Amazing! - I am so sad that this title is unavailable new at this time, because it really is a gem. I found this on a whim and I am glad I did. In listening to it for the first time, I couldn t help but listen to it again, and again--three times in a row! I can see myself listening to it over and over as such, and there was no track I didn t enjoy. I am glad that this compilation was done in 1999 when Wicked didn t exist....it gives his other wonderful works a chance to shine, whereas now everything would be overshadowed by Wicked (which, by the way, I do enjoy). The vocals on this CD are amazing and I was introduced to some singers I really enjoyed like Christiane Noll and Larua Benanti that I had heard before but never really appreciated. I am now interested to pick up more works by all of these performers. This CD is great by itself, but it has also lead me to find new prospective favorite vocalists. If you can find it, please do pick it up! Worth every penny!
Oh... It s time to start livin ! - It s very rare when I find a compilation CD in which I like every song presented. Stephen Schwartz is brilliant! I love everything he does. This CD best represents his wide range of musical talent, including his surprisingly good vocals on the song Fathers and Sons which he performs excellently. I never knew he could sing! Highlight songs for me are the magnificent yet tender Lion Tamer by the always amazing Kristin Chenoweth, the wonderful rendition of Meadowlark by Susan Egan (I love her!) with its subtle, beautiful lyrics, the utterly fantastic duet In Whatever Time We Have, and my personal favorite: Dorothy Loudon s sassy version of No Time At All in which she owns the stage. The Disney songs sung by different performers is also a treat, Out There being a real stand out from what was [and still is] an overlooked movie. It s just too bad this CD was released before Wicked came out so it doesn t include any songs from that show. But be sure to check out Wicked for some more Stephen Schwartz (and what I feel is one of his best works).
you ll love it in just no time at all - The work of the brilliant Stephen Schwartz is celebrated on this enjoyable compilation CD. Stand-out tracks include Laura Benanti s vibrant rendition of Beautiful City/Day By Day from GODSPELL, Alice Ripley s phenomenal West End Avenue from THE MAGIC SHOW, and Susan Egan s soaring performance of the powerful Meadowlark from THE BAKER S WIFE. The CD also features the talents of Broadway newcomers of veterans alike - the seasoned Dorothy Loudon, THE FULL MONTY star Emily Skinner, Tony winner Kristin Chenoweth, the husband and wife team of Marin Mazzie and Jason Daniely, and the famed composer himself. The reason I have this CD 4 stars was due to the poor arrangement of Corner of the Sky - normally a powerful song, hear it simply drags. Still, one track should not discourage anyone from purchasing this incredible collection of the some of the best songs ever written.
Every Song A Hit...and More - This CD is one of the best compilations I have ever heard. Not only are all of the artists stars in their own right, but you know most of the songs already without hearing them. You know Beautiful City and Day by Day from Godspell, you know Corner of the Sky from Pippin, your kids introduced you to Colors of the Wind from Pocahontas, Out There from Hunchback of Notre Dame, and When You Believe from The Prince of Egypt. Get the picture? There are also some gems that are not quite as well known but are certainly just as good. Songs like In Whatever Time We Have from Children of Eden and two songs, Chanson and Meadowlark both of whom I enjoyed so much that I went out and bought the cast album of the show that they came from (The Baker s Wife). This is one of my favorite albums and, if you are like me, it is one that will not be far away from your CD player. Enjoy!
Wonderful Compilation - Varese Sarabande has a wonderful history of compilation albums of Broadway composers. Sadly, Varese Sarabande itself is now history (but look for Bruce Kimmel, VS producer, and his new label, Fynsworth Alley). While many of Kimmel s albums are noteworthy, none quite reach the heights attained by the Stephen Schwartz album. Nearly every song on this wonderful CD is perfect. I specifically enjoyed Christiane Noll s incredible version of Just Around the Riverbend from Pocahontas, Jason Danieley s impressive Out There from the Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Marin Mazzie s beautiful medley With You/Gifts of Love. On the whole, this CD is a winner, from the performers to the musical arrangements. And special credit must be given to the CDs tributee, Stephen Schwartz, for writing such beautiful music and lyrics.