Hey Guys, Well I have a $100 gift certificate to buy CD's online and I'm trying to decide what to buy. I have all the cast recordings I want/need, so I want to buy some solo recordings. What solo CD's by Broadway stars or other vocalists do you have and like (Broadway/Jazz/Pop/Standards)? Old or new, all recommendations welcome.
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I love both of the Emily Skinner/Alice Ripley duets discs. Their version of "I'm Past My Prime" from LIL' ABNER is priceless, their "Pretty Women" is fascinating, and they sing the heck out of "Solid Silver Platform Shoes."
Liz Callaway's first solo disc also gets a lot of play in my house. Her "Sleepy Man" from THE ROBBER BRIDEGROOM is heavenly, and her "The Story Goes On" is much deeper and more fulfilling than her performance on the original BABY cast album.
All of Betty Buckley's solo discs are good. My favorite is "Children Will Listen."
And I think every show fan should own Linzi Hatley's "Sooner or Later" disc. It's mostly terrible, but she does perform the entire 10 minute title song from CARRIE, with the original orchestrations.
I don't have Lauren Kennedy's tribute to JRB, but I really want it. I've heard awesome things about it and not so awesome things about the CD too though.
"Unsuspecting Hearts" from Alice Ripley and Emily Skinner is great. I love Alice's "Losing Track of Time" from Summer of '42. If you like Emily, her self-titled solo CD is good too (plus, it has three songs with Alice!). She has a lot of beautiful songs on it.
I don't know if this counts since it's neither cast recording nor solo CD, but William Finn has a concert CD out called Infinite Joy where multiple vocalists (including Carolee Carmello, Norm Lewis, Liz Callaway, and Mary Testa) sing some of Finn's best songs, including songs from shows that were never recorded or were scrapped.
I really want Lauren Kennedy's CD, but the person I ordered it from cancelled my order, so sadly, no Lauren for me.
I luckily have a signed copy of Lauren's album. It's fantastic. Nothing negative to say except that I would have preferred more tracks. Simply, if your a fan of JRB buy it. Not only is Lauren in fine voice, she also gets to sing some brilliant unknown material.
"This is what I trained to do, and this is what I love about theater. What I love about being an actress is being able to really look into myself and understand another human being. And out my own self, to shape and form and fashion a real human being--and to present that in such a way that people see something of themselves or their own understanding in that human being."
--Phylicia Rashad
If I may plug some of my favorite non-showtune CDs... Measure of a Man, Clay Aiken (lol, please, no Clay bashing) O Yeah! Ultimat Aerosmith Hits, Aerosmith (or anything Aerosmith, actually...) Civilian, Adam Pascal
I don't know if your gift certificate is limited to any particular site, but Barnes and Noble is releasing a brand new CD by Rachel York on January 4. It's called "Let's Fall in Love" and features standard and Broadway love ballads. It's her first solo CD, and I can't wait till mine comes in the mail.
I've heard good things about the Jessica Molasky-John Pizzarelli collaborations. One was called "Pentimento", and I think she just released one called "Make Believe"
I've heard good things about "The Stephen Schwartz Album" (various artists)
I personally would like to buy "Let Yourself Go!" by Kristin Chenoweth and "Men I've Had..." by Sherie Rene Scott.
Jessica Molaskey - Pentimento (the only one of her CDs I own. I've heard the others are fantastic as well.) Sally Mayes - Boys and Girls Like You Me (includes a lot of rare and cut songs from various shows. Her Comden & Green CD is great, too.) Lauren Kennedy - Songs of Jason Robert Brown (I absolutely adore her voice. It's gorgeous. Angelic.)
I will be receiving my copy of Rachel York's CD within the next week or so. I pre-ordered it and was told it will be shipped on the release date, January 4. As soon as I get it, I'll let you know the track list. Maybe Barnes and Noble will list it once the CD is released. I'll PM you, too, just in case you don't come back to this thread.