which solo recordings of broadway folks do you like best?
my votes:
1.) Kristin Chenoweth-"Let Yourself Go"
2.) Lea Salonga-"The Broadway Concert"
3.) Byron Neese-"When I Fall in Love"
Brent Barrett: Kander and Ebb Album
Susan Egan: So Far
Jessica Molaskey: Pentimento
Anthony Warlow: umm everything
Broadway Star Joined: 6/3/03
Do they have to be just Broadway or may we include West End.
Broadway Star Joined: 12/31/69
Of course.... LINDA EDER's cds are all amazing. So I vote for those.
But others that are great
Susan Egan "So Far"
Linzi Hatley "Sooner or Later"
Michael Ball "Centre Stage"
Its funny, I love Kristin, but I think she sounds shrill and cold on LET YOURSELF GO. With some exceptions (the popular "Girl in 14-G") it doesn't quite capture her quirky sense of fun and warmth that she gives off in her live performances.
Kristin Chenoweth-"Let Yourself Go"
Bernadette Peters-"Bernadette Peters Loves Rodgers and Hammerstein"
Linda Eder-"Broadway My Way"
Bernadette Peters-"Sondheim Etc."
I haven't gotten any of Louise Pitre's, but I plan to very soon (like when I get paid again). I'm sure her recordings are great.
Broadway Star Joined: 9/9/03
Bernadette Peters-"Bernadette Peters Loves Rodgers and Hammerstein" ???
No offense to BP lovers but that album was HORRENDOUSLY produced. The sound quality, the mixing, and Bernadette come off as if they recorded the album in a closet. While the selection of songs is fine.. the actual album is probably one of my least faves by a solo performer because of how terrible BP comes off..
OT to this subject - the other CD last year (or was it 2 years ago) that I hated was the revival cast of Into The Woods.
Brent Barrett: Kander & Ebb
Brent Barrett: Alan J Lerner
hmmmmmmmmmmmm....
lots of other great choices out there -
but I will also go with
Lea Solonga - The Broadway Concert
Really? I actually liked the R&H cd. The mixing wasn't that great, but I think Bernadette sounds great. It's different from her other recordings.
Broadway Star Joined: 9/9/03
yea, really..
I think of all the albums I have ever heard BP on, this one does her no justice. It's a shame because, like I said - the track list is decent. The producer of the album did nothing to make BP sound like she could handle the material. It almost sounds like a bootleg - and not a very good one, which BP's voice very rough..
But hey.. it's just my opinion. Like I said.. I enjoy most of her stuff. And it's great that you enjoy it.. just not my favorite at all..
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
Michael Ball - The Musicals and Centre Stage
Anthony Warlow - On the Boards and Center Stage
Broadway Star Joined: 6/3/03
Linda Eder for sure
Michael Ball Centre Stage, The Musical, The movies
I usually do not like those opera cross-over albums, but BRYN TERFEL has two very enjoyable albums of B'way tunes. One is R&H the other is Alan Jay Lerner songs. Check these out, if you haven't yet.
Broadway Star Joined: 5/30/03
Audra McDonald--Happy Songs
Brent Barrett--Alan Jay Lerner
I particuarly enjoy Philip Quast's "Live at the Donmar," Anthony Warlow's "Centre Stage," Ruthie Henshall's "Pilgrim" and Lauren Kennedy's album of the songs of Jason Robert Brown.
HAPPY SONGS is remarkable! I have enjoyed all of Audra MacDonald's solo cd's. I find the material rich and compelling and her song interpretation is some of the best I've ever heard. HAPPY SONGS, though, is just amazingly special. It is produced lushly and lovingly, giving free range to Audra's full voice. Just a gem.
Broadway Star Joined: 5/30/03
What I like about Audra's albums, and about Audra as an actor and singer, is that each new one is more impressive than the last. Her early acting work was fine but I was quite surprised when she walked away with the film version of WIT. It's a shame her MR. STERLING series didn't get renewed. It was great to see her grow from week to week.
Debbie Gravitte - Music of Alan Menken (natch)
or anything Debbie has ever recorded.
Frances Ruffelle's self-titled CD is nice. It's not all show tunes but there's some really depressing tunes on there for a rainy day! It uses some original arrangements as well, utilizing her voice and a small musical ensemble.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
Lauren Kennedy - Songs from Jason Robert Brown
Sherie Rene Scott - Men I've Had
Matt Bogart
Adam Pascal - Model Prisoner
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
elaine paige encores
alice ripley everythings fine
idina menzel still i cant be still
alice and emily unsuspecting hearts
linda eder albums
Christine, DEFINITELY get Louise Pitre's cd's! They are wonderful beyond words. I must say her "All Of My Life Has Led To This" is my favorite solo recording of any Broadway star! (could ya tell I'm a huge fan? LOL)
Other ones I like:
Elaine Paige- "Encores"
Karen Mason- "When The Sun Comes Out"
Kristin Chenoweth-"Let Yourself Go"
Lee
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
Twiggy, "London Pride, Songs from the London Stage"
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