Customer Reviews

Classic Julie, Classic Broadway

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Classic Julie/Classic Broadway is not a new album by the great Julie Andrews, but rather some of the best tracks that she recorded for the Phillips label. They are "Broadway: The Music of Richard Rodgers"; "Broadway: Here I'll Stay: The Words of Alan Jay Lerner", "The King and I" & "Victor/Victoria (Broadway Cast)" John Mauceri and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra are featured on the "King and I" tracks and Ian Fraiser, Andrew's longtime musical director & the London Musicians Orchestra are on the other tracks.

Although Andrews was not at the height of her vocal powers when she recorded these quartet of albums these are (except nothing short of a miracle)most likely her last vocal albums. Although nothing will match her peerless recordings from the fifties and the sixties these are still wonderful reminder of what a wonderful and extraordinary and gifted performer Julie Andrews is and was.

If life ever strikes you a terrible blow, and you need to remember the goodness and the reasons to go on, this is THE album. It is so beautiful. In boxing, it is said of a devastating puncher, that he "hits with serious intent". Julie Andrews hits every note that way, with 100% concentration and that glorious voice. And now to have all of her joyful songs together on one album-- I have heard it about fifty times, and there are places which still move me to tears. I worried she would no longer able to hit the high notes-- but she does.From the opening "On a clear day" "Hello, Young Lovers", "I could have danced all night"-- on and on, all the way to "the Sound of Music. This is the best. I may buy another, in case the first CD is ever stolen by a connoisseur of great music.

If you are a fan of Dame Julie's and musicals, this is the cd for you. It is a compilation of songs from prevously released albums; The King and I, The Music of Richard Rodgers, Here I'll Stay, and Victor/Victoria, Original Broadway Cast Recording.
I found the material to be very well put together giving the listener selections from My Fair Lady, Camelot, The Sound of Music, Victor/Victoria and others. What more could you want?
As for Ms. Andrews, she is superb. There is simply no one like her. I have heard comments that prior to the infamous throat surgery she was unable to handle the difficult material and hit those high notes. This is just not true. All you have to do is listen to these songs recorded in the early 90's to know that she still had a marvelous voice. Lets hope that one day she will be able to sing and record again. If not, these may be her last recordings so treasure them.

The My Fair Lady suite is wonderful and Ms. Andrews definitely hit the high note at the end of "I Could Have Danced All Night".
Her version of "Edelweiss" and "The Sound of Music" are lovely.
Also worth listening to is "Living in the Shadows" written for the Broadway production of Victor/Victoria so you won't find it on the movie soundtrack. The lyrics are by Leslie Bricusse who also penned "Crazy World", which is another great selection on this cd.

Overall this is a cd worth having in your collection, so buy it today. Otherwise you are missing out.

Julie Andrews and her music have been an inspiration to me
every since I stepped into a theater and watched Mary Poppins
(many years ago). I admire her talent and her voice on this CD. I know it is not as clear a voice as she used to have but I still enjoy listening to her. I listen to this CD when I want a "pick me up" and am proud to have it as part of my collection.

When julie Andrws sings, there is no more magnificent voice remembered, and, when she sings on this disc, she is superb! But! Some producer or editor, obviously ignorant of magestic and dramatic singing, decided tobadd tothe "ambiance" by introducing her broadway songs with an amateur group/chorus of speakers, pretending to help "play the ""part" What a crying shame, to waste all that spce on poor diction when Julie could have been caressing our ears. Oh well, Julie Andrews addicts like me will probably neer be satisfied until a comlte anthology of all her songs is published.

Oh Julie, the songs you sang on this CD are superb. I wish you could still give us that joy. If you can only sing in the low registers, give us jazz!! You can do it I just know you can!!

This is a wonderful collection of some of Julie's later recordings. There may be some folks out there who suggest that she wasn't at her "peak". I diasgree. Even though there was no more four-octave range, the depth of feeling and the emotional interpretation far surpass anything she did in the '50s or '60s. Her early singing, while beautiful, was practically devoid of any feeling. On this album you hear Julie Andrews the woman; not Julie Andrews the little girl. Highly recommended.

As a young kid growing up in the Philippines I remember my Dad playing his state-of-the-art Aiwa tape recorder back in the 60s and hearing Julie Andrews' voice - truly the voice of an angel! Now, hearing these songs again with adult ears I fell in love with her voice all over again !

I was extremely pleased with this CD. It includes some of the best songs from her two somewhat earlier CDs realesed by Phillips as well as music from 'Victor/Victoria' and 'The King and I'. Julie can still sing and oh boy can she sing. Even though she can't hit the high notes like she used to in her younger years, her voice has a beautiful new warmth to it she didn't have then. If you love Julie you won't be dissapointed with this CD,her last :( before that HORRIBLE operation. She doesn't sound as wonderful in the 'My Fair Lady' and 'Camelot' medleys as in earlier years,but they are fun to listen to still. Her voice sounds absolutely beautiful in 'On a Clear Day','Here I'll Stay',and 'If I Loved You'. She sings all the other songs beutifully as well. This CD is over an hour of pure listening enjoyment; you won't be sorry if you buy this CD.

This would be a typical 5 star julie andrews cd if the supporting background music was recorded at a lower level. The cd implies that the songs are soundtracks from the broadway shows but they are obviously retaped versions and poor ones at that. There are many occurrences whereby the music is so loud you can barely hear her voice. I love Julie andrews and was totally disappointed with this cd. Its unfortunate that Decca would realease such a poor recording.