MAME + X FACTOR 2014 ON COLIN HOLMES MAGIC OF THE MUSICALS SEPTEMBER 28TH.

MAME....Angela Lansbury,Frankie Michaels.Beatrice Arthur. SONY / COLUMBIA LEGACY (
includes previously unreleased material )
tracks played.....
Overture / Open a new window / My best girl / Camouflage (Jerry Herman at piano. cut from show).

This  show CD  has great Big Lady numbers which, I think, is an improvement on Hello Dolly's
songs. Mame is a little Hello Dollyish  but the rest of the songs are vastly entertaining and the spirit
of the show comes across unlike a lot of other soundtracks. The stars are in excellent vocal form
and although there are Extras on the CD they are just Jerry Herman singing with just a piano.One
song "Camouflage" is interesting but I think it must have been replaced by Bosom Buddies as
both songs say the same thing. If you like extras these additions are fine but the fifteen tracks
are the star turns on this CD. ****. 4star.

I saw this show in London many years ago. I think it was Ginger Rodgers playing Auntie Mame.
It was a joyous experience. It's full of fun and time passed by very quickly. The "Mame" song
was stunning and the set changes and costumes extremely colourful. It's only once been revived
surprisingly.....on Broadway with Angela Lansbury.....It soon failed.


THE X FACTOR 2014.

It can be a hard watch sometimes. Adverts, competitions,tears, repetitious back-stories,
disagreements between the judges and that noisy audience. As it begins to reach it's
final stages...the choosing of the last twenty four ,it resembles cock-fighting with an audience out
for blood trying to persuade the judges to see it their way or else. Louis Walsh was in trouble
with that situation. How these young performers wish to sell their soul to the Cowell is beyond
my imagination. There is only one winner and it is not difficult to spot three or four front-
runners. Is it good Television ? The auditions are always fascinating, but when they perform
in the judges houses???? things slip a bit, and when the final dozen take to the stage,live,
things seem to slip even further. Of course Simon Cowell probably knows this and already
has extras to throw into the mix at the end to make sure the viewing figures remain high.His re-
appearance after a couple of years has improved the quality of interest and sensation , for there
is nothing better than seeing his smile when somebody extraordinary appears and sings well.
K-ching!!!

ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY ON COLIN HOLMES MAGIC OF THE MUSICALS. SEPTEMBER 21ST.

ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY...SONY BROADWAY SK 35330 Contains
previously unreleased material.
tracks played....
Overture / stranded again / Saddle up the horse / On the twentieth century.
SINGERS.....John Cullum,Madeleine Kahn,Kevin Kline,Imogene Coca.

Fantastic CD including nearly all the score. This is the Broadway Cast and the only version
available of this musical up to date. This not a problem as the musical and this version are
superb in every way. Clear perfect orchestrations with exceptional ensemble work from
the complete cast. It is possible that some people will object to the highly mannered vocal
performance from Miss Kahn but I liked her quite scatty performance and have no problem
with it ...however other principals in the cast are exemplary.5stars.*****.

ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY....LONDON THEATRE. THE SEVENTIES ?

I saw the show many years ago somewhere around the seventies starring Dennis Quilley
Julia Mackenzie, Dora Bryan and Mark Wynter. An exciting and enthralling performance
with fantastic special effects and ( I think) the original Broadway Art Deco set. Trains
steam all over the stage...one coming towards you with Dora Bryan hanging on the front
of the engine....and much more. It didn't run that long but I realised what an expensive
costumed and scenery show it was so, unfortunately, I don't think it lasted the six months.
I'm so glad I saw it and bought this album(CD now) 5stars*****

..REGULAR PRESENTER ON TUDNOFM 107.8 / www.tudno.co.uk

Monday, 22 September 2014

ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY ON COLIN HOLMES MAGIC OF THE MUSICALS SEPTEMBER 21ST.

ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY...SONY BROADWAY...containing previously unreleased
material.  No. SK 35330
CAST....John Cullum / Madeline Kahn / Imogene Coca / Kevin Kline.

A fascinating worthwhile CD to grace everybody's record collection who are interested in
Musicals.  Superb orchestrations ( especially the Overture), excellent ensemble singing and this
CD has some extra tracks not on the vinyl release. John Callum, Kevin Kline and Imogene Coca
are in great form...my only guess would be that some people would not like the  strange
performance from Madeleine Kahn. It is a little mannered and could annoy. *****.

ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY. WEST END. Dennis Quilley,Julia Mc Kenzie / Dora
Bryan / Mark Wynter.

I saw this production in London many years ago and was completely entranced. The
difficult train effects were handled expertly and the sets and Art Deco style was a joy
to see. When a train speeds towards the audience with Dora Bryan in front of the engine
is a frightening wonder to behold. That I remember and the excellent singing from the
principles and chorus...not to mention the songs. A forgotten musical worth reviving.

BOOK OF MORMON ON COLIN HOLMES MAGIC OF THE MUSICALS SEPTEMBER 2014.

The start of a new series of Blogs concerning musicals I have seen and then got the CD with
 a full personal review of the show PLUS a review of the CD available at this time.
There will be no playlists in future just a different reviewed show every week. this week......

THE BOOK OF MORMON.....seen February 2014 in London. (In all £80 each ticket )

THE best show in London at the moment and the full house that I was sitting in during the
annoying tube strike loved every minute of it.  Adult humour is a slight understatement and if
you are offended by a sexual or satirical script then this is not for you. I'm approaching
seventy and I didn't stop laughing or enjoying a superb entertainment. Time went by so
fast...I sat there wanting more as the full house filed out. I was walking back to my hotel
so I did not need to catch a taxi.Utterly professional performances throughout and the
music and lyrics excellent and catchy. There is no wonder that you have to book well
in advance to get a ticket for this show.*****. 5star.

THE BOOK OF MORMON.CD...GHOSTLIGHT RECORDS....Available at your
local record store or online.....£11.( Will get cheaper I'm sure )

Complete music from the show. There may be a few extras...scene links....entract....
small reprises.....but they are trivial omissions. Vocally strong and clearly orchestrated
with many Chorus numbers , the whole album is a melodic joy! I did not expect this
initially when I bought the album.(I had not seen the show at this time) I knew the
show had taken off in America but this doesn't always repeat itself in the West End
unless it is very good. Both the CD and the show are 5star.*****.

JEANETTE MACDONALD AND NELSON EDDY ONMAGIC OF THE MUSICALS COLIN HOLMES AUGUST 2014

JEANETTE MACDONALD AND NELSON EDDY...ALWAYS TOGETHER...HALLMARK.
Tracks played....Rose Marie / Tramp tramp tramp / Ah sweet mystery of life / Beyond
the blue horizon.

In some cases...poorly recorded....but for a representation of the duo's output during
the 40s and thirties there is none equal.***.

PLAYLIST.
Bibbidi Bobbidy Boo....Perry Como....(DISNEY'S SLEEPING BEAUTY) PLAYLIST.***.
Flash.....Queen.....PLAYLIST.***.
This is my song....Petula Clark.....THE BEST OF...***.
Hey there...Rosemary Clooney.....THE VERY BEST OF....****.
Wooden heart...Elvis Presley.....G I BLUES(FILM)***.
The good the bad and the ugly...Hugo Montenegro....THE BEST OF...***.
Liza....Bobby Darin....IN A BROADWAY BAG.****
The music of my soul...Cast....MEMPHIS.***.
Impossible dream....teatro.....TEATRO.****.
I met a girl...Sydney Chaplin....BELLS ARE RINGING.****.
Hello Dolly.....Matt Munro....MATT AT THE MOVIES.*****.
La vie en rose...Elaine Paige...PIAF.***.
You give a little love....Cast....BUGSY MALONE(FILM)***.
A romantic atmosphere/Tango Tragique.....Cast...SHE LOVES ME.****.
Take me to heaven...Cast....SISTER ACT(STAGE)***.
Yours yours yours.....William Daniels,Virginia Vestoff....1776.*****.
The old soft shoe...Tony Martin, Dinah Shore....TWO'S COMPANY.***.
What's new Pussycat....Sharleen Spiteri....THE MOVIE SONGBOOK.***.
The last night of the world....Lea Salonga,Simon Bowman....MISS SAIGON.*****.
Razzle Dazzle....Jerry Orbach.....CHICAGO.*****.
Puttin' on the Ritz...Tom Chambers....TOP HAT.***.
Where can you take a girl.....Cast.....PROMISES PROMISES.****.
The gentleman is a dope...Ella Fitzgerald....SIX CLASSIC ALBUMS 2.*****.
Stars...Collabro....DOWNLOAD.***.
My defences are down....Tom Wopat....ANNIE GET YOUR GUN.****.
There's room for everyone...Helen Reddy....PETE'S DRAGON(FILM)****.

DUE TO TECHNICAL CHANGES TUDNOFM 107.8 WILL NOT BE BROADCASTING FO
TWO WEEKS. MAGIC OF THE MUSICALS SHOULD RETURN ON SEPTEMBER 15TH.

www.tudno.co.uk