(02 October 2005) On Love Changes Everything: The Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection Volume 2 (Decca Broadway (USA), B0005570-02, 2005) multi-platinum chanteuse Sarah Brightman sings a selection of rarely heard tracks from ex-husband Andrew Lloyd Webber's musicals. This fourteen track album features six previously unreleased tracks by Sarah as well as duets with stars such as Michael Ball, John Barrowman and Cliff Richard.

Sarah puts her own magical spin on these memorable songs reminding her fans why she is so beloved. Having made her mark with her role as Christine Daaé in The Phantom of the Opera, her career skyrocketed and she launched an internationally successful concert and recording career. She has quite a number of famed solo recordings including Encore, Classics, Fly, La Luna, Timeless, Eden, Fly 2, Dive, As I Came of Age, Songs That Got Away and Sarah Brightman Sings the Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber. Of note was her duet with famed tenor Andrea Boccelli, "Time to Say Goodbye," which was certified gold in the U.S. and was number one on the Billboard charts for over 30 weeks.

She was born August 14, 1960 in Berkhampstead, England and began dancing at the age of three. At age twelve, she made her London theatrical debut in Charles Strouse's I and Albert. Sarah was a dancer on the television series Pan's People in 1976, and later fronted the pop group Hot Gossip, which in 1978 had a UK number one hit with the single "Starship Trooper." She met Andrew Lloyd Webber in 1981 when she was cast in the role of Jemima in Cats. They married in 1984 and stayed together through 1990. During that time period, Sarah appeared as Christine in The Phantom of the Opera making her a household name. She also appeared in Lloyd Webber's Requiem and Aspects of Love. After divorcing, she toured in The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber: A Concert Spectacular and released many renowned solo recordings. She currently maintains an active touring schedule, her most recent being the Harem World Tour in 2004.

Her current album immediately kicks off with a previously unreleased track, "Probably on Thursday," from the 1982 musical Song and Dance. The song takes a step back in time from the songs that Lloyd Webber wrote in the 1970's. Sarah makes this pop song a delight from this obscure musical. "The Perfect Year" from Sunset Boulevard is another previously unreleased hit, and she has a distinctively more mellow approach to this wonderful ballad than the original star, Patti LuPone. The melodious vocals continue with her duet with Sir Cliff Richard in "Only You" from the blockbuster hit Starlight Express. Sarah certainly takes a gentle and subtle approach to these wonderful tunes.

"Love Changes Everything" and "Seeing is Believing" from Aspects of Love are two other previously unreleased songs. "Love Changes Everything" had huge popularity and really is the most memorable song from that ill-fated musical. The latter song is a terrific duet with Britain's leading musical star and multi-platinum recording artist Michael Ball. Another duet, "Think of Me," from The Phantom of the Opera follows with Steve Barton, who was in the original 1986 London cast along with Sarah. This song certainly makes one realize why she is the fabulous star she is.

The catchy "Any Dream Will Do" from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is a wonderful rendition. The sentimental "I Don't Know How to Love Him" from the rock-opera Jesus Christ Superstar is sung with exquisite sensitivity and Sarah's stunning, soaring vocals. Broadway and West End singing sensation John Barrowman joins Sarah in the wonderful duet, "Too Much in Love to Care" a previously unreleased recording from Sunset Boulevard.

The title song from Phantom, "The Phantom of the Opera," takes centerstage in this soaring duet with Londoner and renowned singer Steve Harley. The richness of the vocals is heavenly as Sarah showcases her incredible soprano range in this most famous melody. The fifth unreleased song, "Make Up My Heart," from Starlight Express is a lovely, tender tune. Her multi-lingual talents are evident in "No Llores Por Mi Argentina" (Spanish version of "Don't Cry For Me Argentina") from Evita. Even if you don't speak Spanish, it doesn't matter since everyone knows the lyrics and the tune, and the song is a pure delight.

Another well-known song, "Everything's Alright" from Jesus Christ Superstar is a terrific song. The only complaint is that the male vocalists are not given credit on the CD for their participation in this much recognized song. The final track on this fine album is "Whistle Down the Wind" from the musical of the same name. The musical was only in the West End for a mere three years, which is most minimal for one of Lloyd Webber's works. The lilting tune is performed to perfection.

Anyone who is familiar with Andrew Lloyd Webber's musicals will be singing along and tapping their toes to the beat of these terrific songs. This wonderful collection of fourteen tracks showcases the magnificent and soaring vocals of Sarah Brightman. She is a shining star of ultimate magnitude, and she certainly performs these illustrious melodies flawlessly. But, who would expect anything less from the splendid Sarah Brightman!--Audrey Elliot in New York