Customer Reviews

Stephen Schwartz Album

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

THE STEPHEN SCHWARTZ ALBUM highlights the best moments of this proflic writer of musical theater, including PIPPIN, THE MAGIC SHOW, CHILDREN OF EDEN, and his Disney efforts. However, what makes this collection so strong are two important elements: the sweeping orchestrations and the excellent performers. The compilation of performers represent the present and future of the musical theater, including Susan Egan, Emily Skinner, Alice Ripley, Christiane Noll, and Brian D'Arcy James. Furthermore, their wise interpretations of Schwartz classics are complemented by dazzling orchestration work which highlights the most musical qualities of this lyricist and librettist.

Schwartz's work is earthy and emotional. It is best representated by Marin Mazzie's dazzling interpretation of "With You/Gifts of Love," Laura Benati's "A Beautiful City/Day by Day," and the love duet "In Whatever Time We Have." However, the most surprising track offers Schwartz's own rendition of his personal "Fathers and Sons" from WORKING. His performance brings the lyric and the emotion of this excellent song to the surface. Considering Schwartz is the musical mastermind behind 30 years of musical theater, maybe his wise performance may not be so surprising after all.

This CD is one of the best compilations I have ever heard. Not only are all of the artists stars in their own right, but you know most of the songs already without hearing them. You know "Beautiful City" and "Day by Day" from "Godspell", you know "Corner of the Sky" from Pippin, your kids introduced you to "Colors of the Wind" from "Pocahontas", "Out There" from "Hunchback of Notre Dame", and "When You Believe" from "The Prince of Egypt". Get the picture? There are also some gems that are not quite as well known but are certainly just as good. Songs like "In Whatever Time We Have" from "Children of Eden" and two songs, "Chanson" and "Meadowlark" both of whom I enjoyed so much that I went out and bought the cast album of the show that they came from ("The Baker's Wife"). This is one of my favorite albums and, if you are like me, it is one that will not be far away from your CD player. Enjoy!

I found the STEPHEN SCHWARTZ ALBUM to be a great collection of songs with incredible singers. The few songs I could do without are "Beautiful City", "Corner of the Sky", "Stranger to the Rain" & "Colors of the Wind", but the rest are incredible. Christen Chenoweth of You're A Good Man Charlie Brown, sings "Lion Tamer" with vibrant youth and sincerity. Silly to say but after hearing her I really believe she wants to be one! Christaiane Noll (Jekyl & Hyde, Ain't Nothin But the Blues) surprises with her heartfelt "Just Around the Riverbend". Listen for the last note which is belted, unlike the disney version. What can I say about Alice Ripley? (of Side Show, Les Miserables) Her voice is absolutely phenomenal. She turns the fairly easy "West end Avenue" into a belt song. Just listen. Marin Mazzie (Ragtime, Kiss Me Kate) Enchants with her golden voice with a combination of 2 songs, "With You / Gifts of Love". Susan Egan (Beauty and the Beast, Cabaret) sings the belt song "Meadowlark" with finesse but falls short to Patti LuPone's rendition (Who sing's it better?) but it is a good one at that. Now a real treat is to hear Stephen Schwartz sing himself. "Fathers and Sons" always brings tears to my eyes. Emily Skinner (Side Show, Jesus Christ Superstar) sings "Chason" with style and ummph. She has a certain way of singing that grabs your attention. A great duet with Brain D'Arcy James (Titanic) & Luba Mason (Jekyll& Hyde) "in Whatever Time We Have" although Brian seems to outshine Luba at times. I'm not familiar with Jason Daniely but listen to how unbelieveably long he holds the note at the end of "Out There"! The same goes for Ann Marie Milazzo. Who are those two? Anyway, great album, for those who appreciate divas and belters, it's a sure winner.

Varese Sarabande has a wonderful history of compilation albums of Broadway composers. Sadly, Varese Sarabande itself is now history (but look for Bruce Kimmel, VS producer, and his new label, Fynsworth Alley). While many of Kimmel's albums are noteworthy, none quite reach the heights attained by the Stephen Schwartz album. Nearly every song on this wonderful CD is perfect. I specifically enjoyed Christiane Noll's incredible version of "Just Around the Riverbend" from Pocahontas, Jason Danieley's impressive "Out There" from the Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Marin Mazzie's beautiful medley "With You/Gifts of Love." On the whole, this CD is a winner, from the performers to the musical arrangements. And special credit must be given to the CDs tributee, Stephen Schwartz, for writing such beautiful music and lyrics.

The work of the brilliant Stephen Schwartz is celebrated on this enjoyable compilation CD. Stand-out tracks include Laura Benanti's vibrant rendition of "Beautiful City/Day By Day" from GODSPELL, Alice Ripley's phenomenal "West End Avenue" from THE MAGIC SHOW, and Susan Egan's soaring performance of the powerful "Meadowlark" from THE BAKER'S WIFE. The CD also features the talents of Broadway newcomers of veterans alike - the seasoned Dorothy Loudon, THE FULL MONTY star Emily Skinner, Tony winner Kristin Chenoweth, the husband and wife team of Marin Mazzie and Jason Daniely, and the famed composer himself. The reason I have this CD 4 stars was due to the poor arrangement of "Corner of the Sky" - normally a powerful song, hear it simply drags. Still, one track should not discourage anyone from purchasing this incredible collection of the some of the best songs ever written.

I find this to be a beautiful collection which could easily be called "Stephen Schwartz' Abridged Career". It captures his best songs with rich, lush, full-bodied arrangements. I had the privilege of seeing the original productions (in various forms and with various casts) of Godspell, Pippin, The Magic Show, and The Baker's Wife, and even though at times I found it a bit difficult to override those memories, I also found myself blown away several times. The exquisite voice of Marin Mazzie and her rendition of Gifts of Love moved me to tears, and I couldn't believe the power of West End Avenue. There are a few dullards (Corner of the Sky, Fathers and Sons, Lion Tamer), but overall this is a wonderful collection of Stephen's best work, which I feel were in the days when he worked by himself. For all of us who work in the theatre, this is a MUST HAVE so the beauty of his music can inspire us and at the same time remind us of why we do what we do. Thanx for the pleasure your music brings, Stephen. I look forward to more !

I was very excited when I saw that this collection was going to be released, and I wish I would have listened to this cd before I bought it.

I love all of the songs on the cd, but I'm a little disappointed in the orchestrations on a majority of the songs. Some songs become to "cheesey" sounding. Very overdone.

My favorite song, or the one that stands out is FATHER AND SONS. I like the simple way it is done, it's almost intimate. I think that is what made GODSPELL and PIPEN so special.

Having been involved in a number of Stephen Schwartz shows, I've been a fan of his work for some time and I was thrilled to discover this album. The recording features splendid performances on nearly every track, and top notch arrangements throughout. Although certain tracks do not live up to the originals (i.e. "Corner of the Sky" is a bit subdued here), this recording offers a great introduction to Schwartz or, for those of you who are already fans, a stirring reminder of why he is a treasure to the world of musical theatre.

Having not been overly familiar with Stephen Schwartz, this album blew me away. Although it is difficult to signal out favourites from the abundances of riches of the album, Alice Ripley gives the definitive "West End Avenue;' Kristin Chenowith plaintively sings of being a "Lion Tamer;" Emily Skinner shines in "Chanson;" Susan Egan makes "Meadowlark" her own; Ann Marie Milazzo show Mariah and Witney a thing or two in "When You Believe" and the composer himself sings an emotional "Fatehrs and Sons." Although I missed Frances Ruffelle in the "Children Of Eden" numbers (the original London Yonah) the more I listened to Jennifer Leigh Warren's "Stranger to the Rain" and Brian D'Arcy James and Luba Mason's "In Whatever Time We Have" the more I began to enjoy them.

A MUST for theater fans!

I am so sad that this title is unavailable new at this time, because it really is a gem. I found this on a whim and I am glad I did. In listening to it for the first time, I couldn't help but listen to it again, and again--three times in a row! I can see myself listening to it over and over as such, and there was no track I didn't enjoy. I am glad that this compilation was done in 1999 when "Wicked" didn't exist....it gives his other wonderful works a chance to shine, whereas now everything would be overshadowed by "Wicked" (which, by the way, I do enjoy). The vocals on this CD are amazing and I was introduced to some singers I really enjoyed like Christiane Noll and Larua Benanti that I had heard before but never really appreciated. I am now interested to pick up more works by all of these performers. This CD is great by itself, but it has also lead me to find new prospective favorite vocalists. If you can find it, please do pick it up! Worth every penny!