Stephen Sondheim's Follies in Concert
Director: Michael Houldey
Average Customer Review:
DVD (24 July, 2001)
list price: $24.99 -- our price: $22.49
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Editorial Review

Follies in Concert: Four Days in New York provides a backstagelook at a genuine Broadway event, the 1985 concert performance of Stephen Sondheim's 1971 Broadway musical Follies. A star-studded roster is backed by the New York Philharmonic, featuring principals Barbara Cook, Mandy Patinkin, Lee Remick, and George Hearn, supported by the likes of Carol Burnett, Liliane Montevecchi, Elaine Stritch, and Liz Callaway.Unfortunately, this 90-minute documentary only includes about 47 minutes of actual concert footage--ironic because the purpose of the concert was to record the whole score after the original Broadway cast recording had omitted or shortened many songs.

Still, what's here is not to be missed. Sondheim's musical brilliantly captures the memories and heartache of a long-lost era and the performers who embodied it. At a reunion of the fictional musical revue The Weismann Follies, the long-retired players relive their careers through 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) remember their pasts and wonder whether they chose their spouses--and the course of their lives--correctly. This film includes glimpses of the rehearsals and comments from the actors and Sondheim himself that lend depth and insight to the production. And even if only about half of the actual concert is represented, the closing "Loveland" sequence is almost complete, and "Who's That Woman (The Mirror Song)?", though heavily edited, does provide some sense of the choreography. --David Horiuchi ... Read more

Features

• Color
• Dolby

Reviews (18)

Aging Gracefully.
"Beautiful Girls". What a fantastic opportunity for lovers of Broadway musicals to see the behind the scenes creation and making of a successful musical in four days. This film is in part documentary combined with hi-lights of the finished performance at Lincoln Center with the New York Philharmonic. The story line of "Beautiful Women" attending a Follies Reunion so many years into retirement is powerful and awakens thoughts of aging. Mandy Patinkin, Carol Burnett, Barbara Cook and Lee Remick lead an all star cast in this Steven Sondheim Classic. You might want to view this film more than once.

A ONE-NIGHT FOLLY THAT DESERVES TO BE SEEN
They say the neon lights are bright on Broadway, but these days the damn things are blazing. Revivals are still king: Alfred Molina is wowing them with his performance as milkman Tevye in the 40th anniversary revival of Fiddler on the Roof on Broadway - we haven't seen the show, but the cast recording, now on PS Classics, is so brilliant that it has replaced the Zero Mostel version as our fave Fiddler. Boston audiences just got a chance to plunk down $75 to see a revival of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic, The King and I, starring former Triscuit queen Sandy Duncan (in the title role - no, not the King, but the "I," as in Anna Leonowens, the schoolteacher who "tamed" the King of Siam.). Perhaps the most interesting thing about this revival is that it's being directed by Baayork Lee, the diminutive actress best known for her role as Connie in the original production of A Chorus Line and who appeared as Princess Yaowlak, opposite Gertrude Lawrence and Yul Brynner, in the original Broadway production of The King and I back in 1951.
Aso in Beantown: bombastic broad Elaine Stritch, appearing in her Tony-winning one-woman show, Elaine Stritch At Liberty. It's a raucous and honest look at her life and love and career highs and lows - especially the booze-sodden episodes so reminiscent of those ladies who lunch - and worth every vodka stinger forfeited to pay for a ticket.
Those who yearn to watch moments of standing-room-only grandeur from the Great White Way - and wish to do lying down - can opt for a selection of DVDs. Acorn Media Group recently released Broadway's Lost Treasures, a trove of 22 show-stopping numbers, and is about to release a sequel. Video Arts International has released the long-forgotten, eagerly-anticipated Mary Martin and Ethel Merman: Their Legendary Appearance on the Ford 50th Anniversary Show, the famed June 15, 1953 television special whose highlight is M & M's 13-minute duet medley, where they sing the songs that made them famous ... plus much more. Follies in Concert (Image Entertainment) captures the historic, star-studded, one-night-only 1985 concert version of Sondheim's gem; not a great show but more memorable than not, if just for the chance to see Carol Burnett, Barbara Cook and Lee Remick warble. Image, by the way, has also unleashed "Elaine Stritch At Liberty" on DVD, but we strongly suggest catching the lady live and not relying on a filmed performance. Yes, the DVD is cheaper than a ticket. Yes, the material's the same, and the laughs and tears can be heard. But since when is low-carb as good as the real thing?
And then there's Broadway: The American Musical, the ambitious PBS documentary miniseries that takes viewers on a six-hour, three-night journey through the world of Broadway musicals. Narrated by Julie Andrews - PBS honchos have dubbed her their "Unofficial Ambassador for the Broadway Musical" - and crammed with historians and authors and writers and stars and directors and chorographers (some of which, frankly, are legends in their own minds), Broadway; the American Musical hit nthe TV airwaves in mid-October.
Don't get us wrong: Any show that helps introduce audiences to Broadway musicals or reacquaint theatergoers, any show that educates and entertains gets a standing O from us. But Michael Kantor's film is too long, too ambitious. It tells the tale of two stories - the 100-year history of musical theater and the story of its relationship to 20th-century American life. The interviews are assembled in a haphazard fashion, clips are rarely identified, scenes are often drama tized and recreated ... or are they? We are never told. And there are too many film clips!
Still, it's fascinating to hear Kitty Carlisle tell of going to Harlem with George Gershwin "dressed in ermine and pearls," then stopping by his apartment to help him with orchestrations for the work he was writing, Porgy and Bess. It's always interesting to hear Sondheim discuss the state of the Broadway musical. The segment of Jack Benny attempting to get a discount on a $6.60 orchestra seat for the Rodgers and Hammerstein smash Oklahoma! is hysterical. And the segment on long-forgotten comic Bert Williams - discovered by Florenz Ziegfeld and a man who still needs to be rediscovered and embraced by members of his African-American community - is heartbreaking.
So expansive is the miniseries that there are three companion items: a lavishly illustrated companion book, to be published by Bulfinch Press, and a tome so heavy it very well may be used as a murder weapon; a five-CD box set to be released by Sony; and a single CD featuring highlights from the miniseries (Decca).
Take your seats, please. The show is about to start.

WAY UP THERE.........
LEE ..... Lee Remick, Barbara Cook, Mandy, George, Liliane, Carol ..... {A}licia ...Liz ...Betty ....Adolphe .... how quickly it fades .......SO????

It's not complete - but WHAT we have is LEGEND!

So priceless ..... WHERE IS the MOVIE Version?

MGM was supposed to do this way back .......

WHY do we wait... ?

This DVD is merely a TANTALUS version ... excellent but just a glimpse of THE GREATNESS of the Great White Way ....

OK .... so just where are the new Ziegfelds????????

[Streisand should consider this vehicle ... from a director's pov.Reynolds, Powell, MacLaine, Grayson, Gaynor, Andrews, Close, LuPone, Page, Minelli, Menzel and Chenowith ...and the others are STILL around .....for now ......]

DO THIS ! ... Read more

Asin: B00005KH3H
Subjects:  1. Performing Arts - Concerts   

Follies in Concert (1985 Live Performance) + Stavisky Film Score
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
list price: $23.98 -- our price: $20.99
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Editorial Review

Since the original Broadway cast recording of Stephen Sondheim's Follies was a truncated affair that turned out to be both a disappointment and a disservice to a brilliant show with a brilliant cast, this 1985 concert performance from New York's Avery Fisher Hall set out to record the whole score, a set of pastiches of old songs and songwriters as performed by a cast of faded stars and the visions of their younger selves. The result was a star-studded roster backed by the New York Philharmonic led by Paul Gemignani, with principals Barbara Cook, Mandy Patinkin, Lee Remick, and George Hearn, supported by the likes of Carol Burnett, Liliane Montevecchi, and Liz Callaway. Even these stars can't quite match the original cast, and the results are somewhat uneven--from Cook's yearning "Losing My Mind" to Patinkin's you-love-it-or-you-hate-it schizophrenia in "Buddy's Blues." Other highlights include Elaine Stritch's wry "Broadway Baby," the two young couples' interplay in "You're Gonna Love Tomorrow/Love Will See Us Through," and the electrifying audience reactions to "Beautiful Girls" and "Who's That Woman?"(A documentary video was released, but unfortunately, it did not contain the complete show.) As a bonus, this two-CD set includes 45 minutes of instrumental music Sondheim composed for the 1974 French film Stavisky, including two melodies that had been cut from the original production of Follies.--David Horiuchi ... Read more

Features

• Cast Recording
• Live

Reviews (19)

A Good recording.
The original is my perferred version, even though it is very watered down. Here, all the songs are complete, but it comes out uneven somehow. The really great performers here are Carol Burnett and Barbra Cook. They really shine. The rest do mediocre performances. Out of the rest, Lee Remick, and Elaine Strich do a great job. Buy this you want the "complete" version and four stellar performances, but the original is the one to get performance wise.

FOLLIES - the best recording ...so far
If any one album makes a case for FOLLIES is is this set of FOLLIES IN CONCERT. It is not the definitive FOLLIES, but about as close as we're likely to get. The sound is very VERY good, especially for a live recording, but as such there is quite a bit of applause on this disc.

Producer Thomas Shephard originally taped the dress rehearsal so he would have quiet endings for all the numbers but when the audience nearly tore the roof off Avery Fisher Hall, he decided that eliminating applause would negate the event that led to the album. So, he comprmised and used applause after the "follies" numbers but not after plot songs. If you didn't know this you might wonder why "Beautiful Gilrs' gets such a huge hand and the next song "don't Look at me" seems to be met with stoney silence.

The cast is sensational. Perhaps not in the same league as the originals but a fine "revival" cast. Lee Remick and Barbara Cook are ideal as leading ladies Phyllis and Sally and its a joy to hear Cook's glorious voice in "Losing My Mind." Mandy Patinkin effectively uses his energy to put a new spin on "Buddy's Blues. "I know some object to his over-the-top style but it was effective on stage. Elaine Stritch has fun singing "Broadway Baby" and Carol Burnet makes the most of "I'm Still Here." Really, there isn't one bad track in the whole package.

Completists may quibble with the slight cuts here and there..the last bit of the Overture (including a segment of "Can That Boy Foxtrot") has been cut, as has "Bolero D'amour."The original montage ending of "Rain on the Roof/Ahh Paris/Broadway Baby" was dumped, and the spoken interludes in "Loveland" have been re-arranged.NONE of this will impair your enjoyment of this wonderful show.

As a bonus RCA has filled out the second CD with the soundtrack of Sondheim's score for STAVISKY. Many cut songs from FOLLIES were used in this film score, so its a natural tie-in.

The booklet has all the lyrics but no synopsis to place the songs within the context of the story. It is a minor flaw in an otherwise first rate package.

My Favorite Follies
This is, in my opinion, the best recording of Follies you can buy. The quality of the recording isn't the best for reasons of staging and the lack of wireless mics back then, but who cares? Take a look at the list of famous singers in this cast. A big plus of this recording is the complete overature that wasn't on original. Barbra Cook is absolutely wonderful. Her voice doesn't age! I like the fact that they raised the key of a few of Sally's songs for Barbra since Sally is supposed to be the soprano of the two female leads anyway. Babra sings every single song with feeling and vocal perfection. I feel that her rendition of Losing My Mind is the definitive version of that song. Her final, "you said you loved me," is gorgeous and really shows the pain that Sally is feeling in her dramatically perfect interpreation of the song.

Lee Remick is wonderful as Phyllis. She has the icy beauty that really makes her song, Story of Lucy and Jessie really make sense. Her version of Could I Leave You? Is great! She is just really great.

George Hearn is absolutely wonderful! He sings every song like a god and it's nice to hear him sing something other then Sweeney Todd, which he tended to scream a lot in. I adore his voice and think he is perfect for the character of Ben.

Mandy Patinkin is so annoying. He emphasizes things that aren't supposed to be emphasized and he's just ridiculous in all of his songs. His voice isn't the problem, it's his high voltage, uneccasary dramtization that turns me off.

The supporting cast is wonderful. One More Kiss sounds so much better when it's sung by Opera singers, and these two are amazing. I mean look at their names and you'll go, Oh my god! Elaine Strich's interpreatation of Broadway Baby is very different for she truly sees the true irony of the song and portrays it very well. Everyone else is wonderful also. This CD is a must buy! ... Read more

Asin: B000002WB6
Subjects:  1. Film    2. Music Theater    3. Pop    4. Showtunes / B'way   

City of Angels (1990 Original Broadway Cast)
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (09 February, 1990)
list price: $17.98 -- our price: $17.98
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Editorial Review

Cy Coleman and David Zippel's City of Angels is a seductive depiction of 1940s Los Angeles, capturing swinging jazz, torchy ballads, witty lyrics, and even a Manhattan Transfer-like Greek chorus (arranged by ManTran guru Yaron Gershovsky). James Naughton and Gregg Edelman star as Stone and Stine, respectively a tough Raymond Chandleresque PI and the writer who dreams up his adventures. Randy Graff plays Stone's long-suffering secretary and Dee Hoty the requisite femme fatale. Loads of atmosphere and tasty songs such as "What You Don't Know About Women," "With Every Breath I Take," "You're Nothing Without Me," and "You Can Always Count on Me" make City of Angels a modern classic. It won 1990 Tony Awards for Best Musical, Leading Actor (Naughton), Featured Actress (Graff), Best Book (Larry Gelbart), and Best Original Score.--David Horiuchi ... Read more

Features

• Cast Recording

Reviews (28)

I love it!
This is one of my favorite soundtracks ever! Since I'm going to be working on music for the show, I'm happy that this is the case. It has been in my CD player for a few weeks now, and there's enough variety for it not to get old. But having read through the script makes the lyrics infinitely wittier. Musicals are supposed to rely partially on the lyrics and partially on the script. This show does that perfectly. Without the script, the lyrics are (apparently) lacking. But without the lyrics, the script is missing something. When you put the two pieces together, however, it'sreally easy to see why this show won a Tony.

Coleman shines, lyrics tank
Honestly I had hoped for much more from this musical.I mean, I'm a fan of noir and Cy Coleman!
But I find the lyrics so cheesy they make the music unlistenable.

Of couple of tracks, however, are outstanding and worth a listen:
"With Every Breath I Take"
"You Can Always Count on Me"

City of Angels (the Musical not the movie): where's the DVD?
I have to agree with Adam Lasnik's review.I LOVE this soundtrack!It was originally recommended to me because "Every Breath You Take" is just perfect for my voice (I often use it as an audition piece in my repretoire).I fell in love with the music even more when I saw a stage perfomance of it.It is one of my favorite musicals, with the exception of my absolute favorite, "Into the Woods."I sooo wish this was available on DVD or even VHS.I want to show it to my theatre classes so they can appreciate it too.And, like Adam, if one more person says, "Oh, I love that movie!" when I mention City of Angels, I will probably scream.(By the way, Engeln uber Berlin, or Wings of Desire, was way better than it's remake, City of Angels) ... Read more

Asin: B00000272K
Subjects:  1. Music Theater    2. Pop    3. Showtunes / B'way   

Doing Something Right: Randy Graff Sings Cy Coleman
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (18 June, 1996)
list price: $16.98
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Features

• Soundtrack

Reviews (2)

Yes! A brilliant collection of Coleman-songs!
Don`t worry, I won`t fuss around. I`ll just tell you why you should buy this album: first of all, Cy Coleman is a fantastic composer and you`re gonna like his songs as long as you like Broadway musicals; and: if you like and know Coleman-show`s you`ll even find some songs you don`t know yet and they sound just brilliant. Well and of course credits to Randy Graff who does a great job and makes this record to a must for every Broadway musical fan...(sorry, I guess, I did fuss around, didn`t I? Anyway, go ahead, buy it!)

Great Singer! Great Songs!Great Buy!!
Tony Award Winner Randy Graff ("City of Angels") sings some of Cy Coleman's most popoular songs as well as a few "chestnuts" in this highly entertaining CD. Ms Graff's Broadway credits includeoriginating the role of Fantine in "Les Miserables","Laughter on the 23rd Floor", "Moon Over Buffalo" withCarol Burnett, and "High Society".For some of Cy Coleman's bestfrom a lady who can really sing em, this CD is a must for your Broadwaycollection. ... Read more

Asin: B0000014XH
Sales Rank: 249682
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Showtunes / B'way    3. Traditional Pop   

Seesaw (1973 Original Broadway Cast)
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
list price: $9.98 -- our price: $9.98
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Features

• Cast Recording

Reviews (4)

A Broadway nadir.
With all due respect to Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields, both of whom made major contributions to the Broadway canon, this must be one of the weakest musical scores ever committed to vinyl. Worst of all, it bears no relation to the poignant two-character play on which it is based. Who would have wanted that tender little play to include a big campy production number starring Tommy Tune?

Michele Lee sings Cy Coleman's most underrated score
SEESAW was a musical version of William Gibson's rueful comedy-drama TWO FOR THE SEESAW, which originally starred Anne Bancroft.For the musical version, the leading lady was the delightful Michele Lee (BRAVO GIOVANNI) who earned a Tony nomination for her performance.

The Cy Coleman-Dorothy Fields score includes great numbers like "Nobody Does It Like Me", "In Tune" and the 11 o'clock number "Poor Everybody Else".

The supporting cast includes the always-reliable Tommy Tune, as well as Ken Howard, Cecelia Norfleet and LaMonte DesFontaines.

Highly-recommended for fans of Broadway musicals as well as the incantory Miss Michele Lee.[DRG CDRG6108]

This Seesaw is merely quirky fun
Cy Coleman's Seesaw overture is a wonderful start to a wonderfully breezy CD.Most of the chorus numbers are very poor ( Spanglish, Ride Out the Storm), but the spotlighted Michele Lee, Ken Howard, and Tommy Tune arepreserved fantastically.Michele Lee's husky voice is capable of makingyour heart soar and break at the same time.Her comedic timing iswonderful (Welcome to Holiday Inn), her down-on-her-luck song isperfection(Nobody Does It Like Me), and Poor Everybody Else will have yourooting for Michele instantly.Ken Howard is truly a Lovable Lunatic.AndTommy Tune's Tony Award winning performance is captured here with"It's Not Where You Start."It is typically Coleman music, buthe is wonderfully aided with Dorothy Fields's lyrics.If you can find itfor a discount, don't resist! ... Read more

Asin: B000000PG6
Sales Rank: 21548
Subjects:  1. Music Theater    2. Musicals    3. Pop    4. Soundtracks & Film Scores   

Highlights from Jekyll and Hyde (1990 Concept Cast)
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (12 March, 1990)
list price: $16.98 -- our price: $16.98
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Features

• Cast Recording
• Cast Recording

Reviews (28)

Pretty dang good....
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.

Concept CD - NOT the Show!
To all the reviewers who trash this recording as if it were a pale comparison to the finished show - get over it.And look up the definition of what a concept album is.

At least half of the songs here were not used in the show or were drastically changed, but that is what makes this recording so invaluable.It's interesting to hear the original concept of what Jekyll & Hyde was supposed to be prior to changes being made (to the detriment of the show, in my humble opinion).

While Colm Wilkinson is not my idea of perfect casting for Jekyll (or Hyde, for that matter), one cannot deny that he sings these CONCEPT songs beautifully - which was the whole point of this concept CD - to sell the show to potention backers.

As for Linda Eder, well, what can one say about Linda Eder?She is perfection, and, being married to the composer, why shouldn't she be perfect for these songs?They were written with her in mind.

Bottom line, if you are a true Jekyll & Hyde fan, this concept album is a must own for a complete collection.

Til you came into my life
This CD does it for just because it contains the song 'Til you came into my life'. This was the first recording of this amzing show I ever owned, I have since owned the complete work and broadway cast recording and they are all different. This is just a concept so is not going to be at the same standard as the others but its just a shame that such a good song could fade away unheard.
As for the comment about Colm some of us do love him, hes a very gifted singer and actor, he grabs my attention every time I hear him, I recognise his voice instantly, thats talent. He was the best Val Jean and a bloody good Phantom ... Read more

Asin: B000003F05
Sales Rank: 48956
Subjects:  1. Cast Recordings    2. Musicals    3. Pop    4. Show Tunes    5. Showtunes / B'way   

Sondheim - A Celebration at Carnegie Hall (Highlights from the 1992 Concert Cast)
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (23 February, 1993)
list price: $16.98 -- our price: $16.98
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Features

• Cast Recording
• Live

Reviews (1)

What a recording!
I only wich I could have been at Carnegie Hall that night! Come on, Bernadette Peters, Liza Minnelli, Karen Ziemba, James Naughton, and so much more!After i bought this highlights albumI knew I had to get the full2-CD set. It's great cause it's live, the orchestrations are Heaven, andyou will feel like your in new york in the audience. Buy it enjoy it and ifyou like it is much as I do buy the Video of the performance! ... Read more

Asin: B000003FEM
Sales Rank: 125282
Subjects:  1. 90's    2. Classical    3. Miscellaneous    4. Music Theater    5. Orchestral    6. Show Tunes    7. Showtunes / B'way    8. Traditional Pop    9. Vocal   

London Concert
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (11 July, 1995)
list price: $16.98
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Features

• Live

Reviews (3)

Betty Buckley's best recording
I'll start by putting my cards on the table: I have mixed feelings about Betty Buckley. On some recordings, her vibrato could cut glass. Then there's her extreme divaness, which can veer into hilarious pretentiousness (case in point: the DVD "Betty Buckley - Stars and the Moon").

That said, this CD (taped live in London) is a must-have for any Broadway fan. Buckley is in her very best voice, and she throws herself fully into the songs. It's both tremendously exciting and moving.

If you've heard her other CDs and wondered what all the fuss is about, then give this one a chance. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

A voice that Soars
....I had been wanting to get a recording Betty Buckley's signature song "Memories" for quiet some time.This live CD recorded in London contains that song and whole host of other treasures.If you are a loverof show tunes or a fun of Ms. Buckley this CD is definately for you.

Betty Buckley's voice is truly awesome!
This CD was recorded Live in London with the BBC Concert Orchestra & the BBC Big Band while Ms. Buckley was performing as Norma Desmond in Sunset Blvd.Ms. Buckley has atruly awesome voice that sounds so wonderful with a full orchestra.This Diva can "Belt it."Her rendition of "Over You" is the best to date."The London Concert" is one of her very best performances, and I have seen many of her performances live over the past 20 years. ... Read more

Asin: B000001UXT
Sales Rank: 150406
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Pop Vocals    3. Show Tunes    4. Showtunes / B'way    5. Traditional Pop   

The Disney Album
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (01 July, 1991)
list price: $9.98
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Reviews (9)

Cook really cooks
This is a delightful, beautiful and nostalgic album, with some of the very familiar Disney songs to some not so familiar.I wish I had another copy of it.Perhaps one day, it will be re-released, and I will be able to afford it.Though, actually, it is priceless.Five stars plus!!

Magnificent
Barbara Cook's Disney album is one of the finest popular recordings ever made, exquisitely sung to shimmering arrangements.Cook's artistry, intelligence and taste glow in this album, which provided the model for Barbara Hendrick's similar and also absolutely first-rate collection.It's a crime this album is out of print.

Why is this out of print?!
I bought two copies of this CD when it first came out as gifts for my sister and my cousin. Sadly, I didn't get a copy for myself, but my sister made me a tape. I love Miss Cook's voice, and the wonderful "re-arrangement" of some of the classic Disney tunes. I also love some of the more obscure tunes on this CD, such as "Sooner or Later". I recently bought a used copy through Amazon, which is in great condition, and I am so happy to have it, if for no other reason than to be able to play "Baby Mine" for the child I hope to have. ... Read more

Asin: B000002O5K
Sales Rank: 150669
Subjects:  1. Childrens    2. Show Tunes   

Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1982 Original Broadway Cast)
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (01 February, 1991)
list price: $11.98 -- our price: $10.99
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Editorial Review

It's well known that Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice cut their teeth on Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat before shifting to the New Testament and hitting the big time with Jesus Christ Superstar. And thanks to the box-office clout of Lloyd Webber, as well as the rather sparse supply of new tuneful musicals, this charming little show has reached audiences far beyond the schoolchildren it was intended for. The score shows off Rice's clever lyrics and Lloyd Webber's wide eclectic tastes, with his takes on country, calypso, French café music, Rudy Vallee, and Elvis. The show also includes some simply very fine songs, including "You Are What You Feel/Jacob and Sons," "Close Every Door," and the peppy "Go Go Joseph." Leading the 1982 Broadway cast is the enormously appealing Laurie Beechman in the role of the narrator. Joseph has been subsequently revived in bigger, bolder incarnations starring Donny Osmond and then Sam Harris, presumably to justify a big ticket price for what at heart remains a small-scale show--proof that you don't always get what you pay for.--David Horiuchi ... Read more

Features

• Cast Recording

Reviews (29)

It is the AMAZING Technicolor Dreamcoat for a reason..
great cd from a Great play-- how do i know ?I'm in it now! -- playing the part of the brother Dan.Great fun and great music and dancing in this play--if you happen to be in the New Jersey area, come and see the play for only 10$ at the door (7 in advance) March 17,18,19 at 730 PM or March 20 at 1 at Colonia High School -- East Street Colonia NJ

The ABSOLUTE best!!
Alright, I have been in this musical twice, and have heard many recordings of this and most of them have been good. This recording is by far the absolute best thing I have ever heard. Laurie Beechman is phenomenal as the narrator. She almost brought me to tears. Her voice just like traveled up my spine and gave me chills. The guy who plays Jospeh, Bill Hutton, is so corny and simple and it fits better than any other person I have heard. I have always loved that fact that Pharoah is supposed to sound like Elvis, and Tom Carder just does it better than you will ever hear. Don't bother with any other recording of this musical. You will never EVER find a better version of the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat anywhere!

This narrator rocks my socks
I bought this CD on a whim, because I love musical theatre, and knew that my local theatre was going to be having auditions for this show soon. As soon as I heard the first line of the prologue, sung by Laurie Beechman, I was ENRAPTURED!! I absolutely LOVE the way she sings the part of the narrator on this CD. Her high belt is awesome. All the songs on this soundtrack are extremely catchy...I never thought I'd end up liking it as much as I did. I haven't heard the other cast recordings of this show in their entirety, but I have heard clips of the different narrators, and they pale in comparison to Laurie Beechman. The other female narrators all seem to be high and breathy, while Beechman has a strong, powerful voice. This version has made its place in my heart as the definitive "Joseph" version. I am actually auditioning for a production of this show next week, and I want to play the role of narrator with such a passion!! ... Read more

Asin: B000003JAN
Subjects:  1. Music Theater    2. Musicals    3. Pop    4. Showtunes / B'way   

Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake (Matthew Bourne)
by Adam Cooper Scott Ambler Fiona Chadwick
Director: Peter Mumford, Matthew Bourne
Average Customer Review:
DVD (16 May, 2000)
list price: $29.97 -- our price: $26.97
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Editorial Review

Swan Lake became an unexpected popular hit when radical choreographer Matthew Bourne took Tchaikovsky's traditional ballet by the scruff of theneck and reworked it with a myriad of modern influences and themes to astonishing effect. Seldom have the dark psychological riptides at the heart of so many classicalballets been so brilliantly exposed. The Prince (Scott Ambler) is a wretchedand dissolute young man dominated by his mother, the Joan Collins-like Queen(Fiona Ambler). Shades of Tennessee Williams, indeed. Von Rothbart becomes apress secretary, more sinister eminence grise than hissable villain. Moststartling of all, the Swan (Adam Cooper) is a muscular, emphaticallymasculine male.

Bourne has stressed the universality of his interpretation, which proved sucha success for his Adventures in Motion Pictures dance company. And indeedthis is never an overtly "gay" Swan Lake, although the electricity of the pasde deux at the height of Act 2 delivers a palpably homoerotic charge. Its universal threads--as Bourne suggests, the need to be held and understood is common to us all--are synthesized in the utterly moving conclusion as the Swan cradles the lifeless Prince and raises him to a better place. Swan Lake becomes a human, rather than simply romantic, tragedy.--Piers Ford ... Read more

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Reviews (46)

Great piece of work!
As a hard-core classical ballet fan, I didn't know what to expect out of this "modernized-yet-it-isn-'t-quite-ballet" performance.I got the first glimpse of Adam Cooper -- who danced the lead role of the male Odette/Odile in this performance -- in "Billy Elliott" (where Cooper made a cameo role as the adult Billy).Naturally I was curious and wanted to see more, so I got this DVD. Wow -- I am very impressed.Adam Cooper's performance is ASTOUNDING. He, and him alone, is reason enough for me to watch the performance.I wish I could say the same for the rest of the cast -- they were pretty good, but none had the charm and stage presence of Cooper. But that's why he has the lead role, right?This is one performance where I can watch over and over again.

Don't buy, if you must see it, Rent first!!
Oh my goodness, I was so glad I did not buy this!! I have always been enchanted by Swan lake and have seen the "original" ballet.I was moved to search out this version because of the movie "Billy Elliot".At the end of that movie we catch a glimpse of the adult Billy, played by the lead swan, Cooper. I was almost tempted to buy the DVD sight unseen based on the reviews, but decided at the last minute to rent it first. I was so bored, it was unbelievable.I am pretty open minded, but i thought this was really cheesy. The choreography most of the time was bad, and I found myself fast forwarding through to see some actual dancing, not filler.The story did not grip me and the music was awful.What makes Swan Lake so hauntingly memorable, is the music's correlation with the dancing.With Bourne's version, I felt that the music was almost wasted.At times when it was cresting, the Prince was sulking in the dark.Anyway, judge for yourself, but I caution...do as I did...rent from Netflix first before you buy!

Not the standard 'Swan Lake' - but that's a good thing!
If the usual ballet corps in productions of 'Swan Lake' are about the poise and gracefulness of a swan's movement, then this version is certainly about the virility, strength, and - to be honest - obnoxiousness of wild birds (this is coming straight from someone who's been attacked by ducks while throwing crumbs!).I am in full agreement with Matthew Bourne when he says that swans can be a very masculine and aggressive animal.This corps portrayed it quite well, especially toward the last two scenes.

Adam Cooper makes a magnificient Swan and a dangerous, sexy Stranger.The ball scene reeks of virtuousity and should have been a debilating dance.Instead, he smokes at multiple points while the scene is still going on!Quite impressive.

While watching the Prince, I felt a dreadful sense of loneliness, explaining his wretched behavior.Unloved by his mother, forcing an unexpected and emotionally-laden pas de deux, used by his courtiers and abused by a tramp...poor man, small wonder he would be enchanted with visions of a Swan!

If you get hung up on the fact that two men are dancing the pas de deux, you're missing the point.It's not unreasonable to assume that the Prince is gay, and you'd be hard pressed to miss how affectionate the Prince/Swan interactions are, or even the brutal sexuality of the Prince/Stranger scenes.But the ballet is more, much more, about the power of 'touch', and how big a role affection can, and should, play in one's life.For my money, that's far more entertaining - and accessible - than the concept of princesses under enchantment.

I recommend this version to anyone - especially those who are burning out on the traditional Swan Lake. ... Read more

Asin: B00004CWO8
Subjects:  1. Music Videos - Classical