Way I Am [Import]

Product Description
Japanese pressing of 2004 release, scheduled to include one exclusive bonus track. Details TBA. Epic.

Way I Am,Ana Johnsson,Sony/Epic,Pop,Rock/Pop

Average customer rating: Linda Eder - Great Voice Not a voice.......an instrument the best female singer of the great american standards. The powerful and beautiful voice of Linda Elder Linda Eder shines with her Broadway album

Broadway, My Way Linda Eder Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Contemporary | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classical | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Purists | Warner Brothers Records | Stores | Music Similar Items: By Myself: The Songs of Judy Garland It's Time Christmas Stays the Same It's No Secret Anymore Storybook ASIN: B000088E4T Release Date: 2003-02-18

Tracks:

1. I Am What I Am (from "La Cage aux Folles")
2. Anthem (from "Chess")
3. On The Street Where You Live (from "My Fair Lady")
4. What Kind of Fool (from "Stop The World I Want to Get Off")
5. Some People (from "Gypsy")
6. I'll Be Seeing You (from "Right This Way")
7. Gold (from "Camille Claudel")
8. Don't Rain On My Parade (from "Funny Girl")
9. The Impossible Dream (from "Man of La Mancha")
10. A New Life (from "Jekyll & Hyde")
11. Edelweiss (from "The Sound of Music")
12. Unusual Way (from "Nine")
13. Man of La Mancha (from "Man of La Mancha")

Amazon.com

The people who felt betrayed when Linda Eder covered several pop songs on 2002's Gold will be relieved that her follow-up, Broadway My Way, is a return to the Great White Way. As if to prove that she isn't limited to either the songs of Frank Wildhorn or ballads, Eder tackles some well-known show tunes. The ballads tend to be overwrought, so it's best to look for the uptempo numbers. The singer's take on "Some People" is technically fine but so va-va-voom showbiz that it lacks the deranged edge that makes the song so compellingly dramatic. Things work a lot better on "I Am What I Am": while Eder doesn't take it to the top (or rather over the top), this is as close as she gets to Mermanizing a number. Elsewhere, "Don't Rain on My Parade" (immortalized by Streisand) and "Man of La Mancha" are appropriately brassy and triumphant, with Eder roaring her way through both songs. Fans of both Eder and Wildhorn should note that the singer reprises her Svengali's "Gold," the title track from her previous album, and an excerpt from his long-in-the-works Camille Claudel. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Album Description

On the eagerly awaited Broadway My Way, Atlantic recording artist and acclaimed Broadway sensation Linda Eder performs classics including 'On the Street Where You Live' (from My Fair Lady), 'Edelweiss' (from The Sound of Music), 'Don't Rain On My Parade' (from Funny Girl) and 10 other great broadway songs performed in a whole new voice. 2003.

Customer Reviews:

Linda Eder - Great Voice.......2007-07-06

This lady has one great voice. She can certainly sell a song. My only reservation about her is that she's a bit cocky. I think she could use some humility.

Not a voice.......an instrument.......2007-02-17

Unbelievable breath control, phrasing, and style. My 10 yr. old Granddaughter who heretofore has listened and loved the usual rap
and hip-hop, heard me playing this disc and begged me to buy her
one........and I did, and she plays it all the time, and to her
friends. Linda Eder exceeds the Streisand mystique by far.

the best female singer of the great american standards........2006-07-24

i am turning 60 years old this year. i went to my 1st.broadway
musical in 1960. over the years i have had the honor to see
almost all of the giants of american song, garland, streisand,
patti lupone, lena horne, betty buckley, barbaracook etc. in
"broadway, my way" linda eder cements her place as the best of the best. from an anthem like "i am what i am" to the lovely
"on the street where you live" captures you body and soul.
i loved this album, and don't ever miss a chance to see her live. JOHN POWER

The powerful and beautiful voice of Linda Elder.......2006-02-23

A great selection of songs. Tremendous amount of energy in Linda's voice. I just love it.

Linda Eder shines with her Broadway album.......2006-02-18

Wow! Linda Eder has an outstanding voice. She sells Broadway in the styles of Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand. After hearing this you will want more.

Average customer rating: BEST OPERA MUSIC EVER Time well spent. Great Score, But Highlights Missing Critical Songs Buy the full version, please Argh Matey!

Les Miserables (Highlights from the 1987 Original Broadway Cast) Alain Boublil , Claude-Michel Schonberg , and Colm Wilkinson Manufacturer: Decca U.S. ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Soundtracks | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Highlights From The Phantom Of The Opera: The Original London Cast Recording (1986 London Cast) Selections From Cats (1982 Original Broadway Cast) Miss Saigon (Original 1989 London Cast - Highlights) The Best Of Rent: Highlights From The Original Cast Album (1996 Original Broadway Cast) The Very Best Of Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Broadway Collection ASIN: B000084TRM Release Date: 2003-01-28

Tracks:

1. Overture/Work Song
2. I Dreamed a Dream
3. Who Am I?
4. Castle on a Cloud
5. Master of the House
6. Stars
7. Do You Hear the People Sing?
8. A Heart Full of Love
9. One Day More
10. On My Own
11. A Little Fall of Rain
12. Drink with Me
13. Bring Him Home
14. Javert's Suicide
15. Empty Chairs at Empty Tables
16. Wedding Chorale/Beggars at the Feast
17. Finale

Amazon.com

While not overly generous at 55 minutes, the highlights album of the 1987 original Broadway cast recording of Les Miserables is intelligently selected and likely to prove satisfying to most fans. It includes the best-loved numbers of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg's score, beautiful ballads ("Bring Him Home," "I Dreamed a Dream") and rousing anthems ("One Day More," "Do You Hear the People Sing?") alike, but eliminates some choral numbers ("Lovely Ladies"), redundancies ("Red and Black"), and connective tissue that propels the plot along ("Valjean Arrested," "Come to Me (Fantine's Death)"). Sure, a more perfect selection could have lasted longer than half of the two-disc set's 104 minutes by adding "At the End of the Day" and "In My Life," among others, but it's still a good representation on a convenient single disc. Of course, those who always want to re-create the theatrical experience will never be satisfied with a highlights album.

Re-creating their roles from the London production, Colm Wilkinson plays the heroic Valjean and Frances Ruffelle is the despondent Eponine. Randy Graff (Fantine), Terrence Mann (Javert), David Bryant (Marius), Judy Kuhn (Cosette), Michael Maguire (Enjolras), and Leo Burmester and Jennifer Butt (the Thénardiers) fill out the cast. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

BEST OPERA MUSIC EVER.......2006-11-03

This is the BEST!! I would highly recommend this to anyone who likes this kind of music!

Time well spent........2005-09-14

Each member of the Les Miserables cast stands to deliver this musical to its audience. Within moments we are transported to France during their Restoration. We experience sadness, laughter and, indeed, want to join in their crusade. The music and deliverance, in my opinion, is excellent.

Great Score, But Highlights Missing Critical Songs.......2005-08-05

Composers Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg's score for "Les Miserables" is simply brilliant and the spectacular Broadway cast, led by Colm Wilkinson, Randy Graff, Terrence Mann, and Frances Ruffelle, help bring this incredible music to life!

While I normally enjoy "highlight" cds, this one clocks in at a mere 55 minutes and could have easily included a couple of additional tunes (thus losing one star). Most notably missing: "At The End Of The Day", "Come To Me", "Red And Black", and "In My Life". The show's most memorable songs, however, are included.

Best tracks:

I Dreamed A Dream
Master Of The House
Stars
Do You Hear The People Sing
On My Own
A Little Fall Of Rain
Bring Him Home
Empty Chairs At Empty Tables

Great cast, great score ... even a good buy. But I would suggest the full double-disc score instead.

Buy the full version, please.......2005-01-20

Highlights are never worth it. You will never get the little in-between songs which make a show complete, montages will be cut together badly instead of being full songs as they should be...so much is left out. This is a fantastic show and deserves to be heard in full.

Argh Matey!.......2004-11-22

"Highlights" albums are not the full show, blah blah blah... THIS TAKES UP ONLY ONE SPACE IN YOUR CD RACK INSTEAD OF TWO LIKE THE FULL RECORDING. I rest my case.

Average customer rating: Fabulous for any Broadway-lover Top Shelf TERRIFIC CD'S Great Collection of Broadways greatest Songs Great Compilation!

Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series) Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Bernstein | Bernstein, Leonard | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gershwin | Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Porter | Porter, Cole | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Weill | Weill, Kurt | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mancini | Mancini, Henry | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Musicals | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Best of Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series) Broadway: The American Musical Broadway: The American Musical Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series) Somewhere over the Rainbow: The Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals ASIN: B00064ADMK Release Date: 2004-10-19

Tracks:

1. Give My Regards To Broadway- Joel Grey
2. Swanee- Al Jolson
3. When The Moon Shines On The Moonshine- Bert Williams
4. A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody- John Steel
5. My Man- Fanny Brice
6. Fascinating Rhythm- Fred Astaire, Adele Astaire
7. If You Knew Susie (Like I Know Susie)- 78rpm Version Eddie Cantor
8. Someone To Watch Over Me- Gertrude Lawrence
9. Bill- 78 rpm Version Helen Morgan
10. Ol' Man River- Paul Robeson
11. Ain't Misbehavin'- Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra
12. Ten Cents A Dance- Ruth Etting
13. Body And Soul- Libby Holman
14. Brother, Can You Spare A Dime- Bing Crosby
15. Night And Day- Fred Astaire
16. Heat Wave- Ethel Waters
17. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes- Tamara
18. You're The Top- Ethel Merman
19. Summertime- Anne Brown
20. September Song- Walter Huston
21. My Heart Belongs To Daddy- Mary Martin
22. It Never Entered My Mind- Shirley Ross
23. Bewitched, Bothered, Bewildered- Vivienne Segal
24. Oh, How I Hate To Get Up In The Morning- Irving Berlin
25. Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'- Alfred Drake

Tracks:

1. New York, New York- Cris Alexander,Adolph Green,John Reardon
2. If I Loved You- John Raitt,Jan Clayton
3. Come Rain Or Come Shine- Ruby Hill,Harold Nicholas
4. There's No Business Like Show Business- Ensemble
5. How Are Things In Glocca Morra? From "Finian's Rainbow"- Ella Logan
6. Once In Love With Amy- Ray Bolger
7. Wunderbar- Alfred Drake,Patricia Morison
8. Some Enchanted Evening- Ezio Pinza
9. Lost In The Stars- Todd Duncan
10. Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend- Carol Channing
11. Luck Be A Lady- Robert Alda,Guys
12. Getting To Know You- Gertrude Lawrence
13. Who Cares?- Jack Carson,Betty Oakes
14. Stranger In Paradise- from " Kismet" Doretta Morrow,Richard Kiley
15. Ballad Of Mack The Knife- Gerald Price
16. Hey There- from "The Pajama Game" John Raitt
17. Whatever Lola Wants- Gwen Verdon
18. I Could Have Danced All Night- Julie Andrews
19. Standing On The Corner- from "The Most Happy Fella, 1956" Shorty Long,John Henson,Alan Gilbert
20. The Party's Over- Judy Holliday
21. Glitter And Be Gay- Barbara Cook
22. Tonight- Larry Kert, Carol Lawrence

Tracks:

1. Seventy-Six Trombones- Robert Preston
2. I Enjoy Being A Girl- from "Flower Drum Song, 1958" Pat Suzuki
3. Everything's Coming Up Roses- Ethel Merman
4. My Favorite Things- from "The Sound Of Music" Mary Martin
5. Put On A Happy Face- from "Bye Bye Birdie" Dick Van Dyke
6. Try To Remember- Jerry Orbach
7. Camelot- from "Camelot" Richard Burton
8. Love Makes The World Go 'Round- Anna Maria Alberghetti
9. I Believe In You- Robert Morse And Co.
10. The Sweetest Sounds- Diahann Carroll,Richard Kiley
11. Comedy Tonight- Zero Mostel
12. What Kind Of Fool Am I?- Anthony Newley
13. As Long As He Needs Me- Georgia Brown
14. Hello, Dolly!- Carol Channing,Cast
15. People- Barbra Streisand
16. Anyone Can Whistle- from "Anyone Can Whistle" Lee Remick
17. If I Were A Rich Man- Zero Mostel
18. Night Song- Sammy Davis, Jr.
19. The Impossible Dream- Richard Kiley
20. If My Friends Could See Me Now- Gwen Verdon
21. Open a New Window- from Mame Voice

Tracks:

1. Willkommen- from "Cabaret" Joel Grey
2. Let The Sunshine In- James Rado,Lynn Kellogg,Melba Moore,Cast
3. I'll Never Fall In Love Again- Jill O'Hara,Jerry Orbach
4. The Ladies Who Lunch- from "Company" Elaine Stritch
5. Tea For Two- Roger Rathburn,Susan Watson
6. I'm Still Here- Yvonne De Carlo
7. I Don't Know How To Love Him- Yvonne Elliman
8. We Go Together- Adrienne Barbeau,Barry Bostwick,Walter Bobbie,Cast
9. Corner Of The Sky- John Rubinstein
10. Send In The Clowns- Glynis Johns
11. Ease On Down The Road- Stephanie Mills,Tiger Haynes,Ted Ross,Hinton
12. One- from "A Chorus Line" Cast
13. All That Jazz- Chita Rivera,Ensemble
14. Tomorrow- Andrea Mcardle
15. Don't Cry For Me Argentina- Patti Lupone
16. Come Follow The Band
17. Lullaby Of Broadway- Jerry Orbach
18. And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going- Jennifer Holliday
19. The Bells Of St. Sebastian- Raul Julia

Tracks:

1. Memory- Betty Buckley
2. I Am What I Am- George Hearn
3. Move On- Bernadette Peters,Mandy Patinkin
4. Do You Hear The People Sing?- Michael Maguire,Cast
5. The Music Of The Night- Michael Crawford
6. You're Nothing Without Me- James Naughton,Gregg Edelman
7. The American Dream- Jonathan Pryce,Cast
8. Doctor Jazz- Gregory Hines,Company
9. With One Look- Glenn Close
10. On Broadway- Adrian Bailey,Frederick B. Owens,Ken Ard,Victor Trent Cook
11. Le Jazz Hot- Julie Andrews,Ensemble
12. Seasons Of Love-
13. Hakuna Matata- Max Casella,Tom Alan Robbins,Scott Irby-Ranniar,Jason Raize
14. I Wanna Be A Producer- Matthew Broderick,Ensemble
15. Dancing Queen- Louise Plowright,Jenny Galloway
16. Good Morning Baltimore- Marissa Jaret Winokur
17. Movin' Out- Michael Cavanaugh,Band
18. I Go To Rio- Hugh Jackman,Company
19. Defying Gravity- Kristin Chenoweth,Idina Menzel

Customer Reviews:

Fabulous for any Broadway-lover.......2007-01-30

Packs into 5 CD's a sampling of Broadway tunes from the 20's thru (almost) today, mostly from original cast recordings. Includes not just well-known hits, but also some lesser-known gems. Sound quality is first rate, booklet is informative too. Have given this as a gift to several friends with rave reviews.

Top Shelf.......2007-01-04

This is THE definitive collection of Broadway hits. I have other collections, and none of them measure up. A great deal of care was obviously taken in compiling and presenting this box set. It covers a lot of ground, starting with some long-forgotten but still very enjoyable hits from the days of yore, and finishing with present-day favorites. To the best of my knowledge, the recordings are by those who made them famous. You won't be disappointed.

TERRIFIC CD'S.......2006-03-23

THESE BROADWAY MUSICALS CD'S ARE A BROADWAY LOVERS DREAM. WITH EACH SONG, MEMORIES COME FLOODING BACK. BOTH THE FAMILIAR AND THE FORGOTTEN SONGS ARE A TRUE LISTENING PLEASURE. IF YOU LIKE BROADWAY, YOU'LL LOVE THIS SET.

Great Collection of Broadways greatest Songs .......2005-06-14

This Collection was perfectly made it has almost all the most famous Broadway songs on this 5 cd set. The Music is great and has Broadways greatest treasures like "Memory""People""With One Look""Give my regards Too Broadway" just to name a few of this numerous cd set with over 100 songs. This is a great buy if you like musicals or The music of Broadway

Great Compilation!.......2005-01-17

If you are a fan of the Broadway Musicals, this is a collection that you should purchase. Since I got the 5 disc set I've enjoyed listening to it. The majority of the songs are done by the original singers. The collection is priceless considering that you will have over 100 songs from popular musicals since the beginning of Broadway

Average customer rating: The best and maybe the last CD of this great musical. Beautiful remastering of historic original cast recording the peerless original cast Who Put The Shake In Shakespeare? TIMELESS BROADWAY SHOW

Kiss Me, Kate (1948 Original Broadway Cast) Cole Porter , Alfred Drake , and Patricia Morison Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Porter | Porter, Cole | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Classic Musicals | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Musicals | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Kismet (1953 Original Broadway Cast) South Pacific (Original 1949 Broadway Cast) My Fair Lady (1956 Original Broadway Cast) Guys & Dolls: A Decca Broadway Original Cast Recording (1950 Original Broadway Cast) Gypsy - A Musical Fable (1959 Original Broadway Cast) ASIN: B000007OHT Release Date: 1998-06-02

Tracks:

1. Act I: Overture
2. Act I: Another Op'nin', Another Show
3. Act I: Why Can't You Behave?
4. Act I: Wunderbar
5. Act I: So In Love
6. Act I: We Open In Venice
7. Act I: Tom, Dick Or Harry
8. Act I: I've Come To Wive It Wealthily In Padua
9. Act I: I Hate Men
10. Act I: Were Thine That Special Face
11. Act II: Too Darn Hot
12. Act II: Where Is The Life That Late I Led?
13. Act II: Always True To You (In My Fashion)
14. Act II: Bianca
15. Act II: So In Love (Reprise)
16. Act II: Brush Up Your Shakespeare
17. Act II: I Am Ashamed That Women Are So Simple
18. Act II: Finale: Kiss Me, Kate
19. Kiss Me, Kate Overture

Amazon.com

Opening at the tail end of 1948, Kiss Me, Kate became an instant classic--and amazingly didn't receive a full-scale revival until 1999. All the more reason to revel in its original version. With its cunning play-within-a-play premise (a musical update of The Taming of the Shrew reverberates in backstage feuds), brilliant mix of high and low comedy, and of course some of Cole Porter's better-known songs--"So in Love," "I Hate Men," Too Darn Hot," "Always True to You (In My Fashion)"--Kiss Me, Kate remains a funny, zesty hall of mirrors. Hard as you may try to find a fly in the ointment, there's no fault with the cast either--Patricia Morison, for instance, is a perfectly petulant Lilli Vanessi. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

The best and maybe the last CD of this great musical........2006-02-20

Now is the perfect time to buy the CD of this.

Sony's transfer engineers used state-of-the-art restoration software to remove the roughness and surface noise from the originals, but (thankfully) they resisted the urge to tart-up the sound with artificial reverb, faux stereo, and thundering bass. This is by far the best-sounding CD of this ever released, and it may be the last.

The age of music ownership in America could be drawing to a close. Five years from now, this music may only be available by download, you might only be "borrowing" it, and it probably won't come with the the authentic cover art or the 26-page booklet.

(See also the original broadway CD of Out of This World.)

Beautiful remastering of historic original cast recording.......2004-05-24

Recorded in January 1949, this album of KISS ME KATE has remained in print adn a steady best-seller for over 50 years now.

The sound on this newly remastered CD is crisp and clear and easily surpasses all previous issues. Sony even uses the original artwork from the very first LP release.

The performances remain as fresh as ever. Alfred Drake was Broadway's top leading man and sounds just glorious. Pat Morrison had less of a career but sounds just perfect as Lilli. Lisa Kirk is wonderful as Lois, and Harold Lang makes the most of his few moments on the record as her boyfriend, Bill. In an unusual move these peopel reunited 10 years later to re-record the score for Capitol in true stereo. They still sound great on that recording (on CD as part of the Broadway Angel series) but the performances are fresher on this recording made just 2 weeks after KIS ME KATE had opened on Broadway to rave reviews.

The CD booklet has good info about the show, though curiously, no synopsis. There are, however, a half dozen pictures of the original production. This edition featureds longer takes of "We Open in Venice", "I Hate Men" and "Too Darn Hot" though the total extra music adds but a minute to the album's running time. A bonus track of the Overture dates from a 1958 stereo recording by Lehman Engle.

KISS ME KATE was the first Tony Award winner for Best Musical (1949). The 1999 revival won a Tony for Best Revival.

the peerless original cast.......2004-03-04

KISS ME KATE is still regarded as Cole Porter's greatest musical; a charming backstage story detailing feuding ex-spouses Lilli Vanessi and Fred Graham as they star in a musical version of Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew".

Very rarely has the score been bettered than the original 1949 cast album, reissued here on the Columbia Broadway Masterworks label. Patricia Morison plays Lilli, with Alfred Drake (OKLAHOMA!, KISMET, GIGI) as Fred, the feuding, ego-ridden leads. Lisa Kirk (ALLEGRO, MACK AND MABEL) is the sexy young starlet Lois, with Harold Lang (PAL JOEY) as her caddish boyfriend Bill.

KISS ME KATE opened at the New Century Theatre on Broadway in 1949, making history in its run of over 1000 performances. Patricia Morison is perfectly-suited to the role of Lilli. She offers a glowing rendition of "So in Love", whilst her duet with Alfred Drake in the tongue-in-cheek "Wunderbar" is sublime. Lisa Kirk gets three of the big showstoppers ("Why Can't You Behave?", "Tom Dick or Harry" and "Always True to You in My Fashion"), and nails each and every one. Harold Lang was a better dancer than he ever was as a singer, but is quite good on this disc.

A must-own.

Who Put The Shake In Shakespeare?.......2001-04-11

Who put the 'shake' in 'Shakespeare'? Cole Porter, of course! Kiss Me Kate is the best of his musicals, and this recording is the best of the recordings! The original Broadway cast performs with much old-style, vaudeville jazz!

The story is set in a Baltimore theatre where a divorced couple, Fred Graham and Lilli Vannessi, are in the two leading roles of a musical version of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew. Fred currently dates a colorful light-heart named Lois Lane, while Lilli is about to head off to get maried in the south. Lois, by the way, will 'always be true' to her boyfriend, the gambling player Bill Calhoun. The story takes off from there!

The show originaly opened on Broadway in 1948. It's timelessness has still not worn off after so many years. The classic script by Bela and Sam Spewack, and the best music of Cole Porter, we cannot fail! The show has been performed since then in many many countries, and has been performed in many languages! It has only recently been revived on Broadway.

Kiss Me Kate has become a staple of classic Broadway, and this is the cast that will not be outdone. Patricia Morrison is a perfect, operatic, Lilli Vanesi. She is strong, yet thoughtful. Her voice fills the CD with a lively 'Wunderbar' and the raging 'I Hate Men.' Alfred Drake is a manly and appealing Fred Graham who will have you laughing out loud! His 'Where Is the Live...?' is yet to be surpassed. Harold Lang is a sexy, and hypnotic Bill Calhoun. He takes the role for himself, and his 'Bianca' is done to the point of perfection! His voice is misty and self-confident, and has the qualities all Bill Calhoun's should. And of course, there will be no one as good as Lisa Kirk for the role of Lois Lane! Her tongue-in-cheek performance on this CD is flawless! She is teasing, sympathetic, funny, and has the right voice to win her part! I can't imagine anyone who can do what she has done with 'Alway True to You' and 'Why Can't You Behave.' The classic character songs are very nice! The balladic, and melodic 'So In Love' will ring in your head. 'We Open In Venice' will make you dance! And 'Brush Up Your Shakespeare'(performed with much humor by Jack Diamond and Harry Clark) will give you a laugh the next time you read 'Romeo.' You won't be disapointed!

The nostalgic quality of the 40's is alive and well in this recording. Columbia has done a great job restoring the work, and the scratching that were a part of the original releases. The sound quality is crisp and clear, and the music sounds wonderful! The magic hasn't worn out yet!

There have been a few more recordings of the work, including a complete London recording, and the new Broadway revival cast. None can do as well as the original recording, however. In the revival recordng, however, they come close. Brian Stokes Mitchell has the voice for Fred, but runs through his lines a bit fast, and without much enthusiasm. And the orchestrations for the new recording are a bit overdone, and they sound more like PBS's Jazz, than Broadway.

Altogether, this is great recording. I was very pleased with my buy, and hope that you will add it to your collection right away! It's time to Brush Up Your Shakespeare!

TIMELESS BROADWAY SHOW.......2001-01-11

COLE PORTER'S most famous musical play hasn't lost none of it's power over the years;it's one of those few shows in which all the elements clicks:cast,songs,libretto, to make a great entertainment product.Without getting to cynical,KISS ME KATE has enough good songs to fill 3 BROADWAY shows of today ,and i am not kidding,it's a fact.While the revival is also of interest,it's always a delight to hear the original with PATRICIA MORRISSON and ALFRED DRAKE, both terrific in their parts.I can assure you that you'll play this record more than twice.It's not only WUNDERBAR ,it's WONDERFUL!You can't actually single out one number because they are all good.All right, if we have to choose one, it's SO IN LOVE.

Average customer rating: Unworthy of This Show Great. Deserves a place in your Sondheim Discography Dashed high hopes Letdown from the original

Assassins (2004 Broadway Revival Cast) Stephen Sondheim , Neil Patrick Harris , Marc Kudisch , Michael Cerveris , Denis O'Hare , and James Barbour Manufacturer: P.S. Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Sweeney Todd (2005 Broadway Revival Cast) Assassins (1991 Original Off-Broadway Cast) Assassins The Frogs (2004 Broadway Cast) The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (2005 Original Broadway Cast) ASIN: B0002B161Y Release Date: 2004-08-03

Tracks:

1. Everybody's Got The Right
2. Ballad Of Booth
3. Ladies And Gentlemen, A Toast!
4. How I Saved Roosevelt
5. What Does A Man Do...?
6. Gun Song
7. Ballad Of Czolgosz
8. Unworthy Of Your Love
9. I Am A Terrifying And Imposing Figure...!
10. Ballad Of Guiteau
11. Have It Your Way
12. Another National Anthem
13. Take A Look Lee
14. Something Just Broke
15. Everybody's Got The Right

Amazon.com

"Everybody's got a right/To their dream." So begins Stephen Sondheim's 1991 show Assassins--and in this case, said dreams involve killing an American president. The characters form a veritable rogues' gallery, including John Hinckley, Lee Harvey Oswald and John Wilkes Booth of course, but also half-forgotten luminaries such as Leon Czolgosz (who killed McKinley) and "Squeaky" Fromme (who aimed for Gerald Ford with an unloaded gun). While Sondheim's lyrics are trenchant as ever, his music, which ranges from Sousa pomp to clever little waltzes, is technically brilliant but also oddly uninvolving. (Many fans prefer the recording of the 1991 Off-Broadway version, though "Something Just Broke," which was added to the 1992 London production, makes its recorded debut here.) Still, there are several high points. In "Unworthy of Your Love," for instance, Hinckley and Fromme wax poetic about their unrequited love for Jodie Foster and Charles Manson, respectively, in a Burt Bacharach-style ballad that's deliberately (I hope!) sappy. And of course as with most Sondheim shows, the cast of this revival--Michael Cerveris, Mario Cantone, Becky Ann Baker, Marc Kudisch, Denis O'Hare--is very good. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

Unworthy of This Show.......2007-03-01

Assassins is a masterpiece of American theatre. Through a revue of skits and songs, it examines ideas we don't want to face, and shows us the flip side of the American Dream. The score rates as one of Sondheim's best, and the overall effect, when the show is performed well, is incredibly powerful. For years, people have wanted to mount a production on Broadway.

Given this result, they needn't have bothered.

I am still amazed at how much this production got wrong. The principal cast is nothing short of dreadful: the acting is almost laughably overwrought; the pacing keeps getting disrupted by pauses held too long and lines spoken too slowly; some singers are frequently behind the tempo (notably Michael Ceveris as Booth), while others are painful to listen to (like Jeffrey Kuhn as Zangara and Mario Cantone as Sam Byck); the new orchestrations allow for more musicians in the pit, but are much less effective than the earlier arrangements.

To top it all off, this production includes "Something Just Broke", a song sung by the Ensemble as various "average" Americans of different time periods recalling where they were when the president was shot. The song was introduced in the London production, presumably for people who didn't understand the show to have something to latch on to, but it was mercifully kept out of the published vocal score and libretto. It's not a bad song in and of itself, but musically it does not fit in with the rest of the score, and dramatically it doesn't fit in with the rest of the script. Worse, it is placed right between the Kennedy assassination -- the climax of the show -- and the finale, thus skewing all the dramatic momentum and depriving the show of an effective resolution.

The result of all this is that the comic moments aren't funny, the powerful moments fail to move, and the wonderful music is left ho-hum.

I realize that the extraordinary cast of the original production of Assassins presents a dauntingly high standard for everyone else to compare to, but the college productions I've seen were better than this.

Great. .......2006-11-08

What an amazingly talented cast! Neil Patrick Harris, Marc Kudisch, Alex Gemignani (The new Valjean in the revival of Les Miserables) and of course, the former demon barber of Fleet Street, Michael Cerveris (in the role that won him a Tony)...Just to hear these giants of musical theatre perform together as an ensemble alone is worth the price of this recording. This recording is so wonderfully done, and I can't recommend this enough.

'Unworthy of your Love' and 'The Ballad of Booth' are heartbreakingly beautiful, strange that I say that considering the subject matter, but it's true, those two songs alone will stay with you for days on end. The Ballad of Booth has poetic and tragic lyrics like 'Damn my soul, if you must, let my body turn to dust, let it mingle with the ashes of my country...What I did, I did well, and I did it for my country. Let them cry 'Dirty Traitor!', they will understand later...'. and the hauntingly gorgeous melody that goes with those lyrics is just so well, romantic! But then you have the tongue-in-cheek, slightly macabre numbers like 'The Gun Song' and 'Everybody's Got The Right' with lyrics like, 'Everybody's got the right to be happy. Life's not as bad as it seems! Everybody deserves a little sunshine...' and 'All you have to do is, move your little finger...and you can change the world!'

What a rollarcoaster of emotion! I mean, seriously, who else but Sondheim could pull that off and make it the brilliant masterpiece that it clearly is?

One of my biggest regrets is not seeing this during it's brief run in 2004. :(

Deserves a place in your Sondheim Discography.......2006-07-28

Like other reviewers I was fortunate enough to see Roundabout's revival production but perhaps unfortunate that my total enjoyment of that production may bias my critical listening. I can't help but recall the proprietor (Marc Kudish) caressing a pistol into the hand of each assassin when listening to the opening Everybody's Got The Right.

However, while fans of Sondheim and musical theater will argue over every nuance, I find that both this and the original are excellent in their own way. Yes, the voices in the first recording are more refined, yet this recording seems to better capture the character's mannerisms in the vocal stylization, whether the twitchy madness of Guiteau (Dennis O'Hare) or the depressed howl of Sam Byck (Mario Cantone).

This is a worthwhile recording and one that provides me with a reprise of the excellent staging and acting of this quirky play.

Dashed high hopes.......2006-07-14

Assassins is a fascinating and surprising show. You can't imagine a more unlikely topic for a musical and yet, when you hear and/or see the show, you can't help to be impressed by the entire production. Maybe if I'd never heard the original cast recording, I would have given this a higher rating, but, to be frank, this recording suffers in comparison to the original recording in nearly every way.

While the diction on this recording is often impressive...especially Neil Patrick Harris's...too often it is accomplished at the price of tempo. Too many times the musical director has made the choice to slow down portions of the songs to the point of sluggishness. Absolutely NONE of the performances is superior to the original. That doesn't mean that any of the newer performances are horrible, it's just that they don't measure up. The one who comes the closest is Neil Patrick Harris whom I find naturally charming and vulnerable in anything he does.

The best addition to this recording is Mario Cantone's rant as Sam Byck. Unfortunately, I can't recommend getting this recording based solely on that. The biggest mis-step is the omission of the full, final, Kennedy scene. Hearing it on the original recording for the first time is an absolutely thrilling and chilling experience. Not having it all here is a MAJOR disappointment.

Buy the original recording first and check this one out from the library.

Letdown from the original.......2006-04-10

I have been a huge fan of Assassins since it first came out back in '91. While I've never had the pleasure of seeing the play in person, I've read it several times and listened to the original cast recording so often one can hardly believe it. So when I saw "Broadway Cast Recording" I was thrilled. Then I listened to it. I went from thrilled to appalled.

John Weideman, who wrote the music, seems to prefer the Broadway cast recording--at least he says so in its liner notes. I'm not sure why. While some of the songs are still excellent (like the Hinckley-Fromme duet "Unworthy of Your Love"), many of them are just plain painful to listen to. Most of the time the singing vaccilates between being totally flat of affect (most notably Moore in "The Gun Song") to hyperbolic melodrama. Booth mumbles to the point of near-unintelligibility in several songs; Zangara sounds eerily like the mob boss from 'Johnny Dangerously' that keeps calling everyone "farging bastages"; Moore sings nearly the whole time as if she'd OD'd on sedatives; and Guiteau sounds so stereotypically gay that GLAAD should be suing the producer.

It almost seems as if the cast are not sure what do do with their characters. The cast of the Original Cast Recording hit the characters perfectly--an outstanding mix of suffering, despair, anger and hostility. The Broadway cast can't seem to, in the language of the musical, "connect" to the characters. For me this is a huge failing, as the "charcaters" here are real individuals; if the performers can't connect to them, how can we be expected to?

There are also some content differences between this recording and the original. Several brief additions are made from elsewhere in the musical, and the new song "Something Just Broke" written for the Broadway revival is included on the recording. However, about half of the last act (which is included on the original) is cut out. Sadly, the material cut out is far more moving, unsettling and significant than the material added. Also, "Something Just Broke", while a fine song (and performed better than most of the rest of the material), unfortunately breaks up the natural link between the Kennedy assassination's triumphalist ending and the closing version of "Everybody's Got the Right".

I gave this three stars because I love Assassins. It is a brilliant and unnerving drama. But the Original Cast Recording is immensely superior to the Broadway Cast Recording in its ability to reveal this to the audience. I'm glad it was revived, and I'm glad it won three Tony awards--now it can get the recognition it deserves; but for me, I'll stick to the original version I fell in love with years ago. If only the Broadway recording has found a way to be "worthy of your love"...

Average customer rating: Stop the World I Want to Get Off, Broadway cast a classic score of the 60's Great musical with great classic songs NOT ALONE ANYMORE Anthony Newley's Finest Hours!

Stop the World - I Want to Get Off (Original Broadway Cast) Anthony Newley , and Leslie Bricusse Manufacturer: Decca Broadway ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: The Roar Of The Greasepaint - The Smell Of The Crowd (1965 Original Broadway Cast) I Do! I Do! (1966 Original Broadway Cast) Carnival (1961 Original Broadway Cast) Fiorello! (1959 Original Broadway Cast) On A Clear Day You Can See Forever: The Original Broadway Cast Recording ASIN: B000008L6L Release Date: 2001-05-15

Tracks:

1. Overture/The A.B.C. Song/I Wanna Be Rich
2. Typically English
3. Lumbered
4. Glorious Russian/Meilinki Meilchick
5. Gonna Build A Mountain
6. Typische Deutsche
7. Family Fugue/Nag! Nag! Nag!
8. Once In A Lifetime
9. All American
10. Mumbo Jumbo
11. Someone Nice Like You
12. What Kind Of Fool Am I?

Customer Reviews:

Stop the World I Want to Get Off, Broadway cast.......2005-09-04

If you are a fan of Anthony Newley you will find this superb C.D. a welcome addition to your collection. It is easy to understand why this musical is considered Newley's finest. In addition to playing the lead role, he wrote, directed and composed many memorable pieces of music including "What Kind of Fool Am I", "Once I In a Lifetime", "Gonna Build a Mountain", and many, many more. His genious is well defined in this piece, it's a joy.

Dottie Conlon

a classic score of the 60's.......2005-04-27

STOP THE WORLD - I WANT TO GET OFF is one of the most fascinating musical theatre scores of the 1960s, the `new-style musical' was written by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley and was largely tailored to Newley's vocal style.

Rarely has the score been bettered than on the original Broadway cast album, crisply reissued here on the Decca Broadway label. Anthony Newley and his pert leading lady, underrated British performer Anna Quayle, perform the score with flash and verve. The entire score is fantastic though the penultimate number "Someone Nice Like You" must count as one of the most beautiful love songs ever written for the musical stage.

Anna Quayle is a marvellous performer, sadly only really remembered for her role as the Baroness in the movie of CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG (a role that is great but does not represent all she was capable of), and Anthony Newley, who also headed the London company to perhaps ever greater acclaim, is in his element.

A top cast album.

Great musical with great classic songs.......2003-07-13

This Bricusse-Newley musical is still fresh today. Some of the songs are classic. They include "What Kind of Fool am I" and "Once in a Lifetime". Newley's voice and vocal range was at its height when this album was recorded. If you like the music in this show then you will also like the music from "Roar of the Greasepaint, Smell of the Crowd".

NOT ALONE ANYMORE.......2002-10-03

I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE WHO LIKE HIM, SILLY ME . THIS WAS MY SECOND ALBUM I BOUGHT OF HIS ,IN A LONG LIST . NEWLEY'S STRONG VOICE AND PERSONALITY ARE THE VERY BEST.

YOU CAN ALMOST SEE THAT VERY EXPESSIVE FACE OF HIS, IT WA SA SHAME HIS PERFORMANCE WAS NOT CAPTURED ON FILM, STILL EVEN WITH OUT SEEING HIM. THE BLENDING OF SONG AND STORY ARE TIME LESS, THAT IT COULD BE ON BROADWAY TODAY WITHOUT BEING DATED.

THE STORY OF LITTLE CHAP AND EVIE , COULD BE ANY ONE OF US GOING THROUGH LIFE'S UP AND DOWNS.

Anthony Newley's Finest Hours!.......2002-09-25

To say that 'Stop the World' was a revolutionary musical in the days of sugar and spice, nicey-nicey musicals would be an understatement. To suggest that Anthony Newley was one of the finest singer-songwriter-performers of our time would be like saying the Pope is Catholic. To say that Decca has done us all a favour by finally reissuing this tuneful cast recording on CD would however be ACCURATE!
Anthony Newley died in April 1999 after losing his battle with cancer. The battle of fame he never lost and left behind a wonderful collection of musicals, songs, tv and cabaret performances that we can love again and again. But the finest of all of Newley's output was this musical. Co-wrote with Leslie Bricusse, Anthony Newley made the role of Littlechap totally his own. Not even Sammy Davis Jnr, Joel Gray or Tony Tanner in the film version could match that unique quality of style and originality that Newley exudes in this fantastic tour de force role.
For fans of musicals unfamiliar with Newley's work, you will not be sorry when you buy this CD. For Newley fans - why haven't you already bought your copy!!
Enjoy, one and all, Anthony Newley at his very best.
Paul Goodhead - President
Anthony Newley Society Worldwide.

Average customer rating: Dreamgirls 2001 Not the real "DREAM" experience Absolutely brilliant! Amazing!!!!!! One Night Only

Dreamgirls in Concert (2001 Concert Cast) Henry Krieger , Audra McDonald , Brian Stokes Mitchell , Emily Skinner , and Darius de Haas Manufacturer: Nonesuch ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music McDonald, Audra | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Dreamgirls (1982 Original Broadway Cast) Dreamgirls: Music From The Motion Picture [2-CD Deluxe Edition] Dreamgirls Company (2006 Broadway Revival Cast) Grey Gardens - A New Musical (2006 Original Broadway Cast) ASIN: B00005Y4P4 Release Date: 2002-02-26

Tracks:

1. I'm Looking for Something, Baby
2. Goin' Downtown
3. Takin' the Long Way Home
4. Move (You're Steppin on My Heart)
5. Scene: Fifty bucks says the Dreamettes don't win
6. Fake Your Way to the Top
7. Scene: It ain't working, Marty
8. Cadillac Car
9. Cadillac Car (On the Road)
10. Cadillac Car (Recording Studio)
11. Scene: I don't believe they can do that
12. Steppin' to the Bad Side
13. Scene: I'm working on a long shot
14. Party, Party
15. I Want You, Baby
16. Scene: I'm a woman now
17. Family
18. Scene: What are you doing to that girl?
19. Dreamgirls
20. Press Conference
21. Heavy
22. Walkin' Down the Strip/Scene: Las Vegas
23. It's All Over
24. And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going

Tracks:

1. Opening Act II: Dreams Medley
2. Scene: Effie White is the best singer you're gonna find
3. I Am Changing
4. Vogue Sequence
5. When I First Saw You
6. Ain't No Party
7. I Meant You No Harm
8. The Rap
9. I Miss You, Old Friend
10. One Night Only
11. One Night Only (Disco Version)
12. I'm Somebody
13. Hard to Say Good-bye
14. Dreamgirls (Reprise)

Amazon.com

A Chorus Line may be better known, but Dreamgirls was a towering achievement for director Michael Bennett. Loosely based on the Supremes' story, the 1982 musical told a typical show-biz tale of fame, backbiting, and survival. As is often the case for one-night only events, the cast in this concert version (recorded in New York on September 24, 2001) is led by an eye-popping assortment of Broadway powerhouses: Lillias White (The Life), Audra McDonald (Ragtime, Marie Christine), and Heather Headley (Ragtime). McDonald reveals a previously undisclosed comic streak, while Headley confirms her status as a rising star. Reprising the role of Effie Melody White (created by Jennifer Holliday), White belts the classic "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going." But the beauty of Dreamgirls is that it's so packed with catchy, Motown-influenced R&B numbers that each lead can sink her teeth into some prime material and get a turn in the spotlight. This double-CD set really makes you wish you'd been there when the show was recorded: you can hear the crowd going berserk at times, and the temptation is strong to do the same thing in the comfort of your living room. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

Dreamgirls 2001.......2007-06-27

This was the worst reproduction of Dreamgirls that I ever heard. I was so disappointed the CD went into the garbage. This is one CD that I would not sell to the public because I expect so much and get so little.

Not the real "DREAM" experience.......2007-04-04

Forget about the film sountrack. Get this CD set. And it's far better than the original cast recording which goes lacking. More songs and more everything that makes a live performance just what it is. Live (compared to film where anything can be done to enhance a performance!) -- the energy, the excitement and the performances make this a rare treat for anyone wanting to share in the real DREAM experience.

Isn't a full Broadway revival long over due. But wait: I've heard rumors that a rvial may be "in the works. I certainly hope so. Maybe this time it will receive the Tony award it deserved in the first place.

Absolutely brilliant!.......2007-01-28

There is atleast 5 new songs on this album that were not in the movie! These girls kill it I mean they are just amazing singers, and this all live! This is needed for any Dreamgirls fanatic like me! You are gonna love it! Enjoy! love live laugh :)

Amazing!!!!!!.......2006-12-04

As a theatre lover, this recording is amazing. I actually prefer this recording to the OBC. Sheryl Lee Ralph is okay, but can't touch Audra's Deena. The first time I heard Ms. White's "And I Am Telling You..", goosbumps all over my body. The only weak cast member in my opinon is Heather Headly. Vocally, she just isn't there. Too much Aida, not enough Dreamgirls. But all in all, a great live recording of a great show.

One Night Only .......2006-07-19

I was lucky enough to attend this One Night Only concert performance of Dreamgirls and it was a night I will never forget!! The cast was brilliant and the cd is as good if not better than the Broadway cast recording because it is the entire show not just the songs. Bravo to everyone involved !!!

Average customer rating: An American Treasure DON'T DESPAIR. IT'S BEEN REISSUED!!!!! An American tragedy.... Gorgeous! Defective disc.

Show Boat (1988 Studio Cast): Von Stade; Hubbard; Hadley; McGlinn Frederica von Stade , Jerome Kern , Jerry Hadley , Bruce Hubbard , Teresa Stratas , David Garrison , Leslie Fyson , John McGlinn , and London Sinfonietta Manufacturer: Angel Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Hadley, Jerry | ( H ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Von Stade, Frederica | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Classic Musicals | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Revivals | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Broadway & Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Box Sets | Stores | Music Similar Items: Carousel (1987 Studio Cast) Pal Joey: 1995 Original New York Cast Recording Lady, Be Good! (1992 Studio Cast Recording) Kiss Me, Kate (1948 Original Broadway Cast) Oh, Kay! (1994 Studio Recording) ASIN: B000002SJL Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Overture
2. Show Boat: Act One, Scene One - Cotton Blossom: Niggers all work on d Mississippi... (Stevedores, Gals, Queenie, Steve, Pete, 1st Mincing Miss, 2nd Mincing Miss, Beaux, Girls & Boys)
3. Show Boat: Act One, Scene One - Cotton Blossom: 'Andy!!!...' (Parthy, Windy, 1st Mincing Miss, 2nd Mincing Miss)
4. Show Boat: Act One, Scene One - Cap'n Andy's Ballyhoo: 'Here comes the Show Boat parade!...' (Boy, Girls, Boys, Andy, Parthy)
5. Show Boat: Act One, Scene One - Cap'n Andy's Ballyhoo: 'Hey Julie...' (Pete, Julie, Steve, Parthy, Andy, Ellie)
6. Show Boat: Act One, Scene One - Cap'n Andy's Ballyhoo: 'It's a man...' (Ellie, Ravenal, Vallon)
7. Show Boat: Act One, Scene One - Where's the Mate for Me?: Who cares if my boat goes upstream... (Ravenal, Magnolia)
8. Show Boat: Act One, Scene One - Make Believe: Only make believe I love you... (Ravenal, Magnolia, Vallon)
9. Show Boat: Act One, Scene One - Ol' Man River: 'Oh, Joe!...' (Magnolia, Joe, Men)
10. Show Boat: Act One, Scene Two - Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man: 'What cher doin' all by yourself, Miss Nola?...' (Queenie, Magnolia, Julie, Joe, Servants)
11. Show Boat: Act One, Scene Three - Life on the Wicked Stage: Why do stage struck maidens clamor... (Ellie, Girls)
12. Show Boat: Act One, Scene Three - Till Good Luck Comes My Way: The man who ventures with chance... (Ravenal, Men)
13. Show Boat: Act One, Scene Four - Mis'ry's Comin' Aroun': Mis'ry's comin' aroun'... (Queenie, Women, Joe Magnolia, Julie, Men, Solo Bass)
14. Show Boat: Act One, Scene Four - Mis'ry's Comin' Aroun': 'Take her up, Rubberface!...' (Andy, Julie, Steve, Magnolia, Parthy, Ellie, Windy)
15. Show Boat: Act One, Scene Four - Mis'ry's Comin' Aroun': 'Hello, Windy...' (Vallon, Andy, Magnolia, Steve, Julie, Windy, Ellie, Parthy)
16. Show Boat: Act One, Scene Four - Mis'ry's Comin' Aroun': 'You needn't all look at us...' (Steve, Colored Chorus, Andy, Parthy, Magnolia, Ellie, Frank)
17. Show Boat: Act One, Scene Four - Mis'ry's Comin' Aroun': 'Looks like a swell...' (Andy, Parthy, Frank, Ravenal, Julie, Magnolia, Steve, Joe)

Tracks:

1. Show Boat: Act One, Scene Five - I Would Like to Play a Lover's Part: Her face is fair to look upon... (Boys, Girls, Ellie, Frank)
2. Show Boat: Act One, Scene Five - I Might Fall Back on You: Little girl, you are safe with me... (Frank, Ellie, Girls)
3. Show Boat: Act One, Scene Five - Queenie's Ballyhoo: 'Is de theatre fillin' up, Cap'n Andy?...' (Queenie, Andy, Colored Chorus)
4. Show Boat: Act One, Scene Six - Villain Dance
5. Show Boat: Act One, Scene Seven - You Are Love: 'That you, Nola?...' (Ravenal, Windy, Magnolia, Parthy)
6. Show Boat: Act One, Scene Eight - Finale Act One: Oh tell me, did you ever!... (Firls, Boys, Chorus, Andy, Women, Men, Negro Women, Magnolia, Parthy, Vallon, Pete)
7. Show Boat: Act Two, Scene One - At the Fair: When we tell them about it all... (All, 1st Barker, Boys, Girls, Chorus, 2nd Barker, Men, 3rd Barker)
8. Show Boat: Act Two, Scene One - Why Do I Love You?: I'm walking on the air, dear... (Magnolia, Ravenal, Chorus, Andy)
9. Show Boat: Act Two, Scene One - In Dahomey: Dyunga doe!... (Dahomey Villagers, White Chorus)
10. Show Boat: Act Two, Scene Three - Convent Scene: Alma Redmptoris Mater... (Nuns, Mother Superior, Ravenal, Kim)
11. Show Boat: Act Two, Scene Four: 'All right, Jake...' (Jim, Jake, Julie)
12. Show Boat: Act Two, Scene Four - Bill: I used to dream... (Julie)
13. Show Boat: Magnolia's Audition - Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man (Reprise): Fish gotta swim, birds gotta fly... (Magnolia)
14. Show Boat: Magnolia's Audition - Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man (Reprise): 'Whaddaya say, boss?...' (Frank, Jim, Magnolia, Jake)
15. Show Boat: Act Two, Scene Six - Trocadero Opening Chorus: Let's make the new year... (Chorus)
16. Show Boat: Act Two, Scene Six - Apache Dance
17. Show Boat: Act Two, Scene Six - Goodbye, My Lady Love: So you're going away... (Frank, Ellie)
18. Show Boat: Act Two, Scene Six - After the Ball: 'Ladies and Gentlemen...' (Jim, Drunk, Andy, Magnolia, A Man, All)
19. Show Boat: Act Two, Scene Seven - Ol' Man River (Reprise): Ol' Man River... (Joe)
20. Show Boat: Act Two, Scene Seven - Hey, Feller!: When you yen for a gent... (Queenie, Chorus)
21. Show Boat: Act Two, Scene Eight - You Are Love (Reprise): 'That you, Nola?...' (Ravenal)

Tracks:

1. Show Boat: Act Two, Scene Nine: Cottom Blossom (Reprise): Cotton Blossom... (Chorus)
2. Show Boat: Act Two, Scene Nine - It's Getting Hotter in the North: Now up in the northern land... (Kim, Chorus)
3. Show Boat: Act Two, Scene Nine - It's Getting Hotter in the North: 'Say, Cap'n Andy...' (Frank, Ellie, Andy)
4. Show Boat: Act Two, Scene Nine - Finale Ultimo: 'Hello, Gay...' (Andy, Hope, Ravenal, Girl, Man, Magnolia, Old Lady, Chorus)
5. Show Boat: Appendix - Pantry Scene (Act One, Scene Two; deleted - 1927): 'What cher doin' all by yourself, Miss Nola?...' (Queenie, Magnolia, Julie, Joe, Servants)
6. Show Boat: Appendix - Waterfront Saloon Scene (Act One, Scene Three; deleted - 1927): 'Number four, black!...' (Voice (off), Ravenal, Loungers, Gambler)
7. Show Boat: Appendix - Yes, Ma'am (Act One, Scene Three; unused - 1927): Bet your hat... (Girls, Ellie)
8. Show Boat: Appendix - Kim's Imitations (Why Do I Love You?): (Act Two, Scene Nine; Ziegfeld Production - 1927): Why do I love you?... (Kim, Chorus)
9. Show Boat: Appendix - Dance Away the Night (Act Two, Scene Nine; London - 1928): Music in the air... (Kim, Girls, Boys)
10. Show Boat: Appendix - A Pack of Cards (Act One, Scene Six?; unused - 1927): One night as I sat by my fireside so weary... (Magnolia)
11. Show Boat: Appendix - The Creole Love Song (Act One, Scene Seven; unused - 1927): 'That you, Nola?...' (Ravenal, Windy, Magnolia)
12. Show Boat: Appendix - Out There in an Orchard (Act Two, Scene Four; unused - 1927): There was a sun sinking slowly in the west... (Julie)
13. Show Boat: Appendix - Gallivantin' Aroun' (Universal Film - 1936): Liza Matilda HIll... (Magnolia, Chorus)
14. Show Boat: Appendix - I Have the Room Above Her (Universal Film - 1936): 'Seems to me I've seen that stocking someplace...' (Ravenal, Magnolia)
15. Show Boat: Appendix - Ah Still Suits Me (Universal Film - 1936): 'Joe! Dere you go again!...' (Queenie, Joe)
16. Show Boat: Appendix - Nobody Else But Me (Act Two, Scene Nine; 1946 Revival): I was a shy, demure type... (Kim, Chorus)

Amazon.com

John McGlinn's sprawling, monumental three-CD set is about all the Show Boat any listener could ever ask for. In an obvious labor of love, McGlinn reconstructs the show as it ran on opening night, November 15, 1927, including every song, the original orchestrations, and all underscored dialogue. The most significant restoration is the dark choral number "Mis'ry's Comin' Aroun'," as Show Boat's serious subject matter helped establish its place as the most important turning point in the history of American musical theater. McGlinn also adds an appendix that includes songs cut before opening night and every song subsequently written for the show's many productions, most notably the love duet "I Have the Room Above Her," written for the 1936 film. (The recording is also available in a one-disc reduction called the "Broadway Show Album.")

Rest assured this 221-minute blockbuster is not just dry scholarship; it's also terrific listening, with McGlinn conducting a dynamic London Sinfonietta and a strong cast including Frederica von Stade as Magnolia, Jerry Hadley as Ravenal, Teresa Stratas as the tragic Julie, Bruce Hubbard as the worldly wise Joe, Karla Burns as Queenie, and David Garrison and Paige O'Hara as the comic couple Frank and Ellie. And of course the songs by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II are among the most glorious ever written: "Ol' Man River," "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man," "Make Believe," "Why Do I Love You," "Bill," "You Are Love," and "Life upon the Wicked Stage." Also included are exhaustive production notes, a history of the show, a detailed synopsis, and a libretto. John McGlinn's Show Boat is a staggering achievement and a recording for the ages. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

An American Treasure.......2007-03-03

When PBS showed the 1989 Paper Mill Playhouse production of Showboat, my five year old daughter fell in love with musical theater. To this day we never miss a production of Showboat, West Side Story, Music Man, Oklahoma or the rest of the great American musicals. These 3 discs are the closest you can ever hear to the original in 1927 and the recordings are leaps and bounds above any movie version or revival cast. Listening to Bill or Make Believe you almost want to cry at what Kern and Hammerstein were able to create.

I defy anyone to come up with another Broadway production that has three songs in a row better than Make Believe, Ol' Man River and Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man (West Side Story's Maria, America and Tonight are the best three in a row of a movie musical) and it's a shame that no movie version of Showboat can compare to this version. The first act is full of songs that are as good as any ever sung on a stage and I can't think of another production with a first act that compete against the big 3 plus Cotton Blossom, Where's The Mate For Me, Life On The Wicked Stage, Till Good Luck Comes My Way, Misry's Comin' Aroun', You are Love, Act One finale and Why Do I Love You?. You just don't want to have the music stop.

If you don't like opera you won't like this version. Sung the way Kern and Hammerstein wrote them, you can't help but feel the operatic nature of these songs. Tough noogies because Showboat is above all an opera disguised as a Broadway play and no sweetening should be allowed.

The four leads are all superb, Frederica von Stade as Nola especially. The booklet contains the complete libretto and allows a different way to appreciate the music.

If you buy just one version of Showboat you need this one. If you have other versions of Showboat you need this one. As a matter of fact, anyone with ears to hear needs this version. A true American treasure.

DON'T DESPAIR. IT'S BEEN REISSUED!!!!!.......2006-11-16

One of the great recordings of musical theatre ever. Although it's no longer available on EMI Angel, it was reissued in October, 2006, as an EMI Classic's "Great Recordings of the Century." It's been "Digitially Remastered at Abbey Road Studios from the Original Masters" and "noise-shaped via the Prism SNS system for optimum sound quality." If ART remastering does for this recording what it has done for other EMI Classics in my library, then it should sound superb. However, I understand the booklet is not as detailed as the one in the original 3-disc release.

Thank you, EMI.

I would hope other labels would follow suit and remaster and reissue other examples of classic American musical theater. It would be a pity if our children, grandchildren, and future generations were unable to savor "110 in the Shade" or "Little Mary Sunshine" or . . . . . . . . . (fill in the blanks.)

An American tragedy...........2006-02-06

This is the first of the great American musical plays, and probably remained unchallenged until the mid-1950s when West Side Story appeared. The term "musical comedy" does not apply. The few laugh lines are subsumed by the terrible sense of loss and disaster that work throughout the story. At its core is homelessness, the destruction wrought by racism, bad choices, human weakness, and reconciliation. The cast?--this was one of the few crossover recordings I've ever heard that actually worked. The trio of Jerry Hadley, Frederica von Stade, and Teresa Stratas is a marvel; Stratas in particular seems to have had a patented Dark Cloud that shadowed her. It's perfect for Julie Dozier Laverne. And the late Bruce Hubbard brings a magnificent dignity and voice to Joe--his singing of "Ol' Man River" amy not efface Paul Robeson, but can stand beside it.

Gorgeous!.......2005-08-26

Simply gorgeous! The most unforgetable music and the best voices! An album for all time!
M. J. Conrades

Defective disc........2005-08-15

I received this item on July 27, 2005. I played it on my portable CD player and found out that Disc 2 of the set was defective. It kept on skipping on my CD player. So, I returned it for a refund.

Average customer rating:

Put on a Happy Face: Broadway 1959-1967 Manufacturer: Decca Broadway ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music 4-for-3 Broadway & Vocalists | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Soundtracks | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Broadway Magic: Broadway 1968-1980 The British Invasion: Broadway 1981-1992 Center Stage: Broadway 1947-1958 A Time of Hope: Broadway 1935-1946 Broadway Today: Broadway 1993-2005 ASIN: B0007ZEO1Y Release Date: 2005-04-26

Tracks:

1. The Impossible Dream
2. Love Makes The World Go 'Round
3. Try To Remember
4. Put On A Happy Face
5. I Say Hello
6. Happiness
7. She Loves Me
8. What Kind Of Fool Am I?
9. Shy
10. Consider Yourself
11. Poor Little Person

Average customer rating: Best Christian album ever... Great Lyrics, Great Sound The Melissa Etheridge of Christian Music The Way I Am Best C.D. to date

The Way I Am Jennifer Knapp Manufacturer: Gotee Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music Christian Alternative | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Lay It Down Kansas Heaven & Earth: A Tapestry of Worship Jennifer Knapp Live A Diamond in the Rough: The Jennifer Knapp Collection ASIN: B00005RGFI Release Date: 2001-11-20

Tracks:

1. By And By
2. Breathe On Me
3. The Way I Am
4. Say Won't You Say
5. Around Me
6. Come To Me
7. Charity
8. Fall Down
9. Sing Mary Sing
10. In Two (The Lament)
11. Light Of The World
12. No Regrets

Product Description

BRAND NEW, sealed, includes the original CD, case, and paperwork, fast shipped, ask me for my CD List or more Titles!M

Amazon.com

Jennifer Knapp's third major-label release is filled with moments of agony and wisdom, as Knapp find ways to describe the daily struggles of everyday life with clarity and insight. The music ranges from the guitar-based, folk-rock writing style of her previous work on such tracks as the beautiful "Say Won't You Say" and the confessional "In Two (The Lament)," but she also shakes the walls a bit with the rocking "The Way I Am." As Knapp's muse matures, so does her confidence in trying different sounds, thanks in part to producer Tony McAnany. Several tracks here are heavily orchestrated (by the London Symphony Orchestra, no less), including the poignant closer, "No Regrets." As her many song-stories of faith testify, Knapp knows that the human condition is one of longing for something more. On The Way I Am, she shares that desire in the most personal manner yet. --Michael Lyttle

Customer Reviews:

Best Christian album ever..........2006-01-31

You may think that's not such a glowing recommendation, given the fact that the overwhelming majority of Contemporary Christian Music is subpar at best. However, this album sets the bar that all other CCM albums should be judged against.

This is Jennifer Knapp's third album, and Gotee Records pulled out all the stops on the production of this project. They hired some of the best studio musicians alive today, most notably Vinnie Colaiuta (Sting, Frank Zappa, Chick Corea) on drums and Tony Levin (Peter Gabriel, King Crimson) on bass. The only misstep on this album is producer Tony McAnany's decision to use a drum loop on a few of the songs, because I can't begin to understand why he would think that programmed drums would be a better choice than using Mr. Colaiuta's incredible skill throughout the entire album.

Lyrically, this is not an album of fun sing-alongs for your next campfire. Jennifer is plumbing the depths of her soul through this album, and not everything that she finds is what most would consider "uplifting," but it is certainly honest, and that is a breath of fresh air in a genre that spews out the same tired cliches time after time.

For instance, in the title track, she sings of how "It's better off this way - to be deaf, dumb and lame, than to be the way I am. It's better off this way, than be groping for the flame, than to be the way I am." I've read other people's reviews of this album to see if I even needed to review it, and it seems that I do, because people don't seem to be reading her lyrics correctly. The chorus to this song isn't saying that "it's better to seem humble by worldly standards than to go Godless as a carnal, worldly sinner," as one of the other reviews on this site claims. It's saying that it's better to not be able to hear, speak, or move, than be the way I am. It's better to be a vegetable than to be the way I am. It might even be a cry for help, who knows? Jennifer seems to have disappeared since this album came out almost five years ago now.

But every song on this album is gutwrenchingly honest, and beautiful at the same time. The beauty is found in the fact that there are so few people in Christian music who are willing to open up their hearts and write music from the darkest regions that they find there. The beauty is in admitting that, while the grace and mercy of God goes deep enough to reach even the darkest spots in our lives, it's still a struggle sometimes letting go of those places.

It's a struggle to make peace with the reaching through and beyond those dark places, to the fuller understanding of grace that lies on the other side of them. And it is Jennifer's willingness to draw back the curtain on her own struggle for peace that makes this album the best Christian album I've ever heard, even five years after it was first released...

Great Lyrics, Great Sound.......2005-08-08

As with her first two albums, Kansas and Lay It Down, Ms. Knapp combines a beautiful sound with meaningful, Christian lyrics. Her sound is rock at times and folk at others.

Although this one may not be quite as good as her album Kansas, which is an all time great, it is very good. I would recommend it.

The Melissa Etheridge of Christian Music .......2004-10-01

Jennifer Knapp is an excellent musician, somehow managing to spin folk, rock, and Christian into one musical category. She has a distinct voice that is just gritty enough to grab your attention and soft enough to make it oh-so pleasant. I haven't heard a song by this artist that has fallen short yet.

While I haven't done any research on Knapp, I would have to guess she has studied music for a while. She seems to know how to write music and lyrics that stir the soul. Her songs flow quite well, and she seems at ease performing with some of the top artists in the Christian music industry.

Ya can't go wrong with this CD. It's a keeper!

See ya next review.

The Way I Am.......2004-07-23

I've decided to review Jennifer Knapp's third album "The Way I Am." I understand that album is not her latest anymore, but I feel it is the most underrated of all her efforts.

Knapp fans who loved Kansas and Lay It Down, generally frown upon her third album due to its less-folky nature. Some Jennifer Knapp fans even labeled it as 'mediocre.' I believe that accusation is quite far from the truth. The lyrics are as powerful as ever and the music is magnified 100%. True, the raw folk sound of a pure acoustic guitar is gone for the most part, but the London Symphony Orchestra and the heavy guitar riffs more than make up for it.

If you're a lover of music, you must check this CD out! This album brings out every emotion imaginable. From guilt and regret in "The Way I Am," to unbridled joy in "Breathe On Me," to straight-up sorrow in "In Two (The Lament)."

Is this my favorite Jennifer Knapp album? No, but it is definitely a close second!

For all those who have this album, but shoveled it away somewhere, I implore you to dig it out and listen to it witout bias. I, too, felt it wasn't as good as her previous two albums when I first got it. Yet, after a few more listens, it suddenly rose to the top of the heap! As for those who never listened to it, give it a chance--you just might like what you hear!

Best C.D. to date.......2004-04-19

I recently got this c.d. and it has to be the best c.d. I've ever listened to from beginning to end and ABSOLUTELY love. Her music is beautiful and such a refreshing pace from anything else I've heard in a long time. God's definetely blessed Jennifer and all of us with her music. Highly reccomended!

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