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The years 1975-1988 contained big successes for Barbra Streisand, though she ran through an unsteady gauntlet of disco-fied pop and pseudo-Broadway show stoppers. This collection, originally released in 1989, brings together the hits of those years--like the two Barry Gibb duets, "What Kind of Fool" and "Guilty"--in a range of production scenarios utilizing the talents of Rupert Holmes, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Phil Ramone, Dave Gruisin, and others. The two new recordings added to begin and end the package, "We're Not Makin' Love Anymore" and "Somewhere," serve as bookends of the dance and ballad style Streisand revolved around throughout her later career. --Stephen M.H. Braitman ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Collection
Barbra Streisand's 1989 Collection titled A Collection Greatest Hits And More, contains some of her best songs:

Were Not Making Love Anymore - This is my favorite song on the album, it is the first of two new songs. It disapoints me that she doesn't include this one in her tours, because it is truly a classic.

Woman In Love - Remember when this song came out, it was a hit. Still as good as when it first came out in 1980.

All I Ask Of You - One would argue, but I think she does the broadway songs great. This is an example, she sings with such passion and emotion.

Comin in and Out of Your Life - Great song, catchy.

What Kind Of Fool - One of two duets with Barry Gibb on here, this would be the slower ballad type one. Their voices work so well together, definately one of my favorites from the Guilty album.

The Main Event/Fight - This is another favorite, great disco song. I wish she would include this one in a tour.

Someone That I Used To Love - The other new song on the collection, just as good as Were Not Making Love Anymore. She should sing this one on tour.

By The Way - The only song from her Lazy Afternoon album that made it on here, still as timeless as when it was first released.

Guilty - The other duet with Barry Gibb, this is a more fun uptempo song, really great song.

Memory - She does this one fantastically! Theres so much emotion, brings me to tears this song does.

The Way He Makes Me Feel - From the Broadway Album, very nice song.

Somewhere - Good choice to end the album, very powerful words and overall a great song.

Excellent, though not thorough, collection
Streisand's Greatest hits of the late seventies and early 80's is a great album indeed. The set opens with the dynamic "We're Not Makin' Love Anymore" which was recorded especially for this album and is worth the price alone. But there is much more to be enjoyed. The album also contains three top 10 singles from her biggest selling album. "Gulity" and "What Kind of Fool" are duets with Barry Gibb and serve as proof that the two were born to sing together, while the #1 "A Woman in Love" proves there's no one like Streisand.

Other highlights include the beautiful "All I Ask of You" from Phantom of the Opera, the diso ditty "The Main Event/Fight," and the studio version of "The Way He Makes Me Feel." Bringing the album to a close is the stunning "Somewhere," which ranks as one of her best.

The only problem with the album is it left me wanting more. I would have liked to have heard more from THE BROADWAY ALBUM or the YENTL soundtrack (where's "Papa Can You Hear Me" or "Piece of Sky?"). But this still a stunning collection that will please both casual and fanatical (like me) Streisand fans.

ERROR IN YOUR SAMPLE RECORDING
NOT SURE HOW IT HAPPENED BUT YOU HAVE BILLY JOEL SINGING IN BARB'S SPOTLLIGHT. WHEN I TRY TO LISTEN TO IT, ALL I GET IS BILLY JOEL.

Too many omissions.
Not counting 1981's MEMORIES (which was a love song compilation), this is supposed to be volume 3 of Barbra's greatest hits and should have covered the years 1979-1989. Barbra returned to making high quality albums (GUILTY, YENTL, THE BROADWAY ALBUM) in the eighties, however she did also score enough hit singles during this period to merit this collection. Unfortunately, many of those hits are missing.

True, COLLECTION does contain some great hits and singles like "The Main Event/Fight" (#3 Pop, #5 Adult Contemporary), "A Woman In Love" (#1 Pop, #1 Adult Contemporary), "Guilty" (#3 Pop, #5 Adult Contemporary), "What Kind Of Fool" (#10 Pop, #1 Adult Contemporary), "Comin' In And Out Of Your Life" (#11 Pop, #2 Adult Contemporary), "Memory" (#52 Pop, #9 Adult Contemporary), "The Way He Makes Me Feel" (#40 Pop, #1 Adult Contemporary), "Somewhere" (#43 Pop, #5 Adult Contemporary), and "All I Ask Of You" (#15 Adult Contemporary). These tracks deserve to be present, but there are several annoying omissions that prevent this from being the definite collection of this time span.

Missing hits and singles that fall between 1979 and 1989 include: "No More Tears" (#1 Pop, #7 Adult Contemporary, #20 R&B), "Kiss Me In The Rain" (#37 Pop), "Promises" (#48 Pop), "Papa, Can You Hear Me" (#26 Adult Contemporary), "Left In The Dark" (#50 Pop, #4 Adult Contemporary), "Make No Mistake, He's Mine" (#51 Pop, #8 Adult Contemporary), "Emotion" (#79 Pop, #14 Adult Contemporary), "Send In The Clowns" (#25 Adult Contemporary), and "Till I Loved You" (#25 Pop, #3 Adult Contemporary). While these tracks vary in quality, I think most fans can agree that some of them have a place here.

These omissions are especially frustrating when you take into account that the remainder of the track listing. "By The Way" is a gorgeous song and one of my favorites, but it was released in 1975 and is out of place here ("By The Way" belonged on the MEMORIES compilation, if anywhere else). The two new songs are also a problem. "Someone That I Used To Love" is merely adequate, while the Michael Bolton/Diane Warren-penned "We're Not Making Love Anymore" is bombastic and banal. Giving the missing tracks and inferior new material, A COLLECTION stands as little more than a wasted opportunity.

An amazing collection
I am a huge Streisand fan, and I think trhis is an amazing collection. Of course it misses a lot of amazing songs(like papa can you hear me, not while I'm around, send in the clowns, a piece of sky...), but this collection is just wonderfull
The opening song, we're not makin' love anymore, is incredible. Guilty, what kind of fool,somewhwere, the main event/fight and by the way are amazing song, and all I ask of you is nothing short of spectacular. But, the best song in there, is my favorite song of all time: Memory. Wow! It is sung so beautifully, it makes me cry every time I hear it. It is abseolutely incredible
Overall, this is a great album which is essential; for any person. It contains everything, and leaves you wanting more. Wonderfull! ... Read more

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Based on Hans Christian Andersen's tale The Princess and the Pea, Once Upon a Mattress opened in May 1959 and was a solid success, if not a huge blockbuster. It did well enough, in any case, to warrant a 1997 revival starring Sarah Jessica Parker. The show was far from revolutionary, but it provided a really fun vehicle for a cast of top stage personalities, including black actress Jane White, who played Queen Aggravain (a part originally written for comedienne Nancy Walker) in whiteface. But of course, Once Upon a Mattress's heart and soul was Carol Burnett, who, in her Broadway debut created the part of Princess Winnifred and delivered two of Mary Rodgers's best songs, the hilarious "Shy" and the spunky "Happily Ever After," which sounds a bit like Jule Styne at his most rhythmic. Burnett's timing and performance remain as sharp as they were 40 years ago. --Elisabeth Vincentelli ... Read more

Reviews (19)

a classic Broadway delight
ONCE UPON A MATTRESS is the classic Broadway musical version of the fairytale "The Princess and the Pea" and features music by Mary Rodgers and lyrics by Marshall Barer.

The story concerns Princess Winnifred (played by the legendary Carol Burnett in her first Broadway leading-role), a princess who is given the ultimate test; to sleep on twenty mattresses and be sensitive enough to feel the tiny pea that lies underneath them. Prince Dauntless and his mother, the Queen Aggravain (played in whiteface by Jane White) eagerly await the result...

The score is perfectly performed here (forget the Broadway revival recording which features Sarah Jessica Parker, completely out of her depth as Winnifred), and is regarded as the best recording available. Stand-out songs include "Shy", "The Song of Love", "Sensivity", "Happily Ever After" and "Yesterday I Loved You".

Even in this earliest of performances, Carol Burnett shows her incredible Broadway belt, and sings her songs with impressive comic timing and verve. She later played the role in two live television versions (one in black and white, the other in color).

Highly-recommended.

It was good...
I thought the soundtrack sounded really good when I first heard it even though I didn't love the songs all that much. Then I was involved with my highschool production of "Once Upon..." and I realized that we sounded better than the Broadway version most of the time. One of the reasons was that the Jester in our play was played by a girl. "Normandy" was my favorite song in out musical, yet it sounds terrible in this CD because it is just more pretty with a girls voice I guess. That is true for the other songs as well. It is ashame they won't make a CD with a girl Jester. The two girls in both casts that played Winnifred sounded just as good a Carol and it was the same with most other singers as well. Maybe it was due to the fact that it was live, and I will keep the CD because it is a good memory, but still I wish they would make a new soundtrack (besides the one with Sara Parker.

You can almost see them---
The wonderful music & lyrics, expertly performed by this talented and expressive cat, makes a soundtrack album so alive you can almost SEE them onstage! Unfortunately, the sound quality due to the recording capabilities of the time are less than perfect, but otherwise this is a fantastic collection of toe-tappers from one of the silliest, funniest examples of American Musical Theatre. No wonder Carol Burnett became a star!

AWESOME
I'm 16 years old, and you may say that i dont know what true music, and stuff like that, but i love music. i love the theatre. I've seen multiple shows on broadway, my favorite movie is grease. I love musicals, and all theatrical productions. I'm involved in my school Drama program, and we have quite a reputation for putting on great presentations. Recently we did the play Once Upon a Mattress. We did an awesome job, and i love the music, and you would think after all the rehersals we would all be sick of it...but we are all still singing it and still loving it. The music is great, and the show is awesome!

in a far off land. . .
One of the first musicals to usher in the era of slightly off-beat, quirky, grown-up fairy tales we came to expect from Sondhiem (Into the Woods) and Stephen Schwartz (Pippin); "Once Upon a Mattress" is absolutely perfect from beginning to end.

I played Lady Larken with a semi-professional production and fell in love with the music and the humor of the piece. It pokes fun at the very conventions associated with musical theater, right from the big opening number "Opening for a Princess" (which has slightly medieval chord progressions, but a definate Big Band swing!) to the hilarious "Man to Man Talk", which explains the facts of life as mimed by the King and sung by his slightly under-educated grown-up son.

All the conventional Broadway ballads are assigned to the romantic couple Larken and Harry, who are caricatures of the gullible damsel-in-distress and the stuffed-shirt stage hero, respectively. Larken is slightly less than a traditional damsel, as she is pregnant with Harry's baby (although he gallantly admits that they should not both suffer all their lives because *she* had a "moment of weakness"!).

Only Carol Burnett could endow Winnifred with just the right combination of honesty, goofiness and charm. Watch out for her biggest and funniest number: "Shy".

Other great songs are "Normandy", "Yesterday I Loved You", "Swamps of Home" and "Song of Love".

The revival album is good too, but Sarah Jessica Parker is simply an inferior Winnifred. This is one of those must-have Broadway albums... pretty much every song is funny and/or gorgeous. Enjoy! ... Read more

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Mary Rodgers is usually heralded as musical theater's sole woman composer, but this new recording of a long-lost gem introduces us to another brilliant member of Broadway's thin female ranks: Kay Swift. Collaborating with her husband, lyricist James Paul Warburg (writing as Paul James), Swift penned a splendid collection of tunes-in turn touching, daffy, percolating and tender-for this 1930 show. Taking place in the unlikely setting of a tool-and-die factory, Fine and Dandy is a bubbly jazz age musical full of melodic invention and lyrical twists. Fans of the Gershwins' 1920s oeuvre will adore this world-premiere recording, and in fact George is namechecked in the wonderful title track, in which Carolee Carmello and Mario Cantone compete in spirited one-upmanship. The CD also includes four songs written by Swift between 1929 and 1950; like Plain and Fancy, they serve to remind us that Swift was one of Broadway's unsung heroes. --Elisabeth Vincentelli ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Not To Be Missed
Kay Swift, best-known for her close association with George Gershwin, was one of the few female composers to write for Broadway. Fine and Dandy was her first book musical, featuring lyrics by husband Paul James, and became one of the biggest hits of Broadway's 1930-31 season. However, like many musicals of the era, most of the original performance materials were lost over the years. In the mid-'80s, Swift began to reconstruct the score, assisted by orchestrator Russell Warner, who continued the work following her death in 1993. The new recording is a revelation, for the songs are, as the title says, fine and dandy--clever and romantic by turns, and always tuneful. Those who love Gershwin's "Strike Up the Band" and "Of Thee I Sing" will find a similar feel here, helped by strong performances from Carolee Carmello, Gavin Creel, Mario Cantone, Mark Linn-Baker and Jennifer Laura Thompson, bolstered by a full orchestra. The CD also includes several other songs by Swift, including the classic "Can't We Be Friends?"

fabulous discovery!
This is an amazing score: witty, clever, fantastically inventive music -- fans of Gershwin et al will be delighted to discover this delightful show. More information about Kay Swift, who wrote the music (which made Fine and Dandy the first Broadway musical with a score by a woman) can be found at www.kayswift.com. What a great contribution to the American songbook. And hats off to PS Classics for this debut nonprofit historical recording, which has impeccable production quality. Can't wait for the next one they release. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

the greatest
this is the best of the best of NINA SIMONE. no doubt it !!

Big band jazz fan? This is the Simone to start with.
This CD explores Nina Simone's full range with some of her best songs in different genres. Yes, I know this is the Compact Jazz series, but there are several blues songs, swing songs, and even a good old fashioned get-up-and-let-the-Spirit-move-you gospel song. Normally, I would go through each song and tell you which belongs to which category, conveniently leaving out the songs I don't like. But I love all of these songs. If you listen to one song on this album and enjoy it, it's safe to say that you'll enjoy the entire CD, despite how different the songs are. I've bought a few of Nina Simone's blues-only albums, and I don't think my soul is tormented enough to appreciate the continuing angst. I always come back to this album, which puts out the blues, then kicks it up with the jazz. I'll just highlight two tracks. I've always thought that there is absolutely no reason that a song has to be over 3 or 4 minutes long. Any playtime after that is just stroking the performer's ego. SINNERMAN proved me wrong, clocking in at a whopping 9 minutes. I wish it were longer. Second point, combine the lyrics with Nina Simone's arrangement of MOOD INDIGO, and you come about as close as you can get to complete musical bliss.

the best
you may enjoy from the beginning to the end.

A Journey to Loving Jazz and Blues
With this particular collection of her works, Nina sent me down the path to loving jazz and blues. Starting with track 1 My Baby Just Cares for Me to the the song Brown Eyed Handsome Man, I knew I was hooked and have been for many years to her cool, beautiful voice. This collection is a great selection of her works and well worth having.

Mesmirizing
Nina Simone has such an incredible voice, it just makes you want to kick back and relax. It's tough listening to it, because you can hardly get anything else accomplished but listening to her. Ahh, maybe that isn't so bad. ... Read more

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If you want an introduction to Broadway-style operetta, this recording of the 2003 Encores! production of The New Moon is an excellent place to start; if you're already a fan, the CD is an essential purchase. Set in late-18th-century New Orleans, the action-packed plot features revolutionaries and their adversaries, star-crossed lovers and of course disputes based on false assumptions. But the show, originally a hit in 1928, is all about the loveliest tunes from Sigmund Romberg, king of Viennese-syle operetta. As the romantic leads (i.e., the Jeanette McDonald/Nelson Eddy roles), versatile soprano Christiane Noll and classically trained baritone Rodney Gilfry are perfectly paired. (Noll's "Lover, Come Back to Me" is particularly vibrant.) Also of note are spectacular contributions from the booming chorus. This album is the first complete recording of The New Moon; barring a surprise operetta revival, it could also be the last for a long, long time. Good thing it's so scrumptious. --Elisabeth Vincentelli ... Read more

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New York pianist Bill Charlap is comfortable straddling musical fences. He comes from the pianistic legacy of Tommy Flanagan and Hank Jones, yet he's comfortable mixing it up with likes of Steely Dan. Here, with bassist Peter Washington and drummer Kenny Washington (arguably the best rhythm section happening in jazz today), Charlap explores the Broadway tunes of classical composer/conductor Leonard Bernstein. Charlap's piano lines glide over the keyboard with vocal-like fluidity, especially on the finger snapped bounce of "Cool," the Cuban cadences of "America," and the brush-stroked "Glitter to Be Gay." Charlap's reading of "Some Other Time" reveals the harmonic DNA of Bill Evans' "Peace Piece" and "Flamenco Sketches" from Kind of Blue. "Big Stuff" rocks in rhythm with a stridish, Count Basie-type intro, which morphs into an Ahmad Jamal-like motif. Charlap's solo performance of "Somewhere" shows that Bernstein was the intersection of the classics, American popular song, and jazz. --Eugene Holley, Jr. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Excellent Music by a Great Trio
Before I actually heard this, I was rather disappointed that Bill Charlap had chosen to follow "Stardust" (his 2002 Hoagy Carmichael tribute) with another single-composer album. That the composer in question was Leonard Bernstein made me all the more dubious, since in general his compositions seem (somewhat counterintuitively) not to work particularly well as vehicles for jazz improvisation.

As it turns out, however, "Somewhere" ranks with the earlier "Written in the Stars" (2000) as one of Charlap's best releases to date, and also as one of the most engaging jazz albums I've heard in recent years. The arrangements are beautiful and well thought out (though never fussy), and they provide an excellent framework for some very high-level improvisation. Charlap mostly eschews overt pyrotechnics, but these are nonetheless virtuosic performances, played with great finesse and intensity; indeed, the absence of bombast makes his solos all the more compelling. As always, Peter Washington (bass) and Kenny Washington (drums), both members of Charlap's working trio, supply perfect accompaniment, swinging hard and playing brilliantly but not overshadowing the leader.

A very successful album, and highly recommended to anyone who likes mainstream jazz.

delightful
leonard bernstein was vocal in his appreciation for jazz, often incorporating its rhythms and stylings into his classical compositions. mr. bernstein once said that all music was jazz. listening to this CD, i imagine mr. bernstein would smile as it unfolded.

bill charlap comes from the school of elegant swing epitomized by hank jones and tommy flanagan, and here uses that approach to give voice to the textures and colors of these songs. two highlights: the opening "cool" takes on a vibe and punch that the original broadway song only hints at, while mr. charlap brings out the haunting essence of lostness in the title tune "somewhere."

so goes the entire program, a great mix and balance between hard driving bop and delicate ballads. the effect is winning, as the listener is drawn in and kept focused. this is one CD that ends with a desire to play the whole thing over again.

other jazz artists have reflected on mr. bernstein's work, and this set certainly merits a place among the best of those sets, for example, oscar peterson's and dave brubeck's. give this a listen, and you will enjoy it.

Lenny¿s World
He really wanted to be remembered as a classical composer. Alas, that was not to be. But from the evidence here presented, absolutely marvelously, it must be said, Leonard Bernstein will certainly be remembered as one of the standout contributors to the great American songbook, right up there with Sammy Kahn, George Gershwin, and Hoagy Carmichael.

And Bill Charlap is the perfect musician to make the case for Lenny's enshrinement in the American pop composers' hall of fame. Moreover, this represents a kind of coming into fruition and delayed recognition for Charlap, a jazz warrior who's labored in the trenches with scant recognition lo these many years. With Somewhere he's found entirely congenial material, the perfect bandmates, and the ideal label to treat him properly and get the word out.

The results speak for themselves: sheerly beautiful playing in the context of grand architectural approaches to the material; in short, jazz of the highest order. Charlap seems to understand Bernstein like no other interpreter. For example, he always finds just the right mode of expression, be it the thin ray of hope shining through the quiet despair of "Lonely Town," or the sad irony of "Glitter and Be Gay," or the bluesy center of "Big Stuff," or the lazy down-home vibe of America's rural heartland in "Ohio," or the sheer exuberance of "America," slyly reconfigured in such a way as both to enhance its immigrant heart and to celebrate its vision of the endless possibilities of the land of the free and the home of the brave. A stunningly wistful solo reading of "Somewhere" caps off a recording of the absolute highest accomplishment.

A note about the Washingtons (not related), Peter on bass and Kenny on drums. They form the perfect partnership with the leader, by turns sensual, swaggering, and nuanced; whatever is called for, they deliver the goods.

All in all, a thoroughly remarkable performance. Don't miss it.

Elegant and Subtle
What sets Bill Charlap apart from his contemporaries is not so much his technique, which is formidable, but the fact that he refuses to take that technique for a walk at the expense of the integrity of a song. Except in obvious show pieces, he doesn't gratuitously show off, and this is true in up-tempo numbers as well as lyrical ones. He also understands better than any other jazz pianist how crucial moments of not playing are to moments of playing; his silences are exquisite and exquisitely framed by his bandmates. He is quoted as saying that after he listens to his recordings, he never wishes he had added notes to a particular passage only that he had played fewer. In this age of the blunt and gaudy, such quiet elegance is rare and inestimable. The reviewer above who gave the CD mediocre marks doesn't know what he's talking about. This is a magnificent recording, offering to those willing to delight in them, subtle jazz harmonies and rhythms in abundance.

Rebuttal
...If you like music, this CD is as musical as it gets. If you like Jazz, the brilliant interplay of the Bill Charlap Trio is its essence. If you thought you knew Bernstein, well, here are twelve things you didn't know...until now. ... Read more

Reviews (30)

Michael Crawford is truly the Angel of Music
I first discovered Michael Crawford as I'm sure most of us did--in Phantom of the Opera. His voice in that recording, as well as every other one he has done, is astonishing. He holds amazing control over it; at times his voice caresses and at others it pushes you over with its power. My favorite song on this CD is "Other Pleasures/The First Man You Remember." Having his daughter in the duet added a wonderful sense of truth to the lyrics, too. I recommend all of the songs on this CD wholeheartedly.

Michael Crawford gets to sing other songs from "Phantom"
I have always thought the main reason Michael Crawford did this album of Andrew Lloyd Webber songs was because it gave him a chance to sing some of the other songs from "The Phantom of the Opera." That probably explains why "All I Ask of You" and "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" are two of my favorite tracks on this album. But my favorite is "Tell Me On A Sunday," from the little known musical "Song and Dance," a song that clearly suits Crawford's evocative voice. This album includes a wide variety of songs, from the upbeat "And the Money Kept Rolling In (And Out)" from "Evita" to the dramatic "Gethsemane" from "Jesus Christ Superstar," but clearly Crawford works best with songs that build to emotional climaxes such as "Memory" from "Cats" where his voice gets to soar above the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. If all you know of Crawford and Lloyd Webber is their successful collaboration on "Phantom," then this album will serve as a wider introduction to the work of both artists. You will especially want to hear his duet on "The Music of the Night" with Barbra Streisand.

5 Stars for Michael Crawford. and the CD
This CD is great! I like this CD because most songs are good like: Any Dream Will Do, All I Ask of You, Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again, Gethsemane, The Phantom of the Opera, The Music of the Night,Memory, Only You(from StEx), Other Pleasures/The First Man You Remember, and Love Changes Everything. My favorite thing about this CD is that they've included a very good Starlight song. But i still don't get WHY there are 2 aspects of love songs and 1 starlight express song! However, I give 5 stars because of the good songs and Michael Crawford.

Michael's Best Album
This album is by far the best that Michael Crawford has released (not counting the OCR of Phantom), as he performs every one of these timeless songs absolutely flawlessly.

His Phantom work on the CD is up to its usual high-quality, though Barbara Bonney isn't Sarah Brightman. He does a jaw-dropping rendition of "Gethsemane" that is one of the most powerful I've heard. Yes, his approach to the song's rhythm is straightforward, but I prefer this more ballad-like approach. His performance of "Tell Me on a Sunday" (one of ALW's best, least-known songs) is also fantastic. And "Love Changes Everything" is well-arranged and sung (with backup vocals from the ladies and choir) and is one of the few songs that consistently gives me goosebumps.

However, all that being said, the one REAL reason to buy this album is to hear its unique arrangement of "Only You." Having heard the song previously as it was originally performed by the original cast, I considered the song to be boring and pedestrian. Whoever re-arranged the song (with new lyrics?) deserves a medal, because it transforms "Only You" into an enormously power love duet that is one of the best songs in ALW's entire canon. Overall, this album comes highly recommended, especially for those with only a passing familiarity with Crawford's or ALW's work.

I love reading others reviews about such a genuine man!!!
Everything I can say about Mike has been said by everyone else!!!!!

Did anyone forget the advective: comforting, or Genuine!!??!! Probably not, but its other words to describe the Mikester!!!

Relaxation Tapes????!!!!!

Mike could use his comforting voice to do tranquility tapes--
and we can all use tranquility after a work day--

Has that unusual quality in his voice- he makes you believe
everything he sings---others sing and sound so "shallow"

Is it the fact some people know how to project emotion better
than others???!!! ... Read more

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Mel Gibson may learn What Women Want by listening in on their thoughts, but it doesn't take an eavesdropper to know what moviegoers expect in a romantic-comedy soundtrack. Nancy Meyers, the movie's director and soundtrack album executive producer, has compiled an interesting mix of old and new, borrowed and blue. The emphasis is on the pre-rock age of big-band swing, whether it's performers from that era or others emulating them. Three cuts from Frank Sinatra (arranged and conducted by Nelson Riddle) and entries fromSammy Davis Jr., Nancy Wilson, and Tony Bennett sew up the soulful crooning of the velvet age. Lou Rawls and the Temptations replace their modern soul grooves with lush orchestrations that perfectly fit the mood. Only teeny-dance-bopper Christina Aguilera and alternative rocker Meredith Brooks,who chime in with a couple of recent hits, sound woefully out of place. --Rob O'Connor ... Read more

Reviews (38)

A taste of Sophistication, Romance and Excitement!
The only thought that came to my mind when I watched this movie was "I *have* to get this soundtrack!" I recommend this soundtrack to those who don't even like Jazz... it is the must have for dates, parties, or driving in the car. The movie was fantastic and I truly believe it was because of this soundtrack! It's a great touch of spontaneity for the guys and a great touch of soft and soothing music for the women. It's a great combination of music and a great collection at that! Buy it, listen to it and enjoy it! You won't be disappointed!

Romance, pure and simple!
Great movie, GREAT soundtrack! How can you go wrong with these classics? I couldn't wait to buy the soundtrack after seeing this movie....how nice to have music that will conjure up an image of MEL! Romance, pure and simple!

Wonderful soundtrack
Some of the greatest artist are one this soundtrack. It has a great bluesy, jazzy trend. The only bad points are the two modern artist that disrupt the flow of the albumn. This is a great albumn to have a romantic evening to or just kicking it on a lazy Sunday morning. Just skip the two modern songs.

Don't listen to the bad reviews
I watch the movie and liked it alot. Have no idea why all these bad reviews are being made. My advise, ignore the bad reviews and watch the movie because you might be surprise. It's a simple and nice movie to seat down to watch and have some light hearted fun.

GREAT!
A warm, fun movie that produced a fantastic soundtrack. These songs are classics and this is a perfect cd to break through any dreary day. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Magic, pure magic--tell me more and then some
I picked up my copy of East/West after attending Jacqui Naylor's sensational performance at the Plush Room (April 2005). So we had the benefit of an up-close in-person treatment of many of the songs in this album--actually a double disc delight. We then took the album with us on a three day trip the next day--so we got a good chance to savor it. Here's what I think.

Quality production, top rank musicians, a singer who is threatening Diana Krall's supremacy in versatility and is head to head with Karrin Allyson in singing the blues. The venues on the East and West coasts are known to jazz people everywhere--great idea to combine them. If you go to jazz shows then you'll know that these rooms bring out the best in the artists. Nevertheless, there is nothing to replace seeing Jacqui and her group in person. Superb.

I grabbed the West disc for my car, my wife grabbed the East disc for her car--what a way to ensure family harmony! Among the many, many songs, you'll realy enjoy "Don't Let the Bastard Get You Down" and "Thank You Baby". The live audience loved Jacqui's introduction when she told about KCSM playing the Bastard song and getting phone calls prtesting the B-word! (In the Bay Area!!)

This talented lady does June Christy one better and that is saying something. After the live show I told her she had an instinct for the blues. Then I heard East/West and there it was! Thanks Jacqui!

Here's an "inside story" which you might enjoy. I emailed Jacqui before her Plush Room show and asked her to sing "Tell Me More, and More, and Then Some" which is on her first album ("Jacqui")and she obliged in the live show. Let me tell you, that brought the house down. AFTER the show I was a block away and people were STILL telling me how they loved the song and the show. So buy "Jacqui" and buy "East/West". In other words, we have a star on our hands, ladies and gents.

only partially convincing
Not long ago, apparently after someone at the label read my review of Madeleine Peyroux's "Careless Love" on amazon.com, Ruby Star Records sent me a promo copy of Jacqui Naylor's double CD "Live East/West Birdland-Yoshi's."Appreciative of this gesture, I was determined to give the album a chance, but after a half dozen spins where my opinion went from mildly pleased (first listen, in the car on the way home from work) to bored and disinterested (sixth listen), I've decided this recording just isn't to my taste.

I don't want to turn Cranky Music Critic here and start picking these performances apart bit by agonizing bit, but there are a few outstanding, just-not-right details that I can't seem to get past.And anyone who's going to wade into the forum of vocal jazz should be prepared for this kind of scrutiny, so here goes.

Typical of jazz (and jazz-wannabe) artists since the sixties, Naylor and her band work hard to reconcile Tin Pan Alley standards with more modern rock and pop songs, as well as a few originals.Arranger Art Khu does pretty well with the jazz-oriented arrangements, but the folkier settings are out of his depth.Except for a couple of self-consciously "jazzy" vocal inflections, I really dig Naylor's cover here of "Me and Mister Jones," mostly because of the backing the band gives her and the smooth way her voice fits into the loose groove.But her take on "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" is superfluous in light of Carole King's version on Tapestry.Covering Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth" for the reason, as she says in a girlish voice in her intro, of injecting some much-needed political awareness, rings absolutely hollow, especially in light of the blandness of the performance that follows.Nina Simone singing "Mississippi Goddam" this ain't.

Naylor's got a pleasant, warm singing voice for the most part, and she's at her best when she sings straight and doesn't try to show off.I have to single out her cover of Gershwin's "But Not For Me," however, for an all-too-revealing misstep in the song's preamble.The couplet "just try it/and I'll start a riot" should be sung with "riot" pronounced in the common manner of "ry-it."Apparently missing the joke completely, Naylor sings it "ry-OT," which blows the rhyme.Have you ever heard anyonepronounce the word that way?

This seemingly minor point lays bare a pervasive disingenuousness that I hear throughout these two discs.Like a lot of vocalists in this area, Jacqui Naylor just doesn't "get it," she lacks humor and seems to be on the outside looking in, dressed in the trappings of a jazz singer but only doing a moderately successful job of pulling off the act.Hopefully in the future she will settle into the sound of her own voice -- which is, again, very appealing when she sings straight -- and not be compelled to apply distracting stylistic flourishes.Technique, after all, should never eclipse feeling.That Vogue calls Jacqui Naylor "the new voice of jazz and pop" demonstrates that Vogue knows much more about image than music.Then again, image and music may be so interchangeable to the modern sensibility that Vogue probably has a point.If you like your "jazz" very light and in the background, you'll find this to be perfectly good music.Those who pay closer attention are directed to Madeleine Peyroux's "Careless Love" CD or just about any jazz vocal recording made before 1960.

Soul-infused jazz/pop:"Acoustic smashing"
If you like jazz but think it's too slow or boring, Jacqui Naylor is the solution.This album combines pop and rock tunes with jazz, and breathes new life into tired old standards.The depth of her voice and tone are warm and soothing, and the melodic background singers add the sweet frosting to the cake.Art Khu's smoking piano solos leave you wondering if there were any piano keys he didn't hit.And John Evans makes the bass come alive; the bassline isn't just background on this record.The 2-CD album has lots of songs (24), with a good balance of originals (both folkish and funky), standards, and "acoustic smashing" tunes combining several elements and styles. Compared to her first 3 albums which were mostly slow sad songs, this one has more happy, fun songs you can tap your foot to.Bravo!

You Rock
I love this CD!I found myself humming "Thank you Baby" all day after listening to the CD.I really enjoy Jacqui's mixture of old and new especially the "compilation" songs (Black Coffee).Jacqui's voice is sweet and pure.Mixed with jazzy tunes and tender notes this is definitely one of my most favorite CD's to listen to.

Blending Many Good Things
Jacqui Naylor's double live CD is an exquisite menu of tunes recorded at a respective pair of the world's foremost jazz venues: Birdland and Yoshi's.As a new listener to Ms. Naylor, the difficulty is making a meal from all the choices.There's a lot to enjoy as she covers many diverse styles.To continue the restaurant metaphor, it'll take many return visits to appreciate the scope of the offering.

Saying that, the song selection is very good throughout.Not many artists can truly pull off personalized versions of classics from Talking Heads to Rogers & Hart to James Taylor to Gamble/Huff/Gilbert to Stephen Stills to Pink Floyd.Ms. Naylor does, and that leads to her sound.

Some vocalists are known for the purity of their voices, such as Ella and Barbra. Others, such as Van Morrison and Sinatra, are best known by their precise phrasing. Others are recognizable for their distinct texture, such as Louis Armstrong and Tom Waits.

Then there are those -- amongst whom I include Ms. Naylor -- who combine bits of many masters.There's nothing particular about her voice that instantly defines her, but stylistically she smartly adapts her formidable range to the mood and meaning of the songs.The results command you to reevaluate songs you think you've know years.

I'll be putting these CDs on for repeated listenings and quite certain each time will rebveal a deeper appreciation for Ms. Naylor. ... Read more

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

Barbara Cook is one of today's most accomplished song stylists, and if you don't believe us, just listen to this live album. It's a master class in the art of singing. It documents an evening at Carnegie Hall during which Cook proved that she can dissect and extract the substance out of the simplest of lyrics. One of the best surprises is "You Could Drive a Person Crazy" (from Company), which is taken at an amiable trot and allows the singer to display its humor. Cook is not a swinging singer and uptempo is not her pace; give her a ballad, though, and she'll wring the last drop of emotion out of it. Her version of "Losing My Mind" (here paired with "Not a Day Goes By") is simply astonishing. The singer also performs songs that Sondheim has said he wished he had written, an awful lot of them by Harold Arlen. No complaints here. Guest Malcolm Gets solos on a few songs and duets with Cook on others, including "Let's Face the Music and Dance." This is classic material done masterfully by a classic singer. --Elisabeth Vincentelli ... Read more

Reviews (22)

Astonishing, Barbara Cook gets better every year!!
When I first received this album in the mail, I stopped working in my garden and got my portable CD player and listended to it with earphones. The voice, the acoustics, the sound was amazing. I particularly enjoyed the conversations between songs and wished for more. Malcolm Gets (sorry I never heard of him before) was also excellent, a wonderful voice for Sondheim. I couldn't wait for each new song, Ms Cook's rendition of "Send in the Clowns" was amazing, her voice just improves with age.

My only complaint with the album, was the ending and the obvious encores. I would like to have heard more audience reaction and conversation. (Listen to Judy's album, it seems it would go on and on. Of course then, maybe Barbara's would be a THREE CD set. Come to think if it................that's not a bad idea.

I Was There -- And This is Close
Having listened to all her CDs and seen her at at the Hotel Carlyle hotel in NYC, I literally ran to Carnegie Hall to get tickets when this concert was announced. Being there in person was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Even waiting outside on the sidewalk for the doors to open was an experience; the feeling inside the hall was electric. So I eagerly awaited the CD, and it doesn't disappoint. Barbara Cook is a remarkable performer, and this CD shows she's still willing to take risks ... with her choice of guest (Malcolm Gets), her choice of songs, and her willingness to revisit old chestnuts with a new tempo or interpretation. A friend turned to me at the end of "Bring in the Clowns" (after he had wiped away his tears) and said "It's as if I've never heard that song before." BUY THIS ALBUM!

Everyone Should Whistle
After being privileged to attend this concert, I had to own the CD. Once a lyric coloratura and the original Cunegonde in Bernstein's Candide, Ms. Cook has become (in her 70s) a true diva, blessed with a velvety, warm sound. Every note has meaning. Her high B-flat on "Ice Cream" is still the envy of any soprano today. Everyone should whistle after hearing the superb performances on this CD. Even better, though, is the experience of having been in the concert hall for the live performance. Brava, Ms. Cook!

An amazing intro to the body of work of a true master
When I first bought tickets for the 'Mostly Sondheim' show on tour (in San Francisco) I figured it couldn't be too bad. Besides, I had only been exposed to a few of his songs (Anyone Can Whistle, Losing My Mind...) and had only seen "A Little Night Music". On the way out of the theater I immediately picked up this recording of the program. It is truly amazing. I immediately began listening to it and have barely put it down in the last few months. Furthermore, my Sondheim CD collection increased in size from an unflattering zero to five (and it's still growing)! This is an amazing introduction to the works of Stephen Sondheim, who is now my favorite modern musical composer). Buy this now if you don't already have it!

Beautiful, moving concert
This is a wonderful CD set with a great selection of songs. I do want to express a slight reservation, however. Barbara Cook has been one of my favorite singers for a number of years and the way her voice defies time is extraordinary -- for her to be singing with such bright, beautiful tone in her mid-70s with no wobble or beat in the voice is an amazing achievment.

I do have to say that by 2001, when this concert was recorded, Cook seemed to have a lost a little bit of power and intensity in her singing. This is only natural for someone of her age. Her voice is still lovely, but you can sense her keeping it in reserve a bit. She's as expressive as ever, but compare the rendition of "I got lost in his arms" on this album to the one on her previous album recorded in 1999, "The Champion Season", and there's less urgency and vocal depth in her singing here. That said, the high B at the end of "Ice Cream" is sensational.

So, despite that caveat, this is, again, a wonderful album, a must for Cook fans, especially for the gorgeous renditions of songs I'd never thought I'd get to hear her perform: "Not a Day Goes By", "Happiness/Loving You", "San Francisco", etc. Buy it! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Getting the two most personable voices in jazz to sing an hour's worth of George Gershwin's opera Porgy & Bess (Ella doing all the female parts, Satchmo all the male) was a good idea, but not quite as great as it sounded. Armstrong savors the down-and-dirty Charlestonisms that inspired the cadences of the music and lyrics, and they fit his happy rasp like an old shoe; Fitzgerald, conversely, sounds almost prissy every time she has to sing the word "ain't," though her melodic genius gets Gershwin's bold, supple tunes over. The arrangements are full-throttle Broadway, with a few leaps into Dixieland (including some fine Armstrong trumpet solos), but the disc works best when the vocalists break character and let their jazz side out. --Douglas Wolk ... Read more

Reviews (13)

A Jazz Masterpiece!
No matter what your musical taste, it's hard to imagine that you won't love this combination. Ella & Louis are, of course, the standards by which all other jazz vocalists learn and are judged; the music is Gershwin's great masterpiece (and one of the masterpieces of American music in general); ravishingly orchestrated, lovingly sung, and oh by the way, swingin' like Tiger Woods. Just the best in the biz, that's all. If you're a jazz aficionado or a Gershwin fan, you'll find a wealth to love and appreciate; if you're a casual listener, count on it!...This is music that'll just make you happy. Get it and enjoy it for the rest of your life.

Best Ella c.d. ever!
This is my favorite Ella Fitzgerald cd! While Louis Armstrong's singing is gravelly and rough, Ella is smooth as silk-- they make a perfect combo. Although nearly every song is absolutely gorgeous, Ella's renditions of "Bess, You is My Woman Now", "I Got Plenty o' Nuttin'" and "I Wants to Stay Here" are to die for.

A masterpiece
This is one of the 10 greatest jazz records made. As mentioned in the liner notes, for trumpet music of this style, Louis Armstrong had no peer. The contrast between the gravelly voice of Armstrong and the super sweet voice of Ella wears very well. The production was excellent, and frankly the famous opera stars on other records than often blast out Porgy and Bess don't do much for me. This is by far my favorite version of some really fantastic music by Gershwin, who is one of the greatest American composers.

Young people will find this music as corny as Frank Sinatra, but it really is tremendous music and will stand the test of time.

ELLA AND LOUIS
The chemistry between ELLA and LOUIS was great.It was not evident to do PORGY and BESS with them,but it works splendidly.There is a minor setback for me:ELLA can't do MY MAN's GONE NOW the way SARAH VAUGHAN used to sing it,but the rest of the disc is so enjoyable that one can easily pass that over.I am happy that NORMAN GRANZ the producer succeeded in convincing LOUIS to tackle that project.It is really moving to hear him sing and play his instrument on those tracks,especially I GOT PLENTY OF NOTHIN' and THERE'S A BOAT LEAVING SOON FOR NEW YORK.If you have to choose among the many recordings of PORGY and BESS available,you have to go for that one,even if of course,this is not the complete work.

Ella + Louis + Gershwin? You do the math
They may have been the most unlikely pair of entertainers to sing songs from an operatic production. Ella, while supremely talented, was not operatic in her style. Louis was far from that genre also. However, they took those songs and, as they always had, made them their own. That's why this is a successful musical equation. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Neil Sedaka's First Round Of Hits!
This collection spans from 1958-1963, an excellent overview of his first heyday. For the record, the #33 hit "Bad Girl" is missing and "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" is the upbeat version not the ballad. This collection along with "Laughter In The Rain: The Best Of..." is all you will need. Thus, this collection is ideal for the casual and hardcore fan.

NEIL SADEKA WHERE HAVE THE KING OF CLOWNS VANNISH TO?
These songs rock!. I remember when I was 6 and 7 years old my mom use to be playing these songs when we use to be coming home from the beach in her car late in the evening. But in those days they were on a cassette because CD'S haven't been released yet. I still listen to them as a teenager now. We definately need to bring back people like Neil Sadeka, Connie Francis and Forester sisters in this now and day. And get rid of people like Britney spears, Christina aguliera and all those Divas who songs are pointless and not even worth a fart. Anyway coming back to Neil sadeka these songs are great his songs, the Forester sisters and Connie francis songs are the best. I would recommend this Neil sadeka album to anyone.

The best from the early years
.... After tunes like "Stupid Cupid" and "Where the Boys Are" would become hits for Connie Francis, the still-teenage Sedaka began singing and playing on his own records, and (pardon the cliche) a star was born. His first release, 1958's "I Go Ape," began a five-year rule of the pop charts. Luckily, that silly novelty song isn't included in this compilation album, but all the "important" hits are. A master of self-described "wraparound" ditties or so-called "sandwich songs"--a nonsensical or rhyming intro, followed by the verse and chorus, ending with the intro again--you'll find perfect examples of this style of songwriting in "Next Door to an Angel," "Calendar Girl," "Happy Birthday, Sweet Sixteen," "Oh! Carol" (dedicated to then-girlfriend Carole King), "Stairway to Heaven," and one of only three #1 singles Sedaka would enjoy in his career: "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do," one of 1962's biggest hits. The last of these, of course, would be re-recorded by Sedaka in 1975 as a ballad and would once again hit the Top 10 on the charts. Sedaka's mother complained that his pop success was ruining her desire to see him become a serious, classical pianist, so he tried to appease her by writing a ballad in a minor key. "You Mean Everything to Me" would become one of Sedaka's lesser hits but is probably one of the most satisfying cuts on this compilation. Another favorite features the whimsical Biblical references in the banjo-laden "Run, Samson, Run," one of Sedaka's last early hits. .... But this compilation gives us a good sampling of his early successes: admittedly lightweight, but lots of fun.

Rating: **** (out of 5) BOB BOURBEAU

Pleasant Trip Back to the 60s
This CD contains Neil Sedaka's greatest hits. Memorable titles like "Oh! Carol", "Calendar Girl", "Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen" and "Little Devil" are all included. You will find all of the most successful RCA label material from the late 50s & early 60s featured. Don't look for less successful titles, such as the highly collectable novelty hit "I Go Ape" or tunes released on obscure smaller labels. A fan of "the king of clowns" will enjoy this collection of hits, however "basic" it may be.

great
Hello,I have been looking for the song by Neil Sadaka,(You Mean Everything To Me) for a very long time,But I need it in the sing along version on cassette tape.(Karaoke)with only the Music,if you have it,or can find it for me,Name your price within reason.Not VCR tape ,but the cassette tape.some have the words on one side and the music on the other side.. Please let me know..Respectfully... Joseph Daniels.. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Quite good, but...
The music is great and the setting is intimate, but Bobby Short's delivery ocassionally annoys me. He has a tendency to break into an abrupt piercing warble and his phrasing seems choppy to me. It's not enough to ruin the album, but it can be distracting.

Bobby Short at His Best
Owning nearly all of Bobby Short's albums, this is the one I play the most. I love his style! He recorded at an actual preformance which added more intimacy to the of the album.

Agree!
There cannot be a better night of classic American music than a Bobby Short gig at the Carlyle.

SUBLIME!
This is Short at his best. There's no brass section to drown out his voice or his piano, and you can hear the audience at the Cafe Carlyle react to his performance. Short's interpretation, along with Beverly Peer's and Robert Scott's, never gets stale. You can listen to this CD a hundred times and hear new aspects each time. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

One of France's greatest singers
Probably the greatest, most celebrated -- and most tragic -- of the French popular "chanson" singers. Piaf was celebrated for having come, indisputably, from "the people", having been born the child of a prostitute, and having been abandoned by both her parents while still an infant. In 1935, at the age of 19, she was discovered by a nightclub owner who both built her popular image and got her a recording contract. Her popularity swelled during the War, and her song "La Vie En Rose" became a standard during the German occupation of France. After the war, Piaf's glamour became torn by ongoing hardships and substance abuse (which, in turn, enhanced the tragic elements of her legend...) This CD sticks pretty strictly to her earliest stuff, from the '30s and '40s; it includes her first big hit, "Mon Legionnaire", but omits "La Vie En Rose" and "Non, Ne Je Regrette Rien", which are her two best-known works. The tinny, Jazz Era sound of these early songs may be less accessible to listeners who are more familiar with the emotionally torturous (and more warmly recorded) material made at the time of her postwar tours of America, many of which are highly prized by her fans.

Her best years-her best voice aand songs
I am French and was born in 1949, her songs played on the radio day and night when I was a child and even then I could tell the difference in her songs and in her voice. Post 1950 is out for me , she bears the weight of her years and her songs after 1950 -like Mylord (not charismatic praise song by any stretch of the imagination) became sad and depressing- So I suggest that this period and this CD contain her best songs , her voice was THEN coined "the voice of the sparrow" and is fresh and clear , her songs are the best and she carries them with the emotion you heard in Private Ryan. A very good buy.

A great collection of Piaf's earlier works...
This CD is Edith Piaf at her best... I love many of the songs on it - I would single out "C'est Lui Que Mon Coeur A Choisi" and "L'Accordeoniste" as being two of my personal favorites. This is a must for any Piaf fan...

With all due respect to the person who posted below about "Cannibal Corpse", I don't think we're talking about the same Edith Piaf, and I thought I might clear it up here to avoid any confusion for anyone else. The Edith Piaf I'm talking about, and the one who sings the songs on this CD, is a Parisian singer who has been dead for nearly 40 years (b. 1915 d. 1963). Your Edith Piaf is a different person, I think, because you said that she left "Cannibal Corpse" in 1991. My Edith Piaf, and the one who sings the songs on this CD, left this earth and went to heaven in 1963.

Anyway, thought I'd clear it up - No offense intended...

Edith Piaf is one of the best
This is the best Edith Piaf CD i have listened to.... 1935-1943 was a great time period for music ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Skip this collection in favor of.......
I found the 3-CD box set "Rock & Roll Legends," in which Darin has his own disc, to be better than this collection. Featuring LIVE versions of "Splish Splash," "Plain Jane," "Dream Lover," and "Mack The Knife," it also replaces the less-arresting "Artificial Flowers" with the ecstatic rapidness of "I Wish I were In Love Again" and "Don't Rain On My Parade." Also, it has the same ratio of mono to stereo tracks as this disc. The other two CDs in the box set include live performances by Jerry Lee Lewis & Gene Vicent. The only thing "Ultimate Bobby Darin" has going for it is the inclusion of the uber-classic, "Beyond the Sea."

Great collection!
This CD highlights the big hits of Darin, though it omits a significant number of songs which were just as good, but never made the Hit Parade. What a tragedy that Bobby Darin died so young at 37. He is under-appreciated today and dwarfed by the huge shadow cast by Frank Sinatra. Though Darin didn't have the poignant and unmatched ability of Sinatra to phrase a lyric, his uptempo songs are nearly as good as the Chairman of the Board. He is cool, hip, has fine range and has an innate jazzy feel that infuses all of his swingier songs. The musical arrangements and musicianship displayed here is also exemplary. The orchestra that backs up Darrin is fantastic.

My personal favorite is "Beyond the Sea," one of the great swing pseudo-ballads of the 50's, recently resurrected as the backdrop of a TV commercial. Darrin proves he was the natural successor to Sinatra with his masterful vocal here. "Guys and Dolls" and "Down with Love" are nearly as good and showcases Darrin's talent. The best ballad is probably "Was There a Call for Me?" which reproduces the boozy hangover feeling of being dumped about as well as any song.

Darrin's later work was never as hip and contemporary-sounding as the music on this disc. This is an exceptional collection with many catchy, memorable tunes, and proves beyond a doubt that Darrin was an amazing talent.

Great Cd of Bobby Darin
This Cd contains all of the best songs of Bobby Darin(in my opinion,of course).All of the songs are very enjoyable and I recommend it to anyone who likes vintage rock&roll.

BOBBY DARIN WAS THE GREATEST
Bobby Darin came into this world as Robert Walden Cassatto. Due to rheumatic fever and a bad heart he was believed not to live past sixteen. When he heard that he was determined to do as much in his life as he could. DID HE SUCCEED OR WHAT?!! This cd contains the songs that made Darin. I never heard of Bobby Darin untill I sang "Mack the Knife" at a karaoke bar. When I looked at the name I was suprised to see the name Bobby Darin instead of Frank Sinatra(I was later to find out Darin recorded it first.) I went to the music store and looked for the name Bobby darin I found this cd. That is how I learned about him. I have became a very dedicated fan since then. This cd is a great album for Bobby Darin fans and people who want to learn about him. Bobby Darin died at age 37 during open heart sugery. It would be great if he were still alive.

HELP
I AM TRYING TO FIND THE NAME OF A SONG BOBBY SANG.HE DEDICATED IT TO HAPPY OR SONNY ROCKERFELLA,THE ONE TIME GOVERNER OF NY WIFE.CAN YOU HELP ... Read more

Reviews (10)

A truly landmark Broadway recording
I own both the film soundtrack and this Original Cast recording and this one trumps the film soundtrack on all counts. The sound is better, the singing is at least the equal of the film and in most places better, and the orchestral music is heard to better effect. Also, the young man playing Oliver in this version is easier to hear and understand in my opinion. All the key musical numbers are included here, and I just think the recording has stood the test of time. Don't get me wrong, I love the movie and I'm sure I will return to it often. But from a purely sonic enjoyment viewpoint, I recommend this Broadway version without reservation.

Oliver! Original Broadway Cast-A wonderful recording!
This recording is truly one of my favorites. The songs are lively and fun, and bring this Broadway classic to life. Many memorable and well known songs are in this show, including "Where is Love?", "I'd Do Anything" and "Consider Yourself" as well as many others. The voices of the principals-especially Georgia Brown (Nancy), Michael Goodman (The Artful Dodger) and Clive Revill (Fagin) fit their parts perfectly. The belt quality of Georgia Brown in "As Long As He Needs Me" is beautiful as well as enchanting. Michael Goodman and Clive Revill bring excitement and fun to every song they perform. Overall, this recording is excellent, and one that every Broadway fan should own.

A very fun soundtrack!
Although the music is not the best of Broadway, I think this is a wonderful soundtrack and well worth the money. I hadn't heard very much of the music until my high school put on the production of "Oliver!" last year, and most of the cast had this CD instead of whatever other "Oliver!" soundtracks there are. It's a little boring if you haven't at least seen the musical, but it really is very fun to listen to if you have been a character in the show, as I have. Buy it!

Haunting, lovely, & Wonderful!
Oliver! is often rough and is defintely not a children's show, but the freely adapted version of the songs give The story of Oliver Twist punch and more feelings of how lonely the characters in the story. Nancy yearns for Bill Sikes, Oliver wants to find love, but he doesn't know where to look, and even Fagin soaks up the devotion of "his boys". Many of the songs on this album are wonderful especially the difficult harmonies in the beginning and the end of "Who Will Buy", and Georgia Brown's delightful renditions of "It's a Fine Life", and "As Long as He Needs Me". Michael Goodman is the perfect street-urchin gentleman, almost reminding one of Gavroche in Les Miserable. Lional Bart has done a phenomenal job using descriptive words in the fast parts of the score; such as in, "Be Back Soon" and "Reviewing the Situation" -The song where the evil Fagin is comtemplating a life without crime. "You've Got to pick a pocket or Two" is also great while being kind of sad because all these boys are being tutored in the arts of light-handed thievery. The only songs and voices I don't enjoy, are: "Oliver!"- The man who plays Mr. Bumble sounds as though he just swallowed a bee! And Bill Sikes with His "My Name" solo. But I musn't forget the haunting beauty of "Boy For Sale" which is very moving. I definetly recommen this album, not for the singing per se, but for the character that practically seeps from in between the two sides of the case. Definetly buy this wonderful example of old-fashioned musical theatre!

Film soundtrack much better
Although the film soundtrack does not carry all the songs the original musical does I believe that the film's soundtrack is far superior. ... Read more