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Celtic Woman, Vol. 1

Like the material heard on the A Woman's Heart series, the selections included on Celtic Woman represent the contemporary yet introspective side of Irish music. It includes a fair sprinkling the high, creamy, ethereal sopranos typical of the Celtic Twilight esthetic made famous by Anuna, Enya, and Clannad. But there are also a good many chesty altos and big-voiced pop belters. Rita Connolly packs a clarion-like mezzo of the stripe that has made Mary Black a household name, Áine Furey¹s loosely-raveled pipes sometimes channel Stevie Nicks¹ yeasty growl, while Marian Bradfield could easily become the Irish Patsy Cline. In fact, the tunes themselves often harbor haunting parallels with American old-timey music, which was after all descended from imported Scots-Irish traditions that got land-locked in the Appalachians. With so much high-end diversity on tap, the album has a remarkably broad appeal and should delight fans of modern Celtic styles, country pop balladeers, singer-songwriters or any combination thereof. --Christina Roden

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Customer Review:

music

I really enjoyed the tape. It was sent in a timely manner and I appreicated your keeping me posted by e-mail. Marjean Caldwell

termendous

Celtic Woman
I saw for the 1st time on a TV special
NEVER HEAR ABOUT THEM...I loved ..
So surfin on internet for others ..
HUM..I found the CD
UAU..!!!
I got it ..instantly.
now the girls are on my CD_Changer
Go..buy it ..it's wonderfull
...after a dinner..
...smoking a cigar..
a class of Gran_Manier..
Do it ..
it's lovely
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Silvio --Orlando/FL---56 yo.

Contemporary Celtic folk jewels

I agree with the other reviewer who said this isn't so much traditional Celtic music as contemporary Celtic folk. I like this kind of music and to me this CD is studded with jewels. I have listened to it many times over many months, and "haunting beauty" is the term I would apply to many of the songs. The selections are varied, and display the wealth of styles available outside of strictly traditional Celtic music today. Rather than go into many of the songs, I'll cite "Annie Moore" as a lavishly beautiful and inspiring song, and restrain myself from praising others. I am totally delighted to have bought this album, and would not want my music collection to be without it.

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Keywords: Adult Alternative; British Folk-Rock; Celtic; Celtic Folk; Celtic Fusion; Celtic New Age; Celtic/Irish; Contemporary Celtic; Contemporary Singer/Songwriter; Int'l & World Music; Irish Folk; Pop; Singer/Songwriter; Traditional Celtic; Traditional Irish Folk;

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Battlestar Galactica: Season One

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Futures

Soundtrack;

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Customer Review:

Best Soundtrack Ever

I am an avid collector of movie and TV soundtracks, I have to say, this is one of the best ever I have bought. The music is moving, deep and often quite thought provoking. This is especially so if you have seen the show.

If you are a fan of the series then I strongly suggest you buy this soundtrack. Tracks 24 and 27 are my favourate from Kobol's last gleaming.

Good Listening!

I've enjoyed listening to Battlestar Galactica's soundtrack driving to work. The music is remarkably varied and dramatic in its own right. Listening to the CD has piqued my interest to watch the series on TV. I now want to see how the young composer's remarkable talent enhances the action happening on the screen.
I think Bear McCreary's special talents are a wonderful contribution to contemporary music.

Celtic Scifi?

If you like the series and noticed the music at times, then I think you will not be disappointed. I bought this CD mainly to enjoy while driving and while programming at work. There are only about 3 tracks that I didn't enjoy. Some tracks have a definite celtic influence that somehow works.

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Keywords: Film; Film Music; Pop; Soundtrack; Soundtracks & Film Scores; TV Soundtracks;

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Wicked (2003 Original Broadway Cast)

One of the most common complaints about musicals is that the books are flimsy pretexts from which to hang numbers. Wicked runs into the opposite problem: it has a great plot, but too often the songs just get in the way. Based on Gregory Maguire's novel of the same name, Wicked tells us what happened between Glinda the Good and Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, before Dorothy showed up in Oz. And the show is lucky to boast a pair of ace leading women in the main roles. As Glinda, Kristin Chenoweth delivers a sensational star turn, displaying a crystal-pure voice and sharp comic timing; Idina Menzel lends her powerful pipes to the tricky role of Elphaba. Unfortunately, you wish they had better material to work with. Stephen Schwartz's pop score is often dragged down by overly synthetic orchestrations and sentimental lyrics (think Chicken Soup for the Witch). Still, at its best Wicked is a seductive slice of popular entertainment that could well give a younger audience a lasting taste for musical theater. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

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Futures

Cast Recording;

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Customer Review:

FANTASTIC!!

I love this show, and its music. The singers are phenominal!! Especially the evil witch. You just get taken away in her high belt! What a singer.

Amazing, Amazing, Amazing!!!

If you have no other Broadway Show cd's than make this your first. Words can not describe the wonderful lyrics and melodies contained in this recording. Now, proceed to checkout!!!

Great Show

Though the musical can not even begin to have the sophistication of the SUPERB book by Gregory McGuire, it is great fun. Though the original cast is good, the current broadway cast (Shoshana Bean as Elphaba, Megan Hilty as Glinda, Ben Vereen as The Wizard...) is a cast I wish I could have a recording of. Shoshana Bean blows Idina Menzel out of the water...her voice is more stable in all registers and her acting is far superior. I'm okay with spending $15 on the CD with Idina but I'd never have paid $200 for a ticket for her...Shoshana I plan to see at least 2 more times in NYC.

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Keywords: Cast Recordings; Music Theater; Musical Theater; Musicals; Original Score; Pop; Show Tunes; Showtunes / B'way;

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Sweet Charity (2005 Broadway Revival Cast)

The best thing about this CD is the score: Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields's songs have lost none of their incisiveness over the years, and even a lackluster revival such as this one doesn't entirely succeed in dulling their edge. In the title role, Christina Applegate means well and tries hard, which isn't enough to make us forget Gwen Verdon, the powerhouse original Charity. Even "There's Gotta Be Something Better Than This," a showstopping number if there ever was one, shines like a 40-watt bulb when it should be 400. As Charity's paramour Oscar, Denis O'Hare gives a wonderful, multifaceted performance, though of course Oscar doesn't get songs--except for the welcome addition of "A Good Impression." While this production is adequate but no match for the original recording, fans will be delighted by the bonus tracks. Backed by a small ensemble, Coleman sings four 1963 demos, including an intimate, delightful "I'm the Bravest Individual." The composer also pairs with Fields for a live version of "Big Spender" recorded in 1972. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

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Futures

Cast Recording;

Extra tracks;

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Customer Review:

She's No Brass Band

I've come to the conclusion that all the hype and hoopla associated with Christina Applegate klutzing her way to Broadway in "Sweet Charity" was simply that---A distraction to cover the fact she was wholly inept in this role. Her performance on the Tony Awards broadcast was an embarassment to the rest of the fine cast, due to her poor timing, tinny vocals, and simplified, undignified dance steps. The Tony stage's theatre masks were dripping with "bomb sweat" after that one, if not weeping tears of blood.

The cast recording accurately reflects her substandard vocals. I have never heard the original Gwen Verdon version, so this isn't simply a case of guilt by comparison. I would, however (to my chagrin) much prefer hearing Kathi Lee Gifford's Carnival cruise ad TV version of "If My Friends Could See Me Now". Even Amazon itself is smart enough not to sample too much of Ms. Applegate's voice in the "free previews" offered from this cast recording.

The real problem is not Applegate; it's Broadway's new-found dependence on Hollywood star commercial appeal to justify triple figure ticket prices. As if those actors who've chosen theater haven't suffered enough. Now we're handing Broadway over to the sitcom stars? What's next? Tina Yothers as Mama Rose in "Gypsy"?

I find it insulting to ask someone to pay up to $100 to see Ms. Applegate in this role. We will see if Broadway learns it's lesson when and if Kelly Bundy gets a second crack at it.

Hey Big Spender? Save your ducats. In the meantime, can someone find me a copy of Debbie Allen's recording of "Sweet Charity"? Most definitely would be something better than this.

She can really sing! :)

Well, first off, I was quite fortunate to see Christina Applegate as Charity Hope Valentine in the Broadway production, and I just had to buy this cd! I couldn't believe how great she was vocally. I really enjoyed her performance, and by buying the cd, I almost relive the show when I listen to it. The music is great to begin with! Songs like "Hey, Big Spender", "If They Could See Me Now", and "The Rhythm of Life" are all fantastic songs! :) The storyline is also really entertaining..this revival cast is awesome!!

The Bravest Individual

By now, everybody knows about the pluck Christina Applegate showed in overcoming a broken foot and bringing this revival to New York come hell or high water last spring. What the inner circle naysayers have to say about this Broadway neophyte is beside the point, as this bubbly new cast recording attests to. Ms. Applegate's slight and slightly wobbly soprano may not be an instrument for the ages, but right from her very first song, "You Should See Yourself", she nails the sweet essence of Charity and establishes her character simply through the use of her voice and comic timing. It's amazing that she is new to this game because her alternate use of vocalising and exclaiming the lyrics adds a vibrance and specificity to her interpretation that more accomplished singers often fail to achieve. In fact, her vocal limitations only add to Charity's vulnerability, and the forcefulness of her line readings justifies this one-time TV performer's selection for the role in this revival. In fact, this CD is mostly a joy to listen to. First, of course, there is the score, one of the best of the 60's. "Big Spender" and "If They Could See Me Know" were the hits, but "Charity's Soliloquy", "There's Gotta Be Something Better...", "I'm the Bravest Individual" and "Rhythm of Life" are just as good. The orchestrations are bouncy and dead on crisp, making this score sound contemporary while still betraying it's roots of forty years ago. The one blight on this recording is Dennis O'Hare as Charity's love interest. He sounds at once both too old for her and too fey, and some of his vocal readings are downright annoying. Still, what you have here is a new recording that may not be more than the sum of its parts, but surely some of its parts are more than worth a listen. And above it all sails Ms. Applegtate as the adorable Charity. Let's hope this isn't the last time she'll listen to the lullabye of old Broadway.

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Keywords: Cast Recordings; Music Theater; Musical Theater; Pop; Showtunes / B'way;

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