"The Impossible Dream" - from "Man of La Mancha" by Wasserman, Joe Darion, Mitch Leigh

Another from my favorite Broadway baritone, Brian Stokes Mitchell....

"I Remember It Well" from Gigi - by several

Yesterday was a day full of GUM!  I'm stocked for a few weeks (at least of classical and operetta selections :).  Here is a funny ballad from Gigi, that always makes me laugh.  Several people were involved in making this music.  Click here for more info....

[The first ~10 sec of the video has issues, but the audio is fine :) ]

[It made me laugh more when I realized that the one line from the song I thought I knew, I remembered wrong!]

The GUM blog hits 100!! with "New Words" - Brian Stokes Mitchell

After 2 1/2 months in existence, the Good, Uplifting Music blog playlist has reached its 100th song!

As I was deciding what song should receive this honor, I was astonished to realize I hadn't yet posted anything from the fabulous Brian Stokes Mitchell, who is quite possibly my favorite professional singer.*  He has such a rich, powerful voice, and he performs with such animation.

Please enjoy this touching song by Maury Yeston, performed by Brian Stokes Mitchell, and keep listening and recommending!

* Like so many people, I loved the soundtrack to The Prince of Egypt as soon as I heard it, especially the song, "Through Heaven's Eyes."  Later, I discovered the musical Ragtime, and loved several songs sung by the character Coalhouse Walker.  (I'll post those here sometime....)  Still later, I was watching a Christmas special with Brian Stokes Mitchell as the guest singer, and I realized that all of these were the same singer.  I looked up when and where he would be performing, and I discovered that he would be performing in Boston a few months later!  I attended the concert and it was amazing!!  He is a fantastic performer and he makes a strong connection with the audience.  I recently learned that he will be in Houston for the holiday pops concerts, too!  I am really excited....

"For Good" from Wicked - Stephen Schwartz

Perhaps Stephen Schwartz' most well-known work (at least these days - Godspell was 1971), Wicked is one of my favorite musicals.  One of those that I can quote all of the music, and most of the book (having seen it three times :)  This song is one of the concluding numbers, when the "good" and "wicked" witches of Oz are saying farewell.

Recommendations, Week 8: "Castle on a Cloud" from Les Miserables - Schonberg and Boublil

This week's recommendation comes from the musical Les Miserables.  This musical is full of powerful, beautiful music, but most of it isn't cheerful.  This sweet song, however, is sung by the young Cosette as she daydreams about a happy place.

"A Spoonful of Sugar" from Mary Poppins - Richard Sherman (1928-2012)

Richard Sherman, of the Sherman Brothers who wrote many of the Disney songs that get stuck in our heads, died today (click for news article).  To commemorate his work, here is one of his most famous songs.  Enjoy!

"Miracle of Miracles" from Fiddler on the Roof - Bock, Harnick, & Stein

Yesterday I was thinking about all the miracles that seem to be happening around us, and it reminded me of this joyful song from Fiddler on the Roof.  Enjoy!

"Can You Feel the Love Tonight?" from The Lion King (Broadway) - Elton John and Tim Rice

I always think it's great when (good-quality) songs from animated films get played on the radio.  I think it demonstrates the quality of music that can go into a "children's" film.  The version of "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?" below is from the Broadway musical version of Disney's The Lion King.  Happy Valentine's!

"The Girl I Mean to Be" from The Secret Garden - Marsha Norman and Lucy Simon

On the one occasion where I auditioned for a school musical, this is the song I sang.  I love the simplicity of the lyrics and how they convey a young girl's wish for a place of her own.

"It Takes Two" from "Into the Woods" - Stephen Sondheim & James Lapine

After struggling to find the ingredients to reverse a witch's curse, a baker realizes he needs his wife's help.  And Sondheim's clever lyrics and Lapine's mixed ballad-patter melody take it from there!

"Our Children" from the musical "Ragtime" - Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty

Ragtime is a fantastic musical about the turmoil of the early 20th Century, with a fantastic variety of moving ballads and fun patter songs.  The second act is quite a bit darker than the first act, but still has great music, including this song, "Our Children," where the wealthy widow and immigrant widower are watching their two children play.  Check out the Wikipedia page for more about this great musical.

"Close to Home" from "Children of Eden" - Stephen Schwartz

This touching song is from the musical "Children of Eden," with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (of "Wicked" fame).  A dear friend of mine introduced me to this musical, which retells the stories of Adam & Eve and the flood.  In this song, Adam and Eve reflect on their life after leaving the Garden of Eden.