Wonderful One

Track Listings
1. Something Inside So Strong
2. Tell the World
3. True Love Never Fails - Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Jonathan Butler
4. Wonderful One
5. I'm Coming Back
6. Count on Your Love
7. You Make Me Wanna Love Again
8. Without You
9. What Shall I Render

Wonderful One,Vanessa Armstrong,Jive,Contemporary Gospel,Gospel,Pop,R&B,Soul,Soul/Reggae/Rhythm & Blues

Wonderful One

Wonderful One
Somewhere over the Rainbow: The Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • They were right--there is NO business like the show business they did way back when !!!
  • One of the best cds I ever bought.
  • Never Sounded Better
  • Somewhere Over The Rainbow
  • "Hollywood Musicals of the Golden Age are still among us"
 Somewhere over the Rainbow: The Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Vocal Jazz GeneralVocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
Movie SoundtracksMovie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
Traditional Vocal PopTraditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
Rhino RecordsRhino Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Ultimate Broadway
  2. Only Broadway CD You'll Ever Need
  3. The Best Of Broadway (Cast Recording Anthology)
  4. Greatest Hits: Broadway
  5. That's Entertainment!: The Best Of The M-G-M Musicals - Motion Picture Soundtrack Anthology

ASIN: B000066RO5
Release Date: 2002-06-04

Tracks:

  1. Singin In The Rain - Gene Kelly
  2. Theres No Business Like Show Business - Betty Hutton, Howard Keel, Keenan Wynn & Louis Calhern
  3. 'S Wonderful - Gene Kelly & Georges Guetary
  4. Thats Entertainment! - Fred Astaire, Jack Buchanan, Nanette Fabray & Oscar Levant
  5. Stranger In Paradise - Ann Blyth & Vic Damone
  6. Easter Parade - Judy Garland & Fred Astaire
  7. Lullaby Of Broadway - Winifred Shaw, Dick Powell & Chorus
  8. Get Happy - Judy Garland
  9. Night And Day - Fred Astaire
  10. True Love - Bing Crosby & Grace Kelly
  11. Honeysuckle Rose - Lena Horne w/ Benny Carter & His Orchestra
  12. They Cant Take That Away From Me - Fred Astaire
  13. Milkman, Keep Those Bottles Quiet - Nancy Walker & The M-G-M Studio Chorus w/ Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
  14. Baby, Its Cold Outside - Esther Williams & Ricardo Montalban
  15. For Me And My Gal - Gene Kelly & Judy Garland
  16. Puttin On The Ritz - Clark Gable & Co.
  17. Hallelujah! - Tony Martin, Vic Damone, Kay Armen, Ann Miller, Debbie Reynolds, Clark Burroughs & Co.
  18. Bless Yore Beautiful Hide - Howard Keel
  19. Taking A Chance On Love - Ethel Waters & Eddie "Rochester" Anderson
  20. As Time Goes By - Dooley Wilson w/ Elliot Carpenter (Bonus Track)
  21. Laras Theme (Main Title) - The M-G-M Studio Orchestra (Bonus Track)

Tracks:

  1. Over The Rainbow - Judy Garland
  2. Its A Most Unusual Day - Jane Powell
  3. Wunderbar - Kathryn Grayson & Howard Keel
  4. Cant Help Lovin Dat Man - Ava Gardner
  5. Going Hollywood - Bing Crosby
  6. The Trolley Song - Judy Garland, The M-G-M Studio Chorus
  7. Gigi - Louis Jourdan
  8. I Got Rhythm - Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney & Co.
  9. Aba Daba Honeymoon - Debbie Reynolds, Carleton Carpenter & M-G-M Studio Chorus
  10. The Lady Is A Tramp - Lena Horne
  11. The Best Things In Life Are Free - June Allyson & Peter Lawford
  12. Cheek To Cheek - Fred Astaire
  13. A Kiss To Build A Dream On - Louis Armstrong
  14. Put 'Em In A Box - Doris Day & The Page Cavanaugh Trio
  15. If Swing Goes, I Go Too - Fred Astaire
  16. Almost Like Being In Love - Gene Kelly
  17. Lets Face The Music And Dance - Fred Astaire
  18. Be A Clown - Gene Kelly & Judy Garland
  19. Embraceable You - Connie Francis
  20. On The Atchison, Topeka And The Santa Fe - Judy Garland & Co.
  21. One For My Baby (And One More For The Road) - Fred Astaire

Amazon.com

The "Golden Age" referred to here spans The Jazz Singer and the advent of the talkies to the death throes of the old studio system in the 1960s. So vast was the era's musical landscape that even this 42-track, double-disc anthology can't encompass all its peaks. Not surprisingly, the bulk of this collection originated with the Tiffany's of the screen musical, M-G-M, a body of work whose riches here encompass both pop-cultural bedrock ("Over the Rainbow," "Singin' in the Rain," "There's No Business Like Show Business," etc.) and some less familiar, if equally delightful star turns: Clark Gable gamely "Puttin' On the Ritz"; the sassy, 1948 original of "The Lady Is a Tramp" by Lena Horne; and a loopy duet of "Baby, It's Cold Outside" by Esther Williams and Ricardo Montalban. Fred Astaire's elegant, epochal reign at RKO and M-G-M is represented by "Night and Day," "Let's Face the Music and Dance," and three others, while Metro mainstays Gene Kelly and Judy Garland share equal time and billing. It's not perfect--Cagney's "Yankee Doodle Boy" and/or some Sinatra seem more logical choices than the odd "bonus" duet of Casablanca's "As Time Goes By" and "Lara's Theme" from Dr. Zhivago that close out disc one--but it's a stunning, surprisingly comprehensive primer on the Hollywood film musical nonetheless. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars They were right--there is NO business like the show business they did way back when !!!.......2006-11-18

Everything that happens in life
Can happen in a show
You can make 'em laugh
You can make 'em cry
Anything
Anything can go....

The clown with his pants falling down
Or the dance that's a dream of romance
Or the scene where the villain is mean
That's entertainment!

The lights on the lady in tights
Or the bride with the guy on the side
Or the ball where she gives him her all
That's entertainment!

The plot and the hot simply teeming with $ex
A gay divorcee who is after her ex
It could be Oedipus Rex
Where a chap kills his father
And causes a lot of bother

The clerk who is thrown out of work
By the boss who is thrown for a loss
By the skirt who is doing him dirt

The world is a stage,
The stage is a world of entertainment!

This two CD set amply proves that the musical melodies and lyrics from the golden age of the Hollywood musical remain unsurpassed to this day. This generous two CD set offers 42 incredible songs from Hollywood classic musicals. Most of these fine numbers are indeed from MGM, as Amazon correctly notes; but there are some RKO numbers and even a little from Warner Brothers. Thank goodness, though, that most of these songs came from MGM movies; MGM was the only studio that could boast that it truly had "more stars than there are in the heavens."

I love so many songs on these two CDs. Of course, there's the unforgettable classic "Over The Rainbow" sung by Judy Garland; she also performs "Easter Parade" and "Get Happy" on this two CD set and she carries most of the tune for "I Got Rhythm" even though Mickey Rooney helps her a little. I love "Baby, It's Cold Outside" for its' romantic overtones; and Lena Horne's "The Lady Is A Tramp" is flawless! We also get a rare chance to hear Clark Gable sing in "Puttin' On The Ritz;" and Bing Crosby's "Going Hollywood" may be brief but it's a fun song anyway.

There are two "bonus" tracks on the first CD: "As Time Goes By" from Casablanca and "Lara's Theme" from Doctor Zhivago. "As Time Goes By" is a good choice; it is another unsurpassed classic song that brings back memories and touches even the hardest of hearts. "Lara's Theme," however, is from the mid 1960s and I don't consider this period to be part of the "golden age" of Hollywood musicals.

The liner notes are excellent and they offer wonderful photos of the stars as well. The cover art is well done and the reverse cover art tells which movie each song is from and who is performing each song. Moreover, the quality of the sound is excellent especially when you consider that these numbers were recorded quite a few decades ago.

In short, this superlative two CD highlights the glory of the Hollywood musical when a certain type of sophistication dominated professional movie production. I highly recommend this CD for fans of Hollywood musicals, classic pop vocals and fans of the artists and actors who perform on this two CD set.

5 out of 5 stars One of the best cds I ever bought. .......2006-06-07

What an amazon collection of songs! This is bar none my favorite cd just because of the variety and the quality of songs on it. I love music from this era, and this cd is the perfect companion to my life. Love it! Buy it, you won't regret it for a moment!

1 out of 5 stars Never Sounded Better.......2006-03-16

Apart from the great selection of soundtracks, what really makes this compilation top value is the quality of the sound processing. Executed with finesse, these tracks sound better than when first issued and many are unedited, fuller versions: like "Singing In The Rain", for example. Throw in the great price, and this double disc set is a "must have" for all lovers of classic movie music.

5 out of 5 stars Somewhere Over The Rainbow.......2006-02-24

A Sensational CD with Lots of Showtunes that Keep You Happy and makes You Want To Sing Along With!!!

5 out of 5 stars "Hollywood Musicals of the Golden Age are still among us".......2005-07-13

Rhino Records and Turner Classic Movies Music present - "SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW: THE GOLDEN AGE OF HOLLYWOOD MUSICALS", some of the long ago musicals and stars that will never be forgotten...a 2-CD-Set covering several decades from 1935-1965 with many of the show stoppers of that time...some rare moments from entertainers that you haven't heard or thought of in sometime.

The lineup is fantastic and gives the listener a variety of what musicals were all about in the "Golden Age of the Hollywood Musicals"
June Allyson, Kay Armen, Louis Armstrong, Fred Astaire, Ann Blyth, Jack Buchanan, Louis Calhern, Bing Crosby, Vic Damone, Doris Day, Nanette Fabray, Connie Francis, Ava Gardner, Judy Garland, Kathyrn Grayson, Georges Guetary, Lena Horne, Betty Hutton, Louis Jourdan, Howard Keel, Gene Kelly, Grace Kelly, Peter Lawford, Oscar Levant, Ann Miller, Ricardo Montalban, Page Cavanaugh Trio, Debbie Reynolds, Winifred Shaw, Nancy Walker, Ethel Waters, Esther Williams, Dooley Williams and Keenan Wynn.

On Disc One 21 Classic Songs from great musicals with songs in alphabetical order:
AS TIME GOES BY - Dooley Wilson with Elliot Carpenter, pianist (1942)
BABY, IT'S COLD OUTSIDE - Esther Williams & Ricardo Montalban (1949)
BLESS, YORE BEAUTIFUL HIDE - Howard Keel (1954)
EASTER PARADE - Fred Astaire & Judy Garland (1948)
FOR ME AND MY GAL - Gene Kelly & Judy Garland (1942)
GET HAPPY - Judy Garland (1950)
HALLELUJAH! - Tony Martin, Vic Damone, Kay Armen, Ann Miller, Debbie Reynolds, Clark Burroughs (for Russ Tamblyn) (1955)
HONEYSUCKLE ROSE - Lena Horne with Benny Carter & His Orchestra (1943)
LARA'S THEME (MAIN TITLE) - M-G-M Studio Orchestra (1965)
LULLABY OF BROADWAY - Winifred Shaw & Dick Powell (1935)
MILKMAN, KEEP THOSE BOTTLES QUIET - Nancy Walker with Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra (1944)
NIGHT AND DAY - Fred Astaire (1934)
PUTTIN' ON THE RITZ - Clark Gable & Company (1939)
'S WONDERFUL - Gene Kelly & Georges Guetary (1951)
SINGIN' IN THE RAIN - Gene Kelly (1951)
STRANGER IN PARADISE - Ann Blyth & Vic Damone (1955)
TAKING A CHANCE ON LOVE - Ethel Waters & Eddie "Rochester" Anderson (1943)
THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT - Fred Astaire, Jack Buchanan, Nanette Fabray & Oscar Levant (1953)
THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS - Betty Hutton, Howard Keel, Keenan Wynn & Louis Calhern (1950)
THEY CAN'T TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME - Fred Astaire (1949)
TRUE LOVE - Bing Crosby & Grace Kelly (1956)

On Disc Two more memorable performances from the Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals:
A KISS TO BUILD A DREAM ON - Louis Armstrong (1951)
ABA DABA HONEYMOON - Debbie Reynolds & Carleton Carpenter (1950)
ALMOST LIKE BEING IN LOVE - Gene Kelly (1954)
BE A CLOWN - Judy Garland & Gene Kelly (1948)
BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE - June Allyson & Peter Lawford (1947)
CAN'T HELP LOVIN' DAT MAN - Ava Gardner (beautiful woman, who my youngest grandaughter is named after...Avalon) (1951)
CHEEK TO CHEEK - Fred Astaire (1935)
EMBRACEABLE YOU - Connie Francis (1965)
GIGI - Louis Jourdan (1958)
GOING HOLLYWOOD - Bing Crosby (1933)
I GOT RHYTHM - Judy Garland & Mickey Rooney (1943)
IF SWING GOES, I GO TOO - Fred Astaire (1946)
IT'S A MOST UNUSUAL DAY - Jane Powell (1948)
LADY IS A TRAMP - Lena Horne (1948)
LET'S FACE THE MUSIC AND DANCE - Fred Astaire (1936)
ON THE ATCHISON, TOPEKA AND THE SANTA FE - Judy Garland & Company (1946)
ONE FOR MY BABY (AND ONE MORE FOR THE ROAD) - Fred Astaire (1943)
OVER THE RAINBOW - Judy Garland (became her theme song for the rest of her life) (1939)
PUT 'EM IN A BOX - Doris Day & the Page Cavanaugh Trio (1948)
THE TROLLEY SONG - Judy Garland & MGM Studio Chorus (1944)
WUNDERBAR - Kathryn Grayson & Howard Keel (two of MGM's favorite singing duos) (1953)

It was once said by the songwriters of that era - "There are two artists you want perform your songs on the big screen, they are Fred Astaire and Judy Garland they sing it just the way we wrote it, for which you will have a guaranteed hit on your hands"...well, this collections certainly has some merit to that statement...because with Judy Garland and Fred Astaire performing seven songs each, there must be something to it.

This collection of musicals still has the magic that we remember from those bygone years...but as long as we have the labels and networks who play and show these wonderful films of yesteryear, they will never be forgotten...hats off to Rhino Records, George Feltenstein (producer) and Doug Schwartz (engineer) and Turner Classic Movies for sharing those 42 selections from 42 films...celebrating decades of the tunes and artists that gave it their all...from what it commonly called "The Hollywood Dream Factory"...The Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals is still among us...gotta love it!

Total Time: 2-CD-Set ~ Rhino Records 78323 ~ (6/02/2002)
Stardreamer: Nightsongs & Lullabies
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Wonderful CD for Parents of Babies and Young Children
  • Stardreamer
  • Great for children and adults
  • Beautiful for children and adults alike!
  • Herdman is magic for children
 Stardreamer: Nightsongs & Lullabies
Priscilla Herdman
Manufacturer: Stardreamer Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Folk | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
Christian Contemporary MusicChristian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
Singer-SongwritersSinger-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Children's Music | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Moondreamer
  2. Forever & Always
  3. Darkness into Light
  4. The Water Lily
  5. Voices of Winter

ASIN: B00065Y816
Release Date: 2004-10-12

Tracks:

  1. Waltzing With Bears
  2. Matthew, Mark, Luke & John
  3. Autumn To May
  4. Moon Upon The Left
  5. The Moon
  6. Gooodnight, Irene
  7. Twinkle, Twinkle
  8. Time To Sleep
  9. Lullaby for Teddy-O/Douglas Mountain
  10. First Lullaby
  11. Bush Lullaby
  12. Close Your Eyes (Brahms "Lullaby")
  13. The First Star Lullaby
  14. Thanks A Lot

Album Description

Winner of the "Parents' Choice Gold Seal Award and an American Library Association Notable Children's Recording, Stardreamer is a perfect gift for expectant and new parents. From the opening song "Waltzing with Bears" to the creaking rocking chair that closes the album, Stardreamer is a beautiful song cycle that will calm a child and delight parents. Priscilla Herdman's gorgeous vocals along with the impeccable acoustic instrumental arrangements have made Stardreamer a perennial favorite since its original release in 1988. This newly remastered classic is now available on the singer's own independent label. This is a gentle going-to-bed recording that holds up after countless listenings. Over 100,000 families with peacefully sleeping children can't be wrong.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Wonderful CD for Parents of Babies and Young Children.......2007-03-15

I love this CD and so does everyone we've given it to as a gift. I especially like "Waltzing with Bears."

5 out of 5 stars Stardreamer.......2007-03-08

The CD arrived looking fine. It was a gift of lullabies for a friend who has baby twins. She reports that she and they all love it.

5 out of 5 stars Great for children and adults.......2007-03-06

This is one of my all-time favorite children's CDs, though it's very enjoyable for adults, too, especially if you like folk music. It seems that most vocal lullaby albums feature soprano singers, and, being a contralto myself, it's so refreshing to listen to a singer with a more mellow, warm, lower voice. It's also much easier for me to sing along in these keys! If you'd like to check out other albums for kids, do look into Lullaby: A Collection (Music for Little People), or anything by Susie Tallman and Friends.

5 out of 5 stars Beautiful for children and adults alike!.......2007-02-03

My first experience with Priscilla Herdman...and what an impression! I didn't want to return this to the library; neither did my children, ages 2 and 6. Her beautiful, clear, crisp voice with simple, yet rich harmonies and melodies expose kids to the art of folk music and classic rhyme. I've always sung to my children...now I have perfect company! This is my new gift for all parents!

5 out of 5 stars Herdman is magic for children.......2006-10-05

I play this for my grandchildren - and for me. The kids love Herdman's very distinctive approach and relate well to her music. And you know what? So do I. Great music for young and old.

Jerry
Wonderful Town (Original 1953 Broadway Cast)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Wonderful Town is a wonderful show
  • Light and lively musical comedy
  • a must-have recording for REAL Broadway fans
  • Leonard Bart-stein? Listen for yourself....
  • Quality over quantity
 Wonderful Town (Original 1953 Broadway Cast)
Leonard Bernstein , Betty Comden , and Adolph Green
Manufacturer: Decca U.S.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by BernsteinAll Works by Bernstein | Bernstein, Leonard | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
The Decca Records StoreThe Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
PopPop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music
Broadway & VocalistsBroadway & Vocalists | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music
SoundtracksSoundtracks | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music
ClassicalClassical | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music
All Blowout MusicAll Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music
More Titles at Least 25% OffMore Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:
  1. On the Town
  2. Wonderful Town (2003 Broadway Revival Cast)
  3. Bernstein - Wonderful Town / Audra McDonald, Kim Criswell, Thomas Hampson, Wayne Marshall, Simon Rattle, Berlin Philharmonic
  4. Fiorello! (1959 Original Broadway Cast)
  5. Redhead (1959 Original Broadway Cast)

ASIN: B00005O6KS
Release Date: 2001-09-25

Tracks:

  1. Christopher Street
  2. Ohio
  3. One Hundred Easy Ways
  4. What a Waste
  5. A Little Bit in Love
  6. Pass the Football
  7. Conversation Piece
  8. A Quiet Girl
  9. Conga!
  10. My Darlin' Eileen
  11. Swing!
  12. It's Love
  13. Ballet at the Village Vortex
  14. Wrong Note Rag
  15. Opening (from the original Decca recording of "On the Town")
  16. Carried Away (from "On the Town")
  17. Lonely Town (from "On the Town")
  18. I Can Cook Too (from "On the Town")
  19. Lucky to Be Me (from "On the Town")
  20. Ya Got Me (from "On the Town")

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Wonderful Town is a wonderful show.......2004-10-25

This is a terrific show. It has a famous composer, great tunes and a good, upbeat story. Why it has so thoroughly faded from memory is a question that puzzles me greatly.

The orchestrations are attributed to another individual, but Bernstein must have taken some substantial role in their creation, for large parts of "Wonderful Town" resemble only one other musical, "West Side Story."

Rosalind Russell is the star here, and rightly so. She sings--or rather croaks--her material very well, indeed. Only in "Swing" is she overmatched by the musical requirements and even then she fights them to a draw.

Edith Adams is very good, too, as Eileen. I think of her as Edie Adams, a sixties icon, wife of comedian Ernie Kovacs, mayhem-minded member of the Nairobi Trio and super-sexy pitchwoman for White Owl Cigars. I had no idea that she had also starred on Broadway. It was a pleasant surprise to find her here.

The men in the lead parts sing in that typical Broadway growl: perfect diction and lousy tone. They are endearingly awful. And I mean that in the best possible sense.

Five stars, no doubt about it!

4 out of 5 stars Light and lively musical comedy .......2004-08-07

The first cast album of WONDERFUL TOWN sounds even better than ever in Decca's latest remastering. The sound is still somewhat flat (as are all Decca albums from the 40s/50s) but the Decca engineers have worked wonders on the 50 year old tapes making them sound as good as possible. Rosalind Russell was a perfect choice to play the acerbic Ruth. She doesn't have much of a singing voice but the songs were tailored to her limited range and she makes the character come alive. Edith Adams sounds properly winsome as her sister Eileen. In the supporing roles, Jordan Bentley comes off best as Wreck, but George Gaynes makes for a ponderous, somehwat stuffy Bob Baker.

In terms of album production, Decca eliminated the Overture and some of the dance music, and re-arranged "Christopher Street" to eliminate the spoken vignettes. Otherwise the score is presented in a faithful aural re-creation. The booklet offers a detailed synopsis to guide you through the score.

The bonus tracks are six songs from ON THE TOWN originally recorded when that show was playing on Broadway. This is NOT the definitive recording of ON THE TOWN. For that you need the 1960 album avaialble on Sony. But, the excerpts heard here provide an enjoyable bonus.

5 out of 5 stars a must-have recording for REAL Broadway fans.......2002-12-26

This marvellous new re-issue of WONDERFUL TOWN is a must-have for Broadway buffs. In fact, this is really two albums in one, as it also contains the rare 1945 studio recording of ON THE TOWN as a bonus!

The story is based on the play "My Sister Eileen", written by Joseph Fields and Jerome Chodorov; as well as the stories written by Ruth McKenney. The play was later turned into a successful Columbia film starring Rosalind Russell (as Ruth Sherwood) and Janet Blair as Eileen. Several years later Columbia released a musical version (following the success of WONDERFUL TOWN) which starred Janet Leigh and Betty Garrett.

WONDERFUL TOWN originally starred Rosalind Russell (repeating her film role) as Ruth and Edith 'Edie' Adams as Eileen. The cast also included George Gaynes (GIGI, 'Punky Brewster') as the romantic male lead.

The score by Betty Comden and the late Adolph Green is gorgeous, and features the comical "100 Easy Ways", the lilting "A Little Bit in Love" and the showstopping "Conga!" and "Wrong-Note Rag".

No Broadway-recording collection is complete without the original cast of this landmark musical.

This re-issue from the superb Decca Broadway range also includes the rare 1945 set of ON THE TOWN, which featured original cast-members Betty Comden, Adolph Green and Nancy Walker singing their songs from the show, with Mary Martin singing "Lonely Town" and "Lucky to Be Me".

Highly-recommended.

5 out of 5 stars Leonard Bart-stein? Listen for yourself...........2002-09-23

Leonard Bernstein never erred on the side of subtlety, and this original-cast album contains two of his most enjoyable essays in musical near-mayhem: "Christopher Street" and "The Wrong Note Rag." The former is vastly like the theme music to "The Simpsons," and the listener can decide for himself how much of a coincidence this is or isn't. "The Wrong Note Rag" uses the tritone of the scale and a varied meter to make life difficult for the singers and anyone trying to count along. Unlike so many send-ups of the 1920s, this song ingenioulsy captures the musical and lyrical feel of novelty numbers like 1924's "Fascinating Rhythm"--or, better yet, the slightly later "Crazy Rhythm." A parody of the 1920s that shows any sense of the 1920s is a rare item, indeed. "Wonderful Town" is an interesting, enjoyable, and valuable historical piece, and I can only imagine what later performers did with it. I don't want to know.

5 out of 5 stars Quality over quantity.......2002-05-19

Yes, the original 1953 cast recording of "Wonderful Town" may not be the most complete cast recording of the hit musical BUT I would wholeheartedly reccommend this CD over any other version. Why? Because of its original cast members and its original orchestrations! Rosalind Russell is peerless as Ruth Sherwood (I consider her version of "One Hundred Easy Ways" one of the funniest songs in musical theatre history) and Edie Adams shines through radiantly. Listen to her sing "A Little Bit In Love" to understand what I'm talking about. Also, the original orchestrations gtive this CD more vibrance than any of the later incarnations INCLUDING the 1999 studio recording, which to me sounds too mechanical and the British orchestrator doesn't seem to get the rhythms right. The original cast recording is A MUST for the true theatre fan, abridged score or not
Leonard Bernstein's New York
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • Disappointing
  • The Feel of New York
  • The next stop once you've heard the originals
  • Bernstein's New York, it's a wonderful town!
  • Great CD BUT...
 Leonard Bernstein's New York
Leonard Bernstein , Dawn Upshaw , Judy Blazer , Mandy Patinkin , Audra McDonald , Donna Murphy , Richard Muenz , Eric Stern , and Orchestra Of St. Luke's
Manufacturer: Nonesuch
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

BalletsBallets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by BernsteinAll Works by Bernstein | Bernstein, Leonard | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
SuitesSuites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
Ballets & DancesBallets & Dances | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
Traditional Vocal PopTraditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
McDonald, AudraMcDonald, Audra | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
1990s1990s | By Decade | Pop | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
Classic Big BandClassic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
Contemporary Big BandContemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
1990-19991990-1999 | Decades | Compilations | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
Similar Items:
  1. How Glory Goes
  2. Happy Songs
  3. Leonard Bernstein's New York / Mandy Patinkin, Dawn Upshaw, Donna Murphy
  4. Experiment
  5. Sings Sondheim

ASIN: B000005J40
Release Date: 1996-08-20

Tracks:

  1. Lonely Town
  2. Come Up To My Place
  3. What A Waste
  4. A Little Bit In Love
  5. Fancy Free: Danzon Variation
  6. Ain't Got No Tears Left
  7. Ballet At The Village Vortex
  8. Wrong Note Rag
  9. Story Of My Life
  10. Cab And Bedroom
  11. One Hand, One Heart
  12. Ya Got Me
  13. A Quiet Girl
  14. Balcony Scene (Tonight)
  15. Lonely Town Pas De Deux
  16. Somewhere
  17. West Side Story: Ballet Sequence From West Side Story
  18. Some Other Time
  19. New York, New York (Finale, Act II)

Amazon.com

Leonard Bernstein's New York is a cornucopia of tongue-in-cheek wit, unabashed romanticism, big-city loneliness, and intellectual irony. His well-known orchestral brilliance is beautifully represented under the stellar conducting of Eric Stern, but his underappreciated talents as a songwriter are what shine, elevating this recording to magic. The cast of American theater's best includes Mandy Patinkin wonderfully indulging his comic side; Judy Blazer and Donna Murphy, the shiniest lights on Broadway, demonstrating their extensive range as singing actresses; Audra McDonald making the difficult sound easy; and Richard Muenz and Dawn Upshaw singing elegantly. Most unforgettably pleasing are the trios "Ya Got Me" and "What A Waste." A great tribute to Bernstein's theater works. --Barbara Eisner Bayer

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Disappointing.......2007-03-13

I agree that this is a great collection. But I have to wonder: Am I the only one who got a bum copy of the CD? The songs are all mixed up on my copy, as in, most of the tracks are mislabeled: "A Quiet Girl" is really "Tonight", The Balcony Scene, printed as "Tonight" is really "Somewhere". The list goes on.

So, who do I kvetch to? I'd like a copy that isn't a complete mishmash.

1 out of 5 stars The Feel of New York.......2007-01-09

Having spent most of my working years in NYC, I felt this CD brought the city to me. Bernstein has allways been a favorite.

5 out of 5 stars The next stop once you've heard the originals.......2007-01-09

As a tribute to Bernstein on Broadway, this CD is hard to beat. All the singers are stars but of a generation, ro two, beyond the originals. Naturally here's been a change of style, and these renditions are more knowing, sophisticated, and at times ironic than the originals. On their own, Donna Murphy, Dawn Upshaw, and Mandy Patinkin, among others, are masters of their craft, but I hope anyone who loves LB will also seek out the original cast albums for all of his musicals, or the clesest one can get (On the Town was remade in the Fifties). Those recordings cast a unique spel, but the next stop is this marvelous CD.

5 out of 5 stars Bernstein's New York, it's a wonderful town!.......2002-01-15

And speaking of "Wonderful Town," it's so nice to hear music from this least appreciated of Bernstein's musicals. "What a Waste," "A Quiet Girl" and Audra McDonald's enchanting "A Little Bit in Love" have never sounded better. Donna Murphy burns the house down with the torchy "Ain't Got No Tears Left," and has fun with Patinkin and Blazer on the raucous "Ya Got Me." "One Hand, One Heart" sung by Dawn Upshaw and Richard Muenz is movingly rendered, as is Patinkin's wonderful delivery of an all-time Bernstein favorite, "Some Other Time." My only comlaint? Where is "I Can Cook Too?" A terrific recording.

4 out of 5 stars Great CD BUT..........2000-07-02

I loved this CD, but there was some things that kept it fromgetting four stars. First Mandy Patkin, I loved him in Sunday in The Park With George, also I have a CD of him singing yiddish songs all good, but in this CD I just don't like him. Like in the song "Come Up To My Place" I didn't like his voice and I never could quite see him as the character for that song. Also I would have liked to see (well actually "hear") some more of the dance numbers or overtures, I realize the main point of the CD was all the singers they put together, but the real highlight of the CD for me was the sections from Fancy Free, and Ballet At The Village Vortex from Wonderful Town. Also I liked "One Hand One Heart" a lot. Overall I would get this CD if you like Bernstein or any of these musicals, it is good listen, just not outstanding.
Gershwin Plays Gershwin
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • The Best Recordings of George Gershwin's Piano Improvisations
 Gershwin Plays Gershwin

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by GershwinAll Works by Gershwin | Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
PreludesPreludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
PianoPiano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Pop | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music
Traditional PopTraditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music
Tin Pan AlleyTin Pan Alley | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
Traditional Vocal PopTraditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
CDs Under $7CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
CDs $7 - $10CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
All Bargain TitlesAll Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
CDs $7 - $10CDs $7 - $10 | Jazz General | Jazz | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Strauss: Four Last Songs; Wagner" Excerpts from Tristan und Isolde & Götterdämmerung
  2. Gershwin Plays Gershwin: The Piano Rolls
  3. The Gershwin Plays Gershwin: The Piano Rolls, Vol. 2
  4. Reflection
  5. Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No1, Op107; Violin Concerto No1 (revised), Op99

ASIN: B000053HK5
Release Date: 2001-01-16

Tracks:

  1. Swanee
  2. Sweet And Low Down
  3. That Certain Feeling
  4. Looking For A Boy
  5. When Do We Dance?
  6. Do-Do-Do
  7. Someone To Watch Over Me
  8. Clap Yo' Hands
  9. Maybe
  10. My One And Only
  11. 'S Wonderful - Funny Face
  12. Rhap In Blue
  13. Prld No.1
  14. Prld No.2
  15. Prld No.3
  16. Rhap In Blue: Andante
  17. Second Rhap

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars The Best Recordings of George Gershwin's Piano Improvisations.......2006-08-09

This low priced CD is the greatest presentation of George Gershwin's incredible improvisational skill, reworking his popular hits of the day into complex arrangements that can hold the interest of the 'most discriminating music lover.' These disc recordings are much more lifelike than the well known piano-roll CDs. On this Cd Gershwin's filled-in tenth cords in his left hand along with his consecutive four-note chord spreads to the octave with his right, cross rhythms, and virtuoso embellishments give the piano arrangements a full sound. The recording of 'Swanee' is a small 1919 group recording of the Van Eps Quartet with a young George Gershwin at the piano and Nathan Glantz on the saxaphone. The Van Eps Quartet plays in a yiddish sounding style which accents Swanee's rooting in yiddish music. The next recordings are of George Gershwin at the piano recorded in 1926 and 1928. This CD also includes the 1924 Paul Whiteman orchestra recording of 'Rhapsody in Blue' with the composer at the piano. The arrangement was shortened to about 9 minutes in order to fit onto the two sides of a 78rmp record, but I think this is the best recording of 'Rhapsody in Blue' ever recorded, because this was recorded when 'Rhapsody in Blue' was New, Exciting, and Full of Life. This recording lets the humor that was originally intended by Gershwin shine through. His own recording of his three preludes is the best rendition of the popular preludes. Gershwin stands as the best performer of his own works, and this CD is the best example of his own playing. The improvisations of his show tunes on this CD are much more fleshed out than his brief radio recordings available elsewhere, although I recommend trying to find all of his recordings. Gershwin's solo piano arrangement of the Andante section of Rhapsody in Blue is another opportunity to hear George play his own material. The last recording on the disc is a 1931 rehersal of 'Second Rhapsody' which George Gershwin had recorded onto disc by NBC for him to listen to. Once again, George Gershwin is the best interpreter of his own works, and this CD is the best document of Gershwin playing Gershwin.
One Hand, One Heart - Bernstein's Greatest Love Songs / Carreras, et al
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • Not such a great sampling....
  • nice but operatic
 One Hand, One Heart - Bernstein's Greatest Love Songs / Carreras, et al

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by BernsteinAll Works by Bernstein | Bernstein, Leonard | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
Chamber MusicChamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
Chamber MusicChamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
Vocal & SongVocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
Hadley, JerryHadley, Jerry | ( H ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Deutsche Grammophon: MusicDeutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
ASIN: B00003XAGP
Release Date: 2000-01-11

Tracks:

  1. West Side Story: Something's Coming
  2. West Side Story: Maria
  3. West Side Story: Tonight (Balcony Scene)
  4. West Side Story: One Hand, One Heart
  5. West Side Story: I Feel Pretty
  6. West Side Story: Somewhere
  7. West Side Story: I Have A Love
  8. Wonderful Town: A Quiet Girl
  9. Wonderful Town: A Little Bit in Love
  10. Wonderful Town: It's Love
  11. On The Town: Gabey's Coming - Pickup Song
  12. On The Town: Taxi Number : Come Up To My Place
  13. On The Town: Lonely Town
  14. On The Town: I Can Cook Too
  15. On The Town: Lucky To Be Me
  16. On The Town: Ya Got Me
  17. On The Town: Some Other Time
  18. Candide: Oh, Happy We
  19. Candide: Candide's Lament
  20. Candide: You Were Dead, You Know
  21. Candide: My Love (Governor's Serenade)
  22. Candide: Make Our Garden Grow (Finale)

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Not such a great sampling...........2001-01-21

Some of these songs are really stretching for a romantic mood. Especially some of the On the Town songs. It's not that they're not good though....All of this music is from other CDs that have been already been released. Don't limit yourself to just these songs. Go ahead and buy the other recordings. Deutsche Grammophon did the On the Town recording along with West Side Story and Candide. I'd recommend a different recording of West Side Story though. The one of Wonderful Town is the kinda newly released complete version of the musical. It's a good but expensive one. Also, this recording left out some of THE greatest love songs from Peter Pan (Dream of Me, Peter Peter), Trouble in Tahiti (Well of all people, There is A Garden, Finale), 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue (Seena, Lud's Wedding), and Quiet Place (There is so much, too much). I think this recording, though okay, is a stumbling block to finding out about the real Bernstein saga of musicals. And if you are still getting this recording, the sound quality is really good. West Side Story is done by the masters of the opera so they sing it that way. Candide is operetic too, but then again it is an operetta. That's about all I have to say on this recording.

4 out of 5 stars nice but operatic.......2000-02-23

This is a nice collection of Bernstein miscellany. Note however that the West Side Story, On the Town, and Candide are the "operatic" versions, with Te Kanawa and Carreras, Von Stade and Hampson, and Jerry Hadley, respectively. Bernstein conducts WSS and Candide and Tilson Thomas OTT. The surprise is the bits from Wonderful Town, which was recorded on JAY, not DG like the others. Featuring Ron Raines and Rebecca Luker, it's probably the most authentically "Broadway" of this set.
The Broadway Musicals of 1953
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Another strong Broadway by the Year
 The Broadway Musicals of 1953

Manufacturer: Bayview
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by BernsteinAll Works by Bernstein | Bernstein, Leonard | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by PorterAll Works by Porter | Porter, Cole | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Broadway Musicals of 1960
  2. Broadway Musicals of 1939
  3. Broadway Musicals1940
  4. Broadway Musicals of 1926
  5. Broadway Musicals of 1943

ASIN: B0006OSDMW
Release Date: 2005-04-12

Tracks:

  1. Big Black Giant [Me and Juliet]
  2. Tin Pan Alley [John Murray Anderson's Almanac]
  3. Little Bit in Love (Wonderful Town)
  4. Quiet Girl (Wonderful Town)
  5. How Far Can a Lady Go? [Carnival in Flanders]
  6. Sudden Thrill [Carnival in Flanders]
  7. Ohio (Wonderful Town)
  8. Ev'ry Street's a Boulevard (In Old New York) [Hazel Flagg]
  9. You Become Me/My Mind's on You [Maggie May]
  10. C'est Magnifique [Can-Can]
  11. Come Along with Me [Can-Can]
  12. I Love Paris [Can-Can]
  13. Stranger in Paradise [From Kismet]
  14. You Can Take the Word of a Gentleman [Carnival in Flanders]
  15. You're So Much a Part of Me [John Murray Anderson's Almanac]
  16. One Hundred Easy Ways to Lose a Man (Wonderful Town)
  17. Salomee [Hazel Flagg]
  18. No Other Love [Me and Juliet]
  19. Here's That Rainy Day [Carnival in Flanders]
  20. And This Is My Beloved [From Kismet]
  21. Baubles, Bangles and Beads [From Kismet]

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Another strong Broadway by the Year.......2006-08-20

Scott Seigel's concerts, Broadway by the Year gather a group of the current crop of Broadway performers and turn them loose on songs from Musicals that opened during 1 year on Broadway. It helps that 1953 was a strong year musically, with Bernstein's Wonderful Town, Porter's Can Can, Kismet and Me and Juliet from Rogers and Hammerstein. Jule Styne also chimed in with Hazel Flagg which contains one almost standard "Every Street's a Boulevard in Old New York. Some great stuff on this album, wonderfully sung as almost always. I love this series and hope to acquire each and every one at some point.
South Pacific (1996 Studio Cast) (First Complete Recording)
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Great complete recording
  • Complete but not Perfect
  • Complete Score Recording
  • Complete Score Recording
  • Bali Hai WILL Call You!
 South Pacific (1996 Studio Cast) (First Complete Recording)
Richard Rodgers , and Oscar Hammerstein II
Manufacturer: Jay Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
Traditional Vocal PopTraditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
Broadway & VocalistsBroadway & Vocalists | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Traditional & Vocal PopTraditional & Vocal Pop | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:
  1. South Pacific (Royal National Theatre Production - 2001 London Cast)
  2. South Pacific (Original 1949 Broadway Cast)
  3. South Pacific (Collector's Edition)
  4. South Pacific in Concert from Carnegie Hall
  5. The King and I (1964 Lincoln Center Cast)

ASIN: B000005BGW
Release Date: 1997-03-11

Tracks:

  1. Overture - NSO/John Owen Edwards
  2. Dites-Moi - John Matthew Lao/Samantha Raven
  3. A Cockeyed Optimist - Paige O'Hara
  4. Twin Soliloquies - Paige O'Hara/Justino Diaz
  5. Some Enchanted Evening - Justino Diaz
  6. Finaletto - Justino Diaz/Paige O'Hara/Andre Mutis/Samantha Raven/John Matthew Lao
  7. Bloody Mary - Men
  8. There Is Nothin' Like A Dame - Men/Pat Suzuki
  9. Mary And Lootellan - Pat Suzuki/Sean McDermott
  10. Bali Ha'i - Pat Suzuki
  11. Cable Hears Bali Ha'i - Brian Greene/Sean McDermott
  12. Company Street - NSO/John Owen Edwards
  13. I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair - Paige O'Hara/Girls
  14. Some Enchanted Evening (Reprise) - Paige O'Hara/Justino Diaz
  15. A Wonderful Guy - Paige O'Hara/Girls
  16. Bali Ha'i - Girls
  17. Younger Than Springtime - Sean McDermott/Girls
  18. A Wonderful Guy - Justino Diaz/Paige O'Hara
  19. This Is How It Feels - Justino Diaz/Paige O'Hara
  20. Finale Act One - Paige O'Hara/Justino Diaz/John Matthew Lao/Samantha Raven

Tracks:

  1. Entr'Acte - NSO/John Owen Edwards
  2. Opening Act Two - NSO/John Owen Edwards
  3. Entrane Of Liat - NSO/John Owen Edwards
  4. Happy Talk - Pat Suzuki
  5. Incidental/Younger Than Springtime (Reprise) - Pat Suzuki/Sean McDermott
  6. Honey Bun - Paige O'Hara/Company
  7. You've Got To Be Carefully Taught - Sean McDermott/Justino Diaz
  8. This Nearly Was Mine - Justino Diaz
  9. After Emile's Solo - Justino Diaz/Sean McDermott
  10. Communications Established - NSO/John Owen Edwards/Ron Raines/Justino Diaz
  11. Communications Discontinued - Paige O'Hara/Girls/Pat Suzuki
  12. Operation Alligator - NSO/John Owen Edwards
  13. Honey Bun - Company
  14. Finale Ultimo - Paige O'Hara/John Matthew Lao/Samantha Raven/Justino Diaz
  15. Exit Music - NSO/John Owen Edwards

Amazon.com

The only major Rodgers and Hammerstein show not to have had a major Broadway revival, South Pacific receives its first complete recording, capturing 107 minutes of classic songs as well as reprises and underscored dialogue. Given the thankless task of succeeding Mary Martin of the original Broadway cast is the wonderful Paige O'Hara (Disney's Beauty and the Beast, John McGlinn's Show Boat), full of sass and spunk as Nellie Forbush. Although this Emile De Becque, Justino Diaz, isn't actually a Frenchman (but hey, neither was Ezio Pinza), his accent is only a faint distraction from his rich voice. Filling out the cast are tenor Sean McDermott as Lt. Joe Cable and Pat Suzuki (Flower Drum Song) as Bloody Mary. It's a very good recording, and an easy choice for anyone who wants the complete score. The only drawback is that, unlike other JAY Masterworks Editions, this one doesn't include extra songs, such as "My Girl Back Home," a song cut from the original production but restored for the 1958 film. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Great complete recording.......2004-07-19

In reply to M.Clegg's contention with regards to the status of the stars of this great complete recording, I would like to point out that all the main leads, Justino Diaz (New York City Opera Production), Paige O'Hara (Australian production), Sean McDermott (The Pace Production - USA) and Pat Suzuki (Long Beach Light Opera Production) have all played their respective roles on stage in various productions. This is clearly listed in the booklet of the recording. On the contary, I find their interpretation to be vivid and compelling. A great recording.

4 out of 5 stars Complete but not Perfect.......2004-07-16

As with the complete recordings of Guys and Dolls and The Pajama Game, this double CD brings together the full score including uncut dance-breaks and incidental music. The orchastrations are fantastic but, like the others in this series, the cast suffer due to the 'studio' nature of the recording. There is little of the vibrancy and excitment of a Broadway Cast Recording because the cast are only singing the roles and have probably never seen the script at all. This means that many of the performances, while technically good, are characterless.
Paige O'Hara, excellent as the voice of Disney's Belle, plays the part a little too twee - yes, I know Nellie is a hick but she goes too far in that direction. Justino Diaz, as Emile, has a good voice that does not cover the lack of a personality. The rest of the cast are equally too note-perfect.
The people who will find this recording the most useful will be people, like myself, who are performers. When performing in a production of South Pacific this CD was very useful, more for the not-available-anywhere-else material than anything else. The dance music and the incidental stuff is useful to rehearse with.
On the whole, a worthy CD for the completist but if you want a more character-driven recording, search out one from an actual stage performance.

5 out of 5 stars Complete Score Recording.......2000-04-11

We are performing South Pacific at my high school and this CD was really helpful in choreographing the dance numbers because it has the music in between the singing, in other words, the complete score.

5 out of 5 stars Complete Score Recording.......2000-04-11

We are performing South Pacific at my high school and this CD was really helpful in choreographing the dance numbers because it has the music in between the singing, in other words, the complete score.

5 out of 5 stars Bali Hai WILL Call You!.......2000-03-18

Ah...the memories. I remember this musical with fondness because it was the first musical that I had the honor of playing in the pit band for. Out of all of the South Pacific soundtracks, I love this one the most because it includes every song in the score (I checked)!
Léhar: The Land of Smiles; The Merry Widow; The Count of Luxembourg (Highlights)
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Arguably "The Best" English "Merry Widow "
 Léhar: The Land of Smiles; The Merry Widow; The Count of Luxembourg (Highlights)

Manufacturer: Class. for Pleas. Us
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Lehár, Franz | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
OperettasOperettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Johann Strauss II: Die Fledermaus; The Gypsy Baron (Highlights)
  2. Offenbach: Orpheus in the Underworld / Burgess, Watson, etc (Highlights)
  3. The Best of Operetta, Vol. 3
  4. Offenbach: La Belle Helene; Orpheus in the Underworld; La Vie Parisienne (Highlights)
  5. The Merry Widow

ASIN: B00009KHY2
Release Date: 2003-09-02

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Arguably "The Best" English "Merry Widow ".......2006-09-12

This is the "Merry Widow" with English translation by Christopher Hassel sung by June Bronhill. I loved this rendition ever since I first heard it in about 1960. What's to love? First the translation is the best I've heard. The language doesn't sound "stilted" as some others. And, you can understand almost every word sung. Plus, the famous song, "Vilja" has some wording that moves me every time I hear it: The soprano sings, "Love me and I'll DIE for you!" with the word "die" somewhat emphasized. I don't know, there's just something "powerful" about someone saying they'd "die" for love! AND, at the end of "Vilja" the chorus and soprano raise to a crescendo hitting a high note together. In many renditions the chorus is heard but not the soprano on the final high note. In THIS version, the soprano, June Bronhill, can be heard rising to the final high note with an incressing crescendo and fortissimo louder than the chorus and holding the final high note---which gives a very thrilling effect as she holds that final note, I assure you!

The "problem" is that this June Bronhill, Reid, and Hassel version is hard to find on CD. For example, this CD is made in Holland and "there is one left" so it says on Amazon. But, if you can find it, I think it would be very much worth a listen. Then, after hearing it, if you think there's a "better" Merry Widow, please let ME know! Thanks. Email:boland7214@aol.
Wonderful Town (2003 Broadway Revival Cast)
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Wonderful Town (2003)
  • Good Piece
  • Wonderful wonderful town!!
  • Really Good, But...
  • THIS IS THE BEST!
 Wonderful Town (2003 Broadway Revival Cast)
Leonard Bernstein , Betty Comden , Donna Murphy , Jennifer Westfeldt , and Adolph Green
Manufacturer: Drg
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by BernsteinAll Works by Bernstein | Bernstein, Leonard | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Wonderful Town
  2. Wonderful Town (Original 1953 Broadway Cast)
  3. Bernstein - Wonderful Town / Audra McDonald, Kim Criswell, Thomas Hampson, Wayne Marshall, Simon Rattle, Berlin Philharmonic
  4. Sweet Charity (2005 Broadway Revival Cast)
  5. Wonderful Town (2004 Broadway Revival Cast with Brooke Shields)

ASIN: B0001BFDIW
Release Date: 2004-03-09

Tracks:

  1. Overture
  2. Christopher Street
  3. Ohio
  4. Conquering New York
  5. One Hundred Easy Ways
  6. What A Waste
  7. Little Bit Of Love, A
  8. Pass The Football
  9. Conversation Piece
  10. Quiet Girl, A
  11. Conga!
  12. My Darlin' Eileen
  13. Swing!
  14. Ohio (Reprise)

Amazon.com

Leonard Bernstein, Betty Comden and Adolph Green's 1953 collaboration in Wonderful Town doesn't lack for recordings, including two good studio casts from 1998 and 1999. Yet the uncommonly funny show hadn't received a proper Broadway revival until this 2003 production. As Ruth Sherwood, a role created by Rosalind Russell, Donna Murphy gives a glorious five-star star performance, and nowhere is it more obvious than on "Conga!" and "Swing," the latter a delirious spoof of 1950s Greenwich Village hipsterisms. As Eileen Sherwood, Jennifer Westfeldt doesn't have the crystalline pipes of Audra McDonald (from the 1999 album) but she gives a warm performance that comes across well on CD. The rest of the cast is studded with pros who take obvious delight in the show, and music director Rob Fisher polishes Bernstein's score to a gleam. Truly, Broadway doesn't get much better than this. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Wonderful Town (2003).......2007-02-21

Frankly, I got this album for one song..."A Hundred Ways to Lose a Man", which I heard on the Braodway station of our digital cable network. I was extremely entertained by the song and loved the style portrayed in this album's particular rendition of it. I got it in order to perform the song myself for a benefit performance. I am very pleased to have it in my collection. As far as the rest of the album is concerned...one has to be "in the mood". It can be a bit annoying at times. Not my favorite Leonard Bernstein...doesn't compare to West Side Story...rather fluffy in comparison and silly, but that's what was intended.

3 out of 5 stars Good Piece.......2006-12-16

This show is nice, very broadway. The music is nice, lyrics fun, and whole show a nice piece. It isn't something I would listen to over and over which is why it's only getting three stars, but it isn't something that I won't play from time to time. Of the two recordings I have (this one and the 2004 revival) there are MINISCULE differences, but I would say this is the better of the two. I like Donna Murphy's character over Brooke Shields. Good CD for collectors and new broadway listners alike. Fav Song: "Conga"

4 out of 5 stars Wonderful wonderful town!!.......2005-05-19

This is an excellent piece of work. Delightful. Charming. Splendid. Funny. Enjoyable. There are so many songs that stand out on this soundtrack, paticularly "one hundred easy ways." Evey time I hear I just can't help but break out in laughter. Excellent soundtrack; a must purchase!!

4 out of 5 stars Really Good, But..........2005-02-01

This may be the prime example of how a live performance transcends any recorded experience. I have read all the rave reviews of Donna Murphy's performance and trust people's judgment: she must have been wonderful in person. In this recording, however, she struggles through four or five different accents, settling somewhere between a voice from Missippi by way of New York.It seems less a performance than a gimmick.

As a kid I heard my parents play the Rosalind Russell version of this show a hundred times and I guess she is imprinted in my mind as Ruth Sherwood.

The orchestrations here sound magnificent and there are a few tracks added which round out the experience.

5 out of 5 stars THIS IS THE BEST!.......2004-12-16

Of ALL the musicals I've seen on broadway, I love this one the most! Donna Murphy was amazing, and the rest of the cast was wonderful, too! I think this soundtrack is better than the original version - a must have.

Soul Music:

  1. Woolunda
  2. 2 of a Kind
  3. 3 + 3
  4. ABC
  5. After All Is Said and Done
  6. All the Great Love Songs
  7. An Eye For An Eye [Explicit Lyrics]
  8. Anthology
  9. Back to Back
  10. Bad Newz Travels Fast [Explicit Lyrics]

Soul Music

soul music

Recommended Music:

Perry Blake [Import] [CD-single]

Selva Della Musica - Rameau, Couperin, Marais and others [Import]

Schubert: Sonata in D, Op.53/Beethoven: Concerto No.5 "Emperor"

Fly Dude

There Must Be Some Kind of Misunderstanding [Import]

The Soul Years

Treasury of Irish Gold [Import]

The Power Out

Southpaw Grammer [Import]

Sento Amor; David Daniels;

Summertime

Sabotage

Rancheras y Corridos

Angelica

Astra