The late zydeco man always remains present in the mind of anyone touched by the Fais-Do-Do sounds emanating from Louisiana's French Triangle. At a 1982 record date Chenier and his sweaty outfit fill an imaginary dance floor. Note how his blues accordion has the harmonic density of the entire Glenn Miller Orchestra on "In the Mood." -- © Frank John Hadley 1993
I'm Here!,Clifton Chenier,Alligator Records,Blues Music,Cajun / Zydeco / New Orleans,Creole,Pop,Zydeco
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Thoroughly Modern Millie (2002 Original Broadway Cast)
Jeanine Tesori , Dick Scanlan , and Sutton Foster Manufacturer: RCA Victor Broadway ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000066B4Y Release Date: 2002-06-11 |
Tracks:
- Overture (Orchestra)
- Not for the Life of Me (Sutton Foster)
- Thoroughly Modern Millie (Sutton Foster and Ensemble)
- Not for the Life of Me (Sutton Foster, JoAnn M. Hunter, Alisa Klein, Jessica Grove, Megan Sikora, Catherine Brunell and Kate Baldwin)
- How the Other Half Lives (Angela Christian and Sutton Foster)
- Not for the Life of Me (reprise) (Ken Leung and Francis Jue)
- The Speed Test (Marc Kudisch, Sutton Foster, Anne L. Nathan and Ensemble)
- They Don't Know (Harriet Harris)
- The Nuttycracker Suite (Orchestra)
- What Do I Need with Love? (Gavin Creel)
- Only in New York (Sheryl Lee Ralph)
- Jimmy (Sutton Foster)
- Back at Work (Orchestra with Sutton Foster, Anne L. Nathan and Ensemble)
- Forget About the Boy (Sutton Foster, Anne L. Nathan and Ensemble)
- Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life/I'm Falling in Love with Someone (Marc Kudisch and Angela Christian)
- I Turned the Corner/I'm Falling in Love with Someone (quartet/reprise) (Gavin Creel and Sutton Foster, Marc Kudisch and Angela Christian)
- Muqin (Harriet Harris, Francis Jue and Ken Leung)
- Long as I'm Here with You (Sheryl Lee Ralph and Male Ensemble)
- Gimme Gimme (Sutton Foster)
- Finale (Thoroughly Modern Millie) (Gavin Creel, Angela Christian and Ensemble with Sheryl Lee Ralph and Sutton Foster)
- Final Bows (Entire Company)
Amazon.com
Although it's based on the 1967 movie of the same name, Thoroughly Modern Millie is almost thoroughly new. Composer Jeanine Tesori (Violet) and lyricist Dick Scanlan wrote a whole batch of songs, while retaining a couple from the movie--including the Jimmy van Heusen-Sammy Cahn title tune--and recycling even older material (look for Victor Herbert's "I'm Falling in Love with Someone" and the inventively arranged "Nuttycracker Suite"). Miraculously, the show, set during the jazz age, doesn't feel stitched together, and Tesori does a great job cranking out swinging melodies. Sutton Foster is appropriately brassy as Millie, but she can also tone it down, as in the beginning of "Gimme Gimme" (of course, she then proceeds to project up to the last rafters as the song builds to its climax). Harriet Harris, as nasty Mrs. Meers, steals the show with "They Don't Know." Close your eyes, listen to her, and you'll be back in Broadway's golden age. --Elisabeth VincentelliCustomer Reviews:
Excellent Musical, But Product Quality - Eh.......2007-07-15
My problem was not with the quality of the cd, but with the plastic case. The cd cases always come cracked. Although it doesn't affect the quality of the cd itself, it's rather disheartening that Amazon charges customers for its poor shipping.
MODERNIZE your music collection!!!.......2007-07-13
A must to add to your collection.......2007-05-18
Delightful.......2006-06-12
YOU WILL LOVE IT.......2006-02-17
Have Fun!
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Let Yourself Go
Kristin Chenoweth , Jule Styne , George Gershwin , Richard Rodgers , Jeanine Tesori , Kurt Weill , Jerome Kern , Vincent Youmans , Ricky Ian Gordon , Richard Dworsky , Lawrence Ellington Duke / Brown , Harry Warren , Bobby Troup , Jason Alexander , Irving Berlin , Rob Fisher , and The Coffee Club Orchestra Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000059T4T Release Date: 2001-05-29 |
Tracks:
- Let Yourself Go
- If
- How Long Has This Been Going On?
- My Funny Valentine
- Hanging Around with You (with Jason Alexander)
- The Girl in 14G
- I'll Tell the Man in the Street
- I'm a Stranger Here Myself
- Nobody Else But Me
- Nobody's Heart Belongs to Me/Why Can't I?
- Should I Be Sweet?
- He's Just an Ordinary Guy
- Going to the Dance with You
- On a Turquoise Cloud
- You'll Never Know
- Daddy
Amazon.com
Kristin Chenoweth won a Tony for the supporting role of Sally Brown in the 1999 revival of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, made a memorably vampy Lily in the 1999 television film of Annie, and had an NBC sitcom created for her, Kristin! Now she grabs the spotlight in Let Yourself Go, her first solo recording. She mixes torchy standards ("My Funny Valentine," "How Long Has This Been Going On?") with Faith Prince-style sauciness ("If"), gets to show off her operatic and scat chops in the miniplay "The Girl in 14G," and shares a light duet with Jason Alexander (reviving his musical theater career post-Seinfeld). Perhaps her "Stranger Here Myself" isn't the weightiest you've ever heard, but this is an enjoyable album with a good deal of old-fashioned class, expertly accompanied by Rob Fisher and the Coffee Club Orchestra. --David HoriuchiCustomer Reviews:
One of the best ever!.......2007-04-24
Kristen Chenowith.......2007-02-26
Has its moments.......2007-02-19
Great CD!.......2007-01-19
As with any full-length CD, there are a couple of songs I am not as crazy about, but that has to do with the songs themselves, not Ms. Chenoweth's vocal performance. Overall, I love this album and have listened to it several times now, since receiving it as a Christmas gift last month.
This woman has what it takes, and then some..........2007-01-12
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With a Song In My Heart (from the 1952 film)/ Pal Joey (with 1952 cast members)
Manufacturer: Drg ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0000AGWH6 Release Date: 2003-08-26 |
Tracks:
- Opening
- It's A Good Day
- Tea For Two
- Blue Moon
- That Old Feeling
- Embraceable You
- Get Happy
- I'll Walk Alone
- They're Either Too Young Or Too Old
- I'm Thru With Love
- An American Medley
- WIth A Song In My Heart
- Overture
- You Mustn't Kick It Around
- I Could Write A Book
- Chicago
- That Terrific Rainbow
- What Is A Man?
- Happy Hunting Horn
- Bewitched
- Pal Joey
- The Flower Garden Of My Heart
- Zip
- Plan You Now, Dig You Later
- In Our Little Den
- Do It The Hard Way
- Take Him
- Bewitched (Reprise)
- Finale
Album Description
First time collection on CD! This Jane Froman package features the 1952 Broadway Revival of "Pal Joey" (where Jane provided the lead vocals for Vivienne Segal) along with the original soundtrack to "With Song in My Heart" - the 1952 film starring Susan Hayward in the life story of Jane Forman (Jane provided vocals for the film). The classic Rodgers & Hart "Pal Joey" album also features a standout performance from a young Elaine Stritch singing her showstopper "Zip." Digitally Remastered.Customer Reviews:
with a song in my heart/pal joey sound tracks.......2007-03-31
With A Song In My Heart CD.......2007-03-19
A Jane Froman double feature........2006-09-16
WITH A SONG IN MY HEART
Susan Hayward played Jane Froman in the film but Froman herself dubbed the vocals. This album of songs was originally issued as a 10" Lp. None of the tracks are taken from the film: They are all studio re-recordings. Later, Capitol re-released it as a 12" LP with two extra songs added. It is that expanded [program included here. Froman is in great voice, though the orchestrations are overly lush and string heavy. Still, the songs include such standards as "It's a Good Day", "Get Happy", and "Embraceable You" making for an enjoyable mini-concert.
PAL JOEY
Capitol's cast album of the 1952 revival has long been a collector's item. The original Lp was deleted in 1960 and did not resurface until Broadway Angel released it on CD (briefly) in 1993. As the stars of the revival Harold Lang and Vivienne Segal had already made a studio cast album for Columbia - an album that helped inspire the revival - they were unable to re-record their songs for Capitol, and the label turned to Jane Froman and Dick beavers to fill in. The revised orchestrations sound dated now, but here is a chance to hear Elaine Stritch singing "Zip" and to enjoy the lusty voice of Helen Gallagher early in her career.
In the end it's the WITH A SONG IN MY HEART selections (making their debut on CD here) that make this CD worthwhile. For PAL JOEY the studio recording (available from SONY) is preferable, however if one is so inclined you can assemble your own cast album of the '52 revival by combining tracks from both releases.
"Pal Joey's" Pal.......2006-07-30
another great twofer from DRG.......2004-01-21
WITH A SONG IN MY HEART was the life story of Jane Froman, with the lovely Susan Hayward in the lead role. Froman herself supplied the singing for the film. Numbers include "It's a Good Day", the bittersweet and humorous "They're Either Too Young or Too Old", "Blue Moon", "Get Happy", "Tea for Two" and "I'm Thru with Love".
The 1952 Broadway revival of PAL JOEY was the result of the huge success of a studio album released by Columbia the year before (which featured Vivienne Segal reprising her original role of Vera and Harold Lang as Joey). Segal and Lang headlined the new revival with Helen Gallagher (SWEET CHARITY, HAZEL FLAGG) as Gladys Bumps and Elaine Stritch (ON YOUR TOES, GOLDILOCKS) as reporter Melba Snyder.
Having already recorded their roles for the Columbia album, Segal and Lang saw little need in re-recording them for the revival album on the Capitol label. Instead, the roles of Vera and Joey were covered by Jane Froman and Dick Beavers.
The cast album suffers on many levels. First, the absence of Segal and Lang is quite distracting, and secondly the new Overture can't even compare with the scintillanting original.
The Columbia studio album is the version to buy in addition to this, though both albums have their strong and weak points. As per usual, Elaine Stritch brings her impressive and formidable comic timing to the fore in the show-stopping "Zip", and Helen Gallagher's silvery voice is perfect for "That Terrific Rainbow".
A fine addition to your collection. [DRG 19054]
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That's Why I'm Here
James Taylor Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00004SVKC Release Date: 2000-04-25 |
Tracks:
- That's Why I'm Here
- Song For You Far Away
- Only A Dream In Rio
- Turn Away
- Going Around One More Time
- My Romance
- Everyday
- Limousine Driver
- Only One
- Mona
- The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
- That's Why I'm Here (Reprise)
Customer Reviews:
I was raised on this music.......2006-07-11
My parents were pretty average people. My father was raised as a pacifist by his Kent State professor mother (who was present at the shootings and still keeps a hankerchief stained by the blood of Alison Krause, one of the fataly wounded students). Part of that upbringing was listening to the music that went along with those ideals. James Taylor, Pete Seeger, Richie Havens... they were among the main staples of the music played in our household during my youth. Throw into the mix a few of the more contemporary artists of the 80's like The Police, Sting (his firs tfew solo albums, anyways), Dire Straights and Don Henley and you have a pretty solid idea of the soundtrack to my youth. These artists came to define what I considered to be music. Not the new wave, tech pop that was sweeping the brand new airwaves of MTV, not the top 40 crap that plagued the local radio stations. I grew up listening to and enjoying these artists.
This particular album sticks out in my mind as being the one that made the most sense to my then seven year old sensabilities. A man sings about the love of his pig, or an epic western where the lines between good and bad are blurred, or just a man understanding his importance to the world around him. All these songs were played day after day in my childhood home. James Taylor was even the first concert I ever attended at the tender age or nine... and again at age eleven.
Now, 20 years later I occasionally take whatever techno CD or Tool album I am listening to out and put this CD in... and I realize how thankful I am for my father exposing me to this wonderful music. This is one of the many JT albums that will hold a special place in my heart. That's the kind of music it is. It's honest, heartfelt and wonderfully presented. Timeless, in a way. No matter where I find myself in life, I can always relate to the music.
James Taylor is one of those men who just does it, and he does it well.
'nuff said.
Perhaps That's Why We Are All Here.......2006-05-22
Definitely soothing.......2005-11-14
Oh, No, Yes!.......2005-09-30
When you was just a football
At Your Momma's side
Reckon everyone figured you for a Barbecue when ya died
Classic. "Only One", "Limousine Driver", and The Title Track, all great tunes, but the key here is how James Taylor's voice remained so healthy after so long. The voice today remains in tact, but this album harkens back to a time when great singers were great singers... not great singers that tried to be politicians. Smooth Phunk
-Ben Bitter,
The Ben Bitter Music Express
Great.......2005-07-24
This CD is a true treasure.
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Treasure Planet
Various Artists Manufacturer: Disney ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00006XPT4 Release Date: 2002-11-19 |
Tracks:
- I'm Still Here (Jim's Theme) - John Rzeznik
- Always Know Where You Are - BBMak
- 12 Years Later
- To the Spaceport
- Rooftop
- Billy Bones
- The Map
- Silver
- The Launch
- Silver Comforts Jim
- Jim Chases Morph
- Ben
- Silver Bargains
- The Back Door
- The Portal
- Jim Saves The Crew
- Silver Leaves
Amazon.com
Not exactly the most seamless adaptation ever attempted, this animated version of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic swashbuckler (now set in outer space, even if the "ships" appear inexplicably unchanged since the 18th century) at least benefited from Disney's always high production standards. Those factors also insure that James Newton Howard's orchestral score is serviceably effervescent and retro enough for the film's storytelling gambit--if still a long way from the heights of Korngold's triumphant, genre-defining music for The Sea Hawk and other Errol Flynn swashbucklers; call it Captain Blood-lite. The studio's marketing-driven desire to have it both ways has also awkwardly sandwiched in a couple otherwise pleasant John Rzeznik-penned modern rock tracks, "I'm Still Here," performed by the Goo Goo Dolls singer himself, and BBMak's slightly funkier take of "Always Know Where You Are." --Jerry McCulleyCustomer Reviews:
A Fantastic Score For A Great Movie.......2007-06-16
A review based on the samples. (No, I don't have the CD...yet.).......2007-06-04
1. I'm Still Here (John Rzeznik): 5 stars. I love this song!
2. Always Know Where You Are (BBMak): Um, ok, why did they put this song on the soundtrack again? 2 stars.
3. 12 Years Later: Kind of a quiet song, one I would listen to while writing. 4 stars.
4. To the Spaceport: Awesome! Kind of sounds like one of the songs from the movie "Dinosaur". (No surprise there, because James Newton Howard did the scores for both movies.) 4 stars
5. Rooftop: Wow. This song is beautiful, and it is most definately a song that I would listen to at night to lull me to sleep. 5 stars.
6. Billy Bones: Way to switch me from "lull me to sleep." to "creeping out!" 4 stars.
7. The Map: Yay for the Chronicles of Narnia people who put the first part of this song on their movie trailer! This song is DA BOMB! 5 stars.
8. Silver: Rock on all you Newfies out there! (A Newfie being slang for a Newfoundlander, or somebody that was born on Newfoundland.) This song goes out to you and smacks of the seas and the east coast. It totally fits Silver who must be either Newfie or part Newfie. (I'm sure he is, but don't bet on it.) 5 stars.
9. The Launch: Hmm. I'm not so keen on this song, but it's probably just me. 3 stars.
10.James Newton Howard really shines in one of his best musical pieces. Wow, I think this song sums up Silver and Jim's father/son pretty well. 5 stars.
11. Jim chases Morph: Meh on this song too. I love Morph though. He practically steals the movie. 3 stars.
12. Ben: Um, yeah. I don't really like this song too much. 2 stars.
13. Silver Bargains: And we are BACK TO AWESOMENESS! I love this song. It's rather bittersweet. 4 stars.
14. The Back Door: Ooh, this song has suspense weaved into it. Me likey! 4 stars.
15. The Portal: This song reminds me of in the movies when the main character tampers with something too deadly for them (like magic), and it ends up morphing them or attacking them. Sort of a "I messed up with something beyond my control, and now I'm paying for it." kind of tune. 4 stars.
16. Jim Saves the Crew: W00t! Mega freaky action music! And more of the same "Playing with fire" feelings that we got from The Portal. 5 stars.
17. Silver Leaves: Nice, soft, heart-touching music to finish up an excellent CD and movie. 4 stars.
I LOOOOOVE THIS MOVIE!!!!.......2007-03-15
Great songs.......2006-08-04
Always Know Where You Are.......2006-07-11
But, oh well. I guess that's what happens when this movie is considered Disney's worst movie ever. But I think they're wrong! This movie was wonderful for children, teens, and adults like. Sure, it didn't have the traditional love story like most other Disney movies, but I like how it veered away from that. Anyway, I'm getting off topic. I love the music to this movie and I was suprised to find it was James Horner that composed it. I just thought, "Isn't that the guy who did Titanic?" So, I was glad that he made his music sound different and not as intense as Titanic's was. In my opinion, Titanic's music was a bit violent, but hey. It wasn't a kid movie like Treasure Planet it. But, there you have it. A great movie and a great soundtrack!
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Grease - Deluxe Edition
Olivia Newton-John , John Travolta , and Stockard Channing Manufacturer: Polydor / Umgd ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0000C16OQ Release Date: 2003-09-23 |
Tracks:
- Grease - Fankie Valli
- Summer Nights - Olivia Newton-John
- Hopelessly Devoted To You - Olivia Newton-John
- You're The One That I Want - Olivia Newton-John
- Sandy - John Travolta
- Beauty School Drop-Out - Frankie Avalon
- Look At Me, I'm Sandra Dee - Stockard Channing
- Greased Lightnin' - John Travolta
- It's Raining On Prom Night - Cindy Bullens
- Alone At The Drive-In Movie (Instrumental) - Jim Jacobs
- Blue Moon - Sha-Na-Na
- Rock N' Roll Is Here To Stay - Sha-Na-Na
- Those Magic Changes - Sha-Na-Na
- Hound Dog - Sha-Na-Na
- Born To Hand-Jive - Sha-Na-Na
- Tears On My Pillow - Sha-Na-Na
- Mooning - Cindy Bullens
- Freddy, My Love - Cindy Bullens
- Rock N' Roll Party Queen - Louis St. Louis
- There Are Worse Things I Could - Stockard Channing
- Look At Me, I'm Sandra Dee (Reprise) - Olivia Newton-John
- We Go Together - Olivia Newton-John
- Love Is A Many Splendored Thing (Instrumental) - Sammy Fain
- Grease (Reprise) - Frankie Valli
Tracks:
- Grease (Instrumental Version) - Gary Brown
- Summer Nights (Sing-A-Long Version) - Jim Jacobs
- Hopelessly Devoted To You (Sing-A-Long Version) - John Farrar
- You're The One That I Want (Sing-A-Long Version) - John Farrar
- Sandy (Sing-A-Long Version) - Louis St. Louis
- Greased Lightnin' (Single Version) - John Travolta
- Rydell Fight Song (Instrumental) - Jim Jacobs
- Greased Up And Ready To Go (Instrumental) - Jim Jacobs
- Grease Megamix: You're The One That I Want/Greased Lightnin'/Summer Nights - Olivia Newton-John
- Grease Dream Mix: Grease/Sandy/Hopelessly Devoted To You - Olivia Newton-John
- Summer Nights (Martian Remix) - Olivia Newton-John
- You're The One That I Want (Martian Remix) - Olivia Newton-John
Amazon.com
There's no better example of American pop culture's hall-of-mirrors ethos than producer Alan Carr's relentlessly buoyant 1978 film adaptation of the stage musical Grease. Inspired by that decade's rampant 50's nostalgia, it now paradoxically evokes the campy 70's excesses that spawned it. That sense of recycled decades in collision is underscored repeatedly on this deluxe, double-disc Grease-fest, especially on the set's second disc of bonus materials that spans vintage singles of the title track (its instrumental B-side) and "Greased Lightnin'," some sing-along karaoke tracks, and a handful of alternately slick/techo-savvy remixes (originally produced for the film's 20th anniversary) that are testament to its enduring, era-defying appeal. The original soundtrack itself has been treated to a stellar digital remastering that fills disc one, and remains a joyous monument to camp, sheer ambition, and exuberant nostalgic illusions. Includes a slip-cased, double-fold-out case and new booklet with complete song lyrics. --Jerry McCulleyCustomer Reviews:
You 're The One That I Want.......2007-04-03
The complete Grease experience. This cd is a two disc-set with disc one being the complete soundtrack, while disc two is all bonus material including the popular Grease Megamix. Fans of the movie would want to make this cd an essential part of their music collection.
Prepare to be transported to Summer Nights.......2006-03-26
This album has not only captured the spirit of the movie but the essence of a 1970's version of the 1950's. I have seen this play live and yes some things are different. Yet I grew up on the movie. I even find myself singing some of the songs now and then. Of course you will never see me singing "Look At Me, I'm Sandra Dee." However I do keep this in my car as great driving music. This album is not you can pick apart and say things like missing songs, in the wrong order etc. It sounds and feels just right. There will be many versions yet this one is the Grease - Deluxe Edition [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED] [SOUNDTRACK] gives you more information about each of the tracks allowing you to feel that you have inside information and to feel that you know more of what went into the making of each song.
Great Soundtrack & Fun Extras from an Enduring Musical........2004-07-06
Track 1 on the Bonus Disc is an instrumental version of the film's theme, "Grease", written and produced by Barry Gibb. Frankie Valli's voice has been replaced by a saxophone. The chorus is vocal, but the voices are not those in the original song. You could use this as a sing-along version, as it would be easy to sing over the sax. Tracks 2-5 are officially sing-along versions. "Summer Nights" includes the chorus vocals from the film and sounds good. "You're the One That I Want" has new chorus vocals of questionable merit. "Sandy" is a new arrangement. It's not as good as the film version, but you can sing along. Track 6 is the single version of "Greased Lightning" that you may have heard on the radio back in the day. It's differs from the original in that the bad words have been replaced for radio airplay. Tracks 7-8 are previously unreleased instrumentals from the film. "Greased Up and Ready to Go" is lively. Tracks 9-10 are mixes that I occasionally hear on the radio. The "Grease Megamix" and the "Grease Dream Mix" are fun, if awkward. Tracks 11-12 are Martian Remixes of "Summer Nights" and "You're the One That I Want". They retain the original vocals, but set them to a Latin rhythm. They make pretty good dance tracks.
This 2-disc set isn't in a jewel case. The case is paperboard with 4 panels that fold out. This is inside of a clear vinyl slip case on which the tracks are written. This isn't convenient packaging. On the bright side, the case won't crack in the mail. Tucked inside one of the panels is a booklet that contains lyrics and credits.
The "Grease: 25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition" is a terrifically fun soundtrack to one of the all-time great movie musicals. And for all those preteen girls who go wild over the movie with each new generation, the bonus material is perfect for parties and horsing around.
If You Love Grease, You'll Love This - Only 1 Major Flaw.......2004-05-15
Grease CD Reveiw.......2004-04-26
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Porgy & Bess
Ella Fitzgerald , and Louis Armstrong Manufacturer: Polygram Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0000046Z5 Release Date: 1990-10-25 |
Tracks:
- Overture
- Summertime
- I Wants To Stay Here
- My Man's Gone Now
- I Got Plenty O'Nuttin'
- Buzzard Song
- Bess, You Is My Woman Now
- It Ain't Necessarily So
- What You Want Wild Bess?
- A Woman Is A Sometime Thing
- Oh, Doctor Jesus
- Medley: Here Come De Honey Man/Crab Man/Oh, Deh's So Fresh And Fine (Strawberry Woman)
- There's A Boat Dat's Leavin' Soon For New York
- Bess, Oh Where's My Bess
- Oh Lawd, I'm On My Way
Amazon.com
Getting the two most personable voices in jazz to sing an hour's worth of George Gershwin's opera Porgy & Bess (Ella doing all the female parts, Satchmo all the male) was a good idea, but not quite as great as it sounded. Armstrong savors the down-and-dirty Charlestonisms that inspired the cadences of the music and lyrics, and they fit his happy rasp like an old shoe; Fitzgerald, conversely, sounds almost prissy every time she has to sing the word "ain't," though her melodic genius gets Gershwin's bold, supple tunes over. The arrangements are full-throttle Broadway, with a few leaps into Dixieland (including some fine Armstrong trumpet solos), but the disc works best when the vocalists break character and let their jazz side out. --Douglas WolkCustomer Reviews:
Absolutely peerless.......2006-11-17
Gershwin and Gershwin must be among the top composers of the last century and this opera showcases their talents more than anything I've heard. Ella and Louis are peerless as a vocal duo and though I doubt the West End performance will capture the magic in the same way they did, I still remain very keen to go see it. Is it opera or is it a jazz performance? I don't really know. I just know that I love it. And strongly recommend it.
once-in-a-lifetime greatness.......2006-10-06
But after its premiere in 1935, no less than Duke Ellington said, "It has grand music and a swell play, but the two didn't go together. It does not use the Negro musical idiom --- the times are here to debunk Gershwin's lampblack Negroisms."
A quarter of a century later, the producers of the film version had trouble assembling a cast. Harry Belafonte rejected their offer to play Porgy. Sidney Poitier took the part --- and wished he hadn't. Poitier later wrote that the movie insulted black people; when he chose clips of his best performances for his tribute at the American Film Institute, he picked nothing from "Porgy and Bess."
And in 1985, when Grace Bumbry was a sensation as Bess in a Metropolitan Opera production, she slammed the opera: "I thought it beneath me, I felt I had worked far too hard, that we had come far too far to have to retrogress to 1935."
All that may be. All I know is that I have, in a long life, rarely been confronted with more genius than in the Fitzgerald/Armstrong recording of "Porgy & Bess." Set aside the achievement of George and Ira Gershwin in transforming DuBose Heyward's novel into a folk opera. Let's just focus on Armstrong and Fitzgerald, who were at the peak of their popularity when this record was made in 1957.
"Summertime" --- the first song --- sets the tone. A baleful horn figure, then violins. And then Armstrong's trumpet: slow, steady, dignified. But wait --- here comes a slurred note. And a cool little improvisation. Just enough of each. Very tasty.
Fitzgerald sings a verse. She is cool and formal. A lady. Not to be taken lightly. Now it's Armstrong's turn. Tender, but let's not kid ourselves --- this is not singing as others define it. This is melodic speech: rough, gutteral. And thus he is ideally cast: His Porgy may have his charms, but he'll have to stretch to keep Bess.
And so it goes throughout the CD. Trumpet mastery --- Armstrong has dazzling control. His tone is bright, but never shrill; there's a warmth in his playing no one else could produce. And Fitzgerald is just a study in inevitability; to hear her is to wonder how anyone could sing these songs any other way.
"I Got Plenty O' Nuttin'." "Bess, You Is My Woman Now." "A Woman Is a Sometime Thing." "There's a Boat Dat's Leavin' Soon for New York." "Bess, Oh Where's My Bess?" "Oh Lawd, I'm on My Way."
All brilliantly conceived, orchestrated and recorded.
The greatest trumpet player in this history of jazz.
The father of scat singing.
The queen of the jazz vocal.
There are no-brainers, and then there is this Ella Fitzgerald-Louis Armstrong collaboration --- music that imprints on your soul.
We love this album.......2006-08-22
Simply great.......2006-03-04
A must have for everyone!
Porgy and Bess.......2005-10-14
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Gilbert & Sullivan - Highlights from The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance, H.M.S. Pinafore, The Yeomen of the Guard, Trial of Jury
Nicholas Folwell , Arthur Sullivan , Marie McLaughlin , Rebecca Evans , Anthony Rolfe Johnson , John Mark Ainsley , Alwyn Mellor , Anne Howells , Barry Banks , Eric Garrett , Felicity Palmer , Gareth Rhys Davies , Janice Watson , Julie Gossage , Neill Archer , Pamela Helen Stephen , Peter Savidge , Richard Stuart , Richard Suart , Richard Van Allan , Sir Thomas Allen [baritone] , Sir Charles Mackerras , and Welsh National Opera Manufacturer: Telarc ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000003D1Y Release Date: 1996-01-23 |
Tracks:
- A Wandering Minstrel I
- Behold The Lord High Executioner!
- Three Little Maids From School Are We
- Braid The Raven Hair
- The Flowers That Bloom In The Spring
- On A Tree By A River, A Little Tom-tit Sang, 'Willow, Tit-willow'
- For He's Gone And Married Yum-Yum
- We Sail The Ocean Blue
- I'm Called Little Buttercup
- My Gallant Crew
- When I Was A Lad
- Things Are Seldom What They Seem
- Never Mind The Why And Wherefore
- Climbing Over Rocky Mountain
- Poor Wand'ring One
- How Beautifully Blue The Sky
- I Am The Very Model Of A Modern Major-General
- When The Foeman Bares His Steel
- Ah, Leave Me Not To Pine
- With Cat-Like Tread
- Is Life A Boon?
- I Have A Song To Sing, O!
- Were I Thy Bride
- Oh, A Private Buffoon Is A Light-Hearted Loon
- When A Wooer Goes A-Wooing
- When I, Good Friends, Was Called To The Bar
- A Nice Dilemma We Have Here
- Oh, Joy Unbounded
Customer Reviews:
The Best Of Gilbert And Sullivan.......2004-03-15
But these are fine excerpts. Especially appealing is the famous and cheerful "Three Little Maids From School Are We", a trio that imitates Japanese style melody. Most of the Mikado does this, for it was inspired by Japanisme or the new fashion in Victorian England- everything Japanese, from prints to paintings to poetry. Gilbert and Sullivan simply "Japanized" their English operettas. The Finale "For He's Gone To Marry Yum Yum" is an ebullient and pleasant finale. Not featured here is the domineering and powerful Katisha, a figure who stands out in the Mikado.
The H.M.S. Pinafore is Gilbert and Sullivan's most popular work. The sea chanty "We Sail The Ocean Blue" opens the opera with appropriate atmosphere and it seems to fit perfectly with the other scene in which the Captain greets his crew and they sing his praises "My Gallant Crew..I am the Captain Of The Pinafore". A beautiful melody that seems to come out of a romantic Offenbach tune is "I"m Called Little Buttercup". The finale, not featured here, is also very engaging "For He Is An Englishman" which can almost resemble a British national anthem. The Yeomen Of The Guard was Gilbert and Sullivan's "serious opera" eventhough it remains very Savoyard. The plot deals with Tudor England and takes place at the London Tower. "I have a song to sing" makes use of what can be taken for an English ballad of the Renaissance. Trial By Jury, about the eccentric and hilarious activity of a court trial, has a sextet that although different in composition, has the sextet "Che Mi Frena" from Donizetti's Lucia Di Lammermoor in mind. All in all, an excellent recording sure to delight young and old.
Pure delight.......2003-08-02
William Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan were a match made in heaven, yet on earth their pairing seems even with hindsight a most unlikely coupling. Both were destined for other things, Gilbert in fact for decidedly non-musical careers. Introduced by a mutual friend, Fred Clay, the fledgling lyricist Gilbert met the military-band-leader's son Sullivan and together continued to conspire to inspire the delights of audiences from high Victorian times down to the present, as their work in musical theatre comedy continues to provide merriment throughout the English-speaking world and beyond.
--The Music--
This collection includes highlights from five of the most popular Gilbert & Sullivan operettas: The Mikado, HMS Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance, The Yeoman of the Guard, and Trial by Jury. The arrangements and orchestrations are delightfully energetic and clear; the characterisation and vocal qualities of the leads are perfect for their roles. The haughty if misplaced Lord of the Admiralty has the perfect combination of insecurity and pompous officiousness. The Plaintiff and the Defendant in the Trial are perfectly cast. This is a collection of highlights - at least three but no more than seven songs each, but this gives a good flavour of the music. The recordings on this collection come from complete performances by Mackerras and the WNO.
--Sir Charles Mackerras--
Mackerras is one of the geniuses of the twentieth century musical scene. Having a conducting career that includes the Hamburg Opera, the English National Opera (formerly Sadlers Wells Opera), and the Welsh National Opera (the performers for this piece), he has also conducted major orchestras on the continent of Europe and in the United States. The holder of many major awards and honourary doctorates, he has devoted much time and energy to the preservation and performance of eighteenth and nineteenth century music, as well the restoration of historical musical venues, such as the Estates Theatre in Prague, scene of the original production of Don Giovanni (Mackerras conducted the opera there to commemorate the bicentenary of the death of Mozart).
--Welsh National Opera Orchestra and Chorus--
The seeds of the WNO were planted in Cardiff during World War II by music lovers; the first performances occurred a year after the war's end, with Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci on the bill, with Faust the next night. Popular appeal was so great that the WNO was established, later adding choruses in both Cardiff and Swansea. The professional chorus was established in 1973, with a strength that matches the orchestra. They continue an ambitious performance schedule for recording and live events; Mackerras remains the Conductor Emeritus, as the WNO continues under the direction of Carlo Rizzi. The list of awards the WNO has won over the years is staggering - they are a world class institution by any measure.
--Other performers--
Notable singers such as Richard Stuart, Rebecca Evans, Felicity Palmer, John Mark Ainsley and Anne Howells lead the chorus with stunning vocals and clever characterisations of the parts they play. Many (such as Stuart and Evans) play the leading roles across several of the pieces of the disc.
--Liner Notes--
The liner notes give a good introduction and biographical information about Gilbert and Sullivan, as well as synopses of the five pieces presented here. It does not, unfortunately, include any information about Mackerras, the WNO Orchestra and Chorus, or the other special performers. It also does not include the lyrics to the songs. Were the quality of the CD not so great, this might cost it a star in rating.
--Overall Impressions--
I play this CD in my car, in my home and in my office frequently. It is a great sing-along work and a great comedic relief from the stresses of the day. The music is bubbly and clear; the recording quality is excellent and crisp. I recommend this to any Gilbert & Sullivan lover, any fan of musical comedy, opera and operettas, and anyone who delights in good music.
Delicious G&S samplings abound here........2003-05-06
Fine Intro to G&S.......2000-12-30
Average customer rating:
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Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series)
Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00064ADMK Release Date: 2004-10-19 |
Tracks:
- Give My Regards To Broadway- Joel Grey
- Swanee- Al Jolson
- When The Moon Shines On The Moonshine- Bert Williams
- A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody- John Steel
- My Man- Fanny Brice
- Fascinating Rhythm- Fred Astaire, Adele Astaire
- If You Knew Susie (Like I Know Susie)- 78rpm Version Eddie Cantor
- Someone To Watch Over Me- Gertrude Lawrence
- Bill- 78 rpm Version Helen Morgan
- Ol' Man River- Paul Robeson
- Ain't Misbehavin'- Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra
- Ten Cents A Dance- Ruth Etting
- Body And Soul- Libby Holman
- Brother, Can You Spare A Dime- Bing Crosby
- Night And Day- Fred Astaire
- Heat Wave- Ethel Waters
- Smoke Gets in Your Eyes- Tamara
- You're The Top- Ethel Merman
- Summertime- Anne Brown
- September Song- Walter Huston
- My Heart Belongs To Daddy- Mary Martin
- It Never Entered My Mind- Shirley Ross
- Bewitched, Bothered, Bewildered- Vivienne Segal
- Oh, How I Hate To Get Up In The Morning- Irving Berlin
- Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'- Alfred Drake
Tracks:
- New York, New York- Cris Alexander,Adolph Green,John Reardon
- If I Loved You- John Raitt,Jan Clayton
- Come Rain Or Come Shine- Ruby Hill,Harold Nicholas
- There's No Business Like Show Business- Ensemble
- How Are Things In Glocca Morra? From "Finian's Rainbow"- Ella Logan
- Once In Love With Amy- Ray Bolger
- Wunderbar- Alfred Drake,Patricia Morison
- Some Enchanted Evening- Ezio Pinza
- Lost In The Stars- Todd Duncan
- Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend- Carol Channing
- Luck Be A Lady- Robert Alda,Guys
- Getting To Know You- Gertrude Lawrence
- Who Cares?- Jack Carson,Betty Oakes
- Stranger In Paradise- from " Kismet" Doretta Morrow,Richard Kiley
- Ballad Of Mack The Knife- Gerald Price
- Hey There- from "The Pajama Game" John Raitt
- Whatever Lola Wants- Gwen Verdon
- I Could Have Danced All Night- Julie Andrews
- Standing On The Corner- from "The Most Happy Fella, 1956" Shorty Long,John Henson,Alan Gilbert
- The Party's Over- Judy Holliday
- Glitter And Be Gay- Barbara Cook
- Tonight- Larry Kert, Carol Lawrence
Tracks:
- Seventy-Six Trombones- Robert Preston
- I Enjoy Being A Girl- from "Flower Drum Song, 1958" Pat Suzuki
- Everything's Coming Up Roses- Ethel Merman
- My Favorite Things- from "The Sound Of Music" Mary Martin
- Put On A Happy Face- from "Bye Bye Birdie" Dick Van Dyke
- Try To Remember- Jerry Orbach
- Camelot- from "Camelot" Richard Burton
- Love Makes The World Go 'Round- Anna Maria Alberghetti
- I Believe In You- Robert Morse And Co.
- The Sweetest Sounds- Diahann Carroll,Richard Kiley
- Comedy Tonight- Zero Mostel
- What Kind Of Fool Am I?- Anthony Newley
- As Long As He Needs Me- Georgia Brown
- Hello, Dolly!- Carol Channing,Cast
- People- Barbra Streisand
- Anyone Can Whistle- from "Anyone Can Whistle" Lee Remick
- If I Were A Rich Man- Zero Mostel
- Night Song- Sammy Davis, Jr.
- The Impossible Dream- Richard Kiley
- If My Friends Could See Me Now- Gwen Verdon
- Open a New Window- from Mame Voice
Tracks:
- Willkommen- from "Cabaret" Joel Grey
- Let The Sunshine In- James Rado,Lynn Kellogg,Melba Moore,Cast
- I'll Never Fall In Love Again- Jill O'Hara,Jerry Orbach
- The Ladies Who Lunch- from "Company" Elaine Stritch
- Tea For Two- Roger Rathburn,Susan Watson
- I'm Still Here- Yvonne De Carlo
- I Don't Know How To Love Him- Yvonne Elliman
- We Go Together- Adrienne Barbeau,Barry Bostwick,Walter Bobbie,Cast
- Corner Of The Sky- John Rubinstein
- Send In The Clowns- Glynis Johns
- Ease On Down The Road- Stephanie Mills,Tiger Haynes,Ted Ross,Hinton
- One- from "A Chorus Line" Cast
- All That Jazz- Chita Rivera,Ensemble
- Tomorrow- Andrea Mcardle
- Don't Cry For Me Argentina- Patti Lupone
- Come Follow The Band
- Lullaby Of Broadway- Jerry Orbach
- And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going- Jennifer Holliday
- The Bells Of St. Sebastian- Raul Julia
Tracks:
- Memory- Betty Buckley
- I Am What I Am- George Hearn
- Move On- Bernadette Peters,Mandy Patinkin
- Do You Hear The People Sing?- Michael Maguire,Cast
- The Music Of The Night- Michael Crawford
- You're Nothing Without Me- James Naughton,Gregg Edelman
- The American Dream- Jonathan Pryce,Cast
- Doctor Jazz- Gregory Hines,Company
- With One Look- Glenn Close
- On Broadway- Adrian Bailey,Frederick B. Owens,Ken Ard,Victor Trent Cook
- Le Jazz Hot- Julie Andrews,Ensemble
- Seasons Of Love-
- Hakuna Matata- Max Casella,Tom Alan Robbins,Scott Irby-Ranniar,Jason Raize
- I Wanna Be A Producer- Matthew Broderick,Ensemble
- Dancing Queen- Louise Plowright,Jenny Galloway
- Good Morning Baltimore- Marissa Jaret Winokur
- Movin' Out- Michael Cavanaugh,Band
- I Go To Rio- Hugh Jackman,Company
- Defying Gravity- Kristin Chenoweth,Idina Menzel
Customer Reviews:
Fabulous for any Broadway-lover.......2007-01-30
Top Shelf.......2007-01-04
TERRIFIC CD'S.......2006-03-23
Great Collection of Broadways greatest Songs .......2005-06-14
Great Compilation!.......2005-01-17
Average customer rating:
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Moscow Nights
Manufacturer: Delos Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0007SL1M6 Release Date: 2005-03-08 |
Tracks:
- Kak molody my byli (How young we were)
- Podmoskovnye vechera (Moscow nights)
- Shum berioz (The whisper of birches)
- Ne speshi (Do not hurry)
- Nezhnost (Tenderness)
- Zhdi menia (Wait for me)
- Tri goda (Three years)
- Vechernay pesnya (Evening song)
- Ty moya melodiya (You are my melody)
- Moskovskie okna (Moscow windows)
- Kak mnogo devushek horoshih (There are so many girls)
- Blagodariu tebia (I'm grateful to you)
- Ia liubliu tebia, zhizn' (I love you, life)
- Vecher na reide (Evening in the harbor)
- S chego nachinaestia Rodina (Where does Motherland come from?)
- Russkoe pole (Russian field)
- Special Bonus Track: Rodina slyshit (Motherland hears)
Customer Reviews:
JUST PERFECTION!!.......2006-04-08
Hvorostovsky...........again, magic.......2006-02-14
hvorostovsky does it again.......2005-05-01
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