Highlights from "Messiah"

Track Listings

1. Overture - Sinfony - Orchestra

2. Comfort Ye My People

3. And the Glory of the Lord

4. And He Shall Purify

5. For Behold, Darkness Shall Cover

6. For Unto Us a Child Is Born

7. Glory to God in the Highest

8. He Shall Feed

9. Surely, He Hath Borne Our Griefs

10. And With His Stripes

11. He Trusted in God

12. Thy Rebuke Hath Broken His Heart

13. Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates

14. Thou Shalt Break Them

15. Hallelujah!

16. I Know That My Redeemer Liveth

17. Since by Man Came Death

18. Worthy Is the Lamb

19. Amen

Tracks:

Overture
Think Of Me
Angel Of Music
The Mirror (Angel Of Music)
The Phantom Of The Opera
The Music Of The Night
Prima Donna
All I Ask Of You/Reprise
Entr'acte
Masquerade
Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again
The Point Of No Return
Down Once More.../Track Down This Murderer

Amazon.com

Highlight versions of cast recordings are by definition a compromise, and this reduction of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera is no exception. Weighing in at 59 minutes, it's over 40 minutes shorter than the two-disc version, excising many musical scenes that convey the flow and impact of the show (which include, admittedly, a lot of patter and screaming). On the other hand, all the hits are here--"Think of Me," "Angel of Music," the title tune, "The Music of the Night," "All I Ask of You," "Masquerade," and "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again"--and Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman are still on hand to make their distinctive contributions to the original London cast. So if you're looking for a convenient, inexpensive single disc that will let you enjoy Lloyd Webber's scrumptious melodies without having to immerse yourself in the action, this just might be for you. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

Music of the Night????????.......2007-02-28

I really liked the idea of a highlights cd; however, The Music of the Night is not the same one that is on the original two-disc cd. The words aren't even the same. If you enjoy Music of the Night, skip this cd. Otherwise, this cd would be 5 stars.

Great short version!.......2006-12-06

If you only want to hear the songs from this musical, this one is for you. But if you want the full version, get the 4-disc version. I listen to this version in my car when I'm on the road, but I listen to the 4-disc version at home. Both versions are worth the purchase.

A long time favorite.......2006-08-26

This is one of my most treasured CDs. The voices of the cast are incredible! "Think of Me" and "All I Ask of You" are 2 of my favorites. If you enjoy the story behind Phantom, yu will like this soundtrack.

The Best Recording of this Show Available.......2006-04-21

I think that this is the best PHANTOM soundtrack out there:

1)It has the original Broadway cast, the best.
2)It cuts out the more risqu? parts of the show (believe me, there are some), making it "appropriate for the whole family."
3)The entire CD is on one disc, so you can go through the show w/o switching discs.
4)The only song that the movie soundtrack has on it that this doesn't is "Learn to Be Lonely," which appears in the credits, and isn't really a great song anyways.

Great CD.......2006-03-14

I bought this CD as a birthday gift for my boyfriend. We had misplaced the one that we had and needed a new one. This is one of our favorite cd's. Such beautiful music.

Follies (Highlights from the 1971 Original Broadway Cast)

Average customer rating:

For all Sondheim fans
Enjoying Folly of Follies
Follies: In memory of Yvonne DeCarlo
too bad they left out material
Hats off, here it is, Sondheim's greatest achievement

Follies (Highlights from the 1971 Original Broadway Cast)
Stephen Sondheim , Dorothy Collins , and Alexis Smith
Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Follies in Concert (1985 Live Performance) + Stavisky Film Score

ASIN: B000002SNP
Release Date: 1992-11-17

Tracks:

Prologue: Beautiful Girls
Don't Look At Me
Waiting For The Girls Upstairs
Ah! Paris/Broadway Baby
The Road You Didn't Take
In Buddy's Eyes
Who's That Woman?
I'm Still Here
Too Many Mornings
The Right Girl
One More Kiss
Could I Leave You?
You're Gonna Love Tomorow/Love Will See Us Through
The God Why-Don't-You-Love-Me Blues
Losong My Mind
The Story Of Lucy & Jessie
Live, Laugh & Love/Finale

Amazon.com essential recording

The scene: an abandoned theater, where a group of performers--alumni from the fictional musical revue The Weismann Follies--is holding a reunion shortly before the building is to be turned to rubble. The long-retired players relive their careers through Stephen Sondheim's brilliant pastiches of past songwriters, sometimes accompanied in song or dance by the ghosts of their previous selves. At the same time, four of the people (two married couples) are remembering their pasts and wondering whether they chose their spouses--and the course of their lives--correctly. The 1971 original cast of Follies included many former Broadway and Hollywood stars--Dorothy Collins, Gene Nelson, Alexis Smith, Mary McCarty--and the pedigree and sheer size of the cast kept the show from profitability despite a decent run (and also keep it from being frequently revived).

This recording of Stephen Sondheim's legendary show has become something of a legend itself. The score included 22 songs, but because the cost of recording a two-LP set was considered prohibitive, a number of songs were omitted and others were abridged. As a result, this too-brief 58 minutes can't be considered the final statement on Follies (for more music, try the uneven but sometimes electric 1985 concert recording or the 1998 New Jersey revival), but listen to Yvonne DeCarlo sing the anthem "I'm Still Here" or Collins sing the heartbreaking "Losing My Mind" and you'll know that the original cast had a special magic that has yet to be surpassed. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

For all Sondheim fans.......2007-03-29

Wonderful performances of Sondheim songs, especially from Dorothy Collins. There are other recordings with equally good performances, especially the one with Barbara Cook, and what one hears in listening to different recordings is how many valid ways there are of performing the songs.

Enjoying Folly of Follies .......2007-02-18

Being a lover of Sondheim's music, I have enjoyed "Follies" many times already, and expect to enjoy listening to this CD again and again.

Follies: In memory of Yvonne DeCarlo.......2007-01-13

I didn't know there were so many other FOLLIES fanatics out there until I read all those reviews and I must say, I'm greatly surprised at the diverse number of opinions about who sang what best and which is the best recording! I was raised on the music of Broadway back in an age when the Great Broadway Composers were still active (The 1950's). Sadly, Steven Sondheim is the last of his breed, at least up until now. In those days, Broadway songs dominated the pop Charts as well and Dorothy Collins was a TV singing star on "Your Hit Parade". In 1971, although "Your Hit Parade" was gone and my eclectic tastes now included C&W and Motown, I still had a love for Broadway and truly great singers like Dorothy. This is why I bought the OC of "Follies" on vinyl. After a long lull, Dorothy was experiencing a career revival as Sally Rogers singing a show-stopper called "Losing My Mind" in FOLLIES. I wanted to hear this song. It wasn't available as a 45. When I bought the LP, I jumped right to this track. I Loved it. To date, "Losing my Mind" remains my favorite song and Dorothy's performance, perhaps eclipsed by that of Barbara Cook, is still a classic example of the torch song. Gradually, I began sampling the other tracks on the LP and I realized that I loved "I'm still Here","Buddy's Blues","Broadway Baby","Who's that Woman" and all the others. This LP expanded my tastes to include songs that did not necessarily fit the three minute beginning-middle-end formula of the Pop single like "Waiting for the girls upstairs", "The Road You didn't take" and "You're gonna love tomorrow/Love will see us through". Although the LP notes said that the songs were "abridged", having not seen the show, I didn't know what I was missing and thought I was familiar with the score. Yes, it's a shame that the entire score wasn't recorded and edited down because now it could of course be restored. It's been rumored that a bootleg tape of the entire show exists. I have never seen one but even if it did exist, can you imagine what the sound quality would be like? I mean, Cassettes? Still, This CD is real and has the original performances and if one looks at it only as a "sampler", it is still nonetheless excellent and belongs in the collection of every FOLLIES fanatic and Sondhiem Fan. There is always only one original performance and this CD captures at least part of that. For many years, this LP was Out of Print. When it was finally released on CD, Justine Johnson's performance of "One More Kiss" was added to the mix. Don't get your hopes up. This performance is from another album but it's an album that you should buy if you are a fan of this album. It's called "A Sondheim Celebration". The title is spelled out in scrabble tiles against a blue background. This was a benefit done on the West Coast in 1973 when FOLLIES had only just opened out there. This album contains the aforementioned "One More Kiss", Ethel Shutta performs the full-length version of "Broadway Baby", John McMartin and Dorothy Collins sing "Pleasant Little Kingdom" (cut from the show) with "Too Many Mornings", Larry Blyden, Chita Rivera and Donna Mckechnie sing "Buddy's Blues", Alexis Smith reprises "Too Many Mornings" and Dorothy reprises "Losing my Mind". You'll also find Nancy Walker's version of "I'm Still Here" (surprisingly, not nearly as good as Yvonne deCarlo). Dorothy Collins opens the evening with the best version of "Do I Hear a waltz" that I have ever heard (Yes, I know it's not from FOLLIES but Dorothy is! There are 20 other tracks on this CD that I won't discuss here but it really is a companion piece to the OST's of FOLLIES and COMPANY. By the way, Capitol contractee Al Martino recorded a version of "Losing My Mind" as a stereo single in 1971 or so. The tempo was slightly accelerated giving it a more contemporary (for 1971) sound. It was a juke-box favorite (remember those) in NYC. It's a great single and was included on Al's "Summer of '42" LP; However, the single is the one to have because the flip side is Al's version of "Too many mornings" which has never been included on any LP. I bought a pristine single from Germany via GEMM and burned it onto a CD. It's one of my all-time favorite records. I keep checking Al Martino's catalogue in the hope that one day one or both of these tracks will turn up on a CD compilation. Oh, and one more collector's item from this era... Look for a VHS called "That's Singing". It's a compilation of Broadway numbers hosted by Tom Bosley. It's a great tape which hasn't thus far made it to DVD. One of the performances is Alexis Smith in "Could I Leave You". Get one while you can! As I write this, Yvonee DeCarlo has just left us. A True Original! Rest in Peace, Yvonne. We'll always remember you.

too bad they left out material.......2007-01-10

it is great we have the original Broadway cast on record. But Capitol skimped and never recorded all the songs which we got later, but not with the original cast.
A great score, one of Sondheim's very best

Hats off, here it is, Sondheim's greatest achievement.......2006-12-24

Everything that needs to be said about this singular masterpiece has already been said. I missed the show when I was younger. I would give away probably every other performance I have ever seen on the Broadway stage to have seen this show.
Mr. Sondheim's score is rich, diversified, complex and staggering. It is a combination of popular theatre music, jazz, impressionism, vaudeville, torch song. You name it, it's there. Jonathan Tunick shows of his incomparable orchestration talents by creating such a beatifully woven fabric to display Mr. Sondheim's score. The casting was perfect -- no one on any of the other recordings matches any of the performances by the original cast.
It is a pity that we did not have Great Performances around to capture this one on film. Even though "Follies" is purely theatrical, I wish it had been preserved. It is also a greater pity that we were short-changed on the length of the recording and the amount of cutting that went into it. It is unfortunate that the producer was not able to at least record it completely, initially release this shorter recording, and then when all of the clamoring started for more of the show's music, he could have released a more complete recording of the original performances. How regrettable. Yet, what we have is priceless.
Hats off!

Les Miserables (Highlights from the 1987 Original Broadway Cast)

Average customer rating:

BEST OPERA MUSIC EVER
Time well spent.
Great Score, But Highlights Missing Critical Songs
Buy the full version, please
Argh Matey!

Les Miserables (Highlights from the 1987 Original Broadway Cast)
Alain Boublil , Claude-Michel Schonberg , and Colm Wilkinson
Manufacturer: Decca U.S.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000084TRM
Release Date: 2003-01-28

Tracks:

Overture/Work Song
I Dreamed a Dream
Who Am I?
Castle on a Cloud
Master of the House
Stars
Do You Hear the People Sing?
A Heart Full of Love
One Day More
On My Own
A Little Fall of Rain
Drink with Me
Bring Him Home
Javert's Suicide
Empty Chairs at Empty Tables
Wedding Chorale/Beggars at the Feast
Finale

Amazon.com

While not overly generous at 55 minutes, the highlights album of the 1987 original Broadway cast recording of Les Miserables is intelligently selected and likely to prove satisfying to most fans. It includes the best-loved numbers of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg's score, beautiful ballads ("Bring Him Home," "I Dreamed a Dream") and rousing anthems ("One Day More," "Do You Hear the People Sing?") alike, but eliminates some choral numbers ("Lovely Ladies"), redundancies ("Red and Black"), and connective tissue that propels the plot along ("Valjean Arrested," "Come to Me (Fantine's Death)"). Sure, a more perfect selection could have lasted longer than half of the two-disc set's 104 minutes by adding "At the End of the Day" and "In My Life," among others, but it's still a good representation on a convenient single disc. Of course, those who always want to re-create the theatrical experience will never be satisfied with a highlights album.

Re-creating their roles from the London production, Colm Wilkinson plays the heroic Valjean and Frances Ruffelle is the despondent Eponine. Randy Graff (Fantine), Terrence Mann (Javert), David Bryant (Marius), Judy Kuhn (Cosette), Michael Maguire (Enjolras), and Leo Burmester and Jennifer Butt (the Thénardiers) fill out the cast. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

BEST OPERA MUSIC EVER.......2006-11-03

This is the BEST!! I would highly recommend this to anyone who likes this kind of music!

Time well spent........2005-09-14

Each member of the Les Miserables cast stands to deliver this musical to its audience. Within moments we are transported to France during their Restoration. We experience sadness, laughter and, indeed, want to join in their crusade. The music and deliverance, in my opinion, is excellent.

Great Score, But Highlights Missing Critical Songs.......2005-08-05

Composers Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg's score for "Les Miserables" is simply brilliant and the spectacular Broadway cast, led by Colm Wilkinson, Randy Graff, Terrence Mann, and Frances Ruffelle, help bring this incredible music to life!

While I normally enjoy "highlight" cds, this one clocks in at a mere 55 minutes and could have easily included a couple of additional tunes (thus losing one star). Most notably missing: "At The End Of The Day", "Come To Me", "Red And Black", and "In My Life". The show's most memorable songs, however, are included.

Best tracks:

I Dreamed A Dream
Master Of The House
Stars
Do You Hear The People Sing
On My Own
A Little Fall Of Rain
Bring Him Home
Empty Chairs At Empty Tables

Great cast, great score ... even a good buy. But I would suggest the full double-disc score instead.

Buy the full version, please.......2005-01-20

Highlights are never worth it. You will never get the little in-between songs which make a show complete, montages will be cut together badly instead of being full songs as they should be...so much is left out. This is a fantastic show and deserves to be heard in full.

Argh Matey!.......2004-11-22

"Highlights" albums are not the full show, blah blah blah... THIS TAKES UP ONLY ONE SPACE IN YOUR CD RACK INSTEAD OF TWO LIKE THE FULL RECORDING. I rest my case.

Highlights from Jekyll and Hyde (1990 Concept Cast)

Average customer rating:

Valjean becomes Hyde!!!
What happened, Colm?
Concept Disc Great, the rest disappointing.
A musical jewel
Pretty dang good....

Highlights from Jekyll and Hyde (1990 Concept Cast)
Colm Wilkinson
Manufacturer: RCA Victor Broadway
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000003F05
Release Date: 1990-03-12

Tracks:

Once Upon A Dream - Linda Eder
Hospital Board - Colm Wilkinson
Love Has Come Of Age - Linda Eder/Colm Wilkinson
Possessed - Linda Eder/Colm Wilkinson
This Is The Moment - Colm Wilkinson
Transformation - Linda Eder/Colm Wilkinson
Seduction - London All-Star Orchestra/New York Orchestra
Someone Like You - Linda Eder
No One Must Ever Know - Colm Wilkinson
Till You Came Into My Life - Colm Wilkinson
No One Knows Who I Am - Linda Eder
Retribution - London All-Star Orchestra/New York Orchestra
Letting Go - Linda Eder/Colm Wilkinson
A New Life - Linda Eder
It's Over Now - Colm Wilkinson
We Still Have Time - Linda Eder/Colm Wilkinson
Once Upon A Dream - Colm Wilkinson

Customer Reviews:

Valjean becomes Hyde!!!.......2007-05-21

This CD is a jewel. Colm Wilkinson may not have the most powerful voice but his performances are full of an extremely personal touch and that makes the listening of this CD a real treat. Besides this concept album has a charm and intensity that the complete work lacks. Well worth buying. Cherry on top: the CD contains all the lyrics.

What happened, Colm?.......2007-04-24

Now, normally, I am a BIG fan of Colm Wilkinson, but this just isn't right. I'm not sure if the music isn't right for him or the character, but he does not do the role justice. If you want Jekyll and Hyde, get another recording.

Concept Disc Great, the rest disappointing........2005-10-29

When this show came to the Alley Theater in Houston, my wife and I were enthralled with the richness and fullness of these songs especially "A New Life", sung by Linda Eder. Although very much enjoying the songs before it, "A New Life" brought both of us to the edges of our seats in rapt attention, gripped with powerful emotion. Since hearing this song 15 years ago, it has never lost its power to move me to the brink of tears.

We are all captives of our experience, and this song lets each of us believe that, in the future, our lives may be bright and shining, regardless of what went before.

As for the other discs of this show, I simply consider them disappointing, as many other reviewers have also stated.

A musical jewel.......2005-09-08

This is the original concept album for Jekyll & Hyde, the earliest version of the musical that took another 8 years and many revisions to reach the stage. Following in the tradition of such epic `concept albums' as those that brought Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita and Chess to the stage, the objective of this album was to showcase the songs that the musical would be built around. It does so wonderfully, using two of musical theater's most glorious voices - Linda Eder and Colm Wilkinson. The musical was written to showcase Eder's achingly lovely voice. She portrays both Jekyll's fiancé Lisa and the prostitute Lucy; occasionally you need a scorecard to determine which you are listening to. She is especially effective as Lucy - soaring through "Someone Like You", tugging at your heart in "No One Know Who I Am". Wilkinson's rich, mellow tenor complements her beautifully in the duets "Love Has Come of Age", "Letting Go" and "We Still Have Time". Although Wilkinson is listed as both Jekyll and Hyde, in fact all the songs are Jekyll's. As always this fine musical actor hits EXACTLY the right emotional note. It is an absolute joy to listen to in his solos - such wide-eyed, youthful optimism in "Hospital Board", such fierce, possessive love in "Till You Came Into My Life". What a thrilling version of "This Is the Moment"! For Jekyll to do what he does, he HAS to have such total confidence, such clarity of purpose, such an absolute belief in his own abilities. Like Henry Jekyll, Wilkinson charges ahead with joyous, infectious abandon.

There is some dispute among fans as to which actually should be regarded as the `definitive version' of the musical as it is (or should have been) staged - the 1984 "Gothic Thriller" concept album or the 1988 cast album. As Bricusse and Wildhorn had reportedly written more than 6 hours (60 songs) by 1994, there may never be a final version. Personally, of the two I incline towards the "Gothic" version - it has the complete story and the powerful, deeper voice of Anthony Warlow shines, especially as Hyde. (However, his Jekyll seems too somber to me, too practical to plunge foolishly into experimenting on himself.) THIS admittedly is NOT the complete version of the story; it focuses on exploring the characters and their relationships. Yet I have no difficulty in recommending it wholeheartedly. I have this and the "Gothic" version, and if for some reason I had to give one up, it wouldn't be this one. It's easily one of my favorite albums.

Judged solely on its own merits, this album is a jewel. Bookended by 2 versions of "Once Upon a Dream", it offers a highly romantic and perhaps more optimistic version of the story. Listening to "We Still Have Time", you find yourself hoping that somehow it really will work out. All of us will find a compelling story, and fantastic voices singing enchanting ballads. Fans of the musical will find Frank Wildhorn's original vision, sensitive portrayals of the main characters, and several songs that were regrettably trimmed in preparing the musical for the stage. All are lovely, and Lisa's character suffers without them. "Love Has Come Of Age" in particular helps to explain her devotion to Jekyll despite his increasingly strange behavior. My recommendation is to buy both this and the "Gothic Thriller" and construct your own version, with Wilkinson as Jekyll and Warlow as Hyde.

Pretty dang good...........2005-02-10

I was a bit skeptical about this, as it used to be advertised as a 'Romantic Concept Album'. And, of course, most of the songs are indeed love songs on this album.

There are a few reasons a fan of J&H may want to pick this up-

1. The remnants of Lisa's character are here. In the broadway production, Lucy is a much bigger part than Lisa-Lisa is obviously pretty important in these old songs.

2. Colm Wilkinsons voice is...unique. I enjoyed his Jean Valjean much more. His versions of the songs aren't BAD...they just aren't Anthony Warlow. In the Transformation, he doesn't seem to touch the Hyde part at all. "Who is this creature...that I see?"
is normally done with "that I see" done in Hyde voice. However, you can tell that if Colm played this role on stage, that it was still Jekyll saying the line. Hes also the only Jekyll to sing 'Till you Came Into My Life', which I think is much better than 'This is the Moment'.

3. Linda Eder as Lisa/Lucy. Hearing Mrs.Eder singing Lisa is a treat..but it isn't the best. She makes a much better Lucy than a Lisa. Still worth listening too.

4. Deleted songs! So many of them, and most of them really good.
Highlights are- 'Till you Came into My life','Love has Come of Age'.

Overall, this is a good CD- but, its a little misleading on how the show actually is. It has absolutley no Hyde in it, and seems more upbeat than the show actually is.

For someone getting into J&H, get the 1994 Concept Album, 2-disc set. For fans, this is worth it.

The Best Of Rent: Highlights From The Original Cast Album (1996 Original Broadway Cast)

Average customer rating:

This is not quite the quality I thought it would be.
Some important pieces missing
The best kind of music
Rent Highlights-Perfect for Choral Medley
The best musical cd I own!

The Best Of Rent: Highlights From The Original Cast Album (1996 Original Broadway Cast)
Jonathan Larson
Manufacturer: Dreamworks
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000K3WR
Release Date: 1999-09-07

Tracks:

Rent
One Song Glory
Light My Candle
Today 4U
Tango: Maureen
Life Support
Out Tonight
Another Day
Will I?
Santa Fe
I'll Cover You
La Vie Boheme
I Should Tell You
La Vie Boheme B
Seasons Of Love
Take Me Or Leave Me
Without You
I'll Cover You (Reprise)
What You Own
Finale B
Seasons Of Love (Arif Mardin's Remix)

Customer Reviews:

This is not quite the quality I thought it would be........2007-06-22

I have to admit, I'm not a huge RENT fan, but still some of the singing isn't the professional standard that I expected it to be. Perhaps the performers are as bored of this musical as I have become- and I feel that really transmits through the recording. Let me just say that RENT is a show to be seen not heard on a recording.

Having said all that, it is worth the investment, and does have most, if not all of my favourite songs. RENT perhaps has become a little overdone to me but I guess many of you out there may still appreciate this recording.

Some important pieces missing.......2006-12-31

The first thing that struck me is that Benny's big number (You'll See) is missing, leaving Taye Diggs represented by only a few spoken lines. "Tango: Maureen" (though it was not one of my favorites to begin with) is also shorter than I remember from the movie.

But the most glaring omissions to me are "Over the Moon" and "Your Eyes"--after all, for Maureen and for Roger respectively, those compositions are the culminations of their artistic lives! And don't get me wrong, I love Stevie Wonder, but his remix of "Seasons of Love" added nothing for me to the beauty and grandeur of that pivotal song.

I am glad to have this, because I loved the movie and wanted the comparison--but maybe I should have waited til I had the money for the 2 CD set of the original Broadway cast...

The best kind of music .......2006-03-12

Sing along with it in the car, while cleaning house, or better yet while paying bills. Enjoyable, motivating music!

Rent Highlights-Perfect for Choral Medley.......2006-02-23

This CD is the perfect thing to buy if you are a conductor wanting to familiarize yourself with the music used in the choral medley.

The best musical cd I own!.......2006-01-31

Rent is my favorite musical with its rock n roll edge. This cd makes me want to sing with every song. It is recommended to Broadway buffs and music enthusiasts alike.

The Phantom of the Opera (Highlights from the 1989 Original Canadian Cast)

Average customer rating:

Iffy
Rebecca Caine is what made me buy this album.
Very Nice!!!!
NOT AS GOOD AS THE LONDON CAST RECORDING
I liked Colm Wilkinson better in Les Miz

The Phantom of the Opera (Highlights from the 1989 Original Canadian Cast)

Manufacturer: Decca Broadway
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000072VS
Release Date: 2002-11-26

Tracks:

Prologue-The Stage Of The Paris Opera House, 1911
Overture
The Dress Rehearsal Of Hannibal
Think Of Me
The Mirror... (Angel Of Music)
The Phantom Of The Opera
The Music Of The Night
Notes/Prima Donna
All I Ask Of You
I Gave You My Music...
Entr'acte
Masquerade
The Graveyard
Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again
Wandering Child.../Bravo Monsieur...
The Point Of No Return/Down Once More
The Phantom's Lair

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A few years after The Phantom of the Opera debuted in London, Harold Prince unveiled Andrew Lloyd Webber's gothic musical in Canada, in 1989. It was so good that this recording of highlights from the Canadian cast is--dare we say it?--more enjoyable than the equivalent London cast highlights album. No, it doesn't have the authenticity of London principals Sarah Brightman (for whom then-husband Lloyd Webber wrote the role of Christine) and Michael Crawford, but it doesn't have their idiosyncrasies, either, and it does have the richer voices of Colm Wilkinson and Rebecca Caine (who played Jean Valjean and older Cosette, respectively, in the 1985 London cast of Les Misérables). At 69 minutes, the Canadian album is also 10 minutes longer than the London, allowing inclusion of the prologue and dress rehearsal for Hannibal. Of course, Lloyd Webber's melodies--"Angel of Music," "The Music of the Night," "All I Ask of You," "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again"--are scrumptious on any continent. --David Horiuchi

Album Description

1990 Polydor release featuring highlights from Andrew Lloyd Webber's epic musical by the Original Canadian Cast, including Colm Wilkinson and Rebecca Caine. Directed by Harold Prince, it features 17 tracks, including 'Think Of Me', 'Notes/ Prima Donna', 'Masquerade' and 'Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again'.

Album Details

Contains highlights from the Andrew Lloyd Webber brainchild performed in Ottawa, Vancouver, Montreal & Calgary during April, 1991 through September, 1992. Stars Colm Wilkinson & Rebecca Caine in leading roles.

Customer Reviews:

Iffy.......2007-01-22

I've only listened to clips here and online, but I personally would not buy this entire album. Why? Well, I would LOVE to have Rebecca Caine's "Think of Me" and "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" - she has a beautiful voice, much stronger than either Sarah Brightman or Emmy Rossum, and much better trained. But what I have heard of the Raoul annoys me. He's supposed to be the good guy, not a dork!

And Colm Wilkinson as the Phantom? Whose idea was that??? I really do not like his voice, even as Valjean in Les Miz. I highly doubt he's a strong enough singer to pull of "Music of the Night" the way Michael Crawford or Hugh Panaro (best Phantom EVER) can.

If, however, this was on iTunes, I'd jump at the chance to get Rebecca's songs!

Rebecca Caine is what made me buy this album........2006-12-04

Rebecca Caine is my favorite Christine. I think that she has one of the most amazing voices, and I loved her in the title song.

As for everything else...
Honestly, Colm Wilkinson cannot sing. His voice is just too weak for the role. Like one of the reviewers before me said, he's no Michael Crawford, not even Gerard Butler. Maybe I should hear him sing in Les Miserables to appreciate his voice.
As for Byron Nease, he's okay, but I've easily heard better.

In all, the album's okay, but there are many better recordings.

Very Nice!!!!.......2006-08-25

Although this is a specatcular Disc, I find it very hard to appreciate fully Colm Wilkinson's voice in the role of the Phantom after being so used to Michael Crawford's for that role (and being used to mr. Wilkinson's as Jean Valjean in Les Misérables). Don't get me wrong I very much like Colm wilkinson, but not so much as the phantom.
Apart from that Rebecca Caine is a stunning Christine!!!! And at times seems to me to be...dare I say.... better than (my personal favourite singer) sarah brightman, Ms. Caine's "Think Of Me" blew me away, it was very inspiring....

Overall the rest of the cast is very good as well and if you are a true "phan" this is a must have CD very much worth its price!!!!

NOT AS GOOD AS THE LONDON CAST RECORDING.......2006-07-02

Today, after Phantom of the opera became the longest running musical in history of Broadway, and being one of the most produced of Andrew Lloyd Webber's work around the world, we can only agree with the statement of "The Times" reviewer which appeared on October 10, 1986, a day after the premiere in London, who wrote: "One thing is clear: Gaston Leroux's famous story is God's gift to the musical theatre. It wraps up the legends of Faust, Svengali, and Beauty and the Beast into a grand final death rattle of the romantic agony. It turns a theatre--the Paris Opera--into a replica of the universe, from the Statue of Apollo above the city's rooftops down to the infernal regions with their furnaces and stygian lake. And, musically, not only does it unfold to an accompaniment of the operatic repertoire, but also features a protagonist who is himself a great composer."

Phantom, with its operatic and lush melodies, intensive story and grandiose staging, remains one of the best and most beloved musicals of all time.

The musical is based on the Gaston Leroux's novel of the same title. It is set in the second part of the 19th century Paris and its famous opera house. The young soprano, Christine, is discovered as a talented young opera singer in the opera house. She is noticed by an old childhood friend, Raoul, and they fall in love. However, we find out that a third person, the mysterious Phantom, hiding behind a mask, is a musical genius who had been giving Christine singing lessons and who has developed a mad passion for his young pupil. He hides in the catacombs of the opera house, lurking on the outside world. He is determined to keep Christine for himself and the story evolves from here.

Apart from this interesting plot, the audiences were swept away by Lloyd Webber's tremendous score, which probably remains his best work. It combines the beautiful love songs and sweeping operetta-like arias, with numerous orchestral leads and crescendos. You can't help but being charmed by this beautiful and haunting score. The large numbers, especially, the last one, will probably move you deeply. The most popular numbers are "The phantom of the opera", a vibrating duet between Christine and the Phantom; "All I ask of you", a lovely love duet between Christine and Raul; Phantom's mesmerizing voice will hold you till the end in "The music of the night", Christine in "Wishing you are somehow here again" will evoke sadness, and many more.

One of the main reasons for the early success of this show and this recording was its original London cast. All of the three principals: Sarah Brightman as Christine, Michael Crawford as The Phantom and Steve Barton as Raoul gave the performances of their lives. Michael Crawford's take on the role of The Phantom became stuff legends are made of, due to his amazing vocalisation and the powerful, almost hypnotic attraction in his voice and performance, exactly how the Phantom is supposed to sound.

The lyrics by Richard Stilgoe and Christopher Hampton are the weakest link here, but they manage to convey the basic story.

After the show's success in London and on Broadway, the Canadian production was mounted and it premiered in Toronto's Pantages Theatre in September 1989. This CD captures the highlights of that production. All the important musical numbers are here, however, the problem is the cast, that is, some of them. Colm Wilkinson is a great singer, his interpretation of Jean Valjean being the best example. Unfortunately, he doesn't have what it takes to play the Phantom. His interpretation lacks the depth of Michael Crawford and he struggles to stretch his voice, especially on the high notes. Overall, he sings too deep for the role, sounding as if he is still in Les Miserables. Still, he is much better than the mediocre performance Gerard Butler gave in the 2004 movie version. Rebecca Caine is a fine Christine, her soprano has no problem of getting into the character. Byron Nease, who plays Raoul, also fails to deliver, sounding too old and squeaky. The unwritten rule of the musical theatre, that the miscasting can affect the best of materials, is regrettably evident here. There is also a minor problem with the orchestrations, since some parts have a faster tempo than in the original. The aficionados will notice small lyrical changes in comparison with the original cast recording.

The CD comes with a synopsis (a rear treat in the Andrew Lloyd Webber's cast recordings), the lyrics and production photos.

This recording works best as an addition to the existing Phantom collection. For the first time listeners, I highly recommend the 2-disc 1986 London Cast Recording. Not only does it feature almost the entire musical, but also the cast is much, much better, as well as the orchestrations, which have a more classical touch.

I liked Colm Wilkinson better in Les Miz.......2006-05-12

Not to say that he doesn't do a good job in this role as well, but often times it just sounds like Jean Valjean singing the Phantom. He does have some great moments but I think the Christine is the best thing about this recording. I don't know why, but I find her voice incredibly sexy. It's easy to see why the Phantom would want to seduce her and foster her talent. Raoul's line (and vocal) delivery is a little too "Dudley Do Right" for my tastes. It sounds almost comical at times. I dunno, maybe that's what he was going for. The London Cast recording is probably still the gold standard simply because the actors have become so synonymous with the roles they played, but you should pick this one up if you want a more up-to-date version of the orchestrations and, subsequently, the libretto.

After The Ball plus Highlights from Vaudeville

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After the Ball
Edwardian Songs presented in a beautiful way
Oh, Miss Dall'Armi wasn't the first!
A triumph!
The Gilded Age Album of Albums

After The Ball plus Highlights from Vaudeville
Joan Morris & William Bolcom
Manufacturer: Nonesuch
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Knockout Drops

ASIN: B000005IY5
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

After The Ball
Good Bye, My Lady Love
A Bird In A Gilded Cage
Under The Bamboo Tree
On The Banks Of The Wabash, Far Away
Those Wedding Bells Shall Not Ring Out
I've Got Rings On My Fingers
Come Down Ma Evenin' Star
I Don't Want To Play In Your Yard
Will You Love Me In December As You Do In May?
Meet Me In Saint Louis, Louis
Love's Old Sweet Song
Waltz Me Around Again Willie
Wait 'Till The Sun Shines, Nellie
Vaudeville: I Don't Care
Vaudeville: Shine On, Harvest Moon
Vaudeville: Yip - I - Addy - I - A!
Vaudeville: Let The Rest Of The World Go By
Vaudeville: May Irwin's
Vaudeville: I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now

Customer Reviews:

After the Ball.......2007-05-24

This Cd was very enjoyable. Joan Morris' voice was clear and flexible, William Bolcom's piano was crisp .
I enjoyed the musical choices- a good montage of the era.

Edwardian Songs presented in a beautiful way.......2005-07-09

A most excellent CD with a beautiful singer and brilliant pianist
presenting an unsual collection of lovely songs. I was unable to
purchase in the UK and thank Amazon for making it possible.

Oh, Miss Dall'Armi wasn't the first!.......2005-02-03

Great to hear a singer able (and willing) to perform this kind of music: it make the songs I knew from music sheets come alive. This performance has (with a slightly different repertoire, and a different backing) been equalled recently by Jody Dall'Armi, with the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra (CD "On the Level, You're a Little Devil")

A triumph!.......2003-03-30

Thirty years after this wonderful collection appeared, it still warms hearts and wets eyes across generations. This classic recording is likely to be around forever, and it certainly deserves to be. Joan Morris provides full emotional commitment along with smart style and a beautiful voice. William Bolcom is an ideal accompanist: he's obviously of a heart with Morris but never intrudes.

One overlooked asset of this recording is the superb sonics. Listen through state-of-the-art speakers and subwoofer, and the space in the room is recreated extraordinarily well. You will seldom hear piano and voice recorded this well.

You may not admit it to your friends, but you'll listen to this masterpiece over and over. It goes straight to the Hall of Fame.

The Gilded Age Album of Albums.......2001-03-21

I first bought this album as a record in the early 1970's, and enjoyed it over and over. I tried to buy another copy but couldn't find it and gave up years ago. Suddenly I find... it and I can hardly wait to get it once more.... and with bonus tracks, too. Great! The best thing about this recording was how authentic it sounded... not "updated" in style or rendition, but with the genuine music hall ambiance that one would imagine these catchy tunes must have sounded like at the time. I guarantee if the CD is half as good as the record, this is a real treasure! There are 2 songs that were recreated for Judy Garland in "Meet Me in Saint Louis", and the originals as Joan Morris sings them will give you visions of the old Vaudeville theatre, complete with peanut gallery.

Gilbert & Sullivan - Highlights from The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance, H.M.S. Pinafore, The Yeomen of the Guard, Trial of Jury

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The Best Of Gilbert And Sullivan
Pure delight
Delicious G&S samplings abound here.
Fine Intro to G&S

Gilbert & Sullivan - Highlights from The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance, H.M.S. Pinafore, The Yeomen of the Guard, Trial of Jury
Nicholas Folwell , Arthur Sullivan , Marie McLaughlin , Rebecca Evans , Anthony Rolfe Johnson , John Mark Ainsley , Alwyn Mellor , Anne Howells , Barry Banks , Eric Garrett , Felicity Palmer , Gareth Rhys Davies , Janice Watson , Julie Gossage , Neill Archer , Pamela Helen Stephen , Peter Savidge , Richard Stuart , Richard Suart , Richard Van Allan , Sir Thomas Allen [baritone] , Sir Charles Mackerras , and Welsh National Opera
Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Best of Gilbert & Sullivan
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The Complete Annotated Gilbert & Sullivan

ASIN: B000003D1Y
Release Date: 1996-01-23

Tracks:

A Wandering Minstrel I
Behold The Lord High Executioner!
Three Little Maids From School Are We
Braid The Raven Hair
The Flowers That Bloom In The Spring
On A Tree By A River, A Little Tom-tit Sang, 'Willow, Tit-willow'
For He's Gone And Married Yum-Yum
We Sail The Ocean Blue
I'm Called Little Buttercup
My Gallant Crew
When I Was A Lad
Things Are Seldom What They Seem
Never Mind The Why And Wherefore
Climbing Over Rocky Mountain
Poor Wand'ring One
How Beautifully Blue The Sky
I Am The Very Model Of A Modern Major-General
When The Foeman Bares His Steel
Ah, Leave Me Not To Pine
With Cat-Like Tread
Is Life A Boon?
I Have A Song To Sing, O!
Were I Thy Bride
Oh, A Private Buffoon Is A Light-Hearted Loon
When A Wooer Goes A-Wooing
When I, Good Friends, Was Called To The Bar
A Nice Dilemma We Have Here
Oh, Joy Unbounded

Customer Reviews:

The Best Of Gilbert And Sullivan.......2004-03-15

At the end of the 19th century (1870's, 80's and 90's) the compatible duo of librettist and composer Gilbert and Sullivan popularized the pre-Broadway entertainment of Savoy opera. These were light operas or operettas whose content was satire and comedy, full of bouncy melodies and beautiful singing, highly entertaining theatrical works staged at London's Savoy theatre. Gilbert and Sullivan did not always get along and in fact there was a time when they ended their professional relationship because personal conflicts surfaced. But they managed to create the world's most beloved light operas, over 40 of them. Their most famous are what I call the Big Three- The H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirates Of Penzance and The Mikado. Other works include their first hit Trial By Jury, The Yeomen Of The Guard, Princess Ida, The Gondoliers, Patience and several others. A standard signature of Gilbert and Sullivan was in the colorful cast- a comic actor with a special kind of baritone voice, a canary-like and sweet-voiced coloratura or lyric diva, a mezzo soprano with strong chest register and a lyric tenor as the romantic hero. On this album, English conductor Sir Charles Mackerras, a popular figure in the classical music scene and opera, guides the Chorus and Orchestra Of the Welsh National Opera in generally well-delivered performances of excerpts from the operas The Mikado, The H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirates Of Penzance, Yeomen Of The Guard and Trial By Jury. Although I feel that the recordings made by the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, with Isodore Godfrey conducting and starring the best cast of the Gilbert and Sullivan repertoire- the singers of the 60's and 70's- tenor Phillip Potter, soprano Valerie Masterson, baritone John Reed, Donald Adams and mezzo soprano Christine Palmer. Their version of the Pirates Of Penzance and the Mikado far outshine the Welsh National Opera in technical mastery and vibrant tone color.

But these are fine excerpts. Especially appealing is the famous and cheerful "Three Little Maids From School Are We", a trio that imitates Japanese style melody. Most of the Mikado does this, for it was inspired by Japanisme or the new fashion in Victorian England- everything Japanese, from prints to paintings to poetry. Gilbert and Sullivan simply "Japanized" their English operettas. The Finale "For He's Gone To Marry Yum Yum" is an ebullient and pleasant finale. Not featured here is the domineering and powerful Katisha, a figure who stands out in the Mikado.

The H.M.S. Pinafore is Gilbert and Sullivan's most popular work. The sea chanty "We Sail The Ocean Blue" opens the opera with appropriate atmosphere and it seems to fit perfectly with the other scene in which the Captain greets his crew and they sing his praises "My Gallant Crew..I am the Captain Of The Pinafore". A beautiful melody that seems to come out of a romantic Offenbach tune is "I"m Called Little Buttercup". The finale, not featured here, is also very engaging "For He Is An Englishman" which can almost resemble a British national anthem. The Yeomen Of The Guard was Gilbert and Sullivan's "serious opera" eventhough it remains very Savoyard. The plot deals with Tudor England and takes place at the London Tower. "I have a song to sing" makes use of what can be taken for an English ballad of the Renaissance. Trial By Jury, about the eccentric and hilarious activity of a court trial, has a sextet that although different in composition, has the sextet "Che Mi Frena" from Donizetti's Lucia Di Lammermoor in mind. All in all, an excellent recording sure to delight young and old.

Pure delight.......2003-08-02

--Gilbert & Sullivan--
William Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan were a match made in heaven, yet on earth their pairing seems even with hindsight a most unlikely coupling. Both were destined for other things, Gilbert in fact for decidedly non-musical careers. Introduced by a mutual friend, Fred Clay, the fledgling lyricist Gilbert met the military-band-leader's son Sullivan and together continued to conspire to inspire the delights of audiences from high Victorian times down to the present, as their work in musical theatre comedy continues to provide merriment throughout the English-speaking world and beyond.

--The Music--
This collection includes highlights from five of the most popular Gilbert & Sullivan operettas: The Mikado, HMS Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance, The Yeoman of the Guard, and Trial by Jury. The arrangements and orchestrations are delightfully energetic and clear; the characterisation and vocal qualities of the leads are perfect for their roles. The haughty if misplaced Lord of the Admiralty has the perfect combination of insecurity and pompous officiousness. The Plaintiff and the Defendant in the Trial are perfectly cast. This is a collection of highlights - at least three but no more than seven songs each, but this gives a good flavour of the music. The recordings on this collection come from complete performances by Mackerras and the WNO.

--Sir Charles Mackerras--
Mackerras is one of the geniuses of the twentieth century musical scene. Having a conducting career that includes the Hamburg Opera, the English National Opera (formerly Sadlers Wells Opera), and the Welsh National Opera (the performers for this piece), he has also conducted major orchestras on the continent of Europe and in the United States. The holder of many major awards and honourary doctorates, he has devoted much time and energy to the preservation and performance of eighteenth and nineteenth century music, as well the restoration of historical musical venues, such as the Estates Theatre in Prague, scene of the original production of Don Giovanni (Mackerras conducted the opera there to commemorate the bicentenary of the death of Mozart).

--Welsh National Opera Orchestra and Chorus--
The seeds of the WNO were planted in Cardiff during World War II by music lovers; the first performances occurred a year after the war's end, with Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci on the bill, with Faust the next night. Popular appeal was so great that the WNO was established, later adding choruses in both Cardiff and Swansea. The professional chorus was established in 1973, with a strength that matches the orchestra. They continue an ambitious performance schedule for recording and live events; Mackerras remains the Conductor Emeritus, as the WNO continues under the direction of Carlo Rizzi. The list of awards the WNO has won over the years is staggering - they are a world class institution by any measure.

--Other performers--
Notable singers such as Richard Stuart, Rebecca Evans, Felicity Palmer, John Mark Ainsley and Anne Howells lead the chorus with stunning vocals and clever characterisations of the parts they play. Many (such as Stuart and Evans) play the leading roles across several of the pieces of the disc.

--Liner Notes--
The liner notes give a good introduction and biographical information about Gilbert and Sullivan, as well as synopses of the five pieces presented here. It does not, unfortunately, include any information about Mackerras, the WNO Orchestra and Chorus, or the other special performers. It also does not include the lyrics to the songs. Were the quality of the CD not so great, this might cost it a star in rating.

--Overall Impressions--
I play this CD in my car, in my home and in my office frequently. It is a great sing-along work and a great comedic relief from the stresses of the day. The music is bubbly and clear; the recording quality is excellent and crisp. I recommend this to any Gilbert & Sullivan lover, any fan of musical comedy, opera and operettas, and anyone who delights in good music.

Delicious G&S samplings abound here........2003-05-06

The first thing I should be saying is "What an infectuous G&S CD." Indeed this is, with this fine sampling of the peppy and bright Mackerras series. I know I have praised its "Mercedes-Benz quality" elsewhere on these pages, but that doesn't stop me from saying that everyone is in fine voice. This generously filled CD may only focus on five operas, but at least you can savour a reasonable choice sampling of delights from each one. Of particular interest is Richard Suart's patter-baritone parts and the soaring lyric soprano of Rebecca Evans. The selection on this disc is filled with a mixture of familiar favourites and lesser-known gems such as the female choruses in Mikado and Pirates. Mackerras is a true G&S conductor, but one who always springs rhythms crisply, and adopts peppy tempo for the fast bits. The one drawback is that this selection is far too infectuous that you'll want to shell out money to buy the full 5-CD Mackerras cycle - an incredible bargain with most of the operas fitted onto one disc each. But still, this is at least a decent G&S sampling for beginners, capped with Steven Ledbetter's copious liner notes. It will leave you wanting to say "dammit I'm going to play it again."

Fine Intro to G&S.......2000-12-30

This is the perfect CD for those who may not be familiar with G&S, or for the initiated who want a smattering but don't have the mother of all CD changers. The difficulty with any G&S Greatest Hits CD is determining which pieces to leave off; while one could easily point to any number equally good bits, it would be difficult to argue about the quality of the choices included. The only problem, such as it is, is that after listening to it I am usually induced to go back and listen to the whole opera anyway. The Mackerras recordings are uniformly excellent. I have read elsewhere the criticism that they are too 'operatic' for light opera. If by this it is meant that the singers are too good, then I leave it to the discretion of the listener when the singing becomes too good to be enjoyable.

Jesus Christ Superstar (Highlights from the 1971 Original Broadway Cast)

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Jesus Christ Superstar CD's
Of all the versions, this one is the best. Sorry, purists.
The Second Recording of the Rock Opera
Not the Best
THE BEST JCSS RECORDING

Jesus Christ Superstar (Highlights from the 1971 Original Broadway Cast)
Andrew Lloyd Webber , Tim Rice , Ben Vereen , Jeff Fenholt , and Yvonne Elliman
Manufacturer: Decca U.S.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00008QSBZ
Release Date: 2003-04-01

Tracks:

Heaven On Their Minds - Ben Vereen
Everything's Alright - Yvonne Elliman
This Jesus Must Die - Alan Braunstein
Hosanna - Jeff Fenholt
Pilate's Dream - Barry Dennen
I Don't Know How To Love Him - Yvonne Elliman
Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say) - Jeff Fenholt
King Herod's Song - Paul Ainsley
Could We Start Again, Please - Yvonne Elliman
Judas' Death - Ben Vereen
Trial Before Pilate - Barry Dennen
Superstar - Ben Vereen
John Nineteen: Forty One - Chorus

Amazon.com

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's Jesus Christ Superstar is most familiar from its original concept recording or film soundtrack, so it's a long-overdue treat to have the 1971 original Broadway cast finally available on CD. It's a great listen, anchored by Ben Vereen's powerhouse performance as Judas, complemented by Jeff Fenholt as Christ and, from the original recording and the film, Yvonne Elliman and Barry Dennen as Mary Magdalene and Pilate, respectively. The major drawback, however, is that there's only 44 minutes of highlights, or roughly half the score, so this CD should be considered a complement to the other recordings rather than the definitive version. The selections are intelligent, however, and include the ballad "Could We Start Again Please?" (which was written after the original concept recording) and a puzzling "I Don't Know How to Love Him" in which Elliman either plays with or loses track of the rhythm. The booklet includes photos and notes on the show and the Broadway production. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

Jesus Christ Superstar CD's.......2006-11-10

I ordered 2 of the CD's, one for myself and one for a very close friend. They both arrived in exactly condition and in an extremely timely manner. Although this is an older released musical piece, it brought back fond memories and allowed me to recapture moments from my past that were very uplifting.

Of all the versions, this one is the best. Sorry, purists........2006-06-01

I always thought the concept album had a garage-bandy sound to it, and a thin production sound typical of the era (like "Tommy"). The Broadway album is comparatively fuller (still 70's sounding) but makes much better use of the orchestra, and better mixed as well. The string swells sweep you away, the cymbal crashes give you chills. Jeff Fenholt couldn't front Deep Purple, but he makes an excellent Jesus, earnest and conflicted. Murray Head holds nothing to the passion and soul of the great Ben Vereen. Yvonne Elliman is slightly more mature in the role of Mary Magdalene on Broadway and clearly more comfortable, and Barry Dennen seethes and conflagrates as Pilate much more than on the concept album. Overall, more emotion comes through, which figures since they actually performed it in front of live audiences. In a way, the Broadway album is the definitive version because it is from the first performing cast of JCS, not a crew hired for a one-off.
It's a shame the full song list isn't included on the Broadway album, but the highlights really are the best parts, and the song "Could We Start Again", not on the concept album, is Webber & Rice at the top of their show-ballad game.

The Second Recording of the Rock Opera.......2006-03-31

All was not well in 1969 when two baby-boomers decided to write a rock opera based on the last days of Jesus of Nazareth. The analogy held a startling, brilliant poignancy at that time. Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber no doubt were seeing what had happened to the youth of the modern age. Having become disillusioned with the hypocrisy and emptiness of their parents’ establishment, the younger generation experienced a void in their psyche that formerly religion, fortune, and family had filled for their parents. These kids wanted something more substantial, more meaningful, and as a result they through themselves headfirst into the new age – distancing themselves as much as humanly possible from their parents’ in clothing, in speech, in attitude, and of course, in music.

Yet, no one could foresee the force with which that void would compel these kids to attach themselves with their musical idols. If these kids were turning away from organized religion for the answers, they found it in their rock stars. Rock stars became the Gods of their generation – spreading a gospel of subversion, peace, understanding, and individualism. These kids had found the answer they were looking for. Somehow, identifying with an Elvis, or a Hendrix, or a Lennon offered the sense of validation we were looking for. Much the same way in which the early Christians were looking for a sense of validation when they turned to their own superstar – the meager son of a carpenter, born in Bethlehem around the year 4 BCE.

Objectively speaking, this recording is just slightly below the quality of the Original 1970 Concept Recording. About half the music is present (and that which is here is either subjected to truncation or sped-up tempo-wise), but considering how soon after the release of the Concept Recording this was recorded, it probably made more financial sense.

Ben Vereen as Judas is in less flexible voice than Carl Anderson (who later understudied the role) had been when he appeared in the film. There is a slight edge to the sound which is at times soulful and captivating. His "Heaven on Their Minds" is filled with musically interesting moments where he takes the vocal line and creates swells and curlicues. Jeff Fenholt is in very good form as Jesus. He had a strikingly clean baritone voice with a very effective extension (which we get to hear in his excellent, though unfortunately rushed, "Gethsemane").

The unfortunate case with both the leads, however, is that they seem to miss a certain weight to their portrayals that Murray Head and Ian Gillan (on the Concept Recording) understood full out. Part of the issue was poor direction on the part of Tom O'Horgan (who just previously had brought "Hair" to Broadway), whose production concept was based on pure, unabashed spectacle at the expense of a deeper pathos. This can be seen in the production photographs, one of which appears on the cover. (It's Fenholt in an enormous fabric "caccoon" which, in the production, he would lift up to form even more enormous "wings.") Offshoots of this: "This Jesus Must Die" is reduced to pure camp and "Superstar" gets a boost of adrenaline. The former is unfortunate, the latter actually works quite well.

Elliman and Dennon sound more or less the same here than on their subsequent recordings. (Elliman's voice, though, seems to have mellowed nicely.) A pleasant surprise, however is Paul Ainsley as King Herod. His "King Herod's Song" is probably the most musically and vocally satisfying performance of that song I've heard to date. The orchestrations are pretty much kicked-up versions of those used for the Concept Recording, and add a dynamic level to the show.

This will never replace the Concept Recording (or perhaps the 1970 Film Soundtrack), and certainly should not be anyone's introduction to the work. It certainly would make an excellent companion to either of those two, however.

Not the Best.......2005-07-10

I love this musical, and any soundtrack from it is amazing. however, if you're having difficulty picking which version, i would suggest the movie soundtrack before this one. Judus is no where near as good, which was a dissapointment. however, the songs were still very good. What else can Andrew LLoyd Webber be?

THE BEST JCSS RECORDING.......2004-05-20

THIS CD IS THE BEST JCSS RECORDINGS...IT JUST DOSN'T HAVE THE WHOLE "THIS JESUS MUST DIE" SONG. IT DOSN'T PLAY THE WHOLE THING! THE COVER DOSN'T EVEN MAKE SENSE. [I'M STILL WANDERING WHAT IT IS] BEN VEREEN IS A GREAT JUDAS...PROBOBLY THE BEST ONE. BARY DENEN IS NOT GOOD IN THIS PRODUCTION. HE SOUNDED LIKE HE WAS GONNA THROW UP OR HAD A DRY TROUGHT. HE IS BETTER IN THE ORGINAL CONCEPT CD. THE MAJOR PROBLEM IN THIS CD IS IT WASN'T COMPLETE. REALLY, I HAVN'T SEEN A COMPLETE JCSS CD THAT I DON'T HAVE IN 5 MONTHS! THEY ONLY GIVE OUT THE HIGHLIGHTS CDS. WHO WOULD WANT TO LISTEN TO 13 OK SONGS IN A GREAT MUSICAL? NO ONE. THE PICTURES IN THE CD LOOKED CRAZY. I NEVER WANT TO SEE THE PICTURE OF THAT KING HEROD AGAIN. YOU SHOULD BUY THIS CD IF REALLY LIKE THE MUSICAL.

Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Highlights from the 1979 Original Broadway Cast)

Average customer rating:

sweeney terrific
Great Music . Great macabre story.
Too scary
Sondheims 2nd Masterpiece
Flawless

Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Highlights from the 1979 Original Broadway Cast)
Stephen Sondheim , Angela Lansbury , and Len Cariou
Manufacturer: RCA Victor Broadway
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street
Sweeney Todd (2005 Broadway Revival Cast)
Company - A Musical Comedy (1970 Original Broadway Cast)
Follies (Highlights from the 1971 Original Broadway Cast)
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ASIN: B000002W7E
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Prelude/The Ballad of Sweeney Todd: Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd...
No Place Like London/The Barber And His Wife
The Worst Pies In London
My Friends/The Ballad of Sweeney Todd: Lift Your Razor High, Sweeney!...
Johanna
The Ballad of Sweeney Todd: Sweeney pondered and Sweeney planned.../Wait
Kiss Me/Ladies in Their Sensitivities
Pretty Women/Epiphany
A Little Priest
God, That's Good!
Johanna
By The Sea
Not While I'm Around
Final Sequence (Excerpt)/The Ballad of Sweeney Todd: Attend The Tale of Sweeney Todd...

Amazon.com

Stephen Sondheim's Victorian horror thriller Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is probably his most viscerally powerful score, realized to perfection by the original 1979 cast. Len Cariou plays the murderous title character with both menace and tragedy, while Angela Lansbury provides a grotesquely comic performance as Mrs. Lovett, his lover and partner in crime. At 73 minutes, this highlights CD is extremely generous but still omits over a half-hour from the complete recording. What's missing: the coloratura aria "Green Finch and Linnett Bird," the complete barber-contest sequence, the judge's flagellation number, much of the background of the show's central mystery, and a fair amount of connecting music. Yes, it's a good bargain, and it's convenient to have so much good music on a single CD, but any omission from this monumental score is one too many. If you're serious about Sweeney, spring for the two-disc set. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

sweeney terrific.......2007-02-19

The original Sweeney Todd cast can't be bettered. The sound transfer is pretty good, and the only problem is that some of the tracks from the show aren't on the CD.

Great Music . Great macabre story. .......2007-01-04

Lansbury and Cariou are royalty. Their musicanship and performances are special. Combined with Sondheim they're all impeccable. Chilling and VERY sophisticated music from Sondheim. It's one of his finest accomplishments. This will give you goosebumps for it's musical beauty and during it's most thrilling & scary moments. Own this.

Too scary .......2006-08-10

This broadway show is too scary and ominous such as an organ playing ominous music, then the organ starts screaming. It hurt my ears (I was using a pair of Sony Headphones), scared me and made me want to turn it off. How dreadful. I rather listen to something less scary than this.

Sondheims 2nd Masterpiece.......2006-07-22

An American classic, one of the greats, though I feel that Follies is Sondheims greatest acheivement, this is a close second. Saw a preview performance, then saw it again shortly after the opening. Several changes had been made, all for the better. The Flagellation Song had been removed, mercifully. It's been restored in subsequent productions, and always at the audiences discomfort. ?? Anyway, the original production was huge, in sets, performances and music, and it was grand in every sense of the word. Classic performances by Lansbury (one of maybe 3 of the great broadway actresses of all time) and Cariou.
As the other reviewers have already stated, this CD makes you want the complete recording. However, I enjoy this CD when I don't have the time or concentration to listen to the entire score.

Flawless.......2006-05-30

Angela Lansbury is clearly the best Mrs. Lovett, her interpretation is on the dot. She is absolutely bone chilling. Len Cariou's strong baritone is thrilling and his portrayal of Todd is right on the dot. The only downer of this recording is the fact there is no Green Finch and Linnet Bird, a great modern aria sung by Johanna. This, in my oppinion, is Stephen Sondheim's best musical. The orchestration is one of Sondheim's most complex, his counterpoint is awe-inspiring. If you plan on getting this CD, don't. Get the complete original cast! You simply must hear it in its intirety.

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1. Overture - Sinfony - Orchestra
2. Comfort Ye My People
3. And the Glory of the Lord
4. And He Shall Purify
5. For Behold, Darkness Shall Cover
6. For Unto Us a Child Is Born
7. Glory to God in the Highest
8. He Shall Feed
9. Surely, He Hath Borne Our Griefs
10. And With His Stripes
11. He Trusted in God
12. Thy Rebuke Hath Broken His Heart
13. Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates
14. Thou Shalt Break Them
15. Hallelujah!
16. I Know That My Redeemer Liveth
17. Since by Man Came Death
18. Worthy Is the Lamb
19. Amen