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Anastasia: Music From The Motion Picture (1997 Version)  >>

One of the more successful attempts by another studio (here Fox) to make a quality animated film on par with Disney was Anastasia. The music by David Newman and songs by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (the Broadway team that won a Tony for Ragtime) give the movie a sturdy backbone. From the Zhivago-gone-Broadway opening number "A Rumor in St. Petersburg" to the Oscar-nominated get-up-and-sing "Journey to the Past," the CD is filled with bright numbers, including low-key pop versions of several of the songs. The vocal talent is exceptional, especially Liz Callaway (Grizabella in Broadway's Cats) as Anastasia (Meg Ryan supplied the speaking voice). Bernadette Peters and Jim Cummings (doing a mean Christopher Lloyd impersonation as the speaking voice of the movie's heavy, Rasputin) offer solid support, with kudos to Kelsey Grammer as Vlad, the portly sidekick. The album's (and film's) star is "Once Upon a December," simply one of the most beautiful songs ever from an animated film. Using a waltz motif that is heard throughout the film, the song--with sparse lyrics--builds into a sweeping and memorable number. It will have your dancing princesses asking for repeats. The CD's liner notes include complete lyrics. --Doug Thomas

Crayons  >>

The Queen is Back! Legendary singer songwriter Donna Summer is back with her first studio album in 17 years. In the thirty plus years that Donna Summer has been making music she has never confined her artistry to just one genre. Although Donna is, and will always be, "The Queen Of Disco" to many fans, her hits have spanned multiple musical genres from Rock to R&B to Inspirational and of course, Dance.

Summer helped to define the 70's pop music generation and Crayons has all the characteristics that made Donna an icon. Containing a potent mix of the up-tempo tunes and ballads, the new album showcases incredible new material that is written by Donna (who wrote or co-wrote the majority of her hits of the 70's and 80's). Working with Donna were renowned writers and producers including: Greg Kurstin (Lilly Allen, Pink), Danielle Brisebois (Natasha Bedingfield, New Radicals), JR Rotem (Sean Kingston, Rihanna), Evan Bogart (co-writer of Rihanna's smash "SOS" and the son of legendary record executive, Casablanca Records founder and Donna's mentor, Neil Bogart), and Lester Mendez (Shakira, Santana).

Flashdance: Original Soundtrack from the Motion Picture  >>

The Journey: The Very Best of Donna Summer  >>

Import limited edition pressing of 2003 compilation has a different track listing than the domestic & includes a bonus disc with eight tracks, 'Love To Love You Baby' (Original 12 Inch), 'I Feel Love' (Patrick Cowley Mega Mix), 'Hot Stuff' (12 Inch Version), 'No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)' (12 Inch Version), 'On The Radio (Long Version)', 'Melody Of Love (Wanna Be Loved)' (Classic Club Mix), 'That's The Way' (Album Version), & 'Dream-A-Lot's Theme (I Will Live For Love)' (Album Version). Universal. 2004.

Silverlined  >>

Embodying the culmination of two decades of collaboration between founding members Tara Nevins and Jeb Puryear, Donna The Buffalo's 2008 album builds on the band's signature sound - a bedrock of traditional mountain music infused with elements of Cajun, rock, folk, reggae and country. The album also includes the talents of such well-known guests as B,la Fleck, Claire Lynch, David Hidalgo and Amy Helm. 13 tracks.

Beethoven's Wig, Vol. 2: More Sing-Along Symphonies  >>

From a pure-pleasure standpoint, the first Beethoven's Wig was nothing to flip over, and the second disc in the series follows suit. However, that is not to say that this is not a valuable and possibly ingenious record. Those unfamiliar with the premise will quickly get the picture: Producer/writer/lead singer/chief clever guy Richard Perlmutter gathers a bundle of important classical works (Paganini's "Violin Concerto #2," Strauss' "Blue Danube Waltz") and makes up silly, catchy lyrics to lay over them, informing the listener about the piece or its composer. Standing out for their offbeat brilliance this time are "Dvorak the Czechoslovak" ("Humoresque #7," Dvorak) and "Wow What a Wedding Cake" (Wedding March from A Midsummer Night's Dream, Mendelssohn). Few stabs at mixing education with entertainment succeed so well. As a bonus, the second half of the CD repeats the symphonies straight up, presenting a neat opportunity to quiz kids 5-12 on what and who they've just heard. --Tammy La Gorce

Magic Tree House: The Musical  >>

Based on Mary Pope Osbornes beloved series of childrens books, MAGIC TREE HOUSE: THE MUSICAL brings Osbornes enchanting tales to life onstage. With the authors blessing, playwright Will Osborne (Mary Popes husband) and composer Randy Courts fashioned a Broadway-style musical that expands on the books adding characters, deepening relationships, and expanding themes. The result is a musical full of rollicking tunes and rich orchestrations that add up to a delightful experience for the whole family. The cast includes Cass Morgan (Broadway's Mary Poppins, Floyd Collins, Pump Boys and Dinettes) as Morgan le Fay, Donna Bullock (Ragtime, A Class Act) as Queen Guinevere, and veteran film and television actor Howard Sherman as Merlin. Osbornes young protagonists, Jack and Annie, are played by New York actor Paul Wyatt and Connecticut native Katie Brunetto.

Requiem & Magnificat/Rutter, Cambridge Singers  >>

Two of John Rutter's most popular large-scale choral works are paired in this bargain-priced CD. Requiem, his first composition written without being commissioned, is a convincing affirmation of Christian doctrine on death and eternal life. It is also a substantial and sincere work that strives to be widely appealing while preserving a spiritual context centered on themes of light and consolation. Highlights include "Out of the Deep," its modal tune and harmonies giving it the flavor of a spiritual, and the wonderfully gentle and restful 23rd Psalm. Rutter personalizes his Requiem by adding movements not traditionally part of the Requiem Mass--passages from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, for instance--and this proves to be an effective strategy. Rutter's own, first-class Cambridge Singers are superb, as usual, and soloist Caroline Ashton steals the show with her heavenly Pie Jesu. The Magnificat shows Rutter at his most engaging, thoughtful, and adept. His usual canny sense of tunefulness and rhythmic rightness, flavored with splashes of pop harmony, accomplish his purpose in the Magnificat: to depict Mary's prayer as a celebratory occasion rather than a somber one. --David Vernier

Songs of Angels - Christmas Hymns and Carols  >>

Titanic (1997 Original Broadway Cast)  >>

Unlike the boat it's named after, this show truly rose from the bottom. Despite detractors predicting doom before it had even opened, Titanic overcame hectic previews and endless technical problems to win a Tony for best musical and turn into a commercial success. Despite the fact that favorite performers like Judith Blazer or Victoria Clark disappear in the crowd and don't get solos of note, the show still manages to bring to life affecting characters. Maury Yeston's (Grand Hotel) score has the required majesty without ever being turgid, and the choral work he coaxes from his ensemble is eminently powerful. Though it requires a fair amount of attention on the listener's part, Titanic is also surprisingly emotional--its majestic finale packs more punch than 3 hours of Leonardo DiCaprio. --Elisabeth Vincentelli