Customer Reviews

Old Friends

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Full disclosure: I designed this album. But I gaurentee you, I begged to do it, knowing how wonderful it would be. The one thing missing so far is the track listing, so here it is!

1. Hard Times Come Again No More [Reunion]
2. Eiffel Tower [The Blue Flower]
3. Smile
4. Only Hope [A Walk To Remember]
5. Cry [Love Jerry]
6. County Fair [Das Barbecü]
7. Once Upon a December [Anastasia]
8. Where've You Been?
9. I Cried For Us
10. Still Hurting [The Last Five Years]
11. When She Loved Me [Toy Story II]
12. From God's Arms to My Arms to Yours
13. When Eleanor Smiles [First Lady Suite]
14. When The End Comes [The Zero Club]
15. The Parting Glass

This is perhaps the most unique solo CD on the market. Armed with a budget of $1,000 and her own tenacity, Broadway veteran Donna Lynne Champlin has created a heartbreakingly beautiful collection of songs...or as she calls them, "Old Friends." Over the course of just a few weeks, Donna Lynne Champlin arranged, recorded, and produced practically every note you'll hear on this CD.

But even more remarkable than the CD's genesis is the raw emotion and honesty with which Ms. Champlin inhabits every song. The album includes a number of familiar selections as well as less well-known material, and while she pays homage to the performers who have come before, Ms. Champlin gently makes each song her own. Every track brims with unexpected musical choices that showcase not only this remarkable performer's consummate vocal talent, but also her formidable acting chops.

Without a doubt, this is one of the most profoundly affecting debut CDs in recent memory.

What a gift to all of us! Most artists have an entourage of talents working to produce their CDs while they just sing. Donna Lynne Champlin played all roles herself - producer, arranger, player of multitudes of instrument accompaniments, singer, mixer, - you name it she's done it on this project. If that isn't mind boggling enough, wait until you hear her sing. This CD is spectacular! A must for all music lovers. It has something for everyone.I bought several. I want all my friends to hear and enjoy this!

Amazing range of performances by a gifted singer and actress -- heartbreaking in songs like Where've You Been and Still Hurting, adding depth to Disney-esque songs like "When She Loved Me" and the one from Anastasia. And lots of songs I'd never heard before. The added story -- the CD was created for $1000 -- just makes this accomplishment that much more impressive.

What a gorgeous sublime vocal gift Donna Lynne Champlin possesses! I listened to her rainbow of songs and musical virtuosity featuring her own instrumental accompaniment and couldn't believe how truly accomplished she is. Hearing Old Friends conjures sweet memories and introduces us to her genius. I hope she sells a million!
Mari Lyn Henry, NYC

Donna Lynne Champlin's new CD, Old Friends, is a wonderful, eclectic compilation of songs that display her beautiful, powerful voice. Broadway aficionados know Champlin from a variety of shows, including The Dead, By Jeeves, Hollywood Arms, Sweeney Todd, and Billy Elliot. Here, Champlin will melt your heart with her interpretation and vocal quality on such songs as "Hard times Come Around No More," "Smile," "Cry," "Once Upon a December" and, from the Jason Robert Brown musical, "The Last Five Years," the song "I'm Still Hurting."

For lovers of good voices and musicals, this is a must-hear CD from a true star of tomorrow.