Then Morris

It would have been better, of course, if this 1984 production of Donizetti's Anna Bolena, or at least its title role, had been filmed 20 years earlier, when Joan Sutherland's voice was in its spectacular prime. But like her Canadian Opera Norma, dating from 1981, this is a better-late-than-never documentation of one of the most remarkable voices of the 20th century.

1943 was a banner year for the musical theater. For it was then that Rodgers and Hammerstein joined forces for the first time and wrote the memorable "Oklahoma." What happened after "Oklahoma" is history - and what a history it is! "Carousel", "South Pacific", "The King and I" were among the hits that followed, and now with "Flower Drum Song" add another triumph to the string of successes this team has contributed to the American musical scene.
"Flower Drum Song" is based on C. Y. Lee's novel of the same name and tells the story of a mix-up between a mail order bride from China who comes to San Francisco only to find that she and a brassy strip-teaser from San Francisco's Chinatown are about to marry the same fellow…

Tyler Morris’ latest release, “Living In The Shadows”, is the powerhouse guitarist’s second Vizztone release in the Blues/Rock genre and his fourth release in total. “Living in the Shadows” was produced by Mike Zito (Royal Southern Brotherhood, Mike Zito Band), who says, “Tyler Morris is a very serious contender in the new world domination of Blues Rock Guitar players. He is fired up and fierce for a young man. His depth of musical knowledge knows no bounds and he is just coming into his own voice. Tyler will help bring back the glory of Electric Guitar to the masses.” Recording guests on this album include Blues legends Ronnie Earl, Joe Louis Walker and Mike Zito, as well as acclaimed vocalist Amanda Fish, who featured Tyler on her Blues Music Award winning album last year.

Fortunately, this particular Faust , given live in Philadelphia in 1985, has both strong soloists and an idiomatic conductor. It´s one of the best live recordings I´ve heard of the opera, and if the stage production matched the audible level of intensity, it must have been a thrilling theatrical event, as well.Alain Vanzo was 57 at the time of this performance. He was the premier French lyric tenor of his generation, and probably had no match for tone or phrasing in this repertoire. -Arkiv Music-