Great Songs from Stage & Screen

Last updated
Great Songs from Stage & Screen
Great Songs cover.jpeg
Studio album by
Seth MacFarlane
ReleasedAugust 28, 2020 (2020-08-28)
Recorded2019–2020
Studio Abbey Road Studios
Genre
Length48:36
Label
Producer
Seth MacFarlane chronology
Once in a While
(2019)		Great Songs from Stage & Screen
(2020)		 Blue Skies
(2022)

Great Songs from Stage & Screen is the sixth studio album by American actor and singer Seth MacFarlane, released on August 28, 2020, by Republic Records and Verve Records. As the executive producer, MacFarlane reunited with his longtime producers Joel McNeely and Joy Fehily. [1] The album features songs from film and theatre, including songs by Rodgers and Hammerstein, Cole Porter, Lerner and Loewe, and Henry Mancini. [2]

Contents

Background

On August 9, 2020, MacFarlane teased on his Instagram that a sixth album was coming soon. [3] It was later announced that MacFarlane would release his new album at the end of the month. He recorded a majority of the songs at Abbey Road Studios. However, much of the album's post-production work was done at home due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. [4] MacFarlane described the songs as having been soothing the souls through the decades, saying, "Great songwriting presented with great orchestration is always uplifting. Hopefully these tunes offer, if nothing else, a little mood boost during a dark time." [5] He explained his decision on picking the songs as, "It's just a selection of songs that I wish would be sung more. So you know, instead of 'Oklahoma' by Rodgers and Hammerstein, we do 'All Er Nuthin'.'" He called the album's tone more light than his previous album. He would describe it as more of a repertoire style record. [6] MacFarlane collaborated with composer Bruce Broughton, who he works with on The Orville , to arrange and conduct the album. In explaining his decision on bringing Broughton on board, MacFarlane said, "The album is masterfully arranged by composer Bruce Broughton, whose signature vibrance and sophisticated orchestral texturing is a perfect match for this collection of show-centric swing arrangements and ballads." [7] In addition, MacFarlane brought in members of the John Wilson Orchestra. [8]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [9]

Great Songs from Stage & Screen received mostly positive reviews from music critics. AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote "Six albums into his recording career, Seth MacFarlane lands upon an idea to demonstrate his extensive knowledge and love of the Great American Songbook. Instead of concentrating on the standards he and his audience know by heart, he's digging a little deeper into the catalog, using musicals as his divining rod. It's a good idea, and with the help of longtime producer Joel McNeely and arranger Bruce Broughton, MacFarlane sounds at ease in a way he hasn't on record in the past. He's still leaning on his love of Sinatra, but he's reined in some of his affectations, a move that's as welcome as the largely offbeat selections here. When combined, it amounts to a handsome collection that serves as a testament to MacFarlane's good taste in vocal pop." [9] Francine Brokaw from Family Choice Awards praised the album, writing, "Listening to his recordings I have decided that even though I have enjoyed Seth MacFarlane in his other roles, I really love his singing the most. Although his acting/writing/producing is pretty good too! His recordings are delightful and rich. I do have some favorite tracks on this CD however all of the songs are delightful. There are several ballads as well as a few upbeat tunes. The collection is the perfect blend of songs personally selected by MacFarlane." She continued to write, "Seth MacFarlane is among my top male vocalists and with this new release he has moved up many notches. The bottom line is this is a fantastic collection of songs sung by a great singer. This is his sixth studio album and definitely a treasure." [10] Deanna Costa from The Arts Fuse lauded MacFarlane's cover of "Once Upon a Dream", saying it's "filled with happy nostalgia" and did "wonderful justice to this Disney classic." [11]

Track listing

All music is composed by Bruce Broughton [12] [13]

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Once Upon a Dream"
2:42
2."I Loved You Once in Silence"
4:48
3."Let's Not Be Sensible"
2:52
4."Ten Minutes Ago" Rodgers and Hammerstein 2:55
5."Ain't Got a Dime to My Name (Ho Ho Ho Ho Hum)"
3:11
6."Love Is Only Love" Jerry Herman 4:53
7."What Did I Have That I Don't Have?"
3:45
8."Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are"
3:37
9."Two for the Road"
5:22
10."All Er Nothin'"Rodgers and Hammerstein3:11
11."You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To" Cole Porter 4:15
12."Mind If I Make Love to You?"Porter3:41
13."Time for Parting"
3:17
Total length:48:36

Personnel

Credits adapted from AllMusic. [14]

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)LabelRef.
WorldwideAugust 28, 2020 [15]
October 9, 2020 [16]

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References

  1. ↑ Newman, Melinda (August 19, 2020). "Seth MacFarlane Mines Classic Tunes for 'Great Songs From Stage and Screen': Exclusive". MSN . Archived from the original on February 11, 2015. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  2. ↑ "Release Album of Songs From Film and Theatre, 'Great Songs From Stage & Screen'". BroadwayWorld . August 20, 2020. Archived from the original on February 11, 2015. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  3. ↑ MacFarlane, Seth (August 9, 2020). "Sixth album tease". Instagram . Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  4. ↑ "Seth MacFarlane Recorded Great Songs From Stage And Screen at Abbey Road". NBC . September 17, 2020. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  5. ↑ Newman, Melinda (August 19, 2020). "Seth MacFarlane Mines Classic Tunes for 'Great Songs From Stage and Screen': Exclusive". Billboard . Archived from the original on February 11, 2015. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  6. ↑ Zimmerman, Brian (September 30, 2020). "The Voice: With His Latest Project, Seth MacFarlane Explores Great Songs from the Stage and Screen". Jazziz Magazine. Archived from the original on February 11, 2015. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  7. ↑ Sexton, Paul (August 19, 2020). "Vocalist Seth MacFarlane Presents 'Great Songs From Stage & Screen'". UDiscover Music . Archived from the original on February 11, 2015. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  8. ↑ "Seth MacFarlane Presents 'Great Songs From Stage and Screen' — Recorded at Abbey Road". Abbey Road Studios News . 26 August 2020. Archived from the original on 11 February 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  9. 1 2 Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Great Songs from Stage & Screen- Seth MacFarlane : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic . Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  10. ↑ Brokaw, Francine (November 13, 2020). "Seth MacFarlane Great Songs from Stage & Screen". Family Choice Awards. Archived from the original on February 11, 2015. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  11. ↑ Costa, Deanna (October 15, 2020). "Music Review: Best New Songs – September, 2020". The Arts Fuse . Archived from the original on February 11, 2015. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  12. ↑ "Great Songs from Stage & Screen / Seth MacFarlane". Tidal . Retrieved August 28, 2020.
  13. ↑ "Great Songs from Stage & Screen – Seth MacFarlane on iTunes". US: iTunes Store. Archived from the original on August 26, 2017. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Great Songs from Stage & Screen – Seth MacFarlane | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
  15. ↑ "Seth MacFarlane: Great Songs From Stage & Screen – Music on Google Play". Google Play. Archived from the original on October 18, 2017. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
  16. ↑ "Seth MacFarlane: Great Songs From Stage & Screen: Music". Amazon.com. ASIN   B08FTF17B4 . Retrieved August 28, 2020.
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