Perfect From Now On

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Built to Spill's three previous indie releases (on C/Z, Up, and K) established a new pop standard, born from lo-fi experimentation, carefully crafted hooks, plaintive vocals, and brilliant, snaky guitar lines. For their major label debut, Perfect from Now On, frontman Doug Martsch, who leads a revolving cast of musicians, has created his most ambitious album to date. Gone are the compact, simple ditties that characterized the band's recent recordings, replaced by the kind of longer epics that typified its C/Z debut, Ultimate Alternative Wavers. The songs--some clocking in at eight or nine minutes in length--combine the laidback intensity of Pink Floyd and Neil Young with a Beatles-meet-Pavement modern, pop aesthetic. It's at once dreamy, spooky, and spine-tingling and if there's any truly unexplored territory in rock music, you can be sure Built to Spill are in the vanguard. --Adem Tepedelen --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Perfect From Now On, Music, Built to Spill, Alternative Pop/Rock, Indie Rock, Pop, Popular Music, Rock

Average customer rating:

Magnificent New Beginning for this band in 1997

Listen to it at least six times

first album of theirs that i've heard; got me hooked

This is Music

Amazing

Perfect From Now On
Built to Spill
Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000002NC4
Release Date: 1997-01-28

Tracks:

Randy Described Eternity
I Would Hurt A Fly
Stop The Show
Made-Up Dreams
Velvet Waltz
Out Of Site
Kicked It In The Sun
Untrustable/Part 2 (About Someone Else)

Amazon.com

Built to Spill's three previous indie releases (on C/Z, Up, and K) established a new pop standard, born from lo-fi experimentation, carefully crafted hooks, plaintive vocals, and brilliant, snaky guitar lines. For their major label debut, Perfect from Now On, frontman Doug Martsch, who leads a revolving cast of musicians, has created his most ambitious album to date. Gone are the compact, simple ditties that characterized the band's recent recordings, replaced by the kind of longer epics that typified its C/Z debut, Ultimate Alternative Wavers. The songs--some clocking in at eight or nine minutes in length--combine the laidback intensity of Pink Floyd and Neil Young with a Beatles-meet-Pavement modern, pop aesthetic. It's at once dreamy, spooky, and spine-tingling and if there's any truly unexplored territory in rock music, you can be sure Built to Spill are in the vanguard. --Adem Tepedelen

Customer Reviews:

Magnificent New Beginning for this band in 1997.......2007-03-30

Perfect From Now On is Built to Spill's third album and gained widespread attention when it was released in 1997. A long vast & epic voyage through 8 noise shifting songs. Perfect From Now On was at the time their tightest sounding album yet, and first major-label release on Warner Bros. Perfect from Now On is filled w/ wailing guitar effects and groove-laden blissful jams. So many twists and turns throughout. Just more of a broadened scope, deeper range and timelessness here.
Yes, these are LONG songs, approaching times between 5 and 9 minutes each. This release reminds me a bit of Neutral Milk Hotel. PERFECT FROM NOW ON is filled with colorful rawness, a beautiful mess.
While their next album "Keep It Like A Secret" is catchier, shorter and poppy.
At this time(1997) the band consists of Doug Martsch: singer/guitarist - his vocals are farther ranging, more matured & more exquisite then on "There's Nothing Wrong With Love," Along w/ band -also adding MORE muscle, depth & volume; takes it's listener on a real experience of adventure
Brett Netson: bass & guitar; and drummer Scott Plouf.
Built to Spill is one of the more important talented bands that more people need to hear. Constantly changing styles and band members w/ each release. And this is their most creative, mesmerizing, most psychadelic sound put out by them. Favorite song: "Kicked It In the Sun." - I also LOVE opener: "Randy Described Eternity" - "I Would Hurt A Fly" - "Velvet Waltz" - "Untrustable/Part 2."
To me this is close to PERFECTION and my Favorite Built to Spill record so far as of 2007. 5 stars!

Listen to it at least six times.......2006-11-21

All I have to say is if you give this album six listen throughs, you'll be done for. The first time I put this in a didn't care for it, but I had loved, "What's Wrong with Love" and I had heard this was an amazing album, so I kept at it. By the 3rd listen I knew something was up, something way beyond the surface. What at first just seemd liked a mass of loud guitars fell apart into a deep, rich, melodic symphony of gigantic porportions. By the time I got to listen number 6 I was done for. Now I can't get this album out of the CD player. Where with other albums I seem to be able to wear them out after a number of listens, this one just won't go away. This is an album with a very large complex number of layers. Get it now!

first album of theirs that i've heard; got me hooked.......2006-08-29

I found songs on this album from online music sites that play songs within the same or similar genre as artists or songs that you input. I heard a couple songs from this album, then decided to get the album. After listening through it a few times, I got hooked. This isn't your conventional guitar/bass/drums rock band. These guys implement all types of sounds into their music. Though their songs are long (they range from 6 to 11 minutes each), they are great to listen to.

This is Music.......2006-08-05

Perfect From Now On was hard for me to get through at first, but after each listen I grew to love it, and it is now one of my favorite albums.

I say to the person who just bought this album, or is even considering this album, to have patience.

Amazing.......2006-04-26

I can't believe it took me until 2006 to discover Built to Spill...It only took one listen to their earlier release "There's Nothing Wrong With Love" to decide that I'll be spending the rest of the year catching up on all their music. For the moment, I can't stop playing this CD.

Average customer rating:

I waited for this for five years
Excellent collection but BIG PUBLISHING MISTAKE!
ONE OF LLOYD WEBBER'S BEST COMPILATIONS, DESPITE A FEW FLAWS
SUCH MAGICAL MUSIC OF THE NIGHT!
A Must Have for Sir Andrew fans

Andrew Lloyd Webber: Now & Forever
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Decca Broadway
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00005R5UJ
Release Date: 2001-11-20

Tracks:

Jesus Christ Superstar: Overture - Andrew Lloyd Webber
Jesus Christ Superstar: Everything's Alright - Yvonne Elliman/Murray Head/Ian Gilllan
Jesus Christ Superstar: I Don't Know How To Love Him - Yvonne Elliman
Jesus Christ Superstar: Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say) - Steve Balsamo
Jesus Christ Superstar: Superstar - Murray Head
Evita: Oh What A Circus/Sing You Fools - Antonio Banderas
Evita: I'd Be Surprisingly Good For You - Elaine Paige/Joss Ackland
Evita: Another Suitcase In Another Hall - Barbara Dickson
Evita: Don't Cry For Me Argentina - Julie Covington
Evita: High Flying, Adored - Mandy Patinkin/Patti LuPone
Cats: The Jellicle Ball - Andrew Lloyd Weber
Cats: Memory - Elaine Paige
Cats: Gus: The Theatre Cat - Susan Jane Tanner/John Mills
Cats: Mr Mistoffelees - Paul Nicholas
Song And Dance: Take That Look Off Your Face - Marti Webb
Song And Dance: Tell Me On A Sunday - Marti Webb
Song And Dance: Unexpected Song - Sarah Brightman
Song And Dance: Nothing Like You've Ever Known - Sarah Brightman
Song And Dance: Introduction - Andrew Lloyd Webber
Song And Dance: Variations 1 -4 - Andrew Lloyd Webber

Tracks:

Starlight Express: Starlight Express - El Debarge
Starlight Express: Crazy - Greg Ellis/Reva Rice/Caron Cardelle/Samantha Lane/Voyd
Starlight Express: Next Time You Fall In Love - Reva Rice/Greg Ellis
Starlight Express: I Am The Starlight - Lon Satton/Ray Shell
Starlight Express: Light At The End Of The Tunnel - The Company
Requiem: Hosanna - Placido Domingo
Requiem: Pie jesu - Sarah Brightman/Paul Miles-Kingston
The Phantom Of The Opera: The Phantom Of The Opera - Michael Crawford/Sarah Brightman
The Phantom Of The Opera: The Music Of The Night - Michael Crawford
The Phantom Of The Opera: All I Ask Of You - Sarah Brightman/Steve Barton
The Phantom Of The Opera: Entr'acte - Andrew Lloyd Webber
The Phantom Of The Opera: Masquerade - The Company
The Phantom Of The Opera: Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again - Sarah Brightman
Aspects Of Love: Aspects Of Aspects - Orchester Der Vereinigten Buehnen Wien
Aspects Of Love: Love Changes Everything - Michael Ball
Aspects Of Love: Seeing Is Believing - Michael Ball/Ann Crumb
Aspects Of Love: The First Man You Remember - Kevin Colson/Diana Morrison
Aspects Of Love: Anything But Lonely - Sarah Brightman
Aspects Of Love: Chanson D'Enfance - Sarah Brightman

Tracks:

Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Any Dream Will Do - Jason Donovan
Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Joseph's Coat - Maria Friedman/Richard Attenborough/Donny Osmond
Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Close Every Door - Donny Osmond
By Jeeves: Travel Hopefully - John Scherer/Martin Jarvis/Don Stephenson
By Jeeves: When Love Arrives - Steven Pacey/Diana Morrison
By Jeeves: Half A Moment - Sarah Brightman
Sunset Boulevard: With One Look - Glenn Close
Sunset Boulevard: New Ways To Dream - Glenn Close/Alan Campbell
Sunset Boulevard: The Perfect Year - Glenn Close/Alan Campbell
Sunset Boulevard: Sunser Boulevard - Alan Campbell
Sunset Boulevard: As If We Never Said Goodbye - Glenn Close
Whistle Down The Wind: Whistle Down The Wind - James Graeme/Lottie Mayor
Whistle Down The Wind: Cold - Everly Brothers
Whistle Down The Wind: No Matter What - Children/Adult Chorus
Whistle Down The Wind: The Nature Of The Beast - Marcus Lovett/Lottie Mayor
The Beautiful Game: Overture - Andrew Lloyd Webber
The Beautiful Game: The Beautiful Game - The Company
The Beautiful Game: Our Kind Of Love - Hannah Waddingham
The Beautiful Game: Dont Like You - Josie Walker/David Shannon
The Beautiful Game: Let Us Love In Peace - Josie Walker/Omagh Youth Community Choir

Tracks:

Oh What A Circus - David Essex
Memory - Betty Buckley
The Phantom Of The Opera - Sarah Brightman/Steve Harley
All I Ask Of You - Sarah Brightman/Cliff Richard
Love Changes Everything - Michael Ball
Any Dream Will Do - Donny Osmond
Amigos Para Siempre (Friends For Life) - Sarah Brightman/Jose Carreras
As If We Never Said Goodbye - Barbra Streisand
The Perfect Year - Dina Carroll
With One Look - Petula Clark
You Must Love Me - Madonna
The Heart Is Slow To Learn - Kiri Te Kanawa
A Kiss Is A Terrible Thing To Waste - The Metal Philharmonic Orchestra
Whistle Down The Wind - Tina Arena
No Matter What - Boyzone
The Vaults Of Heaven - Tom Jones
Try Not To Be Afraid - Boy George
Pie Jesu - Charlotte Church

Tracks:

Make Believe Love - Wes Sands
Down Thru' Summer - Ross Hannaman
I'll Give All My Love To Southend - Ross Hannaman
Believe Me I Will - Sacha Distel
Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1969 Radio Luxembourg Commercial) - Joseph Consortium/Pete Murray
Try It And See - Rita Pavone
Come Back Richard Your Country Needs You - Time Rice And The Webber Group
Goodbye Seattle - Paul Raven
John 19:41 - The Andrew Lloyd Webber Orchestra
What A Line To Go Out On - Yvonne Elliman
Disillusion Me - Gary Band
The Ballad Of Robert And Peter - Tim Rice
Christmas Dream - Maynard Williams
It's Only Your Lover Returning/All Through My Crazy And Wild Days/Don't Cry For Me Argentina - Julie Covington
It's Easy For You (1977 Jungle Room Session Version) - Elvis Presley
Magdalena - Tony Christie
Buenos Aires - The Roja Rockers
Pollicle Dogs And Jellicle Cats - Andrew Lloyd Webber
Mungojerrie And Rumpleteazer (Live At The Sydmonton Festival 1980) - Gemma Craven
I Could Have Given You More - Petula Clark
I've Been In Love Too Long - Marti Webb
Benedicite - The Stephen Hill Singers

Album Description

Disc 1: Selections from Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Cats, and Song and Dance

Disc 2: Selections from Starlight Express, Requiem, Phantom of the Opera, and Aspects of Love

Disc 3: Selections from Joseph nad the Amaziong Technicolor Dreamcoat, By Jeeves, Sunset Boulevard, Whistle Down the Wind, and The Beautiful Game

CD 4: 1. "Oh What a Circus" --David Essex 2. "Memory" - Betty Buckleey 3. "The Phantom of the Opera" -Sarah Brightman, Steve Harley 4. "All I Ask of You" --Sarah Brightman, Cliff Richard 5. "Love Changes Everything"--Michael Ball 6. "Any Dream Will Do"--Donny Osmond 7. "Amigos Para Siempre (Friends for Life)"--Sarah Brightman, Jose Caerras 8. "As if We Never Said Goodbye"--Barbra Streisand 9. "The Perfect Year"--Dina Carroll 10. "With One Look" --Petula Clark 11. "You Must Love Me" 12. "The Heart Is Slow To Learn" --Kiri Te Kanawa 13. "Whistle Down the Wind"--Tina Arena 14. "A Kiss Is a Terrible Thing To Waste"--The Metal Philharmonic 15. "No Matter What"--Boyzone 16. "The Vaults of Heaven"--Tom Jones and Sounds of Blackness 17. "Try Not To Be Afraid"--Boy George 18. "Pie Jesu"--Charlotte Church

Disc 5: (All tracks available for the first time) 1. "Make Believe Love"--Wes Sands 2. "Down Thru' Summer"--Ross Hannaman 3. "I'll Give All My Love to Southend"--Ross Hannaman 4. "Believe Me I Will"--Sacha Distel 5. "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: 1969 Luxembourg Radio Commercial--The Jospeh Consortium, Pete Murray 6. "Try It and See"--Rita Pavone 7. "Come Back Richard Your Country Needs You"--Tim Rice and the Webber Group 8. "Goodbye Seattle"-- Paul Raven 9. "John 19:41"--The Andrew Lloyd Webber Orchestra 10. "What a Line To Go Out On"--Yvonne Elliman 11. "Disillusion Me" --Gary Bond 12. "The Ballad of Robert and Peter"--Tim Rice 13. "Christmas Dream" --Maynard Williams 14. "It's Only Your Lover Returning/All through My Wild and Crazy Days/Don't Cry for Me Argentina--Julie Covington 15. "It's Easy for You" (1977 Jungle Room Session version)--Elvis Presley 16. "Magdalena"--Tony Christie 17. "Buenos Aires"--The Rioja Rockers 18. "Pollicle Dogs and Jellicle Cats"--Andrew Lloyd Webber original demo 19. "Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer" (Live at Sydmonton Festival 1980)-Gemma Craven 20. "I Could Have Given You More"--Petula Clark 21. "I've Been in Love Too Long"--Marti Webb 22. "Benedicte"-- Stephen Hill Singers

Customer Reviews:

I waited for this for five years.......2006-06-30

Between Amazone, Ebay and Napster, I don't usually buy CDs anymore, and I usually wait till I can buy them cheaper "new and used". When this set came out, I was excited, mainly by Disc 5, but wasn't going to spend $70 on it. I waited till it was cheap enough, and got it for Father's day this year.
It was worth the wait.

The concept is great. The packaging is great. The recording is great. Disc five is really cool for an ALW aficionado. There are a few real gems on it; my favorites are Petula Clark's "I Could Have Given You More" and "Benedicite."
I've always thought "Gus the Theatre Cat" made a great medley on the piano with "Unexpected Song" and "I DOn't Know How to Love Him," but wished there was an alternate lyric to match the other two songs. Now that I know there *is*, and it's a good lyric, it's a dream come true.
The melody of "Benedicite" is one of my favorites from _Sunset_ (the book mis-identifies it as "SUrrender"; it's actually "The Lady's Paying" and "Eternal Youth is Worth a Little Suffering"). The lyrics are the canticle from Daniel 3, which comes up every odd Sunday in the Divine Office, so it's nice to have cool music to sing it with.

I haven't bought _By Jeeves_ or _THe Beautiful Game_ yet, to it was great to sample them.

There are other parts of the CD taht aren't found in my collection. I like CD 4 "The Hits."

But the selections on CDs 1-3 don't make sense.

First, any self-respecting ALW fan has the Original London Cast of _Phantom_, so six tracks are totally useless. Why not draw from the Canadian cast with Colm Wilkinson? Or pull out some obscure recordings never published.

Why two different tracks with Michael Ball singing "Love Changes Everything", yet they're hardly any different?

On Disc 5 is "It's Only Your Lover Returning," sung by Julie Covington. It's an early draft of the song (Lloyd Webber and Rice went through several suggested titles) and quite nice. The very thing one expects on a Boxed Set.
So why have the Julie Covington "Don't Cry for Me" on disc 1?? The only difference is a few words, but it's otherwise identical. Why not Elaine Paige or Patti Lupone or Madonna?

The _Evita_ section is otherwise the best, choosing a sample from each major recording, though I'd have chosen slightly differently (as above).

There is a great selection of "Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer" from the Sydmonton festival, using the original music that was changed when _Cats_ went to Broadway_. It would have been nice if they'd included more recordings from Sydmonton, like the original lyric of "All I Ask of You" shown on the second DVD to the _Phantom_ movie.

With so many great actress-singers who've played Norma Desmond, why does the collection beat us over the head with Glenn Close?

Paul Miles Kingston must be set for life in royalties, for the number of albums the original recording of "Pie Jesu" has appeared on. "Amigos Para Siempre" is nice, but it reminds me of Shari Lewis's "The Song that Doesn't End," especially when it's been used on so many compilations.

In short, this is a great collection for the obscure material, if you can get it cheap. But for a boxed set, it's a poor sampling, drawn mostly from the most familiar recordings.

Excellent collection but BIG PUBLISHING MISTAKE! .......2006-01-10

Please beware they made a mistake on this. It's actually the shortened Ray Shell version of STARLIGHT EXPRESS from the original 1984 London cast - NOT the El Debarge single from 1987 like it says on the box. I don't know how they let that goof pass. Sorry to Ray Shell. Having said that, this is an outstanding compilation of Lloyd Webber's greatest hits.

ONE OF LLOYD WEBBER'S BEST COMPILATIONS, DESPITE A FEW FLAWS.......2005-03-21

Regardless of the fact that some of his latest efforts (most notably, The Woman in White) are disappointing, there can be little doubt that Andrew Lloyd Webber is one of the greatest composers ever to work in the musical theatre. Ever since his "Jesus Christ Superstar" hit the stage in the early 70-is, it was clear that the conception and perception of musicals are never going to be the same again. Many of his songs became standards not only in the theatre history, but also as tops on the charts. Even though he's British, his influence on the shape of the modern musical theatre expanded over the West End boundaries long ago and has thus made an enormous impact on Broadway. Two of his shows ("Cats" and "The phantom of the opera") hold the record as two the longest running shows in the history of Broadway. He has also been the only composer to have three of his shows running at Broadway concurrently. Some of his awards include three Grammies, a Golden Globe, an Oscar and a bunch of Tony awards. But perhaps most of all, Lloyd Webber is responsible for bringing the musicals and the theatre appealing to the wide audiences, who in different circumstances would not consider seeing a musical. The secret of his success is probably the mixture of beautiful and catchy melodies, interesting subject matter (though some, like Starlight Express, are too thin) and grandiose staging.

Over the years many compilations of his work have emerged. In the late 80-is and early 90-is it was the "Encore" series and lately the one-disc collection called "Gold". The one in question here can be considered one of the best currently on the market. First, it includes a 3-disc selections from all of his shows, minus the latest one, i.e., "The Woman in White", which, considering the triviality of the score, is no great lost. The fourth disc covers some of his most known songs sung by the famous artists. Then, there is the fifth disc with previously unreleased material, most of which are the songs ALW wrote with Tim Rice for various artists during the 70-is. The disks are all neatly packed in a hardcover book that features 67 pages of pictures and text with information about each of ALW's shows. One of the other assets here is the perfect sound quality, since all of the tracks have been digitally remastered.

Here are my basic impressions and comments regarding the material on the discs:

* Disc #1 has the selections from "Jesus Christ Superstar", "Evita", "Cats" and "Song & Dance". The Superstar material mostly comes from the Concept Recording. Although the songs sound beautiful as always, their orchestration is a bit dated now. Only Steve Balsamo's "Gethsemane" from the 1996 revival cast has a modern rock sound. "Evita" comes with the material from all of the major recordings: London, Broadway and the movie productions, as well as the Concept album. No objections here; since this is one of ALW's most satisfying works, every song is just perfect, although Patti LuPone, the Broadway and overall the best Evita, is left with only a couple of lines. With the selections from "Cats", however, I have some doubts. A plus to the choice of the "Jellicle ball" impressive orchestral sequence from the 1998 movie version and "Mister Mistoffelees" from the 1981 London cast. One of the best known ALW's songs, "Memory", also comes from that album. It's a pretty version and Elaine Paige's rendition cannot be matched, but why include this when the definite version, featuring an 80-piece orchestra and Elaine Paige with much better interpretation, can be found in the same movie version. Thusly, one has to buy Elaine Paige's latest 2-disc compilation "Centre Stage: The very best of Elaine Paige" to get that one. And "Gus the theatre cat" is more a recital than a song, so there was not much point in including that. Marti Webb brings her vocal charm to the "Song & Dance" sequence, Sarah Brightman sings "Unexpected song" with her famous soprano, but as much as I like her version, Bernadette Peters, who was in this show on Broadway is strangely left out here.

* Disc # 2 starts with "Starlight Express". This was never one of my favorite ALW's shows; the plot is even lighter than in "Cats" and the 1984 original cast recording is terribly dated. Yet, here we have one terrific duet, "I am starlight" from the original together with three songs from the later revivals and it seems that fresh orchestrations were just the thing Starlight needed. My favorite remains a touchy ballad, "Next time you fall in love". "Requiem" is the most solemn of all ALW's compositions, written in 1985 to commemorate the death of his father. Placido Domingo's tenor rides together with the chorus all the way through the strong "Hosanna", only to be joined by Sarah Brightman in the final moments of this song. She then gives an echoing deliverance of "Pie Jesu". What can be said of ALW's next show, "The Phantom of the Opera"? A phenomenon in its own right, it's easy to see from the six numbers included here why this is one of the best and most beloved musicals of all time. The cast, the music, the story - everything is perfect. Although "Aspects of love" was never a popular hit, it does have some of the most beautiful love melodies ALW has ever written. "Love changes everything" sung by Michael Ball is probably one of the best tunes ever about love. The rest of the selected material here has a dreamy love flavor and the melodies find their way into your brain in the best Lloyd Webber way.

* ALW's first musical, "Joseph and the amazing Technicolor dreamcoat" was more successful in its revival form than the original from the 70-is. The three songs included here are sung by the show stars, Jason Donovan and Donny Osmond. Maria Friedman was not a lucky choice to play the narrator, as the track from the 1998 movie version shows. "By Jeeves" was ALW's only big flop when it came to the stage in the 70-is. The 1995 revival sounds much better though, full of funny numbers in the best manner of the musical comedy. "Travel hopefully" remains one of the show's highlights on this compilation. "Sunset Boulevard" comes next. "Sunset" remains for me one of Webber's best scores; lush and beautiful. I listen to the original cast recording with Patti LuPone all the time. However, here most of the songs are performed by Glenn Close. A big mistake. If you've ever listened the American premiere recording with her, you'll know what I am talking about. She may have a strong stage presence, but her vocal abilities are too limited, and her aggressive approach to the role lacks any subtlety. Therefore, the two big numbers from this show, "With one look" and "As if we never said goodbye" are ruined by the fact she can't sing. The same goes for the American Joe Gillis, who was played by Alan Campbell. Luckily, Patti LuPone and Kevin Anderson, the original Norma and Joe from the London production, make their brief entrance here with the "Perfect year"; enough to show how better they are. The funny thing is, on the jacket and inside of it, Glenn Close and Alan Campbell are credited as performers in this song as well. If this was a mistake on ALW's part, it was a good one. The next ALW's show, "Whistle down the wind" was never a critic's dear and yet the audiences rushed in to see it in London. The score brings back ALW to his rock and roll roots of the seventies and the story is quite interesting. But the selections here are not the happiest, since the cast recording boasts with much better songs. And finally, "The Beautiful Game". Again, we have one of those ALW's shows that is worth in its individual parts rather than as a whole. "Our kind of love" and "Let us love in peace" are two catchy ballads. The latter is a nice amalgam version not available elsewhere. The two other tracks here I could live without.

* Disc # 4 has the songs from all the above shows performed by different artists. The assembled tracks have their pros and cons. For example, we have some previously unreleased stuff, like Dame Kiri Te Kanawa's operettic rendition of "The heart is slow to learn", or a stunning and epic "A kiss is a terrible thing to waste" from "Whistle down the wind", performed by The Metal Philharmonic Orchestra. Then again, what was the point in including almost identical tracks as the ones on the previous disks? So we have Michael Ball again singing "Love changes everything" with only a bit different orchestration; Sarah Brightman comes out again with the same Phantom duets, but only with the different male singers. It would be much more appropriate to include tracks from the Toronto Cast of the Phantom, with Colm Wilkinson. Other pop deliverances (Tina Arena's "Whistle down the wind", Barbra Streisand's "As if we never said goodbye", Boyzone's "No matter what" and many more) were wisely chosen. Patti LuPone is again nowhere to be found and Petula Clark's "With one look" sounds too worn-out.

* The last disc is probably the one that will be of most interest to Lloyd Webber aficionados. It consists of entirely previously unreleased material ALW for the most part wrote for various artists during his early years, with Tim Rice. Some of these tunes, not successful as a singles, were later used in his shows. Thus "Down thru' summer" became "Buenos Aires"in Evita, "Try it and see", an unsuccessful attempt for the Eurovision was used for "King Herod's song" in "Superstar" and so on. Some of these songs are nicely made pop songs: "Make believe love", ALW's first recorded composition, for which he provided the lyrics; "Goodbye Seattle", sung by Paul Raven, who later became Gary Glitter; "Come back Richard, your country needs you", from a never made musical, sung here by Tim Rice, or Latin flavored "Magdalena", with Tony Christie singing. My all time favorite here is a song called "It's easy for you", sung by none other than Elvis Presley himself. Lloyd Webber and Rice sent him a demo recording that he accepted and recorded this live version a couple of weeks before he died. It's amazing to hear how his voice remained in the perfect shape. Also, there is a track of Andrew Lloyd Webber singing "Policle dogs and Jellicle cats" while plying the piano. His voice doesn't sound bad at all.

Taken as a whole, this compilation makes a perfect birthday or Christmas present to any fan of Andrew Lloyd Webber shows, or just anybody interested in some of the best tunes from the modern era of the musical theatre; despite the flaws I mentioned above. To the former, it may just be the final addition for the Andrew Lloyd Webber collection.

SUCH MAGICAL MUSIC OF THE NIGHT!.......2003-01-19

"Evita." "Sunset Blvd." "Starlight Express." "Jesus Christ Superstar." "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." "Requiem." "Aspects of Love." The man who is the most recognized composer in the history of the musical theatre, the man who has won more Tonys than any other composer, the man who boasts the best-selling show of all time ("The Phantom of the
Opera") and the longest-running show of all time ("Cats"), the man whose homes are filled with three Grammys, five Oliviers, a Golden Globe, and Oscar and too many other honors and hosannas to mention, the man knighted in 1992 certainly doesn't need an introduction. Now Decca Broadway pays tribute to Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber with "Now and Forever," a spectacular 5-CD set compiled and produced by Sir Andy himself. It's cheaper than a
ticket to "The Producers" ... and more much exciting. This treasure trove contains highlights from all of Webber's shows, and a bonus disc of tunes sung by Betty Buckley, Barbara
Streisand, Jose Carreras, Boy George, Charlotte Church, Madonna, Tom Jones, Petula Clark, even Elvis! A must for lovers of theatre---and good music.

A Must Have for Sir Andrew fans.......2002-05-21

This five-CD collection of Andrew Lloyd Webber's career is fantastic. It leaves virtually no stone unturned. I have no doubt that diehard Webber fans will love this, especially for the 5th disc entitled "From the Vaults." This disc alone is worth the price as it contains tunes never before heard by the typical fan. Who knew Elvis did a Lloyd Webber tune?!? I didn't! Also the tune "Benedictine" which the composer wrote for his most recent marriage is not only pretty, but it has the same medley as "The Lady's Paying" from "Sunset Blvd." which I found highly enjoyable. Another great track is the composer himself singing a cut song from "Cats" entitled "Pollicle Dogs and Jellicle Cats" which has the same tune as "Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats," but to hear Sir Andrew sing is a blast...he sounds a lot like Al "Year of the Cat" Stewart.
The cuts from the musicals are great but are likely owned by ALW fans as they are on the original cast albums. And I'm glad that there were tunes included from the composers most recent efforts which have yet to make it beyond London (Whistle Down the Wind, Beautiful Game).
My only complaint is the inclusion of way too many tracks by Sarah Brightman. She must've received a great divorce settlement that included having tunes on any ALW collection until the end of time!! Her interpretations of some of the tunes were limp and uninspired. I would've much rather heard casts from around the world rather than yet another song by this disdainful soprano! How about Colm Wilkinson's version of "Music of the Night" from the original Canadian cast of "Phantom"? Or Michael Crawford's version of "Unexpected Song"? What? No Betty Buckley from "Sunset Blvd."? And of course there are songs you KNOW are going to be on the collection before you even listen to it as they have been on EVERY ALW collection for the past decade or so.
A great collection but too much Sarah Brightman!

Average customer rating:

Instumental Only
Enjoyable by itself
Classical CD is great, but the other one is horrible.

Forever Yours

Manufacturer: Compendia
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Fugues | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Wedding Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Wedding Music | Compilations | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Wedding Music | Miscellaneous | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Easy Listening | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
Similar Items:

25 Wedding Favorites
A Day to Remember - Instrumental Music for Your Wedding Day
Bride's Guide to Wedding Music
I Will Be Here: 25 of Today's Best Wedding & Love Songs

ASIN: B00000ICO9
Release Date: 1999-04-13

Tracks:

Air For The 'G' String - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring - St. Louis Brass Quintet
On Wings Of Song - Nancy Enslin
Arioso - St. Louis Brass Quintet
Prelude In C Major - Christine Jaccottet
Largo From 'Xerxes' - London Festival Orchestra
Schubert's Ave Maria - Nancy Enslin
Bach/Gounod's Ave Maria - Nancy Enslin
Sheep May Safely Graze - Philip Brunelle
Bridal March From 'Lohengrin' ('Here Comes The Bride') - Lubjana Radio Symphony Orchestra And Chorus
Pachelbel's Canon in D - Collegium Aureum
Trumpet Voluntary - Lyn Larsen
Trumpet Tune in C - Carlo Curley
O Perfect Love - Nancy Enslin
The Lord's Prayer - Nancy Enslin
Wedding March From 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' - London Festival Orchestra
Finale ('Ode To Joy') From Symphony No. 9, 'Choral' - Nancy Enslin
Le Rondeau ('Masterpiece Theatre' Theme) - Collegium Aureum
Handel's Alla Hornpipe From 'Water Music' Suite - London Festival Orchestra

Tracks:

Butterfly Kisses - Bob Carlisle/Randy Thomas
Forever In Love - Gorelick
House Of Love - Wally Wilson/Kenny Greenberg/Greg Barnhill
Lost Without You - Benjamin Winans/Keith Thomas
I Will Be Here - Steven Curtis Chapman
Flesh Of My Flesh - Leon Patillo
Household Of Faith - John Rosasco/Brent Lamb
Love In Any Language - John Mohr/John Mays
Now That I've Found You - Michael Bolton/Diane Warren
This Is The Day (A Wedding Song) - Scott Wesley Brown
Don't Let Me Walk This Road Alone - D. Foster/L. Thompson/K. Thomas
Give Me Forever (I Do) - James Cathart/James Ingram/Walter Morrison/John Tesh

Customer Reviews:

Instumental Only.......2002-05-03

INSTRUMENTAL!! Don't expect vocals. Other than that, it is a nice collection.

Enjoyable by itself.......2000-03-30

The music is beautiful just for listening. The first CD could be used in a wedding. The 2nd CD contains instrumental versions of the songs which is soothing and peaceful; it could also be used in a wedding, but not for a reception. I did not buy this to use in a wedding - just for the music and I was not disappointed. It's a nice background for meditation, or remembering your own wedding. I just bought a second one for some friends who are getting married. And the price is right.

Classical CD is great, but the other one is horrible........1999-11-17

The first CD is filled with popular classic wedding songs and is really good, but the last CD is music that would make your guests think they were trapped in an elevator filled with easy listening music. I cannot understand why someone would compile those songs for a wedding!

The Stanford Archive Series: Richard Crooks

Average customer rating:

Richard Crooks: A Fine Man and a Master Singer
A Richard Crooks Collection

The Stanford Archive Series: Richard Crooks

Manufacturer: Delos Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Wedding Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Only a Rose: The Art of Richard Crooks In Song
Richard Crooks in Songs and Ballads
A Richard Crooks Serenade

ASIN: B00000072Q
Release Date: 1997-05-20

Tracks:

Die schone Mullerin: Das Wandern
Die schone Mullerin: Wohin?
Die schone Mullerin: Halt!
Die schone Mullerin: Danksagung an den Bach
Die schone Mullerin: Am eierabend
Die schone Mullerin: Der Neugierige
Die schone Mullerin: Ungeduld
Die schone Mullerin: Morgengruss
Die schone Mullerin: Des M Blumen
Die schone Mullerin: Thrnregen
Die schone Mullerin: Mein!
Die schone Mullerin: Pause
Die schone Mullerin: Mit dem grautenbande
Die schone Mullerin: Der Jr
Die schone Mullerin: Eifersucht und Stolz
Die schone Mullerin: Die liebe Farbe
Die schone Mullerin: Die bose Farbe
Die schone Mullerin: Trockne Blumen
Die schone Mullerin: Der Muller und der Bach
Die schone Mullerin: Des Baches Wiegenlied
Serenade
I Love Thee
Now Sleeps The Crimson Petal
Passing By
Clorinda
L'Adieu du Matin
I Love Thee
For Music
Hark How Still
On Wings Of Song

Tracks:

Charity
The Student Prince In Heidelberg; Serenade
The Desert Song; One Flower Grows Alone In Your Garden
Sacrament (A Love Song)
Prize Song, Act III
Lohengrin: In fernem land, Act III
Carmen: Hier am Herzen (Blumenarie), Act II
Aida: O ware ich erkoren... Holde Aida (Celeste Aida) Act I, Scene I
Elisir d'Amore: Heimlich aus ihrem Auge (Una furtiva lagrima), Act II
Absent Yet Present
Love's Old Sweet Song
Die Nacht
Morgen
L'Arlesiana: E la solita storia (Lamento di Federico), Act II
Comus: Prech Me Not Your Musty Rules
Dearest Maiden, Hear My Song
Friederike: O Maiden, My Maiden
O Perfect Love
For You With Love
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring (Cantata 147, No. 10)
The Americans Come
The Americans Come
De Camptown Races
Beautiful Dreamer

Customer Reviews:

Richard Crooks: A Fine Man and a Master Singer.......2006-06-23

I most heartily agree with what the earlier reviewer has written of Richard Crooks and of this excellent Stanford Archive set.

The 2 CD set is a most welcome release, and I note that, for now at least, one seller has it available at the bargain price of $14.95. Collectors of the recordings of singers from the early years of last century please note, and snap it up while still on offer at such a modest cost.

These historic recordings have a bad habit of vanishing because too often there is insufficient apparent interest shown by potential buyers. I am relieved to have bought a copy and urge others to do so. Making due allowance for some poor quality recordings by today's high fidelity standards, there are wonderful treasures to enjoy indeed in this set.

A Richard Crooks Collection.......2003-12-06

American tenor Richard Crooks (1900-1972) would have been just another fine opera and recital singer if it had not been for the popularity of a long-running radio program, "The Voice of Firestone," which he hosted for many years. For this writer, the real difference came in the rare opportunity to actually meet the retired singer at his home in Portola Valley, California, on December 31, 1969. A close friend of mine had known Crooks for several years and he finally arranged for a meeting that memorable day.

Already, however, I had heard many of Crooks' 78-rpm recordings for RCA Victor. Crooks had retired in 1945, due to serious health problems, but he actually could still sing quite well, as can be determined by hearing some of the rare private recordings of Crooks singing at a wedding in 1968. Those recordings, included in this wonderful compilation, are proof that Crooks still had the same beautiful, lyrical voice which had so distinguished his singing over the years. Sadly, Crooks was already battling the cancer that would ultimately take his life in September 1972.

This two-CD compilation, prepared by the Stanford (University) Archives of Recorded Sound, goes back to one of Crooks' earliest recordings, an unreleased Columbia recording of "The Americans Come." It also includes some of his early Victor recordings. Among these is the "Serenade" from Rudolf Friml's "The Student Prince." (Crooks also sang with the Victor Light Opera Company in some of their medley recordings, which were so popular during the 1920's. One of the recordings is a medley of songs from "The Student Prince," in which Crooks alternates with another tenor, Lambert Murphy, on some of the solos.)

One of the amazing releases in this collection is Franz Schubert's "Die schone Mullerin," in which Crooks is wonderfully accompanied by Frank LaForge. Remarkably, Victor never issued these recordings. The only problem is that there are occasional flaws in the original masters, but the brilliant singing comes through.

Crooks often talked about singing in public when he was only 10 years old. Famed German contralto Ernestine Schumann Heink was present at the performance and, at the very end, she planted a big kiss on the boy, to his embarassment. Crooks also spoke of hearing Enrico Caruso sing at the Metropolitan Opera; he said that Caruso's recordings are like listening to the tenor in the lobby with the doors closed!

There are some interesting curiosities in this collection, too, such as some recordings of various operatic arias recorded in Germany and sung in German, regardless of the original language. However, operas were usually sung in German in Germany in the 1920's and 1930's, so Crooks was simply following the custom of the time.

There is also the double-sided 12-inch 78-rpm RCA Victor "Red Seal" disk that Crooks always said was his favorite: two famous arias by Richard Wagner, the "Prize Song" from "Meistersinger" and "En fernem land" from "Lohengrin." One marvels at not only the beauty and sweetness of Crooks' voice but his amazing diction. His training and experience in Germany served him well.

One of the special treats is hearing two Stephen Foster classics, "De Camptown Races" and "Beautiful Dreamer," sung with Bing Crosby on 1940's radio broadcasts. When this writer met Crooks in 1969, he told how he remained in touch with Bing, who lived a few miles north of him. It's clear that the two, very different singers admired each other and they also had some fun singing such songs.

Among Crooks' last commercial recordings was a new version of "The Americans Come," recorded in January 1945. This seemed particularly appropriate as World War II wound down to its terrible end. Sadly, Crooks' serious illness ended his wonderful musical career that year, but the surviving recordings on these two CD's are a lasting testimony to the abilities of this gifted singer who was also a wonderful human being.

{Club / Dance Music CONTAINS 51 SONGS ON A 4 CD Set} Pulsating Rhythms Vol. 3 / Dance Pool Vol. 1 / Dance Party Vol. 3 / Club Mix 96 Vol. 2
Average customer rating:
{Club / Dance Music CONTAINS 51 SONGS ON A 4 CD Set} Pulsating Rhythms Vol. 3 / Dance Pool Vol. 1 / Dance Party Vol. 3 / Club Mix 96 Vol. 2
INTUITION - dance with me, VISIONS OF SHIVA - perfect day, URBAN HYPE - the feeling, ERIRE - i just can't give you up CONTAINS 51 SONGS ON 4 CDs: DAYEENE - around the world , JULIETTE JAIMES - we got it all, LEE ROGERS - love is the most, RAGE - run to you, CULTURE BEAT - inside out, M.D.A. - amor DEBBIE MALONE - running from my love , KLEPH & LOCK - share your lovers - DJ COMPANY - holiday in the land of love, TEQUILA feat. TANJA MARIA - with a boy like you, CLAUDIA CHIN - stop trippin' UPLIFTERS - mr. real , D-DEL-H - move sur ce rythme, HECTOR - luv me, E-SENSUAL - you should be dancing, BLA BLA POSSE - bouguez - SHIKISHA - pretty vacant, LEA KISS - don't stop the night DEDE - party , BLACK MAGIC - freedom, TAYLOR DAYNE - say a prayer, VANESSA DAOU - sunday afternoons, SANDY B - make the world go round NUYORICAN SOUL - mind fluid , KENLOU III - what a sensation, FRESH FISH - bang da bush, SOUL SOLUTION - can't stop love, JOI CARDWELL - you got to pray, D'STILL'D - stop go GROOVE COLLECTIVE - i want you , ACE OF BASE - don't turn around, SISTER SLEDGE - we are family (live), KOOL & THE GANG - take my heart (live), COMMODORES - baby this is forever PLANET SOUL - set u free , THE JACKSON FIVE feat. MICHAEL JACKSON - under the boardwalk, JAMES BROWN - it's too funky in here, DIVINE - native love REAL THING - can't get by without you (live) , THREE DEGREES - i'm doin' fine now, SABRINA - all of me, KOOL & THE GANG - joanna (live), AL JARREAU - ain't no sunshine, LATOYA JACKSON - sexual feeling ROSE ROYCE - car wash (live) , and JAMES BROWN - sex machine, THREE DEGREES - when eill i see you again SISTER SLEDGE - he's the greatest dancer (live)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000QU6HCY