Cast of Thousands

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
2003 reissue of the British punk's 1980 sophomore album includes four bonus tracks, 'Television's Over' (single version), 'Back From The Dead', 'New Church' (live), & 'Cast Of Thousands' (single version). Sleeve notes include a brief history of the band along with song lyrics. Anagram. 2003.

Tracks:

Ribcage
Fallen Angel
Fugitive Motel
Snooks (Progress Report)
Switching Off
Not A Job
I've Got Your Number
Whisper Grass
Buttons And Zips
Lay Down Your Cross
Crawling With Idiot
Grace Under Pressure
Flying Dream

Amazon.com

Most bands, when they want more attention, pump up the volume. Not Elbow. The Manchester quintet's second full-length is quieter than their debut, Asleep At the Back, luring listeners into its clutches with weird sonic details: the twinkling electronics that open "Ribcage;" stuttering guitar feedback on "Not A Job." Equally seductive are singer Guy Garvey's vocals, full of hushed gravity as he mutters thumbnail sketches of characters ranging from nasty buggers ("I've Got Your Number") to his band mates ("Snooks"). Underlying all the subtle touches are some deceptively catchy tunes: the clap-along shuffle of "Buttons & Zips;" a love song from the other side of the world ("Fugitive Motel"), and another that spins as slowly as a lonely satellite ("Switching Off"). Thousands also includes cameos from members of Doves and Alfie, and, on the final bars of the swelling "Grace Under Pressure," a Glastonbury festival audience--the second time through, you'll probably join in, too. --Kurt B. Reighley

Customer Reviews:

a terrific cast.......2007-04-14

No sophomore slump for Elbow. Gracefully, they expand their repertoire without repeating themselves, defining new terrain on this follow-up to Asleep in the Back. This was the first album of theirs I discovered, and it won me over immediately. It holds together as an album (although it becomes a bit drossy down the stretch, just as its predecessor did), and the songs are strong in their own right. It is rather murkily mixed, but this adds to the charm and impact of the album, whether it's the forlorn wanderings of Fugitive Motel or the epic, astounding denouement of Grace Under Pressure.

Lyrically, Cast of Thousands can basically be taken as a gossip album. (Hence, I imagine, the title.) Songs like Snooks and Buttons and Zips are essentially musings of what the band's friends are up to. Even the romantic numbers are taken in the context of a peer group. "We blew the doors, didn't we, pissed in their champagne, and did a real thing, didn't we? Gave ourselves a name," starts the opening number, Ribcage (one of two songs--Grace under Pressure is the other--that unexpectedly, and quite pleasingly, employ a backing choir for bizarre, cavernous grandeur). Lyrically, this is Elbow's most knowing and clever release. In every respect, it is worth having on your shelf.

Great Elbow CD.......2007-01-11

Although this is not the CD I wanted with a particular song on it, it still is a laid back, groovy sounding CD. I also recommend Asleep in the Back.

I've got your number..........2006-09-23

I bought this a while back, and just found it buried in my iTunes. The guy at the record store said it is Radiohead without the paranoia. I thought that was funny.

It's good stuff. Mellow, interesting tunes. It grew on me the more I listened to it.

Great songs, but as a whole it's weak.......2006-04-13

The CD is worth the price for Ribcage, Fugitive Motel and Not a Job. However, the rest of the songs sound like they were thrown together at the last minute: like filler songs...the songs are not as strong as they are on Asleep in the Back and Leaders of the Free World.

Elbow defines what british rock should be..........2005-11-16

Maybe one of the most brilliant british groups today!! Elbow defines what british rock should be...listen very carefully the third track ("Fugitive Motel") so beautifully crafted, full of passion and melancholic tenderness. Next we have "Snooks (Progress Report) bringing a fabulous intricate bass rhythm and a scary chorus in despair, also we cannot forget the harmonium-like melody of "Switching off"... Come on, these fellows are thousand times better than Coldplay or Starsailor, but unfortunetely they haven't any hype movement around them, have they???
At middle of the record there's a jazzy feeling rapidly giving place to an angry guitar (I've Got Your Number), a meditative plainsong smashed by an angry guitar (Whisper Grass) that leave us to the funny "Buttons and Zips" with an almost blockbuster melody (seems strangely like Deep Purple's Smoke On The Water", am I wrong???). The album ending tracks are somber and mournful, "Grace Under Pressure" brings a final hymn with a sentiment of hope to the short "Flying Dream 143"...

Lost In The Stars (1949 Original Broadway Cast)

Average customer rating:

One of Weill's best American scores!
I love it!!
Can we get someone to put this label back in stock?
Powerful performance,historically significant
"THE MOST MOVING MUSIC AND SACRIFICE OF A NATION

Lost In The Stars (1949 Original Broadway Cast)
Maxwell Anderson , and Alan Paton
Manufacturer: Decca U.S.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Knickerbocker Holiday

ASIN: B000002OGX
Release Date: 2001-05-15

Tracks:

Hills Of Ixopo
Thousands Of Miles
The Train To Johannesburg/Reprise: Thousands Of Miles/The Search
The Little Gray House
Who'll Buy/Trouble Man
Murder In Parkwold/Fear
Lost In The Stars
O Tixo, Tixo, Help Me
Stay Well
Cry, The Beloved Country
Big Mole/Chapel Scene
A Bird Of Passage/Reprise: Thousands Of Miles

Customer Reviews:

One of Weill's best American scores!.......2005-10-16

`Lost in the Stars' and `Johnny Johnson' are two Broadway shows scored by Kurt Weill in collaboration with Maxwell Anderson and Paul Green respectively for the librettos, both in English. Both are distinguished works and both were, I believe, fairly popular when they were first performed. What these two works have in common is that they are both works aimed at our social conscience.

`Johnny Johnson' is a mildly anti-war play dealing with America's entering the First World War, written in the mid 1930s, when Germany was already uncomfortable for Jews, but not yet on the brink of precipitating World War II. What is most interesting to me about the libretto is the reluctance of the principle character, Johnny, to enlist in the army, while his fiancée (contrary to many famous antiwar works of the past), is all in favor of his enlisting and threatens to break their engagement if he does not enlist. As a work of art, I believe the work is more interesting as a milepost in American antiwar sentiments than as an important artistic work for either the composer or the lyricist. To my ear, there is not a single song from this work that finds its way into the repertoire of balladeers. This is from a composer who has given us `September Song', `Speak Low', `Lost in the Stars', `Saga of Jenny', and `Lonely House', not to mention all the great songs from his German works such as `Mack the Knife' and `Pirate Jenny'. On top of this, there is my feeling that much of the instrumental music sounds very similar to earlier German works, especially `Mahagonny'.

`Lost in the Stars' is based on Alan Paton's novel, `Cry, the Beloved Country' and was written after World War II, in 1948-1949, and has much of the musical interest of what is missing from `Johnny Johnson'. Throughout the play, the instrumental music is much less similar to earlier Weill works and all songs seem stronger. At least two of these songs, `Lost in the Stars', `Trouble Man' and `Stay Well' are often performed by Lotte Lenya and other vocalists. While it may be pushing it a bit, this work seems almost as strong as Gershwin's `Porgy and Bess'.

I bought both because I am a big fan of Kurt Weill's music, and I would recommend both recordings to any and all Weill enthusiasts, especially as both have extensive notes and complete librettos. But, to the person mostly interested in Broadway in general, I would recommend only `Lost in the Stars'.

I will say that the performances of both vocalists and orchestra are excellent on both; however the vocalists on `Lost in the Stars' seem to give just a little extra, possibly because their material is just a bit more substantial.

I love it!!.......2002-07-12

It is so easy to get some of these songs in your head...I love this soundtrack..

Can we get someone to put this label back in stock?.......1999-12-28

With great hope in the powerful amazon.com's Jeff Bezos, the person of the year by Time magazine, we wish you can urge someone to put this title back into circulation! I have sung the piece "Lost in the Stars" and was drawn by the wonderful music and intriguing lyrics. Is there a way to locate the music score of the soundtrack?

Powerful performance,historically significant.......1999-06-04

After 50 years the little snippet heard on this site brings back the original emotions.I would love to purchase this recording in any format. The original performance, a life-changing event for me as a young girl, is recaptured.

"THE MOST MOVING MUSIC AND SACRIFICE OF A NATION.......1999-06-01

I saw the oringinal Musical "Lost in the Stars", and have the 33 album. Would love to have a CD to play on my "modern" equipment. When Todd Duncan was asked to do the part of the "Efunsdi", he read the part and broke an existing contract to go into rehearsal. He said "I have to do this for my people." I was enthralled at the libretto and zest of the choreography. So when I hear the music I am taken right back to the Opera stage and see and hear the glorious presentation. Please put it back into circulation, or if someone out there has a copy (cd) I would love to talk to you about it. CT

As Thousands Cheer: The Hit Musical Comedy Revue! (1998 New York Revival Cast)

Average customer rating:

wonderful!
Only for Collectors
It's good but BE AWARE!!
"Great Revue......Judy that was for you!!!!"
Thousands should cheer indeed!

As Thousands Cheer: The Hit Musical Comedy Revue! (1998 New York Revival Cast)
Irving Berlin
Manufacturer: Varese Sarabande
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000IKV0
Release Date: 1999-03-23

Tracks:

Man Bites Dog - Kevin Chamberlin/Paula Newsome/Judy Kuhn/Mary Beth Peil/Howard McGillin/B.D. Wong
How's Chances? - Judy Kuhn/Kevin Chamberlin/Howard McGillin/B.D.Wong
Heat Wave - Mary Beth Peil/Kevin Chamberlin/Howard McGillin/B.D. Wong
Debts - Kevin Chamberlin/Paula Newsome/Judy Kuhn/Mary Beth Peil/Howard McGillin/B.D. Wong
Lonely Heart - Judy Kuhn
The Funnies - B.D. Wong
Easter Parade - Howard McGillin/Judy Kuhn/Kevin Chamberlin/Paula Newsome/Mary Beth Peil/B.
Metropolitan Opening - Kevin Chamberlin/Paula Newsome/Judy Kuhn/Mary Beth Peil/Howard McGillin/B.D. Wong
Metropolitan Opens In Old-Time Splendor - Kevin Chamberlin/Paula Newsome/Judy Kuhn/Mary Beth Peil/Howard McGillin/B.D. Wong
Supper Time - Paula Newsome
Our Wedding Day - Kevin Chamberlin/Paula Newsome/Judy Kuhn/Mary Beth Peil/Howard McGillin/B.D. Wong
Harlem On My Mind - Paula Newsome
Through A Keyhole - Howard McGillin/Kevin Chamberlin/Paula Newsome/Judy Kuhn/Mary Beth Peil/B.D. Wong
Finale: Not For All The Rice In China - Kevin Chamberlin/Paula Newsome/Judy Kuhn/Mary Beth Peil/Howard McGillin/B.D. Wong
Let's Have Another Cup Of Coffee - Kevin Chamberlin/Paula Newsome/Judy Kuhn/Mary Beth Peil/Howard McGillin/B.D. Wong K

Amazon.com

Revues loosely mixing sketches, songs, and dance numbers were Broadway staples for decades, but most of them, including 1933's hit As Thousands Cheer, have fallen into oblivion. After a successful small-scale revival in New York in 1998, the show finally got its first recording. All of Irving Berlin's songs are preserved in lovely, minimalist (piano and bass) arrangements by a crack cast, while fortunately only one of Moss Hart's now-creaky sketches made it to the CD. Though "Heat Wave" and "Easter Parade" are genuine classics, the real thrill comes from the lesser-known numbers. Judy Kuhn is wrenching on "Lonely Heart," while Howard McGillin's "Though a Keyhole" packs a surprising blend of ferocity and sarcasm that will surprise those who dismiss Berlin as blandly wholesome. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

wonderful!.......2006-07-26

I agree with all the other 5 star folks - the songs are great, the singing fine. I, too, love the creaky sketch, it is for me one of the highlights of the CD. Must see if I can find a script to read more.

Only for Collectors.......2002-02-16

This CD is only for collectors who were looking for a taste of an unrecorded Berlin gem. Well, you only get a taste. With the simple one piano and bass accompaniment, and mediocre voices this is not the joy I was hoping for.

It's good but BE AWARE!!.......2001-12-13

Irving Berlin's score is absolutely fantastic. It's as fresh as the day it was written.....funny, acerbic and absorbing. Berlin was and remains a national treasure.

Unfortunately, even though the performances were very good, I was disappointed to find this recording having only piano/acoustic bass (which was barely audible) arrangements. I was SOOOO looking forward to a fully orchestrated CD presentation. In addition, the piano playing was rather wimpy and with this type of thin instrumentation - that costs the CD one star.

If you desperately want to hear this great score (like I did) buy this CD, but don't expect to be blown away by the production.

"Great Revue......Judy that was for you!!!!".......2000-10-18

Hello all: Well I thought that As Thousands Cheer was an amazingly funny production! And who thought that my aunt Judy had a sense of humour as well? (laughs) Anyways....I give it 100%....Even though I am writing this revue a little late for it has been about 7 years since it's been playing LOL. I enjoy everything about it though---one minute the players are sad and then theyre knocking you over your seat laughing with silly expressions and really great uses of slapstick!!!!

Thousands should cheer indeed!.......2000-03-14

It is impossible to imagine a better Berlin revue! There is not a single weak link in this recording; all the singers are top-notch, great acting, immaculate comic timing, flawless singing. If Berlin is not your favourite composer, you'll be converted after this recording. If he is, then you'll still be surprised how good his songs can get if sung like this.

The cast is simply wonderful. They are so flexible; can croon or swoon like a torch singer in one number, create slapstick humor the next, sound like a 50 voice choir sometimes, and reduce you to tears at others. All this achieved with just a piano and a bass! I'm particularly charmed by the relatively unknown Berlin songs such as 'How's Chances' and 'Our Wedding Day', but the high points must be 'Suppertime' and 'Harlem on my Mind'!

Tracks:

Ribcage
Fallen Angel
Fugitive Motel
Snooks (Progress Report)
Switching Off
Not A Job
I've Got Your Number
Whisper Grass
Buttons And Zips
Lay Down Your Cross
Crawling With Idio
Grace Under Pressure
Flying Dream 143

Customer Reviews:

Moving Rock But Probably Not Everyone's Bag.......2005-03-09

It'd been my experience that the more you listen to Elbow, the better they get. When I was given their first album Asleep In The Back, I just had it on in the background while I read a book. Didn't really think too much about it considering how much my flatmate hyped them up. I liked the first track alright but it didn't throw me out of the chair. A week later I listened to it again but this time I really listened to it. "Hey! This is pretty good," I thought and listened to it twice more that day. I liked it more each time. The new album is made the same way. The first time I listened to it I didn't think it was as good as their first. Then I listened to it again and again and so will you.

It sounds a bit more polished than Asleep but is just as moving and it's a bit more psychedelic but just as powerful. Although Elbow sounds relatively familiar, they have a fairly timeless sound, not borrowing too heavily from any one decade's influences. While the first album tended to have a few more all out rock moments, Cast Of Thousands sees Garvey and company matured to a more composed and collected form. Their power lies in their simplicity...but it's pretty much pointless to try to fully explain the movement of Elbow. Their work just needs to be felt. Imagine that! Feelings still exist some 20 years after Satan launched his own channel, MTV. In the words of the Glastonbury 2002 crown at the end of "Grace Under Pressure," an amazingly moving song, "we still believe in love so f**k you!"

Elbow and their amazing technicoloured creamed goat..*cough*.......2004-03-18

hey there, i just wanted to tell you guys who are thinking of buying the album to do so, although at the moment my wallet is void of money and thus, i haven't got it yet.

Elbow were in perth last saturday supporting placebo, and they did an acoustic live set at one of our record stores here in perth. i have to say, for the first time that i had ever heard these guys play, they were amazing and i was imediately in love with their music.

afterwards we went up and talked to the guys, and they were really cool, we got stuff signed, and it was amazing, later on we met them again and they recognised us and we ended up talking to them again...they were just so fantastic, in everyway (i find myself in love with mark-the guitarist) but they are just brilliant and you should buy this CD because they are the best.

-Friend of Elbow-

Evolving, but..........2004-03-08

I for one thought Elbow's US debut, "Asleep in the Back", was one of the most unexpectedly auspicious debuts of 2002. So I eagerly awaited this long-delayed followup. My first - and second - impression is of a band that wants to move on and explore new musical territory, while grounding itself in more traditional stylings as well. And Guy Garvey's mopey vocals are still eerily reminiscent of David Gilmour of Pink Floyd, a major influence to be sure. Elbow is a middle ground between Coldplay and Radiohead (how many times has that been said before?), yet here they seem to want to go in both directions. Some of the tunes here are more upbeat, even "poppier", than anything on "Asleep", and the use of the gospel choir is interesting. (But what's with that high-pitched scream that annoyingly punctuates the chorus of "Grace Under Pressure"?) Garvey's lyrics are often brilliant ("To pull my ribs apart/and let the sun inside"), and yes, the music occasionally leans toward the experimental. Yet nothing here moves me as the anthemic soungs like "Powder Blue" did on the first album. Give Garvey and the band credit for wanting to move on, rather than stagnate into a "sound", but that progress, at least for this record, has met with mixed results. (The CD-ROM bonus music video disc is a nice plus, but there's nothing terribly groundbreaking here - a good diversion for your desktop, though.)

Average customer rating:

Cast of Thousands
The Adverts
Manufacturer: Fire UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Crossing the Red Sea With the Adverts

ASIN: B0006VYJBY
Release Date: 2005-01-31

Tracks:

Cast of Thousands
Adverts
My Place
Male Assault
Television's Over
Fate of Criminals
Love Songs
I Surrender
I Looked at the Sun
I Will Walk You Home
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Back from the Dead [*]

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One Chord Wonders [*]
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Average customer rating:

A wonderful collection of show tunes .

Lost in Boston II Unsung Musicals

Manufacturer: Varese Sarabande
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Lost in Boston III
Lost in Boston: Songs You Never Heard From
Lost in Boston, Vol. 4
Unsung Musicals II (Studio Cast)
Unsung Musicals (Studio Cast)

ASIN: B0000014UB
Release Date: 1994-10-25

Tracks:

Man And Wife - Liz Larsen/Sal Viviano
Guess We May As Well Stay Married Now - Glory Crampton/Guy Haines
Thousands Of Flowers - Rita Gardner/Ron Raines
Throw It Away - Karen Ziemba/Harry Groener
What Am I Doing Here? - Liz Callaway
Italy In Technicolor - Judy Kaye/Buddy Crutchfield
I Have Acted Like A Fool - Debbie Pavelka/Richard Roland
When Messiah Comes - Lee Wilkof
Just A Map - Meg Bussert
I'm Lost - Walter Willison
Say When - Kaye Ballard
It Was Always You - Gregg Edelman
Flaemmchen (The Flame Girl) - Lynnette Perry
The Only Game In Town - Karen Mason

Customer Reviews:

A wonderful collection of show tunes ........1998-12-06

Lost in Boston II is the second group of songs that have been put on an album that were cut from well known musicals. It is better than the first Lost in Boston- only because the songs collected here have nary a loser(okay,"It Was Always You" from Applause sounds like a theme from a 70's Tv show- but it's still tuneful and endearing).Some listeners may be familair with some of these songs from the Ben Bagley compilations, but for me many were complete revelations. For example, I had heard only negative things about the score to Grand Hotel- then I played the showstopper cut from the show called" Flaemmchen the Flame Girl" - and I now would like to hear what was not cut! The same applies to the team of Jones and Schmidt. When I heard the gorgeous song, "Thousands of Flowers" I immediately went to buy the final score of "I Do I Do"... The first two Lost in Bostons confirmed how underrated this song team truly is. The liner notes are informative and to the point but as with all good stuff, they leave you wanting more.Don't miss this CD. It is better than many complete Broadway musical scores!

Average customer rating:

The Musicality of Berlin
Irving Berlin
Manufacturer: Jay Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000640LX
Release Date: 2002-05-07

Tracks:

Play a Simple Melody (Watch Your Step) - Jason Carr and Paul Bateman
Mr. Monotony (Jerome Robbins' Broadway) - Kim Criswell
Moonshine Lullaby (Annie Get Your Gun) - Judy Kaye
Cheek to Cheek (Top Hat) - Janice Day and Michael Law
Heat Wave (As Thousands Cheer) - Issy Van Randwyck
Shaking the Blues Away (Ziegfield Follies of 1927) - Elisabeth Welch
They Say It's Wonderful (Annie Get Your Gun) - Thomas Allen and Valerie Masterson
There's Something to Dance About (Call Me Madam) - Kim Criswell and company
Easter Parade Fantasy (Easter Parade) - Richard Balcombe
When I Lost You - Elisabeth Welch
Alexander's Ragtime Band (Friars' Frolic of 1911) - Kenneth Nelson
God Bless America - Shezwae Powell and chorus