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| Showtunes | 
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| Artists: Stephin Merrit, Ivan Johnson, Douglas Quint, Stephin Merritt, Daniel Savell, Pinky Weitzman, Anne Harris, Benjamin Lerman, Blair Brown, Brian Hall
Label: Nonesuch
Category: Music
List Price: $18.98
Buy New: $4.99
You Save: $13.99 (74%)
New (20) Used (16) Collectible (1) from $1.40
Avg. Customer Rating:  7 reviews
Sales Rank: 96895
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
UPC: 075597989922
EAN: 0075597989922
ASIN: B0009K7RLQ
Release Date: March 14, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: New, still sealed!
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| Tracks:
| • | Theme from the Orhpan of Zhao | | • | At Madam Plum's | | • | Top and the Ball | | • | What A Fucking Lovely Day | | • | Auntie Toothache | | • | It's Hard to be the Emperor | | • | Sounds Expensive | | • | Red Shoes | | • | Fan Dance Cha-Cha | | • | Little Maiden of the Sea | | • | Ukulele Me | | • | Train Song | | • | Little Hebrew Girl | | • | Shall We Sing a Duet? | | • | Song of the Humble Serf | | • | Collar and the Garter | | • | Shall We Sing a Duet? | | • | Sorry, Wrong Show | | • | Storks | | • | In the Spring, When I Was Young | | • | Ugly Little Duck | | • | And He Would Say | | • | World Is Not Made of Flowers | | • | Behold the Lowly Centipede | | • | In China, Said the Moon | | • | Hail! Son of Heaven |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Album Description
Showtunes features pieces from Magnetic Fields songwriter Stephin Merritt's scores for three recent theatrical productions, all collaborations with Chen Shi-Zheng: The Orphan of Zhao, My Life as a Fairy Tale, and Peach Blossom Fan. Chen, who has gained considerable renown for his bravura 19-hour staging of the Chinese classic "Peony Pavillion" at the 1999 Lincoln Center Festival, was born in Hunan, China; currently based in New York, he has collaborated with such artists as Meredith Monk and Tan Dun.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 2 more reviews...
 Funny and pretty much fun September 17, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
It had been a while since I'd purchased or heard any new Stephin Merrit and was totally unaware of Showtunes existence until a week or so ago. The price was right so I gave it a shot and am happy to say that Mr. Merrit's well has not run dry. Melody and humor still reign in Merrit's world and we're all the richer for it.
 Strange, inspired genius November 21, 2006
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Stephin Merrit is easily one of the busiest men in music. His style is distinct and diverse at the same time, lending itself to a variety of different projects. Showtunes is such a different project.
The namesake has to do with the numerous plays Merritt has composed music for. This package is the best of those recordings, which are available seperately, at least from certain online retailers. However, this is probably your best bet. Merritt (and many fans, based on some of the unfavorable reviewers) realize that some songs don't sound great out of context. And since these are from musicals, that's to be expected. However, for the most part, these tracks are fantastic - their catchy, witty, and very tuneful. Not hearing Merritt sing on them may be an acquired taste for some, as Merritt's drull baritone suits his songs well. That they aren't sung by him make them no less his. One of the wittiest lyrics has to be "The little Hebrew girl heard her mother's dying wish: 'don't become a Christian, just be Jewish.' Lyrics like this are abound in a very diverse, mixed bag of goodies.
Chen Shi-Zheng directed the plays represented here, and all fall into the tradition of Chinese theatre. Consequently, many of the recordings are tinged by some of that sound. It's amazing how Merritt so easily allows this to fit into his sound.
For those who don't think this is signature Merrit, however, check out Shall We Sing a Duet and its reprise. Tell me that couldn't have fit well on 69 Love Songs.
Consider The Source October 16, 2006
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
I know that the reviewer right before me gave this 1 star and called it "the worst drivel he'd ever heard". Before you allow this to sway you, look at his other reviews. This is a guy who's favorite band seems to be Chicago. Also, it would appear that he has purchased more than one box set of the TV show "Frasier".
Take a negative review by this guy as a sign that the "Showtunes" album might well be excellent.
Stephen Merritt might be a little too adventurous for someone who's brain has been turned to pudding by the blandness of Chicago and Blood, Sweat & Tears.
 The Worst Drivel I've Ever Heard May 23, 2006
6 out of 38 found this review helpful
This album exemplifies the relentless self-absorption and boredom of performance art. I would never voluntarily buy anything else produced by this man. It is artless, stupid and monotonic.
Did I forget to mention self-pitying and annoying?
If you want to ruin your day, buy this CD and listen to it first thing in the morning.
Keep the good work flowing March 24, 2006
10 out of 11 found this review helpful
Stephin Merritt has created another imaginative work with "Showtunes" in his 26-track CD. I've listened to it several times on my commute to and from work, and I'm not quite sure why one of the reviewers object to his absent voice. His other musical enterprises - 6ths, Future Bible Heroes, Magnetic Fields - don't always have him front-and-center. What he brings to us with "Showtunes" is more of his clever lyrics and catchy tunes.
One track is especially remarkable - "Hail, Son of Heaven". It sounds to me like the Iraq War Anthem. You could read a bit of political intrigue into "Showtunes" lyrics, but hey, why bother? Just enjoy the opera excerpts and the liner notes.
Why did I rate it with only four stars rather than a full five? His capolavoro, "69 Love Songs" (the three-disc set), has everything I want in a funny, clever, and touching entertainment package and gets the full five stars in my book.
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