Arrabalero 1927-1928 - Osvaldo Fresedo

Advantages: Masterpiece of musical theatre
Disadvantages: Ending is little too "all lived happily ever after"

...The Threepenny Opera transforms opera to the musical theatre. Originally adapted from John Gay’s The Beggar’s opera in 1928, to Die Dreigroschenoper, by German composer Kurt Weill and lyricist Bertolt Brecht, the score weaves together elements of grand opera with cabaret and jazz. The English translation and adaptation was then completed by Marc Blitzstein in 1954. Brecht met Weill in 1927, when the two men discussed using the genre of opera to combine their respective abilities. Their first collaboration was the songspiel, The Little Mahagonny performed during 1927. The two men soon then started work on a full-scale opera. Brecht took on the script of the Beggars Opera for Weill to write the modern melodies and Brecht added several new scenes and songs. A CD of the Threepenny Opera can be purchased for £12.99 from most good music... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: cheesy poppy rock at its best
Disadvantages: a couple of filler songs (though I always say this)

...I seem to be writing about nothing but cheesy music these days, ahh the freedom of anonymity. Yes its true, I like cheesy music too. I'm having a ball with all these unreviewed Australian things and all things cheesy. Reliving the past.. filling in hours at work.. In a non-McDonalds slogan way I'm loving it! The band 1927, consisting of (at time of "ish" release) Erik, Garry, Bill and James, once drove past my friends on their way to school. We heard nothing but how the van passed them for months and we all squealed with connected excitement. They seemed so famous to us and exotic but really they were spotted in the country, several hours out of the Sydney CBD in a rental van. If they had have just asked I would have given them a lift. No doubt though they were used to the unglamorous side of all that is rock and roll... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Upbeat, entertaining, great quality.
Disadvantages: None

...An apt title for this great reproduction. Of the 20 tracks on this album only one sounds like a copy of a 1930s '78. All the others could have been recorded in a modern studio. Jack Hyltons arrangements are flawless and whilst the vocals sound slightly camp in todays standards, that was the sound and style of the day. The Liner notes are well edited, being informative and interesting. There is also a personel listing for each track. This collection, whilst upbeat, didn't have the same entertainment value to me as 'Hot Hylton 1927-1930', but I would recommend both CDs to anyone with a taste for 1930s big band music. Liston out for the thumping bass on many of the tracks. My grandfather Clem Lawton is responsible.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful