Music of Paul Bowles

On this CD:

1. Pastorela: First Suite
Composed by Paul Bowles

Conducted by Jonathan Sheffer

2. Suite for small orchestra
Composed by Paul Bowles

Conducted by Jonathan Sheffer

3. Concerto for 2 pianos, wind instruments & percussion Orchestral version
Composed by Paul Bowles
Performed by Alan Feinberg, Leslie Stifelman
Conducted by Jonathan Sheffer

4. The Wind Remains
Composed by Paul Bowles
Performed by Carl Halvorson, Lucy Schaufer
Conducted by Jonathan Sheffer

5. Once a Lady Was Here for voice & piano
Composed by Paul Bowles
Performed by Kurt Ollmann
Conducted by Jonathan Sheffer

6. In the woods
Composed by Paul Bowles
Performed by Kurt Ollmann
Conducted by Jonathan Sheffer

7. April Fool Baby for voice & piano
Composed by Paul Bowles
Performed by Kurt Ollmann
Conducted by Jonathan Sheffer

8. Farther from the Heart
Composed by Paul Bowles
Performed by Kurt Ollmann
Conducted by Jonathan Sheffer

9. My Sister's Hand in Mine for voice & piano
Composed by Paul Bowles
Performed by Kurt Ollmann
Conducted by Jonathan Sheffer

10. Secret Words for voice & piano
Composed by Paul Bowles
Performed by Kurt Ollmann
Conducted by Jonathan Sheffer

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Paul Bowles had two careers, one as a composer of music for films, dance theater, and Broadway; the other as a writer of extraordinary fiction of the Beat era. While Bowles's fiction has a roughness and an alienation characteristic of the American expatriate experience of the 1950s (he moved to Morocco in 1949 and was friends with William S. Burroughs), his music is anything but. The Pastorela (1947) and Suite for Small Orchestra (1932-33) rival anything Aaron Copland was writing at the same time without being derivative or otherwise influenced by Copland's folksy Americana. As typical of RCA, the recorded sound is excellent, but special kudos go to the Eos Orchestra who invest Bowles's music with grace, color, and charm. Don't pass this release up. --Paul Cook

Tracks:

Jesus Christ Superstar: Overture - Andrew Lloyd Webber
Jesus Christ Superstar: Everything's Alright - Yvonne Elliman/Murray Head/Ian Gilllan
Jesus Christ Superstar: I Don't Know How To Love Him - Yvonne Elliman
Jesus Christ Superstar: Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say) - Steve Balsamo
Jesus Christ Superstar: Superstar - Murray Head
Evita: Oh What A Circus/Sing You Fools - Antonio Banderas
Evita: I'd Be Surprisingly Good For You - Elaine Paige/Joss Ackland
Evita: Another Suitcase In Another Hall - Barbara Dickson
Evita: Don't Cry For Me Argentina - Julie Covington
Evita: High Flying, Adored - Mandy Patinkin/Patti LuPone
Cats: The Jellicle Ball - Andrew Lloyd Weber
Cats: Memory - Elaine Paige
Cats: Gus: The Theatre Cat - Susan Jane Tanner/John Mills
Cats: Mr Mistoffelees - Paul Nicholas
Song And Dance: Take That Look Off Your Face - Marti Webb
Song And Dance: Tell Me On A Sunday - Marti Webb
Song And Dance: Unexpected Song - Sarah Brightman
Song And Dance: Nothing Like You've Ever Known - Sarah Brightman
Song And Dance: Introduction - Andrew Lloyd Webber
Song And Dance: Variations 1 -4 - Andrew Lloyd Webber

Tracks:

Starlight Express: Starlight Express - El Debarge
Starlight Express: Crazy - Greg Ellis/Reva Rice/Caron Cardelle/Samantha Lane/Voyd
Starlight Express: Next Time You Fall In Love - Reva Rice/Greg Ellis
Starlight Express: I Am The Starlight - Lon Satton/Ray Shell
Starlight Express: Light At The End Of The Tunnel - The Company
Requiem: Hosanna - Placido Domingo
Requiem: Pie jesu - Sarah Brightman/Paul Miles-Kingston
The Phantom Of The Opera: The Phantom Of The Opera - Michael Crawford/Sarah Brightman
The Phantom Of The Opera: The Music Of The Night - Michael Crawford
The Phantom Of The Opera: All I Ask Of You - Sarah Brightman/Steve Barton
The Phantom Of The Opera: Entr'acte - Andrew Lloyd Webber
The Phantom Of The Opera: Masquerade - The Company
The Phantom Of The Opera: Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again - Sarah Brightman
Aspects Of Love: Aspects Of Aspects - Orchester Der Vereinigten Buehnen Wien
Aspects Of Love: Love Changes Everything - Michael Ball
Aspects Of Love: Seeing Is Believing - Michael Ball/Ann Crumb
Aspects Of Love: The First Man You Remember - Kevin Colson/Diana Morrison
Aspects Of Love: Anything But Lonely - Sarah Brightman
Aspects Of Love: Chanson D'Enfance - Sarah Brightman

Tracks:

Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Any Dream Will Do - Jason Donovan
Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Joseph's Coat - Maria Friedman/Richard Attenborough/Donny Osmond
Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Close Every Door - Donny Osmond
By Jeeves: Travel Hopefully - John Scherer/Martin Jarvis/Don Stephenson
By Jeeves: When Love Arrives - Steven Pacey/Diana Morrison
By Jeeves: Half A Moment - Sarah Brightman
Sunset Boulevard: With One Look - Glenn Close
Sunset Boulevard: New Ways To Dream - Glenn Close/Alan Campbell
Sunset Boulevard: The Perfect Year - Glenn Close/Alan Campbell
Sunset Boulevard: Sunser Boulevard - Alan Campbell
Sunset Boulevard: As If We Never Said Goodbye - Glenn Close
Whistle Down The Wind: Whistle Down The Wind - James Graeme/Lottie Mayor
Whistle Down The Wind: Cold - Everly Brothers
Whistle Down The Wind: No Matter What - Children/Adult Chorus
Whistle Down The Wind: The Nature Of The Beast - Marcus Lovett/Lottie Mayor
The Beautiful Game: Overture - Andrew Lloyd Webber
The Beautiful Game: The Beautiful Game - The Company
The Beautiful Game: Our Kind Of Love - Hannah Waddingham
The Beautiful Game: Dont Like You - Josie Walker/David Shannon
The Beautiful Game: Let Us Love In Peace - Josie Walker/Omagh Youth Community Choir

Tracks:

Oh What A Circus - David Essex
Memory - Betty Buckley
The Phantom Of The Opera - Sarah Brightman/Steve Harley
All I Ask Of You - Sarah Brightman/Cliff Richard
Love Changes Everything - Michael Ball
Any Dream Will Do - Donny Osmond
Amigos Para Siempre (Friends For Life) - Sarah Brightman/Jose Carreras
As If We Never Said Goodbye - Barbra Streisand
The Perfect Year - Dina Carroll
With One Look - Petula Clark
You Must Love Me - Madonna
The Heart Is Slow To Learn - Kiri Te Kanawa
A Kiss Is A Terrible Thing To Waste - The Metal Philharmonic Orchestra
Whistle Down The Wind - Tina Arena
No Matter What - Boyzone
The Vaults Of Heaven - Tom Jones
Try Not To Be Afraid - Boy George
Pie Jesu - Charlotte Church

Tracks:

Make Believe Love - Wes Sands
Down Thru' Summer - Ross Hannaman
I'll Give All My Love To Southend - Ross Hannaman
Believe Me I Will - Sacha Distel
Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1969 Radio Luxembourg Commercial) - Joseph Consortium/Pete Murray
Try It And See - Rita Pavone
Come Back Richard Your Country Needs You - Time Rice And The Webber Group
Goodbye Seattle - Paul Raven
John 19:41 - The Andrew Lloyd Webber Orchestra
What A Line To Go Out On - Yvonne Elliman
Disillusion Me - Gary Band
The Ballad Of Robert And Peter - Tim Rice
Christmas Dream - Maynard Williams
It's Only Your Lover Returning/All Through My Crazy And Wild Days/Don't Cry For Me Argentina - Julie Covington
It's Easy For You (1977 Jungle Room Session Version) - Elvis Presley
Magdalena - Tony Christie
Buenos Aires - The Roja Rockers
Pollicle Dogs And Jellicle Cats - Andrew Lloyd Webber
Mungojerrie And Rumpleteazer (Live At The Sydmonton Festival 1980) - Gemma Craven
I Could Have Given You More - Petula Clark
I've Been In Love Too Long - Marti Webb
Benedicite - The Stephen Hill Singers

Album Description

Disc 1: Selections from Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Cats, and Song and Dance

Disc 2: Selections from Starlight Express, Requiem, Phantom of the Opera, and Aspects of Love

Disc 3: Selections from Joseph nad the Amaziong Technicolor Dreamcoat, By Jeeves, Sunset Boulevard, Whistle Down the Wind, and The Beautiful Game

CD 4: 1. "Oh What a Circus" --David Essex 2. "Memory" - Betty Buckleey 3. "The Phantom of the Opera" -Sarah Brightman, Steve Harley 4. "All I Ask of You" --Sarah Brightman, Cliff Richard 5. "Love Changes Everything"--Michael Ball 6. "Any Dream Will Do"--Donny Osmond 7. "Amigos Para Siempre (Friends for Life)"--Sarah Brightman, Jose Caerras 8. "As if We Never Said Goodbye"--Barbra Streisand 9. "The Perfect Year"--Dina Carroll 10. "With One Look" --Petula Clark 11. "You Must Love Me" 12. "The Heart Is Slow To Learn" --Kiri Te Kanawa 13. "Whistle Down the Wind"--Tina Arena 14. "A Kiss Is a Terrible Thing To Waste"--The Metal Philharmonic 15. "No Matter What"--Boyzone 16. "The Vaults of Heaven"--Tom Jones and Sounds of Blackness 17. "Try Not To Be Afraid"--Boy George 18. "Pie Jesu"--Charlotte Church

Disc 5: (All tracks available for the first time) 1. "Make Believe Love"--Wes Sands 2. "Down Thru' Summer"--Ross Hannaman 3. "I'll Give All My Love to Southend"--Ross Hannaman 4. "Believe Me I Will"--Sacha Distel 5. "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: 1969 Luxembourg Radio Commercial--The Jospeh Consortium, Pete Murray 6. "Try It and See"--Rita Pavone 7. "Come Back Richard Your Country Needs You"--Tim Rice and the Webber Group 8. "Goodbye Seattle"-- Paul Raven 9. "John 19:41"--The Andrew Lloyd Webber Orchestra 10. "What a Line To Go Out On"--Yvonne Elliman 11. "Disillusion Me" --Gary Bond 12. "The Ballad of Robert and Peter"--Tim Rice 13. "Christmas Dream" --Maynard Williams 14. "It's Only Your Lover Returning/All through My Wild and Crazy Days/Don't Cry for Me Argentina--Julie Covington 15. "It's Easy for You" (1977 Jungle Room Session version)--Elvis Presley 16. "Magdalena"--Tony Christie 17. "Buenos Aires"--The Rioja Rockers 18. "Pollicle Dogs and Jellicle Cats"--Andrew Lloyd Webber original demo 19. "Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer" (Live at Sydmonton Festival 1980)-Gemma Craven 20. "I Could Have Given You More"--Petula Clark 21. "I've Been in Love Too Long"--Marti Webb 22. "Benedicte"-- Stephen Hill Singers

Customer Reviews:

I waited for this for five years.......2006-06-30

Between Amazone, Ebay and Napster, I don't usually buy CDs anymore, and I usually wait till I can buy them cheaper "new and used". When this set came out, I was excited, mainly by Disc 5, but wasn't going to spend $70 on it. I waited till it was cheap enough, and got it for Father's day this year.
It was worth the wait.

The concept is great. The packaging is great. The recording is great. Disc five is really cool for an ALW aficionado. There are a few real gems on it; my favorites are Petula Clark's "I Could Have Given You More" and "Benedicite."
I've always thought "Gus the Theatre Cat" made a great medley on the piano with "Unexpected Song" and "I DOn't Know How to Love Him," but wished there was an alternate lyric to match the other two songs. Now that I know there *is*, and it's a good lyric, it's a dream come true.
The melody of "Benedicite" is one of my favorites from _Sunset_ (the book mis-identifies it as "SUrrender"; it's actually "The Lady's Paying" and "Eternal Youth is Worth a Little Suffering"). The lyrics are the canticle from Daniel 3, which comes up every odd Sunday in the Divine Office, so it's nice to have cool music to sing it with.

I haven't bought _By Jeeves_ or _THe Beautiful Game_ yet, to it was great to sample them.

There are other parts of the CD taht aren't found in my collection. I like CD 4 "The Hits."

But the selections on CDs 1-3 don't make sense.

First, any self-respecting ALW fan has the Original London Cast of _Phantom_, so six tracks are totally useless. Why not draw from the Canadian cast with Colm Wilkinson? Or pull out some obscure recordings never published.

Why two different tracks with Michael Ball singing "Love Changes Everything", yet they're hardly any different?

On Disc 5 is "It's Only Your Lover Returning," sung by Julie Covington. It's an early draft of the song (Lloyd Webber and Rice went through several suggested titles) and quite nice. The very thing one expects on a Boxed Set.
So why have the Julie Covington "Don't Cry for Me" on disc 1?? The only difference is a few words, but it's otherwise identical. Why not Elaine Paige or Patti Lupone or Madonna?

The _Evita_ section is otherwise the best, choosing a sample from each major recording, though I'd have chosen slightly differently (as above).

There is a great selection of "Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer" from the Sydmonton festival, using the original music that was changed when _Cats_ went to Broadway_. It would have been nice if they'd included more recordings from Sydmonton, like the original lyric of "All I Ask of You" shown on the second DVD to the _Phantom_ movie.

With so many great actress-singers who've played Norma Desmond, why does the collection beat us over the head with Glenn Close?

Paul Miles Kingston must be set for life in royalties, for the number of albums the original recording of "Pie Jesu" has appeared on. "Amigos Para Siempre" is nice, but it reminds me of Shari Lewis's "The Song that Doesn't End," especially when it's been used on so many compilations.

In short, this is a great collection for the obscure material, if you can get it cheap. But for a boxed set, it's a poor sampling, drawn mostly from the most familiar recordings.

Excellent collection but BIG PUBLISHING MISTAKE! .......2006-01-10

Please beware they made a mistake on this. It's actually the shortened Ray Shell version of STARLIGHT EXPRESS from the original 1984 London cast - NOT the El Debarge single from 1987 like it says on the box. I don't know how they let that goof pass. Sorry to Ray Shell. Having said that, this is an outstanding compilation of Lloyd Webber's greatest hits.

ONE OF LLOYD WEBBER'S BEST COMPILATIONS, DESPITE A FEW FLAWS.......2005-03-21

Regardless of the fact that some of his latest efforts (most notably, The Woman in White) are disappointing, there can be little doubt that Andrew Lloyd Webber is one of the greatest composers ever to work in the musical theatre. Ever since his "Jesus Christ Superstar" hit the stage in the early 70-is, it was clear that the conception and perception of musicals are never going to be the same again. Many of his songs became standards not only in the theatre history, but also as tops on the charts. Even though he's British, his influence on the shape of the modern musical theatre expanded over the West End boundaries long ago and has thus made an enormous impact on Broadway. Two of his shows ("Cats" and "The phantom of the opera") hold the record as two the longest running shows in the history of Broadway. He has also been the only composer to have three of his shows running at Broadway concurrently. Some of his awards include three Grammies, a Golden Globe, an Oscar and a bunch of Tony awards. But perhaps most of all, Lloyd Webber is responsible for bringing the musicals and the theatre appealing to the wide audiences, who in different circumstances would not consider seeing a musical. The secret of his success is probably the mixture of beautiful and catchy melodies, interesting subject matter (though some, like Starlight Express, are too thin) and grandiose staging.

Over the years many compilations of his work have emerged. In the late 80-is and early 90-is it was the "Encore" series and lately the one-disc collection called "Gold". The one in question here can be considered one of the best currently on the market. First, it includes a 3-disc selections from all of his shows, minus the latest one, i.e., "The Woman in White", which, considering the triviality of the score, is no great lost. The fourth disc covers some of his most known songs sung by the famous artists. Then, there is the fifth disc with previously unreleased material, most of which are the songs ALW wrote with Tim Rice for various artists during the 70-is. The disks are all neatly packed in a hardcover book that features 67 pages of pictures and text with information about each of ALW's shows. One of the other assets here is the perfect sound quality, since all of the tracks have been digitally remastered.

Here are my basic impressions and comments regarding the material on the discs:

* Disc #1 has the selections from "Jesus Christ Superstar", "Evita", "Cats" and "Song & Dance". The Superstar material mostly comes from the Concept Recording. Although the songs sound beautiful as always, their orchestration is a bit dated now. Only Steve Balsamo's "Gethsemane" from the 1996 revival cast has a modern rock sound. "Evita" comes with the material from all of the major recordings: London, Broadway and the movie productions, as well as the Concept album. No objections here; since this is one of ALW's most satisfying works, every song is just perfect, although Patti LuPone, the Broadway and overall the best Evita, is left with only a couple of lines. With the selections from "Cats", however, I have some doubts. A plus to the choice of the "Jellicle ball" impressive orchestral sequence from the 1998 movie version and "Mister Mistoffelees" from the 1981 London cast. One of the best known ALW's songs, "Memory", also comes from that album. It's a pretty version and Elaine Paige's rendition cannot be matched, but why include this when the definite version, featuring an 80-piece orchestra and Elaine Paige with much better interpretation, can be found in the same movie version. Thusly, one has to buy Elaine Paige's latest 2-disc compilation "Centre Stage: The very best of Elaine Paige" to get that one. And "Gus the theatre cat" is more a recital than a song, so there was not much point in including that. Marti Webb brings her vocal charm to the "Song & Dance" sequence, Sarah Brightman sings "Unexpected song" with her famous soprano, but as much as I like her version, Bernadette Peters, who was in this show on Broadway is strangely left out here.

* Disc # 2 starts with "Starlight Express". This was never one of my favorite ALW's shows; the plot is even lighter than in "Cats" and the 1984 original cast recording is terribly dated. Yet, here we have one terrific duet, "I am starlight" from the original together with three songs from the later revivals and it seems that fresh orchestrations were just the thing Starlight needed. My favorite remains a touchy ballad, "Next time you fall in love". "Requiem" is the most solemn of all ALW's compositions, written in 1985 to commemorate the death of his father. Placido Domingo's tenor rides together with the chorus all the way through the strong "Hosanna", only to be joined by Sarah Brightman in the final moments of this song. She then gives an echoing deliverance of "Pie Jesu". What can be said of ALW's next show, "The Phantom of the Opera"? A phenomenon in its own right, it's easy to see from the six numbers included here why this is one of the best and most beloved musicals of all time. The cast, the music, the story - everything is perfect. Although "Aspects of love" was never a popular hit, it does have some of the most beautiful love melodies ALW has ever written. "Love changes everything" sung by Michael Ball is probably one of the best tunes ever about love. The rest of the selected material here has a dreamy love flavor and the melodies find their way into your brain in the best Lloyd Webber way.

* ALW's first musical, "Joseph and the amazing Technicolor dreamcoat" was more successful in its revival form than the original from the 70-is. The three songs included here are sung by the show stars, Jason Donovan and Donny Osmond. Maria Friedman was not a lucky choice to play the narrator, as the track from the 1998 movie version shows. "By Jeeves" was ALW's only big flop when it came to the stage in the 70-is. The 1995 revival sounds much better though, full of funny numbers in the best manner of the musical comedy. "Travel hopefully" remains one of the show's highlights on this compilation. "Sunset Boulevard" comes next. "Sunset" remains for me one of Webber's best scores; lush and beautiful. I listen to the original cast recording with Patti LuPone all the time. However, here most of the songs are performed by Glenn Close. A big mistake. If you've ever listened the American premiere recording with her, you'll know what I am talking about. She may have a strong stage presence, but her vocal abilities are too limited, and her aggressive approach to the role lacks any subtlety. Therefore, the two big numbers from this show, "With one look" and "As if we never said goodbye" are ruined by the fact she can't sing. The same goes for the American Joe Gillis, who was played by Alan Campbell. Luckily, Patti LuPone and Kevin Anderson, the original Norma and Joe from the London production, make their brief entrance here with the "Perfect year"; enough to show how better they are. The funny thing is, on the jacket and inside of it, Glenn Close and Alan Campbell are credited as performers in this song as well. If this was a mistake on ALW's part, it was a good one. The next ALW's show, "Whistle down the wind" was never a critic's dear and yet the audiences rushed in to see it in London. The score brings back ALW to his rock and roll roots of the seventies and the story is quite interesting. But the selections here are not the happiest, since the cast recording boasts with much better songs. And finally, "The Beautiful Game". Again, we have one of those ALW's shows that is worth in its individual parts rather than as a whole. "Our kind of love" and "Let us love in peace" are two catchy ballads. The latter is a nice amalgam version not available elsewhere. The two other tracks here I could live without.

* Disc # 4 has the songs from all the above shows performed by different artists. The assembled tracks have their pros and cons. For example, we have some previously unreleased stuff, like Dame Kiri Te Kanawa's operettic rendition of "The heart is slow to learn", or a stunning and epic "A kiss is a terrible thing to waste" from "Whistle down the wind", performed by The Metal Philharmonic Orchestra. Then again, what was the point in including almost identical tracks as the ones on the previous disks? So we have Michael Ball again singing "Love changes everything" with only a bit different orchestration; Sarah Brightman comes out again with the same Phantom duets, but only with the different male singers. It would be much more appropriate to include tracks from the Toronto Cast of the Phantom, with Colm Wilkinson. Other pop deliverances (Tina Arena's "Whistle down the wind", Barbra Streisand's "As if we never said goodbye", Boyzone's "No matter what" and many more) were wisely chosen. Patti LuPone is again nowhere to be found and Petula Clark's "With one look" sounds too worn-out.

* The last disc is probably the one that will be of most interest to Lloyd Webber aficionados. It consists of entirely previously unreleased material ALW for the most part wrote for various artists during his early years, with Tim Rice. Some of these tunes, not successful as a singles, were later used in his shows. Thus "Down thru' summer" became "Buenos Aires"in Evita, "Try it and see", an unsuccessful attempt for the Eurovision was used for "King Herod's song" in "Superstar" and so on. Some of these songs are nicely made pop songs: "Make believe love", ALW's first recorded composition, for which he provided the lyrics; "Goodbye Seattle", sung by Paul Raven, who later became Gary Glitter; "Come back Richard, your country needs you", from a never made musical, sung here by Tim Rice, or Latin flavored "Magdalena", with Tony Christie singing. My all time favorite here is a song called "It's easy for you", sung by none other than Elvis Presley himself. Lloyd Webber and Rice sent him a demo recording that he accepted and recorded this live version a couple of weeks before he died. It's amazing to hear how his voice remained in the perfect shape. Also, there is a track of Andrew Lloyd Webber singing "Policle dogs and Jellicle cats" while plying the piano. His voice doesn't sound bad at all.

Taken as a whole, this compilation makes a perfect birthday or Christmas present to any fan of Andrew Lloyd Webber shows, or just anybody interested in some of the best tunes from the modern era of the musical theatre; despite the flaws I mentioned above. To the former, it may just be the final addition for the Andrew Lloyd Webber collection.

SUCH MAGICAL MUSIC OF THE NIGHT!.......2003-01-19

"Evita." "Sunset Blvd." "Starlight Express." "Jesus Christ Superstar." "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." "Requiem." "Aspects of Love." The man who is the most recognized composer in the history of the musical theatre, the man who has won more Tonys than any other composer, the man who boasts the best-selling show of all time ("The Phantom of the
Opera") and the longest-running show of all time ("Cats"), the man whose homes are filled with three Grammys, five Oliviers, a Golden Globe, and Oscar and too many other honors and hosannas to mention, the man knighted in 1992 certainly doesn't need an introduction. Now Decca Broadway pays tribute to Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber with "Now and Forever," a spectacular 5-CD set compiled and produced by Sir Andy himself. It's cheaper than a
ticket to "The Producers" ... and more much exciting. This treasure trove contains highlights from all of Webber's shows, and a bonus disc of tunes sung by Betty Buckley, Barbara
Streisand, Jose Carreras, Boy George, Charlotte Church, Madonna, Tom Jones, Petula Clark, even Elvis! A must for lovers of theatre---and good music.

A Must Have for Sir Andrew fans.......2002-05-21

This five-CD collection of Andrew Lloyd Webber's career is fantastic. It leaves virtually no stone unturned. I have no doubt that diehard Webber fans will love this, especially for the 5th disc entitled "From the Vaults." This disc alone is worth the price as it contains tunes never before heard by the typical fan. Who knew Elvis did a Lloyd Webber tune?!? I didn't! Also the tune "Benedictine" which the composer wrote for his most recent marriage is not only pretty, but it has the same medley as "The Lady's Paying" from "Sunset Blvd." which I found highly enjoyable. Another great track is the composer himself singing a cut song from "Cats" entitled "Pollicle Dogs and Jellicle Cats" which has the same tune as "Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats," but to hear Sir Andrew sing is a blast...he sounds a lot like Al "Year of the Cat" Stewart.
The cuts from the musicals are great but are likely owned by ALW fans as they are on the original cast albums. And I'm glad that there were tunes included from the composers most recent efforts which have yet to make it beyond London (Whistle Down the Wind, Beautiful Game).
My only complaint is the inclusion of way too many tracks by Sarah Brightman. She must've received a great divorce settlement that included having tunes on any ALW collection until the end of time!! Her interpretations of some of the tunes were limp and uninspired. I would've much rather heard casts from around the world rather than yet another song by this disdainful soprano! How about Colm Wilkinson's version of "Music of the Night" from the original Canadian cast of "Phantom"? Or Michael Crawford's version of "Unexpected Song"? What? No Betty Buckley from "Sunset Blvd."? And of course there are songs you KNOW are going to be on the collection before you even listen to it as they have been on EVERY ALW collection for the past decade or so.
A great collection but too much Sarah Brightman!

Average customer rating:

AMERICAN SONG RECITAL

American Song Recital

Manufacturer: Channel Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Musical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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Stefano Donaudy: Amor mi fa cantare

ASIN: B000003UYE
Release Date: 1993-08-19

Tracks:

Come Ready And See Me
Sweet Suffolk Owl
Waterbird
Anniversaries: For Craig Urquhart - Fred Weldy
On This Wondrous Sea
The Metropolitan Tower
The Strong House
Secret Words
Sugar In The Cane
Night Without Sleep
Fort Tryon Park: September
For My Daughter, Nina - Fred Weldy
Bee! I'm Expecting You
I Never Saw A Moor
Recuerdo
Social Note
Anniversaries: For William Kappel - Fred Weldy
Never More Will The Wind
Dream With Me
Prld I - Fred Weldy
Prld II - Fred Weldy
Prld III - Fred Weldy
Someone To Watch Over Me

Customer Reviews:

AMERICAN SONG RECITAL.......2000-02-17

AMERICAN SONG RECITAL

Channel Classics Records has taken a first-rate initiative in giving winners of important international music competitions the opportunity to record a CD in the "Winning Artists Series." This CD, with fairly unknown American songs, is part of the above series. Other than a piece by Hundley, the remaining 22 songs are based on texts by American writers.

Richard Hundley's songs are beautiful and his compositions true to the texts on which they are based. All the emotions found in the texts are expanded in the compositions to ensure that the story comes through clearly and is not lost in the music. Lori Laitman was specifically asked by Lauren Wagner to compose a song. She chose a text by Sara Teasdale and the CD is worth owning for this song alone: magnificent! Another "plus" to this production is that the source and full text of the songs are in the CD book.

In addition to songs, a number of piano solos have been recorded. Those of Leonard Bernstein are not very well known, but very much worth listening to. He composed these works for friends, relatives and colleagues. They are concise, very complete compositions.

The fact that Lauren Wagner won four important prizes in 1991 is also not surprising. This singer possesses incredible timbre, has a beautiful, controlled voice and sings with incredible ease. Her music is truly a pleasure to hear. Her accompanist Fred Weldy matches her level of skill easily. This CD is definitely a worthwhile addition to your collection.

Tracks:

A Prayer To St. Catherine
If Thou A Reason Dost Desire To Know
English Usage
My Crow Pluto
John Peel
At The Spring
Sweet Suffolk Owl
What If...
Jabberwocky
Kidnap Room
Bue Mountain Ballads: Heavenly Grass
Bue Mountain Ballads: Lonesome Man
Bue Mountain Ballads: Cabin
Bue Mountain Ballads: Sugar In The Cane
Sleeping Song
April Fool Baby
A Little Closer, Please
Three
Letter To Freddy
Secret Words
My Sister's Hand In Mine
Recuerdo: Echo
Recuerdo
Recuerdo: A Last Song

Customer Reviews:

A Celebration of the American Art Song.......2000-12-30

What a line up of great American Composers. John Musto is personally my favorite New American Composer. "Recuerdo" is an excellent example of his amazing music. His music has so many different influences (Blues, Jazz, Ragtime, and Classical) all blended together to make one rich sound, William Sharp sings them with such sensitivity and grace. Paul Bowles' "Blue Mountian Ballads" are a perfect example of his great choice of text (Tennesse Williams)and his perfect setting of deep southern Music that the text requires. I just get so excited when I hear an album like this, celebrating the American Art Song and it's great and promising future with Young Composers like John Musto and Eric Klein. William Sharp and Stephen Blier are a dynamic duo and pick great repertoire that shows this off exsquisitely.

American classical that blooms from the soul of the earth........2000-09-10

Virgil Thompson's compositions are a refreshing slice of pure amaricana. His works are uplifting, captureing the american soul in much the same way Aron Copland did. Paul Bowles (author of ' The Sheltering Sky')is also featured. He actually studied under Virgil Thompson and their light, airy music compliments each other well, each painting a familiar pastoral lanscape. One can almost feel a cool breeze on a vibrant spring day. The melodies glide like butterflys, conjuring up the smells of flowers or the light-blue of a summer sky. Though not a work of genious, Thompson and Bowles nevertheless manage to create some magical, unforgettable sounds.

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It's Great To Be An American!
Dissonant; the work of unfettered creativity
Bowles as composer, a pleasant surprise

Music of Paul Bowles

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Night Waltz: The Music of Paul Bowles

ASIN: B00004SUS7
Release Date: 2000-05-02

Tracks:

1. La Lucha (Fight)
2. Caminata (Strolling)
3. El Indio (The Indian)
4. Pieza Tranquila
Danza General
1. Pastorale
2. Havanaise
3. Divertissement
1. Allegro
2. Scherzo
3. Andante
4. Galop
Overture
Underscore: Setting The Stage
Song: 'El Sueno' (Harlequin)
Entrance Of The Girl
Duet: '?Quien Lo Dice?' (Girl & Harlequin)
Clown Dance
Underscore: The Mask & The Stenographer
Love Scene: '?Donde Vas?' (Secretary & Young Man)
Underscore: 'Te He De Llevar'
Song: 'Te He De Llevar' (Young Man & Secretary)
Reprise: '?Donde Vas?' (Secretary)
Servant's Dance
Duet: 'Si, Mi Hijo' (Young Man & Secretary)
Song: 'Una Musica De Anos' (Harlequin)
Finale: 'Una Musica De Anos'
1. Once A Lady Was Here
2. In The Woods
3. April Fool Baby
4. Farther From The Heart
5. My Sister's Hand In Mine
6. Secret Words

Amazon.com

Paul Bowles had two careers, one as a composer of music for films, dance theater, and Broadway; the other as a writer of extraordinary fiction of the Beat era. While Bowles's fiction has a roughness and an alienation characteristic of the American expatriate experience of the 1950s (he moved to Morocco in 1949 and was friends with William S. Burroughs), his music is anything but. The Pastorela (1947) and Suite for Small Orchestra (1932-33) rival anything Aaron Copland was writing at the same time without being derivative or otherwise influenced by Copland's folksy Americana. As typical of RCA, the recorded sound is excellent, but special kudos go to the Eos Orchestra who invest Bowles's music with grace, color, and charm. Don't pass this release up. --Paul Cook

Customer Reviews:

It's Great To Be An American!.......2001-05-17

I have had a long-term interest in the missing generation of American composers -- that is, the generation of the '30s and '40s who tended to leftist views. Their most popular surviving members are Copland and Bernstein; but they also include Blitzstein, Bowles, Barber, Diamond, Foss, etc. I am quite grateful that they are slowly being rediscovered.

My interest in Paul Bowles began with a performance script of Tennessee Williams' "The Glass Menagerie," which specified that no music other than the music of Paul Bowles was to be used in productions of the play. "Who dat?"

Then I discovered "The Sheltering Sky," and a collection of his short stories, and an extremely exotic Morrocan autobiography called "A Life Full of Holes" that he translated. So, I thought, maybe he was really a writer who dabbled in music. But the recent biography of Copland said otherwise. Copland felt that he was very possibly the most talented of that generation. Then a door-stop sized biography of him came and went; more clues to his musical accomplishment but still, no music.

I was beginning to suspect that Mark Blitzstein was the more talented among the relatively unknown members of that generation. And I had recordings of a recital of his songs, "The Cradle Will Rock," "Regina," and "The Airborn Symphony" which supported it.

But this CD indicates a rush to judgment. I still adore Blitzstein, but Bowles is the better craftsman and far more ingenious in his creative approach to rhythm, form and instrumental color.

This CD is just too much fun. Thanks to their French training under Boulanger, they all got a thorough appreciation of the entire battery of Stravinsky's various rhythmic, harmonic, and melodic tricks, including his ongoing appreciation for folk songs and dances. Even the arty songs on this CD are spicy. And I am simply dazzled by the concerto for two pianos. What enormous fun!

May young scholars and performers continue to persue this repertoire and give it the fresh and refreshing interpretation it gets on this CD. It's great to be an American!

Dissonant; the work of unfettered creativity.......2000-07-27

I like minimalists. For whatever reason I like the music of Adams, Glass, some of Reich, and especially the work of one composer whose work I chanced across: Ingram Marshall.

On the other hand, I'd never heard of Paul Bowles. Then there was a concert at the Kennedy Center of various pieces for two (and three) pianos. The conductor preceded the performance of Bowles' Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra with the fact that Bowles is better known as an author than as a composer. I didn't know that, but I paid attention to the Bowles piece. It didn't have the melody or magic fingerwork of the pieces by Mozart, Mendelssohn, or even the piece by Poulenc. But I like it. It reminded me of the minimalists.

I confess that I notice that concerto more than the other pieces on the disk; having seen it performed, I can relate to it more intimately. The booklet along with the CD says that Bowles spent a great deal of time in Tangier apparently fleeing from something in the U.S., probably something considered seditious at the time. During that exile, he, according to the booklet, picked up the influence of French composers. The booklet mentions Satie, Milhaud, and Poulenc. While I listen closely, what I notice is a touch of Ravel. And, since I find Ravel's music outstanding, who am I to criticize Bowles'?

It's hard to describe any of the music. Much of it, again, is minimalist to me. It's dissonant, pops all over. Bowles himself said of one of his pieces, that "it's like a monkey jumping from one tree to another." Some of the six songs seem a bit somber, even funerary. (Maybe I'll have to listen to them more closely.) But it's all so soothing. Since Bowles was an author in addition to being a composer, there was a stream of creative juices flowing from and around him. The mixture--or lack--of styles in the pieces on this CD reveals talent, no doubt about that. But it was a talent not constricted by the norms of his would-be instructors, Aaron Copland and Virgil Thompson. For that I think his instructors would be happy.

Get it and listen to it. It'll grow on you, and grow, and grow.

Bowles as composer, a pleasant surprise.......2000-06-16

It was a surprise to me to find music of the famous author Paul Bowles. I have read Sheltering Sky and I was impressed by it. The CD booklet mentions a dual career for Bowles. Listening to his music I think it is a shame Bowles did not pursue a career as composer. He is by no means a mature composer, but the sincerity and passion of his music are very refreshing. His music is American, with strong influence of Copland. His sound is jazzy and romantic with latin influences. I was very impressed by the two vocal works on the disc. One, a zarzuala based on Garcia Lorca is an exiting piece of music with a latin touch. The other is a suite of six songs, beautifully sung by Kurt Ollmann. Overall the performers do a great job. It is clear they like the music and especially the voices are a good match for this kind of music. I gave it a 5 star rating because of the rareness of the music, the quality of the performance. I bought the disc as a gift and I find it hard to part from it.

Paul Sperry Sings Romantic American Songs

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Paul Sperry Sings Romantic American Songs

Manufacturer: Albany Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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William Sharp
Paul Sperry Sings An American Sampler
Permit Me Voyage: Songs by American Composers
Just-Spring: Art Songs of John Duke
But Yesterday Is Not Today-The American Art Song 1927-1972

ASIN: B0000049LM
Release Date: 1995-08-10

Tracks:

Ballad On Queen Anne' Death (Annon.)
Bartholomew Green (James Purdy)
Come Ready And See Me (James Purdy)
Sweet Suffolk Owl (Annon.)
Spring (Shakespeare)
Waterbird (James Purdy)
I Do (James Purdy)
Isaac Greentree (An Epitaph)
On A Wife (An Epitaph)
The Astronomers (An Epitaph)
Some Sheep Are Loving (Gertrude Stein)
Once A Lady Was Here(Paul Boweles)
Three (Tennessee Williams)
Letter To Freddy (Gertrude Stein)
April Fool Baby (Gertrude Stein)
Baby, Baby (Paul Boweles)
A Prayer To St. Catherine (Kennith Koch)
There is A Garden In Her Face (Thomas Campion)
English Usage (Marianne Moore)
Take, O Take Those Lips Away (Shakespeare)
Preciosilla (Gertrude Stein)
Eleven Poems Of Emily Dickinsons: I'm Nobody
Eleven Poems Of Emily Dickinsons: Safe In Thier Alabaster Chambers
Eleven Poems Of Emily Dickinsons: The Level Bee
Eleven Poems Of Emily Dickinson: The Butterfly
Eleven Poems Of Emily Dickinson: Summer's Armies
Eleven Poems Of Emily Dickinson: Presentiment
Eleven Poems Of Emily Dickinson: The Grass Has So Little Has To Do
Eleven Poems Of Emily Dickinson: Aristocracy
Eleven Poems Of Emily Dickinson: Tie The Strings To My Life
Eleven Poems Of Emily Dickinson: Papa Above!
Eleven Poems Of Emily Dickinson: Ample Make This Bed
O Mistress Mine (Shakespeare)
These, My Ophelia (Archibald MacLeish)
The Doves (Leonard Feeney)
Memory (William Blake)
I Rise When You Enter (Leonard Feeney)

Samuel Ramey: Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye: Songs of Barber,

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a voice teacher and early music fan
The greatest American bass
Good, but one dimensional
Primo basso assolutto!!

Samuel Ramey: Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye: Songs of Barber,
Samuel Barber , Stephen Foster , Charles T. Griffes , George Gershwin , Edwin Gerschefski , Paul Bowles , Cole Porter , Samuel Ramey , and Warren Jones
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Date With the Devil
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The Very Best of Thomas Hampson

ASIN: B000002C08
Release Date: 1996-10-01

Tracks:

No. 6 from Hermit Songs, Op. 29: Sea-Snatch
I Hear An Army
Sure On This Shining Night
Bessie Bobtail
If You've Only Got A Moustache
Gentle Annie
Don't Bet Your Money On The Shanghai
Evening Song
An Old Song Re-Sung
No. 1 From Three Poems, Op. 11: The Lament Of Ian The Proud
Song Of The Dagger
A Damsel In Distress: Nice Work If You Can Get It
Shall We Dance?: They All Laughed
Girl Crazy: Embraceable You
The Goldwyn Follies: Just Another Rhumba
They Cannot Stop Death - Blue Mountain Ballads
Heavenly Grass
Lonesome Man
Cabin
Sugar In The Cane
Anything Goes: Blow, Gabriel Blow
Jubilee: Begin The Beguine
Seven Lively Arts: Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye
FIFTY MILLION FRENCHMEN: The Tale Of The Oyster

Customer Reviews:

a voice teacher and early music fan.......2007-02-26

This is such a great collection of 20th century songs, that it behooves me to say something brief about each composer on this disc. I think that by doing so the listener gains more insight and thus more appreciation of all aspects of the song material.

The music of Samuel Barber (1910-1981), whether his symphonies, concertos,operas, chamber music or songs, is notable above all for a pronounced and refined lyricism. Barbr wrote songs thruout his career, and his published vocal output, though relatively small, is perhaps the most distinguished of an American composer. He preferred lyrical , romantic poetry, and his word-setting was perfect.
Stephen Foster (1826-1864) published his first song when he was 18 and by dint of hundreds more became, in the words of Aaron Copland,"our own national hero (who) had a naturalness and sweetness of sentiment that transformed his melodies into the equivalent of folk song." He was truly a songwriter rather than a composer, for he wrote no concert works or operas.
Charles Tomlinson Griffes (1884-1920) assimilated Debussian impressionism and,somewhat later, Oriental exoticism. During his brief career, he composed 64 songs, including four song-cycles.
George Gershwim(1898-1937) began his career in Tin Pan Alley and eventually, with works such as 'Rhapsody in blue' for piano and orchestra and some other works, brought Jazz into the concert hall.
Paul Bowles (1910- ) has long enjoyed celebrity status as an author,a writer of novels, short stories and essays. After a brief study with Aaron Copland, he made a considerable reputation as a composer of incidenal music. Virgil Thompson once described Bowles's songs as "enchanting for their sweetness of mood, their lightness of texture, for in general their way of being wholly alive and right".
Cole Porter (1891-1964) had the rare ability to invent superior catchpenny tunes; deceptively simple, often elegant melodies that stay in the ear. Consequently,he became one of the most successful American songwriter of his era.

As to Samuel Ramey's performance of these songs, one can only say 'business as usual', and that means great sound, great diction, great interpretation and always with that extra something that only a few bassos have!!!!The variety of works is varied and interesting and, if you please, is NOT a cross-over album. There are too many songs that denote the classical element. He was wise enough to vary his selection to avoid that particular situation. I really like this disc!!!!!

The greatest American bass.......2007-01-10

Ramey fans will not be disappointed by this charming collection of vocal gems.

Good, but one dimensional.......2000-04-26

Samuel Ramey is undoubtedly one of the finest and most versatile opera singers of his generation. However, these songs do not show his voice off at his best. One of Ramey's main faults is a lack of variety and vocal colour which is ABSOLUTELY needed in a song recital. This lack of colouring means that most of the songs come out sounding the same. The other major concern is that Mr Ramey's vibrato is quite pronounced. Most opera singers can get away with this when singing with an orchestra, but when he just has piano accompaniment it is much more noticeable. Still, it is good to have a recording of some of these lesser known songs and it is still an enjoyable cd.

Primo basso assolutto!!.......1998-11-17

Having attended Mr. Ramey's recent recital in Chicago where he sang a number of the songs on this recording, I can say that there is simply no bass today to rival him for sheer vocal glory. Whether it is the bel canto repetoire, baroque decorations, or as here, the American literature, Ramey is THE bass of the day. Unlike the former days when bassos were relagated to either buffoon, rich uncle, or some other supporting role, Ramey has almost single-handedly elevated the basso to star status. Roles that languished for years because there was no one up to their demands are now staples of Ramey's catalogue. Warren Jones is a sensetive and intelligent accompanist. In fact he played the entire recital from memory.

But Yesterday Is Not Today-The American Art Song 1927-1972

Average customer rating:

A favorite for 30 years
Proof that American songs can be great

But Yesterday Is Not Today-The American Art Song 1927-1972

Manufacturer: New World Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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William Sharp

ASIN: B0000030FE
Release Date: 1996-09-17

Tracks:

The Children
Once Upon A Time
The Rose
Moo Is A Cow
Thomas Logge
Once A Lady Was Here
Song Of An Old Woman
Richard Cory
Luke Havergal
Miniver Cheevy
Strings In The Earth And Air
When The Shy Star Goes Forth In Heaven
O, It Was out By Donnycarney
Bid Adieu
My Love Is In A Light Attire
Song
On The Beach At Fontana
These, My Ophelia
Sure On Thes Shining Night
The Running Sun

Customer Reviews:

A favorite for 30 years.......2006-10-05

Like the next reviewer, I had this on record, and now have the CD. I have loved this music for 30 years. If you love 20th century American music, give it a try. I wish you as much pleasure as I have received from it.

Proof that American songs can be great.......2002-07-05

I have had the lp issue of this album for many years and have enjoyed it more with each encounter. The songs by Duke, Bowles, Citkowitz, Chanler, and Copland are based on some familiar poems, but the songs are not, themselves, well-known. I particularly have liked the witty and memorable Duke settings of E.A. Robinson's "Luke Havergal" and "Miniver Cheevy," but the real musical highlight of the disc would probably be the settings of James Joyce's "Chamber Music" by Israel Citkowitz. Donald Gramm is in fine voice for his selections and Bethany Beardslee proves again her legendary status as an interpreter of all kinds of modern music. It is definitely a good thing that this has been reissued on CD and I hope it will reach a wide audience.

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Music in the American Grain

Manufacturer: Cedille
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Tracks:

Pno Son, Op.3: I. Vigorous And Turbulent
Pno Son, Op.3: II. Restrained But With Deep Feeling
Pno Son, Op.3: III. Slowly, Moderately, With Increasing Impetuosity
Third Son: I. Allegro Agitato Ma Leggiero
Third Son: II. Canzona-Fuga-Canzona
Third Son: III. Sherzo-Trio (Barcarolle)-Scherzo
Pno Son: I. Allegro Molto E Dinamico
Pno Son: II. Andante Cantabile
Pno Son: III. Allegro Giusto
Six Latin American Pieces: Huapango No.1
Six Latin American Pieces: Tierra Mojada
Six Latin American Pieces: El Bejuco
Six Latin American Pieces: La Cuelga
Six Latin American Pieces: Orosi
Six Latin American Pieces: Huapango No.2 ('El Sol')
Carretera De Estepona

Album Description

Pianist Ramon Salvatore, a champion of American music, harvests a program of attractive, distinctive yet neglected works by four prominent, living composers on his first recording for Cedille Records.

The disc offers debut recordings of Robert Palmer's neoclassically seasoned Third Sonata (dedicated to Salvatore) and Paul Bowles' evocative Carretera de Estepona. Other works include Bowles' Six Latin American Pieces, John LaMontaine's dramatic Piano Sonata, Op. 3, and Hunter Johnson's Piano Sonata, which The New York Times described as "an engrossing combination of Hindemith-like counterpoint and American blues."

The composers, who received advance copies of the recording, praise it robustly. Palmer notes "a clarity and understanding of every part of the work that is truly outstanding." He describes Salvatore as a "superb musician" and likens him to the late John Kirkpatrick for his dedication to popularizing neglected American masterpieces.

Bowles calls the recording of his pieces "the best I had heard." Johnson declares the recording of his Sonata "a knockout in every respect. I would call it definitive -- everything exactly right -- one by which to measure all other performances of it." To LaMontaine, it's "nothing less than stupendous."