A handsome Part 2 of Brightman's ALW songbook
I've long hoped that one day all of Sarah Brightman's recordings of Lord Lloyd-Webber songs would be released together in one comprehensive collection. This handsome CD, a sequel to her better-known Lloyd-Webber collection, is a treasure-trove of gems, focussing on lesser-known recordings and boasting several unreleased tracks. Brightman tackles a wide range of songs from the Phantom theme to a beguiling Spanish version of Don't Cry For Me, Argentina. But there are rarities on this collection: we get to hear Brightman shine in Mary Magdelene's two songs from Superstar, and kick back in her rendition of Any Dream Will Do, which we normally associate with Donny Osmond or Jason Donovan. Half the CD is made up of rarities and duets. It is a treat o hear her duet with Sir Cliff Richard on the B-side of the All I Ask of You single, Only You, and also her take on the Sunset Boulevard song, Too Much in Love to Care. It is also a treat to hear her in two songs from Starlight Express, and also in the unreeased early ALW song, Probably on Thursday. I konw this collecion reprised her recording of Think of Me from the Phantom London Cast album, and also her lovely rendition of Whistle Down the Wind, but it really makes it a treat to buy this collection without splurging on the other CD. A pity that this CD doesn't include Half a Moment from Jeeves, as there would surely have been enough space. A pity also that the rare song English Girls was left off the CD too, let alone the Spanish version of Amigos Para Sempre. In short, a lovely sequel to her ALW Collection volume 1, and perhaps more worthy than the hastily-assembled Encore collection. Now if only Decca and Really Useful might consider combining all of Brightman's ALW recordings into a comprehensive set...