A Chorus Line (1975 Original Broadway Cast) [Cast Recording]
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Michael Bennett's 1975 tale of Broadway's gypsies--the chorus dancers--resonated with audiences as few shows ever have, examining with both hilarity and heartbreak the grueling life of ordinary performers always auditioning for an opportunity to be members of a faceless chorus line. And along the way, it picked up the Pulitzer, the New York Drama Critics Award, and nine Tonys, and became the longest-running show in Broadway history. The original cast (eight of whom contributed their real-life memories to the show) included no major stars, but are unmatched on this cast recording of Marvin Hamlisch and Edward Kleban's score, including Priscilla Lopez's poignant "Nothing," Donna McKechnie's yearning dance number "The Music and the Mirror," one of Broadway's most famous torch ballads in "What I Did for Love," and the ultimate high-kicking chorus number, "One." Fans of the show will welcome the 1998 remastered CD, which adds two and a half minutes to "Hello Twelve, Hello Thirteen, Hello Love." While still incomplete, the montage now includes "Four-foot ten," "Little brat," and "The worst thing in school...." --David Horiuchi
A Chorus Line (1975 Original Broadway Cast), Music, Marvin Hamlisch, Edward Kleban, Cast Recordings, Classical, Original Cast Recordings, Showtunes / B'way
Average customer rating:
- This Show is AMAZING
- Spot the difference
- It's "A Chorus Line"
- "Dance 10, Voice 2"
- Ineffective Revival
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A Chorus Line - The New Broadway Cast Recording (2006 Broadway Revival Cast)
Marvin Hamlisch , Edward Kleban , Charlotte d'Amboise , and Michael Berresse
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
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ASIN: B000HEZF8Q
Release Date: 2006-10-10 |
Tracks:
- Opening: I Hope I Get It
- I Can Do That
- At The Ballet
- Sing!
- Montage, Part 1: Hello Twelve, Hello Thirteen, Hello Love
- Montage, Part 2: Nothing
- Montage, Part 3: Mother
- Montage, Part 4: Gimme The Ball
- Dance: Ten; Looks: Three
- The Music And The Mirror
- One
- What I Did For Love
- One (reprise) / Finale
Amazon.com
In the fall of 2006, A Chorus Line came back on Broadway 16 years after its original run closed, and it felt as if it had never left. The new production, put together by alums from the first one, is a carbon copy of Michael Bennett's groundbreaking staging, and the cast recording follows suit. The good news is that Marvin Hamlisch's energetic, pop-inflected score sounds as great as ever; the bad news: well, you might quibble with the staging but when it comes to the CD, there isn't really any bad news. This time around, the songs are performed in the order in which they are performed live, and the recording includes more of the incidental music and the dialogue. Among the highlights are Natalie Cortez's fabulous "Nothing" (check out the Bacharachian trumpet-and-piano arrangements, which aren't all that surprising since co-orchestrator Jonathan Tunick had worked on Bacharach's sole musical, Promises, Promises) and Jessica Lee Goldyn's uproarious "Dance: Ten; Looks: Three." And then there's "One," which remains one of the most memorable songs in the musical-theater catalogue-lucky for us, we get it twice since it's reprised at the end. --Elisabeth Vincentelli
Customer Reviews:
This Show is AMAZING.......2007-07-11
Although many other people have criticized this cast for its departure from the original production, I think this cast is awesome. Although you can never truly trump an original, the vocals in this cast are much more clear and they are truly amazing singers (and if you see the show, you'll know that they're also amazing dancers). The song, "What I Did for Love" is truly beautiful and a real tear jerker when you see it on the stage.
If you appreciate fine vocals, love A Chorus Line or love the sounds of the 1970's, this cd is perfect for you. I highly recommend that you buy this cd!!!
Spot the difference.......2007-06-24
The music for A Chorus Line sounded endearingly dated in 1975, so you can only imagine the impact it has today. All those harps, the wah-wah guitars, the twinkly flutes and the clunky percussion. Close your eyes and you can see the credits role to some early seventies TV sit com...
And yet... this is A Chorus Line, and we love it. Having just seen the show for the first time live (on Broadway, with this cast) I now undertand that the show really is as wildly inconsistent and totally odd as the movie suggests. But the cast give it their all and act like they at least pretend they know what's happening.
I've marked this down one star for Charlotte d'Amboise's rendition of The Music and the Mirror. Boy this lady can dance. In heels! But I can't admire her for the way she sings "Gimme a chaaaaance to come thruuuuuuu". It was even worse on stage, so we are spared at least some of the horror.
Other than that there are very few differences compared with the slightly better 75 OBC recording, just the muffled sound is removed.
Interesting both for novices and for those buying it just to compare to the original.
It's "A Chorus Line".......2007-06-05
Well, this is A Chorus Line. I don't hear much difference from the original. Sound quality is a little better, the voices are a little bit better, and there are a few added notes here and there, but overall I don't feel this is a must have if you already own the original. Now if you have to choose between which one to get, I would say get this one. As I've said the sound quality and some voices ARE better on this one, but not so drastically that you need this one. I like A Chorus Line and I am happy I got this CD, but it definitely doesn't wipe the original off the map. I suggest this for collectors, and younger new listeners. Favorite song: "What I Did For Love"
"Dance 10, Voice 2".......2007-03-05
If you've seen the revival on Broadway, you know that the entire cast dances beautifully. Unfortunately, you can't see them dancing on the recording and while everyone always thinks of this as a "dancer's show" anyone who has seen the score knows how challenging the music is.
While there are a few cast members with exceptional voices, a few of them (including one in particular - you'll know who when you listen to the recording) fall a bit short of today's standards in the vocal department.
They should have added a song in this version called "Dance 10, Voice 2"...and not for Val!
I was disappointed when I saw the revival on Broadway (again, a few standouts like the actors who play Bebe, Don, Al, Val), but figured that they'd "correct" the vocal mistakes I heard while seeing it live on the recording (where they could do multiple takes). Alas, it's not any better on the recording.
The new orchestrations are nice and it's great that more of the amazing score was included, but this recording falls short. I'm sticking to the original.
Ineffective Revival.......2007-03-03
Having seen the original in 1975 shortly after it opened, and subseqeuntly, different casts over the years, I was hugely disappointed in this production. While it would be unfair to expect the current revival to have the same impact as the original (they were, after all, playing their own lives), this is oddly unmoving. Every performer seems to be "acting", whereas the original, they all came aross as natural and real. Charlotte D'Amboise is talented and appealing but somehow, she too seems to be forced. Donna MacKechnie was heartbreaking, her dancing was pure passion and desperation, D'Amboise is just dancing really, really hard.
While there is a little more music on this cast album, stick to the OBC to get what it was all about.
I thought to the novice who'd never seen ACL, that this production would seem wonderful, but I have a sister and her husband who recently saw this (and had never seen any production before) and they found it rather dull and ineffective. The original simply overwhelmed with it's brilliance...not here. BTW avoid the dismal mess of a movie at all costs.
Average customer rating:
- great soundtrack for a great show.....
- A Chorus Line
- What They Did For Love
- God, I hope you get it...
- a great musical
|
A Chorus Line (1975 Original Broadway Cast)
Marvin Hamlisch , and Edward Kleban
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
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ASIN: B000007OHY
Release Date: 1998-06-02 |
Tracks:
- Opening: I Hope I Get It
- I Can Do That
- At The Ballet
- Sing!
- Montage, Part 1: Hello Twelve, Hello Thirteen, Hello Love
- Montage, Part 2: Mother
- Montage, Part 3: Gimme The Ball
- Nothing
- Dance: Ten; Looks: Three
- The Music And The Mirror
- One
- What I Did For Love
- One (Reprise)/Finale
Amazon.com
Michael Bennett's 1975 tale of Broadway's gypsies--the chorus dancers--resonated with audiences as few shows ever have, examining with both hilarity and heartbreak the grueling life of ordinary performers always auditioning for an opportunity to be members of a faceless chorus line. And along the way, it picked up the Pulitzer, the New York Drama Critics Award, and nine Tonys, and became the longest-running show in Broadway history. The original cast (eight of whom contributed their real-life memories to the show) included no major stars, but are unmatched on this cast recording of Marvin Hamlisch and Edward Kleban's score, including Priscilla Lopez's poignant "Nothing," Donna McKechnie's yearning dance number "The Music and the Mirror," one of Broadway's most famous torch ballads in "What I Did for Love," and the ultimate high-kicking chorus number, "One." Fans of the show will welcome the 1998 remastered CD, which adds two and a half minutes to "Hello Twelve, Hello Thirteen, Hello Love." While still incomplete, the montage now includes "Four-foot ten," "Little brat," and "The worst thing in school...." --David Horiuchi
Customer Reviews:
great soundtrack for a great show............2007-06-09
I first heard this soundtrack on my cousin's CD player, back when she was pursuing musical theater, as a young teenager (at least ten years ago). Some of the greatest songs from the musical repertoire are here: "What I Did For Love," "One," and "Nothing." It's always a great sign when a score (in this case, by the talented duo of Hamlisch and Kleban) works so well that people don't have to see the musical to know what it's about from just a few musical numbers. That isn't to say that the show isn't wonderful, too. To make long stories [very] short for the sake of the increasingly decreasing attention spans of my readers who just want to know "Should I buy this," A CHORUS LINE is the story of a group of singer/dancers from diverse backgrounds, coming together on one Broadway stage for the same reason. They all want a crack at being a part of a dancing chorus line on The Great White Way, that could be their big break. There are other dramas going on, behind that, of course (and we hear all of their stories, complete with monologue, song and dance number). The drama is high, but so is the infectiousness. You really build attachments and interests in each of the characters, and the story is so well-written, you'll be compelled to stick through the songs and follow the stories, just to see who is "The One." This is truly a great example of storytelling in musical theater. There is a reason it was one of the longest running shows on Broadway.
A Chorus Line.......2007-05-31
Makes you recall the thrill of attending this terrific musical. You experience the glory and the pain and love every minute of it again.
What They Did For Love.......2007-02-12
A Chorus Line was an unlikely Broadway hit--there were no big name celebrities to brighten up the stage, no elaborate sets, and, according to the liner notes, "almost no plot." However, A Chorus Line shined brightly because it highlighted the lives of the people who are in the chorus line of a Broadway musical. By focusing on the people who normally don't make the leap into stardom, A Chorus Line paradoxically gained remarkable strength and popularity. A Chorus Line ran for fifteen years; and this CD shows why.
The CD begins with the track entitled "Opening: I Hope I Get It." Too many actors and actresses have arrived to compete for jobs in a chorus line in a Broadway production. Zach, the man who must chose the people who make the final cut, stuns the actors by requesting them to talk about themselves. This provides the premise for the rest of the music of the show. One by one the actors open up and share their life stories in song; and the music by Marvin Hamlisch enhances their songs greatly.
Several memorable stories told in song by the actors include "I Can Do That" in which Mike, performed by Wayne Cilento, tells about how he swiped his sister's dance shoes to race to a dance rehearsal; the beautiful ballad about escaping the heartache of real life at the theater entitled "At The Ballet" performed by Carole Bishop, Nancy Lane and Kay Cole; "Montage, Part 3: Gimme The Ball" performed by Michel Stuart and Ronald Dennis as Greg and Richie respectively; and "Dance: Ten; Looks Three" performed by Pamela Blair in the role of Val. Excellent!
Other numbers on this original cast recording deserve very special mention. "What I Did For Love" is delivered flawlessly by Priscilla Lopez and Company; in this song Priscilla's character Diana Morales sings beautifully of how she would have no regrets if she could never dance again. Priscilla Lopez also performs the memorable balled "Nothing" about how she simply did not profit from a course she took with an acting professor several years earlier.
The finale, a reprise of the smash number "One," features the cast singing together as polished professionals instead of the somewhat clumsy chorus line hopefuls they were before. I still remember feeling chills up and down my spine when I saw this number in the show at New York's Schubert Theater in 1979.
The liner notes have an excellent essay by Marc Kirkeby and the photos of the cast are a real treat. The notes indicate which actors performed each song and the artwork will impress you.
The sound is excellent even on my portable CD player. There is very little, if any, surface noise.
A Chorus Line represents a sophisticated look at the real lives of struggling actors and actresses. These people scramble for jobs in their chosen profession so that they can be happy and well fed at the same time. The catchy melodies by Marvin Hamlisch will delight you; and the lyrics by Edward Kleban display forethought and sheer brilliance.
I highly recommend this CD for fans of the theater and for people who love the outstanding music of Marvin Hamlisch. People who enjoy convincing exposés of the real lives of struggling actors will also enjoy this CD.
God, I hope you get it..........2006-11-28
I Just saw the new Broadway revival (which is fantastic), knew I had to give the original a re-listen, and have come to the conclussion that while it does not inspire deep thought or endeavor to change the world, A Chorus Line is a musical everyone, not just dancers and singers, can relate too. The central conceit of the show is the audience being invited to sit in on auditions for the dancing chorus of a broadway musical. Slowly the cast of hopeful auditionees dwindles to a victorious 8, who eventually earn roles and reveal much about their struggle for success. Yes, on the whole, it is a musical dancers will identify with, but it is not solely about dancing. A Chorus Line is about why and how we are able to do what we love. As we watch the audition play out on stage and hear the stories of the characters, one can't help but feel the same fear and pressure, and the cd masterfully captures the intimacy of "A Chorus Line".
A Chorus Line begins with the famous, pulse-pounding "GOD I HOPE I GET IT", where we hear the dancers inner thoughts while learning the choreography. This is a mostly danced number, but it is energetic, effecting and a brilliant opening.
More great numbers are "AT THE BALLET", which has three dancers taking down their "audition facades" and describing the therapy dance provided during troubled childhoods. The "MONTAGE" numbers are a funny mixture of painful, embarrassing, and entirely too real memories of teenage years. "DANCE 10, LOOKS 3" Is a hillarious yet sadly true song about the power of appearance. "WHAT I DID FOR LOVE" is one of the most original love songs of all time, about the sacrafices made not for the people we love, but for ourselves. It sumarizes the whole musical: Why we do what we do for the things we love.
The idea of A Chorus Line has become a little cliche after years and years of exposure and performance, but it is deffinately worth the praise it receives and fame it has accumilated. A must have for every lover of musical theatre.
a great musical.......2006-11-06
I enjoy listening to the original broaadway musical A Chorus Line. However I didnt realize I was purchasing the broadway version. I was actually looking for the film version.
Average customer rating:
- Great to Hear All those great Voices from the Past
- A Good One!
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Greatest Hits: Broadway
Manufacturer: Sony
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Binding: Audio CD
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ASIN: B0000029PM
Release Date: 1996-10-29 |
Tracks:
- Oklahoma!: Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin' - John Raitt/Franz Allers
- On The Town: New York, New York - Michael Kermoyan/Adolph Green/John Reardon/Cris Alexander & Chorus/Leonard Bernstein
- Annie Get Your Gun: I Got The Sun In The Morning - Doris Day/Franz Allers
- Fiddler On The Roof: If I Were A Rich Man - Topol/Gareth Davies
- West Side Story: Tonight - Larry Kert/Carol Lawrence/Max Goberman
- The Sound Of Music: The Sound Of Music - Mary Martin/Frederick Dvonch
- My Fair Lady: On The Street Where You Live - Jerry Lanning/Theodore Saidenberg
- Annie: Tomorrow - Andrea McArdle/Peter Howard
- The Music Man: Seventy-Six Trombones - The Boston Pops Orchestra/John Williams
- Anything Goes: You're The Top - Eileen Rodgers/Hal Linden/Julian Stein
- Bye Bye Birdie: Put On A Happy Face - Dick Van Dyke/Elliot Lawrence
- Mame: Open A New Window - Angela Lansbury & Cast/Don Pippin
- Strike Up The Band: Strike Up The Band - The Chestnut Brass Co.
- Sweet Charity: Hey, Big Spender - Helen Gallagher/Thelma Oliver/Fan-Dango Girls/Fred Werner
- Bells Are Ringing: Just In Time - Judy Holliday/Sydney Chaplin/Milton Rosenstock
- Gypst: Together, Wherever We Go - Ethel Merman/Jack Klugman/Sandra Church/Milton Rosenstock
- Cabaret: Cabaret - Jill Haworth/Harold Hastings
- Phantom Of The Opera: The Music Of The Night - The Boston Pops Orchestra/John Williams
- Show Boat: Ol' Man River - William Warfield/Franz Allers
- A Chorus Line: What I Did For Love - Priscilla Lopez & Cast/Don Pippin
- 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:
- Some interesting choices, indeed
- Great CD
- Great selections, but bad transfers
- Yes this is Some of the Best of Broadway!
- The music of Broadway comes alive
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The Best of Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series)
Manufacturer: Decca Broadway
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ASIN: B0002W4T9E
Release Date: 2004-10-05 |
Tracks:
- There's No Business Like Show Business
- Swanee
- Ol' Man River
- You're The Top
- Oklahoma
- Luck Be A Lady
- I Could Have Danced All Night
- America
- My Favorite Things
- People
- If I Were A Rich Man
- The Impossible Dream
- Cabaret
- Let The Sunshine In
- Send In The Clowns
- One
- Tomorrow
- Memory
- The Music Of The Night
- Good Morning Baltimore
- Defying Gravity
Amazon.com
A companion to the fabulous PBS series, the 21-song, 77-minute The Best of "Broadway: The American Musical" provides about as good a single-disc compilation as anyone could hope for. (There's also a five-CD version.) What sets it apart from so many other "best of Broadway" collections is its breadth--because it had access to a variety of record-label vaults it doesn't have to try to disguise gaps by using revivals or solo recordings. Here you get all the authentic stuff, including: Paul Robeson singing "Ol' Man River" from the first modern American musical, Show Boat; Ethel Merman singing "You're the Top"; the title song from Oklahoma!; Julie Andrews singing "I Could Have Danced All Night" from My Fair Lady; West Side Story's "America"; Betty Buckley singing "Memory" from Cats; Hairspray's "Good Morning Baltimore"; and "Defying Gravity" from Wicked, the newest show discussed in the PBS series. And it's hard to argue with the songwriters represented: Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, Cole Porter, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Frank Loesser, Lerner and Loewe, Leonard Bernstein, Bock and Harnick, Kander and Ebb, Stephen Sondheim, and Andrew Lloyd Webber, among others. Obviously, no single-disc compilation could ever please everyone (did we really need two ALW songs?), but as a sampler intended for people who watched the series and want to hear more of the Great White Way, The Best of "Broadway: The American Musical" can't be topped. --David Horiuchi
Customer Reviews:
Some interesting choices, indeed.......2006-03-02
This is a pretty good compilation, but I have to wonder at some of the choices that went into it.
"Good Morning Baltimore" is almost the least impressive song from Hairspray. "You Can't Stop the Beat" was a much more anthemic song from that show.
I agree that it's too bad Les Mis didn't make it in. I would have traded that for anything Sondheim, although that's a personal preference :) .
Still, the opportunity to hear the original performers and orchestras perform these works, all in one place, is a great deal.
Great CD.......2005-11-01
This one plays in the car, on the ipod and in the house. When the kids were little they would ask if we could take them to "The Street". That is what they called Broadway (little did they know at that time how famous that street is). They still love it and we can not get enough of it. This CD covers the best and makes you want to go and see a live performance. You can not beat that.
Great selections, but bad transfers.......2005-07-27
This is a great taste of broadway. If you enjoyed the B'Way series at all, then you will probably enjoy this CD. My problem with it is that some of the songs sound like they were not remastered at all- the transfer to CD is terrible. The orchestrations in "You're the top" by Ethel Merman are muffled, and the song sounds like it was taken straight from an old record and slapped onto the CD without fixing it up. It doesn't sound very clear, which is a bit upsetting and annoying. Maybe this is just because that particular recording is older than some of the songs chosen to be on this CD. The more modern songs sound crisp and new and beautiful. "Swanee" is also very low quality as if it were just taken off of a record and put on the CD without any restoration. I just feel that these songs deserved better treatment and that we as customers deserve better treatment. Decca could have restored these songs and made them sound really good, but they decided just to slap them on the CD without touching them up.
I am surprised that nothing was chosen to be on this recording from Les Miserables since it had been on Broadway for 16 years and its tour is running until 2006. There were selections from Cats, Phantom of the Opera and Wicked, so I am not sure why nothing was chosen from Les Miserables.
Other than these few nit pickings, I think that this is a great introduction to musicals. It gives a little taste across the spectrum. Try getting the cast recordings of the songs that you really like on this collection. It's worth buying if you're a huge broadway fan.
Yes this is Some of the Best of Broadway!.......2005-04-08
This CD from Decca Broadway is a wonderful selection of some of
the "Greatest Hits" of the Broadway stage. Decca and Sony have
done an excellent job of remastering the various recordings, some
of which still show some of their age, but come across quite
well. Are there a lot of songs that I would have put on this
disc? Yes, but the ones on here are good choices. I may have to
get a copy of the Five disc set and the DVD's just to see if any
more of my favorites made it on the list. What this disc seems to
try to do is show the evolution of the Broadway song from it's
early days to the present. It succeeds quite well I think.
If you enjoy Broadway theater this CD is a must!
The music of Broadway comes alive.......2004-10-07
I loved listening to this CD. The music from Broadway's best loved musicals are on this album. I recogized most of these songs, even though I've only seen a few of them on the local stage. I have so many favorites on this CD. It is hard to pick one. I'm a big fan of Barbara Streisand. I loved her performance of People from Funny Girl. Memory is the hit song from the musical Cats. Betty Buckley's performance of this song is so emotional and sincere.
I loved the song Annie. It is a wonderfully optimistic song performed by the original Annie Andrea McArdle. Another highlight for me is the song One performed by the cast of a Chorus Line. Luck Be A Lady Tonight is another of my favorite broadway songs on this CD from Guys and Dolls. The music of the night is a beautiful song by Michael Crawford from Phantom of the Opera. Richard Kiley has such a strong and powerful voice. He sounds so inspirational singing The Impossible Dream from Man from La Mancha. My dream is to see some musicals on Broadway someday and listen to these songs performed live.
I'm surprised that there isn't any music from Miss Saigon or Jesus Christ Superstar included here. I think they are classic musicals with great songs Maybe they will appear on a future compilation from PBS.
Average customer rating:
- Very Best of Broadway Music
|
Very Best Of Broadway Musicals
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Metro Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
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Similar Items:
- Greatest Songs from the Musicals
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- Only Broadway CD You'll Ever Need
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- Ultimate Broadway
ASIN: B000068CC4
Release Date: 2002-06-25 |
Tracks:
- All That Jazz
- If I Can't Love Her
- Maybe This Time
- People Will Say We're In Love
- The Impossible Dream
- Seventy Six Trombones
- Can You Feel The Love Tonight?
- Still
- Send In The Clowns
- One
- Younger Than Springtime
- This Is The Moment
- Good Morning Starshine
- Your Getting To Be A Habit With Me
- Wunderbar
- Maria
- I Could Have Danced All Night
- Singin' In The Rain
- Written In The Stars
- One Song Glory
Customer Reviews:
Very Best of Broadway Music.......2007-05-08
I really like Broadway music so this is the BEST!!!!!!
I let someone else borrow this to listen at her house--She liked it also
Average customer rating:
- Fabulous for any Broadway-lover
- Top Shelf
- TERRIFIC CD'S
- Great Collection of Broadways greatest Songs
- Great Compilation!
|
Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series)
Manufacturer: Sony
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Similar Items:
- The Best of Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series)
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ASIN: B00064ADMK
Release Date: 2004-10-19 |
Tracks:
- Give My Regards To Broadway- Joel Grey
- Swanee- Al Jolson
- When The Moon Shines On The Moonshine- Bert Williams
- A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody- John Steel
- My Man- Fanny Brice
- Fascinating Rhythm- Fred Astaire, Adele Astaire
- If You Knew Susie (Like I Know Susie)- 78rpm Version Eddie Cantor
- Someone To Watch Over Me- Gertrude Lawrence
- Bill- 78 rpm Version Helen Morgan
- Ol' Man River- Paul Robeson
- Ain't Misbehavin'- Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra
- Ten Cents A Dance- Ruth Etting
- Body And Soul- Libby Holman
- Brother, Can You Spare A Dime- Bing Crosby
- Night And Day- Fred Astaire
- Heat Wave- Ethel Waters
- Smoke Gets in Your Eyes- Tamara
- You're The Top- Ethel Merman
- Summertime- Anne Brown
- September Song- Walter Huston
- My Heart Belongs To Daddy- Mary Martin
- It Never Entered My Mind- Shirley Ross
- Bewitched, Bothered, Bewildered- Vivienne Segal
- Oh, How I Hate To Get Up In The Morning- Irving Berlin
- Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'- Alfred Drake
Tracks:
- New York, New York- Cris Alexander,Adolph Green,John Reardon
- If I Loved You- John Raitt,Jan Clayton
- Come Rain Or Come Shine- Ruby Hill,Harold Nicholas
- There's No Business Like Show Business- Ensemble
- How Are Things In Glocca Morra? From "Finian's Rainbow"- Ella Logan
- Once In Love With Amy- Ray Bolger
- Wunderbar- Alfred Drake,Patricia Morison
- Some Enchanted Evening- Ezio Pinza
- Lost In The Stars- Todd Duncan
- Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend- Carol Channing
- Luck Be A Lady- Robert Alda,Guys
- Getting To Know You- Gertrude Lawrence
- Who Cares?- Jack Carson,Betty Oakes
- Stranger In Paradise- from " Kismet" Doretta Morrow,Richard Kiley
- Ballad Of Mack The Knife- Gerald Price
- Hey There- from "The Pajama Game" John Raitt
- Whatever Lola Wants- Gwen Verdon
- I Could Have Danced All Night- Julie Andrews
- Standing On The Corner- from "The Most Happy Fella, 1956" Shorty Long,John Henson,Alan Gilbert
- The Party's Over- Judy Holliday
- Glitter And Be Gay- Barbara Cook
- Tonight- Larry Kert, Carol Lawrence
Tracks:
- Seventy-Six Trombones- Robert Preston
- I Enjoy Being A Girl- from "Flower Drum Song, 1958" Pat Suzuki
- Everything's Coming Up Roses- Ethel Merman
- My Favorite Things- from "The Sound Of Music" Mary Martin
- Put On A Happy Face- from "Bye Bye Birdie" Dick Van Dyke
- Try To Remember- Jerry Orbach
- Camelot- from "Camelot" Richard Burton
- Love Makes The World Go 'Round- Anna Maria Alberghetti
- I Believe In You- Robert Morse And Co.
- The Sweetest Sounds- Diahann Carroll,Richard Kiley
- Comedy Tonight- Zero Mostel
- What Kind Of Fool Am I?- Anthony Newley
- As Long As He Needs Me- Georgia Brown
- Hello, Dolly!- Carol Channing,Cast
- People- Barbra Streisand
- Anyone Can Whistle- from "Anyone Can Whistle" Lee Remick
- If I Were A Rich Man- Zero Mostel
- Night Song- Sammy Davis, Jr.
- The Impossible Dream- Richard Kiley
- If My Friends Could See Me Now- Gwen Verdon
- Open a New Window- from Mame Voice
Tracks:
- Willkommen- from "Cabaret" Joel Grey
- Let The Sunshine In- James Rado,Lynn Kellogg,Melba Moore,Cast
- I'll Never Fall In Love Again- Jill O'Hara,Jerry Orbach
- The Ladies Who Lunch- from "Company" Elaine Stritch
- Tea For Two- Roger Rathburn,Susan Watson
- I'm Still Here- Yvonne De Carlo
- I Don't Know How To Love Him- Yvonne Elliman
- We Go Together- Adrienne Barbeau,Barry Bostwick,Walter Bobbie,Cast
- Corner Of The Sky- John Rubinstein
- Send In The Clowns- Glynis Johns
- Ease On Down The Road- Stephanie Mills,Tiger Haynes,Ted Ross,Hinton
- One- from "A Chorus Line" Cast
- All That Jazz- Chita Rivera,Ensemble
- Tomorrow- Andrea Mcardle
- Don't Cry For Me Argentina- Patti Lupone
- Come Follow The Band
- Lullaby Of Broadway- Jerry Orbach
- And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going- Jennifer Holliday
- The Bells Of St. Sebastian- Raul Julia
Tracks:
- Memory- Betty Buckley
- I Am What I Am- George Hearn
- Move On- Bernadette Peters,Mandy Patinkin
- Do You Hear The People Sing?- Michael Maguire,Cast
- The Music Of The Night- Michael Crawford
- You're Nothing Without Me- James Naughton,Gregg Edelman
- The American Dream- Jonathan Pryce,Cast
- Doctor Jazz- Gregory Hines,Company
- With One Look- Glenn Close
- On Broadway- Adrian Bailey,Frederick B. Owens,Ken Ard,Victor Trent Cook
- Le Jazz Hot- Julie Andrews,Ensemble
- Seasons Of Love-
- Hakuna Matata- Max Casella,Tom Alan Robbins,Scott Irby-Ranniar,Jason Raize
- I Wanna Be A Producer- Matthew Broderick,Ensemble
- Dancing Queen- Louise Plowright,Jenny Galloway
- Good Morning Baltimore- Marissa Jaret Winokur
- Movin' Out- Michael Cavanaugh,Band
- I Go To Rio- Hugh Jackman,Company
- Defying Gravity- Kristin Chenoweth,Idina Menzel
Customer Reviews:
Fabulous for any Broadway-lover.......2007-01-30
Packs into 5 CD's a sampling of Broadway tunes from the 20's thru (almost) today, mostly from original cast recordings. Includes not just well-known hits, but also some lesser-known gems. Sound quality is first rate, booklet is informative too. Have given this as a gift to several friends with rave reviews.
Top Shelf.......2007-01-04
This is THE definitive collection of Broadway hits. I have other collections, and none of them measure up. A great deal of care was obviously taken in compiling and presenting this box set. It covers a lot of ground, starting with some long-forgotten but still very enjoyable hits from the days of yore, and finishing with present-day favorites. To the best of my knowledge, the recordings are by those who made them famous. You won't be disappointed.
TERRIFIC CD'S.......2006-03-23
THESE BROADWAY MUSICALS CD'S ARE A BROADWAY LOVERS DREAM. WITH EACH SONG, MEMORIES COME FLOODING BACK. BOTH THE FAMILIAR AND THE FORGOTTEN SONGS ARE A TRUE LISTENING PLEASURE. IF YOU LIKE BROADWAY, YOU'LL LOVE THIS SET.
Great Collection of Broadways greatest Songs .......2005-06-14
This Collection was perfectly made it has almost all the most famous Broadway songs on this 5 cd set. The Music is great and has Broadways greatest treasures like "Memory""People""With One Look""Give my regards Too Broadway" just to name a few of this numerous cd set with over 100 songs. This is a great buy if you like musicals or The music of Broadway
Great Compilation!.......2005-01-17
If you are a fan of the Broadway Musicals, this is a collection that you should purchase. Since I got the 5 disc set I've enjoyed listening to it. The majority of the songs are done by the original singers. The collection is priceless considering that you will have over 100 songs from popular musicals since the beginning of Broadway
Average customer rating:
- Excellent soundtrack
- great soundtrack - too bad about the movie!
- Bleech!
|
Chorus Line
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Umvd Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
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Similar Items:
- A Chorus Line
- A Chorus Line (1975 Original Broadway Cast)
- A Chorus Line - The New Broadway Cast Recording (2006 Broadway Revival Cast)
- Annie (Original 1982 Motion Picture Soundtrack)
- Fame
ASIN: B0000261M5
Release Date: 1987-10-05 |
Tracks:
- I Hope I Get It
- Who Am I Anyway
- I Can Do That
- At The Ballet
- Surprise Surprise
- Nothing
- Let Me Dance For You
- Dance Ten Looks Three
- One
- What I Did For Love
- One
Album Description
Import edition of the 1985 soundtrack to the film version of the hit Broadway musical. Long out-of-print in the US. Universal.
Album Details
The Original Soundtrack of the Motion Picture Directed by Sir Richard Attenborough that Starred Michael Douglas and Allyson Reed in the Title Roles. The Cast also Includes Audry Landers, Michael Blevins, Cameron English, Terrence Mann and More.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent soundtrack.......2006-05-26
Many songs from the movies are just plain great. Particular standouts are "At the ballet", "I can do that" which are sung as musical solos, while "One" is a good chorus number that is also very well depicted in the movie which you can get a chance to see it.
great soundtrack - too bad about the movie!.......2005-03-02
This soundtrack to the ill-conceived, poorly-received film version of A CHORUS LINE does have some merits. It does feature some great Broadway talents among it's cast (many of them in roles that they also played in the Broadway production). Alyson Reed is a spunky Cassie, though "Let Me Dance for You" hardly compares to the song it replaced ("The Music and the Mirror"). The emotional angst-ridden "At the Ballet" is in perfect hands with Vicki Frederick, Michelle Johnson and Pam Klinger. Vicki Frederick played both Sheila and Cassie in the Broadway run; Pam Klinger also played Maggie on Broadway. Yamil Borges (who would become a huge musical theatre star in Europe) is a terrific Diana Morales with her peppy rendition of "Nothing". Other theatre stars featured in the lineup include acclaimed choreographer Matt West and Nicole Fosse, talented daughter of Bob and Gwen Verdon. The soundtrack is invaluable purely because of the pedigree of it's cast.
Bleech!.......2004-06-21
Hollywood ruined it--the movie and the music. Get the Original Cast Recording instead. Not only is it cheaper, it's much better.
Average customer rating:
- Voices Full of Emotion
- Sound quality
- A Trip to Soviet Russia
- Good Value
- Good, but not perfect
|
Russian Favourites
Manufacturer: Naxos
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Similar Items:
- Best of the Red Army Choir
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ASIN: B00000145A
Release Date: 1996-04-23 |
Tracks:
- Farewell Of Slavianka
- O, Field, My Field - Polyushko-pole
- We Are The Red Cavalry
- There, Far Away, Beyond The River
- The Sacred War
- There March The Soldiers
- In The Forest By The Combat Line
- The Sun Set Beyond The River
- Chorus Of Soldiers From The Opera 'Decembrists'
- Volga Boatmen's Song - Ey ukhnem
- Troika
- The Cliff
- Hey, There's The Village
- The Volga Burlack's Song
- Dark Eyes - Ochi Chernye
- The Brave Don Lads
- On The Road - A Soldier's Song
- Moscow Nights
Customer Reviews:
Voices Full of Emotion.......2005-12-19
Once you hear this chorus...whether under the Red Army Choir or Soviet Army Choir banner...you will be addicted. I certainly am. This is not the best disc available on Amazon, but it is unique in that it showcases all Russian songs (since the chorus was a "national" choir, recordings done in London, Paris, etc. frequently contain songs from other countries). And while there may be better and more professional recordings, of this choir and more professional bands, these soldiers succeed in achieving a wide range of color with their vocal talent on this recording. A great bargain.
Sound quality.......2004-07-06
The songs that are chosen on this CD are excellent. The problem, the sound recording is not great. It is clear, but when the choir sings in a low tone, it is simply cannot be heard.
A Trip to Soviet Russia.......2004-03-18
In the 1970's, it seemed that defectors from the USSR made headlines in American newspapers every day. When a dancer defected, it was always believed that artistic freedom was the cause. When writers defected, it was due to the controversy surrounding their works. Athletes were usually viewed as wanting a taste of the good life, but when the Red Army Choir defected, it was a sweet victory for the west. These people were the symbol of all the USSR stood for and sang anthems praising the Soviets, yet they longed for freedom. We loved it when they defected.
Even though many of the songs performed by the ensemble praised the virtues of the Soviet Union, western audiences love the group. No it was not due to be soft on Communism. The group had a sound that was addictive and possessed terrific musical gifts, all of which can be found in this recording.
Listening to this recording is almost nostalgic now that the Soviet Union is no longer, but the recording has a certain appeal. It includes all the favorites including Meadowlands (Polyushku pole), Dark Eyes, Moscow Nights, and the Volga Boatman's Song, probably the best piece on the recording. The ensemble performs well together, the band give the music a distinct sound, and while the soloists are not perfect, the imperfections somehow seem appropriate.
There are more expensive recordings by this ensemble, but this budget CD is not just well worth the price, it is actually one of the best available.
Good Value.......2003-11-03
Considering the number of classic songs and the price, you really can't go wrong here. like another poster, i was a bit dissapointed by some very low music in some selections. but for the most part, the quality is quite good and the music is a very nice way to begin to understand and learn about the Russian people.
Good, but not perfect.......2003-01-19
This is a very good CD, and the music really captures the power and total authority of the Soviet state. It is very moving music on one hand, and also really reflects the situation of the Russian workingmen living under this tyranny. This CD would get 5 stars, but there are a few portions where the sound is so soft that it cannot be heard, such as at the beginning of the sixth track. This is the only problem with the CD worth noting, the CD is done by the Red Army choir, and the songs are virtually all made of of the huge band & choir, Soviet power music that we all have come to know and love. I do recommend this CD strongly.
Average customer rating:
- I waited for this for five years
- Excellent collection but BIG PUBLISHING MISTAKE!
- ONE OF LLOYD WEBBER'S BEST COMPILATIONS, DESPITE A FEW FLAWS
- SUCH MAGICAL MUSIC OF THE NIGHT!
- A Must Have for Sir Andrew fans
|
Andrew Lloyd Webber: Now & Forever
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Decca Broadway
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
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ASIN: B00005R5UJ
Release Date: 2001-11-20 |
Tracks:
- Jesus Christ Superstar: Overture - Andrew Lloyd Webber
- Jesus Christ Superstar: Everything's Alright - Yvonne Elliman/Murray Head/Ian Gilllan
- Jesus Christ Superstar: I Don't Know How To Love Him - Yvonne Elliman
- Jesus Christ Superstar: Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say) - Steve Balsamo
- Jesus Christ Superstar: Superstar - Murray Head
- Evita: Oh What A Circus/Sing You Fools - Antonio Banderas
- Evita: I'd Be Surprisingly Good For You - Elaine Paige/Joss Ackland
- Evita: Another Suitcase In Another Hall - Barbara Dickson
- Evita: Don't Cry For Me Argentina - Julie Covington
- Evita: High Flying, Adored - Mandy Patinkin/Patti LuPone
- Cats: The Jellicle Ball - Andrew Lloyd Weber
- Cats: Memory - Elaine Paige
- Cats: Gus: The Theatre Cat - Susan Jane Tanner/John Mills
- Cats: Mr Mistoffelees - Paul Nicholas
- Song And Dance: Take That Look Off Your Face - Marti Webb
- Song And Dance: Tell Me On A Sunday - Marti Webb
- Song And Dance: Unexpected Song - Sarah Brightman
- Song And Dance: Nothing Like You've Ever Known - Sarah Brightman
- Song And Dance: Introduction - Andrew Lloyd Webber
- Song And Dance: Variations 1 -4 - Andrew Lloyd Webber
Tracks:
- Starlight Express: Starlight Express - El Debarge
- Starlight Express: Crazy - Greg Ellis/Reva Rice/Caron Cardelle/Samantha Lane/Voyd
- Starlight Express: Next Time You Fall In Love - Reva Rice/Greg Ellis
- Starlight Express: I Am The Starlight - Lon Satton/Ray Shell
- Starlight Express: Light At The End Of The Tunnel - The Company
- Requiem: Hosanna - Placido Domingo
- Requiem: Pie jesu - Sarah Brightman/Paul Miles-Kingston
- The Phantom Of The Opera: The Phantom Of The Opera - Michael Crawford/Sarah Brightman
- The Phantom Of The Opera: The Music Of The Night - Michael Crawford
- The Phantom Of The Opera: All I Ask Of You - Sarah Brightman/Steve Barton
- The Phantom Of The Opera: Entr'acte - Andrew Lloyd Webber
- The Phantom Of The Opera: Masquerade - The Company
- The Phantom Of The Opera: Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again - Sarah Brightman
- Aspects Of Love: Aspects Of Aspects - Orchester Der Vereinigten Buehnen Wien
- Aspects Of Love: Love Changes Everything - Michael Ball
- Aspects Of Love: Seeing Is Believing - Michael Ball/Ann Crumb
- Aspects Of Love: The First Man You Remember - Kevin Colson/Diana Morrison
- Aspects Of Love: Anything But Lonely - Sarah Brightman
- Aspects Of Love: Chanson D'Enfance - Sarah Brightman
Tracks:
- Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Any Dream Will Do - Jason Donovan
- Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Joseph's Coat - Maria Friedman/Richard Attenborough/Donny Osmond
- Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Close Every Door - Donny Osmond
- By Jeeves: Travel Hopefully - John Scherer/Martin Jarvis/Don Stephenson
- By Jeeves: When Love Arrives - Steven Pacey/Diana Morrison
- By Jeeves: Half A Moment - Sarah Brightman
- Sunset Boulevard: With One Look - Glenn Close
- Sunset Boulevard: New Ways To Dream - Glenn Close/Alan Campbell
- Sunset Boulevard: The Perfect Year - Glenn Close/Alan Campbell
- Sunset Boulevard: Sunser Boulevard - Alan Campbell
- Sunset Boulevard: As If We Never Said Goodbye - Glenn Close
- Whistle Down The Wind: Whistle Down The Wind - James Graeme/Lottie Mayor
- Whistle Down The Wind: Cold - Everly Brothers
- Whistle Down The Wind: No Matter What - Children/Adult Chorus
- Whistle Down The Wind: The Nature Of The Beast - Marcus Lovett/Lottie Mayor
- The Beautiful Game: Overture - Andrew Lloyd Webber
- The Beautiful Game: The Beautiful Game - The Company
- The Beautiful Game: Our Kind Of Love - Hannah Waddingham
- The Beautiful Game: Dont Like You - Josie Walker/David Shannon
- The Beautiful Game: Let Us Love In Peace - Josie Walker/Omagh Youth Community Choir
Tracks:
- Oh What A Circus - David Essex
- Memory - Betty Buckley
- The Phantom Of The Opera - Sarah Brightman/Steve Harley
- All I Ask Of You - Sarah Brightman/Cliff Richard
- Love Changes Everything - Michael Ball
- Any Dream Will Do - Donny Osmond
- Amigos Para Siempre (Friends For Life) - Sarah Brightman/Jose Carreras
- As If We Never Said Goodbye - Barbra Streisand
- The Perfect Year - Dina Carroll
- With One Look - Petula Clark
- You Must Love Me - Madonna
- The Heart Is Slow To Learn - Kiri Te Kanawa
- A Kiss Is A Terrible Thing To Waste - The Metal Philharmonic Orchestra
- Whistle Down The Wind - Tina Arena
- No Matter What - Boyzone
- The Vaults Of Heaven - Tom Jones
- Try Not To Be Afraid - Boy George
- Pie Jesu - Charlotte Church
Tracks:
- Make Believe Love - Wes Sands
- Down Thru' Summer - Ross Hannaman
- I'll Give All My Love To Southend - Ross Hannaman
- Believe Me I Will - Sacha Distel
- Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1969 Radio Luxembourg Commercial) - Joseph Consortium/Pete Murray
- Try It And See - Rita Pavone
- Come Back Richard Your Country Needs You - Time Rice And The Webber Group
- Goodbye Seattle - Paul Raven
- John 19:41 - The Andrew Lloyd Webber Orchestra
- What A Line To Go Out On - Yvonne Elliman
- Disillusion Me - Gary Band
- The Ballad Of Robert And Peter - Tim Rice
- Christmas Dream - Maynard Williams
- It's Only Your Lover Returning/All Through My Crazy And Wild Days/Don't Cry For Me Argentina - Julie Covington
- It's Easy For You (1977 Jungle Room Session Version) - Elvis Presley
- Magdalena - Tony Christie
- Buenos Aires - The Roja Rockers
- Pollicle Dogs And Jellicle Cats - Andrew Lloyd Webber
- Mungojerrie And Rumpleteazer (Live At The Sydmonton Festival 1980) - Gemma Craven
- I Could Have Given You More - Petula Clark
- I've Been In Love Too Long - Marti Webb
- Benedicite - The Stephen Hill Singers
Album Description
Disc 1: Selections from Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Cats, and Song and Dance
Disc 2: Selections from Starlight Express, Requiem, Phantom of the Opera, and Aspects of Love
Disc 3: Selections from Joseph nad the Amaziong Technicolor Dreamcoat, By Jeeves, Sunset Boulevard, Whistle Down the Wind, and The Beautiful Game
CD 4: 1. "Oh What a Circus" --David Essex 2. "Memory" - Betty Buckleey 3. "The Phantom of the Opera" -Sarah Brightman, Steve Harley 4. "All I Ask of You" --Sarah Brightman, Cliff Richard 5. "Love Changes Everything"--Michael Ball 6. "Any Dream Will Do"--Donny Osmond 7. "Amigos Para Siempre (Friends for Life)"--Sarah Brightman, Jose Caerras 8. "As if We Never Said Goodbye"--Barbra Streisand 9. "The Perfect Year"--Dina Carroll 10. "With One Look" --Petula Clark 11. "You Must Love Me" 12. "The Heart Is Slow To Learn" --Kiri Te Kanawa 13. "Whistle Down the Wind"--Tina Arena 14. "A Kiss Is a Terrible Thing To Waste"--The Metal Philharmonic 15. "No Matter What"--Boyzone 16. "The Vaults of Heaven"--Tom Jones and Sounds of Blackness 17. "Try Not To Be Afraid"--Boy George 18. "Pie Jesu"--Charlotte Church
Disc 5: (All tracks available for the first time) 1. "Make Believe Love"--Wes Sands 2. "Down Thru' Summer"--Ross Hannaman 3. "I'll Give All My Love to Southend"--Ross Hannaman 4. "Believe Me I Will"--Sacha Distel 5. "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: 1969 Luxembourg Radio Commercial--The Jospeh Consortium, Pete Murray 6. "Try It and See"--Rita Pavone 7. "Come Back Richard Your Country Needs You"--Tim Rice and the Webber Group 8. "Goodbye Seattle"-- Paul Raven 9. "John 19:41"--The Andrew Lloyd Webber Orchestra 10. "What a Line To Go Out On"--Yvonne Elliman 11. "Disillusion Me" --Gary Bond 12. "The Ballad of Robert and Peter"--Tim Rice 13. "Christmas Dream" --Maynard Williams 14. "It's Only Your Lover Returning/All through My Wild and Crazy Days/Don't Cry for Me Argentina--Julie Covington 15. "It's Easy for You" (1977 Jungle Room Session version)--Elvis Presley 16. "Magdalena"--Tony Christie 17. "Buenos Aires"--The Rioja Rockers 18. "Pollicle Dogs and Jellicle Cats"--Andrew Lloyd Webber original demo 19. "Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer" (Live at Sydmonton Festival 1980)-Gemma Craven 20. "I Could Have Given You More"--Petula Clark 21. "I've Been in Love Too Long"--Marti Webb 22. "Benedicte"-- Stephen Hill Singers
Customer Reviews:
I waited for this for five years.......2006-06-30
Between Amazone, Ebay and Napster, I don't usually buy CDs anymore, and I usually wait till I can buy them cheaper "new and used". When this set came out, I was excited, mainly by Disc 5, but wasn't going to spend $70 on it. I waited till it was cheap enough, and got it for Father's day this year.
It was worth the wait.
The concept is great. The packaging is great. The recording is great. Disc five is really cool for an ALW aficionado. There are a few real gems on it; my favorites are Petula Clark's "I Could Have Given You More" and "Benedicite."
I've always thought "Gus the Theatre Cat" made a great medley on the piano with "Unexpected Song" and "I DOn't Know How to Love Him," but wished there was an alternate lyric to match the other two songs. Now that I know there *is*, and it's a good lyric, it's a dream come true.
The melody of "Benedicite" is one of my favorites from _Sunset_ (the book mis-identifies it as "SUrrender"; it's actually "The Lady's Paying" and "Eternal Youth is Worth a Little Suffering"). The lyrics are the canticle from Daniel 3, which comes up every odd Sunday in the Divine Office, so it's nice to have cool music to sing it with.
I haven't bought _By Jeeves_ or _THe Beautiful Game_ yet, to it was great to sample them.
There are other parts of the CD taht aren't found in my collection. I like CD 4 "The Hits."
But the selections on CDs 1-3 don't make sense.
First, any self-respecting ALW fan has the Original London Cast of _Phantom_, so six tracks are totally useless. Why not draw from the Canadian cast with Colm Wilkinson? Or pull out some obscure recordings never published.
Why two different tracks with Michael Ball singing "Love Changes Everything", yet they're hardly any different?
On Disc 5 is "It's Only Your Lover Returning," sung by Julie Covington. It's an early draft of the song (Lloyd Webber and Rice went through several suggested titles) and quite nice. The very thing one expects on a Boxed Set.
So why have the Julie Covington "Don't Cry for Me" on disc 1?? The only difference is a few words, but it's otherwise identical. Why not Elaine Paige or Patti Lupone or Madonna?
The _Evita_ section is otherwise the best, choosing a sample from each major recording, though I'd have chosen slightly differently (as above).
There is a great selection of "Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer" from the Sydmonton festival, using the original music that was changed when _Cats_ went to Broadway_. It would have been nice if they'd included more recordings from Sydmonton, like the original lyric of "All I Ask of You" shown on the second DVD to the _Phantom_ movie.
With so many great actress-singers who've played Norma Desmond, why does the collection beat us over the head with Glenn Close?
Paul Miles Kingston must be set for life in royalties, for the number of albums the original recording of "Pie Jesu" has appeared on. "Amigos Para Siempre" is nice, but it reminds me of Shari Lewis's "The Song that Doesn't End," especially when it's been used on so many compilations.
In short, this is a great collection for the obscure material, if you can get it cheap. But for a boxed set, it's a poor sampling, drawn mostly from the most familiar recordings.
Excellent collection but BIG PUBLISHING MISTAKE! .......2006-01-10
Please beware they made a mistake on this. It's actually the shortened Ray Shell version of STARLIGHT EXPRESS from the original 1984 London cast - NOT the El Debarge single from 1987 like it says on the box. I don't know how they let that goof pass. Sorry to Ray Shell. Having said that, this is an outstanding compilation of Lloyd Webber's greatest hits.
ONE OF LLOYD WEBBER'S BEST COMPILATIONS, DESPITE A FEW FLAWS.......2005-03-21
Regardless of the fact that some of his latest efforts (most notably, The Woman in White) are disappointing, there can be little doubt that Andrew Lloyd Webber is one of the greatest composers ever to work in the musical theatre. Ever since his "Jesus Christ Superstar" hit the stage in the early 70-is, it was clear that the conception and perception of musicals are never going to be the same again. Many of his songs became standards not only in the theatre history, but also as tops on the charts. Even though he's British, his influence on the shape of the modern musical theatre expanded over the West End boundaries long ago and has thus made an enormous impact on Broadway. Two of his shows ("Cats" and "The phantom of the opera") hold the record as two the longest running shows in the history of Broadway. He has also been the only composer to have three of his shows running at Broadway concurrently. Some of his awards include three Grammies, a Golden Globe, an Oscar and a bunch of Tony awards. But perhaps most of all, Lloyd Webber is responsible for bringing the musicals and the theatre appealing to the wide audiences, who in different circumstances would not consider seeing a musical. The secret of his success is probably the mixture of beautiful and catchy melodies, interesting subject matter (though some, like Starlight Express, are too thin) and grandiose staging.
Over the years many compilations of his work have emerged. In the late 80-is and early 90-is it was the "Encore" series and lately the one-disc collection called "Gold". The one in question here can be considered one of the best currently on the market. First, it includes a 3-disc selections from all of his shows, minus the latest one, i.e., "The Woman in White", which, considering the triviality of the score, is no great lost. The fourth disc covers some of his most known songs sung by the famous artists. Then, there is the fifth disc with previously unreleased material, most of which are the songs ALW wrote with Tim Rice for various artists during the 70-is. The disks are all neatly packed in a hardcover book that features 67 pages of pictures and text with information about each of ALW's shows. One of the other assets here is the perfect sound quality, since all of the tracks have been digitally remastered.
Here are my basic impressions and comments regarding the material on the discs:
* Disc #1 has the selections from "Jesus Christ Superstar", "Evita", "Cats" and "Song & Dance". The Superstar material mostly comes from the Concept Recording. Although the songs sound beautiful as always, their orchestration is a bit dated now. Only Steve Balsamo's "Gethsemane" from the 1996 revival cast has a modern rock sound. "Evita" comes with the material from all of the major recordings: London, Broadway and the movie productions, as well as the Concept album. No objections here; since this is one of ALW's most satisfying works, every song is just perfect, although Patti LuPone, the Broadway and overall the best Evita, is left with only a couple of lines. With the selections from "Cats", however, I have some doubts. A plus to the choice of the "Jellicle ball" impressive orchestral sequence from the 1998 movie version and "Mister Mistoffelees" from the 1981 London cast. One of the best known ALW's songs, "Memory", also comes from that album. It's a pretty version and Elaine Paige's rendition cannot be matched, but why include this when the definite version, featuring an 80-piece orchestra and Elaine Paige with much better interpretation, can be found in the same movie version. Thusly, one has to buy Elaine Paige's latest 2-disc compilation "Centre Stage: The very best of Elaine Paige" to get that one. And "Gus the theatre cat" is more a recital than a song, so there was not much point in including that. Marti Webb brings her vocal charm to the "Song & Dance" sequence, Sarah Brightman sings "Unexpected song" with her famous soprano, but as much as I like her version, Bernadette Peters, who was in this show on Broadway is strangely left out here.
* Disc # 2 starts with "Starlight Express". This was never one of my favorite ALW's shows; the plot is even lighter than in "Cats" and the 1984 original cast recording is terribly dated. Yet, here we have one terrific duet, "I am starlight" from the original together with three songs from the later revivals and it seems that fresh orchestrations were just the thing Starlight needed. My favorite remains a touchy ballad, "Next time you fall in love". "Requiem" is the most solemn of all ALW's compositions, written in 1985 to commemorate the death of his father. Placido Domingo's tenor rides together with the chorus all the way through the strong "Hosanna", only to be joined by Sarah Brightman in the final moments of this song. She then gives an echoing deliverance of "Pie Jesu". What can be said of ALW's next show, "The Phantom of the Opera"? A phenomenon in its own right, it's easy to see from the six numbers included here why this is one of the best and most beloved musicals of all time. The cast, the music, the story - everything is perfect. Although "Aspects of love" was never a popular hit, it does have some of the most beautiful love melodies ALW has ever written. "Love changes everything" sung by Michael Ball is probably one of the best tunes ever about love. The rest of the selected material here has a dreamy love flavor and the melodies find their way into your brain in the best Lloyd Webber way.
* ALW's first musical, "Joseph and the amazing Technicolor dreamcoat" was more successful in its revival form than the original from the 70-is. The three songs included here are sung by the show stars, Jason Donovan and Donny Osmond. Maria Friedman was not a lucky choice to play the narrator, as the track from the 1998 movie version shows. "By Jeeves" was ALW's only big flop when it came to the stage in the 70-is. The 1995 revival sounds much better though, full of funny numbers in the best manner of the musical comedy. "Travel hopefully" remains one of the show's highlights on this compilation. "Sunset Boulevard" comes next. "Sunset" remains for me one of Webber's best scores; lush and beautiful. I listen to the original cast recording with Patti LuPone all the time. However, here most of the songs are performed by Glenn Close. A big mistake. If you've ever listened the American premiere recording with her, you'll know what I am talking about. She may have a strong stage presence, but her vocal abilities are too limited, and her aggressive approach to the role lacks any subtlety. Therefore, the two big numbers from this show, "With one look" and "As if we never said goodbye" are ruined by the fact she can't sing. The same goes for the American Joe Gillis, who was played by Alan Campbell. Luckily, Patti LuPone and Kevin Anderson, the original Norma and Joe from the London production, make their brief entrance here with the "Perfect year"; enough to show how better they are. The funny thing is, on the jacket and inside of it, Glenn Close and Alan Campbell are credited as performers in this song as well. If this was a mistake on ALW's part, it was a good one. The next ALW's show, "Whistle down the wind" was never a critic's dear and yet the audiences rushed in to see it in London. The score brings back ALW to his rock and roll roots of the seventies and the story is quite interesting. But the selections here are not the happiest, since the cast recording boasts with much better songs. And finally, "The Beautiful Game". Again, we have one of those ALW's shows that is worth in its individual parts rather than as a whole. "Our kind of love" and "Let us love in peace" are two catchy ballads. The latter is a nice amalgam version not available elsewhere. The two other tracks here I could live without.
* Disc # 4 has the songs from all the above shows performed by different artists. The assembled tracks have their pros and cons. For example, we have some previously unreleased stuff, like Dame Kiri Te Kanawa's operettic rendition of "The heart is slow to learn", or a stunning and epic "A kiss is a terrible thing to waste" from "Whistle down the wind", performed by The Metal Philharmonic Orchestra. Then again, what was the point in including almost identical tracks as the ones on the previous disks? So we have Michael Ball again singing "Love changes everything" with only a bit different orchestration; Sarah Brightman comes out again with the same Phantom duets, but only with the different male singers. It would be much more appropriate to include tracks from the Toronto Cast of the Phantom, with Colm Wilkinson. Other pop deliverances (Tina Arena's "Whistle down the wind", Barbra Streisand's "As if we never said goodbye", Boyzone's "No matter what" and many more) were wisely chosen. Patti LuPone is again nowhere to be found and Petula Clark's "With one look" sounds too worn-out.
* The last disc is probably the one that will be of most interest to Lloyd Webber aficionados. It consists of entirely previously unreleased material ALW for the most part wrote for various artists during his early years, with Tim Rice. Some of these tunes, not successful as a singles, were later used in his shows. Thus "Down thru' summer" became "Buenos Aires"in Evita, "Try it and see", an unsuccessful attempt for the Eurovision was used for "King Herod's song" in "Superstar" and so on. Some of these songs are nicely made pop songs: "Make believe love", ALW's first recorded composition, for which he provided the lyrics; "Goodbye Seattle", sung by Paul Raven, who later became Gary Glitter; "Come back Richard, your country needs you", from a never made musical, sung here by Tim Rice, or Latin flavored "Magdalena", with Tony Christie singing. My all time favorite here is a song called "It's easy for you", sung by none other than Elvis Presley himself. Lloyd Webber and Rice sent him a demo recording that he accepted and recorded this live version a couple of weeks before he died. It's amazing to hear how his voice remained in the perfect shape. Also, there is a track of Andrew Lloyd Webber singing "Policle dogs and Jellicle cats" while plying the piano. His voice doesn't sound bad at all.
Taken as a whole, this compilation makes a perfect birthday or Christmas present to any fan of Andrew Lloyd Webber shows, or just anybody interested in some of the best tunes from the modern era of the musical theatre; despite the flaws I mentioned above. To the former, it may just be the final addition for the Andrew Lloyd Webber collection.
SUCH MAGICAL MUSIC OF THE NIGHT!.......2003-01-19
"Evita." "Sunset Blvd." "Starlight Express." "Jesus Christ Superstar." "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." "Requiem." "Aspects of Love." The man who is the most recognized composer in the history of the musical theatre, the man who has won more Tonys than any other composer, the man who boasts the best-selling show of all time ("The Phantom of the
Opera") and the longest-running show of all time ("Cats"), the man whose homes are filled with three Grammys, five Oliviers, a Golden Globe, and Oscar and too many other honors and hosannas to mention, the man knighted in 1992 certainly doesn't need an introduction. Now Decca Broadway pays tribute to Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber with "Now and Forever," a spectacular 5-CD set compiled and produced by Sir Andy himself. It's cheaper than a
ticket to "The Producers" ... and more much exciting. This treasure trove contains highlights from all of Webber's shows, and a bonus disc of tunes sung by Betty Buckley, Barbara
Streisand, Jose Carreras, Boy George, Charlotte Church, Madonna, Tom Jones, Petula Clark, even Elvis! A must for lovers of theatre---and good music.
A Must Have for Sir Andrew fans.......2002-05-21
This five-CD collection of Andrew Lloyd Webber's career is fantastic. It leaves virtually no stone unturned. I have no doubt that diehard Webber fans will love this, especially for the 5th disc entitled "From the Vaults." This disc alone is worth the price as it contains tunes never before heard by the typical fan. Who knew Elvis did a Lloyd Webber tune?!? I didn't! Also the tune "Benedictine" which the composer wrote for his most recent marriage is not only pretty, but it has the same medley as "The Lady's Paying" from "Sunset Blvd." which I found highly enjoyable. Another great track is the composer himself singing a cut song from "Cats" entitled "Pollicle Dogs and Jellicle Cats" which has the same tune as "Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats," but to hear Sir Andrew sing is a blast...he sounds a lot like Al "Year of the Cat" Stewart.
The cuts from the musicals are great but are likely owned by ALW fans as they are on the original cast albums. And I'm glad that there were tunes included from the composers most recent efforts which have yet to make it beyond London (Whistle Down the Wind, Beautiful Game).
My only complaint is the inclusion of way too many tracks by Sarah Brightman. She must've received a great divorce settlement that included having tunes on any ALW collection until the end of time!! Her interpretations of some of the tunes were limp and uninspired. I would've much rather heard casts from around the world rather than yet another song by this disdainful soprano! How about Colm Wilkinson's version of "Music of the Night" from the original Canadian cast of "Phantom"? Or Michael Crawford's version of "Unexpected Song"? What? No Betty Buckley from "Sunset Blvd."? And of course there are songs you KNOW are going to be on the collection before you even listen to it as they have been on EVERY ALW collection for the past decade or so.
A great collection but too much Sarah Brightman!
Average customer rating:
- great soundtrack for a great show.....
- A Chorus Line
- What They Did For Love
- God, I hope you get it...
- a great musical
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A Chorus Line (1975 Original Broadway Cast) (Multichannel/Stereo SACD)
Marvin Hamlisch , Edward Kleban , and Donna McKechnie
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
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ASIN: B000087N0S
Release Date: 2003-03-11 |
Tracks:
- Opening: I Hope I Get It - Company
- I Can Do That - Wayne Cilento
- At the Ballet - Carole Bishop, Kay Cole, Nancy Lane
- Sing! - Renee Baughman, Don Percassi
- Montage, Pt. 1: Hello Twelve, Hello Thirteen, Hello Love [Expanded Vers - Baayork Lee, Cameron Mason
- Montage, Pt. 2: Mother - Patricia Garland, Ron Kuhlman
- Montage, Pt. 3: Gimmie the Ball - Ronald Dennis, Michael Stuart
- Nothing - Priscilla Lopez
- Dance: Ten; Looks: Three - Pamela Blair
- Music and the Mirror - Donna McKechnie
- One - Company
- What I Did for Love - Priscilla Lopez, Company
- One (Reprise)/Finale
Amazon.com
Michael Bennett's 1975 tale of Broadway's gypsies--the chorus dancers--resonated with audiences as few shows ever have, examining with both hilarity and heartbreak the grueling life of ordinary performers always auditioning for an opportunity to be members of a faceless chorus line. And along the way, it picked up the Pulitzer, the New York Drama Critics Award, and nine Tonys, and became the longest-running show in Broadway history. The original cast (eight of whom contributed their real-life memories to the show) included no major stars, but are unmatched on this cast recording of Marvin Hamlisch and Edward Kleban's score, including Priscilla Lopez's poignant "Nothing," Donna McKechnie's yearning dance number "The Music and the Mirror," one of Broadway's most famous torch ballads in "What I Did for Love," and the ultimate high-kicking chorus number, "One." Fans of the show will welcome the 1998 remastered CD, which adds two and a half minutes to "Hello Twelve, Hello Thirteen, Hello Love." While still incomplete, the montage now includes "Four-foot ten," "Little brat," and "The worst thing in school...." --David Horiuchi
Customer Reviews:
great soundtrack for a great show............2007-06-09
I first heard this soundtrack on my cousin's CD player, back when she was pursuing musical theater, as a young teenager (at least ten years ago). Some of the greatest songs from the musical repertoire are here: "What I Did For Love," "One," and "Nothing." It's always a great sign when a score (in this case, by the talented duo of Hamlisch and Kleban) works so well that people don't have to see the musical to know what it's about from just a few musical numbers. That isn't to say that the show isn't wonderful, too. To make long stories [very] short for the sake of the increasingly decreasing attention spans of my readers who just want to know "Should I buy this," A CHORUS LINE is the story of a group of singer/dancers from diverse backgrounds, coming together on one Broadway stage for the same reason. They all want a crack at being a part of a dancing chorus line on The Great White Way, that could be their big break. There are other dramas going on, behind that, of course (and we hear all of their stories, complete with monologue, song and dance number). The drama is high, but so is the infectiousness. You really build attachments and interests in each of the characters, and the story is so well-written, you'll be compelled to stick through the songs and follow the stories, just to see who is "The One." This is truly a great example of storytelling in musical theater. There is a reason it was one of the longest running shows on Broadway.
A Chorus Line.......2007-05-31
Makes you recall the thrill of attending this terrific musical. You experience the glory and the pain and love every minute of it again.
What They Did For Love.......2007-02-12
A Chorus Line was an unlikely Broadway hit--there were no big name celebrities to brighten up the stage, no elaborate sets, and, according to the liner notes, "almost no plot." However, A Chorus Line shined brightly because it highlighted the lives of the people who are in the chorus line of a Broadway musical. By focusing on the people who normally don't make the leap into stardom, A Chorus Line paradoxically gained remarkable strength and popularity. A Chorus Line ran for fifteen years; and this CD shows why.
The CD begins with the track entitled "Opening: I Hope I Get It." Too many actors and actresses have arrived to compete for jobs in a chorus line in a Broadway production. Zach, the man who must chose the people who make the final cut, stuns the actors by requesting them to talk about themselves. This provides the premise for the rest of the music of the show. One by one the actors open up and share their life stories in song; and the music by Marvin Hamlisch enhances their songs greatly.
Several memorable stories told in song by the actors include "I Can Do That" in which Mike, performed by Wayne Cilento, tells about how he swiped his sister's dance shoes to race to a dance rehearsal; the beautiful ballad about escaping the heartache of real life at the theater entitled "At The Ballet" performed by Carole Bishop, Nancy Lane and Kay Cole; "Montage, Part 3: Gimme The Ball" performed by Michel Stuart and Ronald Dennis as Greg and Richie respectively; and "Dance: Ten; Looks Three" performed by Pamela Blair in the role of Val. Excellent!
Other numbers on this original cast recording deserve very special mention. "What I Did For Love" is delivered flawlessly by Priscilla Lopez and Company; in this song Priscilla's character Diana Morales sings beautifully of how she would have no regrets if she could never dance again. Priscilla Lopez also performs the memorable balled "Nothing" about how she simply did not profit from a course she took with an acting professor several years earlier.
The finale, a reprise of the smash number "One," features the cast singing together as polished professionals instead of the somewhat clumsy chorus line hopefuls they were before. I still remember feeling chills up and down my spine when I saw this number in the show at New York's Schubert Theater in 1979.
The liner notes have an excellent essay by Marc Kirkeby and the photos of the cast are a real treat. The notes indicate which actors performed each song and the artwork will impress you.
The sound is excellent even on my portable CD player. There is very little, if any, surface noise.
A Chorus Line represents a sophisticated look at the real lives of struggling actors and actresses. These people scramble for jobs in their chosen profession so that they can be happy and well fed at the same time. The catchy melodies by Marvin Hamlisch will delight you; and the lyrics by Edward Kleban display forethought and sheer brilliance.
I highly recommend this CD for fans of the theater and for people who love the outstanding music of Marvin Hamlisch. People who enjoy convincing exposés of the real lives of struggling actors will also enjoy this CD.
God, I hope you get it..........2006-11-28
I Just saw the new Broadway revival (which is fantastic), knew I had to give the original a re-listen, and have come to the conclussion that while it does not inspire deep thought or endeavor to change the world, A Chorus Line is a musical everyone, not just dancers and singers, can relate too. The central conceit of the show is the audience being invited to sit in on auditions for the dancing chorus of a broadway musical. Slowly the cast of hopeful auditionees dwindles to a victorious 8, who eventually earn roles and reveal much about their struggle for success. Yes, on the whole, it is a musical dancers will identify with, but it is not solely about dancing. A Chorus Line is about why and how we are able to do what we love. As we watch the audition play out on stage and hear the stories of the characters, one can't help but feel the same fear and pressure, and the cd masterfully captures the intimacy of "A Chorus Line".
A Chorus Line begins with the famous, pulse-pounding "GOD I HOPE I GET IT", where we hear the dancers inner thoughts while learning the choreography. This is a mostly danced number, but it is energetic, effecting and a brilliant opening.
More great numbers are "AT THE BALLET", which has three dancers taking down their "audition facades" and describing the therapy dance provided during troubled childhoods. The "MONTAGE" numbers are a funny mixture of painful, embarrassing, and entirely too real memories of teenage years. "DANCE 10, LOOKS 3" Is a hillarious yet sadly true song about the power of appearance. "WHAT I DID FOR LOVE" is one of the most original love songs of all time, about the sacrafices made not for the people we love, but for ourselves. It sumarizes the whole musical: Why we do what we do for the things we love.
The idea of A Chorus Line has become a little cliche after years and years of exposure and performance, but it is deffinately worth the praise it receives and fame it has accumilated. A must have for every lover of musical theatre.
a great musical.......2006-11-06
I enjoy listening to the original broaadway musical A Chorus Line. However I didnt realize I was purchasing the broadway version. I was actually looking for the film version.
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