| 1. Think of Me [From Phantom of the Opera] |
| 2. With One Look [From Sunset Boulevard] |
| 3. Don't Cry for Me Argentina [From Evita] |
| 4. As If We Never Said Goodbye [From Sunset Boulevard] |
| 5. Music of the Night [From Phantom of the Opera] |
| 6. Memory [From Cats] |
| 7. Love Changes Everything [From Aspects of Love] |
| 8. I Don't Know How to Love Him [From Jesus Christ Superstar] |
| 9. Pie Jesu [From Requiem] |
| 10. Another Suitcase in Another Hall [From Evita] |
| 11. All I Ask of You [From Phantom of the Opera] |
Music of the Night: The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber,Wayne Gratz,Narada,Adult Alternative,Chamber Jazz,Contemporary Instrumental,New Age / Meditation,Pop,Popular Music
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Highlights From The Phantom Of The Opera: The Original London Cast Recording (1986 London Cast)
Manufacturer: Decca Broadway ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000001FLQ Release Date: 1990-10-25 |
Tracks:
- Overture
- Think Of Me
- Angel Of Music
- The Mirror (Angel Of Music)
- The Phantom Of The Opera
- The Music Of The Night
- Prima Donna
- All I Ask Of You/Reprise
- Entr'acte
- Masquerade
- Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again
- The Point Of No Return
- Down Once More.../Track Down This Murderer
Amazon.com
Highlight versions of cast recordings are by definition a compromise, and this reduction of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera is no exception. Weighing in at 59 minutes, it's over 40 minutes shorter than the two-disc version, excising many musical scenes that convey the flow and impact of the show (which include, admittedly, a lot of patter and screaming). On the other hand, all the hits are here--"Think of Me," "Angel of Music," the title tune, "The Music of the Night," "All I Ask of You," "Masquerade," and "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again"--and Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman are still on hand to make their distinctive contributions to the original London cast. So if you're looking for a convenient, inexpensive single disc that will let you enjoy Lloyd Webber's scrumptious melodies without having to immerse yourself in the action, this just might be for you. --David HoriuchiCustomer Reviews:
Music of the Night????????.......2007-02-28
Great short version!.......2006-12-06
A long time favorite.......2006-08-26
The Best Recording of this Show Available.......2006-04-21
1)It has the original Broadway cast, the best.
2)It cuts out the more risqu? parts of the show (believe me, there are some), making it "appropriate for the whole family."
3)The entire CD is on one disc, so you can go through the show w/o switching discs.
4)The only song that the movie soundtrack has on it that this doesn't is "Learn to Be Lonely," which appears in the credits, and isn't really a great song anyways.
Great CD.......2006-03-14
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The Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection
Manufacturer: Decca Broadway ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00000I0XW Release Date: 1999-06-01 |
Tracks:
- The Phantom Of The Opera: The Phantom Of The Opera
- Song & Dance: Unexpected Song
- Aspects Of Love: Chanson D'enfance
- The Phantom Of The Opera: All I Ask Of You
- Evita: Don't Cry For Me Argentina
- Evita: Another Suitcase In Another Hall
- Aspects Of Love: Love Changes Everything
- Friends For Life
- Cats: Memory
- Cats: Gus: The Theatre Cat
- Aspects Of Love: Anything But Lonely
- Cats: Macavity: The Mystery Cat
- Tell Me On A Sunday/Song & Dance: Tell Me On A Sunday
- The Phantom Of The Opera: Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again
- Requiem: Pie Jesu
- 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 VerlindeAlbum Details
Another Compilation of Stage Favourites - Some Tracks Are Hard to Find Elsewhere.Customer Reviews:
The Andrew Lloyd Weber Collection.......2007-05-12
Andrew Lloyd Webber .......2007-02-12
The Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection.......2007-01-05
The Best You'll See from Sarah.......2006-09-09
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
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Greatest Hits: Broadway
Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0000029PM Release Date: 1996-10-29 |
Tracks:
- Oklahoma!: Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin' - John Raitt/Franz Allers
- On The Town: New York, New York - Michael Kermoyan/Adolph Green/John Reardon/Cris Alexander & Chorus/Leonard Bernstein
- Annie Get Your Gun: I Got The Sun In The Morning - Doris Day/Franz Allers
- Fiddler On The Roof: If I Were A Rich Man - Topol/Gareth Davies
- West Side Story: Tonight - Larry Kert/Carol Lawrence/Max Goberman
- The Sound Of Music: The Sound Of Music - Mary Martin/Frederick Dvonch
- My Fair Lady: On The Street Where You Live - Jerry Lanning/Theodore Saidenberg
- Annie: Tomorrow - Andrea McArdle/Peter Howard
- The Music Man: Seventy-Six Trombones - The Boston Pops Orchestra/John Williams
- Anything Goes: You're The Top - Eileen Rodgers/Hal Linden/Julian Stein
- Bye Bye Birdie: Put On A Happy Face - Dick Van Dyke/Elliot Lawrence
- Mame: Open A New Window - Angela Lansbury & Cast/Don Pippin
- Strike Up The Band: Strike Up The Band - The Chestnut Brass Co.
- Sweet Charity: Hey, Big Spender - Helen Gallagher/Thelma Oliver/Fan-Dango Girls/Fred Werner
- Bells Are Ringing: Just In Time - Judy Holliday/Sydney Chaplin/Milton Rosenstock
- Gypst: Together, Wherever We Go - Ethel Merman/Jack Klugman/Sandra Church/Milton Rosenstock
- Cabaret: Cabaret - Jill Haworth/Harold Hastings
- Phantom Of The Opera: The Music Of The Night - The Boston Pops Orchestra/John Williams
- Show Boat: Ol' Man River - William Warfield/Franz Allers
- A Chorus Line: What I Did For Love - Priscilla Lopez & Cast/Don Pippin
- A Little Night Music: Send In The Clowns - Glynis Johns/Harold Hastings
Customer Reviews:
Great to Hear All those great Voices from the Past.......2007-07-05
You certainly can't beat the price!
A Good One!.......2006-11-10
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The Best of Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series)
Manufacturer: Decca Broadway ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0002W4T9E Release Date: 2004-10-05 |
Tracks:
- There's No Business Like Show Business
- Swanee
- Ol' Man River
- You're The Top
- Oklahoma
- Luck Be A Lady
- I Could Have Danced All Night
- America
- My Favorite Things
- People
- If I Were A Rich Man
- The Impossible Dream
- Cabaret
- Let The Sunshine In
- Send In The Clowns
- One
- Tomorrow
- Memory
- The Music Of The Night
- Good Morning Baltimore
- Defying Gravity
Amazon.com
A companion to the fabulous PBS series, the 21-song, 77-minute The Best of "Broadway: The American Musical" provides about as good a single-disc compilation as anyone could hope for. (There's also a five-CD version.) What sets it apart from so many other "best of Broadway" collections is its breadth--because it had access to a variety of record-label vaults it doesn't have to try to disguise gaps by using revivals or solo recordings. Here you get all the authentic stuff, including: Paul Robeson singing "Ol' Man River" from the first modern American musical, Show Boat; Ethel Merman singing "You're the Top"; the title song from Oklahoma!; Julie Andrews singing "I Could Have Danced All Night" from My Fair Lady; West Side Story's "America"; Betty Buckley singing "Memory" from Cats; Hairspray's "Good Morning Baltimore"; and "Defying Gravity" from Wicked, the newest show discussed in the PBS series. And it's hard to argue with the songwriters represented: Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, Cole Porter, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Frank Loesser, Lerner and Loewe, Leonard Bernstein, Bock and Harnick, Kander and Ebb, Stephen Sondheim, and Andrew Lloyd Webber, among others. Obviously, no single-disc compilation could ever please everyone (did we really need two ALW songs?), but as a sampler intended for people who watched the series and want to hear more of the Great White Way, The Best of "Broadway: The American Musical" can't be topped. --David HoriuchiCustomer Reviews:
Some interesting choices, indeed.......2006-03-02
"Good Morning Baltimore" is almost the least impressive song from Hairspray. "You Can't Stop the Beat" was a much more anthemic song from that show.
I agree that it's too bad Les Mis didn't make it in. I would have traded that for anything Sondheim, although that's a personal preference :) .
Still, the opportunity to hear the original performers and orchestras perform these works, all in one place, is a great deal.
Great CD.......2005-11-01
Great selections, but bad transfers.......2005-07-27
I am surprised that nothing was chosen to be on this recording from Les Miserables since it had been on Broadway for 16 years and its tour is running until 2006. There were selections from Cats, Phantom of the Opera and Wicked, so I am not sure why nothing was chosen from Les Miserables.
Other than these few nit pickings, I think that this is a great introduction to musicals. It gives a little taste across the spectrum. Try getting the cast recordings of the songs that you really like on this collection. It's worth buying if you're a huge broadway fan.
Yes this is Some of the Best of Broadway!.......2005-04-08
the "Greatest Hits" of the Broadway stage. Decca and Sony have
done an excellent job of remastering the various recordings, some
of which still show some of their age, but come across quite
well. Are there a lot of songs that I would have put on this
disc? Yes, but the ones on here are good choices. I may have to
get a copy of the Five disc set and the DVD's just to see if any
more of my favorites made it on the list. What this disc seems to
try to do is show the evolution of the Broadway song from it's
early days to the present. It succeeds quite well I think.
If you enjoy Broadway theater this CD is a must!
The music of Broadway comes alive.......2004-10-07
I loved the song Annie. It is a wonderfully optimistic song performed by the original Annie Andrea McArdle. Another highlight for me is the song One performed by the cast of a Chorus Line. Luck Be A Lady Tonight is another of my favorite broadway songs on this CD from Guys and Dolls. The music of the night is a beautiful song by Michael Crawford from Phantom of the Opera. Richard Kiley has such a strong and powerful voice. He sounds so inspirational singing The Impossible Dream from Man from La Mancha. My dream is to see some musicals on Broadway someday and listen to these songs performed live.
I'm surprised that there isn't any music from Miss Saigon or Jesus Christ Superstar included here. I think they are classic musicals with great songs Maybe they will appear on a future compilation from PBS.
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The Premiere Collection: The Best Of Andrew Lloyd Webber (Original Cast Compilation)
Manufacturer: Mca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000002O5W Release Date: 1990-10-25 |
Tracks:
- Phantom Of The Opera
- Take That Look Off Your Face
- All I Ask Of You
- Don't Cry For Me Argentina
- Magical Mr. Mistoffeles
- Variations 1-4
- Superstar
- Memory
- Starlight Express
- Tell Me On A Sunday
- The Music Of The Night
- Another Suitcase In Another Hall
- I Don't Know How To Love Him
- Pie Jesu
Amazon.com essential recording
There are many, many Andrew Lloyd Webber albums out there, including cut-and-paste compilations and songbooks from individual artists, most notably Sarah Brightman, Michael Crawford, and even Jose Carreras. The Premiere Collection is probably as authentic as you can get in a hits album, however. In addition to the most popular selections from the original casts of Evita, Cats, and Jesus Christ Superstar, the 57-minute album includes two selections from Tell Me on a Sunday (also recorded by Bernadette Peters as Song and Dance), the title tune from Starlight Express, the "Pie Jesu" from the Requiem, and a snippet from the Paganini Variations, thereby allowing you to hear the good stuff without having to spring for the complete albums. Note that the three selections from Phantom of the Opera are the 1986 pop singles instead of the cast recordings, meaning Steve Harley rather than Crawford sings with Brightman on the title tune and Cliff Richard subs for Steve Barton on "All I Ask of You." (Crawford does sing "The Music of the Night," of course.) This 1989 compilation was too early for Aspects of Love or Sunset Boulevard, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is ignored, but these omissions are rectified in the follow-up album The Premiere Collection Encore, and the American-slanted version, The Very Best of Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Broadway Collection. --David HoriuchiCustomer Reviews:
Musical Pleasure.......2007-07-03
The Premiere Collection.......2007-01-17
beautiful.......2006-12-21
Fair Album with 1 starlight and 0 aspects.......2004-07-09
Superb collection.......2003-08-11
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Gold: The Definitive Hits Collection
Andrew Lloyd Webber Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0000657XY Release Date: 2002-05-07 |
Tracks:
- Superstar - Murray Head w/ the Trinidad Singers (Jesus Christ Superstar)
- As If We Never Said Goodbye - Barbra Streisand (Sunset Boulevard)
- The Phantom Of The Opera - Sarah Brightman & Michael Crawford (The Phantom Of The Opera)
- You Must Love Me - Madonna (Evita)
- Any Dream Will Do-Donny Osmond (Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat)
- Memory - Betty Buckley (Cats)
- Pie Jesus - Charlotte Church (Requiem)
- The Music Of The Night - Michael Crawford (The Phantom Of The Opera)
- I Don't Know How To Love Him - Yvonne Elliman (Jesus Christ Superstar)
- Don't Cry For Me Argentina -Patti Lupone (Evita)
- Love Changes Everything - Michael Ball (Aspects Of Love)
- All I Ask Of You - Sarah Brightman (The Phantom Of The Opera)
- The Perfect Year - Glenn Close & Alan Campbell (Sunset Boulevard)
- The Vaults Of Heaven - Tom Jones & Sounds Of Blackness (Whistle Down The Wind)
- No Matter What - Boyzone (Whistle Down The Wind)
- Oh What A Circus - Mandy Patinkin (Evita)
- Whistle Down The Wind - Sarah Brightman (Whistle Down The Wind)
- Amigos Para Siempre (Friends For Life) - Sarah Brightman & Jose Carrerras (1992 Olympics Theme)
Amazon.com
The critical debate over Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical legacy will no doubt rage for decades. Is he the shrewd populist composer who almost single-handedly revived the moribund stage musical--or a crass, Barnum-esque showman (who almost single-handedly revived the moribund stage musical)? This 18-track anthology chronicles the high points of Sir Andrew's enduring songcraft and the irrefutable impact it's made across a remarkably disparate swath of tastes and genres, from Broadway to Top 40 radio and even the classical repertoire.If some have accused Lloyd Webber's songs--like "The Music of the Night" (from Phantom of the Opera) and the title tune from Whistle Down the Wind, included here--of having all the melodic and lyrical sophistication of a children's lullaby, that's likely the very element that's made them so appealing to a mass audience. If nothing else, it's a compelling argument for that old notion about it being "the singer, not the song." Indeed, there are few contemporary composers whose music could entice divas from Streisand ("As If We'd Never Said Goodbye" from Sunset Blvd.) to Madonna (Evita's "You Must Love Me") and Charlotte Church ("Pie Jesu" from Requiem) to cover it, let alone forge the very careers of artists like Sarah Brightman and Michael Crawford. And if there's any substance to that other criticism of Lloyd Webber lifting the melodic ideas of composers from Verdi to John Williams (we swear that's the theme to Jurassic Park bubbling up in Tom Jones's camped-up take on Whistle's "The Vaults of Heaven"), at least, like virtually every major composer, he's stolen--er, borrowed--from the best. --Jerry McCulley
Customer Reviews:
Andrew LLoyd Webber - Gold Hits.......2007-07-13
The Gold By Andrew.......2007-04-23
But besides that this cd is very good. With manye nice and difficult songs (I've sung some of the myself in siningclass).
So if you like Andrew's music this most sertanly is a most have.
The best of Webber.......2005-09-12
Some examples: this version contains Memory sung by Betty Buckley while the Elaine Page version is light years better. Then it contains Patti Lupone's version of Don't Cry For Me Argentina. Even though Madonna wasn't the best Evita, she definitely sung Argentina in a way no-one could before or will ever. Whistle Down The Wind is represented with 3 songs - the place of the Tom Jones song is not here (the same could be said of Tina Arena's song o the European edition). Instead of the TJ song they could have included Take That Look Off Your Face by Marti Webb - one of the best songs by Webber. Pie Jesu from the Requiem is much better sung by Sarah Brightman. These are the faults.
What about the rest? Pure joy and material worth of 6 stars. Superstar, Phantom Of The Opera, Music Of The Night, I Don't Know How To Love Him, All I Ask Of You, No Matter What, Oh What A Circus - wonderful songs and wonderful performers. My all-time favorite from Webber will always be Music Of The Night and the version included here is the mesmerizing adaptation of Michael Crawford.
I don't advise anyone not to buy this album - it's good material, however it's far from being perfect.
THE BEST OF LLOYD WEBBER MADE FOR THE AMERICAN AUDIENCES.......2005-01-31
So here are my thoughts about the tracks in this one:
1. "Superstar" and "I don't know how to love him" are both from the concept album of "Jesus Christ Superstar". They sound wonderful as ever, although the orchestrations may seem a bit dated by now.
2. "Sunset Boulevard" is marked here with two songs. Barbra Streisand's powerful voice shines all the way through in "As if we never said goodbye"; it's a shame she never played Norma Desmond on Broadway, since Patti LuPone wasn't allowed to take her Norma to New York, and Glenn Close butchered the role. Her limited vocal abilities were hardly suited for the material, as it is shown by the second Sunset song, "The perfect year", performed by Close and Alan Campbell. They both lack a decent singing voice, so this is the one song I skip regularly. The song itself sounds much better in its single version with pops orchestration, as can be heard on the European version of this compilation, where it is performed by Dina Carroll. This version here can hardly be considered a gold one.
3. "The Phantom of the Opera" is represented by three songs. Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman performance in the song of the same title is amazing. They were both born to play their roles in this show and their voices fit together perfectly. Sarah can hit the high notes in the end like no other Christine. Cliff Richard and Sarah sing the lovely ballad "All I ask of you" with passion, and Cliff has a wonderful warmth in his voice. Finally, Michael Crawford gives his unique and mesmerising interpretation in "The music of the night".
4. The 1996 movie version of "Evita" is Madonna's best role to date and it brought an Academy Award for Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, who wrote "You must love me" especially for the big screen. This is another wonderful ballad with the haunting cello and piano solo. It just proves that Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice were the best collaborators. They really should do another musical together.
5. "The Joseph and his amazing Technicolor dreamcoat" was Webber's first musical and the signature song "Any dream will do" is performed here by Donny Osmond, who also appeared in the video version. I find his rendition even better than London's Jason Donovan, since Donny isn't strictly bound by the notes and so sings it more casually. A wonderful pop piece.
6."Memory" from "Cats" is probably the most famous of all Webber's songs, recorded by numerous artists. This version is sung by Betty Buckley, who was Broadway's Grizabella. Although Betty's performance can't be considered bad, I prefer Elaine Paige, who sung the song first, in the London production. Elaine has a note of sorrow in her at times husky voice, which I found very intriguing. Her performance can be considered definite, as heard on "Cats" DVD or in her latest two-disc compilation, "Centre stage: The very best of Elaine Paige", issued in May 2004. Still, those who prefer Ms. Buckley or who saw her on stage in this role won't be disappointed.
7. "Pie Jesu" is the best known song from Webber's "Requiem", written in 1985 to commemorate the death of his father. I'm not too keen on the version included here, performed by Charlotte Church, because her voice isn't as pretty as Sarah Brightman's on the original recording and the tempo is somewhat faster here.
8. "Don't cry for me Argentina" is among my all-time Lloyd Webber's favourites. I like all the ladies who performed "Evita" on the stage and on the screen (Julie Covington, Elaine Paige, Patti LuPone and Madonna), but on this disc is the version I am most satisfied with, since it is sung by Patti LuPone. Ms. LuPone has a very powerful voice with an amazing range and she deserved her Tony Award for this role. She was able to sound both vulnerable and decisive while singing this, whereas the other leading ladies emphasized one or the other in their interpretation. Mandy Patinkin's "Oh what a circus" is not the best, the orchestration is a little bit weak and his voice sounds thin to me. David Essex on the London cast recording is more suitable.
9. "Aspects of love" boast here with its top song, "Love changes everything", performed wonderfully by Michael Ball. It was his #1 hit and is probably one of the most beautiful love anthems ever written.
10. Three songs come from "Whistle down the wind". The studio release of the same title is one of the reasons I bought this compilation, although I already have the European one. It is performed by Sarah Brightman with Lloyd Webber playing the piano and a symphonic orchestra who nicely takes the lead of the main melody. Sarah voice is angelic; she sings it like a little bird. Very charming. Boyzone's "No matter what" was a huge pop hit in the charts. Again, we have a song with the suitable orchestrations and vocals. And lastly, Tom Jones' deep voice in combination with the back vocals of "The Sounds of Blackness" gives a rocking rendition of the church hymn "The vaults of heaven". It can't be found on the European version and Tom's voice shows it hasn't aged. Way to go.
11. For the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Webber wrote, together with his long-time lyricist Don Black, this last song, "Amigos para siempre or Friends for life". It's a nice duet between Sarah Brightman and Jose Carreras, their voices sore when bound together. The melody itself is neat, especially when the orchestra takes the lead.
Besides the fact that some of the performers here were not the best for my taste, there is also the fact that some of Lloyd Webber's shows are omitted in this version, most notably, "Tell me on a Sunday". Also, unlike its European counterpart, this compilation isn't aligned chronologically, so we have 1970 Superstar being the first song, 1993 Sunset Blvd comes the second, followed by The Phantom from 1986 and so on. None the less, this CD is excellent as an introduction to Lloyd Webber's music and one can continue with his cast recordings from there. It's also very handy as a single disc compilation for the American fans.
Super good CD.......2004-12-31
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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 Similar Items:
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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Pavarotti & Friends 2
Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000004272 Release Date: 1995-06-06 |
Tracks:
- Chitarrra romana
- Moon River
- All I Ask Of You
- Mattinata
- Santa Lucia luntana
- Night Fire Dance
- Verranno a te
- Please Forgive Me
- Who Wants To Live Forever
- Notte 'e piscatore
- O Silver Moon
- 'O Sole mio
- Ave maria, dolce Maria
- All For Love
- Brindisi
Customer Reviews:
Artifice not art.......2005-04-20
Live Audience, Variety=Enjoyable Listening Experience.......2002-09-12
audience, and the knowledge that the event was performed for charity, all add up to a very enjoyable listening experience.
Fun.......2002-02-07
Excellent live album.......2001-11-08
torture.......2001-09-25
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The Broadway I Love
Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000002ISY Release Date: 1991-11-08 |
Tracks:
- The Fantasticks: Try To Remember
- South Pacific: Younger Than Springtime
- Miss Saigon: The Last Night Of The World
- Very Warm For May: All The Things You Are
- Stop The World - I Want To Get Off: What Kind Of Fool Am I?
- Oklahoma!: Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin'
- West Side Story: Somewhere
- Kiss Me Kate: So In Love
- A Little Night Music: Send In The Clowns
- West Side Story: Tonight
- Phantom Of The Opera: All I Ask of You
- The Goldwyn Follies: Love Is Here To Stay
- George M!: Over There
- Carousel: You'll Never Walk Alone
Amazon.com
Placido Domingo's blazing tenor enriches these traditional Broadway show stoppers, supported by mammoth orchestrations in perfect balance and enhanced by his trademark musicianship and intelligence. In "All I Ask Of You," he excitingly explodes like a bursting water balloon. His duet with Carly Simon ("Last Night of the World") works in an intergalactic way--music makers from separate planets can successfully collaborate. In "Send In the Clowns," we are reminded of the tune's prettiness; while others find a poignantly delicate moment, Domingo's personal revelation is the size of Mt. Olympus. And why not? He is a god of song. An exception is made for "Our Love is Here to Stay," winner of the most-likely-to-appear-in-an-elevator award. Overall, a dazzling music experience. --Barbara Eisner BayerCustomer Reviews:
Generally, a pleasant surprise.......2003-01-19
Very pretty!.......2001-01-14
I only gave this album four stars because I didn't care for the arrangements of the songs from "West Side Story" and also because the combination of Domingo and Carly Simon seemed mismatched. The duet with Rebecca Luker, however, in "All I Ask Of You," is what I would consider the highlight of the CD. Their voices blend so well and they have the same classic style. Ted Huffman's boy soprano adds a lot to "Try To Remember," enhancing the soaring prettiness of the melody. The arrangement of "Send In The Clowns" is a masterpiece, while Domingo sings it with convincing sadness. Also his portrayal of "Our Love Is Here To Stay" has the gentle simplicity that I believe the Gershwins meant for it.
As for the rest of the songs, they are just plain GOOD! All in all this is a very enjoyable recording and it goes to the top of my wish list.
Average customer rating: |
Encore!
Manufacturer: Philips ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000294RO4 Release Date: 2004-06-15 |
Tracks:
- Star Wars - Main Theme
- Star Wars - Princess Leia's Theme
- E.T. - Flying Theme
- Superman - March
- Superman - Love Theme
- Raiders Of The Lost Ark - March
- Chariots Of Fire - Main Theme
- Gone With The Wind - Tara's Theme
- A Summer Place - Love Theme
- The Pink Panther - Main Theme
- Never On Sunday
- The Trolley Song
- Singin' In The Rain
- Pops Salutes The Oscars
- Close Encounters Of The Third Kind - Suite
Tracks:
- Candide - Overture
- New York, New York - Main Theme
- Night Waltz/Send In The Clowns
- Memory
- There's No Business Like Show Business
- Gigi - Selection
- By The Sleepy Lagoon
- Moonlight Serenade
- Satin Doll
- In The Mood
- Sing, Sing, Sing
- A Chorus Line - Overture
- 76 Trombones
- Unchained Melody
- America Medley
Meditation Music:
- Narada Christmas 1
- Narada Mystique: Sampler One
- Narada Sampler, Vol. 4
- Native Heart
- Nature
- New Age in Relaxation
- One by One
- Open Sky
- Pieces in a Modern Style [Enhanced] [Import]
- Redbook Relaxers: Twilight
Meditation Music
George Perle: Serenade No. 3; Ballade; Concertino
Kokkonen: ". . . Durch einen Spiegel. . . "; Sinfonia Da Camera
Music: All Star Country, Vol. 2
In at the Deep End [Explicit Lyrics] [Import]
Instrumental Addicts: Wake up Show
Grieg: Slåtter; Norwegian Peasant Dances