Been Here B4

Disc: 1
1. Space Station (Departure)
2. Never Go Back [Full-Length Version]
3. Saturn Calling
4. What Is the Question?
5. I Cry Out
6. Hot Winter's Night
7. Angel
8. Lazer Lights (Second Sighting
9. Release Tension
10. Dinosaurs Aside
See all 15 tracks on this disc
Disc: 2
1. Theme from Red Planet/Shimmering Seadigital
2. Digital
3. Someone Shot a UFO
4. Fabricating
5. Dinosaurs Outside
6. What You Say
7. Ursa Major Jam: I) Andromeda Strains - Dee Long, , Frank Watt
8. Ursa Major Jam: II) Nevula Blues - Dee Long, , Frank Watt
9. Ursa Major Jam: III) Mars Bar Rock - Dee Long, , Frank Watt
10. Ursa Major Jam: IV) Solar Surfing - Dee Long, , Frank Watt
See all 15 tracks on this disc

Tracks:

Let Yourself Go
If
How Long Has This Been Going On?
My Funny Valentine
Hanging Around with You (with Jason Alexander)
The Girl in 14G
I'll Tell the Man in the Street
I'm a Stranger Here Myself
Nobody Else But Me
Nobody's Heart Belongs to Me/Why Can't I?
Should I Be Sweet?
He's Just an Ordinary Guy
Going to the Dance with You
On a Turquoise Cloud
You'll Never Know
Daddy

Amazon.com

Kristin Chenoweth won a Tony for the supporting role of Sally Brown in the 1999 revival of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, made a memorably vampy Lily in the 1999 television film of Annie, and had an NBC sitcom created for her, Kristin! Now she grabs the spotlight in Let Yourself Go, her first solo recording. She mixes torchy standards ("My Funny Valentine," "How Long Has This Been Going On?") with Faith Prince-style sauciness ("If"), gets to show off her operatic and scat chops in the miniplay "The Girl in 14G," and shares a light duet with Jason Alexander (reviving his musical theater career post-Seinfeld). Perhaps her "Stranger Here Myself" isn't the weightiest you've ever heard, but this is an enjoyable album with a good deal of old-fashioned class, expertly accompanied by Rob Fisher and the Coffee Club Orchestra. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

One of the best ever!.......2007-04-24

Do I mean the best album or the best singer? You are correct if you said both! I saw Kristin Chenoweth on a PBS show "Broadway's Best at the Pops," (though it was not the first time I had heard her) and decided to check out the offerings here. This is a collection of the kind of music and performances I love. She has a great range, a precise pitch, and a great style that is at the same time true to the music and to herself. In an era when singers try to outdo each other re-interpreting the composer's original work, not usually with great success, she is a blessing!

Kristen Chenowith.......2007-02-26

I bought this CD for the Girl in 14G. Yes, it's that good...

Has its moments.......2007-02-19

After watching Candide endlessly and going to see Ms. Chenoweth in The Apple Tree, I was hungry for something more portable to listen to. At times this fits the bill, but what surprised me the most is how thin her voice comes across on this recording. Perhaps it was the joy of seeing her live that has ruined this listener; perhaps I need to upgrade my aging music system. Then again, maybe the recording is just not as good as Ms. C singing Bernstein or as good as staring at Ms. C command a Broadway stage.

Great CD!.......2007-01-19

I truly enjoy listening to this CD. Kristin Chenoweth's vocal style and abilities are very well-matched to the songs selected for this album. If you enjoy classic, older-style Broadway/popular tunes, I would highly recommend this CD. Ms. Chenoweth has a bright, expressive voice and does a fantastic job with this material.

As with any full-length CD, there are a couple of songs I am not as crazy about, but that has to do with the songs themselves, not Ms. Chenoweth's vocal performance. Overall, I love this album and have listened to it several times now, since receiving it as a Christmas gift last month.

This woman has what it takes, and then some..........2007-01-12

Kristin Chenoweth brings new life to some timeless Broadways tunes while introducing a few wonderful new ones. This high pitched vocal goddess effortlessly provides for a nearly flawless and easy listening experience. I definitly recommend this CD for anyone who enjoys jazz vocals, showtunes, or just a new spin on some old classics.

I Have Always Been Here Before: The Roky Erickson Anthology

Average customer rating:

The perfect entry into Roky
Roky Erickson-'I Have Always Been There Before:The Roky Erickson Anthology' (Shout Factory)
Interested in Roky? Buy this one.
Finally, The Tribute Roky Deserves
Roky Love forever!

I Have Always Been Here Before: The Roky Erickson Anthology
Roky Erickson
Manufacturer: Shout Factory
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Fun House
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Don't Slander Me
You're Gonna Miss Me: The Best Of Roky Erickson
You're Gonna Miss Me

ASIN: B0007MRXUG
Release Date: 2005-03-01

Tracks:

We Sell Soul - The Spades
Youre Gonna Miss Me - 13th Floor Elevators
Reverberation (Doubt) - 13th Floor Elevators
Tried To Hide - 13th Floor Elevators
Fire Engine - 13th Floor Elevators
She Lives (In A Time Of Her Own) - 13th Floor Elevators
Slip Inside This House - 13th Floor Elevators
Splash 1 - 13th Floor Elevators
Dust - 13th Floor Elevators
I Had To Tell You - 13th Floor Elevators
Postures (Leave Your Body Behind) - 13th Floor Elevators
Right Track Now - Roky Erickson & Clementine Hall
Red Temple Prayer (Two Headed Dog) - Roky Erickson & Bleib Alien
Starry Eyes - Roky Erickson & Bleib Alien
Bermuda - Roky Erickson
The Interpreter - Roky Erickson & The Aliens
Mine Mine Mind - Roky Erickson & The Aliens
I Have Always Been Here Before - Roky Erickson
Click Your Fingers Applauding The Play - Roky Erickson & The Aliens
I Think Up Demons - Roky Erickson & The Aliens
Dont Shake Me Lucifer - Roky Erickson & The Aliens
White Faces - Roky Erickson & The Aliens

Tracks:

Its A Cold Night For Alligators - Roky Erickson & The Aliens
Creature With The Atom Brain - Roky Erickson & The Aliens Start Start
Stand For The Fire Demon - Roky Erickson & The Aliens
Bloody Hammer - Roky Erickson & The Aliens
The Wind And More - Roky Erickson & The Aliens
If You Have Ghosts - Roky Erickson & The Aliens
Song To Abe Lincoln - Roky Erickson & The Aliens
Anthem (I Promise) - Roky Erickson
Warning (Social And Social-Political Injustices) - Roky Erickson
The Beas - Roky Erickson & Evil Hook Wildlife E.T.
You Dont Love Me Yet - Roky Erickson
Clear Night For Love - Roky Erickson
Dont Slander Me - Roky Erickson
Nothing In Return - Roky Erickson
Burn The Flames - Roky Erickson
When You Get Delighted - Roky Erickson
True Love Cast Out All Evil - Roky Erickson
For You (Id Do Anything) - Roky Erickson
Please Judge - Roky Erickson
We Are Never Talking - Roky Erickson
Im Gonna Free Her - Roky Erickson

Album Description

The Definitive Portrait Of A Rock 'N' Roll Genius!

Roky Erickson is one of the most influential cult artists of all time. His work with the '60s Texas group The 13th Floor Elevators bridged garage rock and psychedelia, and cast a long shadow over the punk and post-punk movements. After a 1969 drug bust, the already mentally fragile Roky chose a stay in a mental institution instead of doing jail time, but was subjected to electroshock therapy and emerged in a highly unstable condition. He continued to write brilliant, chilling songs throughout the '70s and '80s, and the cult around him grew. In 1990 he was honored with an acclaimed tribute album, Where the Pyramid Meets the Eye, featuring R.E.M., ZZ Top, and Primal Scream. This led to a revival of his fortunes, which included new releases made in conjunction with Charlie Sexton and Gibby Haynes of the Butthole Surfers.

The 2-CD set I Have Always Been Here Before: The Roky Erickson Anthology is the only release to cover his entire 40-year career, making it the definitive Roky Erickson collection.

Customer Reviews:

The perfect entry into Roky.......2007-02-14

Anthologies of any sort are fraught with peril for those both familiar or unfamiliar with an artist or genre. Regardless of the space allowed, there will likely always been those who complain about the inclusions and omissions and their impact on the representation. This risk will be often exacerbated by the breadth and depth of whatever is being anthologized. Nowhere is this more the case than in music. For those artists whose musical taste and styles are exploratory or progressive, the likelihood of alienation is omnipresent for both commercial releases and anthological works.

I Have Always Been Here Before: The Roky Erickson Anthology manages to avoid those pitfalls. It presents both a tribute and a guide to the works and, by implication, the life of Roger Kynard (Roky) Erickson. The 43 song 2 CD package - with a 30 page narrative booklet - covers Roky's musical history from its garage rock roots with The Spades in 1965 to material from an album in 1995. In the sweep of songs - all but one at least co-authored by Erickson - we are presented with a wide range of musical styles but more so, we are presented with lyrics.

It is the words that are - if anything can be - the key to Rocky Erickson and his enduring popularity. The man has the capability to pull the most hard-wrenching emotions out of himself and the listener, exposing vulnerabilities, wishes, hopes, loves and fears. Whether garbed in the West Texas rockabilly tones of Buddy Holly (Starry Eyes) or raucous blues (Don't Shake Me Lucifer) or the most precious and loving ballad (I Don't Love You Yet), it is the message that Roky Erickson is sending that is of the greatest importance. These are stories about life and humanity; stories that are long on emotion and substance; songs that - if you listen carefully enough - mimic all that any of us think and feel.

He does this - as mentioned - in a variety of styles that is intellectually vertiginous and counter-intuitive. You will find yourself reaching for the discography often to try and understand whether the material you are hearing is leading-edge or derivative (it's the former!). There are punk-like descending chord cascades presented softly - almost delicately. Other songs seem to pre-sage modern country, though with lyrics more usually found in death-metal.

These internal musical conflicts mirror what was likely the internal conflict in the man himself. Arrested in 1969 for marijuana possession - allegedly for one joint - Rocky was convinced to plead insanity and spent three years in an asylum where he was subjected to shock treatment and psychotropic drugs. Whether this abuse caused his mental instability or heightened an existing condition if unknown and probably irrelevant. The long and short of the story is that Roky spent the next 30 odd years in an emotional maelstrom that saw him unable to care for himself, with episodes in and out of treatment centers and jails, being subjected to the usual sort of misconduct from music industry executives, and generally taken advantage if by all and sundry. The new century saw a positive swing in Roky's fortunes as friends and family were finally able to obtain a legal guardianship that established a trust to care for him and that resulted in the production of this album.

But, do not buy this out of sympathy. Buy it for the beauty and depth and flavor of the music generated by this remarkable artist.

Roky Erickson-'I Have Always Been There Before:The Roky Erickson Anthology' (Shout Factory).......2007-01-26

Nicely assembled 2-CD,43 track audio diary (sort to speak)of the former 13th Floor Elevator's vocalist repertoire. If you're a fan of '60's psych like myself, then this is an absolute must-have. Starts off with Erickson's 1965 pre-13th Floor single, performed by his early band The Spades, "We Sell Soul". Plus, we get some 13th Floor gems like "You're Gonna Miss Me", "Fire Engine", "Splash" and several others. Then there's plenty of material that I'm hearing for the very first time, cuts from Roky Erickson & The Aliens that are semi-impressive like "Mine Mine Mind", the rocking "Red Temple Prayer", "I Think Up Demons" and "Creature Of Atom Brain". Remember, there was a career 'still-happening' for Roky Erickson after 13th Floor Elevators disbanded. Essential.

Interested in Roky? Buy this one........2006-01-15

Good overview of his career and I think the tracks, which range from Dylan like to better than the Doors, are all good, plus Roky actually gets paid or this one.

Finally, The Tribute Roky Deserves.......2005-11-10

Pop Kulcher Review: As far as greatest hits collections go, it's hard to imagine one more necessary and long-awaited than I Have Always Been Here Before. I mean, seriously, just last week I saw The Essential Cyndi Lauper. The lady produced pretty much nothing I'd call "Essential," much less an entire disc's worth. Sure, "Girls Just Want To Have Fun" has some fond memories, plus there was that one good song about female masturbation ("She Bop"), and... well, I think that's it. Yet she gets an entry in the Essential [sic] series? Good Lord, talk about scraping the very bottom of the barrel. Yet countless legends of the past four decades continue to wallow in obscurity. But I digress.

Roky, contrary to what you may have heard, is not God. No, that privilege is reserved for Syd Barrett. Nonetheless, on the scale of deranged acid casualties, Roky still ranks fairly high. You know the drill -- started with psychedelic garage band the 13th Floor Elevators, left after a few albums due to mental illness and/or drug abuse, spent the 70's and 80's intermittently releasing albums and singles on his own and with various backing bands, ranging from pretty acoustic ballads to straight 50-style retro kitsch to schizoid rave-ups about Satan. The usual thing. And it's all here. Unless you're a serious Roky fanatic, pretty much all the Roky you need can be found on these two discs. The 13th Floor Elevator stuff has never sounded better -- not exactly the standard bearer of high fidelity, but far superior to any other versions I've heard. Now, personally, I've always found them a bit overrated -- a few essential tracks worth of a Nuggets box set, but less psychedelic and experimental than their peers -- so for me this does a fairly decent job of cobbling together their high points. (Of course, if they did as nice a job remastering their albums, I'd probably go get 'em.) After that it's a mixed bag. The key Roky tracks are here, from the timeless beauty of "Starry Eyes" (damn, that's a great song) to the key rave-ups "Don't Slander Me" and "Don't Shake Me Lucifer" to one of my personal faves, "If You Have Ghosts." Anyway, even if you're like me and find the Erickson legend slightly more interesting than the music itself, this is a pretty amazing collection. Even after skipping through some of the meandering solo tracks, there's plenty of great music here for your money (maybe "I Walked With A Zombie" should have made the cut, or an additional version of "Starry Eyes," but that's really about it). Go get it.

Roky Love forever!.......2005-10-09

this beautifully designed deluxe 2cd set fully captures the spirit of the great Roky Erikson; a loveable and hugely influential singer/songwriter whose tunes don't just stradle the line between garage rock, folk, and psychadelic blues rock, they break down those lines to create a wholly pure and unique sound.

beginning with the first single w/ his first band, The Spades, "We Sell Soul" revels in it's own primitive simplicity and has such a spark burning under it's surface that the listener can't help but stay tuned in. every music fan with the slightest interest in garage rock or psychadelic music knows of the legendary 13th Floor Elevators and ten tracks from that band are represented here with my personal favorites being furious storm of "You're Gonna Miss Me," the controlled groove of "Slip Inside This House," and the heartwarming folk of "I Had To Tell You."

i think it's fairly safe to assume that most of the casual fans have failed to explore Roky's solo efforts and other bands that he was a part of after the demise of The 13th Floor Elevators. confusingly monikered bands like Roky Erikson & Bleib Alien, and Roky Erikson & Evil Hook Wildlife E.T. all share the same adventerous spirit of Roky's 60's glory days, but these later recordings reveal much more darkness and a fascination with occult magick and various monsters and demons.

for example, the spooky rock and roll of "I Think Up Demons" where amidst whirling reverb and a fiery guitar line, Roky lists different demonic figure's characteristics that he has created...almost like gifts for friends. the melody is so strong and solid that it actually doesn't seem like an unusual lyrical idea. mostly due to the fact, that Roky makes us feel comfortable in his strange and eccentric world. things eventually drop into bad B-movie territory; as on "Creature With The Atop Brain" which utilizes a dialogue of a news report warning viewers to be on the lookout. it could come accross as terribly hokey to some listeners, but i find it part of the Erikson charm and it makes me crack a smile.

with all the goofy creatures running around in Roky's brain (or his recording studio), there's still plenty of time for a love song and "Starry Eyes" is a stunningly beautiful one in particular. drifting along the lines of a country rock song, it's simple lyrics and beautifully catchy melody get stuck in my head for days and it quickly became not just one of my favorite Roky Erikson songs; but one of my favorite songs of all time!

a few more quick favorites: the blues rock blast of "The Beast," the creepy and intense stomp of "Bloody Hammer," the jagged (almost post-punk) rythyms of "Click Your Fingers Applauding The Play," and the heartbreaking tender touch of "You Don't Love Me Yet" and "Nothing In Return." wow. i could literally go on forever about every song on this compilation.

the songs on I Have Always Been Here Before display such a huge talent and an even larger amount of heart; it's sad to think that one day Roky Erikson will not be with us any more...and he's right...we are gonna miss him.

An American in Paris (1951 Film Soundtrack)

Average customer rating:

Magic of love
Filled with musical gems
TOO LONG !!!!!!!!!!!
GERSHWIN'S TALENT
Ga Ga for Gershwin

An American in Paris (1951 Film Soundtrack)
George Gershwin , Gene Kelly , and Oscar Levant
Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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For Me And My Gal: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

ASIN: B0000033JE
Release Date: 1996-07-16

Tracks:

Main Title (An American In Paris/'S Wonderful/I Got Rhythm) - MGM Studio Orchestra
Paris Narration/Left Bank (Themes From An American In Paris) - MGM Studio Orchestra
Nice Work If You Can Get It (Outtake) - Georges Guetary
Embraceable You - MGM Studio Orchestra
By Strauss - Gene Kelly, Georges Guetary, Mac MacLain, Grace Stark, Pete Roberts
Street Exhibit - MGM Studio Orchestra
I Got Rhythm - Gene Kelly, MGM Children's Chorus
But Not For Me - Benny Carter & His Orchestra
Medley: Do, Do, Do/Bidiin' My Time/I've Got A Crush On You/Love Is Here To Stay - MGM Orchestra
Someone To Watch Over Me - Benny Carter & His Orchestra
Medley: My Cousin In Milwaukee/A Foggy Day/The Half-Of-It Dearie Blues/But Not For Me (Outtake) - Oscar Levant
Tra-La-La - Gene Kelly, Oscar Levant
I'm No Enemy (Love Is Here To Stay) (Outtake) - MGM Studio Orchestra
Love Is Here To Stay - Gene Kelly
Medley: What Time Is It?/Love Is Here To Stay (Reprise) - MGM Studio Orchestra, Gene Kelly
(I'll Build A) Stairway To Paradise - Georges Guetary
I've Got A Crush On You (Outtake) - Gene Kelly
Love Walked In (Outtake) - Georges Guetary, Oscar Levant
Medley: We Would Get Married (Love Walked In) (Outtake)/I Don't Think I'll Fall In Love Today... - Oscar Levant, MGM Studio Orchestra
Concerto In F (3rd Movement) - Oscar Levant, MGM Studio Orchestra

Tracks:

Painting Montage (Tra-La-La/Love Is Here To Stay) - MGM Studio Orchestra
Kiss Me (Outtake) - MGM Studio Orchestra
'S Wonderful - Gene Kelly, Georges Guetary
Lise, I Love You ('S Wonderful/Love Is Here To Stay) - MGM Studio Orchestra
Strike Up The Band (Extended Version) - MGM Studio Orchestra
Liza (Complete Version) - Oscar Levant
Medley: Oh, Lady Be Good/'S Wonderful - MGM Studio Orchestra
Medley: That Certain Feeling/Clap Yo' Hands - MGM Studio Orchestra
I've Got A Crush On You (Outtake) - MGM Studio Orchestra
I Got Rhythm (Extended Version) - MGM Studio Orchestra
Tra-La-La (Outtake) - MGM Studio Orchestra
But Not For Me - Georges Guetary
Utrillo Did It (Love Is Here To Stay/An American In Paris/Nice Work If You Can Get It) - MGM Studio Orchestra
An American In Paris Ballet (Extended Version) - MGM Studio Orchestra
Finale (An American In Paris) - MGM Studio Orchestra
Painting Montage (An American In Paris) (Deleted Version) - MGM Studio Orchestra
Main Title: An American In Paris (Alternate Version - Outtake) - MGM Studio Orchestra
Adam Cook Monologue (How Long Has This Been Going On?) (Extended Version) - Oscar Levant
Nice Work If You Can Get It (Partial As Used In Film) - Georges Guetary, Oscar Levant
Third Prelude (Outtake) - Oscar Levant
My Cousin In Milwaukee (Outtake) - Oscar Levant
A Foggy Day (Outtake) - Oscar Levant
The Half-Of-It Dearie Blues (Outtake) - Oscar Levant
But Not For Me - Oscar Levant
Bidin' My Time (Outtake) - Oscar Levant, Saul Chaplin
'S Wonderful (Reprise) (Outtake) - Gene Kelly
Finale (Alternate Version - Outtake) - MGM Studio Orchestra

Amazon.com essential recording

This is a considerably expanded version of the soundtrack album to Vincente Minnelli's Oscar-winning film. With two discs and 100 minutes of music (much of which is presented for the first time), these original session masters are highlighted by the MGM Studio Orchestra, Oscar Levant, Benny Carter, and Gene Kelly, all of whom perform such memorable Gershwin tunes as "Someone to Watch Over Me," "Love Is Here to Stay," and "S'Wonderful." Just about all of the material has a monotonously mono sound, but Levant's version of "Concerto in F" is included here for the first time in true stereo. Along with several Levant improvisational piano solos based on Gershwin's music, there are also some outtakes as well as extensive production and historical notes. --Joseph Lanza

Customer Reviews:

Magic of love.......2007-03-10

Nothing but Gene and George: the hard work and the happiness in music, conducting by the magician Vince.
Noone is better, noone could do better.
American masterpiece with european feelings.

Filled with musical gems.......2004-02-17

This comprehensive edition is a must have for fans of the movie and of the Gershwins. The outtakes, contrary to the first review above, are excellent. Gene Kelly offers a wonderful vocal of "I've Got a Crush on You" and his short riff on "'S Wonderful" is almost like an acoustic version, much different than the over-the-top duet in the movie. And the Oscar Levant piano pieces are as close to George sitting down at the keys as we're going to get.

TOO LONG !!!!!!!!!!!.......2002-06-17

I would not suggest buying this version of this sondtrack!!! The underscores and the extra tracks that are not featured in the film are not neccesary. Rhino records puts the extras out to jack up the price of the CD (making one LP into 2 CDs).
I would buy the ORIGINAL CAST SOUNDTRACK released by MGM records. You will enjoy this version ever so much more without all the extras!!!

GERSHWIN'S TALENT.......2001-08-12

Many agree that the talented George Gershwin is a fabulous pianist, and alongside Ira, he helped to create some of the most beloved music ever. After viewing the movie that was filled with song and dance, I was pleased to discover that the soundtrack was readily available. The plot of An American in Paris mainly focuses on the lives of three friends and their dreams in addition to the romance that they encounter in the most popular European city. Gene Kelley is a struggling artist who soon falls in love, and the many songs in this cd express his emotions. Who wouldn't want to dance to Gershwin's spectacular tunes such as "Embraceable You?" These original songs included in this two cd set are well worth the price. Furthermore, "I'll Build a Stairway to Paradise" is a true favorite with unique lyrics. Don't miss out on this must have cd collection.

Ga Ga for Gershwin.......2000-12-13

Nearly every popular Gershwin tune is represented here, either as an instrumental, a vocal, or a production number. I am not a big fan of the film, but the soundtrack is fabulous. There are some stereo tracks here, too. Yet another triumph in the Turner/Rhino soundtrack collection of MGM films.As a sidenote I would like to thank Rhino for their extremely co-operative staff. When I bought this CD I opened up the very extensive booklet and was disappointed to find that due to an error on the assembly line I had received an insert that had some pages repeated and others deleted. I contacted Rhino and they sent me a new booklet which arrived within a week! That's what I call excellent customer service. The really neat thing is the fact that I have both booklets. The flubbed copy is sort of a collector's item to me.

Average customer rating:

Peculiar
Gershwin Never Sounded Better!

Gershwin: Piano Music

Manufacturer: Nonesuch
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Sing Gus Kahn

ASIN: B000005IY8
Release Date: 1992-04-09

Tracks:

George Gershwin's Song Book (1932): Swanee
George Gershwin's Song Book (1932): Nobody But You
George Gershwin's Song Book (1932): I'll Build A Stairway To Paradise
George Gershwin's Song Book (1932): Do It Again
George Gershwin's Song Book (1932): Fascinating Rhythm
George Gershwin's Song Book (1932): Oh, Lady Be Good
George Gershwin's Song Book (1932): Somebody Loves Me
George Gershwin's Song Book (1932): Sweet And Low Down
George Gershwin's Song Book (1932): That Certain Feeling
George Gershwin's Song Book (1932): The Man I Love
George Gershwin's Song Book (1932): Clap Yo' Hands
George Gershwin's Song Book (1932): Do Do Do
George Gershwin's Song Book (1932): My One And Only
George Gershwin's Song Book (1932): 'S Wonderful
George Gershwin's Song Book (1932): Strike Up The Band
George Gershwin's Song Book (1932): Liza
George Gershwin's Song Book (1932): I Got Rhythm
George Gershwin's Song Book (1932): Who Cares?
Other Piano Pieces: Rialto Ripples
Other Piano Pieces: Three Preludes-Allegro ben ritmato e deciso
Other Piano Pieces: Three Preludes - Andante con moto e poco rubato
Other Piano Pieces: Three Preludes - Allegro ben ritmato e deciso
Other Piano Pieces: Impromptu In Two Keys
Other Piano Pieces: Three-Quarter Blues
Other Piano Pieces: Merry Andrew
Other Piano Pieces: Piano Playin' Jazzbo Brown (Jasbo Brown Blues)
Other Piano Pieces: Promenade
Songs By George And Ira Gershwin: I'll Build A Stairway To Paradise
Songs By George And Ira Gershwin: How Long Has This Been Going On?
Songs By George And Ira Gershwin: By Strauss
Songs By George And Ira Gershwin: Someone to Watch over Me
Songs By George And Ira Gershwin: Nice Work If You Can Get It
Songs By George And Ira Gershwin: The Man I Love
Songs By George And Ira Gershwin: Just Another Rhumba
Songs By George And Ira Gershwin: Isn't It A Pity?
Songs By George And Ira Gershwin: They All Laughed
Songs By George And Ira Gershwin: Love Is Here To Stay

Amazon.com

William Bolcom is my kind of musician. He writes music that is sometimes adventurous but always based in a recognizable American idiom. And he's a terrific ragtime pianist, the best Joplin player I've heard. With these credentials, of course he's a wonderful Gershwin player. These are the best piano performances of Gershwin I know. After you hear those, Bolcom joins his wife Joan Morris for very flavorful versions of 10 George and Ira Gershwin songs. The whole disc is a delight, and the original analog recordings still sound fine. Highly recommended to all Gershwin lovers. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Peculiar.......2005-01-26

I can see how someone might enjoy this album. William Bolcom is a top-flight pianist and the idea of playing the tunes as George Gershwin played them at parties is intriguing.

Because my ear is used to it, I guess, I would like to have heard longer performances of fewer songs. Each one sounded to me like a snippet -- over too soon. Because of that, plus the fact that I'm not a fan of Joan Morris' showy voice, I give the album one thumb up.

Gershwin Never Sounded Better!.......2002-06-25

This is a fantastic CD! Back in the 70's, pianist William Bolcom and his singer wife Joan Morris made a delightful series of albums on the Nonesuch label of old songs from the first half of the twentieth century - just glorious voice backed by brilliant piano. As Ira Gershwin might say - who could ask for anything more? The music is not only beautifully performed, you can hear the joy of the performance in every note. And Bolcom and Morris were never better than when doing Gershwin.

A combination of two albums, the first part of this CD is all piano. The Gershwin Songbook consists of brief (some under a minute) versions of some of his more popular songs in the way that Gershwin himself famously played them at parties. They demonstrate that Gershwin was as gifted a pianist as he was a composer. The other instrumental tracks are some of Gershwin's solo piano pieces, including the wonderful Rialto Ripples, a rag written when he was just seventeen. For me, the pinnacle of both Gershwin's and William Bolcom's artistry is reached on the second of the three preludes - a classic study of a bluesy mood.

Just when you think things can't get any better, Joan Morris arrives. She effortlessly sings and swings her way through ten of Gershwin's best songs from the cheeky comedy of By Strauss to the smoky moodiness of Someone To Watch Over Me. Maybe I'm just an incurable old romantic, but the ballads are the best of all.

Tracks:

The Skip Jig Set
A Man's A Man
The Junction Set
O'Connor's Favourite/The Lass On The Strand
The Belfast Mountains
Turlough Og McDonough
The Antrim Narrow Gauge Jigs
The Loch Tay Boat
Mollie McCarthy/The Road To Ballymac/The Linene Cap
Come Upstairs With Me/The Irish Girl/The Humours Of Ballymanus
Cul Tiubh Na bPearlai
The Motorbike Set: O'Leary's Motorbike/Elizabeth Kelly's Delight/The Humours Of Ballingarry
The Maid Of The House/The Flax In Bloom/The Monasteraden Fancy/The Callan Lasses/The Mountain Top

Customer Reviews:

Musically Serendipitous.......2005-03-03

I found this CD with no case on the ground next to my car in the parking lot face down. It had a few minor scratches so I poped it in my player and fell instantly in love. With no case, and no previous knowledge of the band, this disk has become one of the favorites in my Celtic collection. Craobh Rua is wonderfully talented and I hope my upcoming experiences with their sounds are equally pleasing. I would most highly recomend this particular album to Celtic enthusiasts and beginers alike! Thanks be to the music gods for placing it in my path.

If Ida Been There, Ida Been There is most Excellent.......2001-04-12

This is the second of Craobh Rua's CDs I've purchased and like a fine wine they've improved with age. The vocals on the laments will carry you back to the Emerald Isles. The instrumental work will have you jumping from your seat to begin a jig. For traditional Celtic music they are truly one of the best groups out there and this CD goes a long way to bolster that point. The Belfast Mountains is an interesting and in a way comical lament where the singer asks for relief of his heartache when his lover leaves him. His wishes for almost everything bad to happen to his former lover is what I find comical. For a trip back to ole Erin, If Ida Been There, Ida Been There is the ticket

Strung Out: The String Quartet Tribute Series Sampler

Average customer rating:

Different Perspective
Not Much To Warrant Repeated Listenings

Strung Out: The String Quartet Tribute Series Sampler
Fred Charlton , Michael Tuttle , Tim Emmons , The Section , Jonah Rapino , Paul Tobias , Tom Tally , Tom Vos , David Davidson , Reggie Clews , and Ted Falcon
Manufacturer: Vitamin Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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In the Chamber: The String Quartet Tribute to Linkin Park
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ASIN: B0002Y4TPG
Release Date: 2004-10-05

Tracks:

Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana
Girl's Not Grey - AFI
Like A Stone - Audioslave
It's Been A While - Staind
In The End - Linkin Park
The Red - Chevelle
Here Without You - Three Doors Down
Beautiful Disasters - 311
I'll Stick Around - Foo Fighters
Freak On A Leash - Korn
Incubus - Drive
Sober - Tool

Product Description

1. Clocks (SQT to Coldplay gi8476)
2. Karma Police - (Strung out on OK Computer gi8621)
3. Everlong (SQT to Foo Fighters gi8489)
4. Here Without You (SQT to 3 Doors Down gi8755)
5. No One Knows (SQT to QOTSA gi8720)
6. Cochise (SQT to Audioslave gi8778)
7. Girl's Not Grey (SQT to AFI gi8750)
8. In The End (SQT to Linkin Park gi8719)
9. Sober (SQT to Tool gi8635)
10. Under The Bridge (SQT to RHCP gi8803)
11. Smells Like Teen Spirit (SQT to Nirvana gi8447)
12. Fight Test (SQT to The Flaming Lips gi8809)

Format: CD

Customer Reviews:

Different Perspective.......2006-07-13

Vitamin records has been releasing these cd's like wild fires, just spreading orchestral music to the lesser audience of it. This cd will give you the rock music that originally started this who phenomenon (apocalyptica).

This cd is great for anyone interested in hearing the depth of a music genre. Typically when you hear a rock song, you dont hear really how the singer is supposed to influence the musical sense of the songs, but when the singer's role is put into a more balanced/equal role with the rest of the musicians, it contributes so much more to the musicality of the song. It is great for beginner musicians to understand that the singer has to be in tune with the band because he is added depth to the music, not just vocals. College music majors might also get a kick out of this album as it widens your music perspective.

These cds from vitamin really show how rock is the next evolution to classical music, it shows that although lyrics were originally added, the artists used the basic form of classical music to write songs. They all contain a theme that is repeated in the music, and most offer a "waltz" part to the song, as well as a lyrical bridge.

Good cd for every so often to change you from the norm. really neat to switch out the lyrics every so often with some classical music. Enjoy it!

Not Much To Warrant Repeated Listenings.......2005-01-30

Over the past five years, Vitamin Records has released more than fifty of these String Quartet Tribute albums. They have run the gamut from Metallica to Clay Aiken to Alison Krauss to their most recent tribute to 2Pac. This sampler focuses primarily on alternative/heavy metal/grunge artists. So what you get is a collection of songs made famous by Staind ("It's Been Awhile"), Linkin Park ("In the End") and Korn ("Freak on a Leash").

This album (and all of the others) veers awfully close to novelty status. On first listen, it's a real charge to hear teen angst anthems like "Smells Like Teen Spirit" transformed into sedate chamber music. But it doesn't really warrant repeated listenings. The main problem is that after a few songs, they all tend to sound alike. Twenty years ago, the Grammy-winning Kronos Quartet would include a Jimi Hendrix composition in live performances and the occasional recording, but they had the sense to know that this wouldn't work over the course of an entire album.

And the idea of juxtaposing classical instruments with popular music goes back even farther. In the sixties, the Hollyridge Strings released a series of albums performing the works of the Beatles, Elvis and the Beach Boys. Bottom line? This album will force you to hear these songs in a new way and might get a laugh or two if you slip it into the CD player at your next party, but there's little here to make you come back after you've heard it once. But at $6.98, it's an inexpensive gag gift for the alternative music fan in your life. [Running Time - 50:37]

Leonard Bernstein: The 1953 American Decca Recordings

Average customer rating:

It's wonderful to have Bernstein back, but the performances fall short
Come back Lennie, we need you
For Bernstein enthusiasts, it's like owning a gold mine
Bernstein's Early American Recordings

Leonard Bernstein: The 1953 American Decca Recordings

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00067GKF6
Release Date: 2005-02-08

Customer Reviews:

It's wonderful to have Bernstein back, but the performances fall short.......2006-11-26

These 1953 mono recordings catch Bernstein a decade after his famous debut with the NY Phil. and five years before he became their youngest-ever condcutor. It's great to hear that warm, comforting voice again, although his analyses--especially the longest one devoted to the Brahms Fourth--aren't as polished as they would become. He gets pedagogical at times and runs us through a rote example-and-explanation formula. Even then, howeer, colorful Bernstein touches peek out, and we are reminded of the man who taught an entire generation to venerate classical music.

For me, the performances themselves fall short. They were often recorded in a rush, sometimes late at night after a summer concert. I know that the Stadium Sym. is actually the NY Phil., but they don't sound particularly fine, and Bernstein's interpreatations, though vigorous, often border on the slapdash. Plowing through Beethoven's 3rd, Dvorak's 9th, Schumann's 2nd, Brahms' 4th and Tchaikovsky's 6th, I found few sparks of originaity, much less genius. This is a tough admission from one of LB's geat admirers, but there you are. The original recorded sound is also a bit thin and harsh.

Come back Lennie, we need you.......2006-02-22

This box is worth its price just for the five talks. Bernstein at this stage had a teaching style rather more stilted than the chatty sage of later years, but the combination of authority, insight and infectious enthusiasm is unique. Entertainingly offhand about the New World, he's at his best on the music he reveres most, i.e. Beethoven, Schumann, and Brahms, the first movement of whose Fourth Symphony gets a particularly in-depth analysis that left me yearning for more. Practically anyone could enjoy and learn from these talks - they're fascinating fun without a whiff of down-dumbing. When the classical and the popular cross over nowadays, the results are usually compromised and crass, but with Bernstein there doesn't even seem to be a gap to be crossed over - just a passion to share these wonders with as many people as possible. We need his all-embracing talent and vision today more than ever.

Then there are the performances. I'm not the biggest fan of mono symphonic recordings, but these positively leap down your ears, unmannered, committed and electric. It's hard to believe what was achieved under the hasty recording conditions described in the booklet. The sound is a little fierce, but good enough to make this set a wonderful gift for any open-minded but symphonically ignorant acquaintance. I can easily imagine it turning someone on to classical music.

For Bernstein enthusiasts, it's like owning a gold mine.......2005-06-19

This new album set is something that I had heard of, but never dared to hope would be released on CD. It consists of Leonard Bernstein's very first recordings of Beethoven's Symphony No. 3 (the "Eroica"), Dvorak's "New World Symphony", Schumann's Symphony No. 2, Brahms' Fourth Symphony, and Tchaikovsky's "Pathetique" Symphony. They are all conducted by Bernstein and played beautifully by an orchestra which bills itself as the New York Stadium Symphony Orchestra, but which is really the great New York Philharmonic, using the name that they gave themselves during summer concerts.

The performances are a revelation, because they demonstrate conclusively that Bernstein did not always "exaggerate" or "overinterpret" great music, as critics frequently claim. His performances here are very, very direct and straightforward, more like Fritz Reiner or Toscanini than like Bernstein.

If this album contained only Bernstein's early performances of these symphonies, it would be interesting, but it might not really attract that much attention, since he re-recorded all of these pieces in stereo in later years, and with the same orchestra.

What makes this set so valuable is that it contains his long out-of-print lectures on these symphonies, and far from what the previous reviewer claims, they never become boring and monotonous. No musician in our time, or maybe even in the history of music, was a better or more articulate and sensitive lecturer on music than Leonard Bernstein. His legendary appearances on the "Young People's Concerts" did more for the appreciation of classical music than all the "Beethoven's Wig" albums combined. (If you don't know what "Beethoven's Wig" is, check it out and shudder at how far music appreciation has fallen since Bernstein's death.)

Bernstein had a unique ability to make classical music accessible to everybody, without ever condescending to the listener or cheapening the music. His lectures on this album, previously only available to 1950's Book of the Month Subscribers (except for part of the Beethoven lecture, which is the only one that Bernstein did re-record in stereo), are invaluable both to music students and to those who are willing to listen. All of the lectures included cover all four movements of the symphonies discussed, except for the Brahms; that one is just as extensive as the others, but it covers only the first movement of the symphony.

However--be warned, the lectures do have a flaw that the symphonies themselves do not, and that is why I have subtracted one star.

The symphony recordings are obviously remastered from magnetic tape, but the lectures have been transferred from LP's. Thus, you will be able to hear an occasional click or pop from time to time, and there is a clearly audible "skip" on the Brahms lecture. It is NOT the CD being defective, or the laser beam on your player skipping; it is clearly the lecture recordings themselves. Deutsche Grammophon, which released this CD set, is very honest about the source of the transfers to compact disc, and is to be commended for this. (They mention it in the last page of the accompanying booklet.) But this shouldn't deter anybody from buying this enormously important Bernstein set.

Bernstein's Early American Recordings.......2005-04-02

The most recent batch of DG's "Original Masters" box sets boasts several titles that will leave classical collectors rejoicing, "Leonard Bernstein: The 1953 American Decca Recordings" foremost among them. This 5CD set features Lenny in his earliest recorded performances of some of his trademark works -- Beethoven's 3rd, Dvorak's 9th, Schumann's 2nd, Brahms' 4th and Tchaikovsky's 6th Symphonies. Bernstein would later re-record all of five these symphonies with the NYPO (btw, the Stadium Symphony Orchestra of New York IS the NYPO) to greater acclaim for Columbia, but these early accounts capture a brilliant young conductor at the threshold of greatness. Also after each performance, Bernstein offers a musical analysis, simplifying what the listener just heard as only he could, which is again something the conductor would become famous for in years to come. Well then, if this is such a great set, why the four-star rating? First, while the performances sound very good, these are 1953 mono recordings and the casual fan needs to be aware that analog and digital stereo recordings of these works by the conductor do exist, and are generally preferable. Second, the musical analysis is a nice touch, but certainly does not warrant repeated listenings, as does the music. In fact, nearly half of the contents of these five discs is LB talking, and it could have been filled with music instead, or simply sold as a less expensive 3CD set. However, these shortcomings aside, "Leonard Bernstein: The 1953 American Decca Recordings" is another outstanding release in a fine series.

Average customer rating:

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

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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 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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

Mosaic: A Collection of African-American Spirituals With Piano and Guitar

Average customer rating:

Beauty, power, and clarity
Not traditional American Negro spirituals mostly.
Great opera, not spiritual style I thought title suggested.
A Glorious Burgeoning Diva!
Classical music with heart and soul

Mosaic: A Collection of African-American Spirituals With Piano and Guitar

Manufacturer: Albany Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Blues | Styles | Music

Electric Blues Guitar | Blues | Styles | Music

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Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B0006A9FUU
Release Date: 2004-11-30

Tracks:

Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit
Roun'about de Mountain
Lord, I Just Can't Keep from Cryin'
My Soul's Been Anchored
City Called Heaven
Give Me Jesus
O Glory
Come Down Angels
He Never Said a Mumblin' Word
Watch and Pray
Walk Together Children
Deep River
This Little Light of Mine
Lord, How Come Me Here?
He's Got the Whole World in His Hands
Ride Up in the Chariot

Customer Reviews:

Beauty, power, and clarity.......2007-05-06

Buy this CD for her rendition of "He Never Said a Mumbalin' Word" alone --- truly lovely, simply brilliant.

Not traditional American Negro spirituals mostly........2005-10-24

If you are looking for the soulfull melodic or jubilation of traditional American Negro spirituals, this is not it. But it is masterful musicianship.

Great opera, not spiritual style I thought title suggested........2005-09-08

This is a very good classical collection. The rating would have been higher if the description had suggested the actual style of the music. I am giving it 3 stars because this is a very good OPERA style collection - not the spiritual style I was hoping for. Given the title and simple instruments, I thought it would be different - more relaxed. I wish a sample of the music had been available. If you want spirituals sung in an OPERA style you will love this. She is an amazing talent.

A Glorious Burgeoning Diva!.......2005-05-07

Though this particular selection of songs may not be one the recital lover would choose, MOSAIC introduces to the recording audience the magnificent voice of Angela M. Brown, a gifted singer whose career has been nurtured by appearances with small opera companies until her highly successful Metropolitan Opera debut in 'Aida' last year. Now this intelligent singer is currently replacing the indomitable Jessye Norman in a Detroit Opera premiere and even in that vulnerable position of comparison she is making a triumphant statement.

MOSAIC is pleasant enough recital of African American Spirituals with sensitive piano and guitar accompaniment. But it is in the few unaccompanied songs that the splendor of this very large voice with a seemingly bottomless register is best displayed. Brown has a glowing top as well as a lush bottom in her register and her attention to the control of the cascade of sound is simply thrilling. Brown knows this repertoire well and is convincing in her delivery of not only the message but the depth of emotion of each song.

Hopefully a recording of songs and arias will follow soon, especially as her opera reputation grows. But for now, MOSAIC is a fine introduction to a voice whose destiny seems assured. Grady Harp, May 05

Classical music with heart and soul.......2005-03-01

Daniel Alexander Payne, sixth bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church worked tirelessly to purge emotionalism from African American modes of worship, and derided spirituals as "corn field ditties." Starting with the Fisk Jubilee Singers and into current century, composers such as Florence Price, Margaret Bonds, Moses Hogan and Joseph Joubert have sought new, classical interpretations of these timeless, soulful songs.

I must confess, I've never been a big fan of classicised spirituals. Spirituals ARE emotional, expressions of unbearable pain, of longing, of optimism and ultimate belief in salvation. To strip them of that by prettying them up is to deny their very reason for being.

But having said all that: I absolutely loved MOSAIC! Angela Brown does not let her classical training get in the way of putting a song over with heart and soul. She obviously loves these songs, and her rich voice moved me to tears on several occasions. The instrumental accompaniments (Joseph Joubert on piano, Tyron Cooper on guitar) are gorgeously subtle and supportive.

The sound quality of this disc is superb, a fitting tribute to the many African American composers represented here. Highly recommended!

Olympus on My Mind - The American Cast Recording

Average customer rating:

THE HAPPIEST MUSICAL THIS SIDE OF HEAVEN . . . . .

Olympus on My Mind - The American Cast Recording

Manufacturer: Jay Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00005Y8ZT
Release Date: 1996-11-19

Tracks:

Overture
Welcome To Greece
Heaven On Earth
The Gods On Tap
Surprise!
Love - What A Concept
Wait 'Til It Dawns
Enter The Husband
I Know My Wife
It Was Me
Back So Soon
Wonderful
At Liberty In Thebes
It Must Have Been Jove
Jupiter Slept Here
Something Of Yourself
Olympus Is a Lonely Town
A Star Is Born
Mine Eyes Have Seen
Heaven On Earth

Customer Reviews:

THE HAPPIEST MUSICAL THIS SIDE OF HEAVEN . . . . . .......2006-08-14

This one is a hoot!

Don't ask me to explain the plot of OLYMPUS ON MY MIND, for as some character in some show once said, "It defies description." Barry Harman (book and lyrics for ROMANCE, ROMANCE) received Drama Desk Award nominations for Outstanding Direction of a Musical and for Outstanding Book, "suggested" by Heinrich von Kleist's play of 1807, "Amphitryon," which may or may not have been "suggested" by Moliere's earlier version of the Greek myth. (The plot is as complicated and as convoluted as the previous sentence.) At any rate, Jupiter lusts after the beautiful mortal Alcmene and poses as her husband, Amphitryon, in order to seduce her. Mistaken identities abound and double-entendres fly freely, aided and abetted by Harman's witty and literate lyrics and Grant Sturiale's ". . . bubbly score, which suggests Rodgers and Hart with a pop-rock undertow." (Stephen Holden, in his review of the 1986 Original Off-Broadway Production) When Amphityron arrives home from the war, not knowing that Jupiter has just spent the night with his wife, Alcmene sings "Back So Soon?" and then proceeds to tell him in great detail how "Wonderful" he was last night, rather like poetry, ". . . especially the fourth and the seventeenth time." The slave, Sosia, having been barred from his own house and bed by Hercules, in the guise of Sosia, declares to his master,""It Was Me." And Delores only needs the mention of a constellation to break into "A Star Is Born" big production number. "Big" being relative, considering the size of the cast. Great fun.

(Holden) "From its firecracker-like opening number, 'Welcome to Greece,' in which a smirking Greek chorus of three men - 'Tom, Dick and Horace' - and a doll-faced, out-of-step chorus girl, 'Delores,' arrive to set the scene, the new musical OLYMPUS ON MY MIND percolates with an old-fashioned sense of naughty musical-comedy fun. Delores's ineptitude, it turns out, is part of the merriment. Periodically throughout the evening, she models the wares of the show's fictional producer, Murray the Furrier, whose name glows in lights at the rear of the stage." Opening night saw the marvelous Ron Raines (LEADING MEN DON'T DANCE) in the dual roles of Jupiter & Amphitryon, Emily Zacharias as Alcmene, Jason Graae as Hercules, Peggy Hewett as Charis, Lewis J. Stadlen as Sosia, and Faith Prince as Delores. By the time the recording was made in October, 1987, the equally marvelous Martin Vidnovic (Tony Nominee, 1981, BRIGADOON; 1984 Drama Desk Award Winner for BABY) was Jupiter/Amphitryon; Susan Powell, his wife; Nancy Johnson, Charis; Frank Kopyc, Sosia; and Joyce De Witt ("Three's Company"), Delores. Only Jason Graae remains from the opening night cast.

David Abers of the Bristol Riverside Theatre calls OLYMPUS ON MY MIND "the happiest musical this side of heaven," and he may well be right. Hal Serra's wonderful "stringless" orchestrations and the small cast of 10 make the show an excellent choice for community theaters and small colleges. I can't imagine anyone, except for the very prudish, not having a great time on OLYMPUS.

Highly recommended.

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