CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

Greatest Hits: Broadway

from: Sony

Release Date October 29, 1996
A nice sampler. I bought it primarily for "Together, Forever" from Gypsy, though its nice to have the Broadway version of "Send in the Clowns (I believe by Glynis Johns). But it is just a sampler, and fans of Broadway music are probably better served buying the full original cast recordings.

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series)

from: Sony

Release Date October 19, 2004
Of course there should have been much more. I remember there been a Metropolian Opera series called CAST ALBUMS- 100 YEARS that was put out for a limited time only and had like five volumes.
As Peter Filichia noted they left out SHE LOVES ME, BRIGADOON and SWEENEY TODD. Also nothing from PACIFIC OVERTURES, BIG RIVER, CHESS, CRAZY FOR YOU, JEKYLL & HYDE, TITANIC, THE SCARLET
PIMPERNEL, FOOTLOOSE- THE MUSICAL, THE FULL MONTY, URINTOWN...
But they couldn't have put it all. I would have done without Lee Remick's
"Anyone Can Whistle", because the show was a flop. I guess because it was Sondheim's first "serious" show...

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

Barnum (1980 Original Broadway Cast)

by: Cy Coleman, Glenn Close, Cy Coleman, Michael Stewart, Glenn Close, Terri White

Release Date May 28, 2002
Yes the score for this musical is beautiful. So much going on in each one, perfect for that circus atmosphere. Each instrument has character which is so lost in modern musicals. Now my thing with the lyrics is not that they're bad. They get rather dulled at points, and I just tuned them out. When Jim Dale was singing I listened just to hear him, but otherwise, take them or leave them. It Seems to be show you need to see not hear. Favorite song: "There Is a Sucker Born Ev'ry Minute"

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

City of Angels (1990 Original Broadway Cast)

by: Cy Coleman, David Zippel, James Naughton, Randy Graff

Release Date February 09, 1990
Fun show, ingenuos concept, so-so score, with one exception. The ballad With Every Breath I Take is brilliant. One of Coleman's best pieces.

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

The King's Singers Greatest Hits

from: EMI Classics

Release Date February 05, 2008
King's Singers Greatest Hits was disappointing. The contemporary music included did not have the smooth feel that one expects, and the classical pieces were all right but not spectacular. I did not feel that some of these pieces were greatest hits. I will probably go back to listening to older collections of their music.

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

Bea Arthur on Broadway - Just Between Friends

by: Bea Arthur

Release Date February 12, 2002
Bea Arthur finally releases her Broadway album, and the highlights are too many to mention. My personal favorites were her memories of Angela Lansbury, Talulah, and the very funny (yet not original) jokes (especially the ones about the nun and the cab driver).

The thing is, Bea has never been much of a songstress or vocalist - she has a deep voice with a very flat quality, which makes even her 'high' notes sound about exactly as the same as her low ones. This may or may not be a good thing, but the focus on the CD is the entire show itself. Bea positions herself as host, singer, stand-up comedian, storyteller, and world observer, and all of these roles meld into one another with remarkable ease.

Whats more important - everything ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

My Personal Property

from: Jay Records

Release Date August 12, 2008
Bea Arthur finally releases her Broadway album, and the highlights are too many to mention. My personal favorites were her memories of Angela Lansbury, Talulah, and the very funny (yet not original) jokes (especially the ones about the nun and the cab driver).

The thing is, Bea has never been much of a songstress or vocalist - she has a deep voice with a very flat quality, which makes even her 'high' notes sound about exactly as the same as her low ones. This may or may not be a good thing, but the focus on the CD is the entire show itself. Bea positions herself as host, singer, stand-up comedian, storyteller, and world observer, and all of these roles meld into one another with remarkable ease.

Whats more important - everything ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

On The Twentieth Century (1978 Original Broadway Cast)

by: Cy Coleman, John Cullum, Imogene Coca, Original Broadway Cast, Betty Comden, Adolph Green

Release Date November 19, 1991
I listened to the overture and thought, "Wow! Another great musical!" Then, everything fell apart.
The professional reviewers wrote of the physical comedy, special effects, and flashbacks, all positively. But physical comedy, special effects, and flashbacks do not translate to sound recordings. So, what is left? Not much.
There is not a musical voice among the principals. Where is the John Cullum of "On a Clear Day ..." and "Shenandoah"? Madeline Kahn admitted that the role was beyond her musically, by asking for only limited performances. And Imogene Coca--truly a great comic, but who expected music from her?
Yes, the score received the Tony for the year. But, browse the list of musicals that season. Obviously, it was a very bleak season. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

Michael Feinstein With the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra

by: Michael Feinstein, Israel Philharmonic Orchestra

Release Date May 07, 2002
I love this album!! The arrangements are lush and romantic and beautifully orchestrated. Kudos to the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra! Michael Feinstein has whittled out a niche in American music that few can rival--Michael Buble' comes to mind, but NO ONE does "classic" American songs by the early songwriters like Berlin, Gershwin, Cole Porter, etal, like Michael Feinstein. They feel "authentic" because he often sings them the way they were written originally.
My favorite track on this album is "Laura." The orchestral work in this arrangement is just breath-taking!

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

The Life (1997 Original Broadway Cast)

by: Cy Coleman, Ira Gasman

Release Date June 03, 1997
It's about hookers. Honestly, it is, really! But it's a fantastic take on things, and "My Body" stands out by far as one of the best songs on the album. If you can find the video from The Rosie O'Donnell Show of the girls singing this song, watch it. It's what got me hooked on it. Sam Harris never fails to impress either.