Aida

#1

Aida

Posted: 12/28/04 at 5:54pm

I bought the cast recording excitedly, having been reccommended it by many people. I'm listening to ti now and I'm not extremely impressed. The cast is great, but this didn't exactly turn me into a fan of Elton John. The music itself is just okay, nothign special. I don't really understand the fuss over it. Let's just say it's not going to be in my top 24 cast recordings in years to come. (I say 24 because I have a CD wall that fits 24 cast recordings, so I put my favorites up there. While it's there now, it will surely be replaced in the future)

#2

re: Aida

Posted: 12/28/04 at 6:06pm

I don't agree. I love AIDA. You can get the book used on Amazon.com at the moment for $3.91 and it's a great book so I highly suggest you grab that right now. I got mine for $5.00. Also you should read the script. It might help you to piece the songs together.

http://libretto.musicals.ru/text.php?textid=487&language=1

Give it time. You'll like it. I promise.

#3

re: Aida

Posted: 12/28/04 at 6:06pm

I don't think the CD does justice to the show, and there's a few songs that I always skip (namely "How I Know You", and both of John Hickok's songs, as much as I enjoy him).

Heather Headley and Adam are still wonderful on it though. Gods Love Nubia gives me chills, live or on a recording. And really...Heather...wow.

---

"It's not always about you!!!" (But if you think I'm referring to you anyway, then I probably am.)

"Good luck returning my ass!" - Wilhemina Slater

"This is my breakfast, lunch and f***ing dinner right here. I'm not even f***in' joking." - Colin Farrell

#4

re: Aida

Posted: 12/28/04 at 6:07pm

The cast is amazing. I'm listening to How I Know You now and it reminds me of a song from Zanna Don't, when they say "That is how I kiss you...."

#5

re: Aida

Posted: 12/28/04 at 6:21pm

I still don't like that song. At all. *cringe* Same with "Another Pyramid" and "Like Father Like Son".

---

"It's not always about you!!!" (But if you think I'm referring to you anyway, then I probably am.)

"Good luck returning my ass!" - Wilhemina Slater

"This is my breakfast, lunch and f***ing dinner right here. I'm not even f***in' joking." - Colin Farrell

#6

re: Aida

Posted: 12/28/04 at 6:31pm

I think the cd alone can't represent the show...Heather Headley is AMAZING, I have yet to see any other actress perform the role the way she did. Plus, visually it's beautiful, between the costumes, and the ending with her and Radames...I thought the cast sounded much better live, particularly John Hickok in "Like Father Like Son"

---

"Hey Joey McIntyre, is there a balcony in Madison Square Garden? Joey knows his venues a little better than me. That's okay...I have a bigger part on broadway...:)" -Idina Menzel

#7

re: Aida

Posted: 12/28/04 at 6:38pm

Sargar I love your quote with Idina and Joey it made me crack up

---

"But I relish every brillant inspired moment. This is who I'm determined to be- an actor/singer/dancer-no, I take that back, this is who I am. These people are my tribe, my destiny. I know it. -How I Paid for College; A story of sex, theft, friendship and musical theater.

#8

re: Aida

Posted: 12/28/04 at 6:53pm

I've never thought Elton John could write for the stage. His additions the The Lion King stage score is the major detriment to that show. Some of the songs in Aida are very good, but I can't help but think it's because of the stellar delivery by the performers (Heather Headley especially), rather than the actual material.

---

BlueWizard's blog: The Rambling Corner HEDWIG: "The road is my home. In reflecting upon the people whom I have come upon in my travels, I cannot help but think of the people who have come upon me."

#9

re: Aida

Posted: 12/28/04 at 7:17pm

haha, thanks TabooWickedFan! It was from her concert that she gave a couple weeks ago...she's quite the riot

---

"Hey Joey McIntyre, is there a balcony in Madison Square Garden? Joey knows his venues a little better than me. That's okay...I have a bigger part on broadway...:)" -Idina Menzel

#10

re: Aida

Posted: 12/28/04 at 8:14pm

I have to say I LOVE Aida !!! Of course, I love anything that has Adam in it, but no, truly, I think it's wonderful. But it's all a matter of taste. In general, I think cast recordings work better if someone has seen the show.

Take care

#11

re: Aida

Posted: 12/28/04 at 8:16pm

ya, if barrett and ann take over itll be awesome...

#12

re: Aida

Posted: 12/28/04 at 8:16pm

The CD doesn't do the show justice. It is absolutely AMAZING onstage. I was lucky to see it twice, once with both Adam's and Heather's understudies, and the second with Adam and Maya Days. It is such a great show, and it's so sad that it had to leave.
I agree with 'How I Know You' and 'Another Pyramid'... I always skip them. But I actually like 'Like Father, Like Son'. Mostly because Adam sings in it...

---

-If you don't like your fate, change it. You are your own master.- Aida

#13

re: Aida

Posted: 12/28/04 at 8:19pm

Aida is so much fun to watch, but I think the CD is also great. I truthfully didn't listen to it that much before I got the chance to see it... but I would reccommend it, now that you can't see it. I think that Lisa was a better Amneris, and the guy I saw who was Mereb was better (Eric Lajuan summers?), but the CD is still great. I'm glad it's Adam Pascal on CD too.

---

NIL MAGNUM NISI BONUM "No greatness without goodness."

RENThead, enLIGHist, Ozalot, Grobanite, Ringer, Pickwick LW, Wicked, Lost, American Dreams, West Wing
Lea S. Hugh J. Adam P. Idina M. Matt M. Taye D.

Updated On: 12/28/04 at 08:19 PM

#14

re: Aida

Posted: 12/28/04 at 8:30pm

I was never much of an AIDA fan. It relies to heavily on spectacle, with little to back it up. The music is bland, indistinct, and just a little too cheesy pop/ballad for my taste. It's a fun show, but not necessarily a GOOD show.

#15

re: Aida

Posted: 12/28/04 at 9:23pm

I don't get all the raves about Headly. Every time I've heard her, I've been less than impressed. I wanted to see "Aida" before it closed, but I never got a chance. I heard Idina was in it for a brief time?

-Vincent

#16

re: Aida

Posted: 12/28/04 at 9:30pm

I agree. Its nothing great, I prefer something else.

---

"If I have something to say, the whole world (BroadwayWorld) should hear it." - Thenardier

#17

re: Aida

Posted: 12/28/04 at 9:37pm

Although I enjoy Headley and was very impressed by her performance in AIDA, nothing about her would cause me to rave or even to award her a Tony award. As much as I think AIDA is an awful mess of a show, I think the score is remarkable, with an exception of HOW I KNOW YOU and LIKE FATHER LIKE SON. It rightfully won the Tony for best score and I really can't imagine how anyone can't like Elton's score. Not that I'm preaching to you or saying you have no taste, I just don't understand.

---

"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

#18

re: Aida

Posted: 12/28/04 at 9:38pm

I don't get all the raves about Headly. Every time I've heard her, I've been less than impressed.

Hmmm...well, I've always loved her sharp-as-a-blade voice on CD, but Heather Headley is definitely someone you must see ONSTAGE. She has an almost palpable stage presence. When she first walked onstage in Aida and spoke her first lines with that deep, full voice of hers, you really did feel like you were in the presence of royalty. For me, it was her performance that turned Aida from a mediocre musical into a great night of theatre.

---

BlueWizard's blog: The Rambling Corner HEDWIG: "The road is my home. In reflecting upon the people whom I have come upon in my travels, I cannot help but think of the people who have come upon me."

#19

re: Aida

Posted: 12/28/04 at 9:40pm

I agree with BlueWizard. The show heavily depends on a strong cast. Someone with an amazing voice and presence (such as Headley) distracts from the poor writing, etc.

#20

re: Aida

Posted: 12/28/04 at 9:44pm

Well, to each his/her own, but that's what I'm saying for myself. Headley has nothing close to an "amazing voice and presence" in my opinion. Just me

-Vincent

#21

re: Aida

Posted: 12/28/04 at 10:30pm

You have to have seen the show to have experienced her presence.

I can see how you might not like her voice, though. I didn't like her rendition of "Shadowland" on The Lion King OBCR, but her performance of it on the David Letterman Show was remarkable. I wish she would come back to Broadway, though -- she's one of the few strong singer-actresses to have made a debut on the Broadway stage in the last few years (we've had a lot of new leading ladies with a great voice, but not many who can carry a great acting performance), and she needs to secure her reputation with another show.

---

BlueWizard's blog: The Rambling Corner HEDWIG: "The road is my home. In reflecting upon the people whom I have come upon in my travels, I cannot help but think of the people who have come upon me."

Updated On: 12/28/04 at 10:30 PM

#22

re: Aida

Posted: 12/28/04 at 10:33pm

i love aida so much. adam+heather+sherie.. just amazing. i miss the whole show, and the second i bought the cd back in 2001 i fell in love with it.
as for heather.. my mom isnt a theatre fan, and heather had her bawling during aida because she was so moved by her performance.
anyways saw aida 3 times live, love love it

---

*Always be a first rate version of yourself, instead of a second rate version of someone else* -Judy Garland

#23

re: Aida

Posted: 12/28/04 at 10:35pm

Oy. Vey.

Look. I know I'm biased, but to all of you dissenters, please give it another chance. I know the show had problems, but that score deserves the raves it gets. I'll always hold to my belief that it's nothing short of a masterpiece. Please don't be so quick to brush it aside on that CD shelf, MFL. Give it a chance.

Okay, and Heather. Can we PLEASE spell her name correctly? It's HeadlEy. See that E? It really does go there. And, like BlueWizard said, a lot of people may not like her voice, but you need to recognize talent.

---

A work of art is an invitation to love.

Updated On: 12/28/04 at 10:35 PM

#24

re: Aida

Posted: 12/28/04 at 10:39pm

I listened to it a second time and liked it a little better. Maybe it will grow on me.

#25

re: Aida

Posted: 12/28/04 at 10:43pm

See? That's progress already. Try reading the script like someone suggested, or looking at a copy of the book, so you have something to match the music up to. Sometimes it helps to be able to put a score into context; I can rarely really love an album of a show that I'm not at all familiar with.

---

A work of art is an invitation to love.