Mystery of Love

About the Artist
James Phillip Wuest (pronounced weast) is a singer/songwriter and rock/blues guitarist from Ohio. James has been a session guitarist for many years,playing on many of Ohio and Michigans most active artists sessions. James has recorded in Nashville for Brougham records and in the Queen city for A.M.G records. James has toured the good ole USA and opened up for many major recording artist over the years. James is currently doing selective shows around Ohio and Indiana promoting his new Cd release, "Mystery of Love"

Product Description
Mystery of Love is a cd of contemporary christian music that displays the melodies reminiscent of the Beatles and the guitar slinging of Eric Clapton. Mystery of Love is fifteen songs and sixty eight minutes of music that will have you singing along and playing air guitar. The cd cover is an award winning work of art by graphic artist, Steve Mockensturm. Produced by, Scott Stahl.

Mystery of Love,James Phillip Wuest,Black Swamp Records,Mystery Of Love is the music and the words of a poet's world that delivers with heart and guitar in hand.

---

Average customer rating: Excellent Musical, But Product Quality - Eh MODERNIZE your music collection!!! A must to add to your collection Delightful YOU WILL LOVE IT

Thoroughly Modern Millie (2002 Original Broadway Cast) Jeanine Tesori , Dick Scanlan , and Sutton Foster Manufacturer: RCA Victor Broadway ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Contemporary Musicals | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Soundtracks | 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 Musicals | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Thoroughly Modern Millie Thoroughly Modern Millie: Vocal Selections Little Women The Musical (2005 Original Broadway Cast) Hairspray (2002 Original Broadway Cast) The Drowsy Chaperone (2006 Original Broadway Cast) ASIN: B000066B4Y Release Date: 2002-06-11

Tracks:

1. Overture (Orchestra)
2. Not for the Life of Me (Sutton Foster)
3. Thoroughly Modern Millie (Sutton Foster and Ensemble)
4. Not for the Life of Me (Sutton Foster, JoAnn M. Hunter, Alisa Klein, Jessica Grove, Megan Sikora, Catherine Brunell and Kate Baldwin)
5. How the Other Half Lives (Angela Christian and Sutton Foster)
6. Not for the Life of Me (reprise) (Ken Leung and Francis Jue)
7. The Speed Test (Marc Kudisch, Sutton Foster, Anne L. Nathan and Ensemble)
8. They Don't Know (Harriet Harris)
9. The Nuttycracker Suite (Orchestra)
10. What Do I Need with Love? (Gavin Creel)
11. Only in New York (Sheryl Lee Ralph)
12. Jimmy (Sutton Foster)
13. Back at Work (Orchestra with Sutton Foster, Anne L. Nathan and Ensemble)
14. Forget About the Boy (Sutton Foster, Anne L. Nathan and Ensemble)
15. Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life/I'm Falling in Love with Someone (Marc Kudisch and Angela Christian)
16. I Turned the Corner/I'm Falling in Love with Someone (quartet/reprise) (Gavin Creel and Sutton Foster, Marc Kudisch and Angela Christian)
17. Muqin (Harriet Harris, Francis Jue and Ken Leung)
18. Long as I'm Here with You (Sheryl Lee Ralph and Male Ensemble)
19. Gimme Gimme (Sutton Foster)
20. Finale (Thoroughly Modern Millie) (Gavin Creel, Angela Christian and Ensemble with Sheryl Lee Ralph and Sutton Foster)
21. Final Bows (Entire Company)

Amazon.com

Although it's based on the 1967 movie of the same name, Thoroughly Modern Millie is almost thoroughly new. Composer Jeanine Tesori (Violet) and lyricist Dick Scanlan wrote a whole batch of songs, while retaining a couple from the movie--including the Jimmy van Heusen-Sammy Cahn title tune--and recycling even older material (look for Victor Herbert's "I'm Falling in Love with Someone" and the inventively arranged "Nuttycracker Suite"). Miraculously, the show, set during the jazz age, doesn't feel stitched together, and Tesori does a great job cranking out swinging melodies. Sutton Foster is appropriately brassy as Millie, but she can also tone it down, as in the beginning of "Gimme Gimme" (of course, she then proceeds to project up to the last rafters as the song builds to its climax). Harriet Harris, as nasty Mrs. Meers, steals the show with "They Don't Know." Close your eyes, listen to her, and you'll be back in Broadway's golden age. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Musical, But Product Quality - Eh.......2007-07-15

I absolutely love the musical so I'm thrilled with the cd.

My problem was not with the quality of the cd, but with the plastic case. The cd cases always come cracked. Although it doesn't affect the quality of the cd itself, it's rather disheartening that Amazon charges customers for its poor shipping.

MODERNIZE your music collection!!!.......2007-07-13

This is an AMAZING musical and great album. It is sure to jazz-up any music collection! BUY THIS ALBUM NOW!

A must to add to your collection.......2007-05-18

I was very fortunate enough to see this on Broadway. It was one of the best shows I've ever seen! The music has just enough jazz and contemporary vive that any musical lover would enjoy! It's also got tapping in it! Sutton is simply awesome in this role and all of the cast can really belt out their songs. Harriet Harris is phenominal in her role as Mrs. Meers. I highly recommend this to all broadway lovers! It's one to add to your collection!

Delightful.......2006-06-12

The music takes a little bit to grow on you, but boy, does it! It's wonderful, charming, romantic, funny--just like the play itself. I loved almost every song and I was really impressed with "Long As I'm Here With You"-- I thought it was an old song written back in the twenties, because it so sounded like one. The cast is absolutely energetic and endearing, and Sutton Foster just *rocks*. Definitely worth the money.

YOU WILL LOVE IT.......2006-02-17

If you like musicals, you will NOT REGRET purchasing this musical soundtrack. JUST DO IT. It's so great, you will be listening to it forever. I also saw the show at the Kennedy Center in D.C. and it's one of the best I've ever seen. (And I've seen A LOT.)

Have Fun!

Average customer rating: See Other Andrea Bocelli Review Emotional therapy! Great music! Cieli di Toscana LOVE IT!!!!

Cieli di Toscana Paolo Gianolio , Margherita Graczyk , Gary Miller , John Reid , Luis Jardim , Francesco Sartori , Mauro Malavasi , and Massimo Guantini Manufacturer: Philips ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bocelli, Andrea | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Italy | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Bocelli, Andrea | A to B | Featured Performers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music $9.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classical | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music International | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music $9.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Romanza Andrea Bocelli - Amore Andrea Sogno Andrea Bocelli - Sacred Arias / Myung-Whun Chung ASIN: B00005OWJV Release Date: 2001-10-16

Tracks:

1. Melodramma
2. Mille Lune Mille Onde
3. E Ara 'A Settembre (Someone Like You)
4. Chiara
5. Mascagni
6. Resta Qui
7. Il Mistero Dell 'Amore
8. Se La Gente Usasse Il Cuore
9. Si Volto'
10. L 'Abitudine
11. L 'Incontro
12. E Mi Manchi Tu
13. Il Diavolo E L 'Angelo
14. L 'Ultimo Re

Amazon.com

Not content with the simplistic "crossover" formula, superstar tenor Andrea Bocelli has been pursuing alternative paths since he emerged as a vocal phenomenon in the mid-1990s: operatic classics and contemporary popular song. The singer's last few albums have showcased his love for the former (including homages to his beloved Verdi: the Requiem and Verdi aria collection). But Cieli di Toscana ("Tuscan Skies") marks a triumphant return to the pop idiom last explored on Sogno, offering a highly varied series of the kind of beautifully crafted contemporary melodies that initially won Bocelli acclaim.

The familiar cast of songwriter-collaborators (including Francesco Sartori, responsible for the smash success "Time to Say Goodbye") mixes with new blood; Bocelli himself unveils his songwriting talents on "Il Diavolo e l'Angelo." It's a highly produced affair, but behind all the gloss, Bocelli sings with a newfound, relaxed, even mellow quality. There are intimately touching moments--"L'Incontro," a tribute to his first son featuring Bocelli's own poetry as read by U2's Bono--as well as soaring flights of lyricism (the duet "L'Abitudine" with Italian singer Helena). And on "Mascagni," with its quotes from that composer's operas, Bocelli makes another nod to his classical affinities. But whatever the style, Bocelli is a singer who knows how to go straight to his listeners' hearts. --Sarah Chin

Album Description

Exclusive UK version of Bocelli's third pop release includes the exclusive bonus track 'Tornera La Neve' and CD-ROM. The album also features 'L'Incontro' a duet with Gerard Depardieu. David Foster co-composes some of the tracks on this album as well. 2001.

Customer Reviews:

See Other Andrea Bocelli Review.......2007-07-06

Just what it says. See my other Andrea Bocelli reviews to get the idea I really like this guy.

Emotional therapy!.......2007-05-14

"He is all heart; there's no pretense. You can feel it." No kidding. These were my mom's last comments about Bocelli two months before she left earthly existence.

This album helped me process a lot of emotional residue affiliated with the strain of difficult dynamics between my mom and myself.

Don't get me wrong. The music isn't sad; it's pure heart and emotion, so it may evoke emotions. The last cut, "L'Ultimo Re" is gorgeous with the way his voice soars!

E.A. Davis, author: Waiting for Wings: Accompanying a Parent to the Edge of Life

Great music!.......2006-12-18

I bought the album before listening to any of the songs, because i'm a Bocelli fan. I was not disappointed. Wonderful melodies, beautiful voice.My personal favourites are Melodramma, Chiara and Resta Qui, but this is a great cd overall.

Cieli di Toscana.......2006-08-25

There is no other voice quite like Andrea's voice. I keep listening to this CD over and over as some of the songs just touch my heart, both with his voice and the written arrangements. One of my very favorites from Andrea. He has the same qualities to his voice with popular songs as he does with opera. When following the English translations in the CD case, the message of each song becomes very clear through the inflections and tonal quality of his voice.

LOVE IT!!!!.......2006-08-25

What more can I say once agian a total great cd, that will sure to become my favorite and my kids love it too!!! Ages 5, 8, and 15. WOW>>>>> Pleases all ages,LOVE IT LOVE LOVE IT

Average customer rating: The Andrew Lloyd Weber Collection Andrew Lloyd Webber The Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection The Best You'll See from Sarah The Angel of Music

The Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection Manufacturer: Decca Broadway ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Requiems | Forms & Genres | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Brightman, Sarah | A to B | Featured Performers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Pop | 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 Similar Items: Love Changes Everything: The Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection, Vol. 2 Sarah Brightman Classics Time to Say Goodbye La Luna Harem ASIN: B00000I0XW Release Date: 1999-06-01

Tracks:

1. The Phantom Of The Opera: The Phantom Of The Opera
2. Song & Dance: Unexpected Song
3. Aspects Of Love: Chanson D'enfance
4. The Phantom Of The Opera: All I Ask Of You
5. Evita: Don't Cry For Me Argentina
6. Evita: Another Suitcase In Another Hall
7. Aspects Of Love: Love Changes Everything
8. Friends For Life
9. Cats: Memory
10. Cats: Gus: The Theatre Cat
11. Aspects Of Love: Anything But Lonely
12. Cats: Macavity: The Mystery Cat
13. Tell Me On A Sunday/Song & Dance: Tell Me On A Sunday
14. The Phantom Of The Opera: Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again
15. Requiem: Pie Jesu
16. The Phantom Of The Opera: The Music Of The Night

Amazon.com essential recording

Sarah Brightman's career was launched by her success in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera, so it's no surprise to hear the soprano paying homage to the composer on this disc. Really a Brightman best-of, the album includes the Phantom theme (a duet with Michael Crawford), the light-opera fare of "Chanson D'enfance" from Aspects of Love, "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina" from Evita, and numerous other Lloyd Webber classics. Throughout, Brightman's diminutive voice lends a fragility to these musical theater tunes that you'll either love or despise. On Evita's "Another Suitcase, Another Hall" and Cats' "Memory," she literally chirps through the vocal lines. No matter. The growing legion of Brightman fans wouldn't have it any other way. --Jason Verlinde

Album Details

Another Compilation of Stage Favourites - Some Tracks Are Hard to Find Elsewhere.

Customer Reviews:

The Andrew Lloyd Weber Collection.......2007-05-12

Sarah Brightman sings in good form classic songs and does a great job!!

Andrew Lloyd Webber .......2007-02-12

Excellent Broadway music--a true master. Sing along or just listen. First heard her on PBS.

The Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection.......2007-01-05

Sarah Brightman has always been a favorite of mine, and this CD is outstanding. The duet with Jose Carreras (Friends for Life) is especially good--worth buying the CD for that song alone.

The Best You'll See from Sarah.......2006-09-09

This CD is - wow! I have so much to say about it and so little time! This album features three pieces from "The Phantom of the Opera" - Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again, The Music of the Night, and The Phantom of the Opera theme. They're all beautiful. The second piece on the album is "Unexpected Song". It has beautiful octaves and orchastrations. Chanson d'Efance is an amazing French piece with vibrato - and then some. I forgot to mention that there is another piece from The Phantom of the Opera - All I Ask of You - except that the song is not sung by the original cast from the musical. The next few pieces are fairly decent, until you get to Memory from Cats. WOW - is it spectacular! Then we get to two other pieces from Cats - Gus: The Theater Cat and Macavity: The Mystery Cat. Gus is a song that just tells about a cat and his history. A man speaks the lines that Gus would say in the actual musical - and it makes the song interesting. Macavity is AWESOME! I know that I said that I didn't prefer this song for Brightman on her album "Surrender". I finally listened to it more carefully, and found that it's really interesting to listen to! My favorite song on the whole entire album - however - has to be "Tell Me on a Sunday". Beautiful lyrics, orchestrations, and overall spectacular voice talent ties the whole song together. Pie Jesu is a fairly nice piece from both Brightman and Paul Miles-Kingston - the 16 year old boy soprano. His voice is pure and straight with minimal vibrato. However, Brightman's voice shows a little bit TOO much vibrato! Overally, it's a good piece from Andrew Lloyd Webber's Requium. THIS CD IS AMAZING! If you love Sarah from the Phantom of the Opera, then this collection of Lloyd Webber's work is just for you.

I also recommend Charlotte Church - (in her earlier career) - including Voice of an Angel and her self-titled album. I also recommend Love Changes Everything - The Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection Vol.2 - just another grouping of Webber's classics. I also recommend Andrea Boucelli - he's awesome!

The Angel of Music.......2006-03-13

This is the third copy of this I've purchased. I wear them out listening to them. Awesome, Awesome music. Sarah's range and depth is so powerful!

Average customer rating: Great compilation - and that's just the first half. The best of Elfman!!! Great Collection, A LIttle Too Eclectic What Great Music super

Music for a Darkened Theatre, Vol. 1: Film & Television Music Manufacturer: Fontana Mca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Elfman, Danny | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music 1980s | By Decade | Pop | Styles | Music 1990s | By Decade | Pop | Styles | Music 1980-1989 | Decades | Compilations | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music 1990-1999 | Decades | Compilations | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music The Simpsons | Specialty Stores | Music Music | The Simpsons | Amazon.com Stores | us-stores Similar Items: Music for a Darkened Theatre, Vol. 2: Film & Television Music Serenada Schizophrana So Lo Sleepy Hollow: Music from the Motion Picture Beetlejuice: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack ASIN: B000002OEB Release Date: 1990-10-15

Tracks:

1. Excerpts From: Pee Wee's Big Adventure
2. Excerpts From: Batman
3. Excerpts From: Dick Tracy
4. Excerpts From: Beetlejuice
5. Excerpts From: Nightbreed
6. Excerpts From: Darkman
7. Excerpts From: Back To School
8. Excerpts From: Midnight Run
9. Excerpts From: Wisdom
10. Excerpts From: Hot To Trot
11. Excerpts From: Big Top Pee Wee
12. Excerpts From: The Simpsons
13. Excerpts From: Alfred Hitchcock Presents: The Jar
14. Excerpts From: Tales From The Crypt
15. Excerpts From: Face Like A Frog
16. Excerpts From: Forbidden Zone
17. Excerpts From: Scrooged

Customer Reviews:

Great compilation - and that's just the first half........2005-09-14

I first got this on cassette in the summer of '94 and listened to it every day, drawn by its thematic range and compositional depth. And that was just side-one.

Elfman pioneered the sound that drives today's movie adaptations of comic-books and darker-themed children's stories. Side-One kicks things off with a rollicking, hyper-cartoonish theme from the first Pee-Wee movie - the one where Pee-Wee searches for his beloved bike. Elfman's theme contains layers of different rides - on tightropes, highways, in the middle of a NASCAR rally - which rudely yet melodically crash into each other.

The Batman entry actually contains several pieces - the opening credits, the extended sequence in the cathedral and the climax - which show Batman's darkened extreme at its "Frank Miller" best. (Dir. Tim Burton couldn't sustain the mood in the next sequel, and the franchise took a turn towards the camp of the TV series with the next 2 movies.)

The theme for "Dick Tracy" is perhaps the most romantic on this disc, a quality that surpasses the theme's comic-book origins, but ends on an ironic note that's pure Elfman.

"Beetlejuice" (opening & closing credits) gives Elfman's childish ID a chance to stretch its legs, or in this case, slam-dance.

"Nightbreed" is an enigma wrapped in a dark mystery, and that's just Elfman's score. Elfman's work on this movie is as good as the movie wasn't, having a more powerful narrative than the script - easily the best track on the entire disc, one likely to exceed the movie in its dose of chills.

"Darkman" doesn't quite rise to the occasion, though the score may be hobbled by the movie itself, which seldom surpassed one of the many "Batman" clones of the early 1990's. "Darkman" (the movie, I mean) excelled as a parody of many comicbook staples (the wronged hero, the relentless villain, the scientific breakthrough with just one flaw), but not enough to escape being largely anonymous. Within those constraints, it's still a moving if scary piece.

When is Elfman not like Elfman? When he was in the mid-late `80's and scored "Back to School" (A Rodney Dangerfield vehicle) and "Midnight Run". Horns in "School" bring it closer to Elfman's over-the-top style, while "Run" sounds like a love-theme for the run-down, out-of-the-way parts of America that seldom appear in Elfman-movies. "Run" is a fun score for a fun movie - it's nothing like Elfman's previous work but it perfectly captures the on-the-road-without-a-map craziness of the movie.

To this day, I don't know why I never ventured to Side-two, but it's irrelevant. Even half this disc is worth it

The best of Elfman!!!.......2005-09-05

I was obsessed about getting this CD right from when I heard about it. I found it at the library and was so excited about it, and it didn't let me down. In fact, it was a lot better than I expected. It's a fun and creepy (strange mix, but it really works!) collection of Danny Elfman's film and television soundtracks. The first track, Pee Wee's Big Adventure, is probably my favorite. Also, I really like Batman and Wisdom. Batman is creepy and dark, and Wisdom is just weird, in the best possible way.
I'd recommend this to anyone who likes film music, or everyone who is even the tiniest bit an Elfman fan. It's amazing!

Great Collection, A LIttle Too Eclectic.......2003-08-19

You should be able to tell from the movies and TV shows listed here whether or not you'd be interested in this collection. It's a little too eclectic for my tastes (hence only 4 stars) but better than volume 2. I think thatthe miscellaneous collected ites here along with the previously unreleased stuff should make this worth buying. Especially if you're a fan of Elfman's movie soundtrack work.

What Great Music.......2003-05-11

I fell in love with the music of Danny Elfman when Beetlejuice came out. There was something different about the music that he made. When Edward Scissorhands, and then Nightmare Before Christmas - I knew this man was a musical master. Its the verbal form of surrealism.

super.......2003-04-17

What a great CD. Danny's music is so original and inventive. this CD contains his pre 90's quirky, gothic music. it's all very well written and beautifully orchestrated. batman and darkman contain some really excellent long, dark, gothic cues that really take u away from reality. in my opinion no one, apart from howard shore, is as inventive and original as danny in the world of filmmusic. he far surpasses the repetitive works of williams or horner. buy this, and volume two, and keep supporting one of the greatest film composers of all time.ohh...and buy fellowship of the ring and two towers by howard shore....amazing work!

Average customer rating: Delightful A Master Class in Singing Bryn is swell, but the bombast is annoying Surprisingly Fine Crossover from Fleming and Terfel BREATHTAKING VOCAL MAGNIFICENCE~BRAVO!!!

Renee and Bryn: Under the Stars John Harold Kander , Andrew Lloyd Webber , Claude-Michel Schoenberg , Richard Rodgers , Gerard Presgurvic , Jason Robert Brown , Meredith Willson , Lucy Simon , Cole Porter , Stephen Flaherty , Ralph Salmins , and David Hartley Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Porter | Porter, Cole | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Classic | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Bryn Terfel - Something Wonderful (Bryn Terfel sings Rodgers & Hammerstein) Bryn Terfel - Simple Gifts Bryn Terfel - If Ever I Would Leave You (Songs from My Fair Lady, On a Clear Day, Camelot, The Little Prince, Brigadoon) Bryn Terfel Sings Favorites Bryn Terfel - Opera Arias / MET, Levine ASIN: B000088E7D Release Date: 2003-02-11

Tracks:

1. "Not While I'm Around" (from Sweeney Todd by Stephen Sondheim)
2. "Moonfall" (from The Mystery of Edwin Drood by R. Holmes)
3. "I Don't Remember You The Happy Tim" and "Sometimes a Day Goes By" (from Woman of the Year by Kander & Ebb)
4. "All the Love I Have" (from The Beautiful Game by Ben Elton & Andrew Lloyd Webber)
5. "I Wish I Could Forget You / Loving You" (from Passion by Stephen Sondheim)
6. "Stars" (from Les Misirables by Boublil & Schvnberg)
7. "All I Ask of You" (from The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber)
8. "Hello, Young Lovers" (from The King and I by Rodgers & Hammerstein)
9. "Pretty Women" (from Sweeney Todd by Stephen Sondheim)
10. "Aimer" (from Romio et Juliette by Presgurvic)
11. "All the Wasted Time" (from Parade by J. Brown)
12. "Seventy-Six Trombones" (from The Music Man by Willson)
13. "How Could I Ever Know" (from The Secret Garden by Simon and Norman)
14. "So In Love" (from Kiss Me Kate by Cole Porter)
15. "Wheels Of a Dream" (from Ragtime by Ahrens & Flaherty)

Amazon.com

In these days of the crossover, it is hardly surprising to find two great opera singers making a foray into numbers from Broadway musicals by such composers as Cole Porter, Stephen Sondheim, and Andrew Lloyd Webber. What's remarkable is that they seem completely at home in this music. Both say they grew up listening to it, and indeed they approach these songs with no less care and seriousness than they'd give the most demanding operatic arias, and without a trace of condescension. However, their vocal, expressive, and interpretive styles are very different, both in the solos and the duets. Terfel projects assertive manliness, tender, intimate affection, and rollicking humor without external effects, using only his incomparably sonorous voice and powerful personality. His diction is impeccably clear, and though he has sometimes let his theatrical flair spill over into Schubert songs, he is the soul of simplicity here. This is in stark contrast to Fleming's tendency to exaggerate colors and dynamics and to turn sentiment into sentimentality. Moreover, though she claims a background as a jazz singer, her "crooning" sounds artificial and unnatural. However, her top notes, culminating in a triumphant high C at the end of the final number, ring gloriously. Her voice glows and shimmers with irresistible luster, soaring from seductive whispers to thrilling climaxes. The program features a great variety of love songs, and includes an antiwar protest (from Beautiful Game), a celebration of the American dream (from Ragtime), and a rousing fun piece (from The Music Man). Unfortunately, even the best songs are marred by thoroughly corny arrangements. Listeners will find their own favorites, but the real "stars" on this record are the two singers. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

Delightful .......2006-07-24

I truly enjoy Terfel's vocal talent and found it to be well suited for this genre. Fleming's impeccable soprano voice is a bit overpowering for this style of music. (I own this CD)

A Master Class in Singing.......2006-06-20

This CD is a must-have for any person interested in the singing art. Ms. Fleming and Mr. Terfel gives new light to these Musical Theatre classics. Their fine vocalism in the musical theatre genre coupled with the depth of musicality and dramatic phrasing in each of the selections is truly a breath of fresh air. This recording is indeed a Master Class!

Bryn is swell, but the bombast is annoying.......2006-05-03

Love Bryn Terfel, the finest bass-baritone in Opera. Love Renee Fleming's luscious soprano. But the arrangements! Kettle drums and bombast and bang, bang, bang! Once Renee starts swooping, things go downhill, with little redemption.

It starts out beautifully. "Not While I'm Around" has never sounded more intimate to me than Terfel's caressing pianissimo. Fleming's "Moonglow" is stunningly good. Terfel makes a medley out of "I Don't Remember You and Sometimes a Day Goes By" that makes you want to cheer, and Fleming does a lovely Sondheim medley as well. Bryn sings "Stars" and makes me long for him in Les Mis. And then...things tend to go downhill. The bombast takes over and gets to you - it overwhelms two of the biggest voices now recording. Then Fleming begins to swoop and scoop, over-coloring and often coming off as simply self-indulgent, reminding one of a kid who makes a point of putting his face in a camera shot.

I don't mind Bryn as Prof. Harold Hill - I frankly think the Welsh accent is kinda cute - and it doesn't bother me on "Wheels of Dream," either, but Fleming seems to have lost her mind on that great song, and rather than indulging her, it would have simply been better left off the album. Ditto "All that Wasted Time" which is pretty much unlistenable. Ms. Fleming needs to stop thinking she is a jazz singer.

The four stars are because this album does contain some truly GLORIOUS moments, particularly in the duets, and in Terfel's solo's which are warm and memorable. Without him, the kettle drums and Fleming's self-indulgence would have made the whole endeavor unbearable.

Surprisingly Fine Crossover from Fleming and Terfel.......2006-04-18

Bryn Terfel and Renee Fleming are two of the most acclaimed opera singers of our day. But the musical theatre fan who puts on their Broadway CD, RENEE AND BRYN: UNDER THE STARS, expecting to hear a carelessly compiled hodgepodge of songs sung by voices ill-suited to them is in for a big surprise, beginning with the first phrases of the duo's warmly sung "Not While I'm Around" from SWEENEY TODD. True, these singers' beautiful voices have greater power and range than even the best of the Broadway stars', but this is an asset in these songs, most of which are either semi-operatic in nature or call (like THE MUSIC MAN's "Seventy-Six Trombones") for such an outsize personality as Terfel's. Fleming's sensuous and tonally gorgeous rendition of "Moonfall" from THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD can be placed among her very finest recordings, operatic and otherwise. And Terfel is ideally suited to both "Pretty Women" from SWEENEY TODD and "Stars" from LES MISERABLES; few if any Broadway Javerts could match the impact of his "This I swear by the stars!" Kander and Ebb's "I Don't Remember You" and "Sometimes a Day Goes By" make a perfect medley here, as do Sondheim's "I Wish I Could Forget You" and "Loving You" from PASSION. And though I don't care for the Andrew Lloyd Webber selections (ersatz Puccini) or the Jason Robert Brown one (which sounds too much like a pop song), Terfel and Fleming's singing of them is beyond reproach. The program ends with a bang: a rendition of "Wheels of a Dream" worthy to stand beside the now-classic one by Brian Stokes Mitchell and Audra McDonald on the original cast album of RAGTIME. Welshman Terfel's natural accent is noticeable here; but if one imagines him as, say, an Irish immigrant married to an African-American woman (as Fleming here sounds uncannily like McDonald or like Leontyne Price) his accent is appropriate and his voicing of the "bridge" section ("Oh Sarah, it's more than promises/Sarah, it must be true...") especially moving. Fleming's ecstatic final high note makes one want to applaud and cheer, both for the song and for the successful "crossover" effort.

BREATHTAKING VOCAL MAGNIFICENCE~BRAVO!!!.......2004-10-11

So captivating are these incredible singers in the glorious live concert "Under The Stars" creating an unforgettable musical masterpiece of epic proportions that is so moving and great to watch that I ran out and purchased this studio recorded Compact Disc the next day!! The brilliance of the live broadcast carried over into the recording studio capturing Renee and Bryn at the peak of their incredible powers emotionally and vocally making them the most effective crossover artists since the great Barbara Cook who like Miss Cook sing with emotion that is accurate for this type of material which is usually not the case with classical voices. Renee Fleming sings with genuine passion and stirring emotions and her timing is absolutely flawless and this lady has alot of soul and the Torrie Zito arranged "Moonfall" is a stunning masterpiece that clearly illustrates this. A dazzling medley each show both singers in glorious peak form with Bryn splendid in the enchanting "I Don't Remember You/Sometimes A Day Goes By" and Renee spellbinding and haunting in the gorgeous "I Wish I Could Forget You/Loving You" which will make anyone who loves a great voice fall in love with this amazingly gifted singer. "Stars" features a commanding performance from Bryn that raises the roof and this is so refreshing and inspired in these musically tired times!!! This superb showcase is full of wonderfully exciting performances which are capable of making people feel again and this is what is sorely needed in music today and BRAVO to Bryn Terfel and the gorgeous Renee Fleming for achieving this with complete artistic brilliance. Captivating duets fill this wonderous collection and never have classics such as "Not While I'm Around" or "All I Ask Of You" been sung more brilliantly than here. Renee is magical with "Hello, Young Lovers" while Bryn is commanding and winning with "Pretty Women". Renee's stunning "All The Wasted Time" is a vocal and emotional tour-de-force that is like a wild roller-coaster ride that you won't want to end as this is one of the most riveting songs that I have ever heard from a Broadway score and this certainly must be the definitive performance of this great song. This lady can really really sing and this is some deeply serious singing~WOW!!! Gorgeous together again in the beautiful "How Could I Ever Know" which is hair-raising and wonderfully soulful and sophisicated together in Cole Porter's "So In Love". A grand finale by these two awesome vocal wonders lives up to expectations being a complete blowout vocal festival and they definitely do not disappoint here!!! "Wheels Of A Dream" is mesmerizing and soars to magnificent heights with Bryn and Renee in peak form singing to the skies and hitting notes that I swear I have never heard before~BRAVO!!!!!!! You are both magically inspired and simply put as good as it gets!!!! Highly recommended if you love two awesome vocal wonders at their absolute peak in a magnificent beautifully orchestrated setting!!! Thank you Bryn & Renee...

Average customer rating:

Handel: The Masterworks (Box Set) Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Concerto Grossi | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Trio Sonatas | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Flute | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Oboe | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Recorder | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Cantatas | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Anthems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Hymns | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Passions | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Blowout Box Sets | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Brilliant Classics | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Vivaldi: The Masterworks (Box Set) Haydn: The Masterworks [Box Set] Mendelssohn: The Masterworks [Box Set] Dvorák: The Masterworks [Box Set] Schubert: The Masterworks [Box Set] ASIN: B00062FLI8 Release Date: 2004-11-30

Average customer rating: Queen of Songs Jeanette MacDonald Favorites A MUST for any Jeanette fan! Jeanette MacDonald Was Unique An excellent demonstration of Jeanette MacDonald's artistry

San Francisco and Other Jeanette MacDonald Favorites Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Delibes, Léo | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Herbert | Herbert, Victor | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Romberg, Sigmund | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music $7.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Delibes, Léo | ( D ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Herbert, Victor | ( H ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Romberg, Sigmund | ( R ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Traditional | ( T ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: When I'm Calling You Love's Old Songs Ah Sweet Mystery of Life: Anthology (1931-1938) San Francisco Through the Years ASIN: B000003F6P Release Date: 1991-11-09

Tracks:

1. Ciribiribin
2. The Firefly: Giannina mia
3. The Firefly: The Donkey Serenade
4. Naughty Marietta: Ah! Sweet Mystery Of Life
5. Naughty Marietta: Italian Street Song
6. New Moon: Lover Come Back To Me
7. New Moon: One Kiss
8. Smilin' Through: Land Of Hope And Glory
9. Rose Marie: Indian Love Call
10. San Francisco
11. The Holy City
12. Love Parade: March Of The Grenadiers
13. Monte Carlo: Beyond The Blue Horizon
14. The Fortune Teller: Romany Life
15. The Vagabond King: Only A Rose
16. Les filles de Cadiz
17. Ave Maria
18. Songs My Mother Taught Me
19. Romeo et Juliette: Je veux vivre dans ce reve
20. Faust: Il etait un roi de Thule
21. Faust: Air des bijoux
22. Louise: Depuis le jour

Customer Reviews:

Queen of Songs.......2007-07-29

I received this CD 'San Fracisco and other Jeanette MacDonald Favorites' a few days ago and have listened to it carefully several times. She is about a generation before my time; so far I have seen only two pictures of her: 'San Francisco' and 'The Merry Widow'. In San Francisco, I discovered she can also sing opera successfully to some degree As for The Merry Widow, I much prefer the later version performed by Lana Turner and Fernando Lamas although Turner didn't sing by herself in the film and Lamas is a lot more convincing than Maurice Chevalier as a Casanova type beau; to be truthful, I can't stand grandpa Chevalier. I beleive I also saw another of her movie which she played quite late in her career because she played mother to Jane Powell, this one I saw in the theater in my teenage days, for your information, I saw almost every MGM musicals in those heyday years. Unfortunately though, I don't quite remember the story of it, but I do remember vaguely that MacDonald sang Un bel di from Puccini's Madama Butterfly and when she sang she formed her mouth so beautifully that one could forget it if she didn't sing well.

One thing I can assert with confidence is that MacDonald is a very beautiful lady oozes with glamour, and is very classy. Classiness was a very prominent and widespread quality of female stars in that era, Lana Turner who played the wealthy merry widow was just one case. If I were to make a list it would occupy a full page, nowadays, it would be impossible to name just three or four female stars with class, no offense, please. Now let me come back to the main subject that is MacDonald's art of singing. Well, she certainly has good vocal technigue, her high note is firm to the very top and she is able to sustain it for a considerable duration as she has displayed quite often in this disc. The voice itself is delicate and sweet, just like her person. However, she tends to sing with monotone which make her singing sounds bland, like no. 4, Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life, may be if she move a notch down the scale it would sound more pleasant. Songs My Mother Taught Me is just about the only song she successfully sings with feelings. Here, I would like to point out that a few songs are worth repeated listenings: Ciribiribin, The Donkey Serenade, Italian Street Song, and of course, Songs My Mother Taught Me.
Songs no. 16 to 22, I'm sorry to say that they are not up to my standard, I have been listening to opera singing for over thirty years you know. I must mention here that MacDonald's French seems very good, I don't know French though, nevertheless, I can tell just by listening

Queen of Songs is a title crowned her by the Chinese people in that time, she was indeed highly esteemed.

Jeanette MacDonald Favorites.......2007-05-13

This CD is an incredible testimony and celebration of an American Master Singer.
A must have for all. An introduction to quality and good taste for a new generation of music lovers.

A MUST for any Jeanette fan!.......2006-04-25

This CD is a gem! The songs included on it are beautiful and show off MacDonald's incredible voice. The best part of this CD, however, is the sound quality. Unlike many of her other recordings, and those featuring her with frequent costar Nelson Eddy, the sound on this CD is pristine, and you can barely tell the recordings are 50+ years old!

Jeanette MacDonald Was Unique.......2001-03-12

It really doesn't matter whether or not she could sing; Jeanette MacDonald was unique. On these old recordings, her voice sounds thin and watery, and contemporary tastes do not respond so readily to the sentimentality and predictability of her movies. But she was a gracious lady and glittering presence on the silver screen. These film songs do suggest the excitement she generated when her movies first appeared. And how many truly major singers she inspired! Joan Sutherland recalled meeting MacDonald a few years before her death. Said Sutherland: "I still had stars in my eyes."

An excellent demonstration of Jeanette MacDonald's artistry.......1998-12-18

The highlights of this Jeanette MacDonald CD include her excellent singing of Delibes' "Les Filles de Cadiz," the Bach-Gounod "Ave Maria," and the "Jewel Song" from "Faust." A much-underrated artist, MacDonald proves here that she can handle a wide range of music, from concert songs and opera arias to familiar tunes from her operetta films. Particularly fine are her renditions of "Only a Rose," and Herbert's "Romany Life" (in spite of an amateurish male chorus). Highly recommended not only as a tribute to filmdom's first lady of song, but also to listeners who enjoy both opera and musical comedy.

Average customer rating: Arguably "The Best" English "Merry Widow "

Léhar: The Land of Smiles; The Merry Widow; The Count of Luxembourg (Highlights) Manufacturer: Class. for Pleas. Us ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Lehár, Franz | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Johann Strauss II: Die Fledermaus; The Gypsy Baron (Highlights) Offenbach: La Belle Helene; Orpheus in the Underworld; La Vie Parisienne (Highlights) Offenbach: Orpheus in the Underworld / Burgess, Watson, etc (Highlights) The Best of Operetta, Vol. 3 The Best of Operetta, Vol. 2 ASIN: B00009KHY2 Release Date: 2003-09-02

Customer Reviews:

Arguably "The Best" English "Merry Widow ".......2006-09-12

This is the "Merry Widow" with English translation by Christopher Hassel sung by June Bronhill. I loved this rendition ever since I first heard it in about 1960. What's to love? First the translation is the best I've heard. The language doesn't sound "stilted" as some others. And, you can understand almost every word sung. Plus, the famous song, "Vilja" has some wording that moves me every time I hear it: The soprano sings, "Love me and I'll DIE for you!" with the word "die" somewhat emphasized. I don't know, there's just something "powerful" about someone saying they'd "die" for love! AND, at the end of "Vilja" the chorus and soprano raise to a crescendo hitting a high note together. In many renditions the chorus is heard but not the soprano on the final high note. In THIS version, the soprano, June Bronhill, can be heard rising to the final high note with an incressing crescendo and fortissimo louder than the chorus and holding the final high note---which gives a very thrilling effect as she holds that final note, I assure you!

The "problem" is that this June Bronhill, Reid, and Hassel version is hard to find on CD. For example, this CD is made in Holland and "there is one left" so it says on Amazon. But, if you can find it, I think it would be very much worth a listen. Then, after hearing it, if you think there's a "better" Merry Widow, please let ME know! Thanks. Email:boland7214@aol.

Average customer rating: A mixed bag of romantic offerings The best tenor ever The greatest singer of all time!

Be My Love Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Herbert | Herbert, Victor | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Romberg, Sigmund | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Lanza, Mario | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Schubert, Franz | Q to T | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Rodgers, Richard | Q to T | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Anonymous | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Brodszky, Nicholas | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Kern, Jerome | H to L | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Hardelot, Guy d' | H to L | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Herbert, Victor | H to L | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Denza, Luigi | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Capua, Eduardo di | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Curtis, Ernesto de | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Folk Songs | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: You'll Never Walk Alone Lanza: Greatest Hits Mario Lanza Sings Songs From The Student Prince & The Desert Song / Romberg Christmas with Mario Lanza For the First Time/Mario Lanza Sings Caruso Favorites ASIN: B000003F3C Release Date: 1991-01-18

Tracks:

1. Be My Love (The Toast Of New Orleans)
2. Serenade (The Student Prince)
3. Temptation (Going Hollywood)
4. Wanting You (The New Moon)
5. I'll Be Seeing You (The Royal Palm Revue)
6. With A Song In My Heart (Spring Is Here)
7. Without A Song (Great Day)
8. Danny Boy (Londonderry Air)
9. My Wild Irish Rose
10. And This Is My Beloved (Kismet)
11. Because
12. Only A Rose (The Vagabond King)
13. Funiculi, Funicula
14. Come Back To Sorrento
15. Maria Mari'
16. O Sole Mio
17. Neapolitan Love Song
18. Arriverderci, Roma
19. Ah! Sweet Mystery Of Life (Naughty Marietta)
20. Look For The Silver Lining (Sally)
21. Memories
22. The Song Is You (Music In The Air)
23. Ave Maria
24. You'll Never Walk Alone (Carousel)

Customer Reviews:

A mixed bag of romantic offerings.......2001-12-17

BMG's Lanza collections are usually a mixed bag, and this album of love songs is no exception. Interspersed with some magnificent performances are an assortment of the good, the bad, and the mediocre. Part of the problem, I suspect, is that BMG simply doesn't appreciate what treasures it has buried in its recording vaults. It's enough to bring back Lanza from the grave, swearing in High C (as Time Magazine once tut-tutted) at the injustice of it all.

Lanza, in fairness to BMG, was an inconsistent performer. In the earlier part of his brief career, he had a tendency to sing sharp, and at times his approach to various arias and songs lacked sensitivity. That's not to say he couldn't get it right. At his best he was extraordinary, combining one of the most powerful voices on record with just the right degree of melting mezza voce and a dazzling array of vocal colours. His sense of phrasing was, as Enrico Caruso Jr noted, "instinctively right", and his ability to get into the heart of a song was unquestionable. Even at his roughest, his singing was usually compelling, and one could never label any of his performances "boring".

The bad recordings generally fall into three periods of his life: the Coca-Cola Radio shows of 1951-52, the disastrous Lanza on Broadway album of 1956, and the illness-affected stereo remakes of his Christmas Carols and Student Prince albums, both recorded in 1959, the year of his death. The present CD includes material from the first two periods.

The "Coke" shows, as I've opined in a number of other reviews, produced some amazing performances of both arias and love songs. Unfortunately, however, lack of rehearsal time coupled with poor arrangements often led to the kind of wild, unrestrained singing that Lanza's detractors love to attack (while at the same time overlooking his great performances). On this CD, a number of Coke recordings were released for the first time: Danny Boy; My Wild Irish Rose; Neapolitan Love Song; and Torna a Surriento. The first two are lovely, notwithstanding a poor ending on Danny Boy and some uncertain moments in the tenor's lower register in this song. Victor Herbert's Neapolitan Song contains some piercingly sharp singing, a rough ending and some agreeable mezza voce. Torna a Surriento is too fast, too unpolished and not a patch on the piano accompaniment-only version that Lanza recorded three years later for the movie Serenade.

Among the other Coke selections is the sublime Memories, and the alternately touching and thrilling I'll Be Seeing You, with a B Flat climax that will knock your socks off. Wanting You is rough and exciting in equal measure - ditto the powerhouse Ah Sweet Mystery of Life with its ridiculously fast tempo.

Two songs from the ill-fated Lanza on Broadway album have been inexplicably included, though it must be said that at least these represent the better moments from this dreadful session. You'll Never Walk Alone contains more sharp singing, uneven rhythm and a certain bleariness, while the Borodin-adapted And This Is My Beloved is alternately belted and seductive. Incidentally, Lanza recorded a superior version of You'll Never Walk Alone for his Coke Shows; this is featured on the CD of the same name.

The real highlights for me are the immortal Serenade from The Student Prince; a thrilling Only a Rose (recorded three months after the Lanza on Broadway session and featuring a completely different voice); the aforementioned My Wild Irish Rose & I'll Be Seeing You and a mature rendition of Schubert's Ave Maria. Fans will also enjoy Arrivederci, Roma, and the ubiquitous Be My Love.

All in all an enjoyable hour, but if only more thought had been put into some of the selections...

The best tenor ever.......2001-03-01

Mario Lanza is indeed my favourite of all tenors either living or not. I must have almost everything he ever recorded. This album has a whopping 24 tracks including 5 previously unreleased recordings, which make this a must for any true fan of Lanza. This album has some of his most romantic songs, mostly from stage and film. You won't find any opera here, which is fine, there's plenty of his other albums that have that. These are songs that are guaranteed to stir your heart and soul while Mario's voice will melt them. This is a must-have and at this price there's no reason not to have it.

The greatest singer of all time!.......2000-06-29

This is one of the greatest compilations of Tenor Mario Lanza, The Voice of the Century, ever made. Mario Lanza had such a broad, well focused voice and he is represented to good measure here on songs like "Wanting You", "Neapolitan Love Song", and "Without a Song". On these selections one hears how the Lanza voice had a largeness, depth, and warmth from the bottom all the way to the very top. One will never hear songs like "O Danny Boy", "My Wild Irish Rose", "You'll Never Walk Alone", "Torna Surriento", "O Solo Mio", and "Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life" sung any better or with more feeling. My favorite on this CD, "And this is my Beloved" from Kismet displays the full Lanza Range. This, in my opinion, is one of the greatest single recordings ever made. Here Mario sings the most melting pianissimo and builds to an exciting, full bodied, heart stopping fortissimo High B flat. What passion! The particular recording of "Only a Rose" on this album has been regrettably absent from the catalogs for quite some time. It is a shame too, because Lanza makes this Vagabond King selection sound free and effortless like only Mario Lanza could. Lanza takes the listener through a guided tour, so speak, of truly the greatest singing the world has ever heard. After hearing the final selection, "You'll Never Walk Alone", there won't be a dry eye in the house. This, along with the "Don't Forget Me" Lanza CD, is one of the greatest single CD collections ever put together of Mario, or anyone else for that matter. Lanza was the greatest singer of all time and this is a must have album. The sooner you own this one, the better.

Average customer rating: Inauthentic Herbert/authentic Percy Faith disappointment "music giants come together ~ Herbert & Faith" Herbert in good hands with Faith renditions Percy Faith-Columbia Album Of Victor Herbert

The Columbia Album of Victor Herbert Manufacturer: Collectables ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Herbert | Herbert, Victor | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Divertimentos | Serenades & Divertimentos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Marches | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Lounge | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music Orchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Solo Instrumental | New Age | Styles | Music Similar Items: A Night With Jerome Kern/A Night With Sigmund Romberg A Victor Herbert Showcase: The Greatest Hits of the Father of American Popular Song A Night with Rudolf Friml/Shakespeare's Greatest Hits Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life: The Songs of Victor Herbert The Sound of Music/South Pacific ASIN: B0000996GF Release Date: 2003-09-16

Tracks:

1. Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life
2. Spanish Serenade
3. Dream Girl
4. Because You're You!
5. Toyland
6. March of the Toys
7. Gypsy Love Song and Romany Life
8. Kiss in the Dark
9. I Want What I Want When I Want It
10. When You're Away
11. Cuban Serenade
12. Indian Summer
13. Every Day Is Ladies' Day with Me
14. Kiss Me Again
15. Habanera
16. To the Land of My Own Romance
17. Dagger Dance
18. Italian Street Song
19. Sweethearts
20. Yesterthoughts
21. Streets of New York
22. I'm Falling in Love With Someone
23. Thine Alone

Album Description

Percy Faith was the master of distilling the best of melodies and in this collection from 1958, Percy rescues us from the images that Victor Herbert melodies tend to evoke - the operetta, and the "erstwhile lady singing (belting out?) Herbert tunes at the piano." With this in mind, Percy's early stereo spectacular brings us the best of the Victor Herbert tunes - with the grand voice of the orchestra to bring out the beauty of each song - twenty-three Victor Herbert songs in this collection! (Bill Halvorsen)

Album Description

Full Title - The Columbia Album Of Victor Herbert/And His Orchestra. Pianist Percy Faith, a pioneer of the Easy Listening genre, had a successful and lengthy career as the in-house conductor and arranger for Columbia Records. Faith was renowned for his musical interpretations of Broadway and motion picture music. These 2 albums on 1 CD were originally released in 1958. 23 tracks. 2003 Collectables reissue.

Customer Reviews:

Inauthentic Herbert/authentic Percy Faith.......2006-09-03

If you love the Percy Faith orchestral style, you will certainly
enjoy this typical example. The disc is full and the selections are numerous and varied, including characteristic pieces, operetta
excerpts, and even a couple of excerpts from one of Herbert's
grand operas.
BUT - if you're primarily interested in the music of Victor Herbert, then the advice has to be to avoid this seemingly tempting item. The combination of anachronistic arrangements, altered harmonies, and orchestrations foreign to anything Herbert would have imagined or countenanced ends by falsifying the charm and character of Herbert's music. In essence it's more like "1950's Fantasies Loosely Based on Certain Herbert Themes."

disappointment.......2006-08-14

This is a very poor rendering of the music of Victor Herbert. I am very disappointed in it and would not have ordered it if I realized that there were no vocals.

"music giants come together ~ Herbert & Faith".......2004-02-09

Now we have something that only Percy Faith could tackle "The Columbia Album of Victor Herbert", composer Victor Herbert has all the elements that Mr. Faith was looking for, and what a workout the award winning Percy Faith Orchestra has in store for them, look at the result...pure satisfaction and then some ~ "TOYLAND" is one of the most beautiful songs ever written, Percy's arrangement comes from the heart and weaves a magic spell over the listener ~ "MARCH OF THE TOYS", once again the signature arrangement comes to the surface of each cue that Mr. Faith records, very stimulating performance ~ listen to this cue and visualize the toys coming to life ~ "A KISS IN THE DARK" and "KISS ME AGAIN", once again the magic prevails with soft and sweeping strings, The Percy Faith Touch comes to the forefront ~ and Percy was always there to record the music whenever the time presented itself, and it is here and now.

Two great giants in the music world Victor Herbert (1859-1924) and Percy Faith (1908-1976), brought together by Columbia Records and originally released in 1958 (C2S-801), received wonderful reviews from the music critics. This is an historic event for Faith fans, a double LP that has all the ingredients is now released on one single compact disc ~ with all the sonic clarity you could ask for.

Great job to all who were involved in bringing this to listeners of fine music ~ very impressive with all original liner notes and recording cues intact. This has to be in the top five of Faith's re-issues, keep them coming, cause there is an audience out there crying and craving more of the same...gotta love it!

Total Time: 73:46 on 23 Tracks ~ Collectables 7565 ~ (9/16/2003)

Herbert in good hands with Faith renditions.......2003-10-08

Percy Faith, the easy listening music arranger and conductor, pays homage to composer Victor Herbert (1859-1924) and in doing so offers us a remarkable recording of Herbert's oft-forgotten music. Faith interprets Herbert's music with his signature lush strings and sound orchestral arrangements that provide a light buoyancy to the compositions. Especially good are Indian Summer, Spanish Serenade and Gypsy Love Song. But all tracks are impressive and offer good testimony to Herbert's compositions and Faith's tuneful arranging. This is one of the better Faith re-releases from Collectables to date.

Percy Faith-Columbia Album Of Victor Herbert.......2003-09-18

This is one of Percy Faith's most beautiful albums and it is finally on cd.Most of this album is beautiful and lush but there is a few songs that are brassy,2 Christmas songs and 1 Semi classical song.Here is the song list.

The Columbia Album Of Victor Herbert-1958(Liner Notes Included)
1)Ah Sweet Mystery Of Life-Lush
2)Spanish Life-Brassy
3)Dream Girl-Lush
4)Because Your You're You-Lush
5)Toyland-Lush Christmas This is the most beautiful version of toyland I have ever heard although Johnny Mathis has a pretty good version too.You should play Percy's version during the Christmas season off of this cd.
6)March Of The Toys-Brassy Christmas with Drums interspursed.Percy's version of this song is great and should also get a lot of play during the holiday season.
7)Gypsy Love Song and Romany Life-Semi Classical
8)A Kiss In The Dark-Lush
9)I Want What I Want When I Want It-Brassy
10)When You're Away-Lush
11)Cuban Love Song-Light Strings
12)Indian Summer-Lush
13)Every Day Is Ladies Day With Me-Brassy
14)Kiss Me Again-Lush
15)Habanera-Brassy
16)To The Land Of My Own Romance-Lush
17)Dagger Dance-Brassy
18)Italian Street Song-Brassy
19)Sweethearts-Lush
20)Yesterthoughts-Lush
21)Streets Of New York-Lush
22)I'm Falling In Love With Someone-Light Strings
23)Thine Alone-Lush

All 23 Songs are just with orchestra and no chrous.Also the two Christmas Songs on this album are not available on his other 3 Christmas albums only here.You may also like Percy Faith's Columbia Album of George Gershwin if it's still available,if it's not Collectibles will probebly be reissiuing it eventually.If you like beautiful music this album must be in your collection.Doubtless a lot of these songs probebly got played on beautiful music stations before beautiful music died out on the radio.

Christian Music:

1. Northern Star [UK CD1]
2. Our Last Night
3. Pages of Love
4. Pop Love Songs
5. prettysongs
6. Prey on Life
7. Reality
8. Reign Dance
9. Rise Above
10. Salvation [CD-single] [Import]

Christian Music

christian music

Christian Music

Ballroom Dance & Latin Ballroom V.2 [Import]

Go Guitars

Grace Williams: Symphony No. 2/Ballads/Fairest Of Stars

Music CD: Rebelde

Heatguy-J: Burn [Soundtrack]

Hear-Say [Import]

Eternal Idol [Import] [Original recording remastered]

Garbage [Import]

Foster & Allen - The Greatest Hits [Import]

Eugene Ormandy With The NDR Sinfoneiorchester

Genius of Jazz

Eterno

Gotta Get Paid

John Field: Piano Concertos 1 & 2

Always