Singing is like learning about life. You're given the gift of life and you learn to get through it. When you sing it's like having a gift ... you learn what to do with it, how to make it honest and how to make it do what you want it to do.
-Laurie Beechman, as quoted in United Press International,March 15, 1984
|
|
|
|
cast & studio recordings
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Annie
|
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
|
Hair
|
The Stars Sing Lunch
|
Original Broadway
cast
(Columbia records, 1977)
Laurie is in the ensemble and can be heard in: "We'd Like to Thank
You", and "Tomorrow (Reprise)" But her most memorable
role was as the Star-to-Be in "N.Y.C."
|
Original Broadway Cast
(Chrysalis, 1982)
Laurie's wonderful, Tony-nominated performance as the Narrator is captured
on this enjoyable recording. Also features Bill Hutton as Joseph.
|
original film soundtrack (and videotape) on the song, "Black Boys"
|
(DRG 12610)
1994 concept album on which Laurie sings a lovely ballad, "I Never
Danced With You". Also features Davis Gaines, Faith Prince, Carol
Burnett and more. Originally released on an independent label, "Lunch"
is now widely available on DRG records.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Unsung Irving Berlin
|
Incurably Romantic
|
A Broadway Christmas
|
Sam Harris- Standard Time
|
(Varese/ Sarabande)
a 2CD collection of lesser known songs by Irving Berlin. Laurie sings
"You're a Sentimental Guy". Other performers include: Liz
Callaway, Davis Gaines, Greg Jbara, and Crista Moore.
|
(OC 9619, 1996)
This collection of songs with lyrics by Martin Charnin features Laurie's
rendition of "It's All So Simple" (formerly titled "Everything
Needs Something") that was originally released on Martin Charnin's
Mini Album in 1977 (see below). For this recording, Laurie's
original vocal track was remixed with a new orchestration. Other singers
featured on this album include Andrea McArdle, Christy Baron, Andrea
Marcovicci and Barbara Walsh.
|
(Varese/ Sarabande, 1994)
studio recording of Christmas themed songs from Broadway shows. Laurie
sings "I Thank You For Your Love" from Schmidt/ Jones' The
Mummers Play.
|
(Finer Arts Records FA9719)
The 1997 re-release of this Sam Harris album contains a duet with Laurie
Beechman, "That's All", which was one of the songs the duo
sang at their award winning 1996 engagement at Rainbow and Stars. (Please
note that this track is not available on the previous release)
|
- Listen to a
clip at amazon.com.
|
- Listen to a clip
at amazon.com.
|
|
- A sound clip of this duet is found on the
offical Sam
Harris website
|
|
|
out of print LP's
|
- Martin Charnin's Mini Album:
"5 Great Songs from Not-so-great Shows"
out of print- from approximately 1977
Laurie sings "Everything Needs Something" from La Strada and
duets with Robert Guillaume on "I Could Be Good For You" from
Softly. You can check Footlights for this record, though it is quite
hard to find. The former song can also be heard on the CD Incurably
Romantic (see above).
 |
"Bruce (Yeko) and I see hundreds of singers
each year, going off. . . in search of talent, and believe Laurie
is a major musical star to be."
(-Martin Charnin, liner notes) |
|
- Cy Coleman The Party's On Me
(RCA, 1976)
This out of print album features jazz versions of Cy Coleman songs.
They are mostly instrumental, with assorted background vocals. I can't
pick out Laurie's voice (or for that matter, any particular voices),
but she is one of 5 credited vocalists. This album was often listed
in Laurie's playbill bios.
- After the Fall
Out of print single on the Epic label
The song is a fairly typical late 70's/ early 80's disco-type song,
and the single features both a long and a short version. I personally
think that Laurie rises above the material and makes a mediocre song
more interesting.
- Laurie and the Sighs
1980 pop/ rock LP
This recording is a fun listen, but not very representative of Laurie's
career. This record is also out of print, but copies can often be found
at Footlight Records.
|
|
|
