Customer Reviews

A Grand Night For Singing (1994 Original Cast Members)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A refreshing approach to many well-known-and some more obscure-Rodgers and Hammerstein songs, culled from their many collaborative works. The cast of 5 singers (3 women, 2 men) generally sings engagingly and well, although the baritone has a tendency to flat on a few of the slower numbers. A Grand Night for Singing is a charming show that puts the music in a completely new setting. Includes a drop-dead arrangement that puts "Many a New Day" (Oklahoma) and "Gonna Wash That Man" (South Pacific) together in a jazzy woman's trio of playful men-bashing. Other highlights include "Love, Look Away," "Kansas City," "Honey Bun" and "Some Enchanted Evening." A very enjoyable listen.

This cast album of the review of songs by Rogers & Hammerstein (conceived by Walter Bobbie) is the best of the reviews that feature one songwriter or team--even better than "And the World goes Round" which features songs by Kander & Ebb. The structure is thoughtful, the arrangements are imaginative, and the singing is superb. Many of the numbers are surprising interpretations of familiar songs, for instance "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria" sung by a young man trying to figure out his girlfriend. Others are heart-rending versions of great ballads such as "I Have Dreamed." Another highlight is a soaring "Some Enchanted Evening" scored for all four singers. Overall, a must-have for lovers of musical theatre.

This is a must for R&H musical fans. Wonderful wongs are turned out to be very "up-to-dated" and sung well by these cast members. If you want to hear the new style and new arrangement of R&H's song, I recommend it highly to you!

For anyone who is a fan of Rogers and Hammerstein, this is a tremendous collection of songs, beautifully sung and professionally recorded. It's no wonder this was nominated for a Tony Award in 1993 when it premiered. Long before "Mamma Mia" this is a deft and remarkable collection of songs, aligned so that they tell a story of sorts that is exhuberant, hopeful and poignant. "From courtship and young love, the journey continues into commitment--or backing away from it." The very best thing about this album, aside from its singing, is the fact that you get to hear some R&H songs that are both rare and beautiful, such as "That's the Way it Happens," "I Know it Can Happen Again," and "When You're Driving Through the Moonlight." A wonderful addition to anyone who has loved the Broadway musical as represented by the masters.

Take some of the lesser known R&H songs from their shows, give them a new setting and theme (romance, love and marriage)assemble a talented and enthusiastic cast and you have, truly, a Grand Night for Singing. I saw this show performed with a different cast and I was just swept up in the different feel of these songs, most of which I knew...or thought I knew. The new settings and arrangements produced new reactions than when the songs were performed as part of the orginal shows. I went back and saw the show again. Listening to a CD, you miss the excitement that comes with live performance but there is still enough here it make the CD worth its price...and then some.

I purchased this album years ago at the recommendation of a friend. I've loved Rogers and Hammerstein since I was 6 and my grandmother brought me home The Sound of Music, so I was really excited to hear this. This recording is so enjoyable, and it still gives me the fuzzies every time I listen to it. The performers are amazing, and they perform the songs like no other people I have heard. Rogers and Hammerstein fans must have this, as must fans of Victoria Clark, Jason Graae, and Greg Edelman for some really priceless moments.

I have adored Rodgers and Hammerstein music for the longest time. This was a very creative approach to their music and the singers sound as though they are having a blast with all of the music. This is a valuable asset for anyone who appreciates show tunes.

This was kind of a choppy production - the songs didn't always seem to flow into the next - sometimes cut off early.

I am currently in this play and the cd goes exactly with the play. However, there is a few songs not on the cd in the play.The cast that did the CD did a magnificent job!!

While the quality of the music is adequate, I was disappointed that many of the selections from the actual production were missing from this CD. The compilation of R/H classics is well sung, but some of the songs are almost comical in their presentation, in my opinion - w/ a hurried rendition of "It Might as Well Be Spring", and a "too jazzy" version of "Kansas City", just to mention two. Some of the castings were interesting, as well: females singing traditionally cast male vocals. If you're just looking for nostalgia, this fits the bill, but you might be disappointed in the presentation.