my second sondheim album
593495
company is one of my faveorite shows by sondheim.the opening number is one of the best songs on here its very original.my faveorite performance on this cd is elaine stricht my second being charles kimbrough.i love bobbys girlfriends number you could drive aperson crazy,another hundred people,and barcelona.getting married today is absolutley hillarious,so is the little things you do together.alltime faveorites aresorry grateful,poor baby,the ladies who lunch,being alive,someone is waiting.touching,witty,extremely diffrent .buy it today
2479683
Not only amazing as a Broadway cast album (everything flows together, so many music and history nods, beautiful songs and complex lyrics), but also as a stand-alone album. I insist that everyone listen to it.
302968
To be honest, I do not like "West Side Story" when in this oprea is not sung, much too melodramatic.  I own another recording then this one presented here, but featuring amongst others, adagio for strings. Four stars, because the qualiyt of the recording is really good
2415061
I originally got this album from the library just to hear the deleted single "I'll Forget you" but I was very surprised to find that I adored a lot more of this music than I thought. While singers and songs alike (with the exception of Terrance Mann) did not exactly click in the Broadway recording, I was immensely pleased to hear Linda Eder as Margurite, though I was nervous about the other actors.

  First of all, though Terry Mann remains my favorite Chauvelin by far, I was surprised to find Dave Clemmons pull in a VERY close second. His duet "The Riddle" with Marguerite was wonderful and "Marguerite", now suceeded by "Where's the girl" (an equally wonderful piece), was haunting and beautiful.

  Eder's role as Marguerite was perfectly placed and the songs compliment her voice and range very well.

  Finally, Wagner completes the trio with wonderful reditions of "The Creation of Man" (hilariously funny) and "There Never was a time".

  However, I wasn't exactly thrilled with the particular recording of "You are my home". While it is a good song, under these circumstances, I must say I prefer the broadway armand and that particular rendition.

  Songs like "they seek him here" and "the scarlet pimpernel" were a little stuffy, though I now adore "Madame Guillotine".

  Overall, a very worthwhile buy for many of the deleted songs, though I was disappointed this album didn't carry "falcon in the dive". However, fans of Wildhorn's works, such as Jekyll and Hyde, will enjoy this addition to their collection.
1288784
I love it ! my 2nd CD as i played the first so much i have worn it out.
3155734
I saw this extraordinary show live and loved it so much that I went to the theater a second time to get another heart-full of it. This beautifully written and played collection of tunes is a soul-gift (arranged in a different order that the live performance)...it is healing and altogether inspiring. So glad to be able to bring this music home and keep it with me. Thank you, Benjamin for sharing your heart.
3563849
I have had this album for about six years, and it never fails to delight me each time I listen to it.  The cast is impeccable, with a few exceptions, and the music is beautiful.  It is an essential companion piece to the Broadway cast recording because it shows that there is so much more to the musical than just the highlights, and in fact, some of the "dialogue" between songs is just as engaging to listen to as the songs themselves.
Gary Morris and Philip Quast are wonderful as Valjean and Javert.  Each man's voice matches divergent qualities of their characters.  Debbie Byrne is poignant and heartbreaking as Fantine, and Michael Ball and Tracey Shayne make a gorgeous duo as Marius and Cosette.  By far, my favorite is Anthony Warlowe, who provides some of the album's most thrilling moments in the scenes at the barricades.  The only disappointment for me is Kaho Shimada as Eponine.  While I appreciate the effort to include a truly international cast on the album, I find her voice very thin and unappealing, and her performance is not nearly as convincing as that of Frances Ruffelle or Linzi Hateley.  But, these gripes aside, this is definitely a worthwhile album, and a must for any "Miz" fan.
4506529
I remember the first time I heard Tori Amos's Silent All These Years. It was so haunting and beautiful that I had to hear it again. Being a poor high school student I remember taping the song on the radio with my Sony boombox just to hear the recording again and again. Gold dust is a rendition to Tori Amos's famous works and for the most part I really loved the album.  Although most of the songs already had orchestral themes for example: Silent all these years, Winter, Marianne, Gold Dust, and of course Yes Anastasia,  etc. I felt that these new orchestral arrangements took the songs to a whole new level. Now some of us old time folks who have followed Ms. Amos career are a bit biased towards the originals, however if you open your mind all the songs were wonderful. I was a bit disappointed with the song selection I thought it should have been longer. Where was Cornflake girl? Where was Icicle? But lets face it. If she would have done this album  without Silent all these years, Winter, Marianne, Precious Things, and Yes, Anastasia we would all be going ballistic. That being said my biggest critique of the album was Yes, Anastasia. It should have been the whole 9 minute song. I thought the orchestra and Tori Amos vocals nailed it. But because it was only half of the original piece it was incomplete. I know some people say that it was over produced however, this is what I did I played the first 5 minutes of the original song and then I combined it with this version then I was able to appreciate this version of Yes Anastasia. I loved Star of Wonder I thought it was much better than the original. Did not like the singing of Winter and I felt it was the only song that was downplayed both in vocals and orchestral arrangement. Did not care for programmable soda but it was still good. My favorite songs of the album were the following: Marianne (better than the original IMO), Cloud on my tongue, Flavor, Jackies Strength, Precious Things, and Star of Wonder.
3233926
I am a painter, (of pictures) who listens to music while working. I was addicted to "The Gladiator" score. Finally I broke down and ordered "More Music from The Gladiator". Every once in a while I do something really smart; and this was one time. This record is even better than the the first one; yes, it's possible. The combination of Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard just can't be improved upon. I don't care that the sentence ends with a preposition. This music is tops. MOOD up to 'here'.
4423023
Much of the fun in listening to masterpieces of music is the continous discovery of beauty upon repeated listens.  This is one of those albums.  I was definitely happy with my purchase on my first listen.  Now, after a month, I am more enchanted with every play.  This is one that my six-disc car changer will have in it for a long time.  Another is Arena's The Visitor.
805408
Great addition to my already large collection of classical music. I truely enjoy listening to this album. I know you will as well.
306611
Residing half-way across the country from Broadway, I came across Howard McGillin's work by chance. Now, I can't stop playing this album. The stunning power and clarity of Mr. McGillin's voice are apparent with the first phrase sung. An appreciation of his phrasing and delivery soon follow and, since these are wonderfully emotive love songs, all of this pulls you pleasantly in.
Those familiar with Broadway music will appreciate Mr. McGillin's presentation of Sondheim, Rodgers and Hart, Hammerstein, Bernstein, Berlin and Kern. Also included, though, are captivating songs from Emily Saliers, James Taylor, Henry Mancini, and Mary Chapin Carpenter. Some of the less familiar pieces take a while to touch you. Once they do, the way Mr. McGillin offers them, they, too, won't let go. You have never heard these songs sung so well. With repeat playing you appreciate things you didn't even notice at first, the sign of what a good selection of material this is!
I mostly wanted to hear Mr. McGillin, as Broadway's Phantom of the Opera, sing "The Music of the Night." The song is not featured in its entirety here (a very minor and the only disappointment of the album) but mixed with another Lloyd-Webber piece, "Unexpected Song". The combination actually works nicely and makes those parts of "The Music of the Night" included even more impressive when contrasted and blended with the other. Personal favorites also include Stephen Sondheim's "Not While I'm Around" mixed with his "A Good Thing Going", Chapin-Carpenter's "Where Time Stands Still" and the enchanting rendition of the Michael Leonard-Herbert Martin song, "Why Did I Choose You?"
While this album may ideally be appreciated over a candlelight dinner for two in love, I will tell you from personal experience that it is also plenty enjoyable heard while driving to work in a snowstorm. Now there's a voice and album worth hearing!
3753951
I love the content - as far as I could hear it, as the Volume 2 2nd CD didn't play on either the first OR second copies I bought here. Ordered a third and am keeping my fingers crossed.
Hooray, the THIRD time is a charm - and the music is wonderful.
3387545
BROADWAY HAS NO COLE PORTER OR RICHARD ROGERS OR ... NOWADAYS. SINCE MANY YEARS I HAVE NOT ADDED AN ORIGINAL CAST ALBUM FROM A BROADWAY SHOW IN ORDER TO LIVE HAPPIER WITH MY OLDER COLLECTION. BROADWAY HAS NOW ALSO THE COURAGE TO DESTROY OLD MUSICALS (UNFORTUNATELY I DID BUY THE CD ALBUM OF THE REVIVAL OF ''BELLS ARE RINGING'' AND I'M STILL CRYING TO HAVE GIVEN MY MONEY FOR IT). BUT - BUT EVERY NOW AND THEN THERE ARE BLESSED PEOPLE RESURRECTING OLD SHOWS SUCH AS THIS FORGOTTEN GERSHWIN TITLE, OFFERED WITH THE ORIGINAL ORCHESTRATIONS (otherwise I would not have bought it). SO, TO SAY IT IN MY OWN LANGUAGE '' EVVIVA! ''.
ALL OF YOU WHO LOVE THE TRUE AMERICAN MUSICAL DON'T HESITATE: RUN AND GET IT. YOU'LL BE CERTAINLY HAPPY TO HAVE FOLLOWED MY SUGGESTION. OKAY?
Ernesto Oppicelli - Genova Certosa - Italy
3134142
The wonderful musical by Steven Sondheim.(COMPANY)
I missed it the first time around; don't know how,
but it is wonderful. It's so good that I've bought several
additional copies and given them to others to enjoy.
The music is amazing. As I say, how did I miss this when
it first appeared.?
Thank you Steven Sondheim for your creative genius.
4930336
I saw the show and it was the best thing i have ever seen on broadway! Now I can relive the night with this incredible album!!! Highly recommend for Hedwig fans! it was a BIG plus that I received it the day it came out.
3501095
The first time I heard a cast recording of "Promises, Promises" was in 1975, when I was in college and the local library had the original cast recording (Jerry Orbach, et al).  Every time I used the listening room at the library, "Promises" was the album I listened to over and over.  For Christmas this past year (2010) my wife got me the new cast recording with Sean Hayes and Kristin Chenoweth.  I haven't stopped listening to it since Christmas!  The orchestrations are rich, the new arrangements are great, and I wish I could get to New York to see the show in person.  I never realized Sean Hayes had such a great singing voice.  And his comedic style (from the "Will and Grace" days) comes through in his vocal readings of these songs.  As for Kristin Chenoweth, I've been a fan since the revival of "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown."  She does a superb job of bringing character to the songs, does a beautiful job interpreting these great Bacharach/David tunes -- that's the reason I can't stop listening to the recording!  Her reading of the classics "I Say A Little Prayer," "Knowing When To Leave," and "A House Is Not A Home," as well as the poignant "Whoever You Are, I Love You," are luscious.  She could do an incredible Bacharach/David album!  And together, Chenowith and Hayes give a memorable performance of "I'll Never Fall In Love Again."  Katie Finneran and Tony Goldwyn are equally superb in their roles as Marge MacDougal and J.D. Sheldrake. If you're looking for some music to set your spirits soaring, this is the album to get.