CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

Hair - Actors' Fund of America Benefit Recording

by: Galt MacDermot, James Rado, Gerome Ragni, Lillias White, Lea Delaria, Harvey Fierstein, Liz Callaway, Jai Rodriguez, Euan Morton, Ana Gasteyer, Shoshana Bean, Laura Benanti, Adam Pascal, Gavin Creel, Raul Esparza, Jennifer Hudson, John Tartaglia, Christopher Sieber, Annie Golden, Eden Espinosa, Sherie Rene Scott, Billy Porter, Darius de Haas, Norm Lewis

Release Date June 14, 2005
If you are looking for a Hair cast abum...this is NOT it. If you want to hear the score performed by an amazing array of broadway and pop belters, this is the CD for you. From the great Lillias White's powerhouse of Aquarius, to the ultimate recording of Let the Sunshine In, every song is done powerfully and effectively. Jennifer Hudson gives a preview of what she would do in Dreamgirls with Easy To Be Hard. The score now seems dated and the shock value is totally gone, but still alot of fun. I'll bet the same version in concert the night before the recording was produced was a total blast!!

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

Unsung Musicals - The Ultimate Collection

from: Varese Sarabande

Release Date June 05, 2001
Songs from 1987's "Smile" make this well worth the price. The previously unreleased material from the late, great Howard Ashman deserves to have it's moment in the spotlight.

Also, there's Judy Kuhn's beautiful performance on "Starfish", Christine Baranski's vampy turn on "Sherry".

Finally, there's" New Words" from "One, Two, Three, Four, Five". This show has been restaged, by small theatre groups, under the title "History Loves Company". "New Words" is by far the best number of this show and Liz Callaway's voice fills with love as she sings this lullaby.

For a consummate musical theatre fan who's heard it all, this disc is a refreshing look at what has been lost over the years.

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

Follies in Concert (1985 Live Performance) + Stavisky Film Score

from: RCA Victor Broadway

Release Date October 25, 1990
I have very definite views on this - in other words, my word rules, ignore the others. Random thoughts - pay no attention to those who disparage Mandy Patinkin singing "Buddy's Blues." This is an album of brilliant pastiche songs, right? Patinkin is giving us the old vaudville, split week in Jersey, performance. Of course he's over the top! Outstanding. However - sorry, I love Barbara Cook, and it's a lovely rendition of "Losing My Mind," but no one, I repeat no one, does it like Dorothy Collins from the original cast. Dorothy Collins, the Hit Parade lady? Come on! Well, OK, I don't know how she did it, what she pulled up from inside herself, but it tears your heart out. The song belongs to her. "Beautiful Girls" is ... well, if you're a woman ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

Infinite Joy: The Songs of William Finn (Live at Joe's Pub)

by: William Finn, Liz Callaway, Carolee Carmello

Release Date May 15, 2001
Like many composers, Finn should not sing, but that's what makes it fun. While he has wonderful and talented stars sing for him on this CD, I get a real kick out of his few attempts at the mic.

(Republicans beware - you have been made aware of the content herein.)

Finn's raw charm shines though on this one, and it make a nice accompanyment CD to the Off-Broadway Musical "Make Me a Song."

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

Princess Favorites

by: Various Artists

Release Date February 05, 2002
I must say, this is Disney's--no, ONE of Disney's best--Princess soundtracks. I have both the Disney Princess Ultimate Song Collection and this one, but this one has some songs I haven't learned yet. My favorite song is Put It Together, which has the Fairy Godmother's special magical phrase, "Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo." And it also has some songs that remind me of why I think Cinderella should be known as the Princess of Hope. Thank you, Disney.

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

Unsung Musicals II (Studio Cast)

from: Varese Sarabande

Release Date March 14, 1995
Any album that gives us Jason Graae singing "Smashing, New York Times" is worth having.

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

The Maury Yeston Songbook

by: Maury Yeston, Christine Andreas, Brent Barrett, Betty Buckley, Liz Callaway, Alice Ripley, Sutton Foster, Brian d'Arcy James, Philip Chaffin

Release Date April 08, 2003
I've been listening to this CD for six months now. The songs, orchestrations, and singers are all wonderful. I love this CD.

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

The Story Goes On: Liz Callaway On & Off Broadway

from: Varese Sarabande

Release Date April 03, 2001
Clearly Liz Callaway was born to sing Broadway Songs. Her diction is faultless and her vocal delivery inspirational. Every song a masterpiece.

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

The Spitfire Grill

by: James Valcq

Release Date 2002
I am about to direct a production of Spitfire Grill for a nearby professional theatre and as part of my prep and research I've been listening to this CD on a daily basis. It's a fine recording of a pretty fine production and I would recommend it to anyone who appreciates small dramatic musical theatre offerings. The singers and musicians give us a warm and heartfelt rendering of each musical number with just the right amount of dialogue to link up the narrative. A few of the singers shave the notes a little but the engaging performances more than make up for the bum notes. In particular the actors playing Percy, Shelby and Joe do the composers proud and the dramatic intent comes through clearly in this recording. If you're a fan of Liz Callaway (Shelby) you'll ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

Anywhere I Wander - Liz Callaway Sings Frank Loesser

by: Liz Callaway, Ann Hampton Callaway

Release Date January 28, 2003
Liz has a nice voice, but is too shrill and operatic for this material. The arrangements are really horrible, too. THey really bring down the whole album. I'd like to hear Ms. Callaway with better accompaniment and material more suited to her style.