Audio CD review:
Rutledge Turnlund, David Bucknell, Mark Broadhead, Trevor Burley, Sarah Clarke, Lucy Simon, Antony Cross, Bruce Nockles, Dave Whitehouse, Francesca Hanley - The Secret Garden

Rutledge Turnlund, David Bucknell, Mark Broadhead, Trevor Burley, Sarah Clarke, Lucy Simon, Antony Cross, Bruce Nockles, Dave Whitehouse, Francesca Hanley - The Secret Garden

Band: Rutledge Turnlund, David Bucknell, Mark Broadhead, Trevor Burley, Sarah Clarke, Lucy Simon, Antony Cross, Bruce Nockles, Dave Whitehouse, Francesca Hanley Title: The Secret Garden Rating: Release Date: 30 January, 2002 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Prologue: Journey from India to Yorkshire 2: Fine White Horse - Linzi Hateley 3: Garden Suite I 4: Girl in the Valley - Craig Purnell 5: Girl I Mean to Be - Philip Quast 6: Winter's on the Wing - Meredith Braun, Linzi Hateley, Philip Quast 7: Bit of Earth 8: Storm 9: Round Shouldered Man 10: Lily's Eyes - Philip Quast 11: Race You to the Top of the Morning - Philip Quast 12: Wick - Craig Purnell 13: Come to My Garden - Meredith Braun 14: Garden Suite 2 - Linzi Hateley, Craig Purnell 15: Bit of Earth (Reprise) - Meredith Braun 16: Hold On - Linzi Hateley 17: Letter Song - Linzi Hateley, Philip Quast 18: Where in the World - Philip Quast 19: How Could I Ever Know - Meredith Braun, Philip Quast 20: Spring Music 21: Come to My Garden (Reprise) - Meredith Braun, Philip Quast

Customer Reviews The Secret Garden I had a Secret Garden cassette years ago that I have misplaced and was hoping this was it. This is not the one I had hoped to get. It was not. So. . . I ordered another one (different cover) and it was worse!! No vocals at all. I give up. . Did nothing for me Phillip Quast, who I loved on the "Les Miserables" Symphonic Recording, just sound like he's capable of the vocal demands of the role of Archibald Craven. A friend lent me this recording of "The Secret Garden," and I have to say I was very underwhelmed. Most of his songs on this recording are in noticably lower keys than the original, which, for me, robs the songs of their emotional impact, or power. Also, at times he seems to be trying too hard to be "emotional. " For me, this was a disappointing version of this wonderful show. Not as good as the Broadway Cast Recording The arrangements are all new and though I do like some of them for the most part I found this version of the musical to be hollow and soulless. I bought this CD because it got a couple of very high ratings but it's really not that good. Songs that I really liked in the original are no where to be found. To begin with 'Clusters of Crocus' is completely gone which really disappointed me as I found it a hauntingly beautiful doorway into the world of 'The Secret Garden. ' 'The House Upon the Hill' is also missing which is a great shame because I felt it set the stage of Misselthwaite Manor perfectly. 'There's A Man' is gone as well robbing you of a great deal of insight into the characters of Archie, Neville, Lily and Rose. And most of the songs that remain are somehow missing something essential. 'If I Had A Fine White Horse' has lost it's charm, 'Winter's on the Wing' has lost it's wonder, 'Wick' has no magic, and most terrible of all, 'How Could I Ever Know' is devoid of it's ethereal enchantment. As for the performers, I think Daisy Eagan from the original Broadway cast made a far better Mary in regards to acting and singing. And the Lily on this album is a pale shadow of the remarkable performance given by Rebecca Luker in the Broadway version. Alison Fraser and John Cameron Mitchell from the Broadway cast also made a better Martha and Dickon. As I said I did like some of the new arrangements, 'Prologue,' 'Garden Suite 1' and 'The Storm' for example. And I did like some of the performances on this CD, Colin is actually better and Archie is very good though he lacks a bit of Mandy Patinkin's panache. However, the majority of the songs are definitely inferior to what you find on the Original Broadway Cast recording. So, unless you are an absolute 'Secret Garden' diehard don't waste your money on this, get the Broadway version of the musical. . You can see a complete list of all Rutledge Turnlund, David Bucknell, Mark Broadhead, Trevor Burley, Sarah Clarke, Lucy Simon, Antony Cross, Bruce Nockles, Dave Whitehouse, Francesca Hanley discography, or go back to the Rutledge Turnlund, David Bucknell, Mark Broadhead, Trevor Burley, Sarah Clarke, Lucy Simon, Antony Cross, Bruce Nockles, Dave Whitehouse, Francesca Hanley tabs