#1
Posted: 10/26/05 at 8:27am
Got it yesterday and it is very enjoyable. I think there's something for everyone on these discs. To me, the most successful tracks are the ones that 1) sound like they're from the show performing the song 2) the show's composer wrote the song 3) STARS from the shows get do solos or are featured heavily. I'll give a brief review/highlights without any spoilers.
DISC 1:
1) Carol Woods and Luba Mason & cast (Chicago)sound wonderful jazzing their way through "Angels We Have Heard on High".
2) "We Are Lights" written by Stephen Schwartz, performed by the cast of Wicked is probably my favorite track. Lovely song with a good arrangement/performance.
3) Darlene Love (Hairspray) gets a 60's type solo with back-ups. Sounds great!
4) Lovely song from the Piazza cast from Striking 12.
5) The Trailer Park song is one of those original gems that sounds like it could be IN the show. Very fun!
6) Not everyone will "get" the joke of this song. Let's just say it allows for some wonderful mimic/vocalizing by Avenue Q's Ann Harada.
7) "This is Christmas" (RENT) solo that actually sounds like it could appear on a mainstream R&B Christmas album - and I mean that in a good way. Karmine Alers rocks.
Spelling Bee. it's "in character" and hilarious. nuff said.
9) The cast of Chitty sings another Sherman Bros. song, "Let them go". A nice, unfamiliar song and a welcome addition.
DISC TWO:
1) The cast of Phantom (featuring Anne Runloffson and Hugh Panaro) sing a great "Help Is On the Way."
2)All Shook Up - well mixed/performed, neat song.
3)Bingo. solo by Liz Larsen "All Year Long". Always good to hear Liz sing pretty much anything.
4) Mamma Mia does a nice ABBA-esque "Silent Night"
5) Lion King. the Chant is kind of weird but the solo of "What Child is this" sounded good.
6) Altar Boyz. This track rocks and is exactly what you'd expect from them. it could be IN the show. Good humor, good tune, great performance!
7) Spamalot. solo by a woman in the cast (presumably Sara's U/S) who sounds terrific on this lovely song.
Musical of Musicals - cute comedy number. Reminds me of the Davy Dinkle song that Urinetown did a couple years ago.
9) The Jersey Boys sing a contemporary pop Christmas song and it is performed well by the cast.
These are not all the tracks, just the ones I felt like commenting on. This set has more highlights for me than 2004 and is probably as good as 2003. it's always great to put Christmas and Broadway together in CD form for me!
Enjoy and Happy Holidays!
DISC 1:
1) Carol Woods and Luba Mason & cast (Chicago)sound wonderful jazzing their way through "Angels We Have Heard on High".
2) "We Are Lights" written by Stephen Schwartz, performed by the cast of Wicked is probably my favorite track. Lovely song with a good arrangement/performance.
3) Darlene Love (Hairspray) gets a 60's type solo with back-ups. Sounds great!
4) Lovely song from the Piazza cast from Striking 12.
5) The Trailer Park song is one of those original gems that sounds like it could be IN the show. Very fun!
6) Not everyone will "get" the joke of this song. Let's just say it allows for some wonderful mimic/vocalizing by Avenue Q's Ann Harada.
7) "This is Christmas" (RENT) solo that actually sounds like it could appear on a mainstream R&B Christmas album - and I mean that in a good way. Karmine Alers rocks.
Spelling Bee. it's "in character" and hilarious. nuff said. 9) The cast of Chitty sings another Sherman Bros. song, "Let them go". A nice, unfamiliar song and a welcome addition.
DISC TWO:
1) The cast of Phantom (featuring Anne Runloffson and Hugh Panaro) sing a great "Help Is On the Way."
2)All Shook Up - well mixed/performed, neat song.
3)Bingo. solo by Liz Larsen "All Year Long". Always good to hear Liz sing pretty much anything.
4) Mamma Mia does a nice ABBA-esque "Silent Night"
5) Lion King. the Chant is kind of weird but the solo of "What Child is this" sounded good.
6) Altar Boyz. This track rocks and is exactly what you'd expect from them. it could be IN the show. Good humor, good tune, great performance!
7) Spamalot. solo by a woman in the cast (presumably Sara's U/S) who sounds terrific on this lovely song.
Musical of Musicals - cute comedy number. Reminds me of the Davy Dinkle song that Urinetown did a couple years ago. 9) The Jersey Boys sing a contemporary pop Christmas song and it is performed well by the cast.
These are not all the tracks, just the ones I felt like commenting on. This set has more highlights for me than 2004 and is probably as good as 2003. it's always great to put Christmas and Broadway together in CD form for me!
Enjoy and Happy Holidays!
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