Jule Styne in Hollywood [Cast Recording]

Jule Styne (Composer), Aaron Gandy (Conductor), Kelli O'Hara (Performer), Sutton Foster (Performer), Audra McDonald (Performer), Leslie Uggams (Performer), Klea Blackhurst (Performer), Rebecca Luker (Performer), Marin Mazzie (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 23, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: P.S. Classics
• ASIN: B000EZ903E
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #42,991 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #41 in Music > Pop > Oldies > Tin Pan Alley

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Jule Styne in Hollywood gathers 20 different vocalists to perform 21 songs that Styne wrote for the movies before he moved on to Broadway fame. That means no Gypsy or Bells Are Ringing here, but there are many familiar standards such as "Saturday Night Is the Loneliest Night of the Week," "I Don't Want to Walk Without You," "Three Coins in the Fountain," and "Time After Time" (you'll notice a Frank Sinatra theme, as Ol' Blue Eyes loved Styne's work with Sammy Cahn, who wrote the majority of the lyrics represented). And the unfamiliar fare sounds great when sung by some of Broadway's best and brightest, including Light in the Piazza costars Kelli O'Hara and Victoria Clark, Audra McDonald, Sutton Foster, Rebecca Luker, Brent Barrett, and married duo Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley. (Veteran Leslie Uggams's heavy vibrato among these golden voices takes some adjusting to.) Also noteworthy is the presence of Sara Zahn, whose outstanding 2001 album Songs of Carolyn Leigh proved she's perfect for this sort of material. Another excellent effort by PS Classics' nonprofit archival wing dedicated to the preservation of American song. --David Horiuchi

Product Description

Jule Styne is best remembered as the composer of such Broadway classics as Gypsy and Funny Girl, but before that, he was one of Hollywood’s most successful songwriters, with an amazing string of hits that garnered ten Academy Award nominations. Jule Styne in Hollywood brings together some of the best artists from Broadway, cabaret and jazz in all-new recordings of Styne's greatest film songs.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Possibly the best release from PS Classics ever, August 19, 2006

By 

William S. Oser "Snowy and Manny's Dad" (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Jule Styne in Hollywood (Audio CD)

Before the Broadway Jule Styne (think Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Bells are Ringing, Gypsy among his most sucessful shows),he toiled in Hollywood for years during the late 30's and 40's. Some of his classic movie songs are well known such as I Don't Want to Walk without You and I'll Walk Alone. Others are not so well known. When I was plowing through the 6 disc Sinatra in Hollywood set, I was amazed at the vitality of the songs Jule Styne wrote for Sinatra. As the Amazon reviewer said, Sinatra and Styne were a match made in heaven. But how is this recording and will you like it? Wonderful and Yes you absolutely will!! Kelli O'Hara leads off with a lovely whistful song called Blame My Absent Minded Heart which is lovely. Unfortunately it is followed by Audra McDonald and an unfamiliar number from West Point Story called 10437 Sheep. Once you have heard it, everything else is forgotten. Teriffic performance of a teriffic song. Other highlights include Sutton Foster singing There's Nothing Rougher than Love, Philip Chaffin singing Come Out, Come Out, Wherever you are (with a sly little wink in his voice--Sinatra sang it in Step Lively but this is at least as good probably better), Klea Blackhurst with That Ain't Hay (That's the U.S.A.), Brent Barrett weighing in with the classic Time After Time and jeff Harnar's Money Burns a Hole in My Pocket. Any of the tracks that I have not mentioned would be standouts if only the tracks mentioned weren't so unbelievably wonderful. This CD should be rated with 8 stars!! One of the best CDs I have purchased in a long time, and I purchase a lot. BUY IT!!

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Slightly disappointed..., November 18, 2006

By 

broadway309 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jule Styne in Hollywood (Audio CD)

As a major Broadway fan, I didn't hesitate to purchase this album mostly because of its excellent vocal talent. With selections featuring some of my favorite Broadway stars such as Sutton Foster, Audra McDonald, and Kelli O'Hara, I expected this to be a powerhouse album just oozing with ear candy.

This wasn't exactly the case. Though the songs are well done and the singers are up to par, it just didn't keep my interest. There are only about 3 songs that I liked overall, and "10,432 Sheep" is the only song I would recommend to others. I personally pay attention to anything Sutton Foster records, therefore I don't consider the purchase a total loss. The numbers themselves just didn't seem to be anything special. For it's price, I expected more.

All in all it is a very good compilation, a worthy addition to any Broadway buff's collection. But unless you just love the music of Jule Styne...it may come off to be a bit boring. Maybe it's meant for a more mature audience who can appreciate it. If you're thinking of getting it for your teenage daughter for Christmas or something, you might want to pass.