What's It Gonna Be

Track Listings

1. What's It Gonna Be [LP Version]

2. Tear da Roof Off [LP Version]

What's It Gonna Be

Rodgers & Hammerstein: Songbook for Orchestra (Orchestral Suites)

Average customer rating:

Irresistible
"Some Enchanted Evening" with Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops
Excellent!
Great Arrangments

Rodgers & Hammerstein: Songbook for Orchestra (Orchestral Suites)

Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Lerner & Loewe Songbook for Orchestra
Rodgers & Hammerstein - The Complete Overtures ~ Opening Night / Hollywood Bowl Orchestra · Mauceri
Puttin' on the Ritz: The Great Hollywood Musicals
The Sound Of Music (1987 Studio Cast)
Classics of the Silver Screen

ASIN: B000003CXQ
Release Date: 1992-01-28

Tracks:

Oklahoma!
Carousel
State Fair
South Pacific
The King And I
Cinderella Waltz
Flower Drum Song
The Sound Of Music

Customer Reviews:

Irresistible.......2005-07-29

From beginning to end this CD is pure delight. A great recording has great music, a great performance, and great sound; this one scores on all three counts.

Rodgers and Hammerstein's musicals dominated Broadway in the 1940s and 1950s, and American musical theater has produced no more consistently eloquent and durable voice than Richard Rodgers. From his fertile genius flowed a surprising number of memorable songs, many of which have passed into and become an accepted and beloved part of modern American culture.

This well-filled CD (77:36) features symphonic arrangements (all but two by Robert Russell Bennett) of the music from Oklahoma (1943), Carousel (1945), State Fair (1945), South Pacific (1949), The King and I (1951), Flower Drum Song (1958), and The Sound of Music (1959). All the great tunes are here in suites from each musical that average 10-12 minutes in length. The arrangements are expert: rich, varied, and colorful. The performances are polished, idiomatic, and irresistible; Kunzel and this orchestra are thorough masters of this kind of material. And Telarc's sound (recorded 1991) is state-of-the-art (engineer Michael Bishop deserves to take a bow).

In short, there's nothing here to cloud your listening pleasure (the only quibble I can imagine is that some of your favorites may not last long enough), so it's hard for me to envision anyone with ears and a taste for music who wouldn't enjoy this CD. Warmly recommended. Finally, if you like this one as much as I do, you might want to know that the same team has produced a companion volume, the Lerner & Lowe Songbook for Orchestra.

"Some Enchanted Evening" with Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops.......2003-12-26

Erich Kunzel's Rodgers and Hammerstein anthology with the Cincinatti Pops Orchestra is one of the best and most ravishing instrumental Rodgers and Hammerstein albums of all time. With sumptuous arrangements and warm, natural Telarc recording, this glorious 77-minute CD presents sweeping, melodic arrangements of over 60 Rodgers and Hammerstein selections, spanning eight scores, and Kunzel allows the Pops to play with a characterful and polished understanding of the Rodgers and Hammerstein idiom. The disc is enough to cheer you up on a dull day and make you smile, and it might even want to make you feel like a convert to Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals.

This CD has all the scores arranged chronologically. The OKLAHOMA! suite that opens this disc promises a feast for the senses, Kunzel ably evokes the territory's "bright, golden haze" in the way he conducts the various excerpts, until you feel the atmosphere of the country charm of the show, and the love-affair between Curly and Laurey. Then, in CAROUSEL, he ably evokes the pathos of this tragic R&H masterwork, especially in the truncated Waltz, but he leads a wonderfully melodic "June is Bustin' Out All Over" and a devotional "You'll Never Walk Alone." Although this suite does not include Billy's pivotal Soliloquy, it includes "If I Loved You" as an expression of his love for Julie, and within minutes you could be soaked in the ups and downs of the show's mood.

After a brief STATE FAIR suite, with sweeping renditions of "It Might As Well Be Spring" and "It's a Grand Night for Singing", we are brought into the disc's showstopping highlights. These highlights are the excerpts from SOUTH PACIFIC, THE KING AND I, and THE SOUND OF MUSIC. But yet Kunzel conducts the rest of the disc until the various suites amount to a series of showstoppers. These three suites present wonderfully-arranged versions of their many familiar classic songs, with well-played solos. The SOUTH PACIFIC suite presents the songs in chronological order, yet preserves the atmosphere of the show at the same time. Kunzel ably brings out the romance in "Some Enchanted Evening" and "Younger than Springtime," and contrasts it with the exotic and dreamlike "Bali Hai'i" and the comic "There is Nothing like a Dame" and "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair". Although the suite ends quietly with a reprise of "Dites-Moi" rather than the reprise of "Some Enchanted Evening," within minutes we are swept into the KING AND I suite. Kunzel ably brings out the Oriental pathos in this score, and he captures the warmth of Anna's rapport with the King's Siamese children in "Getting to Know You", and with the King himself in "Shall We Dance." There is also romance in the love ballads "I Have Dreamed" and "We Kiss in a Shadow." Similarly, in the selection from THE SOUND OF MUSIC, Kunzel conducts this until the orchestra soaks itself in the atmosphere of this Austrian R&H score. This SOUND OF MUSIC suite has more of a feel of the score compared to the bonus track on Sony's reissued version of the Broadway recording. You can almost feel as if you are following the progress of the Trapp family and how it lifts its spirits with the joy of music. Kunzel gives us a soaring version of the title song, and spirited versions of "Do-Re-Mi" and "My Favourite Things." He balances it with the open-air quality of "Edelweiss" and "The Lonely Goatherd." Although this suite could have included "Something Good," the love ballad written for the film, the three recollections of the songs that were cut from the movie only last for a while. And, the towering version of "Climb Every Mountain" crowns this portion of the disc, and this sumptuously-produced recording. But, I should also mention the infectuous FLOWER DRUM SONG medley, where Kunzel turns this underrated score into a work of art, until it convinces you to buy the cast recording. And, don't forget about the brief CINDERELLA WALTZ, too, when Kunzel conducts it magically, until you feel like you are in the company of Cinderella and the Prince. He is able to show how this R&H score marked a comeback for R&H after the failiures of Me and Juliet, and Pipe Dream.

Overall, this glorious Rodgers and Hammerstein recording is guarunteed to make you want to pucker your lips out for a whistle or sing along (to paraphrase another revew for Kunzel's Disney Spectacular disc) - even if this recording is music only, and as long as you know the words to the songs (and you might know a large handful of them already.) There is always a certain magic in this fine CD that makes you feel like you're sitting in the theatre watching these musicals, until it makes you feel like it is truly, to borrow two R&H song titles, "Some Enchanted Evening" and "Something Wonderful" to be in Kunzel's company for this R&H offering. It would certainly be one recording that could make you feel willing to buy the complete cast recordings of the shows. And I guaruntee that it will make you feel willing to pull out your existing copies of the cast recordings to listen to them again. I also guaruntee that it will be a cornerstone in any Rodgers and Hammerstein collection, just as it is in mine. Recommended heartily to any Rodgers and Hammerstein enthusiast and to fans of Erich Kunzel's work. And, you can play it while reading the Richard Rodgers biography, Musical Stages, until Rodgers himself would count this as his favourite disc in the afterlife.

By the way, most of the arrangements for the suites on this CD were done by the veteran R&H orchestrator Robert Russell Bennett, and it surely adds to the appeal of this recording. This itself is enough to amount to the icing on the cake, since Kunzel conducts them well on here, and since this recording still allows the suites to have the original theatrical atmosphere. And, although this recording is like the Mauceri collection of the Rodgers & Hammerstein overtures in compiling orchestral suites of Rodgers & Hammerstein, I think that I like the Kunzel recording even more because Kunzel has more magic in his conducting of these suites.

Excellent!.......2003-04-08

This is one of the best Erich Kunzel/Cincinnati Pops collections we own! A must for Rodgers and Hammerstein fans, too.

Great Arrangments.......2001-09-02

This is a first rate album with great arrangments and orchestrations. If you're a Rodgers and Hammerstein fan, you can't afford to miss this specatacular album

Bea Arthur on Broadway - Just Between Friends

Average customer rating:

And Then There's BEA!
Golden Girl Shines Brightly
Alive and Unforgettable
A trip down memory lane...
A Truly Remarkable Accomplishment

Bea Arthur on Broadway - Just Between Friends
Bea Arthur
Manufacturer: Drg
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Golden Girls: A Lifetime Intimate Portrait Series
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Mame

ASIN: B00005YTRL
Release Date: 2002-02-12

Tracks:

Lamb Recipe
Fun To Be Fooled
Introduction
What Can You Get A Nudist For Her Birthday?
Auditions
Isn't He Adorable
Fiddler on the Roof
Let's Face The Music And Dance
Bosom Buddies
Angela Lansbury
Threepenny Opera/ Pirate Jenny
It Never Was YOu
And Then There's Maude
Some People
The Soup Ladle
Where Do You Start
Bernie Schwartz
If I Can't Sell It, I'll Keep Sittin' On It!
Personal Hygiene
Who Cares
Fifty Percent
The Nun's Story
You're Gonna Hear From Me
The Chance To Sing
The Man in the Moon is a Lady

Amazon.com

More comedy monologue than musical performance, Bea Arthur's one-woman show Bea Arthur on Broadway: Just Between Friends collects memories from the silver-haired star's life on Broadway (Fiddler on the Roof, Mame, The Threepenny Opera) and television (Maude, The Golden Girls).

"I wanted to see if I had the guts to just come and be myself," Arthur says in this performance recorded in front of a live audience in December 2001. Alongside co-creator and pianist Billy Goldenberg, she offers wry and often funny anecdotes about her career and the people she's worked with (Angela Lansbury, Pia Zadora). When she does sing ... well, even decades ago Arthur didn't have a beautiful voice, but she's well-suited to the comedy songs. And her versions of Kurt Weill's "Pirate Jenny" and Goldenberg's own "Fifty Percent"--while they won't make anyone forget Lotte Lenya or Dorothy Loudon--are effective in their own right. Bea Arthur on Broadway is definitely more Bea than Broadway, but it's a career well worth remembering. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

And Then There's BEA!.......2007-01-20

Thank goodness this is available on CD. I saw the show twice in Manhattan and once in P-town MA. She is an American treasure. What's nice is that you don't need to have had seen the live performance to enjoy this CD. (Though I'd love to have it on DVD.) Just Bea, Billy, a piano and yet so much more!!!!!

Golden Girl Shines Brightly.......2005-10-21

For anyone who has ever laughed as Bea Arthur deftly put people in their place with her lightning quick wit as Dorothy on the "Golden Girls", they will not be disappointed with this CD. Arthur, some 9 years after leaving the small screen, returns triumphantly to her professional roots, the stage, and does not disappoint. Mixing antedotal stories with classic songs, all to the accompianment of Billy Goldenburg, Arthur weaves her life in a brillant 90 minute tapestry so that the listener regrets ever reaching the end. Anyone who has ever seen Arthur perform on stage, or as Maude or Dorothy, they will not regret purchasing this CD. For that rare minority of people who have not have the privilage of seeing Arthur previously should find out what they have been missing of this American icon.

Alive and Unforgettable.......2004-11-21

Bea Arthur. Nearing 80. And yet, her continuing vitality is blatantly obvious in this live recording. I will tell you this--I bought this disc with no expectations whatsoever. I like Golden Girls as much as the next chap, and I was slightly curious about what Bea had become.

The simple truth was that I was stunned. Completely stunned. Again, this sounds as the same, alive, malicious woman who portrayed those "affirmative women" on TV (per her own words). She mocks her own voice, recalling the humiliation of being mistaken for the man of the house through the phone ... and some--who buy this disk with the intent of getting a faultless musical performance--might agree (and according to some reviews her, HAVE agreed) that her voice is perhaps too deep, too cutting, not pure enough. But this is NOT (and I stress it) a musical performance per se, it is not a perfectly rounded voice singing perfect standards.

What this disc is? A drama performance. The songs are intermissed with speech interludes, during which Bea narrates anecdotes from her past experience as an actress--and that's is PRECISELY what is MAGIC. You feel as though she's inviting you to witness the high points of her life, and it's a very nice place. The songs, seem alive as rarely before, because they are performed. She renders them with life, and make the most of her abilities.

I really appreciated some of the smaller things. You get to recognize her trademark, slightly embarassed, `You know' ... She'll make you laugh with good natured reminiscence ("A Mother's Ingenuity"!); some of the songs are delightfully imperfect, (I learned to love the half-sung/half-spoken "What Do You Start" ...), some others are wonderfully dynamic ("What Can You Get a Nudist For Her Birthday?", "Threepenny Opera/Pirate Jenny" ...), but all are very enjoyable ...

Be it "Isn't He Adorable?" or "If I Can't Sell It, I'll Keep Sittin' on It" ... every track on this disc will have you fondly reminisce or curiously discover the career of one helluva woman.

You really can't be disappointed. I promise.

If only we could have a visual as well!

A trip down memory lane..........2003-10-19

Bea Arthur, one of the finest performers of her time.
Bea is most known for her role on the sitcoms Golden Girls and Maude, but she's done so much theater work as well.
She was in the cast of the original U.S production of "Threepenny Opera" starring Lotta Lenya, and in the original cast of "Fiddler On The Roof" and "Mame". But Bea started her theater career in a show called "The Shoestring Revue".
Bea stoled the scene every night when she performed as yente the Matcmaker on "Fiddler On The Roof" and she also got a hole lot of response as Vera Charles on "Mame", starring Angela Lansbury. In this live performence Bea performs a collection of songs chosen by herself, such as, "Let's Face The Music And Dance", "Isn't He Adorable", "Fifty Percent" and her theme song from Mame "The Man In The Moon". Bea is absolutely one of our time finest performers, with her witty sence of knowledge and her indefiable voice she has establised herself as a broadway legend, alongside Judy Garland, Elaine Stritch, Mary Martin. She is one of the last broadway female legends alive. And still going strong, Bea is rounding 80, but you wouldn't notice.
Do yourself a favour and take a trip down down memory lane, it's your chance to hang out with the last female broadway legend around.

A Truly Remarkable Accomplishment.......2003-06-16

As a huge fan of Bea Arthur's, I was very excited when I heard she would return to Broadway to do a one-woman show. Not since winning the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for "Mame" has Bea Arthur been on stage. Well, what a way to follow up! This cd (which was recorded during a live performance) Bea gives fans an intimate look into her show business life. The stories are very funny and touching, and the songs (which Bea picked out herself) are fun, beautiful, and magical. A favorite part of this cd for me, is when Bea talks about her days on TV. She was the star of two very successful and groundbreaking sitcoms, "Maude" and "The Golden Girls" I am a huge fan of "The Golden Girls" and Bea's character Dorothy was always my favorite. This cd is a must for any Bea Arthur fan, but the appeal of this amazing show goes beyond her hardcore fans. Any fan of classic Broadway and cabaret songs will love this cd. This is one of the favorite cds I own, and should be treasured by more people. And finally, as a sidenote, Bea's one-woman show was nominated for a Tony Award in 2001 in the category of Best Special Theatrical Event.

Land of My Fathers: 100 Great Welsh Choir Favourites

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Land of My Fathers: 100 Great Welsh Choir Favourites

Manufacturer: Castle Pulse
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Favourite Welsh Choirs
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ASIN: B0009SOFXG
Release Date: 2005-08-01

Tracks:

Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer (CWM Rhondda) - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
Land of My Fathers - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
Dies Irae
Men of Harlech
You'll Never Walk Alone
Cadwyn O Emyn Donau Cymreig: Joanna (Trad./Elfion Wyn)/Crugybar (Trad.
Old Folks at Home
Il Liza Jane
Faust/Soldier's Chorus - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
Vergine Degli Angeli
Ballard of Rourke's Drift - Cwt-Y-Collen Choir
My Hero
God Bless the Prince of Wales - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
German Mass/Gloria
German Mass/Sanctus
Misbles/Master of the House/On My Own/Drink with Me/Empty Chairs at
All Through the Night - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
Arwelfa
Invictus
Softly as I Leave You

Tracks:

Diolch l'R L
Hine E Hine (Maori Lullaby)
Pererin Wyf (Amazing Grace)
Tribute to the USA: America the Beautiful (Ward/Bates)/God Bless ...
Memories of Martha
I Lombardi/The Crusaders' Chorus - Treorchy Male Choir
Myfanwy - Treorchy Male Choir
Tales of Hoffman/Barcarolle
Creation's Hymn
In the Spirit!
Shall We Gather at the River
Nos a Bore
Very Best Time of Year
Soon Ah Will Be Done
Thanks Be to God
Flower That Shattered the Stone
Rhys - Treorchy Male Choir
Where Shall I Be?
Bywyd y Bugail
Lord's Prayer

Tracks:

Ave Maria
Pearl Fishers/Divine Brahma
She Was Beautiful (Cavatina) - Treorchy Male Choir
Cymru Fach
Nidaros
Jacob's Ladder - Treorchy Male Choir
Watching the Wheat
Pan Ddaw y Saint (When the Saints Go Marching In)
Misbles/Stars
Rachie
Pirates of Penzance/With Cat-Like Tread - Treorchy Male Choir
There Is a Balm in Gilead
Rise Up Shepherd and Foller
My Lord, What a Mornin'
Bryn Myrddin
Jesus Christ Superstar/Medley: Jesus Christ Superstar/Hosanna/The Last
Finnish Forest (Suomen Salossa)
Nabucco/The Glory of Israel
Ride the Chariot
Tydi a Roddaist - Treorchy Male Choir

Tracks:

Y Nefoedd
Phantom of the Opera/Think of Me
Morte Christe (When I Survey the Wondrous Cross)
By Babylon's Wave
I'm Gonna Sing
Where Could I Go But to the Lord?
Holy City - Treorchy Male Choir
Mefistofele: Ave Signor, Degli Angeli
Senzenina (Zulu Chant)
That's All I Want from You
Deep Harmony - Treorchy Male Choir
Give Me Jesus
Just a Closer Walk with Thee
My Wish for You
Jeptha/Waft Her Angels
Mose in Egitto/Prayer
Be Still My Soul (Finlandia Hymn)
God's Choir in the Sky
Floral Dance - Treorchy Male Choir
Smilin' Through

Tracks:

Calon Lan
True Love
Mor Fawr Wyt Ti (How Great Thou Art)
Aberystwyth
Comrades in Arms
Cats/Memory
They Led My Lord Away
State Fair/It's a Grand Night for Singing
When I Fall in Love
Let's Face the Music and Dance
Windmills of Your Mind
How Soon
Non Nobis Domine
Rhythm of Life
Kalinka
Sound an Alarm
Neapolitan Trilogy: It's Now or Never (Di Capua/Schroeder/Gold)/Mo ...
Turandot/Nessun Dorma
Christus Redemptor
Ann Evening's Pastorale

Album Details

Choirs Include the Morriston Orpheus Choir, the Pontadrddulais Male Voice Choir, the Caerphilly Male Voice Choir, the Cwrt-y-gollen Choir, the Treorchy Male Choir and the Lucknow Male Voice Choir.

Average customer rating:

Wouldn't have expected anything less!
Excellent Chrismas album by an amazing band!
Can Chicago's Current Line-up Do Anything Wrong?
A few rough spots in a collection of diamonds
Must be awesome

Christmas: What's It Gonna Be Santa
Chicago
Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000CF356
Release Date: 2003-10-14

Tracks:

Winter Wonderland
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
Jolly Old St. Nicholas
Little Drummer Boy
This Christmas
Feliz Navidad
Bethlehem
Christmas Song
O Come All Ye Faithful
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Sleigh Ride
Silent Night
What Child Is This?
Christmas Time Is Here
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
Child's Prayer
One Little Candle
White Christmas

Customer Reviews:

Wouldn't have expected anything less!.......2007-01-13

Next to my Elvis Christmas CD, this is my favorite Christmas CD. A great band performing great songs. It seems the traditional songs were written just for Chicago.

Excellent Chrismas album by an amazing band!.......2006-11-30

This edition, featuring 6 new songs at the time of issue, was previously issued as Chicago 25 in 1998. It wasn't a huge seller but gained steam year after year as certain tracks gained radio airplay and through word of mouth sales. In 2003, this version came out and now it's spreading holiday cheer even more than before! You will still find the original version on Amazon, but the 6 new tracks make it worth it to get this one.
I support just about every song from the original album, and you should get this record just based on how good those songs are. Here are some new thoughts:

The Good: The first Christmas album in `98 started out with Little Drummer Boy; this time that song comes in on track #4. This song set the tone the entire album before, and is the best song on the whole CD. What a great version! This time, the opener is the first of the six new songs, "Winter Wonderland." Not a bad move and not a bad version by the boys! "This Christmas" led by Jason Scheff is done very well, with a crisp sound. "Bethlehem" is an excellent song, very pretty with a great melody. Great vocals by multiple members, keeping a Chicago trademark going. "Sleigh Ride" and "Rudolph" are amazing. `Jolly Old St. Nicolas' is an original by the group; it's not bad but has a little too much guitar neat the end - this focus on guitar will probably satisfy many folks at the holiday parties who are gobbling the goodies while sipping the egg nog and having coffee chasers.

The BAD: The two tracks with the kids singing have (gladly) been pushed to the back of the track listing (Numbers 18 & 19, out of 20 songs) for this new release. Sorry kids, but these tracks have a wonderful 100% success rate of falling victim to the "next track" button on the CD player. Besides these two tracks and a slightly sub par Jolly Old St. Nicolas, this album is a wonderful holiday treat that captures the Chicago sound and warm spirit.

Overall, this is a great Christmas album. There are excellent and comprehensive liner notes, with the story behind the album and breakdowns of each song. Check out the neat retro Christmas gift tags on the inside, on the right side. The guys still have a great sense of humor after all these years.

Can Chicago's Current Line-up Do Anything Wrong?.......2006-06-26

I am not going to write a bunch of text here. I love the reviews, and I LOVE THIS CD. Chicago's present line-up is 5-star, across the board. I do not take part in the Scheff v. Cetera, Imboden v. Seraphine, and Howland v. Kath debate - but today's Chicago plays as a unified team, more than any other in its history. You always had the sense that Dacus, Pinnick, and Bailey were not true believers; deOliveira was there for the Caribou Sound. And with each passing album, Peter Cetera sounded more and more like he didn't want to be there.

THIS Chicago is awesome, so much so that I would not replace any of them with any other prior Chicago member. Who knows - Terry Kath might have pulled a Bailey and bailed if he didn't like the direction? It's all speculation. All I know is THIS sound works, and every album since Night and Day is a joy.

Keith Howland's a keeper.

OK, I'm starting to write a lot.

Buy this album. Enjoy . . . and Merry Christmas!

A few rough spots in a collection of diamonds.......2005-12-15

In 2003, Chicago re-released their 1998 Christmas album XXV with 6 "bonus" tracks. This 20 song Christmas CD is the result. In addition to adding 6 tracks, the band opted to shuffle the order of songs, in some cases, to the album's benefit, and in other cases to its detriment.

While its predecessor started with a bang-Little Drummer Boy, this version starts with Winter Wonderland. While it's a fun track, it doesn't have quite the same punch as their exceptional arrangement of Little Drummer Boy. And maybe it's just me, but towards the end of Little Drummer Boy the horn chart sounds like it was lifted from Joy to the World-and when I say Joy to the World I don't mean the classic carol. I mean the Three Dog Night seventies mega-hit about everyone's favorite bullfrog named Jeremiah. Whether this is tip of the hat to Chuck Negron and company, a subtle jab at Three Dog Night, a silly coincidence, or my overactive musical imagination is beyond me.

One of the surprises of the original release was Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow, which did so well for the band back in 1998, they even opted to record a Spanish version, Navidad, Navidad, Navidad. Trumpeter Lee Loughnane's rare vocal appearance (his first turn on lead vocals since This Time on Chicago XI, way back in 1978) was truly a delight for the die-hard fans who have been waiting to hear more of his underrated vocals.

Much like the original release, this re-release features another vocal surprise. "Newbie" (well, he's been in the band since 1995, but in a band that's been around since 1967, I think that still warrants being referred to as a "newbie") guitarist, Keith Howland takes a turn on lead vocals for Jolly Old St. Nicholas, one of those six aforementioned "bonus tracks." Their upbeat, rocking arrangement of Jolly Old St. Nicholas is an interesting departure from the otherwise "safe" Christmas album. Howland sounds confident both behind the microphone and on the guitar.

While a nice addition, to this re-release, This Christmas may fail to disappoint, but it also fails to excite this listener. Despite Jason Scheff's pleasant vocals, this arrangement plays it a bit "too safe" and fails to do anything that sets it apart from any other version of the song, making it otherwise forgettable.

Much like the original release, the low-point of this re-release is Feliz Navidad. The original is a rollicking, catchy, and fun song. When I first heard Chicago had opted to cover the song I was excited and really looked forward to hearing it. When I finally heard it, I couldn't have been more disappointed. The once vocally adventurous Robert Lamm has grown quite boring indeed. This arrangement of Feliz Navidad sounds like how Wayne Newton might sound singing a funeral dirge. The re-release could only have benefited from the exclusion of this musical abomination.

One of the other bonus tracks, Bethlehem, an original tune written by vocalist/keyboardist, Bill Champlin and his wife Tamara is a catchy tune which would have the potential to become a Christmas standard if not for better publicity and promotion. The song is from the perspective of the 3 wise men journeying to Bethlehem. The vocals are shared by Champlin, Jason Scheff, and trumpeter Lee Loughnane taking another turn on vocals. Each vocalist sings from the perspective of a different wise man which makes the song that much more interesting and memorable. Of all the additions to the re-release this one is probably the most welcome.

Robert Lamm takes another turn on vocals for The Christmas Song, his lounge singer-esque vocals complement this song far better than the aforementioned Feliz Navidad. The horn arrangement and uptempo rhythm also help prevent the song from regressing into a funeral dirge.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is given the same gritty soulful performance that Santa Claus Is Coming to Town was given on the original release. While I normally can't stand either of these songs as they are obnoxious and probably some of the most overplayed secular carols ever conceived by the human imagination, Bill Champlin at least makes Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer listenable-no small feat by any stretch of the imagination. Unfortunately, even as much as I love Champlin's brand of blue-eyed soul, not even his gritty soulful performance can rescue Santa Claus Is Coming to Town-another track whose absence would only have served to benefit this re-release.

O Come All Ye Faithful is sung with a soft and gentle reverence by Jason Scheff. His soft tenor is an excellent match for this traditional hymn. The way it's performed seemingly as a duet between Scheff and Walt Parazaider's flute adds to its charm.

Chicago's arrangement of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas has made it one of my favorites, not just on this CD-but a favorite of the entire season by ANY artist. Bill Champlin, who has a tendency to oversing many songs puts just the right amount of soul into this song. He refrains from the vocal theatrics which he has come to be known for during many of Chicago's live shows in recent years and keeps it simple letting Keith Howland and James Pankow's arrangement speak for itself.

Sleigh Ride, yet another of the 6 "bonus tracks" to grace the re-release is one of the most fun and upbeat arrangements I've heard of the song. The juxtaposition of Lee Loughnane's vocals on the verses and Jason Scheff's vocals on the choruses keep the song upbeat, fun, and interesting.

Gathering their children, Chicago formed a "children's choir" to perform 2 songs on the original Christmas release. While the novelty is fun at first listen, generally people are only truly interested in children's choirs if they are somehow related or have some vested interest with at least one of the children in that choir. Generally, the lack of bass and baritone vocals in a children's choir causes them to come across at a pitch which is at best annoying, and far too often, painful to listen to. The 2 songs featuring the children's choir, Child's Prayer and One Little Candle fall into the latter category. Without a vested emotional interest in the children's choir I found those tracks worthy of only a single listen. They've fallen victim to the "skip" button each time since.

On the whole this is a solid Christmas album. While many Christmas CDs come across as "same ol', same ol'" with only the occasional diamond in the rough-this offering features far more diamonds and much less rough than much of the other holiday fodder offered to the masses in the ever growing Christmas holiday season. Despite my strong negative feelings towards certain tracks, I truly enjoy the album as a whole and recommend it to anyone looking to expand their holiday music collection.

Must be awesome.......2005-12-14

Putting it simply, this disc has become a Christmas tradition ever since I picked uo the original version (Chicago XXV) a few years back. This disc just shines with yuletide joy.

Average customer rating:

Its Gonna Be Janet ...
An Interesting Innovation.
THIS WAS THE BEST SONG OF ALL TIME
so great
i love this c.d all my friends have it go get it...........

What's It Gonna Be?!
Busta Rhymes
Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

East Coast | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000I9AD
Release Date: 1999-03-09

Tracks:

What's It Gonna Be?! (LP Version-Clean)
Tear Da Roof Off (LP Version-Clean)

Customer Reviews:

Its Gonna Be Janet ..........2001-07-20

Now here's a combo you don't see everyday ... a widely accepted rapper and a record-setting singer. Busta's rhymes on this song and the way his words flow is incredible. He shows everyone what it truly means to be a rapper. Janet Jackson may only sing on the chorus, but she sets it off with her gentle but powerful voice. This single may have been released a while ago, but its still a song that I can rock out to. The replay value of this song is very high. This is a must-buy for sure!

An Interesting Innovation........1999-07-12

Although I do enjoy some of Janet's music, I found it depressing after a while and so I locked it up in my vault of music(still like her though). I know the people are going to eat this up like corn on the cob, and it is pretty good. It was overplayed, and I get sick of it, nevertheless, it gets four stars for a nice beat, good rapping, and a nice chorus.

THIS WAS THE BEST SONG OF ALL TIME.......1999-05-27

I LOVE that song. I am odering it right now and it is da bom

so great.......1999-05-21

RUN,DO NOT WALK! GET THIS CD NOW. RHYMES AND JACKSON RULE AND ARE BOTH SO TALENTED."WHAT'S IT GONNA BE" RULES I LISTEN TO IT EVERYDAY.I CANNOT GET ENOUGH OF IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i love this c.d all my friends have it go get it..................1999-05-18

i think busta rhymes and janet jackson did a great job on there newest c.d. they should get back together sometime and make another one.

Average customer rating:

Great Musicals

Manufacturer: Rajon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000682FF4
Release Date: 2004-11-15

Tracks:

Oklahoma Suite: Oklahoma!/Oh, What a Beautiful Morning/The Surrey With
My Fair Lady Suite: Ascot Gavotte/Wouldn't It Be Loverly?/With a ...
Annie Get Your Gun Suite: Doin' What Comes Natur'lly/You Can't Get ...
King and I Suite: The March of Siamese Children/I Whistle a Happy Tune
Sound of Music Suite: The Sound of Music/My Favourite Things/Do-Re-Mi
West Side Story: The Jet Song/America/Tonight/Something's Coming/Maria

Tracks:

Porgy and Bess Suite: Summertime/I Got Plenty O' Nuttin'/I Loves ...
South Pacific Suite: Bali Ha'i/A Cockeyed Optimist/Some Enchanted ...
Guys and Dolls Suite: Luck Be a Lady/Fugue for Tinhorns/Follow the ...
Carousel Suite: The Carousel Waltz/Mister Snow/June Is Bustin' Out All

Tracks:

Joseph & The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat: Any Dream Will ...
Evita: Don't Cry for Me Argentina/Another Suitcase in Another Hall
Jesus Christ Superstar: Jesus Christ Superstar/I Don't Know How to ...
Cats: Memory/Macavity the Mystery Cat/Mister Misoffeles
Phantom of the Opera: Phantom of the Opera/All I Ask of You/Angel ...

Album Description

Australian exclusive 3-CD set from the Rajon label's 'Great Series'. 2004.

Subways Are for Sleeping / Do I Hear a Waltz

Average customer rating:

"Broadway Shows from the 1960's ~ Percy Faith"

Subways Are for Sleeping / Do I Hear a Waltz
Percy Faith
Manufacturer: Collectables
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

Orchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

Traditional & Vocal Pop | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Easy Listening | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Lil Abner/Broadway Bouquet
Porgy & Bess / Most Happy Fella
Born Free/Windmills of Your Mind
Kismet/Music From Hollywood
Great Folk Themes: American Serenade

ASIN: B000066JEB
Release Date: 2002-05-21

Tracks:

Ride Through The Night
I'm Just Taking My Time
When You Help A Friend Out
Who Knows What Might Have Been?
I Just Can't Wait
Getting Married
Be A Santa
How Can You Describe A Face?
Comes Once In A Lifetime
Now I Have Someone
I Said It And I'm Glad
What Is This Feeling In The Air?
Do I Hear A Waltz?
Here We Are Again
Moon In My Window
This Week Americans
Someone Like You
We're Gonna Be All Right
No Understand
Take The Moment
Thinking
A Perfectly Lovely Couple
Stay
Thank You So Much

Customer Reviews:

"Broadway Shows from the 1960's ~ Percy Faith".......2004-02-23

Percy Faith blends two award winning Broadway Shows together "Subways Are For Sleeping" (originally released on Columbia Records CS 8533 in 1961) and "Do I Hear A Waltz?" (originally released on Columbia Records CS 9117 in 1965), following the formula of previous albums from the vault of rare finds ~ two more winners are under the baton of the Maestro.

First twelve tracks "Subways Are For Sleeping", featuring the songs of Betty Comden, Adolph Green and Jule Styne with outstanding arrangements on very catchy tunes ~ like "BE A SANTA", "COMES ONCE IN A LIFETIME", "GETTING MARRIED", "HOW CAN YOU DESCRIBE A FACE?", "I JUST CAN'T WAIT", "I SAID IT AND I'M GLAD", "I'M JUST TAKING MY TIME", "NOW I HAVE SOMEONE", "RIDE THROUGH THE NIGHT", "WHAT IS THIS FEELING IN THE AIR?", "WHEN YOU HELP A FRIEND OUT" and "WHO KNOWS WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN?", all have the hallmark sound and the authentic "Percy Faith Touch" on every selections.

Second twelve tracks ~ "Do I Hear A Waltz", featuring the tunes of Richard Rodgers and Stephen Soundheim enhanced by the performances of arranger/conductor Percy Faith and his Orchestra ~ "A PERFECTLY LOVELY COUPLE", "DO I HEAR A WALTZ?", "HERE WE ARE AGAIN", "MOON IN MY WINDOW", "NO UNDERSTAND", "SOMEONE LIKE YOU", "STAY", "TAKE THE MOMENT", "THANK YOU SO MUCH", "THINKING", "THIS WEEK AMERICANS" and "WE'RE GONNA BE ALL RIGHT", enamored to the luxurious sound of Faith's string arrangements ~ you're immediately hooked on these tracks ~ marvelous performances enthralling listener's for some fifty years.

The people at Collectables should be commended for bringing back some of Maestro Faith's best works on compact disc ~ there is so much more in the vast vaults, hopefully there will be more to follow...gotta love it!

Tracks:

Ouverture - Orchestra
Something Wonderfull - Dorothy Sarnoff
Doin' What Comes Natur'lly - Ethel Merman
Life Upon the Wicked Stage - Colette Lyons
So in Love - Patricia Morison
You'll Never Walk Alone - Jan Clayton, Christine Johnson
Bill - Carol Bruce
Hello, Young Lovers - Gertrude Lawrence
Bloody Mary - Male Chorus
I Can't Say No - Celeste Holm
This Was a Real Nice Clambake - Jan Clayton,
Oklahoma! - Alfred Drake
Sue Me - Vivian Blaine, Sam Levene
Woman Is a Sometime Thing - Edward Matthews
Some Enchanted Evening - Ezio Pinza,
I Got Plenty O' Nuttin' - Todd Duncan, Todd Duncan
Guys and Dolls - Douglas Deane, Stubby Kaye, Johnny Silver
It Ain't Necessarily So - Lawrence Tibbett
Make Believe - Jan Clayton
Wonderful Guy - Mary Martin
They Say It's Wonderful - Ethel Merman
When the Children Are Asleep - Jean Darling, Eric Mattson
More I Cannot Wish You - Pat Rooney, Sr., Pat Rooney, Sr.
Puzzlement - Yul Brynner
I Got Lost in His Arms - Ethel Merman

Tracks:

Overture...Summertime - Anne Brown
Why Can't You Behave? - Lisa Kirk, Harold Lang
Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man - Carol Bruce
There's No Business Like Show Business - Chorus
If I Were a Bell - Isabel Bigley
People Will Say That We're in Love - Alfred Drake, Joan Roberts
Bess, You Is My Woman Now - Anne Brown
Luck Be a Lady Tonight - Robert Alda
Shall I Tell You What I Think of You? - Gertrude Lawrence
Girl That I Marry - Ray Middleton
Nobody Else But Me - Jan Clayton
Carousel Waltz - Orchestra
Dites-Moi - Barbara Luna
Ol' Man River - Kenneth Spencer
Summertime
Many a New Day - Joan Roberts
Blow High, Blow Low - Murvyn Vye
It Takes a Long Pull to Get There - Edward Matthews
You've Got to Be Carefully Taught - Billy Tabbert
We Open in Venice - Alfred Drake
I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair - Mary Martin
Who Do You Love, I Hope? - Kathleen Carnes, Robert Lenn
I've Never Been in Love Before - Robert Alda
Tom, Dick or Harry - Lisa Kirk
I Whistle a Happy Tune - Gertrude Lawrence

Tracks:

New York, New York - Lynn Murray, Lynn Murray
Almost Like Being in Love - Marion Bell, Dave Brooks, David Brooks
Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered - Vivienne Segal
Beat out Dat Rhythm on a Drum - June Hawkins
How Are Things in Glocca Morra? - Ella Logan
Old Devil Moon - Ella Logan
South American Way - Carmen Miranda
September Song - Walter Huston
This Is the Army, Mister Jones - Irving Berlin
Takin' a Chance on Love - Ethel Waters
My Heart Belongs to Daddy - Mary Martin
Anything Goes - Jeanne Aubert & The Four Admirals
You're the Top - Jeanne Aubert & The Four Admirals
I Get a Kick Out of You - Ethel Merman
Night and Day - Fred Astaire
I Got Rhythm - Red Nichols & His Orchestra
Someone to Watch Over Me - Gertrude Lawrence
Fascinatin' Rhythm - Adele Astaire, Fred Astaire
Strike Up the Band - Red Nichols & His Orchestra
Makin' Whoopee - Eddie Cantor
Heatwave - Ethel Waters
Easter Parade - Clifton Webb
She Didn't Say Yes - Peggy Wood
I've Told Every Little Star - Mary Ellis
Johnny One Note - Lynn Murray, Lynn Murray

Album Description

Import exclusive, budget price compilation featuring Broadway classics like 'You'll Never Walk Alone', 'Summertime', & There's No Business Like Show Business', performed by Ethel Merman, Gertrude Lawrence, Celeste Holm, & many more. 75 tracks in all. Standard double jewel case. Disky. 2001.

Album Details

3 CD set

Customer Reviews:

A bargain collection of showtunes.......2005-08-19

This bargain collection of showtunes is highlighted by the composition of Kurt Weill and the uniquely rolling tongue of Colette Lyons. I have a complaint about this compilation. It includes "Ol' Man River", but it excludes Al Jolson's rendition of "Ol' Man River." Otherwise, this collection gives you ample bang for your buck.

Average customer rating:

What's It Gonna Be?
Benefit
Manufacturer: Edel
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00006F1KV
Release Date: 2002-10-28

Average customer rating:

One of the best rap singles EVER
TWO BEAUTIFUL PEEPS MAKE ONE BEAUTIFUL CD!!!!!!
Janet's vocals are seductive, and busta's rhyme is hot.
A solid R&B soul space funk jam.

What's It Gonna Be

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

East Coast | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Rap & Hip-Hop | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00000J200
Release Date: 1999-04-16

Tracks:

What's It Gonna Be?!(Soul Society Remix)
What's It Gonna Be?!(LP Version Clean-Edit)
What's It Gonna Be?!(Micky Finn D&B Remix)

Album Description

Extract from the hit rapper's top 20 1998 album 'E.L.E.:Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front'. Featuring Janet Jackson, this release has three mixes of 'What's It Gonna Be' (Soul Society Remix, LP Version Clean - Edit & Micky Finn D&B Remix). Sli

Customer Reviews:

One of the best rap singles EVER.......2003-09-28

This is one of the best rap singles ever. The beats are hot, busta's raps are TIGHT and Janet's chemistry with him is just awsome! It's one of my favorite rap singles in addition to Lauryn Hill's "Doo Wop (ThaT ThinG)." highlight reccomended!

TWO BEAUTIFUL PEEPS MAKE ONE BEAUTIFUL CD!!!!!!.......1999-06-16

this cd is so badaaaaaaaaaaa*****! janet is (as usual) super sexy, and Busta is (well, also supersexy!) very smooth with the rap! This is a increadible duet! janet shares her soft voacls, and busta, his rhyme profound raps! you have to get this cd! the soul society remix is the best!

Janet's vocals are seductive, and busta's rhyme is hot........1999-05-24

I was blown away by the combonation of the two artist, everyone knows janet's vocals are laid back, but provide such intensity when she sings, The bass line blow me away and Busta's Rhyme and his ablibs were slamming, the two through it out there and the public brought it up.

A solid R&B soul space funk jam........1999-05-03

This has the typical Busta Rhymes innovations. It's a pretty smooth, liquidy, head-bobbing cut. I like the bass lines and silky smooth guitar effects in the background. However, Janet could have been any female with a decent voice of the day. She only adds her name, not talent.

Rap Music:

Rap Music

rap music

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