x close

Verve Remixed, Vol. 3

It's an idea that never should've worked in the first place: Verve classics remixed by today's hottest DJs and producers. Yet here's the third installment in the successful series and quality control remains high. Granted, there are a few tracks on each compilation that don't work as well as others and Verve Remixed 3 is no exception. The Postal Service take on Nina Simone's "Little Girl Blue," for instance, makes for a pleasing listen, but sounds too much like the former (the Album Leaf does a better job at staying out of Simone's way). Adam Freeland's "Fever" and Max Sedgley's "Peter Gunn," however, get the balance right. Both songs have been updated for the dancefloor, but Sarah Vaughn's exquisite vocals remain front and center. Then there's Lyrics Born with Jimmy Smith's "Stay Loose," which keeps Smith's groovy organ work in the foreground, but makes a funky track funkier yet. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

---

Customer Review:

Three times a charm.

"Sing, Sing, Sing" and that's what I do when I hear this tune. The RSL remix really puts me in a great mood. Another stellar track is "Just One of Those Things" - sparingly gorgeous. Already a BG fan, this remix reaffirms my belief that there is something really special going on with that team. More than groovey, emotional too- Remix #3 is a great listen.

-B.A.

NEITHER FISH NOR FOWL

I bought this album after hearing two tracks from it on the Santa Monica public radio station KCRW. The Peter Gunn theme sung by Sarah Vaughan appealed to me; it's hard to find more catchy themes than those written by Henry Mancini. The cut that really hooked me, though, was the Astrud Gilberto song with that hypnotic piano. I don't know the original recording so I assume that the piano was done on the remix. This is the only cut on the CD that I felt was improved by the remix. Most of the remix components do not match the aural quality of the original recordings; the remix components sound pasted on, like a cutout baseball cap stuck on the Mona Lisa. It isn't that the original recordings from the 1950s and 60s are masterpieces, but they are stylistically so strong that putting new electronic sounds over them makes them into weird, unappetizing hybrids --- neither fish nor fowl. Don't get me wrong. I am happy that I bought the CD. As I say, that one cut (Astrud Gilberto) is powerful and haunting.

Unfortunately... 2 stars. I had high hopes.

As a big fan of Remixed 1 and 2, I was very excited to hear that 3 had come out. But upon listening to it, it turns out that I'm only keeping 6 out of the 13 tracks on my playlist. Little Girl Blue, Speak Low, Fever, The Gentle Rain, Peter Gunn and Stay Loose made the cut. Everything else was very discordant-sounding to my ears, with none of the electronic groove that I was used to on the other albums. My tastes may be too mainstream to truly appreciate the unusual choices made by the more experimental remixers.

---

Keywords: Club/Dance; Dance Music; Electronica; House; Jazz Collections; Pop; V/a Compilations;

---

---

x close

Battlestar Galactica

---

Futures

Soundtrack;

---

Customer Review:

For a small-time composer...

...this is an amazing score. The direction taken was a refreshing change from the usual bombastic orchestral or, god forbid, the synth that we are so used to in productions of this genre. I was very pleased with the end result. The tribal drum rolls, light synth, and passionate vocals really made this score stand out from everything I've heard in recent years. Though some may find the styles of several tracks to be repetitious, I can be very sure that the soundtrack deserves at least an honorable mention. Though Bear McCreary should also be credited for several tracks. Many of the better ones too. Look forward to the release of the first season's soundtack.

Excellent and different

The first thing I noticed about the show was the music- it fits the mood perfectly and is not the usual fare that tries to tell you what to feel. Then again, BSG 2003 doesn't need that. It enhances the action and doesn't distract.

Excellent and very different...just like the show.

Beautiful and Haunting

I was really captivated by the music while watching the mini series, I was so happy to learn of the release of this soundtrack. I had really missed most of the music, because it was so subtle. This music is beautiful and haunting in some spots. I have it on my c drive at work, and I listen to it all day.

The series is pretty good, too! And this is coming from a non-Sci Fi fan.

---

Keywords: Film; Film Music; Original Score; Pop; Soundtrack; Soundtracks & Film Scores; TV Soundtrack; TV Soundtracks; Television Music;

---

---

x close

Sweet Charity (2005 Broadway Revival Cast)

The best thing about this CD is the score: Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields's songs have lost none of their incisiveness over the years, and even a lackluster revival such as this one doesn't entirely succeed in dulling their edge. In the title role, Christina Applegate means well and tries hard, which isn't enough to make us forget Gwen Verdon, the powerhouse original Charity. Even "There's Gotta Be Something Better Than This," a showstopping number if there ever was one, shines like a 40-watt bulb when it should be 400. As Charity's paramour Oscar, Denis O'Hare gives a wonderful, multifaceted performance, though of course Oscar doesn't get songs--except for the welcome addition of "A Good Impression." While this production is adequate but no match for the original recording, fans will be delighted by the bonus tracks. Backed by a small ensemble, Coleman sings four 1963 demos, including an intimate, delightful "I'm the Bravest Individual." The composer also pairs with Fields for a live version of "Big Spender" recorded in 1972. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

---

Futures

Cast Recording;

Extra tracks;

---

Customer Review:

She's No Brass Band

I've come to the conclusion that all the hype and hoopla associated with Christina Applegate klutzing her way to Broadway in "Sweet Charity" was simply that---A distraction to cover the fact she was wholly inept in this role. Her performance on the Tony Awards broadcast was an embarassment to the rest of the fine cast, due to her poor timing, tinny vocals, and simplified, undignified dance steps. The Tony stage's theatre masks were dripping with "bomb sweat" after that one, if not weeping tears of blood.

The cast recording accurately reflects her substandard vocals. I have never heard the original Gwen Verdon version, so this isn't simply a case of guilt by comparison. I would, however (to my chagrin) much prefer hearing Kathi Lee Gifford's Carnival cruise ad TV version of "If My Friends Could See Me Now". Even Amazon itself is smart enough not to sample too much of Ms. Applegate's voice in the "free previews" offered from this cast recording.

The real problem is not Applegate; it's Broadway's new-found dependence on Hollywood star commercial appeal to justify triple figure ticket prices. As if those actors who've chosen theater haven't suffered enough. Now we're handing Broadway over to the sitcom stars? What's next? Tina Yothers as Mama Rose in "Gypsy"?

I find it insulting to ask someone to pay up to $100 to see Ms. Applegate in this role. We will see if Broadway learns it's lesson when and if Kelly Bundy gets a second crack at it.

Hey Big Spender? Save your ducats. In the meantime, can someone find me a copy of Debbie Allen's recording of "Sweet Charity"? Most definitely would be something better than this.

She can really sing! :)

Well, first off, I was quite fortunate to see Christina Applegate as Charity Hope Valentine in the Broadway production, and I just had to buy this cd! I couldn't believe how great she was vocally. I really enjoyed her performance, and by buying the cd, I almost relive the show when I listen to it. The music is great to begin with! Songs like "Hey, Big Spender", "If They Could See Me Now", and "The Rhythm of Life" are all fantastic songs! :) The storyline is also really entertaining..this revival cast is awesome!!

The Bravest Individual

By now, everybody knows about the pluck Christina Applegate showed in overcoming a broken foot and bringing this revival to New York come hell or high water last spring. What the inner circle naysayers have to say about this Broadway neophyte is beside the point, as this bubbly new cast recording attests to. Ms. Applegate's slight and slightly wobbly soprano may not be an instrument for the ages, but right from her very first song, "You Should See Yourself", she nails the sweet essence of Charity and establishes her character simply through the use of her voice and comic timing. It's amazing that she is new to this game because her alternate use of vocalising and exclaiming the lyrics adds a vibrance and specificity to her interpretation that more accomplished singers often fail to achieve. In fact, her vocal limitations only add to Charity's vulnerability, and the forcefulness of her line readings justifies this one-time TV performer's selection for the role in this revival. In fact, this CD is mostly a joy to listen to. First, of course, there is the score, one of the best of the 60's. "Big Spender" and "If They Could See Me Know" were the hits, but "Charity's Soliloquy", "There's Gotta Be Something Better...", "I'm the Bravest Individual" and "Rhythm of Life" are just as good. The orchestrations are bouncy and dead on crisp, making this score sound contemporary while still betraying it's roots of forty years ago. The one blight on this recording is Dennis O'Hare as Charity's love interest. He sounds at once both too old for her and too fey, and some of his vocal readings are downright annoying. Still, what you have here is a new recording that may not be more than the sum of its parts, but surely some of its parts are more than worth a listen. And above it all sails Ms. Applegtate as the adorable Charity. Let's hope this isn't the last time she'll listen to the lullabye of old Broadway.

---

Keywords: Cast Recordings; Music Theater; Musical Theater; Pop; Showtunes / B'way;

---

---

x close

The Sound of Music (1965 Film Soundtrack)

Rodgers & Hammerstein wrote the music for this film starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. The scene in which Andrews crests a hill with her arms spread singing the title track is one of the greatest in American film. Hearing that song forever fills the listener with that image, and remains as fresh and even chilling as it was initially. Unfortunately much of this has been co-opted by television advertisements or whatever, and so could languish because of the clichéd quality of it. Fortunately, conductor Irwin Kostal delivered a wonderful score, and the vocal delivery is as vibrant as any in the storied history of film musicals. --Scott Wilson

---

Futures

Original recording remastered;

Soundtrack;

---

Customer Review:

A Classic!!!

One of the best musicals ever done. Very good sound track too. Let's hope hollywood doesn't mess it up by trying to do a re-make of it. A classic should never be re-done! Great job!

The hills are alive..

I grew up to `The sound of music', both the movie and the soundtrack. A pure classic! I wore out the LP at home. They don't make movies or music like this anymore.

The reissued CD is excellent. Right from the booklet chock full of information on the movie and the music, and includes all the original LP photos. Was like a dream come true finally getting this classic on CD.

No need to go into detail about the tracks as I'm sure every one on planet earth knows each and every track, LOL!! I mean, who didn't grow up singing Ley O, ley O Ley Hee hee, or Do a deer, a female deer? One can remember each scene associated with each track, the sign of a successful soundtrack/musical.

However, my personal favourites are `Eidelweiss' (one of the most touching moments in the movie, especially when Captain Von Trapp can't go on and Maria and the children take over), and `Climb ev'ry mountain' (always such an inspiration to me).

Each track is special, and perfectly placed in the movie, which has to be arguably the greatest musical ever!

Buy this Soundtrack

I love this soundtrack. I was in a play about the sound of music and i fell in love with the songs.

---

Keywords: Pop; Soundtrack; Soundtracks & Film Scores;

---

---