Amazon.com

Avenue Q will only fuel the frustration of those who think that Broadway has given up on sophisticated entertainment geared to adults. "Whatever happened to Cole Porter's witty rhymes and mature subject matter?" they'll say. Well, it's hard to deny that Avenue Q's main frame of reference is Sesame Street and that its humor can be very broad--yes, there's profanity and puppet sex. But the show also displays heart("The More You Ruv Someone" typically begins with "Why can't people get along?") and a pretty satisfying zany streak. Musically, the score is rooted in 1970s pop, with nods to the aforementioned Sesame Street. The excellent cast, dominated by John Tartaglia and Stephanie D'Abruzzo, does it justice, milking the humorous numbers for all they're worth and finding pathos in the more straightforward ones. Not bad for a childish show.--Elisabeth Vincentelli ... Read more

Reviews (89)

Seseme Street Puppets + Sex & Profanity = Brillance!!
While "Rent" tries to explore Generation X's challenges and dissapointments when it comes to love, employment, poverty, friendship, and success, "Avenue Q" does it even better, and with puppets!

The songs, which have the happy bounce of Seseme Street-like tunes, have some of the wittiest lyrics of any Broadway show. Listen to "If You Were Gay," "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist," "The Internet is For Porn," "Special," "You Can Be as Loud as the Hell You Want," "My Girlfriend Who Lives in Canada," or "Schadenfreude" and try not to laugh. I think as long as your not some prim and proper conservative you'll be rolling on the ground. The show also has some touching songs, notably "There's a Fine, Fine Line" and "I Wish I Could Go Back to College."

And besides the hillarious songs, "Avenue Q" has a delightful cast of young musical theater up-and-comers. As Avenue Q's everyman, Princeton, John Tartaglia showcases his superb pop-style voice, and as stuffy investment banker Rod, Tartaglia shows he can do character acting as well. As Princeton's love interest, Kate Monster, Stephanie D'Arbuzzo is charming and sweet, but as Lucy she shows she can belt a hot, sulty night-club number. As Rod's roomate, Nicky, and the porn-addicted Trekkie Monster, Rick Lyon reveals he is a master at comedic characters, and Natalie Venetia Belcon is a riot as Gary Coleman (yes, THAT Gary Coleman).

"Avenue Q" is without a doubt the funniest and most politically incorrect show since "The Producers" and may be the only worthy competition "Wicked" sees for the Tony Award for Best Musical of 2003-2004.

Absolutely brilliant, off-the-wall send up of Sesame Street!
Yes, the new musical, "Avenue Q" looks like an episode of "Sesame Street," but be forewarned parents, the "Parental Advisory Warning" isn't there for no reason. This brilliant new Broadway show takes a cast of foam characters, who look suspiciously like the Muppets, and uses them to tackle decidely adult issues such as sex, pornography, racism, homosexuality, drug use, cruelty and cynicism. Ironically, this musical's most recent forebear is "Rent," and while that show told its story through rock opera while this one tells it through bouncy, cheery songs that sound like children's music but are in fact raunchy, vulgar, and most importantly, wickedly clever and satirically dead-on parodies (Think of the music to "South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut" and you'll get the general idea.), the shows' subject matters are remarkably similar, even if their overall tones couldn't be more divergent. Monsters who masturbate? Two male roommates who bring the supposed gay subtext of Bert and Ernie into the forefront? Songs that teach us such valuable lessons as "Everyone's A Little Bit Racist," "The Internet is for Porn," and "You Can Be Loud As the Hell You Want When You're Making Love"? Sesame Street this ain't. Absolutely hilarious it is. If you're in New York, you MUST go see this show, which is funnier than "Urinetown," "The Producers," and "Hairspray" combined. If you aren't, buy this cast album to get even just a small idea of the warped and wonderful world of "Avenue Q."

Am I missing something!?
Its funny how a whole bunch of people can swear by a CD and you buy it with the hopes that it meets or exceeds your high expectations..and then, wham! You play it and your left scratching your head and wondering what on earth all the fuss is about!?
First off all, the songs are funny...I will give it that. But to me it seems this show actually tries too hard in making you laugh. This CD lacks a solid story, a bit of something to keep you listening. And after ten minutes, my fiance was literally begging me to turn the "sesame-street-gone-wild" CD off. It actually gets quite annoying with songs like "My girlfriend who lives in Canada" and worse yet, "Im not wearing underwear today" (which would be OK, if it werent sung by a cookie monster sound-a-like with a cold, I simply cant get past the awful voice.)
Of course, with any album, including musical theater, there are great songs that leave you wishing for more...
I loved "Purpose" and "Mix Tape" and "Everyone's a little bit racist". I suppose you have to take the good with the bad... but Im not sure I will ever listen to this again. Maybe I am missing something...but skip this buy. Borrow it from a friend or something, or if you really want it I'll happily give you mine. (My fiance will be greatful to get it out of the house!)

You'll Laugh, You'll Cry, You'll Be Offended!
Avenue Q is one of the better shows that is currently running on Broadway. The sleeper hit ended up winning the Tony Award Triple Crown, Best Book, Best Score, and Best Musical! And it won most deservedly! When someone asks what Avenue Q is about, it is hard to describe. I just tell people that they have got to experience it! It is funny, touching, and extremely entertaining. I just love the edgy comedy this show has. No matter who you are, you are bound to be offended by at least some joke in this show, and undoubtedly feel a little guilty for laughing. But the show is so funny, that you are willing to drop that. Avenue Q is great!

Silly, Sophmoric, Incredibly Rude...and I Love Every Note!
Sometimes good things happen to good people...like when the truly terrific "Avenue Q" won Tony Awards for best musical (surprise!) and best score. And here's the cast album to prove why. I've seen the show twice now and have recommended it to numerous people, all of whom have had a terrific time. The show works better onstage than on this recording (mostly because you can't see the magical work of its puppeteers), but it's still a highly enjoyable way to pass a perfectly un-PC hour or so. Full of catchy tunes with unprintably raunchy lyrics, "Avenue Q" isn't your grandmother's Broadway musical...unless your grandmother happens to be someone like Bette Midler. This is not going to be to everyone's taste, but I find it intelligent and very, very clever stuff. Subversive and rude, "Avenue Q" is the perfect musical for anyone who grew up wondering if Bert and Ernie ever got it on. (And maybe hoping that indeed they did!) ... Read more

Amazon.com

At first glance, the approach picked for De-Lovely will be familiar to those who already own Red Hot + Blue: A Tribute to Cole Porter. On both albums, contemporary pop stars cover classics by Porter. But many of the interpretations on Red Hot + Bluewere modernized, whereas the approach on De-Lovely is more traditional---it's the soundtrack to a biopic about Porter, after all, so a classic (though not quite period) sound prevails. What's surprising is how well many of the singers deal with the songs without the crutch of a contemporary pop retooling. Who would have thought that Alanis Morissette had such a natural affinity for "Let's Do It (Let's Fall in Love)," for instance? She fares equally well in her screen cameo, whereas Diana Krall sounds superb on "Just One of Those Things" but looks horribly uncomfortable in the movie. Other good surprises include Robbie Williams's "It's De-Lovely" and Kevin Kline as Porter, coming across as a more-tuneful Rex Harrison. Elvis Costello, meanwhile,confirms he's a better songwriter than singer, and as Linda Porter, Ashley Judd is hesitant at best. In a nice touch, a recording of Cole Porter himself performing "You're the Top" provides the album's coda. --Elisabeth Vincentelli ... Read more

Reviews (38)

Refreshing Cole Porter
The sound track of DE-LOVELY features some of the greatest standards of the American Songbook, sung by such contemporary artists as Alanis Morissette (Let's Do It); Sheryl Crow (Begin the Beguine); Elvis Costello (Let's Misbehave); Diana Krall (Just One of Those Things), and Natalie Cole (Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye). All of the tracks, except Cole Porter singing "You're the Top", are newly recorded for the sound track of this telling of Cole Porter's life story. Kevin Kline, who plays Porter has a couple of well-chosen cuts as well.
If the film is as good as the recording, this could be one of the better films for adults and show-biz fans for the summer.
Ashley Judd portrays Porter's wife Linda and she, too, has a few songs.

I'll see the movie anyway.
I haven't seen the movie yet because musical movies come late to this overrated tinhorn resort town where I live, in the redneck state of Arizona. But I did buy the soundtrack. I am speaking as an old lady who has loved musicals all my life. I remember when Cole Porter's songs were on the Hit Parade (the Top 10 of the '50s). I memorized his lyrics when I was a teenager.
With the exception of Natalie Cole, my experience with most of these singers is name recognition only (Morissette, Crow, Costello, maybe Williams; I've never heard of Krall, Lemar, or Hucknall).
Now that I've heard them actually sing, I think they must be rejects from American Idol. Their voices are terrible; they're only reciting the lyrics, not singing them as if they have any idea what the words mean (listen to Frank Sinatra). And now I know why I dislike most of today's popular music: so much of it is in a minor key, like Crow's embarrassing rendition of "Begin the Beguine." Whoever had that idea should have been outvoted. Porter must really be spinning.
In my opinion, only four tracks did the music justice: "Anything Goes," sung by Caroline O'Connor, who mercifully did not go overboard in suggesting the performance of Ethel Merman; "Love for Sale," beautifully sung by Vivian Green, perhaps the best version of that song I've ever heard; "Be a Clown," sung by Kline, who obviously appreciates that he's playing an intelligent, sophisticated man of the world and one of the finest Broadway and Hollywood composers and lyricists ever; and, of course, "Ev'ry Time We Say Good-bye," sung by Natalie Cole, who learned how to put over a song from one of the best singers: her father, Nat ("King") Cole.
I'll still go to see the movie, if it ever opens here, but generally I was disappointed with the arrangements and the singers.

Movie: 5, Soundtrack: 2
Great movie... BUT... hearing ONLY the soundtrack it is a 2... why? Because the music is some of the most melodic and beautiful ever written and several performances are neither authentic of the time, or not sung in a way the beauty of the song can be heard. This music is NOT about the performer... it was about the song! Most of the original recordings which featured a singer did not even have the singers name on the record! That is because the song was beautiful and did NOT need a song "stylist" to make it "all about the singer"!

Having said that, most of the songs in the film are not bad... and standouts include Natalie Cole and Diana Krall. The sad renditions are worst with Sheryl Crow TRYING to sing "Begin the Beguine" and Elvis Costello who butchers "Let's misbehave."

Get these tunes on CD from some great people who sang them in the past... like Sinatra, Torme, Clooney, Bennett and Vaughn.

New Life to classic tunes
With quite a few negative reviews here, I must put a positive hand up for this movie and for its terrific soundtrack.
Many great songs, in new - sparkling arrangements, sung by todays artists give so much emotion to the movie, setting the scene, and telling the story - musical dialogue in effect... I especially enjoy "Begin the Begine" with Sheryl Crow. The instrumentation includes a Bass Flute which adds a sultry sheen to this moody performance. Cole Porters wonderful songwriting lifts these songs - decades later, for a new audience to appreciate.

Stop
You just saw the movie, loved it, and now you want to buy the soundtrack? Stop. Instead, buy either "The Very Best of Cole Porter" or "Cole Porter: A Centennial Celebration". Of these two, I would recommend "A Centennial Celebration" first because it contains three original Cole Porter recordings.

I don't think that there is a perfect Cole Porter collection out there. They all seem to either leave out an important song or they allow someone to butcher one of his songs. However, either one of these is far better than the movie soundtrack which simply strays too far Cole Porter's original work. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Altar Boyz may ride on a single idea, but that idea is brilliantly carried through: What if there was an openly Christian boy band? Because the show's success depends on that one concept, every detail has to be perfec--and it is. Each member of the titular quintet is typecast--the Hispanic one, the gangsta one, the could-be-gay one, etc.--and the singers perfectly ape the perky 'N Sync/American Idol style, easily navigating between yelping pleading and bombastic bravado. The booklet even comes complete with lengthy, smarmy thanks from the Boyz ("big props to the Big Man in the sky"). As for the music, it's drenched in cheesy synths and appropriately catchy: Gary Adler and Michael Patrick Walker (contributing six songs each) may have gleefully nailed the genre's inane lyrics, but they didn't forget the melodies either. --Elisabeth Vincentelli ... Read more

Reviews (6)

You have to understand...
I've been reading other people's reviews of this product and they seem to be all over the place.Some people loved it others hated it.I would put myself in the former group, with my big toe in the latter.

This show was fantastic.As a Gay Christian I understood every single joke, and the sarcasm behind the songs.When I saw this show performed the vocal and comedic talent of the 5 performers was astounding.They were fantastic.The rest of the audience (even my Christian/Republican/Bush-can-do-no-wrong Mother enjoyed it).There are a some underlying sarcastic themes directed toward fundamentalism, but on the whole this show put God and Jesus in a very positive light.

That being said though... for some reason the show just does not seem to translate well onto CD.My friend, another Gay Christian, has yet to see the show, but was planning on ordering the CD anyway.I advised him not to do so, because as I was listening to the CD after having seen the show, I thought to myself that if this CD was all I had to go by, the show would not have been as appealing to me.It spoils some of the better jokes, and those jokes don't make as much sense without the dialogue needed to put them into context.Also, the singers' voices don't sound as good as they do in person, and neither does the instrumentation.

My friend didn't listen to me though, and bought it anyway.He said that he loved the CD and it only made him want to see the show more.

To each their own, I suppose.I personally would suggest seeing the show first and letting the CD be a reminder of just how hilarious this show actually is, rather than letting the CD be your first impression.

Is this a cast recording or just a bland boy band cd?
The musical "Altar Boyz" received good reviews, so I have to believe that the music plays better in proper context. It seems like it could be an entertaining and witty show. This cd, though, is barely listenable.That might actually be a compliment-- the musical is spoofing the pop stylings of boy bands and Christian music.Since I can barely stand this kind of music, and didn't enjoy any of the songs on the cd, I guess it's safe to say the writers have nailed the style. What's not clear is whether they were attempting to write good songs or simply trying to be as cheesy as possible.

The problem with the cd is that it's basically a one-note joke that gets old by the end of the first song.Every song makes fun of boy bands and Christian music-- I'm all for that-- but the satiric lyrics only go so far. The bland pop sound quickly takes over and before long the cd actually BECOMES exactly what it's spoofing.The packaging of the cd even helps this along-- it's made to look as if the Altar Boyz are an actual group, and there's barely any info about this being a cast recording.

As presented, this is not even really a musical score-- there are no character or plot-driven songs (or any that really register as such)-- just one spoof song after another. Perhaps the cd could have been helped if there were some linking dialogue included, or just something-- anything-- to put the humor of the show in better context. It's not that the cd is completely devoid of wit or good performers. But separated from the stage, it plays exactly like a bad boy band cd.

ALTAR BOYZ-LIKE N'SYNC BUT TALENTED
Every once in awhile a show comes along that is so perfect in achieving its' goal you just want to jump up and sing I BELIEVE! This is about a boy band with Christian values but once they identify themselves, Matthew,Mark,Luke and Juanand Abraham-He's not Christian- you know tongues are going to be planted firmly in cheekor cheeks.The Backstreet Boys as well as N'sync get their nods as well as Ricky Martin, and there's even a rap number. Every number on this CD is joyous, performed by 5 talented performers and kudos to the band. But these songs are not always holier than thou-especially "There's Something About You" which is about abstinence before marriageor so it seems until you listen closely to the sly lyrics. I would recommend this CD to anyone-This would even cheer a grump.

Altar Boyz
Altar Boyz was so funny. I saw it in New York with my Mom and we couldn't stop laughing. I told my friends about it and they love the songs too. It's great!

Raise the Praise
Altar Boyz is the story of a Christian boy band (members include Matthew, Mark, Luke, Juan and Abraham-hes Jewish!) who are travelling across the country on their "Raise the Praise" tour spreading God's word while trying to cleanse the souls of their audience with their "sweet pop music".

I love this show, its absolutely hilarious. A big upside to this cast album is that you don't necessarily have to have seen the show to understand and love this recording. ... Read more

Reviews (39)

Surprise someone you love--this is a great gift CD
When I first heard this album on NPR two years ago, I was stunned. Peyroux sounds like Billy Holiday filtered through Patsy Cline by way of Edith Piaf. Her phrasing is fabulous, especially given her young age when the CD was cut. My only gripe is that sometimes she sounds too much like Lady Day, Patsy, or Piaf. I cannot wait for her to develop her own voice and sound--it will be incredible when she matures and deepens. I hope a second album is coming soon--I will get it immediately. Give this as a gift and you will be seen as a true afficianado! By the way, Marc Ribot is on guitar on this album--for another special treat, listen to his Marc Ribot Y Los Cubanos Postizos, a wonderful Cuban-inspired guitar CD.

Also looking..
Yes, like everyone else I have been anxiously awaiting a new album from Peyroux. Aside from all of the comparisons to Billie Holiday, I can honestly say that she has a wonderful voice and is also a great performer. I was fortunate enough to see her perform twice about 5 or so years ago. She sang at the University of North Florida. I also saw her perform at a cafe with her Lost and Wandering Blues and Jazz Band. I was very impressed with the more intimate venue. I will never forget her three piece band which included someone who played a real washtub bass. After the set, they sold cassette recordings of her and the band. The cassette is great, but I am looking for a copy on CD. If anyone knows of this please e-mail me!

Good but she has improved much since this one....
I recently saw Madeleine in NYC and was just mesmerized- I thought her voice was fantastic and her style of performing was simple but bewitching. I bought her CD afterwards (its a short version not available in stores I think) and was similarly excited. I had been looking forward to hearing Dreamland for awhile but I have to admit that now that I have, it's just okay in my mind compared to what she is capable of. No doubt that her voice is wonderful here but I feel the songs chosen and the arrangements for much of the album are not nearly as great as she is capable of. It's enjoyable to hear but it doesn't stand out in my head. Your best bet is to see her or get the new one when it comes out.

Buy this album, then GO HEAR HER LIVE!
Unfortunately, I did it the other way around--heard her gorgeous, heartbreaking singing at a little Red Cross benefit in October 2001 and then picked up the record, which is beautiful but almost sterile by comparison. Hence the loss of a star.

I do listen to _Dreamland_ whenever MP hasn't done a local gig for a while, and it tides me over, but I try to go see her whenever I can (find gig listings at madeleinepeyroux.com). I took my parents to hear her, and my dad--a lifelong Billie Holiday fan--literally had tears rolling down his face, he was so happy. Every foot in the place was tapping. She is so much The Real Thing.

MP does keep saying that the new album's coming soon. I hope that it includes more of her own songs, as the ones I've heard are beautiful.

Evocative Voice
I bought this CD based on the reviews here and was not disappointed. She has a voice reminiscent of Billie Holiday, but she doesn't sound like she's trying to copy her.
Great Jazz/Blues sound that is different from many of today's artists.

It's amazing that someone so young has such an interesting voice ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

Anyone looking for the key to Abba's enduring appeal should look no further than "Voulez Vous" and "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)" for their answer. There was an innocence to the Swedish quartet, even when they were singing about one-night stands and the invitations to them. Gold establishes that the band, while appreciated as campy, were actually multifaceted in their execution. "S.O.S." has a raw urgency in its chorus, and "Does Your Mother Know" draws its energy from classic '50s rock & roll. Likewise, you don't have to be Priscilla to swoon over "Mamma Mia" or "Dancing Queen." And when it comes to drama, those soaring vocals on "The Winner Takes It All" turn the song into a bitter anthem of every relationship that has ever fallen apart. The much-covered "Lay All Your Love on Me" is practically epic. --Steve Gdula ... Read more

Reviews (185)

PURE GOLD!
There are three words I can say after listening to this album all the way through: wow, WoW and WOW!!! I must admit, I originally thought ABBA was one or two hit wonder because all I've ever heard from them was the ever-popular "Dancing Queen." (However after listening to it I found myself asking "They sang that?! I had no idea!") I enjoyed "Dancing Queen" enough that my sister bought this wonderful album for me as a Christmas present. At first I was a little hesistant to listen to the other tracks but I decided to do so anyway. And boy, was I impressed!! This is one of the few, exclusive albums that I can listen to all the way through. It's just *that* good.

Even in the 2000's ABBA's legacy lives on. Their music can be tolerated even in today's pop music world. Take the group A*teens for example. Isn't it great that you hear children singing songs such as "Take A Chance On Me" and "Mama Mia"? Yeah maybe they aren't the best singers but the fact remains: ABBA still get recognized even today, decades later. Currently, the Broadway musical "Mama, Mia!" is a hit. With a musical based on ABBA's greatest hits, why wouldn't it be? "Mama Mia!" was written by Benny and Bjork (The two male singers/songwriters of ABBA) as well as the often produced musical, "Chess."

My favorite songs on the album are as follows:
"Take A Chance On Me", "Super Trouper", "Chiquitita", "Voulez Vous", "Does Your Mother Know", "One Of Us", "The Name of the Game" and "Thank You For The Music."
Don't worry, there are more songs on the album then this, all of great merit. I had a hard time myself thinking up which ones were my absolute favorites, and in time they may change as well. All of the songs on this album are up-beat and make you just feel happy inside. The rhythm just makes ya wanna get up and dance (Especially "Dancing Queen"). Yeah, some maybe a little 70's like ("Lay All Your Love On Me") but the fact still remains: ABBA is here to stay!! Reccomended to *anyone*...even if only hearing their song "Dancing Queen."

This Is Pure Gold
The title says it all. Gold - Greatest Hits and every one of the hits included on this album are of the highest standard.

One of the top bands of the 70's and writers of timeless quality songs, Abba's music will surely never die and is currently being boosted further by the tribute band The A Teens which is bringing Abba's music to a new generation of listeners.

Every song included here is great and must be if nine of them topped the UK singles chart during the 70's and early 80's. As well as the number ones there are 10 other great tracks that will no doubt ring a bell to anyone dancing in the 70's. From the major hits Dancing Queen, Knowing Me Knowing You, Mamma Mia and the Eurovision Winner Waterloo to lesser known but still as good hits Does Your Mother Know, I Have A Dream and Voulez Vous this CD is sure to please.

My personal favourites are some of Abba's later hits. One Of Us is a beautiful and touching ballad, Lay All Your Love On Me is a stomping disco classic and Chiquitita which is my all time favourite Abba song as i feel it has everything required by a great pop song.

Whether you are young or old, male or female you are sure to enjoy this compilation of some of the finest music of the 70's.

Abba Gold rocks my socks
As i listened to this cd, i realize that i know every single word to every single song. this cd is amazing in that the best songs arent just in the beginning, they are all throughout the cd. the cd starts with the huge hit Dancing Queen and ends with Waterloo. Waterloo was the song that made abba famous when abba won a competition with it and released a record "Waterloo" using the song as the theme song. Throughout the years, movies have used abba songs because they're funny and fun to listen to. In johnny english, does your mother know is one of the main jokes used throughout the movie. some of the most popular songs on this cd are mamma mia, dancing queen, does your mother know, thank you for the music, take a chance on me, and Voulez vous. this cd is truly gold

ABBA - Gold: Greatest Hits
Abba is one the greatest rock bands of all time. They are up their with greats such as Depeche Mode, Beatles, Bee Gees and The Rolling Stones. The lyrics are very well written, the music is amazing and they have unfairly been called stupid disco music when it is in deed sublime. Highly Recommended.

A Timeless Collection of Classic Hits
This disc has all of the essential ABBA classics. From the ever-popular "Dancing Queen" to the melodic "Fernando", this CD contains something for every ABBA fan, either the casual or the strong follower. Formed in the early 1970's, ABBA quickly took Europe by storm, but they had some problems establishing themselves in the United States. But with each successive album, ABBA began to develop a very distinct sound that lured listeners in and they quickly began to establish themselves as one of the first successful "prog rock" groups.

This fine CD contains all of the songs that people associate with the group. "Dancing Queen" was their most successful single, and it appropriately leads off the disc. And the classics keep coming with "Knowing Me, Knowing You", "Take A Chance On Me", "S.O.S.", "Chiquita", "Fernando", and "Waterloo". Also included is "Does Your Mother Know", the only song where Benny and Bjorn sing lead vocals.

ABBA's trademark throughout the years has always been strong vocals and melodic insturmentals, and each of these qualities is readily evident on this CD. Frida and Agnetha shine on lead vocals, while Benny's and Bjorn's insturmentals and backing vocals give life to each song. I highly recommend this CD. If you are a casual ABBA fan such as myself, you'll get all of the essential tracks on one CD, but more loyal fans will enjoy it as well. ... Read more

Amazon.com

There are worse things in life than making your acting debut on the much ballyhooed season finale of Ally McBeal, though teen operatic baritone Josh Groban doesn't seem destined to encounter them anytime soon. As the awkward high school student-client who asks the typically romance-jinxed Ally to his senior prom, Groban performed this debut album's "You're Still You" (adapted from film-composing legend Ennio Morricone's Academy Award-nominated score for Malèna, with lyrics by Linda Thompson) as a heart-tugging, literal showstopper. The young phenom was just 17 when veteran producer-writer David Foster tapped him to fill in for Andrea Bocelli at rehearsals for the 1999 Grammys, where Groban found himself suddenly dueting with Celine Dion.

Indeed, such were his fortunes that the young Foster protégé was forced to drop out of Carnegie Mellon when professional commitments--including this record--interfered. And if this collection tends to hew sometimes uncomfortably close to Foster's own MOR sonic instincts, the material offers enough challenges to display Groban's talent and the potential of his warm, mature voice: a lyrical take on another Morricone classic, "Cinema Paradiso"; melancholy readings of Don McLean's "Starry, Starry Night" and Albert Hammond's "Alejate"; masterfully dramatic takes of the Neapolitan "Alla Luca Del Sole" and "Canto Alla Vita," the latter featuring the Corrs. Many of Groban's performances here, including a neo prog-rock-opera take on Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" (with Lili Haydn), seem both bigger and bolder than their precious musical frameworks, a telling hint that Grand Opera can't be far from his grasp. As said earlier, there are worse things in life. --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Reviews (946)

Mesmerizing Baritone
I first became aware of this young man's vocal abilities by accident, tuning into Rosie O'Donell's show one afternoon. I didn't get his name correctly, just Josh G-something. When I was able to find his CD, I listened to the entire thing with headphones on and was reduced to tears several times by the emotion and sincerety conveyed in his voice and the words of the ballads chosen for this CD. I've never been interested in operatic singers or songs in Italian or Spanish before, but I am now a devoted fan of this new genre..Classical Alternative, or whatever it's being called this week (hard to classify). Everyone I've introduced to Josh's voice has been won over and bought the CD, usually after searching alot in the store for where it's located. My favorites are Gira Con Me and Let Me Fall from Cirque de Soleil. His diction is so clear on the Italian and Spanish lyrics, his breath support and phrasing reflect his classical vocal training. For a 21 yr old young man from LA, he sings with a maturity beyond his years. I would recommend this CD to ANYONE, and have! Thanks for the opportunity to review the CD for your readers.

Excellent! Can't wait for more!
This is one of the most uplifting, enticing, and cathartic CD's that I've listened to in a very long time. Josh Groban has a strong, warm voice that brings his words to life and allows the listener to become completely lost in the phrasing and orchestration. Highlights include:

You're Still You - a powerful ballad with great background vocals and high-flying orchestration

Canto Alla Vita - one of the most upbeat songs on the album. Surprisingly this song leans a bit toward techno (in the tradition of Sting's "Desert Rose" and the like). The beautiful harmonies provided by The Corrs really add interest and life to this one, not to mention Groban's "big" voice. A great mix of Italian and English.

Let Me Fall - another ballad, this time a little darker and more desperate. Groban's voice is very dramatic and he does a great job translating emotion into the lyrics.

The Prayer - this time Charlotte Church joins in. Although she's not her best on this particular song, it's still breathtaking.

I eagerly anticipate more of Josh Groban's efforts, and hope that he can skate easily past all the hype surrounding his age and maintain a high level of creativity, passion, and excellence.

Good voice, terrible music.
This young man has a pretty damn good voice for someone his age. He's not what I'd consider truly opera material, but it is suitable for an enjoyable listening.

The problem is, the music is just plain cheesy pop. Like others have said, you'd have to be a soccor-mom soap-opera watcher to be able to swallow the tripe. Now, let's say this man were making music along a creative vein such as Radiohead, then it would be truly phenomenal.

I'm still of the group that believe in reality in music. I don't want to hear some nobody's pop or lackluster classical over this man's voice. I want to hear this man's internal perspective. I want him to write the songs and I want to hear something different than the cheesyness. There's a reason bands like the Beatles stand out. Integrity. He has yet to prove it, it honestly appears as if he's just another marketing tool to be abused by a greedy music company.

Man, if only this guy would get out and do his own stuff. Until then, I simply cannot respect him.

His voice is like eating great chocolate!
I received this album from a friend for christmas, and I was
completely in love with this man voice!

His songs are wonderfully written, you can place yourself in them and how he is feeling when he sings them.

I think his voice is like the "smoothness of fine chocolate when it is melted"

Awesome, amazing, spectacular, beyond anything ever heard...
You may not believe it but I was a skeptic at first. When my mom bought the CD after hearing Josh Groban on the radio I was reluctant to listen to a CD where half the songs were in a language I couldn't understand.

Then I heard "The Voice."

Wow. He was ~20 when he recorded this? I was stunned. His voice was spectacular. Even if you had no idea what the words meant you still managed to understand them! And it was because of the emotion that Josh Groban protrays in singing. What makes Josh Groban such a refreshing singer are two things:
1. He manages to blend the line between classical and pop with ease.
2. His voice is so mature he could sing opera but the music he sings reflects his age.

Altogether it creates a wonderful package that leaves you wanting more. This is the best debut album I have ever heard in my life. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Singer/pianist Diana Krall breaks new ground interpreting modern standards by Tom Waits, Mose Allison, and Joni Mitchell, as well as compositions by her and her new husband, Elvis Costello. Krall's piano-jazz cred comes through loudly and clearly on her Count Basie-styled version of the Bonnie Raitt staple "Love Me Like a Man" (written by folk-bluesman Chris Smither). But it's the collaborations with her spouse that unearth untapped emotional nuances of her velvet voice; many are reminiscent of Bill Evans's moody, impressionistic pieces. The title track, "Narrow Daylight," "Abandoned Masquerade," and "I’m Coming Through" all deal with love and loss. "Departure Bay," a picturesque ode to her hometown of Nanaimo, B.C., proves that this is the start of something big, and that two heads--and hearts--are better than one. --Eugene Holley, Jr. ... Read more

Reviews (238)

Finally, the one...
Diana Krall ultimately made it. The setting with the jazz band rather than an orchestra brings an intimate feeling. Right tempo, great songbook and the voice create "be here now" atmosphere. The album sets the mood.

Listen to the record either loud or low, you will be amazed with its feeling of closeness to you that still allows space for aloofness.

Stop The World sets the spirit of the recording and promises a great adventure through the music journey with Diana Krall. And the rest of the album does not disappoint. Indeed. Temptation is, of course, the track that can be played again and again. You won't be able to resist listening to it one more time, every time. Abandoned Masquerade brings scenery of a late night cafe - dimmed lights, a few remaining guests, deep smoke from cigars in the air. The last track on the disc proves great thought put behind the record. Nowadays, there are not many records that end in a way they should be. The Girl In The Other Room with its Departure Boy is a rare exception. You wouldn't end the record in a better way.

Don't tempt yourself. You can't resist listening to Diana Krall this time. This record will definitely be the one for jazz record of the year.

Much Better Than Many of the Reviews Would Have You Think
I too have written a negative review of a Diana Krall release, but it was one of the recent 'heavy on the strings / short on the trio / very short on good piano' CDs. I almost did not buy this CD because of the number of negative reviews on Amazon, but I'm very glad that I tried it anyway. Frankly, I hear none of the adulterating influences that many reviewers attribute to Mr. Elvis Costello. These songs, though they're not the jazz and torch classics that populated her previous albums, have a character and performance that typifies much of the rest of her work. Gone are the syrupy strings and orchestral accompaniments, the sparse piano work, and sublimation of the jazz trio interplay that made her earlier CDs so good. And if none of these songs are destined to become classics, most of them are very good. The title track is a beautiful, haunting song which I could not get out of my mind after the initial hearing. The covers of Temptation, Black Crow, and Stop This World are better than other recorded performances. The piano is up-front in most of these songs, and the arrangements are masterfully done. Of special note are the piano work in the title track and the spare and atmospheric use of the Hammond in Tom Waits' song. Mr. Costello wrote or co-wrote (with Diana) many of the lyrics of these songs, and they have come under especial vituperation in other reviews. Here, too, I disagree. After listening to and reading the lyrics of the original songs on this release, I find them to be far above the quality of lyrics encountered in most popular music, and if they lack the profundity of though inherent in some (rare) classic songs of the past, there's certainly nothing for the composers to be ashamed of. Indeed, many jazz standards have lyrics that aren't worthy of much consideration: Straighten Up and Fly Right, The Frim Fram Sauce, Broadway,...to name some from previous Diana Krall albums. All in all, I found this CD to be very enjoyable and of a quality similar to some of her previous works. To her credentials as a pianist and vocalist she displays solid strengths as a composer and lyricist. Much to my loss if I hadn't tried this....

Diana*** - Dena*****
I went to two jazz concerts recently one by Diana Krall, and one by Dena Derose. Diana perforrmed most of the songs from her latest album. It simply wasn't up to her standards, musically or vocally. I was hoping in concert that Diana would really sell these songs. I hate to say this but, they don't sound much better live than her CD, songs performed went over with less than enthusiastic reception-- all the songs were slow and boring, felt no emotion, and "many people left halfway through the concert."This was very disappointing". ANOTHER CONCERT, more enjoyable was Dena Derose. Dena DeRose gets inside the lyrics, and with a slight vibrato to end her phrases and a luxurious tone, she can be absolutely commanding. Her phrasing as a singer is immaculate. Her strong piano soloing is a pleasure, Versatile, resourceful, and genuine, Dena DeRose is without a doubt one of jazz's most exciting singers. Dena DeRose is a singer-pianist who gives deeply-felt life to her interpretations of ballads and standards. Her sense of phrasing and understanding of the lyrics is impeccable. Suddenly songs that I've heard hundreds of times before came alive as Dena sang the lyrics in a way that perfectly conveyed the story they were meant to tell.

Great in the past, and hopefully again in the future
Diana Krall should be credited by helping to end the obnoxious screaming and yelling that became popular with the "love anthems" of Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, and Michael Bolton in the 90s. Thank goodness that is going out of style and this new calming and romantic sound is coming into vogue.

Unfortunately, this is probably a bit too watered down, introspective and muted to be exciting, passionate or particularly interesting for more than one listening. DIana's "Look of Love", "Love Scenes" and "Live in Paris" tower above this effort and I hope she gives us more of this type of brilliance again in the future.

This CD is imaginative, but seems aimless and confused.

A Watershed Recording
Don't like it? Your loss. Those of us in the know already realize that this recording will be a watershed in Ms. Krall's long and illustrious career. She has the musical gifts and the artistic sensitivity to make her one of the great jazz singer/pianists of her generation. Long live the Costello /Krall collaboration. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Everyone grows up…even rappers. Pioneering female MC Queen Latifah shows a newfound level of maturity on The Dana Owens Album.A set of standards the rapper/actress decided to cover, the album features a host of jazz classics and R&B favorites.

Latifah is at her seductive best when playing the sultry siren on Al Green's "Simply Beautiful." With a little help from Green himself, Latifah's vocals slide over the warm, organ-drenched instrumental. The result is one that works today as well as it would have several years ago. Similarly, the big band-backed "Baby Get Lost" swings with bluesy groove that is pure nostalgia.

However, it's when Latifah mines more standard fare that the album seems to hita snag. Fans of James Moody's "Moody's Mood for Love" may want to skip Latifah's version as it misses the subtle perfection of the original. Her rendition of "I Put a Spell On You" doesn't falter, but it's not impressive either. It ends up being the kind of performance that finds you constantly waiting for more but never getting it. The same can be said for her cover of the Mamas & The Papas' "California Dreamin'."

That said, with Latifah's recent critically acclaimed turn in the film Chicago the timing for this album couldn't have been better. And with help from legendary producer Arif Mardin (Aretha Franklin), The Dana Owens Album is an interesting and impressive new chapter in the star's diverse career. --Rashaun Hall

Amazon.com Exclusive
Hear an exclusive audio stream of Queen Latifah’s "What Is This Thing Called Love."

... Read more

Reviews (75)

"I go to the hills when my heart is lonely..."
This brand-new 35th Anniversary Edition of the classic 1965 film soundtrack features two discs in beautiful packaging. (Okay, the purple coloring on the discs is a bit much)... the CD booklet is filled with pictures and is wonderful. Disc 2 features extended versions of several songs and many tracks (mostly orchestral) not included on the 1965 soundtrack, and an interview with Richard Rodgers. What is the enchantment of "Sound Of Music??" Maybe it's because the film and myself both turn 35 this year, but it really has a lot to do with Julie Andrews as Maria. Like another customer wrote, I always think of Julie Andrews, and not Broadway's Mary Martin, as Maria. Also, Andrews' devastating 1997 operation that left her without a singing voice, adds a note of sadness to this recording (as well as Andrews' classic Broadway performances in MY FAIR LADY and CAMELOT) as we recognize what has been lost. I recently saw a disappointing stage production of "Sound Of Music" and returned to the film and this soundtrack with a sense of refreshment, renewal, and even inspiration.

A more merciful review - more praise with some minor flaws
I remember once "advising" beginners to shy off this version not because of performace quality, which is just perfect, but because of presentation of the music material. However, because of listening to the soundtrack a little bit more often. I feel as if Ihave changed my views more positively. Of course, we still have Julie Andrews and her crystalline voice, but we also have sparkling children, a convincing Captain and a soul-stirring Mother Abbess taking their place on the album just as they have been always doing, alongside the towering Irwin Kostal orchestrations and arrangements. This edition does indeed put most of the icing on the cake with the clear, sparkling remastering and the tantalising bonus material available for us to have forever. At long last, we have the additional appearance of Edelweiss after the Lonely Goatherd puppet sequence (and an extended version of its folk festival reappearance - the only rendition of the song used on the original soundtrack), the Landler, the Salzburg Montage harnessed to an extended My Favourite Things, the second-act reprise of Sixteen Going on Seventeen, and the complete chase music, all sounding remarkably vivid after 35 years in the Fox vaults, enough to make you recall the scenes in the movie so vividly. The only things I can carp about are the slightly murky sound quality during certain moments on the first disc, the obvious lack of completeness (as always) and the value of the set.

The murky sound quality on certain parts of certain tracks of the first disc does not bother one at all, because they don't affect the parts of the soundtrack you are supposed to be enjoying. However, once you get down to listening to the remastered soundtrack, it will be easy to notice the pristine sound that improves this issue over the others. (The fact about pristine sound also applies to the second disc.) However, once you get over with this problem, there are still more serious qualms. This release is obviously not really ABSOLUTELY complete, as ttere are some missing musical segments (the Act One finale waltzes based on Edelweiss and the deleted song How Can Love Survive, the Entr'acte, the children's dejected-sounding reprise of My Favourite Things with Maria making it better half-way through by joining in, and the folk festival reprises of Do-Re-Mi and So Long, Farewell.) In addition, the original versions of the Overture and the Preludium prayer sequence are not included, as they seem to sound better and more complete when separated rather than when allowed to seague into each other as in the original soundtrack, along with the complete wedding sequence, also not included here. Also, the price is quite expensive, as it's clear that record companies keep reissuing and improving certain albums such as this by adding previously unreleased music until they are perfect and complete - all at the consumer's expense. Once that's said and done, you can easily get down to enjoying this classic soundtrack in the splendour of a sparkling new digital remastering and new video transfers of this classic film.

To sum everything up, I still can say I feel happy and satisfied with this new reissue of the soundtrack, even despite some minor quibbles and snags, but I feel as if I will not stop rallying until I see the ABSOLUTELY COMPLETE version released and made available. Perhaps the Richard Rodgers centennial celebrations next year will provide the right impetus for the R&H organisation to get 20th-Century Fox and RCA Victor to release and reissue the soundtrack in its original album and expanded versions COMPLETE on 2 CDs, with the original album taking up one disc (with all the outtakes as fillers) and the COMPLETE expanded edition taking up the other - all at a twofer bargain price. Still, I will be more than happy to recommend this soundtrack to the beginning purchaser, and it still makes a wonderful, if extravogant, way to acquire a classic in a sparkling and attractive new dress.

BTW, I would suggest checking out the new Broadway cast recording of the show and purchasing it along with this equally excellent version, as it presents a top-quality performance and is like a stage production in the spirit of the film, to give yourselves an alternate view and a more conceptual performance of the show.

Love it!
Simply perfect for adults and kids. Will addict for a lifetime.

iwould like the cd as you canot buy it in nz
ilkie the sound of music and julie andrews is my favorite

A ridiculous way to release a complete recording
I was horrified when I was browsing the record store and saw how this supposedly complete disc was arranged. I have no doubt that it sounds fine, but under the circumstances, it is a waste of money and I refused to buy it.

The manufacturers have done nothing more on this "Sound of Music" re-release than add a second CD containing everything that had to be omitted from the LP and other CD versions of the film soundtrack album. RCA Victor, it seems, could not be bothered to start from the beginning and do the same beautiful job that Angel Records did with the enhanced editions of the "Oklaoma!", "Carousel", and "The King and I" soundtracks. The makers of those CD's saw to it that all the songs as well as the previously omitted material were all sequenced IN THE ORDER THAT IT APPEARED IN THE FILM.

But, apparently, doing this is too much work for RCA Victor. Instead of giving us the pleasure of being able to listen to all the songs and music in its proper order, so that we can get the feeling that we are listening to the soundtrack as it ought to be heard and experienced, we have to sit through the soundtrack album exactly as it was issued for its previous incarnation, and then put on ANOTHER CD so that we can listen to the background music and other versions of the tracks heard on the first CD in the set.

This is just sloppy and insensitive thinking. Why would RCA release a soundtrack album of a beloved film in an edition like this, when Rhino, with its M-G-M soundtrack series, and Angel, with its enhanced editions of three Rodgers and Hammerstein musical films, have done such a superlative job on their soundtracks?

The answer, of course, is pure laziness. They have the most successful and beloved film musical on their hands, so RCA Victor assumes that listeners will automatically buy any version of it, no matter how it is issued.

Shame on them. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The revisionist take on the Rat Pack's razor-witted King of Cool reveals a Dean Martin who was considerably more complex than the Titan of Tipplers legend; a man who would just as soon retire to his room with a tumbler of milk to watch a TV Western than prowl the Strip with his famous cohorts. That sublime, preternatural indifference is both underscored and belied with dizzying regularity on this good 30-track overview of Martin's singing career. The breezy hits "That's Amore" and "Volare" underscored his public staying power when many counted him out in the face of a surging 1950s youth market. He repeated the feat again with trademark effortlessness a decade later to knock no less than the Beatles off the top of the charts with the unlikely, if inviting schmaltz of "Everybody Loves Somebody."Ever informed by his warm, deceptive vocal ease, Martin's rich signature tunes are well-represented here. But the collection also spans enough lovable kitsch ("Mambo Italiano," "Little Old Wine Drinker Me") and unabashed romantic yearning ("Innamorata," "Send Me the Pillow You Dream On") to deepen the compelling mystery of one of pop music's most enduring ciphers. --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Mixed feelings
When I saw the cover of this cd advertised I jumped for joy. But then I took a look closer and noticed that 2/3 of the 30 tracks are the SAME Dean Martin songs we are always given. If you're a huge fan, you'll get this for the rare unrecycled tracks that slide through. I certaintly may get this at a later time. But not right now. Cause the last "definite" Dean Martin collection I got was 1998's Greatest Hits: King of Cool, which really isn't that far off. The moment I get this one there could be another hits album released. So I don't know. Rating: 4 1/2 on content. 3 on necessity,

If you only buy one Dean Martin CD-this is it!
The"Essential Dean Martin" is for someone who knows and loves the smooth voice of Dean Martin, or to initiate someone who might only know a couple of his numerous hits.
This CD is filled to the brim-literally. It has 30 tracks with over 78 minutes of music. The songs cover twenty years of his recording career (1949-1969) and include several top 10's. In fact, 27 of the 30 tracks were charted either here or in the U.K.

The majority of cuts are from the Capitol Records period, and though they are not arranged chronically, they are mixed nicely between uptempo and romantic sides. Chart toppers like "That's Amore", "Memories Are Made Of This", "Sway", "Volare" and others are represented, as well as some sides that don't usually get much play (but should)-"I'll Always Love You", "Mambo Italiano", and "Kiss" to cite a few.

The last ten sides are from the Reprise period, and all were charted hits. They include the #1 Everybody Loves Somebody and "Hot 100" top ten hits "I Will" and "Door is Still Open To My Heart". Additionally, they include two #1's from the Billboard Adult Chart "In the Chapel in the Moonligh" and "In the Misty Moonlight". Rounding out the CD is 1969's cover of "Gentle On My Mind" which went to #2 in the U.K.

All in all a great Father's Day gift or a gift for one's self that you will play and play again. It really is "essential" for any CD collection.

"Everybody Loves Dean Martin Sometime"
For more than 50 years the world has had the very great privilege of being entertained by the one and only Dean Martin. Fans of all ages have enjoyed Dean's undeniable charm and cool wit, and his place in American pop culture is undisputed. He was part of one of the most successful comedy teams ever, made numerous movies including comedies, dramas, and westerns, had a TV show that was highly rated and ran for almost two decades, performed live in concert to millions of adoring fans, and was a cornerstone of one of the most hip and talented group of men the world has ever seen, The Rat Pack! All that said, it was Dean's elegant voice and easy phrasing and style that was the common thread that ran through all of his many outstanding accomplishments.

This CD, "Dino: The Essential Dean Martin", is a wonderful gathering of tunes that represent Dean's many years as a recording artist and bring back memories of a time when his velvety tones and suave ways enchanted listeners everywhere. There is something on this CD for everyone. Songs like "That's Amore" and "Standing On The Corner" reflect the fun, joyous side of Dean, while his versions of "Return to Me" and "Volare" epitomize the deep passion and yearning we all feel when were in love. If you like to swing, look no further than "Ain't That a Kick in the Head", my favorite Dean Martin song. "Memories Are Made of This", "You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You", and his signature song "Everybody Loves Somebody" are also great tunes, and Dean's treatments are truly unforgettable. Young and old alike enjoy and treasure Dean Martin's music for good reason, it is truly timeless. If you are already a Dean Martin fan, I guess all of this is old news and I am just preaching to the choir, but if you're not a Dean Martin fan yet, then this excellent representation of his musical career is the perfect beginning to your Dean Martin music collection.

If you enjoy listening to crooners and Big Band Swing, I would also suggest Monte Procopio "Swingin' With Style" CD. His 13-piece band really swings and deserves a listen.

As usual Dino gives us only the best music, 5 stars.
There are not enough adjectives to explain just how great this cd is. Do yourself a favor and get this cd today. You will have many enjoyable hours of listening to the beautiful voice of Dean Martin. Give a copy to someone you love and share a gift of music that they are sure to enjoy.

Great Music
I'm only 21 but I appreciate Dino. Having only some of his Rat Pack stuff, i looked forward to this and was not unimpressed. There are some incredible songs on here, "standing on the Corner" is somehow just funny. But to help enhance your Dean Martin collection I also recommend "Ee-O-Eleven" the best of the rat pack and "Italian love Songs." These two other collections will allow you to collect the songs "When your Smiling" and "On an evening in Roma", which are not found on here, but still great songs. ... Read more

Amazon.com

No less an expert on pop affairs than Neil Sedaka likens the impossibly mature voice of 14-year-old vocalist/TV star (CBS' Still Standing) Renee Olstead to "Patsy Cline, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday all wrapped in one." There's no disputing the sultry vocal talents showcased on this debut that balances familiar chestnuts from the great American songbook ("Summertime," "Someone to Watch Over Me," "Sentimental Journey") with more recent fare that veers from R 'n' B sass ("Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby") to 70s chart hits like Sedaka's own "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" and Maria Muldaur's "Midnight at the Oasis." A cynical ear might question how much of Olmstead's own life informs these bluesy performances: how trying can eigth grade be for an attractive redhead with a major label contract? Indeed, the tagline for at least one latter-day Ella Fitzgerald project comes frequently to mind here: "Is it real, or it Memorex?" Olmstead is yet another teen protege of hugely successful producer David Foster (who's midwifed the careers of Josh Groban and Michael Buble in recent years), and he provides her with some sturdy jazz arrangements to riff emotively on here--even if his production is as slick and bloodless as ever. Still, Foster's penchant for overwrought melodrama is kept mercifully in check on his own composition "I Want a Love to Last," while his shrewd teaming of the young chanteuse with fellow teen pop phenom Peter Cincotti on Sedaka's "Breaking Up.." deftly underscores the promising talents of both. --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Reviews (62)

Excellent and only better from here
The orchestration, arrangements, and amazing singing talent in terms of style, timing, phrasing, and voice on this CD are worth every penny if you are a fan of this type of music at all ... "older standards." Some songs are very much Diana Krallesq and one or two lean in the direction of Norah Jones. Those I can do without. In Norah Jones I find nice music, but nothing special. Renee has much more to offer and, when she turns to a Diana Krall style of orchestration and adds her own voicing, she wins me over completely.

At 15 years old, this young lady and comic actress seems to be an amazing talent. Her bio bears witness to this fact. Her singing is wonderful and, judging by the list of well knowns, including Chris Botti, that helped her on this CD, the right people seem to agree.

Buy this CD and hope that she continues, because if she does, with another 3 or 4 years of maturity, this will be a singing talent to be reckoned with. If she takes the time to further develop her own style, phrasing, and voice even more, she will be a premiere singer who's CD releases we will all anxiously anticipate. I am already looking forward to the next one.

Who Knew? Renee Olstead is the real deal!!!
Renee Olstead is the real deal! Who knew this sitcom star ("Still Standing") had such a great voice. This new singer takes a collection of great standards, intermixed with a couple of newbies, and makes them her own. She's a pop singer with a jazz sensibility that is absolutely intoxicating. One can only hope that her record company will promote her as well as Norah Jones was promoted by her label. This is a fresh take on titles from the Great American Songbook, with arrangements that match.
Her duet with Peter Cincotti on "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" is worth the price of the CD all on its own! A wistfully done "Someone To Watch Over Me" is equally great. Listen to her rendition of the Barry Manilow song "Meet Me, Midnight", and tell me that you aren't hearing a new singing star being born!
This is one terrific CD!

I listened for a week before I checked her out ....
My 22 yr old daughter works at a major chain that sells CDs, books, & coffee. She brought home this free CD with 3 tracks on it. I put it in my CD player and listened to these 3 tracks off and on for a week. I liked it right away. The more I listened, the more I liked it. I went on Amazon (like I usually do) and bought two of her CDs for myself. When I took the free one to work; others really liked it too. One of my employess took the time to read the liner notes. Boy was I surprised that learn from him that Renee Olstead was only 14 yrs old! I was impressed. She has a beautiful voice! She is a beautiful redhead! This is a great selection of songs! I rate this CD 5 STARS. I have been listening to Jazz, rock, and classical music for at least 50 of my 53 years. I have played in folk groups, rock bands, and even in church when I was a kid. I've spent hours in practice halls and recording studios. This is great music sung by a great voice and I love it.

A great singer at any age
I am sure some people or going to attack this person because they don't like her music or her age or something to that effect. If you close your eyes and listen to her sing, you won't even notice anything like that. Reminds me of the attacks against the talents of Nora Jones by fans of Avril Langione. I love all kinds of music myself as well except maybe attack rap songs and a few others. I listen to the Motown Oldies station here at my job because that is about the only clear fm I can get.

But this girl has been singing for a number of years and I am sure she was involved here in Houston with a number of local singing groups. A friend of mine said he recognized her from some of the vocal workshops he use to go to.

She has a talent and knows how to display this to the audience which is where her acting talent comes in.

You will be hearing her name for sometime.

Brad

Wow. Just Wow.
As a hard core swing dancer, I hear more than my fair share of good music but it takes a lot to get me excited. This CD gets me excited. Go to her website and listen to her version of "Summertime" all the way through. Wow. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Billie Holiday (1917-59) wore gardenias, was a teenaged prostitute,did drugs, and died with a cop posted outside her hospital bed.But withher gravel-like vocals, and behind-the-beat phrasing, she was one ofthe greatest singers of the twentieth century. This multimedia collectioncommemorates her ninetieth birthday. Two CDs contain forty two of hergreatest hits, from her 1935 stint with Benny Goodman, to her chilling 1958strings album, Lady inSatin. It features her signature songs like "Good MorningHeartache," "God Bless the Child," and her unforgettable anti-lynchingnumber "Strange Fruit." The DVD includes film cameos withDuke Ellington and Louis Armstrong, photographs, posters, rehearsals andinterviews with friends and musicians, including a rediscovered 1956 radiobroadcast with a young Mike Wallace.Her achy artistry is timeless, and asAshley Kahn wrote in his superb liner notes, "Billie will be there tonight,tomorrow night and a long time to come." --Eugene Holley, Jr. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Billie Holiday - by far the best ever
I purchased this collection solely for the DVD that's included because I have all of the other audio material.The DVD is great!It leaves you wishing for more.It's a pity that this is all we have of the best jazz singer of all time.I'd like to see a movie made of her life;a true story, not the bunk that they gave us with "Lady Sings The Blues" back in the 70's.If you do not own any of Billie's music this is a great starting place.

The ultimate starting point (collectors take notice, too)!
It seems as if every year or two we're looking at a new and improved Billie Holiday anthology, and THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION is the latest and probably best Lady Day introduction to date.As others have mentioned, this set covers her entire career via 42 tracks on two CDs.The set is skimpy on Billie's first decade (albeit we do get such gems as "God Bless The Child").However, you can easily balance that out by one additional purchase: the highly-recommended 2-CD set LADY DAY: THE BEST OF BILLIE HOLIDAY on Sony, which has 38 key tracks from the early years (only three of which are repeated here).Several key tracks from her 1939-1944 Commodore sessions (including "Strange Fruit") and the 1942 cut "Trav'lin' Light" (with Paul Whiteman) offer further proof of this set's wide reach in covering her career.

Being that the set is produced in collaboration with the Decca and Verve labels, the last fifteen years of Billie's career get excellent coverage.There's a certain point in the 1950s where some Lady Day fans mourn the perceived wear-and-tear in her voice,while others such as myself celebrate the deeper emotive power and increasingly inventive melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic chances she takes with classic pop tunes.Even so, by the final track "I'm A Fool To Want You" (from the much-debated 1958 LADY IN SATIN album) it's difficult for most listeners to not feel 1) pushed away by her fading voice and 2) pulled back in by the communicative power of her heart-on-sleeve phrasing (one error in the set's booklet: this cut is not from her last session).

The DVD has an effective mix of seen and unseen footage.The 1934 and 1946 movie appearances have been issued in their entirety: here we get some highlights.The key bit of material that will attract Billie Holiday collectors is some newly-uncovered 1956 footage from the STARS OF JAZZ television show (three songs), and there is a 1958 appearance, too.The most famous Lady Day clip (1957's all-star jam on "Fine And Mellow") is seen in its entirety.The DVD also has a clip of Billie's key influences Bessie Smith and Louis Armstrong, plus lots of other extras that are interesting but mostly not essential.Although some excellent Billie footage didn't make the cut, there's still enough of value on the DVD to recommend it.Add the timeless, extraordinary music on the CDs, and you've got a great introduction to arguably the greatest jazz vocalist of all-time.

Incredible
Lady Day is timeless&Will never go out of style.this is without a doubt the best all around Compilation on her Work&the DVD is a great collection as well. you get a chance to hear her voice&Material through various era's&whatnot. Her voice just had a way of hitting you emotionally that so few Artists ever reach that Zenith. Her Tone&Feel captures so many things all at once. she died far too young.She is One of My All time Favorite Artists in any Style of Music Period.

KUDOS!!!
So many great things about this collection its hard to know where to start. This is the first collection to include tracks from ALL the record companies that Billie recorder, not even the Ken Burns compilation touched so much ground. There are tracks that are unavailable in CD until now, like 'Detour Ahead', a classic song. The remastering, specially for the Blue Note and Verve catalog is breathtaking, the best these sides have sounded ever. Package is beatiful, this is one of those Sound + Vision collections, like the Hendrix at Isle of Wight. It includes a COMPLETE sessionography, every session, dates, musicians, places of every song released commercially. It includes a timeline, which is a biography, year by year of the life of lady day,with dozens anddozens of pictures and scans of documents and letters. Wow!! I was really impressed. The DVD also includes a bunch of audio feautures, like interview with Billie, and people who knew Billie. There is a great segment of Billie rehearsing with Jimi Rowles that is pure gold. Live tracks with Basie. The video clips are not remastered, some of them look and sound preety rough. There are more videos of Billie out there, I wish they had included more. The CD's are too heavy on the Verve material, some more Columbia sides with Lester Young could have been better, and where is 'Autumm in New York'? Still, this is a five star collection, recommended both for newbies and long time fans.

Finally, THE definitive overview .... ESSENTIAL
For years, there have been hundreds if not thousands of imports of Lady Day's music on subpar compilations that don't do her justice, various box sets put out by different record companies in the US (Columbia, Commodore, and Verve all have exhaustive box sets), but no true retrospective that covers the bases in one place.

Until now. This is one of the best collections of songs ever assembled in one place. Previous retrospectives were great, but because they were usually limited to the respective record label, they fell short.

In a way, if it wasn't for downloading as well as record companies finally being more willing to compromise, this probably wouldn't have been possible.

From one of her earliest recording sessions where she sings "Miss Brown To You" to her final recordings where she does "I'm A Fool To Want You", all 42 tracks are classics.

As if that wasn't enough, you're also getting a DVD of rare TV and film appearances, a lot of which have only been seen in documentaries (except the clips from the "New Orleans" movie Holiday and Louis Armstrong starred in and available on Amazon and contains the "Symphony in Black" short) It also has a few rare audio tracks as well as an interactive timeline. The only criticism (other than it having a slightly higher price tag than it should) is that I would've wanted the clip of "Strange Fruit" to have been included on here (unless I've overlooked it or it's an Easter Egg). But considering there's so little footage of Billie Holliday otherwise, the DVD alone is worth getting the collection for people who have bought previous collections.

I highly recommend this to anyone who is a music lover of any age. If you own Jeff Buckley, Norah Jones, Frank Sinatra (who was a huge fan of hers) or Nina Simone (or liked Queen Latifah's foray into jazz) this should ABSOLUTELY be part of your music library. If you want to hear what a torch song is and one of the most significant figures of jazz music let alone music, you'll find it here. If you want to hear what is considered one of the most important songs of the 20th Century, it's here.

This is one of the best collections of music ever assembled, and warrants why more artists from the past should be putting out CD/DVD combos... This package is by far THE standard allcompilations should go by, versus the 1 CD packaging done for the millionth time just to keep an artist's name alive.

I can't say enough good things about it.

Frank Sinatra is another artist that should have a comprehensive overview out like this one versusdifferent record companies putting out the different eras. It strengthens a legacy as well as putting something comprehensive for future fans to enjoy.

(Side note: A couple of compilations that I found are called "Billy Remembers Billie" and "The Milt Gabler Story", which comedian Billy Crystal put together (and amazon.com has it as well). Crystal's uncle Milt Gabler produced Holiday's "Strange Fruit" and others like Louis Jordan and Bill Haley's "Rock Around the Clock". Crystal has talked about Holiday taking him to his first movie. There's something about personalized compilations that I like though...)

If there's one CD worth buying this year, this is the one. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Put together by Abba's own Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, Mamma Mia! manages to cram over 20 of the Swedish supergroup's songs into a threadbare plot. It goes a little like this: Young Sophie is getting married and she's trying to identify which of three men is her father. That's about it. Wisely, the musical doesn't mess around with the songs, save for the insertion of some dialogue or for having some of them performed by a man (it works amazingly well). Abba fans will jump on this import of the London production, but traditional fans of musical theater should consider it as well. After all, Andersson and Ulvaeus's songs have always felt as if they were more than isolated pop gems and actually belonged to a longer narrative. --Elisabeth Vincentelli ... Read more

Reviews (120)

Mamma Mia Groupies
"Mamma Mia" is an experience to behold. If this show does not lift your spirit and leave a big smile on your face, nothing will. We have the previledge of seeing "Mamma Mia" twice during its recent Chicago run. We will be seeing it again in Toronto in a couple of months. We are becoming regular "Mamma Mia" groupies!

The CD does not quite capture the energy and exhilaration that one experiences during the live show, but it will remind you the great time that you had. We now prefer this CD over the original ABBA version of the songs because it tells a funny and poignant story. The singers on this CD are all just fine. Our 2-year old loves this CD and requests it whenever he just wants to goof around the house.

Some of the outstanding players that we saw in Chicago, namely Louise Pitre and Tina Madigan, are now playing in the Broadway edition of "Mamma Mia." We hope that a CD version of the Broadway Cast will be forthcoming, and please include the unforgettable final curtain call encore that is missing