By Andrew Gans
18 Jul 2003
Hello, diva lovers! Before we get to this week's news, congratulations to producer/director Gaylen Ross, whose documentary about the late, multi talented singer-actress Laurie Beechman received a CINE Golden Eagle Award, which distinguishes excellence in professional works in filmmaking and videography.
BARBRA STREISAND
I've heard a bit of news through the grapevine about one of the most eagerly awaited recordings of the year, Barbra Streisand's latest solo disc. Streisand — who scored major successes with her Broadway albums — is now focusing her many talents on tunes from the silver screen, and her Columbia Records release is tentatively titled "The Movie Album." Although there is no official song list, some of the titles Streisand is said to be recording include the following:
•"Wild Is the Wind" from the 1957 film of the same name; music by Dimitri Tiomkin and lyrics by Ned Washington
•"The Second Time Around" from 1960's "High Time," which starred Bing Crosby and Fabian; music by Jimmy Van Heusen and lyrics by Sammy Cahn
•"Emily" from 1965's "The Americanization of Emily"; music by Johnny Mandel and lyrics by Johnny Mercer
•"Smile" from 1936's "Modern Times," which starred and was directed by Charlie Chaplin; music by Chaplin and lyrics by John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons
•"I'm in the Mood for Love" from 1935's "Every Night at Eight"; music by Jimmy McHugh and lyrics by Dorothy Fields
•"Calling You" from 1988's "Bagdad Cafe"; music and lyrics by Robert Pelson
•"Goodbye for Now" from Warren Beatty's "Reds" (1981); music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
•Theme from "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse," the 1962 film directed by Vincente Minnelli; music by André Previn and new lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman
•"How Do You Keep the Music Playing?" from 1982's "Best Friends"; music by Michel Legrand with lyrics by The Bergmans
•"You're Gonna Hear from Me" from the 1965 film "Daisy Clover"; music by André Previn and lyrics by Dory Previn
•"But Beautiful" from 1947's "The Road to Rio"; music by Jimmy Van Heusen and lyrics by Johnny Burke
•"Moon River" from Truman Capote's 1961 film "Breakfast at Tiffany's"; music by Henry Mancini and lyrics by Johnny Mercer
There is no release date at this time, but one hopes the disc will hit stores by the fall as it would make the perfect holiday gift for diva fans around the world! I'll keep 'ya posted . . .
FOR THE RECORD
Well, I finally received a copy of the A Man of No Importance cast recording, and I thought I'd share my thoughts on this terrific, must-have recording. . .
If the New York musical theatre awarded a Best Song of the Year prize, one of the top contenders for the season just ended would have to be “The Streets of Dublin,” Stephen Flaherty (music) and Lynn Ahrens’ (lyrics) spirit raising tune from the much-too-short-lived Man. The extremely touching musical — with a book by Terrence McNally based on the film of the same name — played a limited engagement at Lincoln Center’s Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater, and the aforementioned “Dublin” — sung powerfully by Steven Pasquale — was, perhaps, the most exciting moment in the production, which concerns the secret that burdens the life of Alfie (portrayed with dignity by Roger Rees), a Dublin bus conductor who — through community theatre productions — touches the lives of a host of unlikely actors. And, they return his gift with an even greater one: friendship and acceptance.
From beginning to end, the score (available on Jay Records) is a melodic delight. Faith Prince — as Alfie’s spinster sister Lily — scores vocally and dramatically. She finds the humor and the pathos in her role, and her second act diatribe, "Tell Me Why," in which she unleashes years of suppressed emotion, is both frightening and wrenching, and her last line — "You must have known I'd love you all the same" — is heartbreaking. Other highlights include the title tune; “Man in the Mirror,” which explores Alfie’s intense longing for love; “Love Who You Love,” a beautiful ballad sung by Alfie and later reprised stirringly by Robbie (Pasquale) and Adele (Sally Murphy); and the company’s comical pursuit of “Art.” It's a wonderful recording and a must-have for musical theatre fans.
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