Classical Music

Classical Music

This 1975 original cast album is a must-have for discriminating lovers of musical theater. Written by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt (The Fantasticks, 110 in the Shade and I Do! I Do!), Philemon was an award-winning musical in the 1970s that has been undeservedly neglected because of it's limited-edition pressing as an LP. Says Jones (now 90 and still writing for the stage): "I think Philemon may well be the most interesting show Harvey and I ever created. It has a strong story and a haunting score, and it takes the musical theater form into places it had never been before. "I am overjoyed that Harbinger is re-releasing the original cast album so more people can discover it." Jones's inspiration for the musical was a passage in Allardyce Nicoll's book Masks, Mimes and Miracles about a Roman clown who, during the reign of Diocletian, impersonated a Christian leader and slowly turned into the man he was impersonating. Dick Latessa won an Obie Award as Cockian, the clown who becomes Philemon, and the musical itself won the Outer Critics Award as best of the season. The following year, it became a prestigious PBS special on Hollywood Television Theatre. The release contains an extensive booklet with notes by Tom Jones and recently unearthed photos of the original production. The album has been restored and remastered by multiple Grammy Award winner Alan Silverman.

On the eve of his centenary, the pianist/composer Cy Walter is commemorated with the 2 CD retrospective collection 'Sublimities' that honors his remarkable career and talents. Volume 1 focuses on rare recordings, radio appearances and solo performances remastered from original '78s of this dean of cocktail piano players. Considered one of the premier interpreters of the Great American Songbook, Walter considered himself a "stylist of show tunes" and the first volume presents a rare ringside seat to the many classic performances of Walters' early career. Bringing deserved attention to Walters' near 40 year career, the collection includes a 24 page booklet with essays by contemporary pianists and music historians including Michael Feinstein, Peter Mintun, Maggie Perrin, Richard Behrens, and more.

Classical Music

Classical Music

Jamie deRoy has been declared 'The Fairy Godmother of Cabaret' because she has helped so many performers in the cabaret world. But life is much more than a cabaret for the versatile performer, who is equally celebrated as an actress, record producer, and talk show host. A gifted singer/comedienne, Jamie has appeared as Joan Rivers' opening act in New York and Los Angeles, and headlined at every major club in New York. Jamie has also enjoyed successful engagements at Caesar's, Showboat and Trump Plaza in Atlantic City, and The Sahara in Lake Tahoe. For the past 12 years, Jamie has hosted and produced the critically acclaimed variety show, Jamie deRoy & friends, which also serves as a basis for her 10-year-old cable television show, Jamie deRoy & friends. It airs in the New York tri-state area, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. Her television show has earned nine Telly Awards and First Place in the Northeast Video Festival. Jamie has recently produced three CDs, available on Harbinger Records. Jamie deRoy & friends: The Child in Me, Volume 1, won the MAC Award for Recording of the Year, and Volume 2 of this popular recording -- featuring Tony winners Faith Prince and Roger Bart -- was released in November 2000. Jamie deRoy & friends, Volume 3: 'Tis the Season, a collection of holiday songs, was selected as one of Time Out New York's hot Holiday Gift Ideas, and won the 2002 MAC Award for Various Artist Recording of the Year. Jamie is also the Executive Producer on several Harbinger releases Heather Mac Rae: Songs For My Father (2002 MAC Award for Solo Artist) and the recently released Mabel Mercer: Previously Unreleased Live Performances and the upcoming Songwriters Showcase: Broadway Tunesmiths. Jamie's expertise extends into theatre, television and film. She was a co-producer of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) at The Century Center, and also co-produced it's original Off-Broadway version. With Rick McKay, she produced the Emmy-nominated segment 'The Biggest Little Operas in Town' for City Arts, as well as that show's 'Where Do Musicals Come From?' and 'All That Glitters." Jamie is also one of the producers of McKay's highly anticipated upcoming documentary, Broadway: The Golden Age. Jamie is currently an Associate Producer of the Broadway show "Say Goodnight Gracie", written by Rupert Holmes and starring Frank Gorshin. As an actress, Jamie has guest starred on numerous TV series including Alice, Spiderman and Knight Rider. Her film credits include GoodFellas, Raging Bull and Married to It. Onstage, Jamie appeared with Rene Auberjonois in Three Penny Opera. She was also seen in The Drunkard, a play with musical direction by Barry Manilow, who became her musical director for several years. Jamie has earned a total of seven MAC Awards, four Back Stage Bistro Awards and CaB Magazine's Lifetime Achievement Award. She is President Emeritus of MAC, and was one of the first women to join the famed New York Friars Club. She also sits on the Boards of The Friars Foundation and CAP21, and is on the Honorary Board of the Humane Society of New York. Jamie is also actively involved with New York Women in Film & Television.

On the eve of his centenary, the pianist/composer Cy Walter's 2 CD retrospective commemoration continues with Volume 2 celebrating his remarkable career and talents focusing on Walter as accompanist and composer. Considered one of the premier interpreters of the Great American Songbook, Walter considered himself a "stylist of show tunes" and this second volume presents another rare collection of classic song performances with a staggering roster of guest performers attesting to the respect Walters' held among his peers including Hoagy Carmichael, Frank Sinatra, Fred Astaire, Mabel Mercer, Benny Goodman, Art Tatum, and more, Sublimities brings deserved attention to Walters' near 40 year career. With a 24 page booklet with essays by contemporary pianists and music historians including Michael Feinstein, Peter Mintun, Maggie Perrin, Richard Behrens, and more.

Back for the first time in more than 25 years, MAXINE SULLIVAN: Great Songs From the Cotton Club by Arlen & Koehler this award winning album has already been Grammy nominated and has won the NAIRD award for Best Female Jazz Vocalist. This album was carried on many top ten lists, and brought Maxine Sullivan’s five decade career to a climax. Maxine Sullivan and her husband John Kirby became the first African American jazz stars to have a regular radio program. After her retirement, Maxine formed The House That Jazz Built in the South Bronx, which supports jazz education programs for children.

Classical Music

Classical Music

Clark Gesner, renowned composer/lyricist of the perennial stage hit, You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, has come up with another delightful and zany offering. To be produced off-Broadway this Spring, the Jello Is Always Red finds Clark and his two compatriots singing songs of love, life and other minor matters.

Classical Music

Harold Arlen, one of America's great composers is celebrated in this historic reissue. Available for the first time on CD, this recording features the great composer himself singing and playing some of this most famous songs. An added bonus is the only recording by the legendary performer Miriam Burton singing a previously unrecorded song form the Broadway show St. Louis Woman. Musical direction and orchestral arrangements by Peter Matz.

Classical Music