CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

Ragtime - The Musical (1998 Original Broadway Cast)

by: Stephen Flaherty, Lynn Ahrens, Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Marin Mazzie

Release Date April 28, 1998
Fantastic Soundtrack. Great music. This music as great as the show was. Highly recommend to all. Thanks

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

The Wonder of Christmas

by: Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Orchestra at Temple Square, Bells on Temple Square, Bryn Terfel, Frederica von Stade, Audra McDonald, Renee Fleming, Angela Lansbury

Release Date September 26, 2006
I am a musician at heart (read: critical and difficult to please, but very moved by good music) and this is my absolute favorite christmas album. The arrangements are incredible and the performances will blow you away. This is a must have for those who truly appreciate music and even those who just love christmas music (who doesn't?). Even my hubby, who listens to rap and thinks choir music is not cool, looks forward to the Choir's Christmas concert every year.
I'm lucky enough to live in Salt Lake where I can see them perform, and this album contains most of my favorite performances from the past several years. Each song on this album can stand on its own, but my favorites are Joy to the World, What Shall We Give to the Babe in the Manger, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

Carousel (1994 Broadway Revival Cast)

by: Michael Hayden, Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II, Audra McDonald, Shirley Verrett, Sally Murphy

Release Date June 14, 1994
This recording has a few lines that make the songs more complete, The great Audra Macdonald and that's it. The earlier london recording is vastly superior. Julie in London was acted to perfection, not as a dopey ingenue but as a three dimensional character and it shows on the recording, Micheal Haydyn's Billy is acted more than sung on both and on stage it's great but on a recording I prefer a "real" voice as Billy. But except for the missing
"Greatest Judge of All" this recording and the earlier London cast , together make the most complete Carousel. My favorite of all the recording though is the old RCA studio cast with Robert Merril, Patrice Munsel and Florence Henderson.

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

Sweeney Todd Live at the New York Philharmonic

Release Date October 18, 2000
I ordered this CD with great anticipation since I so ardently admire George Hearn's performance as Sweeney Todd. Unfortunately, the CD is marred by Patti Lupone's over-acting. Maybe it was too much for her to do Mrs. Lovett after only 3-4 days of frantic rehearsal (according to the included CD booklet). In particular, if you listen to songs like "The Worst Pies in London" and "A Little Priest", her voice jumps from singing to screeching. It's almost like she doesn't have control of her voice. Fortunately, Patti Lupone is much better on the DVD with the San Francisco Symphony (a year after the New York Philharmonic concerts). She sounds more comfortable with the role and tones down the acting. Both the New York Philharmonic and the San Francisco Symphony ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

110 in the Shade (2007 Broadway Revival Cast)

from: P.S. Classics

Release Date June 12, 2007
What more can be said about the glorious Audra McDonald that hasn't been said already? The woman is a gift; a bizarrely immense talent of truly legendary proportions. No one should be this good (or in an ideal world, everyone should be this good). And what she alone is able to bring to a production is more valuable than any other effort a production team can accomplish.

Even with a show like "110 in the Shade," an obscure piece last seen on Broadway in 1963, Audra McDonald is capable of mustering up a performance for the ages; and by doing so, elevates a seemingly lackluster show to a truly astonishing spectacle. This 2007 revival provides a star-vehicle turn for Ms. McDonald and she delivers with a portrayal that should have won her the 2007 Tony Award for ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

The John Adams Earbox: A 10-CD Retrospective

from: Nonesuch

Release Date October 19, 1999
Never before in my life was i moved so intensely and directly by classical music. I put the first cd in my player and a few minutes later tears are flowing. I find myself dancing and moving to a rythm i already seem to know. Wow, i just have to share that.

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

Way Back to Paradise

by: Audra McDonald

Release Date September 22, 1998
Bold, Gutsy and Daring! These are just a few of the adjectives that come to mind when finishing a full listen of Way Back to Paradise, Audra McDonald's debut solo CD. We knew she was so talented at interpreting a song as well as telling a story, but I didn't expect this CD. I expected an album's length of standards as most Musical Theatre chanteuses opt for with a debut solo album. Now this is not an easy listen. It definitely takes some work, but the rewards are copious. There are moments that scream of epic grandeur (A Lullaby, Mistress of the Senator, Tom) and others that are so tender (Baby Moon), it makes one wonder if these songs were originally written with her in mind because the originals pale in comparison.

When the first strains of "Dream Variations" ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

Build a Bridge

by: Audra McDonald

Release Date September 26, 2006
My first album of hers was "How Glory Goes", and I fell in love. Her voice is flawless. Her strength, tone, vibrato, emotion... it's all pure ecstasy.

However, I felt that some of the songs chosen on this album were awkward. It's not that I didn't like them, but for her being the princess of Broadway, there was not much traditional or familiar in this repertoire. Maybe that was intended, and if so, kudos.

The album did seem to come together at the end, and I actually enjoyed hearing some less familiar pieces. I just don't know that it was the best choice for her at this point.

I'm looking forward to completing my collection from this diva!

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

George Gershwin · The 100th Birthday Celebration / A. McDonald · Stokes Mitchell · Ohlsson · SFS · Tilson Thomas

by: George Gershwin, Michael Tilson Thomas, Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell, San Francisco Symphony, Garrick Ohlsson

Release Date September 15, 1998
This is a good 2 CD set for a Gershwin lover, but it's not what I expected. I was under the impression that the magnificent Audra McDonald & Brian Stokes Mitchell would be singing a good few of the standout songs from Porgy and Bess. As it Turns out, Audra only sings SUMMERTIME, BESS YOU IS MY WOMAN NOW (with Brian), and MY MAN'S GONE NOW. Brian only sings BYIMWN and THERE'S A BOAT THAT'S LEAVIN' SOON. The other songs are done in very nice instrument only arrangements, and the American in Paris section is delightful.

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

How Glory Goes

by: Audra McDonald

Release Date February 29, 2000
This is my first album from Audra McDonald, so I will not make the error of determining her ability based only on this album.

McDonald has a classic Broadway voice, and one that can be pictured in nearly any Disney production or classic stage work. Whether it is my adapted ear that hears the "belter" style as abrasive, or it is an actual problem wit McDonald's voice, there are points in this album when I feel my own larynx growing tight just listening to her! But that is traditional Broadway sound, and these classic pieces are performed quite well and within the suitable genre.

I would only challenge her to work to understand the difference in perceived timbre (sound quality) from stage to studio recording. What sounds beautiful on a large stage, in a theater ... Read More: