An excellent musical revue of Rodgers & Hammerstein songs
07/15/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A refreshing approach to many well-known-and some more obscure-Rodgers and Hammerstein songs, culled from their many collaborative works. The cast of 5 singers (3 women, 2 men) generally sings engagingly and well, although the baritone has a tendency to flat on a few of the slower numbers. A Grand Night for Singing is a charming show that puts the music in a completely new setting. Includes a drop-dead arrangement that puts "Many a New Day" (Oklahoma) and "Gonna Wash That Man" (South Pacific) together in a jazzy woman's trio of playful men-bashing. Other highlights include "Love, Look Away," "Kansas City," "Honey Bun" and "Some Enchanted Evening." A very enjoyable listen."
The Best of the Songwriter Reviews - Exquisite
BrianOC | NYC | 01/13/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This cast album of the review of songs by Rogers & Hammerstein (conceived by Walter Bobbie) is the best of the reviews that feature one songwriter or team--even better than "And the World goes Round" which features songs by Kander & Ebb. The structure is thoughtful, the arrangements are imaginative, and the singing is superb. Many of the numbers are surprising interpretations of familiar songs, for instance "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria" sung by a young man trying to figure out his girlfriend. Others are heart-rending versions of great ballads such as "I Have Dreamed." Another highlight is a soaring "Some Enchanted Evening" scored for all four singers. Overall, a must-have for lovers of musical theatre."
All of them are very unique and interesting!
BrianOC | 11/26/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a must for R&H musical fans. Wonderful wongs are turned out to be very "up-to-dated" and sung well by these cast members. If you want to hear the new style and new arrangement of R&H's song, I recommend it highly to you!"
The best R&H Compilation
Alan Stein | 08/11/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For anyone who is a fan of Rogers and Hammerstein, this is a tremendous collection of songs, beautifully sung and professionally recorded. It's no wonder this was nominated for a Tony Award in 1993 when it premiered. Long before "Mamma Mia" this is a deft and remarkable collection of songs, aligned so that they tell a story of sorts that is exhuberant, hopeful and poignant. "From courtship and young love, the journey continues into commitment--or backing away from it." The very best thing about this album, aside from its singing, is the fact that you get to hear some R&H songs that are both rare and beautiful, such as "That's the Way it Happens," "I Know it Can Happen Again," and "When You're Driving Through the Moonlight." A wonderful addition to anyone who has loved the Broadway musical as represented by the masters."
Rodgers and Hammerstein Never Sounded Better
J. L. Bussey | Cincinnati, OH United States | 08/23/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Take some of the lesser known R&H songs from their shows, give them a new setting and theme (romance, love and marriage)assemble a talented and enthusiastic cast and you have, truly, a Grand Night for Singing. I saw this show performed with a different cast and I was just swept up in the different feel of these songs, most of which I knew...or thought I knew. The new settings and arrangements produced new reactions than when the songs were performed as part of the orginal shows. I went back and saw the show again. Listening to a CD, you miss the excitement that comes with live performance but there is still enough here it make the CD worth its price...and then some."