The Wizard of Oz in Concert

The Wizard of Oz in Concert

(Dreams Come True)

Rhino R2 72405 (1996)
UPC # 081227240523

OK, this isn't really a Judy Garland CD at all. But if you're a fan of The Wizard of Oz (and who isn't?), I think you'll enjoy this tribute to the movie and celebration of the music of one of the best song scores of all time. The concert was presented live on November 5, 1995 at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City, and was aired on Turner Network Television (TNT) on November 22, 1995 (a videotape of the concert is also available). A portion of the proceeds from the concert, advertising revenue from the television presentation and sales of the CD and videotape are for the benefit of The Children's Defense Fund (a cause I'm sure Judy would endorse!).

I was almost afraid to watch this when it was broadcast on television! I am a great fan of the film, and I was somewhat upset that anyone would even consider remaking it in any way! But within minutes after it started I was hooked! It's not a re-make at all, but a celebration. All performances are excellent. It really is a concert, but with some very creative stage performances which basically follow the story as presented in the MGM film though with no props (other than an overhead projector).

Jewel's rendition of "Over the Rainbow," though completely different than Judy's, is quite good. She delivers her own rendition in her own style, which must have taken a lot of courage! And the finale, with the entire company reprising "Over the Rainbow" is the only time I can ever remember hearing the verse to the song! Highlights of the concert include Nathan Lane's incomparable portrayal of the Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr would have enjoyed it, I'm sure!), Jackson Browne's "If I Only Had a Brain," Roger Daltrey's Who-esque "If I Only Had a Heart," The Harlem Boys Choir as the Munchkins, Debra Winger's witch, Joel Grey's "Merry Old Land of Oz" and the company's delightful rendition of "The Jitterbug." I highly recommend the videotape and the soundtrack CD! [JJ, 1996]

Cast:

Jewel [Dorothy], Jackson Browne [Scarecrow], Roger Daltrey [Tinman], Nathan Lane [Cowardly Lion], Debra Winger [Wicked Witch of the West], Natalie Cole [Glinda, the Good Witch], Joel Grey [The Wizard], The Boys Choir of Harlem [The Munchkins], and featuring special appearances by Lucie Aranz [as Auntie Em], Ry Cooder, Images, Dr. John, David Sanborn, Phoebe Snow and Ronnie Spector.

Tracks:

1. Main Title - Orchestra
2. Over the Rainbow - Jewel
3. Cyclone - Debra Winger and Orchestra
4. Come Out, Come Out... - Natalie Cole and The Boys Choir of Harlem
5. It Really Was No Miracle - Jewel and The Boys Choir of Harlem
6. We Thank You Very Sweetly - The Boys Choir of Harlem
7. Ding! Dong! The Witch Is Dead - Natalie Cole and The Boys Choir of Harlem
8. As Mayor of the Munchkin City - Daniel Lane
9. As Coroner, I Must Aver - Kevin Miller
10. Ding! Dong! The Witch Is Dead (reprise) - Natalie Cole and The Boys Choir of Harlem
11. The Lullaby League - The Boys Choir of Harlem
12. The Lollipop Guild - The Boys Choir of Harlem
13. We Welcome You to Munchkinland - The Boys Choir of Harlem
14. Who Killed My Sister - Debra Winger, Natalie Cole and Jewel
15. Follow the Yellow Brick Road / You're Off to See the Wizard - Natalie Cole, Jewel and The Boys Choir of Harlem
16. If I Only Had a Brain - Jackson Browne, Jewel, Images, Ry Cooder and David Sanborn
17. We're Off to See the Wizard - Jewel, Jackson Browne and Ry Cooder
18. If I Only Had a Heart - Roger Daltrey and Girls Ensemble
19. We're Off to See the Wizard - Jewel, Jackson Browne, Roger Daltrey and Ry Cooder
20. Lions and Tigers and Bears - Jewel, Jackson Browne and Roger Daltrey
21. If I Only Had the Nerve - Nathan Lane, Jewel, Jackson Browne and Roger Daltrey
22. We're Off to See the Wizard - Jewel, Jackson Browne, Roger Daltrey, Nathan Lane and Ry Cooder
23. If I Only Had a Brain / A Heart / The Nerve (reprise) - Phoebe Snow
24. Poppies - Debra Winger and Orchestra
25. You're Out of the Woods - Natalie Cole, Dr. John and Girls Ensemble
26. The Merry Old Land of Oz - Joel Grey and Full Company
27. Surrender Dorothy - Jewel, Jackson Browne, Roger Daltrey, Nathan Lane and Joel Grey
28. If I Were King of the Forest - Nathan Lane and Full Company
29. Bring Me the Broomstick - Joel Grey, Jewel, Jackson Browne, Roger Daltrey and Nathan Lane
30. Haunted Forest - Debra Winger
31. The Jitterbug - Jewel, Jackson Browne, Roger Daltrey, Nathan Lane and Full Company
32. March of the Winkies - Debra Winger and Male Ensemble
33. Hail! Hail! The Witch Is Dead - Ronnie Spector, Dr. John, David Sanborn and Images
34. We Brought You the Broomstick - Joel Grey, Jewel, Jackson Browne, Roger Daltrey and Nathan Lane
35. Delerious Escape - Natalie Cole
36. Finale: Over the Rainbow - Full Company, Lucie Arnaz, Phoebe Snow, Ronnie Spector, Ry Cooder, Dr. John and David Sanborn
37. Orchestra Finale - Orchestra