Customer Reviews

My Favorite Broadway: The Love Songs

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

 

 

Last year I purchased My Favorite Broadway: The Leading Ladies. This release was fantastic. I could not wait for the second release in this series. On My Favorite Broadway: The Love Songs, the material is so well performed. The selections are flawless. Check out Linda Eder, Robert Goulet, Barry Manilow performing some of the greatest love songs ever recorded. I LOVE IT!

After locating completely by accident and listening to the first in this series; My Favorite Broadway; The Leading Ladies, I was quite anxious to see and hear this second entry. My joy in seeing the first was not duplicated in this second venture. Although once again visually beautiful, the selection of music and performers were not at the same level as The Leading Ladies. Where the first kept you entranced from beginning to end, there were long stretches of very boring performances included here. Some of the artists were just not up to the effort. I'll admit to a lump-in-the-throat/tear-in-the-eye reaction to Julie Andrews brief vocalization at the end, and for that it was worth the price.

I agree with our reviewer from San Francisco. I really enjoyed the first installment in this series (Leading Ladies) where famous performances are recreated by their original artists--Strich and Holliday. So I rushed to get this. The compilation seems a bit of a mish mash--with the female performances of better quality. Julie Andrews shines...and I must admit I got a shiver when she and Bob Goulet were on stage together. And it was wonderful to hear her sing--and hear the audience leap out of their seats (yes...you could actually hear that!)

I think it is cheating to put "How Lucky Can You Get" out there as a Broadway piece (though it was in the 1991 Broadway Kander and Ebb review).

But I am happy that I purchased it.

"My Favorite Broadway: The Love Songs" is a major disappointment, mainly because the title would leave you to expect some of the classic love songs from Broadway musicals. But whatever songs immediately pop into your mind, they are probably not in this collection. For that matter you not recognize most of the performers, but it is not recognizing some of these songs that will bother you more. For those who were charmed by "My Favorite Broadway: The Leading Ladies," this follow-up effort pales in comparison and when Tom Wopat starts the evening off singing "Lullaby Of Broadway" from "42nd Street" I was not wondering what the former "Dukes of Hazard" star was doing singing but how this song qualified as a "love song." From such a strange beginning this evening never really gets off the ground.

The two best tracks are a pair of medleys. Linda Eder does the first one which combines "Come Rain Or Come Shine" from "St. Louis Woman," "I Don't Know How To Love Him" from "Jesus Christ Superstar," and "What Kind Of Fool Am I?" from "Stop The World! I Want To Get Off." Marzin Mazzie does the second medley, which has "Too Late Now" from "Royal Wedding," "Sometimes a Day Goes By" from "Woman of the Year" and Peter Gallagher joining her for "Not a Day Goes By" from "Merrily We Roll Along." The pair of tracks that sadden you are Robert Goulet doing "If Ever I Would Leave You" from "Camelot" and Michael Crawford reprising "Music of the Night" from "The Phantom of the Opera." In both instances the singers are showing their age and I do not really want to think of either of them as nostalgic figures. When host Julia Andrews manages a couple of notes at the end of the show you know at least she has a medical excuse and that the effort is what matters in her endeavor. The bottom line is that "My Favorite Broadway: The Love Songs" is worth a listen, but is not going to be a keeper.

Don't get me wrong, the cd is fine and all. But if you need one reason to buy it, it is Heather Headley's version of "He Touched Me" from Drat the Cat. It is probably one of the most moving songs you will ever hear on a broadway cd, and i would listen to that woman sing the Wall Street Journal.

To compare this to the previous recording in the "My Favorite Broadway" series would be like comparing apples to oranges. This recording of love songs is wonderful. The mix of songs, some that I had to think about as love songs, is very entertaining. Unfortunately a couple of tracks from the show are not on the CD that I found more appealing (so invest in the VHS/DVD also). However, the rich voices soar. Mazzie, Eder, Headley and Rivera - wow. The men are a great addition to this show and add to the complete feeling of the evening. I cannot wait for the next special to be done. Buy this, if for nothing else, for the chance to hear Julie Andrews sing again even if it is only a few words!

I was really looking forward to this after Broadway Leading Ladies which I thought was amazing, but this wasn't nearly as wonderful. It wasn't that the men were bad, but it didn't have the show stopping numbers we saw in Leading Ladies. It was kind of dull and bland through most of it, lacking pizazz, Mazzie, Headly, Eder , Luker and Pascal are really good on the CD though:)

I have the DVD of this concert, and it is awesome! I play Adam Pascal and Heather Headly's "Elaborate Lives" all the time. However, despite all the talent it is Julie Andrews night! SHe looks so beautiful and sings great! For all those out there who love broadway, love songs, or both, the this is for you. IT is a great evening with great songs and great performers.

I love this cd alot it has a ton of great Broadway Stars from Tom Wopat to Bebe Neuworth to Nathan Lane to Linda Eder. And my 2 personal favorites, Adam Pascal and Heather Headly. this cd is alot of fun. I love when Adam Pascal sings in Seasons of Love. This cd has songs from many musicals including, Aida, Sweet Charity, Rent, My Fair Lady and many more. This is a great cd. Any Broadway fan should diffently add it to their collection. (along with the video!)

We watch the Leading Ladies DVD with guests frequently at home, but feel asleep during the first viewing of Love Songs. Very disappointing.