CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

Jersey Boys (2005 Original Broadway Cast Recording)

by: Ronald Melrose, Ken Dow, Anik Oulianine, Stephanie Cummins, Deborah Hurwitz, Kevin Dow, Joe Payne, Larry Saltzman, Dave Spier, Bill Hayes, Randall Andos, Bob Milikan, Debra Shufelt, Maxine Roach, Belinda Whitney, Cenovia Cummins, Eric de Gioia, Louise Owen, Robin Zeh, Sarah Schwartz, Shinwon Kim, Christian Hoff, Daniel Reichard, Donnie Kehr, Erica Piccininni, J. Robert Spencer, Jennifer Naimo, John Lloyd Young, Sara Schmidt, Tituss Burgess, Steve Orich, Bob Gaudio

Release Date November 01, 2005
The music of the Four Seasons is timeless, but this recording enhances both the vocals and music. In Particular, the drums and bass are brought to the forefront without diluting the excellent vocals and yet gives a dynamic punch to songs recorded over 40 years ago. Highly recommended to anyone who lived in the era of 45's!!!

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

The Light in the Piazza (2005 Original Broadway Cast)

from: Nonesuch

Release Date May 24, 2005
This is an unusual story to be made into a musical. Many good musicals from similar sources have just not made it--witness "Cry for Us All" in 1970 and "I Remember Mama" in 1979. And those were from a time when Broadway tended more toward the book musical.
It is also an unusual approach to music. As several others reviews have noted, it is somewhat operatic in style. While there are wonderful musical moments, there are no songs that stand out and have become popular.
Whatever the "unusualities," this is certainly refreshing in the midst of the "Spamalots" and "Spelling Bees."
To appreciate the work initially, it is necessary to follow the libretto, which fortunately is included with the cd. Later, it can be heard as good ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

Broadway, My Way

by: Linda Eder

Release Date February 18, 2003
This lady has one great voice. She can certainly sell a song. My only reservation about her is that she's a bit cocky. I think she could use some humility.

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

Paganini: After a Dream

by: Regina Carter

Release Date April 22, 2003
"Being given the opportunity and honor to play this divine instrument was an experience that I cannot begin to put into words. This recording, Paganini: After A Dream" contains all of the emotion, excitement, hard work, obstacles, and faith that were endured to make this dream a reality. This recording is dedicated in memory of the incomparable bassist Ray Brown and my inspiring violin teacher, Gerald Beal; and to the birth of my niece, Alexandra Collette Carter." ~ Regina Carter ~

As someone who greatly appreciates violin music and the beautiful masterpieces of classical masters Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel and Gabriel Fauré, I find this recording, Regina Carter's "Paganini: After A Dream," a great source of musical enjoyment especially ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

Three Mo' Tenors

by: Thomas Young, Roderick Dixon, Victor Trent Cook

Release Date July 24, 2001

Excellent . beautiful job - recording encompasses several different music styles and they're all done with quality. Have recommended this one to several friends.

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

Wonderful Town (2003 Broadway Revival Cast)

by: Leonard Bernstein, Betty Comden, Donna Murphy, Jennifer Westfeldt, Adolph Green

Release Date March 09, 2004
Jennifer Westfeldt hits all the notes required for the role of Eileen, yet her voice isn't my favorite. Donna Murphy's voice is not great either. The real talent there is Gregg Edelman, but I honestly prefer him along Brooke Shields and Jennifer Hope Wills.

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

Brownstone the Musical (2003 Studio Cast)

by: Liz Callaway, Brian D'Arcy James, Rebecca Luker

Release Date August 26, 2003
A pleasant score. Fine singing, especially the wonderful Liz Callaway. The score, however, doesn't have those one or two numbers that stand out and stop you in your tracks. I haven't seen the show, and perhaps when integrated with the text.....

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

Wonderful Town (2004 Broadway Revival Cast with Brooke Shields)

by: Leonard Bernstein, Betty Comden, Brooke Shields, Adolph Green, Jennifer Hope Wills

Release Date December 07, 2004
New York City Critics Said:
"In replacing the beguiling Donna Murphy, Shields hasn't so much replicated her performance as rejuvenated the role of Ruth Sherwood and the show itself. She hasn't done it, it should be mentioned, through the application of a new kind of show-biz razzle-dazzle; instead, Shields triumphs by taking the show back to its roots. And in doing so, she's found something that Murphy - while excellent in the role - somehow lacked"
-Talkin' Broadway-
"Brooke is a Delight"
-Ben Brantley, New York Times-
"She's a terrific performer, careful and resilient, with an unerring sense of humor and a style that can make ungainliness graceful and reticence explosive. She is the perfect Ruth, a would-be writer, who sees ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

Baby Boy: Original Motion Picture Score

from: Varese Sarabande

Release Date August 21, 2001
This latest venture from David Arnold has given the "film-score-buff" a change of pace, known for his past scores of action and adventure...this one has short cues, but with counterpoints that leave you satisfied...a few stand outs ~ "JODY AND IVETTE", beautifully done..."DRIVE BY", gives the music collector their moneys worth.

Hats off to ~ Nicholas Dodd (orchestration/conductor), Shirley Caesar (vocals) and Varese Sarabande for doing what they do best...give "film-music-collectors" something to sink their teeth into!

Total Time: 41:09 on 19 Tracks ~ Varese Sarabande 302-066- 280-2 ~ (2001)

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

The Chamber: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

from: Varese Sarabande

Release Date October 22, 1996
Yes, this is a case where the music is much better than the film. There is an interesting combination of moody country inflection from David Torn's guitar with heavy dark orchestral movement.