Starlight

Editorial Reviews
About the Artist
Harp: Tina Tourin
Flute: Karen Kevra
Cello: Judith Hitt

Product Description
Very Peaceful Music... Excellent for relaxation, meditation, reflection...

Starlight,Christina Tourin,New Age Music,New Age,New Age / Meditation,Pop

Starlight

Tracks:

Laura
Now, Voyager
Modern Times
Lost Weekend
The Quiet Man
The Adventures Of Robin Hood
Casablanca
Henry V
The Uninvited: 'Stella By Starlight'
My, Foolish Heart
Gone With The Wind
Wuthering Heights

Amazon.com

Cinema Serenade 2: The Golden Age is the sequel to Itzhak Perlman's popular album of movie themes performed with soundtrack composer John Williams. Unlike its predecessor, this disc focuses on classic cinema themes and features the Boston Pops Orchestra, not the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. The Laura theme, as well as Max Steiner's Now Voyager and Miklós Rózsa's Lost Weekend themes, sound lush and romantic in Perlman's lyrical hands. The traditional Irish jig "The Quiet Man" is the disc's most upbeat moment, while the unforgettable Gone with the Wind theme is its most memorable. These are timeless, dreamy compositions, though not necessarily the most uplifting. If you're looking for something cinematic to get your heart racing, check out Ricardo Chailly's recording of Shostakovich's film scores or even Leopold Stokowski's classic work on Fantasia. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

NEVER RECEIVED THIS ITEM!!.......2007-03-17

I cannot review the product which I know is great , as I was billed for it, but never received it.

Perlman, Williams reunite in wonderful Serenade sequel.......2003-12-04

With the success of Cinema Serenade, conductor John Williams and violinist Itzhak Perlman reunited to record another collection of classic movie themes. Performed this time by the Boston Pops Orchestra, the music of Cinema Serenade 2: The Golden Age harkens back to the days of stars such as Bette Davis, Humphrey Bogart, Errol Flynn, Ray Milland and Clark Gable.

The 12 selections include themes by Hollywood legends Max Steiner, Miklos Rozsa and Erich Wolfgang Korngold (whose son George would later produce several of composer/conductor Williams' scores for Varese Sarabande Records). Cinema Serenade 2 presents beautiful arrangements of Steiner's themes for Now, Voyager and Gone With The Wind, Korngold's love theme from The Adventures of Robin Hood, Charlie Chaplin's lovely Modern Times and "St Patrick's Day," a traditional Irish song from the John Wayne classic The Quiet Man.

Since I consider myself to be a charter member of The Rick Blaine Society of Rank Sentimentalists, I'd have to say my favorite tracks on this album are Herman Hupfeld's timeless "As Time Goes By" from 1942's Casablanca and Victor Young's "My Foolish Heart" (from the 1949 film of the same title). It was while I was listening to the radio (on the late WTMI 93.1 FM classical station) that the DJ played "As Time Goes By" and I discovered this recording of mostly lyrical themes; I listened to Perlman's haunting violin solos and the Boston Pops' bravura performance and nearly wept. I, of course, bought this CD the next day and it's now one of my favorites.

For fans of Itzhak Perlman, John Williams or film music in general, both of the Cinema Serenade CDs are a treasure trove of beautiful and memory-stirring themes.

Some of the most beautiful music you'll ever hear.......2001-06-15

This is one of the most beautiful CDs I've ever heard. The selections are musically much richer than Cinema Serenade I. In particular, Sir William Walton's music from Henry V, Korngold's music from Robin Hood, and Newman's music from Wuthering Heights are standouts. The Korngold is my favorite, with several themes from the picture packed into a short love scene lifted straight from the movie. The arrangements on this album are stunningly lush, especially those by Williams. His opening chords from The Uninvited are terrific harmonically.

Don't compare it to Cinema Serenade 1.......2000-01-24

Itzhak Perlman is still considered by me the best violinist alive today. His techiniques are so impressable and heartouching and nobody can contest that. The idea of this CD was wonderful, although the selections of the musics aren't so good than in Cinema Serenade 1. But anyway, if you want to listen musics that worldwide the people emotioned with, buy this CD, but don't fall in the temptation to compare it to the first one.

I can't stop listening to this CD...........1999-10-03

All of those lush movie themes are greatly compiled on this CD. I especially liked Laura and Stella by Starlight. After listening to this, you will want to go out and buy/rent these great old movies!

The Premiere Collection: The Best Of Andrew Lloyd Webber (Original Cast Compilation)

Average customer rating:

Musical Pleasure
The Premiere Collection
beautiful
Fair Album with 1 starlight and 0 aspects
Superb collection

The Premiere Collection: The Best Of Andrew Lloyd Webber (Original Cast Compilation)

Manufacturer: Mca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection

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 Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

Musical Pleasure.......2007-07-03

I enjoy all of this music, listening frequently. Some not original cast members, so less than 5 star. Product exactly as advertised.

The Premiere Collection.......2007-01-17

My sister had this and it got destroyed. She wanted an other, This was the only place I have found it!! Very hard to find! I have been to every music store in my area. She loved it!! And was so happy to have it again. Anyone who loves Andrew Lloyd Webber will love this. As it has many songs from some of his most famous plays with the original cast. Great item.

beautiful.......2006-12-21

This CD is a great compilation of some of Andrew Lloyd Webber's hits. If you are just looking for a "quick fix" for your Broadway craving, this is a great value.

Fair Album with 1 starlight and 0 aspects.......2004-07-09

I think this album is F-A-I-R because it has one starlight express song and zero aspects of love songs. This is why i liked the album The reason i said that this is a fair album is that I like Starlight Express better. Song i like are "The Phantom of the Opera", "Take That Look off Your Face", All I Ask of You", "Don't Cry For Me Argentina", "Mr. Mistofflees," "Superstar," "Memory", "Starlight Express", "Tell Me On A Sunday", "Music of the Night", "Another Suitcase in Another Hall", and "I Don't Know How To Love Him". I dislike the following songs:" Track 6" and the last one because the last one was hard to understand and track 6 is instrumental.

Superb collection.......2003-08-11

... It is a collection of the best of ALW's creative efforts, and a collection of great performances. Anyone who loves "Broadway" should have this disk in their collection.

Average customer rating:

Gosford Park Sound Track
Better than the movie
I don't mind the repeating themes, but the CD is too short!
Excellent Mix
One the best soundtracks out there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gosford Park (2001 film)
Patrick Doyle
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Gosford Park
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ASIN: B00005UNCB
Release Date: 2002-01-15

Tracks:

Waltz Of My Heart
Mr. Parks
Gosford Park
Bored To Sobs
The Shirt
And Her Mother Came Too
Walking To Shoot
No Smoke Without Fire
Scherzo In G
I Can Give You The Starlight
What A Duke Should Be
Inspector Thompson
Pull Yourself Together
Life Goes On
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Only For A While
Rather A Pasting
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Why Isn't It You?
The Way It's Meant To Be
Carpe Diem
Good Luck
Your Boy's Alive
The Land That Might-Have-Been

Amazon.com

Thematically, director Robert Altman's career sometimes seems an endless series of left turns into the unexpected; the one constant has been a rich and rewarding attention to the intricacies of character development and interaction. Composer Patrick Doyle underscores Gosford Park's Merchant-Ivory/Agatha Christie/Altman-wit fusion and '30s British upper-class setting with a score that's period spot-on, character-rich, and often sadly evocative. Doyle's restraint is masterful, often leaning on piano, accordion, and small string arrangements that emphasize the characters' intimacies and the film's drawing room settings. Key to the story are a handful of prewar songs by Ivor Novello (who's also a character in the film), ranging from the sprightly humor of "And Her Mother Came Too" and "What a Duke Should Be" to the romantic schmaltz of "I Can Give You the Starlight" and "Why Isn't It You?" The latter is performed here at the piano (and, remarkably, live before the cameras) by Jeremy Northam. Leavened by a small jazz ensemble and a few darkly ominous cues, Doyle's score is an understated gem. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

Gosford Park Sound Track.......2007-03-30

The original music is creative and very listenable. It is typical of popular music of the 1930s. This CD is highly recommended to those people who enjoy music from the 1920s and 1930s.

Better than the movie.......2004-12-08

Many people, I believe, buy a soundtrack because they are mesmerized by the movie and want to extend the experience by listening to something that reminds them of it. But "Gosford Park" is hardly that kind of movie. It is brilliant and atmospheric as it analyzes the British class system, but that's hardly the kind of thing that wins the heart. The soundtrack of this movie was my favorite CD from last year, and the reasons I liked it had nothing to do with the movie.

Why is this music so compelling and winning?

First, it is fun to discover the marvellous talent of Ivor Norvello. His music is half of the charm of the soundtrack. Some songs are funny ("Her mother came too"), some beautiful ("I can give you the starlight") and some poignant ("The land of might have been"). I had not encountered Norvello before this film. Jeremy Northam's perfect delivery of Norvello's songs would not leave me after I'd seen the film. Days later, I found the songs had taken up residence in the back of my head, insisting that I go back to the soundtrack to make them a permanent part of my musical life.

Second, there is the charm of the orchestral music composed by Patrick Doyle. Sometimes people wonder "why aren't they writing beautiful classical music any more?" Well, they are. It goes into soundtracks, however, rather than being commissioned by orchestras. The test for the quality of Doyle's compositions is that you don't need to refer to the film to appreciate this music. It simply charms and intrigues us with its own merits.

My third reason for loving this CD is too personal to mention here.

I give this CD my highest personal recommendation.

I don't mind the repeating themes, but the CD is too short!.......2004-06-08

Unlike many reviewers here, I didn't buy the CD to hear the Ivor Novello songs or Jeremy Northam's voice. I actually liked the instrumental tracks, and never actually thought I'd like to listen to something played on an accordion.

However, Mr. Doyle's music portrays the lethargy of the snobby Upstairs very well to the contrast of the relative energy of Novello's songs, which the Downstairs servants enjoy, but the Upstairs people can't stand.

My dislikes about the CD include the female singer who can't really sing and the length of the CD. Some of these cues are only about a minute long. WHY pay so much money for such a short CD??? Why not add more music??

Overall though, if you liked either Doyle's music or Novello's songs (hopefully the listener will like both), it's a CD worth getting.

Excellent Mix.......2003-04-23

I fell in love with this soundtrack when I watched Gosford Park in the cinemas.

Sometimes period music, sometimes mystery music, sometime personal music. Jeremy Northam's songs are simply delicious and I love hearing them.

I liken the style (not type) of mix to You've Got Mail.

Heaps of fun and lovely to listen to.

One the best soundtracks out there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2003-03-06

When I saw the movie at the theater I kept thinking I've got to have the soundtrack to this movie because it is so beautiful. I also really enjoyed the sung songs 6.And Her Mother Came Too, 10.I Can Give You The Starlight, 11.What A Duke Should Be, 16. Only For A While, 20. The Way It's Meant To Be, 24. The Land That Might-Have-Been!! I think that Patrick Doyle did a wonderful job of scoring this movie the just fits right in with it all, I only wish there was more to listen to!! I highly recommend this album to everyone who liked the movie and people who love great soundtracks, you will not be sorry if you buy this!!!!

Average customer rating:

Got me hooked on Scorpions
Moment of Glory
[]
dynamite!
Truly a Moment of Glory for the Scorpions!

Moment of Glory

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Scorpions - Moment of Glory (Live with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra)

ASIN: B00004TR0A
Release Date: 2000-08-29

Tracks:

Hurricane 2000
Moment Of Glory
Send Me An Angel
Wind Of Change
Crossfire (Instrumental)
Deadly Sting Suite (Instrumental)
Here In My Heart
Still Loving You
Big City Nights
Lady Starlight

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Throughout the 1980s, "We are the Scorpions!" was lead vocalist Klaus Meine's concert-opening battle cry, energizing and readying the faithful in sold-out stadiums for a Teutonic onslaught of vital, sometimes plodding, eardrum-splitting rock anthems. In short, the arena-rock monsters were never a picnic-under-the-stars kind of band ... until Moment of Glory. The new millennium brings the Scorpions full circle, melding in-your-face party anthems like "Rock You Like a Hurricane" (now called "Hurricane 2000") and "Big City Nights" into fully orchestrated concoctions featuring the Berlin Philharmoniker. Where the grandiose likes of "Wind of Change" and "Still Loving You" are obvious choices for such a pairing, and indeed, work well, the "Deadly Sting Suite," with almost unrecognizable instrumental versions of "He's a Woman, She's a Man" and "Dynamite," will likely catch the unknowing fan of classic Scorps off guard. Both Deep Purple and Metallica have used full orchestras to accent their songs with mixed results, and the same goes for the Scorps. There's a fine line between wine-and-cheese classical fare and whiney and cheesy metal. Here the Scorpions teeter, if often gracefully, on that line. --Katherine Turman

Album Details

New Album Recorded with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. Features Three New Songs, Including Moment of Glory which Has Been Chosen as the Official Anthem of Expo 2000. Includes a Duet with Zucchero.

Customer Reviews:

Got me hooked on Scorpions.......2007-04-12

I absolutely love the marriage of rock and symphony here. It's gorgeous. The Scorpions take already amazing songs and pump them up an extra notch. A long time ago I heard "Still Loving You" on the radio, not knowing who sung it. It took me years to finally discover the Scorpions. I own two different versions of "Still Loving You," and I far prefer this one to the original. It gives me this yearning inside. The only thing I don't like about this album is the guest vocalists. I love Klaus Meine. He adds an ethereal element to the music, and with the guest vocals, it takes away from the beauty, in my opinion. But don't let that deter you from getting this, because it is so worth it. "Rock You Like a Hurricane" is amazing! It's all amazing!

Moment of Glory.......2007-04-01

With metal music it is always louder is better and this album found one of the coolest ways to make metal louder. Combining the Scorpions with a the Philharmonic creates one of the coolest sounding albums I have ever heard.

[].......2007-03-14

i dont own this album but i have heard the songs off of it and i think their all great and performed well. and also as a side note since i read alot of comments about the guest vocals on "big city nights" but no mention of who: it is Ray Wilson best known for replacing Phill Collins in Genesis and recording the classic Calling all Stations

dynamite!.......2002-10-21

Just when you think the scorpions couldn't do worst...they prove you wrong!
Even Metallica's s&m is better...close but still.
I am sure that it was a great experience to live, for the band and the audience, because that type of event is always unique and can bring strong emotions-unless you have a dumb..s sitting next to you, drinkin' beer and screaming every five minutes Dynamiiiiiiite!!-but on cd...for me it doesn't do it,but it probably is a treasure for those who were there.
Now, I'm not gonna start the debat with DEEP PURPLE and the LSO(1999) but I was there at the Royal Albert Hall and that's why I can understand the concept and the thrill of holding the recording of such concerts...but still DEEP PURPLE 's symphonic album features something that neither Scorpions or Metallica holds...and this is an ORIGINAL PIECE OF MUSIC CREATED FOR A GROUP AND A ORCHESTRA!

Truly a Moment of Glory for the Scorpions!.......2002-07-31

AWESOME is how I would sum up this CD. From the moment I first heard it, I knew I HAD to have it. Buy it! You won't be disappointed!

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

Average customer rating:

Kunzel's different perspective on ALW's musicals

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

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From the Heart
The Very Best of Erich Kunzel: Top 20
The Big Picture
Classics of the Silver Screen
Orchestral Spectaculars

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's offering of Andrew Lloyd Webber suites is a worthwhile tribute to this modern-day titan of globalised musicals. Although this album has a different feel from the original cast albums, Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops still perform these affectionate arrangements of Lord Lloyd Webber's musicals expertly, superbly and voluptiously. The creative arrangements by Crafton Beck and Steven Reineke are tastefully and, for the most part, faithfully done, and allow Kunzel to offer a fresh perspective to these musicals in their orchestral settings. And as always Telarc provides its trademark audiophile-quality recording - surround sound quality with a sumptuous spatialiser such that you might be overwhelmed by the Phantom's laughter in the Phantom suite.

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.

Music & Songs From Starlight Express (1987 Studio Cast)

Average customer rating:

Good Show...Bad album
Not bad at all!
Doesn't Age Well .. but A Few Good Songs
NIce Score...........BUT !
I found it!

Music & Songs From Starlight Express (1987 Studio Cast)
Andrew Lloyd Webber , and Richard Stilgoe
Manufacturer: Decca U.S.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000002O3X
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Starlight Express - El Debarge
Engine Of Love - Peter Hewlett
Lotta Locomotion - Josie Aiello
There's Me - Peter Hewlett
AC/DC - Josie Aiello
Pumping Iron - Marc Cohn
Engine Of Love - Earl Jordan
Only You - Josie Aiello & Peter Hewlett
The Race Is On - Harold Faltermeyer
Make Up My Heart - Josie Aiello
I am This Starlight - Richie Havens & Peter Hewlett
One Rock & Roll Too Many - Marc Cohn
Light At The End Of The Tunnel - Richie Havens

Customer Reviews:

Good Show...Bad album.......2007-01-10

I loved the show when it came out and had the original cast recording on a record, but this is not it. The songs on this CD just do not have the feeling, emotion and pop that they deserve. These pop singers do not understand the characters, let alone the story, therefore do not do the songs justice. If you want to get a CD of Starlight Express, take the time and spend the money on the original cast recording!

Not bad at all!.......2006-08-01

Alot of people don't like this album, but I do. Most of the songs are catchy, if not addicting. Especially "Make Up My Heart" and "Light at the End of the Tunnel"

Don't miss the brief operatic cameo by Sarah Brightman halfway through "AC/DC."

Doesn't Age Well .. but A Few Good Songs.......2005-07-10

I really enjoyed the show when it first came out in 1987 and listened to this cd often. Since then, however, the show has aged ... and not particularly well.

Mr. Webber's scores for "Phantom Of The Opera", "Evita", "Sunset Boulevard", and "Jesus Christ Superstar" hold up better.

There are a few good tracks, however, on this "concept" recording:

Starlight Express (very catchy tune)
Engine Of Love
There's Me (personal favorite)
Only You

I wish they had released a Broadway cast recording (the London one is available as a double disc), but this is a fine substitute.

NIce Score...........BUT !.......2004-02-23

If you were amongst the few lucky audience members to assist viewing a presentation of STARLIGHT EXPRESS when it graced the boards in NYC during it's breef 80s run, then you'll enjoy this compacted ensemble of songs on this CD. However, if you are searching for a CD that best represents the show; this is NOT THE CD TO PURCHASE. I strongly suggest the recently revised CAST version from LONDON. EL DeBARGE as a lead vocalist ("where is he now?") does not cut it when trying to listen to the main theme composed by LOYDD WEBBER.

I found it!.......2001-12-07

I've been looking for this recording for a while now and I'm really glad that amazon had it. My Uncle was a part of the original cast and my sister and I used to sing Starlight Express together all the time (we were 4 and 6... give us a break). It brings back lots of memories and even though the show didn't last long and some of the music is goofy, I'll treasure this thing :)

Average customer rating:

Your words, they burn
SUPERSTARS IN ANOTHER DIMENSION
The great leap forward for Starlight Mints
Great CD !!!
Can't quite put my finger on it

Drowaton
The Starlight Mints
Manufacturer: Barsuk
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Sidewalk

Amazon.com

Just what do they put in the water in Oklahoma? Like hometown heroes The Flaming Lips, The Starlight Mints continue to push their agenda for sweeping orchestral psych-rock, lyrical mumbo-jumbo, and eye-boggling cover art involving really big balls on their third album. Oddly enough, they sound less like Wayne Coyne and company than early progenitors of the oddball pop genre such as the Beatles and The Kinks. Not a second of Drowaton ("not a word" backwards, although we have no idea why) is sacrificed to silence as every crevice is stuffed with an odd tambourine, flugelhorn, or blast of vintage piano. Ultimately, however, this a guitar record, as best evidenced in more discriminatingly produced cuts such as "Eyes of the Night" and the nearly sincere "What's Inside of Me." --Aidin Vaziri

Album Description

Their love of archetypal pop and AM radio has provided, over the course of two acclaimed albums, a rock-solid foundation for a whole bunch of inspired unusualness, all baked to perfection under the hot Oklahoman sun. Their unique brand of instrumentally complex, surrealistically worded pop contains a blend of classic string arrangements, cheeky boyish vocals, catchy melody, and ornate surrealism. You might call it bubblegum psych. Church bells, horns, piano, violin, tambourine, triangle, synths, and sound effects complement the usual suspects of guitar, bass, and drums to paint a broad sonic palate.

Customer Reviews:

Your words, they burn.......2006-12-27

Whatever weird bug the Flaming Lips have, their fellow Oklahomites appear to have it too. Especially the Starlight Mints. In their third album "Drowaton," the Mints overwhelm listeners with their colourful, forceful pop tunes and oddball lyrics -- they sound like an insane group of musical leprechauns.

It opens with a fuzzy, intermittent riff, joined in by a brass chorus, colourful chorus and some solid drums. It's a bit hard to make out what Allan Vest is singing in his eerie falsetto, but you can catch snatches of lyrics: knives, cold hearts, and "words that burn, burn my soul."

Then it proceeds to the whistling and guitars of "Torts," with Vest announcing solemnly, "All you lawyers and judges/and reading rooms/this song goes out to you/as your counselor wishes, and I can prove/everyone travels in twos!" It sounds like a song from a demented children's TV show.

From there in, they try out every kind of pop imaginable: bombastic piano-rock, energetic indiepop, uneasy bluesy pop with classical violins, ominously heavy "Rhino Stomp" living up to its name, a folky little acoustic tune, wailing psych-punk, and sweeping psychedelic tunes with tipsy vocals. Right up to the parade-like feeling of the sweeping acid epic "Sidewalk."

Part of the charm of the Starlight Mints has always been that they were always so incredibly colourful. But with "Drowaton," they take up the colour a notch -- everything in this album seems bigger, brighter and more effusive than ever before. And that's saying something.

As they've always done, classical violin strains are mingled in with indie riffs and lots of shimmering synth, molded into some truly brilliant pop tunes that seem to overflow from the speakers. And the Mints try out all sorts of music here -- punk, folk, a touch of blues, and lots and lots of shimmering psychpop -- with mostly successful results.

Vest's voice gets a good workout here -- he goes falsetto in the first song, but gets to sound a bit more normal (and freaked out) in "Seventeen Devils" and the rollicking punk "Eyes of the Night." And the songs are almost as bizarrely appealing as the music -- full of lightning strikes, pearls in submarines, the slow development of a murderer. ("A killer comes, a killer grows/he walks into a killer's home/and says goodnight to the moon...")

The Starlight Mints are utterly brilliant in their third full-length album, a collection of larger-than-life psychpop and wild musical journeys. A must-have.

SUPERSTARS IN ANOTHER DIMENSION.......2006-11-29

Sounding a lot like Styx covering Pavement Songs with Bowie as the lead singer, these guys have got to be huge in another dimension. Not a bad song on the cd - just well written, well played, INTERESTING music. Probably should have given it a 5 star, probably did in the other dimension. I would definately buy it again if someone took this copy, and thats about the best I can say about any CD.

The great leap forward for Starlight Mints.......2006-11-26

Starlight Mints is a 5 piece band, bringing mostly quirky popsongs. Their earlier albums, 2000's Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of, and 2003's Built on Squares, were uneven affairs, but clearly showing promise. After a long wait, now comes the band's third album.

"Drowaton" (12 tracks, 40 min.) is musically again all over the map, but the big difference is that this time each track feels completely fleshed out, even though many songs are short, in the 2 and 3 minute range. The best tracks are found primarily in the second half of the album, including the instrumental "Rhino Stomp" (with a stomping rythm, as implied by the title), the acoustic "The Killer", the Clash-like "Eyes of the Night", and the closer "Sidewalk", a 60s-like romper with horns. The overall feel to is reminds me of current bands like Spoon and the Greenhornes. Overall, "Drowaton" is a great album, which marks the great leap forward for Starlight Mints.

This album (which is spelled "Not a word" backwards) was released on the excellent label Barsuk Records, which houses other outstanding artists like Mates of State, Smoosh, Aqueduct and John Vanderslice, just to name a few. I haven't had an opportunity to see Starlight Mints in concert yet, but I'm looking forward to them coming to or near Cincinnati sometime soon.

Great CD !!!.......2006-08-09

Listened in the car this weekend to this release.Very catchy ,excellent tunes,highly recommended!!!!

Can't quite put my finger on it.......2006-06-09

Sort of 60's pop with a bit of Spoon, Bowie and OingoBoingo thrown in; And I suppose Flaming Lips to a certain extent, but maybe that's because I've learned that they're also Okies.

The New Starlight Express (1992 London Revival Cast)

Average customer rating:

Dana, shut it !!!
Only worth it for two cast members
VISUALLY STRONG, MUSICALLY STILL WEAK
Amazing show, good CD
My Favorite Starlight CD Ever!

The New Starlight Express (1992 London Revival Cast)
Andrew Lloyd Webber , and Richard Stilgoe
Manufacturer: Hip-O Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Starlight Express (1984 Original London Cast)
Introduction to ABAP/4 Programming for SAP, Revised and Expanded Edition
Music & Songs From Starlight Express (1987 Studio Cast)
Song & Dance: The Songs - Original Broadway Cast Recording
Bombs Away Dream Babies

ASIN: B000005KOG
Release Date: 1996-10-22

Tracks:

Overture
Entry Of National Trains
Rolling Stock
He'll Whistle At Me
Freight
Ac/Dc
Pumping Iron
Coda Of Freight
Crazy
Make Up My Heart
Race One
Poppa's Blues
Race Two
Starlight Express
The Rap
U. N. C. O. U. P. L. E. D.
Race Three
Right Place, Right Time
Starlight Sequence
Race Four
Next Time You Fall In Love
One Rock'N'Roll Too Many
Light At The End Of The Tunnel
Starlight Megamix

Customer Reviews:

Dana, shut it !!!.......2006-04-02

This is one of my fav c.d. I remember I was 5 the 1st time I heard this music + i LOVED it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Green day rox!!

Only worth it for two cast members.......2006-03-28

If you are going to get a CD of 'Starlight Express', you're better off going with the Original London Cast. Here, the sound has been improved and the songs updated, but leaves you with a less "alive" show. Caron Cardelle reduces Dinah to a stereotype that makes you want to slap her, and Greg Ellis's Rusty leaves much the same impression. With the focus much more on Pearl that any other coach or engine, Reva Rice gives us a soul-searching diva that is mostly only concerned with moaning/singing about her love life. 'Only He/Only You', when compared to the bland 'Next Time You Fall In Love', is the greatest love song ever written, as is the case of most of the new numbers. 'AC/DC', however, with a much more entertaining final verse, skips over the techno-babble to provide a glimpse of the real threat Electra and his components pose. While Maynard Williams (a much more energetic Greaseball), John Partridge (who manages to keep Electra both likeable and terrifying) and their terrific duet 'One Rock n Roll Too Many' are superb reasons to buy this recording, the OLC provides more plot, a better cast (Ray Shell, Stephanie Lawrence and Frances Ruffelle: you are sorely missed), better numbers and of course, the infamous Red Caboose.

VISUALLY STRONG, MUSICALLY STILL WEAK.......2005-07-11

Seeing that his "Cats" have become a musical phenomenon in its own right after the London (1981.) and Broadway (1982.) premiere, Andrew Lloyd Webber decided to use the same formula on his next project, "Starlight Express". He collaborated with the same people, including Trevor Nunn as a director; Gillian Lynne as a choreographer and Richard Stilgoe provided the lyrics. The main problem of "Starlight Express" is that it pushes the Cats formula to a much bigger and higher degree. The composer dedicated this show to his children and to his own fascination with train toys.

Most of the show's appeal lies in its visual performance rather than in the score or the lyrics. The plot is even lighter than in Cats: it tells the story of the different trains. Rusty, a steam engine is in love with a glamorous carriage Pearl, but has to compete with other trains by racing them to win her affection. The holes in this simple plot were overshadowed by the grandiose staging that involved vigorous light show and cast members on roller-skates racing through the specially made stage. Because of that, Starlight proved to be a family-oriented show guaranteeing an entertaining evening. It was probably one of the main reasons why the show lasted in the West End until 2002. And yet the fact remains that on Broadway it passed rather unnoticed and didn't cover the basic investment.

The 1984 original 2-disc recording was very uneven: it had several good songs, but overall it wasn't a very good score and it sounded dated by today's standards, since the orchestrations were full of synthesizers and the disco-beat of the 80-is was more than evident. Seeing the problem, Lloyd Webber decided to re-orchestrate the whole thing in 1993, plus he wrote several new songs and left out a couple of the old ones. The result of all of those changes is mixed. The new songs (most notably, "Crazy", "Make up my heart" and above all, the touchy ballad, "Next time you fall in love", with lyrics by Done Black) are nicely composed and orchestrated, but for the most part, they serve as a well done pop pieces, rather than a basis for a much needed development of the original story. "Only he", the best musical number from the original is cut out and some of the numbers, mainly, "Starlight Express" and "I am Starlight" lack the power of the original. But overall, the orchestrations here are much more plausible than the ones made in 1984.

The lyrics, on the other hand, remain plain and unimaginative as they were back then. The cast on this CD did a good job in terms of singing. Reva Rice as Pearl and Greg Ellis as Rusty are a good vocal bland. Lon Satton reprises his 1984 role as Poppa and Starlight, though in a much quieter mood. John Partridge, who was a superb Rum Tum Tugger in a 1997 video version of Cats, has a cameo as Electra, singing with that charming voice of his.

The booklet comes with tiny photos and full lyrics. Just like the 1984 original, this version of "Starlight Express" should therefore be appreciated for its innovative staging and its individual moments rather than its worth as a whole. In this respect, it belongs to the less satisfying scores of Andrew Lloyd Webber and is not at all a must-have, but rather a mere addition to the collection of the composer's work.

Amazing show, good CD.......2005-03-23

If you're a fan of the show (and maybe even if you're not), don't hesitate to get this CD (definitely over the earlier versions - although the 1984 one has one song, "Only You", for which you should splurge on getting the '84 recording as well if you have the money). I've seen Starlight Express three times - every time I've been in London since the first time I saw it. It's always the first thing I plan when I go to England. When I found out my dad had two copies of the '93 soundtrack, I immediately grabbed one and took it home, and I've been listening to many of these songs over and over again since; I'd forgotten how good they were. "Make Up My Heart", "Next Time You Fall In Love", and "U.N.C.O.U.P.L.E.D." are my favorites, and stand out along with several others as music that you could have heard anywhere, rather than having that "retro-pastiche" (Buffy fans should recognize the phrase) feel you often find in musical soundtracks. It's not just a good soundtrack; it's good music.

My Favorite Starlight CD Ever! .......2004-09-26

Comments: If you're really into Starlight Express, you will love this CD. It's really great! I like this item because it's got more exciting songs. Also get the 1984 Cast recording too. Some of my favorite songs here are "He'll Whistle At Me", "Freight", "Coda of Freight", "Crazy", "Make Up My Heart", "Starlight Sequence", and "Next Time You Fall in Love." I like to listen to this CD every single day. As you know, this is my favorite CD.

Related Items: Starlight Express(Original London Cast Recording), Music and Songs From Starlight Express(1987 Studio Cast Recording)

Recommended: YES YOU SHOULD GET IT!

Starlight Express (1984 Original London Cast)

Average customer rating:

Why? Andrew, Why?
Hasn't Aged Particularly Well
This is indeed the best version of the "Starlight Express" CDs
The best recording of the best musical!
BETTER TO WATCH THAN TO LISTEN...

Starlight Express (1984 Original London Cast)
Andrew Lloyd Webber , and Richard Stilgoe
Manufacturer: Decca Broadway
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Aspects Of Love (Original 1989 London Cast)
Whistle Down The Wind (1998 Original London Cast)
Cats (1981 Original London Cast)
Sunset Boulevard (1993 Original London Cast)
The New Starlight Express (1992 London Revival Cast)

ASIN: B00000742S
Release Date: 2000-05-09

Tracks:

Act One: Overture
Act One: Rolling Stock
Act One: Call Me Rusty
Act One: A Lotta Locomotion
Act One: Pumping Iron
Act One: Freight
Act One: AC/DC
Act One: He Whistled At Me
Act One: The Race
Act One: There's Me
Act One: Poppa's Blues
Act One: Belle The Sleeping Car
Act One: Starlight Express

Tracks:

Act Two: The Rap
Act Two: U.N.C.O.U.P.L.E.D.
Act Two: Rolling Stock (Reprise)
Act Two: C.B.
Act Two: Right Place, Right Time
Act Two: I Am The Starlight
Act Two: He Whistled At Me (Reprise)
Act Two: Race: The Final
Act Two: No Comeback
Act Two: One Rock 'N' Roll Too Many
Act Two: Only He
Act Two: Only You
Act Two: Light At The End Of The Tunnel

Amazon.com

Between his megahits Cats and The Phantom of the Opera, Andrew Lloyd Webber came up with one of his slightest efforts, Starlight Express. The composer admitted it was targeted at kids--centering on a set of trains and the plot of The Little Engine That Could--yet it lacks the charm of his other kids' show, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. While the live staging was exciting, featuring costumed roller skaters racing around, over, and through the audience, the score is one of Lloyd Webber's least subtle demonstrations of his ability to compose in different musical styles--country ("U.N.C.O.U.P.L.E.D."), blues ("Poppa's Blues"), rock ("Rolling Stock"), funk ("C.B."), rap ("The Rap"), and the like. Of course, there are some catchy tunes plus one hit (the title tune), and Richard Stilgoe's lyrics are sometimes cutely clever and sometimes banal ("Starlight Express, you must confess, are you real, yes or no / Starlight Express, please answer 'yes,' I don't want you to go."). The show was revised and revived in 1992, switching some songs, removing the most obvious cold-war references, and adding one pop single ("Next Time You Fall in Love"). --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

Why? Andrew, Why?.......2006-11-06

I can't believe this is by the same Man who wrote Phantom of the Opera. If you like Webber for Phantom, then DONT GET THIS! If you like Whistle Down the Wind by Webber, than you might like this as well. The story is a bit much, the songs get very repetitive, and the vocals are questionable. I just can't see spending almost 40.00 on a CD you wont listen to, but maybe twice. I would put this amount of money into Cats before this. ALthough, Starlight Express does have a quite a poppy edge so if you want something not so classical, this is ok. I still don't think its worth it. If you want a poppy musical get Tarzan. Favorite Song: "Poppa's Blues"

Hasn't Aged Particularly Well.......2006-08-18

Though by no means his crowning achievement, Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Starlight Express" was a dazzling piece of fluff, directed primarily towards children. The futuristic staging and skate-wearing cast was amazing to look at and the score includes several pop gems.

Best Tracks include:

Rolling Stock
A Lotta Locomotion
There's Me
Starlight Express
I Am The Starlight
Only He
Light At The End Of The Tunnel

Definitely not a musical to be taken too seriously, nor in the same league as "Phantom" or "Sunset Boulevard", the score for "Starlight Express" is simply fun..though I prefer the concept album recorded before the show's transfer to Broadway.

This is indeed the best version of the "Starlight Express" CDs.......2005-09-23

Being a "The Phantom of the Opera" and Michael Crawford fan, as well of Cats, I have rarely listened to anything outside of the, so called, classical Broadway sound. But I got tempted to see and hear this show after seeing the pictures from the various productions around the world, which is, ironically, partly, I got interested in "The Phantom of the Opera" .

But this show, Starlight Express, blew me away. Visually it, like Cats, The Phantom of the Opera, is in the same leagues. But score wise, it is a mixed one.

It is indeed a show, like Cats, and unlike The Phantom of the Opera, for children and, although I am not particularly fond of ALW himself, but it is sweet he wrote this show for his children, who were at the time from his first wife Sarah Hugill. The story is based more or less on the old children's tale of "The Little Engine that Could" and perhaps, not sure on this, on the old "Thomas the Tank Engine" show (I may be incorrect on this). I have not yet seen the show as a whole, but I can fully concur that, although the plot in the original was a bit weak, and at times today, even still, I will say that indeed it holds its own and it is a delightful show.

Of the numbers that are on the Original London Cast Recording; I will say this:)-

"The Overture" - Like all of ALW's shows, with the possible exception of "Joseph and the Amazing Techincolor Dreamcoat" , "Aspects of Love", and some of his later shows; ALW writes very intriguing at time eerie sounding music (The Phantom of the Opera, The Woman in White, Cats, and Evita are no exception) and this certainly fits that league. I would definitely say this deserves, if given 5 stars as the best, it is a 5. I love this number indeed.

"Rolling Stock" - This song, or this version, is really quite good, but I admit not as good as the New London Version. But they are both good. :D The singer who sings this sounds alot, strangely enough, like Gerard Butler who does the Phantom in the filmed version of ALW's stage show of "The Phantom of the Opera". Perhaps if Gerry did a movie version of Starlight and played Electra, he would fit quite well in it. But getting off topic, this is a really powerful number and on stage its really quite fun. Of the characters in the show, Electra is certainly the most heavily made up, and has been since the OLC production in 1984. The beat is a bit slow at best, not as more normally paced as the New London, but definitely both versions get a 5!

"Call Me Rusty" - Not crazy about this number personally, and that is only because its not among my favourite songs, but it is a really good number in of itself. Strong, creepy, almost too dark undertone to the music and the plot really flows through this number. Indeed another 5.

"A Lotta Locomotion" - Having been a fan of Frances Ruffelle (best known, later, for creating the role of Eponine Thenardier in Cameron Mackintosh's (non ALW) production of "Les Miserables") for a while, she really shines in this number and her voice still has all the power, fun, intrigue, and the surprising gentleness to her tone that she is known for. She is, out of all the ladies I have heard play her, is the best Dinah. :D Music wise, this song, on this recording at least, is very 80s and it shows through. The synthesizers and the electric keyboards really are the focal point in the instruments used in this. But with that said, the performers really blended well together and I must say it definitely deserves a 5, as well. :D

"Pumping Iron" - This indeed is another cute number with Greaseball playing an Elvis figure (ALW seems to have a obsession with Elvis having incorpriated alot of him into Joseph and the Amazing Techincolor Dreamcoat and some of his other shows). I like this version very much, the performer, at the moment his name illudes me, is really quite good at portraying the sort of macho, but nice, tough guy part of Greaseball (unlike the macho, but evil, Electra). Again another 5. :P

"Frieght" - Is very child-like and really is quite suitable for children, music wise as, unlike its former numbers, is not as dark or adult in nature. But there again the flow of the music is weak and here is where it needs perhaps a little punch, but that is only my personal opinion. For children this is a good number but even then still weak. I give this a good even (out of 5 stars) 3 and a half.

"AC/DC" - Well, this is certainly more in line with his other shows, and it really is quite a good number. The music flows really well, and here Ray Schell (?) shows he played the part well. 5 stars.

"He Whistled At Me" - This is perhaps when the romance section really comes through. The late Stephanie Lawerence is amazing as Pearl and the song at times switches from child-like to an almost creepy note when at the end of Rusty (Ray Schell) whistling it slides down on the synthesizers. The flow of the music is of course slow in this and deserves so to be, and in this it does get a 5 as well.

"The Race" (or the first race) - This is where, in the show, it becomes quite electrically charged, although the show is already enough exciting visually in the former tracks, but here is when it reaches it's first peak. The race on stage is quite thrilling (although perhaps, maybe, not as thrilling as the Final one) and the track really captures the nerve and fire of this scene and number. Definitely a 5!!

"There's Me" - This song is quite sweetly done, and is definitely well played out and indeed is more in line with ALW's other shows. Quite gently played and suitable for children. The flow of the music is perfect, the cast does excellent, no complaints here! 5 stars!

"Poppa's Blues" - You would think that ALW, being a more classically minded composer, would stick to more classically themed music. But here he as already done rock, 60's style music, his own unique style, children's style, (I want to say goth but that's not the word for it so I will say..) dark, 80's style music. You would think he would switch back to classical, but nope. Here, as one reviewer commented, this show combines all of ALW's taste or attempts in music. And here is when, in a shocker for ALW, ALW tries to write a blues number. And surprisingly, for those who don't know that he does this, but not surprisingly to those who do know this, he achieves it. Lon Satton is brilliant as Poppa, as has Frances Ruffelle as Dinah and the actor who performed Greaseball (Ray Schell I am not too keen on at alot of points, but he is good, just not my fave) and really shines through in this number. It is a great thing that he later on recreated his role for the New London show. :D The flow of the music really goes well and ALW has really captured the feel of the blues (although I am not a personal fan of the style myself). 5 stars!

"Belle The Sleeping Car" - This is where I have the harshest criticism. I don't know if its the singer or the music, but it is definitely the first really weak point in the show and I think, personally, when thinking about the plot, slows the show down a bit . The flow of the music is confused at best, and bad at least and the performer does not do justice to this number, if the music is already weak. This gets 2 stars.

"Starlight Express" - I remember when I heard this on the Premiere Recording, I did not know who that singer who sang along with Lon Satton was, I did not know at first if it was Ray or a woman. It said on the track it was Ray and Lon. :P But this really captures the essence of the show, this song is about the show and holds everything. Its a combination of the dark undertone, as I said already in play in the show, and the lightness that is tolerable for children. At the time, being into TPOTO, I was not too crazy with it but I did admit it had a good beat, good lyrics (if the singers were not my fave) and was a bit creepy. But now, I quite like it and it captures the show perfectly. Back to 5 stars!

"The Rap" - This is a really confusing number and indeed, I am not a fan of this at all. Its like a combination of 80's style music and rap. :S I would give this 1 star.

"U.N.C.O.U.P.L.E.D" - ALW has wrote Country?? Yes he has. And once again, although the flow in the music is its one major flaw (not on Frances Ruffelle's part), Frances Ruffelle really shines through and the song itself is lovely. Very sweet and sad in a good way. :) Frances Ruffelle indeed, never fails to incorrectly sing, although perhaps, with the beginning flow a bit distorted as its only fault, she did not do as good as she usually does, could have sung country music, if she lived over in the USA. :D Bravo, Frances!! 5 stars!

"Rolling Stock: rephrise" - Being a girl, I could not sing the former version; but this version is especially written for girls (thank you ALW:D) and, for any female performer wanting to do the show and learn the score, this is at a good slow pace to start with and then slowly increases in the later recordings. But this works well and should have remained as is, in the OLC. :D 5 Stars.

"C.B." - This is really 80's style and it really shows Electra being, as he is in the show, an.. (considering children may read this) a jerk. But nevertheless, its a very confusing style and this, while not as bad as "Belle" or the other poor songs on this, it seems to have some strong points. But my only complaint is the style and crescendos and flow of the piece is confusing. I would give this a 2.

"Right Place, Right Time" - HAHAHA! I had to laugh at that comment, "Rocky 1 and Rocky 2" and the "If I had any brains". :D But with that said, this is a good sturdy number, although not as strong as the others. 4 stars at best. :D

"I am the Starlight" - Ray does not shine here as much as I wished he had, but he really does well nevertheless. Lon does not do as good on this, but the song is the peak of the show in that Rusty realizes he is the "destined" or Starlight :D. The music flows in a very classical, in line with the other classical shows that ALW does, and is brilliantly written (if not cast wise written). So for the music a 5, with the singers a 4.

"He Whistled At Me: Rephrise" - The singer, who sounds alot similar to someone from "My Fair Lady" , is really quite cute and this number, I have only one complaint, that Ray again does not show his fuller potential. 5 stars though.

"Race: Final" - This is the climax, where Rusty and Electra go head to head and in the stage show, this is incredible to see and the music is just electric for this, literally in style and in emotion. No complaints at all here! Both children and adults would love this number or at least, find it thrilling if they saw the show live. If you ever see the show, this is probebly, if the children are bored with the former songs, this is where they MAY have fun and get a musical theater buzz. 5 stars indeed!!! :D

"No Comeback" - In regards to the singer here, he does really badly. His flow and style of singing is, perhaps, a bit strained in some notes and poorly done (but to his credit, it may be the score for his voice). But the music really comes through and does briliantly. 5 stars, even with the bad singing!

"One Rock n' Roll Too Many" - This is another confusing number, but it is not the fault of the singer. The style of music is really complicated and indeed in this, this is one rock n roll too many. But with that said, 2 stars.

"Only He" - I have heard this when it was combined with "Only You", as done by, ironically, Frances Ruffelle and, my favourite Phantom and ALW star, Michael Crawford on Michael's Music of ALW CD . This shows Stephanie at her best. 5 stars!!

"Only You" - Here Ray Schell does very badly, but while Stephanie shines through. :D This is a good number and it is a tragedy that ALW cut this out. Oh well, seeing as he cut out alot of stuff from the ALW TPOTO Movie version, I am not surprised. 5 stars, btw. :D

"Light At the End of the Tunnel" - Finally we are reaching the end of the show, where the beginning starts out very dark, this is very upbeat and cheerful. Lon, in contrast to when he did badly, he redeems himself here. 5 stars!!

OVERALL, with all that said and done, I would give it indeed 4 stars. :D And indeed, try and see this show if it comes to your city or town, if you live in the USA. Although if you want a really GOOD production; I highly recommend the versions in Bochem (in Germany, where it is the longest running production of the show, having been here when the OLC and OBC ) and the Las Vegas one. :D

This indeed is one of the rarest of ALW's shows, as its not as well known or popular here in the USA (which is their loss, not mine), and is quite sublte in ALW's various other tastes in music. As a former critic said, this is the best of the recordings.

The best recording of the best musical!.......2005-04-04

Well, where to start, the songs on this CD show the musical how it should be presented. The singers are great and songs are fantastic. You should definitely choose this CD over the New (London) Starlight Express recording. The only thing I think the New recording has over this one is three tracks : Crazy, Coda of Freight, and the Megamix. This however has Call Me Rusty, A Lotta Locomotion, He Whistled At Me, Belle, Girls' Rolling Stock, Only He and Only You and a slightly different Light At The End Of The Tunnel. These are the basic differences, with there being others which are smaller, less obvious differences.

Starlight is my favourite musical of all time. I have had this recording on some medium or other since I was 4 (15 yrs ago) and I have managed to wear out every copy I have owned - I love it that much. I think it is probably true to say that you would have had to see the show live on stage to fully appreciate it however. This recording does sound quite dated and is quite blatantly 80s, however some of the tracks (A Lotta Locomotion and He Whistled Me) are so 80s that they would pass as cool/retro nowadays.

In conclusion - the best Starlight recording I own.

BETTER TO WATCH THAN TO LISTEN..........2005-02-28

Seeing that his "Cats" have become a musical phenomenon in its own right after the London (1981.) and Broadway (1982.) premiere, Andrew Lloyd Webber decided to use the same formula on his next project, "Starlight Express". He collaborated with the same people, including Trevor Nunn as a director; Gillian Lynne as a choreographer and Richard Stilgoe provided the lyrics. The main problem of "Starlight Express" is that it pushes the Cats formula to a much bigger and higher degree. The composer dedicated this show to his children and to his own fascination with train toys.

Most of the show's appeal lies in its visual performance rather than in the score or the lyrics. The plot is even lighter than in Cats: it tells the story of the different trains. Rusty, a steam engine is in love with a glamorous carriage Pearl, but has to compete with other trains by racing them to win her affection. The holes in this simple plot were overshadowed by the grandiose staging that involved vigorous light show and cast members on roller-skates racing through the specially made stage. Because of that, Starlight proved to be a family-oriented show guaranteeing an entertaining evening. It was probably one of the main reasons why the show lasted in the West End until 2002. And yet the fact remains that on Broadway it passed rather unnoticed and didn't cover the basic investment.

This two-disc recording captures much of the original show that opened in March 1984 in London's Apollo Victoria theatre. You should be aware, however, that the score was revised in the early 90-is in order to get a more modern sound. The cast recording here has several problems. First, the orchestrations are full of synthesizers and the disco-beat of the 80-is is more than evident and therefore much dated. The story lacks coherence even more than in the case of Cats, so you don't have the feeling that anything is happening. And the score itself is not among ALW's best, for the most part it's just derivative. That said, some of the songs on this recording are worth noting.

The best of the lot is "Only he", a wonderful love ballad sung by Pearl to Rusty. It's not the music here that matters, it's the lady singing it. The late Stephanie Lawrence had a sweet and tender voice and it will hold you throughout this powerful song. It's amazing that this number was later completely dropped out. Her second big number, "He whistled at me" is a little lighter, but still very pretty. And from the rest of the cast, only Ray Shell's Rusty sticks out. He manages to portray the liveliness of the character in songs such as "Call me Rusty", which has a catching melody. And the other song not to skip is "I am Starlight" on disc 2, sung by Rusty and his father. This is also the only melody that comes close to ALW's symphonic extravaganza, with the perfect blending of the score and the cast. The rest is rather plain and unnoticeable.

The CD package comes with the complete lyrics of the performed songs, but just like in "Aspects of love"; you need a magnifying glass in order to read it. The lyrics are among the most banal I've ever heard in a musical.

This version of "Starlight Express" should therefore be appreciated for its innovative staging and its individual moments rather than its worth as a whole. In this respect, it belongs to the less satisfying scores of Andrew Lloyd Webber and is not at all a must-have, but rather a mere addition to the collection of the composer's work.

Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Premiere Collection Encore

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Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Premiere Collection Encore
Andrew Lloyd Webber , Royal Philharmonic Orchestra , Trevor Nunn , Sarah Brightman , Jose Carreras , Michael Ball , Barbra Streisand , Lon Satton , and Ray Shell
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
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The Very Best Of Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Broadway Collection
Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Premiere Collection Encore
The Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection

ASIN: B000001E0E
Release Date: 1993-03-09

Tracks: