Customer Reviews

Beauty and the Beast: Of Love and Hope

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album deserves more than merely five stars; it deserves a myriad of constellations large enough to mirror exactly the light it radiates to all who listen to it's contents. From the masterfully-crafted instrumentals [I'm especially glad that they chose to include 'Fear', 'Laura's Theme' and 'Angel's Theme'] to the beautifully recited poetry [Shakespeare, Rainier, etc.], you will be entranced and taken back to the Tunnels underneath the city streets.

Ron Perlman is a master of the English word, rivaled only by John Hurt. And if, by some miraculous chance, Mr. Perlman should ever come across this page, read this review, I feel it necessary for him to know how he has impacted millions with his portrayal of Vincent. There is poetry running through his veins like blood and his tongue is made of such purest silver that can melt even the coldest of hearts into nothingness and happily they would go if only to hear it for one last moment. It's soothing, bliss-inducing, able to lull the troubled to sleep and send fears to their rest.

Please, no matter the asking price, buy this album for your collection - you owe it to your hearts and souls. And if, for some reason, there's a shortage of CDs available, come to me. Email me at mistacor@aol.com and I'll be more than happy to make you a copy of mine. No life should be devoid of the rapture that this CD imbues.

There may be no more beautiful soundtrack in movies or television than "Of Love and Hope: Music and Poetry from 'Beauty and the Beast.' The music reaches into the very marrow of your bones and the poetry selections almost are seared into your heart. And Ron Perlman, as Vincent, reading in a soft spoken voice the works of such poets as Rainer Maria Rilke, e.e. cummings and William Shakespeare, is outstanding. I saw recently this CD is selling for $75. Well, as another writer said, despite the cost, it has real value because it is so beautiful. The CD, like the show, reaches far beyond the mundane and is certainly an improvement over what is on TV today. Watching B&B and listening to this, and then having to put up with such stupidity and inanity as Jessica Simpson or reality TV shows is like going from the sublime to the ridiculous - like going from diamonds to rust. There really is no comparison.
There was talk when this CD came out that ther would be a sequel featuring Linda Hamilton as Catherine but that never came to be and that truly is a shame. Sadly, this version of B&B must have been too intelligent and too romantic for the average male viewer because CBS yanked it after the 3rd season (once Linda Hamilton left after the 2nd season, it was all but over anyway). It may be a very long time before we get anything as wonderful as B&B; Ms. Hamilton and Mr. Perlman went on to bigger (though definitely not better) things. But to me, the best work these 2 actors have ever done and will ever do is this series.

I actually have this on cassette, bought years ago before television network executives butchered this incredibly beautiful show, and dug it out of storage recently. Interestingly enough, I found that I had forgotten none of it. Never has music spoken so eloquently to my heart, nor represented a television show so clearly and wonderfully. Ron Perlman's "Vincent" voice, interpreting the classical literary selections in this, is sensual, articulate, undeniably romantic. It's one of the most unusual collections of music and poetry I've ever come across, a fitting and fine representation of the show.
My favorite is the opening theme of the series, with lyrics sung and "Vincent's" "No one, not even the rain, has such small hands" intonation.
The television show and it's tragic, other-worldly love story was too perfect to last long on tv. I'm glad that fans such as myself have been able to hold onto rememberances of the show such as this marvelous, sweeping score. I only wish that it could be re-released on Cd, along with dvds of the series. Fans have been keeping the magic alive all these years; it's time we were recognized.

This album is not too well known and hard to find anywhere, but if there is one essential album for anyone who loves romance, this is it. Sonnets 29 and 116 by Shakespeare are just the beginning of the passion and romance you will experience. The music is breathtaking, equisitely scored, and evokes the best of this classic and beloved tv series. I am a professional and well published poet and I say that as one who knows poetry, the classic poems as read by Ron Perlman are the finest examples of the English language known to mankind! They evoke all the emotions of the human heart with spine-chilling beauty. If only a suitor would write or even recite stuff this good to me! You cannot help but to fall in love once you listen to this album.

Listen to Vincent's soothing voice reciting poetry to the melodious soundtrack from the hit series. If you are romantically inclined, this album is for you. If you are a fan of the series, it's a must have! Not to be missed.

If you loved the series, you've got to have this CD. I wore my cassette out! Ron Perlman's readings are amazing; his voice is hypnotic. When he reads Shakespeare's sonnets, you cannot help but become a fan. And the music is outstanding; the song "To Cast All Else Aside" is sung by "Melody,"...remember..."Brand New Key"...This one is MUCH better. I guess I just dated myself; I'm definitely not a teenybopper! This CD is perfect for anyone who loves poetry, Shakespeare, or the series. I love it, and you will too.

Okay, I never actually saw the old shows, but I think any girl in her right mind (and I'm only 19 so I know) would love this soundtrack. The voice reading romantic poetry is utterly romantic and the music accompanying it rocks. It's as simple as that.

Listen to Vincent's soothing voice reciting poetry to the melodious soundtrack from the hit series. If you are romantically inclined, this album is for you. If you are a fan of the series, it's a must have! Not to be missed.

This brings back memories from when the show was on t.v. My friend had a copy of this album, and I would play it over and over again when I went to her house. She got tired of me playing it!! I will use it in my classroom for poetry lesson and mood lessons.

My only complaint is that the case came broken. The cd was intact. I'll replace it with another.

This CD is truly a work of Art. The music is beautiful and Ron's voice is breathtaking. Sound is of top quality. I know that I will listen to this work very often and it is one of my favoriates. It is very relaxing.I'm
so glad to have found this CD.