Average Customer Review: ( 113 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
44 of 45 found the following review helpful:
 A phantastically done abridgement Jun 20, 2000
By Yi-Peng
When people recommend complete sets of musicals and operas more than abridged versions, this Phantom London highlights album (with the highlights from the CATS Broadway recording) is one of the few cases where the abridged version can be recommended as much as the complete set. In this abridged version of the POTO London Cast album, all the major numbers and none of the filler are here, making this an extremely desirable single disc album for those who don't want the full 100-minute London Cast recording. Michael Crawford's hypnotic Phantom, Steve Barton's comforting Raoul and Sarah Brightman's angelic Christine are the high points of the album. The tension and emotion are well-maintained, with fair representatives of each characteristic, and listening to all the major songs are just like meeting old friends. "Music of the Night" and "All I Ask of You" sound like you are hearing these songs for the first time, and the chromatic Phantom theme heightens the suspense. I must mention I rather like this version of Music of the Night, which is a single version that ALW produced before the opening of Phantom. While it's different from the OLC 2-CD set, I think this gives a deeper insight into the Phantom's character. Overall, I would say that this is an ideal choice for those who don't want the complete London cast recording, but I think that you'll be prompted to invest in the full 2-CD London version even though this abridged version of POTO is very well done. Too bad it isn't remastered.
15 of 15 found the following review helpful:
Absolutely Awesome ! Jul 14, 2005
By AJK
I first purchased the original score in 1988, shortly before seeing the show on Broadway.
At first, only a couple of songs stood out, but after seeing the amazing production (with the incredible Michael Crawford!), I fell absolutely in love with the score. Repeat listenings have only solidified my opinion!
Not everything is perfect, but the orchestrations are powerful & many songs really stick with you, especially:
Overture [sounds great cranked up]
Angel Of Music
The Phantom Of The Opera [The Phantom & Christine's great duet]
The Music Of The Night [The Phantom's big song]
All I Ask Of You [Christine & Raoul's duet - though a bit tired]
Masquerade
The Point Of Know Return
Beautiful from beginning to end & MUCH better than the film's soundtrack. Webber's masterpiece!
A must have!
37 of 43 found the following review helpful:
 Don't Waste Your Time With HIGHLIGHTS! Oct 18, 1999
By wellio@wa.freei.net
I give this recording only two stars, because you flat out should not buy it. Buy the double cd Original London Cast instead- I give that recording 5 stars. If you buy this recording you will miss out on A LOT of great music, and some thrilling moments that aren't on the highlights.Poor Fool, He Makes Me Laugh is not on the highlights and that's worth the price of the double cd alone. I love that song and it's where Carlotta gets it good..and Crawford is haunting as usual during this part. Highlights for any musical are a waste. It's worth it to pay more and get as much of the music as possible. Do yourself a favor and get the double cd, not this one.
11 of 11 found the following review helpful:
Immensly pleasant piece of art! Nov 30, 2000
By Amazon Reviewer
Phantom of the Opera is what I consider to be Andrew Loyd Webber's masterpiece. I have seen many musicals, but none so grand. I was only about 14 when I first saw this, in dutch, but I remember it very well, I immediately loved it, and went out and bougth the dutch version of this cd, with the little bit of pocket money i had saved up. Not too long after I also got this cd and the complete version. It takes a little getting used to the voices, because they are so different in the different performances I have seen and heard of this musical, but this is without a doubt one of the best, if not THE best. If you loved the musical so much you simply want to hear the whole thing over and over again, you migth want to get the long version, which has everything on it, but this CD is just as wonderful. It is a collection of all the music, beautifully edited. Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman have beautiful voices, and all i have to do is close my eyes, and the whole musical repeats itself before my eyes when I listen to this. Even for those who have not seen the musical (yet), this is a wonderful cd, with all the famous songs from the musical on it. I have had this CD for years now, and still listen to it very regularly, it never becomes boring, over and over again it gives the same intense feeling. This CD is immensly pleasant to listen to, especially with your eyes closed, but it could just as well be used as background music for when you have guests over, people are bound to love it!!!
13 of 14 found the following review helpful:
My favorite CD Jun 15, 2002
By Tool Connoisseur
I have almost 400 CDs of all types of music and I can easily say this is my favorite. Michael Crawford is awesome - his voice is haunting - the perfect phantom. It's a fantastic CD because it's one of those you can easily listen to from beginning to end - a true album. With this CD you just want to sit on your couch in a dark room and feel the music and emotion. I heard this CD and then went to the broadway show in NY and was unfortunately disappointed - after hearing Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman, even though the show is still amazing, the performers in their place were a letdown. If you even suspect that you like contemporary opera, you will love this CD.
See all 113 customer reviews on Amazon.com
|
