I Can Love You Better [CD-single]

1. I Can Love You Better

2. Give It up or Let Me Go

Tracks:

Oh What a Beautiful Mornin'
Summertime
I Could Write a Book
It Never Entered My Mind
I Can Cook Too
Make It Another Old Fashioned, Please
If I Loved You
My Heart Belongs to Daddy
Thou Swell
I Left My Heart at the Stage Door Canteen
There's No Business Like Show Business
South American Way

Tracks:

Shall We Dance
Ohio
Luck Be a Lady
Mack the Knife
There's a Small Hotel
Once in Love with Amy
Yodel Blues
Lazy Afternoon
There Must Be Somethin' Better Than Love
You're Just in Love
Now Is the Time

Tracks:

Impossible Dream
Love Makes the World Go 'Round
Try to Remember
Put on a Happy Face
I Say Hello
Happiness
She Loves Me
What Kind of Fool Am I?
Shy
Consider Yourself
Poor Little Person

Tracks:

Magic to Do
They're Playing My Song
I Don't Know How to Love Him
I Won't Send Roses
Good Morning Starshine
Don't Cry for Me, Argentina
Hard Candy Christmas
Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend
Won't You Charleston with Me?
Applause

Tracks:

Phantom of the Opera
Memory
On My Own
Muddy Water
How Could I Ever Know
American Dream
I Know Him So Well
Dr. Jazz
Me and My Girl
Suddenly Seymour

Tracks:

Mamma Mia!
Popular
Seasons of Love
Oh, the Thinks You Can Think
Whatever Lola Wants
Crazy
How Deep Is Your Love
Stars
People Like Us
I Go to Rio

Average customer rating:

Mixed feelings
Your love for this superb collection will be here to stay...
He's done it again
Absolutely 'S WONDERFUL!
A beautiful 2 disc CD-another hit for Michael

The Michael Feinstein Anthology

Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Romance on Film/Romance on Broadway
Nice Work If You Can Get It: Songs by the Gershwins
Hopeless Romantics
Isn't It Romantic
Michael & George (Feinstein Sings Gershwin)

ASIN: B000065DVH
Release Date: 2002-05-21

Tracks:

Nice Work If You Can Get It
Isn't It Romantic
Swinging On A Star
Ask Me Again
Rhode Island Is Famous For You
'S Wonderful
Wonder Why
Too Marvelous For Words
Where Do You Start
Theme From The Bad And The Beautiful
Easy To Love
Alexander's Ragtime Band
Who Are You Now?
You're An Education
You Are There
Sophisticated Swing
Love Can Change The Stars
Come Out, Come Out Wherever You Are
Half Of April (Most Of May)
Marianne
They Can't Take That Away From Me
I Love A Piano

Tracks:

That's Entertainment
My Favorite Year
Ten Feet Off The Ground (With Rosemary Clooney)
I Never Felt Better
Someone To Watch Over Me
Kiss Her Now
The Ugly Bug Ball
For You, For Me, Forever More
The Mole People
And So To Bed
You're All The World To Me
Old Friend
Isn't It A Pity (with Rosemary Clooney)
Pattisserie
Open Your Eyes
For Love Alone
I Won't Send Roses/Time Heals Everything
Get Out And Get Under The Moon (with Page Cavanaugh)
My Romance
Love Is Here To Stay
Violin (with Liza Minnelli)

Amazon.com

The line between evangelist and entertainer has always been somewhat indistinct. But as showcased on this 43-track, double-disc collection culled from his '87-'96 recordings for Elektra/Nonesuch/Atlantic, Michael Feinstein's dedication to spreading the gospel of the American song often blurs it beyond recognition. While the singer's pedigree for the task is impeccable (a long-term stint as Ira Gershwin's assistant and early career sponsorship by Liza Minnelli), his interpretations often succeed by playing off a tense axis of fervent emotionalism and a joyous sense of irreverence.

If his readings of romantic standards can sometimes tend toward the precious, they're often balanced here by sheer dramatic power and telling insights ("Isn't It Romantic" fairly bristles with ironic chauvinism) and a few loopy curves ("The Mole People," the Sherman Brothers' "The Ugly Bug Ball," and the previously unreleased "Rhode Island Is Famous for You"). Feinstein's dedicated song archaeology is also showcased on several gems: "Violin," a duet with Liza Minnelli; "My Favorite Year," a rejected ballad for the film of that name; the sublime "lost" Gershwin classic "Ask Me Again."

Sprinkled with live performances (the forum where Feinstein's talents seem most energized) and studio outtakes and featuring a lengthy print interview with the singer, the set chronicles both the pioneering efforts of one of pop music's most successful revivalists and, crucially, the cream of his beloved American songwriters, from stalwarts Gershwin, Berlin, and Porter to later legends like Herman, Styne, Lane, Martin, and Mercer. --Jerry McCulley

Album Description

The definitive collection of performances by the Grammy nominated singer features 43 tracks from 14 albums released by Elektra, Elektra Nonesuch, and Atlantic labels from 1987-1996. Plus 8 previously unreleased live tracks only available here 'Rhode Island is Famous For You', 'S Wonderful', 'Alexander's Ragtime Band', 'I Love A Piano', 'Patisserie', 'Get Out And Get Under The Moon' (with Page Cavanaugh), 'Love Is Here To Stay' & 'Violin' (with Liza Minnelli). 2 Digipacks housed in a slipcase with a booklet. Rhino Records. 2002.

Customer Reviews:

Mixed feelings.......2005-10-05

This album has some GREAT songs on it; sophisticated swing being one of my favorites. However many of the other songs are too operatic and lame. I give three stars but this album is definatly worth it just for some of the better songs.

Your love for this superb collection will be here to stay..........2002-07-18

The magnificently talented Michael Feinstein has made one wonderful album after another for nearly two decades. Now that Elektra and Rhino have put together this anthology, I am blown away by the versatility and diversity in Feinstein's recorded output. Such amazing rare gems, combined with the most beloved favorites in the history of American Popular Song. Assembled with wit, intelligence, and obvious affection on the part of the record company, this set is a keeper. You'll love it!

He's done it again.......2002-07-15

Is there anything this man can't sing? This collection is so varied as to be the definitive collection of songs for any occassion.

This is perfect background music for a dinner party for a whole group but especially for two. Light, romantic and just gorgeous. You just can't go wrong when Michael Feinstein is your musical choice.

Way to go Michael, you've done it again!

Absolutely 'S WONDERFUL!.......2002-06-10

There are very few contemporary performers who can hold their own with the truly great interpreters of American popular song. Michael Feinstein is truly the ONLY performer of the "younger" generation who really understands what these songs are all about. His incredible knowledge of this music, and his enthusiasm and passion for it have fueled his career. Rhino Records has done a truly outstanding job of putting together an anthology that exemplifies why Mr. Feinstein has become so beloved by audiences around the world. The packaging is excellent, and filled with interesting photos and background information about many of the selections.

This collection not only contains all the favorites one would expect, but a neat group of surprises too. I especially love the duets with people like Liza Minnelli and Rosemary Clooney, and the various collaborative efforts with songwriters like Jule Styne and Burton Lane accompanying Michael at the piano.

This collection is a classic to be treasured. Bravo Michael!
Bravo Rhino!

A beautiful 2 disc CD-another hit for Michael.......2002-06-09

I have every CD Michael has ever made and this is by far one of the best ones because of Michael's range in singing and his wonderful singing voice. I love his duets with Rosemary Clooney and Liza Minelli. He is a wonderful performer on this double CD and am looking foward to the next CD.

DRG 25th Anniversary Show Stopping Performances

Average customer rating:

Great compilation
A disappointment

DRG 25th Anniversary Show Stopping Performances

Manufacturer: Drg
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Barbara Cook at the Met with Special Guests
Curtains (2007 Original Broadway Cast)
110 in the Shade (2007 Broadway Revival Cast)
ABC (Adler, Bock, Coleman)
Company (2006 Broadway Revival Cast)

ASIN: B00005Q6IN
Release Date: 2001-10-23

Tracks:

A Day In Hollywood A Night In Ukraine: Just Go To The Movies - Priscilla Lopez/David Garrison/Frank Lazarus/Stephen James/Peggy Hewett/Kate Draper
Babes In Arms: I Wish I Were In Love Again - Christopher Fitzgerald Jessica Stone
Pal Joey: Bewitched, Bothered And Bewildered - Patti LuPone
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes: Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend - KT Sullivan
Nunsense: I Just Want To Be A Star - Christine Anderson
Louisiana Purchase: Wild About You - Debbie Gravitte & New York Voices
Oil City Symphony: Beaver Ball At The Bug Club - Mike Craver/Mark Hardwick/Debra Monk/Mary Murfitt
Falsettoland: The Baseball Game - Michael Rupert/Chip Zien/Faith Prince/Janet Metz/Heather MacRae/Stephen Bogardus
Very Good Eddie: Isn't It Great To Be Married? - Virginia Seidel/Spring Fairbank/Charles Repole/Nicholas Wyman
The Fantasticks: A Perfect Time To Be In Love - Harvey Schmidt
Call Me Madam: You're Just In Love - Tyne Daly/Lewis Cleale
Taking My Turn: Fine For The Shape I'm In - Margaret Whiting/Marnie Nixon/Cissy Houston
A Party With Betty Comden & Adolph Green: The French Lesson - Betty Comdon/Adolph Green
The Madwoman Of Central Park: Better - Phyllis Newman
Greenwillow: Never Will I Marry - Anthony Perkins
Song Of Singapore: I Can't Remember - Loretta Swit & Company
Tintypes: Elite Syncopation/I'm Goin' To Live Anyhow, 'Til I Die - Lynne Thigpen
I Love My Wife: Someone Wonderful I Missed - Joanna Gleason/Ilene Graff
The Good Companions: The Pleasure Of Your Company - Malcolm Rennie/Christopher Gable
Forbidden Broadway 20th Anniversary: Liza One-Note - Christine Pedi
Meet Me In St. Louis: The Trolley Song - Donna Kane & Ensemble

Tracks:

4 Guys Named Jose...And Una Mujer Named Maria!: Feel It - Philip Anthony/Henry Gainza/Allen Hidalgo/Ricardo Puente
Fame - The Musical: There She Goes!/Fame - Natasha Rennalls & Ensemble
Do Re Mi: What's New At The Zoo? - Heather Headley/The Animal Girls
High Society: Once Upon A Time/True Love - Melissa Errico/Daniel McDonald
Tenderloin: Artificial Flowers - Patrick Wilson
State Fair: Driving At Night/Our State Fair - Company
Kiss Me, Kate: Were Thine That Special Face - Brian Stokes Mitchell
Black And Blue: Black And Blue - Linda Hopkins/Ruth Brown/Carrie Smith
The Green Bird: O Foolish Heart - Company
Out Of This World: From This Moment On - Marin Mazzie/Gregg Edelman
The Boys From Syracuse: This Can't Be Love - Davis Gaines/Sarah Berry
Snoopy!!!: Poor Sweet Baby - Pamela Myers
SeesawNobody Does It Like Me - Michele Lee
March Of The Falsettos: I Never Wanted To Love You - Michael Rupert/Stephen Bogardus/Alison Fraser/Chip Zien/James Kushner
Lunch: Perfectly Alone - Carol Burnett
3hree: Foolish Dreamin'/Something Beautiful/Real Enough To Change My Mind - Jessica Molaskey/Will Gartshore/Rachel Ulanet
Lucky In The Rain: Love Me As If There Were No Tomorrow - Barbara Cook
Godspell: All Good Gifts - Sal Sabella & Company
The Act: Walking Papers - Liza Minnelli & Company

Customer Reviews:

Great compilation.......2002-05-10

I don't actually own this particular compilation, however, since I own nearly every recording represented on these discs...I think I'm qualified to comment. This is a wonderful representation of the high quality of work that DRG Records does.
The previous review is way off the mark. This is definitely not a waste of time or money. This is 25 years of preserving Broadway shows, Off-Broadway shows, studio recordings (mostly from the city center concerts), etc. So what if they "aren't as good as the original", DRG is preserving many recordings and artists that other mainstream labels don't or won't. You have wonderful recordings from Brian Stokes Mitchell, Nathan Lane, Debbie Gravitte, Tyne Daly, Anthony Perkins, Joanna Gleason, Marin Mazzie, Carol Burnett, Heather Headley, Patti LuPone, Barbara Cook, etc., and many of these are from Original Cast Recordings just as they appeared on Broadway. This is an excellent sampler of the work going on at DRG. No...I'm not an employee...just an avid listener and collector of theatre recordings.

A disappointment.......2001-12-15

There's a reason you've probably never heard of most of the songs and shows on this album, not to mention most of the artists. This is a second-rate collection of second-rate numbers performed by mostly second-rate artists. In the case of the shows that were revivals, the performances on the original cast recordings were better. Don't waste your money.

Average customer rating:

Movie Romance
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Avalon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00006NSIZ
Release Date: 2002-10-08

Tracks:

My Hear Will Go On
The Godfather (Love Theme)
Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)
Beauty and the Beast
Do You Know Where You're Going To?
Everything I Do I Do It For You
Summer of '42
The Way We Were
A Time For Us
I Will Always Love You
Nobody Does It Better
Can You Feel The Love Tonight?
Save the Best For Last

Average customer rating:

a fascinating recording
A crucial oddity
Not essential but useful

Call Me Madam

Manufacturer: Flare UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000056NME
Release Date: 2001-01-30

Tracks:

Overture - The Orchestra
Mrs. Sally Adams - Chorus
Hostess With the Mostes' on the Ball - Dinah Shore
Washington Square Dance - Dinah Shore
Welcome to Lichtenburg - Paul Lukas
Can You Use Any Money Today? - Dinah Shore
Marrying for Love - Paul Lukas, Dinah Shore
Ocarina
It's a Lovely Day Today
Best Thing for You - Dinah Shore
Something to Dance About - Dinah Shore, Chorus
Once Upon a Time Today
They Like Ike - Pat Harrington, Jay Velie
You're Just in Love (I Wonder Why) - Dinah Shore

Customer Reviews:

a fascinating recording.......2003-10-06

Irving Berlin's CALL ME MADAM appeared on Broadway in 1950. His previous musical, 1949's MISS LIBERTY, was an unqualified flop. MISS LIBERTY was his follow-up to 1947's mega hit ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, starring Ethel Merman.

Ethel Merman headlined his original cast of CALL ME MADAM, a bouncy musical which told the story of ebullient Sally Adams, who is dispatched as ambassador to the fictional European province of Lichtenburg. The supporting cast included Paul Lukas, Russell Nype (GOLDILOCKS), and Galina Talva as Princess Maria.

Due to a contractual snafu however, there are two very different recordings of CALL ME MADAM. Ethel Merman was under contract to the Decca label (which had recorded her ANNIE GET YOUR GUN cast album), but the recording of MADAM was to be produced by cast album heavyweight RCA Victor. Decca wouldn't release Merman from her contract, as it was planning it's own CALL ME MADAM release.

Popular vocalist Dinah Shore stepped in and played Sally Adams on the RCA Victor album of CALL ME MADAM, which featured the entire original cast. Decca released a "studio cast" album of MADAM headed by Ethel Merman, aided and abetted by popular crooner Dick Haymes (STATE FAIR) and a backup chorus. Of these two albums, the Dinah Shore version is the more delightful. She wisely doesn't try to emulate Miss Merman but sails through the songs in her own charming style. Russell Nype and Galina Talva are wonderfully-winning in their performances and Paul Lukas is superb.

I strongly suggest that you also purchase the Ethel Merman recording as well as the 1995 Encores! cast starring Tyne Daly. CALL ME MADAM is one of the most delightful of classic Broadway musicals.

A crucial oddity.......2001-02-22

I'm not sure whether it's stranger that this album has languished in the vaults for so long or that it was recorded in the first place. But we should be grateful that it's here, as it's an important recording, a fun score, and a fascinating piece of theatre recording history.

Dinah Shore is by no means an ideal substitute for Ethel Merman (who was under contract to Decca Records and not permitted to appear on the official cast album), make no mistake. But Merman made her own album with her own takes on the big songs, so it's perhaps a good thing that RCA went for a dramatically different take here. Shore sings very attractively here -- she's not a tough broad, but a sweet charmer, but the album still works. The show was, of course, a big hit that had plenty of strengths even though it might be too dated to rework today.

The Merman album was already released on CD once, and will be issued again within the year, but this is still worthwhile for Shore's performance, for the niceties of the show like the other original players, orchestrations and songs that Merman didn't preserve, and for a lengthy appendix of Shore's versions of classic Irving Berlin songs.

No one will ever claim that Call Me Madam changed their life. Shows didn't used to need to elicit that reaction to be considered successful.

Not essential but useful.......2001-02-03

RCA Victor had backed the 1950 musical CALL ME MADAM hoping to get the cast album rights. The star, however, was Ethel Merman and she was under exclusive contract to Decca who planned their own MADAM album. Decca launched the first attack by releasing a 10" Lp with Merman, Dick Haymes and the Gordon Jenkens orchestra and Chorus called "Songs from CALL ME MADAM." RCA responded by recording the full original cast album but signing Dinah Shore to sing the role of Sally Adams. They also re-orchestrated many of the songs and, in a curious move, had Paul Lukas record narration linking the songs. Strangely, they semed to had given up on this approach mid-way as the narration disappears after the first side of the record. Decca's response was to withdraw their 10" Lp and reissue the album on 12" with 5 additional songs (dropping an orchstral medley by the Jenkins orchestra) and placing them in show sequence. Although RCA's album has a more theatrical feel to it, Decca had Merman and therefore created the better selling album. RCA's disc was deleted rather quickly, although briefly reissued in 1977 and now (finally) available on CD... except this isn't an RCA release (!!!!) Is this even released with RCA's permission? I highly doubt it since RCA eventually plans to reissue the remaininder of their show catalogue on CD. Decca's album was reissued on Cd but that disc is now out-of-print. IF you can get both albums and do some creative programming you can combine trcaks and create your own composite original cast album.

Puccini - Madam Butterfly / Cheryl Barker, PO, Yves Abel [in English]

Average customer rating:

A touching English Butterfly

Puccini - Madam Butterfly / Cheryl Barker, PO, Yves Abel [in English]
Giacomo Puccini , Yves Abel , Cheryl Barker , Paul Charles Clarke , and Simon Birchall
Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Turandot (Chandos Opera in English)
Puccini - La bohème / Haymon · O'Neill · Opie · McLaughlin · A. Miles · Dazeley · Shore · PO · Parry
Verdi: La Traviata
Tchaikovsky - Eugene Onegin / Te Kanawa · Hampson · Rosenshein · Gedda · Sir Charles Mackerras [in English]

ASIN: B00005QF3K
Release Date: 2001-11-20

Tracks:

Act I: Introduction - Cheryl Barker
Act I: 'So The Walls And The Ceiling...' - Ann Taylor/Stuart Kale
Act I: 'I Think Your Honour's Smiling' - Jean Rigby/Ann Taylor/Stuart Kale
Act I: 'It Can't Be Much Further Now!' - Gregory Yurisich/Stuart Kale/Ann Taylor
Act I: The Whole World Over - Ann Taylor/Gregory Yurisich
Act I: 'Fate Can't Crush Him' - Ann Taylor/Gregory Yurisich
Act I: 'Is The Bride Very Pretty?' - Gregory Yurisich/Stuart Kale/Ann Taylor
Act I: 'True Love Or Fancy' - Ann Taylor/Gregory Yurisich
Act I: 'See Them! They're Climbing The Summit Of The Hill!' - Gregory Yurisich/Cheryl Barker/Gregory Yurisich
Act I: 'We Are Honoured' - Cheryl Barker/Ann Taylor/Gregory Yurisich/Stuart Kale
Act I: 'The Imperial Commissioner' - Stuart Kale/Ann Taylor/Cheryl Barker/Simon Birchall
Act I: 'Oh, Indeed, My Friend, You're Lucky!' - Gregory Yurisich/Cheryl Barker
Act I: 'Come, My Beloved' - Ann Taylor/Cheryl Barker/Stuart Kale
Act I: 'My Fate I Have To Follow' - Cheryl Barker
Act I: 'Silence! Silence!' - Stuart Kale/Roland Wood/Cheryl Barker
Act I: 'Congratulations' - Roland Wood/Ann Taylor/Gregory Yurisich/Frances Brett/Clive Bayley/Stuart Kale
Act I: 'Dearest, My Dearest, Weep No More' - Roland Wood/Ann Taylor/Jean Rigby
Act I: 'Evening Is Falling...' - Roland Wood/Ann Taylor/Jean Rigby
Act I: 'Child, From Whose Eyes The Witchery Is Shining' - Ann Taylor/Cheryl Barker
Act I: 'Ah, Love Me A Little' - Cheryl Barker/Ann Taylor
Act II Part I: 'Izaghi Izanami' - Jean Rigby/Cheryl Barker
Act II Part I: 'One Fine Day' - Cheryl Barker

Tracks:

Act II Part I: 'Come, Let's Enter' - Stuart Kale/Gregory Yurisich/Cheryl Barker
Act II Part I: 'Yamadori, And Has your Unrequited Love Not Yet Released You? - Cheryl Barker/D'Arcy Bleiker/Gregory Yurisich/Stuart Kale
Act II Part I: 'Now, At Last!' - Gregory Yurisich/Cheryl Barker
Act II Part I: 'Just Two Things I Could Do' - Cheryl Barker/Gregory Yurisich
Act II Part I: 'This Child! This Child, Then!' - Cheryl Barker/Gregory Yurisich
Act II Part I: 'Do You Know, My Darling' - Cheryl Barker
Act II Part I: 'I Must Be Going' - Gregory Yurisich/Cheryl Barker/Jean Rigby
Act II Part I: 'Ah! Ah!' - Stuart Kale/Jean Rigby/Cheryl Barker
Act II Part I: 'Look, It's A Man-of-war!' - Jean Rigby/Cheryl Barker
Act II Part I: Flower Duet: 'Shake The Cherry Tree' - Cheryl Barker/Jean Rigby
Act II Part I: Humming Chorus - Geoffrey Mitchell Choir
Act II Part 2: Prelude - Jean Rigby/Cheryl Barker
Act II Part 2: Daybreak Over Nagasaki - Jean Rigby/Cheryl Barker
Act II Part 2: 'It's Morning' - Jean Rigby/Cheryl Barker
Act II Part 2: 'Who Is It?...' - Jean Rigby/Ann Taylor/Gregory Yurisich
Act II Part 2: 'I Know For Such Misfortune There Is No Consolation' - Gregory Yurisich/Jean Rigby/Ann Taylor
Act II Part 2: 'Farewell, Oh Happy Home!' - Ann Taylor/Gregory Yurisich
Act II Part 2: 'Then Will You Tell Her?' - Ann Taylor/Jean Rigby
Act II Part 2: 'Suzuki, Where Are You?' - Cheryl Barker/Jean Rigby
Act II Part 2: 'You, Suzuki, You're Always So Faithful' - Cheryl Barker/Jean Rigby
Act II Part 2: 'Viper! I Want You To Answer' - Cheryl Barker/Jean Rigby/Gregory Yurisich/Ann Taylor
Act II Part 2: 'Your Little Fluttering Heart Is Beating' - Jean Rigby/Cheryl Barker
Act II Part 2: 'Death With Honour Is Better Than Life With Dishonour' - Cheryl Barker

Amazon.com

This performance, the only one available in English, is problematic. Best is Yves Abel's leadership of the orchestra, which sounds wonderful, imbuing Puccini's lush score with just the right exoticism and emphasis. But aside from Gregory Yurisch's fine Sharpless, the singers don't please. Paul Charles Clarke as Pinkerton is lacking stylistically and vocally, and as Butterfly, Cheryl Barker sounds under strain and never pretty. While she has the power and feeling for the big second-act climax (the sighting of the ship), she never for a moment sounds fragile or girlish, not even in the all-important early scenes. English or not, this set isn't in the running. Stick with Callas or Scotto in Italian, and follow the libretto. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

A touching English Butterfly.......2002-03-27

Anyone familiar with Cheryl Barker's Butterfly will be interested in hearing this recording. I have heard her in the role twice - in Auckland and London - and her voice has filled out as the years have gone on. She hasn't a large italianate soprano; the sound is too slender somehow. Yet there is the paradox - it has great carrying power and a decent cutting edge to make itself heard above the orchestral climaxes. What really impresses is the sense of vulnerability and moral strength she imparts, making sense of the big moments of the secong act. The sound in Act one is gorgeous (and a super D flat in theentrance aria) and she differentiates impressively between the child-bride and the embittered woman of the two acts.

She is surrounded by a mixed supporting cast. Jean Rigby is maternal, warm and affecting as Suzuki. Gregory Yurisich makes Sharpless' dilemma more understandable than usual, rather than being completely ineffectual. Paul Charles Clarke perhaps illustrates Pinkerton's arrogance with a degree of vocal swagger, but the sound is rough-hewn and unlovely save for some moments in the love duet. Stuart Kale's Goro is suitable ingratiating and oily.

Abel's conducting is the other chief draw of this set. That he has experience of the score in the theatre means that his pacing is really superb, and the lush orchestration is given its due, the potent intermezzo during the overnight vigil sounding suitably ominous.

Tracks:

Overture - Orchestra
You're The Top
All Through The Night
There'll Always Be A Lady Fair - Chorus
Anything Goes
I Get A Kick Out Of You
Blow, Gabriel, Blow
Finale
Overture - Orchestra
Opening/It Better Be Good - Chorus
Hoops
High And Low
Confession
New Sun In The Sky
Dancing In The Dark
I Love Louisa - Chorus
Where Can He Be?
Finale
(I Wonder Why) You're Just In Love (Bonus Track 1)

Customer Reviews:

Entire production by Mary (boring) Martin!.......2004-01-25

This CD reissues two ancient 10" Lps from the early 1950s of selections from ANYTHING GOES and THE BANDWAGON.

ANYTHING GOES - with so many other better recordings this collection is little needed. Mary Martin was a poor choice for the album since the show was written for Ethel Merman, and just a Ethel would not have been appropriate in SOUND OF MUSIC or PETER PAN, Mary should not have been cast in this recorded version of ANYTHING GOES. Also with no one else in the cast the duets lack theatrical context. The orchestrations are not the originals from 1934, and now sound very dated.

THE BANDWAGON - This collection seems better suited to Mary Martin, although again the original theatrical context is lost since it's just her and the chorus performing. Those familiar with the 1953 movie THE BANDWAGON may be surprised that only 3 songs from the revue were used in the film, so this disc offers a chance to hear the opening chorus:"It Better Be Good"; the delightful "Hoops"; and "Where Can He Be?" This last number is perfectly suited to Ms. Martin's voice and talents. She also makes the most of "Dancing in the Dark" and the slightly risque "Confession." But, a little Mary goes a long way!!!

The Columbia Albums of Irving Berlin, Vol. 1-2
Average customer rating:
The Columbia Albums of Irving Berlin, Vol. 1-2

Manufacturer: Collectables
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B0000AHEU8
Release Date: 2003-09-02

Tracks:

It's A Lovely Day Today/Blue Skies
Maybe Its Because I Love/I Got Lost
You'd Be Surprised/I'll See You In Cuba
Always/Remember
Shaking The Blues/Play A Simple/Alexander's
Here's No Business/Got The Sun/Girl I Marry
Say It Will Music/Cheek To Cheek
It's A Lovely Day Tomorrow/ Now It Can Be Told
This Year's Kisses/Be Careful! Its My Heart
Lady Of The Evening/ Better Luck Next Time
Steppin' Out With My Baby/ You're Just In Love
Let's Face The Music/Say It Isn't So
How Deep Is The Ocean/I Never Had A Chance
Change Partners/Mandy
You Can't Brush Me/Everybody Step/Waiting At The End
Soft Lights/They Say It's Wonderful
Puttin' On The Ritz/Marie
I've Got My Love To Keep Me/Top Hat
What'll I Do/All Alone
A Pretty Girl/Isn't This A Lovely Day
Lazy/I'm Getting Tired So I Can Sleep
I'm Playing With Fire/Let's Have Another Cup
Heat Wave/Let Yourself Go
The Piccoline/No Strings

Album Description

Full Title - The Columbia Albums Of Irving Berlin Vols. 1 & 2. Composer, conductor, arranger Frank DeVol scored more than fifty movies and is best known as the composer for the theme songs for the TV series 'My Three Sons', 'The Brady Bunch' and 'Family Affair'. In the 1940s DeVol was an arranger for Dinah Shore, Tony Bennett, Rudy Vallee, Vic Damone and Doris Day. Frank DeVol received multiple Emmy Awards and Academy Award nominations for his extensive body of work. Irving Berlin's medleys featured are 'Always/Remember', 'A Pretty Girl/Isn't It A Lovely Day' and 'Say It With Music/Cheek To Cheek'. 24 tracks. Collectables 2003.

Average customer rating:

horrible
The best ever symphonic collection of the Fab Four ever!

Symphony for the Stars: The Beatles

Manufacturer: Madacy Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Box Sets | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000000KZV
Release Date: 1995-09-01

Tracks:

All You Need Is Love
Hey Jude
Here Comes The Sun
Let It Be
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
Michelle
And I Love Her
The Long And Winding Road
Can't Buy Me Love
Strawberry Fields Forever
I Want To Hold Your Hand
Penny Lane

Tracks:

Norwegian Wood
I Feel Fine
Something
Lady Madonna
Don't Let Me Down
Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds
Yes, It Is
She Loves You
Hello, Good-Bye
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Across The Universe
I Should Have Known Better

Customer Reviews:

horrible.......1999-05-23

The beatles are bad enough on their own, they dont need an orchestra to make them worse.

The best ever symphonic collection of the Fab Four ever!.......1999-03-21

The fact you are reading this probably means you are a fan of the Beatles. If you sometimes wish for a collection of orchestral Beatles songs but are unsure of some of the cheap numbers you have heard, well! This set is amazing, the music is rich and full of feeling, a best buy without a doubt. If it were possible I would give it six stars!