Michelle Williams

Item arrived as promised and in excellent condition. For lovers of musicals, it is a great CD that would enhance any collection.

I loved this CD and not only ordered one for myself, but ordered some for gifts. The music was wonderful and we are all looking forward now to seeing the play. What a great deal I got from Amazon.com. Why would I shop any where else.

This has to be the best broadway cast recording i have heard in a long time. Idina and Kristin's voices are amazing. Even though they are totally different they mesh together so well. The orchestration is amazing as well. I love that almost whenever Elphie does a song its percussion and brass driven [almost like a lurking shadow effect] and when Glinda does a song its mostly strings and woodwinds. This CD is just genius. And the show is amazing defintaly go see it!

Just as the original Gregory Maguire novel on which this tremendously successful musical made hay by playing with the elements of Frank Baum's original WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ, so too does this Winnie Holtzman-Stephen Schwartz work play with the conventions of musical theatre. There are power ballads and love duets, and a stirring recurring theme that recalls the early rock opera works of the Seventies (as well as Orff's "Carmina Burana"), and probably the most satisfying part of both the original cast album and the show itself are when its heroines go to see a show-within-a-show in the "One Short Day" number where the music of Jule Styne seems to be directly evoked. WICKED is by far the best musical that Schwartz ever wrote, and he was lucky enough to have a book that hit all the right notes with his audience and two stunning leads in Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth (as, respectively, Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, who in this story are old college roommates who become best friends--and then square uneasily when against one another during a complex political power struggle over the future of Oz). Unfortunately Joel Grey, as the Wizard, gives an unforgivably schmaltzy take on his big solo, "Wonderful" (which other actors have done much better with); but how could you find better singers in the lead roles than Menzel and Chenoweth? You have only to listen to the score to see why it's been such a success, and why so many younger theater-lovers know all the words to songs like "Popular" and "Defying Gravity."

Absolutely loved this and wish I could have seen the production with the original cast. Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth's voices mesh so well together. Their voices just evoke such emotion.

This story of how the Elphaba became the Wicked Witch of the West is interesting. It reminds me of a noir story. Every action has a consequence. The music and songs are successful in conveying the complexity of the story.

The soundtrack arrived within about a week. (I never opt for faster delivery.) It was exactly what I wanted and, as far as I can tell, plays flawlessly.

This music is so faithfully performed by the very talented ensemble that it brings back the 1920's vividly. Each song reflects a specific style of the music popular at the time. After listening to this CD I had to see the movie (which was also terrific) and then I had to buy the sheet music. Usually I simply enjoy a CD and move on. This one reached me.

The cd is very good. There are only songs, no speaking parts really, even ones that precede certain songs. There are a couple of songs that are not in the movie or that were inspired by the movie. The first time you listen to it if you haven't read the fine print it kind of throws you for a loop. I highly recommend it for all who love the movie!

I truly loved the music with the movie is excellent. I was very impressed of the singing of the movie stars.

Rob Marshall and company got it exactly right in transferring Chicago to the screen. Though I was not a Renee Zellweiger fan, she changed my opinion with her total tartiness here (and she was terrific in Cold Mountain), she dances competently, and sings the role wonderfully. Katherine Zeta Jones was perfect as Velma Kelly. The rest of the cast are marvelous too....Queen Latifah coudn't have been better cast. Though I have never been conviced of Richard Gere's acting ability, he pulls off the role of Billy Flynn admirably, even his singing and dancing work effectively. They brilliantly wrote a screenplay to encompass most of the stage show, where songs were cut, they needed to be. A well deserved Oscar winner for effectively bringing a musical back to the screen!!

This is a good clubbin CD! It has a lot of dance songs!! Michelle has an awesome voice!

that's Williams, Michelle is your on top! this artist truly has staying power in this industry. The only unexpected thing here is why this CD isn't as mainstream as one of her counter partner.

It's really a shame that this CD wasn't promoted effectively. This is a great CD with many potential Dance hits. I love Hello Heartbreak, Private Party, Lucky Girl, and Break the Dawn remix. Buy this CD, it's definitely worth the money, and request the songs from your local radio station, I have.

Michelle is a beautiful and talented woman. But I enjoyed her in the Gospel catagory. This album sound like the Eurpoean Sounds of the 1980's. It has no soul whatsoever. Please Michelle go back to Gospel.. That is were your talents really belong.

Magic

I did not have high expectations for Michelle William's third solo CD. Her first two CD's were well intentional but overall underwhelming CD's that did showcased many of Michelle's weaknesses as a singer since she does not have a strong voice. While "Do You Know" was an overall better collection than "Heart To Yours", neither was highly repeated in my collections. So, I was not sure that I would have bought another Michelle Williams solo CD but after hearing "We Break The Dawn", I was hooked. So, the week this CD was released I bought when I finally found it available. This is the first CD that I have kept on repeat in my CD player in a while (probably since Kelly Clarkson's "My December"). The dance tracks are catchy without being repetitive and showcase Michelle's voice. The first single, "We Break The Dawn," remains a catchy track that is infectious with a memorable synth line throughout the song that sets up the mood. The remix is also very catchy without losing the essence of the song. The second single, "The Greatest", should have also been a huge hit for Michelle but it looks like it is going to die a fast death. Other strong songs on the album include "Hello Heartbreak," "Lucky Girl," "Stop This Car", "Unexpected," "Thank U," and "Too Young For Love." This may be the most satisfying solo CD from a member of Destiny's Child due to Michelle trying to do something different and it is a success. I only wish that this CD was properly promoted so other people will know how wonderful this CD truly is.

If you did not see that musical yet...do it as soon as possible...we saw it 5 months ago and we are still singing.

I never grow tired of hearing this music. It is always so uplifting. I find my self singing the tunes all day.

In an era of so many Disney feature film crossovers to the stage, we all knew "Mary Poppins" would have to make its way to Broadway eventually. There is a story that the Sherman brothers wrote an ending song for the film that Walt Disney did not like. He said that it was a fine way to end a Broadway show but not his movie. Little did Walt know what was to come!

The original (and beloved) score by the Sherman brothers remains substantially intact among several new songs by the British song-writing team of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. Their contributions are very much in the style of the originals but never, to my ears, blend seamlessly. Each original song has been re-arranged and re-orchestrated for this show, making them a little more "theatrical" in nature and more connected to the expanded plot of the show. (I enjoy the way "Jolly Holiday" is made into a partner song, for example.) But where are strings? In typical modern West End fashion, the pit is almost totally devoid of stringed instruments, much to the detriment of the production, I feel. Still, the cast is enthusiastic and the score has most of the innocence and charm you would want from a remake of the classic film. There are some very nice moments on this recording that cause me to keep this CD close by, though not at the top of the pile.

This is a much more legitimate and satisfying effort than was the staging of the Sherman brothers "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang." I recommend this CD to people who loved the theatrical version and to Broadway collectors in general. If you simply love the film, this CD, while good, may not be for you.

I'm a fan of the original movie. Not the obsessive fan that buys all that's Poppins, but a fan nonetheless.

It's surprising that when Disney started producing for Broadway, they didn't see this among the first obvious choices. Of course, considering that Disney didn't have the stage rights to Mary Poppins, it's understandable why it may have taken so long. Fortunately, they were able to do a partnership to finally bring this to the stage.

Unfortunately, I have yet to see this on the stage. I can't wait until the day that I do, though.

The new songs were done in the Sherman Brothers style enough that the old songs flow very nicely, as if they had always been there. "Brimstone and Treacle" is quite possibly the highlight of all the new songs -- a rather cruel song, but you just won't be able to get it out of your head!

I have heard complaints that the musical is a bit too dark due to its reliance on the books a bit more than the movie -- but the original movie wasn't all that bright and cheerful through the entire movie. "Chim Chim Cheree" got downright creepy at points in the song -- some lines still give me some chills running down my spine!

I've yet to read the books... that's next on my list to do before I see it on stage.

I recently saw Mary Poppins on Broadway and was blow away by the show. The songs are still in my head weeks later, which is a good thing. I bought this recording of the musical, but also have XM radio, which has access to a recording of the Broadway cast. I have to say that the Broadway cast is better. While the company is great in both, the stars shine better in the Broadway recording. Ashley Brown interpreted the songs better than her London counterpart. I can only hope that Disney will decide to release the Broadway recording.

We own all three Aria CD's and much prefer Aria 3. The balance of instrumental and vocals is much better than in the first two. The vocals are wonderful and the instrumentals complement better than in 1 and 2. There is also more variety on 3.

Much like Aria 1 & 2 this is another gem, presenting a unique interpretation of classic arias. It is an awesome compilation. I look forward to Aria 4 (is there one in the works?)!!

This CD is one of Paul Schwartz's best; it's definitely the best out of all 3 Arias. I really hopes he continues making State of Grace and Aria CDs because they are amazing.

I now have all 3 CDs in the "Aria" famiy, and this one, like its predecessors is truely GREAT massage music! My clients love the entire Aria family of CDs. I've been a big fan of Rebecca Luker for quite sometime now and she SHINES like the truely elegant vocal star that she is on this album. A buy that is DEFINATELY well worth it!

I love this CD. It's especially wonderful when it's rainy outside and I'm curled up by the fire inside. My son who is 16, blind and autistic loves it and plays it over and over. I think he taps into the immediate relaxation and beautiful blend of classical with technology.

I'm with all the others. Who cares if this somehow "interprets" the classic correctly or not? It is pleasing to the ears and that's all that matters.
Minneapolis, MN

I saw this show at a local theatre last night and WOW of let me see how to describ it astonishing, astounding, fabulous, fantastic, fantastical, incredible, marvelous, miraculous, phenomenal, prodigious, stupendous, unbelievable, wonderful, wondrous the music in it was beyond beautiful. the voices are great this is a defiinate must for any avid broadway collector

For anyone who loves the big band sounds of the 1940's, Swingtime Canteen is a great listen. A collection of music featured in the stage production, many well known favorites as well as some lesser known songs are included in this soundtrack. The music is uplifting and fun.

The movie was sensational, it seems almost impossible to capture all of it in a soundtrack, but they did a wonderful job of it. Every sngle song captured the spirit of the movie, it was almost like going to a broadway musical because of the quality of this music. Catherine Zeta- Jones did a amaizing job of singing the songs "All That Jazz", "Cell Block Tango", "I cant Do it Alone",and so many more. This music is almost magical, I would recammend this soundtrack for anyone!

If you loved the movie Chicago I'll garenty that you'll fall in love with the soundtrack. You can never get to bored of "all that jazz" with Catherine Zelta Jones singing it, you can tell that she's the real star of the soundtrack. Don't be surprised if you run across "The cell block tango remix" and all that junk, it just didn't blend in with all the other songs, I always avoid it.

the movie had great songs and great music and this soundtrack captures all of it.

I'm surprised by the enormous volume of glowing, 5-star reviews here. This soundtrack isn't THAT great. Maybe I'm biased. I was fortunate enough to see "Chicago" on Broadway in early 1997 (the matinee right before the cast walked over to Radio City for the Tonys, of which it won 3 or 4). That was a few months after it opened, with the original revival cast: Bebe Neuwirth as Velma, Ann Reinking as Roxie, James Naughton as Billy, Joel Grey as Amos, Marcia Lewis as Mama Morton, and D. Sabella as Mary Sunshine. Right afterwards I bought the CD and have listened to it many times since. So I can't help but be stuck on it. (I even have the 1975 Broadway recording, which I like though not as much as 1997.)

This soundtrack simply does not feature the vocal chops to be found on the Broadway recordings. The music itself is comparable, but certainly not an improvement. And the rap version of "Cell Block Tango" is a too-obvious attempt to take modern pop "stylings" (if you can call it that) into consideration when they are NOT at all relevant here. (Okay, more bias, since I despise rap.) Plus that last track with Anastacia, or whatever her name is, is awful. She tries so hard to sound like a modern R&B singer, but she can't do it. (And, again, I hate modern R&B, so yet another pre-disposed strike for me).

I liked the movie, but it (and the soundtrack) don't hold a candle to the Broadway "original revival" cast. I highly suggest getting that recording instead. You'll hear Bebe Neuwirth wail even better than Chita Rivera did, and James Naughton blows away Jerry Orbach (and certainly Richard Gere, by FAR).

And the DVD version isn't worth it. It really only has a 10-minute featurette that I'm willing to bet is on the DVD that's about to come out. And I can see that some people here have taken Richard Gere too seriously when he mentioned that Renee Z has a Billie Holiday quality to her voice. I laughed when I heard it then, and I laughed again when I see people repeat it here (as if it's their own words--yet they spell her name Billy). Not that Renee is bad (nor is Catherine ZJ), but by no means is she anywhere near the ballpark Billie Holiday is still in 45 years after her death. (And before anyone else takes Richard Gere too seriously: no, Catherine Zeta-Jones isn't really like Dusty Springfield, either).

Wonderful sound track! Anyone, who enjoyed the movie, will certainly relive the experience listening to the CD. I cannot wait for the DVD to be released in August.

The Absolute Sound has been a premiere audiophile rag for decades. If you are one, you already know them. If not, then there is only a small chance their magazine will be useful to you. They have another publication for home theatre, "Perfect Vision" which has far broader appeal these days. SACD is the format for this disk. Many of them are pressed in "hybrid" for use on conventional CD players. SACD is a significant improvement on the CD, which initially promised "perfect sound forever".

Telarc is a particularly high quality label that supports SACD. They have a fine list of recordings that extends far beyond these chestnuts.

To appreciate this improvement you need to have a SACD player. So the best use of this disk is to bring it with you to different audio stores to audition their equipment. Over time it functions as a reference disk, or benchmark, as you compare different sound systems.

Because it has only bleeding hunks of well known classical music, it has little other value unless you are interested in classical music but have little experience of it. In that case it may serve as a sampler to lead you to buy complete recordings of these selections. But again you need the SACD player, which you may already have if you are a jazz or rock audiophile. Otherwise, pass it by.

well michelle is the best this is a good album but her secong album is better i have both of michelle williams albums and they are great

I think Michelle is by far the best member of destiny child and this cd has a nice edge to it that sets her apart from the other singers. Both of her cd's are excellent and I can't wait for her to work on her third. My favorite songs are "Heard A Word," I Know that He Cares For Me," and "So Glad"

Track listing
1. Heart To Yours (4/5)
2. Heard A Word (5/5)
3. So Glad - (featuring Mary Mary) (5/5)
4. Sun Will Shine Again (4/5)
5. Better Place (4/5)
6. Change The World (4/5)
7. Everything (4/5)
8. You Care For Me - (featuring Men Of Standard)(5/5)
9. Steal Away To Jesus - (with Shirley Caesar)
10. Rock With Me (3/5)
11. Gospel Medley - (featuring Destiny's Child)(2/5)
12. Heaven - (bonus track, featuring Carl Thomas) (2/5)

I have both of Michelle's albums and I enjoy both...I always say that she doesnt sound like an r&b singer or a gospel singer(although she does sound better on gospel than r&b) but she sounds more like a jazz singer to me(listen to heard a word to get the full effect of that comment) she has a voice that is kind of catty at times but still not enough to turn me away from her...I enjoy her music and her talent...prayerfully she will continue to allow God to use her regardless of what anyone else may say.

Love ya girl!!!!!!!!!

I love gospel music, but this album disappointed me. Her voice is okay, but when I want to hear some sangin' she does absolutely nothing for me. She has a sweet voice, and the songs are okay. I just couldn't really connect with her as being real.

I remember this album when I was 15. I love this album and it spreads positive messages. The collection has tightly-synchronized harmony-driven songs ranging from inspirational and contemporary urban gospel to deeply-felt traditional sounds. Her soulful delivery created a mellow fusion of lyrical and musical testimonites pulling us listeners to her world. The album is about God being there and being her protection basically. This album should have been promoted more. Remember,this was 2002.