Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Invocation and Instruction to the Audience - Chris, Chris
2. Putting It Together - Chris, Chris, Julie, Michael, Rachel, Scott, Stephen
3. Rich and Happy #1 - Chris, Chris, Julie, Rachel, Scott, Stephen
4. Merrily We Roll Along No. 1: Lovely - Chris, Chris, Rachel
5. Everbody Ought to Have a Maid - Chris, Chris, Michael, Stephen
6. Hello, Little Girl - Rachel, Stephen
7. My Husband the Pig: Every Day a Little Death - Julie, Rachel
8. Merrily We Roll Along No. 2: Have I Got a Girl for You - Chris, Chris, Michael, Stephen
9. Pretty Women - Michael, Stephen
10. Now - Chris, Chris, Michael
11. Bang - Michael, Rachel
12. Country House - Julie, Stephen
13. Merrily We Roll Along No. 3: Could I Leave You - Julie

Disc 2:

1. Back in Business - Cast
2. Rich and Happy #2 - Julie, Michael, Rachel, Stephen
3. Love Takes Time: Remember: In Praise of Women: Perpetual Anticipation: - Chris, Chris, Julie, Michael, Rachel, Stephen
4. What Would We Do Without You: Gun Song - Chris, Chris, Julie, Michael, Rachel, Stephen
5. Little Priest - Chris, Chris, Julie, Michael, Rachel, Stephen
6. Miller's Son - Rachel
7. Live Alone and Like It - Michael
8. Sorry-Grateful - Stephen
9. Sweet Polly Plunkett - Julie
10. I Could Drive a Person Crazy - Chris, Chris, Cast
11. Marry Me a Little - Michael
12. Getting Married Today - Julie, Cast
13. Merrily We Roll Along No. 4: Being Alive - Chris, Chris, Julie, Michael, Rachel, Stephen
14. Like It Was - Julie
15. Old Friends: Merrily We Roll Along #5 - Cast

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #107282 in Music
• Released on: 1993-11-09
• Number of discs: 2
• Format: Cast Recording

Amazon.com
A follow-up of sorts to 1976's revue Side by Side by Sondheim, Putting It Together used a thin narrative to piece together as many Sondheim songs as possible. Returning to the New York stage, Julie Andrews didn't let her admirers down, even though her ladylike, clipped phrasing can obscure emotion on songs such as "Every Day a Little Death." (Of course, this is also exactly why her expletive on "A Little Priest" provides such an exciting little frisson.) Rachel York proves to be a more interesting Sondheim interpreter, while Christopher Durang's grating interpretation of "I Could Drive a Person Crazy" could do precisely that. None of these versions is definitive, but the compilation might work as a handy tool for those who don't want to pull out each separate CD from the shelves. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews

Wonderful Compilation and Performances
This is a great two-CD set to own if you are in the mood for a fun audio tour of Sondheim at his lyrical best. Popular favorites, as well as a few numbers that were cut from their original Broadway productions, are cleverly strung together in a loose storyline that examines over the course of an evening the complexities, joys and sorrows of - what else? - love and marriage.

Julie Andrews, in fine voice, and Stephen Collins as her long-time husband play host and hostess to younger guests Rachel York and Michael Rupert, singles who form an attraction as the night wears on. Christoper Durang plays the narrator of sorts, a wise, Puckish kind of character who prompts buried feelings in all concerned to come to the surface.

While all performers are good, the standouts on this CD are Julie Andrews and Rachel York, both exquisite vocalists who infuse each song with tremendous emotion. York, especially, moves us with a stunning range of interpretations, from the whimsical "Lovely" and the hilarious "Bang!" to the haunting "Every Day a Little Death" and the wry "Miller's Son." Her version of the latter is the best this listener has ever heard. Period.

Michael Rupert contributes impressively with a stirring rendition of "Marry Me a Little," and the entire ensemble combines voices many times to deliver great harmony. Nowhere is the power of the cast more audible than in "Being Alive," however. In it each singer expresses his or her own unique resolve to share life with someone else, despite the obstacles. It is quite uplifting.

There is a DVD version of "Putting It Together" starring Carol Burnett in the Julie Andrews role and featuring George Hearn, Ruthie Henshall, John Barrowman and Bronson Pinchot. I recommend both the CD and DVD, because each is a treat it its own way. On the DVD, Burnett is wildly funny at times compared to Andrews' dry wit, and Barrowman has a magnificent voice. However, the DVD is missing some songs that are on the CD, most notably York's "Miller's Son." So owning both gives the listener the complete package.

My only regret is that there is no video version of the 1993 performance with Julie Andrews and Rachel York. I would have loved to have seen their obvious chemistry together live and on stage. York's brilliant physical talent for comedy is also missing on CD.

A Fantastic Sondheim Review!
This was a wonderful CD. Reviews like this are not usually my favorite, but this one had amazing songs and great voices! When I bought this, I was actually looking for the new 1999 cast, with Carol Burnett and Bronson Pinchot, which I am sure many people are, but to my suprise, this one was just as fantastic. Anyone considering buying this should! It's worth all the money in the world!

It started out with a song...
Not Only was I fortunate to come across this cd .. I got to be répétiteur for it in a professional production of it in New Zealand. I love this CD, true there is not really a plot, but the voices are all excellent, and Ok, Andrews voice is not what it used to be - but wow she can still sing. It's great to hear the songs on this recording, that aren't readily available otherwise. It would also be great to hear a recording of the new Putting It Together, with Carol Burnett, the score has been revamped and includes many other Sondheim favourites. But we'll just have to wait for that one. This CD is a definite must to have on your Sondheim collection.. (to accompany Side By Side)