| 1. If You Want (Radio Version) |
| 2. Little World In Your Ear (Trevor Jackson's Playgroup Dub) |
| 3. If You Want (Video) |
Editorial Reviews
Product Description
The First Single from the Album "Angular Funk Punk".
It includes 10 great rock and roll classics played live,with lots of crowd participation. What sets this CD apart from their next live album recorded many years later on the "Razor's Edge" tour,is that this feels much more intimate,like you were front row in a small arena right in the middle of the high volume onslaught. I like this,whenever you make a live album that feels like you were there it can be considered a success.The later live album feels much more thought out and commercial and it didn't feel spontanious at all. I much prefer this one,"If You Want Blood"...the band was very hungry for success and was touring for the "Powerage" album...the only complaint I have is that they didn't include a lot of songs that I think would have went over better...in particular Sin City,TnT,Dirty Deeds,and It's A Long Way To The Top...this is a great CD to pop in the car and crank to 10 and imagine being there watching this classic band tearing through some awesome rock and roll...if you are a hard core ac/dc fan you should already have this,if not go out and grab it now...if you are new to the band,buy a few of the studio albums first,mainly Back In Black,Highway To hell,High Voltage,and even Powerage...once you know the songs in the studio versions you'll be able to appreciate the live versions in a whole new way...one song in particular "The Jack" has completely new lyrics live as opposed to the studio version (I prefer the studio version but then again,I like being subtle,but the live version is great too)...this CD also includes the live version of "Whole Lotta Rosie" and one of my favorites "Rock And Roll Damnation"...this is another in a long line of triumphs for this great band and includes a GREAT guitar solo that shows what Angus can do and some great crowd interaction with the great Bon Scott
The Upside - very well produced live album,feels very intimate like you were there..includes some great classics like "Whole Lotta Rosie" "Problem Child" "Rock And Roll Damnation","hell Ain't A Bad Place To Be","High Voltage" and more...great booklet also comes with the remaster version with lots of great pictures and some cool stories
The Downside - missing some obvious hits like "TnT" and "Dirty Deeds" (they included 'Rocker' from the dirty deeds album but not the much more popular title track,not sure why) and "Jailbreak" which would have been a treat to hear Bon sing that one live..and again,no bonus tracks for the remaster version which would have been a nice treat to us fans
The Bottom Line - the best live collection of Ac/Dc songs so far...start with the studio versions and then crank this one up to 10 and relive a great concert...Ac/Dc is timeless and classic...go buy this one...donutman says so!!!
In addition, while most of the music is very well performed, some of the vocalists either go a bit overboard or, at the very opposite end, seem to lack expression. For example, this Nanki-Poo (in The Mikado) seems to be overly occupied with vibrato. Katisha's voice is annoying, and The Mikado's low voice often seems to lack feeling and humor. The other idiosyncracies, like the very frightening evil laughing during "A More Humane Mikado" and hissing during "Three Little Maids" really bug me.
Then again, I'm new to Gilbert and Sullivan, and was introduced to the music through the Topsy Turvy soundtrack, which has a noticeably less operatic style, and hardly includes "stage noise"... so perhaps all this is the norm. Do listen to the tracks for yourself, though, before you purchase the CD. Personally, I find that the Topsy Turvy soundtrack, while considerably less ecompassing, is much lighthearted and easier listening.
One of my favorite secular female vocalists is Susanna Hoff from the Bangles. Ginny has a similar quality.
Favorite songs were "Free", "I Wanna Be Moved", "Something More", "Fellow Traveler", and "Open Arms".
I love the simplicity and vulnerability in what may be her best song, which also happens to be the title song for this "best of" collection. "If You Want Me To" so wonderfully captures a childlike faith. It's a song that disarms me. This version is a live recording that includes an introduction by Michael W. Smith and extended commentary by Ginny. It was originally released on A Night in Rocketown. Although some might prefer the original, it's a bonus to get the background behind the song.
When she approaches the heights that she reaches in "If You Want Me To" on songs like "Call Me Beautiful," "Wonderful Wonder"--a new radio remix and a pop gem, and "Fellow Traveler," she is at her best. Two songs from her first release, "Free" and "I Wanna Be Moved" have also held up well despite the passage of time. The beautiful duet with Mark Schultz on "Remember Me" is a unique addition. You don't often hear another artist's song on a greatest hits recording, but this fits in well with her best songs.
Ginny also soars in her soulful pop mode on "Live Once." Included in this release is a DVD that showcases three songs from her House of Blues concert in New Orleans and a studio performance of "Live Once." These performances, which are excellent, are broken-up by a couple of short black and white interview segments. The DVD is approximately 20 minutes long.
Songs like "Something More," "40" from Apt*Core's Rhythms of Remembrance, and the new Latin-flavored "Open Arms" are interesting, but they shift the focus from her songwriting and vocals. The chorus on "Open Arms" seems a little generic and the music and production make her sound like someone else.
Hearing what producer Rick Rubin did for Johnny Cash, and being excited about his work with U2, I would love to see Ginny team-up with someone like him. Strip away the layers of music and give us the raw and vulnerable Ginny. I'll take that over a lot of fancy production.
This recording contains moments of brilliance and good songwriting and performances. Without wanting to take away anything from this fine collection, I can't help thinking that the best of Ginny Owens is still to come. These songs will hopefully serve as a foretaste of even better things in the future.
Any best of collection stands or falls basted on two things, how good the songs are, and what extras there are for the hardcore fans. This CD succeeds on both levels.
Ginny has had a steady stream of thought provoking hit songs. Frankly, picking the best of the bunch would be hard. Here, we get such classics as "Free," "I Am," and "Live Once." The selection does a good job of covering all four CDs and picking the best from each. Even the casual fan will find songs they already love here.
The extras on this disc are pretty good as well. The booklet, while not including the words, includes thought from Ginny about what these songs mean to her today. The title song is the live version from "A Night in Rocketown." The simpler production helps me focus on the powerful words. Plus, there's an added verse in this version. The song is introduced by a track from that live CD where Ginny tells the story of how she came to write it. We also get a new arrangement of "Wonderful Wonder" from her last CD. This one includes more drums. The original song was a simple but powerful ballad, and that seems to be missing in this version. I don't like it as much.
Ginny has recorded several songs on CDs not her own. Two of them show up here. "Remember Me" is a duet from Mark Schultz's self-titled album. "40" originally showed up on label mate Apt.core's release. Both are good tracks, and it's nice to have them on a Ginny CD.
Finally, there's one new song, "Open Arms." This song is the most upbeat thing she's done in years. In fact, it took me a couple listens to really appreciate it. It's a fun song, and I like the reminder that God waits for us with open arms.
The CD also comes with a 20-minute DVD that includes three additional songs recorded live and interviews with Ginny.
While we already have several collections of Ginny's best to choose from, this CD includes enough goodies that even long-term fans will be glad they picked it up.
I've come to prefer live albums in recent years - I used to detest them. Most of them aren't for intensive listening, I find, with interminable guitar solos, but for background music while I work. But this album, I keep for when I'm driving and need to get somewhere fast!
Admittedly, this album doesn't exactly rate 5 stars, but it's been so maligned I thought it needed a few props because it's not that bad either.
The sound quality & mix aren't that great compared to todays standards (or even 1970's standards...the golden era of live albums) but hey, this was recorded in 1966. I'll be the first to admit I'm not an expert on 1960's recordings, but I can't think of any other live rock concert album pre-66 that sounds much better. Those I can think of sound a lot muddier (a Johnny Hallyday disc I have comes to mind.) If you listen to this album with that in mind I think you'll get along with it fine.
I do take exception to dubbing audience cheering overtop the 2 studio recordings (per reports), but again that's a bit of hindsight opinion. In '66 there weren't any "rules" on what a live album should or shouldn't be. To my ears though this aspect wasn't as obvious when listening as some have indicated. I had read about this, but listened to the CD without knowing which songs were involved, and had a hard time telling which ones they were. The other songs have overdubs too (more below) so these didn't stand out much more to me. And even then these were apparently recorded "live" just without an audience. Neither song sounds like a real multi-tracked multi-takes studio album quality recording, more like the band set up their gear on an empty stage and recorded a live version in one take, and then added crowd noise. "Fortune Teller" in particular has a very rushed & loosely imprecise feel to it. So maybe they're "semi-live". At any rate, I doubt many average listeners in '66 realized the difference until it was "declassified" sometime later.
Regarding the vocal overdubs, my general preference on a live recording is no overdubs at all, but again that's assuming decent recording equipment is being used that's capable of capturing all the vocals & instruments reasonably well, and can be properly mixed later on to make the album. In 1966 that wasn't the case. Even the best studios at that time were only using 3-5 track recording machines (what would be considered an entry-level amateur home recording system today) and getting a good mix & levels on all the tracks was difficult, even with the luxury of time to record multiple takes. And in reality, multi-tracking & stereo really didn't start to take off until 1967. Live recording is only more difficult, so it's not surprising if some vocal overdubs were added to the original live masters so you could hear them. And quite likely, if they hadn't overdubbed then fans would've been complaining that "the vocals are so buried in the mix you can't make out the words. Why didn't they fix that?" And again, whatever overdubs exist were recorded in a very live, loose sounding fashion.
To sum it up, to me this is a fun & listenable recording, that makes for an interesting historical peek at some of the more peculiar aspects of '60's British rock. The sound is rough, but the tonal quality & feel are consistent throughout the recording. (Descriptions of it being a collection of live songs, studio cuts & demos is misleading, implying it sounds like a compilation album...it doesn't and plays out like a single live show.) And in my current opinion, this CD has more energy & drive than "Ya-Ya's", though that one definitely sounds better.
Kunzel contrasts the dramatic and lyrical sides of the PHANTOM and SUNSET BOULEVARD suites as if they were written for the Pops. The Phantom suite gains from a breathtaking organ introduction of the Phantom's theme, and from the contrasts in Music of the Night that match the lyrics perfectly, even without the cast album. The tender arrangement of Think of Me cleverly weaves the Angel of Music melody as a counterpoint, while All I Ask of You, complete with some of the details of the original orchestrations, makes a calming answer to Christine's Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again. The JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR suite depicts the contrasting and conflicting moods of this groundbreaking rock opera, from the contrasts in I Don't Know How to Love Him to the sheer anguish in Gethsemene (I Only Want to Say).
There are some interesting arrangements on this ALW offering, especially the arrangement of Don't Cry for Me Argentina from EVITA. Although some listeners might be offended when it transmorphs itself into the Ravel Bolero after doing an about-turn from its lush, Spanish feel, it still depicts Evita's rise to power and her manipulative trait in her character, well-suiting an orchestral concert arrangement of the tune and fitting in with the spirit of the musical. Another interesting arrangement is the rousing theme-and-variation finale of Any Dream Will Do from JOSEPH, which incorporates many different musical styles throughout the variations, from ballroom waltzing to jazz, movie music (Magnificent Seven) and circus-style music. I know some listeners might be offended, but in their own inimitable and creative way, Kunzel and the Pops still pay tribute to this early ALW musical by evoking the myriad of colours on the coat and the diversity of musical styles in the original JOSEPH musical. This arrangement certainly fits the trademark style of the Pops perfectly.
The only fault with this collection is in the arrangement of Memory from CATS. Here, this song is treated as a flat-out romantic ballad, rather than as the haunting anthem for respect that Grizabella sings. Nevertheless, the arrangement by Tommy Newsom (who wrote this arrangement for a Doc Severinson album) is innofensive to this well-loved ALW melody (this is the only arrangement that Crafton Beck or Steven Reineke didn't write for this album). Also, I wish that Kunzel had included Love Changes Everything and Whistle Down the Wind, but given the fact that this was a 1996 recording, ALW hadn't written Whistle down the Wind as yet. But these are minor caveats, since Kunzel offers much to savour in these infectuous and spirited performances.
Yet I still feel that Kunzel's ALW offering is a winner in its lush orchestral suite arrangements of his well-loved and great musicals, far superior to any shopping-mall synthesised arrangement. This would surely count towards another feather in Kunzel's cap and stand pride of place with his rousing offering of Rodgers & Hammerstein. I'm sure Lord Lloyd Webber would have been proud.
"Wise Man" has a Gladiators at Studio One sound to it, with its lyric concerning encouragement of wisdom as opposed to following a rude boy lifestyle. "Sabotage" and "Pretty Africa" are also slightly reminiscent of the very early Gladiators style.
"Honour Your Father" teaches filial respect over a booming ska rhythm, whilst "Parents" conversely, with its beautiful doo wop harmonies and cajun like shuffle, encourages parents to return that respect to their offspring.
"Labour for Learning" has a spirtual aspect -- "Labour for learning before you grow old, for that is better than silver and gold" Dekker chants, then, echoing Psalms, Proverbs and Solomonic sentiment, "silver and gold will vanish away, but education shall never decay." A beautiful jazz horns refrain (Cedric 'Im Brooks? Roland Alphonso?) follows.
"Jeserine" and "King of Ska" are amphetamine speed rudeboy rock, with an almost 60's garage feel.
"This Woman" has a deeply hypnotic groove and an offbeat bass boom which could compete with contemporary steppers tunes or JB's style funk workouts. A Don Drummond/Skatalites style horns leads the piece.
"Mount Zion" sounds like South Africa township jazz circa 1965, whilst the rude "Soldering" is a tune versioned later on Big Youth's "Dreadlocks Dread". "It's A Shame" has a loping b line reminiscent of Fred Wesley and Maceo Parker tunes.
The second CD is not as consistent as the first since some tracks have a schmaltzy string section sounding like Lou Rawls or the softer side of John Holt. Still, there are some unmissable tracks such as the spiritual, driven force of "Warlock/Freedom Train", sounding like a precursor to Dennis Brown's "Emmanuel" and The Ethiopians/Coxsonne's "Slave in a Babylon". Rough reality music, with a vocal from the heart.
Also, check out the agressively claustrophobic nihilism of "First Time" with its sullen resentful lyric : "I work so hard but what do I get, the little that I do get makes me fret. For the first time in a long time, I feel miserable all over." Anachronistically, the dark pessemism of the nervous narrative is contrasted with an uplifting ska beat.
This double CD is certainly patchy in places and does contain some filler, as well as tracks so familiar as to render their inclusion inevitable, yet pointless --But that is hardly surprising since it covers a period spanning some 35 years, and collects nearly 60 tracks. Also, arguably, the "populist" cover versions and 90's tracks don't really work.
The best tracks however, are a contuining example of how Sanctuary has revitalised the flagging fortunes of Trojan over the past two years, compiling some of the most exciting music available by digging through Trojan's dusty vaults as well as buying up the rights to more obscure labels -- as represented by the unrivalled "Haul and Pull Up" and Tappa Zukie "Stars" releases.
Intensified -- Music like dirt. For sure.
It was Dekker who introduced Ska to the outside world. Fellow Jamaican Bob Marley became a bigger star, but Dekker was the trailblazer. He is the 'Desmond' referred to in The Beatles' 1968 Ob-La-di, Ob-La-da. His music continued to develop and he enjoyed considerable success in the UK. Classic, must-hear songs are: Honor Your Father and Your Mother, You Can Get it if You Really Want, Israelites and It Mek. His biggest hit was Israelites.
There was a darker side. The Rude Boy culture that emerged in 60s Jamaica was often very violent. Dekker celebrates and glamorizes this in songs like 007 (Shanty Town), Rudy Got Soul and Rude Boy Train. In Britain, these songs were taken up by the Mod gangs, and later by Skinheads. How justified I am in saying he celebrates gang violence, rather than just makes music, is up to each individual listener to decide.
If you buy just one Dekker album, this comprehensive and truly definitive compilation is the one to get. It has 2 discs (59 tracks), good insert notes, a sleeve, and is reasonably priced. It is a fitting tribute to the singer, who died in May, 2006.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Very few people have the length or variety of a career that Elaine Stritch has had. I am sure that she has enough stories to do ten more shows.
If you love Broadway then you must buy this CD.
I am so glad, she's still here!
Certainly worth the money!
The First Single from the Album "Angular Funk Punk".
If You Want,Tom Vek,Tummy Touch,Pop
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ASIN: B00009MGR0 Release Date: 2003-07-01 |
Tracks:
- Riff Raff
- Hell Ain't A Bad Place To Be
- Bad Boy Boogie
- The Jack
- Problem Child
- Whole Lotta Rosie
- Rock 'N' Roll Damnation
- High Voltage
- Let There Be Rock
- Rocker
Customer Reviews:
HIGH VOLTAGE ROCK N ROLL .......2007-06-28
If you want Blood You've got it.......2007-04-10
Bon Scott lives!.......2007-03-21
Feels like you were really there.......2007-01-18
It includes 10 great rock and roll classics played live,with lots of crowd participation. What sets this CD apart from their next live album recorded many years later on the "Razor's Edge" tour,is that this feels much more intimate,like you were front row in a small arena right in the middle of the high volume onslaught. I like this,whenever you make a live album that feels like you were there it can be considered a success.The later live album feels much more thought out and commercial and it didn't feel spontanious at all. I much prefer this one,"If You Want Blood"...the band was very hungry for success and was touring for the "Powerage" album...the only complaint I have is that they didn't include a lot of songs that I think would have went over better...in particular Sin City,TnT,Dirty Deeds,and It's A Long Way To The Top...this is a great CD to pop in the car and crank to 10 and imagine being there watching this classic band tearing through some awesome rock and roll...if you are a hard core ac/dc fan you should already have this,if not go out and grab it now...if you are new to the band,buy a few of the studio albums first,mainly Back In Black,Highway To hell,High Voltage,and even Powerage...once you know the songs in the studio versions you'll be able to appreciate the live versions in a whole new way...one song in particular "The Jack" has completely new lyrics live as opposed to the studio version (I prefer the studio version but then again,I like being subtle,but the live version is great too)...this CD also includes the live version of "Whole Lotta Rosie" and one of my favorites "Rock And Roll Damnation"...this is another in a long line of triumphs for this great band and includes a GREAT guitar solo that shows what Angus can do and some great crowd interaction with the great Bon Scott
The Upside - very well produced live album,feels very intimate like you were there..includes some great classics like "Whole Lotta Rosie" "Problem Child" "Rock And Roll Damnation","hell Ain't A Bad Place To Be","High Voltage" and more...great booklet also comes with the remaster version with lots of great pictures and some cool stories
The Downside - missing some obvious hits like "TnT" and "Dirty Deeds" (they included 'Rocker' from the dirty deeds album but not the much more popular title track,not sure why) and "Jailbreak" which would have been a treat to hear Bon sing that one live..and again,no bonus tracks for the remaster version which would have been a nice treat to us fans
The Bottom Line - the best live collection of Ac/Dc songs so far...start with the studio versions and then crank this one up to 10 and relive a great concert...Ac/Dc is timeless and classic...go buy this one...donutman says so!!!
AC/DC - 'If You Want Blood You Got It' (Sony).......2006-11-16
Average customer rating:
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Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series)
Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets
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ASIN: B00064ADMK Release Date: 2004-10-19 |
Tracks:
- Give My Regards To Broadway- Joel Grey
- Swanee- Al Jolson
- When The Moon Shines On The Moonshine- Bert Williams
- A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody- John Steel
- My Man- Fanny Brice
- Fascinating Rhythm- Fred Astaire, Adele Astaire
- If You Knew Susie (Like I Know Susie)- 78rpm Version Eddie Cantor
- Someone To Watch Over Me- Gertrude Lawrence
- Bill- 78 rpm Version Helen Morgan
- Ol' Man River- Paul Robeson
- Ain't Misbehavin'- Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra
- Ten Cents A Dance- Ruth Etting
- Body And Soul- Libby Holman
- Brother, Can You Spare A Dime- Bing Crosby
- Night And Day- Fred Astaire
- Heat Wave- Ethel Waters
- Smoke Gets in Your Eyes- Tamara
- You're The Top- Ethel Merman
- Summertime- Anne Brown
- September Song- Walter Huston
- My Heart Belongs To Daddy- Mary Martin
- It Never Entered My Mind- Shirley Ross
- Bewitched, Bothered, Bewildered- Vivienne Segal
- Oh, How I Hate To Get Up In The Morning- Irving Berlin
- Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'- Alfred Drake
Tracks:
- New York, New York- Cris Alexander,Adolph Green,John Reardon
- If I Loved You- John Raitt,Jan Clayton
- Come Rain Or Come Shine- Ruby Hill,Harold Nicholas
- There's No Business Like Show Business- Ensemble
- How Are Things In Glocca Morra? From "Finian's Rainbow"- Ella Logan
- Once In Love With Amy- Ray Bolger
- Wunderbar- Alfred Drake,Patricia Morison
- Some Enchanted Evening- Ezio Pinza
- Lost In The Stars- Todd Duncan
- Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend- Carol Channing
- Luck Be A Lady- Robert Alda,Guys
- Getting To Know You- Gertrude Lawrence
- Who Cares?- Jack Carson,Betty Oakes
- Stranger In Paradise- from " Kismet" Doretta Morrow,Richard Kiley
- Ballad Of Mack The Knife- Gerald Price
- Hey There- from "The Pajama Game" John Raitt
- Whatever Lola Wants- Gwen Verdon
- I Could Have Danced All Night- Julie Andrews
- Standing On The Corner- from "The Most Happy Fella, 1956" Shorty Long,John Henson,Alan Gilbert
- The Party's Over- Judy Holliday
- Glitter And Be Gay- Barbara Cook
- Tonight- Larry Kert, Carol Lawrence
Tracks:
- Seventy-Six Trombones- Robert Preston
- I Enjoy Being A Girl- from "Flower Drum Song, 1958" Pat Suzuki
- Everything's Coming Up Roses- Ethel Merman
- My Favorite Things- from "The Sound Of Music" Mary Martin
- Put On A Happy Face- from "Bye Bye Birdie" Dick Van Dyke
- Try To Remember- Jerry Orbach
- Camelot- from "Camelot" Richard Burton
- Love Makes The World Go 'Round- Anna Maria Alberghetti
- I Believe In You- Robert Morse And Co.
- The Sweetest Sounds- Diahann Carroll,Richard Kiley
- Comedy Tonight- Zero Mostel
- What Kind Of Fool Am I?- Anthony Newley
- As Long As He Needs Me- Georgia Brown
- Hello, Dolly!- Carol Channing,Cast
- People- Barbra Streisand
- Anyone Can Whistle- from "Anyone Can Whistle" Lee Remick
- If I Were A Rich Man- Zero Mostel
- Night Song- Sammy Davis, Jr.
- The Impossible Dream- Richard Kiley
- If My Friends Could See Me Now- Gwen Verdon
- Open a New Window- from Mame Voice
Tracks:
- Willkommen- from "Cabaret" Joel Grey
- Let The Sunshine In- James Rado,Lynn Kellogg,Melba Moore,Cast
- I'll Never Fall In Love Again- Jill O'Hara,Jerry Orbach
- The Ladies Who Lunch- from "Company" Elaine Stritch
- Tea For Two- Roger Rathburn,Susan Watson
- I'm Still Here- Yvonne De Carlo
- I Don't Know How To Love Him- Yvonne Elliman
- We Go Together- Adrienne Barbeau,Barry Bostwick,Walter Bobbie,Cast
- Corner Of The Sky- John Rubinstein
- Send In The Clowns- Glynis Johns
- Ease On Down The Road- Stephanie Mills,Tiger Haynes,Ted Ross,Hinton
- One- from "A Chorus Line" Cast
- All That Jazz- Chita Rivera,Ensemble
- Tomorrow- Andrea Mcardle
- Don't Cry For Me Argentina- Patti Lupone
- Come Follow The Band
- Lullaby Of Broadway- Jerry Orbach
- And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going- Jennifer Holliday
- The Bells Of St. Sebastian- Raul Julia
Tracks:
- Memory- Betty Buckley
- I Am What I Am- George Hearn
- Move On- Bernadette Peters,Mandy Patinkin
- Do You Hear The People Sing?- Michael Maguire,Cast
- The Music Of The Night- Michael Crawford
- You're Nothing Without Me- James Naughton,Gregg Edelman
- The American Dream- Jonathan Pryce,Cast
- Doctor Jazz- Gregory Hines,Company
- With One Look- Glenn Close
- On Broadway- Adrian Bailey,Frederick B. Owens,Ken Ard,Victor Trent Cook
- Le Jazz Hot- Julie Andrews,Ensemble
- Seasons Of Love-
- Hakuna Matata- Max Casella,Tom Alan Robbins,Scott Irby-Ranniar,Jason Raize
- I Wanna Be A Producer- Matthew Broderick,Ensemble
- Dancing Queen- Louise Plowright,Jenny Galloway
- Good Morning Baltimore- Marissa Jaret Winokur
- Movin' Out- Michael Cavanaugh,Band
- I Go To Rio- Hugh Jackman,Company
- Defying Gravity- Kristin Chenoweth,Idina Menzel
Customer Reviews:
Fabulous for any Broadway-lover.......2007-01-30
Top Shelf.......2007-01-04
TERRIFIC CD'S.......2006-03-23
Great Collection of Broadways greatest Songs .......2005-06-14
Great Compilation!.......2005-01-17
Average customer rating: 
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If You Want Blood
matt pond PA Manufacturer: Altitude Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
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ASIN: B000PSJCT2 Release Date: 2007-06-19 |
Tracks:
- Reading
- Magic Boyfriend
- Everything Until the East Coast Ends
- If You Live
- If You Want Blood
Average customer rating: 
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The Ultimate Gilbert & Sullivan Collection
Arthur Sullivan , Isidore Godfrey , Royston Nash , New Symphony Orchestra of London , Royal Philharmonic Orchestra , Colin Wright , Donald Adams , George Cook , Gillian Knight , Jean Hindmarsh , Jeffrey Skitch , John Ayldon , John Reed , Joyce Wright , Kenneth Sandford , Lyndsie Holland , Owen Brannigan , Pauline Wales , Peggy Ann Jones , Thomas Round , Valerie Masterson , and D'Oyly Carte Opera Company Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Sullivan
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ASIN: B000007OU0 Release Date: 1998-06-09 |
Tracks:
- H.M.S. Pinafore: We Shall Sail The Ocean Blue
- H.M.S. Pinafore: I'm Called Little Buttercup
- H.M.S. Pinafore: My Galant Crew, Good Morning
- H.M.S. Pinafore: I'm The Monarch Of The Sea
- H.M.S. Pinafore: When I Was A Lad
- H.M.S. Pinafore: Nevermind The Why And Wherefore
- H.M.S. Pinafore: Kind Captain, I've Important Information
- H.M.S. Pinafore: Carefully On Tip - Toe Stealing
- H.M.S. Pinafore: For He Is An Englishman
- The Pirates Of Penzance: I Am The Very Model Of A Modern Major - General
- The Pirates Of Penzance: When A Felon's Not Engaged In His Employment
- The Pirates Of Penzance: With Cat Like Tread
- The Sorcerer: My Name Is John Wellinton Wells
- The Gondoliers: Take A Pair Of Sparkling Eyes
- Patience: If You're Anxious To Shine
- The Mikado: If You Want To Know Who We Are
- The Mikado: A Wand'ring Minstrel I
- The Mikado: Behold The Lord High Executioner
- The Mikado: As Someday It May Happen
- The Mikado: Three Little Maids From School Are We
- The Mikado: The Sun Whose Rays Are All Ablaze
- The Mikado: Here's A How - De - Do!
- The Mikado: From Ev'ry Kind Of Man Obedience I Expect
- The Mikado: A More Humane Mikado Never Did In Japan Exist
- The Mikado: The Criminal Cried As He Dropp'd Him Down
- The Mikado: The Flowers That Bloom In The Spring, Tra La
- The Mikado: On A Tree By A River A Little Tom Tit
- The Mikado: There Is Beauty In The Bellow Of The Blast
- The Mikado: For He's Gone And Married Yum-Yum
Customer Reviews:
Well worth the price.......2006-04-13
Not Exactly "The Ultimate" Collection..........2004-12-23
In addition, while most of the music is very well performed, some of the vocalists either go a bit overboard or, at the very opposite end, seem to lack expression. For example, this Nanki-Poo (in The Mikado) seems to be overly occupied with vibrato. Katisha's voice is annoying, and The Mikado's low voice often seems to lack feeling and humor. The other idiosyncracies, like the very frightening evil laughing during "A More Humane Mikado" and hissing during "Three Little Maids" really bug me.
Then again, I'm new to Gilbert and Sullivan, and was introduced to the music through the Topsy Turvy soundtrack, which has a noticeably less operatic style, and hardly includes "stage noise"... so perhaps all this is the norm. Do listen to the tracks for yourself, though, before you purchase the CD. Personally, I find that the Topsy Turvy soundtrack, while considerably less ecompassing, is much lighthearted and easier listening.
Where's the chicks?!?!.......2003-05-15
Not quite the ultimate...........2002-03-25
Great Music - Questionable Selection.......2002-02-05
Average customer rating: 
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If You Want Me To: The Best of Ginny Owens
Ginny Owens Manufacturer: Rocketown Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
| Christian & Gospel
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ASIN: B000GG4XGK Release Date: 2006-08-08 |
Tracks:
- Free
- I Am
- Ginny's Story
- If You Want Me To (A Night In Rocketown)
- Remember Me
- I Wanna Be Moved
- Wonderful Wonder (New Version)
- Something More
- Call Me Beautiful
- Fellow Traveler
- 40
- Live Once
- Open Arms
Customer Reviews:
I Enjoyed The Collection, And Am Ready For The Individual Projects.......2007-03-29
One of my favorite secular female vocalists is Susanna Hoff from the Bangles. Ginny has a similar quality.
Favorite songs were "Free", "I Wanna Be Moved", "Something More", "Fellow Traveler", and "Open Arms".
Ginny's best is a prelude of good things to come .......2006-10-19
I love the simplicity and vulnerability in what may be her best song, which also happens to be the title song for this "best of" collection. "If You Want Me To" so wonderfully captures a childlike faith. It's a song that disarms me. This version is a live recording that includes an introduction by Michael W. Smith and extended commentary by Ginny. It was originally released on A Night in Rocketown. Although some might prefer the original, it's a bonus to get the background behind the song.
When she approaches the heights that she reaches in "If You Want Me To" on songs like "Call Me Beautiful," "Wonderful Wonder"--a new radio remix and a pop gem, and "Fellow Traveler," she is at her best. Two songs from her first release, "Free" and "I Wanna Be Moved" have also held up well despite the passage of time. The beautiful duet with Mark Schultz on "Remember Me" is a unique addition. You don't often hear another artist's song on a greatest hits recording, but this fits in well with her best songs.
Ginny also soars in her soulful pop mode on "Live Once." Included in this release is a DVD that showcases three songs from her House of Blues concert in New Orleans and a studio performance of "Live Once." These performances, which are excellent, are broken-up by a couple of short black and white interview segments. The DVD is approximately 20 minutes long.
Songs like "Something More," "40" from Apt*Core's Rhythms of Remembrance, and the new Latin-flavored "Open Arms" are interesting, but they shift the focus from her songwriting and vocals. The chorus on "Open Arms" seems a little generic and the music and production make her sound like someone else.
Hearing what producer Rick Rubin did for Johnny Cash, and being excited about his work with U2, I would love to see Ginny team-up with someone like him. Strip away the layers of music and give us the raw and vulnerable Ginny. I'll take that over a lot of fancy production.
This recording contains moments of brilliance and good songwriting and performances. Without wanting to take away anything from this fine collection, I can't help thinking that the best of Ginny Owens is still to come. These songs will hopefully serve as a foretaste of even better things in the future.
Something for Every Fan.......2006-08-17
Any best of collection stands or falls basted on two things, how good the songs are, and what extras there are for the hardcore fans. This CD succeeds on both levels.
Ginny has had a steady stream of thought provoking hit songs. Frankly, picking the best of the bunch would be hard. Here, we get such classics as "Free," "I Am," and "Live Once." The selection does a good job of covering all four CDs and picking the best from each. Even the casual fan will find songs they already love here.
The extras on this disc are pretty good as well. The booklet, while not including the words, includes thought from Ginny about what these songs mean to her today. The title song is the live version from "A Night in Rocketown." The simpler production helps me focus on the powerful words. Plus, there's an added verse in this version. The song is introduced by a track from that live CD where Ginny tells the story of how she came to write it. We also get a new arrangement of "Wonderful Wonder" from her last CD. This one includes more drums. The original song was a simple but powerful ballad, and that seems to be missing in this version. I don't like it as much.
Ginny has recorded several songs on CDs not her own. Two of them show up here. "Remember Me" is a duet from Mark Schultz's self-titled album. "40" originally showed up on label mate Apt.core's release. Both are good tracks, and it's nice to have them on a Ginny CD.
Finally, there's one new song, "Open Arms." This song is the most upbeat thing she's done in years. In fact, it took me a couple listens to really appreciate it. It's a fun song, and I like the reminder that God waits for us with open arms.
The CD also comes with a 20-minute DVD that includes three additional songs recorded live and interviews with Ginny.
While we already have several collections of Ginny's best to choose from, this CD includes enough goodies that even long-term fans will be glad they picked it up.
Average customer rating:
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Got Live If You Want It
The Rolling Stones , and Rolling Stones Manufacturer: Abkco ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
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ASIN: B00006AW2Q Release Date: 2002-09-03 |
Tracks:
- Under My Thumb
- Get off of My Cloud
- Lady Jane
- Not Fade Away
- I've Been Loving You Too Long
- Fortune Teller
- The Last Time
- 19th Nervous Breakdown
- Time Is on My Side
- I'm Alright
- Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby Standing in the Shadow?
- (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
Album Description
This Super Audio Compact Disc (SACD) recording offers high-resolution sound and is playable on both standard CD players and SACD-compatible devices.Album Description
Remastered reissue of 1966 album, suitable for standard & 'Super Audio' CD players. Digipak.Customer Reviews:
What a rush!.......2006-08-09
I've come to prefer live albums in recent years - I used to detest them. Most of them aren't for intensive listening, I find, with interminable guitar solos, but for background music while I work. But this album, I keep for when I'm driving and need to get somewhere fast!
why do people hate this album? .......2006-08-01
Yeah, I Want it Live.......2006-06-13
When it was all new, and there were no rules............2006-05-06
Admittedly, this album doesn't exactly rate 5 stars, but it's been so maligned I thought it needed a few props because it's not that bad either.
The sound quality & mix aren't that great compared to todays standards (or even 1970's standards...the golden era of live albums) but hey, this was recorded in 1966. I'll be the first to admit I'm not an expert on 1960's recordings, but I can't think of any other live rock concert album pre-66 that sounds much better. Those I can think of sound a lot muddier (a Johnny Hallyday disc I have comes to mind.) If you listen to this album with that in mind I think you'll get along with it fine.
I do take exception to dubbing audience cheering overtop the 2 studio recordings (per reports), but again that's a bit of hindsight opinion. In '66 there weren't any "rules" on what a live album should or shouldn't be. To my ears though this aspect wasn't as obvious when listening as some have indicated. I had read about this, but listened to the CD without knowing which songs were involved, and had a hard time telling which ones they were. The other songs have overdubs too (more below) so these didn't stand out much more to me. And even then these were apparently recorded "live" just without an audience. Neither song sounds like a real multi-tracked multi-takes studio album quality recording, more like the band set up their gear on an empty stage and recorded a live version in one take, and then added crowd noise. "Fortune Teller" in particular has a very rushed & loosely imprecise feel to it. So maybe they're "semi-live". At any rate, I doubt many average listeners in '66 realized the difference until it was "declassified" sometime later.
Regarding the vocal overdubs, my general preference on a live recording is no overdubs at all, but again that's assuming decent recording equipment is being used that's capable of capturing all the vocals & instruments reasonably well, and can be properly mixed later on to make the album. In 1966 that wasn't the case. Even the best studios at that time were only using 3-5 track recording machines (what would be considered an entry-level amateur home recording system today) and getting a good mix & levels on all the tracks was difficult, even with the luxury of time to record multiple takes. And in reality, multi-tracking & stereo really didn't start to take off until 1967. Live recording is only more difficult, so it's not surprising if some vocal overdubs were added to the original live masters so you could hear them. And quite likely, if they hadn't overdubbed then fans would've been complaining that "the vocals are so buried in the mix you can't make out the words. Why didn't they fix that?" And again, whatever overdubs exist were recorded in a very live, loose sounding fashion.
To sum it up, to me this is a fun & listenable recording, that makes for an interesting historical peek at some of the more peculiar aspects of '60's British rock. The sound is rough, but the tonal quality & feel are consistent throughout the recording. (Descriptions of it being a collection of live songs, studio cuts & demos is misleading, implying it sounds like a compilation album...it doesn't and plays out like a single live show.) And in my current opinion, this CD has more energy & drive than "Ya-Ya's", though that one definitely sounds better.
High Octane !.......2005-08-22
Average customer rating:
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Erich Kunzel - Andrew Lloyd Webber (Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Evita, Sunset Boulevard, Jesus Christ Superstar, Starlight Express, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) / Cincinnati Pops Orchestra
Andrew Lloyd Webber , Erich Kunzel , Ernest [organ] Hoffman , Randolph Bowman , Timothy Berens , and Cincinnati Pops Orchestra Manufacturer: Telarc ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
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ASIN: B000003D18 Release Date: 1996-01-23 |
Tracks:
- The Phantom Of The Opera
- The Music Of The Night
- Think Of Me
- Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again
- All I Ask Of You
- Angel Of Music
- As If We Never Said Goodbye
- The Greatest Star of All
- With One Look
- Memory
- I Don't Know How To Love Him
- Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say)
- King Herod's Song
- Don't Cry For Me, Argentina
- Starlight Express
- Any Dream Will Do
Customer Reviews:
Kunzel's different perspective on ALW's musicals.......2005-11-06
Kunzel contrasts the dramatic and lyrical sides of the PHANTOM and SUNSET BOULEVARD suites as if they were written for the Pops. The Phantom suite gains from a breathtaking organ introduction of the Phantom's theme, and from the contrasts in Music of the Night that match the lyrics perfectly, even without the cast album. The tender arrangement of Think of Me cleverly weaves the Angel of Music melody as a counterpoint, while All I Ask of You, complete with some of the details of the original orchestrations, makes a calming answer to Christine's Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again. The JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR suite depicts the contrasting and conflicting moods of this groundbreaking rock opera, from the contrasts in I Don't Know How to Love Him to the sheer anguish in Gethsemene (I Only Want to Say).
There are some interesting arrangements on this ALW offering, especially the arrangement of Don't Cry for Me Argentina from EVITA. Although some listeners might be offended when it transmorphs itself into the Ravel Bolero after doing an about-turn from its lush, Spanish feel, it still depicts Evita's rise to power and her manipulative trait in her character, well-suiting an orchestral concert arrangement of the tune and fitting in with the spirit of the musical. Another interesting arrangement is the rousing theme-and-variation finale of Any Dream Will Do from JOSEPH, which incorporates many different musical styles throughout the variations, from ballroom waltzing to jazz, movie music (Magnificent Seven) and circus-style music. I know some listeners might be offended, but in their own inimitable and creative way, Kunzel and the Pops still pay tribute to this early ALW musical by evoking the myriad of colours on the coat and the diversity of musical styles in the original JOSEPH musical. This arrangement certainly fits the trademark style of the Pops perfectly.
The only fault with this collection is in the arrangement of Memory from CATS. Here, this song is treated as a flat-out romantic ballad, rather than as the haunting anthem for respect that Grizabella sings. Nevertheless, the arrangement by Tommy Newsom (who wrote this arrangement for a Doc Severinson album) is innofensive to this well-loved ALW melody (this is the only arrangement that Crafton Beck or Steven Reineke didn't write for this album). Also, I wish that Kunzel had included Love Changes Everything and Whistle Down the Wind, but given the fact that this was a 1996 recording, ALW hadn't written Whistle down the Wind as yet. But these are minor caveats, since Kunzel offers much to savour in these infectuous and spirited performances.
Yet I still feel that Kunzel's ALW offering is a winner in its lush orchestral suite arrangements of his well-loved and great musicals, far superior to any shopping-mall synthesised arrangement. This would surely count towards another feather in Kunzel's cap and stand pride of place with his rousing offering of Rodgers & Hammerstein. I'm sure Lord Lloyd Webber would have been proud.
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You Can Get It If You Really Want: The Definitive
Desmond Dekker Manufacturer: Sanctuary Trojan Us ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
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ASIN: B0008ENJ10 Release Date: 2005-04-26 |
Tracks:
- Honour Your Mother and Father - Desmond Dekker
- Parents - Desmond Dekker
- Labour for Learning - Desmond Dekker
- Jeserine - Desmond Dekker
- King of Ska - Desmond Dekker
- Get Up Edina - Desmond Dekker,
- This Woman - Desmond Dekker,
- Mount Zion - Desmond Dekker,
- Soldering - Desmond Dekker,
- It's a Shame - Aces, Desmond Dekker
- Wise Man - Aces, Desmond Dekker
- 0.0. 7 (Shanty Town) - Aces, Desmond Dekker
- Rudy Got Soul - Aces, Desmond Dekker
- Rude Boy Train - Aces, Desmond Dekker
- Mother's Young Gal - Aces, Desmond Dekker
- Young Generation - Aces, Desmond Dekker
- Unity - Aces, Desmond Dekker
- Keep a Cool Head - Desmond Dekker
- Mother Long Tongue - Aces, Desmond Dekker
- Sabotage - Aces, Desmond Dekker
- Pretty Africa - Aces, Desmond Dekker
- It Pays - Aces, Desmond Dekker
- Beautiful and Dangerous - Aces, Desmond Dekker
- Mother Pepper - Aces, Desmond Dekker
- Don't Blame Me - Aces, Desmond Dekker
- Intensified '68 (Music Like Dirt) - Aces, Desmond Dekker
- Fu Man Chu - Aces, Desmond Dekker
- Poor Mi Israelites - Aces, Desmond Dekker
- It Mek - Aces, Desmond Dekker
- Problems - Aces, Desmond Dekker
- Medley: Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da/Wise Man - Desmond Dekker
Tracks:
- Pickney Gal - Aces, Desmond Dekker
- Generosity - Desmond Dekker
- Perseverance - Desmond Dekker
- You Can Get It If You Really Want - Desmond Dekker
- Coomyah - Desmond Dekker
- You Got Soul - Desmond Dekker
- Polka Dot - Desmond Dekker
- (Where Did It Go) The Song We Used to Sing - Desmond Dekker
- Get Up Little Suzie - Desmond Dekker
- My Reward - Desmond Dekker
- Archie Wah Wah - Aces, Desmond Dekker
- Hippopotomus - Aces, Desmond Dekker
- Licking Stick - Aces, Desmond Dekker
- Live and Learn (The More You Live) - Aces, Desmond Dekker
- Warlock - Desmond Dekker
- Life of Opportunity - Aces, Desmond Dekker
- It Gotta Be So - Desmond Dekker
- First Time for a Long Time - Desmond Dekker
- Mother Nature - Desmond Dekker
- Beware - Desmond Dekker
- Sing a Little Song - Desmond Dekker
- (I'm A) Busted Lad - Desmond Dekker
- Money and Friends - Desmond Dekker
- Moving On - Desmond Dekker
- Book of Rules - Desmond Dekker
- Hot City - Desmond Dekker
- Dance the Night Away [Live] - Desmond Dekker
- Jamaica Ska - Desmond Dekker, The Specials
Customer Reviews:
music like dirt.......2006-12-02
"Wise Man" has a Gladiators at Studio One sound to it, with its lyric concerning encouragement of wisdom as opposed to following a rude boy lifestyle. "Sabotage" and "Pretty Africa" are also slightly reminiscent of the very early Gladiators style.
"Honour Your Father" teaches filial respect over a booming ska rhythm, whilst "Parents" conversely, with its beautiful doo wop harmonies and cajun like shuffle, encourages parents to return that respect to their offspring.
"Labour for Learning" has a spirtual aspect -- "Labour for learning before you grow old, for that is better than silver and gold" Dekker chants, then, echoing Psalms, Proverbs and Solomonic sentiment, "silver and gold will vanish away, but education shall never decay." A beautiful jazz horns refrain (Cedric 'Im Brooks? Roland Alphonso?) follows.
"Jeserine" and "King of Ska" are amphetamine speed rudeboy rock, with an almost 60's garage feel.
"This Woman" has a deeply hypnotic groove and an offbeat bass boom which could compete with contemporary steppers tunes or JB's style funk workouts. A Don Drummond/Skatalites style horns leads the piece.
"Mount Zion" sounds like South Africa township jazz circa 1965, whilst the rude "Soldering" is a tune versioned later on Big Youth's "Dreadlocks Dread". "It's A Shame" has a loping b line reminiscent of Fred Wesley and Maceo Parker tunes.
The second CD is not as consistent as the first since some tracks have a schmaltzy string section sounding like Lou Rawls or the softer side of John Holt. Still, there are some unmissable tracks such as the spiritual, driven force of "Warlock/Freedom Train", sounding like a precursor to Dennis Brown's "Emmanuel" and The Ethiopians/Coxsonne's "Slave in a Babylon". Rough reality music, with a vocal from the heart.
Also, check out the agressively claustrophobic nihilism of "First Time" with its sullen resentful lyric : "I work so hard but what do I get, the little that I do get makes me fret. For the first time in a long time, I feel miserable all over." Anachronistically, the dark pessemism of the nervous narrative is contrasted with an uplifting ska beat.
This double CD is certainly patchy in places and does contain some filler, as well as tracks so familiar as to render their inclusion inevitable, yet pointless --But that is hardly surprising since it covers a period spanning some 35 years, and collects nearly 60 tracks. Also, arguably, the "populist" cover versions and 90's tracks don't really work.
The best tracks however, are a contuining example of how Sanctuary has revitalised the flagging fortunes of Trojan over the past two years, compiling some of the most exciting music available by digging through Trojan's dusty vaults as well as buying up the rights to more obscure labels -- as represented by the unrivalled "Haul and Pull Up" and Tappa Zukie "Stars" releases.
Intensified -- Music like dirt. For sure.
You really want to get it.......2006-09-04
It was Dekker who introduced Ska to the outside world. Fellow Jamaican Bob Marley became a bigger star, but Dekker was the trailblazer. He is the 'Desmond' referred to in The Beatles' 1968 Ob-La-di, Ob-La-da. His music continued to develop and he enjoyed considerable success in the UK. Classic, must-hear songs are: Honor Your Father and Your Mother, You Can Get it if You Really Want, Israelites and It Mek. His biggest hit was Israelites.
There was a darker side. The Rude Boy culture that emerged in 60s Jamaica was often very violent. Dekker celebrates and glamorizes this in songs like 007 (Shanty Town), Rudy Got Soul and Rude Boy Train. In Britain, these songs were taken up by the Mod gangs, and later by Skinheads. How justified I am in saying he celebrates gang violence, rather than just makes music, is up to each individual listener to decide.
If you buy just one Dekker album, this comprehensive and truly definitive compilation is the one to get. It has 2 discs (59 tracks), good insert notes, a sleeve, and is reasonably priced. It is a fitting tribute to the singer, who died in May, 2006.
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Andrew Lloyd Webber: Now & Forever
Various Artists Manufacturer: Decca Broadway ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Requiems
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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 DanceDisc 2: Selections from Starlight Express, Requiem, Phantom of the Opera, and Aspects of Love
Disc 3: Selections from Joseph nad the Amaziong Technicolor Dreamcoat, By Jeeves, Sunset Boulevard, Whistle Down the Wind, and The Beautiful Game
CD 4: 1. "Oh What a Circus" --David Essex 2. "Memory" - Betty Buckleey 3. "The Phantom of the Opera" -Sarah Brightman, Steve Harley 4. "All I Ask of You" --Sarah Brightman, Cliff Richard 5. "Love Changes Everything"--Michael Ball 6. "Any Dream Will Do"--Donny Osmond 7. "Amigos Para Siempre (Friends for Life)"--Sarah Brightman, Jose Caerras 8. "As if We Never Said Goodbye"--Barbra Streisand 9. "The Perfect Year"--Dina Carroll 10. "With One Look" --Petula Clark 11. "You Must Love Me" 12. "The Heart Is Slow To Learn" --Kiri Te Kanawa 13. "Whistle Down the Wind"--Tina Arena 14. "A Kiss Is a Terrible Thing To Waste"--The Metal Philharmonic 15. "No Matter What"--Boyzone 16. "The Vaults of Heaven"--Tom Jones and Sounds of Blackness 17. "Try Not To Be Afraid"--Boy George 18. "Pie Jesu"--Charlotte Church
Disc 5: (All tracks available for the first time) 1. "Make Believe Love"--Wes Sands 2. "Down Thru' Summer"--Ross Hannaman 3. "I'll Give All My Love to Southend"--Ross Hannaman 4. "Believe Me I Will"--Sacha Distel 5. "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: 1969 Luxembourg Radio Commercial--The Jospeh Consortium, Pete Murray 6. "Try It and See"--Rita Pavone 7. "Come Back Richard Your Country Needs You"--Tim Rice and the Webber Group 8. "Goodbye Seattle"-- Paul Raven 9. "John 19:41"--The Andrew Lloyd Webber Orchestra 10. "What a Line To Go Out On"--Yvonne Elliman 11. "Disillusion Me" --Gary Bond 12. "The Ballad of Robert and Peter"--Tim Rice 13. "Christmas Dream" --Maynard Williams 14. "It's Only Your Lover Returning/All through My Wild and Crazy Days/Don't Cry for Me Argentina--Julie Covington 15. "It's Easy for You" (1977 Jungle Room Session version)--Elvis Presley 16. "Magdalena"--Tony Christie 17. "Buenos Aires"--The Rioja Rockers 18. "Pollicle Dogs and Jellicle Cats"--Andrew Lloyd Webber original demo 19. "Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer" (Live at Sydmonton Festival 1980)-Gemma Craven 20. "I Could Have Given You More"--Petula Clark 21. "I've Been in Love Too Long"--Marti Webb 22. "Benedicte"-- Stephen Hill Singers
Customer Reviews:
I waited for this for five years.......2006-06-30
It was worth the wait.
The concept is great. The packaging is great. The recording is great. Disc five is really cool for an ALW aficionado. There are a few real gems on it; my favorites are Petula Clark's "I Could Have Given You More" and "Benedicite."
I've always thought "Gus the Theatre Cat" made a great medley on the piano with "Unexpected Song" and "I DOn't Know How to Love Him," but wished there was an alternate lyric to match the other two songs. Now that I know there *is*, and it's a good lyric, it's a dream come true.
The melody of "Benedicite" is one of my favorites from _Sunset_ (the book mis-identifies it as "SUrrender"; it's actually "The Lady's Paying" and "Eternal Youth is Worth a Little Suffering"). The lyrics are the canticle from Daniel 3, which comes up every odd Sunday in the Divine Office, so it's nice to have cool music to sing it with.
I haven't bought _By Jeeves_ or _THe Beautiful Game_ yet, to it was great to sample them.
There are other parts of the CD taht aren't found in my collection. I like CD 4 "The Hits."
But the selections on CDs 1-3 don't make sense.
First, any self-respecting ALW fan has the Original London Cast of _Phantom_, so six tracks are totally useless. Why not draw from the Canadian cast with Colm Wilkinson? Or pull out some obscure recordings never published.
Why two different tracks with Michael Ball singing "Love Changes Everything", yet they're hardly any different?
On Disc 5 is "It's Only Your Lover Returning," sung by Julie Covington. It's an early draft of the song (Lloyd Webber and Rice went through several suggested titles) and quite nice. The very thing one expects on a Boxed Set.
So why have the Julie Covington "Don't Cry for Me" on disc 1?? The only difference is a few words, but it's otherwise identical. Why not Elaine Paige or Patti Lupone or Madonna?
The _Evita_ section is otherwise the best, choosing a sample from each major recording, though I'd have chosen slightly differently (as above).
There is a great selection of "Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer" from the Sydmonton festival, using the original music that was changed when _Cats_ went to Broadway_. It would have been nice if they'd included more recordings from Sydmonton, like the original lyric of "All I Ask of You" shown on the second DVD to the _Phantom_ movie.
With so many great actress-singers who've played Norma Desmond, why does the collection beat us over the head with Glenn Close?
Paul Miles Kingston must be set for life in royalties, for the number of albums the original recording of "Pie Jesu" has appeared on. "Amigos Para Siempre" is nice, but it reminds me of Shari Lewis's "The Song that Doesn't End," especially when it's been used on so many compilations.
In short, this is a great collection for the obscure material, if you can get it cheap. But for a boxed set, it's a poor sampling, drawn mostly from the most familiar recordings.
Excellent collection but BIG PUBLISHING MISTAKE! .......2006-01-10
ONE OF LLOYD WEBBER'S BEST COMPILATIONS, DESPITE A FEW FLAWS.......2005-03-21
Over the years many compilations of his work have emerged. In the late 80-is and early 90-is it was the "Encore" series and lately the one-disc collection called "Gold". The one in question here can be considered one of the best currently on the market. First, it includes a 3-disc selections from all of his shows, minus the latest one, i.e., "The Woman in White", which, considering the triviality of the score, is no great lost. The fourth disc covers some of his most known songs sung by the famous artists. Then, there is the fifth disc with previously unreleased material, most of which are the songs ALW wrote with Tim Rice for various artists during the 70-is. The disks are all neatly packed in a hardcover book that features 67 pages of pictures and text with information about each of ALW's shows. One of the other assets here is the perfect sound quality, since all of the tracks have been digitally remastered.
Here are my basic impressions and comments regarding the material on the discs:
* Disc #1 has the selections from "Jesus Christ Superstar", "Evita", "Cats" and "Song & Dance". The Superstar material mostly comes from the Concept Recording. Although the songs sound beautiful as always, their orchestration is a bit dated now. Only Steve Balsamo's "Gethsemane" from the 1996 revival cast has a modern rock sound. "Evita" comes with the material from all of the major recordings: London, Broadway and the movie productions, as well as the Concept album. No objections here; since this is one of ALW's most satisfying works, every song is just perfect, although Patti LuPone, the Broadway and overall the best Evita, is left with only a couple of lines. With the selections from "Cats", however, I have some doubts. A plus to the choice of the "Jellicle ball" impressive orchestral sequence from the 1998 movie version and "Mister Mistoffelees" from the 1981 London cast. One of the best known ALW's songs, "Memory", also comes from that album. It's a pretty version and Elaine Paige's rendition cannot be matched, but why include this when the definite version, featuring an 80-piece orchestra and Elaine Paige with much better interpretation, can be found in the same movie version. Thusly, one has to buy Elaine Paige's latest 2-disc compilation "Centre Stage: The very best of Elaine Paige" to get that one. And "Gus the theatre cat" is more a recital than a song, so there was not much point in including that. Marti Webb brings her vocal charm to the "Song & Dance" sequence, Sarah Brightman sings "Unexpected song" with her famous soprano, but as much as I like her version, Bernadette Peters, who was in this show on Broadway is strangely left out here.
* Disc # 2 starts with "Starlight Express". This was never one of my favorite ALW's shows; the plot is even lighter than in "Cats" and the 1984 original cast recording is terribly dated. Yet, here we have one terrific duet, "I am starlight" from the original together with three songs from the later revivals and it seems that fresh orchestrations were just the thing Starlight needed. My favorite remains a touchy ballad, "Next time you fall in love". "Requiem" is the most solemn of all ALW's compositions, written in 1985 to commemorate the death of his father. Placido Domingo's tenor rides together with the chorus all the way through the strong "Hosanna", only to be joined by Sarah Brightman in the final moments of this song. She then gives an echoing deliverance of "Pie Jesu". What can be said of ALW's next show, "The Phantom of the Opera"? A phenomenon in its own right, it's easy to see from the six numbers included here why this is one of the best and most beloved musicals of all time. The cast, the music, the story - everything is perfect. Although "Aspects of love" was never a popular hit, it does have some of the most beautiful love melodies ALW has ever written. "Love changes everything" sung by Michael Ball is probably one of the best tunes ever about love. The rest of the selected material here has a dreamy love flavor and the melodies find their way into your brain in the best Lloyd Webber way.
* ALW's first musical, "Joseph and the amazing Technicolor dreamcoat" was more successful in its revival form than the original from the 70-is. The three songs included here are sung by the show stars, Jason Donovan and Donny Osmond. Maria Friedman was not a lucky choice to play the narrator, as the track from the 1998 movie version shows. "By Jeeves" was ALW's only big flop when it came to the stage in the 70-is. The 1995 revival sounds much better though, full of funny numbers in the best manner of the musical comedy. "Travel hopefully" remains one of the show's highlights on this compilation. "Sunset Boulevard" comes next. "Sunset" remains for me one of Webber's best scores; lush and beautiful. I listen to the original cast recording with Patti LuPone all the time. However, here most of the songs are performed by Glenn Close. A big mistake. If you've ever listened the American premiere recording with her, you'll know what I am talking about. She may have a strong stage presence, but her vocal abilities are too limited, and her aggressive approach to the role lacks any subtlety. Therefore, the two big numbers from this show, "With one look" and "As if we never said goodbye" are ruined by the fact she can't sing. The same goes for the American Joe Gillis, who was played by Alan Campbell. Luckily, Patti LuPone and Kevin Anderson, the original Norma and Joe from the London production, make their brief entrance here with the "Perfect year"; enough to show how better they are. The funny thing is, on the jacket and inside of it, Glenn Close and Alan Campbell are credited as performers in this song as well. If this was a mistake on ALW's part, it was a good one. The next ALW's show, "Whistle down the wind" was never a critic's dear and yet the audiences rushed in to see it in London. The score brings back ALW to his rock and roll roots of the seventies and the story is quite interesting. But the selections here are not the happiest, since the cast recording boasts with much better songs. And finally, "The Beautiful Game". Again, we have one of those ALW's shows that is worth in its individual parts rather than as a whole. "Our kind of love" and "Let us love in peace" are two catchy ballads. The latter is a nice amalgam version not available elsewhere. The two other tracks here I could live without.
* Disc # 4 has the songs from all the above shows performed by different artists. The assembled tracks have their pros and cons. For example, we have some previously unreleased stuff, like Dame Kiri Te Kanawa's operettic rendition of "The heart is slow to learn", or a stunning and epic "A kiss is a terrible thing to waste" from "Whistle down the wind", performed by The Metal Philharmonic Orchestra. Then again, what was the point in including almost identical tracks as the ones on the previous disks? So we have Michael Ball again singing "Love changes everything" with only a bit different orchestration; Sarah Brightman comes out again with the same Phantom duets, but only with the different male singers. It would be much more appropriate to include tracks from the Toronto Cast of the Phantom, with Colm Wilkinson. Other pop deliverances (Tina Arena's "Whistle down the wind", Barbra Streisand's "As if we never said goodbye", Boyzone's "No matter what" and many more) were wisely chosen. Patti LuPone is again nowhere to be found and Petula Clark's "With one look" sounds too worn-out.
* The last disc is probably the one that will be of most interest to Lloyd Webber aficionados. It consists of entirely previously unreleased material ALW for the most part wrote for various artists during his early years, with Tim Rice. Some of these tunes, not successful as a singles, were later used in his shows. Thus "Down thru' summer" became "Buenos Aires"in Evita, "Try it and see", an unsuccessful attempt for the Eurovision was used for "King Herod's song" in "Superstar" and so on. Some of these songs are nicely made pop songs: "Make believe love", ALW's first recorded composition, for which he provided the lyrics; "Goodbye Seattle", sung by Paul Raven, who later became Gary Glitter; "Come back Richard, your country needs you", from a never made musical, sung here by Tim Rice, or Latin flavored "Magdalena", with Tony Christie singing. My all time favorite here is a song called "It's easy for you", sung by none other than Elvis Presley himself. Lloyd Webber and Rice sent him a demo recording that he accepted and recorded this live version a couple of weeks before he died. It's amazing to hear how his voice remained in the perfect shape. Also, there is a track of Andrew Lloyd Webber singing "Policle dogs and Jellicle cats" while plying the piano. His voice doesn't sound bad at all.
Taken as a whole, this compilation makes a perfect birthday or Christmas present to any fan of Andrew Lloyd Webber shows, or just anybody interested in some of the best tunes from the modern era of the musical theatre; despite the flaws I mentioned above. To the former, it may just be the final addition for the Andrew Lloyd Webber collection.
SUCH MAGICAL MUSIC OF THE NIGHT!.......2003-01-19
Opera") and the longest-running show of all time ("Cats"), the man whose homes are filled with three Grammys, five Oliviers, a Golden Globe, and Oscar and too many other honors and hosannas to mention, the man knighted in 1992 certainly doesn't need an introduction. Now Decca Broadway pays tribute to Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber with "Now and Forever," a spectacular 5-CD set compiled and produced by Sir Andy himself. It's cheaper than a
ticket to "The Producers" ... and more much exciting. This treasure trove contains highlights from all of Webber's shows, and a bonus disc of tunes sung by Betty Buckley, Barbara
Streisand, Jose Carreras, Boy George, Charlotte Church, Madonna, Tom Jones, Petula Clark, even Elvis! A must for lovers of theatre---and good music.
A Must Have for Sir Andrew fans.......2002-05-21
The cuts from the musicals are great but are likely owned by ALW fans as they are on the original cast albums. And I'm glad that there were tunes included from the composers most recent efforts which have yet to make it beyond London (Whistle Down the Wind, Beautiful Game).
My only complaint is the inclusion of way too many tracks by Sarah Brightman. She must've received a great divorce settlement that included having tunes on any ALW collection until the end of time!! Her interpretations of some of the tunes were limp and uninspired. I would've much rather heard casts from around the world rather than yet another song by this disdainful soprano! How about Colm Wilkinson's version of "Music of the Night" from the original Canadian cast of "Phantom"? Or Michael Crawford's version of "Unexpected Song"? What? No Betty Buckley from "Sunset Blvd."? And of course there are songs you KNOW are going to be on the collection before you even listen to it as they have been on EVERY ALW collection for the past decade or so.
A great collection but too much Sarah Brightman!
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Elaine Stritch - At Liberty (2002 Original Broadway Production)
Elaine Stritch , Irving Berlin , John/ Stritch, Elaine Lohr , Porter P. Grainger , Albert Hague , Stephen Sondheim , Carl Sigman , Richard Rodgers , Sir Noel Coward , George Gershwin , Jule Styne , John Campo , and Billy Miller Manufacturer: Drg ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Gershwin
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ASIN: B000060P33 Release Date: 2002-04-02 |
Tracks:
- There's No Business Like Show Business (Berlin)
- Caca
- I Want a Long Time Daddy (Grainger)
- A Piece of Mahler
- This Is All Very New to Me (Hague/Horwitt)
- Going to New York
- Marlon Brando
- Broadway Baby (Sondheim)
- My First Broadway Show
- Civilization (Hilliard/Sigman)
- Ethel Merman
- Can You Use Any Money Today? (Berlin)
- Pal Joey
- Zip (Hart/Rodgers)
- Ben Gazzara
- Nokl Coward
- Why Do the Wrong People Travel (Coward)
- Richard Burton
- But Not for Me/If Love Were All (Gershwin/Gershwin)
- I'm Still Here (Sondheim)
- Booze
- Little Things You Do Together (Sondheim)
- The Ladies Who Lunch (Sondheim)
- John Bay
- There Was Never a Baby Like My Baby (Comden/Green/Styne)
- I've Been to a Marvelous Party (Coward)
- God So Quickly
- The Party's Over (Comden/Green/Styne)
- Absent Almost Always
- Something Good (Rodgers)
Tracks:
- I'm Still Here (Sondheim)
- Booze
- Little Things You Do Together (Sondheim)
- The Ladies Who Lunch (Sondheim)
- John Bay
- There Was Never a Baby Like My Baby (Comden/Green/Styne)
- I've Been to a Marvelous Party (Coward)
- God So Quickly
- The Party's Over (Comden/Green/Styne)
- Absent Almost Always
- Something Good (Rodgers)
Amazon.com
Elaine Stritch is a legend and she knows it. And so she came up with a whole one-woman show about the best topic she could think of: her life in the theater. And what a trip it's been. From Ethel Merman to Noel Coward, Stritch has worked with some of the greatest names to grace the American stage, and she has anecdotes about all of them (most are included on this recording). In this show, she hits all the marks with the acuity of a seasoned pro who's seen it all and whose love for the theater remains undiluted. Stritch is not a traditionally pretty singer (those gravelly pipes!), but she absolutely knows how to give life to a song, extracting the last drop of meaning, dropping pauses for effect with deadly accuracy. Sondheim's "Ladies Who Lunch" and "Broadway Baby" will be hers forever, and a case could be made for the hilarious "Zip" (from Pal Joey) and the obscure, spectacularly politically incorrect "Civilization" (from the revue Angel in the Wings) as well. Fittingly, this two-CD set includes "I'm Still Here," which may well be Stritch's motto. If you're looking for a concise yet bewitching history of the musical, this is it. --Elisabeth VincentelliCustomer Reviews:
A National Treasure.......2007-07-05
Very few people have the length or variety of a career that Elaine Stritch has had. I am sure that she has enough stories to do ten more shows.
If you love Broadway then you must buy this CD.
Stritch is superb.......2007-06-27
I am so glad, she's still here!
Entertaining but grating on the ears.......2007-05-11
Great Broadway Review.......2007-04-11
Elaine Stritch at Liberty.......2007-01-19
Certainly worth the money!
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