Customer Reviews

Broadway Divas

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4 star:		(1)
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Even if you already own all (or most) of the albums featured on this compilation disc, no doubt you'll still get a kick of out it's excellent cross-section sampling of some of Broadway's most beloved and talented female stars.

Drawing from the large number of Broadway cast albums in the RCA-BMG catalogue, things get off to a cracking start with who else but Ethel Merman, performing "I Got the Sun in the Morning" from the 1966 Lincoln Center revival of ANNIE GET YOUR GUN (still considered, all these years later, as the best-ever recording of the Irving Berlin musical).

Other great Golden Age treats to be savoured include Liza Minnelli's "Sing Happy" (from Kander and Ebb's delicious FLORA THE RED MENACE), "Everything's Coming Up Roses" from the London cast of GYPSY starring Angela Lansbury; and Barbara Harris' tour-de-force "What Did I Have?" from ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER. Kudos to RCA for also including a nice piece from the cult flop JENNIE starring Mary Martin ("Before I Kiss the World Goodbye"), though perhaps "Flaming Agnes" from I DO! I DO! might have been a better choice for Martin's inclusion.

Modern musical theatre dames showcased include Bebe Neuwirth's "All That Jazz" from CHICAGO, Sarah Jessica Parker in the revival of ONCE UPON A MATTRESS ("Shy"); and Julia Murney as Queenie in Lippa's WILD PARTY ("Raise the Roof").

Sondheim admirers will appreciate a varied wealth of his best numbers, two coming from the landmark COMPANY ("Being Alive" with Patti LuPone, and Madeline Kahn's breathtaking "Getting Married Today"). "Children and Art" comes from his fascinating SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE and is performed by the original leading lady, Bernadette Peters. Another great Sondheim dame, Barbara Cook, dazzles with "Losing My Mind" from FOLLIES.

Great value.

The highlights of this CD for me are Patti Lupone's "Being Alive"...simply stunning...such power and emotion in her voice. "Mean to me" by Nell Carter...this was really my first time to hear Ms. Carter perform...I wish she'd made more recordings! First of all, she has a marvelous instrument, capable of great power or intimate tenderness, and she sings with such soulfulness that makes my heart melt. "Children and Art"...as usual, Bernadette demonstrates that she is a force to be reckoned with in the dramatic world...this selection is not quite so "brassy" and over the top, but it is executed with such nuance and insight and characterization as only a true master is capable of. "Getting married today"...I love Madeline Kahn in everthing that she does...this particular piece, I would imagine, is very difficult to learn and perform...just listen and you'll see why...it's a joy to listen to.

Those are just the highlights for ME, each and every track is worth listening to more than once...they are all masterful performances!

The divas are indeed divine, but the choice of music sung left me wondering why, with so many other great music selection contenders.

Neat album to have, since it contains a selection of some of the best numbers from a variety of top shows performed by some outstanding Broadway stars.

Wonderful selection of classic singers and songs. Special favorites are Ethel Merman and Barbara Cook.

This is great. Anything with Ethel, Bernadette, Barbara (both of them), Mary, and Marin is beyond words. Any one of them by themselves is awesome but these ladies together are mind blowing. All of the women sound amazing but they made a mistake on the list of songs and composers. "Raise the Roof" sung by Julia Murney (I love her)was written by Andrew Lippa, not LaChusia.

OK, so it sounds crazy to review an album with Ethel Merman and Bernadette Peters on it and not mention them. But...tough. I've read enough about them to know how good they are.


Buy this album as a token of love to the producer who had the cajones to put Julia Murney on an album celebrating the last 100 years of Broadway divas.

Because SHE is one of the greatest voices of the decade!