Customer Reviews

Putting It Together (1993 New York Cast)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a great two-CD set to own if you are in the mood for a fun audio tour of Sondheim at his lyrical best. Popular favorites, as well as a few numbers that were cut from their original Broadway productions, are cleverly strung together in a loose storyline that examines over the course of an evening the complexities, joys and sorrows of - what else? - love and marriage.

Julie Andrews, in fine voice, and Stephen Collins as her long-time husband play host and hostess to younger guests Rachel York and Michael Rupert, singles who form an attraction as the night wears on. Christoper Durang plays the narrator of sorts, a wise, Puckish kind of character who prompts buried feelings in all concerned to come to the surface.

While all performers are good, the standouts on this CD are Julie Andrews and Rachel York, both exquisite vocalists who infuse each song with tremendous emotion. York, especially, moves us with a stunning range of interpretations, from the whimsical "Lovely" and the hilarious "Bang!" to the haunting "Every Day a Little Death" and the wry "Miller's Son." Her version of the latter is the best this listener has ever heard. Period.

Michael Rupert contributes impressively with a stirring rendition of "Marry Me a Little," and the entire ensemble combines voices many times to deliver great harmony. Nowhere is the power of the cast more audible than in "Being Alive," however. In it each singer expresses his or her own unique resolve to share life with someone else, despite the obstacles. It is quite uplifting.

There is a DVD version of "Putting It Together" starring Carol Burnett in the Julie Andrews role and featuring George Hearn, Ruthie Henshall, John Barrowman and Bronson Pinchot. I recommend both the CD and DVD, because each is a treat it its own way. On the DVD, Burnett is wildly funny at times compared to Andrews' dry wit, and Barrowman has a magnificent voice. However, the DVD is missing some songs that are on the CD, most notably York's "Miller's Son." So owning both gives the listener the complete package.

My only regret is that there is no video version of the 1993 performance with Julie Andrews and Rachel York. I would have loved to have seen their obvious chemistry together live and on stage. York's brilliant physical talent for comedy is also missing on CD.

This was a wonderful CD. Reviews like this are not usually my favorite, but this one had amazing songs and great voices! When I bought this, I was actually looking for the new 1999 cast, with Carol Burnett and Bronson Pinchot, which I am sure many people are, but to my suprise, this one was just as fantastic. Anyone considering buying this should! It's worth all the money in the world!

Not Only was I fortunate to come across this cd .. I got to be répétiteur for it in a professional production of it in New Zealand. I love this CD, true there is not really a plot, but the voices are all excellent, and Ok, Andrews voice is not what it used to be - but wow she can still sing. It's great to hear the songs on this recording, that aren't readily available otherwise. It would also be great to hear a recording of the new Putting It Together, with Carol Burnett, the score has been revamped and includes many other Sondheim favourites. But we'll just have to wait for that one. This CD is a definite must to have on your Sondheim collection.. (to accompany Side By Side)

I absolutely LOVE this album! I love julie andrews on this CD; (and every other CD) she isnt the goodey-two-shoes of mary or maria. It just tickles me pink when she sings Could I Leave You, she sounds so powerful and confident(but when does she not sound confident). I also love it when she starts to swear during A Little Preist, it is refreshing in a weird kind of way. You really have to wonder how long it took her to perfect Getting Married Today,i mean that tempo is impossible to keep up with!! I've tried! In every song her voice sounds just fabulous!
I am leaving out the rest of the cast, how awful of me. i love Rachel York in this, she sounds great, especially in the Sooner Or Later sequence. She commands your attention in every song she sings. Her voice is really great, she is a great actress and she performer. She can be serious in The Millers Son or Every Day a Little Death, and yet crack you up in The Gun Song or Lovely
As for Stephen Collins, his voice isnt like Sinatra or anything, but it is good in its own right. I really love Hello Little Girl, it is so funny. Country House cracks me up every time i listen to it.
Michael seems to be a great performer and i love is voice; but this is the only experience i have with his work, this also applies to Chris. i love him in I Could Drive A Person Crazy. Michael sounds great in Bang with Rachael.
The men are hilarious in Everybody Ought To Have A Maid; drooling over Rachael.
I also love all of the songs in the game sequence. The songs all have an air of truth about them, no matter your age or stage in life. From the upbeat Live Alone And Like It(another favorite), to the heart-tugging ballad Sorry-Grateful.There is a song for everyone in this Revue. I suggest you but it as soon as possible.

Lovely Sondheim revue, stitched together with a frothy (and illogical) plot, it doesn't matter, it gives a group of varied and capable performers (Christopher Durang excepted, slightly out of place, stick to writing Chris) an oppurtunity to deliver some great Sondheim. Julie Andrews return to the NY stage is delightful, no longer prim Mary Poppins, she even tosses out the "F" word.
That aside, it's a sophisticated melange of SS music.

Skip the revival that went to Broadway, despite an admirable cast, it doesn't come together. Carol Burnett and company give it their all, but the magic is missing. DON'T by the dvd.

I'll keep it brief...it took awhile for me to appreciate this CD but now I can't seem to get enough of it. I've been listening to it everyday. I think it's fantastic! I thought each actors' feelings and emotions came through clearly, with humor and angst. I would loved to have seen this on Broadway! Buy it and really listen to it. Enjoy

It's rather hard to put this show in any one category. It's not a musical. There is really no plot, and though there are definate characters, their names and histories are ambigious. However, this is not just a review because there is a premise, a swank NYC dinner party, and the songs are in a clear context as a result of hte characters and the scenero. I would classify this as a "review in context" meaning that it is not just a collection of songs in random order, yet not quite a narrative work. For the Sondheim fan this CD is a must have. It has some of his best work, a great cast, and a new look at many classic songs. However, this is a great CD for any fan of musical theater.

First of all, it's Sondheim. The music is fantastic and the lyrics are incomperable. (*note: most of the songs feature their original lyrics, some lyrics are changed in order to fit in with their new contexts). There are some classic songs on this CD, givin the star treatment with the 5-star cast. "Every Day a Little Death," "Lovely" and "The Miller's Son" could not be done any better; "Being Alive" comes alive all over again with a stunning 5-part arrangement; "Sooner of Later," "Impossible" and "I'm Calm" are blended into a medly/scene that is totally different in meaning than any of the songs had ever intended. The show also features some rare songs that were originally cut from productions, such as "Marry Me a Little," and songs written for the 1986 London production of Follies, "Country House." It is definatly an eclectic mix of songs, but they work (except for "Hello Little Girl" which is just odd). It is at once a pricless anthology of the greatest songwriter of American theater, a showcase for such blockbuster talents as Julie Andrews, Rachel York and Stephen Collins, and moving broadway musical. Though it is flawed, the new Broadway version seems much better, it is hard to beat the talent and music on this CD.

Julie Andrews and others sing some of Sondheim's best songs. A well done fully intergrated revue of songs from Forum to Assassins. The music is funny and emtional at the same time. One of the better sondheim collections containing newer work.

I listened to these CD's and although I had a bit of a problem following them at first, I did enjoy several parts. Reading along with the CD's did help. Sondheim does not write and produce what I consider the "usual" musical, but it was something to enjoy after I was able to understand what he was trying to get across. My favorite parts were those done by Julie Andrews. Her drama adds much to this work.

Stephen Sondheim is a Mozart of his time, thus, his musical genius requires musical geniuses to perform it. Julie Andrews and Stephen Collins are just those geniuses. Andrews I knew was the Oscar of song but Stephen Collins took my breath away. I know him as an actor and occasional singer. I wasn't aware of his broadway prowess and accomplished resume. He's just one of those underestimated, unnoticed talents that the media lethargically expounds on. I sincerely wish that credit is given where credit is due. Stephen, you can sing me to sleep anytime sir.