Chaplin (1992 Film) [Soundtrack]

chaplin (1992 film) [soundtrack]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
Even though it relies heavily on film scorer John Barry's by-now formulaic (if no less effective) methodology of fusing his distinctively luxuriant string arrangements with the music of whatever time or locale the score sets out to evoke (in this case, largely the Hollywood of the 1910s and '20s), the composer triumphed once again, garnering his second Academy Award nomination of the 1990s. Perhaps because of the years he spent dues-paying with English pop and jazz combos, Barry gets inside this period jazz and ragtime with both enthusiasm and, more importantly, taste, recalling similar effective efforts on Francis Coppola's The Cotton Club. --Jerry McCulley

Chaplin (1992 Film),John Barry,Sony,Pop,Soundtrack,Soundtracks,Soundtracks & Film Scores

Chaplin (1992 Film) [Soundtrack]

Average customer rating:

Absolutely fantastic singles
Really like it
Great band!
Another one for the heartbreak can[n]on
Under the Iron Sea is Golden

Under the Iron Sea
Keane
Manufacturer: Interscope Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Eyes Open
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ASIN: B000FBHT1C
Release Date: 2006-06-20

Tracks:

Atlantic
Is It Any Wonder?
Nothing In My Way
Leaving So Soon?
A Bad Dream
Hamburg Song
Put It Behind You
Crystal Ball
Try Again
Broken Toy
The Frog Prince

Amazon.com

If U2 hadn't already released a pair of career retrospective discs, this British trio's second album would neatly do the trick in one. Not much of a surprise since Keane spent a good deal of time supporting Bono and company following the release their breakthrough debut, Hopes and Fears. From the melancholic "Crystal Ball" to the sinisterly beautiful "Is It Any Wonder?" (a blatant homage to "Zoo Station"), Keane have perfected their forebear's dark stadium-rock formula on their second album, all the more miraculous considering it was once again done without guitars. If Under the Iron Sea sounds considerably edgier than its predecessor, that's because it was recorded while the band was on the verge of splitting. But the friction has also given Keane a renewed sense of purpose, breaking the mid-tempo monotony with vibrant material such as "Nothing in My Way" and "Try Again": soaring songs that make the band sound unsinkable. --Aidin Vaziri

Album Description

"Under The Iron Sea" was recorded at The Magic Shop in Soho, New York, and back at Helioscentric Studios, near Battle.

In making this record we tried to confront all our worst fears, to ruthlessly scrutinise ourselves, our relationship with each other, with other people, and with the world at large, and to make a journey into the darkest places we could find.

It made for an incredibly intense atmosphere during the writing and recording of the album, and the resultant songs and sounds very much reflect that. In the songs we created a kind of sinister fairytale-world-gone-wrong, a feeling of confusion and numbness represented by a dark place under an impenetrable iron sea. To express all this we created entirely new sounds by putting an old electric piano and various analogue synths through many different combinations of vintage guitar effects pedals, creating soundscapes that range from the percussive to vast oppressive walls of distortion.

We were writing, singing and performing with a drive, intensity and fury that is almost unrecognisable from our previous music.

It was important that this album had a strong visual presence too, and the start of that was the collaboration with Irvine Welsh on ¡®Atlantic¡¯ offered somebody who both inspired us, and found his own inspiration in our music.

His resulting film echoes the importance of that visual identity we strove for.

We wrote Under The Iron Sea because we needed a record that was going to make us feel alive again.

Customer Reviews:

Absolutely fantastic singles.......2007-06-27

While the album does have a few forgettable tracks, the singles are amazing and worth the cost of the CD. Fans of Coldplay will be drawn to this band and should definitely give Keane a chance.

Really like it.......2007-06-25

Got it after hearing Blake Lewis sing one of their songs, Somewhere Only We Know. I love listening to this in my jeep..fun, carefree cd.

Great band!.......2007-06-20

I love the singer's voice. The lyrics are pretty good too. Great sound for a 3 man band.

Another one for the heartbreak can[n]on.......2007-06-04

Not for nothing did HOPES AND FEARS' breakout "Somewhere Only We Know" include the line "This could be the end of everything". And not for nothing did the b&w simplicity of that record's graphics give way to an icy blue Siberian landscape, inscrutable feminine faces, broken soldiers lying in the snow.

With their propulsive, shifting rhythms and mesmerizing, serpentine melodies, the best songs on IRON SEA are shoutouts to the heartbroken -- tumbling mixes of incredulity, anguish and rage -- and this is one of those discs you will play 5000 times in a row the next time it happens to you. Hey, you did it with "Every Breath You Take" -- but the stalker self-pity that was thrilling when you were a kid and everything was crystal clear no longer seems so useful at an age where things are a leeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeetle more complicated.

Musically, Keane has mastered the art of baroque-pop in a way that only a few have: their songs have the standout quality of being consistently surprising and perfectly inevitable at the same time.

So it isn't perfect and it won't change the world, but IRON SEA is a minor masterpiece -- a swirling, complex companion to Basho's great, stark haiku, just as true and just as uncomforting:

I think of the day before I met her
When it seemed
I had no troubles at all

Under the Iron Sea is Golden.......2007-05-22

I am not a fan of Keane. In fact, I hated their first album and did not notice when the second album released. However, after hearing "Is It Any Wonder?" on the radio (about 200 times) I thought I would check it out. The sound seemed to have more edge; it captured more of a rock feel, and I liked that. Not to mention, I don't know who can't relate to the lyrics of "Is It Any Wonder?" these days.

I ordered the album and when it came I popped it into my stereo and sat down. I listened to the whole CD. Then I listened to it again. I was dazzled by the intersecting rhythm lines, key changes, the poor lyric scansion that seems to rhyme even though it shouldn't, and the tenor of Tom Chaplain's voice. This album has depth. It encompasses a sound that has been established by the Beatles and has evolved up through bands like Cold Play and Radio Head; Yet it has a little irreverence, giving it a feeling of angst that makes it more interesting to listen to. It's industrial enough to sit in the "Rock" section of your local record store, yet it's still technically a "Pop" album.

I highly recommend this album. It truly is a fresh sound and feel. It will appeal to rock folks, as well as pop people. If I were on the panel for album of the year I certainly would've voted for this one!

Average customer rating:

NEVER RECEIVED THIS ITEM!!
Perlman, Williams reunite in wonderful Serenade sequel
Some of the most beautiful music you'll ever hear
Don't compare it to Cinema Serenade 1
I can't stop listening to this CD....

Cinema Serenade II: The Golden Age

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Itzhak Perlman's Greatest Hits
Classic Perlman: Rhapsody
Itzhak Perlman - Greatest Hits ~ "Carmen" Fantasy · Havanaise · Poème · and more

ASIN: B00000JQG0
Release Date: 1999-07-27

Tracks:

Laura
Now, Voyager
Modern Times
Lost Weekend
The Quiet Man
The Adventures Of Robin Hood
Casablanca
Henry V
The Uninvited: 'Stella By Starlight'
My, Foolish Heart
Gone With The Wind
Wuthering Heights

Amazon.com

Cinema Serenade 2: The Golden Age is the sequel to Itzhak Perlman's popular album of movie themes performed with soundtrack composer John Williams. Unlike its predecessor, this disc focuses on classic cinema themes and features the Boston Pops Orchestra, not the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. The Laura theme, as well as Max Steiner's Now Voyager and Miklós Rózsa's Lost Weekend themes, sound lush and romantic in Perlman's lyrical hands. The traditional Irish jig "The Quiet Man" is the disc's most upbeat moment, while the unforgettable Gone with the Wind theme is its most memorable. These are timeless, dreamy compositions, though not necessarily the most uplifting. If you're looking for something cinematic to get your heart racing, check out Ricardo Chailly's recording of Shostakovich's film scores or even Leopold Stokowski's classic work on Fantasia. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

NEVER RECEIVED THIS ITEM!!.......2007-03-17

I cannot review the product which I know is great , as I was billed for it, but never received it.

Perlman, Williams reunite in wonderful Serenade sequel.......2003-12-04

With the success of Cinema Serenade, conductor John Williams and violinist Itzhak Perlman reunited to record another collection of classic movie themes. Performed this time by the Boston Pops Orchestra, the music of Cinema Serenade 2: The Golden Age harkens back to the days of stars such as Bette Davis, Humphrey Bogart, Errol Flynn, Ray Milland and Clark Gable.

The 12 selections include themes by Hollywood legends Max Steiner, Miklos Rozsa and Erich Wolfgang Korngold (whose son George would later produce several of composer/conductor Williams' scores for Varese Sarabande Records). Cinema Serenade 2 presents beautiful arrangements of Steiner's themes for Now, Voyager and Gone With The Wind, Korngold's love theme from The Adventures of Robin Hood, Charlie Chaplin's lovely Modern Times and "St Patrick's Day," a traditional Irish song from the John Wayne classic The Quiet Man.

Since I consider myself to be a charter member of The Rick Blaine Society of Rank Sentimentalists, I'd have to say my favorite tracks on this album are Herman Hupfeld's timeless "As Time Goes By" from 1942's Casablanca and Victor Young's "My Foolish Heart" (from the 1949 film of the same title). It was while I was listening to the radio (on the late WTMI 93.1 FM classical station) that the DJ played "As Time Goes By" and I discovered this recording of mostly lyrical themes; I listened to Perlman's haunting violin solos and the Boston Pops' bravura performance and nearly wept. I, of course, bought this CD the next day and it's now one of my favorites.

For fans of Itzhak Perlman, John Williams or film music in general, both of the Cinema Serenade CDs are a treasure trove of beautiful and memory-stirring themes.

Some of the most beautiful music you'll ever hear.......2001-06-15

This is one of the most beautiful CDs I've ever heard. The selections are musically much richer than Cinema Serenade I. In particular, Sir William Walton's music from Henry V, Korngold's music from Robin Hood, and Newman's music from Wuthering Heights are standouts. The Korngold is my favorite, with several themes from the picture packed into a short love scene lifted straight from the movie. The arrangements on this album are stunningly lush, especially those by Williams. His opening chords from The Uninvited are terrific harmonically.

Don't compare it to Cinema Serenade 1.......2000-01-24

Itzhak Perlman is still considered by me the best violinist alive today. His techiniques are so impressable and heartouching and nobody can contest that. The idea of this CD was wonderful, although the selections of the musics aren't so good than in Cinema Serenade 1. But anyway, if you want to listen musics that worldwide the people emotioned with, buy this CD, but don't fall in the temptation to compare it to the first one.

I can't stop listening to this CD...........1999-10-03

All of those lush movie themes are greatly compiled on this CD. I especially liked Laura and Stella by Starlight. After listening to this, you will want to go out and buy/rent these great old movies!

Average customer rating:

The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra needs a guitar player!
Persuaders Theme!
A Variety Of Classics!
Incredible Barry Collection
" one of cinema's greatest composers...John Barry"

John Barry: The Collection

Manufacturer: Silva America
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00005BADD
Release Date: 2001-05-22

Tracks:

Zulu
From Russia With Love
From Russia With Love - 007
Goldfinger
The Ipcress File
The Knack
Mister Moses
Thunderball
The Wrong Box
Born Free
The Quiller Memorandum
You Only Live Twice
The Girl With The Sun In Her Hair
Deadfall

Tracks:

The Lion In Winter
On Her Majesty's Secret Service
On Her Majesty's Secret Service
Midnight Cowboy
Midnight Cowboy
The Appointment
The Last Valley
Walkabout
Monte Walsh
Diamonds Are Forever
The Persuaders
Mary Queen Of Scots
The Man With The Golden Gun
The Dove

Tracks:

The Tamarind Seed
King Kong
Eleanor And Franklin
Robin And Marian
The Deep
Hanover Street
The Black Hole
Moonraker
Somewhere In Time
Raise The Titanic
Body Heat
Frances
Octopussy
The Cotton Club

Tracks:

High Road To China
A View To A Kill
Out Of Africa
The Living Daylights
Dances With Wolves
Dances With Wolves
Chaplin
Moviola
Indecent Proposal
The Specialist
The Scarlet Letter
Cry The Beloved Country
Mercury Rising
The James Bond Theme

Customer Reviews:

The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra needs a guitar player!.......2006-11-09

Granted, they only need it for one composition (the last one, "The James Bond Theme") but still, without the guitar it's just not the same. Barry didn't compose this one so I suppose it was a bonus and I shouldn't complain, really. The rest of the music on all the CDs is fantastic. Some of the stuff I had heard before without realizing who had composed it. Very enjoyable, to say the least.

Persuaders Theme!.......2006-03-02

Buy it for the Persuaders theme, probably the best TV theme song ever written.

A Variety Of Classics!.......2005-12-06

John Barry has been composing film scores for over forty years and this is only scratching the surface of his productions. Never mind that the entire set is recorded by the Prague Philharmonic; it's pure to Barry's themes. While John Williams compositions ("Star Wars", etc.) are wild and flamboyant and Jerry Goldsmith's (Hoosier's, etc.) are mood pieces, John Barry crosses over all barriers and is amazingly diverse. Barry has recorded most of the exciting James Bond themes, melodramatic classics like "The Lion In Winter' and moody theme hits like "Midnight Cowboy". He also tugs at the heartstrings with compositions from, "Somewhere In Time", "Frances" and "Out Of Africa". He varies his themes for all types of films and few composers capture it so well.

There is over four hours of music in this set with a colorful and informative booklet.

Incredible Barry Collection.......2004-03-11

Any fan of movies will absolutley love this collection. Being a movie buff I couldn't wait to get this boxed set. Knowing Barry from all the James Bond movies, I did not realize his involvement with so many others. The orchestra is magnificent in all these themes. I'm listening to "High Road to China" right now and I'm drifting in the clouds in a Tiger Moth with Tom Selleck and Bess Armstrong. If you are familiar with a movie it will definitely have you seeing it again, if not the scores are still beautiful. Any fan of classical music will be pleased as well. Travellers will defintitely enjoy it for a long drive. I know from when I use to travel that music like this made the miles float by faster. I highly recommend these four CDs even if you just know a handful of the songs.

" one of cinema's greatest composers...John Barry".......2001-07-06

This collection of four compact discs...are worth their weight in GOLD! Barry creates visual moods for each film he scores...romantic, sentimental, action, adventure, suspense and mystery...the list could go on. Strings, brass and lush-velvet arrangements overlay each cue in his distinctive style of legendary scoring...we have ~ "John Barry:The Collection", Silva Screen's release traces 40 years of film music, featuring "The City Of Prague Philarmonic Orchestra" ~ conducted by Mr. Nic Raine (outstanding)..."Crouch End Festival Chorus" ~ David Temple, Choir Master...perform 56 selections, over four hours of symphonic suites with a full orchestra sound...all individually wrapped-up into one neat package...just the way "film-score-buffs" like 'em!

Must ask the following to take a bow ~ James Fitzpatrick (compilation producer), always in their pitching, Reynold da Silva (executive producer), Nic Raine (conductor, arranger, orchestrator & associate producer), a tremen!dous asset to every project he undertakes...and the man who made it all possible...a legendary icon always leading the way in film scoring ~ JOHN BARRY!

Total Time: 258:76 on 56 Tracks ~ SSD-1128 ~ (2001)

You might try other albums from Silva Screen, all worthy of a good listen ~ "The Essential James Bond" (SSD-1034)..."Bond:Back In Action" (SSD-1100)..."Bond:Back In Action 2" (SSD-1119)..."Zulu" (SSD-1095)..."Raise The Titanic" (SSD-1102)..."Walkabout" (SSD-1120)...check out my reviews on amazon.com/music.

Average customer rating:

Kunzel does it yet again!
Movie Music
More than Beautiful!!
This is the one you should own
You'll never get tired of this!

Beautiful Hollywood
Erich Kunzel , and Cincinnati Pops Orchestra
Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Mega Movies

ASIN: B000003D24
Release Date: 1997-09-23

Tracks:

Feather Theme From Forest Gump
Main Theme From A River Runs Through It
Robert and Mary From Rob Roy
'We Meet Again' From Jerry McGuire
The Ludlows From Legends Of The Fall - Paul Patterson
'You Must Love Me' From Evita
Love Theme, 'Doe Eyes' From The Bridges Of Madison Couny
Colors Of The Wind From Pocahontas
'On Earth As It Is In Heaven' From The Mission
Suite: I. 'Whale Play'/II. 'Farewell And Freedom' From Free Willy
Love Theme From Forever Young
Love Theme From Cinema Paradiso
Main Theme From Rudy
Main Theme From Chaplin
End Credits From Grumpier Old Men
'Act Of Faith' From Bugsy
Main Theme From Schindler's List - Alexander Kerr
Reunion And Finale From Gettysburg

Customer Reviews:

Kunzel does it yet again!.......2004-11-23

Kunzel & The Cincinnati Pops do a great job everytime, and this is no exception. I'm telling you, if you ever thought that purely intrumental/orchestral was unattractive, this will change your mind. Never a disappointment!

Movie Music.......2002-12-12

If you love that music from all those movies you've seen, then this is the CD you want! It is fantastic!! I want more!! I hope Erich Kunzel will come out with some music from older movies and maybe some TV programs. Listening to his music is better than watching the movie.

More than Beautiful!!.......2002-12-11

This is the absolute best CD they ever put together! And that is saying a lot as we are very picky about what music we like. This is the kind of music that makes you 'feel' deeply. It encourages you to dream big and love living! Forget the grooves, drums and bangs and listen to something incredibly beatiful! You won't be sorry for the money invested in this one bit of sanity in such a hectic world.

This is the one you should own.......2002-10-27

If you are looking for just one solid collection of memorable movie themes, this is it. Other CDs mix marches and fanfares with quieter tracks, which makes for a jarring listening experience at times. This CD, however, has a consistent feel all the way through. Melodic, calming, and, best of all, interesting. These movie tracks weren't selected simply for their sound, but also because they are GOOD. You get the best of the best: James Horner, Alan Silvestri, Jerry Goldsmith, John Williams, Ennio Morricone, and Randy Edelman.

You'll never get tired of this!.......2001-05-30

This CD is absolutely one of the best of Eric Kunzel! I have a passion for movie scores/soundtracks and i must say he did a really good job on this. Listen to this and close your eyes and you'll find yourself immersed in the movies from which the music was taken from. I had my friends listen to this and they all got copy or will get a copy. If you're into this kind of music, believe me you'll keep on playing it, again and again.

Average customer rating:

Eh, It's Okay
Better than the First Volume
An Interesting and Gratifying Volume 2
Sheila from Savannah, Georgia
A great album

Hollywood's Greatest Hits, Vol. 2

Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Classic Movie Themes

ASIN: B000003CYV
Release Date: 1993-06-29

Tracks:

2001: A Space Odyssey: Fanfare
Ben-Hur: Prelude
The Ten Commandments: Prelude
Friendly Persuasion: Thee I Love
Picnic: Moonglow And Theme
Around The World In 80 Days: Theme
Mutiny On The Bounty: Main Title
Spartacus: Love Theme
Zorba The Greek: Theme
The Umbrellas Of Cherbourg: I Will Wait For You
Valley Of The Dolls: Theme
Midnight Cowboy: Theme
The Godfather: Theme
Modern Times: Smile
Dances With Wolves: Themes
Far And Away: Book Of Days
Grand Canyon: Theme

Customer Reviews:

Eh, It's Okay.......2007-04-24

For those that purchase soundtrack collages to have a variety of songs and themes, then this is good for you. Unfortunately, these tracks didn't have the signature Erich Kunzel version of the songs as he had on other soundtrack mix CDs. It was more like just that, a mix CD of different soundtracks and scores. However, it was a good buy in the fact that the tracks chosen had excellent sound quality and a sense of harmony.

Better than the First Volume.......2005-08-04

There is a great collection of music to be found here. There are many great renditions. The "2001, a Space Odyssey Fanfare" was outstanding. "Book of Days" from "Far and Away" had a very unique approach. I recommend this one deeply, oh yes I do, by far and away!

An Interesting and Gratifying Volume 2.......2005-06-17

Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops' treatment of film scores on this second tribute to Hollywood are somewhat more pleasing than Volume I. The selections are more intriguing and demonstrate a more positive approach to film scores and their value as true musical art forms. There is quite a diverse representation of music here. The incredibly powerful main title to MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY (Bronislaw Kaper) juxtaposed with the bittersweet and romantic love theme to SPARTACUS (Alex North) and the intimately tender love theme to FRIENDLY PERSUASION (Dimitri Tiomkin) are masterfully achieved. I have never been that enamored with this CD's 20-bit digital recording but it has grown on me. Still, I highly recommend and enjoy this CD.

Sheila from Savannah, Georgia.......2005-01-15

I love this cd. It is the greatest. Moonglow and Midnight Cowboy are my favorites.

A great album.......2001-01-28

Erich Kunzel, once again comes through with another terrific album of movie music. On this album you will find preludes, themes and main title music from some of Hollywood's most loved movies. Films from as early as 1936's "Modern Times", through to 1992's "Far and Away", are represented here. The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra are as wonderful as ever, and the 20-bit digital sound system makes for unequalled sound quality. A pleasing highlight for me, is the wonderful "Moonglow" which starts off track 5. The jazz trio of piano, bass and drums eventually is joined by the orchestra for the theme from "Picnic". Then we have the beautiful waltz from "Around the world in eighty days". With the wonderful accordion solo, you can imagine being on a merry-go-round. This is truly a beautiful album...a must for lovers of orcestral music.

A Christmas Carol - The Musical (2004 TV Film)

Average customer rating:

soundtrak review
Amazing Under-Recognized Musical
What a tremendous musical!!!!
Captures the wonder of the TV production perfectly
Exquisite!

A Christmas Carol - The Musical (2004 TV Film)
Alan Menken , Original NBC-TV Cast.. , Geraldine Chaplin, Jason Alexander, Jane Krakowski Kelsey Grammer , Lynn Ahrens , Kelsey Grammer , and Jennifer Love Hewitt Jesse L. Martin
Manufacturer: Jay Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Musical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B0006SSNSC
Release Date: 2004-12-21

Tracks:

Main Title
Jolly Good Time
Nothing To Do With Me Part 1
Nothing To Do With Me Part 2
You Mean More To Me
Marley's Visitation
Link By Link
Lights Of Long Ago
God Bless Us Every One
A Place Called Home
Mr. Fezziwig's Annual Christmas Ball
A Place Called Home Reprise
Money Montage / The Engagement Is Off
Abundance And Charity
Christmas Together
Dancing On Your Grave
You Mean More To Me Reprise
Yesterday, Tomorrow and Today / God Bless Us Every One Reprise
What A Day, What A Sky
Christmas Together

Album Description

Golden Globe and Emmy winner Kelsey Grammer (Frasier) breathes new life into the musical adaptation beloved by millions of theatergoers every holiday season as it comes to television filled with hope, holiday cheer and the uplifting power of the human spirit. Charles Dickens' classic tale still stirs the same feelings of repentance, love, and forgiveness that transformed Scrooge himself.

Customer Reviews:

soundtrak review.......2007-01-29

This product was excellent. It's everything I expected from it when I ordered it, AND MORE, even had all the lyrics, every single word from the movie, and I get to enjoy it even when I'm not around a tv screen. Thanks!!!!!!!!!

Amazing Under-Recognized Musical.......2007-01-20

The music of A Christmas Carol - The Musical is absolutely amazing, and so moving that watching/listening to the musical version offers a completely different type of experience from simply watching the original play. It is touching, captivating, and catchy, and gets you in the Christmas spirit immediately!!! Perfectly cast, terrific voices.

What a tremendous musical!!!!.......2007-01-10

If you want to get in the Christmas spirit you have to get this. I first saw this musical on television in 2004 and purchased the DVD in 2005. I enjoyed it so much that I purchased the audio CD in 2006 so I can listen to it while driving. I think I know why I like this so much. Its because the music was written by the same guy who wrote the music for Disney's Beauty and the Beast (one of my other favorite musicals) during the early 1990's. This Alan Menken is an incredible music writer. Very inspirational! Very upbeat! Very uplifting!

Captures the wonder of the TV production perfectly.......2006-07-12

I received this album from Amazon the day before yesterday, and since then, it has barely left my computer's music player once--I kid you not.

Every time I listen to this album, I'm reminded of the soaring feeling I had watching the TV production starring Kelsey Grammer and company the Christmas before last. Menken and his co-workers have created an adaptation of Dickens' tale that not only brings forth the wonder of the season in audio form, not only makes me wish the real London could be like that, but to top it all off, _someone_ has finally captured the way I have imagined the Ghost of Christmas Present ever since I first read the novel in third grade! "Christmas in July," indeed!

Kudos, Mr. Menken! You and your all-star cast have created a Christmas show that deserves to be rerun on TV for decades to come, right up there with "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and the many Rankin-Bass specials--truly a holiday classic!

Exquisite!.......2006-03-09

Exquisite music in real, original Alan Menken style.
You can really hear, that Alan Menken has expirience with musicals and that he has made many for Walt Disney.
Absolutely Fantastic!

Average customer rating:

Not what I expected
Whole Family Favorite for Years
My favorite Christmas CD
Incredible Experience
"Classical Kids Christmas" -- Outstanding!

Classical Kids Christmas

Manufacturer: Children's Group
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Song of the Unicorn
Classical Kids: Hallelujah Handel!
Mozart's Magnificent Voyage
Tchaikovsky Discovers America
Mozart's Magic Fantasy: A Journey Through 'The Magic Flute'

ASIN: B00005NHOX
Release Date: 2001-08-28

Tracks:

I. The Advent Of Christmas: Christmas On Main Street - The Pageant Begins
Medley: I. The Advent Of Christmas: O Come Little Children/O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Medley: I. The Advent Of Christmas: Huron Carol/O Come All Ye Faithful
Medley: II. The Kings: Personent Hodie/Kings Came Riding
Medley: II. The Kings: This Great Day/We Three Kings/The Wise Men Ask the Children the Way
Medley: III. Gifts For the Baby: Winter, II/We Are the Poor Children
Medley: III. Gifts For the Baby: What Shall We Bring?/How Far Is It To Bethlehem?
IV. Saint Nicholas: Jolly Old Saint Nicholas
Medley: V. Christmas Around The World: O Tannenbaum/God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/Swedish Dance
VI. Christmas Is I'cumin: Christmas Is I'cumin
VII. Christmas Eve: Christmas Eve Is Here
Medley: VII. Christmas Eve: Joseph, Dearest/Brahm's Lullaby/Christmas Carol
Medley: VII. Christmas Eve: Silent Night/The Story Of Silent Night
VII. Christmas Eve: O Holy Night
Medley: VII. Christmas Eve: Nutcracker Suite Overture/T'was The Night Before Christmas
Medley: VIII. The Shepherds: Messiah, Pifa/The Oxen
Medley: VIII. The Shepherds: While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks/O Little Town Of Bethlehem
Medley: VIII. The Shepherds: What Is This Perfume?/Christmas Carol
Medley: IX. Christmas Day: Angels We Have Heard On High/Hark The Herald Angels Sing
IX. Christmas Day: Polish Lullaby
IX. Christmas Day: Go Tell It On The Mountain
Medley: X. The Animals At The Manger: Sussex Carol/The Barn
Medley: X. The Animals At The Manger: Away In A Manger/Two Medieval Myths
Medley: X. The Animals At The Manger: What Child Is This?/What The Mice Saw/What The Donkey/From The East The Donkey Came
X. The Animals At The Manger: The Friendly Beasts
XI. Christmas Of Old: Good King Wenceslas
XI. Christmas Of Old: Here We Come Awassailing
Medley: XII. Epiphany: D'ou Viens Tu, Bergere/Joy To The World/Away In A Manger/Angels We Have Heard On High
Medley: XII. Epiphany: In The Bleak Midwinter/The Pageant Ends

Amazon.com

This soaring collection of carols and poems is a splendid way for adults to share with children some of the classic tales of Christmas. Mostly narrated by children and sung by the High Park Choirs of Toronto, along with several soloists, these pieces celebrate the birth of Jesus through the stories of the three wise men, the shepherds, the animals at the manger, and through songs of Christmas from around the world. As we hear St. Nicholas say, "Christmas is about giving not getting," this attractively packaged CD contains favorites, including "O Come, All Ye Faithful," "O Holy Night," "Handel's Messiah," and "Away in a Manger." A simple voice and guitar rendition of "Silent Night" is a gift in itself. --Martha Johnson

Customer Reviews:

Not what I expected.......2007-01-09

I like this CD just fine but it was not what I expected or really what I wanted. I was looking for an all instrumental Christmas CD for my Autistic son. He does not particularly like the Christmas narration or the singing. I will make sure to read the description more closely next time.

Whole Family Favorite for Years.......2006-10-16

A CLASSICAL KIDS CHRISTMAS is a Symphony of Stories for all ages. This truly beautiful interweaving of traditional yuletide songs with stories and legends from around the world which illustrate each song is a CD that will become your family favorite for December for many years. The music, performed by some of the best artists in the world, is magnificent, and each voice chosen to tell one of the stories and legends is perfect for the spirit of that story. The CD is a magnificent treasure. Be sure to order many for your friends and family.

My favorite Christmas CD.......2005-11-04

This is, by far, my favorite Christmas CD. In fact, I listen to it all year round.The music is so wonderful, you really have to experience it for yourself. This would make a wonderful gift for any child or adult, especially for a sick or hospitalized patient. At $14 is not cheap, but it's so worth it...

Incredible Experience.......2001-12-24

Classical Kids' Christmas is one of the most reverent experiences it has ever been my pleasure to hear.It is not just for kids, but for everyone who cherishes the essentially intimate, family-oriented and community-based nature of the Christmas celebration. Noble in concept, deceptively artless and understated in its expert execution, it recaptures the magic and wonder of those earliest Christmases we all recall when we compare what we did then with what we do these days. Classical Kids Christmas should become a part of every child's fondly remembered Christmas traditions.

"Classical Kids Christmas" -- Outstanding!.......2001-10-29

Classical Kids, has for a number of years now, provided some of the finest productions in introducing children of all ages--from four to 90--to classical music. I've been broadcasting all of Classical Kids' released on the radio for some time, and always to great enthusiasm from families, judging from phone calls and letters I receive asking for more.

With Classical Kids' previous release, "Song of the Unicorn," it was hard to imagine what creator/writer Susan Hammond might come up with next in her forays of digging into the lives of composers such as Bach, Vivaldi, Handel, Mozart, and Tchaikovsky and making the stories come alive to young listeners. It is, after all, the younger folk of today who will guide the future of great music. It's up to us to see that they get the best.

All of this is said in praise of the latest release from Classical Kids, "A Classical Kids Christmas," an ingenious idea from Susan Hammond, and one that seems to emerge to the world at a time when we truly need the beauty, charm, and inspiration that is contained in the disc's 47 minutes. The Christmas story is told over a background of wonderfully performed traditional carols and music featuring soloists, choirs, and instrumentalists of the highest caliber. One will occasionally find a piece that is not familiar--such as the Polish Lullaby, stunningly sung by Mary Bella, whose voice pours forth in a cathedral of grand magnificence. The High Park Choirs of Toronto, along with the instrumentalists, are in top form.

What amazes me about Susan Hammond's creativity, and what makes her work so magnetic, is the fact that she provides such a variety of music, from Medieval chants to music by Handel and Vivaldi to Tchaikovsky and Brahms, and many others. Hammond was responsible for most of the arrangements and adaptations contained on this disc, and credit is due to Errol Gay for some outstanding choral arranging. The disc is charged with energy that, at once, becomes infectious.

All one needs to do is to paint an image in the mind of an entire town pouring down Main Street, all feeling the joys of the Christmas season, taking in the festive decorations. It is great fun to discover the Medieval myths of how the robin got its red breast! But more, the choices of music, the effectiveness of the actors ... indeed, the entire way this is assembled makes it one of the finest discs of its kind that I have encountered.

Packaging and sound--with an added bonus of a Christmas tree ornament inside the jewel case--are first class. I noted that Manta Eastern Sound under Gary Gray was responsible for the recording, which is impeccably clean and clear.

If I have but one negative, it is the fact that I must wait until Christmastime each year to broadcast this recording. You can be sure it will be heard much more frequently than this by yours truly. As a classical music broadcast, however, this is precisely the kind of recording I would consider broadcasting.

"A Classical Kids Christmas" is highly recommended. It is a great stocking stuffer and will give to children the true meaning of Christmas interspersed with some of the greatest music they will hear.

This release is like a gift to Classical Kids' many fans, and for that, I thank them!

Lance G. Hill
Classical Program Director
Montrose Broadcasting Corporation

Average customer rating:

Award Winning Movie Themes: The 50's

Manufacturer: Michelle Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The High & The Mighty
Hollywood's Greatest Hits, Vol. 2
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ASIN: B0000011JK
Release Date: 1994-11-28

Tracks:

The Third Man Theme (Harry Lime's Theme)
The Big Country
Song From Moulin Rouge
Unchained Melody
Terry's Theme (Eternally)
April Love
The High and The Mighty
Friendly Persuasion (Thee I Love)
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Around The World
True Love
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Average customer rating:

Wallowing in the worst register of his voice...
Good job Quasthoff!
Simply wonderful!
Not jazz
Thomas Quasthoff shines once again, & sounds just like a Rat-Packer!

Watch What Happens: The Jazz Album

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Gitano

ASIN: B000JFZ9FM
Release Date: 2007-02-13

Tracks:

There's A Boat Dat's Leavin' Soon For New York
Watch What Happens
Secret Love
You And I
Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive
I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face
Can't We Be Friends? - Arranged by Alan Broadbent
Smile (Final Theme from the Motion Picture "Modern Times") - Arranged by Nan Schwartz
They All Laughed
My Funny Valentine
What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life? - Arranged by Nan Schwartz
In My Solitude

Amazon.com

Is it surprising that a master of German art song would produce a jazz album? Not if he's Thomas Quasthoff, who has sung jazz since his university days and maintains an infectious enthusiasm for it. From breezily light baritone to sexy bass (he rumbles very comfortably around low F), Quasthoff totally adapts his sound to the music's needs, confidently attacking certain notes "white" before adding vibrato. The American "r" - so difficult for foreign artists - does draw undue attention, as do certain vowel sounds, but otherwise Quasthoff's delivery of English is convincing. He sings much of the music comparatively "straight" (one frequently wishes he'd indulge in some really off-the-wall improvisation), but he definitely knows his way around this material. Highlights are a cool "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face," a jaunty "Ac-cent-tchu-ate the Positive," and especially haunting versions of Charlie Chaplin's "Smile" and Duke Ellington's "In My Solitude." Very enjoyable, too, is the growling conclusion of Stevie Wonder's "You and I." Quasthoff is supported by a strong ensemble, including Germany's most gifted jazz trumpeter, Till Brönner, and the excellent pianist Alan Broadbent. The Deutsches Symphonie-Orchestra, however, brings an unwelcome "101 Strings""flavor to six numbers. --Roger Pines

Customer Reviews:

Wallowing in the worst register of his voice..........2007-06-06

Thomas Quasthoff must have reached a certain benchmark in sales at Deutsche Grammophon to be allowed this indulgence, another unnecessary crossover CD from a media-feted classical singer.

Oy, but a great classical singer he's not. And he's even a worse jazz singer. As this collection shows, he has listened to his Ella Fitzgerald records faithfully enough to imitate her breathy, conversational delivery in the middle register, while lacking her innate sense of coloring and rubato. His is a dull, foursquare delivery, which he consciously tries to loosen by issuing a pathetic growl now and then to prove he's gettin' down. And just the SOUND of his voice, its timbre, in this conversational register is patently unpleasant. As mentioned above, his overcompensation with r's and with certain vowels makes his delivery even more studied and stilted.

However, when he soars above the staff, as he does in "You and I," his voice gains considerably in power and beauty. This happens all too infrequently, unfortunately.

The song program contains some real clunkers, such as "Secret Love," "There's a Boat That's Leavin' Soon for New York," and the execrable "My Funny Valentine." Just compare Thom's "What are You Doing the Rest of Your Life" to Barbra's (from the "Way We Were" album) to see how straight and uninspired our German friend's rendition is. "In My Solitude" is almost unlistenable.

To this CD's credit, I must compliment the luscious, clear sound of the recording and the judiciously crafted orchestral arrangements. Ultimately, though, this is just another one of those vocal crossover albums that will end up in the cut-out bins with scores of others already gathering dust.

Good job Quasthoff!.......2007-05-30

Is your opinion that classical singers can't sing jazz?
Being a classical singer my self I know how hard it can be to sing jazz.
Quasthoff proves with this CD that he is a true musician and separates the two different ways of singing very well.

Simply wonderful!.......2007-03-20

Being a great admirer of T. Quasthoff in his classical performance and a jazz lover, I didn't hesitate to order this cd. Moreover, the jazz impro bonus on The Voice let me think that Mr Quasthoff's voice could match perfectly the jazz style. The result is beyond the expectations. Mr Quasthoff sings these jazz standards as if he had done that all his life long, and the result is astonishing. It is even further enhanced by the great recording! So, order this CD without hesitation....

Not jazz.......2007-03-11

Quasthoff has a phenomenal voice, but he should keep his day job. He is not a jazz singer. Although this may be some German idea of jazz, it isn't jazz, and the musicians do not seem to understand jazz at all. The songs are not sung or played like jazz, and many of the songs are nowhere near jazz at all. If "Secret Love" is jazz, Doris Day must be Billie Holiday in disguise. This is a novelty piece, but one listening is a gracious plenty; I stopped sooner.

Thomas Quasthoff shines once again, & sounds just like a Rat-Packer!.......2007-02-23

I have most of the superb Thomas Quasthoff's albums, and am always interested in hearing him do different music. Singing these jazz numbers, he sounds just like a member of the Rat Pack! He always sings authentically, and always with great originality. In this jazz album, Mr. Quasthoff sings with no trace of a German accent, and he captures the style and razzle-dazzle of these songs. The liner notes indicate that these songs were selected to form a song cycle of the artist's own emotional experiences.

My favorites are the Stevie Wonder song "You and I" and "They All Laughed." Other composers featured are George Gershwin, Michel Legrand, Duke Ellington, Rodgers and Hart, and others. There is a mix of the upbeat and humorous (Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive, Can't We Be Friends, They All Laughed), and the more reflective and serious (Smile, In My Solitude).

There is quite a bit of artistry involved in the interpretations here. For example, in Duke Ellington's "In my Solitude," there is disturbing and eerie quality, particularly in the instrumental section following the line "I know that I'll soon go mad." Special mention must be made of the outstanding instrumental contributions, the excellent Till Bronner on trumpet and Alan Broadbent on piano, as well as the back up orchestra, which is essential to the interpretations (such as in the Duke Ellington, mentioned above).

This entire album is masterfully sung by Mr. Quasthoff in his own unique style. I highly recommend this album, as I do all his other albums. I only wish that Thomas Quasthoff would begin recording albums of all his current concerts, such as Brahm's Die Schone Magelone, and Mahler's Kindertotenlieder. Much of the public, myself included, can never get enough of this voice and more albums.

Average customer rating:

Viva Raul!!!!
9
"Nine" is spectacular!
...Their sound can last a hundred years...
Best Musical - 1982

Nine (1982 Original Broadway Cast)
Maury Yeston , Raul Julia , and Karen Akers
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000996FQ
Release Date: 2003-05-13

Tracks:

Overture D'elle Donne/Spa Music/Not Since Chaplin
Guido's Song
The German's At The Spa
My Husband Makes Movies
A Call From The Vatican
Movie Themes
Only With You
Folies Bergeres
Nine
Ti Voglio Bene (Be Italian)
The Bells Of St. Sebastian

Tracks:

A Man Like You/Unusual Way/Duet
The Grand Canal
Simple
Be On Your Own
Not Since Chaplin (Reprise)/I Can't Make This Movie
Waltz From 'Nine'
Getting Tall
Nine/Long Ago (Reprise)
The Germans At The Spa - Maury Yeston
Unusual Way - Maury Yeston
The Grand Canal - Maury Yeston

Customer Reviews:

Viva Raul!!!!.......2007-02-15

Raul Julia ......the grand performer is the main reason to buy this CD ......i was never a fan of "Nine" but you can feel Raul, his magic in every song.....the songs might not stay with you forever , but Raul renditions will...Long live the great Raul Julia Arcelay..the Best of the Best!!!

9.......2006-09-23

"Nine" the brilliant Broadway musical directed by the brilliant Tommy Tune and starring the brilliant Raul Julia and with a brilliant scenic design of glaring white tile including the stage floor, and a brilliant costume design, except for the "Folies Bergere" number, every one was dressed in black, and a brilliant casting coup- 1 man surrounded by 21 women-and a couple of handfuls of brilliant musical numbers and by now you get the picture, the show was brilliant but it was its' brilliance that sabotaged the show and to boot the show was stubbornly not audience-friendly.

This led to moments of awe-inspiring highs surrounded by moments of boredom.

The first high comes about 15 minutes into the show by the entrance of flame-haired Anita Morris. Dressed head to toe in a lacy,skin-tight,see-through outfit that doesn't even try to hide her ample attributes-and she is making a phone call to her lover draped over a white tiled cube(bed) and she slithers, slides, stretches in positions not humanly possible, purring seductively to her boyfriend and having a real good time with herself in what is possibly the hottest and most erotic moment
I have ever witnessed on a Broadway stage and threatened to blister and melt the very tile she played on. Ironically the number was "A Call From the Vatican".

Another high moment came with Liliane Montevecchi as Guidos'(Julia) producer who bemoans the gloom of modern cinema and longs for the days of song, dance and color,,"Folies Bergere"

A pivotal moment in Guidos' life is when at the age of 9,he and a couple of his classmates visit a notorious whore who teaches the young boys how to "Be Italian" This incident so shames Guidos' mother she sends him away to a draconian Catholic school run by cruel nuns who happily beat the devil out of their students. This leads to the beautiful Gregorian Chant-like "The Bells of St Sebastian".

Guido begins his new film of Casanova "The Grand Canal" which is a 15 minute mini-opera.

I have to mention Karen Akers who plays Guidos' wife and I adore her voice which to me sounds like a mix of honey and melted caramels-just listen to her long ago section of "My Husband Makes Movies" and "Be On Your Own".

Raul Julia also has effective numbers "Guidos Song" "Only With You" and he sings the afore-mentioned spine-shivery "Bell of St Sebastian" and he duets with his 9-year old self on the finale "Nine" which ends the show on an effectivly quiet moment.

There are other fine moments to be found "Unusual Way" with Shelly Burch comes to mind.

This CD is a wonderful reminder of just how great a Broadway musical can be and although I enjoyed the entire show warts and all, I only wish the show had been more accessable to a wider audience so everyone could have witnessed the brilliance I had.

"Nine" is spectacular!.......2006-07-24

Based on Fellini's autobiographical film, "8 1\2", "Nine" opened in 1982 with a score by Maury Yeston and a book by Arthur Kopit. It starred Raul Julia, Karen Akers, Anita Morris, Liliane Montevecchi among others. Its direction was by Tommy Tune. All of these individuals (oh yes, Jonathan Tunick, the orchestrator) are responsible for this spectacular original cast album of the spectacular musical, "Nine.
Mr. Yeston has supplied as score that is filled with memorable songs that are tuneful and musically interesting. His lyrics are witty and original. Every song is outstanding. I must single out Ms. Akers' wonderful torch songs, "My Husband Makes Movies" and "Be On Your Own" as being the bests of the score. Ms. Akers performs them so well, which makes them even more enjoyable. I also cannot forget the exceptional "Folies Bergeres" sequence featuing Ms. Montevecchi in her element.
However, Mr. Julia and the other cast memembers give absolutely wonderful performances as well.
This is a nearly complete recording at something like 70 minutes. ("Nine" is not two and a half hours long for those of you who began to question the above statement.) As a bonus, it features Mr. Yeston performing some of his great songs.

...Their sound can last a hundred years..........2006-04-22

I have to admit that when I first listened to this CD I was not favorably impressed. None of the songs captured me instantly and many seemed rather jarring and confusing, particularly as I was not acquainted with the show and no synopis is included. I put it away only to recently pick it up with the guilty feeling that I had not given it any true consideration. This proved to be very true. After forcing myself to listen to it several times, I had to force myself to stop listening! There is something truly magical and mysterious about this show, a quality which sings through the stirring, passionate, indelibly European music and the moving, often bitingly clever and even provocative lyrics. Maury Yeston certainly knew what he was doing. He has created something which is very different from much of the broadway fare that came before it and was to follow it, something which is truly unique, but in such a subtle, elusive way that it is impossible to pinpoint wherein this individuality lies. This is certainly not one of the greatest musicals of all time. It is flawed; there is a disjointed quality to the songs some of which are decidely weaker than others. It is simply distintive.
This is must in great part be attributed to the performances. The cast of 'Nine' is superb and deserves to be remembered as it is. As Guido Contini, Raul Julia gives a performance which perfectly captures the internal struggles and outward charm of this character. While his singing does not match up to his acting,(his voice is rather grating, and occasionally he does things to the high notes that I would prefer not to discuss) he makes an admirable effort in each song and succeeds in most. He nails 'Guido's Song' in which the character's state of mind is so brilliantly outlined and has just the right bravado for 'The Grand Canal.'Nobody, even the worst singer in the world, could ruin the sweetly simple and utterly lovely 'Only With You', though I do not feel that he does justice to 'The Bells of St Sebastian' which is one of my favorite songs; I find the mix of styles and rythms incredably stirring.
It is the women who surround Julia who are responsible for the life and the fantasy that is so palpable on this recording. The women's overture is one of those inspired strokes of genius which serve to bring an entirely new sound to Broadway. As a whole they provide excellent support in 'The Grand Canal' and in the rollicking 'The Germans at the Spa' which is hysterical but also performs the task for which it was written, namely to create atmosphere, much better than many similar songs in other shows. Camille Saviola provides excellent vocals as mama Maddelena. As Yeston comments in the liner notes, hers is only one of many standout performances. This musical is wonderful in its ability to make stars of each of its soloists, each is brilliantly showcased in the respective song/s. Karen Akers(Luisa) may not have the strongest voice, but as another reviewer commented she has a worldly weariness which perfectly suits her character. Her two songs 'My Husband makes Movies'and 'Be on Your Own' are two of the most moving moments in 'Nine', the former raises so many questions about life and love while the latter is almost heartbreaking in its desparation..."go off and live your petty fictions full of blatant contradictions you can't see..." Anita Morris(Carla) does not have what could be described as an attractive voice, but she has just the right brash, steamy powerful belt for 'A Call from the Vatican'. Taina Elg(Guido's mother) and Shelly Burch(Claudia) both provide sweetly pretty renditions of 'Nine' and 'Unusual Way' respectively while Kathi Moss' voice soars in the wonderfully exciting 'Be Italian'. One of the weaker moments is the unconvincing 'Getting Tall'; Cameron Johann does not have the ability or is simply too young to save this song. But all this would still not be worthy of five stars, it is the true showstopper, the glorious 'Follies Bergeres', which catapults this show to the hights of my regard. Brilliantly concieved, it is brilliantly executed here by Julia and Stephanie Cotsirilos but particularly by the extraordinary Liliane Montevecchi. Never was there a performance which was more worthy of a Tony. She soars through this song both as an actress and a singer...and almost evokes Edith Piaf in some of those dizzying climaxes...I could go on raving for some time longer but this review has already become ridiculously long. The one true downside of this recording are Yeston's demo recordings of some of the songs which are quite simply ghastly. Talk about composers butchering their own material! In spite of this I heartily reccomend that any fan of musicals add this to their collection, would I really write such a long, pompous review if I didnt feel it was worth it?

Best Musical - 1982.......2005-06-29

The surprise winner of 1982's Best Musical Tony (beating the equally deserving "Dreamgirls) was "Nine", an intelligent production, with a beautiful score by Maury Yeston.

While arguments can be made about whether this original or the 2003 revival are better, I slightly prefer the revival, only because the orchestrations sound richer. The casts of both are terrific!

Best tracks include:

My Husband Makes Movies
A Call From The Vatican
Only With You
Folies Bergeres
The Bells Of St. Sebastian
Unusual Way
Simple
Be On Your Own
I Can't Make This Movie

Both versions are worthy purchases, but if you have to pick one, pick the revival (single disc, synopsis, lyrics).

Music:

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