenson
  5. By Jeeves: When Love Arrives - Steven Pacey/Diana Morrison
  6. By Jeeves: Half A Moment - Sarah Brightman
  7. Sunset Boulevard: With One Look - Glenn Close
  8. Sunset Boulevard: New Ways To Dream - Glenn Close/Alan Campbell
  9. Sunset Boulevard: The Perfect Year - Glenn Close/Alan Campbell
  10. Sunset Boulevard: Sunser Boulevard - Alan Campbell
  11. Sunset Boulevard: As If We Never Said Goodbye - Glenn Close
  12. Whistle Down The Wind: Whistle Down The Wind - James Graeme/Lottie Mayor
  13. Whistle Down The Wind: Cold - Everly Brothers
  14. Whistle Down The Wind: No Matter What - Children/Adult Chorus
  15. Whistle Down The Wind: The Nature Of The Beast - Marcus Lovett/Lottie Mayor
  16. The Beautiful Game: Overture - Andrew Lloyd Webber
  17. The Beautiful Game: The Beautiful Game - The Company
  18. The Beautiful Game: Our Kind Of Love - Hannah Waddingham
  19. The Beautiful Game: Dont Like You - Josie Walker/David Shannon
  20. The Beautiful Game: Let Us Love In Peace - Josie Walker/Omagh Youth Community Choir

Tracks:

  1. Oh What A Circus - David Essex
  2. Memory - Betty Buckley
  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 Carreras
  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 - Madonna
  12. The Heart Is Slow To Learn - Kiri Te Kanawa
  13. A Kiss Is A Terrible Thing To Waste - The Metal Philharmonic Orchestra
  14. Whistle Down The Wind - Tina Arena
  15. No Matter What - Boyzone
  16. The Vaults Of Heaven - Tom Jones
  17. Try Not To Be Afraid - Boy George
  18. Pie Jesu - Charlotte Church

Tracks:

  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 Radio Luxembourg Commercial) - Joseph Consortium/Pete Murray
  6. Try It And See - Rita Pavone
  7. Come Back Richard Your Country Needs You - Time 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 Band
  12. The Ballad Of Robert And Peter - Tim Rice
  13. Christmas Dream - Maynard Williams
  14. It's Only Your Lover Returning/All Through My Crazy And Wild 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 Roja Rockers
  18. Pollicle Dogs And Jellicle Cats - Andrew Lloyd Webber
  19. Mungojerrie And Rumpleteazer (Live At The 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. Benedicite - The Stephen Hill Singers

Album Description

Disc 1: Selections from Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Cats, and Song and Dance

Disc 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:

3 out of 5 stars I waited for this for five years.......2006-06-30

Between Amazone, Ebay and Napster, I don't usually buy CDs anymore, and I usually wait till I can buy them cheaper "new and used". When this set came out, I was excited, mainly by Disc 5, but wasn't going to spend $70 on it. I waited till it was cheap enough, and got it for Father's day this year.
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.

5 out of 5 stars Excellent collection but BIG PUBLISHING MISTAKE! .......2006-01-10

Please beware they made a mistake on this. It's actually the shortened Ray Shell version of STARLIGHT EXPRESS from the original 1984 London cast - NOT the El Debarge single from 1987 like it says on the box. I don't know how they let that goof pass. Sorry to Ray Shell. Having said that, this is an outstanding compilation of Lloyd Webber's greatest hits.

4 out of 5 stars ONE OF LLOYD WEBBER'S BEST COMPILATIONS, DESPITE A FEW FLAWS.......2005-03-21

Regardless of the fact that some of his latest efforts (most notably, The Woman in White) are disappointing, there can be little doubt that Andrew Lloyd Webber is one of the greatest composers ever to work in the musical theatre. Ever since his "Jesus Christ Superstar" hit the stage in the early 70-is, it was clear that the conception and perception of musicals are never going to be the same again. Many of his songs became standards not only in the theatre history, but also as tops on the charts. Even though he's British, his influence on the shape of the modern musical theatre expanded over the West End boundaries long ago and has thus made an enormous impact on Broadway. Two of his shows ("Cats" and "The phantom of the opera") hold the record as two the longest running shows in the history of Broadway. He has also been the only composer to have three of his shows running at Broadway concurrently. Some of his awards include three Grammies, a Golden Globe, an Oscar and a bunch of Tony awards. But perhaps most of all, Lloyd Webber is responsible for bringing the musicals and the theatre appealing to the wide audiences, who in different circumstances would not consider seeing a musical. The secret of his success is probably the mixture of beautiful and catchy melodies, interesting subject matter (though some, like Starlight Express, are too thin) and grandiose staging.

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.

5 out of 5 stars SUCH MAGICAL MUSIC OF THE NIGHT!.......2003-01-19

"Evita." "Sunset Blvd." "Starlight Express." "Jesus Christ Superstar." "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." "Requiem." "Aspects of Love." The man who is the most recognized composer in the history of the musical theatre, the man who has won more Tonys than any other composer, the man who boasts the best-selling show of all time ("The Phantom of the
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.

4 out of 5 stars A Must Have for Sir Andrew fans.......2002-05-21

This five-CD collection of Andrew Lloyd Webber's career is fantastic. It leaves virtually no stone unturned. I have no doubt that diehard Webber fans will love this, especially for the 5th disc entitled "From the Vaults." This disc alone is worth the price as it contains tunes never before heard by the typical fan. Who knew Elvis did a Lloyd Webber tune?!? I didn't! Also the tune "Benedictine" which the composer wrote for his most recent marriage is not only pretty, but it has the same medley as "The Lady's Paying" from "Sunset Blvd." which I found highly enjoyable. Another great track is the composer himself singing a cut song from "Cats" entitled "Pollicle Dogs and Jellicle Cats" which has the same tune as "Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats," but to hear Sir Andrew sing is a blast...he sounds a lot like Al "Year of the Cat" Stewart.
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!
Complete Secular Songs (3cd)
Average customer rating: Not rated
    Complete Secular Songs (3cd)

    Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    Purcell, HenryPurcell, Henry | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Purcell, Henry | Composers | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
    Vocal & SongVocal & Song | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems
    GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    Similar Items:
    1. The Complete Odes and Welcome Songs of Henry Purcell / King's Consort
    2. Sacred Music Complete
    3. Purcell: Complete Ayres for the Theatre
    4. Dowland - The Collected Works / The Consort of Musicke, Rooley
    5. Rogue's Gallery: Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs, and Chanteys

    ASIN: B0000DJENT
    Release Date: 2004-01-13
    Compulsion/Control
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      Compulsion/Control
      12:06
      Manufacturer: 12:06
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

      GeneralGeneral | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
      ASIN: B000CAGFUM
      Release Date: 2005-10-18

      Tracks:

      1. Contact
      2. Absence of Light
      3. Head to the Wall
      4. State of Mind
      5. Closer I Come
      6. Last Mile
      7. One Hand Out
      8. Drive
      Supermodel
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        Supermodel
        Mark Insley
        Manufacturer: PM
        ProductGroup: Music
        Binding: Audio CD

        GeneralGeneral | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Country | Styles | Music
        ContemporaryContemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music
        Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
        ASIN: B0009S8REO
        Release Date: 2003-03-18

        Tracks:

        1. I Thank Ya
        2. It's Up To You
        3. That's The Way It Goes
        4. Ghetto Mambo
        5. Sunshine
        6. I'm On Fire
        7. Circle In A Square Peg
        8. All Up In Your Mind
        9. Soulmate
        10. Moments

        Product Description

        Never opened. Hole in barcode.
        The Secular Songs of Henry Purcell, Vol. 2
        Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
        • Purcell stole my heart
        The Secular Songs of Henry Purcell, Vol. 2

        Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
        ProductGroup: Music
        Binding: Audio CD

        Purcell, HenryPurcell, Henry | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Purcell, Henry | Composers | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
        Purcell, HenryPurcell, Henry | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
        Bonney, BarbaraBonney, Barbara | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
        ClassicalClassical | Imports | Stores | Music
        Similar Items:
        1. The Secular Solo Songs of Henry Purcell, Vol. 1
        2. Purcell: The Secular Solo Songs, Volume 3 / The King's Consort

        ASIN: B000002ZUD
        Release Date: 1994-06-14

        Tracks:

        1. I Love And I Must ('Bell Barr'), Z382
        2. When Her Languishing Eyes Said 'Love'! Z432
        3. Not All My Torments Can Your Pity Move, Z400
        4. Ah! Cruel Nymph, Z352
        5. Sylvia, Now Your Scorn Give Over, Z420
        6. Since One Poor View Has Drawn My Heart, Z416
        7. I Resolve Against Cringing And Whining, Z386
        8. Gentle Shepherds, You That Know The Charms, Z464
        9. If Grief Has Any Pow'r To Kill, Z378
        10. She That Would Gain A Faithful Lover, Z414
        11. Fly Swift, Ye Hours, Z369
        12. Hears Not My Phillis How The Birds (The Knotting Song, Z371
        13. Phillis, Talk No More Of Passion, Z409
        14. Celia's Fond, Too Long I've Lov'd Her, Z364
        15. In Vain We Dissemble, Z385
        16. When My Aemelia Smiles, Z434
        17. Farewell, Ye Rocks, Z463
        18. What A Sad Fate Is Mine, Z428A
        19. I Take No Pleasure In The Sun's Bright Beams, Z388
        20. Love's Pow'r In My Heart Shall Find No Compliance, Z395
        21. How Delightful's The Life Of An Innocent Swain, Z373
        22. She, Who My Poor Heart Possesses, Z415
        23. Love Arms Himself In Celia's Eyes Z392
        24. When First My Shepherdess And I, Z431
        25. Through Mournful Shades, Z424
        26. If Music Be The Food Of Love (Second Version), Z379B
        27. Scarce Had The Rising Sun Appear'd, Z469
        28. Who But A Slave Can Well Express, Z440
        29. High On A Throne Of Glitt'ring Ore, Z465
        30. Incassum Lesbia, Incassum Rogas (The Queen's Epicedium), Z383

        Amazon.com essential recording

        Purcell fans will delight in this collection of 30 of his 85 secular songs. Barbara Bonney, singing with ease and controlled fervor, steals the recording with her endearing sound and impeccable musicianship. Soprano Susan Gritton brings a more dramatic perspective, singing with zest and a little edge that almost, but never quite, grates. Sometimes, however, she vibrates mildly out of control. Tenors Charles Daniels and Roger Covey-Crump sing with grace, joviality, and tenderness, but both are a little shallow throughout the bottom. Countertenor James Bowman occasionally stumbles with intonation, but always lands standing upright. This buffet of various voices captivates the listener's attention span, totally avoiding potential monotony. --Barbara Eisner Bayer

        Customer Reviews:

        5 out of 5 stars Purcell stole my heart.......2001-02-08

        Alas, with the help of phenomenally expressive singers on this CD, Purcell has stolen my heart. I listened to this CD a few times then immediately emptied my pocketbook to the nearest consort putting on a Purcell concert. Such poverty is love.
        Who'll Be a Witness
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          Who'll Be a Witness

          Manufacturer: Den's Recording Co.
          ProductGroup: Music
          Binding: Audio CD

          GospelGospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
          ASIN: B000CAAAO4
          Release Date: 2003-04-22
          Hits of 1987, 1988, 1989 [[[30 SONG / 3 DISC SET]]] Dan Hill / Surface / Europe / Gregory Abbott / Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam / Dead or Alive / Eddie Money / Luther Vandross / Hipsway / The Bangles / Will to Power / Cyndi Lauper / Teena Marie / Terence Trent D'Arby / Johnny Kemp / Henry Lee Summer / REO Speedwagon / Deniece Williams / Basia / New Kids on the Block / Living Colour / Bad English / Warrant / The Outfield / Regina Belle
          Average customer rating: Not rated
            Hits of 1987, 1988, 1989 [[[30 SONG / 3 DISC SET]]] Dan Hill / Surface / Europe / Gregory Abbott / Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam / Dead or Alive / Eddie Money / Luther Vandross / Hipsway / The Bangles / Will to Power / Cyndi Lauper / Teena Marie / Terence Trent D'Arby / Johnny Kemp / Henry Lee Summer / REO Speedwagon / Deniece Williams / Basia / New Kids on the Block / Living Colour / Bad English / Warrant / The Outfield / Regina Belle
            Can't We Try - Dan Hill / Happy - Surface / Carrie - Europe / Shake You Down - Gregory Abbott / Lost in Emotion - Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam / Brand New Lover - Dead or Alive , I Love Your Way/Freebird (Medley) - Will to Power / Hole in My Heart (All the Way to China) - Cyndi Lauper I Wanna Go Back - Eddie Money / Stop to Love - Luther Vandross / Honeythief - Hipsway / Walking Down Your Street - The Bangles / Baby , Ooo la la La [Mix] - Teena Marie / Wishing Well - Terence Trent D'Arby / Just Got Paid - Johnny Kemp / I Wish I Had a Girl - Henry Lee Summer / Here With Me - REO Speedwagon , I Can't Wait - Deniece Williams / Time and Tide - Basia / Please Don't Go Girl - New Kids on the Block / Eternal Flame - The Bangles / I Drove All Night - Cyndi Lauper / Shower Me With Your Love - Surface , Cult of Personality - Living Colour / When I See You Smile - Bad English / Hangin' Tough - New Kids on the Block / She Won't Talk to Me - Luther Vandross , and Heaven - Warrant / Voices of Babylon - The Outfield / Baby Come to Me - Regina Belle
            ProductGroup: Music
            Binding: Audio CD
            ASIN: B000TRTU8C
            Talk to Your Heart
            Average customer rating: Not rated
              Talk to Your Heart
              The Eddie Adcock Band
              Manufacturer: Cmh Records
              ProductGroup: Music
              Binding: Audio CD

              GeneralGeneral | Country | Styles | Music
              GeneralGeneral | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music
              ContemporaryContemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music
              GeneralGeneral | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music
              BluegrassBluegrass | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music
              Similar Items:
              1. Dixie Fried

              ASIN: B0000010S5
              Release Date: 1995-01-15

              Tracks:

              1. Talk To Your Heart
              2. Without You
              3. All I Want Is You
              4. Anything For The Blues
              5. Wrong About You, Right About Me
              6. A Cold July
              7. The Boy From Arkansas
              8. Your Heart Or Mine
              9. Another Lonesome Morning
              10. After Holding Heaven
              11. He's Taking It Hard
              12. Don't Sweetheart Me
              13. Ed Scales In The Sunset
              14. Too Lonely To Hear The Rain
              15. Call Me The Breeze

              Product Description

              1. Talk To Your Heart2. Without You3. All I Want Is You4. Anything For The Blues5. Wrong About You, Right About Me6. A Cold July7. The Boy From Arkansas8. Your Heart Or Mine9. Another Lonesome Morning10. After Holding Heaven11. He s Taking It Hard12. Don t Sweetheart Me13. Ed Scales In The Sunset 14. Too Lonely To Hear The Rain15. Call Me The Breeze

              Format: CD

              Amazon.com

              That old mix of singer-songwriter, honky-tonk, and bluegrass sensibilities still yields some attractive dividends on Talk to Your Heart. This quartet includes fiddler Jeff Wisor, bassist Ernie Sykes, and the bandleader's wife, Martha Adcock, whose lovely soprano and smoky restraint recall Emmylou Harris. Eddie Adcock plays as much acoustic guitar as banjo, and he demonstrates his facility on the Martin with his spry instrumental, "The Boy from Arkansas." Eddie and Martha wrote seven of the 15 cuts, but they still have a knack for turning commercial tunes into new-grass showcases. This time they turn the trick with the Statler Brothers' "Your Heart of Mine," David Allan Coe's "He's Taking It Hard," and J.J. Cale's "Call Me the Breeze." --Geoffrey Himes
              Gay: The Beggars' Opera [Excerpts]
              Average customer rating: Not rated
                Gay: The Beggars' Opera [Excerpts]

                Manufacturer: Pearl
                ProductGroup: Music
                Binding: Audio CD

                GeneralGeneral | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
                GeneralGeneral | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
                General ModernGeneral Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
                GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
                GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
                Baroque (c.1600-1750)Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
                Classical (c.1770-1830)Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music | Cantatas | Romances
                EnglishEnglish | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
                OperettasOperettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
                ASIN: B000000WX2
                Release Date: 1993-01-20

                Tracks:

                1. 'The Beggar's Opera': Overture
                2. 'The Beggar's Opera': Thro'All The Employement Of Life
                3. 'The Beggar's Opera': 'Tis Woman That Seduces All Mankind
                4. 'The Beggar's Opera': If Any Wench Venus' Girdle Wear
                5. 'The Beggar's Opera': Our Polly Is A Sad Slut
                6. 'The Beggar's Opera': Can Love B e Controlled By Advice
                7. 'The Beggar's Opera': O, Polly, You Might Have Toyed And Kissed
                8. 'The Beggar's Opera': A Fox May Steal Your Hens, Sir
                9. O Ponder Well
                10. The Turtle Thus With Plaintive Crying
                11. 'The Beggar's Opera': My Heart Was So Free
                12. 'The Beggar's Opera': Where I Laid On Greenland's Coast; O What pain It Is To Part
                13. 'The Beggar's Opera': Fill Every Glass; Let Us Take The Road
                14. 'The Beggar's Opera': If The Heart Of A Man
                15. 'The Beggar's Opera': Youth's The Season
                16. 'The Beggar's Opera': Before The Barn-Door Crowing
                17. 'The Beggar's Opera': How Cruel Are The Traitors
                18. 'The Beggar's Opera': When You Censure The Age
                19. 'The Beggar's Opera': Is Then His Fate Decreed?
                20. 'The Beggar's Opera': How Happy Could I Be With Either
                21. 'The Beggar's Opera': I'm Bubbled, I'm Bubbled
                22. 'The Beggar's Opera': Cease Your Funning
                23. 'The Beggar's Opera': Why, How Now, Madam Flirt
                24. 'The Beggar's Opera': No Power On Earth
                25. 'The Beggar's Opera': Interlude
                26. 'The Beggar's Opera': When Young At The Bar
                27. 'The Beggar's Opera': I'm Like A Skiff
                28. 'The Beggar's Opera': Thus Gamesters United
                29. 'The Beggar's Opera': The Modes Of The Court
                30. 'The Beggar's Opera': In The Days Of My Youth
                31. 'The Beggar's Opera': A Curse Attends That Woman's Love
                32. 'The Beggar's Opera': Come, Sweet Lass
                33. 'The Beggar's Opera': Hither, Dear Husband
                34. 'The Beggar's Opera': Which Way Shall I Turn Me?
                35. 'The Beggar's Opera': The Charge Is Prepared
                36. 'The Beggar's Opera': Dance Of Prisoners In Chains
                37. 'The Beggar's Opera': Would I Might Be Hang'd
                38. 'The Beggar's Opera': Finale: Thus I Stand Like The Turk
                39. Lionel and Clarissa: Medley

                Music Album:

                1. That's What I Like About the West [Box set] [Import]
                2. The Best Of [Enhanced] [Import]
                3. The Rockabilly Kid
                4. The Sound Of A Pioneer
                5. The Western Collection [Original recording remastered]
                6. The Wheel Keeps on Rollin'
                7. There's A Little Cowboy In All Of Us
                8. Together at the Bluebird Cafe [Import]
                9. Tribute to a Legend
                10. Twist of Fate

                Music Album

                Music Album