Great Broadway Showstoppers (From Show Boat To South Pacific) - Various Artists

Advantages: An interesting collection of songs
Disadvantages: Too short! And not everything will be to everyone's taste.

...wrote it (Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty) went on to write 'Ragtime', one of Broadway's best shows from the 1990s. Always interesting to hear 'star' composers' early work, and this song was what caused me to pick up a complete recording of 'Lucky Stiff' (though not the one this track comes from), which is a delight. And then we have the very silly 'Dear Mr. Gershwin' from 'Radio Gals', a song where a waitress recalls a mundane yet emotional encounter with George Gershwin. By turns silly and wistful, this is a very enjoyable song. After these three tracks, the disc takes another dip, with songs that I can respect but find it hard to really enjoy. 'Back and Forth' is a song about several characters' thoughts while in a rocking chair. It's from 'Bed and Sofa', apparently a stage version of a Russian silent film. Operatic in feel, I... Read review

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Advantages: A number of good songs, and interesting and inspiring versions of old classics
Disadvantages: There are a few songs that just pass you by without you really noticing

...CD: Broadway My Way Artist: Linda Eder Label: Atlantic Price: aprox £18.49 - cheapest is to order via amazon.com marketplace, where at time of writing it costs new $8 + postage $6.89 = £7.50 Brief description: A compilation of Broadway tunes by the singer Linda Eder, most famous for creating the role of Lucy in the musical Jekyll & Hyde. There are innumerous collections of Broadway music out there, of varying quality. This is one that stands out and makes a point. On Broadway My Way Lina Eder does present a number of famous, and some less well known, show tunes in her own way. Eder has in many of the recordings taken the music from it's original setting and given it a new musical context. If, for no other reason (and there are other reasons) than the jazz transcription of On The Street Were You Live (My Fair Lady) and the folk... Read review

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Advantages: First Broadway Rocky since the early 80s
Disadvantages: Only really for collectors, acquired taste

...I was lucky enough to see this production with this cast on Broadway - I say lucky in that many Brits wouldn't have got that chance and because I saw it for free. However, if I had had to pay the $80 or something the tickets were selling for, I'd have been very disappointed indeed. I am also reviewing from a promotional only copy, which I believe is simply a pre-release rather than markedly changed as it contains the same cast. I also got it free! The album contains all the regular stage show songs, including Once In A While, with the occasional introductory speech before a song. This would not be an album I would recommend to those who have never heard either the Picture Show album or the Roxy Cast album as the songs are treated somewhat differently and might put you off the stage version in the UK if you hadn't already heard... Read review

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