Help Me Build a Sondheim Playlist

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 12/11/13 at 12:53pm

Hey guys, I want to build a Sondheim playlist to take along with me. I can do this myself if I want to but I really wanted input from outside sources on what songs to include as it may lead me to performances I may never have heard.

So, with that being said are you guys interested in helping me put this together?

If you are then simply reply with your suggestions in this thread with the song title, the song's performer and the name of the recording it's from.

Thank you in advance!

I'm looking forward to reading your suggestions!

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 12/11/13 at 1:00pm

Nancy Lamott's medley of Good Thing Going/Not a Day Goes By is essential. It's on her 'My Foolish Heart' CD

I love Lea Delaria's Ballad of Sweeney Todd from her Play It Cool recording.

[tazber]

Posted: 12/11/13 at 1:01pm

Of course I'm happy to list some suggestions, but let me ask you: what are your 3 favorite Sondheim songs?

Just so I can get an idea of where your tastes lay.

Updated On: 12/11/13 at 01:01 PM

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 12/11/13 at 1:02pm

Hey, Car-Alb, can you be more specific on a couple of things?

Like, some Sondheim songs might be a little weird as stand-alones, for whatever reason, like "Rain on the Roof" or "There Is No Other Way." And are there any shows that you're less familiar with than others? Like, obviously someone might recommend you a version of "I'm Still Here" that you've never heard before, but is it also safe to assume no one needs to suggest, say, "Comedy Tonight"?


EDIT: Yeah, like taz says, just a hint of a little more direction, to prevent recommending building you the playlist I might build for myself.

Updated On: 12/11/13 at 01:02 PM

[broadwaybabywannabe2]

Posted: 12/11/13 at 1:17pm

BERNADETTE PETERS singing NOT A DAY GOES BY from Merrily We Roll Along, sung during her CARNEGIE HALL concert cd...

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 12/11/13 at 1:19pm

Those are great questions taz and growl.

As for shows I am not familiar with I will say: Assassins, Pacific Overtures, The Frogs, Do I Hear a Waltz? and Bounce.

My favorite 3 Sondheim songs would be (in no particular order):

I'm Still Here, Being Alive and There Won't Be Trumpets

I realize I should have been more specific. I want songs from shows that Sondheim wrote both music and lyrics for.

Hope this information helps you guys out and again I look forward to reading your suggestions.

[darquegk]

Posted: 12/11/13 at 1:21pm

Sondheim's songs for "Dick Tracy" are indispensable: Sooner Or Later, What Can You Lose, Back In Business, and More.

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 12/11/13 at 1:27pm

Okay, so, that puts WALTZ out altogether.

From the ones you know less, I'd definitely rec the OOBC "Ballad of Booth" and "Another National Anthem" and, from the 2002 revival recording of THE FROGS, "Ariadne," which, in my opinion, is possibly the most haunting, gorgeous, and shamefully ignored song in The Man's entire repertoire.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 12/11/13 at 1:31pm

The entire Cleo Laine album. Cleo Laine Sings Sondheim. But especially from that album:

Ah But Underneath
Liaisons
Anyone Can Whistle
I'm Calm
Not A Day Goes By
I'm Still Here

But you should really get the entire album

[Gothampc]

Posted: 12/11/13 at 1:33pm

From Assassins, the original cast album, Annie Golden's I Am Unworthy Of Your Love. Annie was the ultimate Squeaky which no other can match.

[tazber]

Posted: 12/11/13 at 1:33pm

Pacific Overtures (OBC)

-Chrysanthemum Tea
-Someone in a Tree
-Please Hello

Assassins (P.S. Classics revival recording)
-Ballad of Booth
-Unworthy of You Love
-Ballad of Guiteau
-Everybody's Got the Right

Frogs
Other than Invocation to the Audience, there's not a lot here I'd recommend

Bounce (PS Classics recording)
-Bounce
-The Game
-The Best Thing That Ever Has Happened
-Talent

Updated On: 12/11/13 at 01:33 PM

[Musicaldudepeter]

Posted: 12/11/13 at 1:39pm

Julia McKenzie's Our Little World from the OLCR of Into the Woods - 1990

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 12/11/13 at 1:45pm

Great suggestions guys! Some of these I have never heard so I am really looking forward to listening to them!

[artscallion]

Posted: 12/11/13 at 1:46pm

Anyone Can Whistle:
Everybody Says Don't
Cookie Chase

Assassins:
Gun Song/Ballad of Czolgosz
Ballad of Booth
How I Saved Roosevelt
Company:
Sorry-Grateful
Poor Baby
Being Alive

Evening Primrose:
I Remember
When

Follies:
In Buddy's Eyes
One More Kiss

The Frogs:
The Frogs
Invocation and Instructions to the Audience

A Little Night Music:
Every Day a Little Death
It Would Have Been Wonderful
Weekend in the Country

Merrily:
Franklin Shepard, Inc.
Now You Know
It's a Hit

Pacific Overtures:
Chrysanthemum Tea
Someone in a Tree
Please Hello

Passion:
I Read
Sunrise Letter
I Wish I Could Forget You

Saturday Night:
Exhibit A
So Many People
What More Do I Need

Sunday in the Park:
Color & Light
Finishing the Hat
Lesson #8
Move On

Sweeney Todd:
Johanna (the Judge's)
Pretty Women

Updated On: 12/11/13 at 01:46 PM

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 12/11/13 at 1:51pm

Hi artscallion, is your list a compilation of the original versions from the original cast recordings?

[artscallion]

Posted: 12/11/13 at 1:53pm

Yes. I think with Sondheim, the OBCs are all superior to the revivals, musically anyway. The only exception is with The Frogs. I prefer the Nathan Lane version.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 12/11/13 at 1:57pm

Gotcha.

[DAME]

Posted: 12/11/13 at 2:01pm

Put some Barbra Cook in there. Any of her Sondheim stuff is heaven. I also like Patti Lupone's "Being Alive" from her Patti Live album.

[newintown]

Posted: 12/11/13 at 2:04pm

Although she generally doesn't do much for me, I enjoy Karen Ziemba's version of "Sooner or Later" from the Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall recording.

Many hate it, but I really like the mash-up version of "The Glamorous Life" from the Judi Dench Night Music recording.

I can't find the recording anymore, but Bob Gunton and Timothy Nolen did a fun version of "I Do Like You", which was cut from Forum.

[artscallion]

Posted: 12/11/13 at 2:11pm

And this, from the Go Back Home album...
Audra - Glamorous Life

[madbrian]

Posted: 12/11/13 at 2:13pm

You MUST include this medley from Dorothy Loudon.


Loudon

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 12/11/13 at 2:22pm

Also, for something totally different and fun, several of the mash-ups from the 1993 PUTTING IT TOGETHER recording are great, especially Track 6 (titled "Sequence") from disc one and Tracks 3 (the Night Waltzes) and 4 ("Game Sequence #1") from disc two.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 12/11/13 at 4:05pm

Wow, I'm going to be doing some hunting around to obtain some of these. I'm impressed with a lot of these suggestions...many I have not heard and will be welcome additions to my music library.

@ DAME: Yes, Barbara Cook will definitely be on this playlist, "Sings Mostly Sondheim" is one of my favorite recordings.

[newintown]

Posted: 12/11/13 at 4:11pm

I also love the entire "Unsung Sondheim" cd, particularly the instrumental stuff.


Unsung Sondheim

[tazber]

Posted: 12/11/13 at 4:47pm

Yes Newintown! That's a great cd which we can thank BK for.

Also great fop deeper catalog songs is Sondheim at the Movies. Also from Varese Sarabande.