Bernadette At Her Very Best
584946
I am NOT a fan of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and his simplistic imports but I adore "Song and Dance". Bernadette won her first Tony award for this one-woman show and, in my opinion, gives her best musical theatre  performance to date. Webber's music, although familiar, is his best as  well.
2854586
This is Elis at her best (was she ever anything else?) "Bodas de Prata" is a wonderful almost art-song-like composition. "Deixa o Mundo e Sol Entrar" is a basic popular song sung so well and  tastefully arranged. "Bonita" by Jobim is sung in English, but  the language barrier doesn't hamper her style or pronounciation. The  superbly-rhythmic "Ou Bola Ou Bulica" shows the typical  perfection Elis achieved in singing complex rhythms.  But for most part  it's a fairly quiet album which grows on you with repeated listenings.
2215443
With this glorious compilation of live performances, McKennitt overwhelmingly proves that she should be considered among the greatest performers of our time. Although many may know her by the remixed version  of "The Mummers' Dance" that cast her into mainstream music  culture, if you enjoy Enya, Clannad, Dead Can Dance, or any other type of  Celtic-Gothic-Classical genred music, or are just searching for a good  method of relaxation, or are seeking a truly invigorating musical  experience, any album by this wonderful woman will most definitely leave  you not disappointed.
675440
Jane Eyre is not only one of the most touching novels written, but now one of the most wonderful musicals ever on Broadway. Jane Eyre has a very beautiful score. Not to mention the perfect cast. It's heard to find a recording with a perfect cast, yet Jane Eyre has done just that. Marla Schaffel is terrific as Jane. She has a beautiful voice that flows wonderfully with the music. James Barbour, one word, INCREDIBLE!!! James Barbour has a deep strong voice that carries so much emotion. Something I haven't found in many male singers. As well as Mary Stout doing a superb job as Mrs. Fairfax. And of course Andrea Bowen as the charming Adele are two other highlights of this recording. Another person to gice credit to is Marguerite Macintyre as Bertha. She has a beautiful voice that is haunting during Sirens. The only downside was Lisa Musser not singing Young Jane. However Bonnie Gleicher still does a decent job. Overall BUY THIS RECORDING!!!!!!!!!
4612276
The excellent artistry of Frances Fitch and Friends brings a sense of what it might have been like at the court of Louis XIV, when the extravagant king treated his guests, wandering the elaborate gardens of Versailles, to the best music of 17th century France. This wonderful 2-disk set focuses on the music of a woman who was a prodigy in her day - a harpsichordist and composer who thrilled her audiences - Elisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre. At the age of only 13, she was described as the "marvel of our century." Louis XIV made her his protge, and assured that she could continue her artistry. The deliberate exclusion of almost all female artists and composers in subsequent centuries is a mystery to me.  It is wonderful that Fitch and other musicians are rightfully bringing her back to our musical heritage. The performances are impeccable, and the audio quality is excellent and rich.
1165368
"MFB: The Leading Ladies" was a thrilling concert and DVD.  (As I noted in my review of it, I bought a DVD player simply to own the disc.)  Although there were certain notable "absences," stars abounded, some of whom gave marvelous performances.  In addition, the production was elegant and glamorous.  "MFB: The Love Songs," on the other hand, looks and feels almost like beauty pageant entertainment.
Certainly, there are stars.  Of course, Julie Andrews is the host.  One of the things that keeps me from giving this disc fewer than 3 stars is the presence of one of the notable "absences" from the earlier concert -- Chita Rivera, who looks astonishing and performs almost as well.  Other highlights of this concert are the sweet-voiced and charming Rebecca Luker and the always-stunning, should-be-a-legend-in-the-future, Marin Mazzie.  But even without these performances, there is one that makes the disc worth its purchase price.  Heather Headley is a revelation!!!!  Forget her performance at the end of "Elaborate Lives" with Adam Pascal.  While her entry into the duet certainly elevates it to something worth seeing and hearing, the song is still nothing to get excited about.  On the other hand, her performance of "He Touched Me" is nothing short of magnificent. Her beautiful, rich voice is full of color and emotion, her phrasing is intelligent and moving, and her pitch-perfect attack is astonishing.  Not having seen "Aida," I was shocked last year when Miss Headley won the Best Actress Tony over Ms. Luker, the always-amazing Audra McDonald and, in the best performance I have ever seen live, Marin Mazzie in "Kiss Me Kate."  But I think I understand now...
So, for Ms. Rivera, Ms. Luker, Ms. Mazzie, Nathan Lane, and, most of all, the electrifying Heather Headley, this disc is worth owning.  But be prepared to push the skip button many times.
1732958
Nina Simone is simply the best. Her extraordinary soul and enormous talent as a musician, vocalist, songwriter, pianist and performer, put her in a league all her own.
Ms. Simone has often been called a musical anomaly because it is impossible to categorize her work. Whether she sings soul, jazz, blues, folk or gospel, she invests old, familiar lyrics with new meaning, and evokes strong emotion with her fierce and unique style. As a performer she is a consummate actress, and displays a range of emotions with her sound. Her training as a classical pianist is evident in much of her work.
"The Amazing Nina Simone/Nina Simone At Town Hall" is one of her very best collections, running the gamut of all genres, and highlighting her many talents. Her torch songs are some of my favorites: "The Other Woman," "That's Him Over There," "Solitaire," and "Blue Prelude" are classics that recall love, loss, and dark smoke-filled rooms. Also included here are some songs made famous by Billie Holiday, "Exactly Like You," and George Gershwin, "Summertime," (a vocal), both favorite artists of Ms. Simone's; and Rogers and Hammerstein's lyrical "It Might As Well Be Spring" - all invested with the Nina touch. The gospel "Children Go Where I Send You," can raise the roof and bring down the house, as can her instrumental numbers that showcase her ability as a pianist, like "Summertime," "Under The Lowest," and "Return Home." The beautiful folk song "Black Is The Color," and the traditional spiritual "Chilly Winds Don't Blow" are included here, as are the bluesy "Willow Weep For Me," and her jazzy version of "Stompin' At The Savoy."
Nina Simone always delivered with artistry, heart and passion. This CD demonstrates all that. Ms. Simone is now a legend. We will miss her. And we will always have her music.
152265
I was able to download Julie's new album this morning.  Though only 7 tracks (reason for 4 out of 5 starts), there are 11 songs in total.  The tribute medley to Anthony Newley contains portions of 4 of his biggest hits.  Of all the material chosen, it is well presented and done only the way Julie can.  Her voice is still crystal clear and she lives each song.  My favorite thus far is her Peggy Lee-influenced version of The Beatle's "Love Me Do",  Peggy would be ultra proud of this version.  Very jazzy, sexy and totally hip.  I've always loved Ann Hampton Calloway's "Perfect" from her original album and Roslyn Kind's version from several years ago.  Julie makes it her own.  I always wanted her to do this song.  Of the new material, "Kindred Spirits" is a lovely ballad done to perfection.  The highlight is the Newley medley.  In one of Julie's most recent performances, this is her finale and it is performed so beautifully, the audience is crazy when she completes the journey.  It translates beautifully to album.  I wish Julie much success with this new recording that I am sure you will love.
3600024
Barbara Carroll remains at the top of her game at age 80. This wonderful program of standards shows her at her swinging best. If her voice has lost a little of its bloom (she sings, or rather speaks, on a couple of numbers) her fingers certainly have not. Very few jazz pianists get a truly individual sound from the piano, but Carroll's full , two handed style is unique, and has been for decades. Her octave runs are instantly recognizable. An excellent rhythm section and the usual fine sound from Venus make this a winner. Barbara Carroll is an American treasure.
1462657
This is one her best!!! I wore out my first cassette - despite the pot humor. Don't miss this one! It'll make you wish you got to see this concert live while leaving you feeling you are still there, with every journey into this outstanding performance of some of Streisand's most memorable and perfected vocals.
4790014
This is by far her BEST offering.  I have been a fan for the past 17 years, and like fine wine she continues to get better with time.
It puzzles me that she is not a household name, hopefully it will change with this cd and her new record label.  Prana Entertainment may be the vehicle to propel her to superstardom status.  The record lable seems to be very supportive of her artistry by reissuing her previous works from the other labels she once recorded for.  I look forward to the DVD release in the spring of next year.

My favorites tracks at the moment are:
#7 Walking With Strangers (Posh vocal arrangements coupled with a laid back melody)
#4 All of the Above (Marilyn and Brenda Russell work well together and should do an entire album)
#6 You Don't Know What Love Is (Wonderful Duet).
I love all of the songs but these seem to stay in my head way after the cd has stopped playing.
2784169
I highly recommend this DVD set. When you watch Jeanette MacDonald in her first movie, "The Love Parade,"  and then all the ones in between til her last movie, "The Sun Comes Up," it is an incredible journey! She was such a beautiful and elegant lady. A talented singer, actress, and dancer. If you are a Jeanette MacDonald fan this set is a must.
712647
Growing up as a teen (in the late 80's early 90's) I was alway's locked in my room with my dj epuipment making mixes using alot of the Klymaxx singles, "Meeting in the Ladies Room","Men all Pause" and "Lock and Key". The group just faded away in the early part of the 90's. When I found out that Bernadette Cooper went on her own and released "Drama....", Did not hesitate to purchase the album and I was just blown away. Have to say that this album sounded alot funkier then the other female diva's in that era. The first title "I Look Good", reminded me of a part 2 to my all time fav "Meeting in the Ladies Room". "Do u really know what Love is" like a funky track that Prince & Bernadette put together. The seductive "Let's be Discreet" and "Stupid" blew my mind and last but not least my favorite title "The Underground". After listening to this title I was very disappointed that this song never got air play. It was the most funkiest dance tune that I ever heard. Bernadette, you caught my attention with your "Don't Slap Me Cuz I'm Not In The Mood" Attitude in Klymaxx. I love your music and I wish you were still recording album's. Thank's Bernadette for your talent's and artistry in music. Without your music I don't think I would of never started D.J.ing. This album is a must for those of you who love to DANCE!
2062426
Some of us weren't even around when Judy made her now legendary appearance at Carnegie Hall in 1961, but this remastered CD is the next best thing to being there.  I must admit I wasn't a Judy fan before, it seemed the headlines of her private life always dominated her career.  But I had heard about this famous recording, and boy, is it one for the books!  This is truly an unforgettable listening experience.  The range of emotions Judy takes you thru runs the gamut from high rollicking swinging showtunes to tender, melancholic ballads.  At the center is Judy's inimitable voice---she wields it like a magician's baton.  She's a master at controlling a song's mood and takes the listener with her on a ride of emotions that ranges from high to low and everything in between.
All her great hits are here, some going back to her MGM days as a child, and yes, the "Rainbow" song is here of course.  I can't pick any single tune that sticks out, but the lighter swinging tunes from her '40s heyday stand out.  Listen as she has the audience in the palm of her hand as they sing along with her in "For Me and My Gal" and "Trolley Song".  There are some isolated moments when Judy momentarily goes off pitch in the slow ballads, but this is all part of what makes her a spontaneous performer---she never "fakes" any moment onstage, it's all part of her charm.  It would be unthinkable for a perfectionist like Streisand to commit this cardinal sin.  Judy's vulnerability comes thru in the off-the-cuff (sometimes hilarious) bantering with the audience.  By the time she charges into "Zing Went the Strings of My Heart" you are flying so high in the strotosphere that you never wanna come down.
3367418
Like one other reviewer, Roberta Flack is my all time favorite vocalist.  Her voice is nothing short of magical.  It can be soft and gentle and  powerful.  On this album, she shows both ends of her spectrum.
I saw her  in concert, now some twenty five years ago. It was like no other concert I  have ever seen in life, before or since.  She was magical, from the very  first moment she came out onto the stage with one word:  "Hello".  From that moment, she had the audience in the palm of her hands.
Clint  Eastwood may not have discovered her, but he sure gave her a wider audience  by including her signature song "The First Time Ever I Saw Your  Face" in his dark movie, "Play Misty For Me".  It was a  classic, and propetic; the first time ever I heard her voice I knew that I  was hearing something unlike anything I had ever heard before.
Along with  that wonderful piece, this album includes "That's No Way To Say  Goodbye", and "Tryin' Times".  These works sure make this  album worth having.  Her voice is a gem, to be treasured.
The rumor was,  back in the day, that Roberta Flack could make good music when she was  happy, but could only make great music when she was unhappy.  I am ashamed  to say it, but if this is true, an awful lot of her fans sure got a lot of  pleasure as a result of her pain.  For her sacrifice, we owe her a great  debt, and hopes for her happiness.
3034071
A great concert by an amazing singer who not only captures the pure theatrics you would expect from a Patti Labelle show, but also a beautiful contrast of sentimental moments and song choices that have every aspect of a great live show covered.
I think this is a truly magical show and it is something I will watch over and over again.
4819422
Loved the documentary without the feel of watching a documentary. I have enjoyed following Bernadette for the last two years and finally took a night to watch the film. My diagnosis has been suggested but not confirmed by genetic testing. I look forward to seeing more an I know angels are guiding all of us. Bernadette is here for a very special purpose.