At Home [Import] [Original recording remastered]

at home [import] [original recording remastered]

Track Listings

1. Morning

2. Time

3. Bird Song

4. My Own Beat

5. Something on My Mind

6. Mouse

7. Ode to Drugan

8. Putting Myself Together Again

9. Mr. Bojangles

10. Country Song

11. Heaven Knows (Where I've Been)

12. Clover

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Japanese Digitally Remastered Limited Edition Issue of the Album Classic in a Deluxe, Miniaturized LP Sleeve Replica of the Original Vinyl Album Artwork.

At Home,Lambert & Nuttycombe,Universal Japan,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop

At Home [Import] [Original recording remastered]

The Rocky Horror Show (2000 Broadway Revival Cast)

Average customer rating:

One of my favorite cast recordings
Thougt You Were The Candyman Didn't ya freggy!
The Rockiest Recording to Date
Good recording, bad show.
Oh Daphne!

The Rocky Horror Show (2000 Broadway Revival Cast)
Alice Ripley , Tom Hewitt , Raul Esparza , Sebastian Lacause , Jarrod Emick , Lea Delaria , Daphne Rubin-Vega , and Richard O'Brien
Manufacturer: RCA Victor Broadway
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Rocky Horror Show (Original 1973 London Cast - Rhino)
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ASIN: B00005B605
Release Date: 2001-05-15

Tracks:

Overture
Science Fiction Double Feature
Damn It, Janet
Over At The Frankenstein Place
Time Warp
Sweet Transvestite
The Sword Of Damocles
I Can Make You A Man
Hot Patootie
I Can Make You A Man (reprise)
Touch-A-Touch-A-Touch Me
Once In A While
Eddie's Teddy
Planet Schmanet-Wise Up Janet Weiss
Floor Show/Rose Tint My World
I'm Going Home
Spaceship
Super Heroes
Science Fiction Double Feature (reprise)
Time Warp (reprise)

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

The movie version of The Rocky Horror Show has turned into such an enduring cult success that it has pretty much obliterated the fact that it all started with a stage show. And now Richard O'Brien's musical is back on stage, where some say it truly belongs (it was nominated for the category Best Revival of a Musical in the 2001 Tony Awards). With a great cast that includes Dick Cavett, Alice Ripley (Janet), Tom Hewitt (Frank 'N' Furter), and Daphne Rubin-Vega (Magenta), the revival fires on all cylinders. Note that while Joan Jett was in the cast as Columbia, she's not on the CD (Kristen Lee Kelly is). But Lea DeLaria, last seen stealing the show in On the Town, more than compensates by playing both Eddie (Meat Loaf in the movie!) and Dr. Scott--and doing great by both. As a bonus, the song "Once in a While" is back after being cut from the movie. Bursting with energy, this recording brings the rock back in Rocky. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

One of my favorite cast recordings.......2007-01-17

This was the first Rocky Horror album I've ever listened to besides the movie soundtrack. Despite the lack of Joan Jett as Columbia and the 2nd Usherette, this album is sweet. Daphne-Rubin Vega is perfect as Magenta. And Tom Hewlett 's interpretation as Frank N. Furter is just in sync with the character. But he's still no Tim Curry. And the rest of the cast is sublime. And with Dick Cavett as the Criminologist and famed lesbian comedienne Lea DeLaria as both Eddie and Dr. Scott is just excellent.

Thougt You Were The Candyman Didn't ya freggy!.......2006-06-22

I thought that this was gonna be just another edition of the Rocky Horror Show.But boy was I wrong.I loved it they really modernized and gave it more of a Rock flavor than in the original play which was more pop.I just loved how they had the Overture and Space shipa partof the cd.They really recreated great for broadway.When i heard that broadway was doing Then Rocky Horror Show I didn't know what to think.Because Rocky Horror had been an off-broadway show for many years.The thought of it being onBroadway was just amazing Because people back in the 70's and 80's always thought that The Rocky Horror Show was much too trashy to be put on Broadway.Because you always think about broadway plays as being classy and eligent.They didn't want a play about Sex and Horror and Gay Transvestites.But this was just a head turner.I loved it.It's definitely 5 stars.The cd quality was great.It was so professionally done and it was great.I think any RHS Fan will love it.This was no candyman!

The Rockiest Recording to Date.......2006-06-07

This 2000 Broadway revival of the cult classic THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW boasts a completely re-vamped orchestration of Richard O'Brien's score. This is certainly the most rock-fused version of these songs to date, and right from the "Overture" the listener can assume this. Many may not be able to accept this harder, bolder score and I myself am a bit skeptical, considering the more piano-driven and sci-fi sounding orchestrations of the film soundtrack or Roxy cast recording. However, it is so interesting to hear these songs done like this that I cannot help but enjoy it. The performances are half-and-half. Daphne Rubin-Vega belts out the opening number in that great gravelly voice she has, and Raul Esparzza sends chills down my spine every time I hear his two great solo moments ("The darkness must flow down the river...." and "Frank 'N' Furter, it's all over..."). Sebastian LaCause is amazing as Rocky, as thankless a part that is. Eddie and Dr. Scott being portrayed by a woman (Lea DeLaria) is one of the strangest casting decisions ever and is too distracting to be able to even listen to her (his? I don't know!!!) songs: "Hot Patootie" and "Eddie's Teddy." Tom Hewitt does his best as Frank 'N' Furter, but the character was so well defined by Tim Curry in the film (one of the most underrated performances ever) that one can't help but ignore him. I'd say that this recording is something every ROCKY HORROR fan should listen to; it just all depends on whether you like the new or original orchestrations.

Good recording, bad show........2006-03-10

Rocky Horror is an American institution. It's indelible, unforgettable, and entirely unique. But without the audience participation, the show is revealed - it's simply not very good. It's a passable (if dated) parody of '50s B-movies with a transvestite main character and some halfway decent songs. The show lives with and dies without an audience. The lyrics, the characters - nothing is half as fun without the audience throwing and shouting and bantering right along.

That said, this is a VERY good recording of what's there. Tom Hewitt does as good a job as anyone trying to fill Tim Curry's sequined heels, and brings some nice twists to the table instead of going the Curry-imitation route. Raul Esparza as Riff-Raff is electric - his rendition of "Time Warp" is unlike anything else you're likely to hear on a cast recording. He blasts it right into outer space, screaming like the world's going to end. Daphne Rubin-Vega is plenty of fun as Columbia, giving a nicely sinuous and raw-edged sexiness to the role. The orchestra gives their all to the new arrangements, and they sound crystal clear.

It's definitely the best recording of the show available, even sans Tim Curry.

Oh Daphne!.......2005-12-29

Most of the reviews have it right here - this production wasn't really Rocky at it's best. That being said, I must say that Daphne Ruben-Vega as magenta is probably one of the most interesting, refreshing, and note worthy things about this recording. Very cool in that regard.

That's All...

Average customer rating:

Oldie, but Goodie
Once lost, now found and reissued on CD.
THOU SWELL. THE YANKEE WINS AGAIN!
A Lost Gem
Not complete and NOT first CD version

A Connecticut Yankee
Broadway Revival Cast
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00005A8KC
Release Date: 2001-03-06

Tracks:

A Connecticut Yankee: Overture
A Connecticut Yankee: My Heart Stood Still
A Connecticut Yankee: Thou Swell
A Connecticut Yankee: On A Desert Island With Thee
A Connecticut Yankee: To Keep My Love Alive
A Connecticut Yankee: Can't You Do A Friend A Favor?
A Connecticut Yankee: I Feel At Home With You
A Connecticut Yankee: You Always Love The Same Girl
A Connecticut Yankee: Finale
Higher And Higher (Selections): Nothing But You
Higher And Higher (Selections): Ev'ry Sunday Afternoon
Higher And Higher (Selections): From Another World
Higher And Higher (Selections): It Never Entered My Mind
By Jupiter (Selections): Careless Rhapsody
By Jupiter (Selections): Jupiter Forbid
By Jupiter (Selections): Ev'rything I Got
By Jupiter (Selections): Nobody's Heart

Customer Reviews:

Oldie, but Goodie.......2006-08-01

Well, I was not expecting to like this one. Its SO old, and very classic (Rodgers and Hart.) But one good thing about it being Rodgers and Hart, is it has lovely lyrics. Clever and witty on every song. Mark Twains book was done justice I think, but I've never read the book. I would suggest this to classic lovers, and newer Broadway fans who want to hear a`"classic" other than Oklahoma. This is a good one. The other great thing about this CD is you get not only A Connecticut Yankee, but also highlights from two other Rodgers and Hart musicals: Higher and Higher and By Jupiter. AWSOME. Favorite Song: "To Keep My Love Alive"

Once lost, now found and reissued on CD........2005-06-03

One of Decca's earliest cast albums (recorded just a few weeks after their famous OKLAHOMA! album) this very nearly became a lost treasure. Recorded on 16" glass masters in 1943, the original release was on 78 RPMS (complete witha booklet givinga detailed synopsis and all the lyrics.) The revival was not a success and when Long Playing records were introduced in the late 1940s, CONNECTICUT YANKEE was not reissued in the new format.

At one time in the 1960s Decca had the masters transferred to tape for a possible LP reissue. That reissue never happened, and in shipping the discs back to the storage facility, they were broken. The tape was taken from the company's archives and did not turn up until almost 30 years later. Though modern technology could probably have coaxed even better sound from the master discs, we must be thankful that the tape was made when it was.

In the meanwhile there were three unautherized isses of these tracks. A new York based private label called Box Office transferred the 78's to one side of an Lp in the 1970s. Later, AEI released an elaborate gatefold Lp with not only the full score (again dubbed from 78s) but also fabricated some additional tracks reprising some of the songs (in theatrical order) by editing portions from the existing tracks. Finally there was a release on CD from Box Office with horrible sound that stil sometimes turns up for sale. Avoid it. Decca actually sent a request that Box Office withdraw the bootleg Cd.

This edition has much better sound and the bonus tracks by Hildegard and Shirley Ross from BY JUPITER and HIGHER AND HIGHER make the package very worthwhile.

THOU SWELL. THE YANKEE WINS AGAIN!.......2003-02-09

"A Connecticut Yankee," by Lorenz Hart and Richard Rodgers, contains more hit songs than the average Broadway season nowadays. "My Heart Stood," "Still," "Thou Swell" and the redoubtable "To Keep My Love Alive" all sound fresh and vibrant in this fabulously remastered 1943 recording. Particularly wonderful is the total and complete recording of "To Keep My Love Alive," sung by the one great (female) love of the Lyricist's life, Vivienne Segal ... nearly seven minutes of the wittiest ways to do in a husband. This is one of the first "original cast" recordings ever recorded, and it sounds as crisp and clear as a recording made today. Bravo! (Submitted by staff member Stephen J. Finn)

A Lost Gem.......2002-01-17

A wonderful rerelease of glass discs made for the 1943 revival of this charming musical. While the orchestra is less than polished (there is one particular trumpet you can hear over and over that is awful and flat!)--it has a lot of zest to it, and makes one yearn to see the play - indeed, to see more of the Rodgers and Hart shows performed.

Not complete and NOT first CD version.......2001-08-19

This CD collection of tracks from the 1943 revival of the Rodgers & Hart musical is advertised as the first CD presentation of these tracks. This is incorrect. I have a CD issued in 1999 by Box Office Recordings called "A Collector's Rodgers & Hart" which contains all the "Connecticut Yankee" tracks plus 14 additional tracks of Rodgers & Hart covers (different from the covers on the Decca CD).

Worse, I have an AEI LP recording of the revival which has three additional tracks from the show. Why weren't these selections included in this recording?

Tracks:

Prologue
Valjean's Soliloquy (What Have I Done?)
At The End Of The Day
I Dreamed A Dream
Lovely Ladies
Fantine's Arrest
The Runaway Cart
Who Am I?-The Trial
Fantine's Death
The Confrontation
Castle On A Cloud
Master Of The House

Tracks:

The Bargain-The Waltz Of Treachery
Look Down
The Robbery-Javert's Intervention (Another Brawl)
Stars
Eponine's Errand
The ABC Cafe-Red And Black
Do You Hear The People Sing?
Rue Plumet-In My LIfe
A Heart Full Of Love
The Attack On Rue Plumet
One Day More!
At The Barricade (Upon These Stones)
On My Own
Building The Barricade
Javert's Arrival
Little People
A Little Fall Of Rain
Night Of Anguish
First Attack

Tracks:

Drink With Me
Bring Him Home
Dawn Of Anguish
The Second Attack (Death Of Gavroche)
The Final Battle
The Sewers-Dog Eats Dog
Javert's Suicide
Turning
Empty Chairs At Empty Tables
Every Day (Marius And Cosette)
Valjean's Confession
The Wedding Chorale- Beggars At The Feast
Epilogue (Finale)
Bonus Track

Customer Reviews:

Great, definitely go with this and TAC.......2005-08-31

Right now, there are four official English-language versions of Les Miserables: the Original London Cast Recording, the Original Broadway Cast Recording, the Complete Symphonic Recording, and the 10th Anniversary Concert Recording. Les Mis' addicts are best served by purchasing all recordings, as they showcase different stages (as in the OLC and the OBC) of the development of this mega-musical, as well as the interesting variations in presentation and performances by the different casts and orchestras.

If you're the average musical-theater listener who can't afford to buy all available English-language recordings, however, my advice would be to get the CSR (due to the fact that it's "complete") and the TAC recording (due to the fact that performer- and performance-wise, it's leaps and bounds better than all of the other recordings). You deserve no less.

Awesome.......2005-07-03

I can't believe all the negative comments about Gary Morris. He is so much better in the role than Colm Wilkinson. I've seen Gary perform the part three times and there is NO better Jean ValJean (seen the play 14 times). It's an international cast and some of the accents do take time getting used to. But the power of the music supercedes it all. Listen with your heart people. It's so incredible.

Bought it used - thank God!.......2005-06-17

"Les Miserables" is a marvelous musical; a stunningly faithful interpretation of Victor Hugo's masterpiece, with an inspiring storyline and unforgettable characters. There are 2 reasons for buying a Les Mis CD - (1) you've seen a performance and want ONE CD to remind you of it or (2) you've become a les Mis junkie (like me) and want multiple versions so you too can hold forth on the rival merits of Andy Warlow vs Michael Maguire, Patty LuPone vs Ruthie Henshaw, Frances Ruffelle vs Kaho Shimada vs Lea Solonga. If you are in the first category, you really want the Tenth Anniversary Concert. The TAC has the complete storyline (albeit slightly abridged), it was recorded live (so there's an unique intensity and chemistry between performers), and from top to bottom it has by far the best cast.

However, if you're a serious Les Mis fan, you should buy this CD (in addition), simply because it does have the complete score. (The trouble with THAT is that it includes practically the only misstep in the whole script - if Jean Valjean has his number branded on his chest, then how is it credible that someone else will be convicted in his place?) I bought it for that reason and to hear other interpretations of the roles (in particular Andy Warlow's). I have all 4 versions, and they have all have their pluses and minuses, but frankly, I'm glad I didn't pay full price for this one. This version has a rather weak cast in general, but that does add to the fun arguing about it. On the plus side, it has Philip Quast ( THE BEST Javert, but he's even better on the TAC), Michael Ball (THE BEST Marius, also on the OLC and TAC versions), and Andy Warlow (a stirring Enjorlas for sure, but not THAT much better than Michael Maguire on the OBC and TAC). The scenes at the barricade are the best part of the CD. Kaho Shimada is an uneven Eponine, OK sometimes, less so at others. Debbie Byrne (Fantine) is OK, but I don't find her as moving as Patty LuPone (OLC) or Ruthie Henshaw (TAC). Tracy Shayne (Cosette) is irratating, not nearly as sweet as Judy Kuhn (OLB and TAC) or even Rebecca Caine (OLC). I find Barry James and especially Gay Soper (M. and Mme. Thenardier) grating as well.

I really miss Colm Wilkinson (OLC, OBC and TAC). OK, he has a unique singing style, but such heart. Not always perfect, but so powerful and emotional. All his solos and "Confrontation" just stop me dead in my tracks. The sweetness and purity of his "Bring Him Home" and "Epilogue" move me to tears. But really, there must be someone else who can do at least an adequate job or the show wouldn't have run so long in so many venues. I am willing to listen to another interpretation, but not this one. This is the central role in the play, it really can't survive without a good performance here. Gary Morris is horrible as Jean Valjean, cringe-provoking at times, merely weak at others. He's totally overmatched by Quast in "Confrontation" and by everyone in "One Day More" and "Epilogue". I haven't tried the recommendation of one reviewer of listening while squinting and shaking my head hard, but I don't see how that will help. Morris's "What have I done?", "Bring Him Home" and "Valjean's Confession" make me cover my ears or send me running for the fast forward button, although "Who am I?" isn't so bad. (I just tried the head shaking trick, it didn't help.)

magnificent!.......2005-06-15

Ok, I admit it. I have long been a fan of musicals, but I was only exposed to Les Mis a few months ago. My roommate loaned me this recording, and I fell in love. I played nothing but this soundtrack for the next several weeks.

As this is the only recording I've heard fully, I cannot give any comparisons between the performers here and those on other versions, but I do wish to give my general impression of the cast.

*Gary Morris (Valjean) - he has a strong, clear voice with which it is hard to find fault. He sings with emotion and passion, and I cannot imagine ever tiring of hearing him as Jean Valjean. If I had to give a complaint, it would be that I could imagine a voice with a little more distinct character...something a little riskier for the part of someone so complex.

*Philip Quast (Javert) - wow, I love deep voices, and his is so rich! I love when he hits the low note near the beginning of "Confrontation" ...I've seriously replayed that part over and over again just because it sends shivers through me...haha, I think you get the idea. This guy is good.

*Debbie Byrne (Fantine) - her voice took some getting used to because at first it seemed to me a little uncontrolled, almost like she could capture the fullness of the sound but not quite hit the notes. However, the more I listen to her, the more I enjoy her. Her voice has a wonderful texture, something you totally miss when listening to the super-clear, trilling sopranos that seem to be found all over most other musicals.

*Kaho Shimada (Eponine) - her voice took a little getting used to as well. I was a little confused until I realized she was Japanese, for though I wouldn't say you hear an accent, her voice does have a very different quality to it. Still, I enjoyed her performance very much. Her voice is trembling with emotion the entire time, almost like she can hardly control it...it is quite moving.

*Tracy Shayne (Cosette) - wow. I'm sorry, is Cosette supposed to be this shrill? Turn it off! While I'm impressed at some of the notes she hits, I don't think it's supposed to make you want to cover your ears.

*Michael Ball (Marius) -Ball makes Marius, a rather annoying character if you ask me, into someone actually likable, if not lovable. He's passionate and romantic, but not vapid. Probably my favorite vocal performance.

*Gay Soper and Barry James (the Thernardiers) - their voices are rather grating, but that's the point, right? Very entertaining performances...particularly in "Master of the House" (which, it's true, somehow manages to be stuck in your head all day).

*Anthony Warlow (Enjorolas) - very appropriate voice...manly and vibrant. If he doesn't make you want to go out and fight, then there's no help for you!

Overall, the performances were wonderful. I highly recommend this CD. A great recording of a great musical!

Mixed Feelings.......2005-04-20

I bought this recently, and it was an object lesson in why I ought to research an item before purchasing it.

For me, it's truly a toss-up as to whether this is a recording worth purchasing. The main benefit-a far from insignificant one-is that it is a complete recording full of much more materiel than can be found on the London or Broadway cast recordings. Basically, I was far from satisfied. The liner notes are error ridden, and the casting was not as good as possible. Gary Morris struck me as too young for the part, and Gay Soper (Mme. Thenardier) has a voice akin to the sound of fingernails on a chalkboard. But, in the absence of a complete Broadway recording, this still may be the best version available to buy. Be sure, however, to supplement it with another version. (The Tenth Anniversary recording might be the best.)

Average customer rating:

This Is the Army & Call Me Mister

Manufacturer: Jasmine Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00006J9M1
Release Date: 2002-11-19

Tracks:

Overture: This Is The Army, Mr. Jones/I Left My Heart At The Stage Door/Canteen/That Russian Winter/This Is The Army, Mr. Jones (Reprise) - All-Soldier Chorus
This Is The Army, Mr. Jones - Irving Berlin & Chorus
I'm Getting Tired So I Can Sleep - Private Stuart Churchill
I Left My Heart At The Stage Door Canteen - Corporal Earl Oxford
Dialog With Staff Sergent Ezra Stone, Corporal Philip Truex & Private Julie Oshins - Staff Sergent Ezra Stone
The Army's Made A Man Out Of Me - Staff Sergent Ezra Stone
What The Well Dressed Man In Harlem Will Wear - Corporal James 'Stump' Cross
How About A Cheer For The Navy - All-Soldier Chorus
American Eagles/With My Head In The Clouds - Soldier Chorus
Oh, How I Hate To Get Up In The Morning - Irving Berlin
My British Buddy - Irving Berlin & Chorus
This Time - Cote Glee Club
Going Home Train - Lawrence Winters & Male Chorus
Along With Me - Danny Scholl
Little Surplus Me - Betty Garrett
The Red Ball Express - Male Quartet
Military Life - Harry Clark
Yuletide, Park Avenue - Betty Garrett
When We Meet Again - Paula Bane
The Face On The Dime - Lawrence Winters
South America, Take It Away - Betty Garrett
Call Me Mister - Bill Callaghan

At Home Abroad (1935 Broadway Cast) - Dietz & Schwartz

Average customer rating:

FROM THE GOLDEN AGE OF THE BROADWAY REVUE . . .

At Home Abroad (1935 Broadway Cast) - Dietz & Schwartz

Manufacturer: Aei Records/Record Depot
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000JJXV
Release Date: 2006-08-08

Tracks:

Get Away From It All
The Survey
That's Not Cricket
Dinner Napkins
Hottentot Potentate
Paree
Trains
Thief in the Night
Love is a Dancing Thing
Entr'acte
What a Wonderful World
You May Be Far Away From Me
Loadin' Time
The Steamboat Whistle
Get Yourself a Geisha
Got a Bran' New Suit
Repeated Tracks in the Original, Non-Restored Sound
Repeated Tracks in the Original, Non-Restored Sound
Repeated Tracks in the Original, Non-Restored Sound
Repeated Tracks in the Original, Non-Restored Sound

Customer Reviews:

FROM THE GOLDEN AGE OF THE BROADWAY REVUE . . . .......2005-12-15

Printed on the back of the jacket for AT HOME ABROAD, in very tiny letters, is the following: "This Recording is a presentation of The Council for Musical Theatre, a NON-profit Educational Foundation, the Aims of which are to Promote and Preserve Musical Theatre and to Educate the public in this regard. As part of its Educational Programme, limited editions of historic recordings not generally available from commercial sources are made available to those engaged in academic research, education and comment with regard to Musical Theatre."

So be forewarned: This is an "historic" recording! Therefore, you are going to experience tinny sound, pitch variations, and indecipherable lyrics, in spite of the digital remastering. For sound comparison, the producers have repeated three tracks in the "original, non-restored sound." I also appreciate their including alternate takes from later recordings when appropriate.

Because of its sound quality, (it was, after all, recorded in 1935), this recording probably won't win a lot of fans. In spite of that, it does have its moments: "Dinner Napkins," a hilarious sketch with Beatrice Lillie, Reginald Gardiner, Eddie Foy, Jr., and James MacColl; Ms. Lillie gives "Paree" her considerable "all;" "You May Be Far Away from Me" is Ms. Lillie and Mr. Gardiner's amusing parody of `Brief Encounter; and Ms. Lillie's delivery of "Get Yourself a Geisha" is beyond compare, even though some of the lyrics might be considered offensive by today's standards. Also included is a radio sketch, "Just a Gigolo," with Bing Crosby and Tallulah Bankhead, which perhaps is included because a recording of the original "Gigolo Business" sketch wasn't available. Incidentally, "Just a Gigolo" occupies track 20 on the disc, although the jacket lists only 19 selections.

When AT HOME ABROAD, a Musical Holiday with words and Music by Howard Deitz and Arthur Schwartz opened at The Winter Garden Theatre on September 19, 1935, America - indeed, the world - was just beginning to dig out from under the Great Depression. Money was scarce, even for producers of Broadway musicals. The Depression not only stifled the U.S. economy, it slowed down the innovation of the Broadway musical. Angels were few and far between for the traditional "book" musical. As a result, the musical revue, with its lower production costs and its backward look to the varied sketches and musical set pieces of Vaudeville, became the staple of the 30s musical theater. Irving Berlin, Charles Tobias, Sammy Fain, Harold Rome, Howard Dietz and Arthur Schwartz, among others, contributed words and music to the Golden Age of the Broadway Revue.

"Composer Arthur Schwartz was trained as a lawyer, and lyricist Howard Dietz had a day job as MGM's advertising manager (he created the famous lion), but when they began collaborating at the end of the 1920s, they made beautiful music together. They rode in on the coattails of the 'Little Shows,' intimate, sophisticated revues that gave audiences some relief from the bombast of Ziegfeld and White. The team found its true voice in four revues from 1930 to 1935 -- 'Three's a Crowd,' 'The Band Wagon,' 'Flying Colors,' and 'At Home Abroad.' Dietz also contributed sketches and direction to many of their shows." [Quoted from "Rise of the Revue" by Laurence Maslon, commenting on Broadway: The American Musical (PBS)]

The Schwartz and Dietz score also included ample showpieces for vocalist Ethel Waters (`Thief in the Night,' `Hottentot Potentate'), and dancer Eleanor Powell joined forces with Ms. Waters on `Got a Bran' New Suit," which was recorded by Fats Waller on August 20, 1935. With this show Vincente Minnelli not only designed the settings and costumes, but he also made his debut as a Broadway director.

Historically important? Yes. (4 stars) Will I listen to it again? Probably not. (1 star). Therefore, an overall 2 stars. You may feel differently. If you're interested in this or any other recording from AEI, e-mail them at AEIRecords@aol.com.

This Is the Army / Call Me Mister / Winged Victory

Average customer rating:

Fine music, tone-deaf pricing from Vivendi
At long last and timely to boot

This Is the Army / Call Me Mister / Winged Victory
Irving Berlin , Harold Rome , and Moss Hart
Manufacturer: Decca Broadway
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Mexican Hayride (1944 Original Broadway Cast)
Those Were Our Songs: Music of World War II

ASIN: B0000A9D1N
Release Date: 2003-07-29

Tracks:

Overture - Irving Berlin
I'm Getting Tired So I Can Sleep - Irving Berlin
I Left My Heart At The Stage Door Canteen - Irving Berlin
Ihe Army's Made A Man Out Of Me - Irving Berlin
The Army's Made A Man Out Of Me - Irving Berlin
What The Well Dressed Man In Harlem Will Wear - Irving Berlin
How Bout A Cheer For The Navy - Irving Berlin
American Eagles - Irving Berlin
Oh, How I Hate To Get Up In The Morning - Irving Berlin
Going Home Train - Harold Rome
Along With Me - Harold Rome
Little Surplus Me - Harold Rome
The Red Ball Express - Harold Rome
Military Life - Harold Rome
Yuletied, Park Avenue - Harold Rome
When We Meet Again - Harold Rome
The Face On The Dime - Harold Rome
South America, Take It Away - Harold Rome
Call Me Mister - Harold Rome
Winged Victory - Sgt. David Rose/ Winged Victory Chorus And Orchestra
My Dream Book Of Memories - Sgt. David Rose/ Winged Victory Chorus And Orchestra
The Whiffenpoof Song - Sgt. David Rose/ Winged Victory Chorus And Orchestra
The Army Air Corps - Sgt. David Rose/ Winged Victory Chorus And Orchestra

Customer Reviews:

Fine music, tone-deaf pricing from Vivendi.......2007-05-09

"This is the Army" is the first, and by far the greatest. When the word historic has lost all meaning this revue truly was -- perhaps the biggest show-biz charity fundraiser ever (for the Army Emergency Relief, which exists to this day), an incalculable morale booster on two fronts, a show whose too-small number of black players nonetheless helped break down the military's color barrier. It also sired the first major-label musical cast album; Decca rushed it into production at the end of July, 1942 to beat the AFM's notorious recording ban. That (and perhaps some reticence with an untested genre) may explain why the public only got four 10" 78s, shorter than they should have been. (Victor rushed its own studio recording into print as well, with mediocre arrangements and Fats Waller.) The following year Decca atoned for its mistake when it declared peace with the musician's union to record "Oklahoma!", making the cast album a permanent part of our musical lives. If we got only a fraction of what must have been it must have been tremendous. On the evidence this was Irving Berlin's finest score to date, and after the slog through multiple continents with a war hardened company he dug deep and wrote "Annie Get Your Gun." The tragedy is that no one tried to revive this show when enough of the boys were still alive, say in the eighties; perhaps Berlin, by then a hopeless recluse, turned it down. As touching and as stirring as these songs are it is preposterous that this score has remained all but buried since the last production in 1945. That this show is inextricably tied to a war is no excuse; the memory of a brave generation deserves better.

We go inevitably downhill from there, starting with the first track of "Call Me Mister", a postwar show with a lighter touch, and a lighter songwriter in several ways. Harold Rome could write a mean lyric, and he was good at the sort of situational humor that worked with topical shows, but despite his ambitions -- at the end of his career he foolishly adapted "Gone with the Wind" -- he just could not write the fine ballad that would have put him in the first rank. So where "This is the Army" can move the soul "Mister" just sits there, despite a haunting tribute to the "Face on the Dime." Its comic relief saves the day and it's pretty good as a recording too, as it's from 1946, and gives us a flavor of the old-time Broadway sound that makes these early albums so appealing. The four concluding sides of incidental music from Moss Hart's play "Winged Victory" are negligible. These are from David Rose, author of "Holiday for Strings" and patron saint of easy listening (until he wrote "The Stripper" and no doubt caused Red Skelton to swallow his kaddidlehopper). As might be expected from a man Spike Jones parodied he writes the most self-important music with the most showoffy grandiose charts, undercutting whatever patriotic feeling it had. His orchestral yelling even makes "The Army Air Corps" ("Off we go into the wild blue yonder") tiresome, a true negative achievement. It's easy to see why this has never been revived -- and never could be.

Despite its shortcomings of production (and in the last two works of inspiration), this is a fine and valuable recording. Which brings us to Vivendi. When the company revamped its cast-album catalog it decided to price these completely amortized albums at full-line-plus. It's especially galling here as all the selections from "This is the Army" and "Winged Victory" and at least one from "Call Me Mister" have enough surface noise and distortion to indicate they're likely from commercial pressings. Maybe Mr. Bronfman Junior needed the money for his ultimately failed investment; but such gouging underscores the contempt the record business has for its customers, whom it sees as saps whose pockets will empty endlessly when it grabs them face down by the ankles. The public is now richly returning the favor by tuning itself out to the majors and its endless parade of tunelessness. For all the gold-chained clan's howls of denial it isn't good for the record trade -- and in the end, by eviscerating the one stable source for new music, it isn't good for us.

At long last and timely to boot.......2003-09-01

Having scored a triumph during World War I with his "Yip Yip Yaphank," Irving Berlin was a natural to be asked to create a similar revue for World War II, and the all-male "This Is the Army" did very well. An original cast recording came out in 1942. The very next year, the Air Force got its chance with Moss Hart's "Winged Victory." Four of the songs appeared in boxed set of 78 rpm discs. When it was all over, the returning GI was saluted in yet another revue called "Call Me Mister." That original cast album appeared in 1946. Now you can hear them ALL on a single Decca CD (BOOOO831-02).

There is a soundtrack recording from the film "This Is the Army" that is extremely fuzzy, making this Decca release far preferable, all the more so because it does give us the original all-soldier cast that included Irving Berlin himself singing (more or less) his immortal "Oh, How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning." Other songs include "I Left My Heart at the Stage Door Canteen," "How About a Cheer For the Navy," and "American Eagles."

The focus here is how men made the transition from civilian to military life, and most of the problems they faced are mentioned in the opening number, "This Is the Army, Mr. Jones." We must also note with some sadness that the real problems of joining an army are never explicit, but the purpose of the show was to reassure and not to look at the "dark side of the force."

"Winged Victory" originally contained only two discs holding four songs: "Winged Victory," "My Dream Book of Memories," "The Whiffenpoof Song," and "The Army Air Corps." That last one thrilled my generation whenever it was played over the radio and especially during the wartime films; and it has lost none of its potency over the years. (The line about going "down in flame" still chills.) This was also the first military revue that included women, a fact which makes it even more of an historical document.

In 1946, Harold Rome lent his talents to putting together a revue for those returning to civilian life. Early in the war, Dinah Shore was able to praise "A Boy in Khaki," but Vaughn Monroe later in the war sang about looking forward to wearing "Just a Blue Serge Suit." I have a particular fondness for this set, because I owned a copy as a boy, played it to death, and eventually lost track of it. I never knew there was a 1950 LP version which included "This Is the Army," and I spent years trying to find the company that held the copyright that would get it onto a tape or (later on) a CD. So 57 years after the album first was released, my prayer has been answered!

The first number, sung by Lawrence Winters (a great portrayer of Porgy, by the way), takes place aboard a "Going Home Train" and is replete with optimism. A sketch in which a group of men are waiting to be assigned work for the day included Winter's rendition of "The Red Ball Express" on which the Black GIs carried supplies to the troops. He is the only one denied work at the end of the scene. We had an even older enemy than the Nazis to face.

A young newcomer named Betty Garrett delighted audiences with "Little Surplus Me" and "Yuletide, Park Avenue" in which many of the New York shops are mentioned in Christmas carol style. But it was her rendition of "South America, Take It Away" that brought down the house and raised her to stardom.

You get the expected comic number, "Military Life," sung by Jules Munshin (remember him from the film "On the Town"?) and two other men, while Winters sings "A Face on a Dime," a song that needs some explaining to those who were born after the minting of the "Roosevelt Dime." "Along With Me" and the full version of "When We Meet Again" are the ballads, while the title song acts as a finale number.

The press release announces, "Decca Broadway Salutes the Troops With the CD Release of Three World War II Musical Revues." The current situation, I am sure, helped prompt the release of this set; but whatever the reason, I am absolutely delighted it is finally available. The songs are mostly excellent examples of their kind, the lyrics for the most part clever and powerful, the historical value great. I really suggest that History Departments take notice and get a copy. All the textbook accounts of the war never give the human side of things, and this CD will go a long way to letting the present young generation know how we faced all-too-familiar problems back then.

Collector's Rodgers and Hart
Average customer rating:

Pretty good

Collector's Rodgers and Hart
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Box Office
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
Broadway & Vocalists | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Traditional & Vocal Pop | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00004SDBZ
Release Date: 2000-01-01

Tracks:

Overture [A Connecticut Yankee]
My Heart Stood Still [A Connecticut Yankee] - Dick Foran, Julie Warren
Thou Swell [A Connecticut Yankee] - Dick Foran, Julie Warren
On a Desert Island With Thee [A Connecticut Yankee] - Chester Stratton,
To Keep My Love Alive [From A Connecticut Yankee] - Vivienne Segal
Can't You Do a Friend a Favor? [A Connecticut Yankee] - Dick Foran, Vivienne Segal
I Feel at Home With You [A Connecticut Yankee] - Chester Stratton,
You Always Love the Same Girl [A Connecticut Yankee] - Dick Foran
Finale [A Connecticut Yankee] - Dick Foran, Vivienne Segal
This Can't Be Love - Milton Berle, Betty Garrett
Falling in Love With Love - Vic Damone, Marie Greene
Lady Is a Tramp - Betty Garrett
There's a Small Hotel - Vic Damone, Marie Greene
Ev'rything I've Got - Milton Berle, Betty Garrett
Here in My Arms - Marie Greene
Mountain Greenery - Milton Berle
Manhattan - Vic Damone, Betty Garrett
Who Are You? - Allan Jones
Bombardier Song - Bing Crosby
Soon - Al Bowlly
Down by the River - Al Bowlly
Blue Moon - Connee Boswell
On Your Toes - Jack Whiting

Customer Reviews:

Pretty good.......2000-06-14

This is reissue of the first Broadway revival of "A Connecticut Yankee" starring Vivienne Segal and Vera-ellen (is her only major Broadway role). The cd is pretty good. Segal's performance is, as always, charming . I love "To keep My Love Alive" and i think that her performance is the best!. The CD also include addition songs by famous artist such ad Milton Berle and Bing Crosby, and a very rare song "The Bombardier Song " written for the army during the WW2

Average customer rating:

great cd to unwind to
Too acessable

At Home With Arlen

Manufacturer: Ostinato
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00006LACQ
Release Date: 2002-09-15

Tracks:

Ill Wind
As Long As I Live
Come Rain Or Come Shine
Happy With the Blues/Dissertation On the State Of Bliss
I Never Has Seen Snow
Look Who's Been Dreaming
It Was Written In the Stars
Song Of the Gigolo
Paris Is a Lonely Town
Ac-cent-tchu-ate the Positive/That's a Fine Kind Of Freedom
Sweet and Hot
Last Night When We Were Young
Love Held Lightly

Album Description

Harold Arlen's career as a composer spanned more than 50 years and 400 songs, from the Cotton Club to Hollywood and back to Broadway, but his dream was to be a performer. He brings a singer's sensibility to his compositions; his melodic lines derive from an appreciation not only of what is possible for a singer, but what helps a singer convey power, tenderness, and emotion.

At Home with Arlen showcases many lesser-known gems from Arlen's catalog of more than 400 songs, with some familiar tunes nestled in among them. Arlen aficionados will be sure to note "Love Held Lightly" from Saratoga; Arlen's personal favorite, "Last Night When We Were Young," which was inexplicably cut from the three films in which it was placed; and the rarely heard "Song of the Gigolo."

Yet Arlen believed firmly that the composer contributed only half of a song. "A good lyric writer is the composer's best friend," he said. Among his lyrical friends Arlen counted Ira Gershwin, Ted Koehler, Johnny Mercer, E.Y. Harburg - all of whom are represented on this recording, along with Jack Yellen, Dorothy Fields, Peggy Lee, Leo Robin, Truman Capote, and Arlen himself.

Propelled by Ross Patterson's jazz-influenced arrangements, even familiar classics like "Come Rain or Come Shine" are given a new spin, as Audrey and Jerry Dodgion's alto sax wail together in duet. In addition to Patterson on piano, Audrey is joined on At Home With Arlen by bassist Don Falzone, and drummer Eric Halvorson. Completing the ensemble are multi-instrumentalists Aaron Heick and Jerry Dodgion on flute, clarinet, and alto saxophone.

Customer Reviews:

great cd to unwind to.......2002-12-15

I was introduced to this singer by someone from work - i own both of her CD's - this is her best work. I am a fan of Arlen - and her work on here rises to match the material. Her version of "come rain or come shine" may be the best i have ever heard - and when you think of all the women who have recorded it - that is saying something! It is in a word "haunting". If you are looking for a cabaret style CD for the background of a quiet evening or something reflective to listen to with some substance this is a CD for you.

I keep trying to think of someone to compare her voice to - and it is difficult - since first hearing her I keep thinking that she is a throw back to a generation ago, very talented - and unique - not a carbon copy of everyone else out there recording at the moment.

I recommend this CD.

Too acessable.......2002-11-01

Jazzy artist who uses simple rhythems and predictable lyrics of love. Sound familiar? I like her name so this gets 2 stars just for that...

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