Take It to Heart

1. Take It to Heart

2. Blue Ridge

3. Spinning in the Light Fantastic

4. In the Tall Grass

5. Tropic of Daydream

6. Song for Jenna

7. Thoughts and Feelings

8. Easy Street

9. At Last

10. Hymn for a New Age

Take It to Heart,Bruce BecVar,Shining Star,Adult Alternative,New Age / Meditation,Pop

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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: 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: I waited for this for five years Excellent collection but BIG PUBLISHING MISTAKE! ONE OF LLOYD WEBBER'S BEST COMPILATIONS, DESPITE A FEW FLAWS SUCH MAGICAL MUSIC OF THE NIGHT! A Must Have for Sir Andrew fans

Andrew Lloyd Webber: Now & Forever Various Artists Manufacturer: Decca Broadway ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Requiems | Forms & Genres | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music 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 General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Broadway & Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Box Sets | Stores | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Similar Items: Gold: The Definitive Hits Collection The Very Best Of Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Broadway Collection Andrew Lloyd Webber - The Royal Albert Hall Celebration Andrew Lloyd Webber - Masterpiece (Collector's Edition) (Bonus CD) Sunset Boulevard (1993 Original London Cast) ASIN: B00005R5UJ Release Date: 2001-11-20

Tracks:

1. Jesus Christ Superstar: Overture - Andrew Lloyd Webber
2. Jesus Christ Superstar: Everything's Alright - Yvonne Elliman/Murray Head/Ian Gilllan
3. Jesus Christ Superstar: I Don't Know How To Love Him - Yvonne Elliman
4. Jesus Christ Superstar: Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say) - Steve Balsamo
5. Jesus Christ Superstar: Superstar - Murray Head
6. Evita: Oh What A Circus/Sing You Fools - Antonio Banderas
7. Evita: I'd Be Surprisingly Good For You - Elaine Paige/Joss Ackland
8. Evita: Another Suitcase In Another Hall - Barbara Dickson
9. Evita: Don't Cry For Me Argentina - Julie Covington
10. Evita: High Flying, Adored - Mandy Patinkin/Patti LuPone
11. Cats: The Jellicle Ball - Andrew Lloyd Weber
12. Cats: Memory - Elaine Paige
13. Cats: Gus: The Theatre Cat - Susan Jane Tanner/John Mills
14. Cats: Mr Mistoffelees - Paul Nicholas
15. Song And Dance: Take That Look Off Your Face - Marti Webb
16. Song And Dance: Tell Me On A Sunday - Marti Webb
17. Song And Dance: Unexpected Song - Sarah Brightman
18. Song And Dance: Nothing Like You've Ever Known - Sarah Brightman
19. Song And Dance: Introduction - Andrew Lloyd Webber
20. Song And Dance: Variations 1 -4 - Andrew Lloyd Webber

Tracks:

1. Starlight Express: Starlight Express - El Debarge
2. Starlight Express: Crazy - Greg Ellis/Reva Rice/Caron Cardelle/Samantha Lane/Voyd
3. Starlight Express: Next Time You Fall In Love - Reva Rice/Greg Ellis
4. Starlight Express: I Am The Starlight - Lon Satton/Ray Shell
5. Starlight Express: Light At The End Of The Tunnel - The Company
6. Requiem: Hosanna - Placido Domingo
7. Requiem: Pie jesu - Sarah Brightman/Paul Miles-Kingston
8. The Phantom Of The Opera: The Phantom Of The Opera - Michael Crawford/Sarah Brightman
9. The Phantom Of The Opera: The Music Of The Night - Michael Crawford
10. The Phantom Of The Opera: All I Ask Of You - Sarah Brightman/Steve Barton
11. The Phantom Of The Opera: Entr'acte - Andrew Lloyd Webber
12. The Phantom Of The Opera: Masquerade - The Company
13. The Phantom Of The Opera: Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again - Sarah Brightman
14. Aspects Of Love: Aspects Of Aspects - Orchester Der Vereinigten Buehnen Wien
15. Aspects Of Love: Love Changes Everything - Michael Ball
16. Aspects Of Love: Seeing Is Believing - Michael Ball/Ann Crumb
17. Aspects Of Love: The First Man You Remember - Kevin Colson/Diana Morrison
18. Aspects Of Love: Anything But Lonely - Sarah Brightman
19. Aspects Of Love: Chanson D'Enfance - Sarah Brightman

Tracks:

1. Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Any Dream Will Do - Jason Donovan
2. Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Joseph's Coat - Maria Friedman/Richard Attenborough/Donny Osmond
3. Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Close Every Door - Donny Osmond
4. By Jeeves: Travel Hopefully - John Scherer/Martin Jarvis/Don Stephenson
5. By Jeeves: When Love Arrives - Steven Pacey/Diana Morrison
6. By Jeeves: Half A Moment - Sarah Brightman
7. Sunset Boulevard: With One Look - Glenn Close
8. Sunset Boulevard: New Ways To Dream - Glenn Close/Alan Campbell
9. Sunset Boulevard: The Perfect Year - Glenn Close/Alan Campbell
10. Sunset Boulevard: Sunser Boulevard - Alan Campbell
11. Sunset Boulevard: As If We Never Said Goodbye - Glenn Close
12. Whistle Down The Wind: Whistle Down The Wind - James Graeme/Lottie Mayor
13. Whistle Down The Wind: Cold - Everly Brothers
14. Whistle Down The Wind: No Matter What - Children/Adult Chorus
15. Whistle Down The Wind: The Nature Of The Beast - Marcus Lovett/Lottie Mayor
16. The Beautiful Game: Overture - Andrew Lloyd Webber
17. The Beautiful Game: The Beautiful Game - The Company
18. The Beautiful Game: Our Kind Of Love - Hannah Waddingham
19. The Beautiful Game: Dont Like You - Josie Walker/David Shannon
20. The Beautiful Game: Let Us Love In Peace - Josie Walker/Omagh Youth Community Choir

Tracks:

1. Oh What A Circus - David Essex
2. Memory - Betty Buckley
3. The Phantom Of The Opera - Sarah Brightman/Steve Harley
4. All I Ask Of You - Sarah Brightman/Cliff Richard
5. Love Changes Everything - Michael Ball
6. Any Dream Will Do - Donny Osmond
7. Amigos Para Siempre (Friends For Life) - Sarah Brightman/Jose Carreras
8. As If We Never Said Goodbye - Barbra Streisand
9. The Perfect Year - Dina Carroll
10. With One Look - Petula Clark
11. You Must Love Me - Madonna
12. The Heart Is Slow To Learn - Kiri Te Kanawa
13. A Kiss Is A Terrible Thing To Waste - The Metal Philharmonic Orchestra
14. Whistle Down The Wind - Tina Arena
15. No Matter What - Boyzone
16. The Vaults Of Heaven - Tom Jones
17. Try Not To Be Afraid - Boy George
18. Pie Jesu - Charlotte Church

Tracks:

1. Make Believe Love - Wes Sands
2. Down Thru' Summer - Ross Hannaman
3. I'll Give All My Love To Southend - Ross Hannaman
4. Believe Me I Will - Sacha Distel
5. Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1969 Radio Luxembourg Commercial) - Joseph Consortium/Pete Murray
6. Try It And See - Rita Pavone
7. Come Back Richard Your Country Needs You - Time Rice And The Webber Group
8. Goodbye Seattle - Paul Raven
9. John 19:41 - The Andrew Lloyd Webber Orchestra
10. What A Line To Go Out On - Yvonne Elliman
11. Disillusion Me - Gary Band
12. The Ballad Of Robert And Peter - Tim Rice
13. Christmas Dream - Maynard Williams
14. It's Only Your Lover Returning/All Through My Crazy And Wild Days/Don't Cry For Me Argentina - Julie Covington
15. It's Easy For You (1977 Jungle Room Session Version) - Elvis Presley
16. Magdalena - Tony Christie
17. Buenos Aires - The Roja Rockers
18. Pollicle Dogs And Jellicle Cats - Andrew Lloyd Webber
19. Mungojerrie And Rumpleteazer (Live At The Sydmonton Festival 1980) - Gemma Craven
20. I Could Have Given You More - Petula Clark
21. I've Been In Love Too Long - Marti Webb
22. Benedicite - The Stephen Hill Singers

Album Description

Disc 1: Selections from Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Cats, and Song and Dance

Disc 2: Selections from Starlight Express, Requiem, Phantom of the Opera, and Aspects of Love

Disc 3: Selections from Joseph nad the Amaziong Technicolor Dreamcoat, By Jeeves, Sunset Boulevard, Whistle Down the Wind, and The Beautiful Game

CD 4: 1. "Oh What a Circus" --David Essex 2. "Memory" - Betty Buckleey 3. "The Phantom of the Opera" -Sarah Brightman, Steve Harley 4. "All I Ask of You" --Sarah Brightman, Cliff Richard 5. "Love Changes Everything"--Michael Ball 6. "Any Dream Will Do"--Donny Osmond 7. "Amigos Para Siempre (Friends for Life)"--Sarah Brightman, Jose Caerras 8. "As if We Never Said Goodbye"--Barbra Streisand 9. "The Perfect Year"--Dina Carroll 10. "With One Look" --Petula Clark 11. "You Must Love Me" 12. "The Heart Is Slow To Learn" --Kiri Te Kanawa 13. "Whistle Down the Wind"--Tina Arena 14. "A Kiss Is a Terrible Thing To Waste"--The Metal Philharmonic 15. "No Matter What"--Boyzone 16. "The Vaults of Heaven"--Tom Jones and Sounds of Blackness 17. "Try Not To Be Afraid"--Boy George 18. "Pie Jesu"--Charlotte Church

Disc 5: (All tracks available for the first time) 1. "Make Believe Love"--Wes Sands 2. "Down Thru' Summer"--Ross Hannaman 3. "I'll Give All My Love to Southend"--Ross Hannaman 4. "Believe Me I Will"--Sacha Distel 5. "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: 1969 Luxembourg Radio Commercial--The Jospeh Consortium, Pete Murray 6. "Try It and See"--Rita Pavone 7. "Come Back Richard Your Country Needs You"--Tim Rice and the Webber Group 8. "Goodbye Seattle"-- Paul Raven 9. "John 19:41"--The Andrew Lloyd Webber Orchestra 10. "What a Line To Go Out On"--Yvonne Elliman 11. "Disillusion Me" --Gary Bond 12. "The Ballad of Robert and Peter"--Tim Rice 13. "Christmas Dream" --Maynard Williams 14. "It's Only Your Lover Returning/All through My Wild and Crazy Days/Don't Cry for Me Argentina--Julie Covington 15. "It's Easy for You" (1977 Jungle Room Session version)--Elvis Presley 16. "Magdalena"--Tony Christie 17. "Buenos Aires"--The Rioja Rockers 18. "Pollicle Dogs and Jellicle Cats"--Andrew Lloyd Webber original demo 19. "Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer" (Live at Sydmonton Festival 1980)-Gemma Craven 20. "I Could Have Given You More"--Petula Clark 21. "I've Been in Love Too Long"--Marti Webb 22. "Benedicte"-- Stephen Hill Singers

Customer Reviews:

I waited for this for five years.......2006-06-30

Between Amazone, Ebay and Napster, I don't usually buy CDs anymore, and I usually wait till I can buy them cheaper "new and used". When this set came out, I was excited, mainly by Disc 5, but wasn't going to spend $70 on it. I waited till it was cheap enough, and got it for Father's day this year.
It was worth the wait.

The concept is great. The packaging is great. The recording is great. Disc five is really cool for an ALW aficionado. There are a few real gems on it; my favorites are Petula Clark's "I Could Have Given You More" and "Benedicite."
I've always thought "Gus the Theatre Cat" made a great medley on the piano with "Unexpected Song" and "I DOn't Know How to Love Him," but wished there was an alternate lyric to match the other two songs. Now that I know there *is*, and it's a good lyric, it's a dream come true.
The melody of "Benedicite" is one of my favorites from _Sunset_ (the book mis-identifies it as "SUrrender"; it's actually "The Lady's Paying" and "Eternal Youth is Worth a Little Suffering"). The lyrics are the canticle from Daniel 3, which comes up every odd Sunday in the Divine Office, so it's nice to have cool music to sing it with.

I haven't bought _By Jeeves_ or _THe Beautiful Game_ yet, to it was great to sample them.

There are other parts of the CD taht aren't found in my collection. I like CD 4 "The Hits."

But the selections on CDs 1-3 don't make sense.

First, any self-respecting ALW fan has the Original London Cast of _Phantom_, so six tracks are totally useless. Why not draw from the Canadian cast with Colm Wilkinson? Or pull out some obscure recordings never published.

Why two different tracks with Michael Ball singing "Love Changes Everything", yet they're hardly any different?

On Disc 5 is "It's Only Your Lover Returning," sung by Julie Covington. It's an early draft of the song (Lloyd Webber and Rice went through several suggested titles) and quite nice. The very thing one expects on a Boxed Set.
So why have the Julie Covington "Don't Cry for Me" on disc 1?? The only difference is a few words, but it's otherwise identical. Why not Elaine Paige or Patti Lupone or Madonna?

The _Evita_ section is otherwise the best, choosing a sample from each major recording, though I'd have chosen slightly differently (as above).

There is a great selection of "Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer" from the Sydmonton festival, using the original music that was changed when _Cats_ went to Broadway_. It would have been nice if they'd included more recordings from Sydmonton, like the original lyric of "All I Ask of You" shown on the second DVD to the _Phantom_ movie.

With so many great actress-singers who've played Norma Desmond, why does the collection beat us over the head with Glenn Close?

Paul Miles Kingston must be set for life in royalties, for the number of albums the original recording of "Pie Jesu" has appeared on. "Amigos Para Siempre" is nice, but it reminds me of Shari Lewis's "The Song that Doesn't End," especially when it's been used on so many compilations.

In short, this is a great collection for the obscure material, if you can get it cheap. But for a boxed set, it's a poor sampling, drawn mostly from the most familiar recordings.

Excellent collection but BIG PUBLISHING MISTAKE! .......2006-01-10

Please beware they made a mistake on this. It's actually the shortened Ray Shell version of STARLIGHT EXPRESS from the original 1984 London cast - NOT the El Debarge single from 1987 like it says on the box. I don't know how they let that goof pass. Sorry to Ray Shell. Having said that, this is an outstanding compilation of Lloyd Webber's greatest hits.

ONE OF LLOYD WEBBER'S BEST COMPILATIONS, DESPITE A FEW FLAWS.......2005-03-21

Regardless of the fact that some of his latest efforts (most notably, The Woman in White) are disappointing, there can be little doubt that Andrew Lloyd Webber is one of the greatest composers ever to work in the musical theatre. Ever since his "Jesus Christ Superstar" hit the stage in the early 70-is, it was clear that the conception and perception of musicals are never going to be the same again. Many of his songs became standards not only in the theatre history, but also as tops on the charts. Even though he's British, his influence on the shape of the modern musical theatre expanded over the West End boundaries long ago and has thus made an enormous impact on Broadway. Two of his shows ("Cats" and "The phantom of the opera") hold the record as two the longest running shows in the history of Broadway. He has also been the only composer to have three of his shows running at Broadway concurrently. Some of his awards include three Grammies, a Golden Globe, an Oscar and a bunch of Tony awards. But perhaps most of all, Lloyd Webber is responsible for bringing the musicals and the theatre appealing to the wide audiences, who in different circumstances would not consider seeing a musical. The secret of his success is probably the mixture of beautiful and catchy melodies, interesting subject matter (though some, like Starlight Express, are too thin) and grandiose staging.

Over the years many compilations of his work have emerged. In the late 80-is and early 90-is it was the "Encore" series and lately the one-disc collection called "Gold". The one in question here can be considered one of the best currently on the market. First, it includes a 3-disc selections from all of his shows, minus the latest one, i.e., "The Woman in White", which, considering the triviality of the score, is no great lost. The fourth disc covers some of his most known songs sung by the famous artists. Then, there is the fifth disc with previously unreleased material, most of which are the songs ALW wrote with Tim Rice for various artists during the 70-is. The disks are all neatly packed in a hardcover book that features 67 pages of pictures and text with information about each of ALW's shows. One of the other assets here is the perfect sound quality, since all of the tracks have been digitally remastered.

Here are my basic impressions and comments regarding the material on the discs:

* Disc #1 has the selections from "Jesus Christ Superstar", "Evita", "Cats" and "Song & Dance". The Superstar material mostly comes from the Concept Recording. Although the songs sound beautiful as always, their orchestration is a bit dated now. Only Steve Balsamo's "Gethsemane" from the 1996 revival cast has a modern rock sound. "Evita" comes with the material from all of the major recordings: London, Broadway and the movie productions, as well as the Concept album. No objections here; since this is one of ALW's most satisfying works, every song is just perfect, although Patti LuPone, the Broadway and overall the best Evita, is left with only a couple of lines. With the selections from "Cats", however, I have some doubts. A plus to the choice of the "Jellicle ball" impressive orchestral sequence from the 1998 movie version and "Mister Mistoffelees" from the 1981 London cast. One of the best known ALW's songs, "Memory", also comes from that album. It's a pretty version and Elaine Paige's rendition cannot be matched, but why include this when the definite version, featuring an 80-piece orchestra and Elaine Paige with much better interpretation, can be found in the same movie version. Thusly, one has to buy Elaine Paige's latest 2-disc compilation "Centre Stage: The very best of Elaine Paige" to get that one. And "Gus the theatre cat" is more a recital than a song, so there was not much point in including that. Marti Webb brings her vocal charm to the "Song & Dance" sequence, Sarah Brightman sings "Unexpected song" with her famous soprano, but as much as I like her version, Bernadette Peters, who was in this show on Broadway is strangely left out here.

* Disc # 2 starts with "Starlight Express". This was never one of my favorite ALW's shows; the plot is even lighter than in "Cats" and the 1984 original cast recording is terribly dated. Yet, here we have one terrific duet, "I am starlight" from the original together with three songs from the later revivals and it seems that fresh orchestrations were just the thing Starlight needed. My favorite remains a touchy ballad, "Next time you fall in love". "Requiem" is the most solemn of all ALW's compositions, written in 1985 to commemorate the death of his father. Placido Domingo's tenor rides together with the chorus all the way through the strong "Hosanna", only to be joined by Sarah Brightman in the final moments of this song. She then gives an echoing deliverance of "Pie Jesu". What can be said of ALW's next show, "The Phantom of the Opera"? A phenomenon in its own right, it's easy to see from the six numbers included here why this is one of the best and most beloved musicals of all time. The cast, the music, the story - everything is perfect. Although "Aspects of love" was never a popular hit, it does have some of the most beautiful love melodies ALW has ever written. "Love changes everything" sung by Michael Ball is probably one of the best tunes ever about love. The rest of the selected material here has a dreamy love flavor and the melodies find their way into your brain in the best Lloyd Webber way.

* ALW's first musical, "Joseph and the amazing Technicolor dreamcoat" was more successful in its revival form than the original from the 70-is. The three songs included here are sung by the show stars, Jason Donovan and Donny Osmond. Maria Friedman was not a lucky choice to play the narrator, as the track from the 1998 movie version shows. "By Jeeves" was ALW's only big flop when it came to the stage in the 70-is. The 1995 revival sounds much better though, full of funny numbers in the best manner of the musical comedy. "Travel hopefully" remains one of the show's highlights on this compilation. "Sunset Boulevard" comes next. "Sunset" remains for me one of Webber's best scores; lush and beautiful. I listen to the original cast recording with Patti LuPone all the time. However, here most of the songs are performed by Glenn Close. A big mistake. If you've ever listened the American premiere recording with her, you'll know what I am talking about. She may have a strong stage presence, but her vocal abilities are too limited, and her aggressive approach to the role lacks any subtlety. Therefore, the two big numbers from this show, "With one look" and "As if we never said goodbye" are ruined by the fact she can't sing. The same goes for the American Joe Gillis, who was played by Alan Campbell. Luckily, Patti LuPone and Kevin Anderson, the original Norma and Joe from the London production, make their brief entrance here with the "Perfect year"; enough to show how better they are. The funny thing is, on the jacket and inside of it, Glenn Close and Alan Campbell are credited as performers in this song as well. If this was a mistake on ALW's part, it was a good one. The next ALW's show, "Whistle down the wind" was never a critic's dear and yet the audiences rushed in to see it in London. The score brings back ALW to his rock and roll roots of the seventies and the story is quite interesting. But the selections here are not the happiest, since the cast recording boasts with much better songs. And finally, "The Beautiful Game". Again, we have one of those ALW's shows that is worth in its individual parts rather than as a whole. "Our kind of love" and "Let us love in peace" are two catchy ballads. The latter is a nice amalgam version not available elsewhere. The two other tracks here I could live without.

* Disc # 4 has the songs from all the above shows performed by different artists. The assembled tracks have their pros and cons. For example, we have some previously unreleased stuff, like Dame Kiri Te Kanawa's operettic rendition of "The heart is slow to learn", or a stunning and epic "A kiss is a terrible thing to waste" from "Whistle down the wind", performed by The Metal Philharmonic Orchestra. Then again, what was the point in including almost identical tracks as the ones on the previous disks? So we have Michael Ball again singing "Love changes everything" with only a bit different orchestration; Sarah Brightman comes out again with the same Phantom duets, but only with the different male singers. It would be much more appropriate to include tracks from the Toronto Cast of the Phantom, with Colm Wilkinson. Other pop deliverances (Tina Arena's "Whistle down the wind", Barbra Streisand's "As if we never said goodbye", Boyzone's "No matter what" and many more) were wisely chosen. Patti LuPone is again nowhere to be found and Petula Clark's "With one look" sounds too worn-out.

* The last disc is probably the one that will be of most interest to Lloyd Webber aficionados. It consists of entirely previously unreleased material ALW for the most part wrote for various artists during his early years, with Tim Rice. Some of these tunes, not successful as a singles, were later used in his shows. Thus "Down thru' summer" became "Buenos Aires"in Evita, "Try it and see", an unsuccessful attempt for the Eurovision was used for "King Herod's song" in "Superstar" and so on. Some of these songs are nicely made pop songs: "Make believe love", ALW's first recorded composition, for which he provided the lyrics; "Goodbye Seattle", sung by Paul Raven, who later became Gary Glitter; "Come back Richard, your country needs you", from a never made musical, sung here by Tim Rice, or Latin flavored "Magdalena", with Tony Christie singing. My all time favorite here is a song called "It's easy for you", sung by none other than Elvis Presley himself. Lloyd Webber and Rice sent him a demo recording that he accepted and recorded this live version a couple of weeks before he died. It's amazing to hear how his voice remained in the perfect shape. Also, there is a track of Andrew Lloyd Webber singing "Policle dogs and Jellicle cats" while plying the piano. His voice doesn't sound bad at all.


Taken as a whole, this compilation makes a perfect birthday or Christmas present to any fan of Andrew Lloyd Webber shows, or just anybody interested in some of the best tunes from the modern era of the musical theatre; despite the flaws I mentioned above. To the former, it may just be the final addition for the Andrew Lloyd Webber collection.

SUCH MAGICAL MUSIC OF THE NIGHT!.......2003-01-19

"Evita." "Sunset Blvd." "Starlight Express." "Jesus Christ Superstar." "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." "Requiem." "Aspects of Love." The man who is the most recognized composer in the history of the musical theatre, the man who has won more Tonys than any other composer, the man who boasts the best-selling show of all time ("The Phantom of the
Opera") and the longest-running show of all time ("Cats"), the man whose homes are filled with three Grammys, five Oliviers, a Golden Globe, and Oscar and too many other honors and hosannas to mention, the man knighted in 1992 certainly doesn't need an introduction. Now Decca Broadway pays tribute to Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber with "Now and Forever," a spectacular 5-CD set compiled and produced by Sir Andy himself. It's cheaper than a
ticket to "The Producers" ... and more much exciting. This treasure trove contains highlights from all of Webber's shows, and a bonus disc of tunes sung by Betty Buckley, Barbara
Streisand, Jose Carreras, Boy George, Charlotte Church, Madonna, Tom Jones, Petula Clark, even Elvis! A must for lovers of theatre---and good music.

A Must Have for Sir Andrew fans.......2002-05-21

This five-CD collection of Andrew Lloyd Webber's career is fantastic. It leaves virtually no stone unturned. I have no doubt that diehard Webber fans will love this, especially for the 5th disc entitled "From the Vaults." This disc alone is worth the price as it contains tunes never before heard by the typical fan. Who knew Elvis did a Lloyd Webber tune?!? I didn't! Also the tune "Benedictine" which the composer wrote for his most recent marriage is not only pretty, but it has the same medley as "The Lady's Paying" from "Sunset Blvd." which I found highly enjoyable. Another great track is the composer himself singing a cut song from "Cats" entitled "Pollicle Dogs and Jellicle Cats" which has the same tune as "Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats," but to hear Sir Andrew sing is a blast...he sounds a lot like Al "Year of the Cat" Stewart.
The cuts from the musicals are great but are likely owned by ALW fans as they are on the original cast albums. And I'm glad that there were tunes included from the composers most recent efforts which have yet to make it beyond London (Whistle Down the Wind, Beautiful Game).
My only complaint is the inclusion of way too many tracks by Sarah Brightman. She must've received a great divorce settlement that included having tunes on any ALW collection until the end of time!! Her interpretations of some of the tunes were limp and uninspired. I would've much rather heard casts from around the world rather than yet another song by this disdainful soprano! How about Colm Wilkinson's version of "Music of the Night" from the original Canadian cast of "Phantom"? Or Michael Crawford's version of "Unexpected Song"? What? No Betty Buckley from "Sunset Blvd."? And of course there are songs you KNOW are going to be on the collection before you even listen to it as they have been on EVERY ALW collection for the past decade or so.
A great collection but too much Sarah Brightman!

Average customer rating: a solid, thoroughly enjoyable Michael McDonald album Another Great McDonald CD Closer to 3 and a half stars than 3 stars 80's radio ready WHY?

Take It to Heart Michael McDonald Manufacturer: Reprise / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music Blue-Eyed Soul | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Pop Rock | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Pop Rock | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Oldies | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 R&B | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Blink of an Eye Blue Obsession If That's What It Takes No Lookin' Back Motown Two ASIN: B000002LIO Release Date: 1990-05-02

Tracks:

1. All We Got
2. Get The Word Started
3. Love Can Break Your Heart
4. Take It To Heart
5. Tear It Up
6. Lonely Talk
7. Searchin' For Understanding
8. Homeboy
9. No Amount Of Reason
10. One Step Away
11. You Show Me

Customer Reviews:

a solid, thoroughly enjoyable Michael McDonald album.......2005-06-17

It was going on 5 years since Michael McDonald's last album when "Take It To Heart" was released in May of 1990. McDonald had done some music in the meantime including the big hits "Sweet Freedom" and the Patti LaBelle duet "On My Own", songs that suggested McDonald's future might not be too bright from an artistic standpoint. However, Michael rose to the occasion, delivering a solid, consistently enjoyable album that finds him in peak vocal form, which is saying a lot.

Unsurprisingly, there's very much of a late '80s/ early '90s production sheen, but that said, only on a few songs is there a real attempt at sounding 'up to date'. One of these is the uptempo album-opener "All We Got"--it was remixed by Shep Pettibone, and it's a great, dramatic club-dance song packed with powerful hooks. Another example is the adult contemporary ballad title track--considering that it was co-written by Diane Warren, it's not surprising that it's quite sugary, but it still has some appeal, thanks to McDonald's incredibly soulful vocals on the chorus. Then there's "Tear It Up", one of two tracks here that Michael had no involvement in writing--it's a sugary feel-good tune and the hip-hop beats on it are a bit much, but it's still got enough taste and tunefulness to make it respectable.

The other track Michael didn't have any part in writing is "One Step Away" which is a rather sickly-sweet ballad, but likewise, it's tastefully performed and has effective hooks. The album ends with the engagingly lush and mellow smooth-jazz style "You Show Me"--the lyrics are pretty sappy, but it's still a nice track.


Many of the tracks have an appealingly organic, punchy sound, thanks in no small part to the late Jeff Porcaro's crisp drumming--the minor-keyed ballad "Love Can Break Your Heart" (co-written by Paul Carrack) and the dynamic, tormented "Lonely Talk" are both excellent tracks; and both the ballad "No Amount Of Reason" and the socially conscious "Homeboy" are solid as well, even though ace guitarist Michael Landau does get carried away on this latter track with his metallic guitar soloing. "Get The Word Started", co-written by David Pack (of Ambrosia fame), is a tad sugary, but it's still very nicely funked-up, catchy, and extremely good.

So, "Take It To Heart" isn't a masterpiece, but it's solid--it's one of those albums you can put on and enjoy all the way through and not feel utterly compelled to skip any tracks; even the weakest ones still make for solid background music. You can probably snap this disc up cheap, and it's worth doing so.

Another Great McDonald CD.......2005-02-14

This is another fine cd by Michael McDonald released in 1990. It's different than most cds because the best songs are from track 3 through track 10 as where many cds have the best songs on track 1 and 2 of the album. Most of the music is great upbeat lite rock with solid beat by Jeff Porcaro of Toto,strong vocals and great keyboards by McDonald and fine guitar rythms by Mike Landau. The first two songs on here are more R&B style than lite rock.The two hit singles were HEART TO HEART and TEAR IT UP,but there several other songs on this cd that I like better. This one is right up there with his first 2 cds. A must have cd for Doobie Brothers and Michael McDonald fans alike.

Closer to 3 and a half stars than 3 stars.......2004-11-01

I've always liked this album, but I've always wished I liked it more than I do. There are one or two songs on here that I skip over when listening to the CD. (For example, I just can't get into the song Homeboy for some reason.)

Why did I give it over 3 stars then? Because the good songs on here are VERY good songs! My favorites are: Take It To Heart, Tear It Up, and You Show Me. All really great songs!

Actually, there are no truly bad songs on here. Even Homeboy's halfway decent. Michael is my favorite singer, so maybe I'm just too picky and expect too much all the time. I want every song to knock me off my feet, and not every song on here does.

Still, as I said, there are some really great songs on this one. Plus, it's hard to go wrong with Michael's voice. If you're a fan, you're most likely going to like this album.

80's radio ready.......2000-08-25

MMs most rockin', radio-ready, release. Lush production; mature reflections on love/relationships. Typically tasty guitar from Mike Landau (LOVE CAN BREAK YOUR HEART, NO AMOUNT OF REASON) & tight Jeff Porcaro drumming. Favorite track: YOU SHOW ME features a "make your kness weak" sax solo from Stan Getz & is a great example of MM's perceptiveness, sensitivity.

WHY?.......1999-12-06

I ONLY BOUGHT THE ALBUM RECENTLY, NINE YEARS AFTER IT'S RELEASE AND I THOUGHT IT SOUNDED REALLY DISAPPOINTING. FRANKLY, I'M A FAN OF MICHAEL MCDONALD AND I KNOW HE'S CAPABLE OF WRITING GOOD MATERIALS. BUT WHAT HE'S DOING WITH DANCE DJ SHEP PETTIBONE ON THE OPENING TRACK IS BEYOND ME. EVEN THE TITLE TRACK WITH DIANE WARREN BOMBED BIG TIME. I REALLY ENJOYED THE GOOD OLD DAYS OF "I'D BE YOUR ANGEL", "THAT'S WHY", "I CAN LET GO NOW", "SWEET SURRENDER". WHATEVER HAPPENED, MIKE?

Average customer rating: Stunning Collection of Unbelievable Material

Shine Through My Dreams Manufacturer: Memoir Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Musicality of Novello We'll Gather Lilacs: The Songs of Ivor Novello Ivor Novello (H Books) (H Books) ASIN: B00004Z3JV Release Date: 2000-12-26

Tracks:

1. Fold Your Wings [From Glamorous Night] - Mary Ellis, Trefor Jones
2. Glamorous Night [From Glamorous Night] - Mary Ellis
3. When the Gipsy Played [From Glamorous Night] - Mary Ellis
4. Far Away in Shanty Town [From Glamorous Night] - Elisabeth Welch
5. Girl I Knew [From Glamorous Night] - Elisabeth Welch
6. Shine Through My Dreams [From Glamorous Night] - The Drury Land Theatre Orchestra, Trefor Jones, Charles Prentice
7. Selection [From Crest of the Wave] - The Drury Land Theatre Orchestra, Charles Prentice
8. Rose of England [From Crest of the Wave] - Edgar Elmes
9. If You Only Knew [From Crest of the Wave] - Dorothy Dickson
10. Why Isn't It You [From Crest of the Wave] - Walter Crisham, Dorothy Dickson
11. Haven of Your Heart [From Crest of the Wave] - The Drury Land Theatre Orchestra, Oliver Gilbert
12. Waltz of My Heart [From the Dancing Years] - Mary Ellis, Ivor Novello
13. Wings of Sleep [From the Dancing Years] - Mary Ellis, Oliver Gilbert, Ivor Novello
14. My Life Belongs to You [From the Dancing Years] - Mary Ellis, Dunston Hart
15. I Can Give You the Starlight [From the Dancing Years] - Mary Ellis
16. My Dearest Dear [From the Dancing Years] - Mary Ellis, Ivor Novello
17. Primrose [From the Dancing Years] - Roma Beaumont
18. Leap Year Waltz [From the Dancing Years] - The Drury Land Theatre Orchestra
19. Three Ballet Tunes [From the Dancing Years] - The Drury Land Theatre Orchestra, Charles Prentice

Tracks:

1. Selection [From Perchance to Dream] - Harry Acres
2. We'll Gather Lilacs [From Perchance to Dream] - Muriel Barron, Oliver Gilbert
3. Woman's Heart [From Perchance to Dream] - Muriel Barron, Ivor Novello
4. Curtsy to the King [From Perchance to Dream] - Roma Beaumont
5. Love Is My Reason [From Perchance to Dream] - Muriel Barron
6. Highwayman Love [From Perchance to Dream] - Olive Gibert, Male Chorus
7. This Is My Wedding Day [From Perchance to Dream] - Harry Acres, Muriel Barron
8. Selection: King's Rhapsody [From King's Rhapsody] - Peter Yorke
9. Someday My Heart Will Awake/Take Your Girl [From King's Rhapsody] - Oliver Gilbert, Vanessa Lee, Chorus
10. Fly Home Little Heart/The Mayor of Perpignan/The Gates of Paradise ... - Philis Dare, Oliver Gilbert, Vanessa Lee, Dennis Martin
11. Mountian Dove/If This Were Love/The Violin Began to Play [From ...] - Vanessa Lee, Larry Mandon, Dennis Martin
12. Violin Began to Play [From King's Rhapsody] - Vanessa Lee
13. Gates of Paradise [From King's Rhapsody] - Oliver Gilbert, Vanessa Lee, Dennis Martin
14. Someday My Heart Will Awake [From King's Rhapsody] - Vanessa Lee
15. Coronation Scene and Finale [From King's Rhapsody] - Harry Acres, , Oliver Gilbert, Vanessa Lee, Chorus
16. Selection of Ivor Novello Melodies: Glamorous Night (Intro)/Shine ... - Peter Yorke

Customer Reviews:

Stunning Collection of Unbelievable Material.......2006-07-27

What a great collection of original material.

Shame about the skimpy and sycophantic liner notes.

Average customer rating:

Red Hot (From Mystic Music, As Seen On TV) Crowded House , Level 42 , Rick Astley , Sheriff , Billy Ocean , Pat Benatar , Eddie Money & Ronnie Spector , Robert Palmer , Sheena Easton , and The Power Station Manufacturer: Mystic Music ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000MZSVMC

Product Description

MYSTIC MUSIC Presents RED HOT. AS SEEN ON T.V. Disc 1 1. SOMETHING SO STRONG CROWDED HOUSE 2. OBSESSION ANIMOTION 3. SOMETHING ABOUT YOU LEVEL 42 4. IS THIS LOVE WHITESNAKE 5. EVERY ROSE HAS ITS THORN POISON 6. ALL I NEED JACK WAGNER 7. MORE THAN WORDS CAN SAY ALIAS 8. SOME LIKE IT HOT THE POWER STATION 9. TOUCH ME (I WANT YOUR BODY) SAMANTHA FOX 10. NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP RICK ASTLEY 11. TOUCH ME CATHY DENNIS 12. NEED YOU TONIGHT INXS 13. THE FLAME CHEAP TRICK 14. BLACK VELVET ALLANAH MYLES 15. SAVE YOUR LOVE GREAT WHITE 16. WHEN I'M WITH YOU SHERIFF 17. CAN'T STOP AFTER 7 18. ADDICTED TO LOVE ROBERT PALMER DISC 2 1. FEEL LIKE MAKIN' LOVE BAD COMPANY 2. I WANT TO KNOW WHAT LOVE IS FOREIGNER 3. SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER THE MOTELS 4. TOO SHY KAJAGOOGOO 5. SHATTERED DREAMS JOHNNY HATES JAZZ 6. WE BELONG PAT BENATAR 7. CARIBBEAN QUEEN (NO MORE LOVE ON THE RUN) BILLY OCEAN 8. I GET WEAK BELINDA CARLISLE 9. TAKE ME HOME TONIGHT / BE MY BABY EDDIE MONEY WITH RONNIE SPECTOR 10. HOLD ON TO THE NIGHT RICHARD MARX 11. LISTEN TO YOUR HEART ROXETTE 12. MISSING YOU JOHN WAITE 13. I TOUCH MYSELF DIVINYLS 14. SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE ROBERT PALMER 15. SUGAR WALLS SHEENA EASTON 16. I CAN DREAM ABOUT YOU DAN HARTMAN 17. FREEWAY OF LOVE ARETHA FRANKLIN

Average customer rating: Fine music, tone-deaf pricing from Vivendi At long last and timely to boot

This Is the Army / Call Me Mister / Winged Victory Irving Berlin , Harold Rome , and Moss Hart Manufacturer: Decca Broadway ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Mexican Hayride (1944 Original Broadway Cast) Inside U.S.A./The Band Wagon Those Were Our Songs: Music of World War II ASIN: B0000A9D1N Release Date: 2003-07-29

Tracks:

1. Overture - Irving Berlin
2. I'm Getting Tired So I Can Sleep - Irving Berlin
3. I Left My Heart At The Stage Door Canteen - Irving Berlin
4. Ihe Army's Made A Man Out Of Me - Irving Berlin
5. The Army's Made A Man Out Of Me - Irving Berlin
6. What The Well Dressed Man In Harlem Will Wear - Irving Berlin
7. How Bout A Cheer For The Navy - Irving Berlin
8. American Eagles - Irving Berlin
9. Oh, How I Hate To Get Up In The Morning - Irving Berlin
10. Going Home Train - Harold Rome
11. Along With Me - Harold Rome
12. Little Surplus Me - Harold Rome
13. The Red Ball Express - Harold Rome
14. Military Life - Harold Rome
15. Yuletied, Park Avenue - Harold Rome
16. When We Meet Again - Harold Rome
17. The Face On The Dime - Harold Rome
18. South America, Take It Away - Harold Rome
19. Call Me Mister - Harold Rome
20. Winged Victory - Sgt. David Rose/ Winged Victory Chorus And Orchestra
21. My Dream Book Of Memories - Sgt. David Rose/ Winged Victory Chorus And Orchestra
22. The Whiffenpoof Song - Sgt. David Rose/ Winged Victory Chorus And Orchestra
23. The Army Air Corps - Sgt. David Rose/ Winged Victory Chorus And Orchestra

Customer Reviews:

Fine music, tone-deaf pricing from Vivendi.......2007-05-09

"This is the Army" is the first, and by far the greatest. When the word historic has lost all meaning this revue truly was -- perhaps the biggest show-biz charity fundraiser ever (for the Army Emergency Relief, which exists to this day), an incalculable morale booster on two fronts, a show whose too-small number of black players nonetheless helped break down the military's color barrier. It also sired the first major-label musical cast album; Decca rushed it into production at the end of July, 1942 to beat the AFM's notorious recording ban. That (and perhaps some reticence with an untested genre) may explain why the public only got four 10" 78s, shorter than they should have been. (Victor rushed its own studio recording into print as well, with mediocre arrangements and Fats Waller.) The following year Decca atoned for its mistake when it declared peace with the musician's union to record "Oklahoma!", making the cast album a permanent part of our musical lives. If we got only a fraction of what must have been it must have been tremendous. On the evidence this was Irving Berlin's finest score to date, and after the slog through multiple continents with a war hardened company he dug deep and wrote "Annie Get Your Gun." The tragedy is that no one tried to revive this show when enough of the boys were still alive, say in the eighties; perhaps Berlin, by then a hopeless recluse, turned it down. As touching and as stirring as these songs are it is preposterous that this score has remained all but buried since the last production in 1945. That this show is inextricably tied to a war is no excuse; the memory of a brave generation deserves better.

We go inevitably downhill from there, starting with the first track of "Call Me Mister", a postwar show with a lighter touch, and a lighter songwriter in several ways. Harold Rome could write a mean lyric, and he was good at the sort of situational humor that worked with topical shows, but despite his ambitions -- at the end of his career he foolishly adapted "Gone with the Wind" -- he just could not write the fine ballad that would have put him in the first rank. So where "This is the Army" can move the soul "Mister" just sits there, despite a haunting tribute to the "Face on the Dime." Its comic relief saves the day and it's pretty good as a recording too, as it's from 1946, and gives us a flavor of the old-time Broadway sound that makes these early albums so appealing. The four concluding sides of incidental music from Moss Hart's play "Winged Victory" are negligible. These are from David Rose, author of "Holiday for Strings" and patron saint of easy listening (until he wrote "The Stripper" and no doubt caused Red Skelton to swallow his kaddidlehopper). As might be expected from a man Spike Jones parodied he writes the most self-important music with the most showoffy grandiose charts, undercutting whatever patriotic feeling it had. His orchestral yelling even makes "The Army Air Corps" ("Off we go into the wild blue yonder") tiresome, a true negative achievement. It's easy to see why this has never been revived -- and never could be.

Despite its shortcomings of production (and in the last two works of inspiration), this is a fine and valuable recording. Which brings us to Vivendi. When the company revamped its cast-album catalog it decided to price these completely amortized albums at full-line-plus. It's especially galling here as all the selections from "This is the Army" and "Winged Victory" and at least one from "Call Me Mister" have enough surface noise and distortion to indicate they're likely from commercial pressings. Maybe Mr. Bronfman Junior needed the money for his ultimately failed investment; but such gouging underscores the contempt the record business has for its customers, whom it sees as saps whose pockets will empty endlessly when it grabs them face down by the ankles. The public is now richly returning the favor by tuning itself out to the majors and its endless parade of tunelessness. For all the gold-chained clan's howls of denial it isn't good for the record trade -- and in the end, by eviscerating the one stable source for new music, it isn't good for us.

At long last and timely to boot.......2003-09-01

Having scored a triumph during World War I with his "Yip Yip Yaphank," Irving Berlin was a natural to be asked to create a similar revue for World War II, and the all-male "This Is the Army" did very well. An original cast recording came out in 1942. The very next year, the Air Force got its chance with Moss Hart's "Winged Victory." Four of the songs appeared in boxed set of 78 rpm discs. When it was all over, the returning GI was saluted in yet another revue called "Call Me Mister." That original cast album appeared in 1946. Now you can hear them ALL on a single Decca CD (BOOOO831-02).

There is a soundtrack recording from the film "This Is the Army" that is extremely fuzzy, making this Decca release far preferable, all the more so because it does give us the original all-soldier cast that included Irving Berlin himself singing (more or less) his immortal "Oh, How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning." Other songs include "I Left My Heart at the Stage Door Canteen," "How About a Cheer For the Navy," and "American Eagles."

The focus here is how men made the transition from civilian to military life, and most of the problems they faced are mentioned in the opening number, "This Is the Army, Mr. Jones." We must also note with some sadness that the real problems of joining an army are never explicit, but the purpose of the show was to reassure and not to look at the "dark side of the force."

"Winged Victory" originally contained only two discs holding four songs: "Winged Victory," "My Dream Book of Memories," "The Whiffenpoof Song," and "The Army Air Corps." That last one thrilled my generation whenever it was played over the radio and especially during the wartime films; and it has lost none of its potency over the years. (The line about going "down in flame" still chills.) This was also the first military revue that included women, a fact which makes it even more of an historical document.

In 1946, Harold Rome lent his talents to putting together a revue for those returning to civilian life. Early in the war, Dinah Shore was able to praise "A Boy in Khaki," but Vaughn Monroe later in the war sang about looking forward to wearing "Just a Blue Serge Suit." I have a particular fondness for this set, because I owned a copy as a boy, played it to death, and eventually lost track of it. I never knew there was a 1950 LP version which included "This Is the Army," and I spent years trying to find the company that held the copyright that would get it onto a tape or (later on) a CD. So 57 years after the album first was released, my prayer has been answered!

The first number, sung by Lawrence Winters (a great portrayer of Porgy, by the way), takes place aboard a "Going Home Train" and is replete with optimism. A sketch in which a group of men are waiting to be assigned work for the day included Winter's rendition of "The Red Ball Express" on which the Black GIs carried supplies to the troops. He is the only one denied work at the end of the scene. We had an even older enemy than the Nazis to face.

A young newcomer named Betty Garrett delighted audiences with "Little Surplus Me" and "Yuletide, Park Avenue" in which many of the New York shops are mentioned in Christmas carol style. But it was her rendition of "South America, Take It Away" that brought down the house and raised her to stardom.

You get the expected comic number, "Military Life," sung by Jules Munshin (remember him from the film "On the Town"?) and two other men, while Winters sings "A Face on a Dime," a song that needs some explaining to those who were born after the minting of the "Roosevelt Dime." "Along With Me" and the full version of "When We Meet Again" are the ballads, while the title song acts as a finale number.

The press release announces, "Decca Broadway Salutes the Troops With the CD Release of Three World War II Musical Revues." The current situation, I am sure, helped prompt the release of this set; but whatever the reason, I am absolutely delighted it is finally available. The songs are mostly excellent examples of their kind, the lyrics for the most part clever and powerful, the historical value great. I really suggest that History Departments take notice and get a copy. All the textbook accounts of the war never give the human side of things, and this CD will go a long way to letting the present young generation know how we faced all-too-familiar problems back then.

Average customer rating:

The Voice of Bernstein Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Bernstein | Bernstein, Leonard | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Hadley, Jerry | ( H ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music National Philharmonic Orchestra London | ( N ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music Cantatas | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Psalms | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Peter Pan (2005 Studio Cast) - Leonard Bernstein ASIN: B0009K8LKC Release Date: 2005-06-14

Tracks:

1. Something's Coming - Jose Carreras
2. Maria - Jose Carreras
3. Tonight - Jose Carreras
4. America - Tatiana Troyanos
5. One Hand, One Heart - Jose Carreras
6. I Feel Pretty - Kiri Te Kanawa
7. Gee, Officer Krupke - Marty Nelson
8. Somewhere - Marilyn Horne
9. New York, New York - Thomas Hampson
10. Come Up To My Place (Taxi Number) - Kurt Ollmann
11. Carried Away - Frederica Von Stade
12. Pitkin's Song - Samuel Ramey
13. Some Other Time - Kurt Ollmann
14. Lucky To Be Me - Thomas Hampson
15. Oh, Happy We - Jerry Hadley
16. Glitter And Be Gay - June Anderson
17. Nothing More Than This - Jerry Hadley
18. Make Our Garden Grow (Finale) - London Symphony Chorus

Tracks:

1. A Quiet Girl - George Gaynes
2. A Little Bit In Love - Edith Adams
3. It's Love - Edith Adams
4. 'Big Stuff' Blues - Ruth Mense
5. You're Late (Sam) - Chester Ludgin
6. The President Jefferson Sunday Lucheon March - Thomas Hampson
7. Take Care Of This House - June Anderson
8. Love Duet - Thomas Hampson
9. The Love Of My Life - Thomas Hampson
10. Mr. And Mrs. Webb Say Goodnight - Thomas Hampson
11. The Pennycandystore Beyond The El - John Reardon
12. Storyette H.M. - Donald Gramm
13. What Lips My Lips Have Kissed - Nancy Williams
14. Psalm 108 (Verse 2)/Psalm 100 (Complete) - Wiener Jeunesse-Chor
15. Psalm 23 (Complete)/Psalm 2 (Verses 1-4) - Wiener Jeunesse-Chor
16. Psalm 131 (Complete)/Psalm 133 (Verse 1) - Wiener Jeunesse-Chor

Average customer rating:

Faust (Sung in English) Gounod , Clarke , Miles , Plazas , Magee , and Parry Manufacturer: Chandos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Verdi: La Traviata ASIN: B00006NSEC Release Date: 2002-11-26

Average customer rating:

As You Like It - Shakespeare in Music Henry Purcell , Leonard Bernstein , Cole Porter , Felix Mendelssohn , Ambroise Thomas , Hector Berlioz , Sergey Prokofiev , John Wilson , Pelham Humfrey , Ralph Vaughan Williams , Jean Sibelius , New York Philharmonic , Berliner Philharmoniker , Cleveland Orchestra , English National Opera Orchestra , Andre Kostelanetz Orchestra , Esa-Pekka Salonen , Jeanne Lamon , George Szell , James Conlon , Pembroke Davenport , Andre Kostelanetz , Bo Skovhus , Richard Tucker , Carol Lawrence , Lucine Amara , and Charles Bressler Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Berlioz | Berlioz, Hector | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Bernstein | Bernstein, Leonard | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Porter | Porter, Cole | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Purcell, Henry | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Prokofiev | Prokofiev, Sergei | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sibelius | Sibelius, Jean | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Thomas | Thomas, Ambroise | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vaughan Williams, Ralph | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mendelssohn | Mendelssohn, Felix | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Incidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Purcell, Henry | Composers | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Vaughan Williams, Ralph | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | 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 General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Cleveland Orchestra | ( C ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music New York Philharmonic Orchestra | ( N ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music ASIN: B00003XAH5 Release Date: 2000-01-18

Tracks:

1. A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op. 21: Overture. Allegro di molto
2. 'Where The Bee Sucks'
3. 'Take, O Take Those Lips Away'
4. Musick In The Fairey Queen: Aire 4 In 2 (Dance For The Followers Of The night)
5. Musick In The Fairey Queen: Chacone
6. Othello: 'The Willow Song'
7. Hamlet: 'To Be Or Not To Be'
8. Hamlet: 'J'ai pu frapper le miserable... Etre ou ne pas etre'
9. Romeo And Juliet, A Dramatic Symphony, Op. 17: Queen Mab, The Dream Fairy, Scherzo: Prestissimo - Allegretto
10. Romeo and Juliet, Op. 64: Dance Of The Knights
11. West Side Story: 'One Hand, One Heart'
12. Kiss Me, Kate: 'So In Love'
13. The Merchant Of Venice: 'How Sweet The Moonlight Sleeps Upon This Bank!'
14. The Merchant Of Venice: Serenade To Music: Andantino
15. The Merchant Of Venice: Serenade To Music: 'How Sweet The Moonlight'
16. The Merchant Of Venice: Serenade To Music: 'Look How The Floor Of Heaven...'
17. The Merchant Of Venice: Serenade To Music: 'Come, Ho! And Wake Diana With A Hymn!'
18. The Merchant Of Venice: Serenade To Music: 'I Am Never Merry When I Hear Sweet Music'
19. The Merchant Of Venice: Serenade To Music: 'Music! Hark!'
20. The Merchant Of Venice: Serenade To Music: 'How Many Things By Season...'
21. The Merchant Of Venice: Serenade To Music: 'Soft Stillness And The Night'
22. The Tempest: 'Our Revels Now Are Ended'
23. The Tempest: 'The Mermaids'
24. The Tempest: 'Miranda'
25. The Tempest: 'Caliban's Song'

Meditation Music:

1. Tegoto: Japanese Koto Music
2. Terry & Jake
3. The Great Road
4. Tracks in Time
5. Twelve Tribes
6. Visions & Encounters [Import]
7. Waterfall Suite
8. Wellspring
9. A Way of Life
10. America Latina, Vol. 2

Meditation Music

meditation music

Meditation Music

International Pop Overthrow, Vol. 3

Telemann: Suite & Concertos

The 20th Century Viola - William Primrose plays Hindemith: Viola Sonata in F / Bloch: Suite in A minor / Bax: Viola Sonata in G

Music: Horsepower

Trance Megamix, Vol. 6 [Import]

The Best of Mica Paris [Import]

The Best of Irish Rovers

The Truest $#!@ I Ever Said [Explicit Lyrics]

The Great Concert of Charles Mingus [Live]

Symphony 3 / Suite on Russian Themes

U16 Girls [CD-single]

Talua [Import]

Unleash the Beast [Explicit Lyrics]

Ordinary Story

Variety Orchestra