Talkin' Broadway Sound Advice Recap Week of 12/1/20 (updated 12/4/20)

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See the complete list of Upcoming/Recent releases.

Earlier recaps:

2020: November 24, 17, 10, 3 | October 27, 20, 13, 6 | September 29, 22, 15, 8, 1, August 25, 18, 11, 4 | July 28, 21, 14, 7 | June 30, 23, 16, 9, 2 | May 26, 19, 12, 5 | April 28, 21, 14, 7 | March 31, 24, 17, 10, 3 | February 25, 18, 11, 4 | January 28, 21, 14, 7

2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015


CDs Now Available:

Anyone Can Whistle
(JAY Records - new on 2-CDs/at iTunes)
Studio cast recording of Stephen Sondheim score. Maria Friedman, John Barrowman, Arthur Laurents, Julia McKenzie. National Symphony orchestra conducted by John Owen Edwards. 38 tracks. Also at JAYRecords.com. [See our review.]

Henrik Ibsen: Nine Full-Cast BBC Radio Dramatisations
(BBC - Audiobook on CD/Audible Audiobook)
Adaptations of Ibsen's The Wild Duck, Rosmersholm, Brand, and John Gabriel Borkman, A Doll's House (relocated to 1879 India in Tanika Gupta's dramatisation), Ghosts (adapted by Richard Eyre with the Almeida Theatre cast), Hedda Gabler, The Lady from the Sea, and An Enemy of the People. Casts include David Threlfall, Nicholas Farrell, Helen Baxendale, Indira Varma, Lesley Manville and Harriet Walter. Released previously as Audible Audiobook.

Linda Eder: Retro Volume 2
(new on CD)
Eder's 19th album. Broadway songs and standards. Songs written by Frank Wildhorn, Jake Wildhorn, and others. "You’re All I Ever Wanted," "I will Never Be The One," "This World Will Remember Us," "Still Hurting," "Sweet Song of Life," "Out of The Blue," "Broken Vow," "Slowly," "Every Beat of My Heart," "The First Time I Saw Paris," "What Was Good Enough For You," "Time," "You Are My Home," "If This Were A Gershwin Tune," "My Song Was Just For You," "Someday," "Amazing Grace."At Linda Eder's website.

Liz Callaway: Comfort and Joy
(new on CD/on mp3/at iTunes)
Liz Callaway in collaboration with Callaway's neighbor, guitarist and producer Peter Calo. "Merry Christmas Darling," "Hard Candy Christmas," "Walking in the Air (Theme from The Snowman) [featuring Jann Klose]," "God Bless My Family," "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen / Carol of the Bells," "Love is Christmas," "Christmas Eve (Could Not Ask for More)," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "O Holy Night," "Christmas Time is Here." Currently pre-ordering at LizCallaway.com.

Michael Ball & Alfie Boe: Together at Christmas
(Universal UK - new on CD)
"It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas," "Have Yourself A Merry Christmas," "Mistletoe and Wine," "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)," "I Believe," "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)" (with Gregory Porter), "White Christmas," "Silent Night," "The Spirit of Christmas," "O Holy Night," "I'll Be Home For Christmas," "My Christmas Will Be Better Than Yours," "Once Upon A December." Released 11/20/20 mp3 and at iTunes

Ryan Shaw: Imagining Marvin
(Broadway Records - new album on CD/on mp3/at iTunes)
Multi Grammy-nominated actor/singer (Motown, Jesus Christ Superstar at Regent's Park) tribute to Marvin Gaye. "Save The Children/Mercy Mercy Me," "Get Home" (with Robert Randolph), "I Want You," "Love In Pain" (with Rob Thomas and Derek Trucks), "Sexual Healing," "Sin," "Good Lovin' Ain't Easy To Come By" (with Shoshana Bean), "Strong Men Can ," "Choosin'," "I Heard It Through The Grapevine," "The Shadow Of Your Smile." Produced by Ryan Shaw and Shedrick Mitchel. Released 11/27/20.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Christmas Trilogy
(Atlantic - new on CD/DVD)
Deluxe three CD + DVD edition. Unclear how this differs from previous releases.


DIGITAL MUSIC Now Available:

The Boy in the Dress
(new album at iTunes)
Cast recording of musical based on the bestselling book by David Walliams, adapted by Mark Ravenhill. "Ordinary," "If I Don’t Cry," "We Are the Winners," "Three for the Price of Two," "A House Without a Mum," "I Hate Kids," "Is There Anything More Beautiful Than Lisa James?," "Disco Symphony," "A Girl Who’s Gonna Be," "Miss Windsor’s Belle Chanson," "A Boy in a Dress," "Beach Holiday Sunday," "When Things Fall Apart," "You Don’t Have A Prayer," "You Can’t Expel Us All," "If I Don’t Cry (Reprise)," "I Like to Put on a Dress," "Extraordinary," "Disco Finale," "If I Don’t Cry (Demo)," "A House Without a Mum" (demo). Music and lyrics by Robbie Williams, Guy Chambers and Chris Heath. Cast includes Musical supervision and arrangements by Bruce O'Neil. Musical direction and arrangements by Alan Williams. Orchestrations by Tom Deering and Guy Chambers.

"Come Up for Air"
(new digital single on mp3/at iTunes)
Josh Dela Cruz and Amanda Dela Cruz cover song from Ranked (book by Kyle Holmes and music and lyrics by David Taylor Gomes). A portion of the proceeds from the streaming of the song and video on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube will benefit Covenant House, which provides shelter, food, immediate crisis care, and an array of other services to homeless and runaway youth.

The Prom: Music from the Netflix Film digital
(Sony Music Masterworks - on mp3/at iTunes)
Soundtrack for 2020 Netflix musical film based on the Broadway musical. Music by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin. Meryl Streep, James Corden, Nicole Kidman, Kerry Washington, Andrew Rannells, Keegan-Michael Key, Jo Ellen Pellman, Ariana DeBose. "Changing Lives," "Changing Lives (Reprise)," "Just Breathe," "It's Not About Me," "Dance with You," "The Acceptance Song," "You Happened," "We Look to You," "Tonight Belongs to You," "Tonight Belongs to You (Reprise)," "Zazz," "The Lady's Improving," "Alyssa Greene," "Love Thy Neighbor," "Barry is Going to Prom," "Unruly Heart," "It's Time to Dance," "Wear Your Crown," "Simply Love." To be released on CD 12/18/20.


VINYL LP Now Available:

Matilda the Musical vinyl
(Broadway Records - new double-LP)
2013 Broadway cast recording of Tim Minchin score on blue vinyl. First release of Matilda in any format to include all songs in show order, and first physical format to have the special bonus tracks "Perhaps a Child" and "Naughty" (sung by all four Tony Award-honored Matildas). Available at BroadwayRecords.com.


BLU-RAY/DVDs Now Available:

Kaye Ballard: The Show Goes On
(Abramorama Selects - new on DVD)
The story of Kaye Ballard, the singer, actor, and comedian, spanning eight decades. Rare archival footage and recent interviews with Kaye's pals Ann-Margret, Carol Burnett, Harold Prince, Carol Channing, Michael Feinstein, and others, as well as with Kaye herself. 90 minutes.


Books Now Available:

Dance Adventures: True Stories About Dancing Abroad
(Mtm Coaching and Consulting - new Hardcover Book/Paperback/Kindle Edition)
Megan Tayler Morrison, editor. Foreword by Tanja "La Alemana" Kensinger. Stories from renowned performers, dance educators, and other avid dance adventurers ... about epic dance adventures across North America, Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa highlight various dance traditions, as well as unique aspects of each country's geography, history, demographics and educational systems. 306 pages.

The Oxford Book of Theatrical Anecdotes
(Oxford Univ Press - Hardcover Book)
By Gyles Brandreth. Ultimate anthology of theatrical anecdotes ... covering every kind of theatrical story and experience from the age of Shakespeare and Marlowe to the age of Stoppard and Mamet, from Richard Burbage to Richard Briers, from Nell Gwynn to Daniel Day-Lewis, from Sarah Bernhardt to Judi Dench. 832 pages. Released earlier in Kindle Edition.

Shellie Shelby Shares the Spotlight
(Paperback Book/Kindle Edition)
By Scott Miller (New Line Theatre). Illustrated by Zachary Allen Farmer. Story of a young woman discovering for the first time the incredible magic and power of musical theatre, as she embarks on a wild adventure through the treacherous social jungle of her first high school musical. 44 pages.


Books/Plays RECENTLY MADE AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER:

Gilbert and Sullivan: The Great Savoy Operas ultimate collection
(Sona Books - new hardcover book/DVD set)
Here is the story of each of G&S's greatest works—from inspiration to opening night and beyond—woven into a fascinating account of their lives, times, and rise to global celebrity. Book by Mike Lepine features many rare photos and illustrations from contemporary posters, programs, memorabilia, and merchandise. DVD has 11 complete operas, featuring Peter Allen, Joel Grey, Frankie Howard, Gillian Knight, Keith Michell, Vincent Price, and Clive Revill in The Gondoliers, HMS Pinafore, Iolanthe, The Mikado Patience, The Pirates of Penzance, Princess Ida, Ruddigore The Sorcerer, Trial by Jury, and The Yeoman of the Guard. London Symphony Orchestra and The Ambrosian Opera Chorus.

Musicals: The Definitive Illustrated Story
(DK - Hardcover Book)
Second edition of 2015 book. Foreword by Elaine Paige. From Show Boat and The Wizard of Oz to Les Misérables and Hamilton ... beautifully illustrated book covers the complete history of the genre, from its earliest origins in dance halls and vaudeville, to the record-breaking West End musicals and spectacular Broadway shows of today. The history, plots, and stars of musical theatre and movie musicals; choreography and set and costume design; profiles of successful creators. 360 pages.





Compiled by Talkin' Broadway Staff.

Corrections and questions may be directed to SoundAdvice@talkinbroadway.com