MIKE ELDRED: ME

Mike Eldred

ME

© 2001 Velvet Armadillo Records (683273820126)

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One of the most dynamic tenor voices of the new millenium, a singer's singer....a "must-have" for musical theatre lovers and for people who just love a great voice. Don't miss this one.

tracks

1 Something's Coming
2 Maria (West Side Story)
3 Ave Maria featuring Dennis DeYoung, formerly of STYX
4 Esmerelda (The Hunchback of Notre Dame)
5 Rodgers & Hammerstein Medley
6 Sarah
7 Virginia (The Civil War)
8 On The Shores Of Somewhere Far Away
9 Sermon To The Blackbirds/Someday (Francis of Guernica)
10 Where Would I Be? featuring Mike Reid (The Ballad of Little Jo)
11 Bring Him Home (Les Miserables)

notes

Mike Eldred also has a new Holiday CD called Let It Begin...!!! Check it out here at CDbaby when you get a chance.


One of America's most in-demand and beloved tenors, MIKE ELDRED’s impressive career has blossomed over the past twenty years. From a successful stint in Gospel music, a long and exciting decade as a professional studio singer, several Broadway shows and national tours, to performing with the greatest symphony orchestras across the country, Mike has become the well-rounded performer and artist that comes with vast experience.

Recently, Mike completed a national tour with pianist JIM BRICKMAN. Some of the symphony orchestras that he has performed with include Baltimore, Chicago, Cincinnati, Kansas City, Houston, Nashville, Oklahoma City, Phoenix and Seattle. In December 2006, Mike hosted the Indianapolis Symphony's record breaking concert series YULETIDE CELEBRATION and is honored to be hosting this year’s Baltimore Symphony HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR.

Mike performed on Broadway in the final cast of LES MISERABLES where he appeared in the starring role of Jean Valjean. He starred as Tony in the Nashville Symphony's production of WEST SIDE STORY. A cast recording has been released internationally on NAXOS Records. Other Broadway shows, national tours and regional productions include THE CIVIL WAR, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD, MY FAIR LADY, GODSPELL and CAMELOT.

In his hometown of Nashville, Tennessee, Mike has been honored with the Tennessean Actor of the Year Award, Nashville Scene's Best Musical Theatre Performer, and was nominated for the Nashville Music Awards Male Vocalist of the Year. Mike recently produced a new Holiday CD entitled “LET IT BEGIN…” and has also produced a solo recording entitled “ME”, featuring songs from his favorite roles including “BRING HIM HOME”, “MARIA”, “IF I LOVED YOU”, “I HAVE DREAMED” and “SOME ENCHANTED EVENING”. These recordings are also available at www.mikeeldred.com.

What people are saying about Mike Eldred:


"His amazing voice - a high-flying, full-bodied tenor, intensely romantic, alternately wrenching and joyful - was so compelling that you forgot you were in a theater, forgot everything but the sound pouring out of his throat."
THE CIVIL WAR
Kevin Nance, The Tennessean


"Eldred impressively sang "If I Loved You," and was absolutely first-class as Billy Bigelow in his rendition of "Soliloquy" from Carousel."
TRIBUTE TO RICHARD RODGERS, Illinois Philharmonic
D. J. Luksetich, Chicago Star


".....But, among the highlights, Mike Eldred sings "Maria" in a nicely ardent tone."
WEST SIDE STORY RECORDING, Naxos Records
Billboard Magazine


Best Musical Theater Performer: Mike Eldred
"Not that we didn't already know it, but Eldred is the people's choice in Nashville musical theater. His fine singing as Tony in Tennessee Repertory Theatre's big production of West Side Story was matched only by his vocal work as the title character in The Rep's full-bodied staging of the Marcus Hummon musical Francis of Guernica. Mike recently released a CD too. Big year."
Martin Brady, The Nashville Scene


"Mike Eldred gives a soul-piercing performance...."
THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME
Lisa DuBois, Variety Magazine


"The voices are stellar. Mike Eldred (as the Husband) soars in what may be the shows loveliest, most personal song."
THE CIVIL WAR
Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times


Mike Eldred's Tony is the best I've seen, bar none. His powerful tenor handles the score as well as it can be presented. Eldred embraces the music with an original style and understanding. His characterization is fresh and believable. If you think you've seen Tony presented every way he can be done, you need to see this production. Eldred gives a sensitive new age guy coupled with an Old World immigrant edge that makes Tony that much more endearing. "Tonight", "Something's Coming" and "Somewhere" left me breathless.
WEST SIDE STORY
Leo Sochocki, The City Paper, Nashville


"Likewise, Mike Eldred, half of a northern husband/wife (Amy Rutberg) duo who are separated by the war, soars during "Sarah," a final paean to his wife before his death. His beautiful voice actually reminds one of the Larry Gatlin of the late 1970s, which is a compliment indeed."
THE CIVIL WAR
David L. Roberts, Illinois Entertainer


"...singer Mike Eldred wowed the audience with the soaring ballad, "Bright November Morning," from Mr. Reid's football opera, Different Fields."
IN CONCERT WITH THE CINCINNATI POPS
Janelle Gelfand, Cincinnati Enquirer


"Mike Eldred is incredible as the starry-eyed Francis. Fresh off a run with the Broadway cast and touring company production of "The Civil War," Eldred brings a marvelous voice and finely honed acting skills to the part. His portrayal is sensitively revealing and multifaceted. His idealistic young fighter is clearly etched and easily believable. His character's later transformation into a demented religious zealot is equally believable, and demonstrates a considerable acting talent. Plus, Eldred's singing voice is sweet and clear as a bell. A delightful performance."
FRANCIS OF GUERNICA
Bill Dorian, Nashville on Stage


"....Mike Eldred stepped in to sing the part of Quasimodo in "Esmerelda," nearly stealing the show with his powerful voice."
DENNIS DEYOUNG IN CONCERT
Brian Q. Newcomb, St. Louis Post-Dispatch


"The delusional title character, beautifully acted and gorgeously sung by Mike Eldred, becomes a kind of saint-artist so wrapped up in the trappings of sanctity that he neglects Renee (the sumptuous-voiced Natalie Toro), the Jewish woman who loves him."
FRANCIS OF GUERNICA
Kevin Nance, The Tennessean


"Mike Eldred soared with his performance of Esmerelda.....What a voice....An amazing performance not lost on the audience, which erupted into yet another standing ovation!"
DENNIS DEYOUNG IN CONCERT
Rosemont Theatre Review, Chicago


"The real revelation here is Mike Eldred, who plays Tony. Richard Beymer swished his way through the movie, his performance not particularly enhanced by a dubbed-in nobody vocalist. Eldred brings force and resonance to the songs, and we're reminded more firmly just how badly the film short-shrifts the character's impact in such tremendous numbers as "Something's Coming," "Maria," "Tonight," "One Hand, One Heart," and "Somewhere."
WEST SIDE STORY
Martin Brady, The Nashville Scene


"Eldred is often electric....."
FRANCIS OF GUERNICA
Alan Bostick, The Tennessean


""Esmerelda," a disarming ballad from "Hunchback," attested to DeYoung's still blossoming gifts as melodist, the song's imploring phrases and plangent chords rendered all the more effective by the inspired performance of Mike Eldred (who played the title role of "Hunchback" in Nashville)."
DENNIS DEYOUNG IN CONCERT
Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune


"Mike Eldred's Tony comes off best; singing with a more mature sound than Larry Kert, he nonetheless creates a sense of heightenend expectancy and wonder in "Something's Coming"."
WEST SIDE STORY RECORDING Naxos Records
Victor Carr, Jr., Classics Today


"Mike Eldred's Tony is also excellent......"
WEST SIDE STORY RECORDING Naxos Records
Robert Cummings, ClassicalNet.com


"The male principals - especially Mike Eldred - are outstanding........"
WEST SIDE STORY RECORDING Naxos Records
Rob Barnett, MusicWeb.com


"Mike Eldred's Tony offers the most persuasive singing-"Something's Coming" and "Maria" are especially moving."
WEST SIDE STORY RECORDING Naxos Records
Paul Seydor, AVGuide.com


"It's very well cast with an ardent and smooth-voiced Mike Eldred as Tony...."
WEST SIDE STORY RECORDING Naxos Records
James Camner, Fanfare


"The two main roles are well occupied with a charming Betsi Morrison as Maria and above all a completely excellent Mike Eldred as Tony."
WEST SIDE STORY RECORDING Naxos Records
Der Schallplattenmann sagt
Ausgabe #354, 18.
http://schallplattenmann.de

reviews

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  • Wow!
    author: Diedre

    Amazing CD! Amazing Singer!! Does he have anymore available that anyone knows about? I've not been able to find others.

  • An incredible album, December 30, 2005
    author: groomRN

    This is one of the best albums I own, and that's saying something. Mike's voice is truly one of the most beautiful I've heard. The songs chosen for this album are not necessarily the ones I would have picked, partly because I had never heard several of them, but they all work extremely well. His voice can be soft and tender, or rich and powerful, but is always full of emotion. I believe he could sing anything he chooses, no matter what the genre. If you enjoy Michael Crawford, Hugh Panaro, or Michael Ball I am certain you will love Mike Eldred. Get this album if you can find it. Hopefully Amazon will make it available.

  • Great track selections and a superb, emotional voice.
    author: Greg in Clearwater, FL

    This CD has been in my car stereo for one week straight and I can't seem to get enough. I am amazed how much I admire it. The recording quality balances out his voice with the music in a perfect sonic combination. Mike's voice tone, resonance, and perfectly moderate vibrato is very appealing to the ear. The song selection doesn't rehash the usual fare that is so recognized today, but takes some great gems that are not so in the mainstream and presents them with an amazing voice talent. The result is a collection of some powerful, memorable songs. The emotion and enunciation that Mike spins out of these songs brings them to incredible color and life. Like an actor with dialogue, this is a singer acting with lyrics... amazing. I truly got chills hearing the emotionally powerful Sarah and Esmerelda. Maria successfully invokes the power and joy of a new love. Where Would I Be? is a superb male duet. But again I stress the voice tone and emotion emitted is simply a delight to the ears. It's not over-the-top, nor is it dull. I love this album. I have my usual tickets to the Jim Brickman concert here on Jan 20th and am excited about seeing and hearing Mike Eldred, who is on tour with Jim, perform.

  • Outstanding Voice and Personality
    author: Bob Macheski

    I saw and heard Mike for the first time ever at a Jim Brickman concert and immediately orderd his CD the day after the performance. Buy the CD, and you won't be disappointed. I am going to see him perform again in 2 months.

  • Excellent CD! Talented performer, beautiful voice
    author: Neil Bloom

    I saw him perform live with Dennis DeYoung on his symphonic tour. He was great. I was hoping he would come out with his own cd. It is as great as his perfomance. What a voice!! I definitely recommend this cd, and if you get a chance to see Mike Eldred live, don't miss it.

  • Where in the World did this guy come from???!!
    author: Andrew

    I can't believe that I haven't heard this guy sing before this! This is truly one of the best voices I've heard in a LONG time. And the song selection is fantastic! Not your standard "Broadway" fare. Thanks CDbaby for making this available.

  • fantastic
    author: marc capobianco

    a beautiful voice and truly enjoyable cd.

  • Stunning volcals, highly recommended you take a listen!
    author: Lon

    A wonderful CD to listen to, and his vocals are breath taking.

  • Incredible voice, outstanding vocalist!
    author: Rick

    Mike Eldred has one of the greatest voices in theater today! This CD has a nice variety of theatrical pieces, especially the songs from Dennis DeYoung's Hunchback musical. I strongly recommend this CD to anyone who appreciates great musicals.

  • Mike Eldred has the voice of an Angel!
    author: Eleanor

    This is the first time I have bought a Mike Eldred cd, but I guarantee you it won't be the last. Each song on the CD was very listening-worthy. The whole performance was great. My favorites were both of the songs from Hunchback of Notre Dame, Bring Him Home, and Virginia almost brought tears to my eyes. And as I said in the headline, Mike has the voice of an Angel!

  • author: Gloria

    This CD is the pulse of what theatre should sound like. The vocals are crisp and clear and memorable. The assortment of vocal selections gives you the sense of the broad range of the artist. The songs are superbly executed and leave you with an almost haunted feeling in the beauty and quality of this man as an artist and the sincerity of his love of music. I do not leave this CD alone for very long intervals without picking it up to give it yet another listen. Mike Eldred is the reason Broadway theatre will always have a leading man. His voice makes you feel even if you are not trying to get involved in the music. I cannot recommend it enough.

  • "If you love musical theatre, don't miss this album."
    author: William Gregory

    I have to be honest, when I put this CD in my player, I said to myself, "Oh God not another Broadway album by another boy-singer." Well folks, I was WRONG. This guy has a major voice that soars. His is such a beautiful instrument, that all the mediocrities that are out there making mediocrities, are doing him an injustice by taking up his deserved CD shelf space at music stores! This guy could easily have been an opera singer if he chose. Don't get me wrong, he doesn't sound like an opera singer singing musical theatre. (I hate when opera singers do that, few can actually do it right.) He just has such a powerful, mellifluous voice. Some of the material is not to my taste. I don't really care for a lot of the new musical theatre stuff from "Hunchback of Notre Dame" or "The Civil War", but many of you will. There is an outstanding bossa nova version of "I have dreamed." Jazz singers around the world should follow his lead on this one. The album closes with his lilting version of "Bring Him Home", from Les Miserables. If you love musical theatre, don't miss this album. Oh yeah, and if you can't already tell, he's oh so easy on the eyes. Available through www.velvetarmadillo.com.

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