This gala star-studded musical tribute to Jerry Herman, the legendary Tony and GRAMMY Award-winning composer/lyricist of the Broadway hits Hello, Dolly!, Mame, and La Cage aux Folles, was filmed live at the Hollywood Bowl!
"This has to be the best concert I have ever seen. Two hours of great performers (too bad Angela Lansbury could not be there) singing the music of Jerry Herman (Mame, La Cage, Hello Dolly, Dear World, The Grand Tour, Milk and Honey, Mack and Mabel, and for tv Mrs. Santa Clause). We get a full plate of great stars including Bea Arthur, Carol Channing, Michael Feinstein, and many more.
The sound on this program is superb, great stereo separation. The filming was first rate. The performances are timeless. The nicest part is that Don Pippin, Jerry Herman's right-hand man for orchestration and conducting, is here, and leads the full orchestra with the type of orchestrations that make Jerry's music shine, and exactly the kind of orchestrations he likes for his music, so no 2nd rate arrangements. There are also 3 orchestral medleys that are terrific. My favorite on the disc is Michael Feinsteins superb rendition of "I Wont Send Roses." No other person could sing this so so beautifully. Other highlights include Channing doing Hello Dolly to 3 standing ovations, Bea Arthur doing a her song from Mame, "The Man in the Moon," and from Mack and Mabel, a great tap dance to "Tap Your Troubles Away." Sadly, nothing was used from The Grand Tour, while not a hit, was a great score, and I was sad to see "Tomorrow Morning" or "One Person" from Dear World was not included. I also wish there had been a few big production numbers like the "Mame" theme song, but it is done here in a great orchestral version. These complaints are very minor, I have watched this concert more than 15 times and plan to see it many more.
If you like Broadway music and the scores of Jerry Herman, this is a must. If you've been under a table and not sure about this music, Jerry is one of the best broadway showtune composers ever, and I highly suggest you give this program a viewing (or 2)."
Hello Jerry, Hello Carol, Wonderful Video!
James W. Mccully | Wake Forest, NC United States | 10/12/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I saw this on PBS several years ago and I taped it. Unfortunately they had audio trouble on one orchestral medley. I saw it here and ordered it immediately. It's wonderful. Carol Channing gives a hilarious introduction. There is an international Dolly who sing Hello Dolly! the way it would be done in other countries and a "Hello, Deli" and Hello,Lyndon" and of course the original Dolly, Carol Channing. Davis Gaines sings Song on the Sand beautifully. This is a gorgeous song and gorgeously done. Ditto to Leslie Uggams' rendition of If He Walked Into My Life. Marvelous! These are my two favorites and I listen to them/watch them over and over again. Lee Roy Reams does marvelous imitations of Louis Armstrong, Carol, and Pearl Bailey and Marlene Dietrich and Mae West on La Cage Aux Folles. Love It Only Takes a Moment and many of the others.Only wish that the whole song would have been sung. I have seen the sheet music and some is left out in the movie and play and I have sung it in its entirety. Lovely sentiment in that song and beautiful melody. Jerry Herman is truly a talent as Carol proclaims,"When God was passing out talent, Jerry got in line twice." He wrote the words and music to all the songs.Buy this! You won't be sorry. I am considering buying it for a gift. I would love to have a copy of just the audio too, but can't figure out if there is one available. Regardless, if you love great Broadway music and Jerry Herman musicals, you will love this!"
Excellent!
Edward C. Panusko | Oakbrook IL | 01/22/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is an excellent concert for musical lovers. Especially Jerry Herman fans. I recommend it highly. Michael Feinsteins rendition of "I Won't Send Roses" will give you chills and Leslie Uggams is impeccable."
It Only Takes A Moment
Dolores Luzinski | Toledo, Ohio | 04/19/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It only takes a moment to fall in love everlastingly with the immortal music of Jerry Herman. This DVD is a sublime treatment of some of the best of the best. It is impossible to listen to this music and not love it.
The cliche is true: You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll experience the full range of human emotions. The entire show is one big highlight, but for me, some transcendant standouts include Michael Feinstein's perfect rendition of the classic "I Won't Send Roses" from Mack and Mabel, as well as "Song in the Sand" from La Cage aux Folles. And watching Jerry Herman himself being moved to tears by Leslie Uggams' great "If He Walked Into My Life" shows how much that song means to its creator, and to millions of others.
Jerry Herman is irrefutable evidence that human beings can create works that the angels in Heaven would envy. Buy this DVD! You will never regret it."
What a buy.....
Dolores Luzinski | 12/26/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I had seen the show on PBS, but I didn't tape it. I've had it in the back of my mind for all these years, so when I found it I ordered it immediately. The show is just superb. Carol Channing as always is delightful, Leslie Uggams is outstanding in "If He Walked Into My Life," the song "Take It All Off" by the chorus girls, and I don't have the tape right here, but the gentleman who sings "Song Of The Sand" leaves you humming the rest of the day. Also I'd like to recommend the music p/v/g book that has all of the movie in it, THE JERRY HERMAN SONGBOOK (it is also avalable at this site). It makes a great collection. BUY IT!"