Sondheim-A Celebration: Side by Side by Sondheim Reunion Disc

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 1/20/10 at 5:15pm

Does anyone have any info on this disc? It reunites original Side by Side cast members Julia McKenzie, Millicent Martin, and David Kernan. It seems to only be available on itunes and says it was released late last year. I'm a huge fan of the original Side by Side disc and enjoy (and am glad I stumbled upon) this follow-up. Highlights include Ms. Martin's "Liaisons", Mr. Kernan's new reading of "Ladies Who Lunch", and Ms. McKenzie's "Could I Leave You?" (which Kernan did in the original).

Updated On: 1/20/10 at 05:15 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/20/10 at 5:16pm

I bought it on itunes a year or so ago. But I lost all of the files now.

It was nothing to write home about. I am mad I lost it though. lol.
Updated On: 1/20/10 at 05:16 PM

[Pgenre]

Posted: 1/20/10 at 5:20pm

Is this the one with Cleo Laine and Michael Ball?

And Sondheim on a "live" video feed?

If so, this came out years and years ago but just might be making it to ITunes now. I liked Ball's "BeautifulGirls" though his "Losing My Mind" is painfully overwrounght (surprise!). I think this recording is most notable for including "A Very Short Violin Sonata" or some such song which is the first official recording of the piece (written for STAVISKY, I believe). Nothing groundbreaking...

P

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 1/20/10 at 5:20pm

I used to obsessively play Side by Side in college so this is an absolute treat for me! I love their readings and some of the orchestrations are quite nice.

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 1/20/10 at 5:31pm

No pgenre this is the original cast of Side by Side by Sondheim reunited in the studio.

[humbugfoto]

Posted: 1/20/10 at 9:17pm

David Kernan's version of "Could I Leave You" on the Side by Side by Sondheim original recording is still the best version recorded by anyone, anywhere.

[Scripps2]

Posted: 1/21/10 at 4:58pm

I didn't know anything about this!

However I did see both the 30th and the 25th anniversary reunion performances of Side by Side by Sondheim. The 30th was a slick and lavish affair in a West End theatre but the 25th was a much smaller and more informal event at the theatre in Cleo Laine's back garden. It was memorable for four reasons:

1) Ned Sherrin gave a captivating and entirely convincing performance as an ageing and obscene raconteur getting drunk on stage.

2) One of Ned's mates the guest stars was wearing a false bust.

3) I met, for the first time, my two bestest offline Sondbuds in the bar.

and, most important of all...

4) whilst peering into places I shouldn't have been looking I saw Cleo Laine without her wig on.
Updated On: 1/21/10 at 04:58 PM