Follies in Concert (1986) Michael Houldey, Andre Gregory, Stephen Sondheim, Arthur Rubin, Biography, Drama, Music, Romance, Documentary

What is there left to say about this musical, deservedly one of the most famous in the canon? Created by what lyricist Stephen Sondheim described as "a unique concatenation of people" (Leonard Bernstein, Sondheim, Arthur Laurents, Jerome Robbins), the show remains as explosively vibrant, daring, and modern as it was decades ago. Bernstein integrated Latin percussion and jazz into his electrifying score, dazzlingly translating New York's unique vitality into a musical idiom. West Side Story has been adapted for jazz and interpreted by pop and opera singers, but you owe it to yourself to check out the original version to see what the fuss was all about. This new reissue adds over 20 minutes of "symphonic dances" as well as liner notes and production photos.

This Mobile Fidelity CD draws its music from two solo piano albums released by the Melodiya label featuring the Russian pianist Leonid Chizhik. Chizhik certainly displays his versatility throughout the performances with the playful "Spontaneous Improvisation" shifting from stride to classical music, from a waltz to hints of Oscar Peterson. The soulful "Mobious Strip" is not that far from Keith Jarrett, "Dedication" is an abstract tribute to Chick Corea and "Composition on the Theme 'Every Day We Say Goodbye'" evolves from the starkness of Ran Blake to the soulful Ray Bryant and eventually classical music…