Customer Reviews

Of Love and Hope: Music and Poetry from Beauty and the Beast

5 star:		(76)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am not a soundtrack junkie. I have a select few soundtrack albums, but since I am a vocalist I rarely listen to them, preferring music that I can sing along with.

I, like many others, bought this album on tape years ago. I sat and just listened so many times that I wore out the tape. As soon as that happened I realized that I should have gotten the CD and I went straight to the store, but they were sold out. I never saw the disc again except for as much as $50 or $60 on Ebay. I didn't even hear that it was being released again until I happened on a copy at my local store. I couldn't really afford it, but I bought it anyway and listened to it the very moment I got it home. It was everything I remembered.

For those who don't know, this is the soundtrack for the late 80's TV series "Beauty and the Beast." In the series, Ron Perlman (Hellboy) played the lion-like Vincent, the beast with the heart of a poet. For this soundtrack, Perlman reads some of the most lovely poetry ever written, sometimes over/with the beautiful orchestral music, sometimes between the pieces. But this is Ron Perlman completely in character. It is not the actor reading some pretty words, but the character of Vincent reading those words to his love, and you can feel that in every word. Perlman even got so much into character that he wore Vincent's prosthetic fangs in the studio so that his voice would sound the same as it did on the show.

The end result is a disc that will make you alternately smile and weep. It is the perfect company for a winter night, and a beautiful gift to share with the one you love. Whether or not you are a fan of the series, or of soundtracks in general, I cannot recommend this CD too highly.

You will NOT regret this purchase.

I actually shrieked out loud when I discovered this had finally been re-released on CD. Fans of the show have been waiting such a long long time. Like many others, I had the audiotape version I bought way back when, and kept it when I had gotten rid of most of my other tapes. The quality of CD is ripe for this kind of classical music and voice over. Some selections bring me to tears for all their life and nostalgia. How many of us Beasties don't tear up when they hear that haunting theme played?

Please, anyone listening--release the series on dvds! Coupled with this musical comforter for the soul, that would simply be perfection.

I have one of the few Of Love and Hope cassette tapes signed by Ron Perlman during one of the way too few conventions I attended several years ago. I was also fortunate to meet Lee Holdridge at another BATB con, so this is very personal for me. The tape is nearly untouched, because I couldn't bear to wear it out, so to listen to the music, the tracks were recorded and saved on my computer. How wonderful to see it appearing again on CD. Now I can listen to Vincent's words and the music without worrying about wearing it out. My intention is to take the new CD to work and subtly introduce it to my co-workers so they get a chance to hear Vincent's voice and the music that still haunts my dreams. Thank you for offering Of Love and Hope. And, yes, I'm still hopeful for a return of Beauty and the Beast, if only in reruns on TV. With all the junk out there now, this magnificently written and acted series and the music deserve a comeback!

There is nothing better than Ron Perlman's voice reading this poetry. Just heaven! I listen to this almost every day while I'm working and it's inspirational. This album can be hard to find but it's worth the effort.

If you loved Beauty & the Beast the series you will love this CD. I was lucky enough to find this album on CD in a comic shoppe, when I was 10 0r 11; out of love of the series I bought it at once. Like many others who own this I have worn my copy out and must buy it again. The best thing about this CD is that you don't have to be a fan of the show to enjoy it. If you like poetry, or classical, or romantic music. Or your in the market for somthing that will help you relax,Ron Pealman's voice will transport you to another world. The music will touch your heart. In short it doesn't get any better then this. Fan of the show or not, treat yourself to an experience you won't forget.

Enjoy

I had wanted this soundtrack when it was originally released but couldn't get it. Now that I have it and have listened to it,I am thrilled with it and hope this release means the DVD series of the TV show won't be far behind. Admittedly, I am a soundtrack junkie and a lot of my favorite music is on soundtracks. This one is different since the hauntingly beautiful and uplifting musical score is a backdrop for the readings by Ron Perlman. His voice does justice to the words of Shakespeare, Cummings, Wordsworth and the other authors. Don't expect a resounding musical score, but do expect some of the most beautiful recitations you've ever heard. My own favorites are "Longing" by Matthew Arnold and "You Darkness" by Ranier Maria Rilke. If you loved the TV series and the premise behind it, this is a "must have" for your collection.

This is the best CD I have purchased. The music and poetry that I remember from Beauty and the Beast is the best ever. I am listening to it over and over. Thank yo. And the DVD I purchased Beauty & the Beast 1st Season, is just terrific, I have listened already to every episode. Cannot wait until Season 2 and Season 3 comes out on DVD. Please notify me when they do.

Thank you.
Dorothy Goldstein

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I'm with Isabelle...I almost started jumping up and down when I saw that the CD was available!! I have the cassette; I can't believe it still plays after all these years. I'm a die-hard Vincent and Katherine fan; I absolutely loved the series. And this "soundtrack" is nothing short of fantastic. "Vincent's" incredible voice reciting Shakespeare's Sonnet XXIX just makes me melt. And the music....it takes me right back to the feeling I got watching Vincent and Katherine together.
And, yes, PLEASE, if someone would just put the much-too-short seasons of B&B on DVD, I'd be the first in line to buy them.
I can't wait for my new CD to get here! Hurry, USPS!

Vincent's voice melts your heart....the music is beautiful, the poetry selections outstanding. Together it is a must have for any lover of the Beauty and the Beast series or just a lover of outstanding music. This man's voice is extraordinary, and I can listen again and again and never get tired of it. Endulge yourself....turn off the lights, curl up on the couch and listen.

Being a big Beauty and Beast Fan back in the 80's, I remember buying this when it was orginally released. I enjoyed it very much then, but over the years my cassette collection was replaced by CD's and I lost it along the way. I ordered it recently and just love listening to it. The poetry is so beautiful and Ron Perlman's voice is restful and full of warmth and depth. His reading and inflection is incredible. Being 20 years older I find that the poetry has more meaning to me now than they did then. The music also is quite lovely and relaxing, pulling you into another world. If you enjoy classic literature, along with beautiful dramatic music I think you would truly love this CD.