Standard Time / Different Stages (2 CD SET)

Sam Harris

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 31, 2004)
• Original Release Date: August 31, 2004
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: www.SamHarris.com
• ASIN: B0002YEY6K
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #349,207 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Those who know Sam Harris only as the original Star Search grand champion or maybe as a Motown recording artist might be surprised by this 1997 take on popular standards, but Harris graduated to a career in musical theater, including time on Broadway in Grease and The Life as well as a memorable stint as the title character in the touring company of Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat. Standard Time collects 14 great classics backed by a full orchestra arranged and conducted by industry veteran Peter Matz. There's not a dud in the lot, but highlights include "Over the Rainbow," which provides a fresh take on one of Harris's signature Star Search numbers, and Anthony Newley's "Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)," a naturally introverted song that becomes a bravura showcase for his brilliant upper register. The emotional heart of the album, however, is Harris's duet with longtime collaborator Laurie Beechman on one of the most romantic ballads ever written, "That's All." --David Horiuchi

Product Description
TWO CD SET

Masterfully recorded with full orchestra all produced, arranged and conducted by the legendary Peter Matz (i.e. Barbra Streisand etc.). Features great selections of your popular classic standards. -- SamHarris.com

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars When Sam sings, I simply smile!, October 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Standard Time (Audio CD)

Ever since I heard Sam sing on "Star Search", I have been a big admirer. Years later we would have a connection. Yet he doesn't know it. My friend Jessica Stone (who I am trying to find) ended up playing Frenchie opposite Sam in "Grease" on Broadway. Small world, isn't it? Then Standard Time came into existance. It is PURE magical! His voice has so much soul. So much heart! Every song...perfection. This is not to be missed. Hopefully one day I can tell him how much I have enjoyed your work. This CD is a classic!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars He's BAAACKKK!, June 27, 2000

By	"ellend" (Corvallis, OR USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Standard Time (Audio CD)

Fell in love with this guy back in the days of Star Search, and bought the first LP, then promptly almost wore it out. Subsequent CDs were okay, but left me flat. "Motown Series" has a couple of good tracks, but for the most part wasn't Sam at his strongest. I bought this one on other amazon.com recommendations, and I LOVE it! This is the old Sam that I love... I was reticent, knowing they were older songs and wondering if they'd sound like Dean Martin anyway, but they're fabulous. Even "Over the Rainbow" has been updated from Sam's original version, and is much more professional... somehow cleaner. He's matured, and doesn't just focus on showing off that incredible range. There's a depth there that wasn't before. I listen to this in my personal CD player at work. It just plays over and over and over and over.....

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you are a "40's" music lover, this one will blow you away, August 23, 1998

By	Coffee Kathy - [e-mail] (Florissant, Missouri) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Standard Time (Audio CD)

We found this cd on the internet. My husband and I both loved Sam's voice from his earlier star search years, and decided to try and track him down on the internet. We found that not only was he doing some successful things on Broadway in live theater, but he had also just cut a new CD, and it is fabulous. I've always been a 40's music fan, which my husband could not bring himself to listen to until he heard "Standard Time", now we both have a copy of this CD in our vehicles. I've got three personal favorites other than "Over The Rainbow", of course, and they are: "Let Me Sing", "Let's Call The Whole Thing Off" and "Ac-cent-tchu-ate The Positive". I had never heard "Let Me Sing" prior to this, Sam's rendition to this 1928 Irving Berlin song is so lively, that you can't help but sing along and feel "HAPPY"! The upbeat pure joviality he gives with both "Let's Call The Whole Thing Off" and "Ac-cent-tchu-ate The Positive" are truly inspirational. I can honestly say there isn't a bad one in the bunch of music from the 20's through the 60's.