Happy Time

1. Sweethearts on Parade

2. Willow Weep for Me

3. Makin' Whoopee

4. Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to You

5. All of Me

6. I Want a Little Girl

7. On the Sunny Side of the Street

8. I Can't Get Started

9. Stormy Monday

10. Let Me off Uptown

Happy Time,Roy Eldridge,Ojc,Jazz,Mainstream Jazz,Pop,Swing

Jazz

Music

jazz

music

Average customer rating: Great to Hear All those great Voices from the Past A Good One!

Greatest Hits: Broadway Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Bernstein | Bernstein, Leonard | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gershwin | Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Porter | Porter, Cole | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music $6.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Bernstein, Leonard | ( B ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Porter, Cole | ( P ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Rodgers, Richard | ( R ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Sondheim, Stephen | ( S ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Musicals | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Best Of Broadway (Cast Recording Anthology) Only Broadway CD You'll Ever Need Greatest Songs from the Musicals The Best of Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series) Very Best Of Broadway Musicals ASIN: B0000029PM Release Date: 1996-10-29

Tracks:

1. Oklahoma!: Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin' - John Raitt/Franz Allers
2. On The Town: New York, New York - Michael Kermoyan/Adolph Green/John Reardon/Cris Alexander & Chorus/Leonard Bernstein
3. Annie Get Your Gun: I Got The Sun In The Morning - Doris Day/Franz Allers
4. Fiddler On The Roof: If I Were A Rich Man - Topol/Gareth Davies
5. West Side Story: Tonight - Larry Kert/Carol Lawrence/Max Goberman
6. The Sound Of Music: The Sound Of Music - Mary Martin/Frederick Dvonch
7. My Fair Lady: On The Street Where You Live - Jerry Lanning/Theodore Saidenberg
8. Annie: Tomorrow - Andrea McArdle/Peter Howard
9. The Music Man: Seventy-Six Trombones - The Boston Pops Orchestra/John Williams
10. Anything Goes: You're The Top - Eileen Rodgers/Hal Linden/Julian Stein
11. Bye Bye Birdie: Put On A Happy Face - Dick Van Dyke/Elliot Lawrence
12. Mame: Open A New Window - Angela Lansbury & Cast/Don Pippin
13. Strike Up The Band: Strike Up The Band - The Chestnut Brass Co.
14. Sweet Charity: Hey, Big Spender - Helen Gallagher/Thelma Oliver/Fan-Dango Girls/Fred Werner
15. Bells Are Ringing: Just In Time - Judy Holliday/Sydney Chaplin/Milton Rosenstock
16. Gypst: Together, Wherever We Go - Ethel Merman/Jack Klugman/Sandra Church/Milton Rosenstock
17. Cabaret: Cabaret - Jill Haworth/Harold Hastings
18. Phantom Of The Opera: The Music Of The Night - The Boston Pops Orchestra/John Williams
19. Show Boat: Ol' Man River - William Warfield/Franz Allers
20. A Chorus Line: What I Did For Love - Priscilla Lopez & Cast/Don Pippin
21. A Little Night Music: Send In The Clowns - Glynis Johns/Harold Hastings

Customer Reviews:

Great to Hear All those great Voices from the Past.......2007-07-05

I just wanted to confirm what the first reviewer had to say about this CD. To hear Ethyl Merman, Mary Martin, Andrea McCardle etc. singing their trademark songs brought a lot of memories from the mid-centry musical theater back again. The last song by Glynis Johns is especially poignant.
You certainly can't beat the price!

A Good One!.......2006-11-10

This is a very good CD, mostly because it's the original artists. I've had some that were re-recorded by no name artists that were ghastly. This one is a really good one--including the sound quality. If I had one wish, I would wish it were longer!

Average customer rating: 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 General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Rhino Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Ultimate Broadway Only Broadway CD You'll Ever Need The Best Of Broadway (Cast Recording Anthology) Greatest Hits: Broadway 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:

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.

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!

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.

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!!!

"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)

Average customer rating: Delightful A Master Class in Singing Bryn is swell, but the bombast is annoying Surprisingly Fine Crossover from Fleming and Terfel BREATHTAKING VOCAL MAGNIFICENCE~BRAVO!!!

Renee and Bryn: Under the Stars John Harold Kander , Andrew Lloyd Webber , Claude-Michel Schoenberg , Richard Rodgers , Gerard Presgurvic , Jason Robert Brown , Meredith Willson , Lucy Simon , Cole Porter , Stephen Flaherty , Ralph Salmins , and David Hartley Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Porter | Porter, Cole | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Classic | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Bryn Terfel - Something Wonderful (Bryn Terfel sings Rodgers & Hammerstein) Bryn Terfel - If Ever I Would Leave You (Songs from My Fair Lady, On a Clear Day, Camelot, The Little Prince, Brigadoon) Bryn Terfel - Simple Gifts Bryn Terfel Sings Favorites Silent Noon ASIN: B000088E7D Release Date: 2003-02-11

Tracks:

1. "Not While I'm Around" (from Sweeney Todd by Stephen Sondheim)
2. "Moonfall" (from The Mystery of Edwin Drood by R. Holmes)
3. "I Don't Remember You The Happy Tim" and "Sometimes a Day Goes By" (from Woman of the Year by Kander & Ebb)
4. "All the Love I Have" (from The Beautiful Game by Ben Elton & Andrew Lloyd Webber)
5. "I Wish I Could Forget You / Loving You" (from Passion by Stephen Sondheim)
6. "Stars" (from Les Misirables by Boublil & Schvnberg)
7. "All I Ask of You" (from The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber)
8. "Hello, Young Lovers" (from The King and I by Rodgers & Hammerstein)
9. "Pretty Women" (from Sweeney Todd by Stephen Sondheim)
10. "Aimer" (from Romio et Juliette by Presgurvic)
11. "All the Wasted Time" (from Parade by J. Brown)
12. "Seventy-Six Trombones" (from The Music Man by Willson)
13. "How Could I Ever Know" (from The Secret Garden by Simon and Norman)
14. "So In Love" (from Kiss Me Kate by Cole Porter)
15. "Wheels Of a Dream" (from Ragtime by Ahrens & Flaherty)

Amazon.com

In these days of the crossover, it is hardly surprising to find two great opera singers making a foray into numbers from Broadway musicals by such composers as Cole Porter, Stephen Sondheim, and Andrew Lloyd Webber. What's remarkable is that they seem completely at home in this music. Both say they grew up listening to it, and indeed they approach these songs with no less care and seriousness than they'd give the most demanding operatic arias, and without a trace of condescension. However, their vocal, expressive, and interpretive styles are very different, both in the solos and the duets. Terfel projects assertive manliness, tender, intimate affection, and rollicking humor without external effects, using only his incomparably sonorous voice and powerful personality. His diction is impeccably clear, and though he has sometimes let his theatrical flair spill over into Schubert songs, he is the soul of simplicity here. This is in stark contrast to Fleming's tendency to exaggerate colors and dynamics and to turn sentiment into sentimentality. Moreover, though she claims a background as a jazz singer, her "crooning" sounds artificial and unnatural. However, her top notes, culminating in a triumphant high C at the end of the final number, ring gloriously. Her voice glows and shimmers with irresistible luster, soaring from seductive whispers to thrilling climaxes. The program features a great variety of love songs, and includes an antiwar protest (from Beautiful Game), a celebration of the American dream (from Ragtime), and a rousing fun piece (from The Music Man). Unfortunately, even the best songs are marred by thoroughly corny arrangements. Listeners will find their own favorites, but the real "stars" on this record are the two singers. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

Delightful .......2006-07-24

I truly enjoy Terfel's vocal talent and found it to be well suited for this genre. Fleming's impeccable soprano voice is a bit overpowering for this style of music. (I own this CD)

A Master Class in Singing.......2006-06-20

This CD is a must-have for any person interested in the singing art. Ms. Fleming and Mr. Terfel gives new light to these Musical Theatre classics. Their fine vocalism in the musical theatre genre coupled with the depth of musicality and dramatic phrasing in each of the selections is truly a breath of fresh air. This recording is indeed a Master Class!

Bryn is swell, but the bombast is annoying.......2006-05-03

Love Bryn Terfel, the finest bass-baritone in Opera. Love Renee Fleming's luscious soprano. But the arrangements! Kettle drums and bombast and bang, bang, bang! Once Renee starts swooping, things go downhill, with little redemption.

It starts out beautifully. "Not While I'm Around" has never sounded more intimate to me than Terfel's caressing pianissimo. Fleming's "Moonglow" is stunningly good. Terfel makes a medley out of "I Don't Remember You and Sometimes a Day Goes By" that makes you want to cheer, and Fleming does a lovely Sondheim medley as well. Bryn sings "Stars" and makes me long for him in Les Mis. And then...things tend to go downhill. The bombast takes over and gets to you - it overwhelms two of the biggest voices now recording. Then Fleming begins to swoop and scoop, over-coloring and often coming off as simply self-indulgent, reminding one of a kid who makes a point of putting his face in a camera shot.

I don't mind Bryn as Prof. Harold Hill - I frankly think the Welsh accent is kinda cute - and it doesn't bother me on "Wheels of Dream," either, but Fleming seems to have lost her mind on that great song, and rather than indulging her, it would have simply been better left off the album. Ditto "All that Wasted Time" which is pretty much unlistenable. Ms. Fleming needs to stop thinking she is a jazz singer.

The four stars are because this album does contain some truly GLORIOUS moments, particularly in the duets, and in Terfel's solo's which are warm and memorable. Without him, the kettle drums and Fleming's self-indulgence would have made the whole endeavor unbearable.

Surprisingly Fine Crossover from Fleming and Terfel.......2006-04-18

Bryn Terfel and Renee Fleming are two of the most acclaimed opera singers of our day. But the musical theatre fan who puts on their Broadway CD, RENEE AND BRYN: UNDER THE STARS, expecting to hear a carelessly compiled hodgepodge of songs sung by voices ill-suited to them is in for a big surprise, beginning with the first phrases of the duo's warmly sung "Not While I'm Around" from SWEENEY TODD. True, these singers' beautiful voices have greater power and range than even the best of the Broadway stars', but this is an asset in these songs, most of which are either semi-operatic in nature or call (like THE MUSIC MAN's "Seventy-Six Trombones") for such an outsize personality as Terfel's. Fleming's sensuous and tonally gorgeous rendition of "Moonfall" from THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD can be placed among her very finest recordings, operatic and otherwise. And Terfel is ideally suited to both "Pretty Women" from SWEENEY TODD and "Stars" from LES MISERABLES; few if any Broadway Javerts could match the impact of his "This I swear by the stars!" Kander and Ebb's "I Don't Remember You" and "Sometimes a Day Goes By" make a perfect medley here, as do Sondheim's "I Wish I Could Forget You" and "Loving You" from PASSION. And though I don't care for the Andrew Lloyd Webber selections (ersatz Puccini) or the Jason Robert Brown one (which sounds too much like a pop song), Terfel and Fleming's singing of them is beyond reproach. The program ends with a bang: a rendition of "Wheels of a Dream" worthy to stand beside the now-classic one by Brian Stokes Mitchell and Audra McDonald on the original cast album of RAGTIME. Welshman Terfel's natural accent is noticeable here; but if one imagines him as, say, an Irish immigrant married to an African-American woman (as Fleming here sounds uncannily like McDonald or like Leontyne Price) his accent is appropriate and his voicing of the "bridge" section ("Oh Sarah, it's more than promises/Sarah, it must be true...") especially moving. Fleming's ecstatic final high note makes one want to applaud and cheer, both for the song and for the successful "crossover" effort.

BREATHTAKING VOCAL MAGNIFICENCE~BRAVO!!!.......2004-10-11

So captivating are these incredible singers in the glorious live concert "Under The Stars" creating an unforgettable musical masterpiece of epic proportions that is so moving and great to watch that I ran out and purchased this studio recorded Compact Disc the next day!! The brilliance of the live broadcast carried over into the recording studio capturing Renee and Bryn at the peak of their incredible powers emotionally and vocally making them the most effective crossover artists since the great Barbara Cook who like Miss Cook sing with emotion that is accurate for this type of material which is usually not the case with classical voices. Renee Fleming sings with genuine passion and stirring emotions and her timing is absolutely flawless and this lady has alot of soul and the Torrie Zito arranged "Moonfall" is a stunning masterpiece that clearly illustrates this. A dazzling medley each show both singers in glorious peak form with Bryn splendid in the enchanting "I Don't Remember You/Sometimes A Day Goes By" and Renee spellbinding and haunting in the gorgeous "I Wish I Could Forget You/Loving You" which will make anyone who loves a great voice fall in love with this amazingly gifted singer. "Stars" features a commanding performance from Bryn that raises the roof and this is so refreshing and inspired in these musically tired times!!! This superb showcase is full of wonderfully exciting performances which are capable of making people feel again and this is what is sorely needed in music today and BRAVO to Bryn Terfel and the gorgeous Renee Fleming for achieving this with complete artistic brilliance. Captivating duets fill this wonderous collection and never have classics such as "Not While I'm Around" or "All I Ask Of You" been sung more brilliantly than here. Renee is magical with "Hello, Young Lovers" while Bryn is commanding and winning with "Pretty Women". Renee's stunning "All The Wasted Time" is a vocal and emotional tour-de-force that is like a wild roller-coaster ride that you won't want to end as this is one of the most riveting songs that I have ever heard from a Broadway score and this certainly must be the definitive performance of this great song. This lady can really really sing and this is some deeply serious singing~WOW!!! Gorgeous together again in the beautiful "How Could I Ever Know" which is hair-raising and wonderfully soulful and sophisicated together in Cole Porter's "So In Love". A grand finale by these two awesome vocal wonders lives up to expectations being a complete blowout vocal festival and they definitely do not disappoint here!!! "Wheels Of A Dream" is mesmerizing and soars to magnificent heights with Bryn and Renee in peak form singing to the skies and hitting notes that I swear I have never heard before~BRAVO!!!!!!! You are both magically inspired and simply put as good as it gets!!!! Highly recommended if you love two awesome vocal wonders at their absolute peak in a magnificent beautifully orchestrated setting!!! Thank you Bryn & Renee...

Average customer rating: An Excellent Kander and Ebb Entry half baked kander and ebb VINTAGE ROBERT GOULET The Happy Time enchanting Kander-Ebb flop

The Happy Time (1968 Original Broadway Cast) John Kander , and Fred Ebb Manufacturer: RCA Victor Broadway ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Musicals | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Act (1977 Original Broadway Cast) Flora The Red Menace: The Original Broadway Cast Recording (1965) 70, Girls, 70 (1971 Original Broadway Cast) Curtains (2007 Original Broadway Cast) Grey Gardens - A New Musical (2006 Original Broadway Cast) ASIN: B000003F8W Release Date: 1992-03-10

Tracks:

1. The Happy Time
2. He's Back
3. Catch My Garter
4. Tomorrow Morning
5. Please Stay
6. I Don't Remember You/St. Pierre
7. Without Me
8. (Walking) Among My Yesterdays
9. The Life Of The Party
10. Seeing Things
11. A Certain Girl
12. Finale

Customer Reviews:

An Excellent Kander and Ebb Entry.......2007-07-07

I can't say this is one of the classic scores of Broadway, and it may not even be Kander and Ebb's best. That said, it's tuneful and generally delightful, and listening to it you would not think this was a flop. All of the songs are at least good, and there are several excellent numbers that stand out.

I Don't Remember You is a beautiful ballad. Without Me is a lively self-affirmation by a young Michael (named as Mike here) Rupert who, thirty-nine years later, is still having a pretty good career on Broadway. It's almost the sort of thing Jerry Herman wrote, but less annoying than many of Herman's numbers in this genre. Rupert also held his own with vets Goulet and Wayne in Tomorrow Morning and in That Certain Girl, no mean feat. With the possible exception of I Don't Remember You, Tomorrow Morning is probably my favorite song in the show - a tuneful and funny party song. I also like A Certain Girl, done in a charming three-part harmony.

The cast is generally very good, at least in terms of singing. From what I've read here and elsewhere this show flopped on Broadway for reasons similar to what happened to Herman's Dear World. A story that called for an intimate production with real emotion was overproduced, and the clashing esthetics did it in. One flaw that does come though on the recording is the uneveness of the accents. They range from thoroughly stilted and on/off attempts at French Canadian accents (Wayne, some of the smaller roles) to non-existent (Rupert). Goulet is the only one who really got it right, which was only natural, since he grew up in Quebec. I'll grant that it's not the easiest accent to do, but the others could still have done better. I read the original NY Times Review of the show, and the problem was bad enough on stage that it garnered a long mention by the reviewer.

All in all, I'd say this was a flawed but basically good show. The recording is less flawed, and generally shows a very good score to good advantage. If you appreciate broadway musicals, this one is well worth having.

half baked kander and ebb.......2007-06-08

This is a 60's musical relic that didn't have much of a run on Broadway.
Kander and Ebb wrote some pleasant songs, "a certain girl", the title tune, and one "great" one, "walking among my yesterdays". Goulet is in fine voice and this was Michael Rupert's B'way debut.

VINTAGE ROBERT GOULET.......2007-05-17

A very pleasant show but only a couple of memorable songs. However, Robert Goulet's voice and personality are terrific.The Happy Time (1968 Original Broadway Cast)

The Happy Time.......2007-04-02

A great Kander and Ebb score that is rarely heard. Nice performances from David Wayne and Robert Goulet.

enchanting Kander-Ebb flop.......2006-10-13

With a snappy, tuneful score, Kander and Ebb's Broadway musical offering for the 1968 season, THE HAPPY TIME, remains one of the duo's most cruelly-underrated works. Featuring Robert Goulet in his first big post-"Camelot" musical role, as well as David Wayne (a Tony-winner for "Finian's Rainbow"), THE HAPPY TIME only lasted for a brief run, nevertheless the cast album preserves a score that is far from forgettable. Songs like "Seeing Things", and "Walking Among My Yesterdays" should have become standards in every self-respecting cabaret singers' repertoire. Other enjoyable numbers are "Catch My Garter" (a cute little throwaway number for the chorus girls), and "The Life of the Party".

THE HAPPY TIME was unfortunate, because the 1968 season boasted several big hits including "Promises Promises" and "Hallelujah, Baby!" (which took out the Tony Award for Best Musical that year); not to mention several holdovers, with Pearl Bailey and Cab Calloway notably leading the special all-black cast of "Hello Dolly!". THE HAPPY TIME did manage to score awards for Robert Goulet (Best Actor in a Musical) and Gower Champion (Best Director of a Musical), but facing stiff competition from other shows, folded quietly after 285 performances (famously becoming the first Broadway show to record a net loss of over 1 million dollars).

[RCA 09026-61016-2]

Average customer rating: old and still good Not What it Claims to be Good Memories!! Witty, clever and a joy to listen to

At the Drop of a Hat Michael Flanders & Donald Swann Manufacturer: EMI Int'l ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | Comedic Music | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Best of Flanders & Swan - A Transport of Delight Complete Flanders & Swann The Songs of Michael Flanders & Donald Swann A Drop of Hilarity from Flanders & Swann That Was the Year That Was ASIN: B000026GPR Release Date: 1999-07-15

Tracks:

1. A Transport Of Delight
2. Song Of Reproduction
3. The Gnu Song
4. Design For Living
5. Je Suis Le Tenebreux
6. Songs For Our Time
7. A Song Of The Weather
8. The Reluctant Cannibal
9. Greensleeves
10. Misalliance
11. Kokoraki
12. Madeira M'Dear?
13. Too Many Cookers
14. Vanessa
15. Tried By The Centre Court
16. The Youth Of The Heart
17. The Hippopotamus Song

Customer Reviews:

old and still good.......2005-02-20

I count myself a rare American who appreciates this recording. My uncle sent it to me on tape when I was quite small. my mom, ever handy with the censor's razor blade, let it go--untouched--in spite of the song about madeira, which I now know is about an old man doing the nasty to a young innocent lass. back then, of course, I thought it was about cake! with both mom and uncle passed on, I wanted to buy up what music of theirs I could locate, and I fortunately found the Complete Flanders and Swann, apparently no longer available. i bought up the copy and didn't get scalped, somehow. 45 years after the songs were sung, "Transport of Delight," "Soung of Reproduction," and "reluctant Cannibal," and yes even "Song of the Weather," still reverberate in my mind. i used to sing "The Gas Man Cometh," from the "At the drop of Another Hat" show album, in performances as a teen-ager, and sometimes even got good results. any of their albums are money well spent.

Not What it Claims to be.......2004-12-10

For those of you who grew up with the UK recording of "At the Drop of a Hat" be warned - in spite of what it says on the box this is NOT the recording of the 1959 show at the Fortune Theatre. This is the Broadway show.

The identity of the recording can be determined in the first minute from Flanders' introduction of Swann as "noted composer, pianist, linguist, also contains lanolin" - in the Fortune Theatre recording he is introduced as "noted composer, pianist, linguist, and all round egghead". There are substantial differences in the two performances, not least of which the pace which is a lot quicker in this recording, lacking the elegant timing which characterised the UK performance and which is comparable to the available CD of "At the Drop of Another Hat" (which WAS recorded in the UK).

Many of the jokes and asides are different - for instance in "Have Some Madeira", the Fortune Theatre recording includes an aside "He slyly inveigled her up to his flat, to view his collection of stamps [aside] All unperforated! ha ha ha ..." clearly this was regarded as too risqué for the US performance.

The songs are the same vintage and hilarious Flanders and Swann but the presentation, to me, is nowhere close to the quality of the earlier performance - it sounds to me like they were by this stage tired of the material and "going through the motions" for an audience that they did not relate to in the same way as an English audience.

Incidentally - Too Many Cookers, Vanessa, Tried by the Centre Court and The Youth of the Heart were not on the original LP recording and judging from the acoustics these were recorded elsewhere. The sleeve notes identify these as being recorded in 1957, 2 years prior to the Fortune Theatre performance.

Good Memories!!.......2000-12-05

My father used to work in the kitchen, cooking or cleaning, with music playing in the background. One of his favorites was this album by Flanders & Swann. He had seen the show and loved the record. I sang the songs through my childhood and now I sing them to my children, my co-workers, my friends! I only just realized that I can get the original album on CD. WHAT JOY!!!

Witty, clever and a joy to listen to.......2000-08-30

I first encountered Flanders and Swan on the LP version of this recording forty years ago. Loved it then, love it today. These two inventive and joyful British devils have delighted theatre audiences for years and their "Hippopotamus Song" has become something of a children's classic. This is the original cast recording of their first hit London show and is a marvelous performance. Can't say enough good about it but best of all my wife and I have been humming the songs and quoting the lyrics to one another now and then ever since we got the LP as a wedding present.

Average customer rating: Return to Sanity Have Some Madeira British humour at its best If you haven't heard this... Gentle Satire

Complete Flanders & Swann Manufacturer: EMI Int'l ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Divertimentos | Serenades & Divertimentos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Cantatas | Romances French Horn | Brass | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | Comedic Music | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Broadway & Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Box Sets | Stores | Music Comedy & Spoken Word | Box Sets | Stores | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Songs of Michael Flanders & Donald Swann At the Drop of a Hat The Best of Flanders & Swan - A Transport of Delight Beyond The Fringe (1961 Original London Cast) Too Many Songs by Tom Lehrer ASIN: B000006T4S Release Date: 1997-04-30

Tracks:

1. Warthog, The (The Hog Beneath The Skin)
2. The Sea Horse
3. The Chameleon
4. Whale, The (Mopy Dick)
5. Je Suis Le Tenebreux
6. Songs For Our Time
7. A Song Of The Weather - Flanders & Swann
8. The Reluctant Cannibal
9. Greensleeves
10. Misalliance
11. Kokoraki
12. Madeira M'Dear?
13. Too Many Cookers
14. Built Up Area
15. In The Bath (From 'At The Drop Of A Hat')
16. Sea Fever
17. The Hippopotamus Song

Tracks:

1. The Gas Man Cometh
2. Sounding Brass
3. Los Olividados
4. In The Desert
5. The Sloth
6. The Rhinoceros
7. Kangaroo Tango
8. Jaguar
9. Dead Ducks
10. The Elephant
11. By Air
12. Slow Train
13. A Song Of Patriotic Prejudice - Flanders & Swann
14. The Humming Bird
15. The Portuguese Man-Of-War
16. Sea Fever
17. The Hippopotamus Song

Tracks:

1. The Gas Man Cometh
2. Sounding Brass
3. Los Olividados
4. In The Desert
5. The Sloth
6. The Rhinoceros
7. Kangaroo Tango
8. Jaguar
9. Dead Ducks
10. The Elephant
11. By Air
12. Slow Train
13. A Song Of Patriotic Prejudice - Flanders & Swann
14. The Humming Bird
15. The Portuguese Man-Of-War
16. The Wild Boar
17. The Ostrich
18. The Wompom
19. Twice Shy
20. Commonwealth Fair
21. P** P* B**** B** D******
22. Paris
23. Eine Kleine Nacht Musik Cha Cha Cha
24. The Hundred Song
25. Food For Thought

Album Details

Fantastic Triple CD Box Set of the Recorded Works of One of Britain's Most Popular Comedy Duos. Their Keen Observations of Everyday British Life and Abilities to Exemplify them in Song Made them the Darlings of the UK. Cleverness, Wit and Absoute Hilarity were the Order of the Day, in Just About Any Style of Music. Pure Comic Genius on Three Discs!

Customer Reviews:

Return to Sanity.......2005-07-27

Before Monty Python, before the Beatles, before "'Enery the Aigth Oi Am" there was the subtle, sweet, insdious humor of Flanders and Swann, and their lyrics remain part of the recognition rituals of Ivy Leaguers of the sixties. For any aging hippies or yuppies who find life WAY more stressful than we ever expected, and for whom the down side of alcohol, sex, and drugs has become apparent, I recommend listening several times to "In the Bath". It raises a cry for peace among the nations by inviting all the leaders to sit congenially steaming in a communal bathtub. And they reminding us of our essential self-interest when they add the proviso "as long as Swann and Flanders get the end without the taps." On those nights when we suspect that there isn't any point to it all, reach for the Flanders and Swann. They won't convince you there is any meaning to life, but they'll make it a lot easier to bear. Don't even try to do without it.

Have Some Madeira.......2005-07-06

Not every line in Flanders and Swann has become part of our 37-year marriage, but many have. As our turntables fail, we are pleased that we can relive all the fun stuff we used to collect. Nothing is like this duo, especially what you usually hear as French horn by Mozart converted into "I found that horn go(r)ne." And, of course,
"Have some Madeira, m'dear" is an all-time favorite.

British humour at its best.......2003-03-15

When I started out as a teacher of English, I had the most wonderful colleague as a mentor -- when she retired she gave me three LPs with much of what is on these CDs, and it must be one of the best gifts I have ever been given. Practically all of it makes me smile or laugh out loud (although I must admit that some, like The Armadillo and Slow Train, make me so melancholy that I can just feel my lower lip tremble and my eyes fill up). How can you beat lines like "Hail to thee, blithe Wompom", or "The English are moral, the English are good / And clever, and modest, and misunderstood"? I find they make great listening exercises for my teenaged students as well -- they consider it ancient, but incredibly funny!

If you haven't heard this..........2003-01-16

The great comedic pairing of the late Michael Flanders (vocals) and Donald Swann (piano and occasional vocals) must surely rank among the hall of fame of comic singers and songwriters. Descended from the British music hall tradition, these two men wrote and performed music which still sparkles with wit today, some 40 or more years since it was recorded.

After being told to take up singing as a means of strengthening his polio-weakened lungs, the wheelchair-bound Flanders teamed up with pianist Swann and proceeded to write such classic songs as "The Hippo Song (Mud Mud Glorious Mud)", "The Gasman Cometh", "The Gnu Song", "A Transport of Delight" and many others. As well as a gently satirical spirit, all these songs feature the sublime wordplay and interplay of both men.

The first two discs of this box set are actual concerts - "At The Drop Of A Hat" and its successor "At The Drop Of Another Hat". Recorded at the height of the duo's popularity and form, the sound quality is surprisingly good for recordings this old.

"At The Drop Of A Hat" opens with three of the Flanders and Swann classics. "Transport Of Delight", a song in praise of the "97 horsepower omnibus" features the wonderful harmonies of the duo on lines like "any more fares" and Flanders' dead-on impression of a London busdriver "Geddardait, we're full right up inside". "Song of Reproduction" deals with the new, as it was then, stereo technology and features Flanders delivering an incredible monologue using every conceivable piece of audiophile jargon. "The Gnu Song" (in which "gnu" is pronounced phonetically) is a real treat. The audience's reaction to the reappearance of the gnu is superb.
As well as this opening trio, the disc features Flanders' snippets of "Songs For Our Time" (in which he experiments with conventions of hit songs), "Song of the Weather" (a rundown of English weather throughout the year), "The Reluctant Cannibal" (featuring Swann in the tititular role and the chorus "I can't eat people/I won't eat people/eatin' people is wrong"), Swann's foray into Greek folksong "Kokraki" and the justifiably famous "Madeira M'Dear". The performance ends with a rousing version of "The Hippo Song".
Flanders is in fine voice throughout and his comments introducing each song are delivered with deadpan accuracy. The story behind "The Gnu Song" is an absolute masterpiece. Flanders' monologue about the creation of "Greensleeves" is also superb - "'Greenfleeves'. That's an interesting name for a fong" (referencing old English script) being just a taste.

"Another Hat" begins in equally fine form with "Gasman Cometh" and "Ill Wind". "Gasman", presaged as "a tale of unending domestic upheaval", is sure to have most people who've ever dealt with unreliable tradesmen nodding in agreement, while "Ill Wind" is Flanders' attempt at setting words to a French horn concerto featuring the immortal lines "I lost that horn/lost that horn/lost that horn/found that horn/gorn". The performance continues with Swann's Russian/English song "In The Desert", the ending of which is truly side-splitting. "All Gall" (a reinterpretation of "This Old Man" to fit then-French President Charles de Gaulle) is a little dated but very cleverly done. "Song of Patriotic Prejudice", with its introduction and opening lines grabbing the audience's attention is another triumph, while the "Hippo Encore" is a great end to the performance.
Again Flanders is at his peak. His loving description of the Spanish olive-stuffers ("Olividados") and his superb story about flying ("By Air") are both brilliant examples of the shaggy dog story.
My favourite from both of these discs would have to be "First and Second Law". Flanders decides to educate Swann in elementary science and picks on the first and second laws of thermodynamics ("heat is work and work is heat" and "heat cannot of itself pass from one body to a hotter body") and the repetition of these phrases in time to Swann's barely-there piano accompaniment is one of the finest moments in British comedy.

The third disc is largely forgettable. It begins with a series of animal-related songs performed in a studio and without much of Flanders' rambling introductions. "Warthog" has its moments, while the others were clearly not performed in front of an audience for a reason. "Wompom" is also mildly diverting, presenting a story about a made-up substance which is the answer to everything.
The rest of the disc is then filled out with much earlier material in a rather poorly-recorded concert. "20 Tons of TNT" (related to the calculation the pair had done which gave that as the amount of TNT per person on the planet at the time) provides food for thought, but little more.

Is this box set for everyone? No. Much of the humour both within and without the songs does require a bit of background knowledge to what was going on in Britain and Europe at the time (1960s), John Profumo is referenced a few times as well as Charles de Gaulle and the Common Market, while a smattering of classical music knowledge can help out a bit with Swann's work and "Ill Wind". The fact that my grandfather (who's in his late 70s) recalls hearing these songs and laughing may give an indication as to the age of some of the subject matter. Equally the fact that "First and Second Law" references an awful lot of physics might do the same.

Nevertheless, for anyone who loves British humour done in a gentle manner or who is interested in the source of "mud mud glorious mud/nothing quite like it for cooling the blood", give these CDs some serious consideration.

Gentle Satire.......2002-04-03

I've been singing Flanders and Swann every day In the Bath since I first heard them in 1964. If you don't know them, think Gilbert and Sullivan by way of English music hall and Noel Coward, with a bit of Tom Lehrer musical satire and classic Bob Newhart or Charlie Manna monologues. F&S commented gently on their times: "The purpose of satire, it has been rightly said, is to strip away the veneer of comfortable illusion and cozy half-truth. And our job, as I see it, is to put it back again." Quite simply the best comic songs and patter of the 20th century. Michael died in 1975, Donald in 1994. Goodnight, Mabel Figworthy, wherever you are.

Here are some samples of Michael's verbal wit.

Wordplay:
- "A Transport of Delight," their song of the pleasures of the double-decker bus "has recently been adopted as the theme song of the Underground resistance movement."
- Speculating that Henry VIII wrote Greensleeves: "and the royalties go to royalty."
- About a tennis referee late in the day: "the umpire upon whom the sun never sets."
- Explaining how he was hoisted in his wheelchair onto airliners by a fork lift: "Why they need a great machine like that to lift forks I do not know. Well, they're only plastic, now, aren't they?"
- On status symbols: "The object is to Gunga Din your neighbor: 'I'm a better man than you' is the acid test," and, "let's bang our status cymbals with the best."
- To a disenchanted cannibal: "You used to be a regular anthropophagi."
- Of a lecher: "And he said as he hastened to put out the cat, the wine, his cigar, and the lamps," while the girl "lowered her standards by raising her glass, her courage, her eyes, and his hopes."
- At the corrida d'olivas (the Andorran festival of olive stuffing, not to be confused with the Spanish corrida de toros, or bullfight): "And a great cry goes up of Ole! He has made an 'ol."
- "It's no good going up to a scientist and saying to him like you would to anybody else, 'Good morning, how are you, lend me a quid, and so on.' He'll just glare at you, or make a rude retort."

Throw-aways
- During the height of the cold war the Soviet Union sent the Moscow Ballet on a world tour. Donald sang one chorus of the Hippopotamus Song "mud, mud, glorious mud - nothing quite like it for cooling the blood" in Russian. Michael: "That should improve our cultural relations."
- During the 1963 Mandy Rice-Davies and Christine Keeler scandal: "None of that going around saying no smoke without fire. Nil cumbustibus, Profumo." Also, from "Friendly Duet," "such models of friendship are precious and rare, while the friendship of models is not."
- "Now if you're writing a musical, as I'm sure practically all of you are, . . ."
- Of Donald: "You know that no one has a higher regard for your music . . . than you do yourself. I merely meant that you are not great because you are not dead. If you wish to be great you must stop composing and start decomposing."
- "We never found a rhyme for (Soviet Premier Nikita) "Kruschev" until he was dead: Did he die or was he "pushed off"?"
- "We spent two dreadful, uh, delightful years, entertaining the Americans whose need, let's face it, is greater even than yours. Of course, when we're over there we say that the other way 'round."
- "No matter what you may say about the Germans, and who doesn't . . ."
- "Some of the songs that have made our names a household word, like slop-bucket . . ."
- "They've started testing cars now. They started at 10 years, then 5, now three. There's even some talk of having them tested before they leave the factory."

Absurdities
- "I'm delirious about our new oven fitted with the eye-level grill. This means that without my having to bend down the hot fat can squirt straight into my eye."
- A spectator during the construction of Stonehenge: "So, it's not going to be lived in. Well, that's something anyway. So what is it, then? It's a what?! A calendar?! A bit big for a calendar isn't it? You'd look pretty foolish with that on your desk."
- "Donald knocked himself out this morning. Got one of those new pop-up toasters. Nasty things."

Incredible multiple rhymes:
- "The fair hippoptama he aimed to entice from her seat on her hilltop above, as she hadn't got a ma to give her advice, went tip-toeing down to her love."
- Of Josephine: "Nonsense, said Bonaparte. She lives on her own, apart, in her own apartment."
- "Oh let us be married if our parents don't mind. We'd be happy and inseparable. Inextricably entwined. We'd live happily every after, said the Honeysuckle to the Bindweed."
- "And you'll always see a single lace-less left-hand leather boot. A bootless British river bank's a shock. We leave them there at midnight, you can track a member's route by the alternating print of boot and sock."

Average customer rating: The picture

100 Hymns & Songs of Inspiration Manufacturer: Castle Music UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Arne | Arne, Thomas Augustin | ( A ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Duruflé, Maurice | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Monk, William Henry | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rutter | Rutter, John | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sullivan | Sullivan, Arthur | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vaughan Williams, Ralph | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Bruckner | Bruckner, Anton | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Vaughan Williams, Ralph | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music Compilations | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music | Contemporary Christian | Gospel Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music Praise & Worship | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Anthems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Hymns | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Pop | Box Sets | Stores | Music Similar Items: A Heritage of Hymns: Classic Recordings of the Great Songs of Faith and Inspiration Abide with Me and other favourite hymns Best Loved Hymns Praise to the Lord - Hymns From St. Paul's Cathedral Hymns Triumphant 1 & 2 ASIN: B00008GEKT Release Date: 2003-04-14

Tracks:

1. Love Divine All Loves Excelling - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
2. Father Hear the Prayer We Offer - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
3. Now Thank We All Our God - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
4. This Day, The First of Days - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
5. Stars of the Morning So Gloriously Bright - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
6. God Save the Queen - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
7. Day of Resurrection - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
8. God Rest You Merry Gentlemen - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
9. Of the Father's Heart Begotten - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
10. O Come All Ye Faithful - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
11. Awake My Soul and With the Sun - Choir Of Norwich Cathedral
12. Thine Arm O Lord in Days of Old - Choir Of Norwich Cathedral
13. All People That on Earth Do Dwell - Choir Of Norwich Cathedral
14. Good Christian Men Rejoice and Sing - Choir Of Norwich Cathedral
15. There Is a Green Hill - Choir Of Norwich Cathedral
16. Lord of Beauty - Choir Of Sheffield Cathedral
17. Rejoice Today With One Accord - Choir Of Sheffield Cathedral
18. New Every Morning - Choir Of Sheffield Cathedral
19. Lead Us Heavenly Father Lead Us - Choir Of Sheffield Cathedral
20. O God Our Help in Ages Past - Choir Of Sheffield Cathedral

Tracks:

1. Morning Has Broken - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
2. Happy Are They - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
3. In Christ There Is No East or West - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
4. Silent Night - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
5. Be Thou My Guardian - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
6. Ye Servants of the Lord - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
7. At the Name of Jesus Every Knee Shall Bow - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
8. To Thee O Lord Our Hearts We Raise - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
9. Behold the Great Creator Makes - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
10. Rejoice the Lord Is King - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
11. Creator of the Stars of Night - Ely Cathedral Choir
12. He Comes With Clouds Descending - Ely Cathedral Choir
13. O Little Town of Bethlehem - Ely Cathedral Choir
14. Alleluya Alleyluya Alleyluya - Ely Cathedral Choir
15. This Is the Day the Lord Hath Made - Ely Cathedral Choir
16. How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds - Ely Cathedral Choir
17. Lord Thy Word Abideth - Ely Cathedral Choir
18. Jesus Lord We Look to Thee - Ely Cathedral Choir
19. O Lord Our God Arise - Ely Cathedral Choir
20. Lord of All Hopefulness - Ely Cathedral Choir

Tracks:

1. Soldiers of Christ Arise - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
2. Lift Up Your Hearts - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
3. Holy Father, Cheer Our Way - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
4. Maker of the Sun - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
5. O King Most High - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
6. O Praise Our Great and Glorious Lord - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
7. Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
8. We Love the Place O God - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
9. Let Us With a Gladsome Mind - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
10. Give Rest O Christ - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
11. Come Holy Ghost Our Hearts Inspire - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
12. O Thou in All Thy Might So Far - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
13. O Christ, Who Art the Light and Day - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
14. O God Thy Soldiers' Crown and Guard - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
15. Strife Is O'er the Battle Done - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
16. O Christ Our Hope, Our Hearts' Desire - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
17. Jesus Shall Reign - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
18. God of Love My Shepherd Is - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
19. O Jesu Saviour of Mankind - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
20. Immortal Invisible God Only Wise - Choir Of Truro Cathedral

Tracks:

1. Ride on Ride on in Majesty - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
2. All Glory Laud and Honour - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
3. Come Rejoicing - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
4. God Is Love and Where True Love Is - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
5. Magnificat: The Great Advent Antiphons - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
6. Come, Christ's Beloved - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
7. Children of the Hebrews (Palm Procession) - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
8. Veneration of the Cross/The Reproaches (Veneratum and Reproaches) - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
9. Once in Royal David's City - Choir Of Keble College
10. God Be in My Head - Choir Of Keble College
11. O Thou Who Camest from Above - Choir Of Keble College
12. Judge Eternal Throned in Splendour - Choir Of St Edmunsbury Cathedral
13. Christ the Lord Is Risen Again - Choir Of St Edmunsbury Cathedral
14. For All the Saints - Choir Of St Edmunsbury Cathedral
15. Thy Hand O God Has Guided - Choir Of St Edmunsbury Cathedral
16. Christ the Dawn of Our Salvation - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
17. I Was Glad - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
18. Dear Lord and Father of Mankind - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
19. Locus Iste - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
20. Praise My Soul the King of Heaven - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel

Tracks:

1. Stand Up! Stand Up for Jesus! - The Choir of the Abbey School, Tewkesbury
2. While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks - The Choir of the Abbey School, Tewkesbury
3. O Worship the King - The Choir of the Abbey School, Tewkesbury
4. O Heavenly Word of God on High - Choir Of The Collegiate Church Of St Mary
5. Praise to the Lord, The Almighty - Choir Of The Collegiate Church Of St Mary
6. Jesus Christ Is Risen Today - The Choir of York Minister
7. First Nowell - The Choir of York Minister
8. Abide with Me - The Choir of York Minister
9. Breathe on Me Breath of God - Choir Of Keble College
10. Rock of Ages - Choir Of Keble College
11. On This Day, The First of Days - Choir Of Keble College
12. Jesu Sweet and Mary - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
13. O Quam Gloriosum - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
14. Ye Holy Angels Bright - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
15. O for a Closer Walk With God - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
16. Prayer of St Patrick - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
17. Lord's Prayer - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
18. Blessed Be the God and Father - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
19. Day Thou Gavest Lord Is Ended - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
20. Jerusalem (And Did Those Feet in Ancient Times) - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel

Album Description

Full Title - 100 Hymns & Songs Of Inspiration. UK box-set featuring 100 tracks performed by Britain's finest Cathedral Choirs including, Gloucester Cathedral, Norwich Cathedral, Sheffield Cathedral, & many more. Five standard jewel cases housed in a slipbox. Castle Pulse. 2003.

Customer Reviews:

The picture.......2006-12-11

I haven't purchased the CD but the picture of the inside of a church on the cover is not of a British church, like one would assume since it says its a recording of British choirs. This picture is of Notre Dame Basilica in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Just thought i'd let you know. I'll be honest; I'm one to judge things by it's cover and if the company took such care to choose a 'British' church for their British choir CD, I'm willing to bet the music is equally well selected... I'm being sarcastic. But I gave the product 5 stars because I didn't want to hurt its ratings just because i'm cynical. But check out the church if you're ever in Montreal, it's truly beautiful... here I'm not being sarcastic.

Average customer rating: 1950's British Humor Meets "The Daily Show" Not quite the best, but pretty good... wonderful! Funny and very English songs

The Best of Flanders & Swan - A Transport of Delight Manufacturer: EMI Int'l ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | Comedic Music | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Cabaret | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: At the Drop of a Hat Complete Flanders & Swann The Songs of Michael Flanders & Donald Swann Songs & More Songs By Tom Lehrer A Drop of Hilarity from Flanders & Swann ASIN: B000026LBT Release Date: 1994-05-06

Tracks:

1. Act One: Introduction
2. A Transport Of Delight
3. Song Of Reproduction
4. The Gnu Song
5. Songs For Our Time (Philigical Waltz: satellite Moon; A Happy Song)
6. A Song Of The Weather
7. Greensleeves
8. Misalliance
9. Madeira M'dear
10. The Hippopotamus Song
11. Act Two: Introduction
12. All Gall
13. Horoscope
14. The Gas Man Cometh
15. Sounding Brass
16. Ill Wind
17. First And Second Law
18. By Air
19. A Song Of Patriotic Prejudice
20. Hippo Encore
21. The Wompon

Customer Reviews:

1950's British Humor Meets "The Daily Show".......2007-01-10

Combine John Stewart ("The Daily Show") with cabaret and set it in 1950's England -- you've got Flanders & Swan. Funny. Insightful. Cutting. Wise. Fun. How can you go wrong? The singing duo were a delight and their humor feels as timely now as it must have forty years ago. Highly recommended.

Not quite the best, but pretty good..........2006-06-25

Flanders and Swann were brilliant, witty songwriters who wrote acute but subtle satire (among other things). In spite of the title, this record is not a "Best Of" collection, but a repackaging of their two best-known albums, "At the Drop of a Hat" and "At the Drop of Another Hat." A lot of people don't realize that there were two recordings of "At the Drop of a Hat": the first, produced by George Martin for Parlophone, was recorded during its original run at the Fortune Theatre in London in the late '50s, and is much better than the Angel Records version recorded on Broadway. This reissue, unfortunately, uses the Broadway version, in which Flanders seems a little bored with the material (or perhaps unsure that the American audience will get some of the jokes) and tends to rush the punch lines. This collection also omits one of the best songs from "At the Drop of a Hat"(which certainly belongs on any CD with this title), the conscientious-objection allegory "The Reluctant Cannibal."

While this is well worth listening to, your money would be better spent on the original "Hats" in their complete form (with "Cannibal"), preferably the Martin-produced version, if it's still available.

wonderful!.......2006-03-15

This live recording of some of the best loved Flanders and Swann songs is truly a transport of delight!

Funny and very English songs.......2003-06-05

Michael Flanders and Donald Swan composed and sang their own amusing songs, accompanied by Donald Swan playing the piano. Flanders was a large man in a wheelchair and Swan a slight man. Good natured, somewhat dry, very English lyrics, and somewhat dated as they were popular in the 1950s and 1960s. They did wonderful stage shows in those simpler times.

Average customer rating: Michel Legrand Sunlight on his fingertips all the stars you've got Maestro Legrand , at last ! For Jazz piano purest... Only!

Michel Legrand by Michel Legrand Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD France | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Michel Plays Legrand The Essential Michel Legrand Film Music Collection I Love Paris Legrand Jazz Summer of 42 ASIN: B00005YW0W Release Date: 2002-04-16

Tracks:

1. I Will Wait For You
2. The Windmills Of Your Mind
3. The Summer Knows
4. How Do You Keep The Music Playing?
5. Watch What Happens
6. What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life?
7. His Eyes, Her Eyes
8. The Hands Of Time
9. Ordinary Man
10. Summer Me, Winter Me
11. You Must Believe In Spring
12. Once Upon A Summertime
13. L'Amour Fantome
14. Yentl Medley: Papa Can You Hear Me/The Way He Makes Me Feel/A Piece Of Sky

Amazon.com

If the American pop culture profile of French composer-jazz pianist Michel Legrand doesn't seem what it once was, don't be misled: his European indie film scores continue six decades on, now numbering nearly 200. But Legrand's most beloved work remains the lovely, evocative themes he created in the '60s and '70s, including "I Will Wait for You" from The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, The Thomas Crown Affair's "Windmills of Your Mind," the theme from Summer of '42, and his work on Barbra Streisand's Yentl. This collection marks Legrand's first solo piano recordings, presenting those and other film score highlights in spontaneously improvised performances that offer a glimpse of Legrand's musical soul. If, as in "Windmills," his enthusiasm gets the best of him and he occasionally lapses into flights of melodramatic pianistic self-parody, there are more than enough sublime moments here to compensate, especially on lesser-known songs like Best Friends' "How Do You Keep the Music Playing?," "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?" from The Happy Ending, and Brian's Song's "Hands of Time." --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

Michel Legrand.......2007-03-12

This is a great CD! Sound is awesome. I highly recommend it.

Sunlight on his fingertips.......2005-08-10

Sunlight on his fingertips

The very bright talent of Michele Legrand you can feel especially when Maestro is playing piano himself.

I heard some orchestra performance of Legrand before, that was good, but I was still thinking about him just like about pop music composer.

Now I think different - he is Genius!

all the stars you've got.......2005-01-29

Bill Evans once said that technique in jazz "is the ability to translate your ideas into sound through your instrument." If that's the case, Legrand possesses technique in spades.

Before commenting on this rewarding disc, a few words about Legrand himself:

Is there a better songwriter or a more versatile all-around musican alive today? I think you have to go back to people like Gershwin and Billy Strayhorn to find a rough parallel to Legrand's multifaceted, genre-crossing genius. A pupil of Nadia Boulanger (who studied with Faure and taught many important American composers, including Aaron Copland and Philip Glass), Legrand is an heir of the great French tradition of music--but one who has chosen to express himself through popular songs, film scores, and jazz. He possesses that rare combination of an absolutely rigorous theoretical knowledge of music and an intuitive, spontaneous instinct for both melody and improvisation. He combines exquisite refinement with a popular touch, a need to communicate directly with all who love music. To me, his work represents the most perfect expression of such typically French traits as lightness, insouciance, wit, melodic charm, and direct emotional expression since Poulenc.

Here you'll find many of Legrand's signature songs--"I Will Wait for You," "The Windmills of Your Mind," "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?," "The Hands of Time," "You Must Believe in Spring," etc.--reharmonized and enriched in stunningly beautiful solo recreations. Those unfamiliar with Legrand's pianistic abilities will probably be surprised by what they hear, for he's no part-time piano tickler. He can easily hold his own in the company of the best modern jazz pianists. He has a wonderfully refined touch that is incapable of making a harsh sound and a profusive sense of fantasy that keeps you constantly guessing as to where the music will go next. Yet you always feel satisfied when you find out, because Legrand possesses a composer's comprehension of harmony and form. And his own style is in no way compromised by an occasional nod here and there toward Bill Evans, Erroll Garner, Rachmaninoff, and so on. (Please: disregard the Amazon reviewer's remark about "flights of melodramatic pianistic self-parody." It's called a stride chorus, and it's just one example of Legrand's surprising way of recasting these songs--and of his encyclopedic command of jazz styles.)

This disc represents the essence of Legrand. It really should have been recorded a long time ago, but the fact that it has captured his undiminished abilities as he enters his twilight years lends it an added poignance--a sense of "just in time!"--that makes it all the sweeter. If you're already a Legrand fan, it should be a self-recommending treasure, and if you're a fan of great piano playing or of sophisticated jazz treatments of great songs, odds are you'll find this a very rewarding disc indeed. For me, the highlight is this version of "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?" in which every note seems inevitable--not at all an easy thing to make happen in an improvisation.

Miles Davis once said of a Duke Ellington recording, "Give that one all the stars you've got." That's the way I feel about this disc, and I thought that phrase "all the stars you've got" was appropriate because it almost sounds like the title of a Legrand song.

Maestro Legrand , at last !.......2004-10-10

Legrand has recorded at last one of his more intimate renditions to himself with his most remarkable themes along his brilliant career .
From a summer of 42 , The windmills of your mind (The Thomas crown afair) , what are you doing the rest of your life or the romantic Umbrellas of Cherbourg ; all those unforgettable themes are played in this album for piano solo in the real intimacy between him and the listener .
Legrand is the golden master of soundtracks in France and one of the top in the world . He owns that inner vision to catch the spirit of every movie he accompains . He composes music as he was a real director movie . The psychological concerns , the romantic efluvies and the precise and lyrical atmosphere , with that touch of class, artistic elegance and sublime eloquency .
Think also in the important recordings with Miles Davis . That issue will give you the size of that artist and anothe point to remark . In 1954 , Legrand made a golden jewel : I lvoe Paris (See my review) that has become through the years in the most famous and the best album of instrumental music ever recorded .
What other background do you need to acquire this gem ?

For Jazz piano purest... Only!.......2002-09-07

I love the music of Michele Legrand! It is a rich mixture of
graceful tones and notes, that create memories of a certain
time and place in each of our own lives.
When accompaned with great orchestration Its wonderful. When done in a jazz piano style, its not as good. Not to take anyting away from the talents of Mr Legrand as a pianist. Its just that like hearing a lusher, grander version of his music. So if you like jazz piano music, and Michele Legrand.
Then this is the cd for you!

Average customer rating: Patinkin Live Sondheim recital Also a very dissapointed fan Adequate performance; poor entertainment a very disappointed fan

Sings Sondheim Mandy Patinkin Manufacturer: Nonesuch ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Similar Items: Dress Casual Mandy Patinkin Experiment Oscar & Steve Kidults ASIN: B00006JP2C Release Date: 2002-10-29

Tracks:

1. Opening
2. Lesson #8
3. Another Hundred People
4. When?
5. Someone Is Waiting
6. Johanna
7. Green Finch and Linnet Bird
8. Pretty Women
9. Finishing the Hat
10. If You Can Find Me, I'm Here
11. Live, Laugh, Love
12. Live Alone and Like It
13. Everybody Says Don't
14. Rich and Happy, Part 1
15. Our Time
16. Broadway Baby
17. Rich and Happy, Part 2
18. Uptown, Downtown
19. Liaisons
20. Send in the Clowns
21. Live, Laugh, Love (reprise)
22. You Could Drive a Person Crazy

Tracks:

1. Free
2. Company
3. Waiting For The Girls Upstairs
4. Pleasant Little Kingdom/Too Many Mornings
5. Not While I'm Around
6. All Things Bright and Beautiful
7. It Takes Two
8. In Someone's Eyes
9. Beautiful
10. Losing My Mind
11. Take the Moment
12. Sunday

Amazon.com

Recorded live at the Prince Music Theater in Philadelphia, this double CD is one heck of an extensive tribute to Stephen Sondheim. Backed only by Paul Ford on piano, Mandy Patinkin gets through nearly three dozen songs penned by the Broadway master. Some are obvious (excerpts from Sunday in the Park with George, in which the singer created the title role), others less so ("If You Can Find Me I'm Here" from Evening Primrose). Patinkin is often mocked for his shivering falsetto, but here, it's actually when his voice explores a lower register that it falters. What's more interesting is when he tackles songs usually sung by women, such as Follies' "Broadway Baby" and Company's "Another Hundred People" and "You Could Drive a Person Crazy"--the latter hammed up so much that you can hear the chewing of the scenery. A distinctively mannered interpreter, Patinkin remains an acquired taste, but fans of his will be in heaven with this set. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

Patinkin Live.......2007-07-19

I am a huge Mandy Patinkin fan, and this is, without a doubt, one of the best CDs in my collection. The transitions between songs are excellent and seamless, plus the song selection was top-notch.

Sondheim recital.......2007-01-22

Probably the best way to approach these disks is to treat them like a recital in a concert hall. Rather as you would listen to a Schubert or Schumann song cycle. Taken together this way, we come to hear Sondheim as one of our finest composers, serious, comic, manic, depressive, always dead on target no matter what the subject matter. And Patinkin is perfect for these songs; he understands the meaning and value of every note and every word, just as a fine concert singer would do, and he makes his listeners understand, too. One of the most intriguing concept albums in recent memory, and a joy all the way through. Bob Finley, Palm Springs, CA.

Also a very dissapointed fan.......2003-08-22

I too LOVE Mandy and Stephen Sondheim and own just about everything both has ever made! I also have been to 6 of Mandy's live performances. This was truly a big dissapointment to me. Every concert I have seen Mandy in has been filled with emotion and his personality just grabs hold of you for an evening of wonderful escape-ism. This to me was very un-entertaining and I actually became irritated after awhile of listening to it. It seemed to drone on with out the wonderful feelings and emotions and soaring voice that Mandy typically puts into his music. I gave this as a gift too (since my friend and I had missed Mandy at his Sondheim review in DC last year) and felt badly that I had. There are so many other great recordings of Mandy...Kidults, Saturday in the Park with George, The Secret Garden, Mandy sings Rogers & Hammerstien and Sondheim. This one has just sat on my shelf after I played it through twice hoping to warm up to it...while my other recordings are very worn out with years of playing!

Adequate performance; poor entertainment.......2003-05-04

I received this disc the same day a "Philip Quast Live at the Donmar". The Quast disc has its own flaws (and I dont wish to compare the two performers) but it has been strung together in a more thoughtful manner, with witty imagination and using a more dangerous in the choice of songs, which is really where this disc fails. The songs here are generally enjoyable though rather standard, and the lack of cohesion (running the songs together doesnt count) means I just dip into the discs listening to a few favourites, rather than enjoying the whole show.

a very disappointed fan.......2003-02-05

I have every recording Patinkin appears on, even if he's only on one track; I adore his voice, his flair, his emotion, his ability to deliver a song.

But (much of) this recording is disappointing, mainly because Mr. Patinkin's voice in the lower range sounds muddled and forced, as though he's lost ability to control it (however, the more falsetto sounds are as clear and sharp as ever).

And I don't care for the format of this performance. Live recordings should have live audience reactions: one (often unrelated) song after another without applause had me wondering when--if ever--was the audience was going to be allowed to react.

Also, while I've never had the privilege of attending a Patinkin concert, I imagined that--above all-- he would be passionate. Perhaps he was. But what (mostly) comes across on the CD is a somber--almost technical--performance.

I hope he's healthy, that mixed quality of singing on this recording was just a fluke, and that his next CD will be a Five-star as all his previous ones have been

Jazz Music:

1. Intimacy of the Blues
2. Jazz Blues & Gumbo Groo
3. Jazz for Romance
4. Jive at Five
5. Juke Joint Jive: Go Daddy Go
6. Just Friends: A Gathering in Tribute to Emily Remler, Vol. 1
7. Just Friends, Vol. 2: Tribute to Emily Remler
8. Lighthouse at Laguna [Live]
9. Live at the River East Art Center [Live]
10. Love Me Like Candy

Jazz Music

jazz music