You'll only hear one operatic song. This song is "Chi il sogno di doretta". The opera quality in Brightman's voice is not very rich. Yet, this cd is beautiful in many ways.

The breakdown of the CD? Well, personally, track 1 "Meadowlark" has to be the best. As for the rest, the songs are either folk or broadway. This cd has a lot, variety-wise, recommending it to listeners with a "serious" ear.

Upon purchasing "The songs...", I already had the U.S. version of "Eden". My expectations were not met. I admit there was some disappointment. That's only because my ear for Sarah was much more operatic. Over time, the songs grew on me. I would have rated the cd 5 stars, but there are a couple of tunes I'm still not used to.

The material on "The songs..." is worth giving attention to. Some songs will take time to grow on you, like many artists' material does. Don't take my word for it. Buy this cd for the selection of material.

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13 of 13 found the following review helpful:


Songs that showcase Sarah's theatrical gifts  Dec 11, 2003 By Daniel J. Hamlow
Before experimental albums like Dive and Fly, as well as the ones where her classically-trained voice enchanted millions, Sarah Brightman did a collection of musical and theatrical songs originally released in 1989, but reissued when she made it big with Time To Say Goodbye. Her vocal style leans towards the theatrical Broadway side, but more mellowed. But on songs like the strings-laden mid-tempo "Meadowlark" from Stephen Schwartz's The Baker's Wife, the way she would later do splendidly interpret Lloyd Webber's songs is in the making. Here are other highlights, including those that were reissued on Sarah's Encore album (2002).

Stephen Sondheim's "I Remember" is a sad ballad told from the POV of a window mannequin remembering the sights it has experienced throughout the seasons, but the memories are now hazy and at the end, it sings, "At times I think/I would gladly die/for a day of sky."

Some songs like "Lud's Wedding" from Bernstein's failed bicentennial musical, only seem to work due to Sarah's voice. Ditto for the simple "Three-Cornered Tune." Consisting of three verses, each repeated twice. However, Irving Berlin's "Mr. Monotony", a tune understandably cut from Easter Parade, is not a particularly inspiring song.

Marvin Hamlisch's "Dreamers" is one of my favourites here, as I have affinity to it, and I'm sure Sarah is one at heart as well. "Only dreamers have wings with which to fly far away", as in their own fantasies, but unfortunately, "sometimes dreamers are forced to leave their dreams far away", i.e. the harshness of reality. However, it paints them in a positive light and states that everyone needs to have some sort of dream "to take time to find treasures and mountains we can climb."

"Silent Heart" really showcases Sarah's voices, on how some things the heart is best left silent, as in things that really thrill it. "If I Ever Fall In Love Again" is taken from The Crooked Mile and is a nice love song Sarah really wraps herself in.

"Chi Il Bel Sogno Di Doretta" from Puccini's La Rondine is a great showcase of the operatic voice that would come into full bloom on Time To Say Goodbye. This song would be reissued on Encore.

"Away From You" by Richard Rodgers, and taken from a musical biog of Henry VIII (!!!). "The clocks are frozen and time's a traveler who's lost his way" is one of the sentiments Sarah conveys effectively. Also reissued on Encore.

"If love were all, I should be lonely" sings Sarah from Noel Coward's Bittersweet, "If Love Were All" was the one song that stood out for me when I first heard this CD. The ability of a talent to amuse is seen as a solid standing for mental security. A definite standout here.

From Lloyd Webber's Jeeves, the lush strings of "Half A Moment" features the vocal stylings familiar enough to those who have Sarah's Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection. It focuses on how important the capture of a moment to bright up a future rainy day is. Also reissued on Encore.

Initially, I dismissed this as the songs that should've stayed away. Although they lack the magical punch of Time To Say Goodbye or La Luna, it's still a worthwhile collection, because Sarah's clear birdlike theatrical/musicals voice makes it all worthwhile.

28 of 32 found the following review helpful:


Excellent addition to a SB collection  Dec 29, 1999
For those of you used to Sarah's voice from her albums "Eden" and "Time to Say Goodbye", you're in for quite a shock. This album is 10 years old and Sarah's voice is very young here, similar to when she was in "The Phantom of the Opera". This CD is a collection of songs that "Got away" from musical theater for some reason or another. Some of the songs are truly enchanting, like "Meadowlark", "I Remember", and "Silent Heart". For others, it's easy to see how they got away. Not worth the $ I paid for it some 5 years ago, but now that it's been released domestically with a reasonable price, it's worth a shot.

9 of 9 found the following review helpful:


Excellent  Dec 12, 1999 By Christine
I bought this cd because of curiosity after listening to Eden it is one of her best cds i like Meadowlark,Mr.Monotony,and Dreamers!

8 of 8 found the following review helpful:


The songs that didn't get away  Feb 12, 2004
This is one of my favorite albums by Sarah. She surprised me with her ability to go from light opera to jazz. Here we don't find the over-produced albums such as Harem, just a superbly trained voice. No little girl breathy tunes here, just solid performances. This is the Sarah Brightman that I like to remember and enjoy. If you see this album and you're a Sarah Brightman fan, pick it up and treasure it. I'd like to see her do more of thisgenre, where she showcases her voice. Who ever thinks that Sarah has a small voice will be convinced otherwise by this album.

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