It's Christmas, Man!

Amazon.com
"Merry Christmas" and "Happy Holidays" are not just empty sayings when Brave Combo are around. It's Christmas, Man! is a merry romp through traditional and not-so-traditional holiday fare. "O Christmas Tree" is done as a drum heavy samba, "The Christmas Song" (Chestnuts Roasting) skanks in as a ska tune, and "The Little Drummer Boy" has obviously been hanging out in Cuba. There are polka, waltz, and cumbia versions of classic carols, and a Hanukkah hora (circle dance) as well. Brave Combo have penned five new tunes for this release which are sure to become seasonal favorites. This is a fun recording, featuring accordion, sax, clarinet, guitars, bass, drums, and vocals in a mostly lighthearted set of inspired silliness. The occasional serious song like "Ave Maria" is treated with the respect it deserves, without being allowed to bog down in maudlin sappiness. The 15 songs on this CD make it a generous gift of spirited music. --Jeff Grubb

Tracks:

Overture
It's A Boy
1921
Amazing Journey
Sparks
Eyesight To The Blind (The Hawker)
Christmas
Cousin Kevin
The Acid Queen
Underture
Do You Think It's Alright
Fiddle About
Pinball Wizard
There's A Doctor
Go To The Mirror!
Tommy Can You Hear Me?
Smash The Mirror
Sensation
Miracle Cure
Sally Simpson
I'm Free
Welcome
Tommy's Holiday Camp
We're Not Gonna Take It
See Me Feel Me/Listening To You

Tracks:

I Was
Christmas (Out-Take 3)
Cousin Kevin Model Child
Young Man Blues (Version 1)
Tommy Can You Hear Me? (Alternate Version)
Trying To Get Through
Sally Simpson (Out-Takes)
Miss Simpson
Welcome (Take 2)
Tommy's Holiday Camp (Band's Version)
We're Not Gonna Take It (Alternate Version)
Dogs (Part 2)
It's A Boy
Amazing Journey
Christmas
Do You Think It's Alright?
Pinball Wizard

Customer Reviews:

The Who Classic Masterpiece AS YOU NEVER HEARD BEFORE.......2007-06-12

The Album is a masterpiece of all time rock n roll, even if this is "the less Who album" of the Who... but nevermind!
The Sound in both Stereo (from the original master tape discovered in the vault of UMG) and 5.1 (mixed by Pete Townshend himself) is great...
As you put the disc in your player you'll hear the great differences from the 1996 reissue even if you have only a "simple" CD player..
If You're a great Who fan and you a have SACD player buy ABSOLUTELY this album and enjoy it 'til the laser of your player won't work anymore...
The second disc is clearly for fans only but the quality of some track even if are demos or outtakes is very very good!!

A Landmark Classic Now Made Even Better........2006-12-26

One of the most important, groundbreaking amd influential albums in the history of rock and roll, The Who's 1969 magnum opus "Tommy", a rock opera about a deaf, dumb and blind kid who sure plays a mean pinball, is now better than ever thanks to the brilliance of SACD and DSD remastering techniques.

Every song on the cd sounds like it was recorded just yesterday. It is 100 % crystal clear, perfectly remixed and remastered. It gives you a clearer view of the story as well as a more pleasurable than ever listening experience. Pete Townshend and the people involved in this truly put their hearts into making "Tommy" better than ever.

The bonus disc is also worth it. A lot of awesome raritis. The liner notes are an interesting read, and the album itself is of course a masterpiece nobody should be without.

A Milestone of Early Rock!.......2006-09-29

"Tommy" is beyond question one of the big milestones of early rock. Musically the band were at the peak of their creativity.

All band members were obviously extremely talented musicians and both Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend were/are great singers. Apart from few exceptions like "Cousin Kevin" all songs are outstanding; and it's really great to have the whole story on one CD - compared to the old double vinyl album.

Though the storyline may seem a little weird today ( to me it always did ), there is so much great music on this album.

The second bonus CD gives a very interesting insight in the developement of some of the songs. Though the sound quality is exellent CD 2 will mainly be of interest to hard-core Who fans. None of these alternate versions are better than the ones chosen for the album, though a few come close. The studio version of "Young Man Blues" which did not appear on the original album is a nice addition too!

I Love it !.......2006-09-06

I was so blind-sided by this reissue - really. I have looked at this for a few years now, but I never picked it up. My impression of this was that it had some very good music along with some dated sounding tracks, so it wasn't a high priority. I'd been having very good luck buying hybrid SACD's even though I don't own a SACD player; the CD layers benefit greatly from the DSD mastering, making them stand head and shoulders above the latest PCM remasters (there are a few exceptions), so I decided to take the plunge.

The CD layer is stunning. I must have been sitting there with my mouth open after "Overture" began. I experienced emotion that wasn't there on previous listens to this on CD and vinyl. Yes, some of the tracks still sound dated, but most of this album is very good indeed, and this remaster is so incredible. If you own a great stereo rig, I highly recommend buying this - in fact, even if you don't have a great rig, I recommend it!

The Who's classic rock opera gets a 35th birthday celebration fit for a king!.......2006-08-13

The Who's fourth studio(and fifth overall) album Tommy was released in May of 1969.
The Tommy album by The Who was the make or break for the group because if Tommy had failed, The Who would have probably disbanded due to lack of funds despite their concerts selling out based on Pete Townshend's guitar smashing and Keith Moon's drum kit demolishing at the end of each gig.
Guitarist Pete Townshend, under the gun after I Can See For Miles failed as a single in the UK(although it was their biggest ever hit here in the US) came up with a rock opera about a deaf, dumb and blind kid named Tommy whom becomes those aforementioned things after witnessing an event as a child that traumatized him(his father killing his step-father whom he considered his father).
Originally considered to be a single length album, the band felt it didn't make sense so they expanded it into a double album and the result is one of rock's Top 10 greatest double studio albums in history(alongside other classic double albums like the then-already released Jimi Hendrix's Electric Ladyland and The Beatles' White album and would help pave the way for more classics like The Rolling Stones' 1972 masterwork Exile on Main Street, The Who's 1973 release Quadrophenia, Elton John's 1973 classic Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Genesis' 1974 masterwork The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, Led Zeppelin's 1975 classic Physical Graffiti, Pink Floyd's 1979 masterpiece The Wall and Bruce Springsteen's 1980 classic The River among many others).
Alot of classics appear on this album like the Overture, the classic Top 20 hit Pinball Wizard, Amazing Journey, the Underture(best instrumental on here which is basically a repeat of the album's other instrumental Sparks), Go to the Mirror, I'm Free, Cousin Kevin(one of bass player John Entwistle's greatest compositions), Fiddle About(about the perverted Uncle Ernie), Tommy's Holiday Camp(another excellent ditty written by drummer Keith Moon whom did an excellent rendition in the film version of Tommy in 1975) and the classic finale We're Not Gonna Take It/See Me Feel Me.
The other tracks on the album It's a Boy, 1921(You Didn't Hear It), Eyesight to the Blind, Christmas, The Acid Queen, Do You Think It's Alright, There's a Doctor I've Found, Tommy Can You Hear Me?, Smash the Mirror, Sensation, Miracle Cure, Sally Simpson and Welcome are all great pieces as well though tend to be overlooked.
The album made The Who legends for good and peaked at #4 on the Billboard chart and was their first Gold seller(eventually Platinum).
In 1996, the album was re-released as a remastered CD but used different masters for the remixed reissue.
In October of 2003(just in time for Tommy's 35th Anniversary), Geffen Records(formerly known as MCA) re-released the album as a 2-disc Hybrid SACD with the original mix on the CD layer and a killer 5.1 mix on the SACD layer and this version uses the very original tapes that were found in Universal's vault after being said that the original tapes were destroyed by Kit Lambert in a fire. As a result of the discovery of the original tapes, the sound quality is amazing on here.
Disc two has great outtakes and demos like I Was, The Who trying to record Sally Simpson with hilarious results and instrumental versions of Tommy Can You Hear Me and Tommy's Holiday Camp among many other rarities plus a cool booklet with rare photos.
Highly recommended.

Average customer rating:

Judy Garland Please!
Bad Casting/Poor recording
Lucy you did a wonderful job !!!!!
Disappointing,but worth a listen
Three stars for third-rate

Mame

Manufacturer: Collector's Choice
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Mame
Mame (1966 Original Broadway Cast)
Bea Arthur on Broadway - Just Between Friends
Gypsy (1962 Film Soundtrack)
Miss Bette Davis

ASIN: B0002LO7FQ
Release Date: 2005-02-15

Tracks:

Main Title Including "ST. Bridget"
It's Today
Open a New Window - Lucille Ball, Kirby Furlong
Man in the Moon
My Best Girl - Lucille Ball, Kirby Furlong
We Need a Little Christmas - Lucille Ball, Jane Connell, Kirby Furlong, Sab Shimono
Mame
Loving You
Letter - Kirby Furlong,
Bosom Buddies - Bea Arthur, Lucille Ball
Gooch's Song - Jane Connell
If He Walked into My Life - Lucille Ball
Finale (Open a New Window/Mame)

Customer Reviews:

Judy Garland Please!.......2007-01-21

It was said that if Judy Garland had lived the role would have been hers - if you could gotten her on the set every day. But there was no doubt that she would have been the perfect age for the part and that her voice even while she was struggling in the late 60's would have been anything but better than Lucy's. If only....

Bad Casting/Poor recording.......2006-11-03

The soundtrack to jerry Herman's Mame with Lucille Ball, Bea Arthur and Robert Preston is a recording for hard core Mame Fans only, and even they have to bite down hard to make it pallatable. Primarily due to the exceedingly poor soundtrack quality, this soundtrack is one of the poorest recordings I have ever heard! Lucille Ball is totally miscast as Mame, although she try's very hard. Beatrice Arthur is wonderful as on the B'way cast album w/ Angela Landsburry. Robert Preston is the one presence I actually had to have the disc for. I may copy them to another disc, so I don't have to put up with the rest of this dreadful recording, so full of noise you're looking for the noise reduction button!!!Not for the timid!

Lucy you did a wonderful job !!!!!.......2006-01-22

Lucille Ball, gave it her best shot and I think she Sang, and Danced wonderful. Id rather hear Lucy !!! than that LOUD british singer Angela Lansbury, she seemend to screaming most of her songs in her OBC !! Lucy was more beliveble in her singing, So move out of the way Angela Lucille Ball is Mame !!!

Disappointing,but worth a listen.......2006-01-11

The main reason for buying this CD is to hear Jerry Herman's lovely score.It's always worth listening to,but this version is
like the movie itself-a major disappointment.There are a few
good things on the disc-the title track,Robert Preston,Beatrice
Arthur,and Jane Connell.But the rest of the cast simply can't
sing,and Fred Werner's musical direction is mediocre at best.
And the worst thing of all is Lucille Ball.Sure,she tries hard,but
let's face it-as "I Love Lucy" proved,she simply was not a musical comedy performer(and I'm a Lucy fan!)There is no doubt
that Angela Lansbury should have played Mame,but just as they
did with "My Fair Lady" and Julie Andrews,Warner Brothers didn't
consider her a big enough name for the box office.Overall,this is an acceptable soundtrack,but if you want the best "Mame"
album,get the Broadway cast recording instead.

Three stars for third-rate.......2005-12-25

This 1974 disaster all but ended Auntie Mame's career -- and Lucille Ball's. Though to get a full scope of the bad you must see the movie if you dare this soundtrack gives broad hints. If Lucy was photographed through gauze some of her vocals (like the notorious solo duet leading off "If He Walked Into My Life") sound as though she was recorded through it. Compounding the travesty the arranger Ralph Burns turned the grande dame of Beekman Place into a singing tart, with keeyute shticks that suggest less a musical triumph than a musical sitcom. Not everyone suffers and dies; Robert Preston is the apex of mellow crooning the film's one new tune, "Loving You", which starts off hauntingly then swoons to Lucy's gauze; and there is no stopping the trouper in Bea Arthur. But casting Lucy was a mistake, a mistake compounded by a tone-deaf production. My Mame is still Angela Lansbury's, and Goddard Lieberson's.

P. S. The Warner Music folks must have laughed when they turned this album into a limited-edition price gouge. There is no difference between the current CD and the LP; the timings on Rhino Handmade's site are identical to the dust jacket's. Whoever said "A fool and his money are easily parted" was thinking record collectors.

Average customer rating:

Elly Ameling now more available
Delight in every note
While they last...
Treasures From a Treasure
More than fully earned praise for an exceptional singer.

Artistry of Elly Ameling (Coll)
Elly Ameling
Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Elly Ameling ~ Schubert · Schumann - Songs
Philips and Decca Recordings, 1961-1979 (Limited Edition)
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Ave Maria--Lieder

ASIN: B00007KMSJ
Release Date: 2003-10-14

Tracks:

Matthaus-Passion
Johannes-Passion
Weihnachts-Oratorium
Juditha Triumphans
Messiah
Crudel Tiranno Amor
Die Schopfung
Orlando Paladino
7 Lieder
Le Nozze Di Figaro
Exsultate, Jubilate Ch'io Mi Scordi Di Te, K505
Misera! Dove Son! K369
18 Lieder
Frauenliebe Und- Leben
11 Lieder
20 Morike-Lieder

Customer Reviews:

Elly Ameling now more available .......2007-03-07

I had a 33 rpm album of Elly Ameling singing Schubert lieder accompanied by piano and clarinet at times. It was one of my all time favorite albums so I have been disappointed that I have not been able to find it anywhere on CD.

Now I can just buy this excellent collection. So much music in one place! Since I confess that I am far from an expert on the rest of her records, I look forward to hearing her sing many other styles and composers.

I think it is silly to criticize her for not singing Wagner, for example, since her version of many songs, especially lieder, are nothing short of sublime. I would like to hear how many Wagnerians sing Schubert or Mozart.

I doubt if they could approach the skill and soul with which Elly Ameling sings lieder.

Delight in every note.......2006-03-10

To speak as briefly as possible about this superb collection from an equally superb singer, what can I say but that Ms Ameling possessed a voice that shone with radiant warmth and star-like shimmer? And unlike many another light lyric soprano, Elly Ameling was possessed of a very high standard of musicianship, considerable intelligence, and a sort of immediate charm that captivates the listener.

So many of her recordings have still to be released on CD, but this 5CD-set goes some way towards remedying the situation. The repertoire spans a wide variety - French mèlodies, Lieder, light-hearted "sentimental" songs, Bach, etc. - and in each piece, Ms Ameling shows that quality of pearl-like beauty. It is a beauty which is also extremely pretty - a beauty of voice that is never overbearing and over-ripe, but perfectly blossoming upon the tree of inspiration.

I recommend this set unequivocally. It truly is sheer delight.

While they last..........2005-05-17

Elly Ameling held the quiet stage for recitals of great artistry and dignity for several decades and sadly most of the enormously successful CDs of her long career output are now unavailable. For those who have little access to the documentation of this very special artist, this box set is a must. It is a compilation of many of her recordings with differing accompanists, conductors, orchestras and composers. And while not all of the choices for inclusion here would be considered her greatest moments, there are enough works that sustain the warm memories of the little Dutch hausfrau who quietly and simply paid homage to composers with her clear and intelligent musicianship and radiant voice.

Ameling was known to schedule recitals of Schubert cycles and songs and in the afterglow of her performance answer the demand for curtain calls with additional Schubert melodies: she gifted her audience with the dignity of honoring a composer's works by maintaining the focus on that composer rather than milk the audience with the usual encore applause-getting favorites. And special moments such as quietly and pensively strolling through the orchestra during the Mahler 4th symphony to arrive at front stage, unapplauded, just in time for the opening line of her singing - those simple homage to composers and collaborators made her selfless manner endearing to audiences.

Despite the fact that Ameling's voice was on the small side she was always able to muster the projection to carry her message solidly in context with an orchestra. Yes, other more famous singers have recorded Ravel's quintessentially French SHEHERAZADE, but few have the perfection of diction and aura of mystery that Ameling maintained. Whether singing with piano or orchestra, or interpreting Bach, Mozart, Handel, and Vivaldi with the same degree of involvement as Brahms and Schumann and Schubert, Elly Ameling spanned a career that engendered passionate commitment from her fans. And this boxed set is a pocket full of memories to be treasured. Buy it before this too becomes unavailable. Grady Harp, May 05

Treasures From a Treasure.......2004-09-25

Treasures from a Treasure.

Ameling, one of the world's most beloved recitalists is captured here in a 5 CD collection offering some of her most beautiful recordings of song. While we are used to her perfection in songs of Bach, Mozart, Schubert, Schumann, Faure and Hahn, an added joy is her "pop" side, tackling - without a whiff of pretension, Porter, Kern, Gershwin, Ellington, et al.

What an absolute joy it is listening to this amazing artist sing these songs with an almost uncanny natural ease. There is no resorting to a "pop" voice and yet most of these pop standards songs sound as though they could have been written for her. Clean attacks, sometimes a bit of the pop technique of hanging on to a consonant longer than a classical artist normally would shows an appreciation and understanding of the style. Still, there is never once a compromise of her vocal beauty.

I like the way the songs have been arranged for her voice in that she sort of sings them clean, unaffected in the first half and then lets loose and kinda "swings" with it adding embellishments but never really changing her voice (Price, von Stade and other favorite singers of mine seem to have always added a breathy quality to much of their crossover material.)

Ameling doesn't resort to trying to "let her hair down" or get down and dirty, but rather the honest with which she approaches every one of these songs shows how much she enjoys singing them and her style is as refreshing as stumbling onto a cool spring on a sweltering summer's afternoon. A wonderful surprise.

More than fully earned praise for an exceptional singer........2003-07-15

As I had the privilige of hearing this outstanding Lied-singer during her long career in Holland and being the proud possessor of almost all her recordings, I cannot but fully agree with the professional and joyful review of Mr. Robert Holliston from Victoria, B.C. Canada.
Yes, it is unbelievable that of about the 150 recordings Mrs. Ameling made during her long career (for the greater part of course on the 'oldfashioned' LP's, as well as the innumerable Dutch live-recorded radio-concerts), so few CD's have been released.
Speaking of tradition: it was the page-turner of the Wigmore Hall in London who told Mrs. Ameling after her first recital in this hall, that she reminded him of Elisabeth Schumann. (And he certainly didn't mean her looks only!)
For those who are eager to hear her singing Ravel's Shéhérazade (just one example of stirring imagination combined with her Art of Singing) I can tell you that Philips released a 2-box CD of this work in 1999, combined with Debussy's La Damoiselle élue and a compilation of French mélodies, i.e. Debussy, Fauré, Duparc, Satie. One of the gems is Caplet's Le Corbeau et le Renard which even make children, who know the fables of La Fontaine, revel in the singing of the quarrelsome birds....
Her brilliant accompanyist is Rudolf Jansen. Let us cherish great artists in their art!

Average customer rating:

Amazing skills, yet too busy for listening enjoyment
John Bayless Christmas Rhapsody
best concert pianist in the world
My favorite of the season
Best Piano Christmas CD ever!

Christmas Rhapsody

Manufacturer: Koch Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Romantica
Bach Meets the Beatles: Revisited
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ASIN: B0002VEQ5C
Release Date: 2004-10-05

Tracks:

O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL / ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH / HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING
I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS / "GOING HOME" NEW WORLD SYMPHONY
SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN / DANCE OF THE SUGAR PLUM FAIRY
THE CHRISTMAS SONG
RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER / LET IT SNOW
AVE MARIA
O COME O COME EMANUEL / O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM / THE FIRST NOEL
WINTER WONDERLAND / JINGLE BELLS
SILENT NIGHT / O HOLY NIGHT
SWEET LITTLE JESUS BOY / AWAY IN A MANGER / WHAT CHILD IS THIS?
JESU JOY OF MAN'S DESIRING / AMAZING GRACE
HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS
WHITE CHRISTMAS

Customer Reviews:

Amazing skills, yet too busy for listening enjoyment.......2006-12-13

I can't believe how well John Bayless has mastered the piano. This is very obvious from the first song that you ever hear him play. I'd really like to watch him play in concert. However, the songs on this album are too much work for me to listen to. The music is so busy that I can hardly concentrate on the melody and it hardly gives me the peace I expect from traditional Christmas music. Some of my favorites for this category are Jim Brickman, David Huntsinger, and Tim Janis.

John Bayless Christmas Rhapsody.......2006-02-13

Christmas Rhapsody has quickly become one of our all time favorite Chistmas CDs. We love it so much that it is February 10th and we are still listening to it.

best concert pianist in the world.......2005-08-18

John Bayless is the best concert pianist in the world. This album shows his genuis. Perfect music to listen to any time of the year.
This is the best Christmas album on the market.

My favorite of the season.......2004-12-31

This is the holiday music I have listened to throughout the season, and it is so beautiful I cannot bear to put it away yet. I love Bayless's work at any time, and these arrangements simply take my breath away. His blending of "I'll Be Home for Christmas" with "Going Home" from the New World Symphony is particulary poignant. And his signature "Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring/Amazing Grace" is seasonless and timeless. Christmas is over, but get this anyway; it's wonderful.

Best Piano Christmas CD ever!.......2004-12-15

David Lanz? Jim Brickman? John Tesh? Move over guys... John Bayless has done what no others could... Taken the xmas classics to a new level of musical enjoyment! By combining the songs together, and making them so rich and full of life, this will be my favorite Christmas CD for a looooooooooong time.

Average customer rating:

Broadway: America's Music 1935-2005

Manufacturer: Decca Broadway
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Letters from Iwo Jima (Two-Disc Special Edition)

ASIN: B000B8I93Q
Release Date: 2005-10-18

Tracks:

Oh What a Beautiful Mornin'
Summertime
I Could Write a Book
It Never Entered My Mind
I Can Cook Too
Make It Another Old Fashioned, Please
If I Loved You
My Heart Belongs to Daddy
Thou Swell
I Left My Heart at the Stage Door Canteen
There's No Business Like Show Business
South American Way

Tracks:

Shall We Dance
Ohio
Luck Be a Lady
Mack the Knife
There's a Small Hotel
Once in Love with Amy
Yodel Blues
Lazy Afternoon
There Must Be Somethin' Better Than Love
You're Just in Love
Now Is the Time

Tracks:

Impossible Dream
Love Makes the World Go 'Round
Try to Remember
Put on a Happy Face
I Say Hello
Happiness
She Loves Me
What Kind of Fool Am I?
Shy
Consider Yourself
Poor Little Person

Tracks:

Magic to Do
They're Playing My Song
I Don't Know How to Love Him
I Won't Send Roses
Good Morning Starshine
Don't Cry for Me, Argentina
Hard Candy Christmas
Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend
Won't You Charleston with Me?
Applause

Tracks:

Phantom of the Opera
Memory
On My Own
Muddy Water
How Could I Ever Know
American Dream
I Know Him So Well
Dr. Jazz
Me and My Girl
Suddenly Seymour

Tracks:

Mamma Mia!
Popular
Seasons of Love
Oh, the Thinks You Can Think
Whatever Lola Wants
Crazy
How Deep Is Your Love
Stars
People Like Us
I Go to Rio

Average customer rating:

Incredible Christmas Album

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Christmas Classics
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ASIN: B0000D1FKB
Release Date: 2003-10-14

Tracks:

What Child Is This? - Vanessa Williams
Winter Wonderland - Ella Fitzgerald
White Christmas - Bing Crosby
The Christmas Song - Mel Torme
Silver And Gold - Burl Ives
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Perry Como
Silver Bells - The Ames Brothers
Mary's Boy Child - Harry Belafonte
The White Snows Of Christmas - The Kingston Trio
Koppangen - Anne Sophie Von Otter
Mary Did You Know - Hayley Westenra
We Three Kings Of Orient Are - Anadian Brass
The Homecoming - John Tesh
Shepherd's Pipe Carol Choir - Shoir Of St John's College
Carol Of The Drum - John Williams
Once In Royal David - Academy Of St Martin-In-The-Fields
Les Anges Dans Nos Campagne - Gheorghe Zamfir
Carol Of The Bells - Musica Sacra
I Saw Three Ships - Mantovani & His Orchestra
Sleigh Ride - Arthur Fiedler
The Christmas Waltz - THE LIVING STRINGS
Christmas Bells - Mantovani & His Orchestra
Patapan - London Symphony Orchestra
We Wish You A Merry Christmas - The Philip Jones Brass Ensemble
Jingle Bell Rock - Bond

Tracks:

Adeste Fidelis (O Come All Ye Faithful) - Academy Of St Martin-In-The-Fields
O Holy Night - Luciano Pavarotti
O Tannebaum - Vienna Boys' Choir
Ave Maria - Luciano Pavarotti
Joy To The World - Joan Sutherland
Ding Dong! Merrily On High - John Rutter
Do You Hear What I Hear? - Anthony Way
O Little Town Of Bethlehem - The Choir Of King's College
Coventry Carol - London Symphony Orchestra
Away In The Manger - The Choir Of King's College
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear - Leontyne Price
Hark! The Hearld Angels Sing - Academy Of St Martin-In-The-Fields
Deck The Halls - London Symphony
Gesu Bambino - Luciano Pavarotti
The First Nowell - The Choir Of King's College
Still, Still, Still - Vienna Boys' Choir
King Jesus Hath A Garden - John Rutter
Child In The Manger - John Rutter
The Holly And The Ivy - The Choir Of King's College
In Dulci Jubilo - The Choir Of Kings College
God Rest Ye Merr yGentlemen - The Choir Of King's College
Jesu, Joy Of Mans Desiring - Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra
Good King Wencelas - John Tesh
Twelve Days Of Christmas - Anthony Way
Silent Night - David Willcocks

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

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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:

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

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

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

Album Description

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

Ultimate Classical Christmas Album of All Time

Average customer rating:

Breathtakingly beautiful!
Pretty good, though maybe not 'ultimate'
Not ultimate, but truly classical

Ultimate Classical Christmas Album of All Time

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music

Holiday Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
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ASIN: B00006L3OY
Release Date: 2002-10-01

Tracks:

I Wonder As I Wander - Emily Van Evera
Villancico De Navidad - John Williams
O Little Town Of Bethlehem - Mormon Tabernacle Choir
Children's Prayer From Hansel And Gretel - Bernstein
Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming - Andre Previn
The Coventry Carol - Eileen Farrell
Good People All, This Christmastide - Andrew Parrott
Watts's Cradle Hymn - Martin Neary
Pastoral Ad Libitum - Largo From Concerto Grosso In G Minor Op.6 No.8 'Christmas Concerto' - Richard Kapp
O Tannenbaum - Rita Ford Music Boxes
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear - Eileen Farrell
Largo From Concerto In F Minor For Violin And Orchestra, Op.8 'L'Inverno' (Winter From The Four Seasons) - Zukerman, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra
Ave Maria - Ayako Shinozaki
Pie Jesu From Requiem, Op.48 - Andrew Davis
Ich Steh' An Deiner Krippen Hier (I Stand Here By Thy Crib) (Choral) From Christmas Oratorio, BWV248 - Helmuth Rilling
Lullay My Liking - Gregg Smith
What Child Is This? (Greensleeves) - London Symphony Orchestra
O Come, O Come, Emanuel - Philadelphia Orchestra
Silent Night - Mormon Tabernacle Choir
Wiegenlied 'Guten Abend, Gut Nacht' Op.49, No.4 - Helmut Deutsch

Tracks:

Hallelujah Chorus From Messiah, HWV - Philadelphia Orchestra
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - Philadelphia Orchestra
Cantique De Noel (O Holy Night) - Wiener Symphoniker
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring - Philadelphia Orchestra
Carol Of The Drum (Little Drummer Boy) - Mormon Tabernacle Choir
Deus IN Adjutorium From Vespers Of The Blessed Virgin - Canadian Brass
Laudemus Te From Gloria In D Major, RV 589 - La Grande Ecurie Et La Chambre Du Roy
German Dance, K. 605, No.3 'The Sleigh Ride' - Bernstein
Deck The Halls With Boughs Of Holly - The Philadelphia Brass Ensemble
Hark! The HErald Angels Sing - Andrew Parrott
Gesu Bambino - Mormon Tabernacle Choir
O Come, All Ye Faithful - Mormon Tabernacle Choir
The First Noel - Philadelphia Orchestra
Ding Dong! Merrily Oh High - Anthony Newman
March From The Nutcracker Ballet, Op.71 (Act I) - Philadelphia Orchestra
I. Allegro (Exsultate) From Exsultate, Jubilate, K.165 - Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra
Canzon Septimi Toni No.2 - Philadelphia And Cleveland Brass Ensembles
Die Menge Der Engel (The Hosts Of Angels) From Historia Der Geburt Jesu Christi/History Of The Birth Of Jesus Christ, SWV435, 435A - Barockorchester Stuttgart
Joy To The World - The Philadelphia Brass Ensemble
Once, In Royal David's City - The Chestnut Brass Company
O Sanctissima (O Du Frohliche) - Philadelphia Orchestra
Angels We Have Heard On High - Mormon Tabernacle Choir
Magnificat From Magnificat In D Major, BWV243 - Helmuth Rilling

Customer Reviews:

Breathtakingly beautiful!.......2007-01-15

Over and over we played "Die Menge der Engel" - - it is stunningly beautiful! The loftiness of the voices, wonderful.

We loved the boys/children's choruses on many of the other pieces on the album. Duets by Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavorati - - magnifico!

It is a pleasant compilation of traditional favorites and awesome classical pieces that are worth listening to again and again.

Pretty good, though maybe not 'ultimate'.......2004-10-08

If you love Christmas as much as I do, you will probably enjoy this album. It features plenty of standard favorites - especially sung by the MoTab, who seem to be a holiday staple. I probably wouldn't pay $17.95 just to hear songs like 'The Little Drummer Boy' of 'We Wish You a Merry Christmas.'

What makes this compillation interesting is the liberal sprinkling of less traditional - or, anyway, less well-known - classical pieces. Vivaldi's 'Gloria', Corelli's 'Christmas Concerto', and the opera 'Hansel and Gretel' all make an appearance. The standout, in my mind, is the ethereally beautiful 'Watt's Cradle Hymn,' which I have never seen or heard anywhere else - that one song alone makes this album worth a listen.

Not ultimate, but truly classical.......2003-11-19

Good mix of the expected ("Silent Night", "O Come All Ye Faithful", etc) and the unexpected (the Vivaldi Gloria, Gabrieli, Schutz). Kudos to the Sony team for uniform clarity & quality of sound, despite source material from 1959 through 1998. Word to the wise: the performance of "O Little Town of Bethlehem" credited to Marilyn Horne is actually by Eileen Farrell from her excellent "Carols for Christmas Eve" release. No disrespect to Ms Horne, who is well represented by two performances with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. If you're truly a classical music fan but don't mind a traditional carol or two, this is an excellent buy.

Average customer rating:

The Best Ever!
Enchanted by Enchanted Christmas
LIKE ANGELS PLAYING FOR YOU
She Has Another One !!!
This is the best Christmas CD I own.

Enchanted Christmas
Ana Maria Mendieta
Manufacturer: Sugo Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

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

General | New Age | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Classical Instrumental | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music

Classical Instrumental | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
Similar Items:

Christmas Classics for Guitar
Joy to the World
A Festival of Carols in Brass
Broadway, Center Stage

ASIN: B0000005Z6
Release Date: 1993-10-27

Tracks:

Angels We Have Heard On High (The Westminster Carol)
Carol Of The Bells (Czechoslavakian Melody)
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
Coventry Carol (Ancient English Melody)
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
Concert Variations On 'Adeste Fidelis'
Silent Night (Stille Nicht)
Gesu Bambino (The Infant Jesus)
Ave Maria (Op.52, No.6)
Lo, How A Rose
Canon In D Major
Away In A Manger
Bring A Torch, Jeannette Isabella
A Ceremony Of Carols (Interlude, Op.28)
Amazing Grace

Album Description

Capturing the magic and celebration of the holiday season, Enchanted Christmas highlights the gifted harp arrangements of Anna Maria Mendieta along with her new chamber ensemble featuring strings, woodwinds and beautiful angelic sounscapes.

Customer Reviews:

The Best Ever!.......2003-11-10

I had to send from the UK to the States for this one... Heard it in a shop in NYC while on holiday, fell in love with it but could not get it anywhere! This is beautiful, nostalgic and easy to listen to....I must now buy the other CD about Broadway hits, can't wait!

Enchanted by Enchanted Christmas.......2000-12-04

This album contains some of the most beautiful harp music combined with Stevan Pasero's New Chamber Ensemble that I have ever heard. Ms. Mendieta's mastery of the harp is in this reviewer's thinking probably the best I have ever heard, and I believe harp truly is an angelic instrument. But it's not just her harp playing that makes it so good, it is also the arrangements made possible through the players of the ensemble that bring out her mastery, and make this must listening for the Christmas season, or any other time. One word of caution, however. As it is playing, you must sit down, relax, close your eyes and listen. You'll be rewarded with the most enduring listening pleasure you've ever heard!

LIKE ANGELS PLAYING FOR YOU.......1999-12-06

THIS IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS MUSIC I HAVE EVER HEARD. IT REALLY BRINGS THE TRUE FEELLING OF CHRISTMAS TO YOU, AND REMINDS YOU OF THE REAL REASON FOR CHRISTMAS AND ALL IT'S GLORY. I HAVE THIS CD, AND I AM BUYING 2 MORE! ONE FOR WORK AND ONE FOR MY CAR. YOU WILL NEVER REGRET HAVING THIS MASTERPIECE IN YOUR COLLECTION.

She Has Another One !!!.......1999-03-21

When I was in Caracas, I bought her '96 CD called Broadway Center Stage. It has memorable songs from some of the greatest Broadway musicals of our time. Such as Cats, Sound of Music, Les Miserables (my favorite), West Side Story, Evita, Man of La Mancha, Porgy & Bess, Fiddler on the Roof, Sunset Blvd., Jekyll & Hyde, Phantom of the Opera, and Miss Saigon! This is her BEST collection accompanied by the lush orchestral arrangement of Conni Ellisor, this selection of favorite stage repertoire includes works by Andrew Lloyd Weber, George Gershwin, Claude-Michel Schonberg, Leonard Bernstein and more. Great music! Too bad Amazon does not have this:(

This is the best Christmas CD I own........1999-01-10

I have played this CD over and over again. The harp music is very soothing and inspiring and it sounds good. This CD is a refreshing break from all of the Christmas hustle and bustle; it is like a quiet oasis. I especially enjoy the last song, Amazing Grace. It sums up our reason for the season--God's great love for us by sending his Son to earth to be our Savior. I searched the net to find other CDs by Anna Maria Mendieta but was disappointed to find that it is the only one.

Average customer rating:

The Greatest Gift
ST8UPFAN
ClassySexyCool
Great Effort!
THE Gift For Christmas

Gift of Christmas
En Vogue
Manufacturer: Discretion Ent.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Contemporary R&B | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Contemporary R&B | R&B | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
Similar Items:

A Faithful Christmas
A Special Christmas
One Family: A Christmas Album
Masterpiece Theatre
EV3

ASIN: B00006LWRT
Release Date: 2002-10-08

Tracks:

Oh Christmas Tree Greeting
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Jingle Bells [Euro Mix]
Snowy Nights
My Christmas
Merry Christmas Baby
This Christmas
That's What Christmas Means to Me
With My Honey
Oh Holy Night
What Child Is This
What Child Is This [Vocal Version]
Jingle Bells [Rock Version]
Jingle Bells [Instrumental Version]

Album Description

After millions and millions of albums sold with Grammy nominated mega-hits such as "My Lovin' (You're Never gonna Get It)", "Hold On", "Givin' Him Somethin' He Can Feel", "Free Your Mind", "Whatta Man", "Don't Let Go (Love)", "No Fool No More", "Lies", "Don't Go", "You Don't Have to Worry", "Too Gone, Too Long"... the Funky Divas are back, badder than ever!

And now, returning from a well deserved hiatus, these Soul Train Entertainers of the Year and American Music Award Winners have in their own fashionable style and grace, crafted their latest release and very first Christmas Holiday Album...

"THE GIFT of CHRISTMAS"

Customer Reviews:

The Greatest Gift.......2004-09-23

The best Christmas gift these ladies could ever give me is another album with their beautiful voices on it, singing in sweet harmony. With new member, Amanda Cole in tow, these talented women have won my heart once more with this holiday treasure. Christmas is a special time of the year for me and my family and this album will make it that much better.

My favorite tracks are:

HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS (I simply love how they sampled the GIVING HIM SOMETHING HE CAN FEEL beat and melody and re-worked into this holiday classic)

SNOWY NIGHTS (The melody reminds me of Surface's "Happy"; very sentimental)

MY CHRISTMAS [MY KWANZAA] (Love the sample of Love Unlimited's "Walking In The Rain With The One I Love" {originally written and produced by Barry White, R.I.P.}; My favorite line from it is: "Difference is good and it's understood that there is more than Christinas in our house/That's what makes it cool being family/You find the common ground and work it out!". Words to live by!)

MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY (Terry really tore it up on this one, good job Ms. E!)

OH HOLY NIGHT (I've heard many versions of this old standard over the years and Cindy's rendition of it is quite emotional and spiritual)

These women are truly a "gift" from GOD and I'm glad I'm a devoted fan. Simply beautiful.

ST8UPFAN.......2002-11-22

I've been an EnVogue fan since born to sing and I must say the girls have once again out-done themselves."The Gift of Christmas" is one of those Christmas CD's you must have in your holiday collection. The CD has something for everyone age 3 thru 93. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas proves EV still has style and grace. Snowy Nights is smooth with a hip hop fizz that all young hiphoppers will enjoy. O Holy Night and Merry X-mas Baby shows the girls versitility and there's much more. EnVogue has lost a couple members, but new member Amanda Cole steps up to the plate to show the world she has what it takes to carry on the EnVogue torch. Don't sleep on this CD because two members left the group. EnVogue is still alive making wonderful music...THIS IS A BRILLIANT CD!!! Thanks EnVogue you've done it again!

ClassySexyCool.......2002-11-21

En Vogue's Gift of Christmas is the 'tuxedo' or 'beaded gown' of holiday music. It's Classy! It's sexy! It's cool! This cd reminds us that there are entertainers out there that can actually SING! En Vogue does not need the trapping's (skimpy clothes,colorful hair weaves, overly choreographed videos) of today's so called 'super groups' to entertain an audience. They have pure,raw talent that can mesmerize and tantalize all at once! The Gift of Christmas takes you on a mystical and magical journey of Christmases past, present and future! I feel like I could be at the table of the Walton's or the home of the Huxtables feasting on the love of family and good friends, eating a scrumptious holiday meal and enjoying the true reason for the season, while listening to this cd.

"I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus", and "Jingle Bells" takes me back to a place in my childhood that I would loooove to revisit! "That's What Christmas Means to Me" , "Oh Holy Night" and "What Child Is This" warms me body, soul and spirit! "Snowy Nights", "Merry Chistmas Baby" and "With My Honey" is where I dream of being very soon with that special someone. I would recommend this cd very highly to anyone wishing to dress up in their holiday best or to just kick back with some apple cider in front of a roaring fire! Yes, the group looks different, but Miss Amanda Cole is bursting with tremendous talent, beauty and style as does all of the En Vogue family, past and present!

The 'Gift of Christmas' cd is the second greatest gift sent to us. En Vogue is truly blessed by God and is at their very, very best on this cd from start to finish. Cindy,Terry,Amanda and team-Thanks for such a wonderful gift! I may be enjoying it all year long or until the next studio album is released! Fans, join us at En VogueCraze at Yahoo for an true En Vogue lovefest!

Great Effort!.......2002-11-21

Can't say that I'm a huge En Vogue fan...or a fan of most Christmas music in general, but I took a chance on this CD just to try a little addition to the Nat "King" Cole music I'll be listening to this Christmas. I must say, the CD is pretty darn good...the group sounds a lot fresher than they did on their last CD and the music on this CD is not all the standard fare. A little R&B, a little blues, some traditional stuff...even some Rock! I'm impressed.

THE Gift For Christmas.......2002-11-21

Brilliant. Simply excellent. The line-up with new member, Amanda Cole, is excellent and fits in perfectly with the perfectly flowing style of En Vogue.

The old Xmas songs such as 'O Holy Night' and 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas' are revamped and done perfectly. For the old fans of EV, you'll notice a brilliant suprise for 'I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus'. New songs like 'Merry Christmas Baby' and 'This Christmas' are pure genius and can only show a brilliant on going life for En Vogue.

Truly the Gift Of Christmas

Rock Music: