Husan [CD-single] [Import]

Husan [CD-single] [Import]

Track Listings

1. Bhangra Knights Vs Husan * Radio Edit*

2. Husan's Original Mix

3. Bhangra Knights Vs Husan Extended

4. Bhangra Knights Vs Husan Dub Version

5. Husan's Tantra Step Mix

6. B.F. And I. Scale Mix

Tracks:

why is your heaven so small
help somebody
forgiveness
did trouble me
sunday mornings
our father the new revised edition
lost my religion
don't explain it away
i will have my portion
probably not
together

Product Description

With 6 albums under her belt, an active touring career throughout the U.S. and a string of accolades from the likes of The Washington Post, The Village Voice and The New Yorker, Susan Werner has become one of the defining artists of the folk music genre. Her songs effortlessly slide between folk, jazz and pop, and are delivered with a sassy wit and classic mid-western charm. Her new album "The Gospel Truth" explores the role of the Church in contemporary American life. Quite possibly the first "agnostic gospel" album, her new songs speak in a wide variety of voices, from faithful and traditional to the critical and even the unconvinced.

Customer Reviews:

Gospel Music for the rest of us -.......2007-07-09

If you don't miss "That old time religion" but you do miss the music give this a listen!
Sunday Morning is particularly sweet.

Gospel Truth...it ain't no lie........2007-06-27

This CD is a real treat for anyone who wants creativity, honesty, thoughtfulness, originality and inspiration for their daily lives presented in tunes you can walk away singing. If thinking things through and living a right life are dear to you, you'll love this one. If you're not self-righteously judgmental and not afraid to look at yourself this CD can only delight you. Auburn Annie

The whole truth and nothing but.......2007-05-22

This is a great CD! Good vocals, good instrumentation, and great writing. Susan Werner takes on all comers - phony evangelists, exclusionary fundamentalism, and the boys club mentality of the Catholic Church. When she is not lambasting theocrats, she is expressing the contradiction and confusion experienced by those trying to make "sense" of spirituality and theological concerns. "our father" by itself is worth the price of the CD.

The Gospel Truth.......2007-05-16

Beautiful lady, smooth voice, good compositions. Commentary on religion, such as "How Can I Love One who Hates Me?" My family and my church choir members have just about worn out my copy and many have ordered their own.

Made You Think!.......2007-05-14

Susan uses the gospel style to explore her thoughts on religion. She reflects the experiences of many people her age. "You ask too many questions, dear. No, I think you ask too few." This is a dialogue from one of the songs, and gets at the root of discontent with traditional faith. Yet, the gospel style is so upbeat that you can't help but feel optimistic about the whole process.

Average customer rating:

A must have for Susan Tedeschi fans
She can do no wrong!
Susan Delivers!!
Someone stop Joe Henry before he "produces" again!
Wantin' more of the blues...

Hope and Desire
Susan Tedeschi , and Doyle Bramhall II
Manufacturer: Verve Forecast
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Contemporary Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

General | Blues | Styles | Music

Electric Blues Guitar | Blues | Styles | Music

Modern Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

Blues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Verve | Verve Music Group | Specialty Stores | Music

$9.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

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More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Live From Austin TX
The Best of Susan Tedeschi: Episode 1
Souls Alike
Bring 'Em In
All the Roadrunning

ASIN: B000ASATP8
Release Date: 2005-10-11

Tracks:

You Got The Silver
Soul Of A Man
Lord Protect My Child
Tired Of My Tears
Share Your Love
Evidence
Sweet Forgiveness
Security
Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever
Magnificent Sanctuary Band
Follow
The Danger Zone

Amazon.com

The sweet, husky mix of sugar and sandpaper in two-time Grammy nominee Susan Tedeschi's voice breathes sultry life into the art of classic soul singing on Hope and Desire, her fourth album. It's somewhat disappointing that she's chosen to defer her own songwriting in favor of classics and obscurities by Ray Charles ("Tired of My Tears"), Dylan ("Lord Protect My Child"), the Rolling Stones ("You Got the Silver"), and others. She's also left her guitar at home, assigning the exceptional playing to Clapton sideman Doyle Bramhall, Jr., and her husband, the Allman Brothers' Derek Trucks. But it's thrilling how Tedeschi applies her gospel-trained vocalizing to these 12 numbers, all tales of hope and desire, delivered at an unhurried pace so the delicate filigrees of her phrasing make them resonate with absolute emotional conviction. By the time the album closes with the gut-bucket blues "The Dangerzone," Teseschi's easily made the case for her third Grammy nod. --Ted Drozdowski

Customer Reviews:

A must have for Susan Tedeschi fans.......2007-05-13

Since discovering Susan Tedeschi I am absolutely hooked....her voice is like Bonnie Raitt on steroids!! Her voice is rough, but not forced, very sincere and natural. This album covers so many great songs it's hard to pick a favorite, but I'd have to say her Stones cover of "You Got the Silver" is amazing. "Share Your Love", an Aretha Franklin cover, is phenomenal as well; actually, there's not a bad song on this cd. Buy it - you won't be disappointed!

She can do no wrong!.......2007-05-12

Susan Tedeschi puts her hubby Derek Trucks to shame! Her voice is fabulous. Although, I prefer her "Live in Austin", this one is great as well...she covers "I got the silver" impeccably. She is awesome!

Susan Delivers!!.......2007-03-17

I'm an avid Susan Tedeschi fan, so I was pleased by this CD. I've seen Ms. Tedeschi perform live and will be seeing her and her husband (Derek Trucks) next month so this album is part of my "preparations" for the concert :-)
I love her phrasing when she sings, I love the choice of material on this CD, and her obvious love for the blues genre. I never thought any current female singer could love and promote the blues as well as Bonnie Raitt until Susan came along. Now the blues has two of the most beautiful female voices in the music industry converting new listeners to their music. AND they can both play like the dickens!!
Keep the blues alive ladies!

Someone stop Joe Henry before he "produces" again!.......2007-02-08

I'm serious, someone shove JH out from behind the mixing console before he mangles another CD!!

For the record, I own and enjoy most of Joe's CDs and all of Susan's CDs . But the production here is just strange, with lots of instruments in mono panned hard right or left, and almost every track has the trailing sound of some instrument (usually organ) dragging on for too long before the fadeout - gaaa!!

But my biggest disappointment with this CD: this a CD by a blues guitarist upon which said guitarist doesn't play! What (TF) were they thinking? Susan: girl, you play fine, don't listen to those pinheads who say you can't. I saw you live last year and was totally blown away by your playing and singing!

p.s. Joe H. also helped to ruin the latest CD from Aimee Mann (The Forgotten Arm) with his shenanigans.

Wantin' more of the blues..........2007-01-24

In my opinion, this CD is missing a bit of the raw Tedeschi bluesiness that I love so dearly, but I hate to be critical of such a superbly talented woman!

[title of show] (2006 Original Off-Broadway Cast)

Average customer rating:

This Musical is so [title of show]
It would be SO [title of show] of you to get this CD!
A must for musical theatre lovers
That's Original...and I Like That!
[title of review]

[title of show] (2006 Original Off-Broadway Cast)
Jeff Bowen , Hunter Bell , Susan Blackwell , and Heidi Blickenstaff
Manufacturer: Ghostlight
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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

General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Grey Gardens - A New Musical (2006 Original Broadway Cast)
Spring Awakening (2006 Original Broadway Cast)
The Drowsy Chaperone (2006 Original Broadway Cast)
I Love You Because (2006 Original Off-Broadway Cast)
Curtains (2007 Original Broadway Cast)

ASIN: B000G5SI80
Release Date: 2006-07-25

Tracks:

Untitled Opening Number
Two Nobodies in New York
An Original Musical
Monkeys and Playbills
The Tony Award Song
Part of it All
I Am Playing Me
What Kind of Girl is She?
Die Vampire, Die!
Filling Out the Form
September Song
Secondary Characters
A Way Back to Then
Nine People's Favorite Thing
Finale
Bonus Track: [title of show]

Amazon.com

The mysteriously monickered [title of show] turned into an unlikely—but well-deserved—Off-Broadway hit in 2006. A large part of the show's appeal is that it's a true Broadway geekfest. It tracks the songwriting team of Jeff and Hunter as they attempt to come up with a musical very, very quickly if they're going to make a festival's deadline—-kinda like the real authors of [title of show], Jeff Bowen (music and lyrics) and Hunter Bell (book), who also are part of the cast. We follow them as they race through various stock plots and characters, and then negotiate obstacle course such as finding backers, casting singers, and dealing with publicity. Bowen and Bell ingeniously integrate in-jokes about musical theater and its place in the culture at large ("Who wants to see Paris Hilton in The Apple Tree?") and set them to music so catchy it transcends the minimal arrangements (that'd be piano and...well, that's it). [title of show] shows what you can do with little money but lots of ideas and what seems like a bottomless reservoir of fun. Think of it as an update of the old MGM musicals in which Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney would put on a show in a barn. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Album Description

Includes 15 tracks plus exclusive bonus tracks!

Customer Reviews:

This Musical is so [title of show].......2007-06-17

I fell in love with [title of show] as soon as the first track was over and by the time I had listened to the whole soundtrack, I didn't want it to be over and I had to play it again. It's unique and new and unlike anything else I have ever listened to. It truly is an original musical. I have listened to this musical over and over and over again since I purchased it and I still am not sick of it.

Jeff Bowen does an excellent job of portraying the difficulty of creating a new musical, putting the show they worked so hard on out there to be scrutinized and the ups and downs of the theatre world. He shows the difficulties of creating something truly new in a seemingly rather closed-minded theatre community. He shows the development of friendships and the realization of dreams from childhood. He shows the defeat of the dissenting thoughts and people that try and hold you back. And he does all this with a healthy helping of satire and sarcasm that keeps you laughing all the way through.

If you are looking for something new and different, this is the show for you. If you looking for a good laugh and maybe even a few tears here and there, this show is for you. If you are looking for a musical you won't be able to stop listening to, this is the show for you. Be prepared to be amazed!

It would be SO [title of show] of you to get this CD!.......2007-05-11

Wow! What can I say? This show is amazing!! Even though the set is minimal (four chairs), no big orchestrations (a piano) and the cast is sparse (four people), the music, acting and lyrics more than make up for it. The bond of the cast is extremely tight and it shows through their harmony. I have hundreds of shows in my collection, and usually I pick one or two songs to put on a mix on my ipod, but i think it speaks for itself when I put the entire last half of the show on my mix. Don't get me wrong, I love the first half as well, especially "Monkeys and Playbills!!" It's brilliant! When Susan and Heidi are meeting for the first time, it's very reminiscient of the meeting of cinderella and the baker's wife in "into the woods" right down to the line "i need your shoe!" I would love to fund for Hunter, Jeff, Heidi and Susan to come perform this show for my group of friends, since it's our favorite thing....and there are more than nine of us. :)

A must for musical theatre lovers.......2007-04-24

The music is catchy and lyrics are irreverently witty. You will like the recording more if you are a musical theatre fan as much of the lyrics poke fun at past flops shows in Broadway History. Everytime you listen to the album, you find another flop show hidden in the lyrics. It's akin to counting the Ninas in the Hirschfeld drawings.If you know what I am talking about (the Ninas in the Hirschfeld drawings) run and buy this albu. If you are a musical theatre buff, run and buy this album. The rest, I'm afraid, might not get it. Super witty material for the Theatre Lover. Look forward to more shows by this duo.

That's Original...and I Like That!.......2007-02-11

What a funny, original musical this is. The simple story of two guys writing a musical about two guys writing a musical about two guys writing a musical is written by two guys, stars those same two guys, and co-stars two girls. The writing is a mix of poignancy, biting sarcasm, parody and just plain old wit. The song that convinced me to buy the recording was "Die Vampire, Die" which is an exhortation to ignore those things in our life that threaten to derail our dreams and artistic endeavors. However, after a few listens, my favorite song became "An Original Musical." Which is an extremely funny parody of "I'm Just a Bill" from Schoolhouse Rock. The song pokes fun at the lack of originality on Broadway these days, but doesn't do it in a mean way. Some of the lines in the song are laugh out loud funny.

If you've ever done anything artistic, or dreamed of doing anything artistic, then get this cast recording today.

[title of review].......2007-02-07

VERY entertaining - and very inspirational for someone who is trying to write their own musical!

Average customer rating:

GREAT DISCOVERY
great, but...
A 5 Star collection...but where are the extras?
The BEST from the BEST!

The Best of Susan Tedeschi: Episode 1
Susan Tedeschi
Manufacturer: Tone Cool
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Contemporary Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

General | Blues | Styles | Music

Electric Blues Guitar | Blues | Styles | Music

Modern Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

Blues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Hope and Desire
Live From Austin TX
Wait for Me
Just Won't Burn
Songlines

ASIN: B000BDGW1M
Release Date: 2005-10-18

Tracks:

Rock Me Right
Alone
It Hurts So Bad
Dont Think Twice, Its Alright
You Need To Be With Me
In The Garden
Little By Little
Wrapped In The Arms Of Another
Looking For Answers
Gonna Move
Rock And Roll
You Can Make It If You Try (LIVE)
Loves In Need Of Love Today (LIVE)

Album Description

Rediscover the sound of the blues with THE BEST OF SUSAN TEDESCHI, the ultimate collection of music from one of modern blues' preeminent talents. Filled with 11 stunning tracks, including "It Hurts So Bad", "Rock Me Right", and "You Need To Be With Me", along with 2 bonus tracks capturing the energy of Tedeschi's live shows, THE BEST OF SUSAN TEDESCHI will remain a favorite for years to come.

Customer Reviews:

GREAT DISCOVERY.......2007-03-12

Now I know how Colombus felt, when setting foot on American soil. He had to say "Great Discovery", and these are exactly my sentiments when I first heard Susan Tedeschi!!! So gifted, so versatile, jazz, blues, R&B, Susan can sing so many music types.I also think she has a Joplinesques quality in her voice.. Jack Forrester

great, but..........2006-06-02

This smells like a "She's left our record company so we'll put out a best of" package. Fortunately, Susan Tedeschi has done so much quality material on Wait for Me and Just Won't Burn that this disc is a blinder. The two bonus tracks are really nice. This could have been great with a little digging, but...

This is a five star recording, docked one star for record company lack of imagination. Definately recommend

A 5 Star collection...but where are the extras?.......2006-01-11

Looking over the song list, this is a fine CD capturing most of her high points in one place. It would be nice to get some early demos, outtakes, rarities, for those of us that have been with her from the outset.

Had the producers decided to include the cover of the Big Mama Thornton standard "HOUND DOG", from Tedeschi's 1995 debut, it would have shown her lineage and earliest debt to the blues. Blues women have pioneered the sound for decades getting little notice, in a male dominated industry and genre.

They might have included "Alone"(live)off the Japanese release of WAIT FOR ME disc as a Bonus Track.

Or the ex-SRV backing band DOUBLE TROUBLE's version of "In the Garden" for a change of pace to the mellower take found on her solo CD.

How about the slinky & smokin' duet she performs with her one-time producer Tom Hambridge off his BALDERDASH album, "Opposites Attrack" Yousah!!!

It is not a knock on Susan, she probably didn't have control over this release anyways and the music is top notch. There are often licensing issues to untangle as well.

But with 80 minutes on a CD, how about treating long time fans to a few extras for being there over the years.

For newbies just looking to catch a glimpse of blues-rock in the vain of Bonnie Raitt or maybe Janis, this will be a nice pick up.

The BEST from the BEST!.......2005-12-16

I first heard Susan on public radio KPLU in Washington state (www.kplu.org) on their weekend blues shows a few months ago. I was intrigued by her voice and guitar talent and quickly added her "Just Won't Burn" CD to my blues collection. This CD (The Best of Susan Tedeschi - Episode One") picks the cream from "Just Won't Burn", and adds more great tracks from other albums (which I am in the process of ordering now). Every track on this CD is great. Great variety too -- hard rocking blues, covers of old standards (Don't Think Twice, It's Alright ), fantastic slide guitar on "Looking for Answers", incredible vocals on "It Hurts So Bad", "Gonna Move" - a catchy tune that brings a smile to your face, and a sweet tender song (In the Garden). I have listened to this CD over and over on a just-ending week-long driving trip and it's just great every time I listen. This CD has now joined my "desert island CD collection" as one of my top three picks (other two are "Kind of Blue" and "Time Out"). I'd hate to have to pick just one of these three - I can listen to all of them over and over and over!

Average customer rating:

Too busy
good product and fast service
what a road trip
Mesmerized and moved mom to tears
Daughter loves it

Mozart's Magnificent Voyage

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

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Psalms | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Children's Music | Styles | Music
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Mr. Bach Comes To Call
Beethoven Lives Upstairs
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Classical Kids: Hallelujah Handel!
Vivaldi's Ring Of Mystery

ASIN: B0000061XU
Release Date: 1998-10-13

Tracks:

Horn Concerto, K.495, Movt 3
Clarinet Quintet, K.581, Movt 2
Symphony No.1, K.16, Movt 2
Piano Sonata In F, K.332, Movt 3
Medley: We Are Three Spirits ('Drei Knabchen')/Magic Flute, K.620
Overture, Marriage Of Figaro, K.492
Arrival At Court: Child's Minuet in C
Medley: Symphony No.1, K.16, Movt 1/Variations On 'La Ci Darem,' By Beethoven
Evening Falls ('Abendempfindung'), K.523
Flute Quartet, K.285, Movt 2
Symphony No.40, K.550, Movt 1
Arrival In Rome
Miserere Mei, By Allegri
Cassation in C, K.63
Minuet, Don Giovanni, K.527
Medley: Barrel-Organ Var On 'Deh Vieni,'/Don Giovanni, K.527
Variations On 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,' K.265
Letter Duet, ('Canzonetta Sull'aria'), Marriage Of Figaro, K.492
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, K.525, Movt 4
Ave Verum Corpus, K.618
Medley: Waldstein Sonata, Op.53, By Beethoven/Piano Concerto in C, K.467, Movt 1...
Medley: Piano Sonata in A, K.331, Mvt 1/Gran Partita, K.361, Movt 7
Blow Softly, You Breezes ('Soave Sia Il Vento'), Cosi Fan Tutte, K.588...

Product Description

GENERAL FEATURES: The Dream Children are about to be written out of Mozart's most famous opera. Hoping to change their fate, they enlist the help of the composer's young son Karl. Together the children embark on an incredible journey that takes them back in time to Mozart's childhood as well as far into the future. Along the way, Karl learns much about his father and comes to understand his legacy of timeless music. Educational entertainment for all ages.

Customer Reviews:

Too busy.......2006-07-14

I was hoping for more music - there's just too much storytelling for my and my kids' taste. We love the Beethoven's Wig series and were hoping this would be similar.

good product and fast service.......2005-09-11

Product arrived in ample time overseas and was pleased with quality of product!

what a road trip.......2005-02-21

i bought this item after reading some of the reviews on amazon for my nephews who are 2 and 4 years of age. two months after christmas their mom was explaining how they request the cd everytime they are in the car. she groaned when i was in the car and they boys wanted to show me how much they liked the cd. during the trip i witnessed a mother humming along to the music with her children, the boys singing to excerpts, and an overall execptional learning experience about music, culture, and history. if you are looking for something that all children will like, passes the time on a road trip, and teaches important lessons about life without being pretentious then get this cd, it is a guaranteed crowd pleaser.

Mesmerized and moved mom to tears.......2005-01-26

This CD is awesome, the music great, the story captivating. But it's Mozart, you already know about the music. Other reviewers have already discussed the story and I agree with their assessments that it's very good. The reason for this review is to say that my very active, never stopping, constantly in motion 5 year old SAT DOWN AND LISTENED without fidgeting or fiddling for a full 20 minutes and then sat but fiddled for the remainder of the CD. Maybe this is not a big deal to moms of "normal" energy level children -- but this simple act of being still for 20 minutes moved me to tears. I said nothing before putting the CD in, I just put it in while he was doing his running around. Within seconds of hearing the story start he sat down on the floor, crossed his legs, and listened while looking at the speakers. I have never seen this behavior from my child before, ever. Please note that this is a child who is not ADD, he just cannot be still. He listens to hundreds of hours of stories we read to him -- while he's doing something else. He "watches" videos -- while he's doing something else. He reads, while clapping or tapping out the beat of the syllables. I cannot remember my child ever stopping what he was doing to JUST LISTEN. When it was over he said, "That was a cool story," and got up to run around. That was it, but that's high praise from this child. To see my child sitting still for a full 20 minutes, you cannot begin to imagine my awe. I am running right out to get the rest of the series! Bravo to the producers!

Daughter loves it.......2003-03-27

My daughter is 5 and loves to hear this CD over and over in the car.

Average customer rating:

A memorable album by Robert Shaw
Great version
Superb
Brings back memories
Apologies to Puccini.

Verdi: Requiem & Operatic Choruses

Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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Brahms - Ein Deutsches Requiem (A German Requiem) / Auger, Stilwell, Atlanta SO, Robert Shaw
Fauré · Duruflé - Requiem / J. Blegen · J. Morris · Atlanta SO · Shaw
Bach: Mass in B minor / McNair, Ziegler, Simpson, Aler, Stone, Paul; Shaw
Mozart: Requiem / McNair, Watkinson, Araiza, Lloyd; Marriner
Mozart - Requiem / Augér, Bartoli, Cole, Pape, Wiener Phil., Solti

ASIN: B000003CUH
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Requiem: 1. Requiem & Kyrie
Requiem: 2. Dies Irae
Requiem: 3. Offertory
Requiem: 4. Sanctus

Tracks:

Requiem: 5. Agnus Dei
Requiem: 6. Lux Aeterna
Requiem: 7. Libera Me - 1. Libera Me - 2. Dies Irae - 3. Requiem Aeternam - 4. Libera Me
Requiem: Spuntato Ecco
Requiem: Patria Oppressa!
Requiem: Fuoco Di Gioia
Requiem: Va Pensiero
Requiem: Gloria All'Egitto

Amazon.com

Robert Shaw learned from Arturo Toscanini, and in his stupendous 1987 recording for Telarc he managed to surpass the master on some points. He is unerring in his pacing and staging of climaxes, and draws phrasing and dynamics from the chorus that other conductors can only dream of. Points are made with exhilarating effect throughout the account: never has the bass drum in the Dies irae been as splendidly hammered as here, and the whooping brass in the Tuba mirum is breathtaking. The all-American solo quartet sounds a bit driven, especially the light-voiced Susan Dunn and Jerry Hadley, but their contribution is a strong one nonetheless. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

A memorable album by Robert Shaw.......2007-04-16

I sometimes wonder why any top choral conductor would want to conduct, least of all record, a piece where the soloists invariably command center stage at the expense of the chorus.

Robert Shaw (1916 - 1999), of course, is practically a god in the choral world. And while he has done well as an orchestral conductor, his claim to fame to most will always be his work with choruses.

So here we have an operatic requiem written by one of history's greatest opera composers, conducted by one of history's greatest choral conductors. How does it turn out?

The Atlanta Symphony Chorus is very, very good. Their sumptuous sound becomes even more memorable thanks to the stunning reverberation of Atlanta Symphony Hall. Their Libera Me fugue was literally a wall of sound that seemed for a moment to encompass your entire world. The Dum Veneris passage following that was the best I'd ever heard: all four parts were distinct and incredibly powerful.

The four soloists, however, really stole the show for me. Susan Dunn and Diane Curry displayed a lot of passion in Recordare. They also created a wonderfully blended sound through their Agnus Dei duet, probably the best blend I'd ever heard so far.

Jerry Hadley is definitely one of my all-time favorite Verdi Requiem tenors. He reminded me of Richard Tucker in his commanding Kyrie entrance. His Ingemisco possessed a ringing power that left me breathless.

Paul Plishka was probably the "weakest" of the four. In Confutatis, it sounded like he was punching his voice. However, he sounded very good in the Offertorio.

And speaking of Offertorio, that was truly a soloist high point for me. The four singers literally turned into a mini-opera; it was quite dramatic hearing their voices trade back and forth.

The sound of the orchestra was truly a pleasure to hear. This music demands power and virtuosity, and the Atlantans provided both in spades. And drum lovers will be quite satisfied with the almost violent sound of the bass drum in Dies Irae.

The album also features five popular choruses from Verdi's operas. If, like me, you got carried away listening to the Requiem soloists, here's your chance to hear this remarkable chorus without any soloist distraction. The "Don Carlos" chorus (sung in Italian not French) was a rousing affair. "Patria oppressa" was appropriately subdued and melancholy. Fuoco di gioia proved the virtuosity of these choral masters. "Va pensiero" was smooth and rich. "Gloria all'Egitto" featured the chorus in all its mighty grandeur. The orchestra provides excellent accompaniment throughout. You will thoroughly enjoy listening to these choruses.

The recorded sound is absolutely fabulous. The four sections of the chorus are much more evenly miked than on most CDs. The great engineering makes the orchestra an audiophile's dream.

The liner notes contain texts and translations. However, a previous reviewer has found that the "Hostias" paragraph is missing the words "Fac eas, Domine, de morte transire ad vitam."

The tracks use an index system which I suspect is not available on most DVD players, the result being that the Dies Irae is put on a single 36 minute track.

This CD was recorded in April 1987 in Atlanta Symphony Hall, Atlanta, GA. The Requiem duration is 84'23", so the tempos are about average for this piece.

Great version.......2007-02-26

There are version of Verdi's Requiems in that market. I consider this to be onre the best ones I have heard. What adds to this perfomance is the quality of the manufacturer's transfer.

Superb.......2005-10-20

I don't have anything to add to the excellent reviews, I just want to chime in with my vote. This was rated as the top recording of this piece when I bought it on recomendation of a tenor friend back in 1990 or so and it is probably the best sustained operatic performace I have found thus far. The power and the majesty of this piece needs to be heard to be believed. So... Buy it, make sure the neighbors are out, turn the lights out, it in your best listening spot, turn up the volume and press play.

Don't miss the final track on the second disk!

Brings back memories.......2001-05-04

How could I possibly top the splendid review by Dominic Grant below? And his later graceful apology for a mere typo? Well, I just cannot. But I'd like to share my own thoughts, anyway.

With all the flap over the recently released Gergiev recording of the Verdi Requiem on Philips, with its unfortunate choice of Andrea Bocelli - a pop singer masquerading as an operatic singer - as tenor soloist, it is once again - and always - a pleasure to turn to a truly definitive recorded performance, that of Robert Shaw. As points of reference whenever I turn to this performance, I always have in mind earlier recordings by Giulini and Solti, among others. (I include a truly visceral one by Karel Ancerl and the Czech Philharmonic, featuring Galina Vishnevskaya with a "Libera me" to die for, and the type of Slavic excitement that Gergiev tries for but fails.)

Verdi's Requiem is, without doubt, the most operatic of such works as have become part of the liturgical canon. But it doesn't necessarily follow from this that the best recordings are the ones which utilize operatic superstars. Were that the case, Solti's recording, with Joan Sutherland, Marilyn Horne, Luciano Pavarotti and Martti Talvela, would be unchallenged (particularly when one throws in the Vienna Philharmonic, as well as the typically excellent mid-60's sound that Decca was so good at). But, true to form, Solti just couldn't find the proper sensitivity and balance to make his performance the definitive one.

Shaw does what Solti could not do. In a work that requires efforts of equal quality by orchestra, soloists and chorus, there simply is no better chorus than a Shaw chorus. Shaw's four soloists, while perhaps not of the marquee value of the ones on the Solti recording, are outstanding. A previous customer reviewer certainly got it right when he said that Susan Dunn was a Verdi soprano to be reckoned with. And Diane Curry, Jerry Hadley and Paul Plishka are equally excellent. (Plishka, as I mention later, is one of my "memories.") Moreover, in a work which demands that the cataclysms of the Dies Irae and the tenderly supplicant closing pages of the Libera me be captured in proper proportions, none are better than Telarc at this challenge.

The personal friendship between Robert Shaw and the Cleveland-based Telarc team of Bob Woods and Jack Renner goes back to the days when Shaw was George Szell's assistant at the Cleveland Orchestra. Thus it was, when Woods and Renner introduced the "all-digital" Telarc label in the late 70's, that they turned to Shaw and his Atlantans as an enduring source for the recording of choral masterpieces. With the passing of Shaw some two years ago, it is now time that someone sum up his recorded legacy, which, under the aegis of Telarc, exceeds three dozen recordings. In my humble opinion, he will be remembered for a long, long time for three works that Telarc recorded with his forces: The Bach B Minor Mass, the Brahms German Requiem, and this Verdi Requiem.

Oh! The memories! For several years, at a time when Shaw's Atlanta forces were as good as they were to get, in the early 80's, I was fortunate to live in the Atlanta area, and to attend many of his concerts. And, in the fall of 1965, when Paul Plishka had just won a "young artist" award that was to lead to his Metropolitan Opera career, I was fortunate to have been a member of an amateur chorus which performed this work with a semi-pro orchestra and four young soloists. The names of the other three soloists were long ago relegated to the dustbin of history. But the bass soloist at that 1965 performance was none other than Paul Plishka. He's still banging the boards at the Met. One durable dude!

Once again, kudos to Mr. Grant for his superb review, and for his reminding me that I had some "unfinished business" to attend to.

Bob Zeidler

Apologies to Puccini........2000-12-04

Further to my review of the 18th of June below,it's just been brought to my attention by a kind reader that I have inadvertently ascribed the composition of the famous aria,"Nessun Dorma" from Turandot to Verdi himself.First of all,my sincere apologies to Puccini (probably still revolving in his grave !),and my apologies to you for grossly offending your musical sensibilities as you pass this way.That will teach me to spend a little longer editing my reviews before submitting them !

Average customer rating:

I hate to be rude, but . . .
Outstanding
Sacred Songs
My favorite of Fleming's CDs so far
Inspiring and beautiful

Sacred Songs

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000AM6OXK
Release Date: 2005-09-27

Tracks:

Ave Maria
Jesu bleibet meine Freude
Dank sei dir, Herr
Ave Maria, D839
Laudamus te
Panis Angelicus
Air: "He shall feed his Flock"
Simple Song
Pie Jesu
Domine Deus
Laudate Dominum omnes gentes
Air: Rejoice greatly, o daughter of Zion
Abends will ich schlafen gehn
L'Adieu des bergers
Mariiegenlied, Op.76/52
Amazing Grace

Amazon.com

This lovely CD features Renée Fleming singing religious music in an unaffected, lovely manner. Many favorites are here: both the Bach/Gounod and Schubert versions of "Ave Maria," each offered with long breaths and soft tone; "Rejoice Greatly" from Messiah, delivered with virtuosity and gleaming sound, and "He Shall Feed His Flock," also from Messiah, sung in a smooth, laid-back manner. Bits of the Fauré Requiem and Poulenc Gloria are welcome, as is the gorgeous "L'Adieu des Bergers" from L'Enfance du Christ. In the prayer from Humperdinck's Hansel und Gretel, Fleming is joined by the splendid Susan Graham, and a version of "Amazing Grace" features Mark O'Connor on violin. Two excerpts from Mozart's Mass in C Minor, pieces by Reger and Franck, and a few surprises round out this devotional CD. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

I hate to be rude, but . . ........2007-05-06

As stated earlier, I hate to be rude. However, Renee Fleming is not one of the greatest singers that I have heard. At many times, it sounds as if she is drunk, sliding into her notes at times. She also has a habit of hitting a note, and then quickly moving up or down for "dramatic effect". I'm sorry, but I just cannot listen to this. I know that everyone has their own opinions, and this is mine.
She is still a beautiful woman, and always will be. I have seen her concerts online, and she ISN'T bad, it's just that she doesn't have what I'm looking for in an opera singer!

Outstanding.......2007-03-07

I had seen this program on PBS and wanted the CD. Wonderful selection
of music and Renee Fleming's outstanding voice.

Sacred Songs.......2007-01-21

I always look for new presentations of Christmas songs. Rene Flemming did an excellent job in this recording. She has a super voice but sometimes the words of the song get lost in her singing style

My favorite of Fleming's CDs so far.......2006-12-07

There are only two cuts on this CD I tend to flip past (Amazing Grace and the Leonard Bernstein cut), but other than them, I totally love the rest! The cuts in German are divine! I could listen to this CD over and over again.

Inspiring and beautiful.......2006-07-20

I've always loved Renee Fleming's singing and this most recent album is just beautiful in every way. A rich voice, beautiful singing and a devout and magnificent artist. She makes even the most notorious evergreens come to life anew. I enjoyed it very much.

Average customer rating:

A soundtrack without a movie
ohh weird!
Danny Elfman turns the music world on it's ear.
Elfman's Classical Album a Must Have
Danny Elfman's masterpiece...

Serenada Schizophrana
Danny Elfman , Bruce Morgenthaler , Christian Kollgaard , Connie Deeter , Drew Dembowski , Edward Meares , Frances Liu Wu , Oscar Hidalgo , Richard Feves , and Susan Ranney
Manufacturer: Sony Classics
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Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000HEZF7C
Release Date: 2006-10-03

Tracks:

I. Pianos
II. Blue Strings
III. A Brass Thing
IV. The Quadruped Patrol
V. 'I Forget'
VI. Bells And Whistles
End Tag
Improv For Alto Sax

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As the New York Times put it when Danny Elfman's Serenada Schizophrana was performed live at Carnegie Hall in February 2005: "Better good Hollywood music than second-rate Brahms." Elfman, better known for his soundtracks to Tim Burton movies, had been commissioned by the American Composers Orchestra to write a concert work, and the Serenada Schizophrana in six movements was the result. It appears here under the baton of John Mauceri, known for his crossover work with Los Angeles' Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. Fans of Elfman's soundtracks won't be disappointed—or even very much surprised—by this venture into the concert hall. The composer's style remains very much the same, probably because his habitual orchestrator, Steve Bartek (whose contribution is crucial to Elfman's sound), worked on four movements, with Edgardo Simone handling the remaining two. Blending Bernard Herrmann, Duke Ellington, Max Steiner, and especially JG Thirlwell (a.k.a. big-band industrialist Foetus), Elfman has come up with an audience-friendly piece that actually sounds more convincing than similarly high-reaching works by Paul McCartney or Elvis Costello.--Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

A soundtrack without a movie.......2007-06-27

Danny Elfman is one of Hollywood's most talented score writers, with more than 100 movie soundtracks under his belt. His musical arrangements never fail to impress, and he has an almost mystical ability to match the mood of his music to the action on-screen -- particularly when he's working with filmmaker Tim Burton.

Commissioned by the American Composers Orchestra, this symphonic piece gave the former Oingo Boingo frontman a new challenge -- working without the visual cues of a movie to inspire him. But, while the resulting tracks are entertaining on an aural level, they still sound like a soundtrack to me. And, without my own visual memories to accompany the music, my imagination filled them in -- I mostly saw scenes of Johnny Depp emoting or the stop-action hijinks of a skellington at play. Appropriately, it was later picked for use as a soundtrack for the IMAX film, Deep Sea 3D.

So really, it's simple. If you enjoy Elfman's soundtrack work, get this and you'll love it. If you think soundtracks should only be heard in the background of a film, skip this or get yourself to an IMAX theater for a little underwater exploration with narrators Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet and, of course, Elfman.

by Tom Knapp, Rambles.(n e t) editor

ohh weird!.......2007-04-26

Weird and Good! You can definitely identify it being an Elfman work. I really enjoy this ride. I would like to see a modern ballet put to this!

Danny Elfman turns the music world on it's ear........2007-04-13

Mr. Elfman is always traveling new roads in discovering what he can accomplish. "Serenada Schizophrana" is a good example of starting at square one and producing a whole new world for our ears to digest. In a musical landscape as far away from mainstream, one would expect no less than ears that could digest. Mr. Elfman is always flexing his artistic muscles, we can expect more greatness in his career.

Elfman's Classical Album a Must Have.......2007-03-20

This is vintage Danny Elfman but on the grand level of a full orchestral classical recording. I played this for my students, and they love the dark recording. A fantastic album.

Danny Elfman's masterpiece..........2007-02-14

Danny Elfman has long been a favorite of mine, going all the way back to his days with Oingo Boingo. I've been following his career closely since I heard his Beetlejuice score in 1988. He followed it with the classic Batman score in 1989. He made wonderful music throughout the nineties, often accompanying Tim Burton's films (he scored all of them save for Ed Wood). In my opinion, it took until 1999 to surpass his work on Batman, with the release of the Sleepy Hollow soundtrack. And now, with the release of Serenada Schizophrana, Sleepy Hollow has been dethroned. It'll take an impressive score to take this last composition's place.

This orchestral suite showcases Elfman's versatile influences and he sounds better than ever. Sometimes dark, other times playful with more quiet and subtle parts, this was a completely different project than his usual film scores. He had a lot of freedom for this symphony and it shows. Serenada is divided in 7 movements and contains a bonus track.

If some of the cuts sound familiar, it's because it was heavily featured in last year's Imax film Deep Sea 3D, narrated by Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet. It fit perfectly well with the mysterious underwater world unfolding in 3D on the oversized screen.

If you're a fan of Elfman's, you'll love Serenada. If you love movie scores, chances are you'll enjoy it too. The only downside with this CD has nothing to do with its content, but rather with its encoding. This is a SACD (Super Audio CD) and therefore will not be playable on your computer. It is designed for super audio players so you might want to check if your CD player can play it. It plays fine on mine and on my DVD player. The sound quality is much clearer than your average CD, but I find it disappointing that I'm not able to listen to this great suite on my IPod. Still, it's well worth it for the opening track alone!

Average customer rating:

Outstanding music marred by weak mixing
Not Perfect, but VERY Good!
Like a live best of
Susan Tedeski Rocks!
Susan Tedeschi-live from Austin

Live From Austin TX
Susan Tedeschi
Manufacturer: New West Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00064VKYK
Release Date: 2004-11-02

Tracks:

You Can Make It If You Try
The Feeling Music Brings
Alone
Wait For Me
Hampmotized
Love's In Need Of Love Today
Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
Voodoo Woman
In The Garden
Gonna Move
Wrapped In The Arms Of Another
It Hurts So Bad
Lost Lover Blues
I Feel In Love
Angel From Montgomery

Amazon.com

In this 2003 performance from the Austin City Limits series (also available on DVD), New England's Susan Tedeschi demonstrates a range that extends well beyond her blues base. Following the blueprint employed by Bonnie Raitt a few decades earlier, she covers John Prine's "Angel from Montgomery" (a signature tune for Raitt), inserting a snippet from the Grateful Dead's "Sugaree." The piano balladry of her "Wrapped in the Arms of Another" could fit just fine on a Raitt album. The set also finds her sampling from the songbooks of Sly Stone ("You Can Make It If You Try"), Bob Dylan ("Don't Think Twice, It's All Right"), and Stevie Wonder ("Love's in Need of Love Today"), in addition to the more straightforward blues of Koko Taylor ("Voodoo Woman"). Though Tedeschi's stinging lead guitar provides the focus, she receives strong support from a band featuring the interplay of electric pianist Jason Crosby (who doubles on violin) and William Green on Hammond B-3 organ. Highlights include a tribute to jam-band inspiration Col. Bruce Hampton on "Hampmotized" and the simmering "Wait for Me," with its echoes of Aretha Franklin. Tedeschi has yet to show the suppleness as a vocalist to complement her guitar chops, but the musical range she displays here bodes well for her artistic development. --Don McLeese

Customer Reviews:

Outstanding music marred by weak mixing.......2006-12-31

I've been a Susan Tedeschi fan for a while, and I was so excited to get this album for Christmas -- and overall, it's great music. Tedeschi is an outstanding blues/rock musician, and she's in great form with this recording from Austin City Limits.

I was really surprised, though, when I popped it in and heard nothing but Tedeschi's singing and the organ/synth. Yeah, the drums are present. During solos, you can sort of hear Tedeschi's excellent guitar. But the predominant instrument in the mix is that ever-present synth, and that is just not the right mix for her music.

Tedeschi is so good that this album is still excellent -- but more for the hard-core fans who can appreciate the alternate sound. The recording/mixing wasn't up to par, so if you've never heard Tedeschi before, go with one of her studio albums.

Not Perfect, but VERY Good!.......2006-06-11

Ms Tedeschi's rendition of "Angel From Montgomery" is worth the price of this CD. WONDERFUL!!! As great as Bonie Raitt does with the old John Prine tune, Tedeschi does better. Soulful and full of emotion. You feel the emptiness and the desire for that reprive. Just great!

Like a live best of.......2006-02-08

With material from all her earlier CDs and a Sly and Family Stone cover not previously available, this serves as a live greatest hits or best of. I've seen her a few times live and this is very represenataive of her concert work also. The guitar work is fine but you can see the later material is emphasizing her vocals more than her playing.

Susan Tedeski Rocks!.......2005-10-02

This is a fabulous CD of some of Susan's best songs! GREAT music with GREAT vocals as well as GREAT "jammin"!!! When you play it in your car, play it loud with the windows down to really appreciate it!!!! You'll be "jammin", too!!

Susan Tedeschi-live from Austin.......2005-08-24

Seeing is better than just hearing; get the DVD version of this and see her blow away the blues. Her speaking voice is deceiving of her singing voice but style and skill all the way.
She is another pioneer woman in the blues world and has proven herself skilled and talented.
A must "see".....

Flower Drum Song (1958 Original Broadway Cast)

Average customer rating:

this album is blossoming with good music......
A very fine score
Wonderful R & H
Miyoshi Umeki, Arabella Hong and the OBC
Sparkling cast album from Columbia Broadway Masterworks

Flower Drum Song (1958 Original Broadway Cast)
Oscar Hammerstein II
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000J28P
Release Date: 1999-05-18

Tracks:

Act 1: Overture
Act 1: You Are Beautiful
Act 1: A Hundred Million Miracles
Act 1: I Enjoy Being A Girl
Act 1: I Am Going To Like It Here
Act 1: Like A God
Act 1: Chop Suey
Act 1: Don't Marry Me
Act 1: Grant Avenue
Act 1: Love, Look Away
Act 1: At The Celestial Bar
Act 1: Entr'acte
Act 2: The Other Generation
Act 2: Sunday
Act 2: The Other Generation (Reprise)
Act 2: Wedding Parade/A Hundred Million Miracles (Reprise)

Customer Reviews:

this album is blossoming with good music.............2007-06-06

I was introduced to the original cast of FLOWER DRUM SONG, as a small child, on vinyl. For me, some of the songs (written by Rodgers & Hammerstein) made such an impression that I memorized them in record time and sang them to myself quite loudly! It wasn't until later that I came to recognize the themes of intergenerational and intercultural tensions that arise in this story, set in San Francisco's Chinatown. The original cast shines here, with some of the finest jazzy vocals (including Juanita Hall and Pat Suzuki).

We see an example of a more "traditional" woman, just arriving in the United States from China (played by Miyoshi Umeki) and a modernized woman (Pat Suzuki). They both sing songs that reflect their natures ("I Am Going to Like It Here," is sung by the newly-arrived Mei Li and "I Enjoy Being a Girl" is sung by the fiesty Linda Low, who juggles boyfriends like balls in the air). There are also numerous songs reflecting the tensions ("The Other Generation," "Love Look Away") and joys ("Sunday," "You Are Beautiful") experienced by a community of people brought together by culture, yet divided by cultural awareness and experience.

Though, some may criticize FLOWER DRUM SONG for its stereotypical depictions of the "generic" and presumed Asian experience, I found that the musical possesses a lot of heart and the music totally memorable. I can still remember the lyrics to some of the songs--especially, "I Enjoy Being a Girl," which is really an anthem to all women who enjoy being who they are (yes, it is decidedly "anti-feminist" in nature, but it's fun and upbeat). You will enjoy this, too. Pat Suzuki, a legend in the jazz scene, was a great performer and brought such sass and sauciness to her role as Linda Low here, as well as Jack Soo (BARNEY MILLER), who appeared in this musical. Give it a chance and I think you will enjoy it.

A very fine score.......2007-03-29

The first instinct is to lump this with flops like "Allegro" thanks to its trouble-plagued casting and staging; but all things told (not least of which R&H's hospital stays during production) it's a very fine and apt score, with one of their best songs, the ethereal "Love, Look Away", the sort of thing with its slow, swingy rhythm that should have spread to the world of close harmony (i.e., the doo-woppers) but never did. Hammerstein did some of his most ingenious lyric writing, searching out new rhythms and templates. He must also take blame for turning "I Enjoy Being a Girl" into too much the cross of "A Wonderful Guy" and "Honey Bun" (and yes, someone should have instructed Pat Suzuki about her bikini), and one wonders what if anything went through Oscar's head as he wrote the dummy-like list for "Chop Suey": "Harry Truman, Truman Ca-POAT and Dewey....Hear that lovely 'La Paloma'/Lullaby by Perry COMA...." (Listen for yourself -- this is precisely how the great Juanita Hall sings it.) With R&H one member of the partnership almost always pulled the other out of the muck, and however dubious the project (the politically-correct revival underlined that) they almost always found it within them to create haunting and invigorating tunes -- as most certainly here.

Wonderful R & H.......2006-07-24

Even though FDS was not their biggest hit (still a success by the standards of the day), it did not get great reviews (imagine that, compared to so much that has come since.)And there have been many, many shows with music that has barely survived that were bona fide hits. Hum a tune from Two Gentlemen of Verona? Or The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Oh, to have this quality today!

Miyoshi Umeki, Arabella Hong and the OBC.......2004-08-15

FLOWER DRUM SONG is one of the small gems in the canon of Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals. The score contains some fabulous numbers, including the well-known "I Enjoy Being a Girl", though there is also the heartbreaking 11 o'clock number "Love, Look Away" (which must surely count as one of the duo's best ballads), and rousing numbers like "Grant Avenue".

Miyoshi Umeki has charm and joy to spare in her performance as Mei-Li, the young woman who enters the United States illegally, in order to submit to a forced marriage. Pat Suzuki plays the brash Linda Low, a sexy nightclub entertainer. The cast also includes Juanita Hall (SOUTH PACIFIC), Arabella Hong, Keye Luke and Larry Blyden. The original Broadway production was directed by Gene Kelly but by all accounts it was choreographer Carol Haney who was the real creative heart of the piece. FLOWER DRUM SONG was a modest success, running 600 performances.

Sparkling cast album from Columbia Broadway Masterworks.......2004-01-26

Another example of how record producer Goddard Lieberson could elevate even so-so material and make it sound like a smash hit. The whole disc sparkles!

FLOWER DRUM SONG was NOT a smash hit. It got respectful though not terribly enthusiastic reviews and played out a successful run. The weakness was the book which borrowed too little of C.Y Lee's novel and is filled with weak (some say offensive) stereotype jokes. Hammerstein had a gem of a concept that is blown away in a few minor scenes...that the traditional immigrant parents want to hold onto tradition, while their americanized offspring want to follow modern local customs.
(FIDDLER ON THE ROOF would explore this theme much more fully.)

Still, the whole show was helped to no small extent by the songs and since that is all there is on the record, it actually makes for a highly enjoyable listen.

Miyoshi Umeki as the shy Mei Li contrasts nicely with brassy Pat Suzuki as nightclub singer Linda Low. There is less contrast between Ed Kenny as Wang Ta and Larry Blyden as Sammy Fong, possibly because the men get less of the score. The supporting cast, however, get a good share of the music: Juanita Hall leads the ensemble in "Chop Suey" and duets with Keye Luke lamenting the attitudes of "The Other Gereneration." Arabella Hong does a beautiful job with "Love Look Away" the show's standout ballad, though her character barely registers in the script. (In the novel, Ta's rejection leads her to suicide. In the musical she just disappears after her big number!)

There is a detailed synopsis in the CD booklet if you want to know how the plot ties all these songs together, but it is one of those cast albums where a synopsis is hardly necessary.

The book is in need of a re-write perhaps using more of the Lee novel as its source. The recent Broadway revival used a totally new story and re-allocated the songs. While the new version has its admirers, it is no more related to this FLOWER DRUM SONG than CRAZY FOR YOU relates to GIRL CRAZY..which is to say hardly at all.

The London cast (now out-of-print, but formerlly on Angel) is less impressive. However the movie sountrack (Decca Broadway) has some tasty new orchestrations and retains all but one song from the stage show, so that CD is worth getting...but start with this original cast disc first.

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