Amazon.com: Amanda McBroom - Portraits (9781569222041): Amanda McBroom: Books

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2000

This wonderful collection features 30 songs, grouped into the categories Portraits, Movies, Love Lost, Love Found, Lust, and Philosophy. Includes her hits: The Rose * Errol Flynn * Ship in a Bottle * Dreaming * The Portrait * and more, plus an introduction by Stephen Holden of the New York Times, and Amanda's thoughts on each song.

#outer_postBodyPS { display: none; } #psGradient { display: none; } #psPlaceHolder { display: none; } #psExpand { display: none; } This wonderful collection features 30 songs, grouped into the categories Portraits, Movies, Love Lost, Love Found, Lust, and Philosophy. Includes her hits: The Rose * Errol Flynn * Ship in a Bottle * Dreaming * The Portrait * and more, plus an introduction by Stephen Holden of the New York Times, and Amanda's thoughts on each song.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Amanda McBroom could best be described as a "one-woman whirlwind of the arts." In the last few years she has acted on television and the stage, written many songs for recording artists, television and film, recorded six albums, started her own recording label, appeared live in concert internationally and written, produced and starred in her own musical.

The results have made Amanda McBroom a staying force in the worldwide entertainment industry.

Her song writing successes include the number one hit "The Rose," recorded by Bette Midler for the film of the same name, as well as songs recorded by Manhattan Transfer, Anne Murray, Barry Manilow, Judy Collins, Barbara Cook and Stephanie Mills. Amanda also wrote Iyrics for many of the songs in the experimental TV series "Cop Rock," and TV themes for programs including "The Young and the Restless." She was nominated for an Emmy for her song featured on "As the World Turns" and wrote songs for the video releases of "Land Before Time" and "Hercules and Xena."

Her first two albums, "Growing Up in Hollywood Town" and "West of Oz," were recorded for the prestigious audiophile label Sheffield Labs in collaboration with pianist Lincoln Majorga. Recorded live direct-to-disc, Billboard called "Hollywood" a "striking and complete artistic success." The recordings established Amanda as a "high end" audio star, setting the stage for the release of Amanda's solo debut on Gecko Records, a label she formed with her manager, Garry George. Her first release, "Dreaming," has sold over 200,000 copies worldwide. Her second release, on Gecko, "Midnight Matinee," featured performances by musicians such as jazz legend Bob James and blues guitarist Robben Ford. Her fifth album, "Amanda Mc Broom Live From Rainbow and Stars," recorded at her sold out engagement atop Rockefeller Center in New York, was released on the DRG label. Her latest release, "A Waiting Heart," on Gecko Records, was released in March, 1997.

True to her roots of growing up in Hollywood in the era of musicals (her father was movie actor David Bruce), and her experiences on Broadway (Seesaw!) and off-Broadway (several companies of Jaques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris) in U.S. and Europe, Amanda wrote her own musical entitled "Heartbeats," which has been produced throughout the country, at such theaters as the Old Globe in San Diego, the Goodspeed Opera House in Connecticut, the Cleveland Playhouse and most recently at the Pasadena Playhouse. The original cast recording featuring Amanda and her husband, actor/singer George Ball, was released on Varese Sarabande Records.

In the medium of television, Amanda has appeared on programs ranging from "Star Trek: The Next Generation" to "Hawaii Five-O" to "The Grammy Awards."

But it is perhaps her live performances in cabarets, clubs and concert halls where Amanda has been able to unite her song writing, acting and vocal talents into her finest communication of emotion through the arts. Her appearances around the U.S., including her appearance at Carnegie Hall in November, 1996, have caused audiences and critics alike to respond with unusual outpouring of emotions in print as well as in the audience.

Amanda lives in Ojai, California with her actor/singer husband George Ball, their two dogs Maggie and Chuck, their three cats Wheezie, Scooter and Minnie, and Amanda's collection of tropical finches. Amanda attributes her achievements to divine intervention and a lot of caffeine.