Music Monday #1 (on Tuesday) Second Review

I was just too tired last night to review my second album.  I am up early, so here goes.

This CD was  something I originally got from the library many years ago.  I was (and still am) a huge fan of the Phantom of the Opera and Andrew Lloyd Webber.  This CD introduced me to other works by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

The first track is The Phantom of the Opera.  This is sung by Sarah Brightman (whom I love) and Steve Harley (whom I can't stand).  This was the original way that the title song from the musical was supposed to go.  I have seen the video for it, and it is horrid.  I am so glad that they chose to rewrite this and go with a better Phantom.

Next up is Take That Look of Your Face.  This is from a work not so well-known--Tell Me On a Sunday.  Not a bad little rock song.  It's kind of fun.  Worth a listen.

One of Lloyd Webber's truly beautiful songs from Phantom--All  I Ask  of You.  This is one of my favorites.  Again, we have the lovely Sarah Brightman.  Cliff Richard is okay, but he was not the original Raoul.  The song underwent some transformation before making it to the stage. Overall, pretty good.

Then we hear Julie Covington's take on Don't Cry For Me, Argentina.  Originally, this was the first time I hear this song from Evita.  I think this song and musical are fantastically constructed, and if you ever get a chance to see it or hear the score, make it a point.  A poignant musical, indeed.,

Originally, this album was my introduction to Cats.  This song Magical Mr. Mistoffeles, was always one of my favorites to this musical.  I had the entire score memorized for this musical before I ever saw it live.  It is not everyone's cup of tea, but I think it is a fun, unique musical.  And this song is always fun.

Then Andrew Lloyd Webber's brother, Julian, rocks the cello on Variations.  I absolutely love this!  You just don't hear such great stuff normally for the cello, so this shows you what a cello can do!

I am not too keen on Jesus Christ Superstar, and this title song just doesn't really interest me.  There are a couple gems from that musical, but it is just not my style.

Elaine Paige is the quintessential Grizabella on Memory  from Cats.  While I like other renditions of this song,  I still think she is the best.  This song is one I would highly recommend!

Tell Me On a Sunday, the title song from that musical, is well-sung.  It is an unusual song, and I think the message comes across.  This is not my all-time favorite rendition of the song, but it is good.

My favorite Phantom, Michael Crawford, sings an early rendition of Music of the Night.  While this is not the final version, and he was better in later versions, it is neat to hear the evolution of the musical and his role.

Another Suitcase in Another Hall is another gem from Evita.  Unlike the movie, this song is sung by the right character, and it is a haunting song.  Lloyd Webber does tend to write haunting melodies, and he always finds fantastic lyricists.

The most popular song from Jesus Christ Superstar is this offering--I Don't Know How to Love Him.  It is a fine song, but I have never really liked the song.  It is pretty enough, but there are better renditions of it out there.

And finally, a work not so well-known by Lloyd Webber is Requiem.  The entire work is worth a listen, but this is the best-known--Pie Jesu.  Sarah Brightman and the young soloist do an awesome duet.

So, in short, this is a pretty good CD.  It is an introduction to some of the greatest early works of Andrew Lloyd Webber.  I would suggest checking it out if you are interested in hearing more music by the composer of Phantom of the Opera.  Or just if you like musicals in general.

By the way, you can post here or on yesterday's review if you are participating in the challenge.  Thanks!

Music Monday--Challenge Week #1

Well, it is here.  This is my first post for this challenge. Music Challenge 2011.  All you need to do to participate is sign up here and then begin to post CD reviews either in the comment section or leave the url in the comment section.

I have 2 CD's to review today.  While these are not new CD's to me, I am getting the chance to critically review them on here.

4Troops.  This group has impressed me from the first time I heard them on the Fox and Friends show.  I was impressed because they are made up of 4 former soldiers, and  all of their proceeds go to vets and Fallen Heroes.  There are 3 guys, and one lady, and I really like the way they present themselves.  Read about the individuals involved in the group here.  I will tell you that my favorite of the four is Ron Henry.  I would love for him to release an album on his own!

To  the review--Most of their music is re-released versions of other well-known inspirational and patriotic songs.  They begin with one of my all-time favorite songs Bless the Broken Road.  I personally feel that their version of it is even better than the Rascal Flatts version, but that is just my opinion.  Then on to For Freedom.  I think this was the first song I ever heard them sing.  And this is their message.  Why are people willing to serve in the military?  To protect our freedom!  We had better be thankful.  Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue truly is a surprise.  I have always loved Toby Keith's original version, but these four bring a different light to this song.  No longer do we see the "Angry American."  We see those that are willing to serve and fight, but negative emotions are in check.  I was not certain that I liked this version at first, but I have to admit that the positive take on the song does inspire me.  Tear-jerker alert!  I'm Already There.  I like the different take on it since the female in the group becomes the one who is gone, and one of the guys becomes the husband who stays home.  It truly made me think about the women who sacrifice for their country, not just the men.  Dance With My Father.  All I can say is go Ron!!  Meredith has her best song in Angel.  Her voice tends to be a little harsh at times, but her voice has a great sweetness and softness in this song. Galveston--always a perpetual favorite.   And who doesn't love You Raise Me Up?  I love the harmony of this song!  When I was listening to You'll Never Walk Alone, my daughter was in the car.  She wasn't too interested in the song until they began to sing it in a soulful style.  And I have to admit it gives this song a fun twist.  The patriotic medley includes America the Beautiful and You're a Grand Old Flag as well as The Battle Hymn of the Republic.  Indeed my second favorite on the album.  Here We've Been and Raise Your Glasses do not really resonate with me.  I prefer the latter, but they just haven't gotten to me yet.

I would recommend this DVD as well.  I got it, and I was very impressed with their live performances.  While they have somewhat of a raw talent as a group, their harmony and the reason they are doing this really resonates with me!

Now as much as I would like to, I am going to only review this album tonight. I will put the other one off until later.  It is just too late.  I will end with a video, however.

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. Rules are simple. Leave ONLY the ACTUAL LINK POST here and grab the code below and place it at your blog entry. You can grab this code at LadyJava's Lounge Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.
 

Solution Sunday--Random Ponderings

Just a few bits and bobs here and there, if you know what I mean.

For those who prayed for my daughter on Thursday when she had to be interviewed about a sexual harassment incident at school, it went very well.  The lady at the sheriff's office was impressed with how well my daughter and I both handled it.  Thank you for your prayers!

Next, the poll on here about the Valentine's Swap is going well.  Very well.  It seems to be leaning in  the direction of a book swap.  I will keep this poll open until the 23rd of this month.  That is coincidentally the same day that my CSN stores giveaway ends. At that time,  I will post another link for whatever kind of swap is chosen for Valentine's Day.  I am actually pretty excited about this.

Speaking of my giveaway, don't forget to enter it.  And don't forget to take advantage of the extra entries.  There is my Music Challenge.  I will be posting my first review or two tomorrow.  Don't miss out on  this opportunity.  I would love for as many to sign up as would like to.

And finally, we will be going to a new church next Sunday.  I have written in the past about what has happened at our current church.  Things have not improved.  And God seems to be opening some doors.  So that is good news.  Just pray for us, if you get a chance.  I'll try to give you more particulars after next week.

Thank you for being such great readers!

Sporadic Saturday--Another Potential Challenge--Magazines

I'm not going to officially get a linky going for this challenge until I see if there is actually some interest.  So here goes.

I don't know about you, but I subscribe to several magazines.  Most are free or almost-free subscriptions, and I thought it would be a good idea to subscribe to them.  Many of them I follow online, but  there is something to be said for the printed word--at least where I am concerned.

I am considering doing a challenge where those of us involved would challenge ourselves to read these  magazines, purge the ones we don't read, use the tips  we get, and perhaps cancel subscriptions to magazines we don't read.  I would create a linky for this challenge, and there would be a grand prize at the end--probably a gift certificate to a discount magazine site.

Before I really get going on this, I would like to see if there is any interest.  Please comment on here within the next week or two.  And remember that if you comment on a non-giveaway post, you can get an entry into my current giveaway.

Looking forward to your responses!

Poll Problem Fixed

I am very sorry.  I had no idea my poll wasn't working--the joys of blogger!  I had to go elsewhere, but I think you will now be able to vote.  So if you tried to vote in my poll before and could not, go for it now!!

Another CSN Stores Giveaway!! (Closed)

Comment 270 won and has been contacted.  Thanks!


Well, the  wonderful team over at CSN stores has offered to give away another $35 gift code to one of my readers!  That is pretty exciting for me, and I hope it is for you as well.

If you are not familiar with CSN stores, they are an online website that offers 200+ stores with all sorts of fantastic products.  Just read my reviews here, here, and here.  I cannot say that any of the things I have ordered have disappointed me.  They have great prices and ship quickly.

In preparation for spring, I think we all would like to have a comfortable seat to watch out kids playing outside or maybe even watch wildlife in our backyard.  Be sure to check out their round chair.  I think you will find it to be just the thing you need!

Now to the giveaway.  This giveaway is only open to the U.S. and Canada.  Also, note that in Canada, there may be additional custom fees, so please be aware of that.  Also note that for each entry, you will need to post a separate comment.  And finally, please make sure to make it easy for me to contact you.  Either leave your e-mail address in the comment or make it public in your profile.  Oh, and just to let you know, I do verify every entry, so please be honest!

On to the fun stuff.  Here's how you enter:

1.  Be a follower of my blog.  Become or state that you are a follower on google friend connect.
2.  Be/become my friend on facebook.  Please leave your user name.  (see the left hand column)
3.  Post my button on your blog.  Please leave the url so I can verify it.  (I will be happy to post your button in return if you have one!)
4.  Share this giveaway any way you like--facebook, twitter, blog, etc.  Leave me the url if applicable.  You may do this one time a day.
5.  Subscribe to my blog via RSS and/or e-mail.  One entry for each.
6.  Leave a meaningful comment on any non-giveaway post.  Tell where to find the comment.  You may do this as much as you like.
7.  Sign up for my music challenge. (Read the post here.)  5 bonus entries for signing up.  If you post the button, it will be 5 more entries.  Just be sure to leave the url.
8,  Take my poll below about a possible Valentine's Day Swap. (3 entries) Just say you did it.  Honor system!

And to the unlimited entry option.  Yes it is back again (as it always will be if at all possible in my giveaways)!  Spring is just around the corner.  Tell me what product you would get from CSN stores to help you prepare and/or enjoy spring.  Please tell me the specific product so I can check it out, too!  This is truly an unlimited entry option.  You may do it as much as you would like. (Please do not post multiple entries containing the exact same item or those multiple entries will be deleted.)


Also, look for another bonus entry method coming up soon--hopefully by this evening.

This giveaway will end at 9 P.M. Pacific Time on January 23, 2011.

Forgot to Link Up a Challenge--Jane Austen 2011 Challenge

When I made my list of challenges for the new year, here is one I forgot.  Amy over at A Faithful Journey has a book challenge this year--Jane Austen book challenge.  I have always been a fan of Jane Austen's books.  I believe I have only read Pride and Prejudice and Emma.  I certainly have more to read of hers.  And the cool thing is that I can also read Jane Austen-inspired books.  I don't have an actual set goal of how many books I will read or which ones I will read, but this sounds like a great challenge.  And not only that, but there will be prizes involved.  So this challenge is now a part of new year.  I also plan to get one more challenge going involving magazines.  I will post about this later on today.  Sorry I didn't post last night.  Things were filled with drama yesterday in our home, and things are still pretty tough this morning.  But we are all fine.
Here are the books I would like to read by Jane Austen:
Mansfield ParkNorthanger Abbey
Inspired by Jane Austen books to read:
A Darcy ChristmasWriting Jane AustenJane's Fame
I am sure there will be more, but this is my initial challenge.