Andrew Spencer

It's in there.. this is a great collection of Anglican Cathedral Christmas music. Highly recommended.

I find I can't agree with the other appraisals I see here of this delightful recording of this musical. Both Roni Page and Steve Devereaux are truly exceptional with Devereaux in particular bringing a very pleasing baritone and a great characterization to the part. Personally, I do not feel either of them give up anything to Powell or Keel in the quality of their singing and I, in many ways, find them preferable.

I think this set is also more complete than the MGM issue containing songs like "One Man", "Love Never Goes Away", "We Got To Make It Through the Winter" and "Glad That You Were Born" that are just not in the MGM CD. Moreover, the sound quality is excellent in this issue. The impact of the score comes over exceptionally as a result.

Frankly, I would prefer to have both recordings, but if I could have only one, it would be this one.

SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS was tricked-out for the stage in the early 80's, and quickly met its demise in London. This production opened in 1984 but met with mixed reviews, and closed after a relatively short run.

Roni Page and Steve Devereaux hardly compare with Jane Powell and Howard Keel (though who could?), but aquit themselves with their solid voices. Roni Page beautifully handles Millie's elation in "Wonderful Wonderful Day" (which features a rewritten lyric and setting).

Steve Devereaux has a powerful voice, used to his advantage in "Bless Your Beautiful Hide" and "Sobbin' Women". Although the new songs written by Al Kasha and Joel Hirshhorn don't fit in well with the original Johnny Mercer-Gene de Paul songs.

The supporting cast includes Peter Bishop, Victoria Lynson, Michaela Strachan, Anna Rees and Tom Barritt.

Stick with the 1997 studio cast with Katrina Murphy and Hal Fowler, available on the JAY/Showtime! label.

I was glad to get this recording simply because it had the songs that were added after the movie. The problem is that it just doesn't have the musical feel that I was expecting, the Barn Dance isn't on here, and the guy that plays Adam is just ridiculous sounding. The rest of the cast sounds decent, and the woman who plays Millie shows just the right amount of feistiness and tenderness. All in all, I'd say it's only for the completists, otherwise wait until the Jay Masterworks recording coming soon.

I was sort of dissapantant in this CD. It wasn't as good as the movie virson. Jane Powell isw much better than the other women.

Four of the songs on this CD (Oklahoma, Music of the Night, Cabaret, and All That Jazz) were on the earlier Ultimate Broadway. Of all the shows that have been on Broadway over the past 70+ years, including the ones that are currently running, there is no excuse for repeats!

I believe that the show selection for this CD was excellent. However the song selection and song order were not. Why pick "Your Daddy's Son" from Ragtime when you can have the amazing and fantastic "Prologue" from the same show. Also I believe that a mistake was made by slecting "I Don Quixote" from Man of La Mancha instead of the much more listenable "Impossible Dream." Also the overture from Gypsy is not the proper song to start out a CD. Perhaps the "Overture" from The Phantom of the Opera.

This is however an excellent example of showtunes for inexperienced members of the theatrical world.

The best of Broadway? Sure, if you consider the best of Broadway only those songs taken only from RCA Victor cast recordings. Expect the expected: Tracks from "Ragtime," "Chicago," "42nd Street" and "Man of La Mancha," sung by the likes of Audra
McDonald, Bebe Neuwirth, Jerry Orbach and Brian Stokes Mitchell. Including a live recording of Barbara Cook warbling "Losing My Mind" from her "Mostly Sondheim" CD isn't exactly kosher. But then again, neither is this gimmick-riddled release. Curtain up?
Half-way, maybe. Light the lights? Dim them, please.

Frank Patterson does his best singing when he simply sings the familiar songs with heartfelt passion. He does nothing fancy and ends up with a superior product. Well worth the price.

Irish tenor Frank Patterson was born and raised in Tipperary, performing at an early age with the Wren Boys. Patterson's early works were primarily classical, but with the increasingly popularity of celtic music, Frank turned his energies toward his homeland traditional folk ballads. PBS special "Ireland in Song" was a tremendous hit, giving him more exposure than ever to the world with his "God" given talent.

This album - "God Bless America - An Irish Salute", is one of the most touching compilations of music ever recorded. One of the highlights is his wife Eily O'Grady and her Irish Harp Orchestra, simply an emotional pair of people enjoying what they do best, spreading love and happiness through the power of song.

Total Time: 72:20 on 17 Tracks/ RCA Victor Records - 09026 63659 2 (2000)

I do not have the album but saw the PBS special last Saturday night and have been looking for the cd and will buy it. The song My Son is the most moving and beautiful I have ever heard. Having three sons, I felt it related to each of them and it can be for either mother or father. The rest of the songs were superb. Mr Patterson is a warm and wonderful human being and has a great voice. His son played the violin when he sang My Son, by the way. Also, his wife's group of harpists are wonderful. All in all, a great group of songs show and I am sure a great cd. I also want the tape when it is available.

Sorry, I have not heard this album, but the song "MY SON" was suggested for a Mother/Son dance at his wedding. I would surely love to see the words first, before I purchase the album.. Thank you for any help you may have.

A great introduction to brass-focused musicology. Playing works from a variety of composers from around the world and from different centuries, this showcase informs the listener of the composer's background and of the composer's intent. There are danceable selections, as well as those that make you think - interactive listening!

a good mix of original and arranged work, very well performed. both wagner arrangements are particularly thoughtfully performed, with some excellent bass tbn. highlights in gotterdammerung.

the highlight of this disc is the tomasi 'fanfares liturgiques', afaik the only recording of this piece on CD. a stunning piece, the only way you can ruin it is to play it badly, which is easy to do. millar don't. some of the solo work (tbn in 2nd movement) is a little lighter than i would like, but that's not a fault, just a clash of opinions.

very highly recommended disc, highly recommended ensemble.

Latin jazz at its finest. Tony Martinez has taken this genre of music and pushed it to new horizons with Maferefun. His use of the traditional afro cuban folkloric rhythms are unbeleivable. You can hear the way that they unfold and evovle in every one of the tunes.

The musicians are the best in this genre and the sheer virtuosity of the players is only outdone by their incredible musicality and tastefull playing.

I cannot recommend this album enough. Wether you are new to this type of music or are a die hard, this cd will keep you entertained for endless amounts of listening hours.

They always seem to be ahead of the pack, these Cubans. As usual heavy stuff. Great concept and great musicians. Vaguely I could remember the name of Martinez since I got an audio tape from a friend and fortunately via internet (yes, Amazon.com) I could trace this cd.

ashley try your ears at this ! definitely a Thursday night jazz special

Every cut on this CD is super! All the musicians are great. There's a little bit of singing, but mostly large ensembles going at the Latin speed of light. Exotic and funky. Take it from this Anglo, if you are looking to get into Latin Jazz, start here.

David Munrow turned me on to early music thirty-five years ago. His entire work was produced on CD format about ten years ago. One can only wonder what would have happened to music if not for his untimely death. Anything done by him is well worth the price.